Appraisal, coping, health status, and psychological symptoms.

In this study we examined the relation between personality factors (mastery and interpersonal trust), primary appraisal (the stakes a person has in a stressful encounter), secondary appraisal (options for coping), eight forms of problem- and emotion-focused coping, and somatic health status and psychological symptoms in a sample of 150 community-residing adults. Appraisal and coping processes should be characterized by a moderate degree of stability across stressful encounters for them to have an effect on somatic health status and psychological symptoms. These processes were assessed in five different stressful situations that subjects experienced in their day-to-day lives.

Effects of inhibitors of carbohydrate absorption or lipid metabolism on meal patterns of Zucker rats.

Peripherally active anorectic agents represent a new approach to the pharmacological management of obesity. Two inhibitors of carbohydrate absorption: an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, acarbose (Bay g 5421) and a alpha-amylase inhibitor, Ro 12-2272, were compared with two novel inhibitors of lipid metabolism: an inhibitor of human pancreatic lipase (Ro 20-0083) and of hepatic fatty acid synthesis (Ro 22-0654). All drugs were presented as diet admixtures over 3 or 4 consecutive days.

Plasma amine oxidase and clinical features of schizophrenia.

Among 76 chronic schizophrenic patients, plasma amine oxidase activity was unrelated to paranoid/nonparanoid subtype, narrow/broad diagnostic criteria, prognosis, or age at onset. These clinical indices do not identify biological subtypes of schizophrenia with deviant plasma amine oxidase activity.

Familial transmission of schizotypal and borderline personality disorders.

The authors determined the risk for psychiatric disorders in the first-degree relatives of 36 probands with schizotypal personality disorder (13 definite, 23 probable), 17 probands with borderline personality disorder (two definite, 15 probable), and 90 normal control probands. The relatives of probands with schizotypal personality disorder without a concurrent diagnosis of borderline personality disorder had a significantly greater risk for schizotypal personality disorder than the relatives of normal control probands, borderline probands, or schizotypal probands with coexisting borderline personality disorder. The relatives of borderline probands had a significantly greater risk for definite and probable borderline personality disorder than the relatives of normal control probands.

Alterations in adipocyte free fatty acid re-esterification associated with obesity and weight reduction in man.

Using a newly developed in vitro technique, the rate of re-esterification of lipolyzed free fatty acids (FFA) in small fragments of human subcutaneous adipose tissue was measured. When related to simultaneous glycerol release, this measure permits the calculation of the molar ratios of glycerol and FFA leaving the adipocyte. In weight-stable, never-obese control subjects the molar ratio of FFA:glycerol leaving the adipocytes is 1.

Modern research criteria and the genetics of schizophrenia.

The authors assessed the relevance of narrowly defined diagnostic criteria to genetic research in schizophrenia in the nuclear families of 84 chronic schizophrenic probands compared with families of 90 normal control probands. The morbidity risk for narrowly defined schizophrenia in first-degree relatives of patients with the narrow diagnosis was significantly higher than the control rate (3.8% versus 0.

Genetic analysis of plasma amine oxidase activity in schizophrenia.

Plasma amine oxidase (PAO) activity has been implicated in the biology of schizophrenia. PAO activity is, in part, under genetic control, but its mode of inheritance has not been determined. To assess the genetic pattern of PAO activity and its relation to the transmission of schizophrenia, we studied 73 chronic schizophrenic probands and 217 first-degree relatives (siblings and parents).

A family study of schizophrenic and normal control probands: implications for the spectrum concept of schizophrenia.

Morbidity risks for mental illness were determined in 750 first-degree relatives of chronic schizophrenic and normal control probands. Psychiatric disorders that were more frequent in relatives of schizophrenic probands than in relatives of normal control probands were chronic schizophrenia (5.8% versus 0.

Genetic analysis of platelet monoamine oxidase activity in families of schizophrenic patients.

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) has been implicated in the biology of several psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Genetic factors contribute to the variance of MAO activity; however, its mode of inheritance is unknown. To assess the distribution and familial patterns of platelet MAO activity, we studied 73 chronic schizophrenic patients and 219 of their first-degree relatives.

Mechanisms of appetite modulation by drugs.

The regulation of appetite is a complex process that we are just beginning to understand. It consists of both central and peripheral elements and involves the integration by the brain of a variety of signals from peripheral organs transmitted by neurotransmitters, peptides, hormones, and metabolites. All available anorectic drugs act by central mechanisms and have several disadvantages including limited effectiveness, side effects on the central nervous system, the development of tolerance, abuse potential, and rebound hyperphagia on discontinuance.

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity and genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia.

Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, determined in 102 patients with chronic schizophrenia, 223 first-degree relatives, and 88 normal control subjects, was shown to be a heritable and stable trait and was significantly lower in patients than in normal control subjects. Within families, MAO activity distinguished ill from well relatives. However, the considerable overlap in enzyme activity between affected and unaffected individuals limits the usefulness of low MAO activity as a major risk factor in schizophrenia.

Platelet monoamine oxidase and clinical phenomenology of schizophrenia.

Platelet monoamine oxidase activity (MAO) was determined in 39 unmedicated chronic schizophrenic patients and 88 normal control subjects. Platelet MAO activity did not distinguish paranoid from nonparanoid patients or patients who met Taylor and Abrams criteria for narrowly defined schizophrenia from other schizophrenics. Enzyme activity was not related to either prognostic scores or age at onset of illness.

Erythrocyte catechol O-methyltransferase activity in schizophrenia: analysis of family data.

The authors determined the erythrocyte catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity of 38 chronic schizophrenic patients, 69 of their first-degree relatives, and 39 normal controls. COMT activity did not distinguish patients from controls. Within families, COMT activity was not associated with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Recurrent thyrotoxicosis and papilledema in a patient with communicating hydrocephalus.

A patient with communicating hydrocephalus had recurrent papilledema during episodes of thyrotoxicosis. Increased intracranial pressure was documented and, as reflected by the severity of the papilledema, fluctuated in proportion to the thyroid hormone levels.

Stressful life events and schizophrenia. Relation to illness onset and family history.

The occurrence of stressful life events in relation to illness onset and family history of schizophrenia was assessed in 52 chronic schizophrenic patients. Severe or extreme premorbid stress was present in 15.4% of the patients.

Radioisotopic method for the measurement of lipolysis in small samples of human adipose tissue.

To facilitate the study of adrenoreceptor response in small needle biopsy samples of human subcutaneous adipose tissue, we developed a dual radioisotopic technique for measuring lipolysis rate. Aliquots (20-75 mg) of adipose tissue fragments were incubated in a buffered albumin medium containing [3H]palmitate and [14C]glucose, each of high specific activity. In neutral glycerides synthesized in this system, [14C]glucose is incorporated exclusively into the glyceride-glycerol moiety and 3H appears solely in the esterified fatty acid.

High affinity 3H-imipramine binding in human platelets: age and sex effects.

Age and sex effects on 3H-imipramine platelet binding sites were determined in 58 normal subjects (27 males, 31 females). The correlation of age with either the maximal imipramine binding (Bmax) or the dissociation constant (Kd) was statistically nonsignificant in both males and females. Males did not differ from females in Bmax and Kd values.

3H-imipramine platelet binding sites in unipolar depression.

High-affinity 3H-imipramine binding to platelets was determined in 15 drug-free unipolar depressed women and 15 normal controls. The maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) was lower in the depressed population, but the difference fell short of statistical significance (p = 0.07).

Familial relatedness of schizophrenia and schizotypal states.

The types and expectancy of mental disorders in the siblings of 74 probands with chronic schizophrenia were examined. The siblings were classified according to whether 1) both parents had schizotypal personality disorder, 2) one parent had the disorder and one was normal, or 3) both parents were normal. Siblings whose parents both had the disorder were at significantly greater risk for schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorder than siblings with at least one normal parent.

Plasma amine oxidase and genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia.

Plasma amine oxidase (PAO) activity was studied in 52 chronic schizophrenics, 130 first-degree relatives, and 36 normal control subjects. Enzyme activity was shown to be a heritable and stable characteristic. Age and sex effects were not present.

Age-of-onset in schizophrenia and schizotypal disorders. Clinical and genetic implications.

Age-of-onset data were gathered on 93 chronic schizophrenic probands and 57 affected (mainly schizotypal) siblings. 55% of affected individuals were ill before age 20 and 14% had their onset before age 14. The risk period for schizophrenia and schizotypal personality disorders terminated at age 40.

Platelet monoamine oxidase and plasma amine oxidase: effect of anticoagulant and centrifugation technique on platelet yield and enzyme activity.

Platelet recovery and activity of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and plasma amine oxidase (PAO) were determined using different centrifugation procedures (125 g for 15 min vs. 600 g for 2.5 min) and anticoagulants.

Neuroleptic drug effect on platelet monoamine oxidase and plasma amine oxidase in schizophrenia.

Activity levels of platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) and plasma amine oxidase (PAO) were determined in eight chronic schizophrenic patients who had been treated with neuroleptic drugs for 3 months. The mean reduction in platelet MAO activity was 18.6%.