Constipation: a common problem in patients with neurological abnormalities

Constipation is a frequent complaint among patients with different neurological diseases. This review provides a brief account of the numerous conditions affecting the central, peripheral and intrinsic (enteric) nervous systems in which constipation can be the only clinical manifestation or a component of a complex syndrome. Recent neuropathophysiological acquisitions show that any structural or functional impairment of the intrinsic innervation of the gut, including both developmental (i.e., Hirschsprung's disease and intestinal neuronal dysplasia) and acquired (i.e., either degenerative or inflammatory neuropathies) disorders, can be associated with constipation. Constipation may also arise from derangements of the peripheral nervous system, including diabetes and primary chronic autonomic failure (pandysautonomias). Finally, in the central nervous system, a wide array of disorders (post-traumatic, degenerative, ischaemic or neoplastic) are recognized to determine bowel dysfunction, ultimately leading to constipation. Further understanding of the fine pathophysiological mechanisms through which the intrinsic and extrinsic nerve supplies to the digestive system are involved in idiopathic constipation or in diseases generating this symptom will hopefully lead to a better treatment of this frequent pathological condition.     

Primary prevention of eating disorders.

Eating disorders have increased dramatically over the past two decades, but the primary prevention of these disorders has received little attention. This article summarizes our current understanding of anorexia nervosa and bulimia and offers some suggestions for the primary prevention of these disorders at the individual, family, and community levels. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Memory accessibility and association of alcohol use and its positive outcomes.

Theoretical predictions involving memory associations between alcohol use and its positive outcomes were examined. In 2 preliminary studies, the availability from memory of outcomes from drinking was investigated. In subsequent studies, a measurement paradigm was used that decreased the accessibility of the association between drinking behavior and positive outcomes so that individual differences in drinking frequency might predict the accessibility of memory responses. In a final study, this paradigm was refined further by manipulating various types of alcohol-related cues. The results converge on a class of theory of memory association in which repeated drinking experiences influence the accessibility of thoughts about alcohol use and its most normatively frequent outcomes. The increased association of this behavior and its outcomes in memory has important implications for the cognitive mediation of alcohol use and abuse. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Importance of junction functionality in highly crosslinked polymers

Summary A modification of a theoretical model for the determination of the number average molecular weight between crosslinks, ¯M_c, is presented for the case of multifunctional junction functionalities in highly crosslinked, macromolecular systems.     

Interactional group therapy for anorexic and bulimic women.

Describes interactional group therapy for anorexic and bulimic women, as it was used for 12 groups (with 4–8 Ss each) conducted over 4.5 yrs. Bulimics and anorexics were combined because it is believed that the 2 types of eating-disordered patients have much that they can learn from each other. Group themes particularly relevant to eating-disordered women are discussed, including confidentiality, sexuality, commonalities between the 2 types, and transference. Stages in the evolution of the group and strategies for facilitating group process are reviewed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Comments on the controlled drinking controversy.

Comments on G. A. Marlatt's (see record 1984-13214-001) views on the controlled-drinking-by-alcoholics controversy. The need to define control and to distinguish between alcoholics and problem drinkers is emphasized. The credibility of research on controlled drinking is discussed. Reasons why training alcoholics in controlled drinking is attractive to psychologists are considered. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A reconsideration of two-person inequity judgments: A reply to Anderson.

Replies to N. H. Anderson's (see record 1984-22881-001) argument that "two-operation logic," which was applied to N. H. Anderson and A. J. Farkas's (1975) experiment, supported the ratio model, established the linearity of the response scale, and refuted the subtractive model proposed by the present author (see record 1982-29568-001). A reanalysis shows that the data of Anderson and Farkas are more consistent with subtractive models than ratio models and illustrates problems with the two-operation logic that led Anderson to his conclusions. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical psychology in Poland.

Discusses the history and current practice of clinical psychology in Poland, focusing on recent developmental trends and the educational standards and practices used in the training of Polish clinical psychologists. The preparation of students for the Magister (master's degree) in clinical psychology includes basic courses in psychology, specialization in 1 of 4 clinical areas (adult clinical, child clinical, neuropsychology, or forensic psychology), sensitivity training, and on-site practicum training. Doctoral work includes research and often emphasizes teaching more than in the US. Settings in which clinical psychologists work, programs in which they are involved, and the orientation or style of their work are described. Differences in psychological practices between Eastern and Western countries are examined in the context of sociocultural and political differences. (6 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)