Nonmedical interventions for children with ASD: recommended guidelines and further research needs.

Objective: To use the findings of a systematic review of scientific evidence to develop consensus guidelines on nonmedical interventions that address cognitive function and core deficits in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and to recommend priorities for future research.

Methods: The guidelines were developed by a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) consisting of practitioners, researchers, and parents. A systematic overview of research findings was presented to the TEP; guideline statements were drafted, discussed, debated, edited, reassessed, and presented for formal voting.

A pilot study using machine learning and domain knowledge to facilitate comparative effectiveness review updating.

Background: Comparative effectiveness and systematic reviews require frequent and time-consuming updating.

Results: of earlier screening should be useful in reducing the effort needed to screen relevant articles.

Methods: We collected 16,707 PubMed citation classification decisions from 2 comparative effectiveness reviews: interventions to prevent fractures in low bone density (LBD) and off-label uses of atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAP).

Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to confer a health benefit when consumed. One condition for which probiotics have been advocated is the diarrhea that is a common adverse effect of antibiotic use.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence for probiotic use in the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).

Efficacy and comparative effectiveness of atypical antipsychotic medications for off-label uses in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Atypical antipsychotic medications are commonly used for off-label conditions such as agitation in dementia, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: To perform a systematic review on the efficacy and safety of atypical antipsychotic medications for use in conditions lacking approval for labeling and marketing by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Data Sources And Study Selection: Relevant studies published in the English language were identified by searches of 6 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Cochrane DARE, and CENTRAL) from inception through May 2011.

Bariatric surgery in women of reproductive age: special concerns for pregnancy.

Context: The use of bariatric surgery for treating severe obesity has increased dramatically over the past 10 years; about half of patients who undergo these procedures are women of reproductive age. This report was commissioned to measure the incidence of bariatric surgery in this population and review the evidence on the impact of bariatric surgery on fertility and subsequent pregnancy.

Objectives: To measure the incidence of contemporary bariatric surgery procedures in women age 18-45 and to assess its impact on fertility, contraception, prepregnancy risk factors, and pregnancy outcomes, including those of neonates.

Systematic review: comparative effectiveness of treatments to prevent fractures in men and women with low bone density or osteoporosis.

Background: Although several agents are available to treat osteoporosis, the relative efficacy and toxicity of these agents when used to prevent fractures has not been well described.

Purpose: To compare the benefits in fracture reduction and the harms from adverse events of various therapies for osteoporosis.

Data Sources: MEDLINE (1966 to November 2007) and other selected databases were searched for English-language studies.

Antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin e for the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the evidence of the supplements vitamin C and vitamin E for treatment and prevention of cancer.

Methods: Systematic review of trials and meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies showed scant evidence that vitamin C or vitamin E beneficially affects survival.

Systematic review: impact of health information technology on quality, efficiency, and costs of medical care.

Background: Experts consider health information technology key to improving efficiency and quality of health care.

Purpose: To systematically review evidence on the effect of health information technology on quality, efficiency, and costs of health care.

Data Sources: The authors systematically searched the English-language literature indexed in MEDLINE (1995 to January 2004), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, and the Periodical Abstracts Database.

The state of women veterans' health research. Results of a systematic literature review.

Objective: Assess the state of women veterans' health research.

Design: Systematic review of studies that pertained specifically to or included explicit information about women veterans. A narrative synthesis of studies in 4 domains/topics was conducted: Stress of military life; Health and performance of military/VA women; Health services research/quality of care; and Psychiatric conditions.

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cancer risk: a systematic review.

Context: Omega-3 fatty acids are purported to reduce the risk of cancer. Studies have reported mixed results.

Objective: To synthesize published and unpublished evidence to determine estimates of the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on cancer risk in prospective cohort studies.

The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive function in aging and dementia: a systematic review.

We systematically reviewed the published literature on the effects of omega-3 fatty acids on measures of cognitive function in normal aging, incidence and treatment of dementia. Computerized databases were searched for published literature to identify potentially relevant studies with the intent to conduct a meta-analysis. We screened 5,865 titles, reviewed 497 studies of which 49 underwent a detailed review, and found 5 studies that pertained to our objectives.

Are Ayurvedic herbs for diabetes effective?

Objective: To evaluate and synthesize the evidence on the effect of Ayurvedic therapies for diabetes mellitus.

Design: Systematic review of trials.

Measurements And Main Results: We found no study that assessed Ayurvedic as a system of care.

Meta-analysis: chronic disease self-management programs for older adults.

Background: Although enthusiasm is growing for self-management programs for chronic conditions, there are conflicting data regarding their effectiveness and no agreement on their essential components.

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness and essential components of self-management programs for hypertension, osteoarthritis, and diabetes mellitus.

Data Sources: The authors searched multiple sources dated through September 2004, including the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Nursing and Allied Health databases, and bibliographies of 87 previous reviews.