Effects of decision making and impulsivity on the addictive features of non-suicidal self-injury behaviors in adolescents with depressive disorder.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behaviors pose a significant threat to the physical and psychological well-being of adolescents. Recent research suggests that persistent, uncontrollable and repetitive NSSI can be conceptualized as a behavioral addiction. The addictive feature of NSSI behavior can be assessed using Ottawa self-injury inventory (OSI), the higher addiction score indicates the more serious NSSI behavior. This study aims to explore the relationship of impulsivity and decision-making on the addictive features of NSSI in adolescents with depressive disorder, to explore the influencing factors of behavioral addictive features of NSSI and to predict the addictive features of NSSI. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 126 adolescent outpatients and inpatients with a mean age of 15.49 years old (M = 15.49, SD = 1.56), male students (n = 28, 22.2%) and female students (n = 98, 77.8%) diagnosed with depressive disorders were recruited according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and clinical interviews were completed by two psychiatrists. NSSI addictive features according to the OSI's addictive features items. The final group was categorized into three groups: depression without NSSI (n = 42), depression with NSSI without addictive features (n = 44), and depression with NSSI and addictive features (n = 40). The present study employed the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-24), Chinese Revised Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), OSI, and the Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Questionnaire (ANSSIQ). Cognitive decision-making abilities were assessed using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). RESULTS: The depression with NSSI addictive features group had significantly lower total net scores and net scores of block3, block4, and block5 in the IGT than the depression without NSSI group, whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the two in net scores of block1 and block2. Lower scores mean more unfavorable decisions and strategy adjustments. The addictive features of NSSI behaviors were significantly and positively correlated with the severity of NSSI behaviors, depression, and cognitive impulsiveness, and significantly and negatively correlated with the total net score of the IGT. The severity of NSSI behaviors, severity of depression, cognitive impulsiveness positively predicts the addictive features of NSSI behaviors, the total net score of the IGT negatively predicted the addictive features of NSSI behaviors. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with depressive disorders with NSSI behavioral addictive features had higher severity of depression, exhibited higher cognitive impulsivity, and made more unfavorable decisions when making choices.

The impact of sleep quality on emotion regulation difficulties in adolescents: a chained mediation model involving daytime dysfunction, social exclusion, and self-control.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have revealed associations between sleep quality and mental health, yet the comprehensive role of sleep quality, daytime dysfunction, social exclusion, and self-control in difficulties with emotion regulation remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate how sleep quality affects emotion regulation difficulties among middle school students through pathways involving daytime dysfunction, social exclusion, and self-control, thereby providing a more comprehensive theoretical basis for mental health interventions. METHODS: Utilizing the pittsburgh sleep quality index, the adolescent social exclusion scale, the brief self-control scale, and emotion regulation scale-short form, we assessed 1067 students randomly selected from four middle schools from October to November 2023. After the removal of extreme values (those exceeding 3 standard deviations), 806 students were retained for data analysis. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that poor sleep quality significantly contributes to increased daytime dysfunction(ß = 0.86, SE = 0.07, p < .001), which in turn affects social exclusion(ß = 0.60, SE = 0.16, p < 0 0.001), self-control abilities(ß = 1.27, SE = 0.16, p < .001) and emotion regulation difficulties(ß = 1.56, SE = 0.30, p < .001). Social exclusion mediates the relationship between sleep quality and emotion regulation difficulties(Estimate = 0.11, SE = 0.04, 95% CI [0.04, 0.20] ). CONCLUSION: The aim of this study is to provide new insights into the development of effective intervention measures to improve sleep and mental health in adolescents.

Effects of different interventions on internet addiction: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Globally, Internet is a recognized form of leisure, but there are growing apprehensions about the increasing number of individuals developing an addiction to it. Recent research has focused on social issues associated with internet addiction (IA). However, the treatment of IA is currently unclear. This study aimed to explore the relationship between IA treatment outcomes and different intervention strategies through systematic review and data analysis of patients who received different intervention modes. METHODS: A meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 14.2 on 57 literature research data from five Chinese and English databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang and CNKI. RESULT: A total of 57 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this network meta-analysis involving 3538 IA patients and 13 different interventions. The network meta-analysis results demonstrated that the top four interventions were: rTMS + CBT, drug + others, rTMS, and electro-acupuncture + CBT. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that comprehensive therapy had an optimal therapeutic effect on IA patients and rTMS + CBT ranked first among all therapeutic indicators of intervention, indicating optimal clinical effectiveness.

Association of internet gaming disorder with impulsivity: role of risk preferences.

BACKGROUND: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a formal mental disorder leading to personal and social impairment. Although it shares similar physical and psychosocial effects to substance use disorder, the psychological mechanisms underlying IGD remain unclear, although several researches have made significant contributions to its understanding. This study aims to elucidate the correlation between IGD, impulsive personality and risk preference of medical college students in China, from a questionnaire-based investigation. METHODS: Based on the cluster random sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among medical college students in Northern Anhui, China from September 3 to October 27, 2020. The questionnaires included the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale (IGD-20), Chinese revised of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale Version 11 (BIS-11), and risk appetite index (RPI). Perform independent sample t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and moderating effect analysis using SPSS 23.0. P < 0. 05 is considered statistically significant. RESULTS: 624 participants completed the survey, including 257 males (41.19%) and 367 females (58.81%). All participants were between 18 and 24 years. We found that in IGD and its six different dimensions and RPI, males scored significantly higher than females. Additionally, our finding revealed there is statistical significance in IGD and impulsiveness between gaming group with game time greater than or equal to 4 h and non-gaming group. The IGD and its six different dimensions, among which all except for mood modification are positively correlated with impulsiveness and RPI. Mediating effects indicate that RPI plays a partial mediating role between motor impulsiveness and IGD. CONCLUSION: The findings shows that there is a certain relationship between impulsivity and RPI, as well as IGD and its dimensions. RPI may be a mediator between impulsivity and IGD, and men have higher IGD. The findings supported the compensatory hypothesis. These findings may contribute to further research and development of intervention and prevention measures for IGD.

The effect of childhood trauma on depression in college students: A moderated mediation model.

OBJECTIVE: Childhood trauma is considered as a critical risk factor for depression. Although many studies have investigated the pathway of Childhood trauma to depression, especially the mediating or moderating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies or neuroticism or stress perception, the results were inconsistent and the underlying psychological mechanisms of depression remain unclear. This study aims to explore the influence and mechanism of childhood trauma on depression in college students, and establish a full model among these interactive factors. METHODS: 1272 college students were surveyed using the childhood trauma questionnaire (CTQ), short version of center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D), Chinese perceived stress scale (CPSS), neuroticism extraversion openness five-factor inventory (NEO-FFI), and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ). RESULTS: (1) Childhood trauma, neuroticism, stress perception, and maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies were all significantly and positively correlated with depression among college students; (2) Stress perception and neuroticism act as a chain mediator between childhood trauma and depression in college students. (3) Maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies play a moderating role in "childhood trauma-neuroticism-depression". CONCLUSION: Childhood trauma increases the risk of depression in college students by affecting neuroticism and stress perception, and high levels of maladaptive cognitive emotion regulation strategies link neuroticism and enhance the effect of childhood trauma on depression in college students.

Predictive role of impulsivity, anxiety, and depression in the efficacy of intermittent theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation modalities for treating methamphetamine use disorder: A randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) can cause impulsive behavior, anxiety, and depression. Stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in MUD patients by intermittent theta burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTBS-rTMS) is effective in reducing cravings, impulsive behavior, anxiety, and depression. The purpose of this study was to explore whether these psychological factors helped to predict MUD patients' responses to iTBS-rTMS treatment. METHODS: Fifty MUD patients and sixty healthy subjects matched for general conditions were used as study subjects. The study randomly divided MUD patients into iTBS-rTMS and sham stimulation groups and received 20 sessions of real or sham iTBS-rTMS treatment, and the study collected cue-related evoked craving data before and after treatment. All subjects completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS). RESULTS: The MUD patients showed significantly higher levels of impulsivity, anxiety, and depression than the healthy subjects. The MUD patients who received the real treatment had significantly lower impulsivity, anxiety, and depression scores, and better treatment effects on cravings than the sham stimulation group. The Spearman rank correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the baseline BIS-11 and the reduction rate (RR) of BIS-11 and RR of SDS were positively correlated with the decrease in cravings in the iTBS-rTMS group. ROC curve analysis showed that RR of SDS (AUC = 91.6 %; 95 % CI = 0.804-1.000) had predictive power to iTBS- rTMS therapeutic efficacy, the cutoff value is 15.102 %. CONCLUSIONS: iTBS-rTMS had a good therapeutic effect in MUD patients and the baseline impulsivity, the improved depression and impulsivity were associated with therapeutic effect of iTBS-rTMS. The improved depression had the potential to predict the efficacy of the iTBS-rTMS modality for MUD treatment.

p-Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway Involved in Methamphetamine-induced Executive Dysfunction through Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis in the Dorsal Striatum.

Methamphetamine (METH) abuse is known to cause executive dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanism underlying METH induced executive dysfunction remains unclear. Go/NoGo experiment was performed in mice to evaluate METH-induced executive dysfunction. Immunoblot analysis of Nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), phosphorylated Nrf2 (p-Nrf2), heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1), Glucose Regulated Protein 78(GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), Bcl-2, Bax and Caspase3 was performed to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis in the dorsal striatum (Dstr). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was conducted to evaluate the level of oxidative stress. TUNEL staining was conducted to detect apoptotic neurons. The animal Go/NoGo testing confirmed that METH abuse impaired the inhibitory control ability of executive function. Meanwhile, METH down-regulated the expression of p-Nrf2, HO-1 and GSH-Px and activated ER stress and apoptosis in the Dstr. Microinjection of Tert-butylhydroxyquinone (TBHQ), an Nrf2 agonist, into the Dstr increased the expression of p-Nrf2, HO-1, and GSH-Px, ameliorated ER stress, apoptosis and executive dysfunction caused by METH. Our results indicated that the p-Nrf2/HO-1 pathway was potentially involved in mediating methamphetamine-induced executive dysfunction by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in the dorsal striatum.

High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reduces drug craving and improves decision-making ability in methamphetamine use disorder.

Methamphetamine abuse is escalating worldwide. Its strong and irreversible neurotoxicity generally causes structural and functional changes in the brain. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a non-invasive tool can be used to modulate neuronal activity, cortical excitability, and dopaminergic neurotransmission. This study aims to explore the efficacy of high-frequency rTMS in reducing drug craving and increasing decision-making ability for methamphetamine use disorder patients. Sixty-four methamphetamine use disorder patients were randomized to sham rTMS group and 10-Hz rTMS group. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Iowa game test (IGT) were used to evaluate drug craving and cognitive decision-making ability before and after treatment. Before the treatment, the two groups had no differences in the scores of VAS and IGT. After the intervention, VAS scores of 10-Hz rTMS group were significantly lower than that of sham rTMS group. In addition, the two groups had significant differences in the net score of IGT on block 4 and block 5, which favoured the 10-Hz rTMS group. Taken together, the present results suggest that High-frequency rTMS can be used to reduce drug craving and improve decision-making function for methamphetamine use disorder.

Titanium complex with an [OSSO]-type bis(phenolate) ligand for ethylene copolymerization with vinyl polar monomer based on group protection.

The [OSSO]-type bis(phenolate) titanium complex 1 activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO) was tested as a homogeneous catalyst for ethylene coordination copolymerization with protected vinyl polar monomer of p-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyloxystyrene (p-TBDMSOS). The results showed that the active species were almost not poisonous to the catalyst by the protected vinyl polar monomer. Moreover, the composition and sequence length as well as sequence distribution in the copolymers were investigated by theoretical calculation and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) characterization. Especially, the incorporation ratio of p-TBDMSOS into the polyethylene chain could be controlled by changing p-TBDMSOS concentration in the feed. Interestingly, an approximate alternating copolymer of poly(E-alt-(p-TBDMSOS)) could be formed when the p-TBDMSOS feed concentration increased to 1.0 mol L-1. Subsequently, the poly(ethylene-co-(p-hydroxystyrene)) (poly(E-co-(p-HOS))) could be prepared by a facile deprotection in terms of desilylation of tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether. The hydrophilicity of poly(E-co-(p-HOS)) films were investigated by water contact angle measurements.

The influences of electronic effect and isomerization of salalen titanium(iv) complexes on ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane.

Herein, two salalen titanium(iv) complexes were synthesized and characterized. These complexes coexisted as two isomers in certain conditions and underwent isomerization, as evidenced by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the molar ratio of the two isomers ranged from 100 : 15 at 30 °C to 100 : 34 at 120 °C, driven by thermal energy, based on variable temperature 1H NMR characterization. Both complexes were employed as catalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO). The influence of the electronic effects of different substituent groups at the ortho position of the phenolate on ethylene polymerization behaviors, molecular weight and molecular weight distributions of the resulting polyethylene was investigated. The fluorinated salalen titanium(iv) complex revealed relatively high catalytic activity and thermal stability owing to the electron-withdrawing inductive effect. Moreover, disentangled linear polyethylene with ultrahigh molecular weight (M w up to 3000 kDa) and narrow molecular weight distribution (M w/M n ∼ 2) was obtained in the polymerization temperature range of 30 °C to 50 °C.

A novel FK506 loaded nanomicelles consisting of amino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(D,L)-lactic acid and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for ocular drug delivery.

FK506 (tacrolimus) is an effective immunosuppressant, but its poor water solubility and low bioavailability impose barriers to ocular drug delivery. The nanomicelles (NMs) formulations comprised of amino-terminated poly(ethylene glycol-block-poly(D,L)-lactic acid) (NH2-PEG-b-PLA) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were developed to increase the penetration of hydrophobic drugs in the eye and enhance the drug bioavailability for ocular disorder therapy. Spherical FK506/NH2-PEG-b-PLA/HPMC NMs with mean diameter of 101.4 ±â€¯1.3 nm were prepared by solvent-evaporation-induced self-assembly in aqueous solution. The NMs that sufficiently solubilized FK506 were evaluated in terms of stability, drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, surface tension, cellular cytotoxicity and in vitro release, and the results revealed the NMs were suitable for intraocular drug delivery. Compared with the 0.05% FK506 suspension drops, the in vitro permeation amount of FK506 from NMs exhibited significant increase. Besides, the higher concentration and longer retention of FK506 in ocular tissue were also confirmed in vivo. Furthermore, the FK506/NH2-PEG-b-PLA/HPMC NMs obviously inhibited the allograft rejection after corneal transplantation in rats. In conclusion, FK506/NH2-PEG-b-PLA/HPMC NMs formulations as a promising ocular drug delivery system would be able to improve the bioavailability and efficacy of FK506 in anti-allograft rejection.

Co-delivery of metformin and levofloxacin hydrochloride using biodegradable thermosensitive hydrogel for the treatment of corneal neovascularization.

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is one of the major causes of severe disorders in ocular surface. Subconjunctival administration provides a localized and effective delivery of anti-angiogenic agents to inhibit neovascularization. In the present study, the ABA triblock copolymer of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) was used as a sustained drug delivery carrier for metformin (MET) and levofloxacin hydrochloride (LFH). Both drugs and PLGA-PEG-PLGA copolymers could be easily dissolved in water at low or room temperature and the mixed solution could form a drug-loaded thermosensitive hydrogel in terms of body temperature response. The in vitro release investigation displayed a sustained release of MET and LFH from the formulation for one month. The in vivo efficacy of subconjunctival injection of the MET + LFH loaded thermosensitive hydrogel in inhibiting CNV was evaluated on a mouse model of corneal alkali burn. Compared with the single administration of MET or LFH loaded thermosensitive hydrogel, the MET + LFH loaded thermosensitive hydrogel remarkably inhibited the formation of CNV. The sustained release of MET and an antibiotic (LFH) provides synergistic therapeutic outcome. As a result, the co-delivery of MET and LFH using PLGA-PEG-PLGA thermosensitive hydrogel by subconjunctival injection has great potential for ocular anti-angiogenic therapy.