Scottglass2440

BACKGROUND Corneal densitometry, which is also known as corneal backscattering, is a surrogate measure of corneal clarity. The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes in corneal densitometry (CD) after implanting an implantable collamer lens (ICL-V4c). METHOD Twenty-six high myopic patients (aged 29.3 ± 6.6 years, 6 males and 20 females) who underwent ICL-V4c implantation were enrolled. Intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal topography, corneal densitometry, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), manifest refraction, and best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) were evaluated pre-operatively and at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively. Endothelial cell density (ECD) was measured pre-operatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months post-operatively. The efficacy index (mean post-operative UCDVA / mean pre-operative BCDVA) and the safety index (mean post-operative BCDVA / mean pre-operative BCDVA) were evaluated at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months post-operatively. RESULT months post-operatively were 1.04 ± 0.27 and 1.19 ± 0.23, respectively. The changes in IOP and ECD values were statistically insignificant (P = 0.896 and P = 0.968, respectively). CONCLUSION ICL-V4c implantation may be safe and efficient for high ametropia correction. The corneal densitometry values obtained over the annulus of 0-6 mm increased slightly from before the operation to post-operative Day 1 and then decreased gradually, which indicates that ICL-V4c implantation may not compromise corneal clarity.BACKGROUND Although shear wave elastography (SWE) is reported to be useful in detecting malignant thyroid nodules, it shows a wide range of cut-off values of elasticity index (EI) in detecting malignant nodules. The cause of discrepancy remains unclear. Fibrosis of the tumors is known to increase the EI in SWE, and matching of SWE and surgical histopathology has not been fully illustrated in thyroid cancer. We aimed to evaluate the reproducibility of the new total nodular region of interest (ROI) method excluding the subjective features of focal circular ROI placement and to determine the lesion that causes the elevation of EI on SWE and on histopathology. METHODS A total of 29 thyroid cancers from 28 patients were included. We evaluated the reproducibility of EI in the new total nodular ROI using Q-Box Trace program and compared the EI in focal nodular ROI using a 3-mm circular area. We analyzed the correlation between fibrosis and EI. RESULT The coefficient of variation (CV) of the intrarater assay was signathology increased EI on SWE and might lead to the discrepancy of the cut-off values in detecting thyroid cancer.BACKGROUND The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) is applied internationally as a tool to assess the level of physical activity. The GPAQ was designed as an interview, including the use of show cards, which visualise activities of moderate and intensive physical activity and support the distinction between these intensities. The self-administered version of the GPAQ is used in the application-oriented research for reasons of economy and practicality. However, the use of show cards often remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in validity between two self-administered versions of the GPAQ with and without show cards. METHODS In this crossover study, two groups (n = 54; 57.4% female; 28.3 ± 12.2 years) received the GPAQ with or without show cards after 7 days and the respective other version after additional 7 days. For validation, all participants wore an accelerometer (ActiGraph GT3X+) on all 14 days. Differences between GPAQ versions and accelerometer data were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Additionally, Spearman analyses and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. RESULTS No statistically significant difference between the GPAQ versions could be found in regard to the accuracy of physical activity assessment (p > 0.05). Both GPAQ versions show similar correlation coefficients for vigorous physical activity (rho = 0.31-0.42) and sedentary behaviour (rho = 0.29-0.32). selleck No statistically significant correlation was found for physical activity of moderate intensity. The Bland-Altman plots support these results, as both GPAQ versions have the same trends in terms of overestimation and underestimation of physical activity. CONCLUSION The use of show cards had no significant impact on questionnaire validity. Therefore, both GPAQ versions can be applied interchangeably. Nevertheless the exact description of application of the GPAQ is desirable in terms of reproducibility and transparent scientific research.BACKGROUND Brain metastases from sarcomatous lesions pose a management challenge owing to their rarity and the histopathological heterogeneity. Prognostic indices such as the Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA) index have been developed for several primary tumour types presenting with brain metastases (e.g. lung, breast, melanoma), tailored to the specifics of different primary histologies and molecular profiles. Thus far, a prognostic index to direct treatment decisions is lacking for adult sarcoma patients with brain metastases. METHODS We performed a multicentre analysis of a national group of expert sarcoma tertiary centres (French Sarcoma Group, GSF-GETO) with the participation of one Canadian and one Swiss centre. The study cohort included adult patients with a diagnosis of a bone or soft tissue sarcoma presenting parenchymal or meningeal brain metastases, managed between January 1992 and March 2012. We assessed the validity of the original GPA index in this patient population and developed a disease-specific Sarcoma-GPA index. RESULTS The original GPA index is not prognostic for sarcoma brain metastasis patients. We have developed a dedicated Sarcoma-GPA index that identifies a sub-group of patients with particularly favourable prognosis based on histology, number of brain lesions and performance status. CONCLUSIONS The Sarcoma-GPA index provides a novel tool for sarcoma oncologists to guide clinical decision-making and outcomes research.