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Non-forensic or regular assertive community treatment (ACT) has positive effects on non-forensic outcomes but has poor effects on forensic outcome measures. In this study, we examined non-forensic and forensic outcome measures of a forensic adaptation of ACT (ForACT) within a continuum of care for internees. Data were collected retrospectively from files of 70 participants in the ForACT group who had been released from a forensic hospital. The control group comprised internees who had left prison and entered community-based care (n = 56). The ForACT group demonstrated significantly better outcomes on forensic measures, such as arrests and incarcerations, and had better community tenure. However, this group showed high hospitalization rates. The findings indicate that this type of community-based care can be beneficial for such internees; however, internees continue to experience difficulties reintegrating into society.

There are two important Belgian laws referring to psychiatric disturbances that may prove dangerous. The Civil Code includes the law relating to the protection of the mentally ill person, dated 26th June 1990, better known as the law of civil commitment of the mentally ill. Since April, 2007, the Penal Code has contained a new law on the internment of people with a psychiatric disorder; this new law replaces the old law of the 1st July, 1964, meant to protect the society. Although the two laws apply to different fields, in clinical practice there are sometimes 'grey areas' where it is not immediately evident which legal framework is applicable. Starting from a case study in which the civil judge ordered the civil commitment of a detainee, we explore these 'grey areas' and compare the two legal frameworks. We base our study on the new law on internment, clarify it and sketch the legal history of internment in Belgium.

In rats with five-sixth nephrectomy (remnant kidney), glomerulosclerosis was significantly reduced by dietary administration of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) during 11 and 16 weeks after reduction of nephron number. The activity of catalase and the production of H2O2 in remnant kidney cortex homogenate were not influenced by the vitamin E diet; however, the activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased (up to 140 and 180%, respectively, after 16 weeks). Lipid peroxidation, evaluated by malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal concentrations, was decreased in cortex homogenates and in urine. Though the extent of the effect of vitamin E on antioxidant enzyme levels and lipid peroxidation is small, the important reduction of glomerulosclerosis is in favor of dietary supplementation with vitamin E.