Analysing randomised controlled trials with missing data : Choice of approach affects conclusions

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. PMID: 22265924 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]Peer reviewedPostprin

Using the literature to quantify the learning curve: a case study

Objective: To assess whether a literature review of a technology can allow a learning curve to be quantified. Methods: The literature for fibreoptic intubation was searched for studies reporting information relevant to the learning curve. The Cochrane Librar y, Medline, Embase and Science Citation index were searched. Studies that reported a procedure time were included. Data were abstracted on the three features of learning: initial level, rate of learning and asymptote level. Random effect meta-analysis was performed. Results: Only 21 studies gave explicit information concerning the previous experience of the operator(s). There were 32 different definitions of procedure time. From 4 studies of fibreoptic nasotracheal intubation, the mean starting level and time for the 10th procedure (95% confidence interval) was estimated to be 133s (113, 153) and 71s (62, 79) respectively. Conclusions: The review approach allowed learning to be quantified for our example technology. Poor and insufficient reporting constrained formal statistical estimation. Standardised reporting of non-drug techniques with adequate learning curve details is needed to inform trial design and costeffectiveness analysis

Infrared Line Emission from Planetary Nebulae. I - General Theory

General theory of infrared line emission from planetary nebul

Reporting and dealing with missing quality of life data in RCTs : has the picture changed in the last decade?

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MAO and aggression

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Questions in the chemical enzymology of MAO

A.A. is supported by the Slovenian Research Agency (Research Program P1-0005).We have structure, a wealth of kinetic data, thousands of chemical ligands, and clinical 8 information for the effects of a range of drugs on monoamine oxidase activity in vivo. We have 9 comparative information from various species and mutations on kinetics, and effects of inhibition. 10 Yet there are what seem like simple questions still to be answered. This article presents a brief sum-11 mary of existing experimental evidence the background and poses questions that remain intriguing 12 for chemists and biochemists researching the chemical enzymology of and drug design for mono-13 amine oxidases (FAD-containing EC 4.1.3.4).Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Efficacy of a Second Injection of Prostaglandin F2α in Yearling Beef Heifers Following Previous Estrus Synchronization

Angus- based, yearling beef heifers were utilized to determine the effects of administering a second prostaglandin F2α (PGF; Lutalyse, Zoetis Animal Health, Parsippany, NJ) injection to heifers who did not previously respond to estrus synchronization. All heifers were exposed to a melengestrolacetate (MGA)- PGF protocol. Following PGF injection, heifers were observed for estrus (estrus detection patches rubbed) for 3 d and inseminated. Heifers who did not show signs of estrus were placed with fertile bulls. Aft er 3 d with bulls, heifers with greater than 50% of the rub- off coating removed from estrus detection aids were considered to have been bred. One- half of the heifers not showing estrus received a second PGF injection; the other half were the controls and received no further treatment. Heifers remained with bulls for 4 d. Percentage expressing estrus was greater for heifers receiving a second PGF injection. However, pregnancy rate was similar between treatments

The use of segmented regression in analysing interrupted time series studies : an example in pre-hospital ambulance care

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