bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diverse approaches to crop diversification in agricultural research. A review
Authors: Hufnagel Johannes , Reckling Moritz , Ewert Frank
Published: April 2020

Agricultural intensification increased crop productivity but simplified production with lower diversity of cropping systems, higher genetic uniformity, and a higher uniformity of agricultural landscapes. Associated detrimental effects on the environment and biodiversity as well as the resilience and adaptability of cropping systems to climate change are of growing concern. Crop diversification may stabilize productivity of cropping systems and reduce negative environmental impacts and loss of biodiversity, but a shared understanding of crop diversification including approaches towards a more systematic research is lacking. Here, we review the use of ‘crop diversification’ measures in agricultural research. We (i) analyse changes in crop diversification studies over time; (ii) identify diversification practices based on empirical studies; (iii) differentiate their use by country, crop species and experimental setup and (iv) identify target parameters to assess the success of diversification. Our main findings are that (1) less than 5% of the selected studies on crop diversification refer to our search term ‘diversification’; (2) more than half of the studies focused on rice, corn or wheat; (3) 76% of the experiments were conducted in India, USA, Canada, Brazil or China; (4) almost any arable crop was tested on its suitability for diversification; (5) in 72% of the studies on crop diversification, at least one additional agronomic measure was tested and (6) only 45% of the studies analysed agronomic, economic and ecological target variables. Our findings show the high variability of approaches to crop diversification and the lack of a consistent theoretical concept. For better comparability and ability to generalise the results of the different primary studies, we suggest a novel conceptual framework. It consists of five elements, (i) definition of the problem of existing farming practices and the potential need for diversification, (ii) characterisation of the baseline system to be diversified, (iii) definition of the scale and target area, (iv) description of the experimental design and target variables and (v) definition of the expected impacts. Applying this framework will contribute to utilizing the benefits of crop diversification more efficiently.
Potential of microbes in the biofortification of Zn and Fe in dietary food grains. A review
Authors: Singh Devendra , Prasanna Radha
Published: April 2020

Micronutrients are essential factors for human health and integral for plant growth and development. Among the micronutrients, zinc (Zn) and iron (Fe) deficiency in dietary food are associated with malnutrition symptoms (hidden hunger), which can be overcome through biofortification. Different strategies, such as traditional and molecular plant breeding or application of chemical supplements along with fertilizers, have been employed to develop biofortified crop varieties with enhanced bioavailability of micronutrients. The use of microorganisms to help the crop plant in more efficient and effective uptake and translocation of Zn and Fe is a promising option that needs to be effectively integrated into agronomic or breeding approaches. However, this is less documented and forms the subject of our review. The major findings related to the mobilization of micronutrients by microorganisms highlighted the significance of (1) acidification of rhizospheric soil and (2) stimulation of secretion of phenolics. Plant–microbe interaction studies illustrated novel inferences related to the (3) modifications in the root morphology and architecture, (4) reduction of phytic acid in food grains, and (5) upregulation of Zn/Fe transporters. For the biofortification of Zn and Fe, formulation(s) of such microbes (bacteria or fungi) can be explored as seed priming or soil dressing options. Using the modern tools of transcriptomics, metaproteomics, and genomics, the genes/proteins involved in their translocation within the plants of major crops can be identified and engineered for improving the efficacy of plant–microbe interactions. With micronutrient nutrition being of global concern, it is imperative that the synergies of scientists, policy makers, and educationists focus toward developing multipronged approaches that are environmentally sustainable, and integrating such microbial options into the mainframe of integrated farming practices in agriculture. This can lead to better quality and yields of produce, and innovative approaches in food processing can deliver cost-effective nutritious food for the undernourished populations.
Influence of hydro-climatic factors on future coastal land susceptibility to erosion in Bangladesh: a geospatial modelling approach
Authors: Ahmed Asib , Nawaz Rizwan , Woulds Clare , Drake Frances
Published: April 2020

This study envisaged the likely impacts of future hydro-climatic changes on the susceptibility of coastal land to erosion through the development of raster-based geographical information system (GIS) model called land susceptibility to coastal erosion (LSCE). The model was applied to the coastal area of Bangladesh to assess future erosion susceptibility under four greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration trajectories: A1B, RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5. The results indicate considerable changes in future scenarios of coastal land susceptibility to erosion in the area compared to current baseline conditions. The current area of 276.33 km2 (0.61%) high and very high susceptible lands would be substantially increased to 1019.13 km2 (2.25% of land), 799.16 km2 (1.77%), 1181.38 km2 (2.61%) and 4040.71 km2 (8.96%) by 2080 under A1B, RCP2.6, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. Spatially, the western and eastern coastal zones would have low to moderate susceptibility to erosion, whereas the central coastal zone would have moderate to high/very high susceptibility to erosion. Seasonally, the model predicted the high erosion susceptibility during the monsoon seasons and very low erosion susceptibility during the winter seasons in the future. The model outputs were enhanced by integrating experts’ judgements through fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) approach. The LSCE model might be indispensable for coastal researchers in generating future scenarios of physical susceptibility to erosion for highly dynamic coastal areas around the world.
Computation of Rayleigh damping coefficient of a rectangular submerged floating tunnel (SFT)
Authors: Rahman Md. Hafizur , Gupta Chhavi
Published: April 2020

The dynamic behaviors of the submerged floating tunnel, a buoyant structure of high slenderness, are a matter of concern since it is surrounded by the huge hazardous effects called hydrodynamic, seismic and functional action. Modal analysis and Rayleigh damping coefficients play a significant role in dynamic analysis, but it is not sufficiently simple to predict the reasonable damping coefficients named α and β. The present paper outlines the modal analysis and the calculation of Rayleigh damping coefficients that provide the natural frequencies, mode shapes, mode’s motion as well as coefficients α and β. To compute the Rayleigh damping coefficients, 2–10% damping to the critical damping has been assumed for this analytical study. For the analysis, an FEA-based software ANSYS is utilized successfully. It has been seen that the fundamental frequency and Rayleigh damping coefficients (α = 0.946 and β = 0.00022) of the SFT are reasonably high and it is under noticeable damping.
Al-enabled biometrics in recruiting: Insights from marketers for managers
Authors: van Esch Patrick , Stewart Black J. , Franklin Drew , Harder Mark
Published: April 2020

Both researchers and practitioners are only in the early stages of examining and understanding the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in terms of marketing themselves as employers or the open jobs they have. AI has the potential to significantly affect how firms reach, identify, attract, and select human capital. We examine factors that can influence a job candidate’s intent to complete Al-enabled recruiting processes, especially the influence of a firm’s use of biometrics in that process. The results show that (1) social media can increase technology use motivation and Al-enabled recruiting with (2) trendiness as a first stage boundary condition and (3) biometrics as a second stage boundary condition. We contribute to marketing knowledge by identifying that for managers wanting to influence job seekers’ technology use motivation in order to increase their participation in Al-enabled recruiting; they must focus on the indirect effects of trendiness, biometrics, and their social media usage.
Debunking Logical Ground: Distinguishing Metaphysics from Semantics
Authors: MCSWEENEY MICHAELA M.
Published: April 2020

Many philosophers take purportedly logical cases of ground (such as a true disjunction being grounded in its true disjunct(s)) to be obvious cases, and indeed such cases have been used to motivate the existence of and importance of ground. I argue against this. I do so by motivating two kinds of semantic determination relations. Intuitions of logical ground track these semantic relations. Moreover, our knowledge of semantics for (e.g.) first order logic can explain why we have such intuitions. And, I argue, neither semantic relation can be a species of ground even on a quite broad conception of what ground is. Hence, without a positive argument for taking so-called ‘logical ground’ to be something distinct from a semantic determination relation, we should cease treating logical cases as cases of ground.
THE EXACT MINIMUM NUMBER OF TRIANGLES IN GRAPHS WITH GIVEN ORDER AND SIZE
Authors: LIU HONG , PIKHURKO OLEG , STADEN KATHERINE
Published: April 2020

What is the minimum number of triangles in a graph of given order and size? Motivated by earlier results of Mantel and Turán, Rademacher solved the first nontrivial case of this problem in 1941. The problem was revived by Erdős in 1955; it is now known as the Erdős–Rademacher problem. After attracting much attention, it was solved asymptotically in a major breakthrough by Razborov in 2008. In this paper, we provide an exact solution for all large graphs whose edge density is bounded away from $1$, which in this range confirms a conjecture of Lovász and Simonovits from 1975. Furthermore, we give a description of the extremal graphs.
Good Intentions
Authors: Srinivasan Ragini Tharoor
Published: April 2020

This article is part of a special forum on Pooja Rangan’s award-winning monograph Immediations: The Humanitarian Impulse in Documentary (Duke University Press, 2017).
Fifty Shades of Blackness: Recovering an Aesthetics of the Afrifuge
Authors: Menon Dilip
Published: April 2020

Black lives and histories are to the fore at the moment: from #BlackLivesMatter in the United States to the movement to decolonize syllabi and pedagogy in South African universities. The filmBlack Pantheris watched within a visual and political terrain in which the black body is presented no longer only within histories of previous abjection—slavery and apartheid—but in visions of future reconstitution. This article will put together the changing representation of T’Challa from 1966 to the present in Marvel Comics and the film and argue that blackness has meant different things at different times to the creators as much as within the historical circumstance within which the black superhero has been seen and understood. Central to this has been the dilemma of bringing together the histories of “Africa” and the tenements of the United States—Wakanda and Oakland, California, in the film, and Harlem, New York, in the comic books.
Intake of total cruciferous vegetable and its contents of glucosinolates and isothiocyanates, glutathione S-transferases polymorphisms and breast cancer risk: a case–control study in China
Authors: Zhang Nai-Qi , Mo Xiong-Fei , Lin Fang-Yu , Zhan Xiao-Xia , Feng Xiao-Li , Zhang Xin , Luo Hong , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: April 2020

Cruciferous vegetables contain high levels of glucosinolates (GSL) and isothiocyanates (ITC). ITC are known to induce glutathione S-transferases (GST) and thus exert their anticarcinogenic effects. This study explored the combined effects of cruciferous vegetable, GSL and ITC intake and GST polymorphisms on breast cancer risk. A total of 737 breast cancer cases and 756 controls were recruited into this case–control study. OR and 95 % CI were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. Higher cruciferous vegetable, GSL and ITC intakes were inversely associated with breast cancer risk, with adjusted OR of 0·48 (95 % CI 0·35, 0·65), 0·54 (95 % CI 0·40, 0·74) and 0·62 (95 % CI 0·45, 0·84), respectively. Compared with women carrying the GSTP1 rs1695 wild AA genotype and high cruciferous vegetable, GSL or ITC intake, carriers of the AA genotype with low cruciferous vegetable, GSL and ITC intake had greater risk of breast cancer, with adjusted OR of 1·43 (95 % CI 1·01, 1·87), 1·34 (95 % CI 1·02, 1·75) and 1·37 (95 % CI 1·05, 1·80), respectively. Persons with the GSTM1-null genotype and lower intake of cruciferous vegetables, GSL and ITC had higher risk of breast cancer than those with the GSTM1-present genotype and higher intake, with OR of 1·42 (95 % CI 1·04, 1·95), 1·43 (95 % CI 1·05, 1·96) and 1·45 (95 % CI 1·06, 1·98), respectively. Among women possessing the GSTT1-present genotype, low intake of cruciferous vegetables, GSL or ITC was associated with higher risk of breast cancer. But these interactions were non-significant. This study indicated that there were no significant interactions between cruciferous vegetable, GSL or ITC intake and GST polymorphisms on breast cancer risk.
Opportunities and limitations of milk mid-infrared spectra-based estimation of acetone and β-hydroxybutyrate for the prediction of metabolic stress and ketosis in dairy cows
Authors: Caldeira Monica O. , Dan Denisa , Neuheuser Anna-Lena , Stürmlin Remo , Weber Christoph , Glauser Daniel L. , Stierli Martin , Schuler Urs , Moll Juerg , Wegmann Silvia , Bruckmaier Rupert M. , Gross Josef J.
Published: April 2020

Subclinical (SCK) and clinical (CK) ketosis are metabolic disorders responsible for big losses in dairy production. Although Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectrometry (FTIR) to predict ketosis in cows exposed to great metabolic stress was studied extensively, little is known about its suitability in predicting hyperketonemia using individual samples, e.g. in small dairy herds or when only few animals are at risk of ketosis. The objective of the present research was to determine the applicability of milk metabolites predicted by FTIR spectrometry in the individual screening for ketosis. In experiment 1, blood and milk samples were taken every two weeks after calving from Holstein (n = 80), Brown Swiss (n = 72) and Swiss Fleckvieh (n = 58) cows. In experiment 2, cows diagnosed with CK (n = 474) and 420 samples with blood β-hydroxybutyrate [BHB] <1.0 mmol/l were used to investigate if CK could be detected by FTIR-predicted BHB and acetone from a preceding milk control. In experiment 3, correlations between data from an in farm automatic milk analyser and FTIR-predicted BHB and acetone from the monthly milk controls were evaluated. Hyperketonemia occurred in majority during the first eight weeks of lactation. Correlations between blood BHB and FTIR-predicted BHB and acetone were low (r = 0.37 and 0.12, respectively, P < 0.0001), as well as the percentage of true positive values (11.9 and 16.6%, respectively). No association of FTIR predicted ketone bodies with the interval of milk sampling relative to CK diagnosis was found. Data obtained from the automatic milk analyser were moderately correlated with the same day FTIR-predicted BHB analysis (r = 0.61). In conclusion, the low correlations with blood BHB and the small number of true positive samples discourage the use of milk mid-infrared spectrometry analyses as the only method to predict hyperketonemia at the individual cow level.
Head and neck squamous cell cancer associated with lymphoproliferative malignancies is aggressive
Authors: Li L , Hamilton L , Montgomery J , Stewart M
Published: April 2020

Background

Patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia are at an elevated risk of further malignancy. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma often presents with cervical lymph node metastasis, and can pose a diagnostic challenge in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia who may have pre-existing palpable neck nodes.

Methods

A retrospective case review of a health board was conducted to identify patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with a previous diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Results

Four patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma that developed after non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia were identified. Two patients had a background of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with chemotherapy. The remaining two patients had a background of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia under active surveillance. Three out of the four patients died within 30 months of diagnosis.

Conclusion

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma following non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukaemia is aggressive. A heightened clinical suspicion is essential to facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in patients with dual pathology.
A comparison between endoscopic and microscopic approaches for stapes surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Pauna H F , Pereira R C , Monsanto R C , Amaral M S A , Hyppolito M A
Published: April 2020

Objectives

To evaluate the surgical techniques, approaches, audiological outcomes and complications of endoscopic stapes surgery.

Methods

Systematic searches of the literature were performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases, to identify studies of patients who underwent stapes surgery using endoscopic approaches and studies reporting objective post-operative hearing outcomes. The following information was extracted: surgery duration, complications, surgical technique and audiometric results.

Results

Fourteen studies were selected for appraisal, which included a total of 282 ears subjected to endoscopic stapes surgery. Endoscopic stapes surgery seems to provide adequate visualisation of the middle-ear structures, thereby allowing less invasive surgery and potentially equivalent audiological outcomes as compared with a traditional microscopic approach. Other advantages of endoscopic stapes surgery include decreased surgery time, a reduced need for drilling, and auditory results comparable to those of microscopic techniques.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that endoscopic stapes surgery has similar surgical and functional advantages as compared with microscopic surgery.
Investigating food assimilation in a carnivorous teleost by stable isotopes analysis: the case of ribbonfish off south-east Brazil
Authors: Di Beneditto Ana Paula Madeira , Gatts Pedro Viana , Bittar Vanessa Trindade
Published: April 2020

This study verifies the food assimilation of a carnivorous teleost in different timescales (weeks vs months) and evaluates how it uses the food sources. The target species is the adult ribbonfish, Trichiurus lepturus, a voracious teleost caught in commercial fisheries off south-east Brazil (21°S–22°S). The isotope models indicated Chirocentrodon bleekerianus as the main food in the ribbonfish diet in the last weeks (liver: 38.5%; 95% credible intervals: 3.4–73.9%) and last months (muscle: 36.2%; 95% credible intervals: 3.4–68.7%). The contribution of other food sources ranges from 10–16% (liver) and from 10–20% (muscle). Food assimilation remains similar at different timescales. The isotope models suggested a strong and long-lasting association of the adult females of ribbonfish with coastal waters along the study area.
Politics as Metafiction: Reading Robert Coover's Political Fable in the Age of Trump
Authors: McCarty Timothy Wyman
Published: April 2020

It would not be hard to write an essay that treats The Cat in the Hat as a fable for the United States in the age of President Donald Trump. An unpredictable and charismatic figure in a trademark red and white hat (the Cat) blasts onto the stage, upending the unwritten rules of decorum with his wild antics to the simultaneous delight and befuddlement of his constituency (“Sally and I”) all while hectoring nay-sayers (the fish) fret and declare that this is quite irregular and should not be tolerated until things get out of hand and order is reestablished, but not without a sneaking sense that allowing this to have happened at all is a frightening transgression (“Now, what should we do? What would you do if your mother asked you?”). Thankfully, one of America's most influential experimental writers already did it for us, in 1968, when Robert Coover published The Cat in the Hat for President: A Political Fable.
Effect of symptoms on the assessment of social functioning: comparison between Axis V of DSM III-R and the Psychosocial Aptitude Rating Scale
Authors: Robert P , Aubin V , Dumarcet M , Braccini T , Souêtre E , Darcourt G
Published: April 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate relationships and differences between 2 scales assessing subject’s adaptative functioning. On the one hand, Axis V in the revised version of the Third Edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM III-R) includes specific symptoms for each level of functioning described. On the other hand, the Psychosocial Aptitude Rating Scale (PARS) does not include clinical symptoms. A total of 78 psychiatric inpatients were rated independently with the 2 scales. The 2 ratings were correlated for the whole sample and for each diagnostic category. Diagnosis (Axis 1) explained 63.9% of the variance in the Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) Scale (Axis V) and only 23.8% in the Psychosocial Aptitude Rating Scale (PARS). Axis V is then made redundant by Axis 1 which is contrary to the aim of a multi-axial system. PARS describes aspects of the disorder that are distinct from clinical symptoms. These occupational and social aspects may be of great interest for a better overall evaluation of severity of mental disorders.
Cocaine use and Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome
Authors: Perez de los Cobos JC , Lopez-Ibor JJ , Sopelana P , Castañeda M
Published: April 2020

The present study was carried out in 2 successive phases. In the first, 91 inpatients admitted for opioid dependence were evaluated. All were treated with α2-agonists during the withdrawal period. Shortly after admission, a urine sample was taken and analyzed (EMIT and GC/MS). The presence of the cocaine metabolite benzoilecgonine in urine was a predictor of dropout probability during hospitalization (P < 0.01). A second study on a sample of 612 inpatients later admitted for similar reasons was carried out according to a simpler protocol (using only EMIT) in order to replicate the previous results. Again, the presence of benzoilecgonine in urine indicated dropout probability (P = 0.00004). Thus, the use of cocaine prior to admission for a treatment of opiate withdrawal syndrome with α2-agonists seems to predict therapeutic failure.
Recognition and subtyping of atypical depression by French Practitioners
Authors: Boyer P , Lecrubier Y , Puech AJ
Published: April 2020

A two-part survey of French General practitioners was carried out to determine attitudes and diagnostic criteria for definition of atypical depression, major depressive episodes, and anxiety disorder. Following a preliminary phase in which 90 physicians were interviewed, 500 general practitioners received detailed questionnaires based upon DSM III-R criteria, as well as supplementary questions based upon the Leibowitz and Akiskal criteria. Principal criteria analysis and regression analysis were carried out on the 280 analyzable files received. Results showed that anxiety disorders were primarily defined in terms of somatic criteria, and that there were a number of factors common to anxiety and depression. Minor depression was also defined primarily on the basis of somatic complaints, together with loss of energy and fatigue. Major depression was defined primarily by asthenia, apragmatism and loss of drive, together with less strongly weighted cognitive factors (sadness, Pessimism, inhibition, etc). From a dimensional standpoint, depression is defined as a “vital deficit”, with a failure to cope with social and environmental demands. It is interesting to note that the duration criterion was not considered to be of nosological relevance by the physicians, and was generally ignored in the definition of mental pathologies. The international subtyping of depressive disorders does not form part of the Practice of French practitioners, who prefer to retain the older, psychosocial models.
Structured evaluation of psychosocial factors
Authors: Kowal P , Guelfi JD
Published: April 2020

Several reviews on social functioning measurements using structured interviews or questionnaires have been published in recent years. This report examines Weissman and Brugha’s report on these tools and the respective interest of self-rating scales or interviews. In the elderly, multidimensional tools such as MAI or CARE have proven to be very useful. Questionnaires may be the best tools for assessing social adaptation in the elderly: a short self-rating scale that aims to assess social adaptation in the elderly in the community has therefore been presented. The SII Q is derived from the Multilevel Assessment Instrument (MAI) and the Index of Social Support (ISS). A principal component analysis of this new Social Integration and Independence Questionnaire (17 items) elicited four factors accounting for 48.8% of the variance, representing four parameters of social functioning: independence, social integration, familial interaction and depression.
The classification of mental disorders in the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases
Authors: Sartorius N
Published: April 2020

The chapter dealing with the classification of mental disorders in the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) has been developed after consultation with experts in many countries. Each of the categories has been clearly defined so as to facilitate the assignment of diagnoses. The descriptions of categories and the diagnostic guidelines have then been tested in 110 centres located in over 40 countries, and the results have been used to finalize the text. The classification will be issued in several versions - one for statistical purposes, one for clinicians, one for researchers and one for general practitioners. A multiaxial presentation of the classification is being tested at present and will be made available in early 1993. The paper describes the requirements and principles which led to the classification, depicts the process outlined above and gives prospects for the future.
Obstetric complications in distinct schizophrenic subgroups
Authors: Stöber G , Franzek E , Beckmann H
Published: April 2020

In 55 chronic DSM III-R schizophrenics the occurrence of obstetric complications (OCs) was investigated using the familial/sporadic strategy and Leonhard's unsystematic/systematic distinction. The overall frequency and severity of OCs did not differ between patients and controls. A sub-sample of patients, whose genetic risk was supposed to be high in both classification systems (diagnosis of unsystematic and familial schizophrenia), had significantly fewer OCs than controls on the Lewis and Murray scale (P< 0.05). With reference to previous reports of increased mortality rates in the offspring of schizophrenics, high genetic risk and additional perinatal stressors may increase perinatal mortality. In contrast, patients whose genetic risk was supposed to be low in both systems (diagnosis of systematic and sporadic schizophrenia) showed a trend to an increased frequency of OCs in the Fuchs scale. In the context of the recently reported highly significantly increased rate of maternal infections during midgestation in these patients, it was supposed that perinatal complications may be of some aetiological importance in schizophrenics with low genetic risk.
Visual field processing in paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenics
Authors: Aharonovich E , Karny N , Nachson I
Published: April 2020

The hypothesis that paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenics are differentially associated with unilateral hemisphere dysfunction was tested on 12 paranoid and 12 non-paranoid schizophrenics, as well as on 24 affective patients and 24 normal controls. The subjects were presented for 150 ms with series of digit-pairs and open rings to the left or right visual fields. Overall recognition of digits and localization of gaps in the rings were better for the right than for the left visual field. However, performance of the paranoid and non-paranoid schizophrenics was relatively poorer in response to the right and left visual field stimuli, respectively. Since these data do not correspond to the findings obtained in the auditory modality, they were interpreted as indicating modality-specific associations of paranoid schizophrenia with left hemisphere dysfunction, and of non-paranoid schizophrenia with right hemisphere dysfunction.
Platelet serotonin binding and plasma cortisol in panic disorder before and after alprazolam plus behavioral guidance treatment
Authors: Tobeña A , Sanchez X , Masana J , Martinez de Osaba MJ
Published: April 2020

In 32 patients with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, Bmax measures of 5-HT binding in platelets did not differ from normal controls at baseline. Plasmatic cortisol levels were significantly higher than controls in the morning and in the evening measures as well as in post-dexamethasone assays. Following an 8-week treatment period with alprazolam plus behavioral guidance encouraging exposure, Bmax values did not alter but cortisol measures diminished significantly. Measures of phobic avoidance were negatively correlated with 5-HT Bmax values. Plasmatic cortisol correlated positively with the number of situational panic attacks in the month before treatment. There were no correlations between cortisol and 5-HT Bmax measures. A possible link between serotonin function and phobic avoidance is discussed. Cortisol changes were interpreted as being related to the global severity of the anxious state.
Reciprocal influences between clinical and biological research in shaping the modern concept of schizophrenia
Authors: Maj M , Kemali D
Published: April 2020

The contribution of biological psychiatry to research on schizophrenia should not be seen only in terms of discovery of biological markers or identification of definite etiological factors. Although biological research has failed up to now to identify such markers or factors, its influence on the clinical conceptualization of the illness has been considerable. On the other hand, biological research on schizophrenia has not been insensitive to the continuous re-shaping of the clinical concept of the illness which occurred during the last decades. There are at least three issues for which this reciprocal influence can be identified: 1), the question of the symptoms to be included in the definition of schizophrenia; 2), the problem of the relationship between “core” schizophrenia and mild non-psychotic conditions such as schizoid and schizotypal disorders; 3), the issue whether schizophrenia represents a mixture of different entities or a basically unitary condition.
The validity of the Melancholia Scale (MES) in predicting outcome of antidepressants in chronic idiopathic pain disorders
Authors: Loldrup D , Langemark M , Hansen HJ , Kastrup M , Jeppesen K , Bonnevie O , Elsborg L , Olesen J , Bech P
Published: April 2020

In patients with chronic idiopathic pain disorders we have analysed the construct validity of the Melancholia Scale as compared to the results with the scale in primary depression. The patients (n= 253) were treated in a placebo controlled trial with either clomipramine or mianserin independently of the Melancholia score. The construct validity of the Melancholia Scale was further analysed by the testing of the intensity model of depression versus anxiety using the Beck Depression Inventory, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and the Melancholia Scale. The construct validity in terms of scale homogeneity was analysed by Loevinger coefficients which can be considered as a latent structure evaluation. The Melancholia Scale showed acceptable homogeneity, while the Hamilton Anxiety Scale lacked sufficient homogeneity. In total, 33% of the patients had a score of 10 or more on the Melancholia Scale (corresponding to 13 or more on the Hamilton Depression Scale). The predictive validity of the Melancholia Scale was evaluated using active treatment versus placebo response after 6 weeks of therapy. It was shown that in patients with a Melancholia Scale score of 10 or more (corresponding to “less than major depression”) 72% had full recovery when treated with clomipramine, while 36% of the placebo treated patients obtained a full recovery (P≤0.05). The patients treated with mianserin obtained a full recovery in 52%. The group of patients with a Melancholia Scale score of 10 or more scored higher also on the anxiety scales indicating that the relation between depression and anxiety is a matter of severity. The depressed patients had significantly lower imipramine binding sites than the non-depressed patients.
Combined fluoxetine and disulfiram treatment of alcoholism with comorbid affective disorders. A naturalistic outcome study, including quality of life measurements
Authors: Børup C , Undén M
Published: April 2020

This uncontrolled study presents 188 patients primarily diagnosed as addictive alcoholics and fulfilling the DSM III diagnostic criteria for panic disorder or major depression, 104 and 84 patients, respectively. The study focused on clinical outcome of pharmacological intervention with combined fluoxetine and disulfiram treatment. The patients were followed for (up to) 40 months. A good clinical outcome for both groups was found in 70%. In a subgroup of 37 patients ‘quality of life’ was assessed using quality of life scales. An appropriate correlation emerged between clinical judgement of outcome and the patients’ self-rating. Although the study was limited by being uncontrolled, the results have shown, that specific treatment in a group of alcoholics with comorbid psychopathology within the anxiety and depression spectrum is possible even after many years of addictive alcohol abuse. The necessity for proper psychiatric assessment is stressed.
Prolactin responses to im haloperidol in drug-naive and drug-experienced schizophrenic patients
Authors: Markianos M , Botsis A , Hatzimanolis J , Stefanis C
Published: April 2020

The prolactin (PRL) responses to 5 mg im haloperidol were assessed in the drug-free state and after one month treatment with neuroleptics in 14 male schizophrenic patients who had never received drug treatment, and in 20 male patients who had discontinued their neuroleptic treatment for periods of two months to one year. Drug experienced patients showed lower PRL increases after acute haloperidol (mean 31.7 ng/ml) than drug-naive patients (mean responses 43.4 ng/ml). After treatment with neuroleptics in doses appropriate for the best clinical response, the baseline PRL levels were similar in the two groups, and im haloperidol did not cause any further PRL increases. The results provide evidence that after discontinuation of neuroleptics, the hypothalamic-pituitary dopamine receptors are subsensitive, and remain in that state for long periods of time.
Statistical comparison of transition sleep variables in depressed and normal subjects
Authors: Iorio G , Marciano F , Martino M , Kemali D
Published: April 2020

We present the values for the amount of transitions, for the total stage duration and for the first time of occurrence (latency) of a stage. A test aimed at evaluating probability values for the transition from one sleep stage to another was applied to the hypnograms of ten patients with endogenous depression and of ten normal controls. Sleep data (EEG, EMG, EOG) of each subject were recorded on magnetic tape and paper for three consecutive nights. Following sleep stage classification, portions of hypnograms of 480 min, further divided into sub-periods, were retained for the purpose of the test. The results proved that significant differences between depressed and control subjects exist among the data corresponding to various sleep stages. These findings also provided useful statistical indications in order to reduce the amount of computing needed by an automatic classifier.
Incidence and comorbidity of personality disorders among first ever admitted psychiatric patients
Authors: Mors O , Sørensen LV
Published: April 2020

During a period of one year, 157 first ever admitted psychiatric patients in the age group 18-49 years from a catchment area of 217,649 persons were interviewed with the Present State Examination 10th edition, development version and the Personality Disorder Examination, 1988 version. Of the sample, 23% received at least one DSM III-R personality disorder (PD) diagnosis. Rates avoidant PD, very few borderline PDs were found. Almost all patients with PDs also had major psychiatric disorders and the sample was biased towards younger individuals with more severe Axis I symptomatology compared with first ever admitted psychiatric patients aged 18-49 years in Denmark. Cluster A was associated with schizophrenia, cluster B with alcohol or other substance use disorders, and cluster C with anxiety disorders. Within Axis II, schizotypal PD was associated with avoidant and dependent PD, and paranoid with antisocial and dependent PD.
An objective method for edge detection in MRI morphometry
Authors: Keshavan MS , Beckwith C , Bagwell W , Pettegrew W , Ranga Krishnan K
Published: April 2020

We describe a simple method to objectively identify the threshold for edge detection in morphometric measurement of brain structures. This method correlates highly with the subjective operator-driven approach to edge detection. While the objective approach, using a histogram of pixel intensities, reduces rater bias and may reliably identify brain-CSF boundaries, its value in morphometric measurements of smaller cerebral structures may be somewhat limited.
The reform of psychiatric care in Greece: 1983-1989
Authors: Sarantidis D , Kladouchos V , Tripodianakis J , Giel R , Munk-Jorgensen P
Published: April 2020

We have attempted to evaluate quantitative changes in the mental health delivery system in Greece, dictated by a fiveyear program to reform psychiatric care. By the end of the program, a number of psychiatric units in general hospitals, as well as community mental health centres, had been created, while the number of beds in psychiatric hospitals have been significantly reduced. Mental health services have become more accessible to the population, and served more patients. However, not all the objectives of the program have been met. Only about half of the initially proposed number of beds in the psychiatric units in general hospitals have been actually developed. The catchment area, a basic pre-requisite of the program, has not been put into effect. Finally, the noticeable trend towards a restriction of the role of psychiatric hospitals did not coincide with the development of adequate new services.
Presentation of a method of evaluating clinical criteria permitting recommendation of psychoanalytic treatment
Authors: Rappard E , Lancrenon S , Chaine L , Von Benedek L
Published: April 2020

The method of evaluation we describe attempts to establish the criteria applied by clinicians when recommending psychoanalytical psychotherapy or psychoanalysis. A questionnaire was constructed and a study of inter-rater agreement using this research tool was carried out. The results of inter-rater agreement as well as the variations concerning each rater are discussed. Continuation of this study will provide the opportunity to examine the validity of general principles underlying the psychoanalysts’ perceptions of their patients.
Superimposition of acute depressive episode on chronic neurotic symptoms: one of the reasons for refractoriness of depression
Authors: Okada F , Daiguji M
Published: April 2020

Keller and Shapiro (1982) reported that 26% of the first 101 patients who entered the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-Clinical Research Branch Collaborative Program on the Psychobiology of Depression (Katz and Klerman, 1979; Katz et al, 1979) with a major depressive episode were found to have a pre-existing chronic minor depression of at least 2 years’ duration. They labeled this Phenomenon “double depression„ (Keller and Shapiro, 1982). Furthermore, patients with panic disorder almost universally suffer from major depression at some time in the course of their disorder (Coryell et al, 1988; Stein and Uhde, 1988; Vollrath et al, 1990). “Double diagnosis„, or identification of psychotic or related syndromes, co-existing with personality disorders, have received much attention in the literature in recent years (Sanderson et al, 1990; Torgersen, 1990; Barsky et al, 1992). Much of the research on comorbidity between depressive and anxiety disorders has been summarized in two edited volumes (Kendall and Watson, 1989; Maser and Cloninger, 1990).
Fluoxetine seems to widen the nortriptyline antidepressant-like dose range in mice submitted to the tail suspension test (TST)
Authors: de Oliveira IR , Brito PR , Peres MF , Dardennes R , da Rocha-Junior MA , Gonidec J , Rouyer T , de Castro-E-Silva E
Published: April 2020

This study was designed to verify whether fluoxetine (FL), a serotonin (5-HT) re-uptake inhibitor, would interfere with nortriptyline (NT), a biphasic U-shaped curvilinear dose-response relationship recently described in our laboratory. We associated 10 mg/kg NT or vehicle to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg FL, in one group, and 10 mg FL or vehicle to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg NT, in another group, 30 min before the tail suspension test (TST) in mice. Although we were not able to confirm a synergistic effect between FL and NT, FL-NT association seems to require higher doses of NT to block its own anti-immobility effect at high doses, thus widening NT effective antidepressant-like dose range in mice submitted to TST.
Emotional arousal as therapy: activation vs dissociation
Authors: Marks I
Published: April 2020

Healing through emotional arousal is an ancient idea. Abreaction may yield lasting, brief, or no improvement, or alternatively sensitization. The predictors of outcome are unclear. The emotional experience of relevant exposure therapy yields more reliable improvement; forgotten traumas may surface, which ease as exposure proceeds. High arousal does not enhance the gains, but emotional engagement in exposure seems crucial for habituation to occur. Habituation is specific to the fear cues presented, marked generalization being unusual. Emotional experience irrelevant to a phobia can also improve the phobia, but the duration of such relief is unclear and different mechanisms may be involved. Fear-reduction is unreliable with non-exposure methods. Though counterproductive during exposure, dissociation and denial may have some uses. Optimal gains may come from being able to modulate activation or suppression to suit particular circumstances.
Effects of piracetam on the dexamethasone suppression test in Alzheimer's and multi-infarct dementias
Authors: Charles G , Panzer MJ , Machowski R , Lefevre A , Mirel J
Published: April 2020

Results of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in demented nondepressed patients have varied considerably, and there is evidence that these depend on the type of dementia, ie, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or multi-infarct dementia (MID). AD is characterized by decreased central acetylcholine (Ach) activity, while MID is thought to be vascular in etiology. Pirecetam normalizes cerebral blood flow, along with other positive hemorheological properties. It may also increase central Ach levels. We performed the DST twice, 1 week apart, on 96 stable, demented geriatric inpatients. In 33 (21 AD, 11 MID), piracetam was started at an oral dose of 4.8 g/d 4-6 months before the first DST. The remaining 64 (39 AD, 25 MID) were untreated. Among untreated patients, those with MID were less suppressible (P < 0.001 and P= 0.01) and had more week-to-week variability (P = 0.0006) in the DST than AD patients. This is consistent with our previous findings. However, treated patients showed no difference in either postdexamethasone cortisol levels or reproducibility of DST results. We interpret these findings to mean that piracetam, by increasing central Ach, makes AD patients less suppressible on the DST, and by maintaining more constant limbic blood flow, makes MID patients more DST stable.
Clinical observation of 11 patients under clozapine-lithium association
Authors: Bryois C , Ferrero F
Published: April 2020

Ten men and one woman aged 27 to 52 years and presenting chronic evolution of their psychotic disorders benefited from a treatment which associated lithium sulfate at a plasmatic level of 0.5 to 0.8 meq/L with clozapine (mean posology: 300 mg/day). Five patients presented chronic disorganized schizophrenia (295.14), five a schizoaffective disorder (295.70) and one patient chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia (295.94) according to DSM III-R. Nine of the eleven patients showed mood disorders in addition to their psychotic and dissociative symptomatology. The remaining two presented chronic disorganised schizophrenia with aggressive behaviour. The clozapine-lithium association led to stabilization and improvement in the condition of all patients. Nine patients are still undergoing treatment with satisfactory results. The mean duration of the clozapine-lithium treatment, which has proved to be well tolerated with regard to side-effects, is about five years.
Two cases of mianserin abuse in psychiatric out-patients
Authors: Theret L , Bertholon F , Germain MC
Published: April 2020

Two clinical observations of mianserin abuse by psychiatric out-patients are described. A previous history of substance dependence was found in both cases. Mianserin should be used with caution in predisposed patients, before further studies on the subject are carried out.
A family study of obsessive compulsive, eating and mood disorders
Authors: Pasquale L , Sciuto G , Cocchi S , Ronchi P , Bellodi L
Published: April 2020

We calculated Morbidity Risks (MR%) for the major psychiatric conditions in the families of three groups of patients, affected by Eating Disorders (ED; n = 41), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD; n = 70) and Mood Disorders (MD; n = 39). Our aim was to verify the hypothesis of a common familial pattern of aggregation. Familial risk of developing OCD was significantly increased in the families of OCD probands. Homotypic cases were also augmented in ED and MD families with respect to the rates of the general population, although without statistical significance in the crosswise comparisons. These results confirm the existence of a genetic susceptibility to the development of OCD.
Dementia associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zain MDA , Varma SL , Selladurai BM , Sharma HS , Dharap AS
Published: April 2020

A 56 year-old man who presented with symptoms and signs of dementia was later diagnosed as having nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Akathisia-induced suicidal behaviour
Authors: Azhar MZ , Varma SL
Published: April 2020

Three cases of akathisia-induced impulsive suicide attempts are reported. In all three cases the patients admitted that the suicidal ideas occurred suddently. The suicidal attempts may be a result of neuroleptic – induced akathisia as they disappeared as soon as the akathisia was treated.