Leisure time physical activity and health-related quality of life: Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations

Studies that relate change in physical activity to change in health-related quality of life in the general population are needed to confirm associations suggested by cross-sectional studies. In the present study, cross-sectional as well as longitudinal associations between leisure time physical activity and health-related quality of life were studied in an apparently healthy population. The present study showed cross-sectional associations between at least moderately intense leisure time physical activity and general health perceptions, vitality, physical functioning and role limitations due to physical health problems. No associations were present for total leisure time physical activity. Change in leisure time physical activity was associated with change in social functioning in men as well as in women, irrespective of the intensity of physical activity. Only in men, change in total leisure time physical activity was associated with change in vitality and general mental health. In our study, cross-sectional associations were not confirmed by longitudinal analyses. Cross-sectional associations were mainly found for physical components of health-related quality of life, whereas longitudinal associations were predominantly observed for mental components of health-related quality of life. Confirmation of our results by those of other studies is needed in order to quantify health promotion messages.     

Two-stage versus one-stage sex reassignment surgery in female-to-male transsexual individuals

The objective was to compare the outcome of a combined total hysterectomy-vaginectomy-phalloplasty procedure vs. a vaginectomy-phalloplasty procedure in female-to-male (FTM) gender dysphoric individuals, and to report on a large series of vaginectomies in young women. This was a retrospective study and the setting was the Gender Team at Ghent University Hospital. One hundred and five consecutive cases of vaginectomy-phalloplasty with (one-stage) or without (two-stage) total hysterectomy between 1993 and 2003 were included in the study. Patient files of 69 one-stage and of 36 two-stage procedures were reviewed and analysed. Operation time, the need for transfusions, complications, repeated surgery and hospitalisation time were the main outcome measures. Patients were equally distributed over the study period of 10 years. Comparing the two groups, there was a greater need for transfusion in the group of patients undergoing the one-stage procedure. There was no difference in operation time, rate of major complications or hospitalisation time. One-stage sex reassignment surgery (SRS) in FTM transsexual individuals is associated with more blood loss. However, there is no difference in operative and postoperative complications. Vaginectomy seems to be a safe and relatively simple procedure in FTM transsexual patients.     

不同性别不同年龄成年人体成分测量指标的检测分析

目的探讨安徽省不同性别、不同年龄成年人体成分检测指标的差异,为安徽省成年人的健康指导及慢性疾病预防提供数据参考。方法选取2018年1～12月在安徽医科大学第一附属医院体检的4 944位体检者,按性别不同分为男性组2 556人和女性组2 388人;再对不同性别组按不同年龄(y)分为5组[18≤y <30岁组; 30≤y <40岁组; 40≤y <50岁组; 50≤y <60岁组;y≥60岁组(在男性中为60≤y≤83岁组,在女性中为60≤y≤81岁组)];比较男性组和女性组体成分测量指标(体质指数、体脂肪含量、体脂百分比、腰臀比、内脏脂肪面积、去脂体质量、骨骼肌肉量、骨矿物质含量、蛋白质含量及浮肿指数)差异,同时分析不同性别人群上述各项体成分测量指标在不同年龄层的变化。结果①女性组体脂肪含量、体脂百分比及浮肿指数均高于男性组,其余各项指标男性组均高于女性组,差异均有统计学意义(P <0. 05);②男性体质指数、体脂肪含量和腰臀比在30≤y <60岁各年龄组均高于18≤y <30岁组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05);体脂百分比、内脏脂肪面积和浮肿指数在y≥30岁各年龄组均高于18≤y <30岁组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05);去脂体质量、骨骼肌肉量、骨矿物质含量及蛋白质含量在y≥50岁各年龄组均低于18≤y <30岁组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05)。女性体质指数、腰臀比及内脏脂肪面积在y≥30岁各年龄组均高于18≤y <30岁组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05);体脂肪含量、体脂百分比及浮肿指数在y≥40岁各年龄组均高于18≤y <30岁组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05);去脂体质量、骨骼肌肉量、骨矿物质含量及蛋白质含量在y≥60岁组均低于18≤y <30岁组,差异有统计学意义(P <0. 05)。结论安徽省成年人体成分存在性别差异,女性体脂肪含量高于男性,男性内脏脂肪面积及骨骼肌肉量高于女性;成年人体成分在不同年龄间亦存在差异,脂肪组织含量及浮肿指数在高年龄段增加,而其他非脂肪组织含量在高年龄段减低。     

Facial transplantation: adding to the reconstructive options after severe facial injury and disease

The ability to reconstruct complex facial injuries is still a considerable challenge despite the development of microsurgical techniques. The reconstructive options for conditions such as panfacial burns are severely limited. The result after multiple surgical procedures in this group is often poor in terms of function and cosmesis. Facial transplantation provides a potential solution, but opinion is currently divided about the extent to which the potential benefits to the quality of life can be justified when weighed against the technical, psychological and immunological risks. This paper reviews the current status of the debate and argues that a rigorous research strategy is the only logical basis for countering the ethical objections to a procedure that offers considerable benefits over existing reconstructive options.     

“I Am What You Make Me. I Am Who I Am”

The growing accessibility of digital technologies has led to an increase in media projects enabling young people to connect and communicate with international peers. These projects are often uncritically celebrated as opportunities for young people to learn something about a cultural “Other” and, in so doing, enhance their tolerance of difference, their consciousness of global issues, and their appreciation of diversity. Projects conceptualised in this way, however, risk reinforcing problematic notions of multiculturalism. This article describes the Durban Plymouth Story Exchange, a youth media project facilitated by the author. The project attempted to use the creation and exchange of audio recordings between young people in Durban, South Africa and Plymouth, UK to encourage self-reflection, self-expression and cultural learning. By putting knowledge of self rather than knowledge of the Other at the centre of this project, the author/facilitator hoped the project would avoid some of the pitfalls of conventional multiculturalism.     

Neighborhoods matter; but for whom? Heterogeneity of neighborhood disadvantage on child obesity by sex

Although evidence suggests that neighborhood context, particularly socioeconomic context, influences child obesity, little is known about how these neighborhood factors may be heterogeneous rather than monolithic. Using a novel dataset comprised of the electronic medical records for over 250,000 children aged 2–17 nested within 992 neighborhoods in the greater Houston area, we assessed whether neighborhoods influenced the obesity of children differently based on sex. Results indicated that neighborhood disadvantage, assessed using a comprehensive, multidimensional, latent profile analysis-generated measure, had a strong, positive association with the odds of obesity for both boys and girls. Interactions revealed that the relationship between disadvantage and obesity was stronger for girls, relative to boys. Our findings demonstrated the complex dynamics underlying the influence of residential neighborhood context on obesity for specific subgroups of children.     

Using Psychomotor to Treat Dissociative Identity Disorder

Abstract

Pesso Boyden System Psychomotor Therapy (Psycho-motor) is offered as a useful approach to treating Dissociative Identity Disorder. Originally developed for group work, this therapy can be modified so that the alters can learn to play roles for one another that promote resolution of childhood injury, enhance internal communication and cooperation, and ultimately support the prospect of integration. Psycho-motor is unique in that it helps in the creation of synthesizing memories that provide antidotes for early traumas; not only can childhood abuse and neglect be metabolized, but also images of needs being met can be added. Moreover, Psychomotor develops the “Pilot” or adult functioning so that there is less likelihood of regression or dependence on the therapist. A four-stage progression of treatment is outlined: development of the “Pilot,” teaching the system's adults to engage in parenting the child alters, healing the wounds and the defensiveness of the “Protector/Controller,” and the internalization of the image of “Ideal Parents” so that the client can continue to resolve any surfacing memories of trauma or inadequate rearing.     

Crisis and Disaster Counseling: Lessons Learned From Hurricane Katrina and Other Disasters

This study sought to intergate and evaluate existing enrichment research literature. most of which had never been published. Meta-analysis. the review technique used in the study. is a new method for statistically aggregating and evaluating empirical findings. Eighty-five studies of premarital, marital and family enrichment, representing 3.886 couples or families wen gathered and their results statistically aggregated. Findings from the study are discussed in terms of overall enrichment effectiveness as well as salient program, subject. design and measurement characteristics. Implications of these findings are discussed.     

“I'm from Europe,but I'm Not European”

This article examines the role television (TV) plays in the development of primary school children's European knowledge and identities in England and Bulgaria. It compares the media coverage on Europe and the European Union with pupils' European perceptions and identities. The article reports data from 174 qualitative interviews with children and the content analysis of seven TV programmes. It concludes that TV plays a strong role in collective identities when a topic is salient on the agenda. TV raises awareness and knowledge and sets the direction of understanding. Yet, despite the higher salience of Europe on the Bulgarian media agenda, Bulgarians feel less European than English children. The article provides an explanation to this phenomenon, thus filling an important gap in the literature about the media's role in collective identities formation from an early age. It also adopts an innovative approach in the study of agenda-setting theory by investigating its application among children.     

Older women’s experiences,identities and coping strategies for dealing with a problem-drinking male family member*

Aims: In this study, we highlight the identities and actions of women with a problem-drinking relative by analysing autobiographies of women born between the 1920s and the 1950s. We ask how women describe their relationship and the problems arising because of a significant other’s drinking and how they cope with these problems. Methods: In the analysis, we pay attention to the power dynamics between family members. We, first, trace what kind of positions or identities the protagonists take in relation to the drinker. Second, we examine what kinds of harms and emotional reactions significant other’s drinking causes. Third, we consider how writers identify or take distance from events described in the autobiographies. Findings: Our analysis reveals four main identities and coping strategies: the positions of victim, helper, boundary setter and fighter. The victim and helper positions often entail women’s weakness and oppressed role, while the positions of boundary setter and fighter express women’s own power and reflexivity in action. Conclusions: Knowledge of the identities and coping strategies is important for understanding the power aspects of a relationship and developing appropriate support for women suffering from family member’s drinking.