Systematic review of non-invasive ventilation and craniofacial fractures: a multidisciplinary perspective and recommendations for management.

The anatomically complex craniofacial skeleton demands special consideration when caring for cases of polytrauma or medically compromised patients with craniofacial fractures. This paper utilises a systematic review and multidisciplinary opinions to create an algorithm for the hospital-based care of patients with craniofacial fractures (base of skull, orbit, paranasal sinus, and mandible) who require non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Each fracture location has a unique predisposition to a different type of emphysema and associated morbidity.

Postoperative Horner's syndrome following excision of incidental cervical ganglioneuroma during hemithyroidectomy and parathyroid gland exploration.

This 49-year-old woman was referred to ear, nose and throat (ENT) with primary hyperparathyroidism. Imaging studies failed to localise the adenoma so she required four-gland parathyroid exploration. She also required diagnostic left hemithyroidectomy as she had a U3 nodule with multiple insufficient fine needle aspirations (FNAs).

Apparatus for electrically detected electron nuclear double resonance in solid state electronic devices.

We have developed a sensitive electron nuclear double resonance spectrometer in which the detection takes place through electrically detected magnetic resonance. We demonstrate that the spectrometer can provide reasonably high signal to noise spectra of N interactions with deep level centers in a fully processed bipolar junction transistor at room temperature.

Slow- and rapid-scan frequency-swept electrically detected magnetic resonance of MOSFETs with a non-resonant microwave probe within a semiconductor wafer-probing station.

We report on a novel electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique that merges electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) with a conventional semiconductor wafer probing station. This union, which we refer to as wafer-level EDMR (WL-EDMR), allows EDMR measurements to be performed on an unaltered, fully processed semiconductor wafer. Our measurements replace the conventional EPR microwave cavity or resonator with a very small non-resonant near-field microwave probe.

Flunarizine as prophylaxis for episodic migraine: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Based on few clinical trials, flunarizine is considered a first-line prophylactic treatment for migraine in several guidelines. In this meta-analysis, we examined the pooled evidence for its effectiveness, tolerability, and safety. Prospective randomized controlled trials of flunarizine as a prophylaxis against migraine were identified from a systematic literature search, and risk of bias was assessed for all included studies.

Total Ionizing Dose Effects on TiN/Ti/HfO/TiN Resistive Random-Access Memory Studied via Electrically Detected Magnetic Resonance.

We observe a gamma-irradiation induced change in electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) in TiN/Ti/HfO/TiN resistive random access memory (RRAM). EDMR measurements exclusively detect electrically active defects which are directly involved in the transport mechanisms within these devices. The EDMR response has an isotropic g-value of 2.

Wafer-Level Electrically Detected Magnetic Resonance: Magnetic Resonance in a Probing Station.

We report on a novel semiconductor reliability technique that incorporates an electrically detected magnetic resonance (EDMR) spectrometer within a conventional semiconductor wafer probing station. EDMR is an ultrasensitive electron paramagnetic resonance technique with the capability to provide detailed physical and chemical information about reliability limiting defects in semiconductor devices. EDMR measurements have generally required a complex apparatus, not typically found in solid-state electronics laboratories.

Biofeedback as Prophylaxis for Pediatric Migraine: A Meta-analysis.

Context: Migraine is a common problem in children and adolescents, but few satisfactory prophylactic treatments exist.

Objective: Our goal was to investigate the pooled evidence for the effectiveness of using biofeedback to reduce childhood migraine.

Data Sources: A systematic search was conducted across the databases Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and PsychINFO.

Benefits and Harms of Breast Cancer Screening: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Patients need to consider both benefits and harms of breast cancer screening.

Objective: To systematically synthesize available evidence on the association of mammographic screening and clinical breast examination (CBE) at different ages and intervals with breast cancer mortality, overdiagnosis, false-positive biopsy findings, life expectancy, and quality-adjusted life expectancy.

Evidence Review: We searched PubMed (to March 6, 2014), CINAHL (to September 10, 2013), and PsycINFO (to September 10, 2013) for systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) (with no limit to publication date), and observational and modeling studies published after January 1, 2000, as well as systematic reviews of all study designs.

Interpretive Diagnostic Error Reduction in Surgical Pathology and Cytology: Guideline From the College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center and the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology.

Context: Additional reviews of diagnostic surgical and cytology cases have been shown to detect diagnostic discrepancies.

Objective: To develop, through a systematic review of the literature, recommendations for the review of pathology cases to detect or prevent interpretive diagnostic errors.

Design: The College of American Pathologists Pathology and Laboratory Quality Center in association with the Association of Directors of Anatomic and Surgical Pathology convened an expert panel to develop an evidence-based guideline to help define the role of case reviews in surgical pathology and cytology.

Somatic Cough Syndrome (Previously Referred to as Psychogenic Cough) and Tic Cough (Previously Referred to as Habit Cough) in Adults and Children: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report.

Background: We conducted a systematic review on the management of psychogenic cough, habit cough, and tic cough to update the recommendations and suggestions of the 2006 guideline on this topic.

Methods: We followed the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) methodologic guidelines and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework. The Expert Cough Panel based their recommendations on data from the systematic review, patients' values and preferences, and the clinical context.

Assessment of Intervention Fidelity and Recommendations for Researchers Conducting Studies on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in the Adult: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report.

Background: Successful management of chronic cough has varied in the primary research studies in the reported literature. One of the potential reasons relates to a lack of intervention fidelity to the core elements of the diagnostic and/or therapeutic interventions that were meant to be used by the investigators.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to summarize the evidence supporting intervention fidelity as an important methodologic consideration in assessing the effectiveness of clinical practice guidelines used for the diagnosis and management of chronic cough.

Tools for assessing outcomes in studies of chronic cough: CHEST guideline and expert panel report.

Background: Since the publication of the 2006 American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) cough guidelines, a variety of tools has been developed or further refined for assessing cough. The purpose of the present committee was to evaluate instruments used by investigators performing clinical research on chronic cough. The specific aims were to (1) assess the performance of tools designed to measure cough frequency, severity, and impact in adults, adolescents, and children with chronic cough and (2) make recommendations or suggestions related to these findings.

Oxygen for relief of dyspnoea in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who would not qualify for home oxygen: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register to determine whether oxygen relieves dyspnoea in mildly or non-hypoxemic COPD and included 18 randomised controlled trials (431 participants) in the meta-analysis using Cochrane methodology. Oxygen therapy reduced dyspnoea when compared with medical air; standardised mean difference -0.37 (95% CI -0.

Antiepileptics in migraine prophylaxis: an updated Cochrane review.

Introduction: The efficacy of several antiepileptics in the preventive treatment of episodic migraine in adults has been systematically reviewed. Because many trial reports have been published since then, an updated systematic review was warranted.

Methods: We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed/MEDLINE (1966 to January 15, 2013), MEDLINE In-Process (current week, January 15, 2013), and EMBASE (1974 to January 15, 2013) and hand-searched Headache and Cephalalgia through January 2013.

A proposed approach may help systematic reviews retain needed expertise while minimizing bias from nonfinancial conflicts of interest.

Objectives: Groups such as the Institute of Medicine emphasize the importance of attention to financial conflicts of interest. Little guidance exists, however, on managing the risk of bias for systematic reviews from nonfinancial conflicts of interest. We sought to create practical guidance on ensuring adequate clinical or content expertise while maintaining independence of judgment on systematic review teams.

Prioritization of patient-centered comparative effectiveness research for osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the United States. This article describes a prioritized research agenda about osteoarthritis management developed for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Evidence gaps were identified by reviewing existing literature and engaging diverse stakeholders to expand and refine gaps.

Prioritization of research addressing management strategies for ductal carcinoma in situ.

Ductal carcinoma in situ is a common finding in women having mammography screening, and there is considerable uncertainty about the balance of harms and benefits of different management options. This article outlines the process for developing a prioritized research agenda for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute as informed by a diverse group of stakeholders on the management of ductal carcinoma in situ. Evidence gaps were identified by reviewing existing literature and engaging diverse stakeholders to refine these gaps.

Prioritization of research addressing antipsychotics for adolescents and young adults with bipolar disorder.

Despite a paucity of high-quality evidence about benefits and harms, antipsychotic medication use among adolescents and young adults with bipolar disorder is increasing. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute tasked the Duke Evidence Synthesis Group with creating a prioritized agenda for research in this area that would incorporate the perspectives of relevant stakeholders. We identified a list of potential evidence gaps by reviewing existing literature and engaged a diverse group of 9 stakeholders to expand and refine this list.

Colorectal cancer screening: the northern trust experience.

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer with resulting major mortality. In a bid to reduce the mortality, bowel cancer screening has been established in the United Kingdom. The screening programme was commenced in Northern Ireland in 2010 within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, following its implementation in England and Scotland.

Comparative effectiveness and safety of drug therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Current treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have been shown to improve dyspnea, 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and pulmonary hemodynamics, but few studies were designed to compare treatment regimens or assess the impact of treatment on mortality.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of monotherapy or combination therapy for PAH using endothelin receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, or prostanoids. We searched English-language publications of comparative studies that reported intermediate or long-term outcomes associated with drug therapy for PAH.

Efficacy and tolerability of treatments for chronic cough: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Understanding the comparative effectiveness of treatments for patients with unexplained or refractory cough is important to increase awareness of proven therapies and their potential adverse effects in this unique population.

Methods: We performed a literature search for English-language studies published up to June 2012 that compared symptomatic therapies for chronic cough. Two investigators screened each abstract and full-text article for inclusion, abstracted data, and rated quality.