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S Schlosser

Publications and source records attributed to S Schlosser.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Children of parents with obsessive-compulsive disorder -- a 2-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between parental obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and emotional and behavioural disorders in offspring. METHOD: Demographic, clinical, and diagnostic data were collected from parents with OCD, control subjects, and their respective offspring. Offspring were reassessed at a 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Probands with OCD and controls were relatively well matched for age, gender, race, educational rating, and marital status. Offspring of OCD probands were at greater risk than offspring of controls for dimensionally measured anxiety, depression, somatization, and social problems. OCD offspring were significantly more likely than control offspring to have lifetime overanxious disorder, separation anxiety disorder, OCD, or 'any anxiety disorder'. Female gender in the parent with OCD, evidence of family dysfunction, and high symptom levels in offspring were predictive of broadly defined OCD at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Children having a parent with OCD are more likely than control offspring to have social, emotional, and behavioural disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Inhibition of caspase-1 induces cell death in pancreatic carcinoma cells and potentially modulates expression levels of bcl-2 family proteins.

Caspase-1 (interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme) is reported to play an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. We investigated the inhibition of caspase-1 by the cell permeable caspase-1 inhibitor Ac-AAVALLPAVLLALLAP-YVAD.CHO in pancreatic carcinoma cells. Inhibition of caspase-1 induced a non-apoptotic/"necrotic-like" cell death in AsPC-1, BxPC-3, MiaPaCa-2 and Panc-1 cells. Expression levels of bcl-2 and bax were up-regulated in caspase-1 inhibitor-treated cells while that of bcl-x(L) remained unaltered. Our observations support our previous findings that caspase-1 is potentially involved in anti-apoptotic processes in pancreatic carcinoma.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2001

Fatigue and pain in human jaw muscles during a sustained, low-intensity clenching task.

Fatigue, pain and changes in the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the jaw-closing muscles are well documented during short, high-intensity tooth-clenching tasks but less so during sustained, low-intensity tasks. In this study, 11 healthy men clenched on a bite-force meter for 60 min at 10% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and scored the intensity of fatigue and pain on separate 10 cm visual analogue scales (VAS). Surface EMG activity from the masseter and anterior temporalis muscles was recorded in 10 s epochs every 5 min throughout the task. Pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs) in the jaw-closing muscles, unassisted maximum jaw opening and MVC were determined before and after the task. All participants reported an increasing sensation of fatigue in the jaw-closing muscles during the task (mean+/-SD: peak VAS=7.5+/-2.0 cm) but all were able to maintain the required force. Most (7/11) also reported a painful sensation (peak VAS=2.7+/-2.8 cm). The jaw-opening capacity (59.5+/-7.4 vs. 58.3+/-6.5 mm, P=0.031) and the MVC (777+/-73 vs. 652+/-115 N,P=0.002) were slightly, but significantly, decreased immediately after the task whereas the PPTs remained unchanged (ANOVA: P=0.612). The mean frequency of the EMG activity decreased in all muscles during the task (95.7 vs. 46.6 Hz;P<0.001), and the root mean squares increased (53.2 vs. 154 microV, P<0.001). The changes in EMG activity were more strongly correlated with the sensation of fatigue than pain. These findings demonstrate that a sustained, low-intensity clenching task can induce subjective and electrophysiological indications of fatigue.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Low serum levels of CD44, CD44v6, and neopterin indicate immune dysfunction in chronic pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: In autoimmune diseases, malignancies, and inflammatory conditions, a correlation of serum levels of CD44, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2r), and neopterin with disease activity could be shown. AIMS: To assess the immune parameters in chronic pancreatitis in correlation to clinical data to evaluate the potential role of immune dysfunction as a risk factor. METHODOLOGY: Levels of IL-2r, sCD44, sCD44v6, and neopterin were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 63 patients with chronic pancreatitis who underwent surgery between 1992 and 1995 in our institution. Clinical data were evaluated prospectively before surgery, and a follow-up investigation was conducted in 1997. RESULTS: Mean serum levels of CD44, CD44v6, and neopterin were significantly lower in patients with chronic pancreatitis compared with the control group. The mean level of IL-2r was also lower in chronic pancreatitis, but this difference was not significant. However, no influence of immunosuppressive factors such as alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, or diabetes could be detected on the levels of IL-2r, CD44, CD44v6, and neopterin. CONCLUSION: In accordance with other diseases of reduced immunoreactivity, depressed serum levels of biomarkers in chronic pancreatitis are caused by reduced T-lymphocyte and macrophage activation. By ruling out a significant influence of concomitant immunosuppressive factors, we conclude that the inflammatory process itself is the source of the depressed immune function, which might be restored by surgical resection.

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2001

The Iowa follow-up of chemically sensitive persons.

Clinical symptoms and self-reported health status in persons reporting multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) are presented from a 9-year follow-up study. Eighteen (69%) subjects from a sample of 26 persons originally interviewed in 1988 were followed up in 1997 and given structured interviews and self-report questionnaires. In terms of psychiatric diagnosis, 15 (83%) met DSM-IV criteria for a lifetime mood disorder, 10 (56%) for a lifetime anxiety disorder, and 10 (56%) for a lifetime somatoform disorder. Seven (39%) of subjects met criteria for a personality disorder using the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-IV. Self-report data from the Illness Behavior Questionnaire and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised show little change from 1988. The 10 most frequent complaints attributed to MCS were headache, memory loss, forgetfulness, sore throat, joint aches, trouble thinking, shortness of breath, back pain, muscle aches, and nausea. Global assessment showed that 2 (11%) had "remitted", 8 (45%) were "much" or "very much" improved, 6 (33%) were "improved", and 2 (11%) were "unchanged/worse". Mean scores on the SF-36 health survey showed that, compared to U.S. population means, subjects reported worse physical functioning, more bodily pain, worse general health, worse social functioning, and more emotional-role impairment; self-reported mental health was better than the U.S. population mean. All subjects maintained a belief that they had MCS; 16 (89%) acknowledged that the diagnosis was controversial. It is concluded that the subjects remain strongly committed to their diagnosis of MCS. Most have improved since their original interview, but many remain symptomatic and continue to report ongoing lifestyle changes.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Glutathione depletion causes cell growth inhibition and enhanced apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have demonstrated that various tumors express enhanced levels of the radical scavenger glutathione (GSH). Moreover, there are grounds for claiming that GSH plays a crucial role in cell proliferation and tumor resistance. In the current study, we investigated the relation between cell growth and GSH levels in the pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line, AsPC-1, and the significance of GSH in tumor resistance to chemotherapy. METHODS: Cell growth in AsPC-1 was initiated through transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) or fetal calf serum (FCS). Then, cell cycle, cell proliferation, and cellular GSH content were analyzed at different times in the presence or absence of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). The impact of GSH on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis was studied using 5-fluorouracil or melphalan in the presence or absence of BSO. Finally, we compared the GSH content of 15 pancreatic tumor specimens with 10 normal pancreatic tissue specimens. RESULTS: Analysis of GSH in pancreatic tissues demonstrated increased GSH levels in cancerous compared with normal tissue (17.5 +/- 2.3 vs. 8. 8 +/- 1.4 nmol/mg protein; P < 0.004). Incubation of AsPC-1 with TGF-alpha or FCS resulted in cell proliferation and cell cycle activity, whereas GSH content was not altered. Incubation of GSH-depleted cells with TGF-alpha did not stimulate cell growth. In addition, GSH-depletion resulted in an increased rate of apoptosis after melphalan (6.3 +/- 0.3 % vs. 11.2 +/- 0.3 %; P < 0.001), but not after 5-fluorouracil treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results show enhanced GSH levels in pancreatic carcinoma and an essential role of GSH in cell proliferation and in resistance of AsPC-1 cells. Therefore, GSH-depletion may improve the efficacy of adjuvant therapy in pancreatic carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

A double-blind comparison of fluvoxamine versus placebo in the treatment of compulsive buying disorder.

Nondepressed outpatients with a compulsive buying disorder were recruited by advertisement and word of mouth for inclusion in a controlled treatment trial. Following a 1-week single-blind placebo washout, subjects were randomly assigned to fluvoxamine (n = 12) or placebo (n = 11). Subjects received fluvoxamine (up to 300 mg daily) or placebo for 9 weeks. There were few dropouts. Outcome measures included the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale--Shopping Version (YBOCS-SV), three Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) ratings, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD), and the Maudsley Obsessive-compulsive Inventory (MOI). At the conclusion of the trial, 50% of fluvoxamine recipients and 63.6% of placebo recipients achieved CGI ratings of "much" or "very much" improvement, while 33% of fluvoxamine recipients were "very much" improved compared with 18% of placebo recipients (by endpoint analysis). Subjects in both treatment cells showed improvement as early as the second week of the trial, and for most, improvement continued during the 9-week study. There were no significant differences between fluvoxamine- and placebo-treated subjects on any of the outcome measures, with the exception that fluvoxamine recipients achieved greater improvement than placebo recipients on the MOI (p = .02). Adverse experiences were more frequent in the group receiving fluvoxamine, particularly nausea, insomnia, decreased motivation, and sedation. We conclude that in a short-term treatment trial of compulsive buying, subjects receiving fluvoxamine or placebo respond similarly.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Inhibition of epidermal growth factor-induced interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme expression reduces proliferation in the pancreatic carcinoma cell line AsPC-1.

It is suggested that interleukin-1beta-converting enzyme (ICE) and ICE-related proteases play an important role in programmed cell death (apoptosis). We investigated ICE expression in the human pancreatic carcinoma cell line AsPC-1 after stimulation with epidermal growth factor and found a time-dependent expression of active ICE induced by epidermal growth factor. Interestingly, ICE expression does not lead to apoptosis. Cell cycle analyses revealed that acetyl-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethylketone-specific and acetyl-Ala-Ala-Val-Ala-Leu-Leu-Pro-Ala-Val-Leu-Leu-Ala-Leu-Leu-Ala-Pro-T yr-Val-Ala-Asp-aldehyde-specific cell-permeable inhibitors of ICE significantly reduced the proliferation of AsPC-1 cells, which suggested a positive influence of ICE on the proliferation in human pancreatic carcinoma cells.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed1999

A 5-year follow-up study of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

To examine the course and outcome of subjects with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic disorder, we compared 64 patients with GAD and 68 patients with panic disorder who had participated in drug treatment studies and were interviewed an average of 5 years earlier. At baseline GAD subjects were significantly older, had an earlier onset, and longer duration of illness than panic subjects. GAD subjects also had less severe symptoms. At follow-up, diagnostic stability was observed for both GAD and panic disorder. Significantly fewer GAD subjects achieved full remission at follow-up (18% vs. 45%, p < .01). Subjects with GAD were significantly less anxious at baseline than the panic disorder comparison group, but at follow-up there were few significant differences between groups on most severity of illness variables. This change was due in great part to improvement in the panic disorder group with a concomitant lack of change in the GAD group.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Clinical features, psychiatric comorbidity, and health-related quality of life in persons reporting compulsive computer use behavior.

BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the demographic and clinical features and psychiatric comorbidity in persons reporting compulsive computer use. METHOD: Sixteen men and 5 women were recruited by advertisement and word-of-mouth. All reported excessive computer use that interfered with social or occupational functioning or caused personal distress. The subjects completed structured and semistructured assessments, including a computer version of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS), the Minnesota Impulsive Disorders Interview, the Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-Revised (PDQ-R), and a brief version of the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: The typical subject was a 32-year-old single white man with a mean yearly income of $27,000; problem computer use began at age 29 and consumed 27 hours each week. Eleven subjects (52%) reported school or academic problems resulting from their computer use, and 12 (57%) reported that family members had confronted them about it. Thirteen subjects (62%) had tried to cut back on their computer usage. Nine subjects (43%) reported missing work or school owing to their computer use. According to DIS results, 7 subjects (33%) had a lifetime mood disorder, 8 subjects (38%) had a substance use disorder, and 4 subjects (19%) had a lifetime anxiety disorder. According to the PDQ-R results, 11 subjects (52%) met criteria for at least one personality disorder, the most frequent being the borderline, antisocial, and narcissistic types. Impulse-control disorders were also common, particularly compulsive buying. On the SF-36, subjects showed impaired mental health functioning compared with a normative sample. CONCLUSION: The results show that persons reporting compulsive computer use suffer substantial psychiatric comorbidity and show evidence of emotional distress. While the disorder appears to be increasing in prevalence, more work is needed to determine its relationship with other disorders and to determine its risk factors, family history, psychosocial complications, and natural history.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Urge to splurge.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation↗
PubMed1994

Compulsive buying. Demography, phenomenology, and comorbidity in 46 subjects.

Compulsive buying has been generally ignored in the psychiatric literature, although it is apparently frequent, underrecognized, and can lead to severe financial and legal consequences for its sufferers. The current investigation was designed to assess the overall life-style and problems of subjects identified as compulsive shoppers. Forty-six compulsive buyers were assessed for comorbid psychiatric disorders with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule, the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders, and a semistructured interview to assess buying behavior. The typical shopper was a 31-year-old female who had developed compulsive buying at age 18 years. Subjects spent their money on clothing, shoes, and records/compact discs. The average debt load accrued was $5,422 out of an average yearly income of $23,443. More than two-thirds met lifetime criteria for a major (Axis I) mental disorder, most commonly anxiety, substance abuse, and mood disorders. Nearly 60% were found to meet criteria for a DSM-III-R personality disorder, most commonly the obsessive-compulsive, borderline, and avoidant types. The authors conclude that compulsive buying is a definable clinical syndrome which can cause its sufferers significant distress and is associated with significant psychiatric comorbidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

The demography, phenomenology, and family history of 22 persons with compulsive hair pulling.

This study reports on the demographics, phenomenology, and family history of 22 compulsive hair pullers. Subjects were recruited through a psychiatric outpatient clinic as well as newspaper advertisements. Subjects completed a semistructured interview focused on hair-pulling behavior and demographics, the Diagnostic Interview Schedule to assess major (Axis I) mental disorders, and the Structured Interview for DSM-III-R Personality Disorders to assess Axis II disorders. The typical subject was a 33-year-old woman who had completed 1 or more years of college and had been pulling her hair for 19 years. Nearly two-thirds met the criteria for a major mental disorder (particularly anxiety and mood disorders), and more than one-half met the criteria for a personality disorder. Nearly three-quarters of first-degree relatives were reported to have a psychiatric disorder, and about 5% were reported to be hair pullers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Irradiation of wound blood from tumor surgery for retransfusion].

Intraoperative autotransfusion is contraindicated in tumor surgery because of the danger of tumor cell dissemination. We have tested the elimination of tumor cells in blood by irradiation for safe retransfusion. Tumor cells of various origin were mixed to washed red blood cells from volunteer blood donations. The blood was irradiated with 50 Gy. After isolation of the tumor cells by density gradient centrifugation they were tested for colony formation. While with different tumor cell lines (n = 12) 10 cells were sufficient to yield several colonies, as many as 10(10) cells did not result in any colony after irradiation of the blood. Similar results were obtained with cells cultured from blood salvaged during tumor surgery (n = 3), and with tumor cells prepared from various carcinomas (n = 10). Flow cytometric DNA analysis showed the irradiated cells in mitotic arrest. None of these cells had residual DNA metabolism expressed as incorporation of BrdUrd. We were able to demonstrate a rate of reduction in dividing cells of up to 10(9). With the typical irradiation sensitivity of tumor cells, with D0 values between 1 and 2 Gy, a dose of 50 Gy results in an effective log 12 reduction, sufficient for safe elimination of tumor cells found in shed blood. No adverse effects of the gamma-irradiation on the blood cells are to be expected, especially since the blood is retransfused without storage.

Blood↗