Coping is not an ‘either’ ‘or’: the interaction of coping strategies in regulating affect,arousal and performance

The purpose of the present studies was to (a) examine the association between coping, affect, and stress during demanding, stressful tasks, and (b) examine the presence of a synergy between coping strategies towards regulating stress, affect and performance. In Study 1 participants were 53 first year undergraduate students at a state university. Student's coping strategies were assessed prior to a job interview. Results indicated that emotion‐focused coping was associated with significantly elevated negative affect compared to problem‐focused coping. Inclusion of an interaction term reflecting different levels of the two coping strategies showed enhanced adaptation compared to the use of either problem‐focused or emotion‐focused coping strategies. Study 2 aimed at replicating the findings of Study 1, and extend them with assessment of behavioral and physiological indices of stress. Participants were 48 undergraduate students and their coping, affect, and behavioral and physiological stress were assessed prior to an in‐class presentation. Results indicated that neither problem nor emotion‐focused coping were associated with stress levels. However, the interaction of problem‐focused and emotion‐focused strategies was associated with significantly lessened stress. It is concluded that the presence of more than one coping strategy at a given time may be more adaptive compared to the adoption of one type of strategy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An institutional approach to the management of the ‘Can't Intubate,Can't Oxygenate’ emergency in children

The ‘Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate’ emergency is rare in children. Nevertheless, airway clinicians involved in pediatric airway management must be able to rescue the airway percutaneously through the front of the neck should this situation be encountered. Little evidence exists in children to guide rescue techniques, and extrapolation of adult evidence may be problematic due to anatomical differences. This document reviews the currently available evidence, and presents a practical approach to standardizing equipment, techniques, and training for managing the ‘Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate’ emergency in children.     

Prevalence and molecular epidemiology of West Nile and Usutu virus infections in Croatia in the ‘One health’ context, 2018

In 2018, Croatia reported the largest outbreak of West Nile virus (WNV) infections as well as the re‐occurrence of human Usutu virus (USUV) infections. For the first time, fatal WNV and USUV infections were detected in wild birds. We analysed epidemiological characteristics and molecular epidemiology of WNV and USUV infections detected during 2018 transmission season. From April to November, 178 patients with neuroinvasive disease and 68 patients with febrile disease were tested for WNV and USUV. Viral RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples using a real‐time RT‐PCR. Positive samples were tested by nested RT‐PCR and nucleotide sequencing. IgM/IgG antibodies were detected in serum/CSF samples using ELISA with confirmation of cross‐reactive samples by virus neutralization test (VNT). WNV neuroinvasive disease was confirmed in 54 and WNV fever in seven patients from 10 continental Croatian counties. Areas affected in 2018 were those in which cases occurred in previous seasons, while in three areas human cases were reported for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis of six strains from patients residing in different geographic areas showed circulation of WNV lineage 2. In three patients, neuroinvasive USUV infection was confirmed by RT‐PCR or VNT. Sequence analysis of one detected strain revealed USUV Europe 2 lineage. During the same period, a total of 2,574 horse and 1,069 poultry serum samples were tested for WNV antibodies using ELISA. Acute asymptomatic WNV infection (IgM antibodies) was documented in 20/0.7% horses. WNV IgG antibodies were found in 307/11.9% horses and in 125/12.7% poultry. WNV RNA was detected in two goshawks and USUV RNA was detected in one blackbird from north‐western Croatia. In the Zagreb area, 3,670 female mosquitoes were collected. One Culex pipiens pool collected in July tested positive for USUV RNA. Our results highlight the importance of continuous multidisciplinary ‘One health’ surveillance of these emerging arboviruses.     

Quality of life and pain relief in men with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer on cabazitaxel: the non‐interventional ‘QoLiTime’ study

Female urologists represent an ever‐increasing percentage of the work force; more and more of our colleagues will be working through pregnancy. There is a lack of clear and concise advice for pregnant urologists about occupational risks during pregnancy. Urology exposes expectant mothers to potential risks from radiation, teratogenic and cytotoxic drugs, iodine hand scrub, infections, and long working hours. We aim to provide a review of the current evidence and guidance to aid expectant mothers in their decision making. Relevant research articles and up‐to‐date guidance were reviewed. The millisevert (the average accumulated background radiation dose to an individual for 1 year, exclusive of radon) was used as the main unit of radiation dose. There is no published evidence to date in pregnant clinicians that shows a received radiation dose of more than the recommended dose for a pregnant lady, and no data showing an increased risk of foetal abnormalities in clinicians who continue to screen during pregnancy; however, the data are from small studies. There is strong advice suggesting avoidance of contact with crushed or broken 5α‐reductase inhibitor tablets (finasteride and dutasteride), mitomycin and other cytotoxic drugs during pregnancy. Pregnant surgeons should avoid frequent use of iodine hand wash. Good hygiene precautions will protect from many infections along with up‐to‐date immunisations and use of personal protective equipment for certain cases.     

Short-term relationship between meteorological variables and hip fractures: An analysis carried out in a health area of the Autonomous Region of Valencia, Spain (1996–2005)

IntroductionDiverse studies have shown a seasonal influence on the incidence of hip fracture (HF), possibly associated with adverse meteorological conditions. In this paper, we present an analysis of the short-term relationship between meteorological conditions and the incidence of HF in people over 45 years of age living in a Mediterranean climate zone.Material and methodsHF cases admitted to the two reference hospitals in the health area were selected. The meteorological variables (temperature, relative humidity, rain, wind, and other conditions) were obtained from a weather station centrally located within the area under study. The trend and seasonality of the time series were analyzed with the aid of Poisson regression modeling. The relationship between the incidence of a hip fracture and the meteorological conditions, both on the same day and on the day previous to the patient's admission to the hospital were correlated in a case-crossover analysis with the control periods selected in accordance with two different methods of approximation (symmetric and semi-metric). The results were analyzed for different subgroups defined by age (older or younger than 75 years of age) and sex of subject and by type of fracture (cervical or pertrochanteric).Results2121 patients admitted for HF were selected. Of these, 1598 (75.3%) were women and 523 (24.7%) were men. The average age of the subjects was 80, with patients ranging from 45–99 years of age. The time/weather series showed a positive tendency, with a greater occurrence of cases in the autumn and winter months. The case-crossover analysis showed a significant relationship between the daily duration of wind and the incidence of HFs. Divided into quartiles, the windiest days (quartile 4) were associated with a 32% increased risk of HF (OR 1.32 CI 95% 1.10–1.58) with respect to the calmest days (quartile 1), especially in patients under 75 (OR 1.53; CI 95% 1.02–2.29). The remaining meteorological variables were not associated in any significant fashion with the incidence of HFs. The results were comparable across different subgroups classified by age, sex, and type of fracture.ConclusionsThe incidence of HFs varies seasonally and presents a significant association with the coldest times of the year. In the short-term, lasting windy periods are associated with an increased risk of HFs whereas other meteorological variables show a much lower, non-significant correlation.