Background
Case series are an important and common study type. No guideline exists for reporting case series and there is evidence of key data being missed from such reports. The first step in the ...process of developing a methodologically sound reporting guideline is a systematic review of literature relevant to the reporting deficiencies of case series.
Methods
A systematic review of methodological and reporting quality in surgical case series was performed. The electronic search strategy was developed by an information specialist and included MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Methods Register, Science Citation Index and Conference Proceedings Citation index, from the start of indexing to 5 November 2014. Independent screening, eligibility assessments and data extraction were performed. Included articles were then analysed for five areas of deficiency: failure to use standardized definitions, missing or selective data (including the omission of whole cases or important variables), transparency or incomplete reporting, whether alternative study designs were considered, and other issues.
Results
Database searching identified 2205 records. Through the process of screening and eligibility assessments, 92 articles met inclusion criteria. Frequencies of methodological and reporting issues identified were: failure to use standardized definitions (57 per cent), missing or selective data (66 per cent), transparency or incomplete reporting (70 per cent), whether alternative study designs were considered (11 per cent) and other issues (52 per cent).
Conclusion
The methodological and reporting quality of surgical case series needs improvement. The data indicate that evidence‐based guidelines for the conduct and reporting of case series may be useful.
Guidelines are needed
The number of fisheries for striped bass Morone saxatilis in freshwater impoundments in the United States has increased dramatically over the last decade. A survey of fisheries agencies throughout ...the country was conducted to evaluate accomplishments and problems associated with management of striped bass and hybrid striped bass (male white bass Morone chrysops x female striped bass). Through 1981, fisheries for striped bass, hybrid striped bass, or both had been established in at least 279 lakes in 34 states. Mean annual harvest rates from striped bass, hybrid striped bass, and mixed (both fish in same lake) fisheries were 1.1, 0.7, and 3.0 kg/hectare, respectively. In reservoirs where they are established, these fisheries contribute an average of 13.6% to the total harvest by weight; their maximum contribution is 66.2%. Improvements in management have been limited by the lack of good objectives and of quantitative evaluations of stocking success. The most frequently cited management problem was mortality of adult striped bass due to thermal stress and to low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Other major problems included inadequate prey availability, emigration, predation on salmonids, and variable survival of introduced fish. Management potential can be greatly enhanced by additional information on the habitat requirements and predator‐prey relations of these fish in impoundments.
Reflex transmission imaging (RTI) is a method for producing orthographic ultrasound transmission images, which depict focal-plane transmittance, by using a single transducer rather than an opposed ...transducer pair. RTI can be implemented using modified B-scan equipment, and a bidirectional scan probe. It has the further advantage of enabling simultaneous generation of integrated reflection C-scan (IRCS) images, which depict backscatter from the focal plane, in perfect registration with the transmission images. We describe these methods, demonstrate a new process by which the reflection and transmission images can be combined to produce a new image of superior quality, and demonstrate the applicability of this technique to improved visualization of kidney stones, with potential application to lithotripsy.
Three-dimensional ultrasonic reflection and attenuation imaging Schattner, P.; Whitehurst, T.K.; Jensen, J.F. ...
IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control,
1992-Jan., 1992, 1992-00-00, 1992-01-00, 19920101, Letnik:
39, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
A three-dimensional, volumetric, data acquisition and reconstruction system for ultrasonic imaging is described. The method entails storing the digitized waveforms from each element of a multielement ...annular array, with bidirectional mechanical scanning. The system was implemented through digitization of the RF signals from each of the rings of an annular-array transducer, storage of the signals in computer memory, and offline image reconstruction. Initial reflection and reflex transmission images acquired with this system are presented. The results of different image reconstruction algorithms are demonstrated.< >
The differences in concentrations of 10 elements in scales of striped bass Morone saxatilis from several freshwater (<0.1‰), estuarine (0.5–15‰), and saltwater habitats (20–30‰) in the eastern United ...States were evaluated. Barium, iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium, strontium, and zinc were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Absorbance values for barium, iron, and aluminum were extremely erratic due to matrix interferences. Discriminant function analysis correctly classified 95% of freshwater and 95% of saltwater fish based on Ca and Mg alone. These two elements were the single best indicator pair. When seven elements were considered, 97 and 95% of fish from fresh water and salt water, respectively, were classified correctly. One‐way analysis of variance of individual elemental contents of scales from different salinities consistently distinguished among freshwater, estuarine, and saltwater fish, although not always in a predictable order. Concentration of elements varied with sex, but, when all data were combined, only manganese concentration was significantly affected by sex. Fish size was often negatively correlated with elemental content. The strongest correlations were between magnesium and fork length, weight, and age in all three environments. We concluded that discriminant function analysis, in conjunction with age and growth information for individual striped bass, can provide a useful means for distinguishing between freshwater and saltwater striped bass.
Abstract Purpose We aimed to determine the effects of implementing risk-stratified care for low back pain in family practice on physician's clinical behavior, patient outcomes, and costs. Methods The ...IMPaCT Back Study (IMplementation to improve Patient Care through Targeted treatment) prospectively compared separate patient cohorts in a preintervention phase (6 months of usual care) and a postintervention phase (12 months of stratified care) in family practice, involving 64 family physicians and linked physical therapy services. A total of 1,647 adults with low back pain were invited to participate. Stratified care entailed use of a risk stratification tool to classify patients into groups at low, medium, or high risk for persistent disability and provision of risk-matched treatment. The primary outcome was 6-month change in disability as assessed with the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire. Process outcomes captured physician behavior change in risk-appropriate referral to physical therapy, diagnostic tests, medication prescriptions, and sickness certifications. A cost-utility analysis estimated incremental quality-adjusted life-years and back-related health care costs. Analysis was by intention to treat. Results The 922 patients studied (368 in the preintervention phase and 554 in the postintervention phase) had comparable baseline characteristics. At 6 months follow-up, stratified care had a small but significant benefit relative to usual care as seen from a mean difference in Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire scores of 0.7 (95% CI, 0.1-1.4), with a large, clinically important difference in the high risk group of 2.3 (95% CI, 0.8-3.9). Mean time off work was 50% shorter (4 vs 8 days, P = .03) and the proportion of patients given sickness certifications was 30% lower (9% vs 15%, P = .03) in the postintervention cohort. Health care cost savings were also observed. Conclusions Stratified care for back pain implemented in family practice leads to significant improvements in patient disability outcomes and a halving in time off work, without increasing health care costs. Wider implementation is recommended.
PDF
