Anger, hostility, and depression in domestically violent versus generally assaultive men and nonviolent control subjects.

Anger, hostility, and depression were examined across four groups: a clinical sample of domestically violent men, two samples of more generally assaultive men, and a nonviolent control group. All subjects (N?=?129) were assessed using the Buss-Durkee Hostility Inventory, the Hostility and Direction of Hostility Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression Inventory. The domestically violent men and the generally assaultive men evidenced significantly higher levels of anger and hostility than the control subjects. The anger and hostility scores were very similar in the domestically violent and the generally assaultive men. However, the domestically violent men were more likely to be significantly depressed. The findings support the idea that anger dyscontrol is a key issue in the psychological profile of domestically violent men and indicate the need for clinical attention to depression as well as anger. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The utility of the MMPI with men who have sexually assaulted children.

Examined the ability of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to describe a sex offender population of 406 men (mean age 35.8 yrs) who had assaulted children and to differentiate this population on the basis of the following offense variables: (1) male vs female minor victimization, (2) nonincestual vs incestual sex offenses, (3) physical vs nonphysical assault methods, (4) rapist vs nonrapist molesters, and (5) assault on younger vs older victims. MMPI Scale 4 (Psychopathic Deviate) and Scale 8 (Schizophrenia) were both significantly elevated in Ss' mean profile. However, contrary to previous studies, no single 2-point MMPI code type was predominant, and two-thirds of the Ss had more than 2 MMPI scale elevations. Some statistically significant differences were found between Ss on Variables 1 and 5, but these differences were not considered to be clinically significant. The limitations of the MMPI in differentiating criminological defined subgroups and variables are discussed. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lactobacillus plantarum 29 Inhibits Penicillium spp. Involved in the Spoilage of Black Truffles (Tuber aestivum)

The effect of an antifungal culture of Lactobacillus plantarum to be used in the storage at refrigeration temperature of fresh black truffles was examined. The strain was selected among 29 lactobacilli isolated from foods and evaluated for their viability and acidification activity at 4 °C, as well as for their inhibitory activity against 11 Penicillium strains isolated from truffles stored at refrigeration temperature. Lb. plantarum 29 showed the ability to hold not only the growth of Penicillium isolated from truffles, but also that of P. digitatum DSM 2750, a green mold involved in the spoilage of truffles. The antifungal activity was observed in vitro and in situ, and the sensory characteristics of truffles were preserved during the cold storage.     

Irradiation Treatments to Improve the Shelf Life of Fresh Black Truffles (Truffles Preservation by Gamma-Rays)

ABSTRACT:  The aim of this study was to individuate a method to improve the shelf life of fresh truffles, hypogeous fungi highly prized but very perishable as well. Microbial ecology of fresh products was investigated and the effect of irradiation at different doses on microbial and sensorial parameters was assayed. Data showed that fresh truffles are strongly contaminated from different groups of microorganisms. Irradiation was able to influence their growth, determining an impressive reduction. Treatments at 5 and 10 kGy doses produced the highest microbial decontamination but negatively influenced sensorial parameters. Irradiation at a 1.5 kGy dose was the best solution to improve the shelf life of truffles.     

Coping in chest pain patients with and without psychiatric disorders.

We first examined relations between psychiatric disorder and coronary heart disease (CHD) in 77 patients presenting with chest pain. The coping profiles of chest pain patients with and without psychiatric disorder and CHD were then compared. Psychiatric patients with no medical illness (n?=?129) were also studied. On the basis of previous research we hypothesized specific coping differences across the groups. As expected, chest pain patients without psychiatric disorder scored significantly higher on a problem-focused coping scale than chest pain patients with psychiatric disorder, who in turn scored higher on this scale than psychiatric patients with no medical illness. The opposite pattern occurred for a measure of wishful thinking. Scores of chest pain patients with psychiatric disorder were higher on a measure of avoidance and lower on a measure of seeking of social supports than those without psychiatric disorder. Scores on a self-blame measure were not different across the groups. The results are discussed in the context of illness behavior and somatization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Coping profiles associated with psychiatric, physical health, work, and family problems.

Examined coping profiles of 11 samples (identified in the stress literature) with a total of 1,298 individuals experiencing psychiatric, physical health, work, or family problems. Comparisons were made in Ss with and without anxiety and depression to control for the effects of distress. Coping was similar for Ss in similar problem categories, but different for Ss in different categories. Psychiatric Ss made more use of avoidance and less use of social supports. Ss with physical health problems were among the most frequent users of social supports. Ss with a family problem were among the most frequent users of problem-focused coping and the least frequent users of self-blame. Ss with work stress were the most frequent users of self-blame. Results support the hypothesis that persons with psychopathology cope in maladaptive ways involving dysfunctional strategies that constitute the behavioral disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Appraised changeability of a stressor as a modifier of the relationship between coping and depression: A test of the hypothesis of fit.

The goodness of fit among the appraised changeability of a stressor, coping, and depression in people with psychiatric, physical health, work, and family problems was examined (N?=?46). It was expected that problem-focused coping (as opposed to emotion-focused coping) would be used more and be more adaptive in situations appraised as changeable as compared with situations appraised as not changeable. Although few relationships existed between appraisal and coping, tests of fit between coping and depressed mood (maladaptation) were much stronger. In people with nonpsychiatric conditions, problem-focused coping and depressed mood were negatively related when a stressor was appraised as changeable but were unrelated when a stressor was appraised as not changeable. Emotion-focused coping was positively related to depression when a stressor was appraised as changeable. No general relations were observed in the people with psychiatric conditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)