A comparison of low-dose risperidone to paroxetine in the treatment of panic attacks: a randomized, single-blind study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Because a large proportion of patients with panic attacks receiving approved pharmacotherapy do not respond or respond poorly to medication, it is important to identify additional therapeutic strategies for the management of panic symptoms. This article describes a randomized, rater-blind study comparing low-dose risperidone to standard-of-care paroxetine for the treatment of panic attacks.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty six subjects with a history of panic attacks were randomized to receive either risperidone or paroxetine. The subjects were then followed for eight weeks. Outcome measures included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (Ham-A), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham-D), the Sheehan Panic Anxiety Scale-Patient (SPAS-P), and the Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All subjects demonstrated a reduction in both the frequency and severity of panic attacks regardless of treatment received. Statistically significant improvements in rating scale scores for both groups were identified for the PDSS, the Ham-A, the Ham-D, and the CGI. There was no difference between treatment groups in the improvement in scores on the measures PDSS, Ham-A, Ham-D, and CGI. Post hoc tests suggest that subjects receiving risperidone may have a quicker clinical response than subjects receiving paroxetine.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We can identify no difference in the efficacy of paroxetine and low-dose risperidone in the treatment of panic attacks. Low-dose risperidone appears to be tolerated equally well as paroxetine. Low-dose risperidone may be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in which panic attacks are a significant component.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT100457106</p

Stone Moulds from Terramare (Northern Italy): Analytical Approach and Experimental Reproduction

A large number of stone moulds, dating to Middle and Late Bronze Age (approximately 1650-1150 BC) has been found in Terramare sites since the 19th century. They were made to produce a wide range of bronze objects, such as ornaments, weapons and tools. Empirical observations of casting experiments revealed that different types of stone do not give the same response to the heat of molten metal. This was the starting point for research that involved a team of geologists, archaeologists and craftsmen and had two principal aims: to identify the types of stone used by Terramare artisans and the possible supplying areas, and to reproduce one axe mould with the same stone chosen in the past to test its characteristics and verify the level of knowledge and skills required in this kind of production

Experiencing Visible and Invisible Metal Casting Techniques in Bronze Age Italy

What we know about Bronze Age metalworking in Italy basically relies on finished artefacts and on stone, clay or bronze implements involved in the process of manufacturing (tuyères, crucibles, moulds, hammers, chisels, et cetera; Bianchi, 2010; Bianchi, in press). Moreover, evidences of structures for casting are extremely poor, at least in Italy, likely because of a lack of extensive excavations and, in absence of metalworking residuals, the difficulty to clearly distinguish them from other kinds of firing structures (Cavazzuti et al. in press). The reconstruction of the whole technology of production therefore requires a strong effort of making and testing hypotheses, referring not only to autoptic observations on archaeological finds, but also to archaeometrical analysis and study of landscape, in order to identify possible sources of raw materials. In this work our aim is to deepen some aspects concerning archaeologically ‘visible’ (stone mould production and casting), and ‘invisible’ techniques (sword production) of metalworking in Bronze Age Italy, focussing on Terramare context

ON CONTINUITY PROPERTIES OF THE PARTIAL LEGENDRE-FENCHEL TRANSFORM CONVERGENCE OF SEQUENCES OF AUGMENTED LAGRANGIAN FUNCTIONS, MOREAU-YOSIDA APPROXIMATES AND SUBDIFFERENTIAL OPERATORS

In this article we consider the continuity properties of the partial Legendre-Fenchel transform which associates, with a bivariate convex function F: X x Y--t R U {+m}, its partial conjugate L: x x Y * + R, i.e. L(z,y*) = inf y E Y{F(z,y)- (Y * I Y)}. Following [3] where this transformation has been proved to be bicontinuous when convex functions F are equipped with the Mosco-epi-convergence, and convex concave Lagrangian functions L with the Mosco-epi/hypo-convergence, we now investigate the corresponding convergence notions for augmented Lagrangians, Moreau-Yosida approximates and subdifferential operators