The notions of a quasi-monotone operator and of a cyclically quasi-monotone operator are introduced, and relations between such operators and quasi-convex functions are established.

In this article, we show two related results on circle diffeomorphisms. The first result is on quasi-reducibility: for a Baire-dense set of α, for any diffeomorphism f of rotation number α, it is possible to accumulate Rα with a sequence hn f h−1 n , hn being a diffeomorphism. The second result is: for a Baire-dense set of α, given two commuting diffeomorphisms f and g, such that f has α for ro...

BACKGROUND Estimating statistical power is an important component of the design of both randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Methods for estimating statistical power in RCTs have been well described and can be implemented simply. In observational studies, statistical methods must be used to remove the effects of confounding that can occur due to non-random treatment as...

BACKGROUND The emergence of multi-drug resistant Gram-negatives (MDRGNs) coupled with an alarming scarcity of new antibiotics has forced the optimization of the therapeutic potential of available antibiotics. To exploit the time above the minimum inhibitory concentration mechanism of β-lactams, prolonging their infusion may improve outcomes. The primary objective of this meta-analysis was to de...

BACKGROUND despite availability of effective treatments for osteoporosis, impact on fracture rates may be suboptimal because of failure to adhere to recommended anti-resorptive therapy. OBJECTIVE to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating interventions intended to improve persistence with anti-resorptive therapy for treating women with osteoporosis or osteopenia. The design of...

R eports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the only tangible evidence of their conduct. Yet historians may well view the first 50 years of reporting of RCTs with some surprise. They will encounter what might be described as a cognitive dissonance: a disconnec-tion between the increasing sophistication of the design (and the swelling cost) of these studies and the apparent lack of care ...

The use of blinding strengthens the credibility of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by minimizing bias. However, there is confusion surrounding the definition of blinding as well as the terms single, double, and triple blind. It has been suggested that these terms should be discontinued due to their broad misinterpretation. We recommend that, instead of abandoning the use of these terms, exp...

Isolated maternal hypothyroxinemia (IMH) during pregnancy is defined as a low maternal T4 in the absence of TSH elevation. As IMH is common, with a prevalence of 1-2% in iodine-sufficient populations, and early research has suggested adverse effects on fetal neurodevelopment, it has been the focus of many studies in the last decade. In the current review, we first discuss the significance of IM...

We assessed completeness of trial registration and the extent of outcome-reporting bias in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of eczema (atopic dermatitis) treatments by surveying all relevant RCTs published from January 2007 to July 2011 located in a database called the Global Resource of Eczema Trials (GREAT). The GREAT database is compiled by searching six bibliographic databases,...

Every cancer treatment, irrespective of its clinical effectiveness, has an impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). Even recently developed targeted therapies might have side effects and significantly impact patients' QoL. Thus, understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different treatments from the patient's standpoint has become a must in clinical research and is highly valued by ma...