Protocol for a multicentric, double-blind, randomised controlled trial of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) versus sham for treating vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) in sickle cell disease (SCD) in patients aged 8 years or older (HBOT-SCD study).

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic diseases in the world, annually affecting approximately 310 000 births and causing >100 000 deaths. Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the most frequent complication of SCD, leading to bone pain, thoracic pain (acute chest syndrome) and/or abdominal spasms. It is the main cause of mortality in patients with SCD, reducing life expectancy.

Carriage of third-generation cephalosporin-resistant and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales among children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The increasing resistance of Enterobacterales to third-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is a major public health concern. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to estimate the carriage prevalence of Enterobacterales not susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins or carbapenems among paediatric populations in SSA.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and cohort studies to estimate the prevalence of childhood (0-18 years old) carriage of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCR-E) or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in SSA.

Antimicrobial resistance in Enterobacterales infections among children in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been estimated to be the highest in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The current study estimated the proportion of drug-resistant Enterobacterales causing infections in SSA children.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library to identify retrospective and prospective studies published from 01/01/2005 to 01/06/2022 reporting AMR of Enterobacterales causing infections in sub-Saharan children (0-18 years old).

Host biomarkers and combinatorial scores for the detection of serious and invasive bacterial infection in pediatric patients with fever without source.

Background: Improved tools are required to detect bacterial infection in children with fever without source (FWS), especially when younger than 3 years old. The aim of the present study was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of a host signature combining for the first time two viral-induced biomarkers, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and interferon γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10), with a bacterial-induced one, C-reactive protein (CRP), to reliably predict bacterial infection in children with fever without source (FWS) and to compare its performance to routine individual biomarkers (CRP, procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell and absolute neutrophil counts, TRAIL, and IP-10) and to the Labscore.

Methods: This was a prospective diagnostic accuracy study conducted in a single tertiary center in children aged less than 3 years old presenting with FWS.

Clinical investigations to evaluate high-risk orthopaedic devices: a systematic review of the peer-reviewed medical literature.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review was to give an overview of clinical investigations regarding hip and knee arthroplasty implants published in peer-reviewed scientific medical journals before entry into force of the EU Medical Device Regulation in May 2021.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the medical literature for a random selection of hip and knee implants to identify all peer-reviewed clinical investigations published within 10 years before and up to 20 years after regulatory approval. We report study characteristics, methodologies, outcomes, measures to prevent bias, and timing of clinical investigations of 30 current implants.

Outdoor Cold Air Versus Room Temperature Exposure for Croup Symptoms: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: Croup is the most common cause of acute upper airway obstruction in children. The benefits of treating croup with steroids are well established, with an onset of effect 30 minutes after administration. We investigated whether a 30-minute exposure to outdoor cold air might improve mild to moderate croup symptoms before the onset of action of steroids.

Adjustment for baseline characteristics in randomized trials using logistic regression: sample-based model versus true model.

Background: Adjustment for baseline prognostic factors in randomized clinical trials is usually performed by means of sample-based regression models. Sample-based models may be incorrect due to overfitting. To assess whether overfitting is a problem in practice, we used simulated data to examine the performance of the sample-based model in comparison to a "true" adjustment model, in terms of estimation of the treatment effect.

Influence of chemotherapy on postural control and quality of life in women with gynaecological cancer: a protocol of a prospective observational study.

Introduction: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is a frequent side effect of some chemotherapies that can cause postural control disorders and has a serious impact on quality of life (QoL). An enhanced understanding of postural control dysfunction could help build a systematic and accurate assessment as well as specific exercises to limit the impact on QoL. This study aims to assess the influence of chemotherapy on postural control and the QoL for women with gynaecological cancer.

Management of injuries in Swiss primary care practices: a cross-sectional study within the Sentinella surveillance system.

Introduction: Injuries are amongst the most frequent causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Our aim was to describe the frequency, type of injury and care provided in primary care in Switzerland.

Methods: We used anonymous data from 14,307 injury-related consultations of all ages, with a representative sample of 160 primary care physicians from the Sentinella network throughout the year 2017.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of three risk factors for chronic postsurgical pain: age, sex and preoperative pain.

Introduction: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common and disabling postoperative complication. Several risk factors for CPSP have been established, but it is unclear whether they are significant for any type of surgery. This systematic review aimed to assess the risk of CPSP related to three known preoperative risk factors "age, sex and preoperative pain" in the adult population after any type of elective non-obstetrical surgery.

Therapeutic anticoagulation to prevent thrombosis, coagulopathy, and mortality in severe COVID-19: The Swiss COVID-HEP randomized clinical trial.

Background: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 suffered initially from high rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE), with possible associations between therapeutic anticoagulation and better clinical outcomes in observational studies.

Objective: To test whether therapeutic anticoagulation improves clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19.

Patients/methods: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial, we recruited acutely ill medical COVID-19 patients with D-dimer >1000 ng/ml or critically ill COVID-19 patients in four Swiss hospitals, from April 2020 until June 2021, with a 30-day follow-up.

LOw-dose CT Or Lung UltraSonography versus standard of care based-strategies for the diagnosis of pneumonia in the elderly: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial (OCTOPLUS).

Introduction: Pneumonia is a leading cause of mortality and a common indication for antibiotic in elderly patients. However, its diagnosis is often inaccurate. We aim to compare the diagnostic accuracy, the clinical and cost outcomes and the use of antibiotics associated with three imaging strategies in patients >65 years old with suspected pneumonia in the emergency room (ER): chest X-ray (CXR, standard of care), low-dose CT scan (LDCT) or lung ultrasonography (LUS).

Usability Testing and Technology Acceptance of an mHealth App at the Point of Care During Simulated Pediatric In- and Out-of-Hospital Cardiopulmonary Resuscitations: Study Nested Within 2 Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Mobile apps are increasingly being used in various domains of medicine. Few are evidence-based, and their benefits can only be achieved if end users intend to adopt and use them. To date, only a small fraction of mobile apps have published data on their field usability and end user acceptance results, especially in emergency medicine.

Eight versus 28-point lung ultrasonography in moderate acute heart failure: a prospective comparative study.

Lung ultrasonography (LUS) is an accurate method of estimating lung congestion but there is ongoing debate on the optimal number of scanning points. The aim of the present study was to compare the reproducibility (i.e.

Diffusion-magnetic resonance imaging predicts decline of kidney function in chronic kidney disease and in patients with a kidney allograft.

Kidney cortical interstitial fibrosis is highly predictive of kidney prognosis and is currently assessed by evaluation of a biopsy. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a promising non-invasive tool to evaluate kidney fibrosis. We recently adapted diffusion-weighted imaging sequence for discrimination between the kidney cortex and medulla and found that the cortico-medullary difference in apparent diffusion coefficient (ΔADC) correlated with histological interstitial fibrosis.

Predicting recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after liver transplantation using a novel model that incorporates tumor and donor-related factors.

Evidence suggests that liver graft quality impacts on posttransplant recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As of today, selection criteria only use variables related to tumor characteristics. Within the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, we identified patients with HCC who underwent liver transplantation between 2004 and 2016 (development cohort, n = 10 887).

Impact of a Mobile App on Paramedics' Perceived and Physiologic Stress Response During Simulated Prehospital Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Study Nested Within a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) are stressful, high-stake events that are associated with low survival rates. Acute stress experienced in this situation is associated with lower cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance in calculating drug dosages by emergency medical services. Children are particularly vulnerable to such errors.

Effect of a Mobile App on Prehospital Medication Errors During Simulated Pediatric Resuscitation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Medication errors are a leading cause of injury and avoidable harm, affecting millions of people worldwide each year. Children are particularly susceptible to medication errors, but innovative interventions for the prevention of these errors in prehospital emergency care are lacking.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of an evidence-based mobile app in reducing the occurrence of medication errors compared with conventional preparation methods during simulated pediatric out-of-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios.

Physician anaesthesia providers in Switzerland today and tomorrow: results of the National Anaesthesia Workforce Study (NAWOS).

Aims Of The Study: The Swiss healthcare system is highly ranked, given its unrestricted access to specialised care and short waiting lists for surgery. However, the need for anaesthetic and surgical care is escalating owing to the increasing size and ageing of the Swiss population. In addition, to address the persistent and recurrent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic crisis, the speciality of anaesthesia is under tremendous pressure to maintain an effective workforce in order to address population needs.