A Global Assessment of Recent Stress (GARS) Scale

The Global Assessment of Recent Stress (GARS) Scale was developed to assess current stress perception. Most measurements of environment are derived from life event scales that capture amount of stress or change associated with stressful events that have occurred over the past six to twenty-four months. A scale that provides a more immediate estimate of stress is needed when physiological tests and perceived stress are studied together. The GARS has been subjected to a series of studies concerning its reliability, validity, and factor structure. Results suggest that it may be a useful instrument for helping individuals assess their current feelings of stress.     

Electron microscopic studies on the trabecular meshwork in two cases of corticosteroid-glaucoma

Two young patients without family history or indication of glaucoma had used corticoid eye drops for several years and developed a severe corticosteroid glaucoma leading to microsurgery. The specimens obtained by trabeculectomy were studied by electron microscopy. A marked densification of the cribriform and adjacent area of the trabecular mesh work by masses of an amorphous and fibrous material was found in both eases, but to a different extent. No free aqueous pathways were seen in this area. In contrast to various signs of cell degeneration, many trabecular endothelial cells showed an increased number of mitochondria and an enlarged endoplasmic reticulum indicating a stage of higher activity and protein synthesis. Possible mechanisms leading to these pathological changes were discussed, but no definite conclusions could be drawn from these two cases alone.     

Cultural factors and attrition in drug abuse treatment

The present study examined how race related to attrition in drug abuse treatment. 165 male voluntary admissions to an inpatient Substance Abuse Unit were tested at admission on functioning, motivation, attitudes, symptoms, and mood-using reliable and valid scales. One week later they completed a 12-factor scale measuring perception of the treatment milieu. Data were analyzed in a 2 x 2 factorial design of analysis of variance. There were 106 White subjects and 59 Blacks. The dropout rate for Blacks and Whites was 63%. Two factors measured at intake, motivation and social functioning, showed statistically significant interactions between race and attrition. Four ward perception factors showed a differential effect related to race and attrition. The White dropout and completer did not differ in how they perceived the ward. Blacks, however, who perceived the environment as being more insightful, spontaneous, autonomous, and practical remained. Although Blacks and Whites differed on many variables, only six showed race-related differences in attrition. Having higher motivation and poorer adjustment influenced Whites to stay. Factors in the environment, however, influenced Blacks. What might be considered a more "therapeutic" milieu was effective in helping Blacks remain in treatment. Knowledge of these cultural differences could help in designing treatment programs.     

Prostatic gland damage: a possible complication of bladder neck Y-V-plasty

A case of primary ejaculatory failure due to prostatic damage in a 23-year-old patient is presented. This occurred secondary to Y-V operation of the bladder neck which was performed 19 years earlier. To our knowledge, this complication has not been described previously.     

Adjunctive treatment with mianserin enhances effects of raclopride on cortical dopamine output and, in parallel, its antipsychotic-like effect

Clinical studies indicate that adjunctive treatment with the antidepressant drug mianserin, a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)_2A/C receptor antagonist and an α₂- and α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist, may enhance the effect of conventional antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia, in particular on negative symptoms such as withdrawal retardation, akathisia, and some aspects of cognitive impairment. Here, we have examined the effect of mianserin in combination with the selective dopamine (DA) D_2/3 receptor antagonist raclopride on conditioned avoidance response (CAR), a preclinical test of antipsychotic efficacy with high predictive validity; catalepsy, a preclinical test of extrapyramidal side effect liability; and DA output in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the nucleus accumbens (NAC), respectively. Mianserin (5 mg/kg intraperitoneal) significantly enhanced the suppressant effect of a low dose of raclopride (0.1 mg/kg subcutaneous) on CAR without any increase in catalepsy. Administration of raclopride to rats pretreated with mianserin resulted in a large enhancement of DA output in the mPFC and, at the same time, a small but significant reduction in the raclopride-induced DA output in the NAC. These experimental results indicate that adjunctive treatment with mianserin to a typical D₂ antagonist generates an atypical antipsychotic profile.