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Background: The safety and efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) following elective gastrectomy for gastric cancer in patients >80 years of age are not well described. The aim of this study was to explore whether an ERAS protocol following gastrectomy in this age group can be safely implemented and reduce postoperative length of stay. Methods: A retrospective, single-center analysis was performed. All patients >80 years of age with gastric cancer undergoing elective subtotal and total gastrectomy between January 2010 and December 2021 were identified. With the implementation of an ERAS protocol in January 2016, patients treated beforehand were allocated to Group A (pre-ERAS) and Group B (ERAS). The length of stay, incidence of postoperative complications and representation/readmission to the hospital were compared between the groups. Results: Of the 221 patients identified, 56 met the inclusion criteria with 22 patients (39.3%) allocated to Group A and 34 patients (60.7%) to Group B. There were no differences with regard to the type of resection and surgical approach. Length of stay was shorter in Group B (5 days, range 2–27 versus 10 days, 3–109, P =.040). A trend toward more discharges by postoperative day 3 was noted among patients in Group B (7/34, 20.6% versus 2/22, 9.1%, P =.253). There were no differences in the incidence of postoperative complications or readmission hospital between the groups. Conclusion: Among patients >80 years of age, ERAS following gastrectomy for cancer is associated with a reduced length of stay and can be safely implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Educational management professionals present high psychosocial risks, and the pandemic apparently made this worse. This study aimed to understand the degree of psychosocial risk in the work of education managers, testing whether and how the level at which they work (basic and higher) impacts this risk. To achieve this objective, two studies were carried out, through the lens of the Person-Environment Model, applying a mixed-method approach: Study 1, carried out before the pandemic, described and compared the psychosocial risk in the two groups. Study 2 delves deeper and differentiates the perception of these risk factors for each group of managers. The results showed that, in both groups, the dimensions perceived as most critical are Control and Support from Management. In Study 2, the results suggest that there is more emotional demand in the basic education group, but they also experience more support. However, in the higher education group, there is no perceived balance; the risk lies in the exorbitantly competitive demands and excessive bureaucratization. In analyzing the reports, no different demand was attributed to the pandemic period, i.e. these conditions are associated with managers' routines, suggesting that the psychosocial risk in higher education management is latent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has generated psychological impacts, such as fear of this disease. The authors developed the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), which aims to assess the fear of COVID-19 in the general population. Adapt and validate the FCV-19S for the Portuguese language in the Brazilian context. Four main initial steps were performed: translation, back-translation, semantic validation, and experimental application. Snowball sampling corresponded to 354 Brazilian participants. Psychometric tests were performed to investigate the validity and reliability of the test, such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Analysis of the data showed satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.88), and CFA (factor loads from 0.57 to 0.86) confirmed the unidimensional structure. The Brazilian version of FCV-19S is considered valid, reliable, and appropriate for application among the general Brazilian population and may contribute to the prevention, treatments, and mental health programs, resulting from the pandemic of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two longitudinal extensions of the classic internal/external frame of reference model (I/EM) have attracted researchers' attention in recent years: The reciprocal I/EM (RI/EM) describes the reciprocal effects between students' math and verbal achievements and self-concepts. The 2I/EM describes the effects of students' math and verbal achievement levels and changes on their math and verbal self-concepts. The present research integrates these 2 approaches into the reciprocal 2I/EM (R2I/EM), which describes the effects of students' math and verbal achievement levels and changes on their math and verbal self-concepts and the effects of their math and verbal self-concept levels and changes on their math and verbal achievements. We tested this model in 3 empirical studies, including about 6,000 students between Grade 4 and Grade 11 from Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium, using grades and test scores as achievement indicators. Overall, we found strong support for the R2I/EM. In line with prior 2I/EM studies, students' achievement levels showed positive (negative) effects on their self-concepts within (between) subjects. The effects of students' achievement changes on their self-concepts within (between) subjects were usually positive (near 0). In line with prior RI/EM studies, students' self-concept levels showed positive (negative or near 0) effects on their achievements within (between) subjects. For the first time, we also examined the effects of students' self-concept changes on their achievements: These effects were usually positive (positive or near 0) within (between) subjects. Our findings have important theoretical and practical implications for the I/E model literature and for teachers aiming to foster their students' self-concepts and achievements. Educational Impact and Implications Statement: Previous research has shown that students' subject-specific self-concepts are formed by the joint operation of three comparison processes: social comparisons (where students compare their achievements with their classmates' achievements), dimensional comparisons (where students compare their own achievements in different subjects), and temporal comparisons (where students compare their own achievements across time). The findings of the present research suggest that students conduct comparisons not only of their subject-specific achievements, but also of their subject-specific self-concepts, with resulting effects on their subsequent achievements: In particular, we found positive effects of changes in students' self-concept in one subject (i.e., temporal comparisons of self-concepts) on their subsequent achievements in the same and other subjects. This finding is of particular practical importance, as it demonstrates that teachers can help students enhance their achievements in different subjects via impacting on their self-perceptions (i.e., fostering students' self-concepts and supporting students to become aware of increases in their self-concepts). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Despite good physical care, psychosocial deprivation increases developmental risk. • Language and social skills are most affected by psychosocial deprivation. • Longer duration of institutionalization is a risk factor for developmental delays. • Higher birth weight, more interaction, and regular family contact are protective. Institutionalization is associated with a substantial developmental risk. Ethical constraints make it challenging to obtain robust empirical data on the effects of deprivation. Furthermore, because institutionalized children often face global deprivation, assessing the specific effects of psychosocial deprivation becomes difficult. Moreover, limited research exists on factors explaining interindividual differences. To investigate developmental outcomes of children raised in institutions in conditions of psychosocial deprivation and to identify possible risk and protective factors at institutional and child levels. Secondary analyses of data collected 1958–1961 in Switzerland in a population-based survey of institutionalized infants and toddlers. Participants (n = 332, M age = 11.1 months, SD = 6.4, 48.2 % female, 45.3 % Swiss) were matched with a comparison group of 332 children raised in families (M age = 10.9 months, SD = 6.2, 50.0 % female, 100 % Swiss). Developmental status was assessed using the standardized Brunet-Lézine Developmental Test. Additional data were obtained from administrative records and through observations. Institutionalized children had significantly lower developmental quotients than the comparison group (d = −1.60, p < 0.001), with most prominent differences for language and social skills (d = −1.21/−1.20, p < 0.001). Within the institutionalized group, higher interaction time, higher birth weight, more regular family contact, and a shorter duration of institutionalization were associated with better developmental outcomes. This study emphasizes the impact of isolated psychosocial deprivation on early development and identifies several risk and protective factors. To reduce developmental risk of institutionalization, the results are globally relevant for infants placed in institutions with comparable conditions today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Institutionalization involving psychosocial deprivation affects child development negatively. However, there are few longitudinal studies, and no prospective study has yet examined the consequences of institutionalization in late adulthood. Investigating effects of psychosocial deprivation on cognitive functioning 60 years later. A population-based survey of institutionalized infants and toddlers was conducted in Switzerland from 1958 to 1961 (n = 387; M age = 0.93 years, SD = 0.53, 48 % female, 48 % Swiss nationality). In parallel, a comparison group of 399 family-raised children were assessed (M age = 0.85 years, SD = 0.50, 46 % female, 100 % Swiss nationality). Six decades later, data on cognitive functioning were collected for 88 of the institutionalized group (M age = 62.63 years, SD = 1.32), and 148 of the comparison group (M age = 65.06, SD = 1.32). Standardized tests were used: the Brunet-Lézine Developmental Test in early childhood and a short form of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale in late adulthood. Formerly institutionalized individuals scored lower on cognitive functioning (d = − 0.67, p <.001), with the greatest difference in working memory (d = −0.78, p <.001). Longer duration of institutionalization increased the risk of lower cognitive functioning, indicating a dose–response effect. Institutionalization's impact on adult cognitive functioning was mediated by early childhood developmental status but not by later educational attainment. This study confirms the early experience hypothesis, indicating that early life conditions have lasting effects on human development, even into late adulthood. • Early institutionalization increases risk of cognitive deficits into late adulthood. • Harmful effects of psychosocial deprivation are shown despite good physical care. • Working memory is most strongly affected by institutionalization. • Longer institutionalization increases risk of lower cognitive functioning. • Institutionalization's impact is mediated by children's early developmental status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The procedures that rural general surgeons perform may be changing. It is important to recognize the trends and practices of the current rural general surgeon in efforts to better prepare general surgeons who desire to enter a practice in a rural environment. The aim of this review is to detail the recent operative case volumes of 6 rural locations in the upper Midwest where general surgery is practiced.Methods: The Enterprise Data and Analytics department of Sanford Health compiled all surgical procedures performed within the Sanford Health System between January 1, 2013 and August 31, 2018. Procedures performed by a total of 58 general surgeons in locations of under 50 000 people are included in this review.Results: From January 1, 2013 to August 31, 2018, 38 958 surgical procedures were performed in rural locations. Endoscopic procedures made up 61.6% of a rural general surgeon's practice. Cholecystectomy (6.3%), hernia repair (6.3%), and appendectomy (3.7%) were the principle nonendoscopic procedures performed by rural surgeons, comprising 16.3% of the case volume. Added together, endoscopy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair, and appendectomy made up 77.9% of the rural general surgeon's caseload. Vascular procedures (2.5%), breast procedures (1.8%), obstetrics (0.4%), and urology procedures (0.2%) are also included in this review.Conclusions: Rural general surgeons are vital to the surgical workforce in the United States. Recognizing a trend that rural general surgeons perform less subspecialty procedures and more endoscopic procedures will provide direction for those interested in pursuing a career in rural general surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of a best friendship provides information about how developmentally beneficial it is. However, little is known about possible early risk factors that influence later friendship quality. The present study examined the role of family risks and social-emotional problems (behavioral problems, peer problems, anxious, and depressive symptoms) in early childhood for positive (i.e., support and help) and negative (i.e., conflicts and betrayal) dimensions of friendship quality with their best friend in preadolescence. 293 children (47.9% female) aged 2–4, their parents and teachers participated in the study with three measurement occasions (T1; Mage = 2.81, T2; Mage = 3.76, T3; Mage = 9.69). The last measurement occasion was at the age of 9–11 years. Results of the longitudinal regression model showed that depressive symptoms in early childhood were associated with a lower positive dimension of friendship quality in preadolescence. In contrast, early anxious symptoms were related to a higher positive dimension of friendship quality six years later. Neither family risks, nor behavioral problems and peer problems in early childhood were linked to the positive dimension of friendship quality in preadolescence. No early predictors were found for the negative dimension of friendship quality. Possible reasons for the lack of associations are discussed. Findings suggest that children with early depressive symptoms at 3–5 years of age should be the targets of potential interventions to form high quality friendships in preadolescence. Possible interventions are mentioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-throughput sequencing technologies are increasingly used in research but limited data are available on the feasibility and value of these when routinely adopted in clinical practice. We analyzed all consecutive cancer patients for whom genomic testing by a 48-gene next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel (Truseq Amplicon Cancer Panel, Illumina) was requested as part of standard care in one of the largest Belgian cancer networks between 2014 and 2019. Feasibility of NGS was assessed in all study patients, while the impact of NGS on the decision making was analyzed in the group of gastrointestinal cancer patients. Tumor samples from 1064 patients with varying tumor types were tested, the number of NGS requests increasing over time (p <.0001). Success rate and median turnaround time were 91.4% and 12.5 days, respectively, both significantly decreasing over time (p ≤.0002). Non-surgical sampling procedure (OR 7.97, p <.0001), tissue from metastatic site (OR 2.35, p =.0006) and more recent year of testing (OR 1.79, p =.0258) were independently associated with NGS failure. Excluding well-known actionable or clinically relevant mutations which are recommended by international guidelines and commonly tested by targeted sequencing, 57/279 (20.4%) assessable gastrointestinal cancer patients were found to have tumors harboring at least one actionable altered gene according to the OncoKB database. NGS results, however, had a direct impact on management decisions by the treating physician in only 3 cases (1.1%). Our findings confirm that NGS is feasible in the clinical setting with acceptably low failure rates and rapid turnaround time. In gastrointestinal cancers, however, NGS-based multiple-gene testing adds very little to standard targeted sequencing, and in routine practice the clinical impact of NGS panels including genes which are not routinely recommended by international guidelines remains limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screen media are increasingly shaping our everyday lives, including those of young children. Among other reasons, parents might use screen media as a problem-oriented coping strategy to reduce parenting stress levels. Furthermore, parental attitudes towards children's screen media use have been shown to predict screen time in young children. The present study examines the intertwined roles of parenting stress and parental attitudes to children's screen time throughout early childhood. Parents of N = 462 children aged up to 3 years (M = 1.28, SD = 0.61; 50% female) participated in four assessments within 10 months. Parents reported their level of parenting stress, their attitudes toward young children's screen media use, and their child's screen time at each assessment. Across all measurement time points, results indicated that both parenting stress and positive parental attitudes are positively associated with children's screen time. Furthermore, parental attitudes were found to strengthen the link between stress and children's screen time at two of the four measurement time points. Recommendations for children's screen time should consider parental stress and suggest alternative strategies for coping with parenting stress. • Parenting stress was positively associated with young children's screen time. • Positive parental attitudes toward young children's screen media use were positively associated with children's screen time. • Parental attitudes partly strengthened the link between parenting stress and young children's screen time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses an investigation carried out in a university restaurant, aiming to identify relationships between working conditions and workers' health, based on the Activity Ergonomics theoretical and methodological framework. The qualitative research showed the presence of ergonomic and psychosocial risk factors related to the demands of the activity, the high workload, the difficulties in the socio-professional relations and the tasks distribution. The presence of physical illnesses was pointed out by the interviewees as one of the main repercussions of the activity. Contractual and management conditions were also identified as factors that affected the activity of the interviewees. These findings corroborate the data already presented in the literature and show the importance of an organizational diagnosis focused on workers' health that considers work in all its components: physical, contractual conditions, processes and characteristics of the activity and socio-political conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To report a series of cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in scleral lens wearers with keratoconus to determine whether this type of contact lens presents a greater risk for development of infection.Methods: This study reports three patients who wore scleral contact lenses to correct keratoconus and developed AK. The diagnoses of AK were established based on cultures of the cornea, scleral contact lenses, and contact lens paraphernalia. This study investigated the risk factors for infections.Results: The possible risks for AK in scleral contact lens wearers are hypoxic changes in the corneal epithelium because of the large diameter and minimal tear exchange, use of large amounts of saline solution necessary for scleral lens fitting, storing the scleral lens overnight in saline solution rather than contact lens multipurpose solutions, not rubbing the contact lens during cleaning, and the space between the cornea and the back surface of the scleral lens that might serve as a fluid reservoir and environment for Acanthamoeba multiplication. Two patients responded well to medical treatment of AK; one is still being treated.Conclusions: The recommendations for use and care of scleral contact lenses should be emphasized, especially regarding use of sterile saline (preferably single use), attention to rubbing the lens during cleaning, cleaning of the plunger, and overnight storage in fresh contact lens multipurpose solutions without topping off the lens solution in the case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present longitudinal study examined the reliability of self-reported academic grades across three phases in four subject domains for a sample of 916 high-school students. Self-reported grades were found to be highly positively correlated with actual grades in all academic subjects and across grades 9 to 11 underscoring the reliability of self-reported grades as an achievement indicator. Reliability of self-reported grades was found to differ across subject areas (e.g., mathematics self-reports more reliable than language studies), with a slight yet consistent tendency to over-report achievement levels also observed across grade levels and academic subjects. Overall, the absolute value of over- and underreporting was low and these patterns were not found to differ between mathematics and verbal subjects. In sum, study findings demonstrate the consistent predictive utility of students’ self-reported achievement across grade levels and subject areas with the observed tendency to over-report academic grades and slight differences between domains nonetheless warranting consideration in future education research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peer victimization has been identified as a risk factor for depressive symptoms. The current study investigated the longitudinal interplay among social support, peer victimization and depressive symptoms in early adolescence. We specifically investigated the promotive and protective role of parental and friendship support on the longitudinal relationship between victimization and depressive symptoms. A total of 960 Swiss adolescents (49% female, M 13.2 years) completed an electronic questionnaire four times, with 6-month intervals. Trivariate cross-lagged models with latent longitudinal moderations were computed. The analyses confirmed that peer victimization was positively associated with changes in depressive symptoms, and depressive symptoms were positively associated with changes in victimization. Furthermore, bidirectional longitudinal associations between both parental and friendship support and depressive symptoms were found, while neither parental nor friendship support was found to be longitudinally associated with peer victimization. Further, neither parental nor friendship support moderated the longitudinal relationship between victimization and depressive symptoms. Thus, the present results suggested that parental and friendship support were promotive factors for adolescents' well-being, while neither parental, nor friendship support buffered the effect of victimization on depressive symptoms, thereby yielding no evidence for their longitudinal protective effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the short- and long-term effects of self-enhancement (i.e., overreporting of academic grades) on academic self-concept and academic achievement. A total of 916, 719, and 647 students participated in the first, second, and third waves of assessment, respectively (mean age at T1 = 15.6 years). At each assessment, students reported their last midterm grades and their self-concepts in mathematics, German, English, and French. Actual midterm grades were obtained from the school administrations. Results showed that self-enhancement was positively associated with self-concept in the short term. However, in the long term, self-enhancement was directly associated with stronger decreases in self-concept and indirectly with stronger decreases in achievement that were linked to inflated self-concepts. Implications for research and educational practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental abilities and physical growth are important determinants of health across the lifespan. Here, the stability of these traits was assessed from 6 months to 65 years of age to investigate periods of stability and malleability. Mental abilities, height, and weight were assessed at 11 time-points in participants of the Zurich Longitudinal Studies. Individuals with more than three missing data points per trait across the 11 assessment time-points (i.e., more than approx. 25% missing data) were excluded from further analyses (final N = 281). Bivariate cross-time correlations showed that the stability of mental abilities was low in infancy and gradually increased. The stability of growth measures was uniform across development, with height being highly stable and weight moderately so. When a latent model was used, the overall stability of mental abilities approached that of weight. The findings indicate that stability and malleability across development differ between mental abilities and growth measures. This requires consideration in interventions targeting these traits as facilitators for improving health outcomes. • Long-term stability patterns are different for mental abilities and growth measures. • The stability of mental abilities is low in infancy and increases across development. • The stability of height is high and uniform from 6 months to 65 years of age. • The stability of weight mirrors the pattern of height on a lower level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the associations between grades and self-concept within and between four academic domains from an intraindividual perspective. Further, we explored whether students' subjective domain similarity moderated intraindividual between-domain effects of achievement on self-concept and vice versa. A sample of 756 Swiss high-school students reported on their academic self-concept in mathematics, German (native), English, and French on three measurement occasions across high school. Students reported on the subjective domain similarity. School administrators reported students' grades. Achievement in one domain had a positive effect on self-concept within the same domain and a negative effect on cuncurrent and later self-concept in other domains. Conversely, self-concept in one domain had a positive effect on achievement in the same domain and a negative effect on cuncurrent and later achievement in other domains. Further, subjective domain similarity attenuated the negative effect of achievement in one domain on self-concepts in another domain on the same measurement occasions. However, subjective domain similarity was not found to moderate the effect of achievement in one domain on change in self-concepts in another domain or vice versa. Academic achievement leads to a better academic self-concept within a given domain (e.g., mathematics) and vice-versa. However, higher achievement in one domain (e.g., mathematics) can lead to worse self-concept in another domain (e.g., first language). The present study shows that between domain effects of achievement on self-concept might be more pronounced if the student that is evaluating her/his self-concept in the two domains perceives the two domains at hand as different rather than similar. Accordingly, teachers might want to make the similarities and links between different academic domains more visible to students to avoid negative effects of positive feedback in one domain on self-concept in other domains. • Within a domain, academic achievement is positively linked to changes in academic self-concept and vice-versa. • Between domains, academic achievement is negatively linked to changes in academic self-concept and vice-versa. • Subjective domain similarity reduces the effect of achievement on self-concept over a few months, but not over a year. • Subjective domain similarity is unrelated to between domain effects of self-concept on achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theories on the link between achievement goals and achievement emotions focus on their within-person functional relationship (i.e., intraindividual relations). However, empirical studies have failed to analyze these intraindividual relations and have instead examined between-person covariation of the two constructs (i.e., interindividual relations). Aiming to better connect theory and empirical research, the present study ( N = 120 10th grade students) analyzed intraindividual relations by assessing students' state goals and emotions using experience sampling ( N = 1409 assessments within persons). In order to replicate previous findings on interindividual relations, students' trait goals and emotions were assessed using self-report questionnaires. Despite being statistically independent, both types of relations were consistent with theoretical expectations, as shown by multi-level modeling: Mastery goals were positive predictors of enjoyment and negative predictors of boredom and anger; performance-approach goals were positive predictors of pride; and performance-avoidance goals were positive predictors of anxiety and shame. Reasons for the convergence of intra- and interindividual findings, directions for future research, and implications for educational practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the longitudinal association between the development of bullying (traditional bullying and cyberbullying) and the development of moral deficiencies (moral disengagement, low moral responsibility, and weak feelings of remorse) during adolescence. A total of 960 Swiss adolescents completed an electronic questionnaire in schools four times, with 6-month intervals. Results of a parallel process model showed that the initial levels of moral deficiencies were positively associated with initial scores of bullying. Furthermore, the initial levels of moral deficiencies were positively associated with the development of bullying (i.e., initial trend and changes in trend across time). In contrast, the initial level of bullying was not found to be associated with the development (i.e., the slope) of moral deficiencies. Accordingly, we conclude that moral deficiencies might be a trait that predicts the development of bullying and not vice versa. Implications of the findings for bullying prevention are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates factors that cause disagreement between tax authorities and taxpayers in regard to hedge validation in financial operations, which is a legal requeriment for the deducibility of losses over the income tax. A case-study, which was carried out in an exporting company that had been fined by Receita Federal do Brasil in 2008, showed that the attested measure of exposure to the ex-ante risk of variation in commodity prices and in exchange was not enough to avoid the aggravation of losses given the non-deducibility of such measure. This is due to the lack of management criteria as well as the lack of accounting criteria standarts, which was corroborated in documentary research and content analysis over decisions made by the Receita Federal do Brasil on this issue from 1999 to 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Clinical Outcomes in Surgical Therapy trial demonstrated that laparoscopic colectomy (LC) was equivalent to open colectomy (OC) for 30-day mortality, time to recurrence, and overall survival in colon cancer (CC) patients. Current use of LC for CC is not well known. Study Design: Surgical data were reviewed for all patients randomized into a national phase III clinical trial for adjuvant therapy in stage III CC (North Central Cancer Treatment Group trial N0147). Colon resections were grouped as open (traditional laparotomy) or laparoscopic, including laparoscopic; laparoscopic assisted; hand assisted; and laparoscopic converted to OC. Statistical methods included nonparametric methods, categorical analysis, and logistic regression modeling. Results: A total of 3,393 evaluable patients were accrued between 2004 and 2009; 53% were male, median age was 58 years, 86% were white, and 70% had a body mass index >25 kg/m2. Two thousand one hundred thirteen (62%) underwent OC. One thousand two hundred eighty (38%) were initiated as laparoscopic procedures, 25% (n = 322) were laparoscopic, 32% (n = 410) were laparoscopic assisted, 26% (n = 339) were hand assisted, and 16% (n = 209) were LC converted to OC. Significant predictors of LC (vs OC) in multivariate models were T stage (T1 or T2 vs T3 or T4; p = 0.0286), and absence of perforation, bowel obstruction, or adherence to surrounding organs (p < 0.01 each). Increasing rates of LC were observed over time, with LC eclipsing OC in 2009 (p < 0.0001). Surgical efficacy, measured by lymph node retrieval, was similar, with the mean number of lymph nodes retrieved higher in the LC group (20.6 vs 19.5 nodes; p = 0.0006). Conclusions: This study demonstrated a steadily increasing use of LC for the surgical treatment of CC between 2004 and 2009, with LC preferred by study completion. Surgical efficacy was similar in stage III CC patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cyberbullying, a modern form of bullying performed using electronic forms of contact (e.g., SMS, MMS, Facebook, YouTube), has been considered as being worse than traditional bullying in its consequences for the victim. This difference was mainly attributed to some specific aspect that are believed to distinguish cyberbullying from traditional bullying: an increased potential for a large audience, an increased potential for anonymous bullying, lower levels of direct feedback, decreased time and space limits, and lower levels of supervision. The present studies investigated the relative importance of medium (traditional vs. cyber), publicity (public vs. private), and bully's anonymity (anonymous vs. not anonymous) for the perceived severity of hypothetical bullying scenarios among a sample of Swiss seventh- and eight-graders (study 1: 49 % female, mean age = 13.7; study 2: 49 % female, mean age = 14.2). Participants ranked a set of hypothetical bullying scenarios from the most severe one to the least severe one. The scenarios were experimentally manipulated based on the aspect of medium and publicity (study 1), and medium and anonymity (study 2). Results showed that public scenarios were perceived as worse than private ones, and that anonymous scenarios were perceived as worse than not anonymous ones. Cyber scenarios generally were perceived as worse than traditional ones, although effect sizes were found to be small. These results suggest that the role of medium is secondary to the role of publicity and anonymity when it comes to evaluating bullying severity. Therefore, cyberbullying is not a priori perceived as worse than traditional bullying. Implications of the results for cyberbullying prevention and intervention are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research presented in this paper examined the relationships between academic procrastination and learning-specific emotions, and how these variables predict one another over time among undergraduate (n = 354) and graduate students (n = 816). Beyond findings showing expected valences of relations between procrastination and positive emotions (enjoyment, hope, and pride) and negative emotions (anger, anxiety, shame, hopelessness, boredom, and guilt), autoregressive cross-lagged panel analyses showed various directional relations between procrastination and emotions over time. More precisely, specific emotions were found to influence procrastination (e.g., undergraduates: anxiety; graduate students: hope), procrastination was found to influence specific emotions (e.g., undergraduates: guilt; graduate students: boredom), and bidirectional relations between procrastination and learning-related emotions were also observed (e.g., graduate students: enjoyment, anxiety, and guilt). Implications for future research on academic procrastination and remedial procrastination interventions for students are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Cyberbullying has emerged as a new form of antisocial behaviour in the context of online communication over the last decade. The present study investigates potential longitudinal risk factors for cyberbullying. A total of 835 Swiss seventh graders participated in a short-term longitudinal study (two assessments 6 months apart). Students reported on the frequency of cyberbullying, traditional bullying, rule-breaking behaviour, cybervictimisation, traditional victimisation, and frequency of online communication (interpersonal characteristics). In addition, we assessed moral disengagement, empathic concern, and global self-esteem (intrapersonal characteristics). Results showed that traditional bullying, rule-breaking behaviour, and frequency of online communication are longitudinal risk factors for involvement in cyberbullying as a bully. Thus, cyberbullying is strongly linked to real-world antisocial behaviours. Frequent online communication may be seen as an exposure factor that increases the likelihood of engaging in cyberbullying. In contrast, experiences of victimisation and intrapersonal characteristics were not found to increase the longitudinal risk for cyberbullying over and above antisocial behaviour and frequency of online communication. Implications of the findings for the prevention of cyberbullying are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Specialty procedures constitute one eighth of rural surgery practice. Currently, general surgeons intending to practice in rural hospitals may not get adequate training for specialty procedures, which they will be expected to perform. Better definition of these procedures will help guide rural surgery training. METHODS: Current Procedural Terminology codes for all surgical procedures for 81% of North Dakota and South Dakota rural surgeons were entered into the Dakota Database for Rural Surgery. Specialty procedures were analyzed and compared with the Surgical Council on Resident Education curriculum to determine whether general surgery training is adequate preparation for rural surgery practice. RESULTS: The Dakota Database for Rural Surgery included 46,052 procedures, of which 5,666 (12.3%) were specialty procedures. Highest volume specialty categories included vascular, obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, cardiothoracic, urology, and otolaryngology. Common procedures in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery are taught in general surgical residency, while common procedures in obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, urology, and otolaryngology are usually not taught in general surgery training. CONCLUSIONS: Optimal training for rural surgery practice should include experience in specialty procedures in obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics, urology, and otolaryngology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Recent literature suggests implantable central venous access ports (ICVAPs) can be placed by interventional radiologists with fewer complications and lower expenses when compared with surgeons. An analysis of outcomes and expenses of ICVAP placement by service was conducted. Methods: Three hundred sixty-eight ICVAPs were placed over 3 years at a 230-bed community teaching hospital. A retrospective review of these procedures was conducted. Data recorded for each procedure included patient demographics, reason for placement, indwelling port days, complications, billed charges, and reimbursement. Results: Two hundred seventy-six (75%) ICVAPs were placed by interventional radiologists, while surgeons placed the remaining 92 ports (25%). Short-term complications were identified in 7 interventional radiologist–placed ports (2.5%) and 1 surgically placed port (1.1%), P = .42. Billed charges were greater for interventional radiologist–placed ports ($5,301 vs $4,552, P = .0001). In contrast, reimbursement was greater for surgically placed ports: interventional radiologist 31.3% of charges, surgery 42.8%, P = .049. Conclusion: Reimbursement and charges demonstrated significant differences between surgeons and interventional radiologists. Prior assertions that ports placed by interventional radiologists are less expensive with fewer complications may no longer be valid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Early surgical intervention in acute small bowel obstruction (SBO) has long been recognized as an important factor in preventing morbidity and mortality. Factors associated with surgically managed acute SBO were analyzed for delay in intervention and impact on outcome. A retrospective review of all patients evaluated for SBO on the surgical teaching service of the Greenville Hospital System from July 1, 1997 to June 30, 2000 was performed. Data were collected on patient demographics, admission information (date, admitting service, physical examination, and laboratory values), comorbidity, diagnostic studies, surgery date, operative findings, postoperative complications, operative mortality, and discharge date. Analysis of the data revealed 157 cases of presumed SBO of which 61 were managed nonoperatively and 96 required surgery. Acute SBO was diagnosed in 65 patients who constitute the basis for this review. Of these 65 patients 43 (66%) were admitted to the surgical service, 25 (38%) required small bowel resection, and 17 (26%) developed morbidity and/or mortality. When analyzed for morbidity and mortality the only characteristics that were statistically significant were the admitting service (P = 0.003) and length of stay (P = 0.003). On further analysis of admitting service and patient outcomes several factors were significant when we compared medical service admissions to surgical service admissions. These included days from admission to surgery (P = 0.003), length of stay (P = 0.019), morbidity (P = 0.004), mortality (P = 0.005), and combined morbidity and mortality (P = 0.003). Mortality of patients admitted to the medical service was 27 per cent compared with 2 per cent for the surgical service. There were no differences in morbidity and mortality when analyzed by the need for small bowel resection, patient age, etiology of obstruction, or presence of comorbidities. None of the factors studied were useful in predicting the need for small bowel rese... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which aims to describe laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pregnancy performed at Greenville Hospital System. Patients and methods utilized on the study; Patient characteristics; Summary of reported laparoscopic cholecystectomies during pregnancy; Things which led surgeons to consider pregnancy as an absolute contraindication to laparoscopic surgery.

Examines a group of patients with adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater diagnosed and treated in a community hospital setting prior to possible referral to a tertiary care center. Stages at diagnosis; Operative techniques; Lower resectability rate for carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.

Cash flow hedge accounting is an accounting choice and may avoid reported losses due to deferrals in other comprehensive income (OCI), promoting better earnings disclosure. Provided that managers have incentives to avoid losses, we investigate whether firms' high financial exposure to currency risk, the high exchange rate depreciation derived from the financial crisis verified in Brazil, and the option to defer taxes on exchange earnings affected hedge accounting choice for 379 Brazilian listed firms from 2010–2017. Our results provide compelling evidence of loss avoidance and tax-aggressiveness through cash flow hedge accounting choice, primarily designed by standards to reduce volatility instead. • The paper studies the cash flow hedge accounting choice under financial crisis. • The exposition to currency risk and the exchange rate depreciation promote reported losses. • Cash flow hedge accounting may avoid reported losses due to deferrals on OCI. • Thus, managers have incentives to choose hedge accounting as loss avoidance under crisis. • Tax-aggressiveness is also an important determinant for cash flow hedge accounting choice in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the predictive power of the Work Design (WD) variables on Burnout Syndrome (BS). The sample consisted of 300 professionals, 188 from the field of education and 112 from health care. Two instruments were used in this research, a reduced version of the Work Design Questionnaire (WDQ) and the Brazilian version of the Spanish Burnout Syndrome Inventory (SBI). The results showed that in both professional categories, the factors of work design are predictors of the 4 dimensions of BS, especially factors related to social and task characteristics. In the education field, characteristics of knowledge required by work appear as predictors of only psychological exhaustion; and in health care professionals, as predictors of psychological exhaustion and decreased Enthusiasm towards the job. Implications of these findings will be discussed in terms of their applicability in interventions to prevent BS based on work redesign actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of social pretend play may have a positive impact on children's development. This study investigated to what degree this quality is a characteristic of a child versus a function of the play partner or the specific pairing of two children. For this purpose, preschool children's general pretend play quality (actor effect), their general influence on their play partner's pretend play quality (partner effect) and the role of the specific constellation between two children (relationship effect) were examined in a dyadic setting. Potential associations of the effects with children's age, gender, social cognitive and social competencies, as well as the dyadic composition of these variables and their friendship were examined. Children completed two to four dyadic pretend play situations with different peers. They were tested for their language ability, theory of mind and emotion understanding. Educators rated children's social competence (cooperation and sociability) and evaluated their friendship with one another. A social relations model analysis was conducted. The results indicated that children's pretend play quality was determined to the same degree by the child and by the specific pairing of two children. Positive associations were found between children's pretend play quality and age, emotion understanding and sociability on the individual level. Further, the quality of children's social pretend play benefited from having older and more advanced play partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early negative life events (NLE) have long‐lasting influences on neurodevelopment and psychopathology. Reduced orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) thickness was frequently associated with NLE and depressive symptoms. OFC thinning might mediate the effect of NLE on depressive symptoms, although few longitudinal studies exist. Using a complete longitudinal design with four time points, we examined whether NLE during childhood and early adolescence predict depressive symptoms in young adulthood through accelerated OFC thinning across adolescence. Methods: We acquired structural MRI from 321 participants at two sites across four time points from ages 14 to 22. We measured NLE with the Life Events Questionnaire at the first time point and depressive symptoms with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale at the fourth time point. Modeling latent growth curves, we tested whether OFC thinning mediates the effect of NLE on depressive symptoms. Results: A higher burden of NLE, a thicker OFC at the age of 14, and an accelerated OFC thinning across adolescence predicted young adults' depressive symptoms. We did not identify an effect of NLE on OFC thickness nor OFC thickness mediating effects of NLE on depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Using a complete longitudinal design with four waves, we show that NLE in childhood and early adolescence predict depressive symptoms in the long term. Results indicate that an accelerated OFC thinning may precede depressive symptoms. Assessment of early additionally to acute NLEs and neurodevelopment may be warranted in clinical settings to identify risk factors for depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphoglycoprotein secreted into the extracellular matrix upon liver injury, acting as a cytokine stimulates the deposition of fibrillary collagen in liver fibrogenesis. In livers of mice subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) and in cultured activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), we show that OPN, besides being overexpressed, is substantially phosphorylated by family with sequence similarity 20, member C (Fam20C), formerly known as Golgi casein kinase (G‐CK), which is exclusively resident in the Golgi apparatus. In both experimental models, Fam20C becomes overactive when associated with a 500‐kDa multiprotein complex, as compared with the negligible activity in livers of sham‐operated rats and in quiescent HSCs. Fam20C knockdown not only confirmed the role of Fam20C itself in OPN phosphorylation, but also revealed that phosphorylation was essential for OPN secretion. However, OPN acts as a fibrogenic factor independently of its phosphorylation state, as demonstrated by the increased expression of Collagen‐I by HSCs incubated with either a phosphorylated or nonphosphorylated form of recombinant OPN. Collectively, our results confirm that OPN promotes liver fibrosis and highlight Fam20C as a novel factor driving this process by favoring OPN secretion from HSCs, opening new avenues for deciphering yet unidentified mechanisms underlying liver fibrogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescent subcortical structural brain development might underlie psychopathological symptoms, which often emerge in adolescence. At the same time, sex differences exist in psychopathology, which might be mirrored in underlying sex differences in structural development. However, previous studies showed inconsistencies in subcortical trajectories and potential sex differences. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the subcortical structural trajectories and their sex differences across adolescence using for the first time a single cohort design, the same quality control procedure, software, and a general additive mixed modeling approach. We investigated two large European sites from ages 14 to 24 with 503 participants and 1408 total scans from France and Germany as part of the IMAGEN project including four waves of data acquisition. We found significantly larger volumes in males versus females in both sites and across all seven subcortical regions. Sex differences in age‐related trajectories were observed across all regions in both sites. Our findings provide further evidence of sex differences in longitudinal adolescent brain development of subcortical regions and thus might eventually support the relationship of underlying brain development and different adolescent psychopathology in boys and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social dilemmas are characterized by conflicts between immediate self-interest and long-term collective goals. Although such conflicts lie at the heart of various challenging social interactions, we know little about how cooperation in these situations develops. To extend work on social dilemmas to child and adolescent samples, we developed an age-appropriate computer task (the Pizzagame) with the structural features of a public goods game (PGG). We administered the Pizzagame to a sample of 191 children 9 to 16 years of age. Subjects were led to believe they were playing the game over the Internet with three sets of two same-aged, same-sex co-players. In fact, the co-players were computer-generated and programmed to expose children to three consecutive conditions: (1) a cooperative strategy, (2) a selfish strategy, and (3) divergent cooperative-selfish strategies. Supporting the validity of the Pizzagame, our results revealed that children and adolescents displayed conditional cooperation, such that their contributions rose with the increasing cooperativeness of their co-players. Age and gender did not influence children and adolescents' cooperative behavior within each condition. However, older children adapted their behavior more flexibly between conditions to parallel the strategies of their co-players. These results support the utility of the Pizzagame as a feasible, reliable, and valid instrument for assessing and quantifying child and adolescent cooperative behavior. Moreover, these findings extend previous work showing that age influences cooperative behavior in the PGG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our work draws upon Foucault's idea that the order of things, defined as the way we categorise our world, matters for how we think about the world and ourselves. Specifically, and drawing upon Pekrun's control-value theory, we focus on the question of whether the way we individually order our world into categories influences how we think about our typically experienced emotions related to these categories. To investigate this phenomenon, we used a globally accessible example, namely, the categorisation of knowledge based on school subjects. In a longitudinal sample of high school students (grades 9–11), we found that judging academic domains as similar led to judging typical emotions related to those domains as more similar than experienced in real life (assessed via real-time assessment of emotions). Our study thus shows that the order of things matters in how we think we feel with respect to those things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Social pretend play tutoring fosters preschool children's social behavior skills. • Social pretend play tutoring fosters preschooler's positive peer relationships. • Social pretend play tutoring does not foster preschooler's social-cognitive skills. • Social pretend play tutoring does not foster preschooler's social-emotional skills. • High-quality social pretend play seems to foster children's social behavioral development. This controlled intervention study with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design investigated whether promoting children's social pretend play quality fosters their social development. Twenty-seven Swiss playgroups (N = 211 children, age: M = 43.3 months, SD = 6.5, with a median of 7 children per group) were randomly assigned to one of three experimental conditions: Play tutoring, provision of role play material, or control. Standardized tests and educator questionnaires were used to assess children's social pretend play competence and social-cognitive, emotional and social skills as well as their peer relationship quality. Latent change models indicated that children's social pretend play competence, behavioral skills, and positive peer relationships as reported by their educators increased most strongly for children in the play tutoring condition. No significant intervention effects emerged regarding children's social-cognitive or emotional skills. The results show that actively promoting children's social pretend play quality also fosters their social behavior and peer relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the case of a 53 year old woman with a two year history of intermittent abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation who presented to physician for a medical evaluation. A discussion of diagnostic testing that was conducted on the woman and which resulted in her receiving a diagnosis of primary small bowel enterolithiasis is presented. The patient's successful treatment and recovery are discussed. An overview of the common causes of small bowel enterolithiasis and its treatment is offered.

The article focuses on the diagnosis of an asymptomatic filling defect of the appendix in a 72-year-old woman. The defect was discovered when a barium enema was conducted. After laparoscopic appendectomy, a sessile polypoid lesion was found at the base of the appendix. Histologic analysis showed the lesion to be an adenomatous polyp. Bleeding was thought to be due to the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Training studies have shown the positive effects of play tutoring on children's social skills. This study investigates whether the theoretically suggested mechanism of change—social pretend play quality—explains the effect of play tutoring on social pretend play competence and social skills. Twenty-seven Swiss playgroups (N = 214 three- to four-year-olds) participated in a randomized intervention study with three conditions: the intervention group (play tutoring), the material group (half-dose), and the control group (treatment as usual). Weekly treatment sessions took place for six consecutive weeks. Pre-tests, post-tests, and a follow-up were made. Playgroup educators reported on children's pretend play competence and social skills using a questionnaire. Children's pretend play quality during treatment sessions was assessed by standardized behavioral observations. Using latent change models with indirect effects, we investigated whether the intervention effects of play tutoring on children's pretend play competence and social skills are mediated by their social pretend play quality shown during the intervention sessions. The results indicate mediating effects of social pretend play quality on children's change in social pretend play competence and self-oriented social skills (sociability and setting limits). The study supports social pretend play as a beneficial ground to promote social development but also indicates a more complex interplay of different change mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with liver cirrhosis often exhibit sleep-wake abnormalities, which are, at least to some extent, circadian in origin. A relatively novel non-pharmacological approach to circadian disruption is appropriately timed bright light therapy. The aims of this pilot study were to investigate sleep-wake characteristics of a well-characterized population of inpatients with cirrhosis, and to evaluate the efficacy of bright light therapy in the hospital setting. Twelve consecutive inpatients with cirrhosis underwent complete sleep-wake assessment, to include qualitative and semi-quantitative (actigraphic) indices of night-time sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, diurnal preference, habitual sleep timing, quality of life, mood and circadian rhythmicity [i.e. urine collections for measurement of the melatonin metabolite 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (aMT6s)]. Patients showed extremely impaired night sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index global score: 16.3 ± 2.1) and daytime sleepiness was common (Epworth Sleepiness Scale: 8.3 ± 3.2). Five patients were randomly assigned to a single room in which lighting was controlled in relation to timing, spectral composition and intensity (lights on at 06:30 and off at 22:30, blue-enriched, more intense light in the morning, red-enriched, less intense light in the afternoon/evening); the others stayed in identical rooms with standard lighting. Sleep diaries revealed poor sleep quality, prolonged sleep latency (67 ± 138 min) and a reduced sleep efficiency (69 ± 21 %). These features were confirmed by actigraphy (sleep efficiency: 71 ± 13 %; fragmentation index: 55 ± 15 %). Quality of life was globally impaired, and mood moderately depressed (Beck Depression Inventory: 19.4 ± 7.9). Seven patients underwent serial urine collections: no circadian aMT6s rhythm was detected in any of them, neither at baseline, nor during the course of hospitalization in either room (n = 4). In conclusion, sleep and circadian rhythms in hospitalized, decompensated patients with cirrhosis are extremely compromised. Treatment with bright light therapy did not show obvious, beneficial effects, most likely in relation to the severity of disturbance at baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sphingosine kinase 1 (SK1), one of two SK enzymes, is highly regulated and has been shown to act as a focal point for the action of many growth factors and cytokines. SK1 leads to generation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and potentially the activation of S1P receptors to mediate biologic effects. Our previous studies implicated SK1/S1P in the regulation of inflammatory processes, specifically in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These studies were conducted using a total body knockout mouse for SK1 and were unable to determine the source of SK1/S1P (hematopoietic or extra-hematopoietic) involved in the inflammatory responses. Therefore, bone marrow transplants were performed with wild-type (WT) and SK1-/- mice and colitis induced with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Irrespective of the source of SK1/S1P, bone marrow or tissue, DSS induced colitis in all mice; however, mice lacking SK1 in both hematopoietic and extra-hematopoietic compartments exhibited decreased crypt damage. Systemic inflammation was assessed, and mice with WT bone marrow demonstrated significant neutrophilia in response to DSS. In the local inflammatory response, mice lacking SK1/S1P in either bone marrow or tissue exhibited decreased induction of cytokines and less activation of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3). Interestingly, we determined that extra-hematopoietic SK1 is necessary for the induction of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2) in colon epithelium in response to DSS-induced colitis. Taken together our data suggest that hematopoietic-derived SK1/S1P regulates specific aspects of the systemic inflammatory response, while extra-hematopoietic SK1 in the colon epithelium is necessary for the autocrine induction of COX2 in DSS-induced colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]