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Purpose: The self-leadership change project (SLCP) is an ongoing program for senior level students at a regional university designed to provide hands-on experience in building self-management skills, which is considered a pre-requisite by many leaders and scholars (e.g. Drucker, 1996; Schaetti et al., 2008). The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach: Participants (479 undergraduate business students in 26 different classes with two different professors) had from 10 to 16 weeks to complete their SLCP project. A survey to collect the data for this study were provided as a voluntary option to participants who wished to report their SLCP project results. Findings: A majority of students participating in the projects reported achieving change in targeted behavior, with intentions to continue to utilize the SLCP approach for future "projects." Additionally, students who successfully completed a SLCP reported that observers noted change in others as a result of the project. Students who received positive feedback from observers reported that they were likely to engage in a self-leadership project in the future. Research limitations/implications: The data used in the analysis are exclusively self-reported information. The survey and results do not tie to previous studies that measure individuals' aptitude for self-leadership as an indicator of success and development of self-leadership capabilities. This study offers little in the way of acknowledging or determining the sustainability of changes desired. Practical implications: The results fully supported the idea that self-leaders influence others. Social implications: This study providing support for the concept that external leadership begins with self-leadership. Successful self-leadership change prepares an individual for external leadership roles in organizations and society. Originality/value: The relationship noted in "Practical implications" above has been suggested in the literature, but there have been few studies covering this relationship.

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana) are staple food crops for millions of the rural population in Asia and Africa. We tested, in field trials over three consecutive seasons at two sites in India, an intercropping and biofertilization scheme to boost their yields under low-input conditions. Pigeon pea seedlings were raised during the dry season and transplanted row-wise into fields of finger millet, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (Pseudomonas) were added alone or in combination to both pigeon pea and finger millet. Our major findings are (i) effects of the biofertilizers were particularly pronounced at the site of low fertility; (ii) dual inoculation of AMF+PGPR to finger millet and pigeon pea crops showed increased grain yields more effectively than single inoculation; (iii) the combined grain yields of finger millet and pigeon pea in intercropping increased up to +128% due to the biofertilizer application; (iv) compared to direct sowing, the transplanting system of pigeon pea increased their average grain yield up to 267% across site, and the yield gains due to biofertilization and the transplanting system were additive. These technologies thus offer a tool box for sustainable yield improvement of pigeon pea and finger millet.

Serum growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) concentrations were measured after administration of the dopamine receptor agonist, apomorphine HC1 (0.75 mg subcutaneously), to 17 chronic schizophrenic patients, four of whom had an oral dyskinesia, who were withdrawn from chronic neuroleptic therapy for periods of two to 15 weeks, and in 21 control subjects (normal volunteers or physically healthy alcoholics not exposed to neuroleptics). Six of the schizophrenic patients, but none of the controls, had raised baseline levels of GH (greater than 6 ng/ml). After apomorphine all controls showed an increase in serum GH with a peak concentration of 9 ng/ml or more, whereas eight subjects withdrawn from neuroleptics showed an inadequate response (peak less than 6 ng/ml) and in two others an inadequate response was obtained on one of two trials. The peak GH concentration was significantly less after apomorphine in patients withdrawn from neuroleptics (11.90 +/- 3.19 ng/ml) compared with controls (20.80 +/- 2.11 ng/ml) (P less than 0.05). Among patients withdrawn from neuroleptics, those with an oral dyskinesia had significantly lower peak GH concentration 2.46 +/- 0.93 ng/ml) after apomorphine compared with those without (14.85 +/- 3.83 ng/ml) (P less than 0.05). There were no differences in serum PRL concentrations, before or after apomorphine administration, between patients withdrawn from neuroleptics and controls. In uncontrolled observations none of the four patients with an oral dyskinesia showed any worsening of the movement disorder after apomorphine. These data provide no evidence for supersensitivity of dopamine receptors in chronic schizophrenic patients withdrawn from chronic neuroleptic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The single-dose bioavailabilities of two extended-release lithium carbonate products and an immediate-release product were compared. Nonsmoking healthy volunteers ages 20-31 (n = 12) were randomly assigned to one of three groups and given three treatments, each separated by a one-week period. The treatments, which were given to each group in a different sequence, consisted of three 300-mg immediate-release lithium carbonate tablets (Lithotab), two 450-mg extended-release lithium carbonate tablets (Eskalith CR), and three 300-mg extended-release lithium carbonate tablets (Lithobid). Blood samples were collected just before drug administration and at intervals up to 48 hours afterward. Urine was collected for 96 hours. Plasma and urine lithium concentrations were determined by flame-emission spectrophotometry, and lithium pharmacokinetic values and the cumulative urinary excretion of lithium were computed. Mean maximum plasma lithium concentration (Cmax) differed significantly among all three lithium carbonate products. Eskalith CR produced a 40% lower Cmax and Lithobid a 25% lower Cmax than Lithotab; Lithobid produced a 23% higher Cmax than Eskalith CR. Lithotab had a significantly shorter mean time to maximum plasma lithium concentration than either extended-release product. Mean cumulative urinary excretion of lithium did not differ significantly among the three products. Two extended-release lithium carbonate products were not bioequivalent when given in single doses to healthy volunteers.

The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of a relatively new antidepressant drug, alprazolam (a triazolobenzodiazepine) with imipramine in the treatment of 60 depressed symptomatic volunteers. Eligible patients were randomly assigned after a 1-week washout to one of the medications and followed for 6 treatment weeks. Contrary to the earlier report of Feighner et al. (1983), who found alprazolam superior to imipramine and placebo, but consistent with Rush et al. (1985) we find imipramine superior in efficacy to alprazolam on a variety of symptoms. Both the present study and Rush's study employed patients with signs indicative of response to tricyclics. Feighner's patients may have been the type who tend to be less responsive to tricyclics but may be more responsive to alprazolam. Some of our data also show that alprazolam may have a more advantageous effect in the early weeks of treatment but is overtaken in subsequent treatment weeks by imipramine.

Neuroendocrine function has been reported by several workers to be abnormal in affective disorder. It has been shown that neurotransmitters (noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotinin) are involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine function. Several biological hypotheses of affective disorder have implicated a defect in neurotransmitter function, but these hypotheses have been found lacking in part over the years. The study of neuroendocrine abnormalities found in various types of affective disorder may clarify some aspects of this complex issue by reflecting neurotransmitter activity in this disorder. Such studies should help further explain affective illness.

The effect of ibuprofen on steady-state lithium plasma and red blood cell concentrations was studied in 11 normal volunteers. During the seven-day control phase, sustained-release lithium carbonate 450 mg was administered every 12 hours. Lithium plasma and red blood cell concentrations were determined on days 5, 6, and 7. During the treatment phase (days 7-15), ibuprofen 400 mg was administered four times a day concurrently with lithium. Lithium plasma and red blood cell concentrations were obtained on days 14, 15, and 16. Multiple blood samples were obtained over a 12-hour period on days 6 and 15. Urine samples were collected from six subjects. The mean minimum lithium concentration increased 15% when ibuprofen was added. Mean maximum lithium concentration, area under the curve, red blood cell concentrations, and the lithium red blood cell to plasma ratio were significantly higher during the treatment phase. Mean lithium total body and renal clearance values were significantly lower during the treatment with ibuprofen. The administration of ibuprofen can increase steady-state plasma lithium concentrations and decrease lithium clearance.

Neuroendocrine abnormalities present in depressive illness and use of the dexamethasone suppression test (DST) in diagnosing depression are reviewed. The coexistence of neuroendocrine disturbances and depressive illness may be explained by a central nervous system neurochemical abnormality. Norepinephrine appears to inhibit hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing factor, thus decreasing ACTH secretion by the pituitary and, in turn, cortisol secretion by the adrenal glands. Thus, a deficiency in brain norepinephrine may lead to both depressive symptoms and increased adrenal cortisol production. Episodes of cortisol secretion are longer and more frequent in depressed patients, and the circadian rhythm of cortisol release is altered. Dexamethasone does not suppress plasma cortisol levels in depressed patients as compared with normal subjects. Abnormal DST results were obtained in 40-70% of inpatients and 20-50% of outpatients diagnosed as having unipolar primary depression or major depressive illness. The incidence of abnormal DST results in most nondepressed psychiatric patients is comparable with that in normal subjects. DST results do not distinguish between unipolar and bipolar depression but may differentiate primary from secondary depression. Depressed patients with abnormal DSTs responded positively to drug treatment. DST nonsuppressors responded more favorably to norepinephrine-reuptake blockers, while DST suppressors preferentially improved with serotonin-reuptake blockers. Normalization of DST response has been associated with clinical improvement. Certain drugs, a number of psychiatric conditions, and several major physical illnesses may alter DST response. The DST is a commonly used and practical tool in evaluating depressive illness; however, its diagnostic value in depressed outpatients and elderly depressed patients is not clear.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Apomorphine-induced growth hormone (GH) secretion less in women either on or off oral contraceptives than in men. Women on oral contraceptives have a significantly greater peak GH response to apomorphine than women on no medication. The reason for these differences is unclear. Prior glucose loading in men significantly decreases the GH response to apomorphine. This suggests that stimulation of glucoreceptors antagonises dopaminergic modulation of GH secretion.

A single fasting level of serum prolactin was measured in each of sixty control subjects and eighty-three psychiatric patients of both sexes who had been on neuroleptic therapy for 2-4 weeks (acute treatment) or at least 5 years (chronic treatment) and who were aged either 17-45 or 48-85 years. All groups of patients had significantly higher mean prolactin levels than controls. Gender, age group of women, and exposure to acute or chronic treatment were significant variables determining the magnitude of neuroleptic-induced elevation of prolactin. In some of the groups, dose, duration of chronic therapy, and concomitant administration of anticholinergic drugs also influenced prolactin levels. Whereas all acutely treated women had prolactin values above the control range, one out of twelve (8-3%) of the women aged 17-45 years and six out of fourteen (42-9%) of the women aged 48-85 years who were under chronic treatment had normal values. Normal prolactin levels were also found in five out of sixteen (31-2%) of the acutely treated and nine out of twenty-four (37-5%) of the chronically treated men aged 17-85 years.