Introduction: Cross-cultural studies of development.

This article introduces the special section on cross-cultural studies of development. The articles in this special section are powerful examples of how cross-cultural work can inform developmental theory. Each documents an "experiment in nature," and they are good experiments indeed. They cover topics from sleeping arrangements to language development and represent a process of growing sophistication in cross-cultural work. Rather than relying on unsystematic and unreliable but compelling narratives, these studies use systematic and sophisticated methodologies and theories. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Treatment of depression in bipolar disorder: new directions for research

The objective of the study was to review the clinical literature on the acute, somatic treatment of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder. We reviewed all available published studies of "standard" somatic treatments (lithium, antidepressant and anticonvulsant agents, and electroconvulsive therapy [ECT]) reporting three or more depressed bipolar patients who were not psychotic, rapid cycling, or previously treatment refractory. We also reviewed all studies of "nonstandard" pharmacologic treatments involving even a single case of a depressed bipolar patient. Data sources included the MEDLINE database and relevant references from articles obtained in this search and in major reviews. Five of seven studies comparing ECT with antidepressant agents find ECT more efficacious. Eight of nine controlled comparisons find lithium superior to placebo in depressed bipolar patients. Three controlled comparisons of lithium to tricyclic antidepressants suggest that lithium is equivalent to tricyclic drugs in such patients. Three double-blind, controlled studies indicate that carbamazepine is more effective than placebo. Limited data on other antidepressant classes suggest that monoamine oxidase inhibitors, bupropion, and serotonergic agents may offer some advantages over tricyclic antidepressants in this population. Some "nonstandard" treatments also show some potential in bipolar patients. The possibility of switching into a manic episode is an important consideration with many of the agents studied, although little remains known about spontaneous versus treatment-associated mood shifts. In contrast to the extensive literature on the acute treatment of the manic phase of bipolar disorder and on the prophylaxis of manic and depressive episodes, there are few studies of treatment of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder, and their results generally are limited or inconclusive. Lithium generated a revolution in psychiatric treatment, but the treatment of the depressed phase of bipolar disorder remains a relatively neglected corner of the field. Several study designs may help to augment knowledge in the treatment of bipolar depression.     

Marginal seal composition in amalgam restored teeth of varying marginal leakage

This article focuses on anesthetic considerations of cardiovascular risk for electroconvulsive (ECT) therapy. Preoperative evaluation, intraoperative management, and postoperative care are reviewed. Although the anesthetic risk to ECT patients is quite low, elderly patients or those presenting with known cardiovascular disease may be at increased risk and need special intervention or management during ECT.     

International Education in Psychology: The Price of Success--Our Monocultural Science.

Introduces this special section of American Psychologist. Behind this collection of articles lies a shift in national attention comparable to that inspired by the 1957 appearance of Sputnik, an event that triggered an unprecedented commitment of U.S. national resources to the fields of engineering and foreign language and area studies. Repeated shocks to America's position in the world--as we Americans understand it--over the past five years have raised renewed interest in the unpredictable world beyond our borders. Bills to provide greatly increased funds for language training have passed one or both houses of Congress, the Fulbright programs held their own in the 1981 budget offensive, and the American Psychological Association (APA) was asked to join a multidisciplinary effort to call attention to the need of our students, particularly those whose field of study is human behavior, to learn more about the world. The five articles that follow were commissioned by APA's Board of Directors as part of a "Project on International Education in the Undergraduate Disciplines" supported by the National Council on Foreign Language and International Studies (NCFLIS) through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. A major theme emerges clearly from the articles that appear in this special section. There appears to be general agreement among the authors that U.S. psychology suffers from insularity, perhaps born of the very great size of the "domestic market" in psychology in this country, For the sake of the science, however, and to increase its scope of application, the authors urge that U.S. psychologists reach out toward a more truly international science, one fully sensitive to the powerful, multiform variable of culture. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The elusive search for the truth: A review of Pezdek, K. and Banks, W. P. (1996). The recovered memory/false memory debate.

Reviews the book, The recovered memory/false memory debate by K. Pezdek and W. P. Banks (see record 1996-98519-000). This book presents a series of articles, some of which are sympathetic to the "recovered" memory approach and others to the "false" memory approach. In the preface, the authors write: "We tried to hew a middle course, looking for value in all sides." Many of the articles in the book originally appeared in a special issue of Consciousness & Cognition, Volume 3, 1994, the journal which is edited by William Banks, one of the editors of this volume. A major strength of the book is that all the included articles argue their respective positions based on actual experimental data rather than on philosophical biases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Implicit memory research in 1996: Introductory remarks.

This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology is titled "Implicit Memory Research in 1996." Implicit memory now occupies centre stage in the study of memory, and as such, the editor of the journal saw the need for a special issue. In this special issue, several articles investigate priming on perceptually-cued tests and contribute to our understanding of the nature of implicit retrieval on perceptually-cued tests. The study of priming has been dominated by the use of verbal tasks, like the tasks used in the previous articles. However, priming can be revealed in many ways, and it is important that researchers explore the nature of priming in a variety of experimental situations so as to broaden our knowledge and understanding of implicit memory. Several articles in this special issue do this. Each article stands on it own and makes a novel and important contribution. At the same time, the articles share similarities which also helped to determine the order of presentation of the articles in the issue. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Developmental expression of a DNA repair gene in Arabidopsis

As the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) increases, the chance of a practitioner's encountering a patient with significant heart failure, ventricular dysfunction, or valvular heart disease also increases. This article reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and available data on the risk of ECT in these patients. Recommendations are made regarding evaluation and treatment of such patients. Some special situations are identified that may require a modification of routine procedures. Overall, ECT can be performed safely in most patients with underlying cardiac conditions, as long as appropriate precautions are taken to identify these patients ahead of time.     

Studies of drug delivery systems for a therapeutic agent used in osteoporosis. I. Pharmacodynamics (hypocalcemic effect) of elcatonin in rabbits following rectal administration of hollow-type suppositories containing elcatonin

In this study, we developed a new hollow-type suppository containing elcatonin ((Asu1,7)-eel calcitonin, ECT), a synthetic derivative of eel calcitonin, which produces hypocalcemia, as a pharmaceutical preparation for self administration, to be used instead of parenteral injections for patients with osteoporosis. The absorption of ECT from the rectal mucous membrane was evaluated by observation of the decrease in serum calcium (Ca) concentrations following rectal administration in rabbits. ECT was efficiently absorbed from the rectum and effectively decreased serum Ca concentrations. The data of the area under the percent decrease in serum Ca concentration (deltaCa%)-time curve (deltaCa%-AUC), assumed to be an index of the pharmacodynamics (pharmacological effect) of ECT, indicated that similar hypocalcemic effects were obtained following rectal and intravenous administrations of ECT. In regard to the effect of coadministration of other compounds on rectal absorption of ECT, no significant difference in the deltaCa%-AUC between rectal ECT administration with or without nafamostat mesilate (a protease inhibitor) was observed. However, the coadministration of ECT with cytochalasin B or monensin (endocytosis inhibitors) significantly decreased the deltaCa%-AUC, indicating that rectal ECT absorption is probably inhibited by endocytosis inhibitors. On the other hand, it was found that sodium decanoate, a medium-chain fatty acid (sodium salt), significantly enhanced the rectal absorption of ECT. We conclude that this ECT hollow-type suppository offers promise as a new method for the administration of ECT.     

A systemic–wholistic view of psychological functioning in very old age: Introduction to a collection of articles from the Berlin Aging Study.

Introduced are articles from the Berlin Aging Study (BASE) that collectively illustrate systemic–wholistic approaches to psychological functioning in old age. A systemic–wholistic perspective aims to elucidate structural and functional interdependencies between domains and to provide an integrative account of individual functioning. The special features of BASE (age range, 70–105 years; heterogeneous sample stratified by age and gender, and multidisciplinary data collection) are suited to this purpose. This article outlines the design of BASE. describes the cross-sectional sample (N?=?516: 258 men and 258 women), and reports sample selectivity analyses on 25 criterion variables in which the Pearson-Lawley selection formulas were used. Although the BASE sample is positively biased. it is not restricted in heterogeneity and does not exhibit major differences in patterns of covariation among variables. This finding supports the use of BASE data for the intended systemic–wholistic analyses. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The contribution of health promotion to community children''s nursing

In the past, a pre-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) psychiatric evaluation focused on the question, "Does the patient have an ECT-responsive condition?" Technological advances, a broadening experience base with psychiatric patients with concomitant severe medical illness, and advances in ECT technique have led to the need for a more extensive pre-ECT assessment of the patient's psychiatric and medical status, including concomitant medications. A specific "ECT consultation" has evolved that builds on the basic components of the standard psychiatric consultation and extends to recommendations designed to maximize the safety and efficacy of ECT for each individual patient. This article briefly reviews the key components of the ECT consultation and provides an extensive update on important considerations in the use of combined ECT and psychotropic medications.     

Introduction to special section: Parental depression and distress: Implications for development in infancy, childhood, and adolescence.

Five years ago, a special section on "Developmental Psychopathology in Children of Depressed Mothers" was published in this journal (see Vol. 26, pp. 3-67). The present special section deals also with this topic and includes seven empirical articles. It is the product of several successful journal submissions that occurred in relatively close succession. The articles were not specifically targeted beforehand to be broadly representative of research in this domain. Work from some other excellent research programs is not included. Thus, although the content of this special section cannot be viewed as a comprehensive cross-section of current research directions, it does provide an occasion for readers to begin to assess continuities and changes in this research domain. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender bias in the English language?

A biased representation of the desirability of the masculine and feminine trait terms included within a questionnaire can compel test respondents to characterize males and females in a comparably biased manner. The current study assessed whether the English language might itself contain more male-valued or female-valued terms. Ratings of desirability, masculinity, and femininity were obtained on a representative sample of 1,710 trait terms. The results suggested that the language is not itself gender neutral, in that it does appear to have more female-valued than male-valued terms. However, the language might not be described as biased if this is an accurate representation of the traits exhibited by males and females and the desirability of the traits. Implications of the results for the assessment and diagnosis of personality are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Use of ECT in the United States in 1975, 1980, and 1986

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze nationally representative data from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to update trends in the use of ECT in the United States. METHOD: The data are estimates from the NIMH Sample Survey Program for 1975, 1980, and 1986, which include representative samples of inpatients in psychiatric facilities in the United States. The authors' analyses use trend data from public general hospitals, private general hospitals, private psychiatric hospitals, and state and county mental hospitals. They report on 126,739 patients who received ECT in 1975, 1980, and 1986, focusing on data from 1980 and 1986. RESULTS: In 1986, 36,558 patients received ECT. This represents a decrease from the 1975 figure (58,667 patients) but no change from 1980 (31,514 patients). ECT was used primarily in private general hospitals (64%) and private psychiatric hospitals and much less often in public general hospitals and state and county mental hospitals. In 1986 over 90% of ECT recipients were white, and 84% had an affective disorder diagnosis. Although 71% of the patients who received ECT were women, hospital type and age were more important than gender in predicting ECT use. Individuals 65 years of age and older received ECT out of proportion to their numbers in inpatient care. CONCLUSIONS: The declining use of ECT in the United States ended in the 1980s. Few African Americans receive ECT, and its use is becoming more targeted toward patients with affective disorders. The amount of services research done on this modality is very small. Basic questions have yet to be answered, including who refers patients for ECT and why, and how ECT fits into the overall course of treatment.     

Electroconvulsive therapy of acute manic episodes: a review of 50 years' experience

OBJECTIVE: The most common indication for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is major depression. It is less recognized that ECT is effective also in the treatment of acute mania. This article aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the literature on the use of ECT for manic patients. METHOD: All published papers in the English language on the use of ECT in acute mania that could be found were reviewed with regard to efficacy, frequency and number of treatments, bilateral versus unilateral electrode placement, predictors of antimanic response, stability of therapeutic response, cognitive consequences, and other relevant issues. RESULTS: The evidence indicates that ECT is associated with remission or marked clinical improvement in 80% of manic patients and that it is an effective treatment for patients whose manic episodes have responded poorly to pharmacotherapy. Manic patients do not require a high frequency or prolonged course of treatments to respond to ECT. The seizure threshold appears to be lower in manic patients than in depressed patients. The issues of relapse following response to ECT, cognitive consequences of ECT, and the relative merits of unilateral versus bilateral ECT in manic patients require further study. CONCLUSIONS: ECT is an effective and safe treatment for acute mania. Remission of mania following ECT reflects a primary therapeutic effect rather than a secondary consequence of an ECT-induced organic brain syndrome.     

Competing paradigms for anorexia nervosa.

The current author comments on the articles from the April 2007 American Psychologist special issue on eating disorders. The current author states that the contributors to this special issue are to be commended for acknowledging lack of progress in understanding, classifying, and treating anorexia nervosa (AN). They highlighted the acute need to refine diagnosis (see record 2007-04834-004), understand comprehensive causal mechanisms to tune treatments and transcend "hodgepodge diagnoses" (see record 2007-04834-005), study functional neural circuits and link behavior with "genomic, cellular, and systems data" (see record 2007-04834-003), and develop effective treatments (see record 2007-04834-006). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evidence-based parent and family interventions in school psychology: Overview and procedures.

This special issue, entitled "Evidence-Based Parent and Family Interventions in School Psychology," examines the data that support the use of interventions as methods for changing children's school-related behavior and learning problems. Taken together, the articles reflect the work of the Parent and Family Intervention domain of the Evidence-Based Interventions in School Psychology Task Force. Across the articles in this special issue, the categories of coding criteria in the Manual were used to organize the presentation of results. Six review articles on the evidence base for parent and family intervention appear next; these are followed by commentary from distinguished scholars and a brief reflective comment from the special issue editors. Parent intervention is the exclusive focus of the reviews of parent education and parent consultation. Two reviews focus on the home-school relationship including the articles on parent involvement and home-school collaboration. Two reviews include both parent and family treatments: early childhood family-focused interventions and parent training and family systems interventions. Commentary was sought from the current co-chairs of the Task Force, an expert in evidence-based practice in child clinical psychology, a researcher in family-school linkages and parent consultation, and a methodologist. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Telehealth and chronic disabilities: New frontier for research and development.

The primary purpose of this special section is to address key issues and current developments in telehealth outcome research for individuals with chronic disabling conditions. The special section begins with a critical review of contemporary telehealth and disability outcome research, followed by two articles that present the findings of 2 ongoing randomized controlled telehealth trials for adults with Type 2 diabetes and rural teenagers with uncontrolled seizure disorders. Future directions for outcome research on telehealth and chronic disability are discussed across all 3 articles, particularly the need for large N studies, the use of conceptually meaningful control groups and more rigorous cost utility analyses, and studies that evaluate the "best matches" among different types of telehealth interventions, specific health care concerns, and consumer populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

G. Stanley Hall's Adolescence: A centennial reappraisal: Introduction.

This article is an overview of the special issue "G. Stanley Hall's Adolescence: A Centennial Reappraisal." First, a brief biography of Hall is presented. Then each of the six articles in the special issue is summarized. Three of the articles are by historians and three are by psychologists, but all six articles integrate history and psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coaching and consulting in multicultural contexts: Integrating themes and issues.

This article reviews a series of articles in a special section on "Coaching and Consulting in Multicultural Contexts." It identifies overlapping themes and issues (e.g., the role of perception, culture, pragmatic wisdom, and trust in coaching), as well as issues still to be addressed. It is argued that much work remains to be done to establish an empirical basis for hypotheses generated by the series. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biased Language Use in Stereotype Maintenance: The Role of Encoding and Goals.

In 4 studies, the authors investigated the relative impact of biased encoding of information and communication goals on biased language use. A category label (linguistic expectancy bias, Study 1) or a group label (linguistic intergroup bias, Study 2) was presented either before or after a story that participants were asked to communicate. Biased language use only emerged when participants learned about the group membership of the actor or the category label before hearing the story. However, communication goals had an effect on language use at the retrieval stage, independent of encoding (Studies 3 and 4). Although communication goal effects seemed to overwhelm encoding effects, encoding still influenced language use under externally imposed time pressure (Study 3) and self-imposed time constraints (Study 4). This research reaffirms the importance of both cognitive and communicative processes in stereotype maintenance and highlights the conditions under which they each operate. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)