Body Image Subtypes and Their Relation to Psychosocial Outcomes Among Latina Adolescents

Research on body image among adolescent girls has seen a substantial increase during the past two decades due to its direct connection to physical and mental health problems. Unfortunately, the majority of these studies have been pathology-focused with extensive research examining negative conceptualizations of body image. Moreover, there is a dearth of research examining how adolescents from diverse cultural backgrounds experience body image. This paper addresses these gaps in the literature by first identifying distinct profiles of both positive and negative body image experiences among Latina adolescents. The emergent body image profiles were then linked to various psychosocial outcomes, including disordered eating, social engagement, and self-esteem. LCA results showed preference for a two-class model that included a Positive Attitude and Hoping to Change class and a Negative Attitude and Hoping to Change class. The Negative Attitude and Hoping to Change class demonstrated generally poorer outcomes, as they reported greater levels of disordered eating and lower functioning with regard to self-esteem and social engagement

Electronic bill presentment and payment--is it just a click away?

This article addresses the following questions about electronic presentment and payment (EBPP) in the business-to-consumer marketplace: Why aren't electronically presented bills always paid electronically? And, if EBPP does aid in the migration to fully electronic end-to-end payment, what are the barriers to its adoption.Payment systems ; Electronic funds transfers

A multicenter, prospective study of a new fully covered expandable metal biliary stent for the palliative treatment of malignant bile duct obstruction

Background and Study Aims. Endoscopic placement of self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs) is indicated for palliation of inoperable malignant biliary obstruction. A fully covered biliary SEMS (WallFlex Biliary RX Boston Scientific, Natick, USA) was assessed for palliation of extrahepatic malignant biliary obstruction. Patients and Methods. 58 patients were included in this prospective, multicenter series conducted under an FDA-approved IDE. Main outcome measurements included (1) absence of stent occlusion within six months or until death, whichever occurred first and (2) technical success, need for reintervention, bilirubin levels, stent patency, time to stent occlusion, and adverse events. Results. Technical success was achieved in 98% (57/58), with demonstrated acute removability in two patients. Adequate clinical palliation until completion of followup was achievedin 98% (54/55) of evaluable patients, with 1 reintervention due to stent obstruction after 142 days. Mean total bilirubin decreased from 8.9 mg/dL to 1.2 mg/dL at 1 month. Device-related adverse events were limited and included 2 cases of cholecystitis. One stent migrated following radiation therapy. Conclusions. The WallFlex Biliary fully covered stent yielded technically successful placement with uncomplicated acute removal where required, appropriate reduction in bilirubin levels, and low rates of stent migration and occlusion. This SEMS allows successful palliation of malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction

Understanding Relational and Physical Bullying Profiles: The Importance of School Climate and Social Status

Cross-national studies consistently reveal that bullying is a pervasive problem in schools and associated with a multitude of deleterious outcomes. The present dissertation conducted two studies to further provide insight into this complex phenomenon and facilitate the development of effective bullying prevention programs. Youth involved in bullying have historically been assigned to fixed bully participant roles (i.e., bully, victim, defender, and bystander) using classification systems based on relatively arbitrary cut off scores. Latent class analysis (LCA) was utilize in the first study to empirically identify bully participant role profiles in seventh and eighth grade based on assuming multiple bully participant roles at varying degrees. Four separate LCA models were run, two relational bullying LCAs and two physical bullying LCAs split by gender. Among female students, a four-class model emerged for both the relational and physical LCAs. Regarding males, a three-class model emerged for both the relational and physical LCAs. All four LCAs yielded a High Involvement class and a Low Involvement class. Concerning females, there was a consistent third class, called Defender, in both the relational and physical LCAs. However, the fourth class in the females’ relational LCA was called Victim Defender while in the physical LCA, the fourth class was call Bystander/Defender. Among males, the third class in the relational LCA was called Defender, but the third class in the physical LCA was called Victim. Overall, these findings build upon previous research on bully participant roles by demonstrating that students can assume multiple roles simultaneously and at varying degrees. In addition, this study revealed gender specific effects that varied according to whether the bullying was physical or relational.To broaden our understanding of how socio-ecological factors influence bullying, a second study investigated how the bullying profiles identified in Study 1 relate to school climate factors and perceptions of social status. Specifically, three school climate factors were examined, including school-wide efforts to reduce bullying, student knowledge of how to address bullying, and direct communication between students and school staff about bullying. The two components of social status were self-reported levels of popularity and likability. Overall, across all four LCAs, self-perceived likability significantly predicted class membership. Self-perceived popularity significantly predicted class membership for male students and the physical LCA only. In terms of the school climate factors, all three components significantly predicted class membership among female students, for both physical and relational bullying. The school climate factors did not significantly predict group membership among male students for either physical or relational bullying. These findings suggest that the impact of socio-ecological factors on bullying is nuanced and complex, as it varied by gender and type of bullying. Understanding these nuances can help inform practitioners designing interventions that target the multifaceted needs of students involved in bullying

Covid-19 pandemic impact on colonoscopy service and suggestions for managing recovery

Abstract Background and aim As the post-peak phase of the epidemic is approaching, there is an urgent need of an action plan to help resume endoscopy activity. To manage the Covid-19 pandemic-imposed backlog of postponed colonoscopy examinations, an efficient approach is needed. The practice of on-demand sedation with benzodiazepines and/or opiates will allow most patients to complete a water-aided examination with minimal or no sedation. Other methods reported to minimize patient discomfort during colonoscopy can be used, in addition to water-aided techniques. Unsedated or minimally sedated patients who do not require recovery or require a shorter one allow rapid turnaround. The practice obviates the need for assistance with deep sedation from anesthesiologists, who may be in short supply. Trainee education in water-aided colonoscopy has been demonstrated to confer benefits. This review provides some insights into the impact of Covid-19 on endoscopy services, challenges ahead, and possible solutions to help recovery of colonoscopy work and training