Technology development of hyperthermic pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (hPIPAC)

Background!#!Optimized drug delivery systems are needed for intraperitoneal chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to develop a technology for applying pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) under hyperthermic conditions (hPIPAC).!##!Methods!#!This is an ex-vivo study in an inverted bovine urinary bladder (IBUB). Hyperthermia was established using a modified industry-standard device (Humigard). Two entry and one exit ports were placed. Warm-humid CO!##!Results!#!Therapeutic hyperthermia (target tissue temperature 41-43 °C) could be established and maintained over 30 min. In the first phase (insufflation phase), tissue hyperthermia was created by insufflating continuously warm-humid CO!##!Discussion!#!We introduce a simple and effective technology for hPIPAC. hPIPAC is feasible in an ex-vivo model by using a combination of industry-standard medical devices after modification. Potential pharmacological and biological advantages of hPIPAC over PIPAC should now be evaluated

Supplementary Material for: Effects of lifestyle and educational bridging programs before bariatric surgery on postoperative weight loss - a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: To fulfill the requirements for bariatric surgery, patients often need to participate in mandatory pre-operative lifestyle interventions (PLI). Currently, the efficacy of multi-month PLI-programs on body mass index (BMI) reduction from the start of the program (T0) through the immediate pre-operative time point (T1) to one-year post-surgery (T2), and how the amount of pre-operative BMI reduction affects post-operative outcome (T1 to T2) is unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to analyze the effects of PLI on body mass index (BMI) one-year post-surgery. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted according to PRISMA criteria. Randomized controlled trials that implemented PLI lasting 1-8 months before bariatric surgery were included. The BMI of the intervention group was compared with a control group before participation in the PLI (T0), after completion of the program before surgery (T1) and one-year post-surgery (T2). Finally, the impact of successful BMI reduction at T1 on BMI at T2 was analyzed. Results: N=345 patients derived from 4 studies undergoing PLI reduced their BMI at T1 by 1.5 units compared to the control group (95% CI: -2.73, -0.28). One-year post-surgery, both groups had lost comparable BMI points. The influence of reduced BMI at T1 on weight status at T2 is unclear due to the lack of available studies. Other endpoints and subgroup analyses were rarely examined. Conclusions: PLI reduce BMI before bariatric surgery more effectively than usual care. These differences are not detectable one-year post-surgery. Although a short-term energy reduction period before surgery is clearly important to minimize surgery risks, it is currently unclear whether, and if so under what circumstances, participation in a PLI is beneficial

The most influential COVID-19 articles: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND Since December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2),causative pathogen of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has triggered a pandemic with challenges for health care systems around the world. Researchers have studied and published on the subject of SARS-CoV-2 and the disease extensively. What is the significance of articles published, shared and cited in the early stages of such a pandemic? MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic literature search in a time frame of 12 months and analysis rating using Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) were performed. RESULTS The 100 most cited COVID-19 articles were identified. The majority of these articles were from China (n = 54), followed by United States of America (USA) (n = 21) and United Kingdom (UK) (n = 8). All articles were published in high-ranked, peer-reviewed journals, with research focusing onthe the diagnosis, transmission and therapy of COVID-19. The level of evidence of the 100 most cited COVID-19 articles on average was low. CONCLUSION In the early stages of a pandemic, new and innovative research can emerge and be highly cited, regardless of the level of evidence

Citation classics in general medical journals: assessing the quality of evidence; a systematic review.

Aim This review provides a comprehensive overview of more than 100 of the most cited studies in general medical journals and evaluates whether citations predict the quality of a scientific article. Background The number of citations is commonly used as a measure of the quality and impact of a scientific article. However, it is often criticised that the number of citations is in fact a poor indicator of the true quality, as it can be influenced by different factors such as current trends. Methods This review was conducted in line with the PRISMA guidelines. The Journal Citation Report (JCR) within Incites allowed the evaluation and comparison of articles, published in general medical journals, using far-reaching citation data drawn from scholarly and technical journals and conference proceedings. All steps of the review were performed in duplicate and conflicts were resolved through consensus. Results The 100 most cited articles published from 1963 until the end of 2018 were identified. The number of citations ranged from 4012 to 31853. Most of the articles were published in the 2000's, followed by the 1990's, 1980's, 1970's and 1960's, respectively. All of the articles were published in five journals. There were 50 studies at level II, 28 at level V, 10 at level IV, 7 at level III, and 5 at Level I. Conclusion This systematic review provides an overview of the most cited articles, published in general medical journals. The number of citations provides an indication of the quality of evidence. However, researchers and clinicians should use standardized assessment tools rather than solely rely on the number of citations in order to judge the quality of published articles