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Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die psychosomatische Sprechstunde im Betrieb (PSIB) ist ein Angebot für psychisch und psychosomatisch belastete Beschäftigte. Kernelemente sind frühzeitige Diagnostik und Kurzpsychotherapie mit dem Ziel der Verbesserung der Versorgung von psychisch belasteten Beschäftigten. Ziel dieses Artikels ist die Charakterisierung der Hilfesuchenden und die Darstellung erster Daten zu den Effekten der Kurzpsychotherapie. Material und Methoden Von 05/2016 bis 12/2019 wurden bei allen sich in der PSIB vorstellenden Beschäftigten Basisdaten erfasst. Mittels Fragebogen wurden zu Beginn sowie im Falle einer Kurzzeit-intervention zum Abschluss soziodemografische Daten, vorausgehende Behandlungen, Selbsteinschätzungen zu Arbeitsfähigkeit, Depressivität (PHQ-9), Angst (GAD-7), somatische Belastung (PHQ-15), Einschätzung der eigenen psychischen Verfassung sowie Einstellungen zu Behandlungsmöglichkeiten erhoben. Ergebnisse 672 Beschäftigte aus 20 Betrieben (49% Männer) wurden vorwiegend über den Betriebsarzt zugewiesen. Anpassungsstörungen und depressive Störungen machten jeweils knapp ein Drittel der Diagnosen aus. Ein Viertel der sich in der Sprechstunde vorstellenden Beschäftigten war aktuell krankgeschrieben. Am häufigsten wurde die Empfehlung einer Kurzintervention im Rahmen der Sprechstunde gegeben, am zweithäufigsten ambulante Psychotherapie. 343 (51%) Beschäftigte füllten den Fragebogen aus, von diesen erhielten 187 (55%) eine Kurztherapie. Die Symptomatik verbesserte sich signifikant über alle Fragebogenskalen hinweg. Die Zufriedenheit mit der PSIB war sehr hoch. Diskussion Die PSIB ist ein innovatives Versorgungskonzept im Arbeitskontext, das in verschiedenen Branchen gut angenommen wird. Wichtig für ein gutes Gelingen ist die enge Kooperation mit betrieblichen Akteuren wie Betriebsärzten.

Travma sonrası stres bozukluğu, travmatik olayı tekrar tekrar yaşama, aşırı uyarılmışlık hali ve travmayla ilişkili uyaranlardan kaçınma şeklinde görülen, travma sonrasında gelişen bir ruhsal bozukluktur. EMDR, ise farklı psikoterapi yaklaşımlarının öğelerini kapsayan, standartlaştırılmış tedavi prosedürleri bulunan, bütüncül bir psikoterapi yöntemidir. Bu çalışmada EMDR tedavi yönteminin travma sonrası stres bozukluğu belirtilerinin tedavisinde etkili, güçlü ve kısa süreli bir terapi yöntemi olduğu, ilişki sorunlarının travma sonrası stres bozukluğu belirtileri ürettiği ve aldatılma sonrasında beş aydır travma sonrası stres bozukluğu belirtileri gösteren bir olgunun tedavi süreci ele alınmıştır. Araştırmanın sonunda yapılan tedavinin başarılı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Ayrıca EMDR tedavi sürecinde travmatik yaşantıya dair rahatsız eden sahnelerin ve tetikleyicilerin çalışılmasının %80 oranında travma sonrası stres bozukluğu belirtilerinin ortadan kalkmasında etkili olduğu, danışanın erken çocukluk dönemine ait olumsuz yaşantılarının çalışılması sonucunda belirtilerin tamamen ortadan kalktığı görülmüştür., Post-traumatic stress disorder is a post-traumatic mental disorder that occurs as a recurrent traumatic event, overstimulation and avoidance of trauma-related stimuli. EMDR is a holistic method of psychotherapy with standardized treatment procedures covering elements of different psychotherapy approaches. In this study, it is explained that EMDR therapy is an effective, powerful and short term therapy method in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, relationship problems produce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and how to treat a patient with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms for five months after being deceived. At the end of the study EMDR treatment was successful for this case. In addition, it was reported that 80% of the study of the disturbing scenes and triggers related to the traumatic experience was effective in the elimination of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and that the symptoms disappeared as a result of studying the negative experiences of the early childhood.

Background: Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) has provided promising data in its ability to treat therapy resistant arterial hypertension. The effect of RSD on sST-2, a promising biomarker for risk stratification in cardiovascular diseases, has so far not been systematically studied. Methods: We evaluated serum levels of sST-2 and clinical parameter including left ventricular mass (LVM) in 54 patients with resistant hypertension (RH) undergoing bilateral RSD at baseline as well as at one and/or three months. Results: After RSD, mean office blood pressure showed a significant decrease after one month (p < 0.001). On echocardiography a reduction of LVM was observed at three months (p < 0.01). This was accompanied by a significant decrease of sST-2 levels at three months (sST-2 baseline: 6310.1 ± 3246.0 pg/mL vs. sST-2 three months: 4703.8 ± 1585.9 pg/mL, p = 0.048). Furthermore, baseline sST-2 levels were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure at one month (r = 0.514, p < 0.01) but not three months, indicating a potential predictive value of sST-2 for early intervention success. Conclusion: In patients with RH, RSD is associated with a significant decrease of sST-2 levels after three months, indicating sST-2 to be involved in remodeling processes after RSD. Furthermore, lower sST-2 levels at baseline might be a potential predictor of early intervention success of RSD.

A university in the United States Mountain West utilized grant resources to track counseling services for students who were currently experiencing or who had historically experienced relationship v...

Background/aim In our previous study, first-line eribulin (ERI) showed 25 weeks of progression-free survival (PFS). This study investigated the efficacy and safety of ERI re-administration in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Patients and methods HER2-negative MBC patients who had never received chemotherapy for MBC received first-line ERI for 18 weeks if they did not have disease progression, and then one cycle of S-1 before ERI re-administration. Results Twelve patients received ERI re-administration. The PFS of re-administered ERI was 13 weeks. Total duration of ERI use was 30 weeks. The incidence and severity of adverse events were consistent with previous reports. Conclusion In the first-line setting, the total PFS of eribulin was extended by S-1 administration before disease progression, compared with that of our previous report.

I describe a short-term dynamic therapy of 12–14 fortnightly sessions developed whilst working in a specialist mental health service for older people. Vignettes are given of this therapy with two women suffering from long histories of depression who experienced considerable benefit. They both showed an impressive capacity to reflect on and hold the therapy in mind during the fortnightly intervals and the longer breaks. To their surprise and relief, they did not become depressed during the period of therapy. They were especially pleased to discover an unexpected resilience. Less intensive frequency of sessions with fortnightly intervals offers the advantage of not encouraging a regression in the transference and, whilst recognising the importance of difficulties in early life, can galvanise adult capacities and resources developed over a long life. Particular influences in this work are discussed in the use of play from Winnicott, as described by Smith, and the importance of reaching hopeful and positive a...

The Leuven Systematic Case-study Protocol was used to analyze the therapeutic trajectory of a young woman suffering from anxiety problems. The LSCS protocol is a broad-spectrum monitoring tool that...

This paper was given as the Annual Ellen Noonan Counselling Lecture on July 2012 and retains some of the spoken style of the lecture. It uses examples of Ellen Noonan’s work to examine aspects of the process of teaching and learning psychodynamic practice. The difficulties of how to embed theoretical knowledge with its clinical application are discussed and the question of what are the key skills of the self-reflective practitioner is raised with reference to whether, and how, they can be taught or learnt. It is suggested that part of this process consists in helping students, and their teachers, to be more comfortable with not knowing, a concept that is both counter intuitive and counter cultural. From this aspects of contemporary therapeutic practice, with specific reference to psychodynamic short-term therapy, are addressed. The paper looks at the ambivalence felt by many psychodynamic clinicians towards working within a short-term paradigm in current workplace settings and how this might be addressed....

Stepped care is a way of providing accessible treatment for conditions that have a variable course and outcome. Usually the first steps are conservative and relatively minimal, whereas intensive and lengthy rehabilitation methods are reserved for much later steps. The current chapter describes the origins and structure of a stepped care program for borderline personality disorder at a large urban hospital. It examines procedures for evaluation of new patients, and the rationale behind the interventions used in treatment, particularly the provision of both group and individual therapy. Strong emphasis is placed on maintaining a predictable structure and keeping patients out of ward or the emergency room. Our program is divided into a short-term module that is used for most patients and an extended care module for more chronic cases.

Luliconazole is a novel topical antifungal imidazole with broad-spectrum and potent antifungal activity. The drug is under clinical development in the United States for management of dermatophytosis with a short-term treatment regimen. The present study was undertaken to investigate the clinical benefit of short-term therapy with luliconazole cream in guinea pig models of tinea corporis and tinea pedis induced with Trichophyton mentagrophytes . The dose-dependent therapeutic efficacy of topical luliconazole cream (0.02 to 1%), measured by macroscopic improvement of skin lesions and by fungal eradication as determined by a culture assay, was demonstrated using a tinea corporis model. The improvement in skin lesions seen with luliconazole cream was observed even at a concentration of 0.02%, and its efficacy at 0.1% was equal to that of 1% bifonazole cream. The efficacy of short-term therapy with 1% luliconazole cream, which is used for clinical management, was investigated using the tinea corporis model (4- and 8-day treatment regimens) and the tinea pedis model (7- and 14-day treatment regimens). The 1% luliconazole cream completely eradicated the fungus in half or less of the treatment time required for 1% terbinafine cream and 1% bifonazole cream, as determined by a culture assay for both models. These results clearly indicate that 1% luliconazole cream is sufficiently potent for short-term treatment for dermatophytosis compared to existing drugs. Luliconazole is expected to be useful in the clinical management of dermatophytosis.

Objectives The aims of this study were to determine the benefits of short-term empirical proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medication on laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and to determine whether scores on the reflux symptom index (RSI) and the reflux finding score (RFS) could be combined to identify subgroups of patients that will more likely to improve with this medication. Methods Fifty-one Korean Otolaryngology Board-certified specialists joined this prospective, multi-center, and open-label observational study. A total of 1,142 adult patients with LPR was enrolled for 12 weeks of rabeprazol medication. According to pre-treatment scores on RSI and RFS, patients were divided into 4 subgroups. RFS and RSI were measured repeatedly with a month interval along the treatment period. Changes of RSI and RFS were analyzed in an overall study cohort as well as in each subgroup. Results Approximately 40% (n=455) of enrolled patients were followed up until 12 weeks of PPI treatment. Significant improvement in RSI was obtained in 29%, 58%, and 75% of patients after 4, 8, and 12 weeks of PPI medication. RFS was improved in 16%, 42%, and 57% of the patients with 4, 8, and 12 weeks of PPI medication. All subgroups showed improvement regardless of their pre-treatment scores on the RSI and RFS. Conclusion Even though RSI and RFS may be used as a general guideline for LPR management, pre-treatment RSI and RFS are not useful in predicting the patients' response to short-term PPI medication in the usual pattern of practice for LPR, which is mostly based on the physical evaluation and history taking.

Aim: To determine whether or not clients' perceptions of microaggressions varied based on their own and the therapist's race/ethnicity and whether or not they would be negatively related to the effectiveness of therapy and if the working alliance would mediate this effect. Method: The study utilised a cross-sectional, retrospective, methodology. Clients were recruited from a large university counselling centre in the United States (N=232 clients and 29 therapists). Results: Neither clients' race/ethnicity, therapists’ race/ethnicity, nor client-therapist ethnic matching predicted perceptions of microaggressions. Clients' ratings of microaggressions were negatively associated with their psychological wellbeing; however, this effect was mediated by clients' ratings of the working alliance. Implications: Therapists should take into account the cultural messages they may be conveying to both white and racial/ethnic minority clients. Therapists should develop strategies that are consistent with a gene...

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of some antimicrobials lead to very high urinary concentrations. This, together with the superficial nature of bladder infection and effective voiding, supports the use of short-course antimicrobial therapy for treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis. Even a single dose is effective for >90% of episodes for some antimicrobials. Short-course therapy for 3 days is, however, the current accepted standard of therapy for acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI). Complicated UTI is a more diverse clinical entity. For individuals with some underlying abnormalities, including incomplete drainage of urine or renal failure, short-course therapy is never appropriate. However, some individuals with complicated UTI have adequate urinary emptying, infection limited to the bladder and normal renal function. For these persons, the same principles that promote effective short-course therapy for treatment of acute uncomplicated UTI should also apply. However, clinical studies reported to date do not support the use of short-course therapy for treatment of complicated cystitis. Further studies enrolling well-characterised patient populations with consistent clinical presentations are required to define the role, if any, of short-course therapy in complicated UTI.

The systems-centered short-term therapy protocol was adapted and applied in three single case studies with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients in a ten-session individual treatment over a two week period. All three subjects showed substantial improvement and no longer met diagnostic criteria post-treatment. Changes were maintained at follow up both six months and one year later. These results are promising and suggest the importance of further research on SCT as a viable, alternative treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.

This article describes a dynamic, short-term art therapy approach that has been developed for the treatment of trauma related disorders. Using a modified Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) protocol with alternating tactile and auditory bilateral stimulation, associations are rapidly brought to conscious awareness and expressed in a series of drawings. As new information is accessed, affective material is metabolized and integrated, leading to transformation of traumatic memory and an adaptive resolution of the trauma. Readers are cautioned that clinicians using this approach should be experienced in working with trauma.

Today a lot of patients ask to the clinicians how to achieve implant-supported fixed prosthesis rehabilitation in an ultra short term therapy. The answer comes from analysis of the diagnostic phase that represents the most important role in this kind of therapy, especially in the fully edentulous patients. Starting from the diagnostic wax to plan the final rehabilitation, through the right choice of implants, in this article will be represented the surgical applied principles and the prosthodontically-driven implants position. An immediate loading technique in the treatment of edentulous patients with screw-retained provisional restoration, without intrasurgical impression it will be presented, both, for the upper and lower jaws, using internal and external hex Biotec Implants (Povolaro di Dueville, Vicenza-Italy).

Treatment resistant depression (TRD) is a severe and enduring form of depression that does not respond fully to medication. Although the evidence base for effective psychological treatments is not yet established, it is inevitable that counsellors working in primary care will encounter patients with this presentation. This pilot study explores the experience of four primary care counsellors with this patient group using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and considers the implications for training and practice.

In diesem Beitrag werden die theoretischen und praktischen Pramissen der selbstpsychologischen Psychoanalyse im Hinblick auf ihre Anwendbarkeit fur Kurzpsychotherapien in der freien Praxis diskutiert. Ausgehend von einer kurzen Darstellung der fokalen Kurztherapie nach M. Balint, A. Ornstein, M. Ornstein und des Entwicklungsmodells von M. F. Basch werden die theoretischen Uberlegungen an Hand einer Falldarstellung uberpruft. In der selbstpsychologisch orientierten Kurzpsychotherapie gilt dem empathischen Verstehen des subjektiven Erlebens des Patienten oder der Patientin, den interaktiven Kommunikationsprozessen und den entstehenden positiven Ubertragungsphanomenen (Selbstobjektubertragung) eine besonders hohe Signifikanz. Die therapeutische Aufmerksamkeit richtet sich auf das Wahrnehmen von Entwicklungsblockaden und den im therapeutischen Prozess erwachenden Wachstumstendenzen des Patienten, die sich in der Ubertragung zeigen. Kurzpsychotherapie erfordert oft eine erhohte Aktivitat und ein starkes personliches Engagement durch die Therapeutin.

This article explores the need for university counseling centers (UCCs) to implement brief therapies and describes one such treatment, intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP), as a particularly viable therapeutic approach in this setting. Because ISTDP is not appropriate for all students seeking therapy, a careful assessment of the client is conducted prior to deciding which treatment approach is best suited for the client. The different restructuring techniques that comprise ISTDP are discussed. The article ends with a brief vignette from a therapy session with a student involving ISTDP techniques.

This brief report examines the use of writing in short-term therapy. A case study of a 45-year-old male coping with schizophrenia is presented with respect to the expressive/creative mode of poetry therapy (Mazza, 1999). Based on clinical observation, it appears the client's writing served in both therapeutic and assessment capacities within the boundaries of Wolberg's (1965) stages of development in brief therapy.

Background: The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative short-term therapy (for 2 weeks) of topical bevacizumab in recurrent pterygium surgery regarding to corneal vascularization and pterygium recurrence. Methods: This prospective randomized comparative study included two groups of patients with recurrent pterygium, all eyes were subjected to pterygium excision with conjunctiva auto graft, and group A (30 eyes of 30 patients) was treated with postoperative topical tobramycine and dexamethazone for 2 weeks. Group B (30 eyes of 30 patients) was treated also with postoperative topical tobramycine and dexamethazone in addition to topical bevacizumab 5 mg/mL 4 times daily for 2 weeks. Follow-up of cases up to 6 months was performed recording corneal vascularization and pterygium recurrence. Results: The results revealed that after 6 months, group A treated with postoperative tobramycine and dexamethazone reported 5 eyes of recurrence (16.7%) which not significantly (P=0.44726) (P>0.05) different from group B treated with the addition of topical bevacizumab which reported 3 eyes of recurrence (10%). But group B showed significantly different in decreasing corneal neovascularization than group A (P=0.000805) (P Conclusions: Postoperative short-term therapy of topical bevacizumab in recurrent pterygium surgery by conjunctiva auto graft showed lower recurrence rate but not statistically significant, But it reduced significantly corneal neovascularization.

Short-term therapy of tamoxifen-induced severe hypertriglyceridemia and acute pancreatitis in a patient with breast cancer is described in this article. Interestingly, no pre-existing history of dyslipidemia was noted in comparison to the relevant literature review. Tamoxifen is the most widely used anti-estrogen in adjuvant endocrine treatment of primary breast cancer. However, due to its estrogen-like activity in lipid metabolism, a small increase in serum triglycerides is also commonly found in long-term users. This finding is usually insignificant and without clinical manifestations.

This article places representative formulations of brief dynamic psychotherapy in the larger context of psychoanalytic thought, reviews relational perspectives that inform contemporary approaches to time-limited treatment, and identifies tasks in continued development of theory, research, and practice. In doing so, it emphasizes the need to consider a broader range of psychopathology, dysfunction, and need in formulations of brief intervention and to develop more flexible and realistic approaches in treatment of vulnerable and underserved populations. The growing emphasis on theoretical pluralism and pragmatism in therapeutic practice generally should facilitate efforts to broaden the base of brief dynamic treatment.

There is much theoretical and clinical literature on the role of interpretation in psychoanalysis, psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and brief dynamic psychotherapy, but little supporting research data. Using 112 audiotaped sessions from 38 patients in supportive-expressive time-limited treatment, the present study hypothesized that therapists would modify the object and temporal content and frequency of their interpretations in relation to the level of patient functioning. The results did not support this hypothesis. Therapists were not less active with more interpretations for higher functioning patients, nor were they more active with fewer interpretations for lower functioning patients. Therapists were more active and made more genetic interpretations with married patients, regardless of level of patient functioning. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for supportive-expressive psychodynamic therapy.

Chapter 10: “Working Through and Working On” takes an extended look at two clinical moments to talk about the actual practice of integrative psychotherapy. Recognition of patterns and continuity of experience are discussed. In this chapter, readers have an opportunity to see how the different elements in the preceding chapters can be brought into a practice on a regular and smoothly integrated basis. Based on research and clinical examples, the chapter shows clinicians how they might integrate their own work. The concepts of detailed inquiry and small moments of change are re-visited and considered extensively in the context of clinical material.

With increasing emphasis on cost-consciousness in health care, clinicians must treat persons with complicated mental health needs with sound rationale while accomplishing cost effectiveness. This article redefines successful outcomes for outpatient treatmentfor one such complex situation with persons with dissociative identity disorder. A case study is presented illustrating how traditional long-term therapy can be defined in renewable short-term stages. At various therapeutic intervals therapy may be discontinued or deferred based on the client's definition ofpersonal wellness. Such a conceptualization can facilitate client health while demonstrating accountability for the use of ongoing psychotherapy services.

In order to evaluate the impact of training on attitudes and values regarding time-limited therapy, an attitudes instrument (The Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Therapy Questionnaire (BAT-Q)) was administered to 167 experienced therapists before and following workshops on brief therapy techniques. Data analysis of the results of the pre- and post-training administrations indicated that, following training, clinicians were typically more positively disposed towards time-limited therapy. The most significant changes occurred in attitudes regarding the purpose of psychotherapy in general and the value of brief techniques in the treatment of serious long standing psychopathology. Such attitude and value changes are critical in helping therapists make the transition from time-unlimited to time-limited interventions.

Aim: The aim of this work was: i) to evaluate the prevalence of male partners of subfertile couples being treated with long/short term therapies for non andrological diseases; ii) to study their seminal profile for the possible effects of their treatments on spermatogenesis and/or epididymal maturation. Methods: The study group was made up of 723 subjects, aged between 25 and 47 years. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (1999). The Superimposed Image Analysis System (SIAS), which is based on the computerized superimposition of spermatozoa images, was used to assess sperm motility parameters. Results: The prevalence of subjects taking pharmacological treatments was 22.7% (164/723). The prevalence was 3.7% (27/723) for the Short-Term Group and 18.9% (137/723) for the Long-Term Group. The subjects of each group were also subdivided into subgroups according to the treatments being received. Regarding the seminal profile, we did not observe a significant difference between the Long-Term, Short-Term or the Control Group. However, regarding the subgroups, we found a significant decrease in sperm number and progressive motility percentage in the subjects receiving treatment with antihypertensive drugs compared with the other subgroups and the Control Group. Conclusions: In the management of infertile couples, the potential negative impact on seminal parameters of any drugs being taken as Long-Term Therapy should be considered. The pathogenic mechanism needs to be clarified.

BACKGROUND: Currently, the most frequently used secondary treatment for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) consists of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) targeted at an international normalized ratio (INR) of 2.5 (range 2.0 to 3.0). However, based on the continuing risk of bleeding and uncertainty regarding the risk of recurrent VTE, discussion on the proper duration of treatment with VKA for these patients is ongoing. Several studies have compared the risks and benefits of different durations of VKA in patients with VTE. This is the third update of a review first published in 2000. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of different durations of treatment with vitamin K antagonists in patients with symptomatic venous thromboembolism. SEARCH METHODS: For this update, the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group Trials Search Co‐ordinator searched the Specialised Register (last searched October 2013) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) 2013, Issue 9. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled clinical trials comparing different durations of treatment with vitamin K antagonists in patients with symptomatic venous thromboembolism. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Three review authors (SM, MP, and BH) extracted the data and assessed the quality of the trials independently. MAIN RESULTS: Eleven studies with a total of 3716 participants were included. A consistent and strong reduction in the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolic events was observed during prolonged treatment with VKA (risk ratio (RR) 0.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 0.38) independent of the period elapsed since the index thrombotic event. A statistically significant "rebound" phenomenon (ie, an excess of recurrences shortly after cessation of prolonged treatment) was not found (RR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.70). In addition, a substantial increase in bleeding complications was observed for patients receiving prolonged treatment during the entire period after randomization (RR 2.60, 95% CI 1.51 to 4.49). No reduction in mortality was noted during the entire study period (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.21, P = 0.46). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this review shows that treatment with VKA strongly reduces the risk of recurrent VTE for as long as they are used. However, the absolute risk of recurrent VTE declines over time, although the risk for major bleeding remains. Thus, the efficacy of VKA administration decreases over time since the index event.

The introduction of the immunomodulatory drug lenalidomide as revolutionized the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic yndromes and interstitial deletion of the long arm of chromosome [del5(q) MDS]. Treatment with lenalidomide results in transfuion independence in the vast majority of patients [1]. Despite these mpressive results some questions remain unresolved, among them he duration of treatment. Adding to this discussion has been the bservation of a number of unexpected long term remissions in atients who stopped lenalidomide for various reasons. Here we eport two additional such cases that add some new information o this interesting phenomenon.

In the current study, the development and initial validation of the Suitability for Short-Term Cognitive Therapy (SSCT) interview procedure is reported. The SSCT is an interview and rating procedure designed to evaluate the potential appropriateness of patients for short-term cognitive therapy with an interpersonal focus. It consists of a 1-hour, semistructured interview, focused on eliciting information from the patient relevant to nine selection criteria. The procedures involved in the development of this scale are described in detail, and preliminary evidence suggesting that the selection criteria can be rated reliably is presented. In addition, data indicating that scores on the SSCT scale predict the outcome of short-term cognitive therapy on multiple dependent measures, including both therapist and patient perspectives, are reported. It is concluded that the SSCT is a potentially useful scale for identifying patients who may be suitable, or unsuitable, for the type of short-term cognitive therapy administered in the present study.

In the 1970s, Helen Bonny developed the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music for use as a primary process of receptive music psychotherapy in long-term therapy. Training programs in the method traditionally taught it for use in this manner. Over the last two decades, however, modifications of the Bonny Method for use in short term therapy have inspired innovations in training. As a part of this movement, the Anna Maria College training program is innovative in three main areas: a) the music and imagery methods used to train students, b) the processes of personal development in which students are engaged, and c) the processes used for distance supervision and peer interaction.

Address: 1Department of Neurology, University Medicine Gottingen, 37099 Gottingen, Germany, 2Department of Neuropathology, University Medicine Gottingen, 37099 Gottingen, Germany, 3Department of Pathology, University Medicine Gottingen, 37099 Gottingen, Germany, 4Department of Microbacteriology, University Medicine Gottingen, 37099 Gottingen, Germany and 5Department of Neurology, Humboldt University Berlin, Campus Charite, 10117 Berlin, Germany

The present report shows the efficacy of ajoene, a garlic-derived organic trisulphur, for short-term therapy of tinea pedis. The use of ajoene as a 0.4% (w/w) cream resulted in complete clinical and mycological cure in 27 of 34 patients (79%) after 7 days of treatment. The remaining seven patients (21%) achieved complete cure after seven additional days of treatment. All patients were evaluated for recurrence of mycotic infections 90 days after the end of treatment, yielding negative cultures for fungus. These results show that ajoene is an alternative, efficient and low-cost antimycotic drug for short-term therapy of tinea pedis. The fact that ajoene can be easily prepared from an alcoholic extract of garlic may make it suitable for Third World public health care.

Problem: A mouse anti-rat T-cell receptor monoclonal antibody (TCR) has great potential in the development of long-term immunologic tolerance. Combination therapy with FK-506 and TCR may enable the establishment of long-term immunotolerance while reducing dose-related toxicities. The use of combined TCR and FK-506 in a completely allogeneic model permits a rigorous evaluation of potential synergism. Methods: Nineteen Brown Norway larynges were transplanted to Lewis recipients. Treatment consisted of 7 days of FK-506 (1.2 mg/kg/day) alone and in combination with TCR (0.5 mL/day). Control groups consisted of untreated animals, as well as 11 Lewis-Brown Norway larynges transplanted to Lewis recipients and treated with FK-506 monotherapy. Each group consisted of 6–11 rats. Median duration of engraftment was 44 days (range, 14–106 days). Graft histopathology was graded according to an established 31-point scale in a blinded fashion. Long-term grafts (>75 days) were followed with serum PTH levels. Results: Untreated controls experienced almost complete rejection (mean score, 27, SD 0). Allogeneic transplants treated with FK-506 monotherapy experienced near-complete rejection (mean score, 25.2, SD 2.1). Allogeneic transplants treated with combination therapy and followed for a median duration of 100 days demonstrated significantly better rejection scores than controls (mean score, 11.1, SD 1.7; P = 0.003). Combination therapy was also significantly more effective in preventing acute rejection than monotherapy with FK-506 in a semi-allogeneic model (mean score, 22.1, SD 4.6; P < 0.04). Conclusion: Short-term combination therapy with FK-506 and TCR prevents rejection in an allogeneic model for up to 100 days. This regimen was associated with significantly better histopathologic rejection scores than monotherapy with either agent, or monotherapy with FK-506 in a semi-allogeneic model. Significance: The blockade of primary antigen recognition with TCR may prevent the need for daily immunosuppressive therapy, thereby limiting treatment-associated toxicities. Pulsing protocols may also provide a mechanism for intermittent immunomodulation with this regimen. Support: None reported.