Group Psychoeducation for Relatives of Persons With Bipolar Disorder: Perceived Benefits for Participants and Patients.

Psychoeducation is a key element in the management of patients with bipolar disorders. The present study explored the perception of patients and family members with respect to group psychoeducation for relatives. Patients (n = 20) and relatives (n = 26) were assessed with questionnaires about perceived benefits and quality of life (median 4 years after participation).

Denervation of newborn rat muscle does not block the appearance of adult fast myosin heavy chain.

Several observations, both in vivo and in vitro, have indicated that the development and maturation of mammalian skeletal muscle fibres is influenced by nerve-muscle interactions. Morphological maturation of newly regenerated adult mouse muscle fibers in an organotypic nerve-muscle culture system depends on the presence of spinal cord neurones. Sciatic nerve transection in newborn rats has been shown to modify the development of the histochemical and contractile properties of the denervated muscles.

Inactivation and solubilization of opiate receptors by phospholipases A2.

(1) As previously shown, stereospecific binding of opiates to membrane bound receptors is inhibited by treatment with small amounts of phospholipase A2 from Vipera russelli. This effect is quantified and compared with the enzymes from the venoms of Naja Naja siamensis, Apis Mellifica and from porcine pancreas. All enzymes are equally effective.

Binding properties and subclass distribution of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies in myasthenia gravis.

Acetylcholine receptor antibodies were studied in the serum of 21 myasthenic patients. In 18 cases antibodies directed against sites other than the toxin binding were present whereas in 10 cases only there was a measurable inhibition of the ligand binding site. These 10 sera were from the 6 patients in stage IIB, III and IV and from 4 of the 12 patients in stage IIA.

Antibodies to acetylcholine receptor in patients with thymoma but without myasthenia gravis.

Antibodies to acetylcholine receptor were found in 3 of 11 patients with a thymoma removed by operation but without myasthenia gravis. Because masthenia gravis may appear after removal of the thymoma, detection of antiacetylcholine receptor antibodies may have predictive value.

[Antibodies against nicotine-like acetylcholine receptors of central nervous system and muscles in epileptics with IgA deficiency].

Anti-muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAR) antibodies were sought in epileptic patients without clinical signs of myasthenia gravis. Low titers of such antibodies were found in 3 cases characterized by primary generalized seizures, IgA deficiency and HLA A1 and B8 antigens. These three patients also had anti-brain nAR antibodies.