The detection of high-mass aliphatics in petroleum by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: The development of simplified procedures for isolating high-mass alkanes present in crude oils is described. The new procedures, which bypass the sample recovery step with hot toluene in the conventional alkane-isolation procedure, also provide an effective sample preparation route, prior to analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). METHODS: Urea-alkane adducts are formed by mixing sample and urea solutions on chromatographic paper or silica-coated plates. Unreacted hydrocarbons are removed by developing the plates with chloroform. In a second development with water, adducts are broken up in situ and the liberated urea removed, leaving bands of isolated alkanes behind. For MALDI-MS, strips of paper/plates, carrying the isolated alkanes, are fixed on metal target plates. The samples are treated with matrix (AgNO(3)) and analysed by MALDI-MS. RESULTS: The observed signal represents silver ion adducts of the isolated alkanes. Silver appears to work without much fragmentation and to generate whole silver adduct ions. Much improved MALDI-MS detection sensitivity and a wider range of masses was observed when samples were ablated from paper/plate surfaces, than by ablation from bulk samples spread over a smooth surface--the conventional method. Chromatographic paper gave better resolution and a broader range of masses than silica-coated plates. CONCLUSIONS: The analytical sequences have been confirmed using standard alkanes (C(20)-C(60)) and Polywax. The proposed procedures enhanced the sensitivity and detection range of the MS analysis. The method was useful in detecting n-alkanes to m/z 1500 (C(100)) and required relatively small quantities of sample and reagents. It provides a promising qualitative analysis route for the rapid isolation and reliable determination of alkanes in crude oils.

[Emotional response to threatening stimuli in psychosis and anxiety disorders]. / Respuesta emocional ante estímulos amenazantes en psicosis y trastornos de ansiedad.

Emotional response to threatening stimuli in psychosis and anxiety disorders. Evolution has provided humans with an alarm system that may facilitate adaptation. Both psychosis and anxiety disorders involve danger detection difficulties. Our main goal is to compare threat responses of these diagnostic groups and with those of healthy subjects. We studied 24 subjects with an anxiety disorder diagnosis, 39 with psychosis, and 39 healthy control subjects. We compared threat and pleasantness perception using visual stimuli (human and nonhuman stimuli, either threatening or nonthreatening). Regarding threat perception, significant differences were found between psychosis and control groups. Subjects with anxiety disorder diagnosis evaluated any kind of stimuli more negatively. These results suggest differential emotional processing of diverse visual stimuli in these diagnostic groups.

Integrated treatment of first episode psychosis with online training (e-learning): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The integrated treatment of first episode psychosis has been shown to improve functionality and negative symptoms in previous studies. In this paper, we describe a study of integrated treatment (individual psychoeducation complementary to pharmacotherapy) versus treatment as usual, comparing results at baseline with those at 6-month re-assessment (at the end of the study) for these patients, and online training of professionals to provide this complementary treatment, with the following objectives: 1) to compare the efficacy of individual psychoeducation as add-on treatment versus treatment as usual in improving psychotic and mood symptoms; 2) to compare adherence to medication, functioning, insight, social response, quality of life, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, between both groups; and 3) to analyse the efficacy of online training of psychotherapists. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a single-blind randomised clinical trial including patients with first episode psychosis from hospitals across Spain, randomly assigned to either a control group with pharmacotherapy and regular sessions with their psychiatrist (treatment as usual) or an intervention group with integrated care including treatment as usual plus a psychoeducational intervention (14 sessions). Training for professionals involved at each participating centre was provided by the coordinating centre (University Hospital of Álava) through video conferences. Patients are evaluated with an extensive battery of tests assessing clinical and sociodemographic characteristics (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorders, Strauss and Carpenter Prognostic Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, Morisky Green Adherence Scale, Functioning Assessment Short Test, World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument WHOQOL-BREF (an abbreviated version of the WHOQOL-100), and EuroQoL questionnaire), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are measured in peripheral blood at baseline and at 6 months. The statistical analysis, including bivariate analysis, linear and logistic regression models, will be performed using SPSS. DISCUSSION: This is an innovative study that includes the assessment of an integrated intervention for patients with first episode psychosis provided by professionals who are trained online, potentially making it possible to offer the intervention to more patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01783457 clinical trials.gov. Date of registration in primary registry 23 January 2013.

Respuesta emocional ante estímulos amenazantes en psicosis y trastornos de ansiedad / Emotional response to threatening stimuli in psychosis and anxiety disorders

La evolución ha dotado al ser humano de un sistema de detección de peligros cuyo adecuado funcionamiento facilita la adaptación al medio. Tanto en la psicosis como en los trastornos de ansiedad existe una disfunción de estos mecanismos de alarma. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la respuesta ante estímulos visuales amenazantes entre estos grupos diagnósticos y sujetos sanos. Se estudiaron 24 pacientes con trastorno de ansiedad, 39 con psicosis y 39 controles, comparando las respuestas en percepción de amenaza y agradabilidad ante distintos tipos de estímulos visuales, humanos y no humanos, ya fueran amenazantes o no. Los resultados reflejan una diferente percepción de amenaza entre psicóticos y sanos, así como una valoración de las imágenes como más desagradables por parte del grupo ansioso. Todo ello sugeriría una diferente evaluación emocional de los distintos estímulos entre ambos trastornos (AU)

Evolution has provided humans with an alarm system that may facilitate adaptation. Both psychosis and anxiety disorders involve danger detection difficulties. Our main goal is to compare threat responses of these diagnostic groups and with those of healthy subjects. We studied 24 subjects with an anxiety disorder diagnosis, 39 with psychosis, and 39 healthy control subjects. We compared threat and pleasantness perception using visual stimuli (human and nonhuman stimuli, either threatening or nonthreatening). Regarding threat perception, significant differences were found between psychosis and control groups. Subjects with anxiety disorder diagnosis evaluated any kind of stimuli more negatively. These results suggest differential emotional processing of diverse visual stimuli in these diagnostic groups (AU)