Intrathecal Gene Therapy for Giant Axonal Neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Giant axonal neuropathy is a rare, autosomal recessive, pediatric, polysymptomatic, neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in GAN, the gene encoding gigaxonin. METHODS: We conducted an intrathecal dose-escalation study of scAAV9/JeT-GAN (a self-complementary adeno-associated virus-based gene therapy containing the GAN transgene) in children with giant axonal neuropathy. Safety was the primary end point. The key secondary clinical end point was at least a 95% posterior probability of slowing the rate of change (i.e., slope) in the 32-item Motor Function Measure total percent score at 1 year after treatment, as compared with the pretreatment slope. RESULTS: One of four intrathecal doses of scAAV9/JeT-GAN was administered to 14 participants - 3.5×1013 total vector genomes (vg) (in 2 participants), 1.2×1014 vg (in 4), 1.8×1014 vg (in 5), and 3.5×1014 vg (in 3). During a median observation period of 68.7 months (range, 8.6 to 90.5), of 48 serious adverse events that had occurred, 1 (fever) was possibly related to treatment; 129 of 682 adverse events were possibly related to treatment. The mean pretreatment slope in the total cohort was -7.17 percentage points per year (95% credible interval, -8.36 to -5.97). At 1 year after treatment, posterior mean changes in slope were -0.54 percentage points (95% credible interval, -7.48 to 6.28) with the 3.5×1013-vg dose, 3.23 percentage points (95% credible interval, -1.27 to 7.65) with the 1.2×1014-vg dose, 5.32 percentage points (95% credible interval, 1.07 to 9.57) with the 1.8×1014-vg dose, and 3.43 percentage points (95% credible interval, -1.89 to 8.82) with the 3.5×1014-vg dose. The corresponding posterior probabilities for slowing the slope were 44% (95% credible interval, 43 to 44); 92% (95% credible interval, 92 to 93); 99% (95% credible interval, 99 to 99), which was above the efficacy threshold; and 90% (95% credible interval, 89 to 90). Between 6 and 24 months after gene transfer, sensory-nerve action potential amplitudes increased, stopped declining, or became recordable after being absent in 6 participants but remained absent in 8. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal gene transfer with scAAV9/JeT-GAN for giant axonal neuropathy was associated with adverse events and resulted in a possible benefit in motor function scores and other measures at some vector doses over a year. Further studies are warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of intrathecal AAV-mediated gene therapy in this disorder. (Funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02362438.).

Long-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Children with Gastroschisis: A Review of the Literature.

This study aimed to investigate and present a review of the literature on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with gastroschisis. Gastroschisis is the most common abdominal wall defect. Children with gastroschisis are at high risk for premature birth, intestinal failure, sepsis, and repeated anesthesia exposure, which collectively increase the risk for adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. The existing literature on neurodevelopmental outcomes is limited in number, quality, and generalizability, creating a gap in clinical knowledge and care. Five internet databases were searched by a professional research librarian: Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library. Included articles were (1) published in English, (2) included postneonatal hospital discharge neurodevelopmental outcomes of children with gastroschisis, and (3) included patients under the age of 18 years. No date parameters were applied. The paucity of literature on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in gastroschisis children has left large gaps in the body of knowledge on post-hospital care of such children. In this review, 37 articles were found evaluating neurodevelopmental outcomes in gastroschisis and, while conclusions were contradictory, the literature broadly indicated the potential for neurodevelopmental deficits in the gastroschisis pediatric population. A significant limitation of this review was the heterogeneous samples included in available literature, which confounded the ability to determine cognitive risk of gastroschisis independent of other abdominal wall defects. Findings of this review demonstrate potential risk for neurodevelopmental deficits in the pediatric gastroschisis population exist, yet additional research is needed to definitively predict the significance, type, onset, and trajectory of neurodevelopmental impairment in this population. The significant gaps in long-term outcomes data have elucidated the need for prospective, longitudinal investigation of various cognitive domains in homogenous gastroschisis populations to properly evaluate prevalence of neurodevelopmental deficits and guide recommendations for long-term clinical care. KEY POINTS: · Limited literature exists regarding long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in gastroschisis.. · There is some evidence to suggest worse cognitive behavioral outcomes in gastroschisis over time.. · Developmental surveillance, screening, and evaluation may be beneficial for gastroschisis patients..

Efficacy and recommendations for the delivery of telehealth psychotherapy for people with personality disorder.

OBJECTIVE: There are few studies on the efficacy and acceptability of psychotherapy conducted via telehealth technology for people with personality disorder. This study aims to examine clinician perspectives on virtual psychotherapy. METHOD: Twenty multidisciplinary mental health clinicians (85% female, average age 42 years) with at least 2 years of experience in telehealth psychotherapy contributed quantitative and qualitative ratings of acceptability and efficacy of this modality. RESULTS: Likert scale ratings (1 = not, 5 = very) demonstrated high client acceptability (mean = 4.0), effectiveness (4.0) and high clinician acceptability (4.2) and sustainability (4.2). Three recommendations emerged from qualitative analysis: prioritising frame establishment, ensuring client safety online and maximising alliance-enhancing strategies. CONCLUSIONS: This study, which collected quantitative and qualitative ratings of virtual psychotherapy, found that telehealth psychotherapy can be effective and acceptable for people with personality disorder. Strategies associated with success included strong governance, secure technology and careful attending to relationship management.

Quadriceps tendon autograft has similar clinical outcomes when compared to hamstring tendon and bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts for revision ACL reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Research regarding revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (RACLR) with quadriceps tendon (QT) autografts is lacking. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of RACLR with QT and compare its patient outcomes to RACLR with hamstring tendon (HT) and bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autografts. METHODS: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines, a search for studies using QT in RACLR was performed within PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL from database date of inception through December 26, 2022. Primary outcomes sought included: failure rate, Lysholm scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, IKDC grades, arthrometric knee side-to-side differences (STSD), pivot shift grade, donor site morbidity, return to sport, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores. RESULTS: Nine studies were included consisting of 606 RACLR: 349 QT, 169 HT, and 88 BTB. Overall failure rates were 7.6% QT, 13.3% HT, and 8.7% BTB. Mean weighted Lysholm scores were 85.8 ± 3.8 QT, 82.5 ± 3.8 HT and 86.6 ± 4.5 BTB. IKDC average scores were 82.3 ± 1.6 QT, 80.1 ± 1.7 HT, and 81.7 ± 5.5BTB. Combined rates of IKDC A/B grades were 88.4% and 80.0% for QT and HT, respectively. VAS average scores were 0.9 ± 1.1 QT, 1.4 ± 0.2 HT, and 0.7 ± 0.8 for BTB. Side-to-side difference was reported for QT and HT with average values of 1.7 ± 0.6 mm and 2.1 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. Grade 0 or 1 pivot shifts were reported in 96.2% of QT patients and 91.3% of HT. Donor site morbidity, only reported for QT and HT, was 14.6 ± 9.7% and 23.6 ± 14.1%, respectively. QT resulted in a mean Tegner score of 5.9 ± 1.5 versus HT 5.7 ± 1.5. Rate of return to pivoting sports was 38.0% QT, 48.6% HT, and 76.9% BTB. Across all outcomes, there was no significant difference when comparing QT to HT, QT to BTB, and QT compared to HT and BTB combined. CONCLUSIONS: RACLR with QT yields satisfactory patient reported outcomes, satisfactory improvement in knee laxity, expected return to sport rates, and has an overall 7.6% failure rate. Outcomes are comparative to those of HT and BTB making it an acceptable graft choice for RACLR. Surgeons should consider using QT autograft for RACLR, especially when other autografts are unavailable. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Viewing violent policing videos contributes to trauma symptoms for Black Americans.

OBJECTIVE: This research investigates how watching videos of police violence and experiences with police contributes to health disparities in well-being that disproportionately negatively affect Black Americans. METHOD: A large-scale survey of Americans (n = 1,240; nBlack American = 286, nWhite American = 954) examined the impact of negative experiences with police and watching violent policing videos as distal (i.e., external) stressors that contribute to symptoms of trauma. The proximal (i.e., internal) stressor of worrying about being stereotyped as criminal by police was also examined. RESULTS: Those who identified as Black were more likely to report negative experiences with police, exposure to violent policing videos, and greater worry about being stereotyped as criminal by police than those who identified as White. The three stressors were, in turn, associated with experiencing trauma symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to violent policing videos is disproportionately associated with well-being for Black Americans, even when accounting for direct experiences with police. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering vicarious trauma in therapeutic settings and have implications for dissemination of these videos through media channels. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Fast food menu calorie labeling contexts as complex contributing factors to overeating.

The effectiveness of menu calorie labeling in limiting the amount of calories selected has been called into question since it was mandated within the Affordable Care Act. This study examined how contexts that are known to influence motivational and information processing might limit the effectiveness of calorie labeling in order to shed some light on the mixed findings in this area. An online experiment was conducted in which calorie labels were paired or not paired with visual cues in different motivational contexts: greater and lesser variety and energy density choices available. Results contribute to the general conclusion that calorie labels are not particularly effective. Specifically, the only context in which a calorie label succeeded in reducing calories selected was a high variety mix of low and high energy density foods with visual food cues present; however, this type of context elicited the greatest number of calories selected on average, even more than when only highly energy density items were present. The findings from this study add to the body of knowledge about the effectiveness of calorie labeling by defining some boundary conditions on whether and when the presence of calorie labels are likely to reduce caloric intake. This knowledge is helpful in furthering food selection and choice research, but also may help health practitioners design effective intervention strategies.

Family visitation policies, facilities, and support in Australia and New Zealand intensive care units: A multicentre, registry-linked survey.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe family visitation policies, facilities, and support in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A survey was distributed to all Australian and New Zealand ICUs reporting to the Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society Centre for Outcomes and Resources Evaluation Critical Care Resources (CCR) Registry in 2018. Data were obtained from the survey and from data reported to the CCR Registry. For this study, open visiting (OV) was defined as allowing visitors for more than 14 h per day. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This study included all Australian and New Zealand ICUs reporting to CCR in 2018. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were family access to the ICU and visiting hours, characteristics of the ICU waiting area, and information provided to and collected from the relatives. FINDINGS: Fifty-six percent (95/170) of ICUs contributing to CCR responded, representing 44% of ANZ ICUs and a range of rural, metropolitan, tertiary, and private ICUs. Visiting hours ranged from 1.5 to 24 h per day, with 68 (72%) respondent ICUs reporting an OV policy, of which 64 (67%) ICUs were open to visitors 24 h a day. A waiting room was part of the ICU for 77 (81%) respondent ICUs, 74 (78%) reported a separate dedicated room for family meetings, and 83 (87%) reported available social worker services. Most ICUs reported facilities for sleeping within or near the hospital. An information booklet was provided by 64 (67%) ICUs. Only six (6%) ICUs required personal protective equipment for all visitors, and 76 (80%) required personal protective equipment for patients with airborne precautions. CONCLUSIONS: In 2018, the majority of ANZ ICUs reported liberal visiting policies, with substantial facilities and family support.

Staff perceptions of family access and visitation policies in Australian and New Zealand intensive care units: The WELCOME-ICU survey.

BACKGROUND: Family-centred critical care recognises the impact of a loved one's critical illness on his relatives. Open visiting is a strategy to improve family satisfaction and psychological outcomes by permitting unrestricted or less restricted access to visit their family member in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, increased family presence may result in increased workload and a risk of burnout for ICU staff. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate ICU staff perceptions regarding visiting hours and family access in Australian and New Zealand ICUs. Secondary outcomes included an evaluation of current visiting policies, witnessed events in ICUs, and barriers to implementing open visiting policies. DESIGN: A web-based survey open to all healthcare workers in Australia and New Zealand ICUs was distributed through local, state-based, and national critical care networks. Open visiting was defined as ICUs open for visiting >14 h per day. MAIN RESULTS: We received 1255 valid responses. Most respondents were nurses (n = 930, 74.1%) with a median critical care experience of 10 y. Most worked in open visiting ICUs (n = 749, 59.7%). Reported visiting hours varied greatly with a median of 20 h per day (interquartile range: 10-24 h). Open visiting was perceived as beneficial for the relatives, but less so for patients and staff (relatives: n = 845, 67.3%, patients: n = 561, 44.7%, staff: n = 257, 20.5%, p < 0.0001). Respondents from closed visiting units and nurses identified more risks from open visiting than other professional groups. Generally, staff preferred not to change from their current practice. CONCLUSION: We report that staff perceived open visiting as beneficial for relatives, but also identified risks to themselves, including increased workload, a risk of burnout, and a risk of occupational violence. Reluctance to change highlights the importance of addressing staff perceptions when implementing an open visiting policy.

Gene Transfer Therapy for Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) include a broad spectrum of disorders that disrupt normal brain development. Though some NDDs are caused by acquired insults (i.e., toxic or infectious encephalopathy) or may be cryptogenic, many NDDs are caused by variants in a single gene or groups of genes that disrupt neuronal development or function. In this review, we will focus on those NDDs with a genetic etiology. The exact mechanism, timing, and progression of the molecular pathology are seldom well known; however, the abnormalities in development typically manifest in similar patterns such as delays or regression in motor function, social skills, and language or cognitive abilities. Severity of impairment can vary widely. At present, only symptomatic treatments are available to manage seizures and behavioral problems commonly seen in NDDs. In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of research into gene therapy using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs). Using AAVs as vectors to replace the non- or dysfunctional gene in vivo is a relatively simple model which has created an unprecedented opportunity for the future of NDD treatment. Advances in this field are of paramount importance as NDDs lead to a massive lifelong burden of disease on the affected individuals and families. In this article, we review the unique advantages and challenges of AAV gene therapies. We then look at potential applications of gene therapy for 3 of the more common NDDs (Rett syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and Angelman syndrome), as well as 2 less common NDDs (SLC13A5 deficiency disorder and SLC6A1-related disorder). We will review the available natural history of each disease and current state of preclinical studies including a discussion on the application of AAV gene therapies for each disease.

Lrrk promotes tau neurotoxicity through dysregulation of actin and mitochondrial dynamics.

Mutations in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common cause of familial Parkinson disease. Genetics and neuropathology link Parkinson disease with the microtubule-binding protein tau, but the mechanism of action of LRRK2 mutations and the molecular connection between tau and Parkinson disease are unclear. Here, we investigate the interaction of LRRK and tau in Drosophila and mouse models of tauopathy. We find that either increasing or decreasing the level of fly Lrrk enhances tau neurotoxicity, which is further exacerbated by expressing Lrrk with dominantly acting Parkinson disease-associated mutations. At the cellular level, altering Lrrk expression promotes tau neurotoxicity via excess stabilization of filamentous actin (F-actin) and subsequent mislocalization of the critical mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-1-like protein (Drp1). Biochemically, monomeric LRRK2 exhibits actin-severing activity, which is reduced as increasing concentrations of wild-type LRRK2, or expression of mutant forms of LRRK2 promote oligomerization of the protein. Overall, our findings provide a potential mechanistic basis for a dominant negative mechanism in LRRK2-mediated Parkinson disease, suggest a common molecular pathway with other familial forms of Parkinson disease linked to abnormalities of mitochondrial dynamics and quality control, and raise the possibility of new therapeutic approaches to Parkinson disease and related disorders.

The Influence of Social Eating Norms on Motivational Responses When Processing Fast Food Advertisements.

Social norms play a key role in dietary behaviors. This study tested the underlying mechanism behind social norm effects in the context of the influences of social eating cues (individual vs. group eating cues) in fast food advertisements on motivational responses. Our results indicated that food ads with group eating cues elicited stronger appetitive activation resulting in greater orbicularis oculi activation and greater skin conductivity level, indicating more positive emotional feelings and more sympathetic arousal, compared to food ads with individual eating cues. Group eating cues also led to more favorable self-reported attitudes toward the advertised food products and brands. Overall, findings from this study suggest that exposure to food ads with group eating cues yield greater appetitive responses toward these types of ads and their products, likely creating a stronger degree of perceived social support. Implications are discussed.

Applying Optimal Foraging to Young Adult Decision-Making after Food Advertising Exposure.

This study combined theory from the fields of communication, behavioral ecology, and ecological psychology to examine how relevant factors about food influence the timing and trajectory of our decision-making after exposure to food advertisements. Young healthy adult participants (N = 108) completed a forced-choice, speeded decision-making latency task before and after viewing a set of advertisements. Results suggested that participants were more appetitively motivated by more energy-dense foods (i.e., higher calorie per gram) using direct food cues (i.e., were directly available to the senses, were visible), but after exposure to advertisements, this predisposition was less pronounced. Advertisement food cues were also important in decision-making, especially in coalition with the food cues used in the decision-making task stimuli. This study supports an optimal foraging perspective being expanded to human behavioral contexts in a modern landscape. Food advertising and packaging cues interacted with energy density level of food to provide information relevant to biological imperatives, which significantly altered food consumption decisions.

Evaluation of CME Arrival Prediction Using Ensemble Modeling Based on Heliospheric Imaging Observations.

In this study, we evaluate a coronal mass ejection (CME) arrival prediction tool that utilizes the wide-angle observations made by STEREO's heliospheric imagers (HI). The unsurpassable advantage of these imagers is the possibility to observe the evolution and propagation of a CME from close to the Sun out to 1 AU and beyond. We believe that by exploiting this capability, instead of relying on coronagraph observations only, it is possible to improve today's CME arrival time predictions. The ELlipse Evolution model based on HI observations (ELEvoHI) assumes that the CME frontal shape within the ecliptic plane is an ellipse and allows the CME to adjust to the ambient solar wind speed; that is, it is drag based. ELEvoHI is used to perform ensemble simulations by varying the CME frontal shape within given boundary conditions that are consistent with the observations made by HI. In this work, we evaluate different setups of the model by performing hindcasts for 15 well-defined isolated CMEs that occurred when STEREO was near L4/5, between the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2011. In this way, we find a mean absolute error of between 6.2 ± 7.9 and 9.9 ± 13 hr depending on the model setup used. ELEvoHI is specified for using data from future space weather missions carrying HIs located at L5 or L1. It can also be used with near-real-time STEREO-A HI beacon data to provide CME arrival predictions during the next ∼7 years when STEREO-A is observing the Sun-Earth space.

Investigating the Effect of Use and Social Cues in Food Advertisements on Attention, Feelings of Social Support, and Purchase Intention.

In an effort to understand how different types of food cues in food ads are automatically encouraging unhealthy eating behaviors, the current study examined how the presence of actual food consumption behaviors (use cues) and presence of multiple individuals indorsing food products (social cues) in fast food ads would influence individual attentional and behavioral responses. A use cue (2) x social cue (2) x repetition (3) fully within-subjects factorial design experiment with young adults (N = 164) was conducted. Findings demonstrated that participants paid greater attention to the fast food ads which contained multiple people (group cue) eating the advertised food products (use cue) when compared to other types of fast food ads. In addition, participants also self-reported greater social support and purchase intention when seeing use and group cues in ads. Understanding how these cues function in food advertising to encourage unhealthy eating may help health practitioners and individuals create more helpful intervention strategies. Further, applying these marketing tactics to ads for food products that are healthier (i.e., less energy dense and more nutrient dense) may help to maximize healthy food palatability, thereby increasing motivation for viewers to make autonomous decisions about eating healthier.

Smoking Status Matters: A Direct Comparison of Smokers' and Nonsmokers' Psychophysiological and Self-Report Responses to Secondhand Smoke Anti-Tobacco PSAs.

Extensive research demonstrates that exposure to threatening anti-tobacco messages can lead to defensive message processing which reduces message effectiveness. However, research investigating whether this effect is moderated by the smoking status of the message viewer is lacking. In this study, participants (N = 48 smokers and N = 51 non-smokers) viewed and rated secondhand smoke anti-tobacco messages depicting both smoking cues and threat content, or messages depicting neither while heart rate, skin conductance, and facial EMG were recorded. Post viewing, self-reported emotional experience, level of counterarguing, and recognition memory were measured. In support of the LC4MP, there were no differences between smokers and non-smokers' responses for non-threatening messages absent in smoking cues. However, messages that contained both smoking cues and threat content were defensively processed by smokers - but not non-smokers - as indicated by significantly faster heart rate, lower recognition memory and higher self-reported negativity, arousal, and counterarguments. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Pragmatic development of an evidence-based intensive care unit-specific falls risk assessment tool: The Tyndall Bailey Falls Risk Assessment Tool.

BACKGROUND: Falls may result in significant patient harm. A recommended strategy to prevent falls is the use of a falls risk assessment tool, but these tools are often specific for older people. Evidence suggests context-specific tools are more effective. Although a rare event in the intensive care unit (ICU), patients in the ICU are at high risk of falling. The primary trigger for the current study was an increase in falls in the study ICU. AIM: The objective of this study was to develop and implement a valid and reliable ICU-specific falls risk assessment tool, with the aim of reducing falls. METHODS: Retrospective incident-monitoring database audits were performed. Prospective validity and reliability testing of an ICU-specific tool (Tyndall Bailey Falls Risk Assessment Tool [TB FRAT]) and the existing method for assessing falls risk (ONTARIO Modified Stratify [Sydney Scoring] Falls Risk Screen) was conducted. Seven raters (nurse clinicians) independently performed falls risk assessment using both tools on two occasions for six patients. RESULTS: Correlation for risk stratification categories between the two tools was moderate (r = 0.60, P < .001). Intrarater reliability (correlation) for individual rater's scores was strong (r = 0.86, P < .001). Interrater reliability for the TB FRAT was moderate to excellent (interclass correlations = 0.76 [95% confidence interval: 0.54-0.94]), and internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha, 0.97). Falls resulting in serious injury reduced from 3.35 per 1000 separations 12 months before implementing the specific ICU tool to 0.85 per 1000 in the 12 months after implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The TB FRAT provided a more reliable falls risk assessment than the existing method of assessing falls risk in this single-room occupancy ICU. This TB FRAT could be a valuable addition to quality improvement initiatives aimed at improving patient safety related to falls; however, adaptation to the local context should be considered.

Conditioned "Cross Fading": The Incentive Motivational Effects of Mediated-Polysubstance Pairings on Alcohol, Marijuana, and Junk Food Craving.

The bulk of mass media and substance cue research has examined the processes and effects of substance cue images in isolation under controlled experimental conditions. However, little attention has been devoted to delineating the specific outcomes associated with simultaneous polysubstance depictions. This study experimentally examined whether alcohol, marijuana, and junk food mediated cues influence craving independently and whether craving for these substances is co-facilitated by simultaneous polysubstance cue depictions. At a laboratory session, participants reported their craving to substance cues in isolation and when paired with one another. The results from this study support the incentive sensitization model and polysubstance literature indicating that alcohol and marijuana cues facilitate craving for both alcohol and marijuana above and beyond when alcohol and marijuana cues are depicted in isolation for high and low users of each substance. Junk food craving was not facilitated by alcohol and marijuana cues. Theoretically, this study supports the notion that simultaneous and repeated use of multiple substances results in greater hypersensitivity and craving to mediated polysubstance cues than the cues in isolation. Practically, this study provides a word of caution for researchers examining craving responses to mediated substance cue messages and recommendations for health professionals and message designers.

Healthy Food Identification: Food Cues and Claims Affect Speeded and Thoughtful Evaluations of Food.

This study investigated the impact of food claims, food cues, and objective health characteristics on health categorization speed and accuracy, believability of claims and perceptions of health, and taste for food items. One hundred twenty-four young adults were exposed to counterbalanced food item images, which varied by directness of visual food cues, type of food claims (health-related vs. taste-related), and objective healthfulness in a fully crossed design across three different food items. Participants categorized the foods as healthy or unhealthy in a speeded task and evaluated the perception of claim believability and perceptions of health and taste after exposure to images of the food items. Direct visual cues, especially when used with health claims, improved health and taste perception ratings and aided believability of health claims even for objectively unhealthy food products.

Effects of Substance Cues in Negative Public Service Announcements on Cognitive Processing.

This study examined how the presence of substance cues interacted with arousing content level in public service announcements (PSAs) to affect human motivational activation, and as a result, affect cognitive information processing. A 2 (arousing content level: high vs. low arousing content fear appeal PSAs) × 2 (substance cue: absence vs. presence) × 4 (repetition) within-subject factorial design experiment was conducted. Overall, the results indicated that the presence of substance cues in high arousing content fear appeal messages elicited defensive processing, yielding poor audio recognition memory sensitivity and a more conservative criterion bias. However, the addition of substance cues to low arousing content fear appeal messages increased audio recognition sensitivity. The presence of substance cues decreased visual recognition regardless of the arousing content level. Implications and future research are discussed.

Fatal chlorine gas exposure at a metal recycling facility: Case report.

At least four workers at a metal recycling facility were hospitalized and one died after exposure to chlorine gas when it was accidentally released from an intact, closed-valved cylinder being processed for scrap metal. This unintentional chlorine gas release marks at least the third such incident at a metal recycling facility in the United States since 2010. We describe the fatal case of the worker whose clinical course was consistent with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following exposure to high concentrations of chlorine gas. This case report emphasizes the potential risk of chlorine gas exposure to metal recycling workers by accepting and processing intact, closed-valved containers. The metal recycling industry should take steps to increase awareness of this established risk to prevent future chlorine gas releases. Additionally, public health practitioners and clinicians should be aware that metal recycling workers are at risk for chlorine gas exposure.