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Background: Medical professionals are constantly exposed to bodily fluids and sanitizing agents during routine medical procedures. Unbeknownst to many healthcare workers, however, the barrier integrity of medical gloves can be altered when exposed to these substances, potentially resulting in exposure to dangerous pathogens. Methods: This experimental study was designed to test the hypothesis that the durability of both natural and synthetic solvent-exposed medical gloves will be lower than the durability of the gloves in air. The testing consisted of a sample of commercially available medical gloves exposed to 70% ethanol, phosphate buffered saline, and deionized water, aimed at simulating the environments in which medical gloves are commonly worn. Gloves were included in this study based on their performance in previous durability studies in air. Data were collected over a period of three months. The glove assessment device automatically detects pinhole-sized perforations in medical gloves, eliminating the need to visually inspect each glove. Relative durability was measured as the average number of sandpaper touches until glove puncture. Results: Four out of five glove brands performed better when exposed to all three solvents than in air, which is likely due to slippage in the interface between the wet glove and the sandpaper. Sensicare Micro, a polyisoprene surgical glove, had the most consistent durability in all three solvents tested. A two-way ANOVA revealed that both glove brand (P = 0.0001), solvent (P = 0.0001), and their interaction (P = 0.0040, α = 0.05) significantly affected average glove durability. Conclusions: Glove durability did not remain consistent in 70% ethanol, phosphate buffered saline, deionized water, and air. These results make it clear that additional testing and labeling information would help healthcare workers select gloves for use in specific environments to ensure the best barrier protection against disease or toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the role of perceived narrativity in pictorial warning labels (PWLs) in countering warning reactance and increasing warning effectiveness and support in the context of communicating the cancer risk of alcohol. Findings from a randomized experiment (N = 1,188) showed that PWLs with imagery of lived experience were perceived higher in narrativity than those with imagery of graphic health effects. Adding a one-sentence narrative (vs. non-narrative) text statement to PWLs with imagery of lived experience did not affect perceived narrativity. Perceived narrativity predicted lower reactance to warnings and subsequently higher intentions to stop drinking and higher policy support. Total effects showed that PWLs with imagery of lived experience and non-narrative text led to the lowest reactance, the highest intentions to stop drinking, and the highest level of policy support. This study adds to a growing body of evidence that PWLs featuring narrative content are promising in communicating health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accuracy of medication charts on admission to hospital has previously shown that inadvertent omission of therapy was the most common discrepancy, accounting for 40% to 60% of errors. Partnered Pharmacist Medication Charting (PPMC) has shown to reduce medicationrelated problems. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the implementation of Pharmacist Medication Charting (PMC), a derivative of PPMC, in a maternity and gynecological hospital. The occurrence of medication omission identified by the pharmacists was assessed and the pharmacist interventions involving PMC analyzed. Methods: The pharmacist interventions documented from 1st July 2022 to 30th June, 2023 were evaluated using PowerBI for data and trends on the Medication-Related Problems (MRPs) identified, occurrence of PMC, common medications charted by the pharmacists and the pharmacist recommendation and action following the identification of MRPs. Results: A total of 4898 pharmacy interventions was documented in the 12-month period. Of the total interventions documented, 1321 (26.97%) were related to pharmacist medication charting. Of all the interventions related to PMC, 53.29% involved pharmacists charting medications for the continuation or initiation of over-the-counter medications, 13.32% involved pharmacist partnered charting of Prescription Only Medications and Controlled Medications with medical staff, and 33.3% were referred to a credentialled pharmacist for PMC service. With regards to action taken following interventions involving PMC, 1065 (80.62%) were resolved following PMC. Common medications charted by the pharmacists include: macrogol and docusate laxatives (288), pregnancy multivitamin containing iron, iodine and folate (169), colecalciferol (133), iron (127), asthma inhaler (99), paracetamol and ibuprofen (88), nicotine (38), calcium (29), folic acid (26), and pantoprazole (15). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that hospital pharmacists contribute to the reduction of MRPs, and PMC enables pharmacist to address prescribing omission and conditions untreated in the hospital. This study also reflects skills enhancement in practice for clinical pharmacists and resulted in successful implementation of PMC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Argentina, a nation committed to prioritizing food quality, there is a pressing necessity to fortify quality control systems and establish stringent standards ensuring food safety. This study aims to scrutinize commercial samples of Origanum vulgare L. in the province of Jujuy, Argentine Republic, with the objective of assessing their authenticity and overall quality. Both macroscopic and microscopic techniques were employed to analyze composition and verify identity. Simultaneously, a thorough examination of product labels was conducted to ensure compliance with food regulations. Ethnographic techniques, including merchant interviews, were utilized to gather comprehensive insights. The findings reveal considerable variability in the composition of "oregano" samples, with instances of foreign elements such as stones and dust detected in some cases. Microscopic identification unequivocally confirmed the presence of contaminating elements. Notably, the majority of industrial products adhered to labeling standards, while a mere 10% of artisanal samples achieved similar compliance. The study also unveiled diverse culinary and medicinal applications for the examined oregano samples. These discoveries underscore the imperative for heightened oversight to guarantee the quality and purity of oregano products. The correlation between microscopic results and previous studies bolsters the reliability of this analytical approach. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the paramount importance of instituting policies and programs that advance food security. The proposed methodology emerges as an effective means to enhance quality control in the marketing of plant products in the province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E-cigarette use among youth presents a public health risk. Yet, cigarette smokers who substantially reduce their smoking or switch completely from traditional combustible cigarettes could benefit. As science about e-cigarettes is continually emerging, any potential warnings are likely to contain uncertain language. Hedged verbiage may impact decision making. To assess reactions, we conducted 16 online focus groups; 8 with youth (n = 32, grouped by gender and by vaping experience) and 8 with adult tobacco users (n = 37, grouped by smokers, dual users of e-cigarettes and cigarettes, and former smokers who switched to e-cigarettes). Each focus group viewed and discussed 8 potential warnings messages. We conducted an inductive thematic analysis of the reactions to warning messages that contain uncertain language. Respondents’ reactions were often negative, but varied based on specific usages of uncertainty, existing beliefs about uncertainty in law and science, and smoking/vaping use patterns that supported the use of uncertainty related to e-cigarettes. Many youth (and some adults) believed that uncertain language enabled audiences to minimize the likelihood of harm or interpreted it as meaning there are both healthy and unhealthy e-cigarettes. This qualitative study provides evidence that the use of types of uncertain language, the frequency of that use, and/or the selection of particular words in warnings, might not achieve the intended public health aims of increasing understanding of risk, deterring youth uptake, and/or facilitating a substantial switch from cigarettes. The use of certain types of uncertain language appears to have significant potential to bring unintended consequences. Suggestions for research and policy are included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Labelling is a strategy that contributes to the correct and faster identification of drugs, minimizing misidentification. There is a gap in knowledge on optimal labelling standards for intravenous (IV) devices applied to the care of critically ill patients. Aim: The goal of this article was to map existing knowledge on the labelling of IV drug delivery devices in critically ill patients for the prevention of medication errors. Study Design: This was a scoping review conducted according to the JBI methodology in the LILACS, MEDLINE, CINAHL, IBECS, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science databases, and on the websites of specialized institutions. Searches were conducted up to December 2022 for scientific articles and grey literature that addressed the labelling of IV devices in intensive care units, emergency departments, and anaesthesia units. The data were collected using a structured form and were later classified, summarized, and aggregated to map the knowledge related to the review question. Results: Twenty‐one documents were included, which demonstrated variability in label use with IV drug delivery devices. The following features of structure and design stood out: printed format, colour coding, letter size differentiation, and the use of sturdy material. In terms of information, the name of the drug, dose, date and time of preparation, identification of the patient, and who prepared it were found. Conclusions: The identified patterns contributed to the reduction of drug misidentification and the development of timelier drug labelling and administration. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The evidence supports the development of standardized labels for the prevention of medication errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

General labels tend to obscure objective realities upon which disability rights are based and can deny individuals with disabilities their educational and civil rights. Undoubtedly, stigma can come from labels unnecessarily categorizing people into separate groups. However, stigma does not reside primarily in disability categories/terms but in what people think of words' referents. The replacement of the old disability categories/terms with new ones is a case of what is called the "euphemism treadmill," showing how concepts and mentally represented realities, not words, are the key issue. However, in the case of disabilities, scientific names are unavoidable for the purposes of research, education, advocacy, and social welfare. Some people try to avoid naming special education and its derivatives just as they do in the case of disability categories. We argue that scientifically validated disability and special education labels are necessary and legitimate classifications required for progress in disability research and practice. They provide the most direct route to legally protecting and serving individuals with educational disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, a large urban university-based hospital transitioned to a new two-floor emergency department. Despite the new environment, there were usability and workflow challenges with the space. The authors of this paper created a multidisciplinary, human-centered design collaborative of clinicians, university faculty, and students in an effort to increase emergency department efficiency. After thorough design-research and clinician-focused collaboration, the authors and design team identified the need to improve medical supply retrieval time, which directly impacts patient care and clinician satisfaction. The primary interventions consisted of a redesign that is as follows: (a) created standardized icons related to organ system, (b) increased visibility of supply labels, and (c) reorganized supplies based on usage data. Although a successful project, it was not without several barriers discussed in this article, including design researcher and clinician-level setting and engagement, academic/institutional policies, and conflicting schedules. In addition, the lessons learned from implementing human-centered design concepts into clinical workflow sets forth future research opportunities and inspiration for other institutions to collaborate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Health warnings on cigarette sticks are emerging as a tool to control tobacco consumption; hence, understanding how they are perceived is valuable in determining their effectiveness. Our study aimed to evaluate the perception of health-related messages and warnings on individual cigarette sticks. It also aimed to evaluate the perceptions of the effectiveness of cigarette packaging warnings and the acceptance level for the inclusion of health warnings on cigarette sticks. METHODS This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 285 individuals in Al- Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The survey was distributed online using a non-probability convenience sampling technique. The chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association of sociodemographic characteristics and smoking-related variables with participants' perceptions of health warnings on cigarette sticks and packaging. The responses were also assessed qualitatively using conceptual content analysis. RESULTS In all, 18.6% of participants perceived that the package warnings were either 'quite effective' or 'very effective' in prompting smokers to quit. For health warnings on cigarette sticks, 28.1% of participants perceived that the theme of statistics on mortality was either 'quite effective' or 'very effective' in prompting smokers to quit, compared to 35.0 % for the theme of social and financial consequences. Respondents who had secondary education and lower were almost two times more likely to support the inclusion of health warnings than those who had a university education and higher (OR=1.9; 95% CI: 1.02-3.7, p=0.042). Most of the comments were positive for the inclusion of health warnings on cigarette sticks. CONCLUSIONS Most participants perceived that package warnings were ineffective, but warnings on cigarette sticks were effective methods of dissuasion of cigarette use. Smokers were almost twice as likely to perceive as effective supportive messages to quit than non-smokers. The majority of participants 'agreed' or 'strongly agreed' to the inclusion of health warnings on cigarette sticks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health agencies recommend using hand sanitisers as protection against the coronavirus. Thus far, the emphasis on hand sanitiser studies is limited to an analysis of disinfectant content only. This study aims to provide an extended analysis of 60 off-the-shelf alcohol-based hand sanitisers by using gas chromatography to report on alcohol content and the presence of impurities, a recombinant yeast estrogen screen to assess estrogenic activity, and an investigation into labelling compliance with the South African National Standard. Fifty hand sanitisers had an alcohol content of ≥60% v/v alcohol; however, most contained skin irritants and substances that could harm human and environmental health. Estrogenic activity was detected in 29 hand sanitisers and none of the products complied with all the labelling requirements. Since off-the-shelf hand sanitisers in South Africa are not regulated and monitored, evidence-based public awareness programmes on hand sanitiser quality and safety should become a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a widespread agreement that Nietzsche has developed a kind of position or doctrine called 'perspectivism'. Scholars go on and develop metaphysical, semantic, epistemic, and psychobiological interpretations of the supposed Nietzschean perspectivism or even 'perspectivisms'. They engage in debates about whether this perspectivism is relativistic, realistic, or anti-realistic and what the tenets of perspectivism are. In this paper, I suggest putting an end to this practice. I examine Nietzsche's explicit mentions of the term 'perspectivism', the problems associated with the misunderstanding of this term as a label, attempts to reconstruct perspectivism based on explicit mentions of 'perspective' and related vocabulary, and doctrinal assumptions scholars try to connect with this terminology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article tells the story of 4Q419, a manuscript that was once associated with a well-known Wisdom text: 4QInstruction. However, following its removal from 4QInstruction and re-categorisation as an "Unclassified Manuscript" in the 1990s (see DSSR 6 and DJD 39), 4Q419 has been largely overlooked by the scholarly community. There are two core objectives to this article. First, it encourages scholars to re-engage with a neglected manuscript that still has much to contribute to discussions of pluriformity, textual development, and the scribal background of 4QInstruction. Second, this article attempts to shed light on the ramifications of scholarly adherence to the Wisdom label and raises broader concerns about the degree to which our designated labels influence the way we read, understand, and talk about the Scrolls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION The tobacco gift-giving culture in China poses a significant challenge to public health; however, there is limited research on effectively curbing the tobacco gift-giving culture and its associated tobacco gift consumption. This study examines the potential impact of two tobacco control measures that the Chinese government may consider adopting on cigarette gifting behavior in the future in Chinese society. METHODS This study employed a randomized survey experiment to examine the effects of cigarette price treatment and pictorial health warning labels (HWLs) on cigarette gifting. The total sample size of this study is 1035. Four groups of participants were presented with representative cigarettes categorized into high-, medium-, and low-priced products, along with different prices (normal and double) or external packaging imagery (normal and pictorial HWL versions). RESULTS The price of cigarettes for personal consumption forms an L-shaped distribution, and the price of cigarette gifts forms a W-shaped distribution. Increasing cigarette prices reduces smokers' willingness to gift high-priced cigarettes but stimulates the consumption of low-price cigarettes as gifts. Pictorial HWLs do not directly influence smokers' intentions to gift cigarettes, but they enhance the effectiveness of price regulation concerning medium-priced cigarette products. CONCLUSIONS If the price variance of cigarettes is not reduced, the effect of price regulation will be very limited. Implementing combined interventions of pictorial HWLs and price regulation or modifying the pricing structure of tobacco products may yield stronger control outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explains the difference between a disinfectant and a sanitizer. Topics discussed include legal aspect of the actual difference between disinfectant and sanitizer, how an antimicrobial product can qualify as a nonfood contact surface disinfectant, and three types of disinfectants registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) based on the type of efficacy data submitted by the manufacturer.

Ensuring consumption of nutrient‐dense, safe and appropriate complementary foods among older infants and young children (IYC) 6–36 months of age is critical for enabling optimal growth and development. The ubiquitous availability of and high demand for commercially packaged snack foods has culminated in a growing trend of snack food products specifically produced and promoted for older IYC. Commercially produced complementary foods (CPCF) that are finger foods/snacks often contain added sugars, excessive sodium content and high total sugar content, making them inappropriate for this young population. This study benchmarked the nutrient composition and labelling practices of CPCF finger foods/snacks available for purchase in seven countries in Southeast Asia. The study adapted a nutrient profiling model from the WHO Regional Office for Europe to determine the proportion of products suitable for promotion for older IYC. Of the total 606 products identified, 8.2% were automatically categorized as not suitable because they were confectionery items. Of the remaining 556 products assessed, over 85% failed to meet all nutrient composition requirements, with the presence of added sugars/sweeteners and excessive sodium and total sugar contents the primary reasons for failure. Products also demonstrated concerning labelling practices, with all of the products (98.6%) displaying an inappropriate claim on the label. These findings reveal major concerns with the nutrient composition and labelling practices of CPCF finger foods/snacks in the SEA region and should serve as an alarm bell for regulatory action. National binding legal measures, such as mandatory standards for composition and labelling are urgently needed. Key messages: CPCF finger foods/snacks made up 18‐45% of CPCF products across the seven countries, indicating a normalization of commercially packaged, processed snacks products in older IYC diets.Over 85% of products failed to meet all nutrient composition requirements. Three‐quarters contained added sugars/sweeteners, half high total sugar, and half excessive levels of sodium, indicating that most products are not nutritionally appropriate for this young age group.No CPCF finger foods/snacks met all labelling requirements and most displayed inappropriate claims. With nearly all products containing excessive levels of total sugar, added sugar or sodium, use of persuasive claims on these products is alarming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language has been shown to influence the ability to form categories. Nevertheless, in most prior work, the effects of language could have been bolstered by the fact that linguistic labels were introduced by the experimenter prior to the categorization task in ways that could have highlighted their relevance for the task. Here, we compared the potency of labels to that of other non‐linguistic cues on how people categorized novel, perceptually ambiguous natural kinds (e.g., flowers or birds). Importantly, we varied whether these cues were explicitly presented as relevant to the categorization task. In Experiment 1, we compared labels, numbers, and symbols: One group of participants was told to pay attention to these cues because they would be helpful (Relevant condition), a second group was told that the cues were irrelevant and should be ignored (Irrelevant condition), and a third group was told nothing about the cues (Neutral condition). Even though task relevance affected overall reliance on cues during categorization, participants were more likely to use labels to determine category boundaries, compared to numbers or symbols. In Experiments 2 and 3, we replicated and fine‐tuned the advantage of labels in more stringent categorization tasks. These results offer novel evidence for the position that labels offer unique indications of category membership, compared to non‐linguistic cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article uses ethnography and coproduced ethnography to investigate mental health labels amongst university students in the UK. We find that although labels can still be a source of stigma, they are also both necessary and useful. Students use labels as 'campus technologies' to achieve various ends. This includes interaction with academics and administrators, but labels can do more than make student distress bureaucratically legible. Mental health labels extend across the whole student social world, as a pliable means of negotiating social interaction, as a tool of self-discovery, and through the 'soft-boy' online archetype, they can be a means of promoting sexual capital and of finessing romantic encounters. Labels emerge as flexible, fluid and contextual. We thus follow Eli Clare in attending to the varying degrees of sincerity, authenticity and pragmatism in dealing with labels. Our findings give pause to two sets of enquiry that are sometimes seen as opposed. Quantitative mental health research relies on what appear to be questionable assumptions about labels embedded in questionnaires. But concerns about the dialogical power of labels to medicalise students also appears undermined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to understand reactions to very low nicotine (VLN) cigarette advertising compared with conventional cigarette advertising with consideration of warning labels and social media context. The online experimental study recruited young adult cigarette smokers and nonsmokers (N = 1,608). Participants completed a discrete choice task with a 2 × 2 × 3 mixed design: brand, (VLN, Marlboro), context (Ad only, Ad on social media), and warning (Text-only, Well-known risk pictorial, or Lesser-known risk pictorial). Participants made choices about attention, appeal, harm, buying, and quitting intentions. Social media context increased attention and appeal. A well-known risk pictorial warning outperformed a text-only warning. Smokers had increased odds of quit intentions for VLN ads, yet nonsmokers had increased intentions to buy cigarettes on social media with a text-only warning. Results indicate differences in how young adults react to cigarette ads on social media, especially with the warnings they portray. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To estimate the impact on selection and actual purchasing of (a) health warning labels (text‐only and image‐and‐text) on alcoholic drinks and (b) calorie labels on alcoholic and non‐alcoholic drinks. Design: Parallel‐groups randomised controlled trial. Setting: Drinks were selected in a simulated online supermarket, before being purchased in an actual online supermarket. Participants: Adults in England and Wales who regularly consumed and purchased beer or wine online (n = 651). Six hundred and eight participants completed the study and were included in the primary analysis. Interventions: Participants were randomized to one of six groups in a between‐subjects three [health warning labels (HWLs) (i): image‐and‐text HWL; (ii) text‐only HWL; (iii) no HWL] × 2 (calorie labels: present versus absent) factorial design (n per group 103–113). Measurements: The primary outcome measure was the number of alcohol units selected (with intention to purchase); secondary outcomes included alcohol units purchased and calories selected and purchased. There was no time limit for selection. For purchasing, participants were directed to purchase their drinks immediately (although they were allowed up to 2 weeks to do so). Findings There was no evidence of main effects for either (a) HWLs or (b) calorie labels on the number of alcohol units selected (HWLs: F(2,599) = 0.406, P = 0.666; calorie labels: F(1,599) = 0.002, P = 0.961). There was also no evidence of an interaction between HWLs and calorie labels, and no evidence of an overall difference on any secondary outcomes. In pre‐specified subgroup analyses comparing the 'calorie label only' group (n = 101) with the 'no label' group (n = 104) there was no evidence that calorie labels reduced the number of calories selected (unadjusted means: 1913 calories versus 2203, P = 0.643). Among the 75% of participants who went on to purchase drinks, those in the 'calorie label only' group (n = 74) purchased fewer calories than those in the 'no label' group (n = 79) (unadjusted means: 1532 versus 2090, P = 0.028). Conclusions: There was no evidence that health warning labels reduced the number of alcohol units selected or purchased in an online retail context. There was some evidence suggesting that calorie labels on alcoholic and non‐alcoholic drinks may reduce calories purchased from both types of drinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, a trend has been observed in advertising where brands position themselves on the internet without fully complying with the regulatory framework in Mexico. As a case study, the use of front-of-package labeling in influencer content in the digital campaign #ParaVariar by Sidral Mundet was examined. Through iconographic-semiotic analysis, the content produced by five influencers was reviewed to identify how front labeling is displayed and what its function is within the advertising narrative. The results show that these contents tend to hide the front-of-package labeling and do not explicitly indicate that it is a paid collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Tobacco taxation remains a poorly used intervention to control tobacco use in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) including Pakistan even after two decades of FCTC adoption. This study identifies gaps and implementation challenges in the current Tobacco Taxation and Pricing Policies (TTPP) in Pakistan, and highlights key policy implications and lessons for LMICs to strengthen tobacco control measures. METHODS We used qualitative document analysis to examine the policy documents to assess the TTPP against the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) guidelines for the implementation of Article 6 of the FCTC. In addition, we used secondary data on tobacco tax and prices to assess the impact of TTPP on tobacco affordability in the country. RESULTS Although Pakistan taxes raw tobacco, cigarettes and other tobacco products (cigarillos, cigars, cheroots), the existing TTPP falls below the WHO FCTC requirements of: uniform tax level, simple tax structure and 70% share of excise tax in the price of a product's pack; among others. There are also multiple issues in tobacco tax administration such as lack of monitoring. This is leading to the availability of highly affordable tobacco products in the country. CONCLUSIONS Pakistan does not have a clear strategy on using tobacco taxation and prices as a public health tool in the country. Existing TTPP face dual issues of flawed structure and poor administration translating into highly affordable tobacco products and low revenues in the country. There is a need to introduce multisectoral tobacco control policies in countries like Pakistan in the context of the tobacco sector political economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatric obesity is a global public health concern. Obesity‐related physiological changes may affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs and lead to therapeutic failure or toxicities. An earlier review of pediatric drug development programs from 2007 to 2016 found that, of 89 programs listing obesity‐related terms, only 4 (4%) products described pharmacokinetic changes associated with obesity. This review examined obesity considerations for 185 drug products for which pediatric drug development programs were submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2016 and 2021. The FDA‐authored review documents and drug product labeling were queried for obesity‐related terms and the review found 97/185 (52%) drug products had obesity‐related terms in these sources. Of the 97 drug products, 55/97 (57%) had obesity‐related terms in the FDA‐authored reviews only, 13/97 (13%) had obesity‐related terms in the drug product labeling only, and 29/97 (30%) had obesity‐related terms in both FDA‐authored reviews and drug product labeling. Most of the obesity‐related information in the drug product labeling originated from data collected from adults. Only 13/185 (7%) drug product labeling contained obesity‐related terms in reference to drug pharmacokinetics. Specific dosage recommendations for the use of the drug products in pediatric patients who are obese remain lacking. The dearth of available information to guide drug dosages in the obese pediatric population suggests that further research, innovative approaches, and evidence‐based guidelines are needed to inform the optimal therapeutic use of drugs in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The psychological mechanisms that subserve inductions about novel social categories in childhood are hotly debated. While research demonstrated that language, and in particular generic statements, plays a major role in how children learn to attribute properties to social categories, developmental theories propose other mechanisms. One theoretical account holds that the mere act of labeling social categories is sufficient for children to generalize properties to category members, because labels are considered as referring to significant, homogeneous kinds of people. A second theoretical account proposes that children generalize properties to category members from statistical evidence, that is, by directly observing regularities in their environment. The present study assessed those two hypotheses, by testing (via an online experiment) the effects of simple category labels and observation of statistical evidence on European 4- to 6-year-olds (N = 88) and 7- to 9-year-olds' (N = 92) predictions about novel social categories. From around 7 to 9 years, children generalized properties to category members based on simple category labels or on their observation of a majority of unlabeled category members having the same property. Four- to 6-year-old children, however, made similarity inferences only when both labels and statistical evidence were combined. Overall, the present study highlights a developmental shift from an early limited tendency to make similarity inferences to a later propensity to infer similarity from small evidence. These findings deepen our understanding of the conditions under which children start to make similarity inferences. Implications for the acquisition of stereotypes are also discussed. Public Significance Statement: This study assessed two conditions under which children infer that social category members share the same properties. It highlights important developmental changes: From preschool years, language plays a crucial role in how children learn about social categories, and from early school years, children also predict that category members will be similar from their observation of regular behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the size of pesticide pictograms on comprehensibility and their adherence to principles of familiarity, compatibility, and standardization. Pictograms usually involve complex details, and space limitation demands size reductions, which reduces overall comprehensibility, especially in agriculture and healthcare. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, the effect of different sizes of pictograms on comprehension was tested. In experiment 2, the level of compliance for different ergonomic principles on different sizes of pictograms was investigated. Results of experiment 1 indicated significant variation in comprehension level (p <.05), with maximum comprehension for the size 15 mm × 15 mm (87.6%) and minimum comprehension for the size 7 mm × 7 mm (69.4%). Results of experiment 2 indicated significant variation in compliance of ergonomic principles with different pictogram sizes (p <.05), with maximum compliance for the size 15 mm × 15 mm (7.7, 7.7, 7.6) and minimum compliance for the size 7 mm × 7 mm (6.3, 6.3, 6.3). A significant increase in the comprehensibility of pictograms and their adherence to familiarity, compatibility, and standardization was observed with the increase in the sizes of pictograms. The smallest size of pictograms with a mean comprehension level ≥ 65% and scores for familiarity, compatibility, and standardization ≥ 7 (on a scale of 1 to 10) was 10 mm × 10 mm. The potential application of this research is to identify the most comprehensible size of pictograms that adhere to the principles of familiarity, compatibility, and standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on rethinking the notion of correct and proper English, revealing the evolving nature of language conventions and highlighting the impact of language on power dynamics and equity. Topics include the fluidity of language standards, the challenge of labeling English varieties, and the importance of acknowledging the social context and history behind language conventions while promoting linguistic justice and adaptability in the classroom.

Abstract Background Methods Results Conclusion Non-judgmental language to refer to people who use drugs is replacing terms that can be stigmatizing. A study by Pivovarova and Stein found people in treatment for heroin use preferred person-first terms. Aim one of our study is to add to knowledge of term preferences among people in the US who use heroin by replicating the Pivovarova and Stein study with a sample of people who use heroin but are not in treatment. Aim two is to extend findings with insights from qualitative analysis.Our mixed method study replicated survey questions on what labels are preferred. Qualitative questions probed the meaning of terms and the impact of changing language. We recruited 206 participants between November 2019 and May 2021. We compare the results of the treatment sample with a not-in-treatment sample.Both similarities and differences were found in the quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis revealed that only a third of our sample indicated that changes in language were helpful, while another third indicated that changing the terms did not result in changing attitudes towards people who use drugs.While stigmatizing language should be avoided, language is constantly evolving and subject to political trends. More emphasis is needed on changing attitudes toward people who use drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has recently been a reevaluation of our sense of smell, which is now considered a very sensitive and discriminating sense modality by scientists and philosophers. However, the consensus in the literature is that humans, and certainly Western subjects, are very poor at identifying smells: they produce the “veridical label” for an odor in just 30–50% of cases and there is wide inter-subjective variation in their responses. This suggests that we rarely know what we smell. Is this the right conclusion to draw from the evidence? This paper takes a closer look at the empirical evidence on the smell naming performance of Western subjects and argues that a comparative model of olfactory language and categorization is more effective at explaining the evidence than a model on which each smell kind is supposed to correspond to one label. One result of applying a comparative model is that we are not quite as poor at naming smells as the commonly cited data would suggest. Another result is a better understanding of the kinds of knowledge we may gain by smelling and how these relate to the linguistic resources, experiences, and practices of different speakers and communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research focuses on the process of heritagization and how it functions to both legitimize a dance practice and generate a new set of values for the practice. More specifically, I explore how the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed Modern Dance in Germany as Humanity's Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2022. I argue that this designation is a gradual recontextualization, that impacts both the practice itself and its status among global communities. Ultimately, this discursive change puts into question the categorization of German Modern Dance as "modern" in the midst of other "traditional" dances inscribed as heritage on the same list, and sparks questions about the influence of labels and categories on dance practices. I illustrate how the creation of dance as ICH enhances comprehension of national agendas linked to heritage appreciation, illuminates institutional participation in the formation of "national heritage," and significantly contributes to the necessary definition and codification process for inscription, while also acknowledging the evolving and mutable nature of Modern Dance in Germany. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is witnessing the highest level of displacement of people on record. Public discourse often uses labels to describe people on the move such as 'migrants', 'asylum seekers', or 'refugees' interchangeably. A preregistered study in nine countries (Australia, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom; N = 2844) tested experimentally the effect of these three labels on attitudes towards immigrants and immigration policies. We found a significant difference between the label 'migrant' and both 'asylum seeker' and 'refugee' on the social distance scale. Participants were happier if migrants, rather than asylum seekers and refugees, were their neighbours, friends, or partners. The effect was mediated by perceived benefits, but not threats, whereby migrants were perceived to bring more benefits to receiving societies than asylum seekers and refugees. To increase the acceptance of immigrants, speakers may consider specifying the given group and emphasize benefits that immigrants bring to receiving societies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Incidents involving mis‐selection and administration of neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) leading to patient harm resulted in the initiation of activity in Victorian hospitals to review the management of this high‐risk group of medicines. Local risk mitigation strategies, such as in‐house labelling and restricting access, were considered partially effective, but it was recognised that a national approach was required. In 2015, hospital pharmacists — together with anaesthetist colleagues and peak patient safety organisations — made a submission to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) describing safety risks with NMBAs, with recommendations for improved NMBA labelling. This report describes the five‐year process which eventually led to the TGA mandating manufacturers to place alert labelling on NMBA products. As a result of this effort, a Victorian Therapeutics Advisory Group (VicTAG) grant enabled the development of a 'NMBA Safer Practice Advisory Tool for Australian Hospitals', providing a standard guide to monitor the safe use of NMBAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The usefulness of disproportionality analysis for the pharmacovigilance of vaccines in the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database is yet to be proven. This study aimed to verify whether significant disproportionality could be detected before adding new vaccine adverse event information to package inserts. Information on package insert revisions related to vaccine adverse drug events from January 2013 to March 2023 was extracted from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency website. This period was set as the maximum period for which early disproportionalities could be detected by the latest JADER database (April 2004 to December 2022). From JADER data, 15 revision histories (10 types of vaccines) of package inserts were identified, and 823,662 cases were obtained. Of the 15, 12 (80%) adverse events were identified as significant disproportionalities before package insert revisions were made. Nine of the 15 (60%) events were identified as significant disproportionalities earlier than at least 12 months. These findings suggest that the JADER database may detect vaccine adverse events earlier than package insert revisions, indicating its usefulness for the safety surveillance of vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) 128 is an internationally endorsed, electronically readable labeling standard that provides a convenient and accurate means of identification, traceability, publication, and storage of information for blood and blood products. The authors' center recently registered with the International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA) and progressed to ISBT 128 labeling standard. This manuscript was written with the objective of sharing the authors' experience with respect to the implementation of ISBT 128 standards for whole blood donations and integration of ISBT 128 standards with Indian licensing regulations. The authors explore the process of implementation of ISBT 128 standards through a step-by-step journey that included facility registration with International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation (ICCBBA), allotment of facility identification number, development of four-quadrant label for blood components, and integration of local regulatory requirements in the final "composite" label. Acknowledging the lack of any published report from India on ISBT 128 standards implementation, the authors wish to attempt help their peers in understanding and implementation of this global standard at their respective facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The labels or tags that, attached to the bottles, serve to identify their content, have their heyday in the Marco del Jerez in the period between the last third of the 19th century and the Spanish Civil War. Among the iconographic motifs that serve to illustrate this new form of emblems, there are those alluding to the classical world, although they do not constitute a majority. This paper seeks to find the reason why these iconographic motifs are used, either because of the quality of the wine or liquor, the target public or the place where it is to be consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION Tobacco industry documents reveal companies' knowledge of a similar young adult market across countries in terms of attitudes and lifestyle aspirations. Some tobacco companies, therefore, use similar marketing approaches across different jurisdictions. We examined young adults' perceptions of flavored cigarette packs, including those containing flavor capsules, in Mexico and the Philippines. METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of five focus groups held in Mexico and four in the Philippines with young adults who smoke (aged 18-24 years), separated by gender, in which participants interacted with cigarette packs purchased locally. Transcribed and translated data were thematically analyzed and compared between countries. RESULTS Three major themes were identified: 1) Flavor capsules cigarettes are recognizable via pack design through imagery on the pack that is understood to signify capsules; 2) Colors signal flavor and make the pack attractive; and 3) Young adults who smoke identify the target audience for these products as young people and those who are beginning to smoke. CONCLUSIONS Young adults who smoke in Mexico and the Philippines interpreted flavored cigarette pack design similarly and thought that young people are the main audience for these products. This suggests a successful marketing approach creating shared perceptions of flavored cigarette packs in different world regions. It is likely that similar tactics are used in other countries around the world. Therefore, jurisdictions might use evidence from other jurisdictions to support the implementation of evidence-based tobacco control policies. These findings also support the implementation of plain and standardized packaging and flavor bans that would also limit product innovation such as capsules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in how frequently caregivers engage with their children is associated with variation in children's later language outcomes. One explanation for this link is that caregivers use both verbal behaviors, such as labels, and non‐verbal behaviors, such as gestures, to help children establish reference to objects or events in the world. However, few studies have directly explored whether language outcomes are more strongly associated with referential behaviors that are expressed verbally, such as labels, or non‐verbally, such as gestures, or whether both are equally predictive. Here, we observed caregivers from 42 Spanish‐speaking families in the US engage with their 18‐month‐old children during 5‐min lab‐based, play sessions. Children's language processing speed and vocabulary size were assessed when children were 25 months. Bayesian model comparisons assessed the extent to which the frequencies of caregivers' referential labels, referential gestures, or labels and gestures together, were more strongly associated with children's language outcomes than a model with caregiver total words, or overall talkativeness. The best‐fitting models showed that children who heard more referential labels at 18 months were faster in language processing and had larger vocabularies at 25 months. Models including gestures, or labels and gestures together, showed weaker fits to the data. Caregivers' total words predicted children's language processing speed, but predicted vocabulary size less well. These results suggest that the frequency with which caregivers of 18‐month‐old children use referential labels, more so than referential gestures, is a critical feature of caregiver verbal engagement that contributes to language processing development and vocabulary growth. Research Highlights: We examined the frequency of referential communicative behaviors, via labels and/or gestures, produced by caregivers during a 5‐min play interaction with their 18‐month‐old children.We assessed predictive relations between labels, gestures, their combination, as well as total words spoken, and children's processing speed and vocabulary growth at 25 months.Bayesian model comparisons showed that caregivers' referential labels at 18 months best predicted both 25‐month vocabulary measures, although total words also predicted later processing speed.Frequent use of referential labels by caregivers, more so than referential gestures, is a critical feature of communicative behavior that supports children's later vocabulary learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional analyses have not separated multiple pesticide exposures from comparator groups.   In this analysis using a "non-pesticide exposure" household comparison group, odds ratios increased 15 to 49 percent versus the conventional approach.  The preponderance of evidence suggests a need for warning labels and public health intervention. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether risk estimates for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia change when restricting model comparison groups to "nonpesticide exposure" (NPE10) households. Methods: Cases (n = 1810) 15 years or younger were identified through Children's Cancer Group institutions between 1989 and 1993 and age-/sex-matched to controls (n = 1951). Household pesticide use during pregnancy/month prior was collected via telephone. NPE10 comparison group reporting no parental exposure to 10 pesticide classes was identified. Results: Adjusted odds ratios increased from 15% to 49% when limiting the comparison to NPE10. Maternal termite insecticide exposure was associated with greatest risk (adjusted odds ratio, 4.21; 95% confidence interval, 2.00–8.88). There was minimal evidence of interaction by child sex or occupational pesticide exposure, and no monotonic dose-response pattern with frequency of use (times per year). Conclusions: Elevated risks are consistent with published pooled-/meta-analyses and DNA damage. The consistency and magnitude of these associations warrant product labeling, exposure reduction interventions, or both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying a content warning to metadata and archival descriptions is a practice that libraries increasingly embrace, even though the American Library Association considers content labeling to be censorship under the Library Bill of Rights. The language used in a content warning, such as offensive or harmful , carries important implications for the responsibility the library assumes and the actions it might take. Before deciding to apply a content warning, libraries should consider a range of questions posed by such warnings and be prepared to respond to the inherent conflict they create with librarianship's commitment to intellectual freedom and anti-censorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption remains high among US children. Warning labels on SSBs hold promise for reducing consumption, but their impact may differ by SSB category. Objectives: This study examined the effects of pictorial warnings on parents' beverage purchases and perceptions across SSB categories. Methods: Parents of children ages 2–12 (n = 326) visited a convenience store laboratory in North Carolina. Participants were randomly assigned to see SSBs carrying either pictorial warning labels or control labels. Parents purchased a beverage for their child and completed a survey. Results: Responses from parents in the control arm suggest underlying perceptions of flavoured milk (2.8 on scale ranging from 1 to 5), flavoured water (2.6), and fruit‐flavoured drinks (2.5) as the most healthful SSB categories. Compared to the control, pictorial warnings led to the largest reductions in purchases of fruit drinks (−61%), soda (−36%) and flavoured milk (−32%). Warnings also lowered the perceived healthfulness of flavoured water (d = −0.34), flavoured milk (d = −0.28), sports drinks (d = −0.25), and a reduction in intentions to give one's child sports drinks (d = −0.30), flavoured water (d = −0.24) and sweet tea (d = −0.22, all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Warning labels may have heterogeneous effects across SSB categories. Future research should assess the psychological mechanisms underlying these heterogeneous effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas much research has looked at how recommendation systems influence online purchase intentions, this article illustrates the dual process model by which they occur. Using two studies, we fill the research void in interactive marketing by demonstrating how the dual processes of social proof and risk avoidance mediate the impact of recommendation labels on consumer decision-making contingent upon their level of involvement. Study 1 (n = 73), used a mixed-subjects design with a college student sample to demonstrate that both types of recommendation labels will lead to higher purchase intentions in an online setting. Most importantly, it provides evidence for the main effect of our theoretical model across different product categories. Study 2 (n = 160) provides support for our remaining four hypotheses by demonstrating the underlying process through which recommendation labels have a two-fold effect on purchase intentions. Specifically, the recommendation label increased the risk avoidance effect for high-involvement consumers and enhanced the social proof effect for low-involvement consumers. In both cases, the recommendation labels increased purchase intentions. Implications of our findings for theoretical and practical contributions and future directions are also explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About ten years ago, an innovative instrument was developed to promote internationalization in European higher education institutions— a Certificate for Quality in Internationalization (Cequint). The initiative fits well the contemporary governance philosophy that promotes voluntary instruments, an individualized approach, and an orientation towards transparency instead of control. While labels and certificates are becoming popular, their effectiveness is often questioned. In this paper we examine critically the value of Cequint and its potential for enhancing internationalization. The empirical results confirm that certified study programs outperform their uncertified peers. Partly the effect is explained by self-selection as internationally inclined programs are more likely to apply for the certificate, but there seems to be also a significant independent effect of the certification process. The paper suggests that a voluntary certification scheme can support organizational improvement by three mechanisms: by enhancing motivation, self-awareness, and expertize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on Spain's new rules mandating sorting instructions on food packaging, detailing the obligations for disposal methods, labeling requirements for compostable plastics and specifications for single-use plastic containers, aiming to improve recycling and environmental claims while complying with EU directives on packaging waste.

INTRODUCTION In March 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized new pictorial health warnings (PHWs), covering 50% of the front and back of the pack; however, legal challenges from cigarette manufacturers have prevented the new warnings from being implemented. About 70% of adults in the general US population support PHWs. This study assessed support for PHWs in 2016, 2018 and 2020 among US adults (aged ≥18 years) who currently smoke or formerly smoked cigarettes. We also assessed factors related to support. METHODS Respondents included adults who currently or formerly smoked cigarettes and participated in at least one wave of the US ITC Smoking and Vaping Surveys: Wave 1 (2016, n=2557); Wave 2 (2018, n=2685); and Wave 3 (2020, n=1112). We assessed changes in support for PHWs between 2016 and 2020, and assessed factors related to support (support vs oppose/don't know). Analyses were conducted on weighted data. RESULTS Overall, 38.0% of respondents supported PHWs in 2016, with a significant increase to 44.7% in 2018 (p<0.001), and leveling off to 45.0% in 2020 (2018 vs 2020, p=0.91). Support was highest among former smokers and lowest among daily smokers in all three survey years. Support for PHWs at all survey years was significantly higher among those who formerly smoked, were younger (aged 18-39 vs ≥40 years), those who identified as Black (vs White), and planned to quit smoking (vs not planning to quit). There were no differences by income level, education level, or sex. CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of US adults who smoke cigarettes or quit smoking supported PHWs in 2020, with support being higher among younger adults, ethnic minorities, and those who formerly smoked. Support increased between 2016 and 2018, but not between 2018 and 2020. Similar to other studies, fewer current and former smokers supported PHWs compared to the US adult general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern health-care facilities rely on medical devices and equipment. However, keeping up with the development of new technology is unfeasible for many health facilities, especially in low-resource settings. Thus, the demand for refurbished medical devices is increasing worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Refurbished medical devices are restored devices that are rebuilt to meet safety and performance requirements comparable to their condition when new, without changing the intended use of the original device. While new medical devices are controlled by well-established and stringent safety and quality regulations, a great variation in the regulations of refurbished medical devices exists across countries. Here we discuss the different regulations and practices specific to refurbished medical devices in countries of major markets. We also explore the opportunities and challenges for expanding the refurbished medical device market. Finally, we suggest that regulatory guidelines pertaining to the import, sale, labelling and use of a refurbished medical product are needed, and authorities should implement these guidelines to ensure a high quality and safety standard of refurbished devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To realize the accurate identification of vehicle abnormal behavior and improve the safety of vehicle driving, an abnormal driving behavior recognition model based on SVM(support vector machine) supervised learning and LSTM(long short term memory) deep learning distribution was proposed. Firstly, the vehicle trajectory data were filtered to construct the abnormal behavior data set. Secondly, based on the trajectory characteristics of abnormal behaviors, the feature labels of specific abnormal behaviors were calibrated in the training set extracted and artificially. Thirdly, several SVM models were constructed to roughly identify the training set, and abnormal behaviors were screened from the test set based on the dichotomy principle of SVM. Finally, the LSTM model was used to construct specific types of abnormal behavior models, and through the method of deep learning, the abnormal behavior data were subdivided into specific abnormal driving behaviors such as weaving, swerving, sideslippling, turing with a wide radius, fast U-turn, and sudden-braking. The trajectory data of US-101 highway and peachtree urban road in NGSIM was applied to verify the performance of SVM and LSTM double recognition models, using root mean square error and recognition accuracy, etc. The results show that the constructed double-layer recognition model has 98% recognition accuracy in the first layer and more than 80% recognition accuracy in the second layer, this model can accurately identify abnormal driving behaviors in big data and determine their types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the amendment proposal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reconcile conflicting interest in plant-based meat labeling. Topics discussed are commercial speech and the First Amendment, early attacks against dairy alternatives, dairy alternative lawsuits, dairy product labeling, legislation regulating plant-based meat in several U.S. states, separate regulation for plant-based food, and traditional meat terms with plant-based modifiers, and vegan terminology.

Objectives. To comprehensively catalog and review state e-cigarette delivery sales laws as well as capture their scope and dimensions. Methods. We conducted an in-depth review to determine whether states had at least 1 form of e-cigarette delivery sales law. We coded laws for 5 key policy domains: (1) delivery terminology used in laws, (2) age verification requirements, (3) packaging label requirements, (4) permit or registration requirements, and (5) fines and penalties for violations. Results. Overall, 34 states had e-cigarette delivery sales laws with varying scopes and dimensions. In 27 states, these laws required at least 1 form of age verification requirements. We identified mandatory packaging labels in 12 states, and 7 states where permits were required. There were considerable differences among states on the scale of fines and penalties for violations. Conclusions. Our findings reveal extensive heterogeneity in e-cigarette delivery sales laws among states, particularly regarding the scope and dimensions of these laws. Public Health Implications. The mapping of e-cigarette delivery sales policies showed several potential loopholes that may diminish their effectiveness. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(5):568–576. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307228) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research remains mixed on whether racial-ethnic self-designation impacts psychological health and well-being among Americans of African descent. Existing studies mainly use non-representative samples to address this question. Some scholars argue that Black people who express an African-centered identity should experience improved mental health because it enhances one's sense of self. However, what role self-designation may have on depression, one of the most common forms of disability, is largely unknown among African Americans. There is also limited evidence on whether one's self-concept can help us understand the relationship between self-designation and mental health among African Americans. Methods: Using data from a national probability sample of African American adults (n = 3,329), I examined whether self-designation as African American, Afro-American, Negro, Black American, or some other label versus Black was associated with self-esteem, mastery, and major depressive episodes. Results: Using OLS models, I found that respondents who preferred the terms African American or Afro-American exhibited higher mastery levels compared to individuals who preferred the label Black, the most common term used among respondents. African American identifying respondents also exhibited significantly higher levels of self-esteem compared to Black identifying individuals. Using logistic regression models, I found that only African American identifying respondents were significantly less likely than Black identifying respondents to meet the criteria for major depressive episodes in the past-year. Higher levels of mastery and self-esteem helped to explain such differences. Conclusion: In sum, among Americans of African descent, identification as African American rather than Black may help fight depressive episodes because such self-designation may enhance one's self-concept. Further research is necessary to explore other possible psychological implications of self-designation among the African American/Black population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]