Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Outline of Human Genetics. By L. S. P enrose
The Molecular Basis of Neoplasia
Genetics and Dental Health. By C arl J. W itkop , Jr., ed.
Tròubles de l'Appareil Auditif et Manifestations Ophthalmologiques Associés. By R. G rimaud , P. M ounier -K uhn , M. G ignoux and H. M artin (with the collaboration of L. P aufique , G. B onamour , J. C ordier and J. B. D ureux )
An Introduction to Genetics. By A. H. S turtevant and G. W. B eadle
Changing Perspectives on the Genetic Effects of Radiation. By J. V. N eel
Birth Dejects. Edited by M orris F ishbein
Approaches to the Genetic Analysis of Mammalian Cells. Edited by D. J. M erchant and J. V. N eel
Studies in Genetics. By H. J. Müller
The Genetics of Migrant and Isolate Populations. Proceedings of a conference on human population genetics in Israel, held at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Edited by Elisabeth Goldschmidt     

Book review

Avian Medicine and Surgery R. B. ALTMAN, S. L. CLUBB, G. M. DOR‐RESTEIN and K. QUEENBURY (Eds) Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Company, 1997 1070 pp., £68 ISBN 0–7216–5446–0.     

ERP components on reaction errors and their functional significance: a tutorial

Some years ago we described a negative (Ne) and a later positive (Pe) deflection in the event-related brain potentials (ERPs) of incorrect choice reactions [Falkenstein, M., Hohnsbein, J., Hoormann, J., Blanke, L., 1990. In: Brunia, C.H.M., Gaillard, A.W.K., Kok, A. (Eds.), Psychophysiological Brain Research. Tilburg Univesity Press, Tilburg, pp. 192-195. Falkenstein, M., Hohnsbein, J., Hoormann, J., 1991. Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology, 78, 447-455]. Originally we assumed the Ne to represent a correlate of error detection in the sense of a mismatch signal when representations of the actual response and the required response are compared. This hypothesis was supported by the results of a variety of experiments from our own laboratory and that of Coles [Gehring, W. J., Goss, B., Coles, M.G.H., Meyer, D.E., Donchin, E., 1993. Psychological Science 4, 385-390. Bernstein, P.S., Scheffers, M.K., Coles, M.G.H., 1995. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance 21, 1312-1322. Scheffers, M.K., Coles, M. G.H., Bernstein, P., Gehring, W.J., Donchin, E., 1996. Psychophysiology 33, 42-54]. However, new data from our laboratory and that of Vidal et al. [Vidal, F., Hasbroucq, T., Bonnet, M., 1999. Biological Psychology, 2000] revealed a small negativity similar to the Ne also after correct responses. Since the above mentioned comparison process is also required after correct responses it is conceivable that the Ne reflects this comparison process itself rather than its outcome. As to the Pe, our results suggest that this is a further error-specific component, which is independent of the Ne, and hence associated with a later aspect of error processing or post-error processing. Our new results with different age groups argue against the hypotheses that the Pe reflects conscious error processing or the post-error adjustment of response strategies. Further research is necessary to specify the functional significance of the Pe.     

Factors of suicide ideation and their relation to clinical and other indicators in older adults

BACKGROUND: Research on the factor structures of the Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI; [Beck, A.T., Kovacs, M., Weissman, M., 1979. Assessment of suicidal intention: the Scale for Suicide Ideation. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 47, 343-352]) and the Modified Scale for Suicide Ideation (MSSI; [Miller, I.W., Norman. W.H., Bishop, S.B., and Dow, M.G., 1986. The modified scale for suicidal ideation: reliability and validity. J Consult Clin Psychol, 54, 724-725]) in younger adults have tended to yield two factor solutions. The purpose of the current study was to examine the factor structure of the SSI in an older population in order to determine whether the factor structure was similar and, if so, whether the factors related to other clinical and demographic correlates. METHODS: 199 participants (M age 57, S.D.) were selected from a combined database of psychiatric outpatients and inpatients over the age of 49 currently experiencing suicidal ideation. Principal axis factoring was used in order to determine the factor structure of the SSI. In addition, we ran correlations and regression analyses to determine the relation of each factor with other clinical and demographic correlates. RESULTS: Consistent with prediction, we found a two-factor solution. Also consistent with predictions, clinical and demographic correlates related differentially to each of the factors. LIMITATIONS: The relatively small sample size and the fact that our sample was predominantly Caucasian. CONCLUSION: The current study has provided data on the factor structure of the SSI in an older population, demonstrating that suicidal ideation in this group is similar to younger age groups.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Rapado, A., Watts, R.W.E. & de Bruyn, C.H.M.M. (eds.)
Schwartz, R. S. (ed.)     

Book Reviews

Book reviews in this article:
Clark, T. J. H. & Cochrane, G. M. (eds.); Bronchodilator therapy.
Wilken-Jensen, K. & Gravesen, S. : Atlas of moulds in Europe causing respiratory allergy
de Vries, R. R. P. & van Rood, J. J. (eds.): Immunobiology of HLA class-I and class-II molecules.
Dukor, P., Kallos, P., Schlumberger, H. D. & West, G. B. (eds.(: Idiopathic, food-induced and drug-induced pseudo-allergic reactions.
Gerrard, J. M. : Prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Blood and vascular cell function.     

An evaluation of cognitive processing therapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder related to childhood sexual abuse

This study compared the effectiveness of cognitive processing therapy for sexual abuse survivors (CPT-SA) with that of the minimal attention (MA) given to a wait-listed control group. Seventy-one women were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 groups. Participants were assessed at pretreatment and 3 times during posttreatment: immediately after treatment and at 3-month and 1-year follow-up, using the Clinician-Administered Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Scale (D. Blake et al., 1995), the Beck Depression Inventory (A. T. Beck, R. A. Steer, & G. K. Brown, 1996), the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (R. L. Spitzer, J. B. W. Williams, & M. Gibbon, 1995; M. B. First et al., 1995), the Dissociative Experiences Scale-II (E. M. Bernstein & F. W. Putnam, 1986), and the Modified PTSD Symptom Scale (S. A. Falsetti, H. S. Resnick, P. A. Resick, & D. G. Kilpatrick, 1993). Analyses suggested that CPT-SA is more effective for reducing trauma-related symptoms than is MA, and the results were maintained for at least 1 year.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Mongolism in Newborns. A Clinical and Cytogenetic Study. By B ertil H all . Stockholm, Sweden: Almquist and Wiksell. 1964.
The Pathology of Development. A Study of Inherited Skeletal Disorders in Animals. By H ans G rüneberg . Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications. 70s.
Down's Syndrome. A Clinical and Cytogenetical Investigation. By K arl -H enrik G ustavson . Almqvist and Wiksell, Uppsala. 1964.
Abnormalities of the Sex Chromosome Complement in Man. By W. M. C ourt B rown , D. G. H arnden , P atricia A. J acobs , N. M ac L ean and D. J. M antle . Med. Res. Co. Sp. Rep. Ser., No. 305. London: H.M.S.O. 1964.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Nezlin, R. S. : Structure and biosynthesis of antibodies. Studies in Soviet science.
Luriya, E. A. : Hematopoietic and lymphoid tissue in culture. Studies in Soviet science.
Schmidtke, J. R. & Ferguson, R. M. (eds): Immunology for the practicing physician.
Raven, R. W. (ed.): Principles of surgical oncology.
Michel F. B. (ed.): Déficits Immunitaires et Allergic. 5e Journées Montpellieraines De Pneumologie (21–22 Mai 1976).
Werner, M., Rather, K. & Meier-Sydow, J. (eds.): Immunologische Aspekte der Entzündungsreaktion. XIII. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allergie- und Immunitätsforschung 1975 in Munich.
Jean Dausset & Arne Svejgaard (eds.): HLA and disease.
A. L. de Weck & M. N. Blumenthal (eds.): Monographs in allergy     

Books

Book reviewed in this article:
Hoiby, N., Stenvang Pedersen, S., Shand, G. H., Döring, G. & Holder, I. A. (eds.): Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection
Shakib, F. (ed.): Autoantibodies to immunoglobulins
Lemmer, B. (ed.): Chronopharmacology: cellular and biochemical interactions (Cellular Clocks Series/3)     

Small albumin-immunoglobulin complexes in patients with liver disease.

Circulating immune complexes (CIC) with a molecular weight (M.W.) of 1.4-1.6 x 10(6) were observed in patients with liver disease. CIC containing abnormal albumin were found in patients with chronic active hepatitis. The abnormal albumin from CIC displayed an apparent M.W. of 105-110,000 on Sephadex G-100 and Sepharose 6B column chromatograph before reduction, and only 50,000 on reduced sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). It is postulated that abnormal albumin contained within CIC may be a dimeric-S-S-linked small albumin (sAlb-S-)2. Immunoglobulins in the CIC containing (sAlb-S-)2 were identified as IgM and IgG. Based on the constituents of CIC and their M.W., the assumed molecular formula of CIC is (IgM)1 (sAlb-S-)2 (IgG)3. Cause and effect of these CIC in liver disease, especially a possible role of altered host components in the initiation of autoimmune reactions, are discussed.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Dixon, F. J. & Fisher, D. W. (eds.): The biology of immunologic disease
Andreani, D., Di Mario, U., Federlin, K. F. & Heading, L. G. (eds): Immunology in diabetes
Lewis, W. H., Vinay, P. & Zenger, V. E. : Airborne and allergenic pollen of North America     

Book Reviews

Methods and Achievements in Experimental Pathology Volume 12, Series on Nuclear Submicroscopy by G. Jasmin and R. Simard (editors) Basel: Karger, 1986 304 pages, $122.25

The Integument: Scanning Electron Microscopy in Skin Biology by B. Forslind and C. W. Kischer (compilers) AMF O'Hare, IL: Scanning Electron Microscopy, Inc., 1985 197 pages, softcover. $34 (U.S.), $37 (elsewhere)

Ultrastructural Appearances of Tumours, Second Edition by D. W. Henderson, J. M. Papadimitriou, and M. Coleman Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1986 GBP 80.00     

Impaired perception of facial emotions following bilateral damage to the anterior temporal lobe

Two patients (E.P. and G.T.) were previously described with damage to amygdala and anterior temporal cortex (S.B. Hamann et al., 1996). Both rated emotions in facial expressions normally (the rating task) when the data analysis followed a method that had revealed an impairment in the well-studied patient S.M. The present study reports findings for a 3rd patient (G.P.) with the rating task and reexamines the data for E.P. and G.T. All 3 patients were also given a labeling task in which they selected, from a list of 6 words, which word they thought best described the emotion expressed by a face. All 3 patients were unmistakably impaired on both tasks. However, the impairment exhibited by these patients is different from S.M.'s impairment. The difference may depend on the etiology (congenital vs. adult-onset lesion) or the site of the damage (relatively selective amygdala damage vs. damage to amygdala as well as anterior temporal cortex).     

Therapeutic factors in treating anxiety disorders

This article is a condensation of several chapters from Principles of Therapeutic Change That Work edited by L.G. Castonguay and L.E. Beutler. The authors present the work of M.G. Newman, W.B. Stiles, A. Janeck, and S.R. Woody (2006), who outline an integrative model for effective psychotherapy of anxiety disorders. The authors also summarize, review, and extend several chapters on the current knowledge about therapeutic technique factors (S.R. Woody & T.H. Ollendick, 2006), participant factors (M.G. Newman, P. Crits-Christoph, M.B. Connelly Gibbons, & T.M. Erickson, 2006), and relationship factors (W.B. Stiles & B.E. Wolfe, 2006), which are related to anxiety disorder treatment outcome. The authors then place these factors and their practice implications within a common framework. Their integration is based on (a) the concept of appropriate responsiveness, and (b) a distinction between actions and achievements.     

Reviews

Thomas Hunt Morgan. Pioneer of Genetics. By I an S hine and S ylvia W robel . 1976.
Modern Biology and Its Human Implications. B y J. A. V. B utler . 1976.
Human Haemoglobin Variants and Their Characteristics. By H. L ehmann and P. A. M. K ynoch . 1976.
Teratology and Congenital Malformations: A Comprehensive Guide to the Literature. Edited by L ois W einstein .
Colour Vision Deficiencies. Volume III. Edited by G. V erriest . Modern Problems in Ophthalmology. Volume 17.
Down's Anomaly. Second edition. By G. F. S mith and J. M. B erg .
Human Biology. Second edition. By G. A. H arrison , J. S. W einer , J. M. T anner and N. A. B arnicot .
The HLA System. An Introductory Survey. By A. S vejgaard , M. H auge , G. J ersild , P. P latz , L. P. R yder , L. S taub N ielsen and M. T homsen .
Foundations of Mathematical Genetics. By A. W. F. E dwards .
Humangenetik: Ein kurzes Handbuch. Band III/3. Hämatologie. Edited by P eter E mil B ecker .
Handbook of Statistical Distribution. B y J. K. P atel , C. H. K apadia and D. B. O wen .
Exercises Programmés de Génétique Médicale. By P. J albert , B. S ele , J. F eingold .
Patterns of Sexuality and Reproduction. By A lan S. P arkes .     

Comparison of two diagnostic systems for Complicated Grief

BACKGROUND: To date, there are mainly two diagnostic systems that have been proposed for the diagnosis of Complicated Grief [Horowitz, M.J., Siegel, B., Holen, A., Bonanno, G.A., Milbrath, C., Stinson, C.H., 1997. Diagnostic criteria for complicated grief disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry 154, 904-910; Prigerson, H.G., Shear, M.K., Jacobs, S.C., Reynolds, C.F., Maciejewski, P.K., Davidson, J.R., Rosenheck, R., Pilkonis, P.A., Wortman, C.B., Williams, J.B., Widiger, T.A., Frank, E., Kupfer, D.J., Zisook, S., 1999. Consensus criteria for traumatic grief: a preliminary empirical test. British Journal of Psychiatry 174, 67-73]. There is also no data about prevalence rates of Complicated Grief in a representative sample. The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic systems with regard to prevalence, conditional probabilities, and agreement. METHODS: In a sample of elderly persons, features of bereavement, diagnoses of Complicated Grief and related symptoms were assessed. Agreement between the diagnostic systems was determined by kappa statistics. RESULTS: 18.9% of the sample had experienced a major bereavement, in average 15 years before measurement. The prevalence rates were 4.2% (Horowitz et al.) and 0.9% (Prigerson et al.). The agreement was poor (kappa=.13), i.e. the minority of cases received both diagnoses. The conditional probabilities of developing CG after experiencing a major bereavement were 22.2% (Horowitz et al.) and 4.6% (Prigerson et al.). LIMITATIONS: The findings are constrained to an elderly, urban population. Screening instruments, no clinical interviews, were used to assess psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: The Horowitz et al. criteria set is more inclusive and less strict than the Prigerson et al. criteria set. The importance of functional impairment and the number of symptoms needed account for this difference. Further research should integrate diagnostic systems in order to achieve international standardization of diagnostic criteria for Complicated Grief.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Bach, M. K. (ed.): Immediate hypersensitivity-, modern concepts and developments.
Bell, G. I., Perlson, A. S. & Pimbley, G. H. (eds): Theoretical immunology.     

Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
Genetic Epidemiology . Edited by N ewton E. M orton and C hin S ik C hung
Evolutionary Biology . Volume 11. Edited by M. K. H echt , W. C. S teere and B. W allace
Clinical Atlas of Human Chromosomes . By J ean D e G rouchy and C atherine T urleau
Myotonic Dystrophy . By P. S. H arper . Eastbourne: W. B. Saunders.     

Book Review

Event-Related Potential Investigation of Cognition
Reviewed by T homas E lbert and B rigitte R ockstroh
Event-Related Potential Investigation of Cognition . Edited by B. Renault, M. Kutas, M.G.H. Coles, & A.W.K. Gaillard.