Objective: This study aimed to develop a reliable and valid Mixed State Severity Index (MSSI) to assess mood instability in patients with mood disorders and determine cutoff scores. Methods: Twenty-one items were selected based on Koukopoulos’ criteria for mixed depressive episode, historically referred to as agitated depression, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision mixed features criteria. The MSSI was administered to 242 patients (major depressive disorder [n=92], bipolar disorder [BD] I [n=78], and BD II [n=72]) and 726 controls. Results: The MSSI demonstrated high internal consistency (α=0.78–0.90). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a stable four-factor structure. Based on receiver operating characteristic analysis, optimal cutoff scores were identified to distinguish mood disorder groups from controls, ranging from 19.5 to 27.5 depending on diagnosis. Conclusion The MSSI is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the severity of mixed features in patients with mood disorders. The established cutoff scores enhance its clinical utility, providing robust diagnosis and treatment planning support.

A 7-year-old neutered male Shih Tzu presented with acute onset of progressive tetraparesis and generalized muscle atrophy. Neurological examination, electromyography (EMG), and muscle biopsy revealed findings consistent with denervation-induced muscular atrophy. Based on these results, a tentative diagnosis of immune-mediated neurogenic myopathy was established. Immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil led to a marked clinical improvement. However, relapse following discontinuation of therapy indicated the chronic relapsing nature of the disease. This case demonstrates the diagnostic value of EMG and muscle biopsy in identifying neuromuscular disorders and underscores the importance of a multimodal diagnostic approach for the accurate diagnosis and management of suspected neurogenic myopathies.

Objective: Interpersonal sensitivity, characterized by a heightened awareness of others’ behavior and emotions, is linked to mood disorders. However, current literature lacks a comprehensive analysis of how some items of the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM) interrelate and contribute to the overall construct. This study constructed a network for interpersonal sensitivity symptomatology to identify core IPSM items in patients with mood disorders. Methods: The IPSM, a 36-item self-report scale, was utilized to evaluate interpersonal sensitivity symptoms in 837 participants (major depressive disorder [MDD], n=265; bipolar I disorder [BD I], n=126; and bipolar II disorder [BD II], n=446). We performed exploratory graph analysis, employing regularized partial correlation models to estimate the network structure. Centrality analysis identified core IPSM symptoms for each mood disorder group. Network comparison tests assessed structural differences between the MDD and BD subgroups. Results: Network analysis detected five communities. Item 10 (“I worry about being criticized for things that I have said or done”) showed the highest value in strength. Multiple items on “Interpersonal Worry/Dependency” and “Low Self-Esteem” showed high strength centrality. Network structure invariance and global strength invariance test results indicated no significant differences between the MDD and BD subgroups. Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of addressing “Interpersonal Worry/Dependency” and “Low Self-Esteem” in the IPSM network among mood disorder patients based on core items of the network. Additionally, targeted treatments and comprehensive strategies in this aspect could be crucial for managing mood disorders.

Objective: Mood instability (MI) is a clinically significant trait associated with psychiatric disorders. However, there are no concise measurements to evaluate MI. The initial Mood Instability Questionnaire-Trait (MIQ-T) was developed to fill this gap. The current study aimed to create a short form of MIQ-T (MIQ-T-SF) that measures MI with high validity and reliability in the Korean general population. Methods: Of the 59 items in the MIQ-T, 17 items were chosen for the MIQ-T-SF following the factor analysis process. In total, 540 participants completed the MIQ-T-SF. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega were used to evaluate reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to determine construct validity. Concurrent validity was confirmed via comparisons with Personality Assessment Inventory-Borderline Features Scale. Measurement invariance across gender and age groups was confirmed before analyzing differences in scores using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: The MIQ-T-SF displayed expected correlations and high internal consistency (α=0.71–0.90, Ωt=0.72–0.92). Using EFA and CFA, a five-factor structure was confirmed. Measurement invariance was supported, and gender differences were observed. Conclusion The MIQ-T-SF is an accurate and reliable method to detect MI in the Korean general population. The study’s results offer new perspectives for future studies on MI.

A 10-year-old spayed female Maltese presented with purpura and hematemesis. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, but evidence of hemolytic anemia was not identified. Three milligrams of human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) was administered for 3 hours following prednisolone and mycophenolate mofetil. A pale mucous membrane was identified, and the packed cell volume decreased by 3%. Blood film examination revealed significant spherocytosis with auto-agglutination. Blood transfusions and immunosuppression were continued for 4 days, and hIVIG was discontinued. This report describes a case of increased immune-mediated hemolysis after hIVIG administration, possibly due to new-onset immune-mediated hemolytic anemia or enhanced immunogenicity.

Peritoneal lymphomatosis (PL) is a rare lymphoid neoplasm in dogs. A nine-year-old spayed female Labrador retriever presented with pleural and peritoneal effusions. Diagnostic imaging revealed diffuse nodular to massive lesions in the mesentery, particularly in the caudal abdomen. While the superficial lymph nodes did not show significant changes, enlargement was observed in the intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic lymph nodes. Cytological and flow cytometric analyses of the effusion indicated the presence of large B-cell lymphocytes expressing CD3-/CD5-/CD14-/CD21-/CD34+/CD45+/CD79a+. PL was diagnosed using diagnostic imaging and fluid analysis. This case report highlights the clinical and diagnostic features of canine PL.

Cutaneous lymphoma is rare in cats. An 11-year-old spayed female Persian cat presented with crust, ulceration, and multiple nodules on the shoulder and forelimb for 2 months. Computed tomography revealed a diffuse, irregularly margined lesion in the dorsal cutis extending from cervical to thoracic vertebrae. Cytological evaluation predominantly revealed large round cells with multilobulated nuclei and basophilic cytoplasm. Histopathological examination confirmed round CD3+/PAX5- cells packed in the dermis. Thus, the diagnosis of non-epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma with a diffuse large T-cell type was made. The disease progressed rapidly for the next 2 weeks, and the owner elected humane euthanasia.

Objective: Mood disorder and borderline personality pathology (BPP) are frequently comorbid and relate to childhood trauma. We investigated the relationship between childhood trauma and BPP features in mood disorder patients versus controls. Methods: A total of 488 mood disorder patients, particularly major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar I disorder (BD I), and bipolar II disorder (BD II), and 734 controls were included. We examined between-group BPP-related differences and correlated between BPP and childhood trauma using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ) and the Personality Assessment Inventory–Borderline Features Scale. Results: BD II patients showed significantly higher BPP. Emotional abuse and neglect were prominently associated with BPP, while affective instability and negative relationships exhibited a stronger association with childhood trauma. We also found a positive relationship between childhood trauma and BPP in MDD, BD I, and BD II patients. Conclusion The findings of the present study imply that BPP features are more likely to be found in patients with BD II than BD I or MDD. Mood disorder patients with severe childhood trauma may have higher BPP features. Thus, further study of the relationship between childhood trauma and BPP features could improve the therapeutic approaches and help understand patients with mood disorders.

Objective: The Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) has been validated in more than 30 languages and is noted for its broad application in research and clinical settings. This study presents the first attempt to examine the reliability and validity of the TEMPS-A in Korea. Methods: A total of 540 non-clinical participants completed the Korean TEMPS-A, which was adapted from the original English version via a comprehensive translation procedure. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s α, and associations between temperaments were examined using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed, and differences in TEMPS-A scores between the gender- and age-based groups were examined using Kruskal-Wallis analysis. Results: The Korean TEMPS-A exhibited excellent internal consistency (0.70–0.91) and significant correlations between subscales. EFA resulted in a two-factor structure: Factor I (depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious) and Factor II (hyperthymic). Gender and age group differences were observed. Conclusion Overall, our results suggest that TEMPS-A is a reliable and valid measure of affective temperaments for the Korean population. This study opens new possibilities for further research on affective temperaments and their related traits.