The prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking among the general and specific populations: a systematic review.

Background: The objective of this study was to systematically review the medical literature for the prevalence of waterpipe tobacco use among the general and specific populations.

Methods: We electronically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the ISI the Web of Science. We selected studies using a two-stage duplicate and independent screening process.

Effects of water-pipe smoking on lung function: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Although common in many Middle Eastern countries, water-pipe tobacco smoking, commonly known as water-pipe smoking (WPS), is increasingly popular in Western cultures. The primary objective of this study was to systematically review the effects of WPS on lung function. The secondary objective was to compare the effects of WPS and cigarette smoking on lung function.

Survey instruments used in clinical and epidemiological research on waterpipe tobacco smoking: a systematic review.

Background: The primary objective was to systematically review the medical literature for instruments validated for use in epidemiological and clinical research on waterpipe smoking.

Methods: We searched the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI the Web of Science. We selected studies using a two-stage duplicate and independent screening process.

Validity of severity scores in hospitalized patients with nursing home-acquired pneumonia.

Background: Several severity scores have been advanced to predict a patient's outcome from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The purpose of this study is to compare the accuracy of confusion, urea, respiratory rate, BP (CURB); CURB plus age ≥ 65 years (CURB-65); CURB-65 minus urea (CRB-65); and systolic BP, oxygenation, age, and respiratory rate (SOAR) scoring systems in predicting 30-day mortality and ICU admission in patients with nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of 457 nursing home residents hospitalized with pneumonia at two university-affiliated tertiary care facilities.

Biomarkers in the diagnosis of aspiration syndromes.

Recognizing and managing the different types of aspiration events remain a challenging task due to the lack of distinguishing clinical or laboratory characteristics. Numerous biomarkers in serum, sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage have been studied, and their role in the recognition of aspiration remains controversial at this time. Recent animal investigations using an array of biomarkers based on distinct pathogenic features of each aspiration event have produced promising results; however, they have not been validated in humans.

The effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking on health outcomes: a systematic review.

Background: There is a need for a comprehensive and critical review of the literature to inform scientific debates about the public health effects of waterpipe smoking. The objective of this study was therefore to systematically review the medical literature for the effects of waterpipe tobacco smoking on health outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review using the Cochrane Collaboration methodology for conducting systematic reviews.

Bicarbonate therapy in the treatment of septic shock: a second look.

The use of supplemental sodium bicarbonate for the treatment of patients with septic shock and elevated blood lactate levels remains a controversial therapy. We conducted a retrospective study between March 2004 and February 2009 of 36 consecutive patients diagnosed with septic shock who received continuous infusion of bicarbonate therapy. A control group was matched 1:1 for age, site of infection, and predicted mortality by APACHE II.