bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Guided self-help in primary care mental health
Authors: Khan Nagina , Bower Peter , Rogers Anne 
Published: August 2007

BackgroundThere is a gap between the supply of trained cognitive – behavioural therapists to treat depression and demand for care in the community. There is interest in the potential of self-help interventions, which require less input from a therapist. However, the design of effective self-help interventions is complex. Qualitative research can help to explore some of this complexity Aims The study aimed to identify qualitative studies of patient experience of depression management in primary care, synthesise these studies to develop an explanatory framework, and then apply this framework to the development of a guided self-help intervention for depression.MethodA meta-synthesis was conducted of published qualitative research.ResultsThe synthesis revealed a number of themes, including the nature of personal experience in depression; help-seeking in primary care; control and helplessness in engagement with treatment; stigma associated with treatment; and patients' understandings of self-help interventions.ConclusionsThis meta-synthesis of qualitative studies provided a useful explanatory framework for the development of effective and acceptable guided self-help interventions for depression.
Genetic risk of depression and stress-induced negative affect in daily life
Authors: Wichers Marieke , Myin-Germeys Inez , Jacobs Nele , Peeters Frenk , Kenis Gunter , Derom Catherine , Vlietinck Robert , Delespaul Philippe , Van Os Jim 
Published: August 2007

BackgroundA bias to develop negative affect in response to daily life stressors may be an important depression endophenotype, but remains difficult to assess.AimsTo assess this mood bias endophenotype, uncontaminated by current mood, in the course of daily life.MethodThe experience samping method was used to collect multiple appraisals of daily life event-related stress and negative affect in 279 female twin pairs. Cross-twin, cross-trait associations between daily life mood bias and DSM – IV depression were conducted.ResultsProbands whose co-twins were diagnosed with lifetime depression showed a stronger mood bias to stress than those with co-twins without such a diagnosis, independent of probands' current depressive symptoms and to a greater extent in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins.ConclusionsGenetic liability to depression is in part expressed as the tendency to display negative affect in response to minor stressors in daily life. This trait may represent a true depression endophenotype.
Firearm legislation reform in the European Union: impact on firearm availability, firearm suicide and homicide rates in Austria
Authors: Kapusta Nestor D. , Etzersdorfer Elmar , Krall Christoph , Sonneck Gernot 
Published: August 2007

BackgroundThe availability of firearms in homes and at aggregate levels is a risk factor for suicide and homicide. One method of reducing access to suicidal means is the restriction of firearm availability through more stringent legislation.AimsTo evaluate the impact of firearm legislation reform on firearm suicides and homicides as well as on the availability of firearms in Austria.MethodOfficial statistics on suicides, firearm homicides and firearm licences issued from 1985 to 2005 were examined. To assess the effect of the new firearm law, enacted in 1997, linear regression and Poisson regressions were performed using data from before and after the law reform.ResultsThe rate of firearm suicides among some age groups, percentage of firearm suicides, as well as the rate of firearm homicides and the rate of firearm licences, significantly decreased after a more stringent firearm law had been implemented.ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence that the introduction of restrictive firearm legislation effectively reduced the rates of firearm suicide and homicide. The decline in firearm-related deaths seems to have been mediated by the legal restriction of firearm availability. Restrictive firearm legislation should be an integral part of national suicide prevention programmes in countries with high firearm suicide rates.
Familial liability to schizophrenia and premorbid adjustment
Authors: Walshe Muriel , Taylor Mark , Schulze Katja , Bramon Elvira , Frangou Sophia , Stahl Daniel , Kravariti Eugenia , Daly Eileen , Fearon Paul , Murray Robin M. , Mcdonald Colm 
Published: August 2007

SummaryWe assessed premorbid functioning during childhood and adolescence in 50 people with schizophrenia from multiply affected families, 39 of their unaffected siblings, 69 people with schizophrenia with no family history of psychosis, 67 of their unaffected siblings and 83 controls. People with schizophrenia had poorer premorbid social and academic adjustment and exhibited a decline between childhood and adolescence compared with controls. Unaffected siblings from multiply affected families also had poor academic functioning in adolescence, with a decline between childhood and adolescence. This may represent a familial (presumed genetic) effect.
Management of insomnia: treatments and mechanisms
Authors: Wilson Sue , Nutt David 
Published: August 2007

SummaryManagement of insomnia is an interesting subject at present. New drug treatments are now becoming available after a relatively static period since the development of the Z-drugs in the 1990s. Moreover, more evidence is coming to light about the length of drug treatment and the effectiveness of psychological therapies. This article briefly describes current treatments, both evidence-based and common practice, and goes on to describe some emerging approaches.
What is the heartland of psychiatry?
Authors: Goodwin Guy M. , Geddes John R. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryPsychiatry has long identified schizophrenia as its defining disorder, its heartland as it has been called. In the past 20 years, this has had a number of negative consequences for psychiatry as a medical specialty, which result from the uncertainty of diagnosis and an increasing emphasis on demedicalising services in an attempt to provide social care outside hospital. These changes have probably increased the stigma attached to psychiatric practice and threaten to deskill doctors. They have also meant that services for other disorders do not meet the needs of patients. To continue to allow schizophrenia to be the paradigm condition is against the interests of psychiatrists and their patients.
White matter changes and late-life depressive symptoms
Authors: Teodorczuk Andrew , O'Brien John T. , Firbank Michael J. , Pantoni Leonardo , Poggesi Anna , Erkinjuntti Timo , Wallin Anders , Wahlund Lars-Olof , Gouw Alida , Waldemar Gunhild , Schmidt Reinhold , Ferro José M. , Chabriat Hugues , Bäzner Hansjörg , Inzitari Domenico 
Published: August 2007

BackgroundEvidence from cross-sectional studies suggests a link between cerebral age-related white matter changes and depressive symptoms in older people, although the temporal association remains unclear.AimsTo investigate age-related white matter changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an independent predictor of depressive symptoms at 1 year after controlling for known confounders.MethodIn a pan-European multicentre study of 639 older adults without significant disability, MRI white matter changes and demographic and clinical variables, including cognitive scores, quality of life, disability and depressive symptoms, were assessed at baseline. Clinical assessments were repeated at 1 year.ResultsUsing logistic regression analysis, severity of white matter changes was shown to independently and significantly predict depressive symptoms at 1 year after controlling for baseline depressive symptoms, quality of life and worsening disability (P<0.01).ConclusionsWhite matter changes pre-date and are associated with the development of depressive symptoms. This has implications for treatment and prevention of depression in later life.
Affective neuroscience and psychiatry
Authors: Harrison Neil A. , Critchley Hugo D. 
Published: August 2007

SummaryAffective neuroscience addresses the brain mechanisms underlying emotional behaviour. In psychiatry, affective neuroscience finds application not only in understanding the neurobiology of mood disorders, but also by providing a framework for understanding the neural control of interpersonal and social behaviour and processes that underlie psychopathology. By providing a coherent conceptual framework, affective neuroscience is increasingly able to provide a mechanistic explanatory understanding of current therapies and is driving the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
Advance statements: survey of patients' views and understanding
Authors: Foy Jane , Macrae Alison , Thom Alex , Macharouthu Ajay 
Published: August 2007

Aims and MethodA survey of patients was undertaken to determine their knowledge and understanding of advance statements (a new addition to Scottish mental health legislation introduced with the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003). Few patients have taken up this facility and this study attempts to identify potential explanations.ResultsA minority of the initial 58 participants had heard of advance statements prior to the survey (5 of 58, 8.6%). After issuing information about advance statements, awareness and understanding increased significantly among those who completed the study, with 59% (16 of 27) now understanding the concept. The types of information that patients wished to be documented in an advance statement fell into two broad groups: treatment preferences and statements regarding loss of control and autonomy. Out of 27 participants 19 (70%) stated they would now consider drawing up an advance statement.Clinical ImplicationsA lack of knowledge among patients about the existence of advance statements is highlighted. After a brief intervention, awareness, understanding and interest increased significantly, suggesting that poor uptake could be because of lack of awareness. Most participants would consult mental health professionals when drawing up an advance statement, therefore we have a responsibility to be fully informed about the process.
Benchmarking a liaison psychiatry service: a prospective 6-month study of quality indicators
Authors: O'Keeffe Nikki , Ramaiah Umesh Sira , Nomani Erum , Fitzpatrick Michelle , Ranjith Gopinath 
Published: August 2007

Aims and MethodThere are no national standards to evaluate the quality of delivery of in-patient liaison psychiatry services in general hospitals in the UK. In order to benchmark our service against best international practice, we adapted quality indicators from two peer-reviewed studies from Australia and Switzerland and monitored our performance standards over a period of 6 months.ResultsThere were 145 patients assessed over the study period. We set a priori target of 90% achievement on indicators in the areas of timeliness of response to all referrals, timeliness of response to referrals following self-harm and quality of supervision of junior medical staff attaining 93.8, 87.5 and 89.6% respectively.Clinical ImplicationsWe demonstrated that we provided a reasonably responsive consultation–liaison service with high levels of supervision of junior staff. National bodies should develop benchmarks in this area so that services can demonstrate the quality of their service and learn from others' good practice.
Orphan Receptor TR3 Attenuates the p300-Induced Acetylation of Retinoid X Receptor-α
Authors: Zhao Wen-xiu , Tian Min , Zhao Bi-xing , Li Gui-deng , Liu Bo , Zhan Yan-yan , Chen Hang-zi , Wu Qiao 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAcetylation modification regulates the functions of histone and nonhistone proteins, including transcriptional activity, protein interaction, and subcellular localization. Although many nuclear receptors have been shown to be modified by acetylation, whether retinoid X receptors (RXRs) are acetylated and how the acetylation is regulated remains unknown. Here, we provide the first evidence of RXRα acetylation by p300 on lysine 145. Acetylation of RXRα by p300 facilitated its DNA binding and subsequently increased its transcriptional activity. Furthermore, we discovered that TR3, an orphan receptor, exerted a negative regulation on p300-induced RXRα acetylation. TR3 significantly reduced the p300-induced RXRα acetylation and transcriptional activity, and such inhibition required the interaction of TR3 with RXRα. Binding of TR3 to RXRα resulted in the sequestration of RXRα from p300. 9-cis retinoic acid, a ligand for RXRα, enhanced the association of RXRα with TR3, rather than acetylation of RXRα by p300. Biological function analysis revealed that the mitogenic activity of RXRα stimulated by p300 was acetylation dependent and could be repressed by TR3. Upon the treatment of 9-cis retinoic acid, RXRα was translocated with TR3 from the nucleus to the mitochondria, and apoptosis was induced. Taken together, our data demonstrate the distinct regulatory mechanisms of p300 and TR3 on RXRα acetylation and reveal a previously unrecognized role for orphan receptor in the transcriptional control of retinoid receptors.
The Transcription Factor Snail Mediates Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transitions by Repression of Estrogen Receptor-α
Authors: Dhasarathy Archana , Kajita Masahiro , Wade Paul A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe estrogen receptor (ER)-α (ESR1) is a key regulatory molecule in mammary epithelial cell development. Loss of ER-α in breast cancer is correlated with poor prognosis, increased recurrence after treatment, and an elevated incidence of metastasis. A proposed molecular pathway by which ER-α acts to constrain invasive growth in breast cancer cells involves direct, ER-α-dependent expression of metastasis-associated protein 3, a cell-type-specific component of the Mi-2/NuRD chromatin remodeling complex. MTA3 in turn represses expression of Snail, a transcription factor linked to epithelial to mesenchymal transition and cancer metastasis. To elucidate its role(s) in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), we expressed Snail in the noninvasive, ER-α-positive MCF-7 cell line. Snail expression led to decreased cell-cell adhesion and increased cell invasiveness. Furthermore, we observed loss of ER-α expression at both the RNA and protein level that was accompanied by direct interaction of Snail with regulatory DNA sequences at the ESR1 locus. A consequence of loss of ER-α function in this system was the increased abundance of key components of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Thus, cross-talk among ER-α, Snail, and the TGF-β pathway appears to control critical phenotypic properties of breast cancer cells.
Biomechanics of bird flight
Authors: Tobalske Bret W. 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARYPower output is a unifying theme for bird flight and considerable progress has been accomplished recently in measuring muscular, metabolic and aerodynamic power in birds. The primary flight muscles of birds, the pectoralis and supracoracoideus, are designed for work and power output, with large stress (force per unit cross-sectional area) and strain (relative length change) per contraction. U-shaped curves describe how mechanical power output varies with flight speed, but the specific shapes and characteristic speeds of these curves differ according to morphology and flight style. New measures of induced, profile and parasite power should help to update existing mathematical models of flight. In turn, these improved models may serve to test behavioral and ecological processes. Unlike terrestrial locomotion that is generally characterized by discrete gaits, changes in wing kinematics and aerodynamics across flight speeds are gradual. Take-off flight performance scales with body size, but fully revealing the mechanisms responsible for this pattern awaits new study. Intermittent flight appears to reduce the power cost for flight, as some species flap–glide at slow speeds and flap–bound at fast speeds. It is vital to test the metabolic costs of intermittent flight to understand why some birds use intermittent bounds during slow flight. Maneuvering and stability are critical for flying birds,and design for maneuvering may impinge upon other aspects of flight performance. The tail contributes to lift and drag; it is also integral to maneuvering and stability. Recent studies have revealed that maneuvers are typically initiated during downstroke and involve bilateral asymmetry of force production in the pectoralis. Future study of maneuvering and stability should measure inertial and aerodynamic forces. It is critical for continued progress into the biomechanics of bird flight that experimental designs are developed in an ecological and evolutionary context.
Mechanical power and efficiency of level walking with different stride rates
Authors: Umberger Brian R. , Martin Philip E. 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARY
Walking humans prefer to use the stride rate that results in the lowest rate of metabolic energy expenditure. Mechanical power requirements have been suggested to underlie the metabolic response, but mechanical power is consistently reported to be minimal at stride rates 20–30% lower than preferred. This may be due to limitations in how total mechanical power has been computed, as well as a failure to account for the efficiency with which muscular work is done. We investigated how mechanical power and efficiency depend on stride rate in walking, with both quantities computed from the work done by the hip, knee and ankle joint moments. Our hypotheses were that mechanical power and efficiency are both optimized at the preferred stride rate, which would explain why metabolic energy expenditure is minimized at this rate. Contrary to our hypotheses, mechanical power curves exhibited plateaus that spanned stride rates lower than preferred (predicted optima:11–12% below preferred), while net mechanical efficiency exhibited a plateau that spanned stride rates higher than preferred (predicted optimum: 8%above preferred). As expected, preferred stride rate (54.3 strides min–1) was not different from the stride rate that minimized net metabolic energy expenditure (predicted optimum: 0.2% above preferred). Given that mechanical power and mechanical efficiency exhibited plateaus on opposite sides of the preferred stride rate, the preferred rate in walking likely represents a compromise between these two factors. This may also explain the relative flatness of the curve for metabolic rate in the vicinity of the preferred stride rate.
Modulation ofin vivomuscle power output during swimming in the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)
Authors: Richards Christopher T. , Biewener Andrew A. 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARYThe goal of this study is to explore how swimming animals produce the wide range of performance that is seen across their natural behaviors. In vivo recordings of plantaris longus muscle length change were obtained by sonomicrometry. Simultaneous with muscle length data, force measurements were obtained using a novel tendon buckle force transducer placed on the Achilles tendon of Xenopus laevis frogs during brief accelerating bursts of swimming. In vivo work loops revealed that the plantaris generates a variable amount of positive muscle work over a range of swimming cycle durations (from 0.23 to 0.76 s), resulting in a large range of cycle power output (from 2.32 to 74.17 W kg–1 muscle). Cycle duration correlated negatively with cycle power, and cycle work correlated positively(varying as a function of peak cycle stress and, to a much lesser extent,fascicle strain amplitude). However, variation in cycle duration only contributed to 12% of variation in power, with cycle work accounting for the remaining 88%. Peak cycle stress and strain amplitude were also highly variable, yet peak stress was a much stronger predictor of cycle work than strain amplitude. Additionally, EMG intensity correlated positively with peak muscle stress (r2=0.53). Although the timing of muscle recruitment (EMG phase and EMG duty cycle) varied considerably within and among frogs, neither parameter correlated strongly with cycle power, cycle work, peak cycle stress or strain amplitude. These results suggest that relatively few parameters (cycle duration, peak cycle stress and strain amplitude) vary to permit a wide range of muscle power output, which allows anurans to swim over a large range of velocities and accelerations.
Ventilatory and cardiovascular actions of centrally administered trout tachykinins in the unanesthetized trout
Authors: Le Mével Jean-Claude , Lancien Frédéric , Mimassi Nagi , Conlon J. Michael 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARYThe brains of teleost fish contain members of the tachykinin family that are the products of orthologous genes expressed in mammalian nervous tissues,but little is known regarding the physiological effects of these peptides in their species of origin. The present study compares the central actions of trout neuropeptide gamma (NPγ), substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA)(5–250 pmol) on ventilatory and cardiovascular parameters in the unanesthetized rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of NPγ evoked a dose-dependent elevation of the ventilation rate (fV) but a reduction of the ventilation amplitude (VAMP) that was caused by a reduction of the magnitude of the adduction phase of the ventilatory signal. The net effect of NPγ was to produce an hypoventilatory response since the total ventilation (VTOT) was significantly reduced. The minimum effective dose for a significant effect of NPγ on fV and VAMP was 50 pmol. SP evoked a significant elevation of fV, a concomitant depression of VAMP, and a resultant decrease in VTOTbut only at the highest dose (250 pmol). NKA was without action on fV but significantly decreased VAMP at only the highest dose tested. In this case also, the net effect of NKA was to reduce VTOT. When injected centrally, none of the three peptides, at any dose tested, produced changes in heart rate or mean dorsal aortic blood pressure (PDA). Intra-arterial injection of the three tachykinins (250 pmol) produced a significant (P&lt;0.05)increase in PDA, but only SP and NKA induced concomitant bradycardia. None of the three peptides produced any change in fV or VAMP. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that centrally injected tachykinins, particularly NPγ,produce a strong hypoventilatory response in a teleost fish and so suggest that endogenous tachykinins may be differentially implicated in neuroregulatory control of ventilation.