Age-related differences in function and structure of rSMG and reduced functional connectivity with DLPFC explains heightened emotional egocentricity bias in childhood

Humans often judge others egocentrically, assuming that they feel or think similarly to themselves. Emotional egocentricity bias (EEB) occurs in situations when others feel differently to oneself. Using a novel paradigm, we investigated the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying the developmental capacity to overcome such EEB in children compared with adults. We showed that children display a stronger EEB than adults and that this correlates with reduced activation in right supramarginal gyrus (rSMG) as well as reduced coupling between rSMG and left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC) in children compared with adults. Crucially, functional recruitment of rSMG was associated with age-related differences in cortical thickness of this region. Although in adults the mere presence of emotional conflict occurs between self and other recruited rSMG, rSMG-lDLPFC coupling was only observed when implementing empathic judgements. Finally, resting state analyses comparing connectivity patterns of rSMG with that of right temporoparietal junction suggested a unique role of rSMG for self-other distinction in the emotional domain for adults as well as for children. Thus, children’s difficulties in overcoming EEB may be due to late maturation of regions distinguishing between conflicting socio-affective information and relaying this information to regions necessary for implementing accurate judgments.     

An Exploration of the Connection between Child Sexual Abuse and Gambling in Aboriginal Communities

Child sexual abuse (CSA) lead to short-term sequelae and long-lasting pervasive outcomes. Research has started addressing CSA as a potential risk factor for later addictions, including pathological gambling. Among Aboriginal peoples, it is plausible that the legacy of residential schooling and other historical traumas have led to unresolved grief that contribute to social problems, such as pathological gambling. The purpose of this brief paper is to report on the few available studies examining the connection between CSA and later pathological gambling. Results show that gambling is more prevalent among Aboriginal than non-Aboriginal populations. Although no causal relationship has been confirmed, experiences of CSA may be related to the later development of pathological gambling among the general population as well as among Aboriginal peoples. However, this link appears complex and indirect and future researches are highly needed. Recommendations based on the implications of this link are proposed for prevention, treatment, and research.     

Review article: People who present on multiple occasions to emergency departments

Research about people who present on multiple occasions to the ED began in the 1980s. Despite this, little is known of their journey as patients. Understanding ED use as a journey can help clinicians improve how they meet the needs of this patient group. Multiple terms were used to identify research on the use of the ED. Papers were included if they had a primary focus on multiple presentations by the general ED population. Integrative review methods were used to extract findings related to the patients' journeys. The findings confirm a sequence of events and processes that provide an outline of the journey through the experience of people who present on multiple occasions. The journey concerns people's decisions to present and re‐present to the ED, their assessments on arrival, dilemmas of treatment, outcomes of care and long‐term health outcomes. This patient group often have high and complex health needs, engage extensively with other health services and have poor long‐term health outcomes. The issue of multiple presentations to the ED is complex and ongoing because of the morbidity of the people concerned, the preference of patients to attend, the purpose of the ED and preparation and role of the personnel and the difficulties with continuity of care. The provision of care for people who present on multiple occasions can be improved within the ED and health services generally through a better understanding of presentations.     

Cutaneous involvement as the first manifestation of T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma and review of the literature

Lymphoblastic lymphomas (LBLs) are uncommon malignant neoplasms derived from immature T‐ or B‐lymphoid progenitor cells. Although cutaneous involvement may reach 33% in B‐LBL, only 12 cutaneous cases of T‐LBL have been published. We report the case of a 49‐year‐old woman with 2‐month history of erythematous‐violaceous plaques in the sternal region and breasts. Histopathologic examination showed a dense monomorphus infiltrate in dermis and positive immunostainings for CD3, CD99 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase, thus indicating T‐LBL. Staging work‐up only revealed a mediastinal mass at diagnosis. After a 51‐month follow‐up and different treatment regimens, the patient remains alive although she has presented four relapses, all of them extramedullary.