Symptom subtypes in persons institutionalized with schizophrenia: Comparison of demographics, outcome and functional skills.

Using a formula based on the concept by N. C. Andreasen (see record 1982-29376-001) and N. C. Andreasen and S. Olsen (see record 1982-30452-001) of classifying subtypes into positive, negative, and mixed schizophrenia, 312 persons institutionalized with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) schizophrenia were retrospectively examined. 59 Ss were classified into the positive symptom subtype, 33 into the negative symptom subtype, and 220 into the mixed symptom subtype. Symptom subtypes were compared on traditional demographic and outcome indicators, as well as on a dimension critical to rehabilitation (i.e., measures of degree of assistance necessary to perform functional skills). No significant differences were found among the subtypes on demographic items and traditional indicators of outcome such as level of vocational functioning or independent living. However, on measures of degree of assistance necessary to perform functional skills, significant differences were found among the symptom subtypes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Chronic dissection of the thoracic aorta in a patient with tuberculous pleuro-pericarditis

The production of mycotoxins by Alternaria alternata in cellulosic ceiling tiles was examined with thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography procedures. Alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether were found in ceiling tile extracts, whereas extracts of control rice cultures of all three isolates produced these mycotoxins plus altenuene and altertoxin I. Extensive fungal growth and mycotoxin production occurred in the ceiling tiles at relative humidities of 84-89% and 97%.     

Tobacco use moderates the association between major depression and obesity.

Objective: Based on a maladaptive coping explanation, the relationship between major depression (MD) and obesity could be strong among nonsmokers, who may engage in unhealthy eating and sedentary behavior to cope with depression. By contrast, the MD-obesity association could be weak among smokers, who can use tobacco (instead of food or sedentary behavior) to cope with mood symptoms. This study examined smoking status and tobacco dependence as moderators of the MD-obesity link. Design: Correlational, cross-sectional population-based survey of 41,654 U.S. adults. Main Outcome Measures: Obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) and quantitative BMI value. Results: Current smoking status moderated the association between past-year MD and current obesity, as well as the link between MD and BMI value (ps ≤ .0001). MD predicted obesity and BMI among nonsmokers (ps ps ≥ .10). Similar findings emerged with tobacco dependence as the moderator. Each finding persisted after accounting for demographics, psychiatric variables, and potential confounds. Conclusion: Tobacco use characteristics appear to moderate the MD-obesity association in the U.S. population. These findings may shed light on the mechanisms linking MD and obesity and have implications for identifying which individuals may benefit most from obesity interventions that target depressive symptoms. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enrichment and individual differences affect welfare indicators in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus).

Enrichment aims to improve captive animals' welfare by enhancing their environments. Two of the struggles associated with measuring welfare are identifying when animals' needs are being met or surpassed and identifying how individual differences play a role in these outcomes. Using a group of related Guyanese squirrel monkeys, we studied changes in five welfare indicators under different environmental conditions. Manipulating food presentation, walkways, and toys, we created five enrichment levels ranging from just above USDA standards to considerably more complex than the animals' normal housing. At the end of each level, a novelty test was performed in which an unfamiliar woman entered the enclosure and offered food. Changes in behavior as a function of enrichment condition were analyzed using a repeated-measures MANOVA. Compared to baseline, less enrichment consistently increased negative welfare indicators (abnormal behavior, aggression, and negative responses to the novelty test), while more enrichment sometimes decreased these indicators. Positive welfare indicators were less consistently related to enrichment, but positive response to the novelty test did increase somewhat in the most enriched condition. Across conditions, rank correlations revealed that individuals had highly consistent individual differences in positive responses to novelty and somewhat consistent individual differences in rates of aggression. The goal of the enrichment and the species, sex, and individual animals to be enriched should be considered when selecting a welfare indicator, and facilities measuring animal welfare should study changes in the behavior of specific individuals to control for individual differences. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anticipated affective consequences of physical activity adoption and maintenance.

Objective: The expected emotional consequences of future actions are thought to play an important role in health behavior change. This research examined whether anticipated affective consequences of success and failure vary across stages of physical activity change and differentially predict physical activity adoption as compared to maintenance. Design: Using a prospective design over a 3-month period, a community sample of 329 healthy, middle-aged adults were assessed at 2 time points. Main Outcome Measures: Anticipated positive and negative emotions, stage of behavior change (precontemplation [PC], contemplation [C], preparation [P], action [A], maintenance [M]), and level of physical activity. Results: At baseline, anticipated positive emotions were greater in C versus PC, whereas anticipated negative emotions were greater in M versus A and in M versus P. Higher anticipated positive but not negative emotions predicted physical activity adoption and maintenance after 3 months. Conclusion: Although the expected affective consequences of future success and failure differentiated among individuals in the early and later stages of physical activity change, respectively; only the anticipated affective consequences of success predicted future behavior. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Teacher judgments concerning the acceptability of school-based interventions.

Investigated the influence of behavior problem severity, interventionist, and modality of case presentation on teacher's judgments of school-based interventions. 54 regular and special education teachers attending a university summer course used an intervention scale and the Semantic Differential to rate all possible combinations of 2 interventions (principal or teacher implemented) applied to 2 behavior problems (daydreaming and destruction of others' property). Ss read about or viewed a videotape of a 5th-grade boy engaging in 1 of the 2 problem behaviors. An ANOVA of Ss' ratings of intervention acceptability showed that behavior problem severity and interventionist significantly affected Ss' judgments of intervention acceptability. Findings show that interventions that could be implemented by the teacher were more acceptable. In addition, Ss rated interventions as more acceptable when applied to behavior problems of greater severity. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)