Evidence of a bradykinin B1 receptor in human ileum: pharmacological comparison to the rabbit aorta B1 receptor.

Bradykinin B1 receptors have been identified in a limited number of human tissues and may have implications in pathological states of chronic inflammation. In the present study, longitudinal strips of postmortem human ileum displayed a strong contractile response to the B2 receptor agonist, bradykinin (EC50 = 7.0 nM). Noninduced ileum strips contracted only to high concentrations (1 and 10 microM) of the B1 receptor agonists, des-Arg9-BK and Lys0des-Arg9-BK. After incubation overnight at 37 degrees C the potency of des-Arg9-BK and Lys0des-Arg9-BK dramatically increased (EC50 = 183 and 13.2 nM, respectively). The increase in B1 agonist potency was inhibited by the protein synthesis inhibitor, puromycin. Similarly, rabbit aorta strips displayed a protein synthesis-dependent induction of the B1 agonist response. Incubated human ileum and rabbit aorta exhibited a reproducible response to des-Arg9-BK over time, whereas responses to Lys0des-Arg9-BK were not reproducible, having reduced potency and magnitude over time. Lys0[Leu8]des-Arg9-BK was a more potent antagonist at the B1 receptor in both tissues compared with [Leu8]des-Arg9-BK. The B2 antagonist, HOE-140, was a very weak inhibitor of the B1 response in human ileum and inactive in rabbit aorta. In conclusion, incubation of isolated human ileum overnight induces expression of a B1 receptor through a mechanism that depends on de novo protein synthesis. The potency profile of selected B1 agonists and antagonists indicates pharmacological similarities between the inducible B1 receptor in both the human ileum and rabbit aorta.

Secondary mania: diagnosis and treatment.

Increasing evidence indicates that subtypes of bipolar disorder differ not only in symptomatology and associated clinical features, but by differences in age at onset, illness course, and response to treatment. Secondary manic states differ from typical bipolar states and are often especially difficult to treat. Although the correction of the underlying organic factors (toxic, metabolic, or infectious) may effectively reverse the manic presentation, many organic factors are not reversible (trauma, stroke, and aging), and the presence of these etiologic factors can complicate traditional antimanic treatments. Lithium may be effective for treating patients with secondary mania, but data from published studies show that in this population the associated adverse effects often limit its usefulness. Anticonvulsants appear to offer an effective alternative. Divalproex sodium, in particular, has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment in open trials in the elderly and other patient groups with secondary mania. Controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm the efficacy and tolerability of mood-stabilizing anticonvulsants in the treatment of secondary mania.

Examination of treatment completion and predicted outcome among incarcerated sex offenders.

This article addresses the prediction of treatment completion and outcome of 114 adult sex offender using variables found to predict treatment outcome in outpatient sex offender programs. The variables of reading ability, marital status, age, presence of antisocial personality disorder, offense and victim discrimination, and instant offense were used. Three outcomes of treatment were assessed: (1) those who were rejected from the program during the evaluation phase; (2) those who dropped out of treatment; and (3) those who successfully completed the program. Results indicated that only reading ability and marital status were predictive of treatment outcome, with those with high reading ability and married having the best outcome. Failure of the other variables to differentiate between groups is attributed to differences in psychopathology between incarcerated and outpatient sex offenders and differences in structure between programs.

Bulimia: an empirical analysis of psychodynamic theory.

This study examined two aspects of psychodynamic theory concerning bulimia nervosa, that bulimic patients ascribe to a traditionally feminine sex-role and that bulimic women have difficulty differentiating emotional from visceral sensations. 18 bulimic and 18 control women were administered the Bem Sex-role Inventory and the Eating Disorder Inventory. Contrary to dynamic theory, bulimic women were not more likely classified as traditionally feminine than control subjects; however, significantly more controls than bulimic women were classified as androgynous. Analysis of scores on the Eating Disorder Inventory's Interoceptive Awareness scale indicated a significant difference between bulimic persons and controls, providing strong support for the hypothesis that bulimic women have a difficult time differentiating emotional from visceral sensations.

Sexuality within a Russian geriatric sample: a pilot study.

This paper provides preliminary data on sexual functioning within a sample of 19 Russian geriatric respondents who completed selected items from the Starr-Weiner questionnaire assessing areas such as sexual interest and frequency, sexual dysfunction, and sexual attitudes. All 8 men and 9 of the women reported being sexually active. Like American seniors, differences in activity appeared to be moderated by gender and over-all physical health. Sexual dysfunction among these Russians was less than that reported by Stern and Stern in 1979. Also, the Russian seniors reported tolerance toward sexual topics such as homosexuality. Finally, limitations of the present study and research recommendations are mentioned.

Perceptions of MMPI item subtlety: influences of age and ethnicity.

This study examined the influences of age and ethnicity on perceived item subtlety in Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) Scales F and 9. One hundred twenty-one male adolescents (67 White, 54 Black) rated the items composing these scales in terms of their relationship to a psychological problem. The mean item ratings and subsequent subtle-obvious classifications were then compared to established ratings obtained from adults (Christian, Burkhart, & Gynther, 1978; Wiener, 1948). Results indicated significant differences in both item ratings and classifications between adolescents and adults on Scales F and 9. Significant differences between Black and White adolescents were found on Scale F but not on Scale 9, even when differences in verbal-comprehension abilities between groups were considered. These results suggest that it may be inappropriate to use current subtle-obvious keys with adolescents and minorities.