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Rotationally induced (motion sickness) taste aversions (TAs) were studied within strains of rats that had been selectively bred as efficient or inefficient learners of cyclophosphamide induced TAs to a saccharin solution. As hypothesized, rotation following saccharin ingestion produced reliable TAs within the TA prone strain, but had no comparable effect on TA resistant rats. Pseudo-conditioning- and restraint-control procedures supported a conditioning (associative) based interpretation of strain differences in TA acquisition. These results confirm that strain differences in TA conditionability are not restricted to the cyclophosphamide-induced TAs that were the selection bases of strain development. The rotational stimulation was delivered via a multisubject rotational apparatus that fulfills the design objectives of providing an efficient and inexpensive nonpharmacological approach to TA conditioning.

Abstract: The majority of patients with mental health problems are treated solely within primary care. This article discusses the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of mood disorders in primary care. Factors influencing recognition, the use of screening instruments, and somatization are discussed. The article also outlines the latest recommendations for the management of depression in primary care using a stepped care model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Mental health problems such as depression are common in primary care settings and patients with chronic medical problems are at an increased risk. This co-morbidity suggests that district nursing services are particularly likely to encounter psychological problems in their patients. Mental health problems are poorly recognised and inadequately treated in primary care. In part this may be due to stigmatising views of mental illness, which negatively influence help-seeking and user experiences. Likewise providers’ attitudes are likely to play a significant part in the management of such problems. Objectives: The aims of this study were extend knowledge of district nursing staff attitudes to depression and explore the psychometric properties of a depression attitude measure used with this staff group. Design and settings: The Depression Attitude Questionnaire (DAQ) was used within a postal questionnaire survey of district nursing services in three areas, Jersey (Channel Islands), Lewisham, and Hertfordshire. Participants: All staff (community nurses, district nurses and home care staff) were contacted; 217 (66%) staff responded to the survey, and 189 (57%) completed the DAQ. Results: Three factors were derived from the DAQ accounting for 47% of the variance. The factor solution appeared stable and provided meaningful dimensions, however the internal consistency of the measure and of its derived subscales was low (Cronbach''s α between 0.59 and 0.64). The factors were labelled pessimism about depression and its treatment, tendency to defer to specialists, and professional ease in working with depressed patients. Staff responses revealed generally optimistic views concerning depression treatment, strongly rejecting deterministic attitudes to this condition. Conclusions: The DAQ has been widely employed to measure and compare attitudes of staff from various disciplines and specialisms. The current evaluation has provided a more detailed examination of its psychometric properties than previously available, but low internal consistency levels indicate further examination of this area is warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The majority of patients with mental health problems are treated in primary care alone. This article discusses the epidemiology, diagnosis and management of mood disorders in primary care. Patient and doctor factors affecting recognition, somatization and screening are discussed. The article also discusses the latest recommendations for the management of depression in primary care using a stepped care model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Patients can report positive effects of myocardial infarction. It is unknown whether these effects are sustained or what factors influence adaptation. Objectives: To explore primary care patients' perceptions of the effect of coronary heart disease and to identify possible modifiable predictors of adaptation. Design and setting: Cross-sectional, sub-study of UPBEAT cohort participants. Patients were recruited from coronary heart disease Registers in South London General Practices. Method: 548 participants were asked ''Has having heart disease changed your life? If so, was that change for the better, worse, both or neither?'' Participants were asked to explain their response; explanations were subjected to content analysis. Associations between response and lifestyle, demographic, mood and coronary heart disease variables were tested. Results: Respondents (394 male, 72%) were aged 27-98 years and had had heart disease for a mean of 12.4 SD ± 8.4 years. 120 (22%) reported that life was better and 200 (37%) said it was worse. The explanations of those who said 'better' were categorised as 'Healthier Living', 'Recognised Mortality' and 'Stress Reduction'. For those saying 'worse', categories were 'Restricted Lifestyle', 'Recognised Mortality', 'Loss and Burden'. More anxiety symptoms (RRR 1.56,95% CI 1.12,2.17), lower functional status (RRR2.46,95% CI 1.21,4.98) and self-reported chest pain (RRR 2.24, 95% CI 1.34, 3.77) were associated with saying 'worse'. Conclusions: Many primary care patients are ambivalent to the effects of coronary heart disease, but some report positive effects. Negative perceptions are associated with reported functional impairment, chest pain and anxiety, but not illness severity or patient characteristics. Future work will track the implications of these perceptions, but nurses managing patients with coronary heart disease should consider these effects as they may be modifiable predictors of adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]