Follow-up studies of anorexia nervosa: a review of four decades of outcome research

In 1983 we presented a systematic analysis of the available literature on the course of anorexia nervosa (Steinhausen & Glanville, 1983 a). The survey was based on 45 English and German language studies published between 1953 and 1981. During the past decade there has been a striking increase of publications related to eating disorders in general. This pertains as well to follow-up studies on anorexia nervosa. In addition to studies compiled in our previous report, we were able to locate another 22 follow-up studies published in major English and German language journals between 1981 and 198

Modularization of biochemical networks based on classification of Petri net t-invariants

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Structural analysis of biochemical networks is a growing field in bioinformatics and systems biology. The availability of an increasing amount of biological data from molecular biological networks promises a deeper understanding but confronts researchers with the problem of combinatorial explosion. The amount of qualitative network data is growing much faster than the amount of quantitative data, such as enzyme kinetics. In many cases it is even impossible to measure quantitative data because of limitations of experimental methods, or for ethical reasons. Thus, a huge amount of qualitative data, such as interaction data, is available, but it was not sufficiently used for modeling purposes, until now. New approaches have been developed, but the complexity of data often limits the application of many of the methods. Biochemical Petri nets make it possible to explore static and dynamic qualitative system properties. One Petri net approach is model validation based on the computation of the system's invariant properties, focusing on t-invariants. T-invariants correspond to subnetworks, which describe the basic system behavior.</p> <p>With increasing system complexity, the basic behavior can only be expressed by a huge number of t-invariants. According to our validation criteria for biochemical Petri nets, the necessary verification of the biological meaning, by interpreting each subnetwork (t-invariant) manually, is not possible anymore. Thus, an automated, biologically meaningful classification would be helpful in analyzing t-invariants, and supporting the understanding of the basic behavior of the considered biological system.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here, we introduce a new approach to automatically classify t-invariants to cope with network complexity. We apply clustering techniques such as UPGMA, Complete Linkage, Single Linkage, and Neighbor Joining in combination with different distance measures to get biologically meaningful clusters (t-clusters), which can be interpreted as modules. To find the optimal number of t-clusters to consider for interpretation, the cluster validity measure, Silhouette Width, is applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We considered two different case studies as examples: a small signal transduction pathway (pheromone response pathway in <it>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</it>) and a medium-sized gene regulatory network (gene regulation of Duchenne muscular dystrophy). We automatically classified the t-invariants into functionally distinct t-clusters, which could be interpreted biologically as functional modules in the network. We found differences in the suitability of the various distance measures as well as the clustering methods. In terms of a biologically meaningful classification of t-invariants, the best results are obtained using the Tanimoto distance measure. Considering clustering methods, the obtained results suggest that UPGMA and Complete Linkage are suitable for clustering t-invariants with respect to the biological interpretability.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We propose a new approach for the biological classification of Petri net t-invariants based on cluster analysis. Due to the biologically meaningful data reduction and structuring of network processes, large sets of t-invariants can be evaluated, allowing for model validation of qualitative biochemical Petri nets. This approach can also be applied to elementary mode analysis.</p

Seasonality in depressive and anxiety symptoms among primary care patients and in patients with depressive and anxiety disorders; results from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Little is known about seasonality of specific depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms in different patient populations. This study aims to assess seasonal variation of depressive and anxiety symptoms in a primary care population and across participants who were classified in diagnostic groups 1) healthy controls 2) patients with a major depressive disorder, 3) patients with any anxiety disorder and 4) patients with a major depression and any anxiety disorder.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were used from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA). First, in 5549 patients from the NESDA primary care recruitment population the Kessler-10 screening questionnaire was used and data were analyzed across season in a multilevel linear model. Second, in 1090 subjects classified into four groups according to psychiatric status according to the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, overall depressive symptoms and atypical versus melancholic features were assessed with the Inventory of Depressive Symptoms. Anxiety and fear were assessed with the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Fear questionnaire. Symptom levels across season were analyzed in a linear regression model.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the primary care population the severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms did not show a seasonal pattern. In the diagnostic groups healthy controls and patients with any anxiety disorder, but not patients with a major depressive disorder, showed a small rise in depressive symptoms in winter. Atypical and melancholic symptoms were both elevated in winter. No seasonal pattern for anxiety symptoms was found. There was a small gender related seasonal effect for fear symptoms.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Seasonal differences in severity or type of depressive and anxiety symptoms, as measured with a general screening instrument and symptom questionnaires, were absent or small in effect size in a primary care population and in patient populations with a major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders.</p

The treatment of Internet Gaming Disorder: a brief overview of the PIPATIC program

Over the last decade, there has been an increase in children and adolescents accessing psychology services regarding problematic use of online videogames. Consequently, providing effective treatment is essential. The present paper describes the design process of a manualized PIPATIC (Programa Individualizado Psicoterapéutico para la Adicción a las Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación) intervention program for 12- to 18-year-old adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder. The design and application of the PIPATIC program integrates several areas of intervention structured into six modules: psychoeducational, treatment as usual, intrapersonal, interpersonal, family intervention, and development of a new lifestyle. The program’s goals are to reduce the addiction symptoms related to online videogames and to improve the well-being of adolescents. Preliminary findings suggest positive and encouraging effects

Bericht über den Second World Congress of Infant Psychiatry vom 29.3.-1.4.1983 in Cannes, Frankreich

Dieser nach einem ersten Kongreß in Portugal vor drei Jahren zweite Kongreß der World Association of Infant Psychiatry (WAIP) wurde bereits von 1500 Teilnehmern, darunter 1000 aus Frankreich und 300 aus den USA besucht. Er stand unter der Leitung der Gründungspräsidenten / C all und E Galenson (USA) und wurde organisatorisch durch das französische Komitee unter Leitung von S Lebovtct vorbereitet

Das Körperbild bei jungen Mädchen und Frauen im Vergleich zu anorektischen Patientinnen: Prüfung eines Messinstruments

Es wird ein Messinstrument zur Erfassung von Körperwahrnehmungsstörungen bei der Anorexia nervosa vorgestellt. Dieses nach dem Modell semantischer Differentiale aufgebaute Verfahren wurde vier verschiedenen Stichproben vorgelegt: 109 jugendliche Realschülerinnen, 60 Krankenschwesternschülerinnen sowie zwei Gruppen jugendlicher Patientinnen mit Anorexia nervosa. Neben der Praktikabilität und Ökonomie des Messinstruments konnte die diskriminante Validität im Sinne einer angemessenen Differenzierung zwischen klinischen Patienten und Normalprobanden sowie die Stabilität durch Wiederholungsuntersuchungen gesichert werden. Für die Normalprobanden konnte die Dimensionalität des Messinstruments geklärt werden, die auch eine Analyse von Subskalen ermöglicht. Das erfasste Körperbild erwies sich als unabhängig von Alter, Sozialschicht und Gewicht. Schließlich konnte die Sensibilität des Verfahrens für die Erfassung von Veränderungen des Körperbildes im Rahmen einer stationären Behandlung nachgewiesen werde

Psychosocial aspects of chronic disease in children and adolescents

A model of determinants of psychosocial adaptation in chronic disease includes general and specific disease characteristics, life events and stress, personality, family and social environment. This model is used as a guide for the analysis of the individual process of psychosocial adaptation in order to assist the patient. Furthermore, based on findings of empirical studies, the increased risk of psychiatric disorders reflecting maladaptive coping processes is outlined. Finally, some fundamental considerations regarding psychological rehabilitation within paediatric care are presented