bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reporting Quality of Systematic Review Abstracts Published in Leading Neurosurgical Journals: A Research on Research Study
Authors: O’Donohoe Tom J , Dhillon Rana , Bridson Tahnee L , Tee Jin 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Systematic review (SR) abstracts are frequently relied upon to guide clinical decision-making. However, there is mounting evidence that the quality of abstract reporting in the medical literature is suboptimal.

OBJECTIVE
To appraise SR abstract reporting quality in neurosurgical journals and identify factors associated with improved reporting.

METHODS
This study systematically surveyed SR abstracts published in 8 leading neurosurgical journals between 8 April 2007 and 21 August 2017. Abstracts were identified through a search of the MEDLINE database and their reporting quality was determined in duplicate using a tool derived from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for Abstracts (PRISMA-A) statement. All SR abstracts that provided comparison between treatment strategies were eligible for inclusion. Descriptive statistics were utilized to identify factors associated with improved reporting.

RESULTS
A total of 257 abstracts were included in the analysis, with a mean of 22.8 (±25.3) included studies. The overall quality of reporting in included abstracts was suboptimal, with a mean score of 53.05% (±11.18). Reporting scores were higher among abstracts published after the release of the PRISMA-A guidelines (M = 56.52; 21.74-73.91) compared with those published beforehand (M = 47.83; 8.70-69.57; U = 4346.00, z = –4.61, P < .001). Similarly, both word count (r = 0.338, P < .001) and journal impact factor (r = 0.199, P = .001) were associated with an improved reporting score.

CONCLUSION
This study demonstrates that the overall reporting quality of abstracts in leading neurosurgical journals requires improvement. Strengths include the large number abstracts assessed, and its weaknesses include the fact that only neurosurgery-specific journals were surveyed. We recommend that attention be turned toward strengthening abstract submission and peer-review processes.
Silk-Based Biomaterials in Cutaneous Wound Healing: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kamalathevan Pragash , Ooi Peng S. , Loo Yew L. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:
Effective wound dressings should promote healing through cellular migration, neovascularization, and re-epithelialization. Silk fibroin (SF) and silk sericin (SS) are reported to have very good biocompatibility, excellent mechanical properties, and controlled biodegradability. This review investigates the use and performance of silk-based biomaterials in cutaneous wounds within in vitro, in vivo, and randomized controlled studies.

METHODS:
Study authors conducted a comprehensive literature search on the use of silk-based dressings in cutaneous wound healing and investigated reports of the advantages and disadvantages of SF and SS along with these materials’ methods of characterization, cell migration, neovascularization, wound closure, and cytotoxicity.

RESULTS:
In vitro and in vivo animal models have shown SF-based biomaterials promote good cellular adhesion and fibroblast proliferation in cutaneous wounds. The porosity and silk concentration of silk-based scaffolds are key determinants of biodegradation and plasmatic imbibition capabilities and can help promote wound healing. In reviewed studies, SF biomaterials promoted neovascularization as early as 7 days and better than common dressings, demonstrating low cytotoxicity and immunogenicity. That said, a concern with the use of SS is the tendency to cause a hypersensitivity reaction.

CONCLUSIONS:
The benefits of silk-based biomaterials seem evident based on promising preclinical studies. Both SF and SS have been shown to have excellent wound healing properties by promoting cell attachment, migration, and collagen deposition. The authors encourage the use of SF and SS in more trials for wound healing.
Technologies of Exposure: Videoconferenced Distributed Medical Education as a Sociomaterial Practice
Authors: MacLeod Anna , Cameron Paula , Kits Olga , Tummons Jonathan 
Published: November 2018

Purpose
Videoconferencing—a network of buttons, screens, microphones, cameras, and speakers—is one way to ensure that undergraduate medical curricula are comparably delivered across distributed medical education (DME) sites, a common requirement for accreditation. However, few researchers have critically explored the role of videoconference technologies in day-to-day DME. The authors, therefore, conducted a three-year ethnographic study of a Canadian undergraduate DME program.

Method
Drawing on 108 hours of observations, 33 interviews, and analysis of 65 documents—all collected at two campuses between January 2013 and February 2015—the authors explored the question, “What is revealed when we consider videoconferencing for DME as a sociomaterial practice?”

Results
The authors describe three interconnected ways that videoconference systems operate as unintended “technologies of exposure”: visual, curricular, and auditory. Videoconferencing inadvertently exposes both mundane and extraordinary images and sounds, offering access to the informal, unintended, and even disavowed curriculum of everyday medical education. The authors conceptualize these exposures as sociomaterial practices, which add an additional layer of complexity for members of medical school communities.

Conclusions
This analysis challenges the assumption that videoconferencing merely extends the bricks-and-mortar classroom. The authors discuss practical implications and recommend more critical consideration of the ways videoconferencing shifts the terrain of medical education. These findings point to a need for more critically oriented research exploring the ways DME technologies transform medical education, in both intended and unintended ways.
Impact of Nicotine and Other Stimulants on Sleep in Young Adults
Authors: Caviness Celeste M. , Anderson Bradley J. , Stein Michael D. 
Published: November 2018

Objectives:
Sleep problems can have long-term negative consequences. This study explored the relationship of commonly used stimulant substances to poor sleep quality in young adults.

Methods:
We surveyed 498 participants, aged 18 to 25, who reported recent alcohol or marijuana use. Stimulant substances measured included coffee, energy drinks, nonmedical prescription stimulants (NPS), cocaine, and nicotine. Sleep outcomes were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and its components.

Results:
Participants averaged 21.3 (±2.07) years of age, 47.8% male, 65.5% non-Latino white, 10.8% African-American, 12.3% Latino, and 11.5% other ethnic origins. In the past 30 days, 24.9% had used cigarettes, 48.1% energy drinks, 17.3% NPS, 79.3% coffee, and 7.9% cocaine. Mean PSQI global score was 6.21 (±3.66, median = 5). After adjusting for background characteristics, PSQI global scores were positively and significantly associated with number of cigarettes/day (b = 0.16, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.25, P < 0.001) and days of NPS (b = 0.10, 95% confidence interval 0.01 to 0.18, P = 0.030).

Conclusions:
NPS negatively affects sleep, but nicotine is particularly deleterious to sleep quality. Addressing smoking cessation to improve sleep may be a novel way to motivate young adult smokers to quit.
Dexmedetomidine as an Adjuvant to Local Anesthetics in Transversus Abdominis Plane Block
Authors: Sun Qianchuang , Liu Shuyan , Wu Huiying , Ma He , Liu Wei , Fang Meidan , Liu Kexiang , Pan Zhenxiang 
Published: November 2018

Objectives:The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the analgesic effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks for abdominal surgery.Methods:Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wan Fang, and the Cochrane Library, were conducted to collect the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to March 2018. RCTs investigating the impact of adding DEX to local anesthetics for TAP blocks were included in this analysis. Pain scores (at rest and movement), opioid consumption, the duration of the TAP block and the common adverse effects were analyzed.Results:Twenty published trials including 1212 patients met the inclusion criteria. The addition of DEX significantly reduced pain scores 8 hours postoperatively at rest (WMD, −0.78; 95% CI, −1.27 to −0.30;P=0.001), 4 hours postoperatively on movement (WMD, −1.13; 95% CI, −1.65 to −0.60;P<0.001), and opioid consumption (WMD, −13.71; 95% CI, −17.83 to −9.60;P<0.001) when compared with control group. Furthermore, perineural DEX significantly prolonged the duration of the TAP block (WMD, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.85 to 3.82;P<0.001). It did not affect the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, somnolence, or pruritus.Conclusions:DEX is a potential anesthetic adjuvant that can facilitate better postoperative analgesia, reduce postoperative analgesic requirements, and prolong the local anesthetic effect when administered in TAP blocks.
Amisulpride for the Rescue Treatment of Postoperative Nausea or Vomiting in Patients Failing Prophylaxis
Authors: Habib Ashraf S. , Kranke Peter , Bergese Sergio D. , Chung Frances , Ayad Sabry , Siddiqui Naveed , Motsch Johann , Leiman David G. , Melson Timothy I. , Diemunsch Pierre , Fox Gabriel M. , Candiotti Keith A. 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Editor’s Perspective

What We Already Know about This Topic

What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Background
Although antiemetics are commonly used to prevent postoperative nausea or vomiting, the failure rate is appreciable and there is currently no generally accepted standard for rescue treatment of postoperative nausea or vomiting after failed prophylaxis. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, multicenter study was designed to test the hypothesis that intravenous amisulpride, a dopamine D2/D3-antagonist, is superior to placebo at treating established postoperative nausea or vomiting after failed prophylaxis.

Methods
A total of 2,285 adult patients undergoing surgery under general inhalational anesthesia and receiving standard antiemetic prophylaxis were enrolled at 23 sites in Canada, France, Germany, and the United States. Of these, 702 patients experienced postoperative nausea or vomiting in the 24-h period after surgery and were randomized to receive a single dose of 5 or 10 mg intravenous amisulpride or matching placebo. The primary endpoint was complete response, defined as no emesis or rescue antiemetic use for 24 h after study drug administration, excluding emesis in the first 30 min. Secondary endpoints included incidence of emesis and rescue medication use, nausea burden, time to treatment failure, and length of stay in postanesthesia care unit and hospital.

Results
Complete response occurred in significantly more patients receiving 10 mg amisulpride (96 of 230, 41.7%) than placebo (67 of 235, 28.5%), a 13.2% difference (95% CI, 4.6 to 21.8; odds ratio, 1.80; P = 0.006). A 5-mg dose of amisulpride did not show a significant benefit (80 of 237, 33.8%); the difference from placebo was 5.2% (95% CI, 3.1 to 13.6; odds ratio, 1.24; P = 0.109). The total number of adverse events recorded and proportion of patients with at least one adverse event were comparable between the placebo and amisulpride groups. No clinically relevant toxicities were observed.

Conclusions
A single 10-mg dose of intravenous amisulpride was safe and more effective than placebo at treating established postoperative nausea or vomiting in patients failing postoperative nausea or vomiting prophylaxis.
Does Symmetric Thoracic Fusion Make a Difference in Lenke 1 A/B AIS Patients?
Authors: Zhao Zhihui , Liu Zhen , Hu Zongshan , Tseng Changchun , Li Jie , Shi Benlong , Qiu Yong , Zhu Zezhang 
Published: November 2018

Study Design.
A retrospective study.

Objective.
The aim of this study was to compare the long-term outcomes of correction surgery for Lenke 1 A/B scoliosis among those with symmetric fusion (SF), upper-dominant fusion (UF), and lower-dominant fusion (LF) in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Summary of Background Data.
Symmetric fusion, defined as equal number of vertebral levels included in instrumented fusion above and below the apical vertebra or disc of the primary curve, was a new concept raised in AIS selective fusion. Previous study showed that similar correction the effect on clinical outcomes of this fusion style.

Methods.
Preoperative, postoperative, and last follow-up radiographs of 117 consecutive patients with Lenke type 1A/B curves who underwent posterior selective thoracic instrumentation surgery were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups (SF and nonsymmetric fusion [NSF]). Patients in NSF was further divided into two groups UF (more vertebrate was fused above the apex) and LF (more vertebrate was fused below the apex). Clinical outcomes and coronal decompensation including adding-on and trunk shift were analyzed and compared among three groups.

Results.
There was no significant difference between SF and NSF in magnitude of preoperative main thoracic curve (P = 0.69) and correction rate (P = 0.50). Distal adding-on was observed in 21 patients (17.9%), and coronal decompensation was observed in eight patients (6.8%) in all at final follow up. No significant differences were found between the two groups regarding adding-on phenomenon (P = 0.64) and coronal imbalance (P = 0.72). Significantly higher rates of adding-on were found in UF compared with SF and LF (P < 0.001). In a subgroup analysis between UF and LF in NSF patients, significant differences were found between two subgroups in the rate of trunk shift (P = 0.038). No significant differences in SRS-22 scores were observed among the three groups.

Conclusion.
In Lenke 1A/B AIS with posterior selective fusion, SF provides no significant differences from NSF. However, in NSF, UF was found to be high risky of adding-on phenomenon.

Level of Evidence: 3
Timing of Prophylactic Anticoagulation and Its Effect on Thromboembolic Events After Surgery for Metastatic Tumors of the Spine
Authors: De la Garza Ramos Rafael , Longo Michael , Gelfand Yaroslav , Echt Murray , Kinon Merritt D. , Yassari Reza 
Published: November 2018

Study Design.
Retrospective cohort study.

Objective.
To investigate the effect of timing of initiation of prophylactic anticoagulation (AC) on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after surgery for metastatic tumors of the spine.

Summary of Background Data.
VTE is a known complication in patients undergoing surgery for metastatic spine disease. However, there is limited data on the use of prophylactic AC in this population and its impact on the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), as well as the risk of epidural hematoma.

Methods.
A retrospective review of our institutional neurosurgical spine database for the years 2012 through 2018 was performed. Patients who underwent surgery for metastatic tumors were identified. The development of VTE within 30 days was examined, as well as the occurrence of epidural hematoma. The incidence of VTE was compared between patients receiving “early” (within postoperative days 1–3) and “delayed” prophylactic AC (on or after postoperative day 4).

Results.
Sixty-five consecutive patients were identified (mean age 57, 62% male). The overall rate of VTE was 16.9%—all of whom had DVTs with a 3.1% rate of nonfatal PE (two patients also developed PE). From the overall cohort, 36 of 65 (56%) received prophylactic AC in addition to mechanical prophylaxis—22 in the early group (61.1%) and 14 in the delayed group (38.9%). The risk of VTE was 9.1% in the early group and 35.7% in the delayed group (26.6% absolute risk reduction; P = 0.049); there was one case of epidural hematoma (1.5%). On multivariate analysis, delayed prophylactic AC was found to significantly increase the odds of VTE development (OR 6.43; 95% CI, 1.01–41.2; P = 0.049).

Conclusion.
The findings of this study suggest that administration of prophylactic AC between days 1 and 3 after surgery for metastatic tumors of the spine may significantly reduce the risk of postoperative thromboembolic events.

Level of Evidence: 4
Arthroscopic Treatment of Lateral Elbow Pain Mimicking Lateral Epicondylitis: Long-term Follow-up of a Unique Surgical Protocol
Authors: Sochol Kristen M. , London Daniel A. , Rothenberg Edward S. , Hausman Michael R. 
Published: November 2018

Hypothesis and/or Background:
The failure rate of extensor carpi radialis brevis debridement for refractory lateral epicondylitis is reported around 15%. Our novel arthroscopic treatment is predicated on the hypothesis that lateral epicondylitis is an intra-articular problem related to a variation of the capsule-meniscal anatomy that impinges on the radiocapitellar joint. We report long-term outcomes of 35 patients treated with a novel arthroscopic resection of their capsulosynovial fringe.

Methods:
All patients failed nonoperative treatment but had temporary improvement with an intra-articular injection. Arthroscopic treatment involved resecting the meniscus and the proximal edge of the orbicular ligament, followed by a tendon-sparing anterolateral capsulectomy. 35 patients underwent evaluation on average 9.2 years after surgery. Outcome measures included VAS, DASH, and questions on return to sports, satisfaction, and perceived benefit of surgery.

Results:
Median pain scores improved from 8 of 10 preoperatively to 0 of 10 postoperatively. This change was clinically and statistically significant, with 1 patient still requiring pain medication. Median DASH score at final follow-up was 1. Overall, 30 patients rated their postoperative outcome as much better, 5 rated it as better, and 0 reported their symptoms to be unchanged or worsened. All 35 patients stated they were happy they underwent the procedure and perceived a benefit. Totally, 4 of 35 patients had postoperative complications (2 with ulnar nerve symptoms, 2 with persistent pain), with one requiring revision surgery for persistent pain.

Discussion and/or Conclusions:
We report promising long-term clinical and functional results of a novel arthroscopic resection of the capsulosynovial complex in lateral epicondylitis.
Mobile Media Device Use is Associated with Expressive Language Delay in 18-Month-Old Children
Authors: van den Heuvel Meta , Ma Julia , Borkhoff Cornelia M. , Koroshegyi Christine , Dai David W. H. , Parkin Patricia C. , Maguire Jonathon L. , Birken Catherine S. ,   on behalf of the TARGet Kids! Collaboration
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACT:Objective:The objective was to examine the association between mobile media device use and communication delays in 18-month-old children.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2011 and December 2015 within the TARGet Kids! primary care research network. Children were included if parents reported their child's mobile media device use and completed a validated questionnaire for communication delay at the 18-month well child visit. Mobile media device use was measured using a parent-reported survey instrument. Daily mobile media device use was calculated as a weighted average of typical weekday and weekend day mobile media device use. Two communication outcomes were investigated: (1) expressive speech delay and (2) other communication delays, as measured by the Infant Toddler Checklist.Results:The study sample included 893 children (mean age 18.7 months, 54.1% male). Most parents reported 0 minutes per day of mobile media device use in their children (n = 693, 77.6%). Among children whose parents reported any mobile media device use (n = 200, 22.4%), the median daily mobile media device use was 15.7 minutes (range 1.4–300). The prevalence of parent-reported expressive speech delay was 6.6%, and the prevalence of other parent-reported communication delays was 8.8%. For children who used a mobile media device, each additional 30-minute increase in daily mobile media device use was associated with increased odds of parent-reported expressive speech delay (ORa= 2.33, 95% confidence interval, 1.25–4.82). No relationship was observed between mobile media device use and other parent-reported communication delays.Conclusion:Our study demonstrated a significant association between mobile media device use and parent-reported expressive speech delay in 18-month-old children.
Decreasing menopausal symptoms of Asian American breast cancer survivors through a technology-based information and coaching/support program
Authors: Im Eun-Ok , Kim Sangmi , Lee Chiyoung , Chee Eunice , Mao Jun J. , Chee Wonshik 
Published: November 2018

Abstract

Objective:
One of the most prevalent and distressing symptoms after breast cancer treatment is menopausal symptoms. Asian American breast cancer survivors have lower quality of life and often receive inadequate management of menopausal symptoms compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Technology-based programs could be a solution to fill the gap in care. The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a technology-based information and coaching/support program on menopausal symptoms of Asian American breast cancer survivors.

Methods:
This study adopted a randomized pretest/post-test group design among 91 Asian American breast cancer survivors (42 in an intervention group who used the program and the American Cancer Society Web site and 49 in a control group who used only the American Cancer Society Web site). The intervention was a theory-driven and culturally tailored intervention program that aimed to provide information and coaching/support using computers and mobile devices. Multiple instruments were used to measure background characteristics and menopausal symptoms at pretest, post 1-month, and post 3 months. An intent-to-treat linear mixed-model growth curve analysis was used to analyze the data.

Results:
The intervention group showed a significant decrease in the distress scores of menopausal symptoms over time: physical (β = −0.07, P = 0.08), psychological (β = −0.13, P = 0.05), psychosomatic (β = −0.17, P = 0.06), and total symptoms (β = −0.19, P = 0.01). Theory-based variables including attitudes, social influences, and self-efficacy partially mediated the impact of the intervention on the distress scores of menopausal symptoms (P < 0.10).

Conclusions:
The program was effective in alleviating menopausal symptoms of Asian American breast cancer survivors.