Levels of dissociation and histories of reported abuse among women outpatients

A total of 99 female patients consecutively admitted to an adult psychiatric outpatient clinic were surveyed about their history of physical and sexual abuse. Sixty-five percent of this sample reported having been physically abused, sexually abused, or both during their lifetimes. Scores on the Dissociative Experiences Scale were significantly higher among those reporting a history of sexual abuse than among those reporting a history of physical abuse or no history of abuse, who did not differ from each other. Dissociative Experiences Scale scores were important predictors of histories of sexual abuse among this sample. The implications of these findings for outpatient evaluation are discussed.

[The effect of tryptophan on the regulation of food intake in normal and overweight persons]

The neurotransmitter serotonin significantly contributes to the regulation of food intake and appetite behaviour. The cerebral serotonin synthesis depends on the availability of the precursor tryptophan. To examine how diets with different carbohydrate, protein and tryptophan content affect food preferences and the mood, healthy obese and non-obese male adults consumed the following isocaloric diets at breakfast: standard diet (60% carbohydrate), protein-rich diet (35% carbohydrate, 40% protein), carbohydrate-rich diet (80% carbohydrate), tryptophan supplemented diet (standard diet + 1.5 g tryptophan). The plasma concentration of tryptophan (TRP) and large neutral amino acids (LNAA) is determined by their uptake with the diet. In obese and non-obese adults the TRP/LNAA-quotient rose significantly by upto 0.40 to 0.57, following the tryptophan supplemented breakfast. The protein-rich diet reduced the TRP/LNAA-quotient. The preference of protein-rich food after the consumption of carbohydrate-rich diets (60-80% carbohydrate) was diagnosable with the non-obese person and not with the obese person. No obvious connection was detected between nutrient preferences and plasma TRP/LNAA-quotient. There was no influence of the plasma TRP/LNAA-quotient after meals with different nutrient relation on mood. Therefore it is concluded that different carbohydrate and protein content and also additional tryptophan supplementation of single meals is not able to modify the brain serotonin synthesis and release in healthy people in a kind that serotonin induced behaviour would be changed, at least on a short time basis.

Detection of dry body fluids by inherent short wavelength UV luminescence: preliminary results

Dry stains of blood, semen and saliva invisible to the naked eye could be detected by their inherent short wavelength UV luminescence. The source was a frequency quadrupled Nd:YAG laser, emitting at 266 nm. A plausible explanation for this phenomenon as due to the presence of amino acids in these secretions is presented.

Capital costs of supporting young disabled people at home

The quality of life of disabled people depends partly on resources accessible to them. In this study, the capital costs of disability are defined and quantified for disabled people aged 16-64 years, inrelation to: their families, the state, the level of disability, medical diagnosis, and income, for 173 people in the Harrow area on Social Services registers of very severe and appreciable handicap. The mean cost of capital equipment and adaptations was 5,700 pounds (inter-quartile range 200 pounds to 6,600 pounds) to individuals and their families, and 4,500 pounds (inter-quartile range 100 pounds to 6,900 pounds) to statutory bodies (1993 prices, based on a 1988 survey). Two-thirds of this was spent on structural alterations, and one-third on aids and equipment, and costs to the individual were not apparently related to income from employment or state allowances. Capital costs of disability acquired in later life were partly ameliorated for some by accrued pensions, and for those disabled earlier in life, costs were often borne by carers and family. High capital outlay, often borne by the family, was reported for those with congenital disorders. The study indicates the need for financial support, and the need to increase suitable available accommodation for disabled people; regular review may help to identify individual requirements and changing needs.

Relationship of interleukin-1 beta and beta 2-microglobulin with neuropeptides in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type

We studied interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-m), beta-endorphin, substance P, neuropeptide Y and somatostatin concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of 13 patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), 13 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) and 15 age-matched control subjects. Substance P was significantly lower in DAT than in controls (P < 0.05), as well as somatostatin in DAT as compared to both controls (P < 0.01) and MID (P < 0.05), whereas beta 2-m was higher in DAT than in controls (P < 0.01). Neuropeptide Y, beta-endorphin and IL-1 beta showed similar concentrations in the three groups studied. A significantly positive correlation was observed between IL-1 beta and substance P (r = 0.79, P < 0.01) and somatostatin (r = 0.75, P < 0.05) in DAT, which was not observed in MID. In addition, beta 2-m showed a negative correlation with IL-1 beta (r = -0.73, P < 0.05) in DAT, and age correlated negatively with IL-1 beta in controls and MID, but positively in DAT. Therefore, these results support the idea that an altered relationship may exist in Alzheimer's disease between the nervous and immune system.

Simultaneous multi-element determination of selected elements in dog urine by direct current plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

Urine samples from dogs were analyzed for 15 important elements (Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, V, and Zn) by using wet-ashing and simultaneous DCP atomic emission spectrometry. As K, Na and P influence the spectral emission of elements to be determined, matrix-matching was applied to ensure accurate metal determinations. The method was checked by analyzing standard reference materials of urine. The values found were generally in agreement (accuracy within 100 +/- 10%) with the certified values. Short- and long-term stabilities of the instrument for the elements determined ranged from 0.4 to 2.2% and from 1.2 to 6.9%, respectively. Simultaneous multi-element determination gives increased information on trace- and minor elements in urine. In the present study DCP atomic emission spectrometry is successfully applied for this purpose.

Elevated plasma homocysteine in alcoholics

A significantly higher concentration of plasma homocysteine compared with controls was noted in a group of alcoholics (n = 42) hospitalized for detoxication. Normal concentrations of plasma homocysteine were reached within 1 or 2 weeks after admission to the hospital. In another group of abstinent alcoholics (n = 16) plasma homocysteine did not deviate from that of controls. Since hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with premature vascular disease, we speculate that the increased plasma homocysteine in alcoholics might cause the increased incidence of stroke found in these patients.