Comedy, consensus, and conflict framework: Comedy as a norm violation can build consensus or escalate conflict in negotiations.

In this work, we propose that humor violates norms that can build consensus or escalate conflict in negotiations. Drawing on social identity theory, we propose that humor commits norm violations that are more likely to be perceived as benign among ingroup observers in negotiations, but perceived as offensive to outgroup observers in negotiations. We introduce the Comedy, Consensus, and Conflict Framework to shed light on the interpersonal effect of humor on negotiations.

Emotions and ethics: How emotions sensitize perceptions of the consequences for self and others to motivate unethical behavior.

In this work, we suggest that emotions differentiated by cognitive appraisals may promote self-concern or other-concern that alter the utilitarian calculus of weighing the harm and benefits associated with moral decision-making. We introduce the Emotions and Ethics Framework to elucidate the intrapsychic effect of emotion on deception. When emotions promote self-concern, individuals are more likely engage in selfish deception.

Emergency surgery comparison of right versus left acute colonic diverticulitis: A 10-year outcome analysis.

Introduction: The difference in outcome between right (RCD) and left colonic diverticulitis (LCD) is not well established. The aim of this study was to analyse the presentation and surgical outcome of RCD versus left-sided disease following emergency surgery.

Method: We conducted a retrospective review of patients presenting with acute diverticulitis over a 10-year period from 2004 to 2014 to a tertiary unit.

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for colorectal and appendiceal peritoneal metastases - The Hong Kong experience and literature review.

Introduction: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is increasingly used to treat peritoneal metastases from appendiceal or colorectal origin. We evaluate our institution's experience and survival outcomes with this procedure, and its efficacy in symptom relief.

Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective observational study on patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) from appendiceal neoplasm or colorectal cancer who underwent CRS/HIPEC in Queen Mary Hospital.

Low Anterior Resection Syndrome After Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: A Comparison With the Conventional Top-to-Bottom Approach.

Background: Advances in sphincter-saving procedures improved the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer. However, many of them experienced functional disturbances after surgery, including low anterior resection syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the severity of low anterior resection syndrome after transanal total mesorectal excision and compare it with the conventional transabdominal, top-to-bottom, total mesorectal excision.

How does lymph node yield affect survival outcomes of stage I and II colon cancer?

Background: According to the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging for cancer of the colon, a minimum of 12 lymph nodes (LN) has to be sampled for accurate staging. This has bearing on the long-term prognosis and the need for adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to revisit the association of lymph node yield and the long-term survival in patients with stages I and II, i.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Short-term Outcomes of Self-Gripping (Progrip) Mesh Versus Fibrin Sealant in Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Hernioplasty.

Background: There are no data comparing the use of self-gripping mesh with standard mesh in total extraperitoneal repair (TEP). In this prospective study we aim to study the incidence of chronic pain between Progrip (PG) and standard mesh fixed by fibrin sealant (FS).

Materials And Methods: Under Institutional Review Board approval, from April 2016 to May 2017, patients with primary unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia eligible for TEP were recruited.

Follow your gut? Emotional intelligence moderates the association between physiologically measured somatic markers and risk-taking.

Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a set of adaptive skills that involve emotions and emotional information. Prior research suggests that lower EI individuals behave maladaptively in social situations compared to higher EI individuals. However, there is a paucity of research on whether EI promotes adaptive decision-making.

The impact of indocyanine-green fluorescence angiogram on colorectal resection.

Background: Perfusion plays an important role in anastomotic healing. Indocyanine-green fluorescence angiogram allows objective bowel perfusion assessment. This study aimed to investigate the impact of perfusion assessment on intraoperative decision during left-sided colorectal resections.

Does advancement in stapling technology with triple-row and enhanced staple configurations confer additional safety? A matched comparison of 340 stapled ileocolic anastomoses.

Background: Over the past few decades, studies have focused on the safety of stapled anastomosis, especially when compared to that of the handsewn technique. However, studies on the improvement of stapling technology are limited. This study aimed to investigate whether linear triple-row staples (tri-staples) had any advantage over double-row staples.

Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision With Single-Incision Laparoscopy for Rectal Cancer.

Background And Objectives: There has been great enthusiasm for the technique of transanal total mesorectal excision. Coupled with this procedure, we performed single-incision laparoscopic surgery for left colon mobilization. This is a description of our initial experience with the combined approach.

Protein Encapsulation via Polypeptide Complex Coacervation.

Proteins have gained increasing success as therapeutic agents; however, challenges exist in effective and efficient delivery. In this work, we present a simple and versatile method for encapsulating proteins via complex coacervation with oppositely charged polypeptides, poly(l-lysine) (PLys) and poly(d/l-glutamic acid) (PGlu). A model protein system, bovine serum albumin (BSA), was incorporated efficiently into coacervate droplets via electrostatic interaction up to a maximum loading of one BSA per PLys/PGlu pair and could be released under conditions of decreasing pH.

The emotionally intelligent decision maker: emotion-understanding ability reduces the effect of incidental anxiety on risk taking.

In two experiments, we examined how a core dimension of emotional intelligence, emotion-understanding ability, facilitates decision making. Individuals with higher levels of emotion-understanding ability can correctly identify which events caused their emotions and, in particular, whether their emotions stem from events that are unrelated to current decisions. We predicted that incidental feelings of anxiety, which are unrelated to current decisions, would reduce risk taking more strongly among individuals with lower rather than higher levels of emotion-understanding ability.

Changing trend in surgical indication and management for Graves' disease.

Background: Although thyroidectomy for Graves' disease (GD) is well established, surgical indications remain less well defined. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in surgical indication, type of resection, and surgical outcomes at a single institution.

Methods: A total of 346 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for GD were divided into 2 time periods: period 1 (1995-2001) and period 2 (2002-2008).