Structural Control Enables Catalytic and Electrocatalytic Activity of Porous Tetrametallic Nanorods.

Integrating more than one type of metal into a nanoparticle that has a well-defined morphology and composition expands the functionalities of nanocatalysts. For a metal core/porous multimetallic shell nanoparticle, the availability of catalytically active surface sites and molecular mass transport can be enhanced, and the multielemental synergy can facilitate intraparticle charge transport. In this work, a reliable and robust synthesis of such a functional tetrametallic nanoparticle type is presented, where a micro- and mesoporous PdPtIr shell is grown on Au nanorods. The effect of critical synthesis parameters, namely temperature and the addition of HCl are investigated on the hydrodynamic size of the micellar pore template as well as on the stability of the metal chloride complexes and various elemental analysis techniques prove composition of the porous multimetallic shell. Due to the synergistic properties, the tetrametallic nanorods possess extensive negative surface charge making them a promising catalyst in reduction reactions. Dye degradation as well as the conversion of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol is catalyzed by the supportless nanorods without light illumination. By depositing the particles onto conductive substrates, the nanostructured electrodes show promising electrocatalytic activity in ethanol oxidation reaction. The nanocatalyst presents excellent morphological stability during all the catalytic test reactions.

Amorphous, Carbonated Calcium Phosphate and Biopolymer-Composite-Coated Si3N4/MWCNTs as Potential Novel Implant Materials.

A biodegradable amorphous carbonated calcium phosphate (caCP)-incorporated polycaprolactone (PCL) composite layer was successfully deposited by a spin coater. In this specific coating, the PCL acts as a bioadhesive, since it provides a better adherence of the coatings to the substrate compared to powder coatings. The caCP-PCL coatings were deposited and formed thin layers on the surface of a Si3N4-3 wt% MWCNT (multiwalled carbon nanotube) substrate, which is an emerging type of implant material in the biomedical field. The composite coatings were examined regarding their morphology, structure and biological performance. The biocompatibility of the samples was tested in vitro with MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast cells. Owing to the caCP-PCL thin layer, the cell viability values were considerably increased compared to the substrate material. The ALP and LDH tests showed numerous living cells on the investrigated coatings. The morphology of the MC3T3-E1 cells was examined by fluorescent staining (calcein and DAPI) and scanning electron microscopy, both of which revealed a well-spread, adhered and confluent monolayer of cells. All performed biocompatibility tests were positive and indicated the applicability of the deposited thin composite layers as possible candidates for orthopaedic implants for an extended period.

Simultaneous Comparisons of 25 Acute Migraine Medications Based on 10 Million Users' Self-Reported Records From a Smartphone Application.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many acute treatment options exist for migraine. However, large-scale, head-to-head comparisons of treatment effectiveness from real-world patient experience reports are lacking. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of 10,842,795 migraine attack records extracted from an e-diary smartphone application between June 30, 2014, and July 2, 2020. We analyzed 25 acute medications among 7 classes-acetaminophen, nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), triptans, combination analgesics, ergots, antiemetics, and opioids. Gepants and ditan were not included in this analysis. Different doses and formulations of each medication, according to the generic names, were combined in this analysis. We used a 2-level nested logistic regression model to analyze the odds ratio (OR) of treatment effectiveness of each medication by adjusting concurrent medications and the covariance within the same user. Subgroup analyses were conducted for users in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. RESULTS: Our final analysis included 4,777,524 medication-outcome pairs from 3,119,517 migraine attacks among 278,006 users. Triptans (mean OR 4.8), ergots (mean OR 3.02), and antiemetics (mean OR 2.67) were the top 3 classes of medications with the highest effectiveness, followed by opioids (mean OR 2.49), NSAIDs (other than ibuprofen, mean OR 1.94), combination analgesics (acetaminophen/acetylsalicylic acid/caffeine) (OR 1.69, 95% CI 1.67-1.71), others (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.47-1.50), and acetaminophen (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.83-0.84), using ibuprofen as the reference. Individual medications with the highest ORs were eletriptan (OR 6.1, 95% CI 6.0-6.3), zolmitriptan (OR 5.7, 95% CI 5.6-5.8), and sumatriptan (OR 5.2, 95% CI 5.2-5.3). The ORs of acetaminophen, NSAIDS, combination analgesics, and opioids were mostly around or less than 1, suggesting similar or lower reported effectiveness compared with ibuprofen. The ORs for 24 medications, except that of acetylsalicylic acid, achieved statistical significance with p < 0.0001, and our nested logistic regression model achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.849. Country-specific subgroup analyses revealed similar ORs of each medication and AUC (United States 0.849, United Kingdom 0.864, and Canada 0.842), demonstrating the robustness of our analysis. DISCUSSION: Using a big data approach, we analyzed patient-generated real-time records of 10 million migraine attacks and conducted simultaneous head-to-head comparisons of 25 acute migraine medications. Our findings that triptans, ergots, and antiemetics are the most effective classes of medications align with the guideline recommendations and offer generalizable insights to complement clinical practice. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with migraine, selected acute medications (e.g., triptans, ergots, antiemetics) are associated with higher odds of user-rated positive response than ibuprofen.

HUNCHEST-II contributes to a shift to earlier-stage lung cancer detection: final results of a nationwide screening program.

OBJECTIVES: The introduction of low-dose CT (LDCT) altered the landscape of lung cancer (LC) screening and contributed to the reduction of mortality rates worldwide. Here we report the final results of HUNCHEST-II, the largest population-based LDCT screening program in Hungary, including the screening and diagnostic outcomes, and the characteristics of the LC cases. METHODS: A total of 4215 high-risk individuals aged between 50 and 75 years with a smoking history of at least 25 pack-years were assigned to undergo LDCT screening. Screening outcomes were determined based on the volume, growth, and volume doubling time of pulmonary nodules or masses. The clinical stage distribution of screen-detected cancers was compared with two independent practice-based databases consisting of unscreened LC patients. RESULTS: The percentage of negative and indeterminate tests at baseline were 74.2% and 21.7%, respectively, whereas the prevalence of positive LDCT results was 4.1%. Overall, 76 LC patients were diagnosed throughout the screening rounds (1.8% of total participants), out of which 62 (1.5%) patients were already identified in the first screening round. The overall positive predictive value of a positive test was 58%. Most screen-detected malignancies were stage I LCs (60.7%), and only 16.4% of all cases could be classified as stage IV disease. The percentage of early-stage malignancies was significantly higher among HUNCHEST-II screen-detected individuals than among the LC patients in the National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology's archive or the Hungarian Cancer Registry (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: HUNCHEST-II demonstrates that LDCT screening for LC facilitates early diagnosis, thus arguing in favor of introducing systematic LC screening in Hungary. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: HUNCHEST-II is the so-far largest population-based low-dose CT screening program in Hungary. A positive test's overall positive predictive value was 58%, and most screen-detected malignancies were early-stage lesions. These results pave the way for expansive systematic screening in the region. KEY POINTS: • Conducted in 18 medical facilities, HUNCHEST-II is the so far largest population-based low-dose CT screening program in Hungary. • The vast majority of screen-detected malignancies were early-stage lung cancers, and the overall positive predictive value of a positive test was 58%. • HUNCHEST-II facilitates early diagnosis, thus arguing in favor of introducing systematic lung cancer screening in Hungary.

Psychometric properties of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) across cross-cultural subgroups, genders, and sexual orientations: Findings from the International Sex Survey (ISS).

INTRODUCTION: Despite being a widely used screening questionnaire, there is no consensus on the most appropriate measurement model for the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Furthermore, there have been limited studies on its measurement invariance across cross-cultural subgroups, genders, and sexual orientations. AIMS: The present study aimed to examine the fit of different measurement models for the AUDIT and its measurement invariance across a wide range of subgroups by country, language, gender, and sexual orientation. METHODS: Responses concerning past-year alcohol use from the participants of the cross-sectional International Sex Survey were considered (N = 62,943; Mage: 32.73; SD = 12.59). Confirmatory factor analysis, as well as measurement invariance tests were performed for 21 countries, 14 languages, three genders, and four sexual-orientation subgroups that met the minimum sample size requirement for inclusion in these analyses. RESULTS: A two-factor model with factors describing 'alcohol use' (items 1-3) and 'alcohol problems' (items 4-10) showed the best model fit across countries, languages, genders, and sexual orientations. For the former two, scalar and latent mean levels of invariance were reached considering different criteria. For gender and sexual orientation, a latent mean level of invariance was reached. CONCLUSIONS: In line with the two-factor model, the calculation of separate alcohol-use and alcohol-problem scores is recommended when using the AUDIT. The high levels of measurement invariance achieved for the AUDIT support its use in cross-cultural research, capable also of meaningful comparisons among genders and sexual orientations.

Opposite trends in incidence of breast cancer in young and old female cohorts in Hungary and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic: a nationwide study between 2011-2020.

Background: This nationwide study examined breast cancer (BC) incidence and mortality rates in Hungary between 2011-2019, and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the incidence and mortality rates in 2020 using the databases of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and Central Statistical Office (CSO) of Hungary. Methods: Our nationwide, retrospective study included patients who were newly diagnosed with breast cancer (International Codes of Diseases ICD)-10 C50) between Jan 1, 2011 and Dec 31, 2020. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates (ASRs) were calculated using European Standard Populations (ESP). Results: 7,729 to 8,233 new breast cancer cases were recorded in the NHIF database annually, and 3,550 to 4,909 all-cause deaths occurred within BC population per year during 2011-2019 period, while 2,096 to 2,223 breast cancer cause-specific death was recorded (CSO). Age-standardized incidence rates varied between 116.73 and 106.16/100,000 PYs, showing a mean annual change of -0.7% (95% CI: -1.21%-0.16%) and a total change of -5.41% (95% CI: -9.24 to -1.32). Age-standardized mortality rates varied between 26.65-24.97/100,000 PYs (mean annual change: -0.58%; 95% CI: -1.31-0.27%; p=0.101; total change: -5.98%; 95% CI: -13.36-2.66). Age-specific incidence rates significantly decreased between 2011 and 2019 in women aged 50-59, 60-69, 80-89, and ≥90 years (-8.22%, -14.28%, -9.14%, and -36.22%, respectively), while it increased in young females by 30.02% (95%CI 17,01%- 51,97%) during the same period. From 2019 to 2020 (in first COVID-19 pandemic year), breast cancer incidence nominally decreased by 12% (incidence rate ratio [RR]: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.69-1.13; 2020 vs. 2019), all-cause mortality nominally increased by 6% (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.79-1.43) among breast cancer patients, and cause-specific mortality did not change (RR: 1.00; 95%CI: 0.86-1.15). Conclusion: The incidence of breast cancer significantly decreased in older age groups (≥50 years), oppositely increased among young females between 2011 and 2019, while cause-specific mortality in breast cancer patients showed a non-significant decrease. In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a nominal, but not statistically significant, 12% decrease in breast cancer incidence, with no significant increase in cause-specific breast cancer mortality observed during 2020.

Performance of Zr-Based Metal-Organic Framework Materials as In Vitro Systems for the Oral Delivery of Captopril and Ibuprofen.

Zr-based metal-organic framework materials (Zr-MOFs) with increased specific surface area and pore volume were obtained using chemical (two materials, Zr-MOF1 and Zr-MOF3) and solvothermal (Zr-MOF2) synthesis methods and investigated via FT-IR spectroscopy, TGA, SANS, PXRD, and SEM methods. The difference between Zr-MOF1 and Zr-MOF3 lies in the addition of reactants during synthesis. Nitrogen porosimetry data indicated the presence of pores with average dimensions of ~4 nm; using SANS, the average size of the Zr-MOF nanocrystals was suggested to be approximately 30 nm. The patterns obtained through PXRD were characterized by similar features that point to well-crystallized phases specific for the UIO-66 type materials; SEM also revealed that the materials were composed of small and agglomerate crystals. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that both materials had approximately two linker deficiencies per Zr6 formula unit. Captopril and ibuprofen loading and release experiments in different buffered solutions were performed using the obtained Zr-based metal-organic frameworks as drug carriers envisaged for controlled drug release. The carriers demonstrated enhanced drug-loading capacity and showed relatively good results in drug delivery. The cumulative percentage of drug release in phosphate-buffered solution at pH 7.4 was higher than that in buffered solution at pH 1.2. The release rate could be controlled by changing the pH of the releasing solution. Different captopril release behaviors were observed when the experiments were performed using a permeable dialysis membrane.

Religious status and addictive behaviors: Exploring patterns of use and psychological proneness.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have emphasized the role of religiosity as both a protective factor and a factor contributing to the success of recovery in the case of addictive beahaviors. However, the associations between religious status and the involvement in distinct addictive behaviors as well as the associations between religious status and psychological factors have not been comprehensively examined. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to extend the literature by examining the (i) relationship between religiosity and distinct addictive behaviors including substance use and behavioral addictions, and (ii) interactive effects of religious status and psychological factors on addictive behaviors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from two representative samples were analyzed (National Survey on Addiction Problems in Hungary [NSAPH]: N = 1385; 46.8% male; mean age = 41.77 years [SD = 13.08]; and Budapest Longitudinal Study [BLS]: N = 3890; 48.4% male; mean age = 27.06 years [SD = 4.76]). Distinct addictive behaviors and psychological factors related to the psychological proneness to addictive behaviors (impulsivity, sensation seeking, rumination, well-being, mentalization, and worry) were comprehensively examined in relation to religious status (religious, agnostic, and non-religious). Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney (MW) tests and multinomial logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS: Religious individuals showed significantly lower involvement in addictive behaviors whereas agnostic individuals showed significantly higher involvement in addictive behaviors. With regards to psychological factors related to the proneness to addictive behaviors, agnostic individuals showed the highest level of psychological proneness. The results of multinomial regression models showed that religiosity was protective in the NSAPH sample. However, worry could overwrite the protective effect. In the BLS study, the protective role of religiosity was uncertain. It was not protective in itself, but through interaction with sensation seeking, rumination and uncertian mentalization, religiosity can also be protective. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the general protective role of religiosity in addictions. However, interaction with some psychological contructs can modify the protective role of religious status. The study also highlights the need to take into account agnostic religious status of individuals in future research. Consequently, further studies are needed to explore the causality and mediating roles between these variables.

Longitudinal joint trajectories of gambling disorder and hypomentalization: A latent class growth analysis among young adults.

INTRODUCTION: Only a few studies have investigated the relationship between risk for gambling disorder (GD) and mentalization difficulties. However, these results on positive correlations were all from cross-sectional studies; therefore, it would be important to investigate the longitudinal relationship between the constructs. AIMS: It was aimed to identify subgroups of gamblers with different joint growth trajectories of risk for GD and hypomentalization (i.e., uncertainty of understanding own and others' mental states) and to compare the identified latent classes along impulsivity, sensation seeking and depression. METHODS: Data from waves 1-3 of the Budapest Longitudinal Study were used. The final sample included 219 young adult gamblers who completed the study questionnaire and reported past-year gambling in all three waves (Females: N = 93 [42.29%]; Mean age: 28.36 years [SD = 4.29]). Standardized questionnaires were administered to measure the main constructs. RESULTS: A four-class model was retained based on latent class growth analysis. Class 1 had consistently moderately high risk for GD and hypomentalization, and Class 4 presented consistently low risk for GD and hypomentalization. Classes 2-3 were characterized by low risk for GD and increasing hypomentalization. Class 1 had significantly higher sensation seeking and depression compared with the other subgroups in multiple cases. Class 4 showed significantly lower impulsivity and sensation seeking than the other classes. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated hypomentalization was presented among individuals with risk for GD. However, there is little empirical evidence to support that the two constructs have convergently changing trajectories. A cautious interpretation of the results is recommended due to low symptom presence.

Identifying an optimal ejaculation latency for the diagnosis of men reporting orgasmic/ejaculation difficulty.

BACKGROUND: Criteria for the definition and diagnosis of delayed ejaculation (DE) are yet under consideration. AIM: This study sought to determine an optimal ejaculation latency (EL) threshold for the diagnosis of men with DE by exploring the relationship between various ELs and independent characterizations of delayed ejaculation. METHODS: In a multinational survey, 1660 men, with and without concomitant erectile dysfunction (ED) and meeting inclusion criteria, provided information on their estimated EL, measures of DE symptomology, and other covariates known to be associated with DE. OUTCOMES: We determined an optimal diagnostic EL threshold for men with DE. RESULTS: The strongest relationship between EL and orgasmic difficulty occurred when the latter was defined by a combination of items related to difficulty reaching orgasm and percent of successful episodes in reaching orgasm during partnered sex. An EL of ≥16 minutes provided the greatest balance between measures of sensitivity and specificity; a latency ≥11 minutes was the best threshold for tagging the highest number/percentage of men with the severest level of orgasmic difficulty, but this threshold also demonstrated lower specificity. These patterns persisted even when explanatory covariates known to affect orgasmic function/dysfunction were included in a multivariate model. Differences between samples of men with and without concomitant ED were negligible. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: In addition to assessing a man's difficulty reaching orgasm/ejaculation during partnered sex and the percent of episodes reaching orgasm, an algorithm for the diagnosis of DE should consider an EL threshold in order to control diagnostic errors. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: This study is the first to specify an empirically supported procedure for diagnosing DE. Cautions include the use of social media for participant recruitment, relying on estimated rather than clocked EL, not testing for differences between DE men with lifelong vs acquired etiologies, and the lower specificity associated with using the 11-minute criterion that could increase the probability of including false positives. CONCLUSION: In diagnosing men with DE, after establishing a man's difficulty reaching orgasm/ejaculation during partnered sex, using an EL of 10 to 11 minutes will help control type 2 (false negative) diagnostic errors when used in conjunction with other diagnostic criteria. Whether or not the man has concomitant ED does not appear to affect the utility of this procedure.

Investigating the Effect of Reflectance Tuning on Photocatalytic Dye Degradation with Biotemplated ZnO Photonic Nanoarchitectures Based on Morpho Butterfly Wings.

Photonic nanoarchitectures of butterfly wings can serve as biotemplates to prepare semiconductor thin films of ZnO by atomic layer deposition. The resulting biotemplated ZnO nanoarchitecture preserves the structural and optical properties of the natural system, while it will also have the features of the functional material. The ZnO-coated wings can be used directly in heterogeneous photocatalysis to decompose pollutants dissolved in water upon visible light illumination. We used the photonic nanoarchitectures of different Morpho butterflies with different structural colors as biotemplates and examined the dependence of decomposition rates of methyl orange and rhodamine B dyes on the structural color of the biotemplates and the thickness of the ZnO coating. Using methyl orange, we measured a ten-fold increase in photodegradation rate when the 20 nm ZnO-coated wings were compared to similarly coated glass substrates. Using rhodamine B, a saturating relationship was found between the degradation rate and the thickness of the deposited ZnO on butterfly wings. We concluded that the enhancement of the catalytic efficiency can be attributed to the slow light effect due to a spectral overlap between the ZnO-coated Morpho butterfly wings reflectance with the absorption band of dyes, thus the photocatalytic performance could be changed by the tuning of the structural color of the butterfly biotemplates. The photodegradation mechanism of the dyes was investigated by liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy.

Measuring post-traumatic stress disorder and complex post-traumatic stress disorder using the International Trauma Questionnaire: results from a Hungarian clinical and non-clinical sample.

Background: The 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) simplified the description of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and also introduced a new trauma-related diagnosis called complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). CPTSD is linked to earlier, prolonged interpersonal trauma, and is characterized by a broader range of symptoms, in addition to the core PTSD symptoms. The International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) has been developed to assess the new diagnostic criteria.Objectives: The primary aim of our study was to test the factor structure of the ITQ in a clinical and a non-clinical Hungarian sample. We also examined whether the degree of traumatization or the type of trauma experienced was associated with meeting the criteria for PTSD or CPTSD, or with the severity of PTSD or disturbances in self-organization (DSO) symptoms, in both samples.Method: A trauma-exposed heterogeneous clinical sample (N = 176) and a non-clinical sample (N = 229) filled out the ITQ and a modified version of the Life Events Checklist (LEC-5). The factor structure of the ITQ was tested by examining the model fit of seven competing confirmatory factor analysis models.Results: A two-factor second-order model with a second-order PTSD factor (measured by three first-order factors) and a DSO factor (measured directly by six symptoms) had the best fit to the data in both samples if an error correlation was allowed between negative self-concept items. Those in the clinical group who reported more interpersonal and childhood trauma experienced more PTSD and DSO symptoms. Also, there were significant, positive, and weak associations between the total number of different traumas and PTSD and DSO factor scores in both samples.Conclusion: ITQ was found to be a reliable tool to differentiate between PTSD and CPTSD, two related but distinct constructs in a clinical and a non-clinical trauma-exposed sample in Hungary.

The distinction between PTSD and DSO as related but separate constructs was validated using the ITQ in a Hungarian clinical and non-clinical sample.CPTSD was more frequent than PTSD among general help-seeking clinical clients, while in the non-clinical sample PTSD had a higher prevalence rate.Interpersonal trauma in childhood and adulthood was associated with more PTSD and DSO symptoms.

Problem Gambling Among Adolescents in Uganda: A Cross-sectional Survey Study.

In recent years, gambling has evolved and grown substantially with new gambling activities and facilities being introduced, making gambling products and opportunities more available than ever before in Uganda. While the growth of gambling industry is considered to have a beneficial impact on the economy, it is increasingly becoming a social and public health issue especially among a minority of young people who experience problem gambling, which can damage personal, family, vocational, and academic pursuits. The present study estimated the prevalence of problem gambling and identified the socio-demographic, school, environmental and health risks of problem gambling among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted among secondary school students in Mbarara Municipality. A total of 921 students from 12 schools were recruited using cluster sampling. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to explore the relationship between problem gambling and the socio-demographic, academic, environmental and health variables. Of 905 participants, 362 reported having ever gambled (40%), and 160 were classified as problem gamblers (17.7%; 44.2% among those who had ever gambled). Problem gambling was significantly associated with being male, being non-religious, other religion (African traditional religion), having employment (outside of school), distance to nearest gambling venue, parental gambling, peer gambling, substance use, risky sexual behavior, and psychological distress. The present study found a very high prevalence of problem gambling among Ugandan secondary school students. Therefore, there is need to institute public health measures towards raising awareness, prevention and treatment of problem gambling among Ugandan adolescents.

[Personalized medicine and healthcare: where are we now, where should we go?] / Személyre szabott orvoslás és egészségügy: hol tartunk, merre menjünk?

The authors of this manuscript are representatives of different subdisciplines of medicine, all of them are experienced researchers. As of their origin, they are practicing doctors from the primary care and from the clinical/hospital setting, diagnostics experts, researchers from healthcare management, health economics, representatives of patients' rights and patient organizations. They are all devoted to the implementation of personalized medicine and personalized healthcare in Hungary. The current manuscript - also meant to be a keynote message provoking further discussion in the medical community - is devoted to correcting for two false ideas. One is that personalized medicine is not yet ready for practical applications, it is merely a research area of futurologists. The other false idea is that only (or mainly) the lack of financial resources hinders the introduction of personalized healthcare in Hungary. Orv Hetil. 2023; 164(6): 202-209.

Corrigendum: Systemic treatment of breast cancer. 1st Central-Eastern European professional Consensus Statement on breast cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/pore.2022.1610383.].

The Predictive Role of Tolerance and Health Problems in Problem Gambling: A Cross-Sectional and Cross-Lagged Network Analyses.

The existing symptomatic networks of problem gambling are all based on cross-sectional data. Thus, there is a need to explore longitudinal symptom networks of problem gambling. Moreover, the replicability of cross-sectional symptom networks can be limited; therefore, further research should assess the convergence between cross-sectional networks of problem gambling symptoms. The present study aimed (i) to examine cross-sectional networks of problem gambling symptoms and evaluate their replicability and (ii) to examine a longitudinal cross-lagged network of problem gambling symptoms. The study included a representative sample of young adult gamblers (born between 1984 and 2000) from the first two waves of the Budapest Longitudinal Study (original sample: N = 2777; final sample: N = 335). The Problem Gambling Severity Index was used to assess symptoms of problem gambling. Cross-sectional symptom networks showed differences in the centrality of nodes. Correlations between the two cross-sectional networks were low in the presence vs. absence of edges, rank order of edge weights, and centrality estimates. However, network invariance tests indicated non-significant differences between them. The cross-lagged network revealed that the symptoms of tolerance and health problems could predict the subsequent presence of multiple problem gambling symptoms. Overall, limited evidence demonstrated the replicability of cross-sectional symptom networks of problem gambling. Future research needs to explore the utility of cross-sectional networks of problem gambling and assess more precisely causal relationships between problem gambling symptoms by distinguishing within- and between-subject effects.

The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire-Revised- 7 (RFQ-R-7): A new measurement model assessing hypomentalization.

Although it is a widely used questionnaire, limitations regarding the scoring procedure and the structural validity of the eight-item Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ-8) were raised. The present study aimed to examine further the latent dimensionality of the RFQ-8 and to examine linear and non-linear associations between mentalization difficulties and maladaptive psychological characteristics. Data from two separate representative samples of young adults (N = 3890; females: 51.68%; mean age: 27.06 years [SD = 4.76]) and adults (N = 1385; females: 53.20%; mean age: 41.77 years [SD = 13.08]) were used. In addition to the RFQ-8, standardized questionnaires measured the levels of impulsivity, sensation seeking, rumination, worry and well-being. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the model fit of competing measurement models. CFA revealed that a revised, seven-item version of the RFQ (RFQ-R-7) with a unidimensional structure showed the most optimal levels of model fit in both samples. Impulsivity, sensation seeking, rumination and worry consistently presented significant, positive, linear associations with general mentalization difficulties in both samples. Significant quadratic associations were also identified, but these relationships closely followed the linear associations between the variables and increased only marginally the explained variance. The supported unidimensional measurement model and the associations between the general mentalization difficulties factor and maladaptive psychological characteristics indicated that the RFQ-R-7 captures a dimension of hypomentalization ranging between low and high levels of uncertainty. Increasing levels of hypomentalization can indicate a risk for less adaptive psychological functioning. Further revisions of the RFQ-8 might be warranted in the future to ensure adequate measurement for hypermentalization.

Metacognitions as a predictor of problematic social media use and internet gaming disorder: Development and psychometric properties of the Metacognitions about Social Media Use Scale (MSMUS).

The aim of the present study was to investigate social media use metacognitions through the development of a new scale, the Metacognitions about Social Media Use Scale (MSMUS). In addition, the study included measures of problematic social media use (PSMU), gaming metacognitions, and gaming disorder (GD) to test concurrent validity. A total of 2390 Iranian adolescents (835 males and 1555 females) aged between 13 and 18 years (M = 16.01 years, SD = 1.38) participated in a cross-sectional online survey. The results of the exploratory factor analysis (n = 1195) and confirmatory factor analysis (n = 1195) suggested that the MSMUS (i) can optimally assess metacognitions concerning social media, and (ii) has a two-factor structure ("negative metacognitions about social media" and "positive metacognitions about social media"). The scale was found to be measurement invariant among males and females, and among individuals with and without risk for PSMU. Social media metacognitions presented significant and predominantly (i) moderate correlations with PSMU symptom severity, and (ii) weak correlations with GD symptom severity. Furthermore, positive and negative social media metacognitions had significant and positive predictive effects on the presence of risk for PSMU with and without a risk for GD - even over the effects of age, gender, and gaming metacognitions. This finding may indicate that metacognitions are possibly a transdiagnostic variable which might be helpful in developmentally assessing addictive behaviors, especially negative metacognitions which might be a risk factor for co-occurring addictive behaviors.

[The relationship between alcohol use and self-determination:psychometric characteristics of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire in a Hungarian sample]. / Az alkoholhasználat és az öndetermináció kapcsolata: a Kezelési Önszabályozási Kérdoív pszichometriai jellemzoi magyar mintán.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between alcohol use, protective behavioral strategies, and self-determination among young adults. Young adults may be particularly prone to risky forms of alcohol use (e.g., heavy episodic drinking) and the resulting negative consequences. Protective behavioral strategies are behaviors used to reduce negative consequences arising from alcohol use. Based on existing literature, autonomous motivation as defined in self-determination theory and the satisfaction of psychological needs may influence these factors and have potential implications for interventions. The main objective of this research is to examine the four-factor structure of the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire in a young adult sample from Hungary, and to explore the association between autonomous motivation related to responsible alcohol use, satisfaction of basic psychological needs, protective behavioral strategies, and the extent of harmful alcohol use. METHODS: The study was based on a cross-sectional questionnaire survey with a total of 272 participants (32.4% male, 67.6% female, average age 23.8 years). The questionnaire package included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, Protective Behavioral Strategies Scale, Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire, and the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale. RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a modified four-factor structure (amotivation, external regulation, introjected regulation, and autonomous motivation) with the best fi t indices. Autonomous motivation and satisfaction of basic psychological needs showed significant positive, moderate to strong correlations with the frequency of protective strategies use and significant negative, moderate to strong correlations with the extent of harmful alcohol use. There was a significant positive, weak association between autonomous motivation and satisfaction of basic psychological needs. Mediation analysis indicated that protective behavioral strategies partially mediate the relationship between autonomous motivation and harmful alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with other literature findings, suggesting that the questionnaire could be applied in future research. Furthermore, both autonomous motivation and satisfaction of basic psychological needs may increase the frequency of protective strategies use and reduce the extent of harmful alcohol use.