Fasciculations and their F-response. Localisation of their axonal origin

A fasciculation with an axonal origin may be followed by its own F-response. The time-lapse between these 2 potentials corresponds to the time for the antidromic wave to travel to the alpha-cell and to return to the trigger-point. This relatively stable interval may be compared with the difference between the latencies of the F- and M-responses of the same muscle evoked by distal nerve stimulation. This permits one to localise the origin of the fasciculation on the axon. This method showed that, of 201 fasciculations followed by their F-response, obtained in normal controls and in neurological patients, 97 and 89% respectively had their origin between the muscle and the stimulation site. In this series, the proportion of pathological fasciculations having an origin between the muscle and a point at half the M-latency, is similar to that found in a former study on unselected fasciculations using a collision method (Roth 1982). Comparison between these 2 studies therefore supports the concept that all or almost all fasciculations have an axonal origin.     

HIV-positive mothers' disclosure of their serostatus to their young children: a review

One challenge faced by mothers living with HIV (MLWHs) is the decision about whether or not to disclose their HIV status to their young children, and how best to carry out the disclosure. Disclosure of their serostatus has emerged as one of the main concerns MLWHs have, and that decision can result in high levels of psychological distress. Concerns are exacerbated among MLWHs with younger children, due to the fact that they face additional worries, such as whether the child is old enough to understand, or will be able to keep the information confidential. A great deal of recent research--within approximately the past decade--has been conducted to investigate maternal disclosure of HIV, and the outcomes on children. This article reviews the current state of the research literature, focusing on factors that appear to influence whether or not mothers chose to disclose; characteristics of children who have been made aware of their mothers' serostatus relative to children who remain unaware; factors that appear to influence children's reactions to maternal disclosure; and implications of this research as well as future research directions.     

Psycho-social study of married hemophiliacs and their wives and hemophiliac adolescents and their parents

Fourteen married hemophiliacs and their wives and twenty adolescent hemophiliacs and their parents were given Rotter's Internal-External Locus of Control Scale (IE), the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI), the Adjective Check List (ACL) and the Elias Family Adjustment Test (FAT). Age was not related to responses on the psychological tests or to severity. Pearson Product-Moment correlations showed that married hemophiliacs and their wives were significantly negatively correlated on the Succorance sub-scale of the ACL. Adolescents were significantly negatively related to their fathers on Neuroticism (MPI), and on the Defensiveness, Liability and Succorance sub-scales of the ACL. Adolescents and their mothers were positively related on the FAT, and on the ACL sub-scales, Achievement, Dominance, Endurance, Heterosexuality, Exhibition and Succorance. The mothers and fathers of hemophiliac adolescents were significantly negatively related on Counseling Readlines. Differences between the subject groups on the psychological measures were also found within severity and social class groups. The phenomena of role reversal and role failure and their implications for adolescent and married hemophiliacs were discussed.     

The quality of life of chronic schizophrenic patients in their own and their family's assessment

The aim of the research was to analyse the subjective quality of life of chronic, schizophrenic patients. The patients' quality of life was compared to the evaluation of their family. They evaluate the quality of life similarly. The differences concern the relationship between the quality of life and clinical characteristics.     

小学生学习困难及其行为问题与父母素质关系的分析

目的 了解小学生学习困难与行为及父母素质之间的关系。方法 采用Achenbach儿童行为量表（CBCL）调查行为问题，并调查父母素质情况。结果 学习困难与行为问题及父母素质呈显著相关性，其中与父母的职业和受教育年限相关，与父母收入高低无关。结论 儿童行为问题及父母素质与学习困难的发生有关。     

Moonlighting: what residents do in their free time is their decision

Available data do not support the claim that moonlighting, or employment outside psychiatric residency programs, is a dangerous activity for residents, patients, or employers of moonlighters. Moonlighting may beneficially supplement the education of a psychiatric resident as well as be important to residents economically. The author contends that the role of psychiatric educators is to assure the competence of graduates of psychiatric residency programs to practice psychiatry. How residents use their free time is their own concern, not the concern of psychiatric educators, as long as residents fulfill their educational and training responsibilities.     

Patients with schizophrenia and their finances: how they spend their money

Introduction Although most patients with schizophrenia rely on state financial support, little is known about their expenses and how they use the money at their discretion. However, the ability to budget is a predictive factor in rehabilitation. An assessment of financial management skills could make it possible to develop more appropriate psycho-social assistance. Method Fifty-seven outpatients with schizophrenia treated in the public sector in Geneva, Switzerland took part in the study. Psychosocial, diagnostic, neurocognitive and symptomatological measures were collected. Data were gathered on patients’ incomes and quality of life. A prospective analysis of their expenses during a 1-month period was also performed. Results Median income was 4,125 Swiss francs per month (i.e., 3,372 US dollars). After paying fixed expenses (which were handled with or without the assistance of a representative payee), a mean of 400 Swiss francs remained at their disposal to use as they wished. Seventy-two percent of this money was devoted to the use of psychoactive substances (e.g., cigarettes, alcohol, cannabis) or various drinks in coffee houses, and 28% on leisure activities (trips, sports and other recreational activities). Eighty-four percent of patients would have liked to have more money for leisure activities. The study was well-accepted and led to modification of the treatment plan in 84% of cases. Conclusion Most of the discretionary money patients received was used for buying substances with addictive properties; this may hinder the practice of activities favouring recovery. Thus, it appears essential to guide patients in the management of their budgets.     

GABA binding sites: their density,their affinity to muscimol and their behaviour against neuroactive steroids in human gliomas of different degrees of malignancy

Summary The aim of the present investigation was to answer the question if there exists a relation between the equipment of human gliomas with GABA binding sites and the degree of malignancy of these tumours diagnostically characterized according to WHO classification. The following parameters were assessed: the density, the affinity and the sensitivity to the modulating steroids 3 -hydroxy-5 -pregnane-20-one (3 OH-DHP) and 3 ,21dihydroxy-5 -pregnane-20-one (THDOC). Scatchard analysis and non linear computerization revealed that the occurrence of GABA sites was directly related to the degree of tumour malignancy: GABA sites were only detectable in lower malignant gliomas of WHO grade II but not in the very malignant glioblastomas. However, irrespective of the individual density to be detected all glioma GABA sites were sensitive to 3 -hydroxy-5 -pregnane-20-one (3 OH-DHP) and 3 ,21dihydroxy-5 -pregnane-20-one (THDOC) without exception. The effects of THDOC were due to increases in the number of binding sites whereas in the presence of 3 OH-DHP a decrease in affinity was noted, additionally. These findings support the view of a normal functional integrity of GABA receptors in gliomas.