Comparison of postpartum and nonpostpartum depression: clinical presentation, psychiatric history, and psychosocial functioning

This study compared a sample of postpartum women diagnosed with depression with a nonpostpartum depressed group and 2 nondepressed control groups. Women's depressive episodes were compared to determine whether differences existed in symptomatology, previous history, or course. Results indicate that postpartum depression tends to be relatively mild. Both depressed groups had high rates of positive psychiatric history and were equally likely to have recovered at a 6-month follow-up. Groups were also compared on psychosocial variables known to covary with depression: interpersonal relations, stress, and coping. A series of multivariate analyses of covariance showed few differences between the depressed groups that were not attributable to symptom severity, although postpartum depressed women did report better marital relations than did the nonpostpartum depressed women. These findings suggest that there is little to distinguish postpartum from nonpostpartum depression beyond differences in symptom severity.     

Application of auxiliary metal layers to e-beam and X-ray lithography

Micron and sub-micron gold lines have been produced by liftoff following e-beam and X-ray exposures of resist coated chromium layers on silicon. Etching a 0.1 micron chromium layer after development results in an undercut which aids the liftoff process. This approach has been used in e-beam lithography on PMMA (i.e. positive resist) to decouple the e-beam exposure from generation of the undercut. In this way 0.7 micron gold lines separated by less than 0.3 microns have been produced. A similar approach when used in X-ray lithography on OEBR (negative resist) yielded gold lines down to 0.3 microns in width and separation. Scanning electron micrographs of patterns at various stages of processing are presented and the profiles of the resist walls and the nature of the undercut are described.     

Potentiation of morphine-induced seizure by 6-hydroxydopamine

A retrospective study of sixteen patients with pelvic fractures compounded through the perineum, rectum, or vagina showed a mortality of 50 per cent. The cause of death in seven of the eight patients was sepsis and multisystem failure. The initial surgical management of these patients must include complete diversion of the fecal stream so that pelvic and systemic sepsis may be prevented.     

Perforated duodenal ulcer in Black patients

Sixteen cases of perforated duodenal ulcer in Black patients admitted to Tembisa Hospital during a 1-year period are reviewed. They constitute 0,4% of all surgical admissions. Duodenal ulcer has been considered a rare disease in South African Blacks, but we believe that the incidence is increasing in Black urban populations. The literature is reviewed and possible aetiological factors are discussed.