Search

Introduction: Increasing digital delivery of smoking cessation interventions has resulted in the need to employ novel strategies for remote biochemical verification. This scoping review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate best practices for remote biochemical verification of smoking status.Methods: The scientific literature was searched for studies that reported remotely obtained (not in-person) biochemical confirmation of smoking status (i.e., combustible tobacco). A meta-analysis of proportions was conducted to investigate key outcomes, which included rates of returned biological samples and the ratio of biochemically verified to self-reported abstinence rates.Results: A total of 82 studies were included. The most common samples were expired air (46%) and saliva (40% of studies), the most common biomarkers were carbon monoxide (48%) and cotinine (44%), and the most common verification methods were video confirmation (37%) and mail-in samples for lab analysis (26%). Mean sample return rates determined by random-effects meta-analysis were 70% for smoking cessation intervention studies without contingency management (CM), 77% for CM studies, and 65% for other studies (e.g., feasibility and secondary analyses). Among smoking cessation intervention studies without CM, self-reported abstinence rates were 21%, biochemically verified abstinence rates were 10%, and 47% of individuals who self-reported abstinence were also biochemically confirmed as abstinent.Conclusions: This scoping review suggests that improvements in sample return rates in remote biochemical verification studies of smoking status are needed. Recommendations for reporting standards are provided that may enhance confidence in the validity of reported abstinence rates in remote studies.Implications: This scoping review and meta-analysis included studies using remote biochemical verification to determine smoking status. Challenges exist regarding implementation and ensuring high sample return rates. Higher self-reported compared to biochemically verified abstinence rates suggest the possibility that participants in remote studies may be misreporting abstinence or not returning samples for other reasons (e.g., participant burden, inconvenience). Remote biochemical confirmation of self-reported smoking abstinence should be included in smoking cessation studies whenever feasible. However, findings should be considered in the context of challenges to sample return rates. Better reporting guidelines for future studies in this area are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: The aim of the study is to investigate whether close surgical margins impact oncologic outcomes compared to clear or involved surgical margins. We hypothesize that close surgical margins portend worse outcomes compared with clear margins, but improved outcomes compared with involved margins. Study Design: Systematic review. Methods: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analysis statement standards, a systematic search was conducted for studies that reported oncologic outcomes following excision of primary mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A meta‐analysis was then performed, comparing local recurrence (LR), locoregional recurrence (LRR), and overall survival (OS) in patients with clear, close, and involved margins. Results: Twenty‐six studies met the inclusion criteria, totaling 8,435 patients. About 96% of our included cases involved the oral cavity, 2% involved the oropharynx, and 2% other. Also, 68% of cases were T1/T2 and 32% were T3/T4. On meta‐analysis, clear margins were associated with lower incidence of 5‐year LR relative risk (RR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38–0.65) and higher 5‐year OS (RR 1.22, 1.11–1.35), when compared with close margins. Involved margins had higher incidence of 5‐year LR (RR 1.75, 1.16–2.64), higher incidence of LRR at last follow‐up (RR 1.66, 1.37–2.00), and no difference in 5‐year OS (RR 0.82, 0.60–1.11), when compared with close margins. Conclusions: There is a stepwise improvement in oncologic outcomes as surgical margin categorically improves from involved to close to clear. Patients with close margins therefore may benefit from adjuvant therapy. Further research is required to investigate whether these findings are seen in non‐oral cavity cases because they were underrepresented in this analysis. Laryngoscope, 132:307–321, 2022 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods of collecting functional outcome measures are widely used for lower extremity arthroplasty outcome assessment. Wearable sensors are emerging as viable tools for functional outcome measures in monitoring of postarthroplasty recovery. The objective of this review was to compare the efficacy of wearable sensors with traditional methods for monitoring postarthroplasty functional recovery. Articles were searched for inclusion in this review that used both traditional and wearable sensor functional outcome measures to assess lower extremity function before and after lower extremity arthroplasty. Two independent screeners reviewed all articles, and resolved differences through consensus and consultation with the senior author. Studies that met inclusion criteria were evaluated for methodologic quality using performed risk of bias assessments. Results from several traditional and wearable sensor functional outcome measures from baseline through follow‐up were normalized across studies. Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Six studies used statistical methods to directly compare functional outcome measures and eight studies used qualitative description of comparisons. This review found evidence that wearable sensors detected nuanced functional outcome information on the specific biomechanics and timing of recovery, which were unaccounted for using traditional methods. Wearable sensors have shown promising utility in providing additional recovery information from lower extremity arthroplasty compared with traditional functional outcome measures, but future research is needed to assess the clinical significance of this additional information. Wearable sensor technology is an emerging clinical tool providing advanced and determinative data with the potential for advancing the assessment of lower extremity arthroplasty outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on hyperbilirubinemia has been treated with phototherapy and how often does obtaining a rebound bilirubin level four to six hours after discontinuation of phototherapy result in restarting phototherapy. Topics include the rebound elevation of bilirubin levels after phototherapy discontinuation in healthy term neonates, obtaining a repeat bilirubin level after phototherapy discontinuation is not recommended, and testing does not decrease rates of restarting phototherapy.

Comments on S. Speraw's article regarding adolescent perceptions of pregnancy among White, Black, Hispanic and Pacific-Asian adolescents enrolled in pregnant minor programs conducted in conjunction with established educational programs in the U.S. Patterns of social support; Effects of community norms and values on adolescent pregnancy; Impact of socioeconomic status on adolescent perceptions.

Comments on the causes of subject mortality during clinical research. Impact of the subject loss on nurse researchers; Factors influencing willingness of subjects to participate in research process; Approaches of decreasing mortality.

Deals with emergency procedures in the care of pregnant women who experienced third-trimester bleeding. Role of nurses in the delivery of emergency care; Causes of third trimester bleeding; Proper positioning of a patient with vaginal bleeding.