Disentangling the intrinsic relaxivities of highly purified graphene oxide.

The chemistry of contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications is an active area of research and, in recent work, it was shown that CA-based graphene oxide (GO) has valuable properties for biomedical uses. GO has a potential as MRI CAs thanks to several functionalities, like its ability to penetrate tissues and cell membranes, as well as easy coupling with therapeutic agents, therefore showing the potential for both a diagnostic and therapeutic role. In this study, we performed a thorough cleaning of the GO sample (synthesized using a modified Hummers method), minimizing the amount of residual manganese down to 73 ppm. Using a wide range of physical-chemical methods (morphology, chemical composition, elemental analysis, spectroscopies, and imaging), we characterized the intrinsic longitudinal and transverse relaxivities of highly purified GO nanosheets. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance allowed to recognize the paramagnetic species involved, and 1.0 T MRI was used to disentangle the relative contributions to the MRI contrast of pristine GO nanosheets arising from structural defects and residual paramagnetic manganese impurities embedded in the nanomaterial. Although experiments show that the MRI relaxivity of GO nanosheets arises from the cumulative effect of structural defects and paramagnetic impurities, we conclude that the latter contribution to the longitudinal and transverse relaxivities becomes irrelevant for highly purified (pristine) GO. This novel finding clearly demonstrates that, apart from trivial manganese inclusion, pristine GO produces an inherent MRI response via structural defects, and therefore it is on its own a suitable candidate as MRI contrast agent.

Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Psychopathology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Decades of research implicate perfectionism as a risk factor for psychopathology. Most research has focused on trait perfectionism (i.e., needing to be perfect), but there is a growing focus on perfectionistic self-presentation (PSP) (i.e., the need to seem perfect). The current article reports the results of a meta-analysis of previous research on the facets of PSP and psychopathology outcomes (either clinical diagnoses of psychiatric disorders or symptoms of these disorders). A systematic literature search retrieved 30 relevant studies (37 samples; N = 15,072), resulting in 192 individual effect-size indexes that were analysed with random-effect meta-analysis. Findings support the notion of PSP as a transdiagnostic factor by showing that PSP facets are associated with various forms of psychopathology, especially social anxiety, depression, vulnerable narcissism and-to lesser extent-grandiose narcissism and anorexia nervosa. The results indicated that there both commonalities across the three PSP and some unique findings highlighting the need to distinguish among appearing perfect, avoiding seeming imperfect and avoiding disclosures of imperfections. Additional analyses yielded little evidence in the results across studies including undergraduates, community samples and clinical samples. Our discussion includes a focus on factors and processes that contribute to the association between PSP and psychopathology.

The Application of the Metacognitive Model of Desire Thinking and Craving in Problematic Social Networking Sites Use.

Cognitive models of addictive behaviours have highlighted the central role of Desire Thinking (DT) - a conscious and voluntary cognitive process orienting to prefigure images and information about a positive target-related experience - in increasing craving and maintaining addictive behaviors. The metacognitive model of DT and craving posits that metacognition plays a central role in understanding dysregulation in DT. The current study aims to test the role of metacognitions about DT, DT, and craving in the relationship between Fear of Missing Out (FoMo), boredom proneness, negative emotional reactivity and Problematic Social Network Sites Use (PSNSU). A sample of 529 participants (Mage= 32.45 ± 13.33; F = 62.9%) completed an online survey. The hypothesised model produced an adequate fit to the data and accounted for 86% of PSNSU variance. FoMO predicted positive metacognitions about DT (PMDT), which predicted DT that, in association with craving, predicted PSNSU. Boredom proneness positively predicted PSNSU directly and indirectly through the serial mediation of PMDT, DT, and craving. A direct path between negative emotional reactivity and PSNSU was found. The current findings provide preliminary evidence for applying the metacognitive model of DT and craving in PSNSU. PMDT and DT may be central cognitive processes in craving and PSNSU for individuals who experience boredom proneness and FoMo.

The relationship between problematic Instagram use and eating disorders psychopathology: an explanatory structural equation model.

An emerging body of research has evidenced the negative influence of using and being exposed to social networking sites (SNSs) on body image. Furthermore, it has been postulated that SNS use might be related with onset and persistence of eating disorders (EDs) psychopathology. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the complex interplay between problematic Instagram use (PIU) (conceptualized as a potential behavioral addiction comprising withdrawal, conflict, tolerance, salience, mood modification and relapse) and ED psychopathology, by means of an explanatory structural equation model. We hypothesized that PIU would be associated with ED symptoms through the mediating role of appearance comparison, individual psychological investment in physical appearance, and body uneasiness. A sample of 386 young female participants (Mage = 26.04 ± 6.73) was recruited, of which 152 had received a diagnosis of ED. ED patients used Instagram more than the control group and showed higher levels of PIU. Results from structural equation modeling (fit indices: χ2 = 44.54, df = 19, p < 0.001; RMSEA = 0.059; CFI = 0.98; SRMR = 0.02) showed that PIU predicted appearance comparison and psychological investment in physical appearance, which in turn predicted body uneasiness. In turn, body uneasiness predicted ED psychopathology and interpersonal difficulties. Our model provides a useful account of how eating disorder symptoms could be triggered and maintained by an addictive use of Instagram.

Childhood adversity, symptoms, and cortisol in first episode psychosis: a cross-sectional, secondary, observational analysis of a subsample of FEP patients.

BACKGROUND: Although it has been proposed that childhood adversities (CAs) may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and psychotic symptoms severity, these associations have not been fully confirmed in first-episode psychosis (FEP). This study explored the association between CA, cortisol and psychotic symptoms in FEP patients. METHODS: 81 FEP patients were enrolled. CAs were evaluated by the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Psychotic symptoms were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Cortisol level was collected using saliva samples. ANCOVA and partial correlation analyses were run. RESULTS: FEP patients with childhood abuse reported severe positive symptoms than those without CA. FEP patients with at least one CA had higher levels of cortisol awaking, cortisol at 12 a.m., and cortisol at 8 p.m. Morning cortisol levels were negatively correlated with the severity of negative symptoms and positively correlated with the severity of general psychopathology. Evening cortisol levels were positively correlated with severity of general psychopathology. CONCLUSION: FEP patients with CAs, compared with those without CA, might report more severe positive symptoms and higher cortisol, even though these findings as prone to bias due to the small sample size, and should be seen in the larger perspective of conflicting evidence in the field.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell (iPSC) Lines from a Family with Resistant Epileptic Encephalopathy Caused by Compound Heterozygous Mutations in SZT2 Gene.

Mutations in the SZT2 gene have been associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-18, a rare severe autosomal recessive neurologic disorder, characterized by psychomotor impairment/intellectual disability, dysmorphic facial features and early onset of refractory seizures. Here we report the generation of the first induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from a patient with treatment-resistant epilepsy, carrying compound heterozygous mutations in SZT2 (Mut1: c.498G>T and Mut2: c.6553C>T), and his healthy heterozygous parents. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were reprogrammed by a non-integrating Sendai virus-based reprogramming system. The generated human iPSC lines exhibited expression of the main pluripotency markers, the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers and presented a normal karyotype. These lines represent a valuable resource to study neurodevelopmental alterations, and to obtain mature, pathology-relevant neuronal populations as an in vitro model to perform functional assays and test the patient's responsiveness to novel antiepileptic treatments.

The Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED): a validation study of a self-report questionnaire for emotional eating.

PURPOSE: Emotional eating is a trans-diagnostic dimension in eating disorders and is present in many other conditions that could affect eating attitudes. At present, there is no instrument that measures emotional eating evaluating both the intensity and the frequency of emotion-induced desire to eat. The aim of the study was the validation of the Florence Emotional Eating Drive (FEED). METHODS: A sample of healthy volunteers was initially enrolled to explore internal consistency and test-retest reliability. The Emotional Eating Scale (EES), Eating Disorders Evaluation-Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Binge Eating Scale (BES) and Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90-R), together with the final version of FEED, were administered to a clinical sample composed by patients with eating disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, to explore the underlying structure of the questionnaire and verify its validity. RESULTS: FEED showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.96) and test-retest reliability (r = 0.93). FEED scores were higher in patients with BN and BED than in AN patients, negatively correlated with age and positively with BES and EES. Multiple regression analysis showed that FEED, but not EES, was independently associated with SCL-90-R and EDE-Q scores. CONCLUSION: FEED internal consistency and test-retest reliability were excellent. The addition of specific questions on the frequency of behaviours led to a better component structure and robustness compared to EES. A tool that reliably and specifically assesses eating behaviours driven by emotional states may be extremely useful in clinical settings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional study.

#Fitspiration on Instagram: The effects of fitness-related images on women's self-perceived sexual attractiveness.

The present study looks at how exposure to Instagram #fitspiration images affects self-rated sexual attractiveness among women. An experimental pre-test/post-test control group design was implemented. Four hundred and forty-two female undergraduate students (mean age of 22.06 ± 2.15 years) were randomly exposed to either fitspiration (N = 233) or travel Instagram images (N = 209). Well known self-report measures of Instagram use, body satisfaction, and self-perceived sexual attractiveness were completed. The results showed that viewing fitspiration models on Instagram was more likely to lower self-perceived sexual attractiveness among women than travel images. This effect was mediated by body satisfaction. The present findings built upon previous research that focuses on the detrimental effects of exposure to appearance-focused Instagram profile images on body image satisfaction by showing that exposure to Instagram fitspiration might also influence women perceived sexual attractiveness. Negative consequences of social media exposure on women's sexual well-being need to be further investigated.

What Lies Beyond the Superordinate Trait Perfectionism Factors? The Perfectionistic Self-Presentation and Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory Versus the Big Three Perfectionism Scale in Predicting Depression and Social Anxiety.

Extreme perfectionism has been linked with distress and dysfunction. This association is reflected by the recent development of the Big Three Perfectionism Scale (BTPS), which has superordinate trait-based scales that assess 3 broad elements-rigid, self-critical, and narcissistic perfectionism. We examined psychometric features of the BTPS as well as the links between the BTPS and indexes of distress. A sample of 602 undergraduates completed the BTPS, the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale, the Perfectionism Cognitions Inventory, and measures of social anxiety and depression. Support was obtained for the psychometric qualities of the BTPS. All 3 superordinate trait factors were associated with social anxiety and depression. Analyses also established that rigid perfectionism, self-critical perfectionism, and narcissistic perfectionism are associated with perfectionistic cognitions and perfectionistic self-presentation. In addition, the results of a series of regression analyses established that perfectionistic self-presentation and perfectionistic cognitions accounted for significant unique variance in distress beyond the variance attributable to rigid, narcissistic, and self-critical perfectionism. Overall, our results suggest that the BTPS has significant promise as a predictor of various forms of dysfunction, but the cognitive and self-presentational aspects of the perfectionism construct are also uniquely relevant and not redundant with the BTPS superordinate trait factors.

A New Drug Delivery System Based on Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and PEDOT.

Localized drug delivery represents one of the most challenging uses of systems based on conductive polymer films. Typically, anionic drugs are incorporated within conductive polymers through electrostatic interaction with the positively charged polymer. Following this approach, the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone phosphate is often delivered from neural probes to reduce the inflammation of the surrounding tissue. In light of the recent literature on the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA), for the first time, this natural bile acid was incorporated within poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). The new material, PEDOT-TUDCA, efficiently promoted an electrochemically controlled delivery of the drug, while preserving optimal electrochemical properties. Moreover, the low cytotoxicity observed with viability assays, makes PEDOT-TUDCA a good candidate for prolonging the time span of chronic neural recording brain implants.

Childhood Adversity, Cortisol Levels, and Psychosis: A Retrospective Investigation.

Although it has been proposed that the dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis may act as a possible pathway linking early life stress to psychosis, this relationship has not yet been fully confirmed. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between childhood adversity (CA), cortisol levels, and psychosis. Eighty-five patients with psychosis and 170 control subjects were enrolled in the study. CA was evaluated using the Florence Psychiatric Interview, and Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire. Positive symptoms (PS) were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. Cortisol levels were evaluated in saliva samples. Patients experienced more CA and showed higher cortisol levels than controls. Patients with CA showed higher morning cortisol levels and more severe PS than those without CA. Patients with higher morning cortisol levels showed severe delusions. These findings suggest that both CA and dysregulation of the HPA axis could be related to psychosis.

Electrochemical fabrication of surface chemical gradients in thiol self-assembled monolayers with tailored work-functions.

The studies on surface chemical gradients are constantly gaining interest both for fundamental studies and for technological implications in materials science, nanofluidics, dewetting, and biological systems. Here we report on a new approach that is very simple and very efficient, to fabricate surface chemical gradients of alkanethiols, which combines electrochemical desorption/partial readsorption, with the withdrawal of the surface from the solution. The gradient is then stabilized by adding a complementary thiol terminated with a hydroxyl group with a chain length comparable to desorbed thiols. This procedure allows us to fabricate a chemical gradient of the wetting properties and the substrate work-function along a few centimeters with a gradient slope higher than 5°/cm. Samples were characterized by cyclic voltammetry during desorption, static contact angle, XPS analysis, and Kelvin probe. Computer simulations based on the Dissipative Particle Dynamics methods were carried out considering a water droplet on a mixed SAM surface. The results help to rationalize the composition of the chemical gradient at different position on the Au surface.

Testing the role of extended thinking in predicting craving and problematic social network sites use.

Background and aims Problematic Social Network Sites Use (PSNSU) mirrors substance use disorders with regard to symptoms (e.g., diminished control). Recent theoretical advances in the addiction research field recognize a central role of affective and cognitive processes in the development of addictive behaviors. For example, the metacognitive model of addictive behaviors sustains that cognitive processes like extended thinking, disruption in metacognitive monitoring, and thought suppression are associated with addictive behaviors leading to increased craving. The current study aims to test the mediating role of extended thinking (i.e., worry, rumination, and desire thinking) in the relationship between psychological distress and PSNSU. Methods A community sample of 548 individuals (F = 68.5%, Mage= 29.29 ± 12.04 years) completed an online survey. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to analyze the relationships among the variables under study. Results The assessed structural model adequately fits the data, accounting for 89% of PSNSU variance. Psychological distress predicted PSNSU through the mediation of desire thinking and rumination and the serial mediation of (i) worry and craving (ii) desire thinking and craving The model is gender invariant. Conclusions The current findings provide preliminary evidence for the role of extended thinking in PSNSU. Worry, rumination and desire thinking may be central cognitive processes in eliciting craving and PSNSU for individuals who experience psychological distress.

The Link Between Problematic Instagram Use and Body-Image Investment Dimensions: The Mediating Role of Social Comparison on Instagram and the Need to Conceal Body Flaws.

Objective: The negative effects of Problematic Instagram Use (PIU) on self-evaluations of one's appearance (i.e., body-image satisfaction-dissatisfaction) are well-known, whereas less explored is its role on body-image investment dimensions. By adopting the Social Comparison and the Self-discrepancies theories as the framework, the present study hypothesized that PIU negatively affects body investment and appearance management behaviours through the serial mediating role of actual appearance comparison on Instagram (IG) and the need to conceal body flaws. Gender, age and trait appearance comparison were controlled for. Method: A convenience sample of 323 participants (F = 70.3%; M= 28.92 + 10.96) was recruited, and well-known self-report measures were administered online. Results: The structural model produced good fit indices [χ2/df = 2.36, RMSEA = 0.065 (0.053 - 0.077), CFI = 0.962, SRMR = 0.038], and the variables accounted for 79% and 32% of the variance in body investment and appearance management behaviours, respectively. PIU was associated with body investment both directly and indirectly, whereas it affected appearance management behaviours only via appearance comparison on Ig. The tested alternative model has a poorer fit than the hypothesized model, and the former fitted significantly worse than the proposed one. Conclusions: The present study represents a step toward a better understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the link between PIU and body image investment dimensions.

Induction of motion in a synthetic molecular machine: effect of tuning the driving force.

Rotaxane molecular shuttles were studied in which a tetralactam macrocyclic ring moves between a succinamide station and a second station in which the structure is varied. Station 2 in all cases is an aromatic imide, which is a poor hydrogen-bond acceptor in the neutral form, but a strong one when reduced with one or two electrons. When the charge density on the hydrogen-bond-accepting carbonyl groups in station 2 is reduced by changing a naphthalimide into a naphthalene diimide radical anion, the shuttling rate changes only slightly. When station 2 is a pyromellitimide radical anion, however, the shuttling rate is significantly reduced. This implies that the shuttling rate is not only determined by the initial unbinding of the ring from the first station, as previously supposed. An alternative reaction mechanism is proposed in which the ring binds to both stations in the transition state.

The Eating Disorders Well Being Questionnaire (EDwell): a new measure of quality of life in eating disorders.

PURPOSE: Eating disorders (EDs) are an important cause of physical morbidity and psychosocial impairment, and eating disordered patients have a worse quality of life than peers. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a new self-report instrument, the Eating Disorders Well Being Questionnaire (EDwell), a measure of eating disorders-related quality of life, which takes into consideration not only the intensity, but also the subjective relevance of physical and psychosocial distress. METHODS: The questionnaire was administered to 120 eating disordered patients and 60 healthy controls. Patients underwent a psychopathological and clinical evaluation. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and psychopathological correlates were evaluated. All patients were also administered the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE12.0D) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF36). A factor analysis was performed to verify the distribution of items into subscales. RESULTS: EDwell showed good test-retest reliability and internal consistency. EDwell scores significantly correlated with EDE12.0D total and subscale scores. A significant correlation was also found between several EDwell and SF36 scores. Factor analysis identified three factors: Perfectionism/Control, Loneliness/Avoidance, Social Functioning. CONCLUSIONS: The EDwell questionnaire is a feasible and reliable measure of the specific impact of Eating Disorders psychopathology on quality of life.

Has the prevalence of problematic social media use increased over the past seven years and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic? A meta-analysis of the studies published since the development of the Bergen social media addiction scale.

Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU) has been defined as the lack of regulation of one's use of social media associated with negative outcomes in everyday functioning. Previous meta-analyses reported PSMU prevalence before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and based the estimates on the cut-off scores, which are debatable in the current fields. The present meta-analysis aims to explore whether PSMU, as assessed by the most used self-report scale (i.e., the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale; BSMAS), increased across the world (i) since the first published study on this topic (i.e., in the last seven years), (ii) since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (iii) depending on age, gender and the income level of the countries. The meta-analysis involved 139 independent samples with 133,955 respondents from 32 countries spanning seven world regions. The results show that PSMU: (i) is significantly higher in low-income countries (LIC); (ii) did not increase in the last 7 years overall and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, except for LIC; (iii) did not vary depending on age and gender. The higher prevalence of PSMU reported during the COVID-19 pandemic by some single studies may have been a transient phenomenon to cope with physical distances in some countries, whilst, in others, an overall increase of PSMU occurred. High levels of PSMU in LIC might be explained based on socio-cultural differences between countries, but also with the higher prevalence of mental disorders in LIC since PSMU might be a symptom of other, more primary psychiatric disorders.

Evaluation of Human Gingival Fibroblasts (HGFs) Behavior on Innovative Laser Colored Titanium Surfaces.

The use of ytterbium laser to obtain colored titanium surfaces is a suitable strategy to improve the aesthetic soft tissue results and reduce implant failures in oral rehabilitation. To investigate the relationship between novel laser-colored surfaces and peri-implant soft tissues, Human Gingival Fibroblasts (HGFs) were cultured onto 12 colored titanium grade 1 light fuchsia, dark fuchsia, light gold, and dark gold disks and their viability (MTT Assay), cytotoxicity (lactate dehydrogenase release), and collagen I secretion were compared to the machined surface used as control. Optical and electronic microscopies showed a HGF growth directly correlated to the roughness and wettability of the colored surfaces. A higher viability percentage on dark fuchsia (125%) light gold (122%), and dark gold (119%) samples with respect to the machined surface (100%) was recorded. All specimens showed a statistically significant reduction of LDH release compared to the machined surface. Additionally, a higher collagen type I secretion, responsible for an improved adhesion process, in light fuchsia (3.95 µg/mL) and dark gold (3.61 µg/mL) compared to the machined surface (3.59 µg) was recorded. The in vitro results confirmed the innovative physical titanium improvements due to laser treatment and represent interesting perspectives of innovation in order to ameliorate aesthetic dental implant performance and to obtain more predictable osteo and perio-osteointegration long term implant prognosis.

Early-life exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of triclocarban impairs ocular development in zebrafish larvae.

Triclocarban (TCC), is an antimicrobial component in personal care products and it is one of the emerging contaminants since it has been detected in various environmental matrices. Its presence in human cord blood, breast milk, and maternal urine raised issues about its possible impact on development and increased concerns about the safety of daily exposure. This study aims to provide additional information about the effects of zebrafish early-life exposure to TCC on eye development and visual function. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to two concentrations of TCC (5 and 50 µg/L) for 4 days. TCC-mediated toxicity was assessed in larvae at the end of exposure and in the long term (20 days post fertilization; dpf), through different biological end-points. The experiments showed that TCC exposure influences the retinal architecture. In 4 dpf treated larvae, we found a less organized ciliary marginal zone, a decrease in the inner nuclear and inner plexiform layers, and a decrease in the retinal ganglion cell layer. Photoreceptor and inner plexiform layers showed an increase in 20 dpf larvae at lower and both concentrations, respectively. The expression levels of two genes involved in eye development (mitfb and pax6a) were both decreased at the concentration of 5 µg/L in 4 dpf larvae, and an increase in mitfb was observed in 5 µg/L-exposed 20 dpf larvae. Interestingly, 20 dpf larvae failed to discriminate between visual stimuli, demonstrating notable visual perception impairments due to compound. The results prompt us to hypothesize that early-life exposure to TCC may have severe and potentially long-term effect on zebrafish visual function.

Anorectic and bulimic patients suffer from relevant sexual dysfunctions.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual life is often impaired in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), and few studies have evaluated the possible relationships between body image concerns, eating disorder psychopathology, and sexual functioning in these syndromes. AIM: To evaluate sexual functioning in AN patients, BN patients, and healthy controls, and to define the predictors of sexual dysfunction in the AN and BN groups. METHODS: Eighty-eight eating disorders patients (44 AN, 44 BN) referring to the Outpatient Clinic for Eating Disorders of the University of Florence, and 72 healthy females were evaluated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The subjects were studied by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV, the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, the Emotional Eating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Spielberg's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and the Symptom Checklist 90. RESULTS: AN restricting/type patients had lower FSFI total scores (median; quartiles: 4.8; 2.1-15.4), compared with AN binge/purging type (28.3; 20.6-30.7) and BN patients (20.1; 3.8-30.3). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that shape concern was associated with sexual dysfunction in AN restricting type patients (ß=-0.61, P<0.01), whereas emotional eating (ß=-0.42, P<0.01), and subjective binge eating (ß=-0.55, P<0.01) were significantly associated with FSFI scores in AN binge/purging type and BN patients. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the sample size, the present results must be considered as preliminary. Sexual dysfunction was found to be a relevant concern in both AN and BN patients and was associated with different pathological eating behaviors. Sexual functioning should be carefully investigated in eating disorders patients, and treatments focused on shape concern, emotional eating, and binge eating could improve the sexual life of AN and BN patients.