Cytogenetic manifestations associated with the reversion, by gene amplification, at the HGPRT locus in V79 Chinese hamster cells.

SummarySome HGPRT spontaneous revertants were isolated from a mutant line (E2) of V79 Chinese hamster cells and phenotypically characterized. Dot–Blot hybridization with a32P-Iabelled HGPRT probe revealed an increase in the number of HGPRT sequences in some of these revertants, suggesting the occurrence of gene amplification. Cytogenetic analysis performed in three of these revertants showed a characteristic abnormally banding region (ABR) on the elongated p arm of theXchromosome.In Situhybridization in one revertant (RHE2) showed that the amplified sequences reside on the p+arm of theXchromsome in two different localizations. Because of the very probable clonal origin of the revertant, these features indicate that the amplified sequences might rearrange after their integration into the chromosome

Factor structure and cultural aspects of disruptive behaviour disorders symptoms in Italian children.

Background: The efficacy of atomoxetine in maintaining symptom response following 1 year of treatment was assessed in children and adolescents (n. 163) with DSM-IV defined attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Subjects had previously responded to atomoxetine acutely and had completed 1 year of double-blind atomoxetine treatment. They were then randomly assigned in double-blind fashion to continued atomoxetine or placebo substitution for 6 months. Results: Atomoxetine was superior to placebo in preventing relapse (Wilcoxon test, p .008) and in maintaining symptom response (ADHD Rating Scale IV score, p.001). Among subjects assigned to discontinuation, the magnitude of symptom return was generally to a level of severity less than that observed at study entry. Conclusions: Following 1 year of treatment with atomoxetine, continued treatment over the ensuing 6 months was associated with superior outcomes compared with placebo substitution. However, there was considerable variability between individuals in the magnitude of symptom return after drug discontinuation, suggesting that some subjects treated with atomoxetine for a year with good results may consolidate gainsmadeduring drug treatment and could benefit from a medication-free trial to assess the need for ongoing drug treatment

The italian preadolescent mental health projetc (prisma): rationale and methods

The Italian preadolescent mental health project (PrISMA--Progetto Italiano Salute Mentale Adolescenti) is the first Italian study designed to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in preadolescents (10-14 years old) living in urban areas, and to analyse the demographic and biological correlates of emotional and behavioural problems. This paper describes the rationale, methods and the analysis plan of the project. The design of the study used a two-stage sampling procedure, one screening stage of emotional and behavioural problems in a large sample of subjects attending public and private schools and a second stage of diagnostic assessment in a sample including all high scorers and a proportion of low scorers. In the screening stage, parents of preadolescents were asked to fill in the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), whereas in the second stage preadolescents and their parents were administered the Development and Well Being Assessment for the assessment of mental disorders together with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and two scales (C-GAS and HoNOSCA) designed to evaluate the functioning of the preadolescent in different areas. Genetic samples were collected during the screening stage, after parents gave their informed written consent. The findings of this study are expected to allow an adequate planning of interventions for the prevention and the treatment of mental disorders in preadolescence as well as efficient health services

The Italian Preadolescent Mental Health Project (PrISMA) : rationale and methods

The Italian preadolescent mental health project (PrISMA - Progetto Italiano Salute Mentale Adolescenti) is the first Italian study designed to estimate the prevalence of mental disorders in preadolescents (10-14 years old) living in urban areas, and to analyse the demographic and biological correlates of emotional and behavioural problems. This paper describes the rationale, methods and the analysis plan of the project. The design of the study used a two-stage sampling procedure, one screening stage of emotional and behavioural problems in a large sample of subjects attending public and private schools and a second stage of diagnostic assessment in a sample including all high scorers and a proportion of low scorers. In the screening stage, parents of preadolescents were asked to fill in the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), whereas in the second stage preadolescents and their parents were administered the Development and Well Being Assessment for the assessment of mental disorders together with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and two scales (C-GAS and HoNOSCA) designed to evaluate the functioning of the preadolescent in different areas. Genetic samples were collected during the screening stage, after parents gave their informed written consent. The findings of this study are expected to allow an adequate planning of interventions for the prevention and the treatment of mental disorders in preadolescence as well as efficient health services

Prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among adolescents in Italy: The PrISMA Study

Background: While in the last 5 years several studies have been conducted in Italy on the prevalence of mental disorders in adults, to date no epidemiological study has been targeted on mental disorders in adolescents. Method: A two-phase study was conducted on 3,418 participants using the child behavior checklist/6-18 (CBCL) and the development and well-being assessment (DAWBA), a structured interview with verbatim reports reviewed by clinicians. Results: The prevalence of CBCL caseness and DSM-IV disorders was 9.8% (CI 8.8-10.8%) and 8.2% (CI 4.2-12.3%), respectively. DSM-IV Emotional disorders were more frequently observed (6.5% CI 2.2-10.8%) than externalizing disorders (1.2% CI 0.2-2.3%). In girls, prevalence estimates increased significantly with age; furthermore, living with a single parent, low level of maternal education, and low family income were associated with a higher likelihood of suffering from emotional or behavioral problems. Conclusions: Approximately one in ten adolescents has psychological problems. Teachers and clinicians should focus on boys and girls living with a single parent and/or in disadvantaged socioeconomic conditions. © 2009 Steinkopff Verlag Darmstadt