Using alcohol intoxication goggles (Fatal Vision® goggles) to detect alcohol related impairment in simulated driving

<p><b>Objective</b>: Fatal vision goggles (FVGs) are image-distorting equipment used within driver education programs to simulate alcohol-related impairment. However, there is no empirical evidence comparing the behavioral effects associated with wearing FVGs to alcohol intoxication. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of FVGs in producing alcohol-related impairment in simulated driving.</p> <p><b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two healthy males (age: 23 ± 3 years, mean ± SD) participated in a placebo-controlled crossover design study involving 4 experimental trials. In each trial, participants completed a baseline level simulated driving task followed by an experimental driving task, involving one of 4 treatments: (1) a dose of alcohol designed to elicit 0.080% breath alcohol concentration (BrAC; AB), (2) an alcohol placebo beverage (PB), (3) FVG (estimated % blood alcohol concentration [BAC] 0.070–0.100+), and (4) placebo goggles (PGs). The driving tasks included 3 separate scenarios lasting ∼5 min each; these were a simple driving scenario, a complex driving scenario, and a hazard perception driving scenario. Selected lateral control parameters (standard deviation of lane position [SDLP]; total number of lane crossings [LCs]) and longitudinal control parameters (average speed; standard deviation of speed [SDSP]; distance headway; minimum distance headway) were monitored during the simple and complex driving scenarios. Latency to 2 different stimuli (choice reaction time [CRT]) was tested in the hazard perception driving scenario. Subjective ratings of mood and attitudes toward driving were also provided during each of the trials.</p> <p><b>Results</b>: Neither placebo treatment influenced simulated driving performance. Mean BrAC was 0.060 ± 0.010% at the time of driving on the AB trial. Lateral control: In the simple driving scenario, SDLP and LC were not affected under any of the experimental treatments. However, in the complex driving scenario, significantly greater SDLP was observed on both the FVG and AB trials compared to their respective baseline drives. LC increased significantly from baseline on the AB trial only. Longitudinal control: Speed was not affected by any of the experimental treatments; however, SDSP increased significantly from baseline on the FVG trial. A significant reduction in distance headway and minimum distance headway was detected on the FVG trial compared to baseline. Hazard perception: Neither AB nor FVG trials were influential on CRT. Subjective mood ratings were significantly altered on the AB and FVG trials compared to baseline and placebo conditions. Participants reported reduced willingness and ability to drive under the active treatments (AB and FVG) than the placebo treatments (PB and PG).</p> <p><b>Conclusions</b>: FVGs may have some utility in replicating alcohol-related impairment on specific driving performance measurements. Hence, the equipment may offer an alternative approach to researching the impact of alcohol intoxication on simulated driving performance among populations where the provision of alcohol would otherwise be unethical (e.g., prelicensed drivers).</p

The relationship between diet and sleep in older adults: A narrative review

Purpose of Review: Older adults more frequently experience reduced sleep quality and quantity compared to younger adults. Diet is one modifiable lifestyle factor that may influence sleep outcomes in older adults. The purpose of this review is to synthesise the current literature investigating the impact of diet, including foods and nutrients, on the sleep quality and quantity of older adults. Recent Findings: Overall, the observational and intervention studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet, and the consumption of certain food items (e.g. milk), and nutrients (e.g. vitamin D and vitamin E) may influence (improve or reduce) sleep quality and quantity. Summary: This review describes the potential efficacy for dietary factors to improve sleep outcomes in older adults. However, given the heterogeneity of included studies in this review (i.e. aims, methodologies, and outcomes assessed), it is difficult to consolidate the available evidence to make specific recommendations. More targeted research exploring the relationship between diet and sleep in older adults is needed to strengthen the current evidence base

Analysis of dietary intake, diet cost and food group expenditure from a 24-hour food record collected in a sample of Australian university students

Aim: University students often cite increased monetary cost as a major barrier to improved eating behaviours. Here, we examine food expenditure behaviours in a sample of Australian university students. Methods: Students (n = 147) collected and analysed a 24-hour food record to determine their food group and nutrient intakes, then costed the food and non-tap water beverages consumed in the amounts recorded. Diet cost and food group expenditure (absolute and relative to total diet cost) were calculated and compared across socio-demographic characteristics. Spearman's Rho correlations and partial correlations (controlling for energy intake) were also used to identify associations between diet cost and intake. Results: The median (IQR) 24-hour diet cost was $12.42 ($7.06). However, students who worked ≥20 h·wk had a higher diet cost than those who worked <20 h·wk (P =.002) or were unemployed (P =.002). Relative food group expenditure also differed by sex, employment status and whether special dietary requirements were reported (P's <.05). For instance, males reported spending a smaller relative amount on the fruit and vegetables food groups and a larger relative amount on discretionary choices than females (P's < 0.05). Higher diet costs were also associated with greater intakes of the fruit, vegetables and lean meat and alternatives food groups, protein, alcohol, water and calcium, and lower intakes of the grain foods food group and carbohydrate (P's <.05). Conclusions: These findings provide insight into university students' food expenditure behaviours and may assist health professionals to develop targeted strategies and tailored advice aimed at improving their dietary behaviours. −1 −

Consumption of a smoothie or cereal-based breakfast: Impact on thirst, hunger, appetite and subsequent dietary intake

Smoothies are a popular breakfast option. However, liquids may evoke weaker satiation than nutritionally comparable semi-solid and solid foods. This study examined consumption of cereal and milk (CM) or a nutritionally comparable fruit smoothie (FS) for breakfast on subsequent dietary behaviours, in a controlled laboratory setting. Twenty-five participants (age 25 ± 6 y) completed three trials, receiving either CM or FS for breakfast. Afterwards, participants remained isolated for 4 h with ad libitum access to foods/beverages. A repeat trial (CM or FS) allowed exploration of normal variability. Post-breakfast energy intake (EI) (CM = 1465(2436) vs. FS = 1787(3190) kJ, Median (IQR), p = 0.099), time to intake of next food/fluid (meal latency) (CM = 146(97) vs. FS = 180(100) min, p = 0.127), and subjective hunger, desire to eat, fullness and thirst ratings were similar between conditions (p’s > 0.05). The mean coefficient of variation for EI and meal latency were 41% and 21%, respectively. Consumption of a FS does not negatively impact acute EI and meal latency

Associations between health-related quality of life and health behaviours in Australian nursing students

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is being increasingly studied as an indicator of wellbeing. This study evaluated the HRQoL of nursing students and relationships between lifestyle behaviours including smoking, diet, alcohol intake and physical activity. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 using the Short Form 12V2 to measure the HRQoL of 475 students from both regional and metropolitan universities in Queensland, Australia. Z-scores were aggregated into a Physical Composite Score (PCS) and Mental Composite Score (MCS). Multivariate linear regression was used to explore the associations. Nursing students (94.5% female) had lower HRQoL scores relative to the general Australian population. Students enrolled at the regional university, with higher income, intakes of Vit A, calcium and iodine, and more physical activity had a higher MCS, but those with health conditions, high intakes of meat, fat, carbohydrates and sugar reported lower PCS compared to their counterparts. Skipping breakfast, physical inactivity and alcohol score were inversely associated with HRQoL. This study highlights the need for strategies to address the poor lifestyle and HRQoL in nursing students to support their physical and mental health

A time to rest, a time to dine: Sleep, time-restricted eating, and cardiometabolic health

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) poses a serious health and economic burden worldwide. Modifiable lifestyle factors are a focus of research into reducing the burden of CVD, with diet as one of the most investigated factors. Specifically, the timing and regularity of food intake is an emerging research area, with approaches such as time-restricted eating (TRE) receiving much attention. TRE involves shortening the time available to eat across the day and is associated with improved CVD outcomes compared with longer eating windows. However, studies that have examined TRE have not considered the impact of sleep on CVD outcomes despite recent evidence showing that sleep duration can influence the timing and amount of food eaten. In this article, we argue that as TRE and sleep influence each other, and influence the same cardiometabolic parameters, experiencing inadequate sleep may attenuate any positive impact TRE has on CVD. We examine the relationship between TRE and CVD, with sleep as a potential mediator in this relationship, and propose a research agenda to investigate this relationship. This will provide necessary evidence to inform future interventions aimed at reducing the burden of CVD

Associations between health behaviors and mental health in Australian nursing students

AIM: Nursing students experience high levels of stress, anxiety and depression. This study examined associations between health behaviors and stress, anxiety and depression in Australian nursing students. DESIGN: this was a cross-sectional study. METHODS: Participants completed an online survey providing demographic information and responses to the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, short Food Frequency Questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Workforce Sitting Questionnaire. Associations were evaluated using multivariate linear regression. RESULTS: Mild to extremely severe stress (46.6%), anxiety (52.8%) and depression (42.2%) were prevalent. Intake of snack-foods was associated with higher depression (β = 8.66, p < 0.05) and stress (β = 3.92, p = 0.055) scores. More time spent sitting was associated with higher depression (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) and stress (β = 0.28, p < 0.05) scores. Skipping meals correlated with higher stress, anxiety and depression scores. CONCLUSION: More support must be provided to nursing students to manage psychological distress and mental health during university study

¹⁸F‑Labeled-Bioorthogonal Liposomes for <i>In Vivo</i> Targeting

Liposomes are attractive vehicles for the controlled release of drugs and cytotoxins and have a long-standing history in medical research and clinical practice. In addition to established therapeutic indications, liposomes have several favorable properties for molecular imaging, including high stability and the ability to be labeled with radioisotopes, as well as paramagnetic and fluorescent contrast agents. However, long circulation times and difficulties in creating targeted liposomes have proven challenges for imaging. In this study, we have addressed these limitations using a recently developed strategy for bioorthogonal conjugation, the reaction between tetrazines and <i>trans</i>-cyclooctenes. By coating radiolabeled liposomes with <i>trans</i>-cyclooctene and pretargeting with a tetrazine coupled to a targeted peptide, we were able to selectively enhance the retention of liposomes and bind them to tumor tissue in live animals. The rapid reaction between tetrazines and <i>trans</i>-cyclooctenes allowed imaging to be performed with the short-lived PET tracer ¹⁸F, yielding signal-to-background activity ratios of 7:1. The covalent, bioorthogonally driven tumor-targeting of liposomes by <i>in vivo</i> click chemistry is promising and should be explored for more selective and rapid delivery of radiodiagnostics and radiotherapeutics, two classes of drugs which particularly benefit from fast clearance, low nonspecific binding, and the associated reduced toxicity to kidneys and bone marrow