Design, construction, and use of a tapered-spiral, quadrature 1H/23Na double-tuned coil for in ovo MRI at 7 T.

BACKGROUND: In ovo MR presents a promising and viable alternative to traditional in vivo small animal experiments. Sodium MRI complements proton MRI by providing potential access to tissue cellular metabolism. Despite its abundance, sodium MRI is challenged by lower MR sensitivity and faster relaxation times compared to proton MRI. Ensuring a high signal-to-noise ratio and effective B0 shimming is essential. Double-tuned coils combining 23Na and 1H are frequently employed to achieve structural imaging and efficient shim adjustment. PURPOSE: This study introduces a novel, highly optimized, double-tuned coil design, specifically for MR scans of chick embryos. METHODS: A tapered-spiral, double-tuned coil was designed and constructed following careful consideration of design parameters. The performance of the coil was rigorously assessed through bench tests, and final validation was conducted on a 7 T MRI scanner using a chick embryo. RESULTS: Bench tests demonstrated that the return losses for both 1H and 23Na coils were better than - 30 dB, and isolation factors were better than - 21 dB, indicating that the double-tuned coil was well-set, with negligible coupling between channels. MR images of chick embryos, obtained using the coil, validated the feasibility of utilizing the design concept for in ovo applications. CONCLUSIONS: The innovative design of the proposed double-tuned coil, characterized by its unique arrangement, offers improved performance. This design has the potential to significantly enhance the quality of in ovo 1H and 23Na measurements.

Understanding virus retention mechanisms on protein a chromatography based on using different wash buffers - Evaluating the possibility for a generic wash buffer toolbox to improve virus clearance capacity.

During manufacturing of mammalian-cell derived monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) virus clearance capacity of the downstream process has to be demonstrated. The protein A chromatography step typically achieves less than 4 log10 and is not considered as a major contributing step. Having been successfully applied to host cell protein removal before, we used different wash buffers for three mAbs with two model viruses (Minute virus of mice and Murine leukemia virus) in series as well as separately to further understand major contributing interactions for virus retention and potentially design a generic toolbox of stringent wash buffers to be applied to various mAbs. Results indicate a major relevance of hydrophobic interaction for Murine leukemia virus (xMuLV) and mAb A, based on improved clearance for buffers additionally containing increased levels of hydrophobic compounds. This effect was less pronounced for Minute virus of mice (MVM), whereby hydrogen-bonds were expected to play a stronger role for this model virus. Additionally, electrostatic interactions presumably are more relevant for MVM retention compared to xMuLV under the conditions evaluated. A generic mAb and virus-independent stringent wash buffer toolbox could not be identified. However, based on our results a customized mAb and virus wash buffer design with improved virus clearance is possible, with here demonstrated log reduction increase by 1.3 log10 for MVM and 2.2 log10 for xMuLV for the protein A step compared to equilibration buffer alone.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the Violation Appraisal Measure (VAM).

Mental contamination refers to feelings of dirtiness and/or urges to wash that arise without direct contact with a contaminant. Cognitive models propose that this results from "serious, negative misappraisals of perceived violations". However, the specific violation misappraisals most relevant to mental contamination have yet to be established empirically, in part due to the lack of a comprehensive validated inventory of violation appraisals. Therefore, this study's aim was to develop and validate such a measure. Items for the new Violation Appraisal Measure (VAM) were developed from qualitative interviews, theoretical models, and previous empirical work. An Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted in a sample of (n = 300) undergraduate participants, which revealed a four-factor structure: Responsibility/Self-Blame, Permanence, Mistrust, and Self-Worth. The VAM showed excellent internal consistency (α = 0.90), good convergent (r = .50 to .64) and adequate divergent (r = -.01 to .46) validity and was predictive of mental contamination symptoms over and above existing related appraisal measures, ΔF(1,289) = 29.35, p < .001, ΔR2 = 0.06. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis in a second sample of (n = 300) undergraduate students confirmed strong model fit for the four-factor structure of the VAM. The development of the VAM is an important contribution to the search for empirically based cognitive mechanisms in mental contamination and other violation-related sequelae.

A Modified Quadrature Birdcage Coil Incorporated With a Curved Feature for In Ovo MR Imaging.

Goal: This study presents a novel MRI coil design approach explicitly tailored for chick embryo measurements, with the primary objective of improving sensitivity and coverage. Methods: The limitations posed by conventional birdcage coils were addressed by introducing a curvature feature into a standard coil. The performance of the modified coil was assessed using EM simulations and experimental evaluations, which were subsequently validated using a 7 T MRI scanner. A comparative analysis was conducted against a standard quadrature low-pass birdcage coil to evaluate key factors. Results: The proposed coil demonstrated improved SNR and uniformity, particularly in the proximity of the end-rings. These results were consistent with the findings obtained from the simulations. Conclusions: The use of our innovative birdcage coil design holds promise and offers practical potential for in ovo studies.

PET imaging of gliomas: Status quo and quo vadis?

PET imaging, particularly using amino acid tracers, has become a valuable adjunct to anatomical MRI in the clinical management of patients with glioma. Collaborative international efforts have led to the development of clinical and technical guidelines for PET imaging in gliomas. The increasing readiness of statutory health insurance agencies, especially in European countries, to reimburse amino acid PET underscores its growing importance in clinical practice. Integrating artificial intelligence and radiomics in PET imaging of patients with glioma may significantly improve tumor detection, segmentation, and response assessment. Efforts are ongoing to facilitate the clinical translation of these techniques. Considerable progress in computer technology developments (eg quantum computers) may be helpful to accelerate these efforts. Next-generation PET scanners, such as long-axial field-of-view PET/CT scanners, have improved image quality and body coverage and therefore expanded the spectrum of indications for PET imaging in Neuro-Oncology (eg PET imaging of the whole spine). Encouraging results of clinical trials in patients with glioma have prompted the development of PET tracers directing therapeutically relevant targets (eg the mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase) for novel anticancer agents in gliomas to improve response assessment. In addition, the success of theranostics for the treatment of extracranial neoplasms such as neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer has currently prompted efforts to translate this approach to patients with glioma. These advancements highlight the evolving role of PET imaging in Neuro-Oncology, offering insights into tumor biology and treatment response, thereby informing personalized patient care. Nevertheless, these innovations warrant further validation in the near future.

'Things that shouldn't be': a qualitative investigation of violation-related appraisals in individuals with OCD and/or trauma histories.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive models of mental contamination (i.e. feelings of internal dirtiness without contact with a contaminant) propose that these feelings arise when individuals misappraise a violation. However, an operational definition of 'violation' and identification of specific violation misappraisals is limited. AIMS: This study's aim was to elaborate on cognitive models using qualitative data from those with lived experience to fill these gaps. METHOD: Twenty participants with a diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or a trauma history took part in a semi-structured interview about violation. Grounded theory was used to analyse interview transcripts. DISCUSSION: Three categories emerged, each with several themes - qualities of violation, violation-related appraisals, and violation-related behaviours. Different violation-related appraisals were associated with different emotions and urges. Specific self-focused appraisal sub-themes (i.e. permanence of consequences; self-worth; responsibility, self-blame and regret) were most closely related to emotions tied to mental contamination. These findings support and expand upon existing cognitive models of mental contamination, identifying key violation-related appraisals and differentiating between mental contamination-related appraisals and those related to other emotional sequelae. Future quantitative and experimental research can evaluate the potential of these appraisals as intervention targets.

What's control got to do with it? A systematic review of control beliefs in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Current conceptualizations of control-related beliefs in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) have largely been limited to beliefs about the need to control thoughts. Although growing evidence supports the notion of considering broader control-related constructs in this disorder, there has been limited research aimed at integrating findings across studies, making it difficult to determine how different control-related beliefs may influence OCD symptoms. The current review sought to systematically analyze findings from all studies investigating the relationship between control beliefs and OCD. The systematic search identified 157 eligible articles that assessed the relationship between control beliefs and OCD symptoms. Results suggested that certain control beliefs (e.g., importance of/need to control of thoughts, sense of control, beliefs about losing control) may be more closely associated with OCD than others (e.g., locus of control, and desire for control). In general, control beliefs were positively associated with OCD, with effect sizes ranging from small to large depending on the symptom domain. Based on limited studies, the only control belief which demonstrated specificity to OCD was ICT. Findings support the importance of integrating additional control beliefs in conceptualizations of OCD and provide evidence to support the benefits of targeting these beliefs in cognitive behavioural therapy.

An Experimental Investigation of Moral Self-Violation and Mental Contamination.

Purpose: Cognitive models of mental contamination (feelings of dirtiness/washing behaviour that arise without direct contact with a contaminant) highlight the central role of perceptions of violation in the onset and maintenance of these feelings. Little research has been done to clarify violation-specific appraisals relevant to mental contamination. Perceptions of violation of one's moral self-concept may represent one such appraisal domain. This experiment aimed to examine the impact of these appraisals on feelings of mental contamination. Methods: One hundred and fifty participants received false feedback that they scored high on a morality subscale of a bogus personality test. They then completed a writing task wherein their degree of moral self-violation was manipulated. They received a writing prompt corresponding to one of three randomly assigned conditions (violated self (VS), bolstered self (BS), general negative (GN)). Finally, participants completed measures of mental contamination. Results: The manipulation was effective at violating participants' moral self-concept. Those in the VS condition reported significantly higher levels of feelings of mental contamination than those in the BS or GN conditions. There were no significant differences between conditions regarding urges to wash. Conclusions: Findings highlight the relevance of moral self-violation in the understanding and treatment of mental contamination.

Gift Discourse in Transplant and Its Implications in Anonymous Living Liver Donation.

The Gift of Life metaphor is prevalent in pro-donation dialogue, aiming to promote transplant programs and conceptualize the act of organ donation. To obtain a better understanding of living donor perceptions on the term Gift of Life, we analyzed thematic views presented by anonymous living donors (ALLDs). Twenty-six ALLDs completed a semi-structured qualitative interview consisting of questions regarding their motivations, experiences, and perceptions on donation. The following 5 major themes relating to the Gift of Life terminology were elucidated: (1) Complete agreement with the term and its relevance to donation. (2) Their donation did not represent a Gift of Life. (3) The term was too grandiose. (4)A belief that the term has more meaning for the recipient rather than donor. (5 )That the "gift" goes both ways, with the donor also benefiting from the experience.

Building resilience for sexual and reproductive health at the community level: learning from three crisis-affected provinces in Pakistan.

Pakistan regularly faces natural disasters and has a longstanding disaster risk management infrastructure. It is also a nation with high maternal and newborn mortality. Rahnuma-Family Planning Association of Pakistan, with support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Women's Refugee Commission and the International Planned Parenthood Federation South Asia Region's Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme in Crisis and Post Crisis Situations Initiative, embarked on building community capacity to prepare for and respond to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) risks in select disaster-prone areas in Pakistan, and linking communities to existing disaster risk management structures at national, regional and district levels.The initiative began with a training of trainers at the national level, which was cascaded to six union councils (UCs) in three districts in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces. Participants developed action plans for their respective UCs that addressed gaps in implementing the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRH, the international standard of care for SRH in emergency settings. Communities spent 1.5 years implementing their action plans to strengthen their capacity to respond to SRH needs in the event of an emergency.Project learning highlights the benefits of investing in preparedness to strengthen core services and linking communities to existing formal structures. Action planning led to immediate gains and longer-term benefits. The MISP for SRH was integrated into disaster risk management at all levels. Community mobilisation, awareness raising and the creation of blood donor groups and emergency transport contributed to averting mortality at the community level.

Identification and functional characterization of a γ-terpinene synthase in Nigella sativa L (black cumin).

Nigella sativa (Black cumin) has many applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Thymoquinone has been considered as a main effective compound in N. sativa seeds and attracted researchers' attention mainly due to its medicinal potential. In this study, the essential oil components of leaves, flowers and seed developmental stages including half black seeds, soft black seeds and hard black seeds were analyzed in N. sativa. Whereas no terpenes were detected in flowers and leaves, seeds showed an essential oil composition that increased in its thymoquinone content during seed maturation. To study the proposed first step of thymoquinone biosynthesis, the formation of γ-terpinene from geranyl diphosphate (GDP), we identified and functionally characterized a γ-terpinene synthase (NsTPS1) in N. sativa. This monoterpene synthase was identified in RNA sequence data derived from seeds. After heterologous expression in Escherichia coli, partially purified NsTPS1 converted GDP to γ-terpinene. NsTPS1 is the first functionally characterized terpene synthase from N. sativa and displays a higher similarity to other terpene synthases from Ranunculaceae than known γ-terpinene synthases from more distant plant species. Characterization of NsTPS1 elucidates the first dedicated step in the biosynthesis of thymoquinone in N. sativa and paves the way towards metabolic engineering for high-level thymoquinone production.

Interpersonal responses to facial expressions of disgust, anger, and happiness in individuals with varying levels of social anxiety.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Facial expression recognition has been studied extensively, including in relation to social anxiety. Nonetheless, a limited number of studies examined recognition of disgust expressions. Results suggest that disgust is perceived as more threatening than anger, and thus may invite more extreme responses. However, few studies have examined responses to facial expressions. These studies have focused on approach-avoidance responses. Our primary aim was to examine to what extent anger and disgust expressions might invite interpersonal responses in terms of quarrelsomeness-agreeableness and dominance-submissiveness. As social anxiety has been previously associated with a heightened sensitivity to anger and disgust expressions, as well as with alterations in quarrelsomeness-agreeableness and dominance-submissiveness, our secondary aim was to examine whether social anxiety would moderate these responses. METHODS: Participants were 55 women and 43 men who completed social anxiety measures, including the Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation scale, and two tasks that involved "targets" expressing anger, disgust, or happiness at 0%, 50%, or 100%. Participants first indicated how quarrelsome or agreeable and how dominant or submissive they would be towards each target, and then how much they would avoid or approach each target. RESULTS: While 100% disgust and anger expressions invited similar levels of quarrelsomeness and avoidance, 50% disgust invited more quarrelsomeness and stronger avoidance than 50% anger. While these patterns were not meaningfully moderated by social anxiety, individuals with higher BFNE scores showed a relatively strong approach of happy faces. LIMITATIONS: Actual interpersonal behaviour in response to facial expressions was not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the relevance of disgust as an interpersonal signal and suggest that, especially at mild intensity, disgust may have a stronger impact than anger on people's quarrelsomeness and avoidance responses. Findings provided no support for the view that people with social anxiety would be particularly responsive to disgust (or anger) expressions.

Anonymity: What does it mean and why is it important to anonymous living liver donors?

Anonymous living organ donation has recently become more common in select transplantation programs, with donors voluntarily offering a kidney or a lobe of their liver to those in need. These anonymous donations may be directed to a specific recipient or nondirected, and anonymity may be one way or reciprocal. Given their unique situation, we interviewed a cohort of anonymous living liver donors and explored their opinions surrounding anonymity and its implications in living liver donation. A total of 26 anonymous donors completed a semistructured qualitative interview consisting of questions regarding their experiences as a living liver donor. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes, specifically those pertaining to the donor's perceptions and experiences with anonymity. Five main themes related to anonymity were identified: (1) the moral importance of an unencumbered gift, (2) wanting internal satisfaction rather than seeking external accolades, (3) anonymity as a protection against potential negative outcomes in the recipient, (4) feelings of ambivalence toward meeting the recipient, and (5) concerns about negative perceptions among their own friends and family. These insights into the range of donors' attitudes toward anonymity will help improve awareness and provide the best possible mental and physical care for the anonymous donor.

Anonymous living liver donor perspectives on the role of family in their donation experience.

Anonymous living organ donation is an understudied but rapidly expanding sector in organ transplantation, in which donors choose to donate anonymously to a recipient in need. The family members and close support network of living donors often play a crucial role in the donation process, and their influence likely has a large impact on the decision to donate as well as the donor's physical and psychosocial state. However, there is limited data examining the impact donor families have on the anonymous donor, and in turn, the impact donation has on donors' families. To assess this, we analyzed a semi-structured qualitative interview on living donor experiences with 26 anonymous living liver donors for common themes concerning donor families. Responses surrounding donor families were grouped into three major categories: (1) family reactions to donation, ranging from (a) pride/support, (b) fear/worry, and (c) jealousy/anger; (2) the impact of donation on donor-family relationships, including (a) positive impacts, (b) negative impacts, (c) a positive ripple effect; (3) gaps in institutional support for donor families. This study provides unique information on anonymous living liver donor perceptions related to their families and will help improve existing programs to accommodate donor family needs and cater to donor relationships.

Growth through adversity: posttraumatic growth in anonymous living liver donors.

PURPOSE: Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is positive change that occurs after struggling with challenging life crises. Research on PTG has typically been limited to oncology populations, first-responders, and individuals in warzones. We report the experience of PTG amongst a sample of 26 anonymous live liver donors. METHODS: Anonymous donors were those with no biological connection or prior relationship with recipients. Twenty-six participants participated in a semi-structured qualitative interview examining their experience with, and outcomes of donation. Interview transcripts were analyzed for themes about PTG using the constant comparison method. RESULTS: While some donors indicated that donation had little lasting impact on their life, most cited significant personal and interpersonal changes resulting from the experience. The most common positive changes included deepened bonds with others, appreciation for personal strength, clearer life direction, legacy-building, and a connection to the transplant community. CONCLUSION: Despite the short-term physical trauma of living donor surgery, the act of anonymous donation appeared to be a catalyst for positive long-term psychological growth. These findings help to bolster the ethical argument in favour of anonymous donation.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThere is a shortage of organ donors for recipients in need, and anonymous living liver donors can successfully reduce wait times and mortality rates for those on wait lists.There are some questions about the ethics of anonymous donation due to possible negative physical and psychological effects of donation surgery on donors.In a qualitative study, this study shows that donors ascribe significant meaning to, and derive many psychological benefits from, their donation experience.These findings provide insights about how to best support anonymous donors through and after their donation experience.

The biosynthesis of thymol, carvacrol, and thymohydroquinone in Lamiaceae proceeds via cytochrome P450s and a short-chain dehydrogenase.

Thymol and carvacrol are phenolic monoterpenes found in thyme, oregano, and several other species of the Lamiaceae. Long valued for their smell and taste, these substances also have antibacterial and anti-spasmolytic properties. They are also suggested to be precursors of thymohydroquinone and thymoquinone, monoterpenes with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. Thymol and carvacrol biosynthesis has been proposed to proceed by the cyclization of geranyl diphosphate to γ-terpinene, followed by a series of oxidations via p-cymene. Here, we show that γ-terpinene is oxidized by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (P450s) of the CYP71D subfamily to produce unstable cyclohexadienol intermediates, which are then dehydrogenated by a short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) to the corresponding ketones. The subsequent formation of the aromatic compounds occurs via keto-enol tautomerisms. Combining these enzymes with γ-terpinene in in vitro assays or in vivo in Nicotiana benthamiana yielded thymol and carvacrol as products. In the absence of the SDRs, only p-cymene was formed by rearrangement of the cyclohexadienol intermediates. The nature of these unstable intermediates was inferred from reactions with the γ-terpinene isomer limonene and by analogy to reactions catalyzed by related enzymes. We also identified and characterized two P450s of the CYP76S and CYP736A subfamilies that catalyze the hydroxylation of thymol and carvacrol to thymohydroquinone when heterologously expressed in yeast and N. benthamiana Our findings alter previous views of thymol and carvacrol formation, identify the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of these phenolic monoterpenes and thymohydroquinone in the Lamiaceae, and provide targets for metabolic engineering of high-value terpenes in plants.

Reappraisal of disgust: Self-report and behavioural assessment of individuals with moderate to high contamination fears.

Previous research has linked certain psychological disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), to the experience of disgust and how it is interpreted/appraised. Therefore, the present study examined whether targeting primary and secondary disgust appraisals (i.e., cognitive reappraisal) in individuals with moderate to high OCD-relevant contamination fears can effectively reduce disgust. Fifty-two participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions; two of which involved reading a brief script modifying either a primary disgust appraisal (i.e., likelihood of a feared outcome) or a secondary disgust appraisal (i.e., the individual's ability to cope), and a third control condition with no reappraisal script. Following this experimental manipulation of disgust appraisal, participants completed two contamination-relevant behavioural approach tasks which involved 1) increasing proximity to, and eventually touching, a dead cockroach, and 2) drinking apple juice from an unused urine sample collection container. Results indicated that the interventions successfully modified their intended appraisal targets. Furthermore, on the second behavioural approach task, the secondary reappraisal condition demonstrated significantly less disgust-related avoidance relative to the control condition and reported significantly less disgust relative to the primary reappraisal condition. Our results incrementally add to the existing literature that emphasises the potential advantages of modifying disgust appraisals and specifically secondary disgust appraisals when treating disgust-based psychological disorders.

The Meaning Behind the Scar: Anonymous Live Liver Donors' Perceptions of Their Surgical Scars.

BACKGROUND: Scarring can greatly impact quality of life for individuals (ie, causing depression posttraumatic stress disorder and body image issues). Those who wish to be anonymous live liver donors are warned of the potential negative psychological impacts associated with the large scar left from liver donation surgery. Given the unique degree of autonomy that these patients have over their surgery, we explore whether a sample of 26 anonymous live liver donors experience a unique relationship with their scar. METHODS: Anonymous donors participated in a semistructured qualitative interview examining their experience with donation. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using the constant comparison method for themes pertaining, to participants' perception of their scar. RESULTS: Five main themes were identified-a marker of satisfaction about the donation experience, a physical reminder of donation, a trigger for recipient-related thoughts, an awareness tool, and a potential threat to anonymity. Donors did not voice any body image or cosmetic concerns due to their scars. Instead, discussions about the negative aspects of scarring centered around the identifying nature of their scar. CONCLUSIONS: These findings help underscore the distinctiveness of anonymous living liver donors as a patient population. Preparing anonymous living liver donors for different types of cosmetic issues relating to their scar (ie, as a possible threat to their desired anonymity) may be more appropriate than preparing them in the same way as other donor populations.

Characterization of terpene biosynthesis in Melaleuca quinquenervia and ecological consequences of terpene accumulation during myrtle rust infection.

Plants use a wide array of secondary metabolites including terpenes as defense against herbivore and pathogen attack, which can be constitutively expressed or induced. Here, we investigated aspects of the chemical and molecular basis of resistance against the exotic rust fungus Austropuccinia psidii in Melaleuca quinquenervia, with a focus on terpenes. Foliar terpenes of resistant and susceptible plants were quantified, and we assessed whether chemotypic variation contributed to resistance to infection by A. psidii. We found that chemotypes did not contribute to the resistance and susceptibility of M. quinquenervia. However, in one of the chemotypes (Chemotype 2), susceptible plants showed higher concentrations of several terpenes including α-pinene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, and viridiflorol compared with resistant plants. Transcriptome profiling of these plants showed that several TPS genes were strongly induced in response to infection by A. psidii. Functional characterization of these TPS showed them to be mono- and sesquiterpene synthases producing compounds including 1,8-cineole, ß-caryophyllene, viridiflorol and nerolidol. The expression of these TPS genes correlated with metabolite data in a susceptible plant. These results suggest the complexity of resistance mechanism regulated by M. quinquenervia and that modulation of terpenes may be one of the components that contribute to resistance against A. psidii.

"Was I asking for it?": An experimental investigation of perceived responsibility, mental contamination and workplace sexual harassment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mental contamination (i.e., contamination concerns that arise in the absence of direct contact with a contaminant) is a common symptom in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Cognitive theories suggest that it results from individuals' misinterpretations of perceived violations. Cognitive theories of OCD also highlight the importance of appraisals of inflated responsibility in the maintenance of other OCD symptoms. However, the role of responsibility in mental contamination has not yet been examined experimentally. The present study examined the role of perceived responsibility and violation in the relationship between workplace sexual harassment imagery and subsequent mental contamination. METHODS: One hundred and forty-nine participants listened to a workplace sexual harassment imagery task, wherein responsibility was manipulated. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions (high responsibility (HR), low responsibility (LR), no responsibility (NR)). Participants completed questionnaires assessing mental contamination and completed a hand washing task. RESULTS: Those in the NR condition reported significantly lower levels of responsibility than those in the LR or HR conditions. Accordingly, those in the NR condition also reported significantly lower levels of anxiety and dirtiness than in the LR condition. There were no significant differences between the LR and HR condition on variables of interest. LIMITATIONS: The nature of the victim blaming used for the responsibility induction may have elicited compensatory responses from participants. CONCLUSIONS: Findings may highlight the central role of perceptions of violation in the understanding and treatment of mental contamination.