Temperament Scores Research Articles

Could soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 be associated with state affective symptomatology in healthy adults?

IntroductionImmune parameters are frequently associated with mood disorders and affective temperaments. In our study, we investigate the role of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in affective temperaments and mood symptoms in healthy adults.MethodsHealthy adults were screened for psychiatric disorders using the non-patient version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-I and II. Affective temperaments were evaluated with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). State mood symptoms were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Serum sICAM-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsWe identified no association between sICAM-1 levels and affective temperament scores. We identified correlation between sICAM-1 levels and manic symptoms measured by YMRS. Furthermore, sICAM-1 was a significant predictor of manic symptoms in a linear regression model with age, gender, BMI and smoking habits as confounding variables.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that sICAM-1 could be a relevant immune factor for severity of state affective symptoms and could contribute to better understanding of complexity of affective disorders.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Intramuscular injection of alfaxalone in combination with butorphanol for sedation in cats

ObjectiveTo assess quality of sedation following intramuscular (IM) injection of two doses of alfaxalone in combination with butorphanol in cats. Study designProspective, randomized, ‘blinded’ clinical study. AnimalsA total of 38 cats undergoing diagnostic imaging or noninvasive procedures. MethodsCats were allocated randomly to be administered butorphanol 0.2 mg kg−1 combined with alfaxalone 2 mg kg−1 (group AB2) or 5 mg kg−1 (group AB5) IM. If sedation was inadequate, alfaxalone 2 mg kg−1 IM was administered and cats were excluded from further analysis. Temperament [1 (friendly) to 5 (aggressive)], response to injection, sedation score at 2, 6, 8, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 minutes, overall sedation quality scored after data collection [1 (excellent) to 4 (inadequate)] and recovery quality were assessed. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR) and arterial haemoglobin saturation (SpO2) were recorded every 5 minutes. Groups were compared using t tests and Mann–Whitney U tests. Sedation was analysed using two-way anova, and additional alfaxalone using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). ResultsGroups were similar for sex, age, body mass and response to injection. Temperament score was lower in group AB2 [2 (1–3)] compared to AB5 [3 (1–5)] (p = 0.006). Group AB5 had better sedation at 6, 8, 20 and 30 minutes and overall sedation quality was better in AB5 [1 (1–3)], compared to AB2 [3 (1–4)] (p = 0.0001). Additional alfaxalone was required for 11 cats in AB2 and two in AB5 (p = 0.005). Recovery quality, HR, fR and SpO2 were similar. Seven cats required oxygen supplementation. Complete recovery times were shorter in AB2 (81.8 ± 24.3 versus 126.6 ± 33.3 minutes; p = 0.009). Twitching was the most common adverse event. Conclusions and clinical relevanceIn combination with butorphanol, IM alfaxalone at 5 mg kg−1 provided better quality sedation than 2 mg kg−1. Monitoring of SpO2 is recommended.

Irritable temperament profile prevails among patients with boxer fractures.

The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the temperament dimensions of the patients with boxer fracture and compare them with age- and sex-matched controls. We performed a prospective analysis investigating affective temperaments of the 102 patients with boxer fractures and compared them with 100 sex- and age-matched controls that were referred to the emergency department due to incidental soft-tissue trauma. Affective temperament of the patients was evaluated by Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Auto questionnaire (TEMPS-A). Both incidences of dominant affective temperaments of boxer fracture cases with previously validated normal Turkish population and controls and differences between mean values of temperament scores were analyzed. The mean age of the patients with boxer fractures was 25.6 (range 17-47) and 27.7 years (range 17-49) for controls. We found that dominant irritable temperament (n = 10; 9.7%) had significantly higher incidence from both control group and normal Turkish population (p < 0.001). In addition, there was significant difference between anxious temperament scores of two groups (p = 0.013). The understanding of mood of patients with boxer fractures will help us to enhance treatment plan and may prevent further intentional injuries by providing an insight into better controlling physical health of the patients.

Temperament and character personality dimensions in nitrate-tilt-induced vasovagal syncope patients

ObjectiveVasovagal syncope (VVS) is a clinical syndrome that is characterized by a transient loss of consciousness and postural tone that are due to a temporary, spontaneously self-terminating global cerebral hypoperfusion. It is known that personality modulates the individual's sensitivity to stressors and that emotional arousal and psychologic uncertainty are conditions that contribute to vasodepressor syncope. Therefore, it is postulated that the personality characteristics of VVS patients could play a role in the pathophysiology of VVS. The aim of our study was to evaluate the temperament and character personality dimensions in patients with VVS as confirmed by nitrate-induced tilt testing. MethodsFrom the 450 consecutive patients referred to our Syncope Unit for transient loss of consciousness, we enrolled 162 patients who had positive results from the head up tilt test for VVS and 162 healthy subjects matched for age and sex. All patients underwent a structured clinical interview with a psychologist to exclude the presence of current psychiatric comorbidities and were asked to complete the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R) questionnaire for psychological assessment. ResultsCompared to healthy subjects, both male and female patients with VVS were found to have higher scores of the persistence temperament and self-transcendence character traits. Moreover, male VVS patients had lower scores in “novelty seeking”, while female VVS patients scored significantly higher in “reward dependence”. ConclusionOur data show that VVS patients significantly differ from matched healthy controls in some temperament and character personality dimensions. Cardiologists should consider referral for psychological assessment when treating patients with refractory VVS.

Effects of temperament on physiological, productive, and reproductive responses in beef cows.

This experiment evaluated the effects of temperament on physiological, productive, and reproductive responses in beef cows. A total of 953 lactating, multiparous, non-pregnant Nelore cows (age = 99 ± 2 mo; days post-partum = 51.4 ± 0.3 d; BCS = 5.34 ± 0.04; BW = 430 ± 2 kg) were allocated into 8 groups of approximately 120 cows each. Groups were assigned to an estrus synchronization + timed-AI protocol at the beginning of the breeding season. Concurrently with AI, blood samples were collected, hair samples were clipped from the tail switch, and cow temperament was evaluated via chute score and exit velocity. Individual exit score was calculated within each group by dividing exit velocity into quintiles and assigning cows with a score from 1 to 5 (1 = slowest; 5 = fastest cow). Temperament scores were calculated by averaging cow chute score and exit score, and used to define cow temperament ( ≤ 3 = adequate, = 726; ADQ; > 3 = excitable, = 227; EXC). Cows not pregnant to AI were assigned to a second timed-AI protocol ( = 184 ADQ and 72 EXC) or exposed ( = 269 ADQ and 90 EXC) to bulls for 60 d. Pregnancy status was verified 30 d after each AI and 45 d after the breeding season via transrectal ultrasound. Cow age, BW, BCS, and d post-partum at the beginning of the breeding season were similar ( ≥ 0.27) between ADQ and EXC cows. At first timed-AI, EXC had greater ( < 0.01) serum cortisol but similar ( ≥ 0.87) serum haptoglobin and hair cortisol concentrations compared with ADQ cows (49.1 vs. 39.1 ng/mL of serum cortisol, SEM = 1.0). Pregnancy rate to first timed-AI tended ( = 0.09) to be less in EXC vs. ADQ cows (41.0 vs. 47.3%; SEM = 3.6), whereas no treatment differences were detected ( ≥ 0.23) for subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Calving rate was less ( = 0.04) in EXC vs. ADQ cows (68.3 vs. 74.8%; SEM = 2.2), which can be attributed to the greater ( = 0.05) pregnancy loss detected in EXC cows (9.9 vs. 5.9%; SEM = 1.4). Weaning rate tended ( = 0.09) to be less, whereas calf weaning BW and age were less ( ≤ 0.05) in EXC vs. ADQ cows (63.9 vs. 69.4%, SEM = 2.4; 209 vs. 212 d, SEM = 1; 204 vs. 210 kg, SEM = 2). Hence, kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding was reduced ( = 0.04) in EXC vs. ADQ cows (130 vs. 146 kg, SEM = 5). In summary, cows with excitable temperament had reduced reproductive performance and overall productivity compared to cohorts with adequate temperament when exposed to timed-AI + natural breeding.

Affective temperament profile in ankylosing spondylitis patients using TEMPS-A.

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the most common dominant affective temperaments in Ankylosing Spondylitis patients and investigate the relationship between the dominant affective temperaments and pain levels, disease activity, quality of life, current depression, and anxiety level in Ankylosing Spondylitis patients. [Subjects and Methods] Fifty-one patients diagnosed with axial spondiloartropathy and forty-two age- and gender-matched control subjects were included in this study. Disease duration, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum C-reactive protein, pain by the Visual Analog Scale, disease activity by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, functional status by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index; psychological status by the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory and overall health assessment by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale were assessed in patients. The Turkish version of the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto Questionnaire was used to determine the dominant affective temperament. [Results] There was no statistical difference in the distribution of temperament subtypes between patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and the controls. Depressive, anxious, and cyclothymic temperament scores were higher in patients with high values on the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and Visual Analog Scale. There was a correlation between anxious subtypes of affective temperament scores and the value of Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Scale. Correlation analysis also found depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperament and psychiatric symptoms to be significantly related. [Conclusion] Affective temperament may contribute to symptoms of depression and anxiety in patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis and may increase disease activity and may reduce their quality of life.

The effect of dam genotype in a beef breeding herd on calving parameters and chemical composition of colostrum

The aim of this 3 year study was to compare two suckler cow genotypes, namely Limousin×Holstein (LH) (sourced from the dairy herd) and Stabiliser (ST) (a composite breed), in terms performance at calving. Both dam genotypes were bred to a ST sire and calved in spring/early summer. There was no significant effect of dam genotype on concentrations of casein, lactose, protein or urea nitrogen in the colostrum. Colostrum from LH cows had a significantly higher fat concentration compared with ST cows (P&lt;0.05). Dam genotype had no effect on incidence of calving difficulty, cow temperament or mothering ability score. There was a significant difference in milk supply scores between the two breeds of cows when the 3 years of data were combined (P=0.002), with a higher percentage of LH cows having a plentiful supply of milk compared with ST cows and conversely a higher percentage of ST having limited milk compared with LH cows. However this was not a consistent effect over the 3 years. This study demonstrated that both dam breeds exhibit high maternal attributes at calving. However further work is required to investigate if LH cows have a more plentiful milk supply since this has potential to influence growth rate of progeny.

Association of SNPs in dopamine and serotonin pathway genes and their interacting genes with temperament traits in Charolais cows.

Cattle temperament is a complex trait, and molecular studies aimed at defining this trait are scarce. We used an interaction networks approach to identify new genes (interacting genes) and to estimate their effects and those of 19 dopamine- and serotonin-related genes on the temperament traits of Charolais cattle. The genes proopiomelanocortin (POMC), neuropeptide Y (NPY), solute carrier family 18, member 2 (SLC18A2) and FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homologue (FOSFBJ) were identified as new candidates. Their potential to be associated with temperament was estimated according to their reported biological activities, which included interactions with neural activity, receptor function, targeting or synthesis of neurotransmitters and association with behaviour. Pen score (PS) and exit velocity (EV) measures were determined from 412 Charolais cows to calculate their temperament score (TS). Based on the TS, calm (n = 55; TS, 1.09 ± 0.33) and temperamental (n = 58; TS, 2.27 ± 0.639) cows were selected and genotyped using a 248 single-nucleotide variation (SNV) panel. Of the 248 variations in the panel, only 151 were confirmed to be polymorphic (single-nucleotide polymorphisms; SNPs) in the tested population. Single-marker association analyses between genotypes and temperament measures (EV, PS and/or TS) indicated significant associations of six SNPs from four candidate genes. The markers rs109576799 and rs43696138, located in the DRD3 and HTR2A genes, respectively, were significantly associated with both EV and TS traits. Four markers, rs110365063 and rs137756569 from the POMC gene and rs110365063 and rs135155082 located in SLC18A2 and DRD2, respectively, were associated with PS. The variant rs110365063 located in bovine SLC18A2 causes a change in the amino acid sequence from Ala to Thr. Further studies are needed to confirm the association of genetic profile with cattle temperament; however, our study represents important progress in understanding the regulation of cattle temperament by different genes with divergent functions.

Affective Temperament Profiles in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Association with Mood Disorders.

The aim of the present study was to screen for bipolarity and to investigate the affective temperaments of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and the possible association between the clinical and demographic characteristics of MS patients and temperament profiles. A total of 65 patients with MS and 66 healthy volunteers completed the 32-item hypomania checklist (HCl-32), the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), and the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) tests. The HCl-32, MDQ, and TEMPS-A scores were compared between the patients and healthy volunteers. MS patients had significantly higher scores for the depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious domains of the TEMPS-A scale than the control group, whereas relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) patients had higher MDQ and TEMPS-A hyperthymia scores than secondary progressive MS patients. MS patients who were being treated with interferon beta 1-b therapy had significantly higher MDQ scores than those being treated with interferon beta 1-a, glatiramer acetate, or who were without medication. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were positively correlated with TEMPS-A depressive and hyperthymic temperaments. Our results suggest that higher scores for affective temperament in MS patients indicate subclinical manifestations of mood disorders. Higher hyperthymia scores and manic symptoms detected in the RRMS group could shed light on the relationship between bipolarity and MS. Thus, the screening of bipolarity and affective temperament profiles in MS patients could help clinicians predict future mood episodes and decrease their impact on disease severity.

Differential associations of affective temperaments and diagnosis of major affective disorders with suicidal behavior

BackgroundAffective temperaments are associated with suicidal risk, but their predictive value relative to diagnosis of major affective disorder is uncertain. MethodsWe compared diagnoses, affective-temperament ratings (TEMPS-A), and other potential risk factors in 956 psychiatric inpatients, using bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression modeling for associations with suicidal status. ResultsLifetime suicide-attempt rates were high (43.9% overall), ranking by diagnosis: bipolar-II (58.4%), major depressive (50.0%), bipolar-I (44.6%), other (38.0%), and psychotic (33.9%) disorders. TEMPS-A scores for depressive (dep), cyclothymic (cyc), irritable (irr), and anxious (anx) temperaments and their sum were strongly associated with suicidal risk; hyperthymic (hyp) temperament scores were inversely associated; and a composite measure (dep+cyc+irr+anx – hyp), even more strongly associated. The composite score was highly, independently associated with suicidal behavior (p<0.0001), as was female sex (p=0.0002), but older age and diagnosis of major affective disorder, much less (both p=0.02). ConclusionsMeasures of affective temperament-types were independently and more strongly associated with lifetime suicide attempt than was diagnosis of a major affective disorder. However, in this hospitalized cohort, suicide rates were high across diagnoses, possibly limiting the predictive value of diagnosis.

A Study of the Coupling of FET Temperament Traits with Major Depression.

Objective: Temperament and mental illness have been linked to the same systems of behavioral regulation. A temperament model, carefully structured to respond to subtle differences within systems of behavior regulation, should exhibit distinct temperament patterns in the presence of mental illness. Previous comparisons of temperament profiles in mental disorders used mostly emotionality-related traits. In contrast, the Functional Ensemble of Temperament (FET) model differentiates not only between emotionality traits, but also between traits related to physical, verbal, and mental aspects of behavior and maps 12 functional aspects of behavior to temperament traits as well as to symptoms of mental illnesses. This article reports on the coupling of sex, age, and temperament traits with Major Depression (MD) using the FET framework.Method: Intake records of 467 subjects, ages 17–24, 25–45, 46–65, 66–84 were examined, with temperament assessed by the Structure of Temperament Questionnaire (based on the FET).Results: The presence of MD was associated with changes in mean temperament scores on 9 of the 12 traits. The results were in line with the DSM-5 criteria of fatigue (patients with MD reported a significant decrease in three types of endurance – motor-physical, social-verbal, and mental), of psychomotor retardation (a significant decrease in physical and social-verbal tempo) and of worthlessness (as low Self-Confidence). The results also showed that three new symptoms, high Impulsivity, high Neuroticism, and diminished Plasticity, should be considered as depressive symptoms in future versions of the DSM. As a significant negative result, no interaction of age or sex (with the exception of the Self-Confidence scale) with MD was found for temperament traits.Conclusion: The value of differentiating between physical, social, and mental aspects of behavior is demonstrated in the differential effects of major depression and gender. The value of differentiating between endurance, dynamical and orientation-related aspects of behavior is also demonstrated. The deleterious impact of MD on temperament scores appeared to be similar across all age groups. The appearance of high impulsivity, neuroticism, and low plasticity deserve further study as associated factors in future versions of the DSM/ICD.

Fertility of Angus cross beef heifers after GnRH treatment on day 23 and timing of insemination in 14-day CIDR protocol.

This study compared artificial insemination pregnancy rate (AI-PR) between 14-day CIDR-GnRH-PGF2α-GnRH and CIDR-PGF2α-GnRH synchronization protocol with two fixed AI times (56 or 72hr after PGF2α). On day 0, heifers (n=1311) from nine locations assigned body condition score (BCS: 1, emaciated; 9, obese), reproductive tract score (RTS: 1, immature, acyclic; 5, mature, cyclic) and temperament score (0, calm; and 1, excited) and fitted with a controlled internal drug release (CIDR, 1.38g of progesterone) insert for 14days. Within herd, heifers were randomly assigned either to no-GnRH group (n=635) or to GnRH group (n=676), and heifers in GnRH group received 100μg of GnRH (gonadorelin hydrochloride, IM) on day 23. All heifers received 25mg of PGF2α (dinoprost, IM) on day 30 and oestrous detection aids at the same time. Heifers were observed for oestrus thrice daily until AI. Within GnRH groups, heifers were randomly assigned to either AI-56 or AI-72 groups. Heifers in AI-56 group (n=667) were inseminated at 56hr (day 32 PM), and heifers in AI-72 group (n=644) were inseminated at 72hr (day 33 AM) after PGF2α administration. All heifers were given 100μg of GnRH concurrently at the time AI. Controlling for BCS (p<.05), RTS (p<.05), oestrous expression (p<.001), temperament (p<.001) and GnRH treatment by time of insemination (p<.001), the AI-PR differed between GnRH treatment [GnRH (Yes - 60.9% (412/676) vs. No - 55.1% (350/635); p<.05)] and insemination time [AI-56 - 54.6% (364/667) vs. AI-72 - 61.8% (398/644); (p<.01)] groups. The GnRH treatment by AI time interaction influenced AI-PR (GnRH56 - 61.0% (208/341); GnRH72 - 60.9% (204/335); No-GnRH56 - 47.9% (156/326); No-GnRH72 - 62.8% (194/309); p<.001). In conclusion, 14-day CIDR synchronization protocol for FTAI required inclusion of GnRH on day 23 if inseminations were to be performed at 56hr after PGF2α in order to achieve greater AI-PR.

Predictors of metabolic syndrome in first manic episode.

In the present study we aimed to investigate, whether an association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and clinical features and affective temperaments exists or not in first manic episode of bipolar disorder (BD) and to clarify the prevalence and predictors of MetS. A total of 150 patients who were received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I according to DSM-IV criteria and who were experiencing their first manic episode (FME) were screened consecutively for inclusion. NCEP ATP III formulated an operational definition of MetS based on the presence of three or more of the following characteristics: abdominal obesity (waist circumference), hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL or being on an antilipidemic agent, high blood pressure or being on an antihypertensive agent, and fasting hyperglycemia or being on antiglycemic agent. The patients who had been in remission period for at least 8 weeks were evaluated with SKIP-TURK and TEMPS-A. Remission was defined as YMRS score <5. 37 (32.5%) patients had a MetS. Previous depressive episode, seasonality, negative family history and childhood trauma are determined as the predictors of MetS. Anxious and irritable temperament scores were higher in MetS (+) patients. According to our results, links between MetS and BD may also have been predicted by genetic and environmental factors.

Spatial scale in games of habitat selection, patch use, and sympatric speciation

Most organisms live in heterogeneous environments. Yet we know little about how variations in scales of heterogeneity influence decisions on patch use and habitat selection, and how they impact spatial distribution and evolution. In particular, we need to know whether the choice of habitats and patches emerges from a hierarchy of decisions, whether resource consumption correlates closely with space use, and whether different types of individuals are associated with patterns of spatial distribution. I address these knowledge gaps with field experiments that manipulated the risk and quality of foraging patches exploited by male meadow voles. I used clear versus wooden covers to create risky versus safe foraging sites and added supplemental food to create rich versus poor habitats. I assessed whether the resources harvested from each tray matched its frequency of use by groups of voles expressing different temperament scores. Habitat and patch use did not fit a simple hierarchy of decisions because animals m...

1170 Impacts of temperament on reproductive performance of Bos indicus and B. taurus beef females

Temperament is defined as the fear-related behavioral responses of cattle when exposed to human handling. Our group evaluates cattle temperament using: 1) chute score; 1 to 5 scale that increases according to excitable behavior during restraint in a squeeze chute, 2) exit velocity; speed of an animal exiting the squeeze chute, 3) exit score; dividing cattle according to exit velocity into quintiles using a 1 to 5 scale (1 = cattle in the slowest quintile; 5 = cattle in the fastest quintile), and 4) temperament score; average of chute and exit scores. Subsequently, cattle are assigned a temperament type; adequate temperament (ADQ; temperament score ≤ 3) or excitable temperament (EXC; temperament score > 3). To assess the impacts of temperament on reproductive efficiency in beef production systems, our group associated these evaluation criteria with puberty attainment and pregnancy rates in Bos taurus and B. indicus-influenced females. Cattle classified as EXC had greater plasma cortisol vs. ADQ cattle during handling, independent of breed type (B. indicus × B. taurus, P < 0.01; B. taurus, P < 0.01; B. indicus, P = 0.04) or age (cows, P < 0.01; heifers, P < 0.01). In regards to reproductive variables, B. taurus and B. indicus × B. taurus EXC heifers reached puberty at older ages (P < 0.05) compared with ADQ cohorts. Cows classified as EXC had reduced annual pregnancy rates vs. ADQ cows across breed types (B. taurus, P = 0.03; B. indicus × B. taurus, P = 0.04; B. indicus, P = 0.05). Moreover, B. taurus EXC cows also had decreased calving rate (P = 0.04), weaning rate (P = 0.09), and kg of calf weaned/cow exposed to breeding (P = 0.08) vs. ADQ cohorts. Our group also reported that acclimating B. indicus × B. taurusor B. taurus heifers to human handling improved temperament (P ≤ 0.02), reduced plasma cortisol (P < 0.01), and hastened puberty attainment (P ≤ 0.02). Hence, strategies to improve herd temperament, including selection for this trait and acclimation of young animals to human handling, are imperative for optimal reproductive efficiency of beef operations based on B. taurus and B. indicus influenced cattle.

How Stable are Temperaments in the Clinical Setting: A Pilot Study.

BackgroundAn essential point in evaluating the utility of measuring temperaments is the stability of the instrument used especially in the presence of mental disorders. One of the most commonly used instruments in the clinical setting is the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto-questionnaire (TEMPS-A). To our knowledge, the TEMPS-A’s stability in an outpatient adult clinical setting has not been evaluated. Objective:To assess the stability of the effect of temperament, time and clinical intervention.Methods:A sample of 89 adult outpatients was assessed at baseline and follow-up on their TEMPS-A scores. Diagnoses of mental disorders were reached through clinical interviews, and the severity of the conditions was clinically assessed at baseline and follow-up on a Likert scale. Changes in scores were examined in terms of z-scores, and possible predictors of the change in scores were assessed.Results:Eighty-nine percent of all subjects’ temperaments scores did not change or changed less than one z-score, and specifically: 84.2% in the case of depressive, 89.9% for cyclothymic, 92.1% for hyperthymic, 92.2% for irritable, and 86.5% for anxious temperaments. For all of the five temperaments, age, gender, time difference between baseline and follow up, number of diagnoses, and percent improvement were not significantly associated with the change in temperament scores.Limitations:Well-established severity measures would add to the validity of any future findings.Conclusion:Shifts in temperament scores between baseline and follow-up were minor, thus proving the stability of temperaments and the TEMPS-A scale in a clinical setting.

Predictive value of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 as biomarkers of affective temperaments in healthy young adults

BackgroundAffective temperaments are intermediate phenotypes for major affective disorders and are reported to have a neuroimmune etiopathogenesis. Here we investigated the role of soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in affective temperaments and mood symptoms in healthy adults. MethodsHealthy adults (n=94) were screened for psychiatric disorders using the nonpatient version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-I and II. Subjects with medical conditions associated with changes in inflammatory response were excluded, deriving the final sample (n=68). Affective temperaments were evaluated with Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). State mood symptoms were assessed using the Young Mania Rating Scale and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsAfter adjusting for confounders (age, gender, BMI, and smoking habits), a high negative correlation between depressive and irritable temperament TEMPS-A scores and sVCAM-1 levels was detected. Although we identified no association between sICAM-1 levels and affective temperament scores, sICAM-1 was related to the state severity of manic symptoms. In a multiple linear regression model, sVCAM-1 remained a significant predictor of depressive but not irritable temperament scores. LimitationsThe temperaments were estimated on the basis of self-report questionnaire. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that sVCAM-1 is related to affective temperaments, and it is a trait marker for liability to mood disorders. This relationship between alterations in cellular adhesion and affective temperament may be important for vulnerability to affective disorders.

Effect of temperament on production, reproduction and milking behaviour of Vrindavani cows in an organized herd

The present investigation was taken to study the temperament score and its relation with various production and reproduction parameters in Vrindavani cows. Docile temperament was observed in 74.10% of the cows and restless temperament in 25.90%. The mean temperament scores were 1.92±0.03 and 2.27±0.04 for docile and restless animals, respectively. The least squares means significantly differed for heart girth and ratio of body weight to wither height in two temperament groups. However, the temperament score of cows had no significant effect on most of the production and reproduction traits, but the milking behavior traits were better for less temperament scored animals than higher one. Evaluating temperament score could be quite useful tool to the farmers as well as dairy producers in view of selection and management of dairy cattle for better productivity and profitability.

Association of affective temperaments with blood pressure and arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients: a cross-sectional study.

BackgroundAffective temperaments (anxious, depressive, cyclothymic, irritable and hyperthymic) measure subclinical manifestations of major mood disorders. Furthermore, cumulating evidence suggests their involvement in somatic disorders as well. We aimed to assess associations between affective temperament scores and blood pressure and arterial stiffness parameters in hypertensive patients.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 173 patients with well-controlled or grade 1 chronic hypertension, with no history of depression, completed the TEMPS-A, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) questionnaires in three GP practices. Arterial stiffness was measured with tonometry (PulsePen).ResultsAccording to multiple linear regression analysis, cyclothymic temperament score was positively associated with brachial systolic blood pressure independently of age, sex, total cholesterol, brachial diastolic blood pressure, BDI, HAM-A and the use of alprazolam (β = 0.529, p = 0.042), while hyperthymic temperament score was negatively related to augmentation index independent of age, sex, smoking, heart rate, BDI, HAM-A and the use of alprazolam (β = -0.612, p = 0.013). A significant interaction was found between cyclothymic temperament score and sex in predicting brachial systolic blood pressure (p = 0.025), between irritable and anxious temperament scores and sex in predicting pulse wave velocity (p = 0.021, p = 0.023, respectively) and an interaction with borderline significance between hyperthymic temperament score and sex in predicting augmentation index (p = 0.052).ConclusionsThe present findings highlight elevated blood pressure among subjects with high cyclothymic temperament as well as an increased level of arterial stiffening in subjects with low hyperthymic scores suggesting that affective temperaments may play a role in the development of hypertension and arterial stiffening and may thus represent markers of cardiovascular risk. Sex differences were also present in these associations.

Infant feeding and health-related quality of life in healthy Chinese infants: results from a prospective, observational cohort study.

BackgroundInfant feeding regimens, including breastfeeding, formula-feeding, or a combination of the two, may influence infant health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, few studies have examined this association.MethodsThis prospective cohort study assessed HRQOL in relation to three parent-selected feeding regimens: exclusively breastfed (n = 136), exclusively study formula-fed (n = 140), and mixed-fed with study formula and breast milk (n = 151). Healthy Chinese infants were enrolled at their first normally scheduled well infant clinic visit at age 42 days (study day 1). Parents independently chose their infants’ feeding regimens prior to recruitment into the study, with infants in the formula and mixed-fed groups already consuming an infant formula enriched with α-lactalbumin and increased sn-2 palmitate and oligofructose. The Infant and Toddler Quality of Life Questionnaire, which includes six infant-focused and three parent-focused concepts, was used to assess HRQOL at day 1 and at a follow-up visit 48 days later. Scores for each concept ranged from 0 to 100. Parent quality of life (assessed using the Mental Component Summary score of the SF-12v2 Health Survey) was included in the ANCOVA model to adjust for its potential effect on parent’s perception of infant HRQOL.ResultsHRQOL concept scores were high in all three study groups at both visits (mean scores 71–95). Day 1 HRQOL scores were not significantly different between groups. At day 48, 5 of 9 HRQOL scores were not significantly different between groups. However, scores for Temperament and Moods, General Health Perceptions and Parent Impact–Time were slightly but statistically significantly lower in the formula-fed group (mean scores 75–86; all p ≤ 0.01) compared to the breastfed (78–90) and mixed-fed (77–91) groups. Day 48 Parent Impact–Emotional scores were also significantly lower by a small margin (4 points; p = 0.003) in the formula-fed group compared with the breastfed group.ConclusionsHRQOL was high in this population of healthy infants, with only a few small differences in HRQOL concept scores observed between breastfed, formula-fed and mixed-fed infants. These results indicate favorable physical, mental, and social well-being in these infants and parents. Assessment of infant HRQOL is therefore feasible and provides valuable insight into parental perceptions of their child’s health and well-being.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01370967.