Equations to predict female manual arm strength based on hand location relative to the shoulder.

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to develop regression equations to predict manual arm strength for a wide variety of hand locations within the reach envelope. Maximum voluntary manual arm strength was determined from 71 female participants in six exertion directions (superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, medial and lateral), in a total of 28 hand locations. Forces ranged from 51.

Pattern of comorbidity among anxious and odd personality disorders: the case of obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

The aim of this study was to examine the pattern of comorbidity among obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) and other personality disorders (PDs) in a sample of 400 psychiatric inpatients. PDs were assessed using the Semistructured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders (SCID-II). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to determine significant comorbidity among OCPD and other axis II disorders.

Cathepsin D polymorphism in Italian sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study has shown that a genetic variation in the Cathepsin D (catD) gene is a major risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). CatD is an intracellular aspartyl protease involved in neurodegeneration. A C-->T (Ala-->Val) transition at position 224 has been associated with altered intracellular maturation.

PANSS factors and scores in schizophrenic and bipolar disorders during an index acute episode: a further analysis of the cognitive component.

To investigate the factor structure of psychotic symptoms, we compared the clinical characteristics of manic patients with those of schizophrenic patients evaluated with positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). The clinical symptoms of 148 bipolar patients and 86 schizophrenic patients hospitalized for an index psychotic episode were assessed. Schizophrenic patients showed more positive and cognitive symptoms than bipolars.

Association between 5-HT(2A) receptor polymorphism and psychotic symptoms in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the segregation of the 102T/C polymorphism in the serotonin 2A receptor gene in patients affected by sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) with and without psychotic symptoms.

Methods: The polymorphism was analyzed in 275 subjects. A semistructured interview was used to obtain information about delusions, hallucinations, and other specific behavioral signs occurring during the disease.

Personality disorders in bipolar and depressive disorders.

The association of mood disorders with personality disorders (PDs) is relevant from a clinical, therapeutic and prognostic point of view. To examine this issue, we compared the prevalence of DSM-III-R personality disorders assessed with SCID-II in patients with depressive (n = 117) and bipolar (n = 71) disorders both recovered from a major depressive index episode that needed hospital admission. PDs prevalence and comorbidity with axis I were calculated.

A factor analysis of signs and symptoms of the manic episode with Bech-Rafaelsen Mania and Melancholia Scales.

Background: Several factor analyses of signs and symptoms of mania have been reported using different rating scales. We propose here that the use of two instruments well known in the European literature may be useful in detecting the structure of manic episodes.

Method: We investigated the pattern of symptoms in a group of 124 bipolar inpatients hospitalised for a manic episode.

Alpha2-macroglobulin polymorphisms in Italian sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease.

A 5-bp deletion and a Val1000 polymorphism at the alpha(2)-macroglobulin (A2M) gene have recently been reported to be associated with late onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). As recently it has been suggested that the effect of the A2M gene on AD susceptibility may be limited to certain populations or families, we analyzed the segregation of A2M and apolipoprotein E polymorphisms in Italian sporadic and familial AD. We analyzed the two polymorphisms in a total of 346 subjects including 98 controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Cognitive symptoms of mania in pure and mixed episodes evaluated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

To investigate the clinical specificity of mixed affective patients, we compared the clinical characteristics of pure manic patients with those of mixed manic patients. The clinical symptoms of 146 bipolar inpatients hospitalized for a manic episode were assessed by means of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Mixed patients showed more positive and cognitive symptoms and among these the lack of judgement and insight was prominent.

[Personality disorders prevalence study among inpatients with mood disorders, psychoactive use disorders and anxiety disorders].

Objective: The aim of this study was to asses type and prevalence of Personality Disorders (PDs) and their patterns of comorbidity with Axis I disorders in a sample of psychiatric inpatients.

Setting: The sample consisted of 300 subjects admitted to a psychiatric unit on a voluntary bases for an index episode. The study was conducted over a period of 12 months, from 1.

Patterns of comorbidity among DSM-III-R personality disorders.

The aim of this study was to examine patterns of comorbidity among personality disorders (PDs) in a sample of 156 psychiatric inpatients. PDs were assessed with Semistructured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders. To determine significant co-occurrence among axis II diagnoses, odds ratio and the percent of co-occurrence of pairs of disorders were calculated.

No implication of apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Italian schizophrenic patients.

Numerous studies have provided evidence for a genetic association of the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 allele and late onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinical observations show that a proportion of schizophrenic patients may suffer from severe cognitive impairment. That could reflect a particular clinical aspect of this mental disorder or a common, yet unknown, neurodegenerative mechanism.

No evidence of linkage between schizophrenia and D2 dopamine receptor gene locus in Italian pedigrees.

Our purpose was to test the dopamine D2 receptor gene (DRD2), the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and the monoamino oxydase A (MAO-A) gene for linkage to schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. We have analyzed seven Italian families with schizophrenia and four families with bipolar disorders for a total of 68 individuals; 32 individuals were affected. Diagnoses were made using the structured clinical interview Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Lifetime version (SADS-L).

Three-dimensional in vivo planum temporale reconstruction.

We describe a new multistep technique for three-dimensional reconstruction and analysis of the in vivo planum temporale (PT) based on the manipulation of magnetic resonance raw data obtained with a special protocol. Measurements of left and right plana confirm previous neuroanatomical descriptions of a larger left planum temporale. This method can be easily adopted, allowing anatomically valid PT measurements.

Planum temporale asymmetry and thought disorder in schizophrenia.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to investigate the size and the asymmetry of the planum temporale (PT) in 22 schizophrenic patients and 23 strictly matched healthy volunteers. The degree of thought disorder was related to the reduction of the physiological PT asymmetry. When thought disordered patients were contrasted with non-thought disordered patients and healthy controls for a measure of PT laterality, those with thought disorder showed a statistically significant loss of PT laterality.

Electroencephalographic Seizure Duration in Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Clinical Study.

Electroencephalographic estimates of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced seizure duration were obtained in 141 patients with major depression (n = 41) or schizophrenia (n = 100). A slight reduction in seizure duration across a course of ECT failed to reach statistical significance and was unrelated to clinical improvement.

Quantitative computed tomographic study in schizophrenia: cerebral density and ventricle measures.

Twenty-seven chronic schizophrenics and nineteen controls, all male, were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) scans. Lateral, third and fourth ventricles and cerebral density numbers were measured. In the schizophrenic patients there was a significant increase in third ventricle width, Ventricular Brain Ratio (VBR) and there were significantly higher densities of white matter in the right frontal and parietal region.

Cortical and subcortical computed tomographic study in schizophrenia.

Thirty-six chronic schizophrenics and 24 controls, all males, were evaluated by computed tomography (CT) scans. The lateral, third and fourth ventricles, the Sylvian fissure and the largest sulcus from each lobe were measured. In the schizophrenic patients there was a significant increase in third ventricle, ventricular brain ratio (VBR) and cortical measures.