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Objective To identify a valid method for scoring facial aesthetics, correlating clinicians' assessments with measurements taken from 3D facial photographs.Design Album assessment of facial images, using a visual analog scale of attractiveness and the scores ranked. Facial ratios, obtained following digitization of the images compared with control group mean data, obtained from the Farkas growth study and the differences from the matched mean calculated. Ranked scores compared according to the inclusion of surface as well as caliper (shortest distance) measurements and whether the ranked scores, representing difference to the mean, were weighted.Patients, Participants Eleven facial images were presented. Seven clinicians provided clinical judgment.Main Outcome Measures Correlation coefficients between mean attractiveness rankings and summed differences between patients' facial proportions and matched control data from the Farkas growth study.Results The highest correlation was obtained with the use of the difference accommodating the mean of the Farkas proportion index (r?=? -.76, p?=? .006), followed by standard deviation (r?=? -.65, p?=? .032), using data in which the difference is weighted according to the magnitude of the linear measurement involved. Repeatability of the clinicians' assessments and operator digitization were validated.Conclusions There appears to be potential in the use of the mean as aesthetic ideal as a principle in aesthetic assessment and perhaps as an objective means of outcome assessment after facial surgery. The most appropriate scoring method would seem to include use of both surface and caliper measurements and incorporate weighting.

Objective: To investigate the physical parameters of an elasticated tubular bandage (Tubigrip) on the leg and in durability studies.Design and setting: Cohort studies.Participants: Six healthy volunteers and 16 patients.Main outcome measure: Sub-bandage pressure.Results: Median pressures recorded under the Tubigrip bandage system at the lower, middle and upper calf muscle in 6 healthy volunteers, while sitting were 26, 25 and 12.5 mmHg, and for standing were 32, 40 and 16 mmHg. The median pressures recorded at the lower, middle and upper calf muscle in 16 venous leg ulcer patients while sitting were 18, 20 and 14 mmHg, and for standing were 32.5, 29.5 and 18 mmHg. Tubigrip durability studies demonstrated no decrease in sub-bandage compression over 8 days when applied to a model leg and volunteer leg. However, sub-bandage pressure decreased by more than 29% when the bandage was subjected to four wash-dry cycles.Conclusions: The pressures measured under Tubigrip were consistent with the ranges seen in other compression therapies. Laundering reduced the applied sub-bandage pressure.

Abstract: The study of cancer cell motility is considered to be important in understanding cancer metastasis. The movement behaviour of cells within clustered cell colonies is of particular interest. Changes in cell movement, area and velocity can be an indicator of cell spreading. The aim of the study is to develop and apply a computerised interactive image processing system to quantify the movement of cells within cell clusters. A semi-automatic boundary description method based on two-dimensional rendering is devised. The system is later combined with image-processing methods that facilitate the relocation of the cell boundary over time; this forms a new approach to assessing cell movement. These methods are incorporated into a software system, enabling an interactive procedure to define and monitor the movement of single cells in cell clusters from digitised microscope images. Validation of the method shows a maximum error of 10% in defining the area through a cubic spline interpolation. The system is applied to analyse the movement and area of HT115 human colon cancer cells. The system provides tools for the analysis of movement, area and velocity of single cells in cancer cell colonies and may thus be of value in further understanding cancer cell motility.

Objectivescompression therapy is widely used in the treatment of venous leg ulcers, but the efficacy of this treatment is variable. Assessment of variation in compression forces associated with movement may help to elucidate the mechanism of action of compression therapy. The aim of this study was to develop and apply a system to investigate forces under compression stockings during movement.Methodthree sensors were placed on the medial aspect of the left leg on six healthy volunteers to monitor forces under class 2 (Continental European classification) compression stockings. Data were recorded during dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the left foot and also during short periods of walking.Resultschanges in pressure were observed, associated with dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot. These changes were dependent on sensor position. Changes in pressure during walking were also position-dependent and of variable duration.Conclusionsthe system enables forces associated with compression therapy to be examined during movement and may thus be of value in further understanding its mechanism of action. Foot movement can be associated with clear changes in pressure under compression stockings and rapid changes in pressure may occur during walking.

Abstract: Compression therapy is the principal treatment for leg ulcers associated with venous disease. The efficacy of compression therapy can be variable, which may in part be owing to the degree of compression applied. However, if the mechanism of action of this treatment could be better understood, it might be possible to improve its efficacy. It is not clear whether assessment of the degree of compression should be made under static or dynamic conditions, or both. A review of methods used previously suggests the need for a new method of assessment allowing continuous monitoring, even during movement. A system for continuous static and dynamic measurements of compression is described. Using an air chamber and manometer to test the system, agreement within ±3 mmHg is observed. The system is applied to investigate changes in forces, expressed as pressure, under bandages and compression stockings. Application of five bandage systems by experienced nurses to a volunteer shows a marked variation in applied pressure. During short periods of walking, rapid changes in pressure under compression stockings are observed, including some transients of less than 0.25 s. The method is simple to apply and may help to understand further the mechanism of action of compression therapy.

Background: It has been suggested that poor healing of wounds may be associated with reduced tissue oxygenation. A non-invasive method of assessing peripheral venous oxygenation has been investigated.Method: Changes in oxyhaemoglobin (O2Hb), deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb), oxidized cytochrome aa3(cyt aa3) and total haemoglobin (tHb) were monitored in the left lower leg of seven healthy volunteers. A short period of venous occlusion was achieved by rapidly inflating a sphygmomanometer cuff placed around the leg to 60 mmHg. The changes in O2Hb and tHb, with respect to the baseline readings, were evaluated. PSvO2was calculated from (ΔO2Hb/ΔtHb) × 100%.Results: From 17 sets of readings on the seven volunteers the median PSvO2calculated was 64% (range 50–86%).Conclusion: This method appears to be a simple means of evaluating PSvO2. A change in cyt aa3was often seen associated with the venous occlusion.

A review of some of the basic theories of compression therapy and identification of areas for ongoing research