A systematic review and meta-analysis of off-loading methods for diabetic foot ulcers.

Background: Increased plantar foot pressure is one of several key factors that lead to diabetic foot ulcers. Multiple methods have been proposed to relieve this pressure and thus enhance wound healing and potentially prevent relapse. We aimed in this systematic review to find the best available evidence for off-loading methods.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of adjunctive therapies in diabetic foot ulcers.

Background: Multiple adjunctive therapies have been proposed to accelerate wound healing in patients with diabetes and foot ulcers. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the best available evidence supporting the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), arterial pump devices, and pharmacologic agents (pentoxifylline, cilostazol, and iloprost) in this setting.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and Scopus through October 2011.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of débridement methods for chronic diabetic foot ulcers.

Background: Several methods of débridement of diabetic foot ulcers are currently used. The relative efficacy of these methods is not well established.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to find the best available evidence for the effect of débridement on diabetic foot wound outcomes.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of tests to predict wound healing in diabetic foot.

Background: This systematic review summarized the evidence on noninvasive screening tests for the prediction of wound healing and the risk of amputation in diabetic foot ulcers.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus from database inception to October 2011. We pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and compared test performance.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of glycemic control for the prevention of diabetic foot syndrome.

Objective: The objective of this review was to synthesize the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) estimating the relative efficacy and safety of intensive vs less intensive glycemic control in preventing diabetic foot syndrome.

Methods: We used the umbrella design (systematic review of systematic reviews) to identify eligible RCTs. Two reviewers determined RCT eligibility and extracted descriptive, methodologic, and diabetic foot outcome data.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a first-line treatment in patients with newly diagnosed chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase: A mixed-treatment comparison.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are the initial treatment for majority of newly diagnosed patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase (CP) and are associated with marked improvement in hematological, cytogenetic, molecular response and survival rates compared with other therapies. In this review, we summarize the evidence of TKI efficacy for patients with newly diagnosed CP-CML. Six trials at low risk of bias evaluating TKIs as an initial treatment in adults with newly diagnosed CP-CML and enrolling 2,456 patients were included.

Accuracy of urea breath test in Helicobacter pylori infection: meta-analysis.

Aim: To quantitatively summarize and appraise the available evidence of urea breath test (UBT) use to diagnose Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients with dyspepsia and provide pooled diagnostic accuracy measures.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library and other databases for studies addressing the value of UBT in the diagnosis of H.

Patient engagement in research: a systematic review.

Background: A compelling ethical rationale supports patient engagement in healthcare research. It is also assumed that patient engagement will lead to research findings that are more pertinent to patients' concerns and dilemmas. However; it is unclear how to best conduct this process.

Open versus endovascular stent graft repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms: do we need more randomized clinical trials?

We performed an analysis to assess the need for conducting additional randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing open and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Trial sequential analysis (TSA) is a statistical methodology that can calculate the required information size of a meta-analysis and assess the risk of random errors similar to interim analysis in a single optimally powered trial. It helps to decide whether we have obtained sufficient evidence or whether further RCTs are required.

Trastuzumab for Her2/neu-positive metastatic salivary gland carcinoma: Case report and review of the literature.

Salivary gland carcinomas metastasize to distant organs in 20% of salivary gland malignancies. Applying immunohistochemistry (IHC) measures, salivary gland tumors showed a wide range of oncogene markers expression, including the human epidermoid receptor 2 (Her2/neu), which could be targeted with monoclonal antibody. Treating salivary gland tumors, which have Her2/neu over-expression, with trastuzumab was reported in a few case reports.

Patient and service user engagement in research: a systematic review and synthesized framework.

Background: There is growing attention towards increasing patient and service user engagement (PSUE) in biomedical and health services research. Existing variations in language and design inhibit reporting and indexing, which are crucial to comparative effectiveness in determining best practices.

Objective: This paper utilizes a systematic review and environmental scan to derive an evidence-based framework for PSUE.

Nephrotic syndrome after treatment of Crohn's disease with mesalamine: Case report and literature review.

Inflammatory bowel disease and its various treatments may affect the kidney in several ways. Recently, case reports have been published documenting the development of nephrotic syndrome after the treatment for inflammatory bowel disease with 5-aminosalicylic acid derivatives. We report a 50-year-old patient who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and was treated with mesalamine.

Undergraduate medical students' perceptions, attitudes, and competencies in evidence-based medicine (EBM), and their understanding of EBM reality in Syria.

Background: Teaching evidence-based medicine (EBM) should be evaluated and guided by evidence of its own effectiveness. However, no data are available on adoption of EBM by Syrian undergraduate, postgraduate, or practicing physicians. In fact, the teaching of EBM in Syria is not yet a part of undergraduate medical curricula.

Tumor lysis syndrome: a systematic review of case series and case reports.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a clinical condition that is caused by a massive lysis of tumor cells that accumulate very rapidly and disturb hemodynamics. This oncologic emergency requires immediate intervention. Tumor lysis syndrome was first described in the 19th century.

Tissue plasminogen activator versus heparin for locking dialysis catheters: A systematic review.

Background And Objectives: Hemodialysis catheters are commonly used when renal replacement therapy is initiated. These catheters have significant complications. Among "locking" solutions used in an attempt to decrease these complications is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).