Aim We aimed to determine if the mirror movements that often result in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) after perinatal stroke represent a clinical biomarker of developmental plasticity. Method This was a prospective, controlled cohort study. Mirror movements in children with unilateral CP from a population‐based cohort were compared to those of typically developing controls. The population with stroke was assessed further via electromyography (EMG), motor function, and corticospinal organization investigations. Mirror movements were quantified (0–5) bidirectionally. EMG mirror movements were quantified during voluntary contraction. Motor function was quantified by validated measures including the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA). Corticospinal organization was categorized as ipsilateral or contralateral using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The relationships between mirror movements, function, and corticospinal organization were assessed (t‐tests, Pearson rank correlation coefficients). Results Ninety‐two participants were scored (55 males, 37 females, mean [SD] 12y [5y 6mo], range 4–17y), 63 with complete motor outcomes and 39 with TMS data. EMG ratios correlated with clinical mirror movements (r=0.562, p=0.008). Mild mirror activity in controls declined with age (r=−0.459, p<0.001). Mirroring was stronger with tasks performed by the affected hand (p<0.001). Mirror movements correlated with AHA scores (r=−0.255, p=0.04) and poor motor outcome (p<0.001). Unaffected hand mirror activity was higher in children with ipsilateral corticospinal tract arrangements (p<0.001). Interpretation Clinical mirror movements correlate with disability and corticospinal organization in children with unilateral CP with perinatal stroke. This simple bedside biomarker could facilitate patient selection for personalized rehabilitation. What this paper adds Mirror movements are a clinical indicator of corticospinal organization in children with unilateral cerebral palsy with perinatal stroke. Mirroring is strongest in children with ipsilateral corticospinal tract reorganization. The concept of a ‘directionality factor’ to mirror movements highlights additional, clinically relevant functional correlations.

Objective: Hip fractures are a common source of acute pain amongst the frail elderly. One potential technique to adequately manage pain in this population is the femoral nerve block. The objective of this systematic review was to provide updated evidence for the use of femoral nerve blocks as a pain management technique for older hip fracture patients in the emergency department (ED). Data Sources: Searches of Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were conducted between December 2010 and May 2014. The reference list of a previous systematic review was also searched. Study Selection: We included randomized control trials examining the use of femoral nerve blocks in the ED among older adults (65 years of age or older) with acute hip fracture. Data Extraction: Among 93 citations reviewed, seven trials were included. Four studies employed a single femoral nerve block, while three studies employed continuous (catheterplaced) femoral blocks. All but one of the studies were found to have a high risk of bias. Data Synthesis: All studies reported reductions in pain intensity with femoral nerve blocks. All but one study reported decreased rescue analgesia requirements. There were no adverse effects found to be associated with the femoral block procedure; rather, two studies found a decreased risk of adverse events such as respiratory and cardiac complications. Conclusions: Femoral nerve blocks appear to have benefits both in terms of decreasing the pain experienced by older patients, as well as limiting the amount of systemic opioids administered to this population. RÉSUMÉObjectif: Les fractures de la hanche sont une cause fréquente de douleur aiguë chez les personnes âgées fragiles. L'un des moyens possibles de soulager efficacement la douleur dans ce groupe de personnes est le bloc fémoral. La revue systématique visait à recueillir des données probantes à jour sur le bloc fémoral comme moyen de soulagement de la douleur causée par les fractures de la hanche, chez les personnes âgées, au service des urgences (SU). Aucun effet indésirable n'a été associé au bloc fémoral; au contraire, les auteurs ont même constaté, dans deux études, une diminution du risque d'événement indésirable tel que des complications cardiaques ou respiratoires. Conclusions: Les blocs fémoraux semblent avantageux tant sur le plan du soulagement de la douleur chez les personnes âgées que sur celui de l'administration d'opioïdes à action générale, dans ce segment de la population.

IMPORTANCEThe published evidence in support of probiotic use is conflicting, which may be a result of selective publication of probiotic trials.OBJECTIVES To compare the proportion of registered trials that evaluate pediatric probiotics vs those that evaluate antibiotics that are published and to identify study-related factors associated with publication status. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study evaluated eligible trials

Background: Hip fractures are a common source of pain and related morbidity among the frail elderly. One technique that has been shown to adequately manage pain in this population is the femoral nerve block. However, it is not currently employed routinely in Alberta emergency departments. Objective: The first objective was to systematically review the recent literature around the use of femoral nerve blocks. The second objective was to survey physicians about the potential barriers to routinely performing femoral nerve blocks in the emergency department. Materials and Methods: Searches of Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Trials database were conducted between 2010 and 2014 to identify randomized control trials examining the use of femoral nerve blocks in the ED to manage acute hip fracture pain among older adults (65 years of age and greater). The results of the systematic review were used to inform the development of the barrier survey. The survey was distributed to physician members of the Alberta Emergency and Bone & Joint Strategic Clinical Networks. Results: Seven randomized control trials were included in the review. Four studies employed a single femoral block, while three employed continuous (catheter placed) femoral blocks. All of the studies reported statistically significant reductions in pain. All but one study reported that patients treated with femoral nerve blocks consumed significantly less rescue analgesia. Finally, there were no significant adverse effects reported with the femoral block procedure. Surveys are still being collected and evaluated. Conclusions: Femoral nerve blocks appear to have benefits both in terms of decreasing pain and limiting the amount of systemic opioids administered to frail older adults experiencing a hip fracture. The results of this review and the barriers survey will help inform the development of knowledge translation strategies to increase the routine use of femoral nerve blocks.