Distinct functional neutrophil phenotypes in sepsis patients correlate with disease severity.

Purpose: Sepsis is a clinical syndrome defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Sepsis is a highly heterogeneous syndrome with distinct phenotypes that impact immune function and response to infection. To develop targeted therapeutics, immunophenotyping is needed to identify distinct functional phenotypes of immune cells.

Epidemiology and practice variations of shunt surgery for hydrocephalus: a nationwide registry-based study.

Objective: Indications for surgical treatment of hydrocephalus (HC) can vary across centers. The authors sought to investigate the frequencies of surgically treated HC disorders and to study variations in the practice of shunt surgery in Norway, a country with universal and free healthcare.

Methods: This is a nationwide registry-based study using data from the Norwegian Patient Registry.

Shunt complications and revisions in children: A retrospective single institution study.

Introduction: Shunt surgery in children is associated with high revision and complication rates. We investigated revision rates and postoperative complications to specify current challenges associated with pediatric shunt surgery.

Methods: All patients aged < 18 years admitted to St.

Revision and complication rates in adult shunt surgery: a single-institution study.

Background: CSF diversion with shunt placement is frequently associated with need for later revisions as well as surgical complications. We sought to review revision and complication rates following ventriculoperitoneal, ventriculoatrial and cystoperitoneal shunt placement in adult patients, and to identify potential risk factors for revision surgery and postoperative complications.

Method: Included patients were adults (≥ 18 years) who underwent primary shunt insertion at St.

Accuracy and complication rates of external ventricular drain placement with twist drill and bolt system versus standard trephine and tunnelation: a retrospective population-based study.

Background: An external ventricular drain (EVD) is typically indicated in the presence of hydrocephalus and increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Procedural challenges have prompted the development of different methods to improve accuracy, safety, and logistics.

Objectives: EVD placement and complications rates were compared using two surgical techniques; the standard method (using a 14-mm trephine burrhole with the EVD tunnelated through the skin) was compared to a less invasive method (EVD placed through a 2.

A Model to Identify Sarcopenia in Patients With Cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: The severe depletion of muscle mass at the third lumbar vertebral level (sarcopenia) is a marker of malnutrition and is independently associated with mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Instead of monitoring sarcopenia by cross-sectional imaging, we investigated whether ultrasound-based measurements of peripheral muscle mass, measures of muscle function, along with nutritional factors, are associated with severe loss of muscle mass.

Methods: We performed a prospective study of 159 outpatients with cirrhosis (56% male; mean age, 58 ± 10 years; mean model for end-stage liver disease score, 10 ± 3; 60% Child-Pugh class A) evaluated at the Cirrhosis Care Clinic at the University of Alberta Hospital from March 2011 through September 2012.

Systematic review on human resources for health interventions to improve maternal health outcomes: evidence from low- and middle-income countries.

There is a broad consensus and evidence that shows qualified, accessible, and responsive human resources for health (HRH) can make a major impact on the health of the populations. At the same time, there is widespread recognition that HRH crises particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) impede the achievement of better health outcomes/targets. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equitable access to a skilled and motivated health worker within a performing health system is need to be ensured.

Effects of low-carbohydrate diets v. low-fat diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

The effects of low-carbohydrate (LC) diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk are unclear, and previous studies have found varying results. Our aim was to conduct a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCT), assessing the effects of LC diets v. low-fat (LF) diets on weight loss and risk factors of CVD.

The 22/11 risk prediction model: a validated model for predicting 30-day mortality in patients with cirrhosis and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Objectives: Clinicians do not have a validated tool for estimating the short-term mortality associated with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Accurate prognosis assessment is important for risk stratification and for individualizing therapy. We aimed therefore to develop and validate a model for the prediction of 30-day mortality in SBP patients receiving standard medical treatment (antibiotics and if indicated by guidelines, intravenous albumin therapy).

Low-dose heparin use and the patency of peripheral IV catheters in children: a systematic review.

Objective: To assess evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of low-dose heparin for prolonging patency of peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheters in the pediatric population.

Methods: We searched Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify studies up to June 6, 2012. Additional citations were retrieved from the bibliography of selected articles.