Structural and functional analysis of the human cone-rod homeobox transcription factor.

The cone-rod homeobox (CRX) protein is a critical K50 homeodomain transcription factor responsible for the differentiation and maintenance of photoreceptor neurons in the vertebrate retina. Mutant alleles in the human gene encoding CRX result in a variety of distinct blinding retinopathies, including retinitis pigmentosa, cone-rod dystrophy, and Leber congenital amaurosis. Despite the success of using in vitro biochemistry, animal models, and genomics approaches to study this clinically relevant transcription factor over the past 25 years since its initial characterization, there are no high-resolution structures in the published literature for the CRX protein.

Communication between psychosomatic C-L consultants and general practitioners in a German health care system.

A randomized and prospective study examined the effects of intensive communication between treatment providers on physician behavior and patient care using a representative sample of patients referred to a German psychosomatic consultation-liaison (C-L) service (1998-1999). Sixty-seven patients were grouped (ICD-10) and randomized into intervention (n=33) and control groups (n=34). In the control group (CG), only the inpatient referring physicians were informed of consultation findings, as is standard practice in Germany.

Comparative validity of three screening questionnaires for DSM-IV depressive disorders and physicians' diagnoses.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the validity of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the WHO (five) Well Being Index (WBI-5), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), and physicians' recognition of depressive disorders, and to recommend specific cut-off points for clinical decision making.

Methods: A total of 501 outpatients completed each of the three depression screening questionnaires and received the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) as the criterion standard. In addition, treating physicians were asked to give their psychiatric diagnoses.