Rasch analysis of the new general self efficacy scale: an evaluation of its psychometric properties in older adults with low vision.

Background: While general self-efficacy is known to relate to achievement in many areas, it has rarely been evaluated in individuals with low vision. Here we explore the psychometric properties and targeting of the New General Self Efficacy Scale (NGSES) using Rasch analysis in data collected from older adult clinical trial participants with low vision.

Methods: Participants (n = 121) completed pre-intervention telephone questionnaires (i.

A study of professional practices, attitudes and barriers to blended tube feeding in Australia and New Zealand.

Aims: This study investigates the utilisation of blended tube feeding by health professionals in Australia and New Zealand, assessing factors influencing its implementation following the Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition blended tube feeding consensus statement.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted targeting health professionals across Australia and New Zealand. The survey comprised 35-questions including multiple choice, Likert scales and open-ended responses, to gain insights into blended tube feeding practices and perspectives.

Carcinoid Heart Disease.

Carcinoid heart disease (CHD) is a rare but potentially life-threatening sequela of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasm with carcinoid syndrome. These tumors can secrete vasoactive substances of which serotonin is the most prevalent. Carcinoid heart disease typically involves the right-sided heart valves and eventually leads to right heart failure.

Life space limitations in visually impaired older adults.

Significance: Future work should develop and evaluate interventional strategies to help overcome visual and health-related barriers to travel in visually impaired seniors and mitigate adverse impacts of loneliness for those who do not leave town.

Purpose: Life space refers to the area in which a person travels within a given time period. We explored whether demographics, vision, and/or health characteristics were related to restrictions in self-reported life space for visually impaired seniors.

Factors related to training time and achieving proficiency with visual-assistive mobile applications in visually impaired older adults.

Significance: A majority of visually impaired older adults were able to learn to proficiently use visual-assistive iPhone applications (apps) following a median 1 hour and/or multiple training sessions, which should be considered when planning vision rehabilitation service delivery, including the option for remote telerehabilitation for those who prefer that modality.

Purpose: Older adults with low vision are increasingly using technology to improve their visual functioning. We examined whether age-related comorbidities were potential barriers to success in learning to use visual-assistive apps on a smartphone.

Outcomes of Telerehabilitation Versus In-Office Training With Magnification Devices for Low Vision: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: An evidence basis is lacking but needed to compare reading ability outcomes after magnification device training remotely via telerehabilitation versus in office.

Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial at academic centers and vision rehabilitation private practices randomized 61 visually impaired adults to telerehabilitation or in-office training 1 to 4 months after dispensing new portable electronic, hand-held, or stand optical magnifiers. Telerehabilitation included loaner equipment for Zoom videoconferencing with remote control access software.

Epidural versus general anesthesia for laparo-endoscopic single-site cholecystectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: This study compares outcomes after LESS cholecystectomy utilizing epidural versus general anesthesia.

Methods: Patients undergoing LESS Cholecystectomy were randomized into receiving epidural or general anesthesia by protocol. Patients used a Visual Analog Scale to rate pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain).

Compassion and Trauma: Occupational Health Experiences of Certified Medical Interpreters in Five U.S. States.

Medical interpreters play a vital role in fostering understanding and ensuring safety and transparency in healthcare for patients with non-English language preference. Limited research describes work-related experiences of medical interpreters. The purpose of this research was to explore perceptions of occupational health and safety among medical interpreters.

Insights Regarding Optometric Findings of CHARGE Syndrome in a Pediatric Low Vision Clinic.

Significance: CHARGE, named for common findings-coloboma, heart defects, atresia of choanae, retardation of growth and development, genital hypoplasia, and ear anomalies-is a frequent etiology of deaf-blindness. A retrospective review in a pediatric low vision clinic presented the opportunity to investigate ocular findings in this syndrome with variable clinical presentations.

Purpose: This retrospective study reviewed ocular findings and visual function measures from low vision evaluations of patients with CHARGE syndrome, which may influence their multidisciplinary management.

Telerehabilitation Training to Facilitate Improved Reading Ability with New Magnification Devices for Low Vision.

Significance: This pilot study provides some insight about the potential benefits of telerehabilitation training to improve the reading ability of adults with low vision using magnifiers, to spur future work with larger groups. Telerehabilitation services can be implemented clinically to facilitate access to follow-up care for low vision.

Purpose: A recent Cochrane systematic review revealed that there are no published visual function outcomes for telerehabilitation with handheld magnification devices for low vision; thus, this study aimed to provide evidence for its preliminary efficacy.

Acceptability of Telerehabilitation for Magnification Devices for the Visually Impaired Using Various Approaches to Facilitate Accessibility.

Purpose: We examined different methods to reduce the burden of accessing technology for videoconferencing during telerehabilitation for magnification devices for the visually impaired.

Methods: During telerehabilitation studies over the past 5 years, vision rehabilitation providers assessed and gave training to visually impaired participants with newly dispensed magnification devices at home who connected to Zoom videoconferencing via loaner tablets or smartphones with assistance from (phase 1; n = 10) investigators by phone, (phase 2; n = 11) local Lions Club volunteers in participants' homes, or (phase 3; n = 24) remote access control software in a randomized controlled trial with 13 usual care controls who received in-office training. All participants completed the same post-telerehabilitation phone survey.

Incidence of asymptomatic COVID-19 positivity in cancer patients and effects on therapy.

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is posing unprecedented challenges for patient care, especially for cancer patients. This study looks at asymptomatic (AS) COVID-19 positivity in cancer patients and its effects on their care.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of AS patients testing positive for COVID-19 upon screening at Fox Chase Cancer Center between January 2020 and September 2020.

Comparison of Higher-Than-Standard to D-Dimer Driven Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Coronavirus disease 2019 is a global health threat often accompanied with coagulopathy. Despite use of thromboprophylaxis in this population, thrombotic event rates are high. This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study comparing the safety and effectiveness of thromboprophylaxis strategies at 2 institutions in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019.

Incidence of asymptomatic COVID-19 positivity in cancer patients and effects on therapy.

Purpose The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is posing unprecedented challenges for patient care, especially for cancer patients. This study looks at asymptomatic (AS) COVID-19 positivity in cancer patients and its effects on their care. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of AS patients testing positive for COVID-19 upon screening at Fox Chase Cancer Center between January 2020 and September 2020.

Use and Perceptions of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems by Older Drivers With and Without Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Purpose: Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) have been reported to improve the safety of elderly and normally sighted drivers. The purpose of this study was to assess exposure to, perceived safety of, comfort level with, and interest in using ADAS among drivers with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: Current drivers aged 60+ years were recruited at four US sites to complete a survey about ADAS and driving habits.

Exploration of dynamic text presentations in bilateral central vision loss.

Purpose: Dynamic text presentation methods may improve reading ability in patients with central vision loss (CVL) by eliminating the need for accurate eye movements. We compared rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) and horizontal scrolling text presentation (scrolling) on reading rate and reading acuity in CVL observers and normally-sighted controls with simulated CVL (simCVL).

Methods: CVL observers' (n = 11) central scotomas and preferred retinal loci (PRL) for each eye were determined with MAIA microperimetry and fixation analysis.

CCP1, a Tubulin Deglutamylase, Increases Survival of Rodent Spinal Cord Neurons following Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity.

Microtubules (MTs) are cytoskeletal elements that provide structural support and act as roadways for intracellular transport in cells. MTs are also needed for neurons to extend and maintain long axons and dendrites that establish connectivity to transmit information through the nervous system. Therefore, in neurons, the ability to independently regulate cytoskeletal stability and MT-based transport in different cellular compartments is essential.

Mutation of NEKL-4/NEK10 and TTLL genes suppress neuronal ciliary degeneration caused by loss of CCPP-1 deglutamylase function.

Ciliary microtubules are subject to post-translational modifications that act as a "Tubulin Code" to regulate motor traffic, binding proteins and stability. In humans, loss of CCP1, a cytosolic carboxypeptidase and tubulin deglutamylating enzyme, causes infantile-onset neurodegeneration. In C.

Pembrolizumab monotherapy in patients with previously treated metastatic high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms: joint analysis of two prospective, non-randomised trials.

Background: Metastatic high-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms (G3NENs) have limited treatment options after progression on platinum-based therapy. We addressed the role of Pembrolizumab in patients with previously treated metastatic G3NENs.

Methods: Two open-label, phase 2 studies enrolled patients with G3NEN (Ki-67 > 20%) to receive Pembrolizumab at 200 mg I.

U.S. Optometrists' Reported Practices and Perceived Barriers for Low Vision Care for Mild Visual Loss.

Significance: Identification of modifiable barriers to low vision rehabilitation (LVR) can inform efforts to improve practice management of patients with low vision (LV), through, for example, targeted educational programs for optometrists who do not practice LVR.

Purpose: Mild vision loss (20/25 to 20/70) is increasing in prevalence among the aging population, yet it is unclear whether near-reading complaints (the highest presenting chief complaint) are being addressed. Studies of LVR provision by U.

Preliminary Evaluation of Two Digital Image Processing Strategies for Head-Mounted Magnification for Low Vision Patients.

Purpose: In an observational clinical outcome study, we tested the effectiveness and use of the combination of two innovative approaches to magnification: a virtual bioptic telescope and a virtual projection screen, implemented with digital image processing in a head-mounted display (HMD) equipped with a high-resolution video camera and head trackers.

Methods: We recruited 30 participants with best-corrected visual acuity <20/100 in the better-seeing eye and bilateral central scotomas. Participants were trained on the HMD system, then completed a 7- to 10-day in-home trial.