Leisure Time Use, Meaning of Life, and Psychological Distress: Comparing Canadian and Korean Older Adults

Older adults’ day-to-day leisure time activities both reflect and stimulate physical, cognitive, and social capacities that contribute to their quality of life. To better understand how leisure activity choices and possible impacts vary across two cultures, this questionnaire-based study compared leisure time use, perceived meaning of life, and psychological distress for 617 older adults in Canada (n=298) and the Republic of Korea (Korea) (n=319). Compared to Koreans, Canadian respondents spent more time overall in leisure activities and devoted a higher percentage of their total leisure time to active, rather than passive, activities. They spent significantly more of their time on cognitively active activities, while Koreans preferred socially and physically active ones and scored significantly higher on both meaning of life and psychological distress. Both groups spent more of their time watching television than on any other single reported activity. Age group, retirement status, health, education, and income varied across the two countries and were significantly associated with aspects of leisure time use for each group. The results identify areas for improvement if Canadian and Korean older adults’ leisure time use is to effectively support their aging well

Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair during the Early Days of the COVID-19 Outbreak

Introduction: We report the results of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) in three patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: Three patients were diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysm. All three patients were male and aged 68 years. The diameter of the aneurysm was larger than 65 mm and was considered suitable for EVAR. Thorax tomography was performed to exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection before the procedure. Results: We performed EVAR under general anesthesia. "Priority Level" was based on the guideline of the American College of Surgeons. The procedure was conducted in the angiography laboratory by taking advanced precautions. Intensive care admission was avoided. The postoperative period was uneventful, and all patients were discharged without any condition associated with COVID-19. There were no mortality, rupture, secondary intervention, major adverse event, limb occlusion, and 60-day read-mission. Conclusions: During the pandemic, EVAR can be performed for symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm with a diameter of more than 65 mm. Thorax tomography is safe to exclude SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, tomographic angiography to monitor patients may be difficult during the pandemic

How Does It Feel to Be a Pathologist in Turkey? Results of a Survey on Job Satisfaction and Perception of Pathology

WOS:000603659000006PubMed: 33372264Objective: Job satisfaction affects productivity and professional performance in many aspects; however, there is limited data regarding pathologists' job satisfaction. Hence, in this study, we aimed to evaluate surgical pathologists' job satisfaction in Turkey. Materials and Methods: We conducted a 59-item web-based survey questioning respondents' institutional background, history of training, continuing education status/research activities, physical conditions, professional well-being, and job satisfaction level. Likert-type and open/close ended questions were asked and scored. The participants were also asked to complete the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire-Short Form. Results: of the 321 respondents, 75% were female, the median age was 41 years (range 28-71 years), experience as a pathologist ranged between 0.12 and 44 years (mean 11.4 +/- 9.16 years). Academic pathologists, senior pathologists with >= 20 years of experience, and pathologists working at large institutions and living in developed cities expressed better physical conditions, higher satisfaction with working conditions and, therefore, higher overall job satisfaction (p80%) thought that patients barely know what pathologists do and other physicians rarely understand the difficulty and limitations in pathology practice. 82% were happy to have chosen pathology but 45% reported to experience the feeling of being "burnt out". Conclusions: Our findings suggest that younger pathologists are less satisfied with their jobs and a surgical pathologist's job satisfaction increases with the physical and technical quality of the pathology laboratory/institution, and years of experience. Pathologists seem to be aware of their important role in patient management although they think that pathology remains "invisible" to many physicians and patients

Vacuum-assisted stereotactic breast biopsy in the diagnosis and management of suspicious microcalcifications

PURPOSE: We aimed to present our biopsy method and retrospectively evaluate the results, upgrade rate, and follow-up findings of stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (VABB) procedures performed in our clinic. METHODS: Two hundred thirty-four patients with mammographically detected nonpalpable breast lesions underwent VABB using a 9 gauge biopsy probe and prone biopsy table. A total of 195 patients (median age 53 years, range 32–80 years) with 198 microcalcification-only lesions with a follow-up of at least one year were included in the study. The location of the lesion relative to the needle was determined from the postfire images, and unlike the conventional technique, tissue retrieval was predominantly performed from that location, followed by a complete 360° rotation, if needed. RESULTS: The median core number was 8.5. Biopsy results revealed 135 benign, 24 atypical, and 39 malignant lesions. The total upgrade rate at surgery was 7.7% (6.1% for ductal carcinomas in situ and 10.5% for atypical lesions). Patients with benign lesions were followed up for a median period of 27.5 months, with no interval change. At the follow-up, scar formation was seen in 23 patients (17%); three of the scars were remarkable for resembling a malignancy. CONCLUSION: Our biposy method is fast and practical, and it is easily tolerated by patients without compromising accuracy. Patients with a diagnosis of atypia still need to undergo a diagnostic surgical procedure and those with a malignancy need to undergo curative surgery, even if the lesion is totally excised at biopsy. VABB may leave a scar in the breast tissue, which may resemble a malignancy, albeit rarely

Maternal Psychopathology and Psychomotor Development of Children With GERD

Objectives: The relation between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and maternal psychopathology as well as the role of impairments in mother child interactions in the perpetuation of feeding problems in children with GERD was previously implicated but not confirmed. The present study aimed to study the relation between maternal psychopathology and feeding problems in children with GERD and the effects of GERD on the psychomotor development of children

Vacuum-assisted stereotactic breast biopsy in the diagnosis and management of suspicious microcalcifications

PURPOS

Comparison of automated versus hand-held breast US in supplemental screening in asymptomatic women with dense breasts: is there a difference regarding woman preference, lesion detection and lesion characterization?

Purpose To compare automated breast volumetric scanning (ABVS) with hand-held bilateral whole breast ultrasound (HHUS) prospectively in regards to patient workflow, woman preference, efficacy in lesion detection, and characterization. Materials and methods Supplemental screening was performed with both ABVS and HHUS to 345 women with dense breasts and negative mammograms. Acquisition and evaluation times were recorded. Lesions were classified according to BIRADS US criteria and compared one to one. Women were recalled for a secondary HHUS examination if ABVS showed any additional lesions. Findings were compared based on biopsy results and/or 36-48 months of follow-up. Results Findings could be compared for 340 women. There were two carcinomas which were detected by both methods, with no interval cancers in the follow-up period. Recall rate was 46/340 (13.05%) for ABVS and 4/340 (1.18%) for HHUS. ABVS recalls decreased with experience. HHUS had more true negative (BIRADS 1-2) results, while ABVS had more false positive ones (p < 0.001). Positive predictive value was 4.17% for ABVS and 50% for HHUS. ABVS overdiagnosed shadowings (p < 0.01), distortions (p < 0.034), and irregular nodules (p < 0.001) in comparison to HHUS. At ABVS, 10.6% of women experienced severe pain. 59.7% stated that they would choose HHUS if they had the chance. Conclusion ABVS is as good as HHUS in lesion detection. However, the recall rate is higher and positive predictive value is lower with ABVS, which could result in more follow-ups, and more anxiety for the women. More than 50% women stated they would prefer HHUS if they were given the chance

How does it feel to be a pathology resident? Results of a survey on experiences and job satisfaction during pathology residency

WOS: 000409930300013PubMed ID: 28624995Residents' career choices and professional motivation can be affected from perception of their role and recognition within a medical team as well as their educational and workplace experiences. To evaluate pathology trainees' perceptions of their pathology residency, we conducted a 42-item survey via a web-based link questioning respondents' personal and institutional background, workplace, training conditions, and job satisfaction level. For the 208 residents from different European countries who responded, personal expectations in terms of quality of life (53%) and scientific excitement (52%) were the most common reasons why they chose and enjoy pathology. Sixty-six percent were satisfied about their relationship with other people working in their department, although excessive time spent on gross examination appeared less satisfactory. A set residency training program (core curriculum), a set annual scientific curriculum, and a residency program director existed in the program of 58, 60, and 69% respondents, respectively. Most respondents (76%) considered that pathologists have a direct and high impact on patient management, but only 32% agreed that pathologists cooperate with clinicians/surgeons adequately. Most (95%) found that patients barely know what pathologists do. Only 22% considered pathology and pathologists to be adequately positioned in their country's health care system. Almost 84% were happy to have chosen pathology, describing it as "puzzle solving," "a different fascinating world," and "challenging while being crucial for patient management." More than two thirds (72%) considered pathology and pathologists to face a bright future. However, a noticeable number of respondents commented on the need for better physical working conditions, a better organized training program, more interaction with experienced pathologists, and deeper knowledge on molecular pathology

Serum elabela levels in women with tubal ectopic pregnancy: A case-control study

Elabela, a circulating peptide hormone derived from the placenta, plays a crucial role in embryonic development and function of the human placenta during pregnancy. We aimed to investigate serum elabela levels in ectopic pregnancy. Sixty cases admitted to Emergency Department and Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic were included in this case-control study. Thirty women with tubal ectopic pregnancy constituted Group 1 and 30 women with healthy pregnancy served as controls (Group 2). Blood samples were collected from all participants. Demographic and obstetric characteristics of the whole study cohort were also recorded. Levels of serum elabela were measured in each group by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay . Age, gender, gestational age, obstetrics history, and body mass index of the groups were similar. Mean serum elabela levels were 7.52 ± 1.1 ng/mL and 7.05 ± 1.2 ng/mL in group 1 and group 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups with respect to serum elabela levels &#8206; (t=1.581, p=0.119). In the present study, serum elabela levels were not significantly different in women with ectopic pregnancies than healthy pregnancies. Since placenta is the primary source of elabela, this lack of difference might be due to the insufficient placental as well as fetal development in fallopian tubes. [Med-Science 2020; 9(2.000): 289-92