[Convergent and Factorial Validity of the Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale (IED-27) for Borderline Personality Disorder]. / Faktorielle und konvergente Validität der Skala zur Erfassung der Impulsivität und emotionalen Dysregulation (IES-27) bei Borderline-Persönlichkeitsstörung.

There is a growing consensus that emotion dysregulation is the defining feature of borderline personality disorder, but there are also persisting competing views on the pathology and dimensional structure of the disorder. The "Impulsivity and Emotion Dysregulation Scale" (IED-27) is already being used for assessing patients with borderline personality disorder. The particular aim of this study was to gain evidence of the dimensional structure of the disorder by confirmatory factorial analysis. A heterogeneous sample of patients with borderline personality disorder (n=484), attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (n=191) and eating disorders (n=197) of a psychosomatic clinic were given general and specific self-assessment inventories via computer-assisted testing system, including the IED-27. Results showed a bifactor model with a general factor and three specific factors: "emotional dysregulation", "relationship difficulties" and "self-injuries and suicidal behaviours", to be the model with the best fit (ΔCFI=0,032). The internal consistency of the sample seems to be good (ω=0,83-0,93) and expected correlations to similar subscales could be proved. Good psychometric criteria of the IED-27 were replicated in this study. Prospectively, the subscales allow a more detailed representation and specific treatment planning.

[Cognitive and Affective Processes in Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID): A Pilot Study]. / Kognitive und affektive Prozesse bei Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID): Eine Pilotstudie.

Individuals suffering from Body Integrity Dysphoria (BID) have the longstanding desire for amputation (BID-A) or palsy (BID-P). Most findings on mental aspects of BID are based on self-reports from sufferers. The aim of this pilot study is to examine cognitive and affective processes beyond what is accessible by self-reports. Therefore, n=5 BID-A, n=3 BID-P-sufferers, n=22 healthy controls and n=8 patients with body dysmorphic disorder (a further group with a strong desire for body modification) were tested. Selective attention bias (eye-tracking), tendency towards false memory (DRM-paradigm) and lack of affective involvement in the unwanted body part (induction and destruction of a rubber-hand/foot-illusion) were examined. Descriptive comparison of the groups showed that BID-A-sufferers fixated amputation stumps faster and longer than any other group and showed a reduced fear response when the body illusion was destroyed. There was no indication of a higher tendency towards false memory in either BID-group. Due to the small sample size, these results cannot be generalized. However, findings showed that BID-symptoms and underlying processes can be accessed in more ways than through self-reports. Moreover, results indicate that BID-A-sufferers selective attention and affective involvement differ from people not desiring an amputation. Understanding these processes may help developing an etiological model, identifying subtypes, and deriving treatment approaches.

Effects of zoledronate on irradiated bone in vivo: analysis of the collagen types I, V and their cross-links lysylpyridinoline, hydroxylysylpyridinoline and hydroxyproline.

Radiotherapy can lead to a reduction of bone density with an increased risk of pathological fractures. Bisphosphonates may represent a preventive treatment option by increasing the density of anorganic bone mineral. Yet it is unknown how bisphosphonates act on irradiated collagen cross-links, which play an essential role for the mechanical stability of bone. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of zoledronate on bone collagens and their cross-links after irradiation. The right femur of 37 rats was irradiated with a single dose of 9.5 Gy at a high dose rate using an afterloading machine. Half of the rats (n=18) received additionally a single dose zoledronate (0.1 mg/kg body weight). Fourteen and 100 days after irradiation the femora were collected for histologic evaluation and determination of the collagen cross-links lysylpyridinoline, hydroxylysylpyridinoline, and hydroxyproline. The collagen types were characterized by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Fourteen days after treatment the lysylpyridinoline levels of all treatment groups were significantly lower compared to the untreated control. After 100 days, in the combined radiotherapy+zoledronate group significantly lower lysylpyridinoline values were determined (p=0.009). Radiotherapy and/or zoledronate did not change significantly the level of hydroxylysylpyridinoline. The concentration of hydroxyproline was 14 days after irradiation significantly higher in the combined treatment group compared to the control. No significant differences were observed 100 days after treatment. Zoledronate does not have the ability to restore the physiological bone collagen cross-link levels after radiotherapy. However, this would be necessary for regaining the physiological mechanical stability of bone after irradiation and therefore to prevent effectively radiation-induced fractures.