Evidence for default mode network dysfunction in borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Although executive and other cognitive deficits have been found in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD), whether these have brain functional correlates has been little studied. This study aimed to examine patterns of task-related activation and de-activation during the performance of a working memory task in patients with the disorder. METHODS: Sixty-seven DSM-IV BPD patients and 67 healthy controls underwent fMRI during the performance of the n-back task. Linear models were used to obtain maps of within-group activations and areas of differential activation between the groups. RESULTS: On corrected whole-brain analysis, there were no activation differences between the BPD patients and the healthy controls during the main 2-back v. baseline contrast, but reduced activation was seen in the precentral cortex bilaterally and the left inferior parietal cortex in the 2-back v. 1-back contrast. The patients showed failure of de-activation affecting the medial frontal cortex and the precuneus, plus in other areas. The changes did not appear to be attributable to previous history of depression, which was present in nearly half the sample. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was some, though limited, evidence for lateral frontal hypoactivation in BPD during the performance of an executive task. BPD also appears to be associated with failure of de-activation in key regions of the default mode network.

Effects of a cognitive stimulation program on psychological well-being in a sample of elderly long-term care hospital inpatients.

OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of this work is to report the observed changes in psychological well-being in a sample of long-term medically hospitalized patients, after attending a cognitive stimulation program. The secondary aim is to determine if the observed changes were related to previous cognitive level. METHODS: Inclusion criteria for study participation were to be a long-term care hospital inpatient, to be 65 years old or older, and to be cognitively preserved or with mild cognitive impairment. A total of 176 participants were included and distributed in two groups: Cognitive Stimulation Group (N = 123) and Non-Cognitive Stimulation Group (N = 53). Measures were applied just before the beginning of the program and just when it finished, two months later. Participants of the Non-Cognitive Stimulation Group were re-assessed again after two months. RESULTS: No differences were found between the two groups in the measures assessed at baseline. After treatment, participants of the Cognitive Stimulation Group improved significantly more in psychological well-being (p < .001) than the ones of the Non-Cognitive Stimulation Group. When unimpaired and mild cognitively impaired participants of the Cognitive Stimulation Group were studied separately, both groups improved their psychological well-being, but the unimpaired experienced a greater effect. CONCLUSION: Cognitive stimulation plays a role in the improvement of psychological well-being of elderly medically hospitalized patients unimpaired or with mild cognitive impairment. The improvements in psychological well-being were related to the previous cognitive status and to the number of sessions that had been attended.

Structural and magnetic diversity based on different imidazolate linkers in Cu(II)-azido coordination compounds.

This Article reports the syntheses, structural characterization, and magnetic studies of four different Cu(II)-azido compounds based on imidazole or substituted imidazole ligand. The compounds, [Cu2(µ1,1-N3)2(EtimiH)4(ClO4)2] (1) (EtimiH = 2-ethylimidazole), [Cu2(µ-Meimi(-))(MeimiH)2(µ1,1-N3)2(µ1,3-N3)]n (2) (MeimiH = 2-methylimidazole; µ-Meimi(-) is the bridging mononegative anion of 2-methylimidazole), [Cu2(µ-imi(-))(imiH)2(µ1,1-N3)2(µ1,3-N3)]n (3), and [{Cu2(µ1,1-N3)2(µ1,3-N3)(µ-imi(-))(imiH)3}·H2O]n (4) (imiH = imidazole; µ-imi(-) = bridging mononegative anion of imidazole), have been synthesized by the self-assembly of Cu(II) salts, azide ion, and the corresponding imidazole bridging ligands. By changing the substitution on the second linker (imidazole or substituted imidazole) and varying synthetic conditions, diverse structural and magnetic features have been achieved in compounds 1-4. Compound 1 has a double end-on azido bridged dinuclear core, while the other compounds (2-4) have 2D networks. Compound 2 and 3 contain 1D chains with alternate µ1,1-N3 and µ-Meimi(-) bridging, and such chains are further connected through a µ1,3-N3 bridge to result in the formation of the 2D network. Compound 4 is a novel 2D coordination polymer consisting of a zigzag 1D coordination chain having (µ1,1-N3)2, µ-imi(-), and (µ1,3-N3)2 bridging groups and the chains undergo bridging through a µ1,3-N3 group resulting in the 2D network. Temperature dependent magnetic measurements show diverse magnetic properties of 1-4. Such versatile magnetic behaviors have been correlated to the respective bridging mode of azide and the corresponding imidazole bridging ligands.

A review of the value of point-of-care testing for community-acquired pneumonia.

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an infectious disease associated with high mortality worldwide. Although Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most frequent pathogen in CAP, data from recent studies using molecular tests have shown that respiratory viruses play a key role in adults with pneumonia. The impact of difficult-to-treat pathogens on the outcomes of pneumonia is also important even though they represent only a small proportion of overall cases. Despite improvements in the microbiological diagnosis of CAP in recent decades, the identification of the causative pathogen is often delayed because of difficulties in obtaining good-quality sputum samples, issues in transporting samples, and slow laboratory processes. Therefore, the initial treatment of CAP is usually empirical. Point-of-care testing (POCT) was introduced to avoid treatment delays and reduce reliance on empirical antibiotics. AREAS COVERED: This review summarizes the main scientific evidence on the role of POCT in the diagnosis and management of patients with CAP. The authors searched for articles on POCT in pneumonia on PubMed from inception to 20 January 2024. The references in the identified articles were also searched. EXPERT OPINION: POCT involves rapid diagnostic assays that can be performed at the bedside especially in cases of severe CAP and immunocompromised patients. These tests can produce results that could help guide initial therapy and management.

A heterometallic (Ni(II)-Cu(II)) decanuclear cluster containing two distorted cubane-like pentanuclear cores: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties.

A new heterometallic Ni(II)-Cu(II) decanuclear cluster, {[Ni(4)Cu(6)(µ-OH(2))(2)(dpkO(2))(8)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(4)]·2CH(3)OH·17H(2)O} (1), has been synthesized by self-assembly of the constituent metal ions and the precursor di-2-pyridylketone (dpk) of multinucleating ligand dpkO(2)(2-) and is structurally characterized. The cluster 1 is formed by the union of two symmetry-related distorted cubane-like pentanuclear cores. A magnetic study of 1 reveals strong antiferromagnetic interactions operating through the Ni-O-Ni pathway, which is independent of the assumption D = 0 or D ≠ 0. The pentanuclear cores are ferromagnetically coupled, as supported by density functional theory calculations.

Compulsive Sexual Behavior Online and Non-online in Adult Male Patients and Healthy Controls: Comparison in Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Personality Variables.

Background and Aims: Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control sexual impulses, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior over a prolonged period that causes marked discomfort in personal, family, social, school, work or in other functional areas. The evolution of the worldwide incidence of this disorder warrants further studies focused on examining the characteristics of the affected people. The purpose of this study was to compare online compulsive sexual behavior (when the problematic sexual practices were online) and non-online compulsive sexual behavior (when the problematic sexual practices were in-person) patients (OCSB and non-OCSB, respectively), and healthy controls in terms of sexual behavior, sociodemographic variables and psychopathology and personality characteristics. Method: A sample of 80 CSB male patients consecutively admitted to our Behavioral Addictions Unit and 25 healthy male controls, participated in the study. The CSB group was comprised by 36 online CSB patients (mean age 42.25, SD: 10.0) and 44 non-online CSB patients (mean age 43.5, SD: 11.9). Scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, Symptom CheckList-90 Items-Revised, State-Trait Anxiety Index, and additional demographic, clinical, and social/family variables related to sexual behaviors between the three groups were compared. Results: When compared with healthy controls, both clinical groups showed higher psychopathology in all measures as well as higher harm avoidance and self-transcendence and lower self-directness and cooperativeness. When comparing OCSB and non-OCSB patients, results showed that non-OCSB patients exhibited higher prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, higher percentage of homosexual and bisexual orientation and higher scores in anxiety and in sexual impulse control failure. Conclusion: Both online and non-online CSB patients may experience a variety of comorbid psychological and medical problems. Patients with non-OCSB may suffer more consequences that are negative. Therefore, these results should be considered when designing the most convenient therapeutic approach. Whether sexual orientation plays a role in treatment needs and treatment response in CSB, should be further explored in future studies.

A 3D Cu(II) coordination framework with µ4-/µ2-oxalato anions and a bent dipyridyl coligand: unique zeolite-type NiP2 topological network and magnetic properties.

The reaction of copper(II) nitrate, oxamide, and an angular bridging ligand 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (4-bpo) under hydrothermal conditions affords a 3D pillared-layer coordination framework {[Cu(2)(4-bpo)(ox)(2)](H(2)O)(4)}(n) (1) (ox = oxalate), featuring the unique zeolite-type NiP(2) network and interesting properties.

Discrete tetrairon(III) cluster exhibiting a square-planar Fe4(mu4-O) core: structural and magnetic properties.

The aerobic reaction of the Schiff-base ligand N-(benzimidazol-2-yl)salicylaldimine (Hbisi) with iron(II) perchlorate in methanol leads to the formation of the remarkable coordination compound [Fe(4)(mu(4)-O)(mu-MeO)(4)(bisi)(4)](ClO(4))(2) x 4 MeOH (1), whose single-crystal X-ray structure reveals the presence of a discrete Fe(III)(4)(mu(4)-O) core. Magnetic and Mossbauer studies both show that the exchange interaction within the square tetranuclear iron(III) unit is dominated by the central bridging mu(4)-oxido ligand, the involvement of the mu-methoxido bridges being negligible.

Unprecedented marriage of a cationic pentanuclear cluster and a 2D polymeric anionic layer based on a flexible tripodal ligand and a Cu(II) ion.

The anionic CdI(2)-type topological net, [Cu(2)(tci)(2)](2-), and the pentanuclear copper cluster cation [Cu(5)(tci)(2)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(8)](2+) [tci = tris(2-carboxyethyl)isocyanurate] form a complementary 3D supramolecular framework. Interestingly, there exist centrosymmetric cyclic (H(2)O)(18) clusters in the cavities.

Internet Gaming Disorder Clustering Based on Personality Traits in Adolescents, and Its Relation with Comorbid Psychological Symptoms.

In recent years, the evidence regarding Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) suggests that some personality traits are important risk factors for developing this problem. The heterogeneity involved in problematic online gaming and differences found in the literature regarding the comorbid psychopathology associated with the problem could be explained through different types of gamers. Clustering analysis can allow organization of a collection of personality traits into clusters based on similarity. The objectives of this study were: (1) to obtain an empirical classification of IGD patients according to personality variables and (2) to describe the resultant groups in terms of clinical and sociodemographic variables. The sample included 66 IGD adolescent patients who were consecutive referrals at a mental health center in Barcelona, Spain. A Gaussian mixture model cluster analysis was used in order to classify the subjects based on their personality. Two clusters based on personality traits were detected: type I "higher comorbid symptoms" (n = 24), and type II "lower comorbid symptoms" (n = 42). The type I included higher scores in introversive, inhibited, doleful, unruly, forceful, oppositional, self-demeaning and borderline tendency traits, and lower scores in histrionic, egotistic and conforming traits. The type I obtained higher scores on all the Symptom Check List-90 items-Revised, all the State-Trait Anxiety Index scales, and on the DSM-5 IGD criteria. Differences in personality can be useful in determining clusters with different types of dysfunctionality.

Association between Internet Gaming Disorder or Pathological Video-Game Use and Comorbid Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Review.

The addictive use of video games is recognized as a problem with clinical relevance and is included in international diagnostic manuals and classifications of diseases. The association between "Internet addiction" and mental health has been well documented across a range of investigations. However, a major drawback of these studies is that no controls have been placed on the type of Internet use investigated. The aim of this study is to review systematically the current literature in order to explore the association between Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and psychopathology. An electronic literature search was conducted using PubMed, PsychINFO, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and Google Scholar (r.n. CRD42018082398). The effect sizes for the observed correlations were identified or computed. Twenty-four articles met the eligibility criteria. The studies included comprised 21 cross-sectional and three prospective designs. Most of the research was conducted in Europe. The significant correlations reported comprised: 92% between IGD and anxiety, 89% with depression, 85% with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and 75% with social phobia/anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Most of the studies reported higher rates of IGD in males. The lack of longitudinal studies and the contradictory results obtained prevent detection of the directionality of the associations and, furthermore, show the complex relationship between both phenomena.

Internet Gaming Disorder in Adolescents: Personality, Psychopathology and Evaluation of a Psychological Intervention Combined With Parent Psychoeducation.

Internet Gaming Disorder is an increasingly prevalent disorder, which can have severe consequences in affected young people and in their families. There is an urgent need to improve existing treatment programs; these are currently hampered by the lack of research in this area. It is necessary to more carefully define the symptomatic, psychosocial and personality characterization of these patients and the interaction between treatment and relevant variables. The objectives of this study were three: (1) to analyze the symptomatic and personality profiles of young patients with Internet Gaming Disorder in comparison with healthy controls; (2) to analyze the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral treatment on reducing symptomatology; and (3) to compare the results of that treatment with or without the addition of a psychoeducational group offered to the parents. The final sample consisted of 30 patients consecutively admitted to a specialized mental health unit in Spain, and 30 healthy controls. The experimental group received individual cognitive-behavioral therapy. The experimental group was divided into two subgroups (N = 15), depending on the addition or not of a psychoeducational group for their parents (consecutively admitted). Scores on the Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory (MACI), the Symptom Checklist-Revised (SCL-90-R), the State-Trait Anxiety Index (STAI), and other clinical and psychopathological measures were recorded. The patients were re-assessed post treatment (except for the MACI questionnaire). Compared with healthy controls, patients did not differ in symptomatology at baseline, but scored significantly higher in the personality scales: Introversive and Inhibited, and in the expressed concerns scales: Identity Confusion, Self-Devaluation, and Peer Insecurity and scored significantly lower in the Histrionic and Egotistic scale. In the experimental group, pre-post changes differed statistically on SCL-90-R scales Hostility, Psychoticism, and Global Severity Index and on the diagnostic criteria for Internet Gaming Disorder, regardless of the addition of a psychoeducational group for parents. Pre-post changes did not differ between experimental subgroups. However, the subgroup without psychoeducation for parents presented statistically higher drop-out rates during treatment. The results of this study are based on a sample of patients seeking treatment related to problems with online gaming, therefore, they may be of value for similar patients.

Orbitofrontal overactivation in reward processing in borderline personality disorder: the role of non-suicidal self-injury.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a disabling and difficult-to-treat mental disease. One of its core features is a significant difficulty in affect regulation, which is often accompanied by Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI). It is suggested that this type of behavior elicits positive emotions and mitigates emotional distress, and therefore can ultimately be reinforced and promoted. In spite of the high prevalence of NSSI behaviors (also in non-BPD samples), their role in modulating reward-related processes has not yet been investigated in BPD patients. In the present study, this lack of research was addressed. A large sample of BPD patients (N = 40), divided into two groups depending on the presence of NSSI, and a group of matched healthy controls underwent functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) while performing a gambling task. Patients who committed NSSI acts exhibited enhanced activation of the orbitofrontal cortex following an unexpected reward, when compared with controls and BPD patients with no NSSI behavior. In addition, the NSSI group showed diminished functional connectivity between the left orbitofrontal cortex and the right parahippocampal gyrus. These findings might suggest impaired ability to update reward associations of potential choices when both BPD and NSSI are present. We propose that the presence of NSSI involves alterations in the reward system independently of BPD, and thus can be considered as a possible phenotype for reward-related alterations.

Abnormalities in gray matter volume in patients with borderline personality disorder and their relation to lifetime depression: A VBM study.

BACKGROUND: Structural imaging studies of borderline personality disorder (BPD) have found regions of reduced cortical volume, but these have varied considerably across studies. Reduced hippocampus and amygdala volume have also been a regular finding in studies using conventional volumetric measurement. How far comorbid major depression, which is common in BPD and can also affect in brain structure, influences the findings is not clear. METHODS: Seventy-six women with BPD and 76 matched controls were examined using whole-brain voxel-based morphometry (VBM). The hippocampus and amygdala were also measured, using both conventional volume measurement and VBM within a mask restricted to these two subcortical structures. Lifetime history of major depression was assessed using structured psychiatric interview. RESULTS: At a threshold of p = 0.05 corrected, the BPD patients showed clusters of volume reduction in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex bilaterally and in the pregenual/subgenual medial frontal cortex. There was no evidence of volume reductions in the hippocampus or amygdala, either on conventional volumetry or using VBM masked to these regions. Instead there was evidence of right-sided enlargement of these structures. No significant structural differences were found between patients with and without lifetime major depression. CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, BPD is characterized by a restricted pattern of cortical volume reduction involving the dorsolateral frontal cortex and the medial frontal cortex, both areas of potential relevance for the clinical features of the disorder. Previous findings concerning reduced hippocampus and amygdala volume in the disorder are not supported. Brain structural findings in BPD do not appear to be explainable on the basis of history of associated lifetime major depression.

Magnetic canting or not? Two isomorphous 3D CoII and NiII coordination polymers with the rare non-interpenetrated (10,3)-d topological network, showing spin-canted antiferromagnetism only in the CoII system.

The in situ solvothermal reaction of 3,4-dicyano-1,2,5-thiadiazole with MCl(2) (M = Co, Ni) and NaOH afforded two isomorphous complexes, [M2(L)2(H(2)O)2]n (L = 2,1,3-thiadiazole-4,5-dicarboxylate), which exhibit a rare non-interpenetrated (10,3)-d (utp) network topology and interesting magnetic behaviors: spin-canted antiferromagnetism for the Co(II) complex, but simple antiferromagnetic coupling for the Ni(II).

Exploring the relationship between non suicidal self-injury and borderline personality traits in young adults.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is highly prevalent during late adolescence and young adulthood. There is some evidence of a link between NSSI and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but little is known about the association between BPD traits and the various functions that maintain NSSI. The main purpose of this study was to explore the association between borderline personality traits and NSSI functions in a sample of college students. We also compared NSSI functions in college students who engaged in NSSI to those in an age-matched sample of BPD patients. This study included a total of 238 college students and 36 BPD patients. Participants were asked to complete a number of clinical measures. In the non-clinical sample, BPD features were more pronounced in the presence of NSSI, and we observed a differential relationship between NSSI functions and psychopathological BPD-traits. The NSSI clinical variables most strongly associated with BPD were frequency, variety of methods and severity, but not age of onset. Our results provide new information on the relationship between BPD and NSSI in young adults, and could be used to improve the early detection of vulnerable BPD-individuals and in planning NSSI treatment.

Competing magnetic interactions in a dinuclear Ni(II) complex: antiferromagnetic O-H...O moiety and ferromagnetic N3- ligand.

Synthesis, structural characteristics, magnetic studies and DFT calculations in Ni(II) dinuclear complexes containing two bridging N3- and an O-H...O linkage reveal the existence of ferromagnetic interactions between Ni(II) centers via N3- ligands and antiferromagnetic interactions through the H-bonded moiety. The overall magnetic behavior of the system depends on the delicate balance between these two competing interactions.

An azido-metal-isonicotinate complex showing long-range ordered ferromagnetic interaction: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties.

A new 3D Cu(II) complex [Cu1.5(N3)2(isonicotinate)]n [1], which features two types of bridging modes for azide (mu(1,1) and the rare asymmetric mu(1,1,3)) where the three bonds of the mu(1,1,3)-N3(-) group to Cu exhibit three different distances, has been synthesized and characterized, and magnetic measurements indicate that [1] experiences long-range ferromagnetic ordering at approximately 6 K.

A discrete Cu cluster and a 3D MnII-CuII framework based on assembly of Mn2Cu4 clusters: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties.

The synthesis, single-crystal structure characterization and detailed magnetic study of a homometallic hexanuclear CuII cluster [Cu6(µ3-OH)2(ppk)6(H2O)2(NO3)4] (1) and a three-dimensional (3D) compound [{MnCu2(dpkO2H)2(dpkO2)N3}·(NO3)·H2O]n (2) (ppk = phenyl-2-pyridyl ketoxime; dpk = di-2-pyridyl ketone) consisting of heterometallic MnII-CuII hexanuclear cores as secondary building units are reported in this paper. In compound 1, two symmetry-related Cu3 triangles consisting of a hydroxido-bridged trinuclear unit, [Cu3(µ3-OH)(ppk)3(H2O)(NO3)]+, are assembled through nitrate bridging giving rise to the homometallic Cu6 cluster. Compound 2 contains heterometallic {MnCu} cores, which are further connected to each other through an azido bridging ligand in all the crystallographic directions, resulting in a 3D metal-organic framework. Construction of such a heterometallic 3D framework from {MnCu} units is until now, unknown. Magnetic studies of both 1 and 2 were performed in detail and both compounds show dominant antiferromagnetic interaction in the respective clusters. Compound 1 reveals significant spin frustration and anti-symmetric exchange interaction in the trinuclear cores, with a significantly high value of Jav (-655 cm-1). Furthermore, compound 2 exhibits a dominant antiferromagnetic interaction, which is also supported by an extensive magneto-structural correlation which considers the different magnetic pathways.