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Many studies have examined the relationship between personality and depressive disorders. However, the findings have been heterogeneous and many gaps in current understanding of their links remain. To gain a deeper comprehension of the links between personality and depression, it might be advisable to focus on lower levels (traits) of the personality hierarchy. In this context, the present study aims: 1) to describe the personality profile of treatment-seeking outpatients diagnosed with depressive disorders by comparing them to a control group, and 2) to explore the specific contribution of the Alternative Five Factor Model in identifying outpatients diagnosed with depressive disorders. We used a case-control design and a sample of 315 adult participants. We tested for the clinical specificity of the dimensional personality profile, by randomly matching 105 cases with 210 controls from a general population sample. The clinical group scored higher than controls on Neuroticism-Anxiety and lower on Activity and Sociability. However, only high Neuroticism-Anxiety and low Activity discriminated both groups and were significantly associated with a diagnosis of depressive disorder. Results indicated that Neuroticism-Anxiety is closely related to a diagnosis of depression and it should be specifically addressed in the therapeutic process. Additionally, the activity trait is also associated with a reduced likelihood of being depressed; a finding that implies that psychological treatment ought to emphasize the importance of maintaining a high level of general activity in both the short and long run. Our results help to clarify current inconsistencies regarding the links between personality and depression., Author(s): Irene Ramos-Grille [sup.1] [sup.2] , Núria Aragay [sup.1] , Sergi Valero [sup.3] [sup.4] , Gemma Garrido [sup.1] , Martí Santacana [sup.1] , Roser Guillamat [sup.1] , Vicenç Vallès [sup.1] [...]

The acidity constants p[K.sub.a] of 11 bases (amines, anilines, pyridines, pyrrolidines, and iminophosphoranes) is determined in tetrahydrofuran by potentiometry, complemented by conductometric measurements. A scale of absolute acidity in tetrahydrofuran is established from the p[K.sub.a] values obtained, which has allowed calculation of the absolute p[K.sub.a] values of 77 bases from literature relative p[K.sub.a] data.

Background: Gambling landscape has changed in recent years with the emergence of online gambling (OG). Greater accessibility and availability of this betting modality can increase the risk of developing a gambling disorder (GD). Online sports betting (OSB) is currently the most common type of OG, but little is known about the clinical characteristics of OSB compared to slot-machine (SM) gamblers, the most common offline gambling disorder. Methods: This was a prospective study conducted between October 2005 and September 2019, and included outpatients diagnosed with GD seen in a Pathological Gambling and Behavioral Addictions referral unit. Only patients with OSB and SM disorders were included. The main objective was to assess the clinical profile of OSB compared to SM gamblers, and to define clinical predictors for developing OSB gambling disorder. Logistic regression was performed to determine the effects of variables on the likelihood of this disorder. Results: Among 1,186 patients attended in our Unit during the study period, 873 patients were included; 32 (3.7%) were OSB gamblers and 841 (96.3%) were SM gamblers. Overall, mean age was 45 ± 13 years and 94.3% were men. Compared to SM patients, OSB patients were younger (34.9 ± 9.5 vs. 45.3 ±13), more frequently single (43.8 vs. 20.6%) and had a university education level (43.8 vs. 4.5%); they were also more frequently non-smokers (18.7 vs. 66.7%) and had fewer psychiatric comorbidities (12.5 vs. 29.4%) than SM gamblers. GD duration before treatment initiation was shorter in OSB patients than in SM gamblers, most of them (81.3 vs. 42.4%) with ≤ 5 years of GD duration. OSB gamblers showed significant differences in weekly gambling expenditure, spending higher amounts than SM patients. Younger age (OR: 0.919; 95% CI: 0.874–0.966), university education level (OR: 10.658; 95% CI: 3.330–34.119), weekly expenditure >100€ (OR: 5.811; 95% CI:1.544–21.869), and being a non-smoker (OR:13.248; 95% CI:4.332–40.517) were associated with an increased likelihood of OSB gambling behavior. Conclusions: We identified different profiles for OSB and SM gamblers. Younger age, university education level, higher weekly expenditure, and non-smoking habit were associated with OSB compared to SM disorders. Prevention strategies should help young people become aware of the severe risks of OSB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Methanol is the organic solvent closest to water and able to dissolve a huge amount of organic compounds. Therefore, it is a good candidate for pK a determination of drugs sparingly soluble in water or a basic drug presented as a salt which pK a is close to that of its counter-acid. In this work, the acidic dissociation constants in pure methanol of the most common acids used in pharmaceutical preparations (lactic, tartaric, fumaric, maleic and citric) were determined. In addition, the pK a values of the antipsychotic quetiapine presented as hemifumarate (Seroquel) and the very insoluble antiarrhythmic amiodarone were also determined by potentiometry. From these values, the aqueous pK a of these drugs were estimated by means of previously established equations. Estimated values are consistent with those from literature and show the interest of methanol for drug discovery pK a measurements. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The acidity constants (pKa) of 11 bases (amines, anilines, pyridines, pyrrolidines, and iminophosphoranes) have been determined in tetrahydrofuran by potentiometry, complemented by conductometric measurements. The pKa values of the studied bases cover a wide absolute pH range of acidity in tetrahydrofuran, from 7.4 to 21.7. From the pKa values obtained, a scale of absolute acidity in tetrahydrofuran has been established, which has allowed calculation of the absolute pKa values of 77 bases from literature relative PKa data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The acidic dissociation constants in a number of methanol/water mixtures of mono and polycarboxylic acids commonly used in the preparation of drug salts were determined. These solvent mixtures are usually used to determine the pK a of drugs of low aqueous solubility. However, when these drugs are prepared in salt form, the acid–base equilibria of both the basic drug and the counter-anion are involved in the potentiometric titration curves. In these instances, the inclusion of the pK a of acids as constant values in the curve fitting provides easy computation of the drug pK a without the need of any previous step to get the free base. As an application example, the aqueous pK a values of the quetiapine formulated as hemifumarate (Seroquel) were estimated by extrapolation from the experimental pK a in several methanol/water mixtures, which were then calculated according to the suitable constants of fumaric acid. The estimated aqueous pK a values of quetiapine are compared with those directly obtained in aqueous solution by potentiometry and by capillary electrophoresis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Scientific literature suggests that music may serve as therapeutic function among populations with different illnesses or disorders. Functional neuroimaging studies that incorporate music activity or music method shown an increase activation in several brain areas, with widespread bilateral hemodynamic responses in occipital lobe, bilateral cerebellum, temporal lobe, in the right lateral prefrontal cortex as well hemodynamic responses in the left middle frontal gyrus. Music activity can have effects that improve the psychological health of individuals. These improvements refer to modulation of emotion, neurocognition, and behaviour. Another important conclusion is the social function of the music. Music seems to be capable of engaging in social behaviour, involves communication, increase interindividual trust, improve social cohesion of the group. In summary, making music is an activity that involves several social functions. However, is it possible to improve quality of life with music method in severe mental illness? The term severe mental illness (SMI) has been used to refer psychiatric disorders that are persistent over time and that result in serious impairment in one or more domains of functioning, such as social relations, employment, and family relations. Meta-analytical studies have found a relationship between severity of disorder and quality of life measures. The use of music stimuli to convey information may imbue the learning experience with positive emotional associations. Thereby, scientific literature suggests that music may serve a therapeutic function among populations with SMI, including overall reduction in psychotic symptoms, reduction in negative symptoms of schizophrenia, improved social functioning and increase in subjective sense of community participation, decreased social isolation and increased level of interest in external events. The stigma of mental illness remains a powerful negative attribute in all-social relations. Discrimination is also about the conditions in which our patients live in their community. The stigma of severe mental disorders contributes to social isolation and social exclusion. The main goal is social integration of people with SMI in the community through music investigating the quality of life and self-esteem outcomes. Method: The musical activity consists on choral singing 1 hour a week conducted by a professional music with training in music pedagogy and learning strategies and patterns of emotional modulation led by a psychologist. Persons with and without mental illness favouring social integration form the choral group. Different aspects that are promoted: • Musical practice: choral singing, musical language, rhythm, intonation, and technique voicearticulation. • Neurocognitive strategies are directed by the psychologist to improve attention, memory executive function and emotional modulation. • Psychomotor skills aimed to improving the appropriate tone for action and facial and body gestures. • Social skills: active listening, empathy, motivation to belonging to a group. • Participants create a common artistic project: Concert Performance. • Decisions concerning the group are made in assemblies, in which the whole grou take part. People are distributed depending on their vocal tone (soprano, alto, tenor and bass). Outcomes measures: The Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965) and The Quality of Life Scale of WHO Spanish version (WHOQOL Bref, Lucas C. 1998) were assessed in baseline and at post condition (12 month of choral sessions). Results: Twenty-six people were recruited to the study of whom 13 with SMI and 12 without mental illness. The mean age was 46 years, and de gender were 11 male (44%). Statistical analysis shown that people with SMI achieved significant improvement over time in terms of Quality of life and self-esteem measurements. Conclusions: Performing musical activity, specifically choral singing (1hour a week) with SMI along with other people without mental problems promotes social integration. Facilitating contact between people with and without mental illness by creating a common artistic project prevents social isolation of SMI and promotes the wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has become widespread in recent years, leading to an increase in addiction cases. A total of 118 patients who attended the Behavioral Addictions Unit of Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (Barcelona, Spain) between October 2005 and December 2021 were included in the study. The sample was divided into three groups according to the time period in which they started treatment: between 2005 and 2010 (before the rise in new technologies, named the pre-ICT period), between 2011 and 2019 (a time of major ICT development, named the ICT period) and between 2020 and 2021 (with massive use of the internet due to effects of the pandemic, named the COVID-19 period). We found an increase in the incidence of screen addiction cases related to the development of technology throughout the study years, and this increase was accentuated during the COVID-19 period. This increase was not equal for all types of content consumed via the internet, with patients with video game addiction increasing to a greater extent than patients with internet/social network addiction. In addition, patients with video game addiction were younger and had started gaming at a younger age than those with internet/social network addiction. These results contribute to a better understanding of the phenomenon of technology addiction and to the design of appropriate treatment protocols and preventive programs.