Pathological Traits Research Articles

PERFECTIONISM: RESOURCE OF PATHOLOGY

The main trait differing perfectionists from other individuals is high standards, which is the unifying feature in all models. No matter how well the theories and models of perfectionism are developed, there has always been disagreement about the nature of perfectionism – is it 'The Good, the Bad or the Ugly?' The paper aims to review the studies focused on the mechanisms behind perfectionistic representation, its threats to psychological wellbeing, caused by its pathological side, and look into perfectionism as a possible resource for personal growth and achievement. In the first section of the paper, the aetiology of perfectionism is viewed to see if the foundations add to the type of perfectionism formed. In the second section, models of perfectionism are discussed to see their ability to distinguish between adaptive and maladaptive perfections. Finally, in the third section, perfectionism's positive and negative sides are discussed to understand when perfectionism becomes pathological and when it can be viewed as a resource. In the research of perfectionism, the quantitative approach is mostly used. However, the literature review provides the possibility to have an overview of current knowledge on the nature of perfectionism and to identify gaps in the existing research. The results show that although perfectionism may be viewed both as a positive and negative trait, its negative consequences prevail over its possible positive outcomes. Complex research involving several perfectionism measurements is needed to understand the impact of different combinations of perfectionism types on positive and negative outcomes. The findings of the literature review will serve as the theoretical background for studying perfectionism, its pathological traits, and its possible contribution to achievement.

Inventory of Interpersonal Problems–Personality Disorders: adaptation to Brazil and test of a bifactor model

ObjectiveThe Inventory of Interpersonal Problems–Personality Disorders (IIP-PD-47) has a controversial factor structure, as some studies have provided support for 5 correlated factors, and others have suggested the existence of a general second-order dimension. One approach of data modelling that reconciles multidimensionality and the existence of a general factor is the bifactor analysis. We used unrestricted exploratory-confirmatory bifactor modelling to validate the Brazilian version of the IIP-PD-47. MethodsThe sample consisted of 1,091 subjects aged 18-64 years who answered the IIP-PD-47 and a collateral measure of pathological traits, the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2). ResultsAfter testing many candidate models, our data were best represented by a bifactor model with one general factor and five specific uncorrelated factors. Nevertheless, a closer inspection of the discriminant validity of each IIP-PD-47 factor revealed strong support for the general factor and a factor capturing aggressive behaviours, but less support for the additional four specific factors. ConclusionsThe theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, and some recommendations are offered about the need for controlling response styles when assessing PD traits via self-report inventories. Our findings indicate that the Brazilian version of IIP-PD has promising psychometric properties.

Self-esteem mediates effects of normal and pathological personality traits on subjective well-being.

As subjective well-being is foundational to understanding people, researchers have sought to uncover its correlates. Some theorizing proposes that effects of broad personality traits on subjective well-being constructs are mediated by self-esteem; unfortunately, evidence pertaining to this idea has been limited to the study of "normal" broad personality traits and limited measures of subjective well-being. Here, we provided a more comprehensive test of this theory, and we examined the dominance of self-esteem over normal and pathological broad personality traits in predicting an array of subjective well-being constructs. In a primarily college sample (N=272), we found that self-esteem generally mediated the effects of all Five-Factor Model (FFM) traits except Agreeableness and all pathological personality traits-represented in the Personality Inventory of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders traits (5th edition; PID-5)-except Antagonism on a set of subjective well-being measures; moreover, dominance analyses showed that self-esteem was generally more important than any FFM or PID-5 trait in predicting the subjective well-being measures. We discuss limitations of our study along with some of its basic and applied implications.

Outcomes and prediction of lethal recurrence after transoral robotic surgery for HPV+ head and neck cancer.

6047 Background: Increasing use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for human papilloma virus-related (HPV+) head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is likely to impact recurrence patterns and outcomes. Profiling HPV+ HNSCC recurrences after TORS and identifying features predictive of lethal outcome would facilitate tailoring adjuvant therapy and guide surveillance post-therapy. This study uses long term follow-up of patients at the first institution to bring TORS into clinical use to describe the recurrence patterns, distinguish outcomes associated with distinct patterns, and create a risk model for lethal recurrence. Methods: This retrospective cohort study at a single academic tertiary center analyzed 634 consecutive, treatment-naïve HPV+ HNSCC patients receiving TORS and neck dissection for clinical features at presentation and pathologic traits identified by surgical resection. The main outcomes were distant metastatic recurrence (DMR) and locoregional recurrence (LRR). Multivariate logistic regression with backward stepwise elimination was used to identify features associated with recurrence. Results: 6.5% of patients developed DMR at a median of 12.4 months after surgery and had a 5-year overall survival (OS) of 52.5% (95% CI, 33.9%-68.2%), whereas the 6.2% patients developing LRR alone had 5-year OS of 83.3% (95% CI, 66.2%-92.2%; P =.01). After recurrence, 5-year progression-free survival was 24.7% (95% CI, 11.4%-40.7%) for DMR cases and 85.7% (95% CI, 65.1-94.6%) for cases with LRR alone (P <.001). Comparing recurrent cases to recurrence-free controls showed DMR to be independently associated with positive surgical margins (AOR 5.7; 95% CI, 2.1-15.7) and advanced clinical stage at presentation (AOR 6.5; 95% CI, 1.9-23.0). Positive margins increased DMR risk by 4.2-fold and reduced 5-year disease-free survival (P <.001) in early-stage cases (Table), which comprised 95% of the cohort. By contrast, isolated LRR was associated with failure to receive indicated adjuvant therapy and was usually controllable by salvage therapy. Conclusions: Based on the largest single institution cohort reported to date, long term oncologic outcomes for HPV+ HNSCCs after TORS are excellent overall. While DMR is often fatal, LRR is salvageable with durable disease control. In addition to standard staging criteria, positive margins indicate substantially higher risk of DMR but not LRR. A risk model for DMR that incorporates margin status after TORS is relevant for guiding clinical trial design and whole-body surveillance.[Table: see text]

Narcissistic traits in young people and how experiencing shame relates to current attachment challenges.

BackgroundYoung people with pathological narcissistic traits may have more maladaptive ways of relating to themselves and others. In this study, we investigated how the experience of shame may be a mechanism by which vulnerable and grandiose pathological narcissism relates to negative and positive internalised models of the self and others, manifested as attachment styles.MethodsParticipants (N = 348) were young people who reported on pathological narcissism, the experience of shame and their model of self and others (secure, dismissive, preoccupied and fearful attachment). Mediation of the experience of shame between vulnerable and grandiose narcissism on the one hand and secure, dismissive, preoccupied and fearful attachment on the other hand, was tested using a path model.ResultsShame mediated the relationship between vulnerable narcissism and a more negative model of others and self (i.e. less secure, more fearful and more preoccupied in attachment). Higher grandiose narcissism traits were related to a more positive model of others and self (i.e. more secure attachment) and were unrelated to the experience of shame.ConclusionsYoung people with vulnerable narcissism traits tended to report more shame, and struggled to be close to others. It may be that shame experiences highlight a discrepancy between the ideal and actual self that may contribute to a more insecure attachment style. A good working alliance and fostering self-compassion may counter some negative effects of shame in those most vulnerable, but dismissal in those most grandiose presents a clinical conundrum requiring further research.

Ratooning ability and its relationship among yield, quality and lesser sugarcane borer (Chilo agamemnon Bels.) in sugarcane germplasm

This study was conducted at El-Mattana Agricultural Research Station, Luxor Governorate, Egypt (latitude of 25.17° N and longitude of 32. 33°E) on three sugar crop cycles 2017/18 (plant cane crop), 2018/19 (the first ratoon) and 2019/20 (the second ratoon) to screen sugarcane genotypes for yield, quality and borer resistance, also estimates the relationship among agronomical and pathological traits based on principal components biplot analysis. Results revealed that significant differences among sugarcane genotypes in susceptibility to the lesser sugarcane borer, Chilo agamemnon infestation measured as bored stalk%, bored joints %, girdled stalks%, mean no. holes/joint, mean no. holes/bored joint and mean no. holes/stalk in the three studied seasons. In plant cane and first ratoon seasons the genotype L 62-96 exhibited the highest bored stalk %. While, in the second ratoon, the genotype G.T.54-9 was recorded the highest bored stalk %. Three genotypes (F. 150, M 57-35 and G. 2008-20) were the most tolerant in plant cane season recording the lowest bored stalk%. While, in the 1st ratoon season, EH88/5-27 and SP72-5181 genotypes were recording lowest bored stalk%. Meanwhile, in the 2nd ratoon season, SP 81-3250, F. 150, F 161 and G. 2007-61 genotypes were recording lowest bored stalk% respectively.

Wild-type α-synuclein inherits the structure and exacerbated neuropathology of E46K mutant fibril strain by cross-seeding

Heterozygous point mutations of α-synuclein (α-syn) have been linked to the early onset and rapid progression of familial Parkinson's diseases (fPD). However, the interplay between hereditary mutant and wild-type (WT) α-syn and its role in the exacerbated pathology of α-syn in fPD progression are poorly understood. Here, we find that WT mice inoculated with the human E46K mutant α-syn fibril (hE46K) strain develop early-onset motor deficit and morphologically different α-syn aggregation compared with those inoculated with the human WT fibril (hWT) strain. By using cryo-electron microscopy, we reveal at the near-atomic level that the hE46K strain induces both human and mouse WT α-syn monomers to form the fibril structure of the hE46K strain. Moreover, the induced hWT strain inherits most of the pathological traits of the hE46K strain as well. Our work suggests that the structural and pathological features of mutant strains could be propagated by the WT α-syn in such a way that the mutant pathology would be amplified in fPD.

Depressed or satisfied? The relationship between the dark triad traits, depression, and life satisfaction

The relationship between the Dark Triad and depressive symptoms is controversial. While some studies have reported negative correlations, then suggesting a protective effect of the Dark Triad traits against depression, evidence sometimes indicates the opposite, that is, that dark traits co-occur with depression. An additional issue is that these associations could be moderated by sex, a hypothesis yet to be tested. In the current study, we intended to investigate the relationship between the Dark Triad traits and the variables depression and life satisfaction, besides testing the role of sex as a potential moderator in these relationships. Participants were 488 undergraduate students, with ages from 18 to 72 years (M = 29.51; SD = 10.55; 75.6% females), who responded to the Short Dark Triad, the Baptista’s Depression Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Results from the Structural Equation Modeling indicated that each Dark Triad trait manifested a unique pattern of relationships to depression and life satisfaction. Nevertheless, we found no evidence of moderation by sex in the relationship that the dark traits have with depression and life satisfaction. Findings from the present study reveal a complex relationship of pathological traits with mental health/disorder variables, with comparable patterns occurring for both sexes.

SARS-CoV-2 Pandemisi Sırasında Doğum Yapmak Üzere Hastaneye Yatan Hastaların Anksiyete Düzeyleri

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the anxiety conditions of low-risk term pregnant women hospitalized for labor during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.
 Materials and Method: This cross-sectional survey study includes 200 low-risk term pregnant women hospitalized for delivery. Sociodemographic and obstetric data were collected. Women's anxiety were examined using Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire form at admission. Total scores greater than 50 were classified as pathological levels of anxiety.
 Results: The mean trait score was 36.99±10.08 and the mean state score was 41.03±8.89, and the difference between these two scores was statistical significant. State and trait scores were higher in women who had contact with covid-infected people than those who did not. There was a significant positive correlation between state and trait scores. The history of contact with covid 19 infected person and the presence of pathological trait anxity were determined as significant factors for the presence of pathological state anxiety related to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. 
 Conclusion: Pregnant women with history of contact with covid 19 infected person or with pathological trait anxiety have higher state anxiety during COVID-19 outbreak. It is important to identify women with high risk of developing anxiety in order to provide early psychological interventions.

Absence of SCAPER causes male infertility in humans and Drosophila by modulating microtubule dynamics during meiosis

BackgroundMutation in S-phase cyclin A-associated protein rin the endoplasmic reticulum (SCAPER) have been found across ethnicities and have been shown to cause variable penetrance of an array of pathological traits,...

The dark path to eternal life: Machiavellianism predicts approval of mind upload technology

Mind upload, making a digital copy of one's brain, is a part of the transhumanistic dream of eternal life and the end of suffering. It is also perceived as a viable route toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). However, AI safety research has alerted to one major risk in creating AGI by mind upload: namely, that mind upload technology could appeal primarily to callous and selfish individuals who then abuse this technology for their personal gain—and, potentially, at a considerable cost to the welfare of humankind. Therefore, it is important to understand whether people's acceptance of mind upload is associated with pathological and/or antisocial traits. To this end, the present research examined whether individual differences in Dark Triad traits predict attitudes toward mind upload in a sample of 1007 English-speaking adults. A pre-registered structural equation model revealed that Machiavellianism (but not psychopathy) was associated with favorable views about mind upload, both directly and indirectly through utilitarian moral attitudes. These results therefore substantiate the concerns voiced by AI safety researchers—namely, that mind upload technology could be adopted disproportionately by individuals with an antisocial personality.

Partial Lipodystrophy and LMNA p.R545H Variant.

Laminopathies are disorders caused by LMNA gene mutations, which selectively affect different tissues and organ systems, and present with heterogeneous clinical and pathological traits. The molecular mechanisms behind these clinical differences and tissue specificity have not been fully clarified. We herein examine the case of a patient carrying a heterozygous LMNA c.1634G>A (p.R545H) variant with a mild, transient myopathy, who was referred to our center for the suspicion of lipodystrophy. At physical examination, an abnormal distribution of subcutaneous fat was noticed, with fat accumulation in the anterior regions of the neck, resembling the fat distribution pattern of familial partial lipodystrophy type 2 (FPLD2). The R545H missense variant has been found at very low allelic frequency in public databases, and in silico analysis showed that this amino acid substitution is predicted to have a damaging role. Other patients carrying the heterozygous LMNA p.R545H allele have shown a marked clinical heterogeneity in terms of phenotypic body fat distribution and severity of organ system involvement. These findings indicate that the LMNA p.R545H heterozygous variant exhibits incomplete penetrance and highly variable expressivity. We hypothesized that additional genetic factors, epigenetic mechanisms, or environmental triggers might explain the variable expressivity of phenotypes among various patients.

Lupin protein isolate improves insulin sensitivity and steatohepatitis in vivo and modulates the expression of the Fasn, Gys2, and Gsk3b genes.

Although studies on lupin protein isolate (LPI) have indicated the presence of a preventive effect on insulin resistance (IR) and lipid disturbances, their influence on established pathological traits has received little attention. Here, we evaluated the in vivo effects of LPI on IR and steatohepatitis as well as its influence on genes involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. We first induced IR and steatohepatitis in rats by maintaining them on a high‐fat diet for 5 weeks. Thereafter, we administered LPI to the rats daily for 3 weeks. LPI improved insulin sensitivity (AUC: 6,777 ± 232 vs. 4,971 ± 379, p < .05, pre‐ vs. post‐treatment values) and reduced glucose and triglyceride levels by one‐third. In addition, LPI‐treated rats exhibited attenuated steatohepatitis. At the molecular level, LPI treatment reduced liver Fasn gene expression substantially but increased Gys2 and Gsk3b levels. We concluded that the hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities of LPI may be caused by reduced liver lipogenesis and modulation of insulin sensitization mechanisms.

Protective mechanism of kaempferol against Aβ25-35-mediated apoptosis of pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells through the ER/ERK/MAPK signalling pathway.

IntroductionProgressive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) is a pathological trait of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid-β increases free radical production in neuronal cells, leading to neuronal cell death. Hormone replacement therapy can reduce the incidence of AD, and oestrogen significantly improves the clinical signs in patients with AD. However, the long-term use of oestrogen causes a variety of diseases. Phytoestrogens have been reported to bind and activate oestrogen receptors in mammals and humans to produce oestrogen-like or anti-oestrogen-like effects. Kaempferol is a flavonoid phytoestrogen that can produce a certain protective effect in neurons. However, the molecular mechanism of kaempferol in AD is unclear.Material and methodsThis study used pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells that were damaged by Aβ25–35 as an in vitro model of AD, and oestradiol was a positive control. The cells were incubated with kaempferol alone or in combination with fulvestrant (an antagonist of ER) and U0126 (an inhibitor of ERK) in Aβ25–35 culture. Cell activity was measured by the MTT method. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Gene and protein expression levels were tested by qRT-PCR and Western blotting.ResultsThis study demonstrated that kaempferol protected PC-12 cells from Aβ25–35-induced cell death and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with fulvestrant (an antagonist of ER) and U0126 (an inhibitor of ERK) significantly increased the apoptosis of PC-12 cells. Moreover, kaempferol promoted the expression of anti-apoptotic molecules and inhibited the expression of pro-apoptotic molecules, which were blocked by fulvestrant and U0126.ConclusionsKaempferol protected PC-12 cells against Aβ25–35-induced cell apoptosis through the ER/ERK/MAPK signalling pathway.

Location of International Classification of Diseases-11th Revision and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, dimensional trait models in the alternative five-factor personality space.

This study explores the dimensionality (factor analysis) and the relationships (empirical networks) between the Zuckerman alternative five-factor personality model and the two current pathological dimensional personality systems based on the International Classification of Diseases-11th Revision (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), Section III. To this end, the Zuckerman-Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire-Short Form (ZKA-PQ/SF), the Personality Inventory for ICD-11, and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Short Form were used with 1,229 healthy community subjects: 578 men (Mage = 40.03, SD = 17.77) and 651 women (Mage = 39.63, SD = 17.81). The results show that the pathological traits of Negative Affectivity, Detachment, Disinhibition, and Antagonism/Dissociality are correlatively placed in the Neuroticism, Extraversion, Sensation Seeking, and Aggressiveness dimensional space. Psychoticism is positioned, to a lesser extent and with a similar loading, in Sensation Seeking and Neuroticism, whereas Anankastia is associated with the Activity factor. The five ZKA-PQ domains explain 42% of the variance of Personality Inventory for ICD-11 and 39% of the variance of Personality Inventory for DSM-5-Short Form, whereas the ZKA-PQ facets explain 47% and 44%, respectively. It is concluded that Zuckerman's alternative five-factor model of personality may be useful to better understand the position of pathological or maladaptive traits in the space of normal personality, complementarily to the five-factor model. It also helps to integrate the maladaptive personality traits of the ICD-11 and the DSM-5 Section III into a single system. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Integrative analysis of genomic, epigenomic and transcriptomic data identified molecular subtypes of esophageal carcinoma.

Esophageal cancer (EC) involves many genomic, epigenetic and transcriptomic disorders, which play key roles in the heterogeneous progression of cancer. However, the study of EC with multi-omics has not been conducted. This study identified a high consistency between DNA copy number variations and abnormal methylations in EC by analyzing genomics, epigenetics and transcriptomics data and investigating mutual correlations of DNA copy number variation, methylation and gene expressions, and stratified copy number variation genes (CNV-Gs) and methylation genes (MET-Gs). The methylation, CNVs and expression profiles of CNV-Gs and MET-Gs were analyzed by consistent clustering using iCluster integration, here, we determined three subtypes (iC1, iC2, iC3) with different molecular traits, prognostic characteristics and tumor immune microenvironment features. We also identified 4 prognostic genes (CLDN3, FAM221A, GDF15 and YBX2) differentially expressed in the three subtypes, and could therefore be used as representative biomarkers for the three subtypes of EC. In conclusion, by performing comprehensive analysis on genomic, epigenetic and transcriptomic regulations, the current study provided new insights into the multilayer molecular and pathological traits of EC, and contributed to the precision medication for EC patients.

Investigation on the capacity of the factors of the Clinical Dimensional Personality Inventory 2 for identifying people with substance dependence

The study aimed to verify the discriminant capacity of the factors of the Clinical Dimensional Personality Inventory 2 (IDCP-2) in the identification of people with substance dependence, as well as to compare this capacity with another instrument that evaluates pathological traits, the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5). The sample was composed of 253 adults distributed in three groups: community sample, represented by 110 individuals with ages between 20 and 66 years (M = 32.3; SD = 10,1), 71.8% women; subclinical, 119 individual aged from 18 to 63 (M = 30.4; SD = 8.34), 61.3% women; clinical, 24 individual with ages between 19 and 59 (M = 36,4; SD = 11.2), 83.3% men. Two scales for substance dependence identification were administered (AUDIT and ASSIST), IDCP-2, and PID-5. Findings indicated that IDCP-2 is capable of discriminating between groups, mainly the extreme ones (i.e., clinical sample versus community sample). Moreover, similar discriminant capacity between IDCP-2 and PID-5 was observed. These findings are preliminary evidence that the IDCP-2 factors can identify people with substance dependence, with Hopelessness being the leading factor in the assessment of substance dependents.

Predicting Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Young Adults with and without Borderline Personality Disorder: a Multilevel Approach Combining Ecological Momentary Assessment and Self-Report Measures.

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is an increasingly prevalent phenomenon associated with many detrimental outcomes, ranging from poor academic performance to suicide attempts. Research on self-harming behaviors has identified emotion dysregulation, negative affect, and borderline pathology as strong risk factors of NSSI, whereas the potential protective effects of metacognitive skills such as decentering have not yet been explored. The current study combined ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and self-report measures to explore potential risk and protective factors of NSSI in a clinical group of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) patients with NSSI (N = 22), a subclinical group of college students with NSSI (N = 19), and a non-clinical healthy control group (N = 23). Participants completed self-report measures of borderline pathology, emotion dysregulation, decentering ability, and negative emotional symptoms, and they used the Sinjur App (EMA instrument) at least three times a day for 15days to capture negative affect and NSSI in daily life. A multilevel mixed-effect regression analysis with both self-report and EMA measures was conducted to identify predictors of NSSI. The multilevel analysis showed that only momentary frustration directly predicted NSSI. Momentary guilt and anger only predicted NSSI when interacting with more stable traits of borderline pathology and negative emotional symptoms. Most importantly, greater decentering capacity protected against self-injury and attenuated the association between momentary sadness and NSSI. Findings contribute novel knowledge about NSSI, documenting the protective effects of decentering and highlighting the benefit of interventions that target metacognitive emotion regulation skills.

Narcissistic Personality Traits and Sexual Satisfaction in Men: The Role of Sexual Self-Esteem

Research on pathological narcissistic traits and sexuality are mainly focused on the dysfunctional aspects of sexuality. The present study aims to explore the relationship between narcissistic traits and sexual satisfaction in men, testing whether sexual self-esteem mediates this association. Participants included 212 men who completed measures of grandiose and vulnerable narcissistic traits, sexual self-esteem, and sexual satisfaction. Results highlight how vulnerable narcissistic traits are negatively associated with sexual satisfaction. This association is fully mediated by sexual self-esteem. On the contrary, grandiose narcissistic traits are not directly associated with sexual satisfaction, but with sexual self-esteem only, which explains the indirect effect of grandiose traits on sexual satisfaction. In conclusion, sexual self-esteem in personality configurations with high pathological narcissistic traits accounts for the relationship between narcissistic traits and sexual satisfaction.

Comparative study of the relationship between childhood traumas with personality function and pathological traits in patients with borderline personality disorder and non-patient group

Comparative study of the relationship between childhood traumas with personality function and pathological traits in patients with borderline personality disorder and non-patient group