Is it time to reconsider the term "cancer survivor"?

PURPOSE: To improve understanding of how people diagnosed with cancer perceive the term "cancer survivor" and what influences those perceptions. DESIGN: Patients' reactions to the term were surveyed quantitatively and qualitatively. SAMPLE: Women who have primarily experienced breast cancer belonging to The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation's Army of Women. METHODS: An online survey including fixed-alternative and open-ended questions. CONCLUSIONS: Using the blanket term "survivor" to label a diverse group is problematic; although the term offers a positive identity for some, others reject it or find it offensive, at least for patients like those represented in this study. If cancer patients are going to be labeled, they should choose the one that is most empowering and reflective of their experience. Implications for Psychosocial Providers: Language used in providing care or describing patients is controllable. If evidence exists that a particular term has the potential to inflict psychological harm, why use the term?

Complications of NewColorIris implantation in phakic eyes: a review.

PURPOSE: To provide a literature review of implant related complications from bilateral NewColorIris implantation (Kahn Medical Devices, Panama City, Panama). METHODS: A PubMed search of peer-reviewed ophthalmology journals for complications related to NewColorIris implants was performed. RESULTS: Including a recent case published by the authors, a total of nine patients (18 eyes) with management of complications such as endothelial cell loss, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal edema, anterior chamber inflammation, decreased visual acuity, and cataract formation were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Sight-threatening complications including corneal decompensation, IOP elevation, uveitis, and hyphema have been described after NewColorIris implantation.

Artisan iris-supported phakic IOL implantation in patients with keratoconus: a review of 16 eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of Artisan phakic intraocular lens (PIOL; Ophtec BV) implantation in patients with stable keratoconus. METHODS: In a prospective, nonrandomized case series, 14 Artisan PIOLs and 2 toric Artisan PIOLs were implanted in 13 patients (16 eyes) with stable keratoconus who had contact lens intolerance. Pre- and postoperative data were collected. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 14.2 ± 7.8 months. Preoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was counting fingers in all patients. Mean final logMAR (Snellen equivalent) UDVA and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were 0.15(20/28) ± 0.13 and 0.11(20/26) ± 0.10, respectively. The improvements in UDVA and CDVA were statistically significant (P<.0001 and P<.002, respectively). All patients achieved a final UDVA of 20/40 or better, and 84.6% had a final CDVA of 20/32 or better. No postoperative complications occurred except for two cases of sterile uveitis. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of the Artisan PIOL is effective in improving visual acuity in patients with stable keratoconus. Long-term safety remains to be established as no postoperative endothelial cell counts were performed.

Adsorption and reaction of 1-epoxy-3-butene on Pt(111): implications for heterogeneous catalysis of unsaturated oxygenates.

High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to study the adsorption and reaction of 1-epoxy-3-butene (EpB) on Pt(111). These investigations were conducted to help elucidate mechanisms for improving olefin hydrogenation selectivity in reactions of unsaturated oxygenates. EpB dosed to Pt(111) at 91 K adsorbs molecularly on the surface through the vinyl group with apparent rehybridization to a di-sigma-bound state. By 233 K, however, EpB undergoes epoxide ring opening to form an aldehyde intermediate, which further decomposes upon heating to yield gas phase products CO, H2, and propylene. Comparison of the HREELS and TPD data to experiments performed with 2-butenal (crotonaldehyde) shows that EpB and 2-butenal decompose through related pathways. However, the EpB-derived aldehyde intermediate clearly has a unique structure, features of which have been elucidated by DFT calculations. In conjunction with previous surface science studies of EpB chemistry, these results can help explain selectivity trends for reactions of EpB on Pt catalysts and bimetallic PtAg catalysts, with indications that the enhanced olefin hydrogenation selectivity of PtAg catalysts likely originates from a bifunctional effect.