Amacrine cells,bipolar cells and ganglion cells of the cat retina: A Golgi study

Neuronal types contributing to the inner plexiform layer of the cat retina are described based primarily on light microscopy of Golgi-impregnated retinal whole-mounts. Cells have been characterized on morphological criteria that include dendritic branching patterns, dendritic tree sizes, cell body sizes and stratification of processes in the inner plexiform layer. Nine different types of bipolar cell, 22 different types of amacrine cell and 23 different types of ganglion cell can be distinguished using one or more of these morphological criteria. The significance of the different morphological types of cells is discussed, particularly in relationship to the functional bisublamination of the cat inner plexiform layer.     

Focal segmental membranous glomerulonephropathy associated with other glomerular diseases

In four patients with the nephrotic syndrome, renal biopsy revealed focal segmental membranous glomerulonephropathy (FSMGN) associated with the histologic patterns of "nil" disease (two cases), hereditary nephritis and diffuse diabetic glomerulosclerosis. The occurrence of FSMGN in association with other glomerular diseases, presumably unrelated to immune complex deposition, is infrequent in our experience. Rather than necessarily representing an early stage or milder form of membranous glomerulonephropathy, it may be an epiphenomenon. This interpretation has prognostic and therapeutic implications and raises important pathogenetic questions. In particular, this study suggests that in some instances, preexisting functional and structural abnormalities may play a role either in the deposition of preformed circulating immune complexes or in the local formation of immune complexes.     

Preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain in women undergoing hysterectomy. A repeated-measures design

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether psychological variables such as preoperative anxiety can serve as predictors for the postoperative pain response. METHODS: The study sample included women who underwent elective abdominal hysterectomy (n=53). Two weeks prior to surgery, characteristics such as trait anxiety, coping style, and perceived stress were evaluated. Throughout the perioperative period, state anxiety, pain, as well as analgesic consumption were assessed at multiple time points. The anesthetic and surgical management were carefully controlled for and postoperative pain management was standardized. RESULTS: Path analysis demonstrated that there are both direct and indirect effects of preoperative state anxiety on postoperative pain. Preoperative state anxiety is a significant positive predictor of the immediate postoperative pain (beta=0.30), which, in turn, is a positive predictor of pain on the wards (beta=0.54). Pain on the ward, in turn, is predictive for pain at home (beta=0.30). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that preoperative anxiety may have a critical role in the chain-of-events that controls the postoperative pain response.     

Serotonergic and noradrenergic function in depression: clinical correlates

The present study was conducted in order to investigate the relationships between central noradrenergic (NA) and serotonergic (5-HT) function and clinical characteristics of a major depressive episode according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. We measured growth hormone response (ΔGH) to clonidine (CLO) (an α2 NA agonist), as an index of central NA function, and prolactin response (APRL) to d-fenfluramine (d-FEN) (a specific 5-HT releaser/uptake inhibitor), as an index of central 5-HT function, in 53 medication-free depressed inpatients. On the basis of their CLO and d-FEN test responses, patients were classified into 4 groups. Group 1 (blunted ΔPRL(d-FEN) alone [11 %]) was characterized by a recent violent suicide attempt, a high degree of medical damage, and mild anxiety. Group 2 (blunted ΔGH(CLO) alone [32%]) was characterized by an absence of a history of suicide attempt and by severe anxiety. Group 3 (combination of blunted ΔGH(CLO) and APRL(d-FEN) [18%]) was characterized by a history of suicide attempts, total duration of the illness of over W years, age over 40 years, and more than 3 previous hospitalizations. Group 4 (no abnormality [39%]) had no specific clinical profile. These results suggest that, in depression, specific psychopathological features may be linked to 5-HT and/or NA dysfunction. However, our results also suggest that NA and/or 5-HT dysfunction are less likely to be the primary cause of mood disorders but are more indicative of failure of compensatory mechanisms involved in affective homeostatic processes.     

Psychological effects of aromatherapy on chronic hemodialysis patients

Effects of aromatherapy (odorless condition, lavender, and hiba oil) on mood and anxiety were investigated in 14 female patients who were being treated with chronic hemodialysis. A control period consisting of natural hospital smells was established before each test session, and then aromatic test conditions were systematically evaluated for odorless conditions as well as aromatic conditions containing lavender and hiba oil aromas. The effects of aromatherapy were measured using the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) and the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAMA). Hiba oil aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMD and HAMA, and lavender aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMA. The mean scores of HAMD and HAMA in an odorless condition were not significantly different from those of the control conditions. These results indicate that in chronic hemodialysis patients hiba oil is an effective, non-invasive means for the treatment of depression and anxiety, and that lavender alleviates anxiety.     

功能性消化不良患者的心理测评及抗抑郁治疗

目的：探讨心理异常与功能性消化不良(FD)发病的关系，并探讨抗抑郁治疗对FD患者的疗效。方法：采用焦虑自评量表(SAS)和抑郁自评量表(SDS)对100例FD患者及100名健康对照组进行心理测评，比较2组焦虑、抑郁的发生率；采用评分法对FD患者进行症状评分，随机将心理测评异常的FD患者分为常规组及综合组，分别给予抗消化不良药物及在此基础上加用抗抑郁药文拉法辛治疗，比较2种治疗方法的总有效率；将综合治疗有效的病例随机分成维持组及停药组，维持组继续给予文拉法辛维持量治疗，观察6mo中2组的复发率。结果：FD组患者焦虑及抑郁状态发生率明显高于健康组；综合组有效率高于常规组；文拉法辛6mo维持治疗复发率低于疗程结束后即停药者。结论：焦虑、抑郁的心理异常是FD发病的危险因素，但用抗抑郁治疗可提高FD患者常规治疗的有效率，6mo维持治疗能有效降低FD复发率。     

半夏厚朴汤及其组成中药抗焦虑和抑郁研究进展

目的：综述半夏厚朴汤及其组成中药抗焦虑和抑郁研究进展。方法：查阅国内外近年来有关文献结合相关的研究成果，从半夏厚朴汤对动物焦虑和抑郁行为、神经生化机制、免疫系统功能、血脂代谢、机体氧化防御系统等层次进行阐述。结果与结论：半夏厚朴汤及其组成中药抗焦虑和抑郁具有一定的科学性。     

Ataque de Nervios and History of Childhood Trauma

Objective: Ataque de nervios is a common, self-labeled Hispanic folk diagnosis. It typically describes episodic, dramatic outbursts of negative emotion in response to a stressor, sometimes involving destructive behavior. Dissociation and affective dysregulation during such episodes suggested a link to childhood trauma. We therefore assessed psychiatric diagnoses, history of ataque, and childhood trauma in treatment-seeking Hispanic outpatients (N = 70). Significantly more subjects with an anxiety or affective disorder plus ataque reported a history of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or or a substance-abusing caretaker than those with psychiatric disorder but no ataque. In some Hispanic individuals, ataque may represent a culturally sanctioned expression of extreme affect dysregulation associated with childhood trauma. Patients with ataque de nervios should receive a thorough traumatic history assessment.     

马来酸曲美布汀联合门诊森田疗法治疗肠易激综合征的临床研究

目的 :观察马来酸曲美布汀联合门诊森田疗法治疗肠易激综合征 (irritablebowelsyndrome ,IBS)的临床疗效。方法 :10 8例患者随机分为 2组。马来酸曲美布汀组 5 4例 :2 0 0mg马来酸曲美布汀 ,po ,tid ,配合门诊森田心理疗法 ,治疗前、后以焦虑自评量表 (SAS)和抑郁自评量表 (SDS)评定疗效 ;对照组5 4例 :仅用 2 0 0mg马来酸曲美布汀 ,po ,tid ,2组疗程均为 4周。结果 :马来酸曲美布汀组和对照组总有效率分别为 87.0 4 %与 72 .2 2 % ,马来酸曲美布汀组明显优于对照组 (P <0 .0 5 )。马来酸曲美布汀组治疗后SAS、SDS评分与对照组比较均有明显下降(P <0 .0 1)。马来酸曲美布汀组 6月复发率与对照组比较明显降低 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :马来酸曲美布汀联合门诊森田疗法是治疗肠易激综合征更有效的治疗方法。     

昆明市城区中小学生伤害流行病学研究

目的　了解昆明市城区中小学生伤害的现状及其相关的因素,为建立相应的预防措施提供科学依据。方法　于2 0 0 3年9月至2 0 0 4年9月抽取昆明市城区小学及中学各2所,采用统一的调查表格对抽取学校在校全体学生1年内的伤害情况和家庭情况进行问卷调查。结果　共调查995 9名中小学生,发生伤害310 4人次,伤害发生率为31 17% ,男生伤害发生率为33 38% (16 72 / 5 0 0 9) ,明显高于女生发生率2 8 93% (14 32 / 4 95 0 ) (P <0 0 1) ;伤害发生的前五位原因依次为跌伤(2 6 91% )、碰伤(2 0 32 % )、刀具伤(10 14 % )、烫伤(7 5 5 % )和动物咬伤(7 12 % ) ;伤害发生地点以学校(37 92 % )、家中(31 15 % )为主;父、母文化程度高,父、母亲单独寄养,离异后重组的家庭的子女伤害发生率较高。结论　该次调查的中小学生的伤害发生率较高,应强化安全卫生教育,提高学生自我保护意识,并为学生提供一个安全环境,以预防控制中小学生伤害的发生