Archer

About: Archer is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Biology. The organization has 1153 authors who have published 1154 publications receiving 19353 citations. The organization is also known as: bowman.

Early intervention in psychosis: The critical period hypothesis

Abstract: Background We consider the evidence for the proposition that the early phase of psychosis (including the period of untreated psychosis) is a critical period' in which (a) long-term outcome is predictable, and (b) biological, psychological and psychosocial influences are developing and show maximum plasticity. Method First-episode prospective studies, predictors of outcome and the genesis of patients' key appraisals of their psychosis are reviewed. Results The data support the notion of the ‘plateau effect’, first coined by Tom McGlashan, which suggested that where deterioration occurs, it does so aggressively in the first 2-3 years; and that critical psychosocial influences, including family and psychological reactions to psychosis and psychiatric services, develop during this period. Conclusions The early phase of psychosis presents important opportunities for secondary prevention. We outline a prototype of intervention appropriate to the critical period. The data challenge the widely held assumption that first-episode psychosis is a benign illness posing little risk.

Crystal Structure of the Xanthine Oxidase-Related Aldehyde Oxido-Reductase from D. gigas

Abstract: The crystal structure of the aldehyde oxido-reductase (Mop) from the sulfate reducing anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium Desulfovibrio gigas has been determined at 2.25 A resolution by multiple isomorphous replacement and refined. The protein, a homodimer of 907 amino acid residues subunits, is a member of the xanthine oxidase family. The protein contains a molybdopterin cofactor (Mo-co) and two different [2Fe-2S] centers. It is folded into four domains of which the first two bind the iron sulfur centers and the last two are involved in Mo-co binding. Mo-co is a molybdenum molybdopterin cytosine dinucleotide. Molybdopterin forms a tricyclic system with the pterin bicycle annealed to a pyran ring. The molybdopterin dinucleotide is deeply buried in the protein. The cis-dithiolene group of the pyran ring binds the molybdenum, which is coordinated by three more (oxygen) ligands.

Development trends for monoclonal antibody cancer therapeutics

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies are now established as a key therapeutic modality for a range of diseases. Owing to the ability of these agents to selectively target tumour cells, cancer has been a major focus of development programmes for monoclonal antibodies so far. Here, we overview trends in the clinical development and regulatory approval of monoclonal antibodies for cancer since 1980, with the aim of informing future research and development for this class of therapeutics.

Cognitive therapy and recovery from acute psychosis: a controlled trial. I. Impact on psychotic symptoms.

Abstract: BACKGROUND The application of cognitive therapy (CT) to psychosis is currently being developed in the UK. This paper reports a trial of CT in acute psychosis with the objective of hastening the resolution of positive symptoms and reducing residual symptoms. METHOD Of 117 patients with acute non-affective psychosis, 69 satisfied inclusion criteria and 40 proceeded to stratified randomisation. The experimental intervention involving individual and group CT was compared with a group receiving matched hours of therapist input providing structured activities and informal support; routine pharmacotherapy was provided by clinicians blind to group allocation. Patients were monitored weekly using self-report and mental state assessments during admission and over the subsequent nine months. RESULTS Both groups showed a decline in positive symptoms but this was more marked in the CT group (P < 0.001). At 9 months 5% of the CT group, v.56% of the control group, showed moderate or severe residual symptoms. CONCLUSION CT appears to be a potent adjunct to pharmacotherapy and standard care for acute psychosis. Issues concerning internal and external validity of the study and opportunities for further research are discussed.

The contributions of suggestion, desire, and expectation to placebo effects in irritable bowel syndrome patients. An empirical investigation.

Abstract: In order to investigate external factors that may influence the magnitude of placebo analgesia as well as psychological factors that mediate placebo analgesia, 13 irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) patients rated evoked rectal distension and cutaneous heat pain under the conditions of natural history (NH), rectal placebo (RP), rectal nocebo (RN), rectal lidocaine (RL) and oral lidocaine (OL). Patients were given verbal suggestions for pain relief and rated expected pain levels and desire for pain relief for both evoked visceral and cutaneous pain, respectively. Large reductions in pain intensity and pain unpleasantness ratings were found in the RP, RL and OL condition as compared to the natural history condition, whereas no significant difference in pain reduction between the three treatment conditions was found. Ratings during RN and NH were not statistically different. Compared to a previous study, which shows that rectal lidocaine reverses visceral and cutaneous hyperalgesia, these results suggest that adding a verbal suggestion for pain relief can increase the magnitude of placebo analgesia to that of an active agent. Since IBS patients rate these stimuli as much higher than do normal control subjects and since placebo effects were very large, they probably reflect anti-hyperalgesic mechanisms to a major extent. Expected pain levels and desire for pain relief accounted for large amounts of the variance in visceral pain intensity in the RP, RL, and OL condition (up to 81%), and for lower amounts of the variance in cutaneous pain intensity. Hence, the combination of expected pain levels and desire for pain relief may offer an alternative means of assessing the contribution of placebo factors during analgesia.