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An evidence-based approach to research ethics is critical to ethical research but little is known about how trauma survivors—especially those from vulnerable populations—respond to laboratory-based trauma research. One hundred four incarcerated women ( N = 64 rape survivors) reported their traumatic life experiences, listened to and responded to an audio recording of a dating interaction that culminates in a completed rape, and then reported their responses to their participation. Compared to the control group ( N = 40), rape survivors ( N = 64) had more posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and these symptoms were associated with more emotional responding. Both groups showed a positive benefit–cost ratio with regard to their participation did not differ on their overall reactions to research participation. These findings suggest that laboratory-based trauma research methods are associated with consistently positive experiences, which can help inform researchers and institutional review boards about the risks and benefits of such research.

The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 recreated our learning environment. With nearly all institutions shifting to remote teaching during the outbreak, our program was quickly tasked to transition to online instruction for two experiential courses: The May intersession New York study tour for undergraduate students and the summer internship program for graduating seniors whose internships were cancelled or could not be secured due to the pandemic. We integrated experiential learning through appointment journaling in the May intersession New York study tour and through weekly activity reports in the virtual alternative summer internship. Throughout the entire process and in logical sequence, students in both courses were able to engage in the experiential learning cycle developed by Kolb (1984). These modifications successfully connected students to fashion companies and exploratory career experiences.

Background: Saccharin is a common artificial sweetener and a bona fide ligand for sweet taste receptors (STR). STR can regulate insulin secretion in beta cells, so we investigated whether saccharin can stimulate insulin secretion dependent on STR and the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) signaling. Methods: We performed in vivo and in vitro approaches in mice and cells with loss-of-function of STR signaling and specifically assessed the involvement of a PLC signaling cascade using real-time biosensors and calcium imaging. Results: We found that the ingestion of a physiological amount of saccharin can potentiate insulin secretion dependent on STR. Similar to natural sweeteners, saccharin triggers the activation of the PLC signaling cascade, leading to calcium influx and the vesicular exocytosis of insulin. The effects of saccharin also partially require transient receptor potential cation channel M5 (TRPM5) activity. Conclusions: Saccharin ingestion may transiently potentiate insulin secretion through the activation of the canonical STR signaling pathway. These physiological effects provide a framework for understanding the potential health impact of saccharin use and the contribution of STR in peripheral tissues.

Background : Non-caloric artificial sweeteners (NCAS) are widely used as a substitute for dietary sugars to control body weight or glycemia. Paradoxically, saccharin and other NCAS have been reported to induce glucose intolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet and in a subset of humans by directly inducing unfavorable changes in gut microbiota. These findings have raised concerns about NCAS and called into question their broad use. Whether these results can be generalized to healthy populations consuming conventional diets is unknown. It is also unclear how different NCAS, that do not share a common chemical structure, can produce identical direct effects on gut microbiota. A common feature of all NCAS is their strong affinity for sweet taste receptors (STRs) which are expressed in the intestine. However, their role in mediating NCAS-induced effects has not been addressed. Results : We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel arm study exploring the effects of saccharin on gut microbiota and glucose tolerance in healthy men and women. Participants were randomized to placebo, saccharin, lactisole (STR inhibitor), or saccharin with lactisole administered in capsules twice daily to achieve the maximum acceptable daily intake for two weeks. In parallel, we performed a ten-week study administering high-dose saccharin in the drinking water of chow-fed mice with genetic ablation of STRs (T1R2-KO) and wild-type (WT) littermate controls. In humans and mice alike, none of the interventions affected glucose or hormonal responses to a glucose tolerance test, nor ex vivo glucose absorption in mice. Similarly, saccharin supplementation did not alter microbial diversity or abundance at any taxonomic level in humans or mice. No treatment effects were also noted in readouts of microbial activity such as fecal metabolites or short chain fatty acids (SCFA). However, compared to WT, T1R2-KO mice were protected from age-dependent increases in fecal SCFA and the development of glucose intolerance.

Objective Beyond the taste buds, sweet taste receptors (STRs; T1R2/T1R3) are also expressed on enteroendocrine cells, where they regulate gut peptide secretion but their regulatory function within the intestine is largely unknown. Methods Using T1R2-knock out (KO) mice we evaluated the role of STRs in the regulation of glucose absorption in vivo and in intact intestinal preparations ex vivo. Results STR signaling enhances the rate of intestinal glucose absorption specifically in response to the ingestion of a glucose-rich meal. These effects were mediated specifically by the regulation of GLUT2 transporter trafficking to the apical membrane of enterocytes. GLUT2 translocation and glucose transport was dependent and specific to glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) secretion and subsequent intestinal neuronal activation. Finally, high-sucrose feeding in wild-type mice induced rapid downregulation of STRs in the gut, leading to reduced glucose absorption. Conclusions Our studies demonstrate that STRs have evolved to modulate glucose absorption via the regulation of its transport and to prevent the development of exacerbated hyperglycemia due to the ingestion of high levels of sugars., Highlights • The intestinal T1R2 receptor enhances glucose absorption in vivo and ex vivo. • Pharmacological inhibition of STRs reduces glucose flux in human intestinal preparations. • T1R2 regulates glucose absorption dependent on GLUT2 activity in enterocytes. • GLP-2 mediates the effects of T1R2 signaling through activation of enteric neurons. • High sucrose diet rapidly downregulates STRs leading to reduced glucose absorption.

Delay discounting (DD) and probability discounting (PD) are behavioral measures of choice that index sensitivity to delayed and probabilistic outcomes, which are associated with a range of negative health-related outcomes. Patterns of discounting tend to be predictable, where preferences for immediate (vs. delayed) and certain (vs. probabilistic) rewards change as a function of delay and probability. However, some participants yield nonsystematic response patterns (NSR) that cannot be accounted for by theories of choice and could have implications for the validity of discounting-related experiments. Johnson and Bickel (2008) outline an algorithm for identifying NSR patterns in discounting, but the typical frequency of and methodological predictors of NSR patterns are not yet established in the extant literature. In this meta-analytic review, we identified papers for analysis by searching Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo databases until November 8, 2015 for experiments identifying nonsystematic responders using Johnson and Bickel's algorithm. This yielded 114 experiments with nonsystematic data reported. The overall frequency of NSR across DD and PD studies was 18% and 19%, respectively. Nonmonetary outcomes (e.g., drugs, food, sex) yielded significantly more NSR patterns than did discounting for monetary outcomes. Participants recruited from a university setting had significantly more NSR patterns than did participants recruited from nonuniversity settings. Our review also indicates that researchers are inconsistent in whether or how they report NSR in discounting studies, which is relevant for a clearer understanding of the behavioral mechanisms that underlie impulsive choice. We make several recommendations regarding the assessment of NSR in discounting research. (PsycINFO Database Record

Background: Glucose is a natural ligand for sweet taste receptors (STRs) that are expressed on the tongue and in the gastrointestinal tract. Whether STRs directly contribute to the regulation of glucose homeostasis in response to glucose ingestion is unclear.Objective: We sought to determine the metabolic effects of the pharmacologic inhibition of STRs in response to an oral glucose load in healthy lean participants.Design: Ten healthy lean participants with a body mass index (in kg/m2) of 22.4 ± 0.8 were subjected to an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) on 4 separate days with the use of a randomized crossover design. Ten minutes before the 75-g OGTT, participants consumed a preload solution of either 300 parts per million (ppm) saccharin or water with or without the addition of 500 ppm lactisole, a human-specific inhibitor of STRs. When present, lactisole was included in both the preload and OGTT solutions. We assessed plasma responses of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2, gastric inhibitory peptide, acetaminophen, and 3-O-methylglucose. With the use of mathematical modeling, we estimated gastric emptying, glucose absorption, β-cell function, insulin sensitivity and clearance, and the portal insulin:glucagon ratio.Results: The addition of lactisole to the OGTT caused increases in the plasma responses of insulin (P = 0.012), C-peptide (P = 0.004), and the insulin secretory rate (P = 0.020) compared with the control OGTT. The addition of lactisole also caused a slight reduction in the insulin sensitivity index independent of prior saccharin consumption (P < 0.025). The ingestion of saccharin before the OGTT did not alter any of the measured variables but eliminated the effects of lactisole on the OGTT.Conclusion: The pharmacologic inhibition of STRs in the gastrointestinal tract alters insulin responses during an oral glucose challenge in lean healthy participants. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02835859.

As consumers’ interest in social responsibility (SR) has greatly increased in the last two decades, a growing body of academic research has examined the influence of consumers’ environmental consciousness on their attitudes and purchase intentions toward environment-friendly apparel products. Use of environment-friendly shopping bags (EFSB; recycled and reusable bags) is an example of how apparel retailers engage in SR. However, little research has examined consumers’ perceptions and their responses to the use of EFSB. To fill this research gap, this study examined the impact of young consumers’ perceptions of EFSB and environmental consciousness on their attitudes and purchase intentions toward apparel retailers using EFSB. An online survey was conducted for data collection. A convenience sample of 212 college students was obtained from a large mid-Southern university in the U.S. A simple linear regression analysis was conducted to test all hypotheses. Results showed that young consumers’ perceptions of EFSB positively influenced their environmental consciousness and their attitudes toward apparel retailers that use EFSB, which led to purchase intentions toward the retailers. Findings confirmed that young consumers placed a great degree of importance on EFSB and, therefore, would purchase apparel from retailers that use recycled or reusable shopping bags. These findings imply that providing EFSB is important in enhancing positive attitudes and purchase intentions toward apparel retailers.

The implementation of several High Impact Practices (HIPs) in an apparel merchandising and product development curriculum fosters a comprehensive learning environment resulting in graduates who can be more competitive with peers from other institutions. Several HIPs are discussed in the article, including pre-internship, VLOGs, digital portfolios and online delivery of the internship. The impact of the internship is far-reaching and provides a practical experience in a work situation, affording the opportunity for application of classroom fundamentals. It also provides industry with strong additions to their management staff with the objective of increasing sales and profit. These high impact practices utilized in a college curriculum enable students to have the best possible scenario for job success.

Over one third of U.S. youth are overweight or obese. Treatments typically have had unreliable effects, inconsistently incorporating behavior-change theory. After-school care might be a viable setting for health behavior-change programs. We evaluated effects of two consecutive 12-week segments of a revised self-efficacy/social cognitive theory-based physical activity and nutrition treatment on fitness levels, body mass index (BMI), and targeted psychosocial factors in after-school care participants, ages 5–8 years. Changes in physiological measures, exercise self-efficacy (ESE), and physical self-concept over 9 months were contrasted in experimental (n = 72) vs. typical-care (n = 42) groups. Mediation of the group–BMI change relationship by the psychosocial factors was also assessed. Improvements in physiological measures and ESE were significantly greater in the experimental group. ESE change completely mediated the association of treatment type with BMI change. The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in the physiological measures, with its treatment’s theoretical basis and application within after-school care supported.

There are more and more post double mastectomy women who chose to live flat, without having reconstruction surgery or using prostheses. Although the desire for appealing clothing for post mastectomy women is present, currently there is limited ready-to-wear clothing for this special group. The purpose of this study was to develop two new basic bodice blocks based on post double mastectomy clothing preferences for women who have undergone double mastectomy surgery without reconstruction. This study is the block creation, part 2, of a study that surveyed clothing preferences (part 1) of women who have undergone a double mastectomy and chose not to have reconstruction, called "living flat". The basic bodice block pattern with bust and waist darts was utilized as the starting point. The block was revised to create two new bodice blocks to accommodate a flat chest, one with no darts and one with only a small waist dart.

With the ever-evolving state of today's technology, designers and retailers in the apparel industry are seeking out new technological methods that have the capacity to revolutionize and individualize their brand, as well as meet consumer needs and preferences. An emerging technology is 3D printing, which utilizes computer aided technology and a variety of filaments to construct an object. Though 3D printing technology offers the ability for rapid prototyping, a condensed supply chain, and a sustainable additive manufacturing process, there is question as to whether or not consumers are ready for 3D printed clothing to enter their wardrobes. The purpose of this study was to construct a 3D printed garment and measure consumer response to the application of this technology in ready-to-wear clothing. The results of this research indicate that a major transformation in ready-to-wear style is feasible and beneficial to the apparel industry because of 3D printing.

Animal coloration has multiple functions including thermoregulation, camouflage, and social signaling, and the requirements of each function may sometimes conflict. Many terrestrial ectotherms accommodate the multiple functions of color through color change. However, the relative importance of these functions and how color-changing species accommodate them when they do conflict are poorly understood because we lack data on color change in the wild. Here, we show that the color of individual radio-tracked bearded dragon lizards, Pogona vitticeps, correlates strongly with background color and less strongly, but significantly, with temperature. We found no evidence that individuals simultaneously optimize camouflage and thermoregulation by choosing light backgrounds when hot or dark backgrounds when cold. In laboratory experiments, lizards showed both UV-visible (300-700 nm) and near-infrared (700-2,100 nm) reflectance changes in response to different background and temperature treatments, consistent with camouflage and thermoregulatory functions, respectively, but with no interaction between the two. Overall, our results suggest that wild bearded dragons change color to improve both thermoregulation and camouflage but predominantly adjust for camouflage, suggesting that compromising camouflage may entail a greater potential immediate survival cost.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of brand familiarity on perceived risk and attitudinal and behavioral responses toward the intimate apparel brand. Using a Web-based survey, data were collected from 368 female adults between the ages of 18-29 through an Alumni Association at a large Mid-Southern university in the US. Results from structural equation modeling indicated positive, statistically significant associations between the four variables (e.g., brand familiarity, perceived risk, attitude, and purchase intentions). The findings implied that young female consumers who are familiar with a particular intimate apparel brand are likely to perceive a low level of risk, leading to positive and strong attitude and purchase intentions toward the familiar intimate apparel brand. Results indicated that perceived risk had a much stronger impact than did brand familiarity on attitude and purchase intentions in intimate apparel shopping.

Many terrestrial ectotherms are capable of rapid colour change, yet it is unclear how these animals accommodate the multiple functions of colour, particularly camouflage, communication and thermoregulation, especially when functions require very different colours. Thermal benefits of colour change depend on an animal's absorptance of solar energy in both UV–visible (300–700 nm) and near-infrared (NIR; 700–2600 nm) wavelengths, yet colour research has focused almost exclusively on the former. Here, we show that wild-caught bearded dragon lizards (Pogona vitticeps) exhibit substantial UV–visible and NIR skin reflectance change in response to temperature for dorsal but not ventral (throat and upper chest) body regions. By contrast, lizards showed the greatest temperature-independent colour change on the beard and upper chest during social interactions and as a result of circadian colour change. Biophysical simulations of heat transfer predicted that the maximum temperature-dependent change in dorsal reflectivity could reduce the time taken to reach active body temperature by an average of 22 min per active day, saving 85 h of basking time throughout the activity season. Our results confirm that colour change may serve a thermoregulatory function, and competing thermoregulation and signalling requirements may be met by partitioning colour change to different body regions in different circumstances.

Sweet taste receptors (STRs) on the tongue mediate gustatory sweet sensing, but their expression in the gut, pancreas, and adipose tissue suggests a physiological contribution to whole body nutrient sensing and metabolism. However, little is known about the function and contribution of these sugar sensors during metabolic stress induced by overnutrition and subsequent obesity. Here, we investigated the effects of high-fat/low-carbohydrate (HF/LC) diet on glucose homeostasis and energy balance in mice with global disruption of the sweet taste receptor protein T1R2. We assessed body composition, energy balance, glucose homeostasis, and tissue-specific nutrient metabolism in T1R2 knockout (T1R2-KO) mice fed a HF/LC diet for 12 wk. HF/LC diet-fed T1R2-KO mice gained a similar amount of body mass as did WT mice, but had reduced fat mass and increased lean mass relative to WT mice. T1R2-KO mice were also hyperphagic and hyperactive. Ablation of the T1R2 sugar sensor protected mice from HF/LC diet-induced hyperinsulinemia and altered substrate utilization, including increased rates of glucose oxidation and decreased liver triglyceride (TG) accumulation, despite normal intestinal fat absorption. Finally, STRs ( T1r2/T1r3) were upregulated in the adipose tissue of WT mice in response to HF/LC diet, and their expression positively correlated with fat mass and glucose intolerance. The chemosensory receptor T1R2, plays an important role in glucose homeostasis during diet-induced obesity through the regulation of yet to be identified molecular mechanisms that alter energy disposal and utilization in peripheral tissues.

β-Cells rapidly secrete insulin in response to acute increases in plasma glucose but, upon further continuous exposure to glucose, insulin secretion progressively decreases. Although the mechanisms are unclear, this mode of regulation suggests the presence of a time-dependent glucosensory system that temporarily attenuates insulin secretion. Interestingly, early-stage β-cell dysfunction is often characterized by basal (ie, fasting) insulin hypersecretion, suggesting a disruption of these related mechanisms. Because sweet taste receptors (STRs) on β-cells are implicated in the regulation of insulin secretion and glucose is a bona fide STR ligand, we tested whether STRs mediate this sensory mechanism and participate in the regulation of basal insulin secretion. We used mice lacking STR signaling (T1R2−/− knockout) and pharmacologic inhibition of STRs in human islets. Mouse and human islets deprived of STR signaling hypersecrete insulin at short-term fasting glucose concentrations. Accordingly, 5-hour fasted T1R2−/− mice have increased plasma insulin and lower glucose. Exposure of isolated wild-type islets to elevated glucose levels reduced STR expression, whereas islets from diabetic (db/db) or diet-induced obese mouse models show similar down-regulation. This transcriptional reprogramming in response to hyperglycemia correlates with reduced STR function in these mouse models, leading to insulin hypersecretion. These findings reveal a novel mechanism by which insulin secretion is physiologically regulated by STRs and also suggest that, during the development of diabetes, STR function is compromised by hyperglycemia leading to hyperinsulinemia. These observations further suggest that STRs might be a promising therapeutic target to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes.

We present the results of a study that implements a recently developed phylogenetic algorithm that combines fixed-states nucleotide optimization with breakpoint analysis to identify and examine the evolution of a mitochondrial intergenic spacer between the tRNA Val and 16S rRNA loci in a clade of fairy basslets (Serranidae: Anthiinae). The results of the analysis indicate that this spacer evolved once and that it may be increasing in size through evolutionary time. The resulting molecular hypothesis corroborates much of the previous morphological phylogenetic work.