Kim Mears

Ms. Kim Mears

University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

13Years (2014-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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26 September 2017 in Pediatric Emergency Care
Verified
Journal Article
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LMLarry Bruce Mellick
Larry Bruce Mellick
JSJames E. Sinex
James E. Sinex
RGRobert W. Gibson
Robert W. Gibson
KMKim Mears
Kim Mears
Background: The time window for possible salvage and survival of a torsed testicle is commonly thought to be 6 to 8 hours. However, survival of torsed testicles with or without subsequent atrophy is known to occur outside that critical time window. In this article, we performed a systematic review of the English literature to provide a more accurate understanding of reported time frames of testicle survival after a torsion event.Objectives: The primary research question was to determine the relationship between time to treatment and the rate of survival for testicles of male patients presenting with testicular torsion (TT).Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed and structured according to PRISMA guidelines. An exhaustive library search was performed after search strategies were developed for multiple databases that included PubMed, Cochrane library, Ovid MEDLINE, Web of Science, and ProQuest Theses and Dissertations. Two different searches were developed including “testicular torsion” and TT with the search term “time” added. Articles specifically reporting TT case series, testicle outcomes, and time to surgical or manual treatment were selected for review. In addition to and preceding the systematic review, an exhaustive manual search of the literature was also performed by the authors. As a result of these searches, a total of 30 studies with data considered relevant to the research question were included. The information extracted from the articles was tabulated with regard to time intervals to treatment and survival outcome.Results: The systematic review process and protocol are reported in this article. A total of 30 studies were found that reported case series of TT patients and their outcomes as well as time to treatment reported in useful time frames. From these reports, a total of 2116 TT patients were culled, and their outcomes and time to treatment are reported. Because the time to treatment was reported variously in different case series, the 3 most common formats for reporting time to treatment and outcome were used. When overlap between the tables existed, the data were tallied and reported cumulatively. When reported in 6-hour intervals (1,283 patients), survival at 0 to 6 hours was 97.2%; 7 to 12 hours, 79.3%; 13 to 18 hours, 61.3%; 19 to 24 hours, 42.5%; 25 to 48 hours, 24.4%; and greater than 48 hours, 7.4%. Moreover, we reported cumulative survival data based on reporting for all 3 groups of patients. Testicular salvage in the first 12 hours is 90.4%, from 13 to 24 hours survival is 54.0%, and beyond 24 hours survival is 18.1%. Testicle survival after TT was significant beyond the commonly held 6 to 8 hour time frame and even after more than 24 hours of ischemia.Conclusions: Survival of the testicle irrespective of subsequent atrophy, decreased spermatogenesis or impaired endocrine function after TT can be much longer than the 6 to 8 hours that is commonly taught. Our systematic review of the literature demonstrates that survival percentages are significant even past 24 hours of torsion. This information should encourage aggressive management of patients presenting with TT pain that has been ongoing for many hours.

6 September 2019 in BMJ Open
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Journal Article
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PCPatricia Charlton
Patricia Charlton
SDShelley Doucet
Shelley Doucet
RARima Azar
Rima Azar
DNDaniel A Nagel
Daniel A Nagel
LBLeah Boulos
Leah Boulos
WMWilliam J Montelpare
William J Montelpare
Introduction The environmental scan has been described as an important tool to inform decision-making on policy, planning and programme development in the healthcare sector. Despite the wide adoption of environmental scans, there is no consensus on a working definition within the health services delivery context and methodological guidance on the design and implementation of this approach is lacking in the literature. The objectives of this study are to map the extent, range and nature of evidence that describe the definitions, characteristics, conceptualisations, theoretical underpinnings, study limitations and other features of the environmental scan in the health services delivery literature and to propose a working definition specific to this context. Methods and analysis This protocol describes a scoping review based on the methodology outlined by Khalil and colleagues. A comprehensive search strategy was developed by experienced health science librarians in consultation with the research team. A Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies (PRESS) was completed. Two reviewers will independently screen titles, abstracts and full-text articles and select studies meeting the inclusion criteria from seven electronic databases: Academic Search Premier, Canadian Business & Current Affairs (CBCA), CINAHL, ERIC, Embase, MEDLINE and PsycINFO. The grey literature and reference lists of included articles will also be searched. The data will be analysed and presented in tabular format, and will include a descriptive numerical summary as well as a qualitative thematic analysis. Ethics and dissemination This protocol provides an audit trail for a scoping review that will advance understanding about the environmental scan and its application in the health services delivery context. The review will propose a working definition and will inform future research to explore the development of a conceptual framework in this context. Findings will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations. The scoping review does not require ethics approval.

24 September 2021 in Animals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KKKatherine Jennifer Kelly
Katherine Jennifer Kelly
LMLaurie A. McDuffee
Laurie A. McDuffee
KMKim Mears
Kim Mears
Human–horse interactions (HHIs) are diverse and prominent in the equine industry. Stakeholders have an invested interest in making sure that HHIs are humane. Assessment of equine welfare goes beyond physical health and includes assessment of the emotional state of the animal. HHIs can have a permanent effect on human–horse relationships, thereby influencing welfare. Therefore, an understanding of the horse’s affective state during HHIs is necessary. A scoping review was conducted to: (1) map current practices related to the measurement of HHIs; (2) explore the known effects of HHIs on horse behaviour and physiology; and (3) clarify the connection between HHIs and equine welfare. A total of 45 articles were included in this review. Studies that used both physiological and behavioural measures of equine response to human interactions accounted for 42% of the included studies. A further 31% exclusively used physiological measures and 27% used behavioural observation. Current evidence of equine welfare during HHIs is minimal and largely based on the absence of a negative affective state during imposed interactions. Broadening the scope of methods to evaluate a positive affective state and standardization of methodology to assess these states would improve the overall understanding of the horse’s welfare during HHIs.

1 July 2016 in Journal of the Medical Library Association
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
LBLindsay Blake
Lindsay Blake
DBDarra Ballance
Darra Ballance
KDKathy Davies
Kathy Davies
JGJulie K. Gaines
Julie K. Gaines
KMKim Mears
Kim Mears
VBVicki Burchfield
Vicki Burchfield
The study measured the perceived value of an academic library's embedded librarian service model.The study took place at the health sciences campuses of a research institution.A web-based survey was distributed that asked respondents a series of questions ...

28 May 2022 in Nutrients
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Journal Article
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Marva Irene Sweeney-NixonMarva Irene Sweeney-Nixon
Marva Irene Sweeney-Nixon
GBGracie Burns
Gracie Burns
NSNora Sturgeon
Nora Sturgeon
KMKim Mears
Kim Mears
KSKim S. Stote
Kim S. Stote
CBCynthia Blanton
Cynthia Blanton
Berry consumption has beneficial effects on blood pressure. Intestinal microbiota transform berry phytochemicals into more bioactive forms. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomized clinical trials to determine whether berry polyphenols in foods, extracts or supplements have effects on both the profile of gut microbiota and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in humans. PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and CAB Abstracts (EBSCOhost) were searched for randomized clinical trials in humans published from 1 January 2011 to 29 October 2021. Search results were imported into Covidence for screening and data extraction by two blinded reviewers, who also performed bias assessment independently. The literature search identified 216 publications; after duplicates were removed, 168 publications were screened with 12 full-text publications assessed for eligibility. Ultimately three randomized clinical trials in humans met the eligibility criteria. One randomized clinical trial showed a low risk of bias while the other two randomized clinical trials included low, high or unclear risk of bias. Together the randomized clinical trials showed that berry consumption (Aronia berry, strawberries, raspberries, cloudberries and bilberries) for 8–12 weeks had no significant effect on both blood pressure and the gut microbiota. More randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the effects of berry consumption on the profile of gut microbiota and blood pressure in humans.

18 July 2023 in Antioxidants
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KSKim S. Stote
Kim S. Stote
GBGracie Burns
Gracie Burns
KMKim Mears
Kim Mears
Marva Irene Sweeney-NixonMarva Irene Sweeney-Nixon
Marva Irene Sweeney-Nixon
CBCynthia Blanton
Cynthia Blanton
Bioactive compounds in berries may scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species by donating electrons to free radicals, thereby protecting DNA, proteins, and lipids from oxidative damage. Evidence shows that berry consumption has beneficial health effects, though it remains unclear whether berries exert a significant impact on oxidative stress in humans. Thus, we performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to examine the effects of non-acute (more than a single dose and ≥7 days) berry consumption on biomarkers of oxidative stress. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus; results were imported into Covidence for screening and data extraction. The literature search identified 622 studies that were screened, and 131 full-text studies assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 28 RCTs met the eligibility criteria. Common biomarkers of oxidative stress (antioxidants, DNA damage, isoprostanes, malondialdehyde, and oxidized LDL) were systematically reviewed, and results were reported narratively. Of the approximate 56 oxidative stress biomarkers evaluated in the 28 RCTs, 32% of the biomarkers were reported to have statistically significant beneficial results and 68% of the biomarkers were reported as having no statistically significant differences. More well-designed and longer-term berry RCTs are needed to evaluate biomarkers of oxidative stress.