Background: Many studies have evaluated the prevalence of different reasons for retraction in samples of retraction notices. We aimed to perform a systematic review of such empirical studies of retraction causes. Methods: The PubMed/MEDLINE database and the Embase database were searched in June 2023. Eligible studies were those containing sufficient data on the reasons for retraction across samples of examined retracted notices. Results: A 11,181 potentially eligible items were identified, and 43 studies of retractions were included in this systematic review. Studies limited to retraction notices of a specific subspecialty or country, journal/publication type are emerging since 2015. We noticed that the reasons for retraction are becoming more specific and more diverse. In a meta-analysis of 17 studies focused on different subspecialties, misconduct was responsible for 60% (95% confidence interval [CI], 53–67%) of all retractions while error and publication issues contributed to 17% (95% CI, 12–22%) and 9% (95% CI, 6–13%), respectively. The end year of the retraction period in all included studies and the proportion of misconduct presented a weak positive association (coefficient = 1.3% per year, P = 0.002). Conclusion Misconduct seems to be the most frequently recorded reason for retraction across empirical analyses of retraction notices, but other reasons are not negligible. Greater specificity of causes and standardization is needed in retraction notices.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of our new video-assisted asthma education program on patients' knowledge regarding asthma and asthma control. METHODS: Adult asthmatics who were diagnosed by primary care physicians and followed for at least 1 year were educated via smart devices and pamphlets. The education sessions were carried out three times at 2-week intervals. Each education period lasted at most 5 minutes. The effectiveness was then evaluated using questionnaires and an asthma control test (ACT). RESULTS: The study enrolled 144 patients (mean age, 56.7±16.7 years). Half of the patients had not been taught how to use their inhalers. After participating in the education program, the participants' understanding of asthma improved significantly across all six items of a questionnaire assessing their general knowledge of asthma. The proportion of patients who made errors while manipulating their inhalers was reduced to less than 10%. The ACT score increased from 16.6±4.6 to 20.0±3.9 (p<0.001). The number of asthmatics whose ACT score was at least 20 increased from 45 (33.3%) to 93 (65.3%) (p<0.001). The magnitude of improvement in the ACT score did not differ between patients who received an education session at least three times within 1 year and those who had not. The majority of patients agreed to the need for an education program (95.8%) and showed a willingness to pay an additional cost for the education (81.9%). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that our newly developed education program would become an effective component of asthma management in primary care clinics.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Education* ; Humans ; Nebulizers and Vaporizers ; Pamphlets ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Primary Health Care*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the drainage amount, total blood loss, and clinical results between two different positions of suction drainage after total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients who underwent one stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty were enrolled. In experiment 1 with 50 patients, we compared the drainage amount, pain, range of motion, and complications of the leg whose suction drain was inserted into the joint cavity with those of the contralateral leg whose suction drain was inserted in subcutaneous tissue. Another 50 patients of experiment 2 had suction drainage in the joint cavity of both legs and the total blood loss (sum of drainage output, exudates, and hematoma of subcutaneous tissue and joint) was calculated and compared with that of experiment 1. RESULTS: In experiment 1, the drainage amount was less in the leg with suction drainage in subcutaneous tissue compared with the contralateral leg with suction drainage in the joint cavity (p<0.001). However, the postoperative joint pain was significantly different only on post-operative day 2 between two legs. In experiment 2, there was no significant difference in the total blood loss between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Although the drainage amount was less in the leg whose suction drain was kept in subcutaneous tissue compared with the contralateral leg whose suction drain was in the joint cavity, the total blood loss and the clinical results were not significantly different according to the position of the suction drain. Therefore, we can conclude that the subcutaneous position of the suction drain did not yield superior results.
Arthralgia ; Arthroplasty* ; Drainage ; Exudates and Transudates ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee* ; Leg ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Suction*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the risk of sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) under 1 anesthesia in patients 75 years or older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged 75 years or older who underwent sequential bilateral TKA (bilateral group, n=159) and unilateral TKA (unilateral group, n=159) between 2002 and 2012 were selected. All patients were evaluated for underlying medical diseases, such as cardiac, pulmonary, and renal problems, and high-risk patients were recommended to postpone the surgery. We compared the underlying diseases, major postoperative complications, and the length of hospital stay between bilateral and unilateral groups. RESULTS: The prevalence of underlying diseases of the bilateral group was 74.8% and major complications occurred in 6 patients (3.8%). The prevalence of underlying diseases of the unilateral group was 52.4% and complications were observed in 4 patients (2.4%). Although the complication rate of the bilateral group was slightly higher than that of the unilateral group, the difference was not statistically meaningful (p=0.204). The length of hospital stay was 21.9 days for the bilateral group and 24.9 days for the unilateral group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between groups. The result shows that bilateral TKA can be relatively safe compared with unilateral TKA in patients 75 years or older. However, careful selection of low-risk patients is advised.
Anesthesia ; Arthroplasty ; Humans ; Knee ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Prevalence ; Risk Assessment

Preoperative prediction of patellar tendon length is important during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft. Three methods of imaging analysis to predict patellar tendon length were compared in this study. One hundred and twenty-three patients who underwent ACL reconstruction using BPTB autograft by single surgeon during October 2002 through April 2011 were included. We measured the patellar tendon length from true and oblique lateral simple radiographs (classified according to degree of rotation) and magnetic resonance image (MRI). These values were compared with actual length measured during operation and assessed accuracy by calculating the coefficient of determination. The mean length of patellar tendon measured during operation and by true lateral and oblique lateral radiographs and MRI were 42.4+/-0.45 mm (range, 32.0-54.0 mm), 41.7+/-0.61 mm (range, 24.2-55.3 mm), 40.7+/-0.57 mm (range, 24.8-51.5 mm), and 41.7+/-0.52 mm (range, 28.7-56.0 mm), respectively. The correlation of patellar tendon length was the most strong between actual length and value from true lateral radiograph (coefficient of determination, r2=0.660) according to simple linear regression analysis. R2 values were 0.361 and 0.332 for oblique lateral radiograph and MRI compared to actual value, respectively. In conclusion, Patellar tendon length measured on true lateral radiograph was the best method to coincide with actual patellar tendon length among various preoperative prediction methods.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Graft ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Patellar Ligament*

PURPOSE: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis is a usually asymptomatic and self-limiting disease in immunocompetent patients. However, the range of severity is wide, and the serological diagnosis is typically difficult until the convalescent phase. Thus, we examined the value of plasma EBV DNA real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in EBV hepatitis for the timely diagnosis and the relationship between EBV viral load and clinical severity. METHODS: Sixty samples were confirmed as having EBV infection by RT-qPCR with the EBV BALF5 gene sequence. We examined the clinical characteristics of EBV hepatitis by reviewing medical records. RESULTS: The median total duration of fever was 8 days (range: 0-13 days). The mean peak value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 241+/-214 U/L, and the mean peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 298+/-312 U/L. There was no correlation between the serum levels of liver enzyme and plasma EBV DNA titer (p=0.1) or between median total duration of fever and EBV DNA titer (p=0.056). The median age of the EBV VCA IgM-negative group was lower compared with the EBV VCA IgM-positive group in EBV hepatitis (2 years vs. 6 years, p=0.0009). CONCLUSION: The severity of EBV hepatitis does not correlate with circulating EBV DNA load according to our data. Furthermore, we suggest that plasma EBV PCR may be valuable in young infants in whom the results of serology test for EBV infection commonly are negative.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; DNA ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; Fever ; Hepatitis ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Infant ; Liver ; Plasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Viral Load

Actinomycosis is a common chronic suppurative and granulomatous infection caused by anaerobic or microphilic bacteria primarily from the genus Actinomyces. However, Actinomyces is a rare cause of pericarditis. We experienced a rare case of pericardial actinomycosis. A previously healthy 44-year-old man presented with 3 days of fever, chest pain, and clinical signs of congestive heart failure. Chest computed tomography showed pericardial effusion, pericardial thickening, and bilateral pleural effusion. A subxiphoidpericardiotomy was performed, and a histological specimen was taken from the pericardium. A histological section of the pericardium showed an actinomycotic granule (sulfur granule). His symptoms and signs improved after administration of piperacillin/tazobactam and steroids. He was uneventfully discharged on oral amoxicillin/clavulanate. He recovered fully with no recurrence after six months of follow-up.
Actinomyces ; Actinomycosis ; Adult ; Bacteria ; Chest Pain ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericarditis ; Pericardium ; Pleural Effusion ; Recurrence ; Steroids ; Thorax

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study OBJECTIVES: Contralateral undercutting laminoplasty via a unilateral laminotomy has been performed instead of bilateral partial laminectomy in lumbar spinal stenosis. This study compared the radiographic and clinical results of undercutting laminoplasty with bilateral partial laminectomy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Less invasive surgery has become attractive for minimizing soft tissue injury and reducing the recovery time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty five patients, who underwent decompressive surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis and were followed-up more than one year, were enrolled in this study. Unilateral undercutting laminoplasty and bilateral partial laminectomy was performed in 13 and 12 cases, respectively. The blood loss was compared and the presence of instability was observed. The increase in dural cross sectional area was measured in the preoperative and postoperative CT scans. In the clinical assessment, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) to pain was used. RESULTS: The average blood loss per segment was 273 ml and 436 ml in the laminoplasty and laminectomy group. There was no case of instability after surgery but there was a significant difference in the increase in dural cross sectional area between the two groups: 109.7 mm2 and 78.6 mm2 in the laminoplasty and laminectomy group, respectively. The preoperative and final change in the ODI and VAS scores was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral undercutting laminoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure with less blood loss than the conventional technique and is equally effective.
Humans ; Laminectomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Spinal Stenosis

BACKGROUND: There is some controversy about the safety of renal transplantation in patients with an augmentation cystoplasty. The purpose of this study is to assess the early and long-term results of renal transplantation in 6 patients who underwent augmentation cystoplasty to correct bladder dysfunction. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the surgical outcome of renal transplants in 6 recipients with augmentation cystoplasty including one ileal conduit. The etiology of bladder dysfunction was neurogenic bladder with detrusor hyperreflexia (4 pediatric patients) and renal tuberculosis (2 adult patients). Augmentation cystoplasty was performed before transplantation in all patients. The bowel segments used in the augmentation cystoplasty included stomach in 2 (including one revision case with ileum), ileum in 3, ileocecal segments in 1, and sigmoid colon in 1 patients. The mean patient's age at transplantation was 25.5 years. Four transplants were from living donors. The donor ureter was anastomosed to ileal conduit in 1, native bladder in 2, and the bowel segment in 3 patients. RESULTS: All transplanted kidneys were functioning at a mean follow-up of 103 months (range 5 to 220). The mean serum creatinine level was 1.0 mg/dl (range 0.7 to 1.8). Acute rejection was diagnosed in protocol biopsy in one patient without graft function deterioration. Four patients admitted for febrile urinary infection during the follow up periods. CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation cystoplasty is a safe and effective method to restore the renal function in patients who have noncompliant bladders. Renal transplantation can be performed safely after augmentation cystoplasty.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Contracts ; Creatinine ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ileum ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Living Donors ; Reflex, Abnormal ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Tuberculosis, Renal ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Diversion

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the long term follow-up results of the isthmic spondylolisthesis patients who had been treated with pedicle screw fixation and fusion, and were followed up for more than 5 years. An attempt was made to determine the differences between posterior lumbar interbod fusion(PLIF) and posterolateral fusion (PLF). SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The surgical treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis has developed markedly after the introduction of spine fusion and pedicle screw fixation. However, the long-term prognosis after such treatments has not been investigated sufficiently. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 53 patients, 38(72%) patients were examined more than 5 years after surgery. The clinical results were evaluated according to Kim's criteria. Radiologically, the degree of slippage and disc height was measured. The changes in the adjacent segments were also observed. RESULTS: PLIF was performed in 26 patients and PLF was performed in 12 patients. In the PLIF group, the clinical results were 'excellent' in 15 patients, 'good' in 8, 'fair' in 2, and 'poor' in 1. In the PLF group, the results were 'excellent' in 8 patients, 'good' in 2, 'fair' in 1, and 'poor' in 1. According to the fusion method, a satisfactory outcome was obtained in 89% of patients in the PLIF group, and 83% in the PLF group, without any statistically significant differences. Radiological analysis was available in 28 (52.8%) patients. There were no statistically significant differences between the PLIF and PLF groups in terms of the reduction and maintenance of slippage and the disc height. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical result of isthmic spondylolisthesis patients who were treated with pedicle screws and fusion were satisfactory in 87% of patients. The clinical and radiological comparison of the fusion methods showed no significant differences between the PLIF and PLF groups.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis*