Surgical residents' opinions on international surgical residency in Flanders, Belgium.

Background: International electives benefit training of medical residents due to exposure to an increased scope of pathologies, improved physical examination skills, communication across cultural boundaries and more efficient resource utilization. Currently there is no mechanism for Belgian surgical residents to participate in international training opportunities and little research has addressed the international mobility of Belgian residents. The goal of this study was to examine the attitudes of Belgian residents towards international training among surgical residents.

[Practical guidelines for the treatment of cases of adder envenomation in dogs].

Every year, dogs are presented to veterinary clinics in the Netherlands after having been bitten by a viper. The viper is the only venomous snake native to the Netherlands. Clinical signs after an acquired viper bite can range from none (after a 'dry' bite) to very mild up to life threatening following a 'wet' bite.

Effects of a visiting service for older widowed individuals: a randomized clinical trial.

The loss of the partner is an important risk factor for developing serious psychological problems. In this study the authors examined the effect of the visiting service on the mental health and quality of life of older widowed individuals. They conducted a pragmatic randomized trial.

Early intervention in panic: pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

Background: Many people suffer from subthreshold and mild panic disorder and are at risk of developing more severe panic disorder.

Aims: This study (trial registration: ISRCTN33407455) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an early group intervention based on cognitive-behavioural principles to reduce panic disorder symptomatology.

Method: Participants with subthreshold or mild panic disorder were recruited from the general population and randomised to the intervention (n = 109) or a waiting-list control group (n = 108).

Preventing panic disorder: cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a pragmatic randomised trial.

Background: Panic disorder affects many people, is associated with a formidable disease burden, and imposes costs on society. The annual influx of new cases of panic disorder is substantial. From the public health perspective it may therefore be a sound policy to reduce the influx of new cases, to maintain the quality of life in many people, and to avoid the economic costs associated with the full-blown disorder.

Effects and feasibility of a preventive intervention in sub-threshold and mild panic disorder: Results of a pilot study.

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a serious DSM-IV axis I disorder affecting up to 3% of the adult population each year. It is associated with a large burden of disease and extensive economic costs. This study aims to examine the effects and feasibility of the 'Don't Panic' course, a preventive cognitive behavioural intervention in sub-threshold and mild PD.

Early intervention in panic: randomized controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Panic disorder (PD) is a common, severe and persistent mental disorder, associated with a high degree of distress and occupational and social disability. A substantial proportion of the population experiences subthreshold and mild PD and is at risk of developing a chronic PD. A promising intervention, aimed at preventing panic disorder onset and reducing panic symptoms, is the 'Don't Panic' course.

Cost-utility of a visiting service for older widowed individuals: randomised trial.

Background: Despite a growing understanding of the effectiveness of bereavement interventions and the groups that benefit most from them, we know little about the cost-effectiveness of bereavement interventions.

Methods: We conducted a cost-utility analysis alongside a randomized clinical trial on a visiting service for older widowed individuals (n=110) versus care as usual (CAU; n=106). The visiting service is a selective bereavement intervention that offers social support to lonely widows and widowers by a trained volunteer.

Cost-effectiveness of preventing depression in primary care patients: randomised trial.

Background: Little is known about the cost-effectiveness of preventing mental disorders.

Aims: To study the cost-effectiveness of care as usual plus minimal contact psychotherapy relative to usual care alone in preventing depressive disorder.

Method: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside a randomised clinical trial.

Predicting the onset of major depression in subjects with subthreshold depression in primary care: a prospective study.

Objective: That subjects with subthreshold depression have an increased probability of developing major depression has been confirmed by many studies. However, the factors which may predict the onset of major depression have yet to be fully examined.

Method: We examined the control group of a randomized trial in primary care patients with subthreshold depression (N = 109), of whom 20 had developed major depression 1 year later.

Minimal-contact psychotherapy for sub-threshold depression in primary care. Randomised trial.

Background: Sub-threshold depression is a prognostic variable for major depression. Interventions in sub-threshold depression may prevent the onset of new cases of major depression.

Aims: To examine the effects of minimal-contact psychotherapy in primary care patients with sub-threshold depression on the onset of major depression, on the reduction in depressive symptoms and on health-related quality of life.

Reliability of the ICD-10 classification of adverse familial and environmental factors.

Background: The tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) contains a number of categories and guidelines for coding different types of adverse familial and environmental situations. These categories have been selected on the basis of empirical evidence that the adverse situations might represent important psychiatric risk factors. Prior studies, using written case vignettes or video- or audiotaped semi-structured interviews, showed that the interrater reliability of these classifications is satisfactory.

Evaluation of the Venom Ex apparatus in the initial treatment of puff adder envenomation. A study in rabbits.

The Venom Ex apparatus has been evaluated for the treatment of puff adder bite. Rabbits were injected with double the lethal dose of puff adder venom, followed by treatment with the Venom Ex cutting and suction apparatus. Controls received no treatment.

Precipitation of animal plasma proteins by puff-adder venom.

1. Plasma and serum samples obtained from various animals never previously exposed to snakes or snake venom were diffused against different concentrations of puff-adder, Bitis arietans, venom using the double immunodiffusion technique. 2.