Anti-icing properties of polar bear fur.

The polar bear () is the only Arctic land mammal that dives into water to hunt. Despite thermal insulation provided by blubber and fur layers and low Arctic temperatures, their fur is typically observed to be free of ice. This study investigates the anti-icing properties of polar bear fur.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Tethered Spinal Cord: A Systematic Review.

Context: Tethered cord syndrome is associated with motor and sensory deficits.

Objective: Our objective was to summarize evidence regarding the diagnosis, prophylactic surgery, symptomatic treatment, and repeat surgery of tethered spinal cord in a systematic review (CRD42023461296).

Data Sources And Study Selection: We searched 13 databases, reference-mined reviews, and contacted authors to identify diagnostic accuracy studies and treatment studies published until March 2024.

Prevention in adults of transmission of infection with multidrug-resistant organisms: an updated systematic review from Making Healthcare Safer IV.

Background: Healthcare-associated infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) remain a high priority patient safety topic, despite broad acceptance as standard-of-care safety practices to prevent central line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Prior editions of Making Healthcare Safer have mixed certainty evidence for various other patient safety practices.

Objectives: As part of Making Healthcare Safer IV, we performed an updated systematic review on the certainty of evidence for the following safety practices at reducing in-facility MDRO infections in adult patients: universal gloving, contact precautions, cohorting, environmental decontamination, patient decolonisation and the adverse effects of isolation.

Characteristics, management and outcomes of primary hyperparathyroidism from 2009 to 2021: a single centre report from South Africa.

Background: There has been a notable shift towards the diagnosis of less severe and asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) in developed countries. However, there is a paucity of recent data from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and also, no reported data from SSA on the utility of intra-operative parathyroid hormone (IO-PTH) monitoring. In an earlier study from Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital (IALCH), Durban, South Africa (2003-2009), majority of patients (92.

A Longitudinal Framework to Describe the Relation Between Age-Related Hearing Loss and Social Isolation.

Many older adults live with some form of hearing loss and have difficulty understanding speech in the presence of background sound. Experiences resulting from such difficulties include increased listening effort and fatigue. Social interactions may become less appealing in the context of such experiences, and age-related hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of social isolation and associated negative psychosocial health outcomes.

Tools for the Diagnosis of ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Context: Correct diagnosis is essential for the appropriate clinical management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents.

Objective: This systematic review provides an overview of the available diagnostic tools.

Data Sources: We identified diagnostic accuracy studies in 12 databases published from 1980 through June 2023.

Treatments for ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

Context: Effective treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is essential to improving youth outcomes.

Objectives: This systematic review provides an overview of the available treatment options.

Data Sources: We identified controlled treatment evaluations in 12 databases published from 1980 to June 2023; treatments were not restricted by intervention content.

Caring for high-need patients.

Objective: We aimed to explore the construct of "high need" and identify common need domains among high-need patients, their care professionals, and healthcare organizations; and to describe the interventions that health care systems use to address these needs, including exploring the potential unintended consequences of interventions.

Methods: We conducted a modified Delphi panel informed by an environmental scan. Expert stakeholders included patients, interdisciplinary healthcare practitioners (physicians, social workers, peer navigators), implementation scientists, and policy makers.

Multiple chemical sensitivity scoping review protocol: overview of research and MCS construct.

Introduction: Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has been characterised by reported adverse responses to environmental exposures of common chemical agents (eg, perfumes, paint, cleaning products and other inhaled or ingested agents) in low doses considered non-toxic for the general population. There is currently no consensus on whether MCS can be established as a distinct disorder.

Methods And Analysis: The scoping review of the literature will be guided by five questions: How is MCS defined and which diagnostic criteria have been proposed? What methods are used to report prevalence and incidence estimates of MCS? What are the characteristics of the body of scientific evidence that addresses whether MCS is a distinct disorder or syndrome? What underlying mechanisms for MCS have been proposed in the scientific literature? Which treatment and management approaches for MCS have been evaluated in empirical research studies? We will conduct a comprehensive search in 14 research databases.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for vascular surgery: an evidence map and scoping review.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) interventions aim to improve patient outcomes. Vascular surgery patients have unique requirements and it is unclear which ERAS interventions are supported by an evidence base.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review to identify ERAS randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in the biomedical or nursing literature.

Disciplinary trends in the use of the Delphi method: A bibliometric analysis.

The Delphi method is an iterative, anonymous, group-based process for eliciting and aggregating opinion on a topic to explore the existence of consensus among experts. The year 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the first peer-reviewed journal article on the Delphi method. Originally developed for operations research, this method is now applied extensively by researchers representing diverse scientific fields.

Disparities in pediatric cancer survivorship care: A systematic review.

Background: Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) experience many long-term health problems that can be mitigated with recommended survivorship care. However, many CCS do not have access to survivorship care nor receive recommended survivorship care. We reviewed the empirical evidence of disparities in survivorship care for CCS.