Development Of Mental Symptoms Research Articles

A follow-up study on the association of working conditions and lifestyles with the development of (perceived) mental symptoms in workers of a telecommunication enterprise.

This study investigated the association of working conditions and lifestyle with mental health in Japanese workers. A follow-up study was carried out in the Kanto district of Japan of workers in a telecommunications enterprise who received their first annual health check-up between 1992 and 1996 and were between 20 and 54 years old. Workers who reported mental symptoms, had a past history of disease, or current illness at their first check-up were excluded from the analysis. In total, the study included 23 837 workers. The association between working conditions and lifestyle and the development of mental symptoms was investigated by pooled logistic regression analyses. Working long hours and part-time work, as opposed to normal daytime hours of work, were factors associated with the development of mental symptoms in males, as were smoking, short sleeping hours, little physical exercise, rarely taking three meals a day, frequently eating within 1 h before sleep, much preference for salty meals and little preference for vegetables. Consumption of alcohol was negatively associated with the development of mental symptoms in males. Overall, the results suggested that the lower the Healthy Work and Lifestyle Score, the higher the risk of developing mental symptoms. Working conditions and lifestyle, especially food preferences, have an apparent influence on the mental health of Japanese workers. Moreover, the Healthy Work and Lifestyle Score indicates that working conditions and lifestyle appear to have a cumulative influence upon the mental health of Japanese workers.

Genomic organization and transcriptional units at the myotonic dystrophy locus

The genomic structure and apparently complete codingsequence of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase gene have been determined. The gene contains 15 exons distributed over about 13 kb of genomic DNA. It codes for a protein of 624 amino acids with an N-terminal domain highly homologous to cAMP-dependent serine-threonine protein kinases, an intermediate domain with a high α-helical content and weak similarity to various filamentous proteins, and a hydrophobic C-terminal segment. Located in close proximity is a second gene, coding for a transcript of about 3 kb, that is homologous to the gene DMR-N9 in the corresponding mouse locus, but has no homologies to other known genes or proteins. Strong expression of the latter gene in brain suggests that it may have a role in the development of mental symptoms in severe cases of the disease.

Anorexia/Bulimia Nervosa: The development of Anorexia Nervosa and of mental symptoms. Treatment and the outcome of the disease

Since 1958 we have conducted a prospective study of anorexia/bulimia nervosa (A/BN) covering a total of 550 patients. This paper presents a new idea of the development of A/BN. For a variety of reasons, a predisposition for developing A/BN is triggered by a minor and non-specific loss of weight. The development of mental symptoms with pathological thoughts and behaviour, and disturbances in the satiety and hunger centres suggest a cerebral dysfunction. Educating patients in pathophysiology enables them to use their intelligence, logical thinking and strong will to evaluate the importance of an adequate supply of nutrients. To date, two studies of the outcome of the disease have been carried out producing similar results: 86% fair results (12% spontaneous recovery), 13% chronic cases and 1% have died.

Neuropsychiatric manifestations associated with systemic lupus erythematosus in children. Review of the literature and report of a case.

The problem of neuropsychiatric symptoms in association with S.L.E. in children is examined and is demonstrated with a reported case of a 12-year-old girl. The case is discussed with emphasis on the participating psychogenic factors. A review of the literature on the subject is given. The controversy with respect to the etiology of neuropsychiatric manifestations in S.L.E. is presented with special consideration of the possible role of the steroids. The reported case seems to support the opinion of some other writers that steroids may play a part in the development of mental symptoms.