Percutaneous nephrolithotomy vs retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stones: a Cochrane Review.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) vs retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of renal stones in adults. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, three other databases, trials registries, other sources of the grey literature, and conference proceedings up to 23 March 2023. We applied no restrictions on publication language or status. Screening, data extraction, risk-of-bias assessment, and certainty of evidence (CoE) rating using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach were done in duplicate by two independent reviewers. This co-publication focuses on the primary outcomes of this review only. RESULTS: We included 42 trials that met the inclusion criteria. Stone-free rate (SFR): PCNL may improve SFRs (risk ratio [RR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08-1.18; I2 = 71%; 39 studies, 4088 participants; low CoE). Major complications: PCNL probably has little to no effect on major complications (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.59-1.25; I2 = 15%; 34 studies, 3649; participants; moderate CoE) compared to RIRS. Need for secondary interventions: PCNL may reduce the need for secondary interventions (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17-0.55; I2 = 61%; 21 studies, 2005 participants; low CoE) compared to RIRS. CONCLUSION: Despite shortcomings in most studies that lowered our certainty in the estimates of effect to mostly very low or low, we found that PCNL may improve SFRs and reduce the need for secondary interventions while not impacting major complications. Ureteric stricture rates may be similar compared to RIRS. We expect the findings of this review to be helpful for shared decision-making about management choices for individuals with renal stones.

Sensitisation to the acrylate co-polymers glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co-polymer, sodium polyacrylate and acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross-polymer (Carbopol®) is rare.

BACKGROUND: Acrylate polymers and cross-polymers (ACPs) are frequently used cosmetic ingredients. The British Society for Cutaneous Allergy (BSCA) and the UK Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) collaborated to investigate the allergenic potential of three commonly-used ACPs. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to three ACPs: glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co-polymer, sodium polyacrylate, and acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross-polymer (Carbopol®). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The BSCA prospectively audited data collected from 20 centres in the UK and Ireland between 1st September 2021 and 1st September 2022. Patients with suspected ACD to (meth)acrylates, with facial dermatitis, or consecutive patients, were patch tested to glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co-polymer 10% aqueous (aq.) sodium polyacrylate 2% aq., and to acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate cross-polymer 2% aq. (Carbopol®). The frequencies of positive, irritant, and doubtful reactions were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 1302 patients were patch tested. To glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid co-polymer, there was one doubtful reaction in a patient allergic to multiple (meth)acrylates, and one irritant. To sodium polyacrylate, there were four irritant reactions, one doubtful, and one positive reaction; in all cases, relevance was unknown and there was no demonstrable (meth)acrylate allergy. There were no reactions to Carbopol®. CONCLUSIONS: Sensitisation to these concentrations of the three tested ACPs is rare. Elicitation of dermatitis in (meth)acrylate-sensitised patients by exposure to these three ACPs appears unlikely.

Exploring librarians' practices when teaching advanced searching for knowledge synthesis: results from an online survey.

Objective: There is little research available regarding the instructional practices of librarians who support students completing knowledge synthesis projects. This study addresses this research gap by identifying the topics taught, approaches, and resources that academic health sciences librarians employ when teaching students how to conduct comprehensive searches for knowledge synthesis projects in group settings. Methods: This study applies an exploratory-descriptive design using online survey data collection. The final survey instrument included 31 open, closed, and frequency-style questions. Results: The survey received responses from 114 participants, 74 of whom met the target population. Some key results include shared motivations to teach in groups, including student learning and curriculum requirements, as well as popular types of instruction such as single session seminars, and teaching techniques, such as lectures and live demos. Conclusion: This research demonstrates the scope and coverage of librarian-led training in the knowledge synthesis research landscape. Although searching related topics such as Boolean logic were the most frequent, librarians report teaching throughout the review process like methods and reporting. Live demos and lectures were the most reported approaches to teaching, whereas gamification or student-driven learning were used rarely. Our results suggest that librarian's application of formal pedagogical approaches while teaching knowledge synthesis may be under-utilized, as most respondents did not report using any formal instructional framework.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy versus retrograde intrarenal surgery for treatment of renal stones in adults.

BACKGROUND: Kidney stones (also called renal stones) can be a source of pain, obstruction, and infection. Depending on size, location, composition, and other patient factors, the treatment of kidney stones can involve observation, shock wave lithotripsy, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS; i.e. ureteroscopic approaches), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), or a combination of these approaches. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) versus retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for the treatment of renal stones in adults. SEARCH METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and two trials registries up to 23 March 2023. We applied no restrictions on publication language or status. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials that evaluated PCNL (grouped by access size in French gauge [Fr] into three groups: ≥ 24 Fr [standard PCNL], 15-23 Fr [mini-PCNL and minimally invasive PCNL], and < 15 Fr [ultra-mini-, mini-micro-, super-mini-, and micro-PCNL]) versus RIRS. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently selected studies and extracted data from the included studies. Our primary outcomes were stone-free rate, major complications, and need for secondary interventions. Our main secondary outcomes were unplanned medical visits to emergency/urgent care or outpatient clinic, length of hospital stay, ureteral stricture or injury, and quality of life. We performed statistical analyses using a random-effects model. We rated the certainty of evidence using GRADE criteria. We adopted a minimally contextualized approach with predefined thresholds for minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs). MAIN RESULTS: We included 42 trials assessing the effects of PCNL versus RIRS in 4571 randomized participants. Twenty-two studies were published as full-text articles, and 20 were published as abstract proceedings. The average size of stones ranged from 10.1 mm to 39.1 mm. Most studies did not report sources of funding or conflicts of interest. The main results for the most important outcomes are summarized below. Stone-free rate PCNL compared with RIRS may improve stone-free rates (risk ratio [RR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 1.18; I2 = 71%; 39 studies, 4088 participants; low-certainty evidence). Based on 770 participants per 1000 being stone-free with RIRS, this corresponds to 100 more (62 more to 139 more) stone-free participants per 1000 with PCNL (an absolute difference of 10%, where the predefined MCID was 5%). Major complications PCNL compared with RIRS probably has little or no effect on major complications (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.25; I2 = 15%; 34 studies, 3649 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Based on 31 complications in the RIRS group, this corresponds to six fewer (13 fewer to six more) major complications per 1000 with PCNL (an absolute difference of 0.6%, where the predefined MCID was 2%). Need for secondary interventions PCNL compared with RIRS may reduce the need for secondary interventions (RR 0.31, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.55; I2 = 61%; 21 studies, 2005 participants; low-certainty evidence). Based on 222 secondary interventions in the RIRS group, this corresponds to 153 fewer (185 fewer to 100 fewer) secondary interventions per 1000 with PCNL (an absolute difference of 15.3%, where the predefined MCID was 5%). Unplanned medical visits No studies reported unplanned medical visits. Length of hospital stay PCNL compared with RIRS may extend length of hospital stay (mean difference 1.04 days more, 95% CI 0.27 more to 1.81 more; I2 = 100%; 26 studies, 2804 participants; low-certainty evidence). This effect size is greater than the predefined MCID of one day. Ureteral stricture or injury PCNL compared with RIRS may have little or no effect on the occurrence of ureteral strictures (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.39 to 2.21; I2 = 0%; 13 studies, 1574 participants; low-certainty evidence). Based on 14 ureteral strictures in the RIRS group, this corresponds to one fewer (nine fewer to 17 more) ureteral strictures per 1000 with PCNL (an absolute difference of 0.1%, where the predefined MCID was 2%). Quality of life No studies reported quality of life. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Based on a large body of evidence from 42 trials, we found that PCNL compared with RIRS may improve stone-free rates and may reduce the need for secondary interventions, but probably has little or no effect on major complications. PCNL compared with RIRS may have little or no effect on ureteral stricture rates and may increase length of hospital stay. We found no evidence on unplanned medical visits or participant quality of life. Because of the considerable shortcomings of the included trials, the evidence for most outcomes was of low certainty. Access size for PCNL was less than 24 Fr in most studies that provided this information. We expect the findings of this review to be helpful for shared decision-making about management choices for individuals with renal stones.

LGBTQ+ health research guides: a multi-institutional analysis of usage patterns and user information needs.

Objective: LGBTQ+ health research guides can strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through connecting people to quality health services and information, and previous studies have recommended that health sciences libraries create and maintain these guides. Little evidence exists, though, on how these guides are used and how well they meet the needs of LGBTQ+ users. Using retrospective data retrieved from multiple LGBTQ+ health research guides, we examined the categories of LGBTQ+ health information most used, as well as how often guides were accessed. Based on these results, we hope to find patterns which can lead to best practices for libraries. Methods: Five North American academic health sciences libraries contributed select usage data from their LGBTQ+ health research guides, covering a three-year period (July 2018-June 2021). Data was analyzed in two ways. Firstly, the 20 most-clicked resources from each guide were categorized through open coding, to assess if certain information resource categories were more popular among guide users, allowing for inference of user needs. A time-series analysis was also conducted for two sites, using the Classical Seasonal Decomposition by Moving Averages method, to provide deeper insights into the data. Results: Open coding data showed consumer health information resources were used more often than other health resource categories. Resources from more locally based organizations and those with provider and services information were heavily used, indicating that users may be looking for information connecting to local health services and providers. The time series analysis allowed the potential positive effect of guide promotion to be showcased in ways that would not have been clear from the raw data. Conclusion: This study shows that people are accessing LGBTQ+ consumer health information through academic library research guides, with a preference for local information. Guide usage appears to be positively driven by outreach within one's institution and to the greater community. Locating external partners may increase guide impact and provide important links to local resources and services.

An untapped resource? Opportunities for faculty-librarian collaboration to enhance drug information resource utilization in pharmacy education.

Background: Doctor of pharmacy educational accreditation standards state student pharmacists should be able to evaluate the scientific literature as well as critically analyze and apply information in answering drug information questions. Student pharmacists often struggle with identifying and using appropriate resources to answer medication-related questions. To ensure educational needs were met, a college of pharmacy hired a health sciences librarian to support the faculty and students. Case Presentation: The health sciences librarian collaborated with faculty and students throughout the doctor of pharmacy curriculum to identify and address any gaps related to appropriate drug resource utilization. Adding instruction time to the new student pharmacist orientation, coursework throughout the first year of the pharmacy program, and a two-semester evidence-based seminar course provided opportunities for the health sciences librarian to work with student pharmacists in the areas of library resource access, instruction on drug information resources, and evaluation of drug information found on the internet. Conclusion: The deliberate inclusion of a health sciences librarian into the doctor of pharmacy curriculum can benefit faculty and students. Opportunities for collaboration are available throughout the curriculum, such as providing instruction for database utilization and supporting the research activities of both faculty and student pharmacists.

Planning Library Instruction Research: Building Conceptual Models with Theoretical Frameworks.

Engagement with theories and theoretical frameworks in the planning and conduct of research about library instruction, in conjunction with the existing evidence base, can help researchers develop coherent conceptual models to justify the research approach and importance of the research produced. This column describes some of the limitations of common evaluation approaches that lack explicit theoretical framing and provides definitions of concepts that allow practitioners and researchers alike to explore and understand the complexities of educational encounters. Using an illustrative study with a theoretical framework applying sociomaterialism and related theories, this article presents arguments for in-depth explorations of informatics education through qualitative research.

Imaging Improves Efficacy of Vertebroplasty - A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials with percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for intractable pain from vertebral compression fractures (VCF) have shown variable results. Variation in the outcomes may be related to poor patient selection on imaging. OBJECTIVE: To assess if PVA augmentation for osteoporotic VCF results in better improvement in pain when patients were selected based on clinical examination plus imaging vs clinical examination only. RESULTS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 2000 to May 2018. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data to identify randomised control trials (RCTs) on PVA for osteoporotic VCF and assessed the risk of bias. Standard systematic review and meta-analysis methods were advocated by the Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA Statement. A total of 12 RCTs with 1110 participants met the inclusion criteria. Eight of the 10 studies (938 participants) that used imaging to confirm oedema in the target vertebral bodies showed PVA (compared to nonsurgical treatment) was effective in reducing pain (immediate term: mean difference (MD) of -1.89; 95% confidence interval -1.93 to -1.85, p < 0.001; short term: MD of -1.68; 95% CI -1.82 to -1.54, p < 0.001; intermediate term: MD of -2.04; 95% CI -2.15 to -1.94, p < 0.001 and long term: MD of -1.88; 95% CI -1.95 to -1.80, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: RCTs using imaging to confirm marrow oedema in the index vertebra showed an improved size effect compared to RCTs using no imaging. This benefit was observed in the immediate, short, intermediate and long term.

Améliorer l'efficacité de la vertébroplastie au moyen de l'imagerie médicale : une revue systématique et une méta-analyse.Contexte: Des essais cliniques au cours desquels on a fait appel aux techniques percutanées de la vertébroplastie (vertebral augmentation) pour soulager des douleurs réfractaires produites par des fractures vertébrales par compression (FVC) ont donné à voir des résultats variables. Cette variabilité pourrait être liée à une mauvaise sélection des participants au moyen d'examens d'IRM. Objectif: Évaluer dans quelle mesure la vertébroplastie entraîne un soulagement accru de la douleur dans le cas de patients aux prises avec des FVC d'origine ostéoporotique. On a ainsi voulu comparer des patients choisis en fonction d'un examen clinique et d'un examen d'IRM avec d'autres patients choisis en fonction d'un seul examen clinique. Résultats: Nous avons mené une revue systématique ainsi qu'une méta-analyse. Pour ce faire, nous avons effectué des recherches dans les bases de données suivantes : PubMed, Embase et Cochrane, et ce, de l'année 2000 au mois de mai 2018. Deux examinateurs indépendants ont ensuite extrait et passé au crible des données afin d'identifier les essais cliniques randomisés (ECR) portant sur la vertébroplastie dans le cas de FVC d'origine ostéoporotique et d'évaluer les risques de biais. À noter que notre revue systématique et notre méta-analyse ont été effectuées en tenant compte des méthodes recommandées par Cochrane et PRISMA. Au total, douze ECR incluant 1110 participants ont satisfait à nos critères de sélection. Sur 10 ECR (938 participants) dans lesquels on a recouru à un examen d'IRM pour confirmer la présence d'un œdème dans les corps vertébraux ciblés, 8 d'entre eux ont révélé que le recours à la vertébroplastie était plus efficace qu'un traitement non-chirurgical dans le soulagement de la douleur (sur le champ : écart moyen de -1,89 ; IC 95 % -1,93 à -1,85 ; p < 0,001 ; à court terme : écart moyen de -1,68 ; IC 95 % -1,82 à -1,54 ; p < 0,001 ; à moyen terme : écart moyen de -2,04 ; IC 95 % -2,15 à -1,94 ; p < 0,001 ; et à long terme : écart moyen de -1,88 ; IC 95% -1,95 à -1,80 ; p < 0,001). Conclusions: En somme, les ECR utilisant des examens d'IRM pour confirmer la présence d'œdèmes de la moelle épinière dans une vertèbre de référence (index vertebra) ont révélé une taille d'effet améliorée si on les compare à des ECR n'utilisant pas ces examens. Cet avantage a été observé sur le champ mais aussi à court, moyen et long terme.

Supplemental perioperative intravenous crystalloids for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is a common complication following general anaesthesia. It may be associated with patient dissatisfaction, increased costs of treatment, and unintended admission to hospital.Supplemental intravenous crystalloid administration in the perioperative period may be a simple intervention to prevent PONV. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether supplemental intravenous crystalloid administration prevents PONV in patients undergoing surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2018, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1946 to August 2018), Embase (1947 to August 2018), and the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1971 to August 2018). We searched clinical trials registers for ongoing or unpublished completed studies (August 2018), handsearched three major journals (British Journal of Anaesthesia, European Journal of Anaesthesiology, and Anesthesiology; August 2018), and conducted backward and forward citation searching of relevant articles. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials of participants older than six months undergoing surgical procedures under general anaesthesia and given supplemental perioperative intravenous crystalloids, defined as a volume larger than that received by a comparator group, to prevent PONV. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used the standard methodological procedures described by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We included 41 studies (4224 participants). Participants underwent ambulatory or short length of stay surgical procedures, and were predominantly American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) class I or II. There is one study awaiting classification and three ongoing studies. All studies took place in surgical centres, and were conducted in geographically diverse settings. Risk of bias was generally unclear across all domains.Supplemental intravenous crystalloid administration probably reduces the cumulative risk of postoperative nausea (PON) (risk ratio (RR) 0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.51 to 0.75; 18 studies; 1766 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). When the postoperative period was divided into early (first six hours postoperatively) and late (at the time point closest to or including 24 hours postoperatively) time points, the intervention reduced the risk of early PON (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.78; 20 studies; 2310 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and late PON (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.69; 17 studies; 1682 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).Supplemental intravenous crystalloid administration probably reduces the risk of postoperative vomiting (POV) (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.63; 20 studies; 1970 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The intervention specifically reduced both early POV (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.76; 19 studies; 1998 participants; moderate-certainty evidence) and late POV (RR 0.48, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.79; 15 studies; 1403 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).Supplemental intravenous crystalloid administration probably reduces the need for pharmacologic treatment of PONV (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.76; 23 studies; 2416 participants; moderate-certainty evidence).The effect of supplemental intravenous crystalloid administration on the risk of unplanned postoperative admission to hospital is unclear (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.77 to 1.43; 3 studies; 235 participants; low-certainty evidence).No studies reported serious adverse events that may occur following supplemental perioperative intravenous crystalloid administration (i.e. admission to high-dependency unit, postoperative cardiac or respiratory complication, or death). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is moderate-certainty evidence that supplemental perioperative intravenous crystalloid administration reduces PON and POV, in ASA class I to II patients receiving general anaesthesia for ambulatory or short length of stay surgical procedures. The intervention probably also reduces the risk of pharmacologic treatment for PONV. The effect of the intervention on the risk of unintended postoperative admission to hospital is unclear. The risk of serious adverse events resulting from supplemental perioperative intravenous crystalloid administration is unknown as no studies reported this outcome. The one study awaiting classification may alter the conclusions of the review once assessed.

Health Researchers' Use of Social Media: Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Health researchers are increasingly using social media in a professional capacity, and the applications of social media for health researchers are vast. However, there is currently no published evidence synthesis of the ways in which health researchers use social media professionally, and uncertainty remains as to how best to harness its potential. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review aimed to explore how social media is used by health researchers professionally, as reported in the literature. METHODS: The scoping review methodology guided by Arksey and O'Malley and Levac et al was used. Comprehensive searches based on the concepts of health research and social media were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, and Web of Science databases, with no limitations applied. Articles were screened at the title and abstract level and at full text by two reviewers. One reviewer extracted data that were analyzed descriptively to map the available evidence. RESULTS: A total of 8359 articles were screened at the title and abstract level, of which 719 were also assessed at full text for eligibility. The 414 articles identified for inclusion were published in 278 different journals. Studies originated from 31 different countries, with the most prevalent being the United States (52.7% [218/414]). The health discipline of the first authors varied, with medicine (33.3% [138/414]) being the most common. A third of the articles covered health generally, with 61 health-specific topics. Papers used a range of social media platforms (mean 1.33 [SD 0.7]). A quarter of the articles screened reported on social media use for participant recruitment (25.1% [104/414]), followed by practical ways to use social media (15.5% [64/414]), and use of social media for content analysis research (13.3% [55/414]). Articles were categorized as celebratory (ie, opportunities for engagement, 72.2% [299/414]), contingent (ie, opportunities and possible limitations, 22.7% [94/414]) and concerned (ie, potentially harmful, 5.1% [21/414]). CONCLUSIONS: Health researchers are increasingly publishing on their use of social media for a range of professional purposes. Although most of the sentiment around the use of social media in health research was celebratory, the uses of social media varied widely. Future research is needed to support health researchers to optimize their social media use.

Environmental scan and evaluation of best practices for online systematic review resources.

OBJECTIVE: Online training for systematic review methodology is an attractive option due to flexibility and limited availability of in-person instruction. Librarians often direct new reviewers to these online resources, so they should be knowledgeable about the variety of available resources. The objective for this project was to conduct an environmental scan of online systematic review training resources and evaluate those identified resources. METHODS: The authors systematically searched for electronic learning resources pertaining to systematic review methods. After screening for inclusion, we collected data about characteristics of training resources and assigned scores in the domains of (1) content, (2) design, (3) interactivity, and (4) usability by applying a previously published evaluation rubric for online instruction modules. We described the characteristics and scores for each training resource and compared performance across the domains. RESULTS: Twenty training resources were evaluated. Average overall score of online instructional resources was 61%. Online courses (n=7) averaged 73%, web modules (n=5) 64%, and videos (n=8) 48%. The top 5 highest scoring resources were in course or web module format, featured high interactivity, and required a longer (>5hrs) time commitment from users. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that resources include appropriate content but are less likely to adhere to principles of online training design and interactivity. Awareness of these resources will allow librarians to make informed recommendations for training based on patrons' needs. Future online systematic review training resources should use established best practices for e-learning to provide high-quality resources, regardless of format or user time commitment.

Community Partners Join Forces: Battling Obesity and Diabetes Together.

Our objectives was to create an initiative to change the culture of a small community to improve quality of life as it relates to health for the residents through the use of health-related educational sessions, a coordinated fitness and nutrition program, and the construction of community fitness trails. We compared the use of a health-focused community driven program to the status quo in seeking opportunities to improve perception and understanding of one's health and overall quality of life for participants. Among the various techniques identified to improve a community's health outcomes, dissemination of information through the use of educational sessions empowered citizens to take control of their health status, and ultimately, their quality of life. This came with zero negative impacts for those providing the education, as well as those participating in the sessions. Although the application of these methods depends on local resources, leadership, and partnerships, programs similar to those presented here can help to improve quality of life for citizens in communities across the country facing the challenges secondary to a sedentary lifestyle.

Tumor histopathology predicts outcomes after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases treated with and without pre-operative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Study objectives, included determination of: (i) associations between radiologic and pathologic responses of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) to chemotherapy; and (ii) whether CRCLM histopathology is associated with recurrence free survival (RFS) after resection among patients not treated with pre-operative chemotherapy (untreated). METHODS: Demographics, clinicopathologic characteristics, and outcomes among patients who underwent CRCLM resection from 2007 to 2014 were reviewed. Tumor regression grade (TRG) of 1-2 and 4-5 depict low and high proportions of viable tumor relative to fibrosis, respectively. RESULTS: Of 138 patients, 84 (60.9%) were treated with pre-operative chemotherapy. In these patients, there was no difference in proportions with TRG 1-2 among those with verses without radiologic response (26.9% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.393). TRG 1-2 was associated with superior RFS on univariable (median 15 vs. 6 months, P < 0.001) and multivariable (P = 0.005) analyses. Radiologic response was not associated with RFS. Among untreated patients (n = 54), TRG 4-5 was associated with poor RFS on univariable (median 44 vs. 15 months, P = 0.011) and multivariable (P = 0.012) analyses. CONCLUSIONS: High proportions of CRCLM fibrosis occur in 20% of patients without radiologic response to chemotherapy. Among untreated patients, high proportion of viable tumor relative to fibrosis is associated with poor RFS after resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:456-462. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Exercise stress testing after stroke or transient ischemic attack: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: To provide insight into exercise stress testing after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in terms of feasibility, safety, and protocols used. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies published from inception to March 2014, and reference lists were hand searched. STUDY SELECTION: To be included in the review, the articles needed to include participants diagnosed with stroke or TIA and have any form of test to assess exercise capacity. DATA EXTRACTION: The scoping review methodology does not include critical appraisal of the literature but was chosen to reflect all aspects of exercise stress testing after stroke or TIA. Two reviewers performed screening for eligible studies independently, and 1 reviewer extracted the data. DATA SYNTHESIS: We found a total of 112 studies involving 5008 participants describing symptom-limited (n=103), submaximal (n=9), and field (n=6) exercise stress test protocols. Some of the studies reported on data from >1 protocol. Metabolic analysis was included in 87% of the studies involving symptom-limited tests, 40% of submaximal studies, and 29% of field tests. Monitoring of blood pressure, perceived exertion, and electrocardiographic responses was done in 54%, 42%, and 95% of all studies, respectively. A mere 10% of all studies reported on electrocardiographic abnormalities detected during testing. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Symptom-limited exercise stress testing appears to be safe in patients with stroke or TIA and provides a more valid measure of exercise capacity than submaximal and field tests. The level of disability may compromise feasibility, and test modality should be chosen carefully to optimize test results.

Out With the Old, in With the New: What Rising Pharmacists Need to Know About Vancomycin Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Adults.

The goal of this commentary is to provide recent pharmacy school graduates and student pharmacists completing APPEs the essential background for correct vancomycin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the inpatient setting.

Effect of trauma quality improvement initiatives on outcomes and costs at community hospitals: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Due to complex geography and resource constraints, trauma patients are often initially transported to community or rural facilities rather than a larger Level I or II trauma center. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize evidence on interventions that improved the quality of trauma care and/or reduced healthcare costs at non-Level I or II facilities. METHODS: A scoping review was performed to identify studies implementing a Quality Improvement (QI) initiative at a non-major trauma center (i.e., non-Level I or II trauma center [or equivalent]). We searched 3 electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL) and the grey literature (relevant networks, organizations/associations). Methodological quality was evaluated using NIH and JBI study quality assessment tools. Studies were included if they evaluated the effect of implementing a trauma care QI initiative on one or more of the following: 1) trauma outcomes (mortality, morbidity); 2) system outcomes (e.g., length of stay [LOS], transfer times, provider factors); 3) provider knowledge or perception; or 4) healthcare costs. Pediatric trauma, pre-hospital and tele-trauma specific studies were excluded. RESULTS: Of 1046 data sources screened, 36 were included for full review (29 journal articles, 7 abstracts/posters without full text). Educational initiatives including the Rural Trauma Team Development Course and the Advanced Trauma Life Support course were the most common QI interventions investigated. Study outcomes included process metrics such as transfer time to tertiary care and hospital LOS, along with measures of provider perception and knowledge. Improvement in mortality was reported in a single study evaluating the impact of establishing a dedicated trauma service at a community hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Our review captured a broad spectrum of trauma QI projects implemented at non-major trauma centers. Educational interventions did result in process outcome improvements and high rates of self-reported improvements in trauma care. Given the heterogeneous capabilities of community and rural hospitals, there is no panacea for trauma QI at these facilities. Future research should focus on patient outcomes like mortality and morbidity, and locally relevant initiatives.

Antecedents of major depressive, bipolar, and psychotic disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Major depressive, bipolar, or psychotic disorders are preceded by earlier manifestations in behaviours and experiences. We present a synthesis of evidence on associations between person-level antecedents (behaviour, performance, psychopathology) in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood and later onsets of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorder based on prospective studies published up to September 16, 2022. We screened 11,342 records, identified 460 eligible publications, and extracted 570 risk ratios quantifying the relationships between 52 antecedents and onsets in 198 unique samples with prospective follow-up of 122,766 individuals from a mean age of 12.4 to a mean age of 24.8 for 1522,426 person years of follow-up. We completed meta-analyses of 12 antecedents with adequate data. Psychotic symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety, disruptive behaviors, affective lability, and sleep problems were transdiagnostic antecedents associated with onsets of depressive, bipolar, and psychotic disorders. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity and hypomanic symptoms specifically predicted bipolar disorder. While transdiagnostic and diagnosis-specific antecedents inform targeted prevention and help understand pathogenic mechanisms, extensive gaps in evidence indicate potential for improving early risk identification.

Questions of Well-Being and Inclusion in Online Undergraduate Medical Education During COVID-19: A 2-Phased Focused Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: Undergraduate medical education (UGME) was transformed by the rapid move to online curriculum delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most research on online UGME has focused on measuring its effectiveness. However, medical educators also require evidence regarding its implications with respect to well-being and inclusion. METHOD: To explore online learning transition, particularly the effect on well-being and inclusion, this 2-phased focused scoping review employed a revised Joanna Briggs Institute approach: (1) developing review questions and objectives; (2) determining eligibility criteria; (3) developing the search strategy; (4) extracting, analyzing, and discussing findings; (5) drawing conclusions; and (6) discussing implications for practice and further research. RESULTS: The review ultimately included 217 articles, of which 107 (49%) explored student and staff well-being during online UGME, 64 (30%) focused on inclusion in this context, and 46 (21%) examined both well-being and inclusion. Additionally, 137 of included articles (63%) were research/evaluation, 48 (22%) were descriptive, and 32 (15%) were opinion. Of the 137 research/evaluation studies, 115 (84%) were quantitative, 10 (7%) were qualitative, 8 (6%) were mixed methods, and 4 (3%) were Reviews. Among these research/evaluation studies, the most commonly used data collection method was surveys (n = 120), followed by academic tests (n = 14). Other methods included interviews (n = 6), focus groups (n = 4), written reflections (n = 3), user data (n = 1), and blood tests (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Important questions remain regarding the safety and inclusiveness of online learning spaces and approaches, particularly for members of historically excluded groups and learners in low-resource settings. More rigorous, theoretically informed research in online medical education is required to better understand the social implications of online medical education, including more in-depth, qualitative investigations about well-being and inclusion and more strategies for ensuring online spaces are safe, inclusive, and supportive.

Timing of neonatal mortality and severe morbidity during the postnatal period: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this review was to determine the timing of overall and cause-specific neonatal mortality and severe morbidity during the postnatal period (1-28 days). INTRODUCTION: Despite significant focus on improving neonatal outcomes, many newborns continue to die or experience adverse health outcomes. While evidence on neonatal mortality and severe morbidity rates and causes are regularly updated, less is known on the specific timing of when they occur in the neonatal period. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review considered studies that reported on neonatal mortality daily in the first week; weekly in the first month; or day 1, days 2-7, and days 8-28. It also considered studies that reported on timing of severe neonatal morbidity. Studies that reported solely on preterm or high-risk infants were excluded, as these infants require specialized care. Due to the available evidence, mixed samples were included (eg, both preterm and full-term infants), reflecting a neonatal population that may include both low-risk and high-risk infants. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched for published studies on December 20, 2019, and updated on May 10, 2021. Critical appraisal was undertaken by 2 independent reviewers using standardized critical appraisal instruments from JBI. Quantitative data were extracted from included studies independently by 2 reviewers using a study-specific data extraction form. All conflicts were resolved through consensus or discussion with a third reviewer. Where possible, quantitative data were pooled in statistical meta-analysis. Where statistical pooling was not possible, findings were reported narratively. RESULTS: A total of 51 studies from 36 articles reported on relevant outcomes. Of the 48 studies that reported on timing of mortality, there were 6,760,731 live births and 47,551 neonatal deaths with timing known. Of the 34 studies that reported daily deaths in the first week, the highest proportion of deaths occurred on the first day (first 24 hours, 38.8%), followed by day 2 (24-48 hours, 12.3%). Considering weekly mortality within the first month (n = 16 studies), the first week had the highest mortality (71.7%). Based on data from 46 studies, the highest proportion of deaths occurred on day 1 (39.5%), followed closely by days 2-7 (36.8%), with the remainder occurring between days 8 and 28 (23.0%). In terms of causes, birth asphyxia accounted for the highest proportion of deaths on day 1 (68.1%), severe infection between days 2 and 7 (48.1%), and diarrhea between days 8 and 28 (62.7%). Due to heterogeneity, neonatal morbidity data were described narratively. The mean critical appraisal score of all studies was 84% (SD = 16%). CONCLUSION: Newborns experience high mortality throughout the entire postnatal period, with the highest mortality rate in the first week, particularly on the first day. Ensuring regular high-quality postnatal visits, particularly within the first week after birth, is paramount to reduce neonatal mortality and severe morbidity.

Presentation and aetiology of paediatric trigger finger: a systematic review.

Paediatric trigger finger is a rare condition distinct from paediatric trigger thumb and adult trigger digits. We performed a systematic review of paediatric trigger finger presentation and aetiology in order to guide workup and management. Fifty-one studies with 193 patients and 398 trigger fingers were included. Most patients had a single, unilateral trigger finger (54%). Fifty-five patients (29%) had an underlying condition, such as mucopolysaccharidosis; these cases appeared to be associated with multiple or bilateral trigger fingers or with carpal tunnel syndrome. All patients with mucopolysaccharidosis were treated surgically. Conservative management was reported in 33% of all patients, and two-thirds of these did not need further intervention. Patients undergoing surgical release infrequently had recurrence of triggering (6%). We propose an algorithmic approach for patients presenting with paediatric trigger finger. Presence of bilateral or multiple trigger digits or concomitant carpal tunnel syndrome should raise suspicion for an atypical underlying pathology.