"Value-Conditioned Interest": Secularity, Institutional Support, and the Sociology of Religion in Graduate Departments.

Although religion once played a central role in sociological inquiry, today it has fallen from prominence and now occupies a marginal space in the field. Sociologists of religion suggest that this neglect can be explained by the unusual irreligiosity of academia. However, some are hopeful that changes to graduate training and other institutional interventions can overcome this propensity and encourage more sociological engagement with religion, one of the most influential forces in contemporary society. Drawing on a new dataset of 473 sociology graduate students in the top 25 departments in the United States, we assess how personal secularity and departmental support for religious inquiry predict sociological engagement with religion. Personal secularity is a strong predictor of the decision to study religion and of the overall perception of the relevance of religion in contemporary society. Coming from a department where religion is discussed and faculty pursue research on religion predicts the perception of religion's relevance for the secular majority. Our findings contribute to the understanding of sociological knowledge creation and how individual and institutional proclivities-together-shape what we deem important enough to study.

Design and implementation of an intensive panel survey with refugees and other migrants in need of protection in Costa Rica.

Over the last decade, the global population of refugees and other migrants in need of international protection (MNP) has more than doubled. Despite their rapid growth, panel data collection among MNP remains rare, leaving scholars with few data sources to draw on to understand dynamic changes in their social, economic, legal, or health circumstances. With that paucity in mind, we developed and piloted the Encuesta de Refugiados: Experiencias Sociales y Salud (ERESS), a weekly panel survey conducted with MNP living in Costa Rica. To our knowledge, this panel constitutes one of the first weekly surveys with MNP anywhere in the world. Here, we describe the overall study design, sample recruitment and retention, and key descriptive findings. We show that retaining demographically and socioeconomically diverse MNP in intensive panel surveys is possible and that doing so reveals valuable insights into dynamic changes in their incorporation, family dynamics, and health and wellbeing. By offering a summary of our field experiences and central methodological findings, we highlight the potential benefits and challenges of collecting intensive panel data with MNP, as scholars increasingly seek to understand their pre- and post-migration trajectories and relationships between the two.

International Displacement and Family Stress in Latin America.

Family stress theories posit that individual family members are positioned to adapt to external stressors differently and that these differences can strain family systems. Analyzing in-depth interviews with a diverse sample of migrant mothers in Costa Rica, we investigate how families adjust to the stressors of international displacement. Three stages of family stress adjustment emerged from our analysis: (1) parents' prioritization of safety, (2) parents' and children's grappling with new legal, economic, and social circumstances, and (3) parents' protracted uncertainty in one or more of these realms concomitant with children's feeling resettled. A fourth stage of (4) convergent parent and child resettling also emerged, but only among select families who enjoyed stable financial or emotional support from extended kin or local institutions in Costa Rica. Parents' perceptions of their security, and social, economic, and legal circumstances contributed to the progression between stages of stress adjustment.

Variability in mental health reporting among refugees and migrants in need of protection: new evidence from a weekly panel survey.

BACKGROUND: The global population of refugees and other migrants in need of protection (MNP) is swiftly growing. Prior scholarship highlights that MNP have poorer mental health than other migrant and non-migrant populations. However, most scholarship on MNP mental health is cross-sectional, leaving open questions about temporal variability in their mental health. METHODS: Leveraging novel weekly survey data from Latin American MNP in Costa Rica, we describe the prevalence, magnitude, and frequency of variability in eight indicators of self-reported mental health over 13-weeks; highlight which demographic characteristics, incorporation hardships, and violence exposures are most predictive of variability; and determine how variability corresponds to baseline mental health. RESULTS: For all indicators, most respondents (> 80%) varied at least occasionally. Typically, respondents varied 31% to 44% of weeks; for all but one indicator they varied widely-by ~ 2 of 4 possible points. Age, education, and baseline perceived discrimination were most consistently predictive of variability. Hunger and homelessness in Costa Rica and violence exposures in origin also predicted variability of select indicators. Better baseline mental health was associated with less subsequent variability. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight temporal variability in repeated self-reports of mental health among Latin American MNP and further highlight sociodemographic heterogeneity therein.

Costa Rica as a Destination for Migrants in Need of International Protection: IMR Country Report.

In this IMR Country Report, we draw attention to Costa Rica as a strategic location for expanding research and theory on migrants in need of protection (MNP), who have migrated abroad primarily to evade an imminent threat to their survival. MNP constitute an increasing share of all international migrants in Costa Rica and worldwide, yet research on these migrants and their migration dynamics remains comparatively underdeveloped relative to research on migrants who relocate abroad primarily in pursuit of material gains, social status, or family reunification. As we highlight, Costa Rica is an instrumental site to deepen understandings of MNP populations and migration dynamics because its large and rapidly growing MNP population is incredibly diverse with respect to national origins, demographic characteristics, and underlying motivations for migration. This diversity presents ample opportunities to better understand heterogeneity in the different types of threats MNP seek to evade; how and why MNP incorporation is shaped by individuals' demographic attributes and pre-migration threats; and how the social networks of various MNP subpopulations develop and overlap with time. Moreover, the geographic concentration of MNP in two regions in Costa Rica lends itself to primary data collection among this population and generates opportunities for estimating local MNPs' demographic characterization, even in the absence of a reliable sampling frame.

Threat or Godsend? Evangelicals and Democracy in Latin America.

While Protestant and Evangelical groups started as small minorities in Latin America, they have recently experienced explosive growth and now make up a large proportion of the region's religious faithful. This unexpected shift led to a spate of scholarship speculating as to how the new Evangelical communities would impact society. Given the perennial concern over the health of democracy in Latin America, much of this work focused on how Evangelicals might differ from Catholics in terms of support for democratic values and civic participation. Some predicted that Evangelicals would be eager supporters of democracy and an active, positive force in the community. Others warned that Evangelicals were too focused on spiritual matters, which would lead to apathy and a passive acceptance of authoritarianism. This paper uses recent survey data from sixteen nations in Latin America to test these theories with the goal of answering the question: are Evangelicals a threat or godsend for democracy in Latin America?

Salvage of Exposed Groin Vascular Grafts with Early Intervention Using Local Muscle Flaps.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral vascular surgery may be complicated by wound infection and potential graft exposure in the groin area. Muscle flap coverage of the graft has been promoted to address these wound complications. The authors present their findings regarding graft salvage rates and patient outcomes using local muscle flaps to address vascular graft complications of the groin. METHODS: Data were obtained by retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent a local muscle flap procedure by a single surgeon following vascular graft complication in the groin. RESULTS: Seventeen patients undergoing local muscle flap coverage of a vascular graft were reviewed. Six men and 9 women, 51-80 years old, were included in the study. Wound complications in the groin occurred anywhere from 3 days to 3.5 years following graft placement. Graft exposure was the most common presenting complication (14 of 17 patients). Muscle flap coverage occurred within 15 days of complication presentation in all patients (average, 6.4 days). Seven of the 15 patients experienced postoperative complications within 6 months of the procedure, most commonly wound dehiscence. However, analysis demonstrated that vascular grafts were successfully salvaged in 10 of the 17 patients (59%) over the course of follow-up (range, 104-1748 days). Average time to muscle flap coverage was 4.2 days in patients who retained the graft and 9.6 days in patients who ultimately lost their vascular graft. CONCLUSION: The authors demonstrate improved vascular graft salvage rate when local muscle flap procedure is performed early after initial wound complication presentation.

Changes in dermal histomorphology following surgical weight loss versus diet-induced weight loss in the morbidly obese patient.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with postgastric bypass and diet-induced weight loss present to the plastic surgeon for various body contouring procedures. Gross differences in skin dermal elasticity may exist between these populations; however, studies evaluating histologic differences are lacking. This prospective study aims to evaluate histomorphologic differences in morbidly obese patients following surgical versus diet-induced (nonsurgical) weight loss. Further, we aim to elicit if postoperative complications are correlated with the mechanism of weight loss and potential histomorphologic differences. METHODS: Defined infraumbilical skin specimens were collected during abdominal contouring procedures following weight loss achieved through surgical or nonsurgical means. Specimens were stained for elastic fiber content and morphology, collagen deposition, and inflammation. All sections underwent evaluation for quality and quantity of elastic fibers, collagen architecture, and presence of inflammation in the context of age-matched controls. Histomorphological results were compared between the 2 groups and subanalyzed according to clinical variables and postbody contouring wound complications. RESULTS: Between July 2008 and December 2010, 30 consecutive patients with significant weight loss (17 surgical, 13 nonsurgical) underwent a panniculectomy (n = 15), abdominoplasty (n = 13), and lower body lift (n = 2), with an average age of 48.3 ± 11.10 years and a body mass index of 39.23 ± 13.65 kg/m. Demographic and clinical variables were not statistically significant between the 2 groups. Blinded histologic evaluation revealed a trend toward normal elastic fiber appearance (P = 0.255), increased wound complications (P = 0.546), and mild inflammation (P = 0.462) in the surgical group. Analysis of dermal histomorphology correlating with wound complications was not statistically significant at follow-up (4.76 ± 5.55 months). Interestingly, there was a persistent inflammatory component in both groups when compared with age-matched controls. CONCLUSIONS: Although the differences in histomorphology between the surgical and nonsurgical weight loss groups did not reach statistical significance, the results demonstrated an existence of weight loss-induced histomorphological skin changes that may impact future studies. The study did not demonstrate a relationship between dermal histomorphology and postoperative wound complications, suggesting that aberrant healing in body contouring procedures involves a multifactorial process.

Acute carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to iatrogenic hemorrhage. A case report.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common compression neuropathy of the median nerve. Acute carpal tunnel syndrome (aCTS) is rare, associated with a variety of conditions. In this case report we present a patient who developed aCTS and volar forearm compartment syndrome after a radial artery line placement, while receiving intravenous heparin. The patient underwent immediate forearm fasciotomy and surgical release for restoration of nerve function, which resulted in improved hand function and mild residual median nerve neuropathy. There is controversy whether to discontinue or not anticoagulation in a patient with aCTS. In our patient, heparin therapy was restarted on the second postoperative day.

Development of a porcine delayed wound-healing model and its use in testing a novel cell-based therapy.

PURPOSE: A delayed full-thickness wound-healing model was developed and used for examining the capacity of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), either alone or in platelet-rich fibrin gels, to promote healing. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Four pigs received electron beam radiation to the dorsal skin surface. Five weeks after radiation, subcutaneous fat was harvested from nonirradiated areas and processed to yield ASCs. Two weeks later, 28 to 30 full-thickness 1.5-cm(2) wounds were made in irradiated and nonirradiated skin. Wounds were treated with either saline solution, ASCs in saline solution, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fibrin gel, ASCs in PRP, or non-autologous green fluorescence protein-labeled ASCs. RESULTS: The single radiation dose produced a significant loss of dermal microvasculature density (75%) by 7 weeks. There was a significant difference in the rate of healing between irradiated and nonirradiated skin treated with saline solution. The ASCs in PRP-treated wounds exhibited a significant 11.2% improvement in wound healing compared with saline solution. Enhancement was dependent on the combination of ASCs and PRP, because neither ASCs nor PRP alone had an effect. CONCLUSIONS: We have created a model that simulates the clinically relevant late radiation effects of delayed wound healing. Using this model, we showed that a combination of ASCs and PRP improves the healing rates of perfusion-depleted tissues, possibly through enhancing local levels of growth factors.

Adipose stromal cells and platelet-rich plasma therapies synergistically increase revascularization during wound healing.

BACKGROUND: The authors examined the efficacy of adipose stem cells, when supplied either alone or in platelet-rich fibrin gels, to improve wound healing. METHODS: A porcine full-thickness wound model was used to compare six topical treatments: platelet-poor plasma; platelet-rich plasma; autologous adipose stem cells plus platelet-poor plasma; autologous adipose stem cells plus platelet-rich plasma; allogeneic adipose stem cells containing green fluorescent protein plus platelet-poor plasma; and saline (control). One week after isolation, adipose stem cells were applied to full-thickness wounds on the paraspinal and thoracic regions of three pigs (44 wounds per pig; each treatment was applied to eight separate wounds). Each wound was monitored over 21 days for closure, cosmesis, and histopathology. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the reepithelialization rate, but treatments containing adipose stem cells demonstrated increased microvessel densities (31.75 +/- 5.73 vessels/cm2 versus 7.93 +/- 3.61 vessels/cm2) compared with groups without adipose stem cells. Wound cosmesis was improved in the adipose stem cell plus platelet-rich plasma group compared with other treatment groups (p < 0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor levels detected in matrices containing adipose stem cells were approximately 7-fold higher compared with platelet-rich plasma or platelet-poor plasma (p < 0.05). Localization of transgenic green fluorescent protein plus adipose stem cells indicated incorporation near neovasculature. CONCLUSIONS: In normal healing wounds, adipose stem cells appear to enhance the healing process only when provided in a fibrin gel vehicle containing a number of complementary wound-healing trophic factors. Perivascular adipose stem cell localization suggests a function in enhancing blood supply through providing physical and paracrine support to newly forming vessels.

Platelet-rich plasma: a review of biology and applications in plastic surgery.

Healing of hard and soft tissue is mediated by a complex array of intracellular and extracellular events that are regulated by signaling proteins, a process that is, at present, incompletely understood. What is certain, however, is that platelets play a prominent if not deciding role. Controlled animal studies of soft and hard tissues have suggested that the application of autogenous platelet-rich plasma can enhance wound healing. The clinical use of platelet-rich plasma for a wide variety of applications has been reported; however, many reports are anecdotal and few include controls to definitively determine the role of platelet-rich plasma. The authors describe platelet biology and its role in wound healing; the preparation, characterization, and use of platelet-rich plasma; and those applications in plastic surgery for which it may be useful.

Allograft and alloplastic bone substitutes: a review of science and technology for the craniomaxillofacial surgeon.

Bone healing is a complex and multifactorial process. As such, there are numerous steps in the process to which intervention can be directed. This has given rise to many bone graft technologies that have been used to regenerate bone, creating, perhaps, a bewildering array of options. The options that surgeons have the most familiarity with are the ones that have been available the longest (i.e., autograft and allograft). Although useful for the widest spectrum of clinical applications, limitations of these grafts has prompted the development of new materials. Demineralized bone matrix formulations and synthetic ceramic materials are now being used with greater frequency. These biomaterials have demonstrated their usefulness in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery with their ability to augment and replace portions of the craniofacial skeleton. The purpose of this article is to describe and discuss the allograft and alloplastic bone grafting technologies so that the reader can consider each in the context of the others and gain a better appreciation for how each fits into the universe of existing and emerging treatments for bone regeneration.