Implementation of a School-Based Bullying Program

A bully is defined as anyone who participates in any form of repetitive negative and hurtful behavior, with the intent of inflicting harm (Highmark & Center for Safe Schools, 2013). Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a bullying awareness, prevention, and screening program for teachers and school nurses. Methods: The sample included 174 fifth-graders from a public-school district in rural, southwestern Pennsylvania. Teachers received an educational program and students were screened for bullying using the PIPSQ. Results: Although not a significant finding, there was an increase in teacher’s knowledge post-education (p = 0.515). Although findings were not significant, the results of the PIPSQ revealed greater victimization in this school (M = 6.93), with bullying behaviors greater among boys (p = 0.000). Conclusions: The educational program and the PIPSQ tool appear to be a promising method to identify victimization and bullying within an elementary school setting; further research can determine significance of screening and faculty education.     

The Preoperative Sexual Functioning and Quality of Sexual Life in Colorectal Cancer: A Study among Patients and Their Partners

IntroductionEven though the body of literature on sexual functioning is growing, information on the preoperative sexual functioning and the quality of sexual life after colorectal cancer is lacking. Research focusing on female patients and on partners is also rather scarce.AimThis cross‐sectional study aimed to describe the preoperative sexual functioning, quality of sexual life, and relationship functioning for male and female colorectal cancer patients and their partners. In addition, the mean scores of the patients and partners were compared with mean norm scores.MethodsPatients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (N = 136) and their partners (N = 106) were recruited before surgical treatment in six Dutch hospitals.Main Outcome MeasuresMen completed the International Index of Erectile Functioning, while women completed the Female Sexual Function Index. All partnered participants completed the Golombok‐Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction and the Maudsley Marital Questionnaire. The mean scores were compared with mean norm scores derived from the manuals of the questionnaires.ResultsAll participants were in a heterosexual relationship. Female patients reported a lower quality of sexual life compared with male patients. Male partners reported a lower sexual functioning and a lower quality of sexual life compared with male patients. Colorectal cancer patients and partners (both sexes) reported a lower sexual functioning and a lower quality of sexual life compared with norm populations but scored similar on relationship functioning.ConclusionA lower sexual functioning and a lower quality of sexual life are already reported preoperatively; however, relationship functioning was comparable with a norm population. Therefore, all the impairment seen after treatment should not be solely attributed to the effects of treatment. Traa MJ, De Vries J, Roukema JA, and Den Oudsten BL. The preoperative sexual functioning and quality of sexual life in colorectal cancer: A study among patients and their partners. J Sex Med 2012;9:3247–3254.     

“You feel you have to be made of steel”: The strong Black woman,health, and well-being in Nova Scotia

The “strong Black woman” construct has been well-documented in the United States as both an aspirational icon and a constricting burden for African-heritage women. It has not been examined among African-Canadians. Drawing on qualitative interviews and standardized measures with 50 African-heritage women in Eastern Canada, our analysis reveals their perceptions of the construct as both strongly endorsed as a source of cultural pride, yet also acknowledged to take a terrible toll on health and well-being. The construct arises from and directly benefits racism. It is imperative that health professionals understand the ways it shapes health and help-seeking behaviors.     

Debate on MERS-CoV respiratory precautions: surgical mask or N95 respirators?

Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in mid-2012, there has been controversy over the respiratory precaution recommendations in different guidelines from various international bodies. Our understanding of MERS-CoV is still evolving. Current recommendations on infection control practices are heavily influenced by the lessons learnt from severe acute respiratory syndrome. A debate on respiratory precautions for MERS-CoV was organised by Infection Control Association (Singapore) and the Society of Infectious Disease (Singapore). We herein discuss and present the evidence for surgical masks for the protection of healthcare workers from MERS-CoV.     

Repetitive syncopal episodes in a child with documented ventricular tachycardia,early repolarization pattern in leads I an aVL,Brugada syndrome,and fever

We present a small child with febrile peaks and syncopal episodes secundary to ventricular tachycardia, in whom it was eventually possible to demostrate the Brugada Syndrome with a special presentation in the ECG; early repolarization pattern in lead I and a aVL and Brugada pattern during fever in V1‐V2. This is, to our knowledge, tha first case with this special ECG presentation in a small child.     

Epstein–Barr virus patterns in US Burkitt lymphoma tumors from the SEER residual tissue repository during 1979–2009

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) occurs at all ages, but the patterns of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) positivity in relation to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), immunoprofiles and age have not been fully explored. BL tissues from residual tissue repositories, and two academic centers in the United States were examined by expert hematopathologists for morphology, immunohistochemistry, MYC rearrangement, EBV‐encoded RNA (EBER), and diagnosed according to the 2008 WHO lymphoma classification. Analysis was done using frequency tables, Chi‐squared statistics, and Student's t‐test. Of 117 cases examined, 91 were confirmed as BL. The age distribution was 26%, 15%, 19%, and 29% for 0–19, 20–34, 35–59, 60+ years, and missing in 11%. MYC rearrangement was found in 89% and EBER positivity in 29% of 82 cases with results. EBER positivity varied with age (from 13% in age group 0–19 to 55% in age group 20–34, and fell to 25% in age group 60+ years, p = 0.08); with race (56% in Blacks/Hispanics vs 21% in Whites/Asians/Pacific Islanders, p = 0.006); and by HIV status (64% in HIV positive vs 22% in HIV negative cases, p = 0.03). EBER positivity was demonstrated in about one‐third of tumors and it was strongly associated with race and HIV status, and marginally with age‐group.     

Involvement of the Amygdala in Memory and Psychosocial Functioning in Pediatric-Onset Multiple Sclerosis

Youth with multiple sclerosis (MS) often experience cognitive impairment and psychosocial disturbances. We describe the relationship between memory function, psychosocial skills, and brain volume in 32 patients with pediatric-onset MS and 30 controls. Amygdala volume was significantly lower in patients compared with controls. In general, poorer memory was associated with reduced functional communication skills and reduced amygdala volume. Greater amygdala volume in patients correlated with parent-reported functional communication and social skills. Adjusting for whole-brain volume, right amygdala volume was positively associated with visual memory; left amygdala volume was a stronger predictor of parent-reported social skills.