A systematic review of information format and timing before scheduled adult surgery for peri-operative anxiety

We included 34 trials with 3742 participants, identified through 6 database and supplementary searches (to May 2017): 29 were randomised; 4 were quasi-randomised and 1 was cluster-randomised. Disparate measurements and outcomes precluded meta-analyses. Blinding was attempted in only 6 out of 34 (18%) trials. A multimedia format, alone or in combination with text or verbal formats, was studied in 20/34 (59%) trials: pre-operative anxiety was unaffected in 10 out of 14 trials and reduced by the multimedia format in three; postoperative anxiety was unaffected in four out of five trials in which formats were compared. Multimedia formats increased knowledge more than text, which in turn increased knowledge more than verbal formats. Other outcomes were unaffected by information format. The timing of information did not affect pre-operative anxiety, postoperative pain or length of stay. In conclusion, the effects of pre-operative information on peri-operative anxiety and other outcomes were affected little by format or timing

Grèce

Mavrias Kostas. Grèce. In: Annuaire international de justice constitutionnelle, 18-2002, 2003. Lutte contre le terrorisme et protection des droits fondamentaux - La protection de la vie privée. pp. 245-265

Energy production in the canine ileal mucosa following hemorrhagic shock.

This investigation has been undertaken to study changes in high energy phosphate metabolism of the canine intestine following hemorrhagic shock. The information on energy metabolism in the intestine is scarce, necessitating extensive studies into normal metabolic properties of this tissue. Respiration of intestinal homogenates was not limited by the level of ADP, but it was limited by the level of cytochromes. These results indicated that oxidative phosphorylation in intestinal mucosa is loosely coupled, a fact that was supported further by the lack of effect of DNP on endogenous respiration. In studies with DNP and NaF, the increased turnover of ATP-phosphate in the presence of glucose was found to be due to energy derived from the glycolytic pathway. Hemorrhagic shock had no significant effect on either oxygen uptake or energy production in the intestinal mucosa in vitro. These results led to a proposal that hemorrhagic shock produces a transport barrier between the intestinal epithelial cells and the circulation

A training program for use with multichannel speech perception/production tactile devices [Abstract]

Paper presented at the 12th National Conference of the Audiological Society of Australia. Brisbane, 29 April - 2 May 1996.This is a publisher’s version of an article published in Australian Journal of Audiology 1996. This version is reproduced with permission from the publisher, Australian Academic Press. http://www.australianacademicpress.com.au/Over the past ten years, there have been remarkable improvements in both conventional hearing aid technology and in the use of multichannel cochlear prostheses. These developments have resulted in improved speech perception for severely and profoundly hearing impaired adults and children. However, a small number of adults and children remain unable to benefit from either of these prosthetic approaches. This may occur as a result of medical/surgical issues, which render implantation unfeasible, or from a decision by the patient or parents that the device is inappropriate for the individual person. In these cases, use of a supplemental speech perception device employing the intact tactile modality has been advocated. A number of single and multichannel devices have been developed, both commercially and in the laboratory. One of these, the Tickle Talker, a multichannel electrotactile speech processor, has been developed and thoroughly evaluated with both adults and children at the University of Melbourne. Benefits to speech perception have been noted on both closed-set phonemic discrimination tests, and on open-set word and sentence scores, where the device was used to supplement lipreading and/or aided residual hearing. Benefits to articulation have also been noted. Recently, improved speech processing and the design of a new electrode handset have been implemented. While these factors are important to device acceptance, the critical factor in improving speech perception and production appears to be the training program which is employed with the device. The program must be based on the information available through the device, but organised to emphasize the integration of tactually-encoded speech information into open-set understanding of words and sentences if communication is to be improved. The important elements of the program will be discussed. At present, no tactile device is able to provide sufficient information for open-set speech understanding using only the tactile input. While this may be an ultimate goal, significant periods of training may be required to achieve this outcome

A comparison of Tactaid II+ and Tactaid 7 use by adults with a profound hearing impairment

This is a publisher’s version of an article published in Ear and Hearing 1999. This version is reproduced with permission of Lippincott Wilkins & Williams.Objective: To evaluate and compare use of the Tactaid II+ and the Tactaid 7, in terms of speech perception, by adults with a hearing impairment. Design: Eight adults used one device daily for approximately 10 wk and attended seven training sessions. Performance was measured with tests of phonetic contrast perception, closed-set vowel and consonant identification, word and phoneme recognition in monosyllabic word lists, word recognition in sentences and speechtracking rate. A questionnaire was also administered. The protocol was repeated with the alternative device. Results: With each device, the group discriminated most phonetic contrasts at better-than-chance levels and demonstrated somewhat enhanced visual or auditory-visual perception when measured in terms of vowel identification, monosyllabic word recognition and speechtracking rate. An increase in speechtracking rate was also demonstrated for some individuals. Subjects generally reported little subjective improvement in speech perception and production, but were satisfied with the physical attributes of each device. Five of six subjects preferred the Tactaid 7. Conclusions: The Tactaid II+ and the Tactaid 7 provided suprasegmental and segmental information, enabling the group to discriminate phonetic contrasts and improve their perception of some speech materials. No consistent advantage was found for either device, thought most subjects preferred the Tactaid 7. Alternatives likely to provide a greater benefit to communication should be considered before Tactaid fitting

Studies in tactile speech perception using the University of Melbourne Tickle Talker [Abstract]

Presented at the 13th National Scientific Conference and Workshops Audiological Society of Australia, Brighton Beach, Sydney, 28 April - 1 May, 1998.This is a publisher’s version of an abstract published in Australian Journal of Audiology 1998. This version is reproduced with permission from the publisher, Australian Academic Press. http://www.australianacademicpress.com.au/During the past four years, a series of studies have been undertaken investigating the perception of speech presented through the tactile modality. These studies formed part of a project to develop an effective and safe electro tactile speech perception device for those children and adults requiring additional communication assistance to that provided by hearing aids, but unable to benefit from cochlear implants