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Many neuroimaging investigations report structural differences in subjects with bipolar disorder; however, conflicting results are common in the limited number of available investigations. Thus, the structural correlates of bipolar disorders remain poorly understood. The authors reviewed the early investigations using computed tomography and examined gross structural differences, such as cerebral atrophy, ventricular enlargement, or cerebellar atrophy. Many of these investigations report significant differences in these features compared with controls, whereas others found no such differences. More recent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations have employed increasingly sophisticated imaging and research methodologies, allowing for the quantitative examination of specific brain regions. Because neuropsychological and functional studies suggest abnormalities in frontal, temporal and subcortical regions, many investigators have focused their MRI neuromorphometric studies on these temporal limbic structures. However, the number of investigations examining each of these regions remains small, and conflicting results continue to be reported. It seems clear that for many brain regions, the structural changes from normal may be subtle, and that the differences in the reported studies may be due to differences in research methodologies between studies and across centers.

Background:Recent studies have reported that differences in cognitive performance between schizophrenic and bipolar patients seem to be smaller than expected. Patients with schizophrenia have consistently shown frontal executive dysfunctions, but studies regarding executive abilities in bipolar patients are scarce and discrepant. As executive function has been associated with psychosocial functioning in schizophrenia, we wanted to investigate if such a relationship is also present in bipolar disorder and the differences between the two groups. Methods:Executive function was assessed in 49 euthymic (at least 6 months in remission, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ≤8 and Young Mania Rating Scale ≤6) bipolar and in 49 schizophrenic, residual-type (with at least 1 year without acute exacerbation and predominant negative symptomatology) patients, by the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), FAS Test (COWAT) and Trail Making Test. Baseline clinical and psychosocial variables were controlled and psychopathology evaluated by means of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Results:The two groups showed a similar pattern of cognitive deficits in tests of executive function, except for the number of categories achieved in the WCST, which was significantly lower in the schizophrenic group (F = 7.26; p = 0.009). Functional outcome was predicted by the negative syndrome (PANSSN) and perseverative errors (WCST) in schizophrenic patients, and general psychopathology (PANSSG) was the best predictor of functional outcome in the bipolar group. Conclusion:Executive function was a good predictor of functional outcome in the schizophrenic group, whereas clinical variables were more predictive of the bipolar one. Patterns of cognitive disturbances in tasks of executive function are similar in both groups but quantitatively more marked in schizophrenia.

Background: Although genetic and biological factors are crucial in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder, the importance of psychosocial and familial factors in triggering or mitigating relapses warrants the implementation of psychotherapeutic interventions. The authors review and criticize the role of family intervention in bipolar disorder. Methods: The main computerized databases (Medline, Psychological Abstracts, Current Contents) have been searched for the terms ‘family intervention’, ‘family management’, ‘family therapy’, ‘psychotherapy’, ‘psychoeducation’ and ‘bipolar disorder’. Results:Some studies have associated high expressed emotion in relatives and poorer outcome in bipolar disorder. Studies on families of bipolar patients seem to support that family intervention as adjunctive therapy to pharmacological treatment may reduce the number of relapses and hospitalizations, improving familial, occupational and social functioning. However, controlled studies are scarce and most of them have a great number of methodological pitfalls such as small sample size, uncontrolled pharmacological treatment, absence of long follow-up and biased populations, among others. Conclusions: Both bipolar patients and their relatives could benefit from family intervention as adjunctive treatment to pharmacotherapy. Nevertheless, it would be necessary to design further investigations avoiding some of the limitations listed above, and controlling additionally for psychopathology in family members, and the influence of life events. It would be important to distinguish between causes and effects, studying which factors are involved in family attitudes and determining whether the interactive patterns are variable or stable according to the clinical state of the patient. Finally, it would be useful to design viable, effective and measurable interventions for the accurate delimitation of the role of family intervention in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

The voltammetric formation and potentiostatic growth of anodic films on Ru/Pt electrodes in HClO4 and HCl solutions were studied by single negative potential sweeps and cathodic charging curves in the potential range from -0.25 to 1.1 V vs SCE. The growth of the anodic layer proceeds through the formation of two layers of different reduction reversibility. At potentials below 500 mV, the layer more reversibly reduced, grows slowly to a maximum coverage equivalent to one oxygen monolayer. The thicker, and more stable, layer increases with holding time to a maximum of about three oxygen monolayers during the period of time studied (7 h). At holding potentials above 500 mV, the reduction charge of the anodic layer reaches a constant value after polarization for 1 h. Growth starts with formation of two layers which, with time, become a single layer which is hardly reducible. The results suggest the eventual formation of anhydrous RuO2, In HCl solutions, Cl- adsorption inhibits the formation of the anodic layer, decreasing its growth rate but reaching no limiting thickness for 7 h. At holding potentials below 650 mV vs SCE, only a single layer is formed with slight structural changes. At potentials above 650 mV, the initially homogeneous film converts with holding time into a bilayer where the outer layer becomes hardly reducible. This layer is assumed to be a stable anionic hydroxy species (RuCl5OH2-) which dissolves as Ru2O2Cl6(H2O)2-. In HClO4 and HCl the layer growth follows a direct logarithmic law.

The formation and reduction of anodic films on Os electrodes in 2 MHCl and HClO4solutions were studied by anodic and cathodic charging curves. The galvanostatic oxidation of Os in HClO4shows the formation of OsO2as an intermediate step to OsO4that goes in the solution. The cathodic charging curves at Os electrodes previously oxidized at constant potential reveal the anodic film to be made up of a reversibly desorbed oxygen layer and an oxide phase reduced irreversibly. Both layers increase with time under potentiostatic conditions following a logarithmic equation until a constant value is reached. At all times, the content of OsO2in the anodic film at high potentials is larger than that of chemisorbed oxygen.

Background:The authors review and criticize the different roles developed by psychotherapy in the treatment of bipolar disorder, from psychodynamic conceptions to a biopsychosocial model. Methods:The main computerized database (Medline, Current Contents, Psychological Abstracts) have been consulted, using the terms ‘psychotherapy’, ‘psychosocial’ and ‘bipolar disorder’ as key words. Results:Psychoanalysis, psychoeducation, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy and interpersonal therapy have been used in the treatment of bipolar patients. To date, none have established efficacy in controlled clinical trials regarding aspects such as hospitalization, recurrences or suicidal behavior, as medication alone does. Research on this issue usually undergoes methodological pitfalls. Nonetheless, the psychoeducative approach combined with several cognitive-behavioral techniques, either in group or individually, seem to be the most promising, focusing on information, treatment compliance, and illness management skills. Conclusions:There is a need for systematic clinical research on psychotherapy applied to bipolar disorder in order to show its true usefulness. Psychoeducation should prove its positive influence on the course and outcome of bipolar disorder.

A study of the electrowinning of germanium from molten solutions of GeO2in borax and in silicate solvents has been carried out at 1000 and 1100°C. The variation of current efficiency as a function of cd value increases with the temperature.

(400‐600 °C) is studied by cyclic voltammetry.