The 30-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) (Goldberg, 1972) was administered to 196 consecutive new dermatology out-patients and 40 consecutive admissions to dermatology beds. Thirty per cent of the out-patients and 60 per cent of the in-patients obtained high scores, while half the high scorers in each group scored high on the Wakefield Self-Assessment Depression Scale (Snaith et al, 1971). These findings suggest that dermatology out-patients have a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorder than the general population, and dermatology in-patients a higher prevalence than general medical in-patients. High GHQ scores were associated with (a) diagnoses of acne, eczema, psoriasis or alopecia; with (b) extensive lesions on exposed parts of the body; and with (c) the use of high potency topical steroid. We indicate other areas that might be profitably explored in a full-scale study.

No abstract

Immunotherapeutics designed to dissolve existing amyloid plaques or to interrupt amyloid-beta (Abeta) accumulation may be feasible for treatment and/or prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD). "Shaping" the immune responses elicited against Abeta is requisite toward generating an efficacious and safe outcome; this can be achieved by minimizing the possibility of deleterious inflammatory reactions in the brain as observed in clinical testing of Abeta peptide/adjuvant-based modalities. Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based amplicons can coexpress multiple antigens and/or immunomodulatory genes due to their large genetic size capacity, thereby facilitating antigen-specific immune response shaping. We have constructed an amplicon (HSV(IE)Abeta(CMV)IL-4) that co-delivers Abeta(1-42) with interleukin-4 (IL-4), a cytokine that promotes the generation of Th2-like T-cell responses, which are favored in the setting of AD immunotherapy. Triple-transgenic AD (3xTg-AD) mice, which progressively develop both amyloid and neurofibrillary tangle pathology, were vaccinated thrice with HSV(IE)Abeta(CMV)IL-4, or a set of control amplicon vectors. Increased Th2-related, Abeta-specific antibodies, improved learning and functioning of memory, and prevention of AD-related amyloid and tau pathological progression were observed significantly more in the HSV(IE)Abeta(CMV)IL-4 vaccinated mice as compared to the other experimental groups. Our study underscores the potential of Abeta immunotherapy for AD and highlights the potency of amplicons in facilitating the immune response modulation to a disease-relevant antigen.

One hundred and forty women referred to the Southampton breast clinic had a psychiatric interview at home, before their first clinic attendance. The 107 subsequently diagnosed as having benign breast disease had a high rate of depressive symptomatology in comparison with women in published surveys of the general population. In the year before referral, 25 (23 per cent) had had definite depression and 19 (18 per cent) had had borderline depression: at the time of interview 9 (8 per cent) had major depression and 22 (21 per cent) had minor depression. Depression in these patients was associated with recent life events and social difficulties. Mood disturbance and psychosocial stress may lead to medical consultation about benign breast disease, or even contribute to its development. Severe depression was less common in the 33 patients who turned out to have breast cancer, though more of them had minor depression, and they reported fewer recent life events.

No abstract

No abstract

Qualitative interviews with ten women found that following corrective surgery for congenital breast asymmetry, women were still concerned with the symmetry of their breasts and expressed high ideals regarding symmetry. Although women found an improvement in body confidence, some felt their confidence and socializing would be further improved with time. Women were secretive about their breast asymmetry and their surgery, being fearful of negative reactions from other people. It is necessary to establish and improve patients' expectations of the outcome of surgery particularly regarding symmetry, as well as providing psychological and social support to women after surgery.

No abstract