Role of magical thinking in obsessive-compulsive symptoms in an undergraduate sample

Thought action fusion (TAF) is an important presenting feature of many individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). "Magical thinking" is a similar construct (developed within the literature on schizotypy) that may provide a more accurate depiction of difficulties encountered by individuals with OCD. This study seeks to examine relationships between components of magical thinking, TAF, and superstitiousness; establish the extent to which these constructs are independently related to OCD proneness; and establish the extent to which these biased reasoning styles are related to each of the major OCD symptom clusters (e.g., washing, checking). The Padua Inventory (PI), the Maudsley Obsessional-Compulsive Inventory (MOCI), the Magical Ideation Scale (MI), the Lucky Behaviours (Lbeh) and Lucky Beliefs (Lbel) Scales, and the Thought Action Fusion-Revised scale (TAF-R) were given to a cohort of 86 undergraduate students. Of all the measures, the MI scale was found to be the most strongly related to obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Large and significant relationships between MI scores and the two measures of OCD (i.e., MOCI and PI) were obtained even when alternative mediators (i.e., Lbeh, Lbel, TAF-R) were held constant. No other variable remained significantly related to the MOCI or PI when magical ideation scores were held constant. The findings suggest that a general magical thinking tendency may underpin previous observed links between superstitiousness, thought action fusion, and OCD severity.     

A novel antigen from Anaplasma marginale: characterization, expression and preliminary evaluation of the recombinant protein

Through a process of protein fractionation and vaccination we previously identified four native antigens that confer a degree of protection against challenge with Anaplasma marginale. One of these, Ana 29 has been successfully cloned and sequenced using degenerate primers designed to N-terminal and internal peptide sequences. The full-length gene codes for a protein with a theoretical molecular weight of 27 kDa and pI 8.6. The sequence is highly conserved, showing 99% identity between two Australian and an American isolate of A. marginale. The gene sequences from these isolates also share 99% identity with the strain of Anaplasma centrale used in the commercial Australian vaccine. Protein prediction algorithms suggest the native protein is an integral membrane protein. This protein has been over-expressed and purified from Escherichia coli and used in vaccination trials in cattle using two adjuvants. The initial results from the trial show a significant level of protection was obtained with one adjuvant; in comparison, the second adjuvant slightly aggravated the disease. Preliminary data suggests a good correlation between the induction of an IgG2 response and protection.     

Human placental GnRH-like factors: II. Inhibition of enzymatic degradation of GnRH-II and [D-Trp6]GnRH ethylamide tracers by human term placental cytosol fractions reveals the presence of GnRH-binding protein(s)

We describe the preliminary characterization of GnRH-binding protein(s) in human placental cytosol. Samples were analysed by chromatography on Sephadex G25. Radiolabelled GnRH and its analogues elute significantly later than the total column volume (V(t)) on Sephadex G25 column chromatography. However, incubation of GnRH II or GnRH agonist tracers with human placental cytosol reduced the intact tracer peak, with the concomitant appearance of a new peak eluting in the total column volume (V(t)). This peak increased with increasing cytosol concentration and duration of incubation, and probably represented degraded GnRH tracer, since (i) degradation-resistant GnRH agonist tracer, [D-Trp(6)]GnRH EtA, was inactivated more slowly than GnRH II, (ii) boiling of cytosol fractions abolished formation of this peak and (iii) peptidase inhibitors blocked its formation. A second new tracer peak eluted in the column void volume (V(o)) and was largely unaffected by peptidase inhibitor concentrations that blocked tracer degradation. The magnitude of this high molecular weight peak depended on the GnRH tracer employed, cytosol concentration, and the pH, duration and temperature of incubation. Tracer associated with this third peak appeared similar to intact GnRH tracer by TLC. Unlabelled GnRH analogues and isoforms decreased both tracer degradation and formation of the V(o) peak, but their specificity and affinity for the two processes differed. Ligand blots identified several bands that were abolished by inclusion of unlabelled agonist during incubation. Our data indicate the presence of specific GnRH binding protein(s) and GnRH peptidases that may modulate local actions of GnRH in the human placenta.     

Was it really only a scant few years ago that Silicon Valley was booming,dot-coms were the next big things and Nortel shares were trading at more than $100?

Alas, there's nothing like a pinch of reality to pop an overinflated hype bubble. Yet not all software vendors that have fallen on hard times in recent years have succumbed to bankruptcy. In fact, Canadian software firms--MediSolution and Ormed--are proof that turnarounds are possible.     

Postoperative adhesions: Ten-year follow-up of 12,584 patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery

PURPOSE: Postoperative adhesions are a significant problem after colorectal surgery. However, the basic epidemiology and clinical burden are unknown. The Surgical and Clinical Adhesions Research Study has investigated the scale of the problem in a population of 5 million. METHODS: Validated data from the Scottish National Health Service Medical Record Linkage Database were used to define a cohort of 12,584 patients undergoing open lower abdominal surgery in 1986. Readmissions for potential adhesion-related disease in the subsequent ten years were analyzed. The methodology was conservative in interpreting adhesion-related disease. RESULTS: In the study cohort 32.6 percent of patients were readmitted a mean of 2.2 times in the subsequent ten years for a potential adhesion-related problem. Although 25.4 percent of readmissions were in the first postoperative year, they continued steadily throughout the study period. After open lower abdominal surgery 7.3 percent (643) of readmissions (8,861) were directly related to adhesions. This varied according to operation site: colon (7.1 percent), rectum (8.8 percent), and small intestine (7.6 percent). The readmission rate was assessed to provide an indicator of relative risk of adhesion-related problems after initial surgery. The overall average rate of readmissions was 70.4 per 100 initial operations, with 5.1 directly related to adhesions. This rose to 116.4 and 116.5, respectively, after colonic or rectal surgery-with 8.2 and 10.3 directly related to adhesions. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high relative risk of adhesion-related problems after open lower abdominal surgery and a correspondingly high workload associated with these readmissions. This is influenced by the initial site of surgery, colon and rectum having both the greatest impact on workload and highest relative risk of directly adhesion-related problems. The study provides sound justification for improved adhesion prevention strategies.     

An operant intervention for early stuttering. The development of the Lidcombe program

Stuttering is a common speech disorder that causes significant distress and may cause social maladjustment and hinder occupational potential. Treatments for chronic stuttering in adults can control stuttering by teaching the speaker to use a new speech pattern. However, these treatments are resource intensive and relapse prone, and they produce speech that sounds unnatural to the listener and feels unnatural to the speaker. This article describes the development and evaluation of an operant treatment for early stuttering. Parents are trained to present verbal contingencies for stuttered and stutter-free speech during everyday speaking situations with their children. The authors overview outcome data from several studies that suggest that this program produces relapse-free control of stuttered speech in preschool children in the medium and long term in a cost-effective manner.     

Small bowel obstruction due to postoperative adhesions: treatment patterns and associated costs in 110 hospital admissions

The workload and costs of the emergency admissions and treatment of adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) are unclear. This review details and costs the admission workload of ASBO. All admissions over a 2-year period for ASBO at two district general hospitals were identified through ICD10 diagnostic codes. Diagnostic investigations, treatment patterns, ward stay and outcome information for admissions were detailed from clinical records to develop mean cost estimates and assess the associated workload. Of the 298 admissions identified, 188 were not due to ASBO and were excluded from analysis. Of the 110 admissions detailed, 41 (37%) were treated surgically and 69 (63%) conservatively. Most admissions occurred through general practitioner referral (86.4%) to accident and emergency (90.0%). Mean (SD) length of stay was 16.3 days (11.0 days) for surgical treatment and 7.0 days (4.6 days) for conservative treatment. In-patient mortality was 9.8% for the surgical group and 7.2% for the conservative group. Costs were based on the mean values from both centres for surgical and conservative admissions and detailed according to the cost of referral and follow-up (100.98 Pounds surgical versus 102.61 Pounds conservative), hospital ward and ICU stay (3,327.48 Pounds versus 1,267.92 Pounds), theatre time (832.32 Pounds surgical only), investigations (282.73 Pounds versus 207.33 Pounds) and drug costs (133.90 Pounds versus 28.29 Pounds). Total treatment cost per admission for ASBO was 4,677.41 Pounds for surgically treated admissions and 1,606.15 Pounds for conservatively treated admissions. The impact of admissions for ASBO is considerable in terms of both costs and workload. Bed stay for these admissions represents the equivalent of almost one surgical bed per year and at least 2 days theatre time, impacting on surgical capacity and waiting lists. Adhesion prevention strategies may reduce the workload associated with ASBO. The review provides useful information for planning resource allocation.     

THE EMERGENCE OF HOPE THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING KNOWN: FINDING ONE'S TRUE SELF IN THE GROUP

ABSTRACT This paper explores the emergence of hope from hopelessness in an analytic group. It is proposed that hope is an innate feature of every child but that for hope to flourish one's True Self must be known. The experience of being known is described in terms of Stern's subjective self and the sharing of experience. This is then related to the group analytic context and specific features which might allow hope to emerge therein.
The only time I felt hope was when you told me you could see no hope, and you continued with the analysis.