Outcome of the depressed elderly living in the community in Liverpool: a 5-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: Comparatively little is known about the long-term natural history of depressive disorders in the elderly living in the community. This is a follow-up of a subsample of the Continuing Health in the Community study random sample of the elderly population living in Liverpool. METHODS: The investigators followed up 120 cases of depression identified by a semi-structured interview schedule (GMS) for a period of 5 years. A similar number of other subjects defined as subcases of depression, other cases of mental illness and a random selection of non-cases were also included. RESULTS: The 5-year outcome for the cases of depression was worse than the outcome of the non-cases (relative mortality risk of 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.1 to 3.9). Thirty-four per cent of the cases of depression died and 28% had dropped out during the follow-up. Of the 46 cases of depression who had a complete follow-up, 22% recovered from their symptoms, 30% were found to be AGECAT cases at one of the three follow-up waves, 24% were AGECAT cases at two of the three follow-up waves and the remaining 24% were AGECAT cases at each follow-up wave. Fifteen per cent of the surviving cases of depression were organic cases at the follow-up. Their anxiety comorbid state and depression score were identified as predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that depressive disorders (most of which were untreated) found in the elderly community have a poor prognosis.     

Features of the mechanism of formation of X-ray shadowgraphs in scintillation crystals

A digital X-ray imaging system based on a luminophor-lens-CCD-array structure [1] is used to obtain a spatial resolution of 25 line pairs/mm [2]. Such a high resolution is attained, in particular, owing to the use of CsI(Tl) and BGO (Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂) single crystals as X-ray converters.     

Synthesis of precious opal in a hydrothermal solution

The nucleation of orthosilicic acid and the growth of colloidal silica particles in hydrothermal solutions are investigated. The results obtained are compared with the data on the formation of supramolecular matrices of precious opal. Ordered supramolecular structures are experimentally grown in a model solution through the precipitation of colloidal silica particles synthesized by hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in an organic solvent. The type of packing of spherical particles in the supramolecular structure is studied as a function of the component concentration, particle size, and pH and temperature of the model solution. The experimental data can be used to reveal the mechanism of formation of precious opal and to design methods for preparing three-dimensional nanocomposites.     

Dependence of the processing characteristics of a copper powder and its dendrite structure on electrolysis conditions at a constant overvoltage

Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 2(326), pp. 1–8, February, 1990.     

Concepts of scaling and fractal dimension in the design of a fractal detector of radio signals

Concepts of hardware implementation of fractal nonparametric detectors of radar signals (FNDRSs) are analyzed. The structure of the first FNDRS prototype is determined on the basis of concepts of sample topology and fractal signatures. Experiments in which frequency and time scalings are used for detection of sinusoidal and pulsed signals in the presence of additive noises and interferences on the basis of a 1D sample are conducted with the FNDRS prototype. Probabilities of correct detection are calculated and the classic accumulation mode is compared with the new method of fractal filtering. The studies are conducted as part of program “Fractal Radio Systems Designed for Different Purposes and Fractal Components” proposed by and developed at the Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics (IREE) of the Russian Academy of Sciences.     

Microcirculatory disorders in cerebral ischemia in rats and their correction by using leu-enkephalin

Leu-enkephalin (LE) induced mainly a constriction of pial arterioles, diameter of the venules did not change. The effect of the LE involved preservation of the cerebral blood flow and that in microvessels, constriction of some arterioles and reduced dilatation against the background of decreased arterial pressure, bradycardia, increased lymphatic flow and survival of the animals during first hours of occlusion of common carotid arteries.     

Perforation of terminal ileum and appendix in typhoid enteritis: report of two cases

Two cases of simultaneous typhoid perforation of terminal ileum and appendix are reported from Harare Central Hospital. These findings have not been reported before. Perforations were associated with schistosomiasis and HIV/AIDS. Definitive diagnosis was made only after laparotomy, serology and histopathology. With early diagnosis, effective resuscitation and timely intervention, this life-threatening condition is not necessarily fatal. Septic shock is however, an ominous sign of poor prognosis. In the tropics, bradycardia, leukopaenia and perforation in a febrile patient with right iliac fossa tenderness should arouse suspicion. Perforations may occur in patients with underlying diseases.