The R package mice imputes incomplete multivariate data by chained equations. The software mice 1.0 appeared in the year 2000 as an S-PLUS library, and in 2001 as an R package. mice 1.0 introduced predictor selection, passive imputation and automatic pooling. This article documents mice, which extends the functionality of mice 1.0 in several ways. In mice, the analysis of imputed data is made completely general, whereas the range of models under which pooling works is substantially extended. mice adds new functionality for imputing multilevel data, automatic predictor selection, data handling, post-processing imputed values, specialized pooling routines, model selection tools, and diagnostic graphs. Imputation of categorical data is improved in order to bypass problems caused by perfect prediction. Special attention is paid to transformations, sum scores, indices and interactions using passive imputation, and to the proper setup of the predictor matrix. mice can be downloaded from the Comprehensive R Archive Network. This article provides a hands-on, stepwise approach to solve applied incomplete data problems.

/pdf/mice-multivariate-imputation-by-chained-equations-in-r-2cffzza5jj.pdf

mice: Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations in R

The present historical moment may seem a particularly inopportune time to review Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam's latest exploration of civic decline in America. After all, the outpouring of volunteerism, solidarity, patriotism, and self-sacrifice displayed by Americans in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks appears to fly in the face of Putnam's central argument: that \"social capital\" -defined as \"social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them\" (p. 19)'has declined to dangerously low levels in America over the last three decades. However, Putnam is not fazed in the least by the recent effusion of solidarity. Quite the contrary, he sees in it the potential to \"reverse what has been a 30to 40-year steady decline in most measures of connectedness or community.\"' As an example of how the current \"war on terrorism\" could generate a durable civic renewal, Putnam points to the burst in civic practices that occurred during and after World War II, which he says \"permanently marked\" the generation that lived through it and had a \"terrific effect on American public life over the last half-century.\" 3 If Americans can follow this example and channel their current civic

Bowling alone: The collapse and revival of American community

Scoping reviews are a relatively new approach to evidence synthesis and currently there exists little guidance regarding the decision to choose between a systematic review or scoping review approach when synthesising evidence. The purpose of this article is to clearly describe the differences in indications between scoping reviews and systematic reviews and to provide guidance for when a scoping review is (and is not) appropriate. Researchers may conduct scoping reviews instead of systematic reviews where the purpose of the review is to identify knowledge gaps, scope a body of literature, clarify concepts or to investigate research conduct. While useful in their own right, scoping reviews may also be helpful precursors to systematic reviews and can be used to confirm the relevance of inclusion criteria and potential questions. Scoping reviews are a useful tool in the ever increasing arsenal of evidence synthesis approaches. Although conducted for different purposes compared to systematic reviews, scoping reviews still require rigorous and transparent methods in their conduct to ensure that the results are trustworthy. Our hope is that with clear guidance available regarding whether to conduct a scoping review or a systematic review, there will be less scoping reviews being performed for inappropriate indications better served by a systematic review, and vice-versa.

/pdf/systematic-review-or-scoping-review-guidance-for-authors-21ouh48v3u.pdf

Systematic review or scoping review? Guidance for authors when choosing between a systematic or scoping review approach

OBJECTIVE — To systematically review the incidence of posttransplantation diabetes (PTD), risk factors for its development, prognostic implications, and optimal management. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS — We searched databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and others) from inception to September 2000, reviewed bibliographies in reports retrieved, contacted transplantation experts, and reviewed specialty journals. Two reviewers independently determined report inclusion (original studies, in all languages, of PTD in adults with no history of diabetes before transplantation), assessed study methods, and extracted data using a standardized form. Meta-regression was used to explain between-study differences in incidence. RESULTS — Nineteen studies with 3,611 patients were included. The 12-month cumulative incidence of PTD is lower (10% in most studies) than it was 3 decades ago. The type of immunosuppression explained 74% of the variability in incidence (P 0.0004). Risk factors were patient age, nonwhite ethnicity, glucocorticoid treatment for rejection, and immunosuppression with high-dose cyclosporine and tacrolimus. PTD was associated with decreased graft and patient survival in earlier studies; later studies showed improved outcomes. Randomized trials of treatment regimens have not been conducted. CONCLUSIONS — Physicians should consider modification of immunosuppressive regimens to decrease the risk of PTD in high-risk transplant recipients. Randomized trials are needed to evaluate the use of oral glucose-lowering agents in transplant recipients, paying particular attention to interactions with immunosuppressive drugs. Diabetes Care 25:583–592, 2002

A systematic review of the literature

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(17)33326-3.pdf

Global surveillance of trends in cancer survival 2000-14 (CONCORD-3): analysis of individual records for 37 513 025 patients diagnosed with one of 18 cancers from 322 population-based registries in 71 countries.

Citicoline (CDP-choline) for traumatic brain injury

Abstract Astronauts in a microgravity environment will experience significant changes in their cardiopulmonary system. Up until now, there has always been the reassurance that they have real-time contact with experts on Earth. Mars crew however will have gaps in their communication of 20 min or more. In silico experiments are therefore needed to assess fitness to fly for those on future space flights to Mars. In this study, we present an open-source controlled lumped mathematical model of the cardiopulmonary system that is able simulate the short-term adaptations of key hemodynamic parameters to an active stand test after being exposed to microgravity. The presented model is capable of adequately simulating key cardiovascular hemodynamic changes—over a short time frame—during a stand test after prolonged spaceflight under different gravitational conditions and fluid loading conditions. This model can form the basis for further exploration of the ability of the human cardiovascular system to withstand long-duration space flight and life on Mars. 

/pdf/computational-modeling-of-orthostatic-intolerance-for-travel-haa9t8zn.pdf

Computational modeling of orthostatic intolerance for travel to Mars

Hospital and clinician volume or specialisation in cancer care

Sir We have read the invited commentary to our article1 by Dr Flum. He is an authority in the field and we greatly appreciate his views. The sources of inaccuracy he raises, including patients lost to follow-up or uncertainty regarding the proportion of emergency operations, are indeed very real difficulties inherent in any study of this sort. We deal with these in the discussion, but nevertheless we believe that the study has produced new data despite these limitations. Dr Flum mentions that only recurrences requiring admission to hospital were included. One of the most important aspects of the study was that all patients were diagnosed according to the most objective criteria possible in clinical practice. Thus we defined acute diverticulitis (AD) by clinical and radiological criteria; recurrence as a new episode of AD was diagnosed according to the same definition and had to occur at least 2 months after complete resolution of the index episode. Patients with radiological evidence of acute diverticulitis were rarely treated as outpatients. Some patients treated with antibiotics for abdominal pain and fever in an outpatient setting without instrumental examination confirming the diagnosis of AD were simply classified as having persistence or recurrence of symptoms. It is of course the case that a multicentre study of diverticular disease as presented in our study is extremely difficult to carry out. Confounding factors include the accuracy of data recording, uniformity of adherence to the protocol, and variation in the clinical severity of the illness, length of follow-up and many other variables. Any future study will always be faced with the same practical difficulties to a greater or lesser extent. Despite these difficulties, we are, nevertheless, strongly of the view that the data presented represent an advance on previous studies. Admittedly, the results do not give a complete picture but they add to present knowledge beyond what was available before. G. A. Binda1, A. Serventi2 and D. F. Altomare3 1Department of General Surgery, Galliera Hospital, 16128 Genoa, 2Department of General Surgery, San Giacomo Hospital, 15067 Novi Ligure and 3Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, 70121 Bari, Italy (e-mail: gian.andrea.binda@galliera.it) DOI: 10.1002/bjs.8768

Authors' reply: Surgical wisdom (Br J Surg 2012; 99: 3–5)

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Intervention). The objectives are as follows:


In any age group or pathology requiring an intrathoracic chest drain does the addition of suction improve clinical outcomes?


In draining the pleural space using underwater seal, one‐way valve (or any other type of drain identified from the search) is the use of suction compared to without suction safer or more effective at evacuating either air, blood, fluid or pus?


In draining the mediastinal space using underwater seal, one‐way valve (or any other type of drain identified from the search) is the use of suction compared to without suction safer and more effective from evacuating air, blood and fluids?


If suction is found to be beneficial when applied to chest drains (pleural and or mediastinal), what are the optimum pressures that should be used for adults, children and neonates?

Russell L. Gruen

Papers

Citicoline (CDP-choline) for traumatic brain injury

Computational modeling of orthostatic intolerance for travel to Mars

Hospital and clinician volume or specialisation in cancer care

Authors' reply: Surgical wisdom (Br J Surg 2012; 99: 3–5)

Suction versus no suction for chest drain management