Plos One
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A systematic review of core outcome sets (COS) for research is updated annually to populate an online database. It is a resource intensive review to do annually but automation techniques have potential to aid the process. The production of guidance and standards in COS development means that there is now an expectation that COS are being developed and reported to a higher standard. This is the fifth update to the systematic review and will explore these issues. ⋯ Automated ranking was successfully used to assist the screening process and reduce the workload of this systematic review update. With the provision of guidelines, COS are better reported and being developed to a higher standard.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Comparison of quality control methods for automated diffusion tensor imaging analysis pipelines.
The processing of brain diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data for large cohort studies requires fully automatic pipelines to perform quality control (QC) and artifact/outlier removal procedures on the raw DTI data prior to calculation of diffusion parameters. In this study, three automatic DTI processing pipelines, each complying with the general ENIGMA framework, were designed by uniquely combining multiple image processing software tools. Different QC procedures based on the RESTORE algorithm, the DTIPrep protocol, and a combination of both methods were compared using simulated ground truth and artifact containing DTI datasets modeling eddy current induced distortions, various levels of motion artifacts, and thermal noise. ⋯ However, the pipeline based on the RESTORE algorithm was the most accurate when analyzing the artifact containing DTI datasets. The pipeline that combined the DTIPrep protocol and the RESTORE algorithm produced the lowest standard deviation in FA measurements in normal appearing WM across subjects. We concluded that this pipeline was the most robust and is preferred for automated analysis of multisite brain DTI data.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial Observational Study
Heart rate recovery and morbidity after noncardiac surgery: Planned secondary analysis of two prospective, multi-centre, blinded observational studies.
Impaired cardiac vagal function, quantified preoperatively as slower heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise, is independently associated with perioperative myocardial injury. Parasympathetic (vagal) dysfunction may also promote (extra-cardiac) multi-organ dysfunction, although perioperative data are lacking. Assuming that cardiac vagal activity, and therefore heart rate recovery response, is a marker of brainstem parasympathetic dysfunction, we hypothesized that impaired HRR would be associated with a higher incidence of morbidity after noncardiac surgery. ⋯ ISRCTN88456378.
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Meta Analysis
What is the optimum time for initiation of early mobilization in mechanically ventilated patients? A network meta-analysis.
Early mobilization has been proven to be an effective and safe intervention for preventing complications in mechanically ventilated patients; however, there is currently no unified definition of the optimal mobilization initiation time, hindering widespread clinical implementation. As clinicians are increasingly aware of the benefits of early mobilization, the definition of early mobilization is important. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different early mobilization initiation times on mechanically ventilated patients and rank these times for practical consideration. ⋯ A total of 15 RCTs involving 1726 patients and seven mobilization initiation times (which were all compared to usual care) were included in our analysis. Network meta-analysis showed that mechanical ventilation for 48-72 h may be optimal to improve intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICU-AW) and reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation; however, there were no significant differences in length of ICU stay according to mobilization initiation time. The results of this study indicate that initiation of mobilization within 48-72 h of mechanical ventilation may be optimal for improving clinical outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Predicting mortality in patients with suspected sepsis at the Emergency Department; A retrospective cohort study comparing qSOFA, SIRS and National Early Warning Score.
In hospitalized patients, the risk of sepsis-related mortality can be assessed using the quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (qSOFA). Currently, different tools that predict deterioration such as the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) have been introduced in clinical practice in Emergency Departments (ED) worldwide. It remains ambiguous which screening tool for mortality at the ED is best. The objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive performance for mortality of two sepsis-based scores (i.e. qSOFA and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS)-criteria) compared to the more general NEWS score, in patients with suspected infection directly at presentation to the ED. ⋯ NEWS is more accurate in predicting 10- and 30-day mortality than qSOFA and SIRS in patients presenting to the ED with suspected sepsis.