The relation of appraisal,coping efforts,and acuteness of trauma to PTS symptoms among former political prisoners

We examined how trauma-specific appraisals and coping efforts mediate between traumatic experiences, acuteness of trauma, and length of imprisonment and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS) among 103 Palestinian former political prisoners. The findings provide support for both direct and mediated models of trauma. The acuteness of trauma (time since release), appraisal of prison experience as harmful and involving loss, and use of both emotion- and problem-focused coping efforts were associated with high levels of PTS symptoms. Torture and ill-treatment had a direct association with intrusion, and recent release from prison with avoidance symptoms. Acuteness of trauma turned out to be important in the coping and symptom association: emotion-focused coping was associated with a low level of PTS symptoms in the long run, whereas problem-focused coping was associated with a low level of PTS symptoms in the short run.     

The Effect of <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-arginine and Aprotinin on Intestinal Ischemia–reperfusion Injury

Background Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) results in local mucosal injury, systemic injuries, and organ dysfunction. These injuries are characterized by altered microvascular and epithelial permeability and villous damage. Activation of neutrophils, platelets, and endothelial factors are known to be involved in this process. Cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and oxygen-derived free radicals are believed to be important pathogenic mediators. Capillary no-reflow is also known to play a role in I/R. The aim of our study was to examine the role of l-arginine, a known nitric oxide (NO) donor, and aprotinin, a protease inhibitor with multiple effects, on intestinal I/R. Methods Pigs weighing 20–25 kg were used. Ischemia was established by clamping the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) at its origin and was sustained for 2 hours. Duration of reperfusion was 2 hours. The animals were divided into four groups: group A, the control group, which was submitted to I/R injury only; group B, in which l-arginine was administered at a rate of 5 mg/kg/min during ischemia and continuing throughout reperfusion; group C, in which aprotinin was administered with an initial bolus dose of 20,000 U/kg during ischemia followed by a continuous dose at 50 U/hour throughout reperfusion; and group D in which both substances were administered. In all groups TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 levels were measured using ELISA at baseline, 2 hours of ischemia, and 1 hour and 2 hours of reperfusion. SMA blood flow was measured with a Doppler probe at baseline, 10 min, 1 hour, and 2 hours of reperfusion. Histological changes of the intestinal mucosa were examined and graded on a five-point scale in all groups. Results In the control group, levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 were significantly increased during reperfusion (p < 0.05) compared to baseline. Administration of l-arginine and aprotinin led to suppression of the release of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 during reperfusion in a statistically significant manner (all p < 0.05). A synergistic or additive effect of l-arginine and aprotinin was not observed. SMA blood flow in the control group was decreased (p > 0.05) during reperfusion compared to baseline. In animals treated with l-arginine and aprotinin, SMA blood flow during reperfusion was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. Histologic examination of the intestinal mucosa was characterized by flattening of the villi and necrosis in the control group. In the treated animals, less severe histological changes were noted. Conclusions Administration of l-arginine and aprotinin may lead to amelioration of intestinal I/R injury. We did not note a synergistic or additive effect of these two substances. These findings warrant further studies in clinical settings for future treatment efforts. This paper was presented as a poster at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Los Angeles, California, May 20–24, 2006.     

Inguinal hernia repair: the choice of prosthesis outweighs that of technique

Background The use of prostheses in inguinal hernia repair reduces the incidence of recurrence. Quality of life and pain after hernia repair are largely correlated with the technique and type of prosthesis. Aims of study To evaluate the 2-year incidence of recurrence and pain for two types of hernioplasty, Lichtenstein repair and laparoscopy (totally extraperitoneal approach or TEP), and two types of mesh, polypropylene mesh and beta-d-glucan-coated mesh (Glucamesh). Patients A total of 410 consecutive patients of mean age 54 years (18–84) underwent repair of inguinal hernias, 96 (23%) of which were bilateral and 56 (13%) recurrent. A total of 273 (66.5%) patients underwent Lichtenstein repair: 215 (78.7%) with polypropylene mesh, 58 (21.3%) with Glucamesh; 137 patients underwent laparoscopy: 80 (58.4%) with polypropylene mesh, 57 (41.6%) with Glucamesh. In each group, the populations were comparable and the techniques utilized were identical. Methods The patients were followed-up for at least 2 years, after which the incidence of recurrence was determined, and chronic pain was assessed by means of a visual analog scale and a validated questionnaire. Results A total of 349 patients (85.1%) were reassessed, 117 of whom had undergone laparoscopy and 232 Lichtenstein repair. There were ten recurrences (2.8%), and incidence which was independent of the technique (laparoscopy 1.7% vs. Lichtenstein 3.4%) (ns) and the type of prosthesis (Glucamesh 1.9% vs. polypropylene 2.4%) (ns). Chronic pain was noted in 69 patients (19.7%) and severe pain in 11 (3.1%). The incidence of chronic pain was the same for the two techniques: laparoscopy 17.9% vs. Lichtenstein 20.7% (ns). The same was true for severe pain: laparoscopy 3.4% vs Lichtenstein 3% (ns). The incidence of chronic pain was closely correlated with the type of prosthesis utilized: Glucamesh 4.8% vs. polypropylene 26.5% (P = 0.02), irrespective of the technique. The same was true for severe pain (0.9 vs. 4%) (P = 0.02). Conclusion The utilization of beta-d-glucan-coated mesh did not involve more recurrence and was accompanied by a significant decrease in chronic pain at 2 years, independent of the technique. After 2 years, the results of hernia repair show that the choice of prosthesis was more determinant than choice of technique.     

Incident-related stressors,locus of control,coping, and psychological distress among firefighters in Northern Ireland

This study was an investigation into the associations between incident-related stressors, locus of control, coping, and psychological distress in firefighters in Northern Ireland during the time of political violence. Among 248 male firefighters, greater psychological distress was associated with greater frequency of incident-related negative emotions, external locus of control, less task- and emotion-focused coping, and greater avoidance coping. It was also found that the frequency of exposure to incident-related stressors moderated the association between locus of control and psychological distress and that avoidance coping mediated the relationship between locus of control and psychological distress. Avoidance coping accounted for most of the explained variance in psychological distress. These results point to the potential value of coping-skills training in emergency personnel.     

Coping,functioning, and adjustment of rescue workers after the Oklahoma City bombing

Studies have not previously considered postdisaster adjustment in the context of psychiatric disorders. After the Oklahoma City bombing, a volunteer sample of 181 firefighters who served as rescue and recovery workers was assessed with a structured diagnostic interview. The firefighters had relatively low rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and described little functional impairment, positive social adjustment, and high job satisfaction. PTSD was associated with reduced job satisfaction and functional impairment, providing diagnostic validity. Turning to social supports, seeking mental health treatment, and taking medication were not widely prevalent coping responses. Postdisaster alcohol use disorders and drinking to cope were significantly associated with indicators of poorer functioning. Surveillance for problem drinking after disaster exposure may identify useful directions for intervention.     

急性白血病患儿的灵性需求及干预

目的改善急性白血病患儿负性情绪及其应对方式。方法将100例急性白血病患儿随机分为对照组与观察组各50例,在常规治疗的基上,对照组给予常规心理护理,观察组根据患儿灵性需求实施针对性干预。连续干预1个月后评价效果。结果干预后观察组患儿焦虑及抑郁评分、应对方式评分显著优于干预前及对照组(均P<0.01)。结论急性白血病患儿存在多方面灵性需求,针对性灵性护理可有效改善其心理状态及应对方式。     

Coping Strategies as Mediators and Moderators between Stress and Quality of Life among Parents of Children with Autistic Disorder

The purpose of this cross‐sectional study was to examine coping strategies as mediators and moderators between stress and quality of life (QoL) among parents of children with autistic disorder. The convenience sample of the study consisted of 184 parents of children with autistic disorder. Advanced statistical methods for analyses of mediator and moderator effects of coping strategies were used. The results revealed that ‘accepting responsibility’ was the only mediator strategy in the relationship between stress and QoL. The results also revealed that only ‘seeking social support’ and ‘escape avoidance’ were moderator strategies in the relationship between stress and QoL. This study is perhaps the first to investigate the mediating and moderating effects of coping on QoL of parents of children with autistic disorder. Recommendations for practice and future research are presented. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

改进原位肛门整形重建术的临床研究

目的探讨采用改进的四联术原位肛门整形重建术的效果。方法38例低位直肠癌行Miles根治术后行一期改进的四联术原位肛门整形重建术,改进包括:①肛门内括约肌改进为双层双套环;②肛门外括约肌改进为肛门外括约肌浅部与深部重建;③直肠角改进为肛提肌切缘牢固地缝合于肛门括约肌外面与结肠前壁;④直肠瓣改进为三个人工直肠瓣。结果38例术后肛门外形、功能及远期生存率均更为优良,术后肛门功能测试的总优良率达94·73%,远期生存率高达76·32%。结论改进的四联术原位肛门重建术的效果良好,改进术式的设计也更符合正常解剖结构与生理功能。     

18F-2-Fluoro-2-Deoxy-D-Glucose Positron Emission Tomography Scanning Affects Surgical Management in Selected Patients With High-Risk, Operable Breast Carcinoma

Background The role of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in determining the extent of disease in patients with breast cancer has not been defined. We investigated the utility of ¹⁸F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-PET scanning compared with conventional imaging with computed tomographic scanning and bone scanning in determining the extent of disease in patients with high-risk, operable breast cancer. Methods This was a prospective study of patients who presented to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center for operative treatment of breast cancer. Eighty eligible patients were enrolled and underwent computed tomographic chest, abdomen, pelvis, and bone scans, followed by FDG-PET. Changes in treatment based on scan findings were recorded by the operating surgeons. Imaging findings were verified by biopsy or long-term follow-up. Results Eight (10%) of 80 patients were found to have metastatic disease that was seen on both conventional imaging and PET. Four additional patients (5%) had additional foci of disease on PET that affected treatment decisions. No patient had findings on conventional imaging alone. Conventional imaging studies resulted in a higher number of findings that generated additional tests and biopsies that ultimately had negative results (17% vs. 5% for PET). There was a statistically significant difference in specificity for PET compared with conventional imaging (P = .01). Conclusions Conventional imaging and PET were equally sensitive in detecting metastatic disease in patients with high-risk, operable breast cancer, but PET generated fewer false-positive results. FDG-PET scanning should be further studied in this setting and considered in the preoperative evaluation of selected patients with breast cancer.     

经脐单孔针式腹腔镜胆囊切除术的临床研究(附98例报告)

目的:探讨经脐单孔针式腹腔镜胆囊切除术的优越性及可行性。方法:回顾分析2010年2月1日至5月31日施行经脐单孔针式腹腔镜胆囊切除术98例的临床资料。结果:98例均成功施行经脐单孔针式腹腔镜胆囊切除术,手术时间平均32.5m in,术后平均住院2.8d,无并发症发生。结论:经脐单孔针式腹腔镜胆囊切除术较传统腹腔镜胆囊切除术手术操作困难,随着器械改进和技术水平的提高,手术时间逐渐缩短;且术后患者康复快,痛苦轻,腹壁无可见手术瘢痕,深得广大患者青睐,值得推广。