Colonic anastomoses. Methods compared

The authors used Bar-Valtrac for 18 months to perform colic anastomoses. To weigh up the effectiveness of this method they compare manual, Stapler and Bar-Valtrac anastomoses performed in this period. They examined 169 anastomoses in the same number of patients being careful of complications, post-operative canalizing, periods in hospital. It is clear that Bar-Valtrac is a good alternative to the stapler and to manual anastomoses because it is done in a way that doesn't determine anastomotic foreign body reactions and consequently reduces stenotic complications. The limit of this method is the great difficulty in performing low and very low colo-rectal anastomoses. Actually, to perform low and very low anastomoses, the authors prefer to use the Stapler that offers higher probabilities of recovery without complications and higher speed of carrying out.     

Colorectal cancer. Clinical and pathologic features

Despite an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and the technical ability to alter its natural history in a large proportion of average and high-risk patients, this cancer remains deadly. There has been no significant change in incidence or survival rates over the past 40 years. This indicates a continued need for earlier detection of polyps and cancers, aggressive surgery for the primary tumor, and improved multimodality treatment for metastatic disease.     

Experiences with endoscopic surgery in treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Preliminary results of a prospective study

We evaluated the association between coronary spasm and hyperinsulinemia (high immunoreactive insulin, IRI) in patients with angina pectoris. The study cohort comprised 30 patients with spastic angina pectoris, 30 patients with angina pectoris showing fixed-obstructive coronary sclerosis and 30 control subjects who were matched for body mass index, age and sex. A 75-gram oral glucose test was performed, and blood sugar and IRI were serially measured concomitant with serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL cholesterol. The IRI level at 60 min, the peak IRI during the test, sigma IRI and sigma IRI/sigma blood sugar were significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly increased in patients showing fixed-obstructive coronary sclerosis compared to controls.     

Experiences of collaborative research.

The author's personal history of the research that led to his recognition in economics is described, focusing on the process of collaboration and on the experience of controversy. The author's collaboration with Amos Tversky dealt with 3 major topics: judgment under uncertainty, decision making, and framing effects. A subsequent collaboration, with the economist Richard Thaler, played a role in the development of behavioral economics. Procedures to make controversies more productive and constructive are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Sexual Experiences Survey: Reliability and validity.

Explored the veracity of self-reported sexual experiences as relayed by university students (242 females and 144 males) on a sexual experience survey that was completed once privately and a 2nd time in the presence of an interviewer. The Ss were selected from a group of 4,000 students to represent all degrees of exposure to sexual aggression and sexual victimization. Of the female Ss (mean age 21.3 yrs), 86% were single, 92% were White, and 25% were in each year of college study. Of the male Ss (mean age 21.7 yrs), 89% were single, 87% were White, and 25% were in each year of college study. Female Ss were classified as nonvictimized, sexually coerced, sexually abused, or sexually assaulted. Male Ss were classified as nonsexually aggressive, sexually aggressive, sexually abusive, or sexually assaultive. The Pearson correlation between female Ss' level of victimization (LOV) based on self-report and her LOV based on responses as related to the interviewer was .73. Among the 62 females whose self-reports suggested that they were rape victims, only 2 changed their responses. The LOV correlation between male Ss' responses was .61. Results reveal a tendency for males to deny behaviors during interviews that had been revealed on self-reports. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Nonclinical Participants' Reports of Hallucinatory Experiences.

Hallucinatory experiences in nonclinical subjects were examined using a French adaptation of a self-report questionnaire (Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale; LSHS). The factor structure of this questionnaire was examined. In addition to prevalence, we explored various characteristics of the reported hallucinatory experiences, including frequency, degree of control, emotional reaction, relationship to stressful events, and personal saliency. We also examined the relationship between the presence of hallucinatory experiences and other factors, such as substance use and social desirability. Two hundred and thirty-six nonclinical participants completed a modified version of the LSHS, a social desirability scale, and answered followup questions. Factor analysis of the present version of the LSHS revealed a five-factor structure. Results regarding participants' hallucination frequency, perceived levels of control, and affective responses are reported. Additional results and implications are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mutations predisposing to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: database and results of a collaborative study. The International Collaborative Group on Hereditary Nonpolyposis Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Germline mutations in four DNA mismatch repair genes are known to cause susceptibility to hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). The rapidly increasing information about these mutations needs to be collected and appropriately stored to facilitate further studies on the biological and clinical significance of the findings. METHODS: The International Collaborative Group on HNPCC has established a database of DNA mismatch repair gene mutations and polymorphisms. In this report, 126 predisposing mutations were analyzed. RESULTS: A majority of the mutations affected either the Mut L homologue (MLH) 1 (n = 75) or the Mut S homologue (MSH) 2 (n = 48) and were quite evenly distributed, with some clustering in MSH2 exon 12 and MLH1 exon 16. Most MSH2 mutations consisted of frameshift (60%) or nonsense changes (23%), whereas MLH1 was mainly affected by frameshift (40%) or missense alterations (31%). Although most mutations were unique, a few common recurring mutations were identified. Of the families studied (n = 202), 82% met the Amsterdam criteria and 15% did not; the general mutation profile was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The construction of mutation profiles will facilitate the development of diagnostic strategies in HNPCC.     

Colorectal cancer and hemoccult

Hemoccult slides have been used in an attempt to determine their usefulness as a screening method for the detection of colorectal neoplasia. Two methods have been used. In the first, 300 unprepared patients had an immediate single-stool specimen tested with Hemoccult. Only nine patients were referred for investigation after this single test, and no case of colorectal neoplasia was discovered. In the second method over 2,500 three-stool test kits were distributed to the public, of which 1,160 (46%) have been returned and tested. Positive tests were obtained in 68 patients. Follow-up of 58 of these patients has led to the detection of three cases of carcinoma of the colon and nine cases of benign polyps greater than one centimetre in diameter. The cost of screening patients with a three-stool test has been calculated to be $2.50 per patient.     

Children's Ratings of the Stressfulness of Experiences.

To ascertain if children assess experiences in terms of stress and if their perceptions generally agree with those of adults, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders rated 20 life events on a 7-point scale. The scale values ranged from 1.27 for the least upsetting event (the arrival of a new sibling) to 6.90 for the most upsetting event (the loss of a parent). Overall, there were no statistically significant differences associated with grade, sex, or personal experience. Children were found to make distinguishing judgments of the perceived Stressfulness that often differed from those of professionals. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experiences of depression in normal young adults.

Investigated depression as a normal affect state that could have continuity with types of clinical depression. A 66-item Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) was constructed to assess a wide range of experiences that, though not direct symptoms of depression, are frequently associated with it. The DEQ, the Wessman-Ricks Mood Scale, a version of the semantic differential, and the Death-Concern Questionnaire were administered to 500 female and 160 male college students. In another sample, 128 college students were given the DEQ and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Three highly stable factors emerged from the DEQ: Dependency, Self-Criticism, and Efficacy. These factors had significant differential correlations with other measures, which support the interpretation of the factors derived from the items. These data indicate the need to consider dependency and self-criticism as 2 primary dimensions of depression and the value of investigating the continuity between normal mood states and the clinical phenomena of depressions. (38 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Experiences of Spanish/English bilingual supervisees.

Supervising mental health services conducted in a language that the supervisor does not speak can present a conundrum for both supervisors and supervisees, especially when the supervisee is the only person in the clinic who speaks the language of the client. This qualitative study explored Spanish-language services supervision experiences of bilingual graduate students and professionals during their graduate training. The participants reported feeling burdened and stressed by additional responsibilities. They had little training or supervision to help them develop the language skills necessary to provide competent services in Spanish, so they relied on peer support and networking to cope with the many challenges they faced. The participants appreciated having supervisors who were culturally competent and open to the clients’ cultural values. Training programs and supervisors need to be aware of the factors contributing to this stress and examine procedures and practices that may exacerbate or minimize the burdens. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cross-Situational Consistency of Affective Experiences Across Cultures.

This study examined cross-situational consistency of affective experiences using an experience-sampling method in Japan, India, and the United States. Participants recorded their moods and situations when signaled at random moments for 7 days. The authors examined relative (interindividual) consistency and absolute (within-person) consistency. They found stable interindividual differences of affective experiences across various situations (mean r = .52 for positive affect .51 for negative affect) and cultural invariance of the cross-situational consistency of affective experiences. Simultaneously, the authors found a considerable degree of within-person cross-situational variation in affective experiences, and cultural differences in within-person cross-situational consistency. Thus, global affective traits exist among non-Western samples, but the degree to which situations exert an influence on the absolute level of affective experience varies across cultures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Work-family conflict: Experiences and health implications among immigrant Latinos.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 93(4) of Journal of Applied Psychology (see record 2008-09088-018). The wrong grant number was cited in the author note. The author note indicated that the research was supported by National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Grant OH013182. It should have cited grant number OH008335.] Work-family conflict research has focused almost exclusively on professional, White adults. The goal of this article was to expand the understanding of culture and industry in shaping experiences and consequences of work-family conflict. Using in-depth interview data (n = 26) and structured survey data (n = 200) from immigrant Latinos employed in the poultry processing industry, the authors evaluated predictions drawn from emerging models emphasizing the influence of cultural characteristics such as collectivism and gender ideology on work-family conflict. Results indicated that immigrant Latinos in poultry processing experienced infrequent work-to-family conflict; both the level and the antecedents of work-to-family conflict differed by gender, with physical demands contributing to greater conflict for women but not men. In addition, there was little evidence that work-family conflict was associated with health in this population. These results demonstrate how traditional models of work-family conflict need to be modified to reflect the needs and circumstances of diverse workers in the new global economy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Academic and Internship Directors' Perspectives on Practicum Experiences: Implications.

Academic and internship training directors (TDs) were surveyed regarding practicum training. The most frequently endorsed definition was that a variety of specific activities at a practicum site constituted a legitimate part of a practicum hour, including supervised clinical assessment, clinical intervention, and community consultation, advocacy, or training. Academic and internship TDs differed in their views regarding the minimum number of practicum hours necessary and whether the number of hours should be capped. Implications for points of agreement and disagreement are discussed, and applications of these data to future education and training initiatives are proposed. Suggestions for turning the focus toward competencies rather than hours obtained are provided. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Colorectal cancer detection and screening

Colon cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States and is estimated to cause 56,500 deaths during 1998. Most cancers evolve from adenomatous polyps. Screening asymptomatic average-risk individuals is recommended to reduce colorectal cancer mortality by detection and removal of adenomatous polyps.     

Comparison of catgut and polyglycolic acid sutures in colonic anastomoses

Microfibrillar collagen, a recently introduced topical hemostatic agent, was used to obtain hemostasis in suction-evacuation lesions of canine cortex. Gelatin foam was used as a control in identical lesions on the opposite side. Microfibrillar collagen was found to be faster acting and more effective than gelatin foam. Histological evaluation of the lesions at 2,4, and 6 months postoperatively showed no significant difference in the amount or type of tissue reaction to the two agents.     

Fibrin sealing and histometrical changes in conventionally sutured microvascular anastomoses

Reports from the literature demonstrated an early occlusive thrombosis rate of microvascular anastomoses of up to 25%. In order to reduce free flap failure due to kinking and pressure in the region of the anastomosis, fibrin sealing of microvascular anastomosis was recommended in previous studies. However, it is well accepted that haemostasis is activated by vascular wall injuries (lesions of the endothelial layer). For that reason, a fast re-endothelialisation of the inner surface of the anastomosis is thought to reduce early occlusive thrombosis and, subsequent, free flap failure. To clarify whether application of fibrin adhesives exert any effect on microvascular anastomoses, we constructed 84 anastomoses in rat arteries applying sealant or non-sealant in randomized order. At certain time intervals, arteries operated on were removed and histologically analyzed. Early complete endothelial regeneration, 4 days after surgery, was observed in the unsealed anastomosis group, whereas sealed anastomosis showed a complete re-endothelialisation only after 7 days. These observations may be explained by a reduced multiplication rate and migration speed (0.3 mm/day) of endothelial cells during the first 3 days (unsealed anastomosis: 0.63 mm/day). In addition, in sealed anastomoses a higher incidence of media necrosis was found (60.7% vs 49.3% in the unsealed group). These histological changes were confirmed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy.