Medical preparedness for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) events: gaps and recommendations

The Workshop on Medical Preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) events: national scan was held on 20 and 21 May 2010 at the Diefenbunker Museum in Ottawa, Canada. The purpose of the workshop was to provide the CBRNE Research and Technology Initiative with a Canadian national profile of existing capabilities and anticipated gaps in casualty management consistent with the community emergency response requirements. The workshop was organised to enable extensive round-table discussions and provide a summary of key gaps and recommendations for emergency response planners.     

Processing of Emotional Information in Seasonal Depression Across Different Cognitive Measures.

This study examined memory for emotional material, endorsement of emotional adjectives, and negative attributional style (NAS) in seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD patients showed elevated NAS and increased endorsement of negative self-referent adjectives, but no memory bias for negative material, when compared with never-depressed controls. Longitudinal analyses revealed that none of these cognitive measures significantly predicted later symptom levels independent of initial symptom levels, in the SAD patients. The cross-sectional findings for adjective endorsement and memory were replicated in a second experiment. These data provide further evidence that depression-related memory effects in SAD are different from those found in nonseasonal depression. Accounts of these differences involving putative mood-repair processes and/or an absence of dysfunctional negative schemas in SAD are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Monitoring the oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid in lipids

The oxidation of free DHA, DHA mixed with PC, and DHA incorporated into PC, PE, or TG was evaluated to determine which lipid provided DHA with the best protection against oxidation. DHA was either situated at the sn-1 position, sn-2 position, or both positions of the phospholipid, whereas the TG contained DHA at all positions. All lipids were incubated as bulk lipids, in chloroform, or as an emulsion in contact with air at 25–30°C for 28 d. Since DHA, which is highly sensitive to oxidation, has a great impact on our health and is desired as a food additive, the stability of this FA is of great importance. This study was mainly focused on the primary oxidation products, which were monitored as eight monohydroperoxy-DHA isomer groups, the total amount of polyhydroperoxides, and the PV. However, a measure of secondary oxidation products, the carbonyl value, was also monitored. We found that DHA was most protected against hydroperoxide formation when it was incorporated at one position of either PC or PE. In these lipids, hydroperoxide formation at carbon atoms 4, 7, 8, and 11 was completely prevented. DHA mixed with PC was also protected, although to a lesser extent, and all hydroperoxide isomers were detected. In contrast, PC and TG containing DHA at all positions should be avoided, since they were highly oxidized.     

Reduced autobiographical memory specificity and posttraumatic stress: Exploring the contributions of impaired executive control and affect regulation.

Reduced specificity of autobiographical memories retrieved to word cues on the Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) is associated with increased posttraumatic stress in traumatized samples. Theoretical debates concerning the dominant influences on this effect have focused on affect regulation, whereby specific personal information is avoided more by those experiencing greater distress, versus compromised executive control, whereby increased distress is associated with an inability to set aside inappropriately general responses on the AMT. The present study compared these 2 views in a correlational design using a reversed version of the AMT (the AMT-R) for which trauma-exposed participants (N=36) had to generate general memories from the past and avoid specific memories. An emphasis on the role of affect regulation would predict that distress would be associated with reduced specificity (as in the standard AMT), whereas emphasis on the role of executive control would predict that this relationship would be reversed. The data supported the affect regulation account, with greater posttraumatic stress being associated with reduced memory specificity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Considering resilience in the rehabilitation of people with traumatic disabilities.

Objectives: To provide discussion on (a) the construct of resilience in relation to people with traumatic injuries, (b) potential research directions, and (c) reliable and valid measures of resilience. Conclusions: Resilience as a construct is part of the "positive psychology" movement that focuses on identifying the strengths of an individual when faced with adversity rather than on his or her weaknesses (e.g., depression, anxiety). Although a universal definition does not exist, resilience is generally considered a multidimensional construct consisting of behaviors, thoughts, and actions, which can be learned overtime. Consequently, there is a growing body of literature examining resilience in different populations (e.g., children, older adults). However, there is a paucity of literature examining the resilience of individuals who have experienced a traumatic injury. Potentially, resilience and rehabilitation is a very fruitful line of research due to the extreme adversity individuals are faced with postinjury when dealing with the trauma of the injury and resultant impairments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Prototype Development of a Temperature-Sensitive High-Adhesion Medical Tape to Reduce Medical-Adhesive-Related Skin Injury and Improve Quality of Care

Medical adhesives are used to secure wound care dressings and other critical devices to the skin. Without means of safe removal, these stronger adhesives are difficult to painlessly remove from the skin and may cause medical-adhesive-related skin injuries (MARSI), including skin tears and an increased risk of infection. Lower-adhesion medical tapes may be applied to avoid MARSI, leading to device dislodgement and further medical complications. This paper outlines the development of a high-adhesion medical tape designed for low skin trauma upon release. By warming the skin-attached tape for 10–30 s, a significant loss in adhesion was achieved. A C14/C18 copolymer was developed and combined with a selected pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) material. The addition of 1% C14/C18 copolymer yielded the largest temperature-responsive drop in surface adhesion. The adhesive film was characterized using AFM, and distinct nanodomains were identified on the exterior surface of the PSA. Our optimized formulation yielded 67% drop in adhesion when warmed to 45 °C, perhaps due to melting nanodomains weakening the adhesive–substrate boundary layer. Pilot clinical testing resulted in a significant decrease in pain when a heat pack was used for removal, giving an average pain reduction of 66%.     

Predictors of psychological adjustment to genetic testing for Huntington's disease.

In the present study the authors assessed predictors of adjustment to genetic testing for Huntington's disease. Fifty-two genetically positive and 108 genetically negative persons were studied for 1 year following testing. Adjustment, defined by hopelessness and depressive symptoms, was measured at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after disclosure and was within normal limits for both groups. Those less well adjusted had tested positive, were married, had no children, or were closer to their estimated ages of onset. The study delineated risk factors for psychological distress that should be considered by people contemplating testing for Huntington's disease. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)