Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the placement of dental implants in irradiated patients: systematic review and meta-analysis

This study was a systematic review with meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the survival of dental implants placed in patients who had had radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck. A systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Science Direct, Embase and the Cochrane Library, between January 1985 and July 2018. The study observed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis) declaration and norms, and the systematic review was duly recorded in the PROSPERO (International prospective register of systematic reviews) database. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and all articles were selected on the basis of PICO questions. The process of eligibility and quality evaluation yielded three studies for statistical analysis. Based on the survival rates, there was no evidence that the risk of an implant failing was different between the patients who received HBOT and those who did not. Moreover, the risk of an implant failing did not depend on the anatomical site. HBOT exerted no beneficial influence on the survival rates of implants placed in irradiated patients, and the risk of an implant failing did not depend on its location.     

Adhesion to high-performance polymers applied in dentistry: A systematic review

ObjectiveThe aim of this systemic review, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA statement, was to investigate the impact of surface pretreatments on the bonding strength of high performance polymers (HPPs).MethodsEight databases were searched through March 2019. Risk of bias was assessed and random effects meta-analyses were applied to analyze mean differences in shear bond strength (SBS) and tensile bond strength (TBS), considering surface pretreatments and bonding agents after 24h and thermocycling.ResultsA total of 235 relevant titles and abstracts were found, yielding 11 final selections. Low risk of bias was observed in most studies. For polyetheretherketone (PEEK) specimens, random-effect models showed that, compared to non-treated controls, pretreatments associated with Visio.link® (Bredent, Senden, GE) increased TBS by 26.72 MPa (95% confidence interval (CI), 19.69–33.76; p < 0.00001) and increased SBS by 4.86 MPa (95% CI, 2.61–7.10; p < 0.00001). Air abrasion improved SBS by 4.90 MPa (95% CI, 3.90–5.90; p < 0.00001) (50 μm alumina) and 4.51 MPa (95% CI, 1.85–7.18; p = 0.0009) (silica-coated CoJet). In comparison to non-treated controls, Visio.link® and Signum PEEK Bond® (Heraeus Kulzer, Hanau, GE) increased SBS by 33.76 MPa (95% CI, 18.72–48.81; p < 0.00001) and 33.28 MPa (95% CI, 17.48–49.07; p < 0.00001), respectively. No differences were found between Visio.link® and Signum PEEK Bond® or Monobond Plus/Heliobond® (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, LH) (p > 0.05). Similar results were observed for polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) specimens.SignificanceThis review shows improved HPP bonding following the application of various surface pretreatments, including air abrasion and bonding agents.     

Does the Etiology of Pulp Necrosis Affect Regenerative Endodontic Treatment Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Meta-analyses

ObjectiveTo evaluate if there is a connection between the causes of pulp necrosis (eg, caries, trauma, dental anomaly) and the success of regenerative endodontic treatment.MethodsElectronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase) were searched for studies on regenerative endodontic treatment, which used both clinical and radiographic evaluation of root maturation after at least 6 months of follow-up. The search terms “necrotic pulp”, “regenerative endodontic treatment”, “revascularization”, and “revitalization” were combined using Boolean operators. The main journals on endodontics and dental traumatology were additionally hand-searched. Studies were included if they specified the causes of pulp necrosis. The primary question under review was, “Does the cause of pulp necrosis affect the outcome of regenerative endodontic treatment?” Other factors such as tooth type, intracanal medicament, irrigation protocol, use of a collagen matrix, and the type of scaffold were evaluated for possible relation with the outcome. The risk-of-bias assessment for randomized and nonrandomized studies was performed separately, using a modified Cochrane Collaboration's tool and risk of bias in non-randomized studies of interventions-I tool, respectively. Meta-analysis was performed, when possible, between studies comparing treatment outcomes of teeth whose pulp necrosis had different etiology. The search strategy yielded 1197 items. After screening, 18 studies reporting 445 regenerative endodontic treatment cases were included.ResultsThe overall success rate for 274 teeth with trauma etiology was 94.8%, for 95 teeth with dens evaginatus etiology was 93.1%, and for 24 teeth with caries etiology was 96%. No significant difference was found between the results of regenerative endodontic treatment among teeth with trauma, dens evaginatus, and caries etiology (P = .055). Meta-analysis of studies comparing teeth with caries vs dens evaginatus and those with trauma vs caries confirmed that there was no evidence for difference in outcomes.ConclusionFurther randomized studies specifically testing such hypothesis are needed to confirm the preliminary results of this review.     

Bleomycin for orbital and peri-orbital veno-lymphatic malformations – A systematic review

BackgroundOrbital and peri-orbital venolymphatic malformations (VLM) are low flow vascular malformations. Intralesional bleomycin is now commonly being used to treat such malformations.ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize evidence on the safety and efficacy of bleomycin/pingyangmycin sclerotherapy for the treatment of orbital and peri-orbital VLM.MethodsWe searched Medline, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane database for studies reporting outcomes of bleomycin/pingyangmycin sclerotherapy for orbital and peri-orbital VLM between 1974 to April 5th, 2019. Nine retrospective cohort studies enrolling 132 patients were included. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data and assessed the risk of bias. Predefined outcome measures were subjective and objective reduction of the lesion and associated complications.ResultsSubjective reduction of the lesions was seen in 96.2% of the studies. Objective reduction of the lesion and symptomatic improvement were reported in 91.6 and 95% of the studies respectively. Non responders were 9.0%. Minor adverse events were reported in 18.1% of the studies. Major complications like pulmonary toxicity or pulmonary fibrosis was not encountered in any of the included studies. Quality of evidence was generally low.ConclusionBleomycin/pingyangmycin sclerotherapy is very effective and relatively safe for the treatment of orbital and periorbital VLM and is not associated with any major side effects including pulmonary fibrosis.Limitations: The systematic review is limited mainly due to low quality of the included studies with retrospective design.     

The use of high-fidelity manikins for advanced life support training—A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high versus low fidelity manikins in the context of advanced life support training for improving knowledge, skill performance at course conclusion, skill performance between course conclusion and one year, skill performance at one year, skill performance in actual resuscitations, and patient outcomes.MethodsA systematic search of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane databases was conducted through January 31, 2014. We included two-group non-randomized and randomized studies in any language comparing high versus low fidelity manikins for advanced life support training. Reviewers worked in duplicate to extract data on learners, study design, and outcomes. The GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was used to evaluate the overall quality of evidence for each outcome.Results3840 papers were identified from the literature search of which 14 were included (13 randomized controlled trials; 1 non-randomized controlled trial). Meta-analysis of studies reporting skill performance at course conclusion demonstrated a moderate benefit for high fidelity manikins when compared with low fidelity manikins [Standardized Mean Difference 0.59; 95% CI 0.13–1.05]. Studies measuring skill performance at one year, skill performance between course conclusion and one year, and knowledge demonstrated no significant benefit for high fidelity manikins.ConclusionThe use of high fidelity manikins for advanced life support training is associated with moderate benefits for improving skills performance at course conclusion. Future research should define the optimal means of tailoring fidelity to enhance short and long term educational goals and clinical outcomes.     

Modifiable and non-modifiable factors associated with employment outcomes following spinal cord injury: A systematic review

Context

Employment rates in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are approximately 35%, which is considerably lower than that of the general population. In order to improve employment outcomes a clear understanding of what factors influence employment outcomes is needed.

Objective

To systematically review factors that are consistently and independently associated with employment outcomes in individuals with SCI, and to understand the magnitude of their influence.

Methods

Through an electronic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Social Science Abstracts and Social Work databases, we identified studies published between 1952–2014 that investigated factors associated with employment outcomes following SCI. Exclusion criteria included: (1) reviews (2) studies not published in English (3) studies not controlling for potential confounders through a regression analysis, or (4) studies not providing an effect measure in the form of OR, RR, or HR. Data were categorized based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework, with each domain sub-categorized by modifiability. First author, year of publication, sample size, explanatory and outcome variables, and effect measures were extracted.

Results

Thirty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Twenty modifiable and twelve non-modifiable factors have been investigated in the context of employment following SCI. Education, vocational rehabilitation, functional independence, social support, and financial disincentives were modifiable factors that have been consistently and independently associated with employment outcomes.

Conclusion

A number of key modifiable factors have been identified and can inform interventions aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with SCI. Future research should focus on determining which factors have the greatest effect on employment outcomes, in addition to developing and evaluating interventions targeted at these factors.     

静脉输注免疫球蛋白对呼吸机相关肺炎疗效的系统评价

目的：系统评价免疫球蛋白( IVIG)治疗呼吸机相关性肺炎( VAP)相关研究,分析其有效性,为临床治疗策略提供依据。方法系统检索CNKI、万方、CBM、Pubmed、Embase、ISI及Cochrane数据库中相关文献,采用Cochrane标准评价纳入研究偏倚风险,Meta分析结合描述性分析研究数据。结果①纳入6个随机对照研究,435例低体质量儿、早产儿及婴儿VAP患者,质量一般。②Meta分析结果显示IVIG组死亡率低于非IVIG组[RR=0．33,95%CI(0．18~0．60),P=0．0002];IVIG组血液免疫球蛋白浓度比对照组高3．19 mg/L [MD=3．19,95%CI(3．02~3．37),P<0．05];③IVIG组败血症[RR=0．14,95%CI(0．04~0．51),P=0．003]和多器官功能衰竭发生率[RR=0．51,95%CI(0．30~0．88),P=0．02]低于对照。结论 IVIG主要用于早产儿及低体质量儿VAP患者,可能提高体液免疫,降低败血症和多器官功能衰竭发生率,减少患者病死率,改善预后。