Junction protein shrew-1 influences cell invasion and interacts with invasion-promoting protein CD147.

Shrew-1 was previously isolated from an endometriotic cell line in our search for invasion-associated genes. It proved to be a membrane protein that targets to the basolateral membrane of polarized epithelial cells, interacting with E-cadherin-catenin complexes of adherens junctions. Paradoxically, the existence of adherens junctions is incompatible with invasion.

Early onset of treatment effects with oral risperidone.

Background: The dogma of a delayed onset of antipsychotic treatment effects has been maintained over the past decades. However, recent studies have challenged this concept. We therefore performed an analysis of the onset of antipsychotic treatment effects in a sample of acutely decompensated patients with schizophrenia.

Initial treatment of severe acute psychosis with fast orally disintegrating risperidone tablets.

Introduction: Although the use of atypical antipsychotics is the standard of care in the maintenance treatment of psychosis, most clinicians still rely on conventional neuroleptics to treat acutely agitated psychotic patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a fast orally disintegrating tablet formulation of risperidone in the initial treatment of a large sample of very acutely ill psychotic patients.

Methods: In this multi-center, prospective, open-label observational trial, 191 schizophrenic patients were treated upon admission to hospital with fast orally disintegrating risperidone tablets for up to seven days.

Gender-specific effects in the treatment of acute schizophrenia with risperidone.

Introduction: Gender-related effects play a role in antipsychotic treatment. We recently published a study demonstrating the efficacy of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone in the management of acute psychotic decompensations. We have now reanalysed the clinical data to assess the effects of gender on treatment and outcome.

[Switching from a short-acting to a long-acting methylphenidate preparation: a multicentre, open study in children with ADHD].

Objectives: The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a switch in medication to a single daily dose of OROS-Methylphenidate (OROS-MPH, Concerta) in clinically stable children and adolescents with ADHD.

Methods: A prospective, multi-centre open-label study was carried out for a period of three weeks in 213 patients aged 6-16 years with ADHD who had previously been treated with IR-MPH. Their medication was switched to a single daily dose of OROS-MPH.

Differential early onset of therapeutic response with risperidone vs conventional antipsychotics in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

The present post-hoc analysis investigated the speed of onset of therapeutic effect of the atypical antipsychotic, risperidone, in direct comparison with conventional antipsychotics. Data were pooled from four double-blind active comparator-controlled clinical trials involving 757 patients with schizophrenia treated for up to 8 weeks with either risperidone (4-6 mg/day) or a conventional antipsychotic such as haloperidol (10 or 20 mg/day), perphenazine (mean dose 28 mg/day), or zuclopenthixol (mean dose 38 mg/day). Primary outcome was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale.

Targeting of transmembrane protein shrew-1 to adherens junctions is controlled by cytoplasmic sorting motifs.

We recently identified transmembrane protein shrew-1 and showed that it is able to target to adherens junctions in polarized epithelial cells. This suggested shrew-1 possesses specific basolateral sorting motifs, which we analyzed by mutational analysis. Systematic mutation of amino acids in putative sorting signals in the cytoplasmic domain of shrew-1 revealed three tyrosines and a dileucine motif necessary for basolateral sorting.

Assessing family caregiver's mental health using a statistically derived cut-off score for the Zarit Burden Interview.

Decades of research have confirmed that being a family caregiver is a stressful role. However, the point at which these stressors constitute a real risk for decreased mental health has not been established. The purpose of the present study was to determine a statistically valid cut-off score for the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) in order to identify family caregivers at risk for depression and in need of further assessment and intervention.

[Treatment of bipolar mania with risperidone].

In patients with bipolar disorder antipsychotics are frequently used for the treatment of acute manic episodes, either in monotherapy, in addition to a mood stabilizer or in patients refractory to lithium or other mood stabilizers. However, a number of studies demonstrated that the use of conventional neuroleptics is restricted -- particularly for long-term treatment and relapse prevention in bipolar disorder -- due to their side effect profile and their potential to induce or worsen depressive symptoms. In contrast, atypical antipsychotics have a better tolerability profile and fewer extrapyramidal side effects.

[Changeover to risperidone after treatment with conventional low potency neuroleptics in dementia patients. An observation study during usage].

Background And Objective: Up to 90% of the patients with dementia develop behavioral and psychological symptoms during the course of their illness. Since 1999 the atypical neuroleptic risperidone is the only drug approved by the German authorities for the treatment of aggressive behavior or psychotic symptoms of dementia, which was defined in March 2004 with respect to severe chronic aggressive behavior, endangering themselves or others, or impoverishing psychotic symptoms. This prospective investigation was aimed at detecting therapeutic efficacy and the tolerability of risperidone after changing from low-potency neuroleptics in patients, for whom the broader indications before March 2004 were still valid.

Dynamic flat panel detector versus image intensifier in cardiac imaging: dose and image quality.

The practical aspects of the dosimetric and imaging performance of a digital x-ray system for cardiology procedures were evaluated. The system was configured with an image intensifier (II) and later upgraded to a dynamic flat panel detector (FD). Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) to phantoms of 16, 20, 24 and 28 cm of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the image quality of a test object were measured.

Long-acting risperidone in stable patients with schizoaffective disorder.

Oral and long-acting risperidone has been shown to be effective for acute and maintenance treatment of patients with schizoaffective disorders. The present analysis investigated the efficacy and tolerability of direct transition from other antipsychotics to risperidone long-acting injectable in patients with schizoaffective disorder. Patients aged > or = 18 years with schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV), who required a change of medication, received risperidone long-acting injectable 25 mg (increased to 37.

Experience with topiramate monotherapy in elderly patients with recent-onset epilepsy.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of topiramate in elderly patients with onset of epilepsy after the age of 60, treatment-naive or non-responding to an initial antiepileptic drug.

Methods: Analysis of patients with epilepsy diagnosed in the preceding 5 years, aged>/=65 years (n=43), enrolled in a larger open-label trial (n=692). After titration to topiramate 100 mg/day over 4 weeks, the dose was adjusted according to individual response (maximum 400 mg/day).

Risperidone: an open-label, observational study of the efficacy, tolerability, and prescribing behavior in acutely exacerbated patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: Efficacy of atypical antipsychotic in acute schizophrenic episodes is still in debate. This study evaluated treatment practices over 7 years of initial treatment with oral risperidone in acutely exacerbated patients with schizophrenia and in a subgroup of highly agitated, tense, and aggressive patients. Additionally, the study investigated the efficacy and tolerability of risperidone in routine clinical practice.

Topiramate monotherapy as broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug in a naturalistic clinical setting.

Topiramate was assessed in an open-label trial as broad-spectrum antiepileptic monotherapy, independently from the epilepsy type or syndrome. Adults and children aged 2 years and older, who were diagnosed with epilepsy within the last 5 years, treatment-naive or failing prior treatment with one antiepileptic drug (AED), received individually adjusted doses of topiramate, after escalation to 100mg/day over 4 weeks (maximum 400mg/day) or 3mg/kg/day over 6 weeks (maximum 9 mg/kg/day), respectively. Patients were followed for >or=7 months and optionally up to a maximum of 13 months.

Positive affect among nursing home residents with Alzheimer's dementia: the effect of recreational activity.

The experience of positive emotions is an integral component of quality of life. Research suggests that cognitive deficits in persons with dementia may impede their ability to generate pleasurable moments and hence decrease their positive affect. Therefore, structured recreation activities may have the potential to significantly improve resident affect.

Limits for the central production of Theta+ and Xi(--)pentaquarks in 920-GeV pA collisions.

We have searched for Theta+(1540) and Xi(--)(1862) pentaquark candidates in proton-induced reactions on C, Ti, and W targets at midrapidity and square root of s = 41.6 GeV. In 2 x 10(8) inelastic events we find no evidence for narrow (sigma approximately 5 MeV) signals in the Theta+ --> pK0(S) and Xi(--) --> Xi- pi- channels; our 95% C.

Sleep quality in schizophrenia and the effects of atypical antipsychotic medication.

Background: Sleep disorders are widespread among patients with schizophrenia and contribute to adverse clinical outcomes. Antipsychotic drugs exert varying effects on sleep, and the effects of atypical agents may differ from those of conventional neuroleptics.

Objective: To review the literature on the effects of atypical medication on subjective and objective sleep quality in patients with schizophrenia.

[The situation of Medical Physics in Luxembourg].

Medical Physics is recognized for the first time in the Healthcare System of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg through the ordinance of 16 March 2001. This ordinance regulates the measures of quality assurance towards the radiation protection of patients, as well as the responsibilities and tasks of the Medical Physics Experts. The ordinance does not specify the number of qualified personnel required to perform all the quality controls demanded for the hospitals.

Oral risperidone plus oral lorazepam versus standard care with intramuscular conventional neuroleptics in the initial phase of treating individuals with acute psychosis.

Although atypical antipsychotics are now considered first line treatments for schizophrenia, intramuscular (i.m.) conventional neuroleptics are often still considered necessary in emergency treatment of acute psychoses.

Attitudes towards end-of-life care in a geriatric hospital in Japan.

Nursing and medical staff attitudes toward end-of-life care at a private, not-for-profit geriatric hospital in Japan were measured as part of a larger intervention study to develop a palliative care programme. The intervention consisted of focus groups, education with pre- and post-testing, and attitude/belief surveys. All the medical staff (n = 8) and 99% (n = 97) of the nursing staff participated.

Risperidone in the treatment of acute schizophrenia.

Introduction: Atypical antipsychotics have proven efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of schizophrenia. While a lot is known about maintenance treatment with atypical antipsychotics, less is known about their role in the management of acute psychotic decompensations. To evaluate the efficacy of the atypical antipsychotic risperidone, we conducted an open-label observational study among admissions to a secure unit.

The relationship between mastery and depression among Japanese family caregivers.

The present study examined the relationship between caregiver mastery and depressive symptoms among family stroke caregivers in western Japan (N = 100). Family caregivers were identified from a sample of rehabilitation hospitals; participation rate was 100 percent for all eligible caregivers. Caregivers with high mastery were found to have significantly fewer depressive symptoms than low mastery caregivers and were significantly more likely to use a respite caregiver.