Physical attractiveness and self-perception of mental disorder.

Prior research has reported a relation between physical attractiveness and severity of mental disorder, with less attractive people being more maladjusted. However, because these two variables have been measured simultaneously, it has not been possible to separate cause from effect. To clarify this question, in this study we first measured physical attractiveness, social competence, and perceived risk of developing a mental disorder in 280 college women. Seven months later, we measured the subjects' self-perception of having a mental disorder. Women who were more attractive were higher in social competence and lower in perceived risk of mental disorder. More attractive women were also lower in self-perception of mental disorder 7 months later. This relation between attractiveness and self-perception of mental disorder remained significant even after controlling for the Time 1 measures (social competence, perceived risk of mental disorder, and age). The implications of these findings for the hypothesized role of attractiveness in the determination of adjustment are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Role of physical abnormalities in interpersonal perception and behavior.

Explores the impact of physical abnormalities on interpersonal relationships and investigates 1 technique available to the stigmatized to influence that impact. This technique is to indicate that the abnormality may be freely discussed or that it is a forbidden topic. The 60 male undergraduate Ss were introduced to an ostensibly naive student who was in reality a confederate and appeared either as an amputee in a wheelchair or as only slightly crippled. The shocks Ss were induced to administer the confederate were less painful when he was severely than when he was slightly crippled. It was concluded that all stigmata do not have the same interpersonal consequences and that the most marked effects occur for behaviors of which Ss have little awareness. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Anxiety level of schizophrenic and control patients and their parents.

Rated 24 good and 24 poor male schizophrenic patients, 24 nonschizophrenic male psychiatric patients, and the parents of each for anxiety prior to and during a difficult family interaction. 2 techniques to measure anxiety on the basis of speech were employed. Some results, such as that the poor schizophrenics were the most anxious of the patients, are consistent with general beliefs and prior research. However, most results present a picture of the schizophrenic patient and his parents that is dramatically different from what most theories and research suggest. Parents did not appear to be upsetting to the patient, even when their behavior was very noxious. If the family plays a role in schizophrenia, findings suggest this role is quite different from what is widely believed. (33 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A note on "Prognostic scales in schizophrenia".

An article on prognostic scales in schizophrenia by S. L. Garfield and D. M. Sundland (see record 1966-04456-001) is criticized and several ways in which it is misleading are pointed out. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of psychiatric history on physicians' response to a new patient.

Investigated the possibility that former mental patients, often treated unfavorably by society, are given inadequate attention by medical practitioners. In visits to 32 practitioners, 16 were told by the "patient" that he had stomach pains which first occurred 9 mo previously when he was a mental patient. Results indicate that a former mental patient receives the same medical treatment as anyone else. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship of marital status to incidence and prognosis of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenic patients were traced for 5.5 yr. following initial admission and were classified as Recovered (60 males, 52 females) if hospitalized for no longer than 6 mo. or Nonrecovered (23 males, 33 females) if hospitalized for at least 5 yr. In comparison with the Recovered group, patients in the Nonrecovered group were less likely to be married and showed inferior social and sexual adjustment prior to the illness. Combining the Recovered and Nonrecovered groups, the patients were less likely to be married than people of the same sex and age in the US population. Some variables (marriage, education, and work history) showed a differential relationship with incidence or prognosis of schizophrenia for the male and female patients. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Bisorbicillinoids Produced by the Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma citrinoviride</Emphasis> Affect Feeding Preference of the Aphid <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schizaphis graminum</Emphasis>

We report the effects of some bisorbicillinoids isolated from biomass of the fungus Trichoderma citrinoviride on settling and feeding preference of the aphid Schizaphis graminum. Purification of the fungal metabolites was carried out by a combination of column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography using direct and reverse phases. Chemical identification was performed by spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. The identified bisorbicillinoids appeared to be bislongiquinolide, its 16,17-dihydro derivative, trichodimerol, and dihydrotrichodimerol. A feeding preference test with alate morphs of S. graminum was used to identify the active fractions. Among the four bisorbicillinoids, dihydrotrichodimerol and bislongiquinolide influenced aphid feeding preference, restraining specimens from settling on leaves treated with metabolites. Taste neurons sensitive to these compounds, particularly to bislongiquinolide, were located on tarsi of the S. graminum alate morphs.     

Fertility-Sparing Approach in Women Affected by Stage I and Low-Grade Endometrial Carcinoma: An Updated Overview

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a deleterious condition which strongly affects a woman’s quality of life. Although aggressive interventions should be considered to treat high-grade EC, a conservative approach should be taken into consideration for women wishing to conceive. In this scenario, we present an overview about the EC fertility-sparing approach state of art. Type I EC at low stage is the only histological type which can be addressed with a fertility-sparing approach. Moreover, no myometrium and/or adnexal invasion should be seen, and lymph-vascular space should not be involved. Regarding the pharmaceutical target, progestins, in particular medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or megestrol acetate (MA), are the most employed agent in conservative treatment of early-stage EC. The metformin usage and hysteroscopic assessment is still under debate, despite promising results. Particularly strict and imperious attention should be given to the follow-up and psychological wellbeing of women, especially because of the double detrimental impairment: both EC and EC-related infertility consequences.     

Impact of Magnetic Stimulation on Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a time-dependent magnetic field on the biological performance of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). A Western blot analysis and Alamar Blue assay were performed to investigate the proliferative capacity of magnetically stimulated PDLSCs (PDLSCs MAG) through the study of the MAPK cascade (p-ERK1/2). The observation of ALP levels allowed the evaluation of the effect of the magnetic field on osteogenic differentiation. Metabolomics data, such as oxygen consumption rate (OCR), extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) and ATP production provided an overview of the PDLSCs MAG metabolic state. Moreover, the mitochondrial state was investigated through confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results showed a good viability for PDLSCs MAG. Magnetic stimulation can activate the ERK phosphorylation more than the FGF factor alone by promoting a better cell proliferation. Osteogenic differentiation was more effectively induced by magnetic stimulation. The metabolic panel indicated significant changes in the mitochondrial cellular respiration of PDLSCs MAG. The results suggested that periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) can respond to biophysical stimuli such as a time-dependent magnetic field, which is able to induce changes in cell proliferation and differentiation. Moreover, the magnetic stimulation also produced an effect on the cell metabolic profile. Therefore, the current study demonstrated that a time-dependent magnetic stimulation may improve the regenerative properties of PDLSCs.