Metabolomic Strategies Involving Mass Spectrometry Combined with Liquid and Gas Chromatography.

Amongst all omics sciences, there is no doubt that metabolomics is undergoing the most important growth in the last decade. The advances in analytical techniques and data analysis tools are the main factors that make possible the development and establishment of metabolomics as a significant research field in systems biology. As metabolomic analysis demands high sensitivity for detecting metabolites present in low concentrations in biological samples, high-resolution power for identifying the metabolites and wide dynamic range to detect metabolites with variable concentrations in complex matrices, mass spectrometry is being the most extensively used analytical technique for fulfilling these requirements.

Metabolomics: Definitions and Significance in Systems Biology.

Nowadays, there is a growing interest in deeply understanding biological mechanisms not only at the molecular level (biological components) but also the effects of an ongoing biological process in the organism as a whole (biological functionality), as established by the concept of systems biology. Within this context, metabolomics is one of the most powerful bioanalytical strategies that allow obtaining a picture of the metabolites of an organism in the course of a biological process, being considered as a phenotyping tool. Briefly, metabolomics approach consists in identifying and determining the set of metabolites (or specific metabolites) in biological samples (tissues, cells, fluids, or organisms) under normal conditions in comparison with altered states promoted by disease, drug treatment, dietary intervention, or environmental modulation.

Assessing quality of life of patients with hypospadias: A systematic review of validated patient-reported outcome instruments.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes have the potential to provide invaluable information for evaluation of hypospadias patients, aid in decision-making, performance assessment, and improvement in quality of care. To appropriately measure patient-relevant outcomes, well-developed and validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments are essential.

Objective: To identify and evaluate existing PRO instruments designed to measure quality of life and/or satisfaction of individuals with hypospadias that have been developed and validated in a hypospadias population.

International multiphase mixed methods study protocol to develop a cross-cultural patient-reported outcome instrument for children and young adults with cleft lip and/or palate (CLEFT-Q).

Introduction: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments should be developed according to rigorous guidelines in order to provide clinically meaningful, scientifically sound measurement. Understanding the methodology behind instrument development informs the selection of the most appropriate tool. This mixed methods protocol describes the development of an internationally applicable PRO instrument, the CLEFT-Q, for evaluating outcomes of treatment for cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).

Content Validity of Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments used with Pediatric Patients with Facial Differences: A Systematic Review.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to identify patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments used in research with children/youth with conditions associated with facial differences to identify the health concepts measured.

Design: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO were searched from 2004 to 2016 to identify PRO instruments used in acne vulgaris, birthmarks, burns, ear anomalies, facial asymmetries, and facial paralysis patients. We performed a content analysis whereby the items were coded to identify concepts and categorized as positive or negative content or phrasing.

Applying Multiple Data Collection Tools to Quantify Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Communication on Twitter.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. There are several vaccines that protect against strains of HPV most associated with cervical and other cancers. Thus, HPV vaccination has become an important component of adolescent preventive health care.

Factors Perceived as Influencing Local Health Department Involvement in Mental Health.

Introduction: Local health departments (LHDs) are potentially well positioned to implement population-based approaches to mental health promotion, but research indicates that most LHDs are not substantively engaged in activities to address mental health. Little is known about factors that influence if and how LHDs address population mental health. The objectives of this qualitative study were to (1) understand how LHD officials perceive population mental health; (2) identify factors that influence these perceptions and LHD activities to address population mental health; and (3) develop an empirically derived conceptual framework of LHD engagement in population mental health.

Identity reconstruction among older cancer survivors: Age and meaning in the context of a life-altering illness.

This article evaluates how older cancer patients describe cancer survivorship and incorporate the cancer experience into long-term evaluations of health. From a series of 53 qualitative interviews with adults with histories of breast and prostate cancers and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, we analyzed age-related discussions among those 65 and older (n = 21). Emergent themes revealed the: (1) historical conceptualization of cancer, (2) changed perspective following diagnosis, (3) cancer in the context of a long biography, (4) cancer in the context of the aging body and decline, and (5) meaning of time remaining and quality of life.

A qualitative study of dietary discussions as an emerging task for cancer clinicians.

Objectives: Improvements in cancer detection and treatment create a need for care that prioritizes acute treatment and ongoing needs. There have been calls to include health promotion in cancer care, but little empirical consideration of the work involved in such an expansion of services. In this article, we adopt a constructionist position to explore clinicians' perspectives on capacity for health promotion, specifically dietary counseling.

FACE-Q Eye Module for Measuring Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Cosmetic Eye Treatments.

Importance: Aesthetic eye treatments can dramatically change a person's appearance, but outcomes are rarely measured from the patient perspective. The patient perspective could be measured using an eye-specific patient-reported outcome measure.

Objective: To describe the development and psychometric evaluation of FACE-Q scales and an adverse effect checklist designed to measure outcomes following cosmetic eye treatments.

Quality of life of pediatric oncology patients: Do patient-reported outcome instruments measure what matters to patients?

Purpose: The assessment of quality of life (QOL) is key within pediatric oncology and requires a clearly defined construct of QOL. The purpose of our study was: (1) to conduct a qualitative study to inform the theoretical underpinnings of QOL and (2) to determine the appropriateness of patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments to assess and evaluate QOL in pediatric cancer patients and survivors.

Methods: The study used an interpretative description approach.

Patient-Reported Outcome Instruments for Surgical and Traumatic Scars: A Systematic Review of their Development, Content, and Psychometric Validation.

Background: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are of growing importance in research and clinical care and may be used as primary outcomes or as compliments to traditional surgical outcomes. In assessing the impact of surgical and traumatic scars, PROs are often the most meaningful. To assess outcomes from the patient perspective, rigorously developed and validated PRO instruments are essential.

Self-Report Scales to Measure Expectations and Appearance-Related Psychosocial Distress in Patients Seeking Cosmetic Treatments.

Background: The use of screening scales in cosmetic practices may help to identify patients who require education to modify inappropriate expectations and/or psychological support.

Objectives: To describe the development and validation of scales that measure expectations (about how one's appearance and quality of life might change with cosmetic treatments) and appearance-related psychosocial distress.

Methods: The scales were field-tested in patients 18 years and older seeking facial aesthetic or body contouring treatments.

Patient Expectations of Bariatric and Body Contouring Surgery.

Background: Patient expectations are important in bariatric and body contouring surgery because the goals include improvements in health-related quality of life, appearance, and body image. The aim of this study was to identify patient expectations along the weight loss journey and/or body contouring surgery.

Methods: This qualitative study took an interpretive description approach.

The BODY-Q: A Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument for Weight Loss and Body Contouring Treatments.

Background: Body contouring performed for cosmetic purposes, or after weight loss, has the potential to improve body image and health-related quality of life (HRQL). The BODY-Q is a new patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument designed to measure patient perceptions of weight loss and/or body contouring. In this article, we describe the psychometric properties of the BODY-Q scales after an international field-test.

Exploring Cancer Worry in Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancers.

Purpose: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of cancers in childhood experience cancer worry, defined as concerns about cancer-related issues such as relapse and late effects of treatment. Cancer worry is an important determinant of successful transition to long-term follow-up care. The primary aim of this study was to identify patient-, cancer-, and treatment-related factors associated with cancer worry in AYA survivors.

Development and Psychometric Validation of the FACE-Q Skin, Lips, and Facial Rhytids Appearance Scales and Adverse Effects Checklists for Cosmetic Procedures.

Importance: Patient-reported outcomes data are needed to determine the efficacy of cosmetic procedures.

Objective: To describe the development and psychometric evaluation of 8 appearance scales and 2 adverse effect checklists for use in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.

Design, Setting, And Participants: We performed a psychometric study to select the most clinically sensitive items for inclusion in item-reduced scales and to examine reliability and validity with patients.

Examining factors associated with self-management skills in teenage survivors of cancer.

Background: Monitoring long-term health of teenage cancer survivors is dependent on successful transition from pediatric to adult long-term follow-up (LTFU) care. This study identified factors associated with self-management skills (SMSs), an important correlate of successful transition.

Methods: Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey conducted at three Canadian hospitals between July 2011 and January 2012.

Psychosocial and Sexual Well-Being Following Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Reconstruction.

Nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) is considered an oncologically safe option for select patients. As many patients are candidates for nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM), reliable patient-reported outcome data are crucial for decision-making. The objective of this study was to determine whether patient satisfaction and/or health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were improved by preservation of the nipple with NSM compared to SSM and nipple reconstruction.

The BREAST-Q in surgical research: A review of the literature 2009-2015.

Background: Health outcomes research has gained considerable traction over the past decade as the medical community attempts to move beyond traditional outcome measures such as morbidity and mortality. Since its inception in 2009, the BREAST-Q has provided meaningful and reliable information regarding health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and patient satisfaction for use in both clinical practice and research. In this study, we review how researchers have used the BREAST-Q and how it has enhanced our understanding and practice of plastic and reconstructive breast surgery.

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the FACE-Q Scales for Patients Undergoing Rhinoplasty.

Importance: Rhinoplasty continues to rank among the most popular cosmetic surgical treatments. Measuring what the nose looks like has typically involved the use of observer-reported or physician-reported outcome measures (eg, photographs). While objective outcomes are important, facial appearance is subjective, and asking patients what they think about the appearance of their nose is of paramount importance.

Prevalence and correlates of local health department activities to address mental health in the United States.

Mental health has been recognized as a public health priority for nearly a century. Little is known, however, about what local health departments (LHDs) do to address the mental health needs of the populations they serve. Using data from the 2013 National Profile of Local Health Departments - a nationally representative survey of LHDs in the United States (N=505) - we characterized LHDs' engagement in eight mental health activities, factors associated with engagement, and estimated the proportion of the U.