Full Manuscripts Research Articles

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.

Guest Editorial: Special Issue Based on Papers Submitted to All 2018 IEEE TEMS Conferences

The papers in this special issue were submitted to all the conferences organized by IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society (TEMS) in a given calendar year. In 2017, IEEE TEMS initiated its flagship conference TEMSCON (held in Silicon Valley), which serves as rebranding from its original International Technology Management Conferences (ITMC). Following that, in 2018, two more conferences were initiated globally, one in Asia known as IEEE TEMS International Symposium on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ISIE), and one in Europe as IEEE TEMS International Conference on Technology and Entrepreneurship (ICTE). For this special issue, we invited authors attending any of the three aforementioned conferences in 2018 to submit full manuscripts for reviews, and the present special issue with eleven papers is the result of a careful selection following our usual rigid double-blinded peer-review process.

Peritoneal cytokines as a predictor of colorectal anastomotic leaks on postoperative day 1: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major complication of colorectal surgery resulting in morbidity, mortality and poorer quality of life. The early diagnosis of AL is challenging due to the poor positive predictive value of tests available and reliance on clinical presentation which may be delayed. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the applicability of peritoneal cytokine levels as an early predictive test of AL in postoperative colorectal cancer patients. A comprehensive literature search was performed from inception to January 2021, in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases using MeSH and non-MeSH terms in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. All studies evaluating peritoneal cytokines in the context of AL were included in this review. Two hundred ninety-two abstracts were screened, 30 full manuscripts evaluated, and 12 prospective studies were included. There were 8 peritoneal cytokines evaluated (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha] and matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]2 and MMP9) between AL and non-AL groups on postoperative day 1. Those that included IL-6 (7 studies), IL-10 (4 studies), TNF alpha (6 studies) and MMP9 (2 studies) were included in the meta-analysis. IL-10 was the only cytokine in the meta-analysis that was significantly (p < 0.05) raised in drain fluid on postoperative day 1 in AL patients. Peritoneal IL-10 was significantly raised on postoperative day 1 in patients who subsequently developed AL. This may be a useful early predictor of AL and aid in an earlier diagnosis for postoperative colorectal patients. The range of cytokines investigated within the literature is limited and from heterogeneous studies which suggests more research is needed.

A Retrospective Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Traumatic Brain Injury: Evaluation of CONSORT Item Adherence.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes to death and disability, resulting in an enormous individual and socio-economic challenges. Despite huge efforts, there are still controversies on treatment strategies and early outcome estimation. We evaluate current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on TBI according to their fulfillment of the CONSORT (Consolidated Statement of Reporting Trials) statement’s criteria as a marker of transparency and the quality of study planning and realization. A PubMed search for RCTs on TBI (January 2014–December 2019) was carried out. After screening of the abstracts (n = 1.926), the suitable full text manuscripts (n = 72) were assessed for the fulfillment of the CONSORT criteria. The mean ratio of consort statement fulfillment was 59% (±13%), 31% of the included studies (n = 22) complied with less than 50% of the CONSORT criteria. Citation frequency was moderately related to ratio of CONSORT item fulfillment (r = 0.4877; p < 0.0001) and citation frequency per year (r = 0.5249; p < 0.0001). The ratio of CONSORT criteria fulfillment was associated with the impact factor of the publishing journal (r = 0.6428; p < 0.0001). Essential data for study interpretation, such as sample size determination (item 7a), participant flow (item 13a) as well as losses and exclusions (item 13b), were only reported in 53%, 60% and 63%, respectively. Reporting and methodological aspects in RCTs on TBI still may be improved. Thus, the interpretation of study results may be hampered due to methodological weaknesses.

Diagnostic Accuracy of D-Dimer for Pulmonary Embolism and Lower Limb Deep Vein Thrombosis Testing in People with Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

IntroductionThere are evidence-based protocols for the diagnosis and exclusion of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) which include clinical probability scoring along with selective D-dimer testing and diagnostic imaging. D-dimer assessment in VTE (venous thromboembolism) testing tends to be omitted in patients with cancer, partly because of perceived D-dimer lack of sensitivity and specificity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to report the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer for PE and lower limb DVT in patients with cancer. This study was part of a research program to set International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis standards for VTE testing in patients with cancer.MethodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis followed the MOOSE guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42020181007. We searched Medline via OVID from conception to 12 th March 2020 for diagnostic PE and DVT studies reporting on people with cancer, or a subgroup of people with cancer. Researchers in the field were contacted for information on unpublished studies. All languages were included. Two researchers screened the titles and abstracts. Four researchers reviewed the selected full texts to determine which studies fulfilled inclusion criteria. Two researchers assessed risk of bias using QUADAS-2, extracted data on the true positive, false positive, true negative and false negative results for D-dimer alone, and D-dimer combined with clinical probability estimation. We used the bivariate random effects method to meta-analyze sensitivity and specificity values. We used a random effects model to estimate pooled false negative rates and efficiency for combining a negative D-dimer (manufacturer recommended cutoff) with a low clinical probability to exclude PE or DVT in patients with cancer. Results were displayed on a Forest plot. Heterogeneity was assessed using I 2.ResultsFrom 7947 titles and abstracts, we reviewed 49 full text manuscripts, including 13 studies for analysis. Risk of bias was low across all domains for only 5/13 studies. Figures 1 shows the Forest plots grouped by sensitivity and specificity for PE and DVT. The pooled estimates for D-dimer in the diagnosis of VTE in cancer patients (regardless of clinical probability) were 96.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 94.8 to 97.5%) sensitivity and 26.4% (95% CI 18.1 to 37.0%) specificity. For PE, D-dimer was 96.9% (96.1 to 97.5%) sensitive (I 2 0%, N=2,299) and 14.0% (12.1 to 16.0%) specific, (I 2 69%, N=11,455). For DVT, D-dimer was 94.3% (89.8 to 97.6%) sensitive, (I 2 61%, N=546) and 46.4% (39.8 to 53.3%) specific, (I 2 59%, N=724). The efficiency of combining a low D-dimer (using the manufacturer recommended cutoff) and low clinical probability to exclude DVT or PE was 9.3%, (95% CI 6.9 to 11.9%), N=1,347. There were only 122 patients in the false negative rate analysis of whom 1 patient was diagnosed with VTE in follow up. A pooled analysis was not performed for the false negative rate.ConclusionsD-dimer is a sensitive test for both PE and lower limb DVT in people who have cancer. Approximately 10% of patients with cancer and suspected VTE can have VTE excluded with D-dimer and clinical probability prior to ordering diagnostic imaging. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Top 100 cited articles in male breast cancer: Abibliometric analysis.

Male breast cancer is a considerably rare condition and only accounts for 1% of all breast cancer cases. Due to limited public awareness, the condition is likely to present late, leading to late diagnosis and treatment worsening morbidity and mortality. This article aims to identify the focus and most influential research on male breast cancer. Objective Identify the most influential papers in male breast cancer. Search on Web of Science using the search terms 'Male', 'Breast Cancer' and "Male breast cancer" to identify all full manuscripts in English language and were ranked by the total number of citations. The top 100 articles were then further analysed according to subject, author, journal, year and country of publications. The mean number of citations per paper was 96. Most cited paper was by Thorlacius, S etal.evaluating the relationship between BRCA2 and female breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer and ovarian cancer. Cancer is the journal with the most published papers and received most citations in the male breast cancer research field. The USA contributed 49 of the manuscripts in the top 100. The most studied topic was risk factors for male breast cancer, with 20 articles. The most cited papers identified in this study described the advance in the knowledge of genetics and epidemiology in male breast cancer and has led to improvements in the 4 management of the disease. Most of the highly cited articles in this field were published in high impact journals and had accumulated at least 100 citations to date, reflecting their quality and impact. By collating the most influential publications in this field, this analysis can serve to identify knowledge gaps in male breast cancer research as well as to help identify what makes a paper impactful and citable.

Peer review declaration

All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.• Type of peer review: Double-blind• Conference submission management system: There are 4 editors, each for one topic area. According to the abstract, the editors will assess the suitability of the manuscript for the conference. The full manuscript is sent to two/three reviewers. According to the reviewers’ reports and the editor’s comments, the author makes corrections or additions.• Number of submissions received: 27• Number of submissions sent for review: 24• Number of submissions accepted: 23• Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted/Number of Submissions Received X 100): 85• Average number of reviews per paper: 2.3• Total number of reviewers involved: 49• Any additional info on review process: The novelty of the article and its impact on the field are the main aspects we consider. We evaluate whether the methodology used is appropriate. We also assess whether the exact technical specifications of the study materials and equipment are described, we consider the adequacy of the sample size and the quality of the figures. We assess whether the findings in the manuscript are aptly supplemented by the supplementary section and whether the authors have followed the submission guidelines. We consider whether the results or the proposed methodology have some potential broader applicability or relevance. We pay attention to the results and whether they have been discussed with other similar published studies.• Contact person for queries: Name: Martin NejedlikAffiliation: Reseach Institute for Building Materials, Brno, Czech RepublicEmail: nejedlik@vustah.cz

Cement augmentation of suture anchors in the proximal humerus during rotator cuff repair improves pullout strength: a systematic review

ImportanceRotator cuff pathology is a growing concern in the ageing population. If cement augmentation of suture anchors improves pullout strength, its application can potentially be applied in cases of poor bone quality to prevent anchor failure.ObjectiveTo evaluate the biomechanical benefits and fixation strength of cement-augmented versus non-augmented suture anchors in the proximal humerus during rotator cuff repair (RCR).Evidence reviewA systematic review of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library was performed to identify all published articles reporting on biomechanical analysis of suture anchors in the shoulder in a cadaveric model. Inclusion criteria required fresh-frozen specimens, placement in the footprint of the proximal humerus, and comparative assessment of fixation constructs with or without polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or bioabsorbable composite cement augmentation. Biomechanical testing procedure, cement augmentation method and pullout force were assessed.FindingsAfter review of 105 abstracts, seven full manuscripts met inclusion criteria. Six of seven studies reported statistically significant differences in mean pullout force between augmented (three PMMAs, three composites, one PMMA vs composite) and non-augmented anchors. Of two studies evaluating cycles to failure, both found a significant increase in the augmented versus non-augmented anchors. Of two studies stratifying by anchor position, both investigations identified significant differences in mean pullout strength between augmented and non-augmented anchors at the posteromedial and anterolateral anchor positions.Conclusions and relevanceCement augmentation of suture anchors in cadaveric humeri for RCR improves pullout strength regardless of cement type used or anchor position. Cement augmentation may provide a viable option for future clinical application.Level of evidenceIV, systematic review.

HIV Prevalence in Migrant Groups Based on Country of Origin: A Systematic Review on Data Obtained between 1993 and 2020

The prevalence of internationally displaced people has been rising steadily within the last decade, creating enormous groups of migrants vulnerable to communicable diseases. This study aims to investigate HIV prevalence in migrant groups based on country of origin and present these results as weighted estimates on HIV prevalence based on geographical origin. Furthermore, HIV prevalence by country of origin is compared to WHO estimated prevalence in these countries. A systematic literature search has been conducted, and risk of bias in the included studies has been assessed. A ratio termed the Migration/Origin ratio, expressing weighted estimates on HIV prevalence among migrants by country of origin compared to the WHO estimated HIV prevalence in the country of origin, was constructed to compare the yields of this study to WHO prevalence estimates. Based on the search strategies covering the years 1990 to February 2021, 2295 articles were identified. The articles were screened by title and/or abstract, and retrieved articles were screened by full manuscript, leading to a final inclusion of 49 studies. HIV prevalence among migrants originating from the Middle East was 0.11%, Southeast Asia 1.50%, Eastern Europe 0.44%, Latin America 0.74%, North-, East-, West-, Central- and Southern Africa 1.90%, 3.69%, 2.60%, 3.75% and 3.92%, respectively. The overall Migration/Origin ratio was 2.1. HIV prevalence among migrants originating from countries with a high HIV prevalence was generally higher than among the autochthonous population. Several HIV prevalence estimates among migrants according to country of origin varied from WHO estimates.

1670 The 50 Most Cited Manuscripts in Paediatric Robotic Surgery: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract Introduction Robotic assisted surgery is increasingly utilised in paediatric surgery. The purpose of this study was to establish a ranking of the 50 most frequently cited articles addressing this subject and analyse their bibliometric characteristics. Method Articles related to paediatric robotic surgery were searched in The Web of Science citation indexing database utilising defined search terms. Results were filtered to include only English language and full manuscripts. The dataset was then ranked by the absolute number of citations and analysed by the journal of publication, impact factor of the journal, title of publication, article type, year of publication, first and senior author, geographic origin, and level of evidence. Results The search yielded a total of 352 papers which were ranked in order of citations. The 50 highest cited articles had 2669 citations cumulatively. The most cited article by Lee, RS et al had a citation count of 207. The publication years spanned from 2002 to 2018. 2013 saw the greatest number of publications on this topic. Most articles were of the ‘’Clinical science’’ type. Geographically the USA accounted for most of these publications. All published articles demonstrated a high level of evidence. Conclusions The 50 articles identified in this study are clearly influential in this new and evolving field of surgery. Identification of these seminal papers is intended to assist clinicians and scientists in formulating an overview of current and developing trends in this cutting-edge discipline as well as providing a foundational basis for further discussion and future research.

1363 Oesophago-Pleural Fistula After Pneumonectomy; A Systematic Review

Abstract Introduction Oesophago-pleural fistula (OPF) is an infrequent but highly complex complication of pneumonectomy with a mortality of up to 63%. There is a paucity of data on the optimal treatment strategy. Method Systematic review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidance concerning OPF following pneumonectomy. Demographic, operative and management data were analysed. Results 30 full manuscripts of the 76 abstracts were included in the analysis. Data was limited to case reports or small series. In total, information for 58 patients was included. Median age was 59 years, with a median follow up time was 18 months. Most authors adopted sepsis control with chest drainage and pleural lavage and the mean number of interventions was 1.6. Overall mortality was 31% (18/58). There was no significant difference between the time to presentation following left (29.2+/-39.28 months) and right pneumonectomy (66.24+/-110.62) (p = 0.2271) nor any significant difference between successful outcomes following intervention for OPF after left (11/14) compared to right pneumonectomy (31/41) (p = 0.8219) or 90-day mortality (p = 0.4571). However, 26% of patients had synchronous broncho-pleural fistula and 90-day mortality was significantly higher in these patients (6/15 vs 6/43. p = 0.0395). 25 patients who underwent additional pericardial, oesophageal or a nodal resection or intervention at the time of pneumonectomy had a significantly reduced mean time to presentation with OPF (21.49+/-60.15 vs. 84.99+/-114.31. p = 0.0148) and a higher 90-day mortality (8/25 vs 3/32. P = 0.0414). Conclusions Major heterogeneity of management hinders the introduction of standardised guidance of post-pnuemonectomy OPF. An MDT approach involving Oesophago-gastric and Cardio-Thoracic Surgery is vital.

S1045 EUS-Guided Primary, Secondary Prophylaxis Treatment of Gastric Varices: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Gastric varices (GV) increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and carry a significant mortality risk, especially in the setting of portal hypertension. A major treatment modality for GV includes endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided glue and/ or coil injection. In this meta-analysis study, we aim to address the efficacy of EUS guided glue and/ or coil injection in the treatment of GV in primary and secondary prophylaxis. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of several databases including Medline, Scopus, Embase to identify studies from 2000-2019 that evaluated EUS guided therapy in the treatment of GV for primary and/or secondary prophylaxis. Our primary goals were to estimate the pooled rates of treatment efficacy, GV obliteration, GV recurrence, early re-bleeding, and late re-bleeding with EUS guided therapy of GV in primary and secondary prophylaxis. Calculation was done by standard meta-analysis methodology using the random-effects model and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2% statistics. Results: A total of 13 studies were included in the final analysis. The EUS guided treatment efficacy of primary prophylaxis was 95% (95% CI [85.7-98.4%]) and secondary prophylaxis was 94.3% [83.6-98.1]. GV obliteration was 68.3% [43.4-85.8] for primary prophylaxis and 65.8% [38.8-85.4] for secondary prophylaxis. GV recurrence was 10% [2.5-32.8] in primary prophylaxis and 4.3% [1.7-10.5] in secondary prophylaxis. Early re-bleeding was seen in 6.7% [1.7-23.1] of primary prophylaxis cases and 5.5% [2.3-12.6] of secondary prophylaxis. Late re-bleeding was seen in 6% [2.3-14.9] of primary prophylaxis cases and 12.6% [9.3-16.8] of secondary prophylaxis cases. We conducted sub-group analysis with respect to studies published as abstracts and full manuscripts, and by sample-size. The results summarized in Table 1. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis study illustrates that EUS-guided therapy of GV may demonstrate excellent short and long-term clinical outcomes in both primary and secondary prophylaxis. This was shown by high EUS guided treatment efficacy of 95% and 94.3% in primary and secondary prophylaxis respectively. In addition, a low GV recurrence of 4.5% in secondary prophylaxis is a key positive finding; however, the late re-bleeding rate of 12.6% in secondary prophylaxis needs further evaluation and future study. Nevertheless, our study highlights that early EUS-guided therapy should be considered in the treatment of GV regardless of primary or secondary prophylaxis.Table 1.: Summary of pooled results

S639 Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors Increase Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding When Used with NSAIDs: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) but reported results are heterogenous. In this study we aimed evaluate the risk of UGIB with SSRIs use in patients on NSAIDs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the SCOPUS and MEDLINE databases from inception through September 2020. Cohort and case-control studies that reported risk of UGIB in patient on NSAIDs with and without SSRIs were included. In phase I, title and abstracts were reviewed for study eligibility. In phase II, full manuscripts of potentially eligible studies were reviewed for eligibility. Newcastle-Ottawa checklist was used for study methodology quality assessment. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed in duplication, and any disagreements were resolved by consensus. The primary outcome was UGIB. Dichotomous data was pooled to calculate an odds ratio (OR) of the risk of UGIB in patients on NSAIDs with concomitant SSRI use. Results: Our search produced a total of 366 citations, and 21 were selected for full-text review. 1 cohort and 9 case-control studies were included in final analysis. On quality assessment scores are reported in Table 1. Use of SSRIs was associated with increased risk of UGIB in patients on NSAIDs with an OR 1.75, 95% CI=1.32-2.33. The number needed to harm for upper GI bleeding with SSRIs in patients on NSAIDs was 12. Conclusion: Moderate to good quality studies report significantly higher risk of UGIB with concomitant SSRIs use with NSAIDs. These observations have important clinical implications in choosing peptic ulcer prophylaxis.Table 1.: Study Methodology Quality Assessment on Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Figure 1.: Risk of UGIB with and without SSRI Use Footnote: Forest Plot depicting OR of having UGIB with and without SSRI use in patients on NSAIDs.

Peer review declaration (STACLIM 2021)

All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing.• Type of peer review: Single-blind The review process is conducted in single-blind method that the reviewers have access to the name(s) of author(s) while author is not being informed on the name of the reviewer(s).• Conference submission management system: EDAS Conference and Journal Management System Link: https://edas.info/index.php?c=28219• Number of submissions received: 110 (Total number of papers) • Number of submissions sent for review: 72 (Final number of papers reviewed) • Number of submissions accepted: 60 (Final number of papers after acceptance) • Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted/Number of Submissions Received X 100): 54.5% • Average number of reviews per paper: 3.25 Each paper have gone through at least two stages of review, namely abstract review, and full manuscript review, while papers with major and minor revision received additional 1 to 2 rounds of reviews.• Total number of reviewers involved: 24 • Any additional info on review process:∘ First-stage of peer review was done on the submitted abstract; only those which are accepted will be prompted for full paper submission.∘ The full paper needed to achieve similarity index of less than 30% before it could be sent out for the second-stage rigorous peer review; only papers that have properly revised and addressed the comments from editors and reviewers could be accepted and proceeded for acceptance, hence publication in the IOP Conference series: Earth and Environmental Science.• Contact person for queries:Name: Dr Marlia Mohd HanafiahAffiliation: Institute of Climate Change (IPI), Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaEmail : mhmarlia@ukm.edu.myName: Dr Rawshan Ara BegumAffiliation: Institute of Climate Change (IPI), Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaEmail : rawshan@ukm.edu.myName: Dr Maggie Chel Gee OoiAffiliation: Institute of Climate Change (IPI), Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaEmail : chelgee.ooi@ukm.edu.my

MASS-MEDIA AND TARGETED EDUCATION INTERVENTIONS TO MINIMIZE DELAY TO HOSPITAL IN PATIENTS WITH CHEST PAIN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

<h3>BACKGROUND</h3> Despite many improvements in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and hospital systems of care, delay in seeking medical attention remains a significant barrier to timely reperfusion in acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Though previous studies have examined the risk factors associated with prolonged delays in accessing care, the data on education interventions to mitigate these factors is mixed. The aim of this systematic review is to examine the overall efficacy and methods of intervention available to minimize these delays. <h3>METHODS AND RESULTS</h3> We searched EMBASE, PubMED and MEDLINE from their inception to January 2021. Studies examining the association between either education intervention or mass media campaigns and delays in care (both patient delay and/or healthcare system delay) in ACS were included. Two independent reviewers performed level 1 screening of 6256 abstracts, which resulted in 95 studies for level 2 screening. After full manuscript review, these studies were then tailored to 26 studies with 17 companion articles for final data extraction. See Figure 1. In total, 20 studies used mass media campaigns, 5 targeted high-risk populations and 1 used a combination of both strategies (see Table 1). The key messages of these interventions were to appropriately identify ACS symptoms, and to call emergency medical services (EMS) for timely access to care. The majority of studies examined the effect on patient delays in care (n=15), of which 80% were effective. The use of EMS in the setting of potential ACS (n=14) was increased in 64% of studies after the intervention. There were also two studies that demonstrated decreased infarct size and mortality post-intervention. Several studies examined patient knowledge outcomes alone (n=4). In all studies examined, educational elements and mass media interventions relied heavily on print materials, radio and television. There was little to no presence of internet-based resources or social media. <h3>CONCLUSION</h3> Despite significant heterogeneity, there is evidence to support the efficacy of education interventions to reduce delay in patients with chest pain. The use of similar methods using an internet-based platform is an interesting possibility that has not yet been explored in the current body of literature.

JSAT call for papers for special issue: Stimulant use disorder

The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment seeks articles on the changing epidemiology and treatment of stimulant use disorder for a planned Special Issue. JSAT prefers empirical research, however, we will also consider systematic reviews and meta analyses. Recent reports from CDC and other sources has documented that cocaine and methamphetamine play an increasing role in the overdose death crisis in the US. We think a special issue presenting new information on a variety of stimulant-related research topics is merited. We invite high quality research manuscripts on topics related to stimulant use disorder, such as:•Behavioral and pharmacotherapy innovations•Implementation and dissemination science•Treatment in medical and specialty care settings•Assessment and treatment of co-occurring psychiatric symptoms (psychosis, depression)•Withdrawal management•Overdose prevention and overdose treatment•Epidemiological and treatment studies addressing racial, ethnic, sexual, and/or gender minority populations, as well as rural communities To facilitate manuscript development, authors should submit an abstract (maximum of one page) of the proposed paper to Michael McDonell, [email protected] . Authors of selected manuscripts will be invited to submit a full manuscript. When a manuscript is ready for submission, it must be submitted directly to the JSAT Editorial Manager: (https://www.editorialmanager.com/josat/default.aspx). The first step is to indicate “article type.” In the drop-down menu, select “Stimulant Use Disorder” so the paper will be routed to the editors. Articles should follow the outline provided in the guide for authors (https://www.elsevier.com/journals/journal-of-substance-abusetreatment/0740-5472/guide-for-authors). We advise authors to consult the EQUATOR Network for guidance on standardized reporting guidelines (https://www.equator-network.org/) and follow the appropriate guidelines. The due date for abstracts is 1st January 2022. Abstracts will be peer-reviewed and decisions will be announced no later than 1st February 2022. Papers invited for submission will be due on 1st May 2022. All submitted manuscripts will go through a rigorous peer-reviewed process, thus acceptance of your abstract does not guarantee publication. Accepted manuscripts will be published online on a rolling basis (prior to the full special issue being published in late 2022). Please email any questions to the guest editors below. We look forward to receiving your abstracts!

Cervical spine TB - Current concepts in management.

Cervical tubercular disease (CTB) is a rare pathology and constitutes 3-5% of all spinal TB. It includes atlantoaxial TB and sub-axial TB. As the literature evidence on this subject is scarce, majority of issues concerning CTB are still controversial. The current narrative review comprehensively discusses the various aspects related to CTB. Literature search: An elaborate search was made using keywords cervical tuberculosis, atlantoaxial tuberculosis, sub-axial tuberculosis, and cervico-thoracic tuberculosis, on pubmed and google (scholar.google.com) databases on 2 December 2020. We identified crucial questions regarding CTB and included relevant articles pertaining to them. The initial search using keywords cervical tuberculosis, atlantoaxial tuberculosis, sub-axial tuberculosis, and cervico-thoracic tuberculosis yielded 4128, 76, 3 and 9 articles on 'pubmed' database, respectively. A similar search using the aforementioned keywords yielded 1,96,000, 2130, 117 and 728 articles on 'google scholar' database. The initial screening resulted in the identification of 178 articles. Full manuscripts were obtained for these articles and thoroughly scrutinised at the second stage. Review articles, randomised controlled trials and level 1 studies were given preference. Overall, 41 articles were included. AATB and SACTB constitute 0.3 to 1% and 3% of spinal TB, respectively. The incidence of neuro-deficit in CTB is significantly more than other spinal TB. The general principles of management of CTB are similar to spinal TB elsewhere and medical therapy remains the cornerstone. Surgery is advocated in specific scenarios involving gross neuro-deficit, later stages of disease with significant bony/ligamentous disruptions, altered sagittal balance, drug resistance, and poor response to medications. The surgical approaches for AATB include anterior-alone, posterior-alone and combined approaches, although posterior access is the most preferred. Most of the studies on SACTB have supported the role of anterior approach. Additionally, posterior stabilisation may be necessary in specific scenarios. The overall long-term outcome in CTB is favourable.

Blunt cardiac trauma: a narrative review.

ObjectiveThis review aims to summarize the literature regarding blunt cardiac trauma (BCT), focusing on the mechanism of injury, presentations, diagnostic, and treatment approaches to provide an up-to-date perspective and to identify the areas requiring further investigation.BackgroundBCT is a relatively rare, but likely underdiagnosed, consequence of blunt chest trauma. BCT occurs in less than 10% of all trauma admissions although it is responsible for approximately 25% of traumatic deaths. BCT often occurs due to forceful impact, rapid deceleration, or crush injuries and the most common causes include motor vehicle accidents, pedestrians struck by motor vehicles, and falls from a significant height. While BCT is certainly an important condition with significant clinical implications, the current literature is limited comprised of mainly case reports. BCTs are often complex cases with various presentations, comorbid injuries, diagnostic modalities, and treatments.MethodsPubMed was searched for retrospective, prospective, randomized control trials, case report studies, and previous related reviews investigating BCT published from January 1, 1985 to February 1, 2021. Exclusion criteria included if the full length manuscript was not available and if insufficient data was provided regarding the patient outcomes or the case presented in case reports.ConclusionsA wide variety of injuries, mechanisms, presentations, and treatments are possible with BCT. Commonalities in initial investigations include a thorough history and physical exam where appropriate, lab work to evaluate patient status, and imaging to diagnose structural injuries. Treatment often begins with stabilization of the patient and rapid initiation of interventions aimed at underlying structural or rhythm abnormalities. As the current literature is limited, further study into BCT is necessary. As BCT is relatively rare and occurs sporadically at individual centers, widespread data collection from BCT patients regarding their treatment and outcomes is essential in order to collect the required data for retrospective or prospective studies. The widespread establishment of multicenter or national databases may be a solution to address the limited data in this field allowing identification of optimal treatments for BCT patients, addressing the limitations in the field of BCT, and allow the continued improvement in the outcomes of patients who experience BCT.

Asbestos-induced chronic inflammation in malignant pleural mesothelioma and related therapeutic approaches-a narrative review.

Objective:The aim of this review is addressing the mechanisms of asbestos carcinogenesis, including chronic inflammation and autophagy-mediated cell survival, and propose potential innovative therapeutic targets to prevent mesothelioma development or improve drug efficacy by reducing inflammation and autophagy.Background:Diffuse malignant pleural mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer predominantly related to chronic inflammation caused by asbestos exposure. Millions of individuals have been exposed to asbestos or to other carcinogenic mineral fibers occupationally or environmentally, resulting in an increased risk of developing mesothelioma. Overall patient survival rates are notably low (about 8–14 months from the time of diagnosis) and mesothelioma is resistant to existing therapies. Additionally, individuals carrying inactivating germline mutations in the BRCA-associated protein 1 (BAP1) gene and other genes are predisposed to developing cancers, prevalently mesothelioma. Their risk of developing mesothelioma further increases upon exposure to asbestos. Recent studies have revealed the mechanisms and the role of inflammation in asbestos carcinogenesis. Biomarkers for asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma have also been identified. These findings are leading to the development of novel therapeutic approaches to prevent or delay the growth of mesothelioma.Methods:Review of full length manuscripts published in English from January 1980 to February 2021 gathered from PubMed.gov from the National Center of Biotechnology Information and the National Library of Medicine were used to inform this review.Conclusion:Key regulators of chronic inflammation mediate asbestos-driven mesothelial cell transformation and survival through autophagic pathways. Recent studies have elucidated some of the key mechanisms involved in asbestos-induced chronic inflammation, which are largely driven by extracellular high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Upon asbestos exposure, mesothelial cells release HMGB1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and extracellular space, where HMGB1 initiates an inflammatory response. HMGB1 translocation and release also activates autophagy and other pro-survival mechanisms, which promotes mesothelioma development. HMGB1 is currently being investigated as a biomarker to detect asbestos exposure and to detect mesothelioma development in its early stage when therapy is more effective. In parallel, several approaches inhibiting HMGB1 activities have been studied and have shown promising results. Moreover, additional cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α are being targeted to interfere with the inflammatory process that drives mesothelioma growth. Developing early detection methods and novel therapeutic strategies is crucial to prolong overall survival of patients with mesothelioma. Novel therapies targeting regulators of asbestos-induced inflammation to reduce mesothelioma growth may lead to clinical advancements to benefit patients with mesothelioma.

Classification and types of flaps in endodontic surgery

The success of endodontic surgeries can be significantly associated with the selected dental flap. Many flaps have been reported among studies in the literature with variable frequencies of advantages and disadvantages and with different indications for each flap. This literature review discusses the most commonly reported types of endodontics flaps along with the reported advantages and disadvantages, in addition to the uses, applications, and most probable indications and contraindications for each designed flap. Among the reported flap designs, clinical success and favorable outcomes were observed with the ones that limited the damage to the root-attached tissues. Moreover, crestal bone loss has been reported to be minimal when using the full mucoperiosteal flap designs. Many previous studies have reported that using triangular and rectangular flap designs has been associated with favorable events regarding crestal bone loss, with the observed complete healing of the resorption damaging events and absent alternations of the heights of the crestal bone that were potentially affected. Further details of each flap design are provided within the full manuscript of this article based on the obtained evidence from previous investigations.