Cognitive Outcome in Acute Sporadic Encephalitis

Acute encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain parenchyma. In the United States, 20,000 cases occur yearly. A variety of cognitive deficits, often the sole cause of disability, may persist after the acute stage. Still, infectious diseases tend to be covered only briefly in neuropsychological handbooks. Recent literature demonstrates the heterogeneity of both amnestic disorders and the outcome following encephalitides. Herpes Simplex virus (HSV), the most common single etiology of sporadic encephalitis, usually causes the most severe symptoms. Modern antiviral medication, however, seems to improve the cognitive outcome. Much less is known about non-HSV encephalitides, where both mild and severe defects have been observed. This article summarizes the current knowledge and also calls upon a more active neuropsychological research in the area.     

Nonverbal Amnesia and Asymmetric Cerebral Lesions Following Encephalitis

Global amnesia after herpes simplex encephalitis has been typically associated with lesions of anterior and medial temporal lobe, inferior and medial frontal lobe, and insula. The neuropathologic correlates of this disease are usually considered to be bilateral and similar across cases. We describe a 27-year-old woman whose chronic amnesia and cerebral lesions after viral encephalitis indicate a different pattern. Two features distinguish her presentation: (1) markedly asymmetric lesions extensively involving the right temporal lobe but sparing almost all of the same structures on the left and (2) severe compromise of nonverbal learning and a nonverbal retrograde amnesia in contrast to disproportionately small impairments of verbal learning and retention. The findings suggest that encephalitis patients cannot be treated as a homogeneous group and that detailed analysis of variability in their anatomic lesions may be an important explanatory factor in neural accounts of these severe human amnesias.     

Projective Drawings in a Cerebellar Disorder Due to Chicken Pox Encephalitis

Projective drawings may be more sensitive to cerebellar disorders than the Rorschach or the geometric designs of the Bender. Drawings of a nine-year-old whose “bad case of chicken pox” was later diagnosed as varicella encephalitis are presented, with suggestions as to why this sensitivity may occur.     

Trigeminal involvement following preventive influenza vaccination

Neuralgia-like complaints occurred in the region served by the ramus ophthalmicus et maxillaris nervi trigemini dexter of a woman aged 48 years two days after she had been inocculated with an inactivated influenza-A adsorbate complete vaccine (A/Bangkok/1/79 (H3-N2)); (A/Brazil/11/78 (H1-N1)). The clinical findings are explained, and the possibility of a connection between the symptomatology and a previous inocculation is discussed.     

Social cohesion predicts COVID-19 vaccination intentions and uptake

COVID-19 vaccination is widely regarded as an individual decision, resting upon individual characteristics and demographic factors. In this research, we provide evidence that psychological group membership, and more precisely, social cohesion—a multidimensional concept that encompasses one's sense of connectedness to, and interrelations within, a group—can help us understand COVID-19 vaccination intentions (Study 1) and uptake (Study 2). Study 1 is a repeated-measures study with a representative sample of 3026 Australians. We found evidence that social cohesion can be conceptualised as a multidimensional structure; moreover, social cohesion at Wave 1 (early in the COVID-19) predicted greater vaccination intention and lower perceived risk of vaccination at Wave 2 (4 months later). In Study 2 (a cross-sectional study, N = 499), the multidimensional structure of social cohesion was associated with greater uptake of vaccine doses (in addition to willingness to receive further doses and perceived risk of the vaccine). These relations were found after controlling for a series of demographic (i.e., sex, age, income), health-related factors (i.e., subjective health; perceived risk; having been diagnosed with COVID-19), and individual differences (political orientation, social dominance orientation, individualism). These results demonstrate the need to go beyond individual factors when it comes to behaviours that protect groups, and particularly when examining COVID-19 vaccination—one of the most important ways of slowing the spread of the virus.     

乙脑患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶、S-100蛋白、髓鞘碱性蛋白测定及其临床意义

为了解流行性乙型脑炎(乙脑)患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)、S-100蛋白(S-100)、髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)含量变化及其临床意义,用酶联免疫吸附法检测100例乙脑患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量变化.结果显示,乙脑组患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量与对照组比较显著增高(P均<0.01),增高程度与病情严重程度相平行(P<0.01).因此,血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量测定对乙脑患儿脑损伤严重程度及临床预后判断有重要参考价值.     

Human papillomavirus vaccination intentions and uptake in college women

Objective: Using the health belief model (HBM) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) as theoretical frameworks, the objectives of this study were: (a) to identify correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination intentions and (b) to explore differences between correlates of HPV vaccination intentions and uptake. Methods: Undergraduate women (N = 447) who did not intend to receive (n = 223), intended to receive (n = 102), or had received (n = 122) the HPV vaccine were surveyed. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake. Results: Negative health consequences of the vaccine, physician's recommendation, positive attitudes toward the vaccine, and subjective norms were significant correlates of vaccination intentions. When comparing correlates of vaccination intentions to correlates of vaccination uptake, physician's recommendation, subjective norms, and perceived susceptibility to HPV were unique correlates of uptake. Conclusion: Differences between correlates of vaccination intentions and uptake suggest that social influences of liked and trusted individuals may make an important and unique contribution in motivating young women to receive the HPV vaccine beyond other variables from the HBM and TPB. Future utilization of longitudinal designs is needed to understand which factors may cause individuals to decide to receive the HPV vaccine. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).     

乙脑患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶、S-100蛋白、髓鞘碱性蛋白测定及其临床意义

为了解流行性乙型脑炎（乙脑）患儿血清神经元特异性烯醇化酶（NSE）、S-100蛋白（S-100）、髓鞘碱性蛋白（MBP）含量变化及其临床意义,用酶联免疫吸附法检测100例乙脑患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量变化。结果显示,乙脑组患儿血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量与对照组比较显著增高（P均〈0．01）,增高程度与病情严重程度相平行（P〈0．01）。因此,血清NSE、S-100、MBP含量测定对乙脑患儿脑损伤严重程度及临床预后判断有重要参考价值。     

Memory for/and execution of future intentions: evidence from patients with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Prospective remembering was studied in a group of patients who suffered from Herpes Simplex Encephalitis (HSE). All patients showed a marked deficit in executing intentions for future actions under all the given constraints. The deficit extended to both time- and event-based intentions. The analysis of errors showed somewhat different patterns and some dissociations with evidence for selective preservation or damage to specific components involved in prospective remembering. These patients, in fact, may fail because of a difficulty in taking into account all given constraints or in activating stored intentions and in forming intentions or in remembering the content of the actions. Time- and event-based tasks seem to show different sources of errors also in the same patient.     

Modeling effects of risk and social distance on vaccination choice

Despite vaccines' consistently demonstrated effectiveness, vaccination rates remain suboptimal due to vaccine refusal. Low vaccination rates are particularly problematic for individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons and thus must rely on herd immunity (i.e., protection of vulnerable individuals due to the high rate of vaccination of other—often socially distant—individuals). The current study uses a novel decision‐making task to examine how three variables impacted participants' highest acceptable probability of side effects to their children: 1) the severity of the side effects their children experience, 2) the social distance to the beneficiary of the vaccination, and 3) the probability that the vaccine will prevent disease for that designated beneficiary. Participants' willingness to risk potential side effects of vaccination systematically decreased as the 1) effectiveness of the vaccination decreased, 2) the beneficiary of the vaccination became more socially distant, and 3) the severity of side effects increased. These data were well‐described by behavioral economic models used to examine the discounting of other health behavior.     

Examining approaches to encourage COVID-19 vaccination on social media

Following the release of the first COVID-19 vaccinations many people utilized social media to promote vaccination among their social circles. These attempts to persuade others to get vaccinated ranged from positive encouragement (e.g., emphasizing the prosocial benefits and positive outcomes) to shame and threats (e.g., name calling and threating to end friendships over vaccination status). The present study investigated how these different social media messages affected COVID-19 vaccination intentions. In June 2021, shortly after vaccines had been made freely available to anyone over the age of 16 in the United States, unvaccinated participants read a manipulated Twitter message designed to be either encouraging or shaming. Message-type did not significantly affect intentions to become vaccinated against COVID-19; however, participants who saw the encouraging message reported that the post made them feel more likely to get vaccinated. Self-efficacy was also manipulated but did not reveal any significant effects. Additional analyses suggest that having personal experience with COVID-19 moderates reactions to these different messages. We discuss limitations and promising avenues for future research on the effects of social media messages on health behaviors.     

Using game theory to examine incentives in influenza vaccination behavior

The social good often depends on the altruistic behavior of specific individuals. For example, epidemiological studies of influenza indicate that elderly individuals, who face the highest mortality risk, are best protected by vaccination of young individuals, who contribute most to disease transmission. To examine the conditions under which young people would get vaccinated to protect elderly people, we conducted a game-theory experiment that mirrored real-world influenza transmission, with "young" players contributing more than "elderly" players to herd immunity. Participants could spend points to get vaccinated and reduce the risk of influenza. When players were paid according to individual point totals, more elderly than young players got vaccinated, a finding consistent with the Nash equilibrium predicting self-interested behavior. When players were paid according to group point totals, however, more young than elderly players got vaccinated-a finding consistent with the utilitarian equilibrium predicting group-optimal behavior-which resulted in higher point totals than when players were paid for their individual totals. Thus, payout structure affected whether individuals got vaccinated for self-interest or group benefit.     

Risk perceptions: assessment and relationship to influenza vaccination.

OBJECTIVE: Accurate measurement of beliefs about risk probability is essential to determine what role these beliefs have in health behavior. This study investigated the ability of several types of risk perception measures and of other constructs from health behavior theories to predict influenza vaccination. DESIGN: Prospective study in which students, faculty, and staff at 3 universities (N = 428) were interviewed in the fall, before influenza vaccine was available, and again early in the next calendar year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Self-reported influenza vaccination. RESULTS: Two interview questions that asked about feeling at risk and feeling vulnerable predicted subsequent behavior better (r = .44, p = .001) than 2 questions that asked for agreement or disagreement with statements about risk probability (r = .25, p = .001) or 4 questions that asked respondents to estimate the magnitude of the risk probability (r = .30, p = .001). Of the 4 perceived risk magnitude scales, a 7-point verbal scale was the best predictor of behavior. Anticipated regret was the strongest predictor of vaccination (r = .45, p = .001) of all constructs studied, including risk perceptions, worry, and perceived vaccine effectiveness. CONCLUSION: Risk perceptions predicted subsequent vaccination. However, perceived risk phrased in terms of feelings rather than as a purely cognitive probability judgment predicted better. Because neither feeling at risk nor anticipated regret is represented in the most commonly used theories of health behavior, the data suggest that these theories are missing important constructs.     

The flu shot study: Using multiattribute utility theory to design a vaccination intervention

Differences between the multiattribute utility (MAU) profiles of participants who had previously gotten flu shots and those who had not done so were used to design an informational brochure urging influenza vaccination. The effectiveness of the MAU brochure was evaluated in a VA ambulatory care clinic with a long-standing influenza vaccination program. The target population for the intervention was high-risk clinic patients who had not gotten a shot the previous year. Participants received either a letter urging them to get a flu shot, or a letter plus the informational brochure. A significantly larger proportion of the patients who received the brochure got shots; 36% versus 23% for the letter only. While a 13 percentage point increase is modest, influenza and related complications (preventable through vaccination) are the fourth-leading killers of older persons. Adding a MAU-based brochure to an ongoing vaccination program is inexpensive and may save additional lives.     

Civil law regulation and criminal enforcement of mandatory vaccination policies: A comparative aspect

One of the most important tasks of any state is to provide everyone, including the child, with the opportunity for a healthy and fulfilling life. Processes of immunisation through vaccination are considered most appropriate for the prevention of infectious diseases. The purpose of this study is to understand the legal regulation of immunisation of the population and to give it a legal assessment, to review the legal acts on vaccination in different countries of the world and to identify the legal tendencies of resolving conflicts in the field of vaccination on the basis of court decisions. As a result of the research the prospective directions of work of civil and criminal regulation of vaccination of children, regulation of the right to education for children who have not been vaccinated, the lawsuits, petitions and court decisions regarding the population response to vaccinations were analysed. The authors of the study conclude on the methods of introducing mandatory vaccination of children, the development of new criminal legislation to protect rights and freedoms.     

Emotions and preventive health behavior: worry, regret, and influenza vaccination.

The role of worry, regret, and perceived risk in preventive health decisions was explored in a longitudinal questionnaire study on influenza vaccination among 428 university employees. The study yielded 3 main findings. First, ratings of anticipated worry and regret were stronger predictors of vaccination than perceived risk and mediated the effect of risk on vaccination. Second, the anticipated level of emotions differed systematically from experienced emotions, such that vaccinated individuals anticipated more regret and less worry than they actually experienced. Third, anticipated and experienced emotions had implications for subsequent vaccination decisions. Those who did not vaccinate in the 1st year but had high levels of worry and regret were likely to be vaccinated the following year.     

Openness relates to COVID-19 vaccination rates across 48 United States but politics trump personality

Does geographic variation in personality across the United States relate to COVID-19 vaccination rates? To answer this question, we combined multiple state-level datasets: (a) Big Five personality averages (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness; Rentfrow et al., 2008), (b) COVID-19 full-vaccination rates (CDC, 2021a), (c) health-relevant demographic covariates (population density, per capita gross domestic product, and racial/ethnic data; Webster et al., 2021), and (d) political and religiosity data. Analyses showed openness as the strongest correlate of full-vaccination rates (r = 0.51). Controlling for other traits, demographic covariates, and spatial dependence, openness remained significantly related to full-vaccination rates (r_p = 0.55). Adding political and religiosity data to this model diminished openness effects for full-vaccination rates to non-significance (r_p = 0.26); however, extraversion emerged as a significant correlate of full-vaccination rates (r_p = 0.37). Although politics are paramount, we suspect that states with higher average openness scores are more conducive to novel thinking and behavior—dispositions that may be crucial in motivating people to take newly-developed vaccines based on new technologies to confront a novel coronavirus.