Psychosocial interventions for improving quality of life outcomes in adults undergoing strabismus surgery (Protocol)

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To investigate the effects of psychosocial interventions versus no intervention on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes in adults undergoing strabismus surgery. The primary objective is to assess whether patients who have taken part in a sychosocial intervention prior to their strabismus surgery report significantly improved quality of life compared to those who receive standard care,i.e. strabismus surgery alone. The secondary outcome measures will include anxiety, depression, social anxiety and social avoidance, as well as degree of success in terms of surgical outcome

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

In order to determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system in flight spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM image collections over the White Sands, New Mexico area. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined, band 1:0.45 to 0.52 micrometers, band 2:0.53 to 0.61 micrometers band 3:0.62 to 0.70 micrometers and 4:0.78 to 0.91 micrometers. These levels were compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors

Phase-Space Metric for Non-Hamiltonian Systems

We consider an invariant skew-symmetric phase-space metric for non-Hamiltonian systems. We say that the metric is an invariant if the metric tensor field is an integral of motion. We derive the time-dependent skew-symmetric phase-space metric that satisfies the Jacobi identity. The example of non-Hamiltonian systems with linear friction term is considered.Comment: 12 page

What do patients with strabismus expect post surgery? The development and validation a questionnaire

Aims: To develop and validate a short questionnaire to assess patients’ expectations about outcomes post strabismus surgery. Methods: Questionnaire items were extracted from previous literature and reviewed by a multidisciplinary team. A cross-sectional study was then undertaken with 220 adult patients due to undergo strabismus surgery. Participants completed the 17-item questionnaire. Scale structure was explored using principal component analysis (PCA), and the subscales analysed in relation to demographic and clinical characteristics and psychosocial well-being in order to establish validity. Results: PCA revealed a 3-factor solution for the Expectations of Strabismus Surgery Questionnaire (ESSQ): (a) intimacy and appearance-related issues, (b) visual functioning, (c) social relationships. This 3-factor solution explained 59.30% of the overall variance in the ESSQ. Internal consistency, content and nomological and concurrent validity were considered acceptable. Conclusions: Patients with strabismus have high expectations about their postsurgical outcomes. This questionnaire provides a useful tool to assess the expectations patients have about their surgery, whether these expectations change over time and how they impact on postsurgical outcomes

The psychosocial and clinical outcomes following orbital decompression surgery for thyroid eye disease and predictors of change in quality of life

Objective: Thyroid eye disease (TED) has been found to reduce quality of life for many patients due to changes in their appearance and vision, although some appear to adjust better than others. This study was designed to investigate whether a patient’s quality of life changes after having orbital decompression for improvement of appearance, vision, or both, and whether any demographic, clinical or psychosocial factors can predict which patients might benefit from this surgery. Design: This study employed a within-subjects repeated measures design, where patients were assessed before, and at 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Subjects: One hundred and twenty-three adults (>18 years) with TED and undergoing orbital decompression surgery were recruited at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Methods: Participants received lateral wall, medial wall, 2.5 or 3 wall decompression, and were followed up after surgery with a range of psychosocial and clinical assessments. Main Outcome Measures: The Graves’ Ophthalmopathy Quality of Life (GO-QOL) scale was completed at each time point and this was used as the dependent variable in each hierarchical multiple regression model. Results: Significant improvements were found in all clinical characteristics following orbital decompression and in most psychosocial variables. GO-QOL visual function scores did not change significantly until 6 months after surgery. In contrast, GO-QOL appearance scores changed significantly by 6 weeks after surgery and continued to increase to 6 months, reaching a minimal clinically important difference for this scale. None of the changes in clinical or psychosocial outcomes significantly predicted change in GO-QOL visual function. However, the hierarchical regression model explained 79% of the variance in change in GO-QOL appearance, with change in subjective evaluation of appearance being the only unique predictor of change in appearance-related quality of life. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of appearance-related cognitions in predicting quality of life outcomes after surgery. Implications for clinical practice need to be considered in light of the limitations of this study, but it is suggested that psychosocial interventions targeting appearance-related cognitive processes - in particular personal evaluation of appearance - could enhance the quality of life outcomes for patients with TED undergoing orbital decompression surgery

Real-time monitoring of metabolic function in liver-on-chip microdevices tracks the dynamics of mitochondrial dysfunction

Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip technology aims to replace animal toxicity testing, but thus far has demonstrated few advantages over traditional methods. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a critical role in the development of chemical and pharmaceutical toxicity, as well as pluripotency and disease processes. However, current methods to evaluate mitochondrial activity still rely on end-point assays, resulting in limited kinetic and prognostic information. Here, we present a liver-on-chip device capable of maintaining human tissue for over a month in vitro under physiological conditions. Mitochondrial respiration was monitored in real time using two-frequency phase modulation of tissue-embedded phosphorescent microprobes. A computer-controlled microfluidic switchboard allowed contiguous electrochemical measurements of glucose and lactate, providing real-time analysis of minute shifts from oxidative phosphorylation to anaerobic glycolysis, an early indication of mitochondrial stress. We quantify the dynamics of cellular adaptation to mitochondrial damage and the resulting redistribution of ATP production during rotenone-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and troglitazone (Rezulin)-induced mitochondrial stress. We show troglitazone shifts metabolic fluxes at concentrations previously regarded as safe, suggesting a mechanism for its observed idiosyncratic effect. Our microfluidic platform reveals the dynamics and strategies of cellular adaptation to mitochondrial damage, a unique advantage of organ-on-chip technology

Patients’ Expectations of the Functional and Psychosocial Outcomes of Orbital Decompression Surgery for Thyroid Eye Disease: A Qualitative Study

Patients with appearance-altering conditions may be dissatisfied with the outcomes of reconstructive surgery due to unmet expectations. This study explored patients’ expectations of orbital decompression surgery for thyroid eye disease (TED) and whether these were met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted at two times: (1) in the weeks after patients were listed for decompression surgery and before surgery; (2) up to 12 months after surgery. Thematic analysis was performed for each time point, to identify themes within the data. Fourteen adults with TED were interviewed prior to surgery and five were followed up after surgery. Thematic analyses found: (1) Prior to surgery, patients had formed expectations through online information about the procedure, consultations with physicians, the impact TED had on their lives, and speaking to relevant others. Patients had specific expectations about the procedure, the recovery, post-operative appearance and post-operative vision. (2) After surgery, patients generally felt their appearance and well-being had improved. However, dissatisfaction was linked to unanticipated specific aspects of surgical care, recovery, or appearance. Dissatisfaction can arise from unmet expectations for the outcomes of reconstructive surgery. Physicians should be aware of the processes by which patients form expectations, for example different types and quality of online information. Ensuring that preoperative expectations are realistic could enhance satisfaction after surgery

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

The TM multispectral scanner system was calibrated in an absolute manner before launch. To determine the temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire system, spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM collections over White Sands, New Mexico. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels of the in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined. Tables show values for the reflectance of snow at White Sands measured by a modular 8 channel radiometer, and values for exoatmospheric irradiance within the TM passbands, calculated for the Earth-Sun distance using a solar radiometer