Examining racial microaggressions in group therapy and the buffering role of members' perceptions of their group's multicultural orientation.

Microaggressions have been found to occur at high rates within individual therapeutic dyads, and negatively impact therapeutic processes and outcomes for clients. However, there has been limited attention to the occurrence and impact of racial microaggressions in a group therapy context. Therefore, this study sought to examine the occurrence and impact of racial microaggressions on clients' perceptions of group cohesion and improvement in group therapy, as well as the buffering role of members' perceptions of their group's multicultural orientation (MCO) on the impact of racial microaggressions. Data for this study consisted of 71 racial/ethnic minority (REM) clients across 38 interpersonal process therapy groups. Results indicated that 72% of participants reported experiencing at least 1 racial microaggression over the course of their group therapy experience. Contrary to our hypothesis, racial microaggressions were not associated with member's perceptions of group cohesion or improvement. However, results indicated that REM members' experiences of racial microaggressions had a stronger negative effect on their perceptions of group cohesion in groups with perceived low cultural comfort. This study documents the high prevalence of racial microaggressions in group therapy and the effect of the group's MCO on the relationship between racial microaggressions and REM members' perceptions of group cohesion. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Efficacy of pneumococcal nontypable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) in young Latin American children: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between pneumococcal conjugate vaccine-induced antibody responses and protection against community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute otitis media (AOM) is unclear. This study assessed the impact of the ten-valent pneumococcal nontypable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) on these end points. The primary objective was to demonstrate vaccine efficacy (VE) in a per-protocol analysis against likely bacterial CAP (B-CAP: radiologically confirmed CAP with alveolar consolidation/pleural effusion on chest X-ray, or non-alveolar infiltrates and C-reactive protein ≥ 40 µg/ml); other protocol-specified outcomes were also assessed. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This phase III double-blind randomized controlled study was conducted between 28 June 2007 and 28 July 2011 in Argentine, Panamanian, and Colombian populations with good access to health care. Approximately 24,000 infants received PHiD-CV or hepatitis control vaccine (hepatitis B for primary vaccination, hepatitis A at booster) at 2, 4, 6, and 15-18 mo of age. Interim analysis of the primary end point was planned when 535 first B-CAP episodes, occurring ≥2 wk after dose 3, were identified in the per-protocol cohort. After a mean follow-up of 23 mo (PHiD-CV, n = 10,295; control, n = 10,201), per-protocol VE was 22.0% (95% CI: 7.7, 34.2; one-sided p = 0.002) against B-CAP (conclusive for primary objective) and 25.7% (95% CI: 8.4%, 39.6%) against World Health Organization-defined consolidated CAP. Intent-to-treat VE was 18.2% (95% CI: 5.5%, 29.1%) against B-CAP and 23.4% (95% CI: 8.8%, 35.7%) against consolidated CAP. End-of-study per-protocol analyses were performed after a mean follow-up of 28-30 mo for CAP and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) (PHiD-CV, n = 10,211; control, n = 10,140) and AOM (n = 3,010 and 2,979, respectively). Per-protocol VE was 16.1% (95% CI: -1.1%, 30.4%; one-sided p = 0.032) against clinically confirmed AOM, 67.1% (95% CI: 17.0%, 86.9%) against vaccine serotype clinically confirmed AOM, 100% (95% CI: 74.3%, 100%) against vaccine serotype IPD, and 65.0% (95% CI: 11.1%, 86.2%) against any IPD. Results were consistent between intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses. Serious adverse events were reported for 21.5% (95% CI: 20.7%, 22.2%) and 22.6% (95% CI: 21.9%, 23.4%) of PHiD-CV and control recipients, respectively. There were 19 deaths (n = 11,798; 0.16%) in the PHiD-CV group and 26 deaths (n = 11,799; 0.22%) in the control group. A significant study limitation was the lower than expected number of captured AOM cases. CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy was demonstrated against a broad range of pneumococcal diseases commonly encountered in young children in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00466947.

Blefaroplastia: resultados del empleo de dos técnicas en el Centro Oftalmológico de Santiago de Cuba / Blepharoplasty: results of using two techniques in the Ophthalmologic Center from Santiago de Cuba

Introducción: La blefaroplastia produce resultados clínicos y estéticos favorables en los pacientes aquejados por dermatocalasis. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de los procedimientos quirúrgicos convencional y con láser de CO2 en estos afectados. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y trasversal de 300 pacientes con dermatocalasis, atendidos en el Servicio de Oculoplastia del Centro Oftalmológico del Hospital General Docente Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2015 hasta diciembre de 2016. Resultados: Predominaron el grupo etario de 40 a 59 años, el sexo femenino y la afectación en los párpados superiores, sin diferencias significativas en cuanto a las técnicas quirúrgicas empleadas; se observó un mayor número de complicaciones en los pacientes operados de manera convencional, con más frecuencia del sangrado. En general los pacientes evolucionaron satisfactoriamente y los que presentaron limitaciones del campo visual superior se recuperaron sin dificultad luego de la intervención quirúrgica. Conclusiones: La blefaroplastia con láser de CO2 constituye una mejor y más calificada opción terapéutica para la corrección de la dermatocalasis

Introduction: Blepharoplasty produces favorable clinical and cosmetic results in the patients that are suffering from dermatochalasis. Objective: To evaluate the results of the conventional and CO2 laser surgical procedures in these affected patients. Methods: A descriptive, prospective and cross-sectional study of 300 patients with dermatochalasis, assisted in the Oculoplasty Service of Dr Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital Ophthalmologic Center was carried out in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2015 to December, 2016. Results: There was a prevalence of the 40 to 59 age group, female sex and upper lids disorder, without significant differences concerning the surgical techniques that were used; a higher number of complications in patients operated with a conventional way was observed, with more frequency of bleeding. In general the patients had a favorable clinical course and those that presented limitations of the upper visual field recovered without difficulty after the surgical intervention. Conclusions: Blepharoplasty with CO2 laser constitutes a better and more qualified therapeutic option for the correction of dermatochalasis