Measurement of mood and affect in schizophrenic inpatients

Ratings of mood and affect using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and an affective flattening scale in 32 male schizophrenic inpatients revealed high total scale reliability but lower intra-item reliability, especially for specific depression items. Interscale correlations suggested several dimensions of mood and affect: anxiety-depression (psychological dysphoria, motor activation, and somatic symptoms), retardation-affective blunting, thought disturbance, and hostility-suspiciousness. Correlation with a rating of extrapyramidal symptoms suggested an association with the presence of depressive symptoms. These results suggest that although adequate total scale reliability was obtained, these indexes of depression may measure different dimensions in schizophrenic patients than they do in patients with affective disorders.     

The Extended Abbé Flap

Large upper lip defects that include the surrounding aesthetic subunits of the midface are difficult to reconstruct. Abbé flaps have been a popular method of dealing with small upper lip defects but, as classically described, they are insufficient for larger defects. We performed cadaver injections to evaluate the vascular territory supplied by the inferior labial artery with particular attention to the submental area. Extended Abbé flaps were then designed and used in combined upper lip and midfacial reconstruction. Three cases and guidelines for the use of the extended Abbé flap are presented.     

5-HT1B receptors mediate potent contractile responses to 5-HT in rat caudal artery.

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) evoked potent contractile responses in phenoxybenzamine-treated ring segments of rat caudal artery, partially contracted with U46619. Responses were mimicked by 5-HT1-selective agonists with the potency order: RU24969 > 5-carboxamidotryptamine > 5-HT = CP-93,129 >> sumatriptan. 8-Hydroxy-N,N-dipropylaminotetralin was virtually inactive. Responses were unaffected by spiperone (0.1 microM) and mesulergine (1.0 microM), but were antagonized competitively by (+/-)-cyanopindolol affording agonist-independent pKB estimates of 8.4 to 8.9. The pharmacological profile of this receptor is consistent with that of the 5-HT1B subtype. Since the 5-HT1B receptor is the rodent homologue of the 5-HT1D beta subtype, it might be anticipated that 5-HT1D beta receptors will be found to mediate vasoconstrictor responses in non-rodent species.     

Lower limb injuries in motorcycle accidents

A four month study was conducted at Southampton General Hospital of the injuries sustained by motorcycle riders, 104 of whom (60%) returned a postal questionnaire about the accident, rider and motorcycle. The study confirmed that injuries to the lower limbs are a major cause of morbidity and the long time spent in hospital. Further investigation identified specially vulnerable areas. In particular, for 'severe' lower limb injuries, the 'shin' region was identified as the most vulnerable area, and the force producing the injury was generally applied to the other side of the other side of the limb by another vehicle. 'Crash bars' were found to be ineffective in reducing either the incidence or severity of lower limb injury.