The Psychiatric Symptomology of Visual Snow Syndrome

Objective: To characterise the psychiatric symptoms of visual snow syndrome (VSS), and determine their relationship to quality of life and severity of visual symptoms.Methods: One hundred twenty-five patients with VSS completed a battery of questionnaires assessing depression/anxiety, dissociative experiences (depersonalisation), sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life, as well as a structured clinical interview about their visual and sensory symptoms.Results: VSS patients showed high rates of anxiety and depression, depersonalisation, fatigue, and poor sleep, which significantly impacted quality of life. Further, psychiatric symptoms, particularly depersonalisation, were related to increased severity of visual symptoms. The severity/frequency of psychiatric symptoms did not differ significantly due to the presence of migraine, patient sex, or timing of VSS onset (lifelong vs. later onset).Conclusion: Psychiatric symptoms are highly prevalent in patients with VSS and are associated with increased visual symptom severity and reduced quality of life. Importantly, patients with lifelong VSS reported lower levels of distress and milder self-ratings of visual symptoms compared to patients with a later onset, while being equally likely to experience psychiatric symptoms. This suggests that the psychiatric symptoms of VSS are not solely due to distress caused by visual symptoms. While no consistently effective treatments are available for the visual symptomology of VSS, psychiatric symptoms offer an avenue of treatment that is likely to significantly improve patient quality of life and ability to cope with visual symptoms.

Effect of corneal refractive surgery on accommodative and binocular dysfunctions among civilian pilots in Southwest China

Background To analyze whether corneal refractive surgery (CRS) is associated with the distribution of different accommodative dysfunctions (ADs) and binocular dysfunctions (BDs) in civilian pilots. A further aim was to analyze the percentages and visual symptoms associated with ADs and/or BDs in this population. Methods One hundred and eight civilian pilots who underwent CRS from January 2001 to July 2012 (age: 30.33 ± 4.60 years) were enrolled, the mean preoperative SE was − 1.51 ± 1.15 D (range: − 1.00- − 5.00 D). Ninety-nine emmetropic civilian pilots (age: 29.64 ± 3.77 years) who were age- and sex-matched to the CRS group were also enrolled. Refractive status, accommodative and binocular tests of each subject were performed. Visually related symptoms were quantified using the 19-item College of Optometrists in Vision Development Quality of Life (COVD-QOL) questionnaire. The 19 items were summed to obtain visual symptom scores that might indicate visual dysfunctions. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences in percentages of ADs and/or BDs between the CRS and emmetropic groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare visual symptom scores between pilots with ADs and/or BDs and pilots with normal binocular vision. Results No significant difference was observed between the CRS and emmetropic groups in the overall prevalence of ADs and BDs (15.7% and 15.2% in the CRS and emmetropic groups, respectively; P = 0.185). ADs were present in 4.63% and 3.03% of the CRS and emmetropic group, respectively. BDs were observed in 11.1% and 12.1% of the CRS and emmetropic group, respectively, yielding no significant differences between the groups in the prevalence of ADs or BDs (AD: P = 0.094; BD: P = 0.105). Pilots with ADs and/or BDs had significantly more visual symptoms than pilots with normal binocular vision (p < 0.001). Conclusions CRS for civilian pilots with low-moderate myopia might not impact binocular functions. ADs and/or BDs commonly occur in both emmetropia pilots and pilots who undergo CRS, and pilots with ADs and/or BDs are associated with increased symptoms. This study confirms the importance of a full assessment of binocular visual functions in detecting and remedying these dysfunctions in this specific population.

Effect of corneal refractive surgery on accommodative and binocular dysfunctions among civilian pilots in Southwest China

Background: To analyze whether corneal refractive surgery (CRS) is associated with the distribution of different accommodative dysfunctions (ADs) and binocular dysfunctions (BDs) in civilian pilots. A further aim was to analyze the percentages and visual symptoms associated with ADs and/or BDs in this population.Methods: One hundred and eight civilian pilots who underwent CRS from January 2001 to July 2012 (age: 30.33±4.60 years) were enrolled, the mean preoperative SE was −1.51±1.15 D (range: −1.00- −5.00 D). Ninety-nine emmetropic civilian pilots (age: 29.64±3.77 years) who were age- and sex-matched to the CRS group were also enrolled. Refractive status, accommodative and binocular tests of each subject were performed. Visually related symptoms were quantified using the 19-item College of Optometrists in Vision Development Quality of Life (COVD-QOL) questionnaire. The 19 items were summed to obtain visual symptom scores that might indicate visual dysfunctions. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences in percentages of ADs and/or BDs between the CRS and emmetropic groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare visual symptom scores between pilots with ADs and/or BDs and pilots with normal binocular vision.Results: No significant difference was observed between the CRS and emmetropic groups in the overall prevalence of ADs and BDs (15.7% and 15.2% in the CRS and emmetropic groups, respectively; P=0.185). ADs were present in 4.63% and 3.03% of the CRS and emmetropic group, respectively. BDs were observed in 11.1% and 12.1% of the CRS and emmetropic group, respectively, yielding no significant differences between the groups in the prevalence of ADs or BDs (AD: P=0.094; BD: P=0.105). Pilots with ADs and/or BDs had significantly more visual symptoms than pilots with normal binocular vision (p < 0.001). Conclusions: CRS for civilian pilots with low-moderate myopia might not impact binocular functions. ADs and/or BDs commonly occur in both emmetropia pilots and pilots who undergo CRS, and pilots with ADs and/or BDs are associated with increased symptoms. This study confirms the importance of a full assessment of binocular visual functions in detecting and remedying these dysfunctions in this specific population.

Prévalence du Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) dans la zone de Ntoum au Gabon

Le Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) est la maladie virale la plus dévastatrice du bananier impactant considérablement sa production. Le BBTD a été signalé au Gabon pour la première fois par la FAO avec une prévalence de plus de 90%. La présente étude vise à déterminer la prévalence du BBTD, la sévérité et l’importance du vecteur dans la zone de Ntoum. Après une enquête, 1800 pieds de bananiers dans 6 foyers d’infestation, ont été examinés de façon aléatoire avec un système de notation randomisé en transect croisé X. La méthode d’enquête par observation visuelle des symptômes du BBTD avec une échelle de notation de 1 à 5 a été utilisée. Les foyers d’infestation retenus présentent une sévérité de la maladie avancée avec le symptôme visuel de niveau 5 prépondérant et une prévalence moyenne de 21%. Le vecteur, Pentalonia nigronervosa est un insecte présent dans la zone mais à des niveaux d’importance variable. Il serait souhaitable d’évaluer la résistance variétale des Musa spp. et de montrer l’influence des facteurs biotiques et abiotiques sur la propagation de la maladie.Mots clés : Bananier, Pentalonia nigronervosa, foyers d’infestation, sévérité, importance du vecteur. English Title: Prevalence of Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) in the Ntoum area in Gabon Banana Bunchy Top Disease (BBTD) is the banana's most devastating viral disease, with a significant impact on its production. BBTD was first reported in Gabon by FAO with a prevalence of more than 90%. This study aims to determine the prevalence of BBTD, the severity and importance of the vector in the Ntoum area. After a survey, 1800 feet of banana trees in 6 outbreaks, were examined randomly with a randomized scoring system in transect crossed X. The method of visual observation of BBTD symptoms with a rating scale of 1 to 5 was used. The selected outbreaks have an advanced disease severity with the predominant level 5 visual symptom and an average prevalence of 21%. The vector, Pentalonia nigronervosa is an insect present in the area but at varying levels. It would be desirable to assess the varietal resistance of Musa spp. and to show the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the spread of the disease.Keywords: Banana, Pentalonia nigronervosa, source of infestation, severity, importance of vector.

The depiction of migraine visual aura on the internet

Introduction The most common and multifaceted migraine aura symptoms are visual disturbances. Health information is one of the most popular topics on the internet but the quality and reliability of publicized information is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze images of migraine aura on Google to determine the frequency of correct presentations of visual aura and distribution of visual aura phenotypes. Methods Two authors screened the 100 highest indexed migraine aura related images on Google. The content of the images was categorized into elementary visual symptoms. Results Forty out of 100 images were accurate representations of visual migraine aura. Such images included 31 different visual aura phenotypes. The majority had more than one elementary visual symptom (median 2, IQR 1–3), most commonly “bean-like” forms (45%), zigzag lines (40%), and foggy/blurred vision (33%). Discussion Forty percent of images were accurate portrayals of visual migraine aura symptoms, but these presented limited phenotypes. The information derived from the internet photos may hinder the effective recognition of aura symptoms. Thus, there is a need to provide a more comprehensive representation of visual migraine aura symptoms on the internet.

Invariance of the Bifactor Structure of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) Symptoms on the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire Across Time, Demographic Characteristics, and Clinical Groups: A TRACK-TBI Study

This study aimed to elucidate the structure of the Rivermead Postconcussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) and evaluate its longitudinal and group variance. Factor structures were developed and compared in 1,011 patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI; i.e., Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15) from the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in TBI study, using RPQ data collected at 2 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months postinjury. A bifactor model specifying a general factor and emotional, cognitive, and visual symptom factors best represented the latent structure of the RPQ. The model evinced strict measurement invariance over time and across sex, age, race, psychiatric history, and mTBI severity groups, indicating that differences in symptom endorsement were completely accounted for by these latent dimensions. While highly unidimensional, the RPQ has multidimensional features observable through a bifactor model, which may help differentiate symptom expression patterns in the future.

POTENSI BAKTERI Serratia sp. SEBAGAI AGENSIA HAYATI PENYAKIT JAMUR AKAR PUTIH (Rigidoporus microporus)

Serratia sp is the family Enterobacteriaceae gram-negative bacteria that have flagella Peritrik, motile and reported to be anti-fungal. Chitinolytic chitinase activity of bacteria are potentially used as a biological control against pathogenic fungi.The purpose of this research is to know the potential of bacteriaSerratia sp in controlling white root rot disease caused by Rigidoporus microporus on the rubber plant in polibag. This research uses a randomizedblock design (RAK) nonfaktorial with 5 treatments and 5 replications. Parametersmeasured were extensive white root fungus colony growth (cm) in the laboratory,white root fungus attack intensity (%) in polybag, the percentage of inhibition (%)in polybag and visual symptom of the white root fungus attack in polybag. Thereault of this showed that Serratia sp bacteri application infection very obvious inobstructing extensive growth of the white root fungus colony in Laboratory, withthe lowest extensive of colony 3,06 cm on D4 standard (10ml/100 ml PDA) A verysignificant effect in reducing the intensity of white root fungus attacks the inhibition rate reached 54%, or healing reached 47,31% the age of 6 weeks after application.