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EFNS Guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases: report of an EFNS Task Force.

The objectives have been to establish evidence-based guidelines and identify controversies regarding the management of patients with brain metastases. The collection of scientific data was obtained by consulting the Cochrane Library, bibliographic databases, overview papers and previous guidelines from scientific societies and organizations. A tissue diagnosis is necessary when the primary tumor is unknown or the aspect on computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging is atypical. Dexamethasone is the corticosteroid of choice for cerebral edema. Anticonvulsants should not be prescribed prophylactically. Surgery should be considered in patients with up to three brain metastases, being effective in prolonging survival when the systemic disease is absent/controlled and the performance status is high. Stereotactic radiosurgery should be considered in patients with metastases of 3-3.5 cm of maximum diameter. Whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) after surgery or radiosurgery is debated: in case of absent/controlled systemic cancer and Karnofsky Performance score of 70 or more, one can either withhold initial WBRT or deliver early WBRT with conventional fractionation to avoid late neurotoxicity. WBRT alone is the treatment of choice for patients with single or multiple brain metastases not amenable to surgery or radiosurgery. Chemotherapy may be the initial treatment for patients with brain metastases from chemosensitive tumors.

Advisory Committees↗

Accuracy of fetal echocardiography in the routine detection of congenital heart disease among unselected and low risk populations: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine among unselected and low risk populations the accuracy with which fetal echocardiography during the second trimester detects congenital heart disease. DESIGN: A systematic review of studies that assess the accuracy of fetal echocardiography. SETTING: District General Hospital and Tertiary referral centres. POPULATION: Women during the second trimester attending for ultrasound assessment. METHODS: General bibliographic databases (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE) and specialist computerised databases (e.g. Cochrane Library, National Research Register), grey literature, manual searching of reference lists of primary and review articles and personal contact with experts were used to identify studies. Studies were included if fetal echocardiography among unselected or low risk pregnant women was compared against a postnatal reference standard. Data were extracted on quality, study design and characteristics, and accuracy data to construct 2 x 2 tables. Data were synthesised qualitatively, and sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Five primary studies met the inclusion criteria and comprised 60,901 subjects. One study assessed the accuracy of fetal echocardiography among an unselected population and four studies among low risk populations. All eligible studies found that fetal echocardiography helped to correctly diagnose normal fetus among unselected and low risk populations. Correct diagnosis of babies for congenital heart defects was higher among the unselected population (85%) than among the low risk populations (range from 35% to 86%); however, the potential for ascertainment bias and the choice of reference standard limits the validity of this finding. The variation in sensitivity across studies was not explainable by clinical factors such as scanning regime, operator skill and equipment. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from this review about the accuracy of fetal echocardiography does not lend support to its routine use among unselected and low risk populations during the second trimester to detect congenital heart disease.

Echocardiography↗

Prognosis for the co-twin following single-twin death: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Following single-twin death, the perinatal mortality and morbidity for the surviving co-twin is increased but difficult to quantify. We present data on prognosis from a systematic review. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the incidence of a) co-twin death, b) neurological abnormality and c) preterm delivery for the surviving co-twin following single-twin death after 14 weeks of gestation. SEARCH STRATEGY: Literature was identified by searching two bibliographical databases and specialist journals between 1990 and 2005. SELECTION CRITERIA: The selected studies of > or = 5 cases reported on perinatal death and/or neurodevelopmental delay of the surviving co-twin. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Studies were assessed for quality and data extracted to allow computation of rates. The data were inspected for heterogeneity using a Forrest plot and examined statistically using the chi-square test. Data from individual studies were pooled within subgroups defined by prognosis. MAIN RESULTS: The search strategy yielded 632 potentially relevant citations. Full manuscripts were retrieved for 54 citations and 28 studies were finally included in the review. Following the death of one twin, the risk of monochorionic and dichorionic co-twin demise was 12% (95% CI 7-11) and 4% (95% CI 2-7), respectively. The risk of neurological abnormality in the surviving monochorionic and dichorionic co-twin was 18% (95% CI 11-26) and 1% (95% CI 0-7), respectively. The risk of preterm delivery was 68% (95% CI 56-78) and 57% (95% CI 34-77), respectively. Where there was comparative data within studies, the odds of monochorionic co-twin intrauterine death was six times that of dichorionic twins (OR 6.04 [95% CI 1.84-19.87]). Neurological abnormality was also higher in monochorionic compared with dichorionic pregnancies (OR 4.07 [95% CI 1.32-12.51]). AUTHOR'S CONCLUSIONS: More prospective research is required to inform decision making on this subject, especially with data that allow stratification based upon chorionicity.

Child↗

Enhancing the MeSH thesaurus to retrieve French online health resources in a quality-controlled gateway.

The amount of health information available on the Internet is considerable. In this context, several health gateways have been developed. Among them, CISMeF (Catalogue and Index of Health Resources in French) was designed to catalogue and index health resources in French. The goal of this article is to describe the various enhancements to the MeSH thesaurus developed by the CISMeF team to adapt this terminology to the broader field of health Internet resources instead of scientific articles for the medline bibliographic database. CISMeF uses two standard tools for organizing information: the MeSH thesaurus and several metadata element sets, in particular the Dublin Core metadata format. The heterogeneity of Internet health resources led the CISMeF team to enhance the MeSH thesaurus with the introduction of two new concepts, respectively, resource types and metaterms. CISMeF resource types are a generalization of the publication types of medline. A resource type describes the nature of the resource and MeSH keyword/qualifier pairs describe the subject of the resource. A metaterm is generally a medical specialty or a biological science, which has semantic links with one or more MeSH keywords, qualifiers and resource types. The CISMeF terminology is exploited for several tasks: resource indexing performed manually, resource categorization performed automatically, visualization and navigation through the concept hierarchies and information retrieval using the Doc'CISMeF search engine. The CISMeF health gateway uses several MeSH thesaurus enhancements to optimize information retrieval, hierarchy navigation and automatic indexing.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Systematic review of the treatment of ovulatory infertility with clomiphene citrate and intrauterine insemination.

BACKGROUND: Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) with clomiphene citrate (CC) combined with intrauterine insemination (IUI) is often used as treatment for ovulatory infertility which includes unexplained, male, cervical, endometriosis, and tubal infertility. AIMS: To review the effectiveness of CC and IUI in ovulatory infertility. METHODS: Systematic review of pertinent randomised controlled trials (RCT) using the bibliographic databases MEDLINE and EMBASE. References of selected articles identified were hand-searched for additional relevant citations. RESULTS: Six published RCT were included in the overall review. Meta-analysis demonstrated a higher cycle pregnancy rate (CPR) with CC and IUI compared to timed intercourse in the natural cycle (P < 0.001 and odds ratio = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.9-11.3). Treatment with gonadotrophins and IUI results in a higher CPR compared to CC and IUI (P = 0.005 and odds ratio = 2.9, 95% CI = 1.3-6.2). Further RCT are required comparing CC and IUI with IUI or CC alone before one can make firm conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Clomiphene citrate combined with IUI is more effective than timed intercourse in the natural cycle at achieving pregnancy in couples with ovulatory infertility. However, treatment with gonadotrophins and IUI is superior to CC and IUI.

Clomiphene↗

Instruments for the assessment of pain in older persons with cognitive impairment.

Pain in older persons with cognitive impairment is often unrecognized and inadequately treated. A major problem associated with this undertreatment is the challenging nature of pain assessment and in particular the selection of accurate and useful assessment instruments. The purpose of this study was to review pain measurement instruments for acute and chronic pain suggested for use with cognitively impaired older persons and to summarize available evidence on their reliability and validity. A systematic search for pain instruments was conducted using several bibliographic databases, supplemented by a manual search of the bibliographies of retrieved articles and review chapters and by articles received from experts and clinicians in the field. Instruments were retained for review when the pain instrument was used or recommended for use with older persons with cognitive impairment. Thirty-nine instruments were reviewed; nine were excluded for various reasons. Of the remaining 30, 18 were self-report and 12 were staff administered. There were no instruments for which all major tests of reliability or validity were reported. Reliability and validity data were basic or unavailable for many instruments. One instrument had excellent validity but no reliability data. The remaining instruments had weak or adequate reliability and validity. The authors conclude that there is a need for further rigorous development and testing of pain instruments for use with cognitively impaired older persons. An adequate instrument would be one component of an effective program for assessment and management of pain in this population.

Acute Disease↗

Preoperative risk assessment for delirium after noncardiac surgery: a systematic review.

Delirium is a common postoperative complication in older adults associated with adverse events including functional decline, longer lengths of stay, and risk of institutionalization. The purpose of this article is to systematically review preoperative risk factors associated with delirium following noncardiac surgery. A medical literature search was conducted using several bibliographic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, PsychInfo), supplemented by a manual search of the references of retrieved articles. Studies were retained for review after meeting strict inclusion criteria that included only operative patients with incident postoperative delirium diagnosed prospectively using criteria derived from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Third or Fourth Edition. Quantitative analyses included significance testing, homogeneity testing, and effect-size pooling. Twenty-five articles were included for review. The incidence of delirium ranged from 5.1% to 52.2%, with greater rates after hip fracture and aortic surgeries. This review found two scales, a clinical prediction rule, and a delirium risk classification system that were validated in other operative settings. Individual risk factor analysis suggested that cognitive impairment, older age, functional impairment, sensory impairment, depression, preoperative psychotropic drug use, psychopathological symptoms, institutional residence, and greater comorbidity were associated with postoperative delirium. Of the risk factors examined, evidence was most robust for an association between delirium and cognitive impairment or psychotropic drug use, with moderate effect sizes for both. Missing data and measurement differences did not allow for inferences to be made about other risk factors. Effect-size pooling supports the concept that delirium is a heterogeneous disorder with multiple risk factors. More research is needed to better identify patients at risk for postoperative delirium and to develop preventive strategies.

Delirium↗

The cost-effectiveness of diagnostic testing strategies for Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: Several noninvasive methods are now available for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection. Because the prevalence of H. pylori infection is variable in patients requiring testing, the optimal testing strategies may vary under different conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of competing diagnostic strategies for H. pylori in patients with varying H. pylori prevalence. METHODS: A decision analysis was performed comparing the costs per number of correct diagnoses achieved by alternative sequential testing strategies. Estimates of H. pylori prevalence and test characteristics were derived from a systematic review of the MEDLINE bibliographic database. Cost estimates were derived from the 2000 Medicare Fee Schedule. RESULTS: The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test had the lowest cost per correct diagnosis at low (30%), intermediate (60%), and high (90%) prevalence ($90-$95/correct diagnosis), but its diagnostic accuracy was low (80-84%). At low and intermediate prevalence the stool test was more accurate (93%), with an average cost of $126-$127 per correct diagnosis. Additional confirmatory testing of positive or negative tests increased the diagnostic accuracy of the stool test, but had high incremental costs. ELISA testing was preferable when prevalence rates were very high (90%), and using a confirmatory urea breath test for negative ELISA tests increased the diagnostic accuracy to 96%, with modest incremental costs. If the cost of the breath test was <$50 or if the cost of the stool test is >$82, breath testing became preferable to stool testing. If the cost of the stool test fell to <$20, it became preferable to ELISA. Similarly, if the cost of the ELISA serology was >$39 then stool testing became preferable at all prevalence rates. Fingerstick whole blood tests were not cost-effective. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of an initial test for H. pylori detection depends on the prevalence of H. pylori infection and the value placed on increased diagnostic accuracy. Although ELISA results in the lowest cost-effectiveness ratios, in patients at low-intermediate pretest probability of infection, the stool test provides increased accuracy, with modest incremental costs.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗

Role of supplemental calcium in the recurrence of colorectal adenomas: a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal adenomas are neoplastic growths that are important targets for chemoprevention. Dietary calcium is thought to play an important role in chemoprevention. However, the role of calcium supplementation for preventing recurrence of adenomas is controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the role of calcium supplementation in preventing recurrence of adenomas. METHODS: We searched electronic bibliographic databases (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE) and contacted authors to identify potentially eligible studies. RESULTS: We identified three trials including 1,485 subjects with previously removed adenomas who were randomized to calcium versus placebo supplementation. The study endpoint was recurrence of adenomas at the end of 3-4 yr in 1,279 patients who completed the trials. We found that the recurrence of adenomas was significantly lower in subjects randomized to calcium supplementation (RR: 0.80, CI: 0.68, 0.93; p-value = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that calcium supplementation prevents recurrent colorectal adenomas.

Adenoma↗

A systematic review of the diagnostic classifications of traumatic dental injuries.

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to evaluate the criteria used for the diagnostic classification of traumatic dental injuries from an epidemiological standpoint. The methodology used was that suggested by the Cochrane Collaboration and the National Health Service. A total of 12 electronic bibliographical databases (BBO, BioMed Central, Blackwell Synergy, Cochrane, DARE, EMBASE, HighWire, LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed Central, SciELO, SciSearch) and the World Wide Web were searched. There was no attempt to specify the strategy in relation to date, study design, or language. The last search was performed in May 2003. Two reviewers screened each record independently for eligibility by examining titles, abstracts, keywords and using a standardized reference form. Disagreements were resolved through consensus. The final study collection consisted of 164 articles, from 1936 to 2003, and the population sample ranged from 38 to 210,500 patients. 54 distinct classification systems were identified. According to the literature, the most frequently used classification system was that of Andreasen (32%); as regards the type of injury, the uncomplicated crown fracture was the most mentioned lesion (88.5%). Evidence supports the fact that there is no suitable system for establishing the diagnosis of the studied injuries that could be applied to epidemiological surveys.

Humans↗

Is Chlamydophila felis a significant zoonotic pathogen?

PROBLEM: Chlamydophila felis is a common cause of conjunctivitis in cats and in some textbooks is listed as an important zoonotic pathogen. However, there are no published comprehensive reviews assessing the evidence supporting this. SEARCH AND ANALYSIS: Bibliographic databases and bibliographies of papers and textbooks were searched for all published cases of zoonotic disease associated with chlamydiosis in cats. All published case reports were reviewed to establish the quality of the evidence supporting the association between C. felis and zoonotic disease. RESULTS: There are only seven case reports, most of which were published before the development of assays capable of distinguishing C. felis from other chlamydial species, implicating this organism in zoonotic disease. None of the three cases of pneumonia and systemic disease described, two of which occurred in immunocompromised patients, can be unambiguously attributed to C. felis. Of the four cases of follicular keratoconjunctivitis described, only one, in an immunocompromised patient, could be unambiguously attributed to C. felis. CONCLUSION: While there is evidence that C. felis may occasionally cause keratoconjunctivitis in humans, there is little evidence to suggest it can cause serious systemic disease or pneumonia.

Animals↗

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Animals↗

Functions of the gene products of Escherichia coli.

A list of currently identified gene products of Escherichia coli is given, together with a bibliography that provides pointers to the literature on each gene product. A scheme to categorize cellular functions is used to classify the gene products of E. coli so far identified. A count shows that the numbers of genes concerned with small-molecule metabolism are on the same order as the numbers concerned with macromolecule biosynthesis and degradation. One large category is the category of tRNAs and their synthetases. Another is the category of transport elements. The categories of cell structure and cellular processes other than metabolism are smaller. Other subjects discussed are the occurrence in the E. coli genome of redundant pairs and groups of genes of identical or closely similar function, as well as variation in the degree of density of genetic information in different parts of the genome.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Information retrieval for patient care.

Doctors need clinical information during most consultations with patients, and much of this need could be satisfied by material from online sources. Advances in data communication technologies mean that multimedia information can be transported rapidly to various clinical care locations. However, selecting the few items of information likely to be useful in a particular clinical situation from the mass of information available is a major problem. Current information retrieval systems are designed primarily for use in research rather than clinical care. The design, implementation, and critical evaluation of new information retrieval systems for clinical care should be guided by knowledgeable clinical users.

Computer Communication Networks↗