Jean-Paul Salameh - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Jean-Paul Salameh

Radiology

M arijuana is the most widely used illicit psychoactive substance in the world (1) and the second... more M arijuana is the most widely used illicit psychoactive substance in the world (1) and the second-most commonly smoked substance after tobacco (2). Its use has increased in Canada since the legalization of nonmedical marijuana in 2018. In 2020, 20% of the population in Canada aged at least 15 years reported having used marijuana in the previous 3 months compared with 14% of the population before marijuana legalization (3). In the United States, the percentage of all adults reporting marijuana use within the previous year rose from 6.7% in 2005 to 12.9% in 2015 (4). Marijuana is consumed via multiple routes, including smoking, vaporizing, and eating, with inhaled methods being the most common (5). It may be smoked by itself or mixed with tobacco. It is usually smoked without a filter, and users inhale larger volumes with a longer breath hold compared with tobacco smokers (6). For measures of airflow obstruction, one marijuana joint can produce an effect similar to that of 2.5-5.0 tobacco cigarettes (7). Marijuana smoke contains known carcinogens and other chemicals associated with respiratory diseases (8). Numerous studies have focused on the relationship of marijuana to pulmonary function tests, symptoms, and lung

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics, 2017

Global functions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, such as subunit cooperativity and compatib... more Global functions of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, such as subunit cooperativity and compatibility, likely emerge from a network of amino acid residues distributed across the entire pentameric complex. Identification of such networks has stymied traditional approaches to acetylcholine receptor structure and function, likely due to the cryptic interdependency of their underlying amino acid residues. An emerging evolutionary biochemistry approach, which traces the evolutionary history of acetylcholine receptor subunits, allows for rational mapping of acetylcholine receptor sequence space, and offers new hope for uncovering the amino acid origins of these enigmatic properties.

Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism, Aug 8, 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)... more This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) for patients with gout. We searched the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases, and performed a meta-analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of DECT in patients with gout. A total of eight studies including 510 patients with gout and 268 controls (patients with non-gout inflammatory arthritis) were available for the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of DECT were 84.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 81.3-87.7) and 93.7% (93.0-96.3), respectively. The positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were 9.882 (6.122-15.95), 0.163 (0.097-0.272), and 78.10 (31.14-195.84), respectively. The area under the curve of DECT was 0.956 and the Q(*) index was 0.889, indicating a high diagnostic accuracy. Some between-study heterogeneity was found in the meta-analyses. However, there was no evidence of a threshold effect (Spearman correlation c...

Archives of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 2004

To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and predictive values of magnetic resonance i... more To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and predictive values of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of mandibular involvement in oral-oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

PLOS ONE, 2021

Background Studies have reported agreement between computed tomography (CT) and renography for th... more Background Studies have reported agreement between computed tomography (CT) and renography for the determination of split kidney function. However, their correlation with post-donation kidney function remains unclear. We compared CT measurements with renography in assessment of split kidney function (SKF) and their correlations with post-donation kidney function. Methods A single-centre, retrospective cohort study of 248 donors from January 1, 2009-July 31, 2019 were assessed. Pearson correlations were used to assess post-donation kidney function with renography and CT-based measurements. Furthermore, we examined high risk groups with SKF difference greater than 10% on renography and donors with post-donation eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2. Results 62% of donors were women with a mean (standard deviation) pre-donation eGFR 99 (20) and post-donation eGFR 67 (22) mL/min/1.73m2 at 31 months of follow-up. Post-donation kidney function was poorly correlated with both CT-based measuremen...

Radiology, 2022

See also the editorial by Ronot in this issue. Online supplemental material is available for this... more See also the editorial by Ronot in this issue. Online supplemental material is available for this article.

Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, 2022

BACKGROUND Despite the nearly ubiquitous reported use of peer review among reputable medical jour... more BACKGROUND Despite the nearly ubiquitous reported use of peer review among reputable medical journals, there is limited evidence to support the use of peer review to improve the quality of biomedical research and in particular, imaging diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) research. PURPOSE To evaluate whether peer review of DTA studies published by imaging journals is associated with changes in completeness of reporting, transparency for risk of bias assessment, and spin. STUDY TYPE Retrospective cross-sectional study. STUDY SAMPLE Cross-sectional study of articles published in Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (JMRI), Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal (CARJ), and European Radiology (EuRad) before March 31, 2020. ASSESSMENT Initial submitted and final versions of manuscripts were evaluated for completeness of reporting using the Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (STARD) 2015 and STARD for Abstracts guidelines, transparency of reporting for risk of bias assessment based on Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2), and actual and potential spin using modified published criteria. STATISTICAL TESTS Two-tailed paired t-tests and paired Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for comparisons. A P value <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS We included 84 diagnostic accuracy studies accepted by three journals between 2014 and 2020 (JMRI = 30, CARJ = 23, and EuRad = 31) of the 692 which were screened. Completeness of reporting according to STARD 2015 increased significantly between initial submissions and final accepted versions (average reported items: 16.67 vs. 17.47, change of 0.80 [95% confidence interval 0.25-1.17]). No significant difference was found for the reporting of STARD for Abstracts (5.28 vs. 5.25, change of -0.03 [-0.15 to 0.11], P = 0.74), QUADAS-2 (6.08 vs. 6.11, change of 0.03 [-1.00 to 0.50], P = 0.92), actual "spin" (2.36 vs. 2.40, change of 0.04 [0.00 to 1.00], P = 0.39) or potential "spin" (2.93 vs. 2.81, change of -0.12 [-1.00 to 0.00], P = 0.23) practices. CONCLUSION Peer review is associated with a marginal improvement in completeness of reporting in published imaging DTA studies, but not with improvement in transparency for risk of bias assessment or reduction in spin. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.

BMJ, 2021

For many users of the biomedical literature, abstracts may be the only source of information abou... more For many users of the biomedical literature, abstracts may be the only source of information about a study. Hence, abstracts should allow readers to evaluate the objectives, key design features, and main results of the study. Several evaluations have shown deficiencies in the reporting of journal and conference abstracts across study designs and research fields, including systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies. Incomplete reporting compromises the value of research to key stakeholders. The authors of this article have developed a 12 item checklist of preferred reporting items for journal and conference abstracts of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy studies (PRISMA-DTA for Abstracts). This article presents the checklist, examples of complete reporting, and explanations for each item of PRISMA-DTA for Abstracts. The abstract is often the only section read by users of biomedical articles. 1 On the basis of the abstract, many readers decide whether they will read the full text. The abstract is also critical to people who do not have access to the full text, owing to pay walls or because the article is written in a language they do not understand. Therefore, abstracts should enable a quick assessment of the study's objectives, purpose, and key design features; present an accurate picture of the validity of the main results; and allow readers to evaluate whether the study can meet their information needs. 2 Informative abstracts are also key to enabling effective literature searches in electronic databases, notably in the context of systematic reviews. Several evaluations have shown deficiencies in the reporting of journal and conference abstracts across study designs and research fields. 3-6 The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) statement was developed to improve the reporting of systematic reviews, primarily for reviews of interventions. 7 PRISMA for Abstracts is a checklist for reporting abstracts of systematic reviews. 8 Because of the specific methods, terminology, and reporting requirements of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies (table 1), our group developed the PRISMA-DTA checklist, which also includes guidance on abstracts. 9 10 PRISMA-DTA for Abstracts includes 12 essential items to report in journal and conference abstracts (table 2). A recent evaluation, however, found that only half of these items were consistently reported. 11 This explanation and elaboration document gives examples of complete reporting and explanations for each item of the PRISMA-DTA for Abstracts checklist and is intended to provide a useful resource for authors of DTA reviews. Methods for developing explanation and elaboration document During the consensus meeting to develop the PRISMA-DTA checklist, 12 a first version of PRISMA-DTA for Abstracts was drafted, based on PRISMA for Abstracts and the PRISMA-DTA checklist. 8 9 Compared with PRISMA for Abstracts, one item was deleted (item 8), and one new item was added (A1, about synthesis of results). We then circulated the draft PRISMA-DTA For numbered affiliations see end of the article.

American Journal of Roentgenology, 2021

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether imaging diagnostic test accuracy (DTA)... more OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether imaging diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) studies with positive conclusions or titles have a shorter time to publication than those with nonpositive (i.e., negative or neutral) conclusions or titles. MATERIALS AND METHODS We included primary imaging DTA studies from systematic reviews published in 2015. The conclusion and title of each study were extracted, and their positivity was classified independently in duplicate. The time from study completion to publication was extracted and calculated. A Cox regression model was used to evaluate associations of conclusion and title positivity with time to publication, with adjustment made for potentially confounding variables. RESULTS A total of 774 imaging DTA studies were included; time from study completion to publication could be calculated for 516 studies. The median time from completion to publication was 18 months (interquartile range, 13-26 months) for the 413 studies with positive conclusions, 23 months (interquartile range, 16-33 months) for the 63 studies with neutral conclusions, and 25 months (interquartile range, 15-38 months) for the 40 studies with negative conclusions. A positive conclusion was associated with a shorter time from study completion to publication compared with a non-positive conclusion (hazard ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02-1.68). Of all included studies, 39 (5%) had positive titles, 731 (94%) had neutral titles, and 4 (< 1%) had negative titles. Positive titles were not significantly associated with a shorter time to study publication (hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.75-1.69). CONCLUSION Positive conclusions (but not titles) were associated with a shorter time from study completion to publication. This finding may contribute to an overrepresentation of positive results in the imaging DTA literature.

BackgroundPrevious research has shown that articles may be cited more frequently on the basis of ... more BackgroundPrevious research has shown that articles may be cited more frequently on the basis of title or abstract positivity. Whether a similar selective sharing practice exists on Twitter is not well understood. The objective of this study was to assess if COVID-19 articles with positive titles or abstracts were tweeted more frequently than those with non-positive titles or abstracts.MethodsCOVID-19 related articles published between January 1st and April 14th, 2020 were extracted from the LitCovid database and all articles were screened for eligibility. Titles and abstracts were classified using a list of positive and negative words from a previous study. A negative binomial regression analysis controlling for confounding variables (2018 impact factor, open access status, continent of the corresponding author, and topic) was performed to obtain regression coefficients, with the p values obtained by likelihood ratio testing.ResultsA total of 3752 COVID-19 articles were included. O...

BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, 2021

ObjectivesSystematic reviews are often considered among the highest quality of evidence. Complete... more ObjectivesSystematic reviews are often considered among the highest quality of evidence. Completely reported systematic reviews, however, are required so readers can assess for generalisability of the research to practice and risk of bias. The objective of this study was to assess the completeness of reporting for systematic reviews assessing the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses for Diagnostic Test Accuracy (PRISMA-DTA) checklist that was published in 2018.Design and settingIn this meta-research study, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched, with no date restriction, on March 1st, 2020 for systematic reviews assessing the diagnostic accuracy of POCUS. Adherence to PRISMA-DTA for the main text and abstract was scored independently and in duplicate using a modified checklist. Prespecified subgroup analyses were performed.Main outcome measuresThe primary outcome was...

JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2020

Background Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the breas... more Background Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the breast cancer detection rate (CDR), invasive CDR, recall rate, and positive predictive value 1 (PPV1) of digital mammography (DM) alone, combined digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and DM, combined DBT and synthetic 2-dimensional mammography (S2D), and DBT alone. Methods MEDLINE and Embase were searched until April 2020 to identify comparative design studies reporting on patients undergoing routine breast cancer screening. Random effects model proportional meta-analyses estimated CDR, invasive CDR, recall rate, and PPV1. Meta-regression modeling was used to compare imaging modalities. All statistical tests were 2-sided. Results Forty-two studies reporting on 2 606 296 patients (13 003 breast cancer cases) were included. CDR was highest in combined DBT and DM (6.36 per 1000 screened, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.62 to 7.14, P < .001), and combined DBT and S2D (7.40 per 1000 screened, 95...

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 1,000,000 cases across 181 countries worldwi... more BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 1,000,000 cases across 181 countries worldwide. The global impact of COVID-19 has resulted in a surge of related research. Researchers have turned to social media platforms, namely Twitter, to disseminate their articles. The online database Altmetric is a tool which tracks the social media metrics of articles and is complementary to traditional, citation-based metrics. Citation-based metrics may fail to portray dissemination accurately, due to the lengthy publication process. Altmetrics are not subject to this time-lag, suggesting that they may be an effective marker of research dissemination during the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectivesTo assess the dissemination of COVID-19 articles as measured by Twitter dissemination, compared to traditional citation-based metrics, and determine article characteristics associated with tweet rates.MethodsCOVID-19 articles obtained from LitCovid published between January 1st to March 18th, 2020 were s...

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal, 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the complication rate of percutaneous image-guide... more Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the complication rate of percutaneous image-guided biopsy of the spleen at our institution and to evaluate for variables associated with complication rate. Methods: This is a Research Ethics Board approved retrospective study of consecutive patients who underwent image-guided biopsy of the spleen at our institution from January 2010 to November 2019. Complications, imaging findings, and pathologic diagnosis were reviewed. Complications (major and minor) were classified per Society of Interventional Radiology Guidelines, and complication rate was calculated. Logistic regression was applied to determine factors associated with complications. Diagnostic yield was calculated. Results: In all, 55 patients (28 female) underwent splenic biopsy using ultrasound guidance. The most common indication was possible lymphoma in 41 (71.7%) patients followed by query metastasis 18 (31.5%) patients. Core biopsies (18 g/20 g) were done in 53 (92%) cases...

PLOS ONE, 2020

Background: Compression ultrasonography (CUS) is the first-line imaging test in the diagnostic ma... more Background: Compression ultrasonography (CUS) is the first-line imaging test in the diagnostic management of suspected deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremity. Three CUS strategies are used in clinical practice. However, their relative diagnostic accuracy is uncertain. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to summarize and compare the diagnostic accuracy of single limited, serial limited, and whole-leg CUS for DVT. Methods: MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched from January 1 st , 1989 to July 23 rd , 2019 for studies assessing at least one of the CUS strategies in adults with suspected DVT of the lower extremity, using clinical follow-up for venous thromboembolism or contrast venography as the reference standard. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment were performed in duplicate by independent authors. A bivariate random-effects model was used to compute diagnostic accuracy summary estimates. Results: Forty studies (n=21,250) were included. The venous thromboembolic event rate after a negative CUS (failure rate) of single limited (1.4%; 95% CI, 0.83-2.5), serial limited (1.9%; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5), and whole-leg CUS (1.0%; 95% CI, 0.6-1.6) did not differ significantly. The proportion of positive results was lower with single limited CUS, as was DVT prevalence in this group. Conclusions: The failure rates of single limited, serial limited, and whole-leg CUS for DVT appeared to be quite comparable. The relative failure rate of single limited CUS remains uncertain, as the DVT prevalence was lower in these studies. Therefore, this CUS strategy may only be safe in a selected group of low-risk patients. Preference for one of the strategies may be based on pretest probability assessment, feasibility, expertise, and perceived clinical relevance of isolated distal DVT. 65 Diagnostic accuracy of three ultrasonography strategies for suspected DVT Studies were excluded if patients with a negative CUS or venography were systematically treated with anticoagulants, if diagnostic accuracy measures could not be obtained or reconstructed, or if different reference standards were used following CUS in the subgroups of interest. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias and applicability assessment Three authors (NK, JPS, and TMG) independently screened titles, abstracts, and subsequently full-text articles for eligibility. In case of disagreement between the reviewers, a discussion was held to reach consensus. Data extraction was performed by three independent authors (NK, JPS, and TMG) using standardized piloted forms, including study characteristics, patient characteristics, index and reference test characteristics, additional ultrasonography modalities, 2x2 data (total number of positives, true positives, false positives, true negatives, and false negatives), and venous thromboembolic events and mortality during follow-up. In case only a subgroup underwent the index test, only data from that specific subgroup were extracted. Diagnosis of DVT at baseline or venous thromboembolism during follow-up was considered confirmed as per the study physician's judgement based on objective imaging. Summary estimates were used to reconstruct 2x2 data in case such tables were not reported. Inconclusive or non-diagnostic test results were excluded from the 2x2 tables and were documented separately. The risk of bias and applicability of each included study was independently assessed by three authors (NK, JPS, and TMG) using the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies) tool [9], of which the items were adjusted as appropriate for the present study.