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BioMed Research International 2021To compare the clinical and radiographic results of the supercapsular percutaneously assisted total hip (SuperPATH) approach and the conventional approach in hip... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To compare the clinical and radiographic results of the supercapsular percutaneously assisted total hip (SuperPATH) approach and the conventional approach in hip arthroplasty.
DESIGN
Based on a prepublished protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42020177717), we searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for relevant literatures up to January 30, 2021. The methodological qualities were assessed using the guidelines provided by the Cochrane Collaboration for Systematic Reviews. Randomized- or fixed-effect models were used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR), respectively, for continuous and dichotomous variables.
RESULTS
6 articles were included in the study, and 526 patients were selected, which included 233 cases in the SuperPATH groups and 279 cases in the conventional groups, and 4 cases performed two surgeries in succession. The SuperPATH group demonstrated shorter incision length (WMD = -7.87, 95% CI (-10.05, -5.69), < 0.00001), decreased blood transfusion rate (OR = 0.48, 95% CI (0.25, 0.89), = 0.02), decreased visual analogue scale (VAS) (WMD = -0.40, 95% CI (-0.72, -0.08), = 0.02), and higher Harris hip score (HHS) (WMD = 1.98, 95% CI (0.18, 3.77), = 0.03) than the conventional group. However, there was no difference in VAS ( = 0.14) and HHS ( = 0.86) between the two groups 3 months later, nor in the acetabular abduction angle ( = 0.32) in either group.
CONCLUSIONS
SuperPATH, as a minimally invasive approach with its reduced tissue damage, quick postoperative recovery, and early rehabilitation, demonstrates the short-term advantages of hip arthroplasty. As the evidences in favor of the SuperPATH technique were limited in a small number of studies and short duration of follow-up, more research is required to further analyze its long-term effect.
Topics: Acetabulum; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Blood Loss, Surgical; Blood Transfusion; Humans; Operative Time; Publication Bias; Publications; Risk; Treatment Outcome; Visual Analog Scale
PubMed: 34337015
DOI: 10.1155/2021/5056291 -
BMC Medical Research Methodology Sep 2015With increasing attention put on the methodology of reporting guidelines, Moher et al. conducted a review of reporting guidelines up to December 2009. Information gaps... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
With increasing attention put on the methodology of reporting guidelines, Moher et al. conducted a review of reporting guidelines up to December 2009. Information gaps appeared on many aspects. Therefore, in 2010, the Guidance for Developers of Health Research Reporting Guidelines was developed. With more than four years passed and a considerable investment was put into reporting guideline development, a large number of new, updated, and expanded reporting guidelines have become available since January 2010. We aimed to systematically review the reporting guidelines published since January 2010, and investigate the application of the Guidance.
METHODS
We systematically searched databases including the Cochrane Methodology Register, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, and retrieved EQUATOR and the website (if available) to find reporting guidelines as well as their accompanying documents. We screened the titles and abstracts resulting from searches and extracted data. We focused on the methodology and reporting of the included guidelines, and described information with a series of tables and narrative summaries. Data were summarized descriptively using frequencies, proportions, and medians as appropriate.
RESULTS
Twenty-eight and 32 reporting guidelines were retrieved from databases and EQUATOR network, respectively. Reporting guidelines were designed for a broad spectrum of types of research. A considerable number of reporting guidelines were published and updated in recent years. Methods of initial items were given in 45 (75%) guidelines. Thirty-eight (63%) guidelines reported they have reached consensus, and 35 (58%) described their consensus methods. Only 9 (15%) guidelines followed the Guidance.
CONCLUSIONS
Only few guidelines were developed complying with the Guidance. More attention should be paid to the quality of reporting guidelines.
Topics: Guidelines as Topic; Humans; Medical Writing; Publishing; Research Design; Research Report
PubMed: 26395179
DOI: 10.1186/s12874-015-0069-z -
BMJ Open Oct 2023Prospectively registering study plans in a permanent time-stamped and publicly accessible document is becoming more common across disciplines and aims to reduce risk of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
Prospectively registering study plans in a permanent time-stamped and publicly accessible document is becoming more common across disciplines and aims to reduce risk of bias and make risk of bias transparent. Selective reporting persists, however, when researchers deviate from their registered plans without disclosure. This systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of undisclosed discrepancies between prospectively registered study plans and their associated publication. We further aimed to identify the research disciplines where these discrepancies have been observed, whether interventions to reduce discrepancies have been conducted, and gaps in the literature.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analyses.
DATA SOURCES
Scopus and Web of Knowledge, published up to 15 December 2019.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Articles that included quantitative data about discrepancies between registrations or study protocols and their associated publications.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Each included article was independently coded by two reviewers using a coding form designed for this review (osf.io/728ys). We used random-effects meta-analyses to synthesise the results.
RESULTS
We reviewed k=89 articles, which included k=70 that reported on primary outcome discrepancies from n=6314 studies and, k=22 that reported on secondary outcome discrepancies from n=1436 studies. Meta-analyses indicated that between 29% and 37% (95% CI) of studies contained at least one primary outcome discrepancy and between 50% and 75% (95% CI) contained at least one secondary outcome discrepancy. Almost all articles assessed clinical literature, and there was considerable heterogeneity. We identified only one article that attempted to correct discrepancies.
CONCLUSIONS
Many articles did not include information on whether discrepancies were disclosed, which version of a registration they compared publications to and whether the registration was prospective. Thus, our estimates represent discrepancies broadly, rather than our target of discrepancies between registered study plans and their associated publications. Discrepancies are common and reduce the trustworthiness of medical research. Interventions to reduce discrepancies could prove valuable.
REGISTRATION
osf.io/ktmdg. Protocol amendments are listed in online supplemental material A.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Prevalence; Bias; Publication Bias; Biomedical Research
PubMed: 37793922
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-076264 -
Deutsches Arzteblatt International Jul 2009Because of the rising number of scientific publications, it is important to have a means of jointly summarizing and assessing different studies on a single topic.... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Because of the rising number of scientific publications, it is important to have a means of jointly summarizing and assessing different studies on a single topic. Systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses of published data, and meta-analyses of individual data (pooled reanalyses) are now being published with increasing frequency. We here describe the essential features of these methods and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
METHODS
This article is based on a selective literature search. The different types of review and meta-analysis are described, the methods used in each are outlined so that they can be evaluated, and a checklist is given for the assessment of reviews and meta-analyses of scientific articles.
RESULTS
Systematic literature reviews provide an overview of the state of research on a given topic and enable an assessment of the quality of individual studies. They also allow the results of different studies to be evaluated together when these are inconsistent. Meta-analyses additionally allow calculation of pooled estimates of an effect. The different types of review and meta-analysis are discussed with examples from the literature on one particular topic.
CONCLUSIONS
Systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses enable the research findings and treatment effects obtained in different individual studies to be summed up and evaluated.
Topics: Epidemiologic Methods; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Periodicals as Topic; Review Literature as Topic; Science
PubMed: 19652768
DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.2009.0456 -
Clinical and Experimental Dental... Aug 2020The present systematic review aimed to perform an in-depth analysis of the different features of retracted publications in the dental field. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The present systematic review aimed to perform an in-depth analysis of the different features of retracted publications in the dental field.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This review has been recorded in the PROSPERO database (CRD42017075634). Two independent reviewers performed an electronic search (Pubmed, Retraction Watch) for retracted articles in dental literature up to December 31, 2018.
RESULTS
180 retracted papers were identified, the first published in 2001. Retractions increased by 47% in the last four-year period (2014-2018), when compared with 2009-2013 (94 and 64 retracted publications, respectively). Author misconduct was the most common reason for retraction (65.0%), followed by honest scientific errors (12.2%) and publisher-related issues (10.6%). The majority of retracted research was conducted in Asia (55.6%), with 49 papers written in India (27.2%). 552 researchers (89%) are listed as authors in only one retracted article, while 10 researchers (1.6%) are present in five or more retracted publications. Retracted articles were cited 530 times after retraction: the great majority of these citations (89.6%) did not consider the existence of the retraction notice and treated data from retracted articles as reliable.
CONCLUSIONS
Retractions in dental literature have constantly increased in recent years, with the majority of them due to misconduct and fraud. The publication of unreliable research has many negative consequences. Studies derived from such material are designed on potentially incorrect bases, waste funds and resources, and most importantly, increase risk of incorrect treatment for patients. Citation of retracted papers represents a major issue for the scientific community.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Databases, Factual; Dentistry; Fraud; Humans; Periodicals as Topic; Retraction of Publication as Topic; Scientific Experimental Error; Scientific Misconduct
PubMed: 32233020
DOI: 10.1002/cre2.292 -
Cerebrovascular Diseases (Basel,... 2011Major gender differences exist in cardiovascular diseases and lead to different outcomes in women and men. However, attention and incorporation of sex-/gender-specific... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Review
BACKGROUND
Major gender differences exist in cardiovascular diseases and lead to different outcomes in women and men. However, attention and incorporation of sex-/gender-specific research might vary among disciplines. We therefore conducted a systematic review comparing publication characteristics and trends between stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) with respect to sex- and gender-related aspects.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed to identify gender-/sex-related articles published for stroke and MI between 1977 and 2008. A specifically designed text mining program was used, and all literature was rated by two independent investigators. Publications were classified according to type of research performed, publication year, funding, geographical location, and gender of first and last authors.
RESULTS
962 articles were retrieved and limited to 405 (42%) gender-relevant publications; 131 on stroke and 274 on MI. Type of performed research differed, especially in disease management, which received little attention (17%) in stroke, while representing the major focus in MI (40%). In both areas, clinical presentation received little attention (3 and 5%). Although publications progressively increased in both fields, an 8- to 10-year time gap emerged for stroke compared to MI. Last authors in both areas were predominantly men, but female last authorship is increasing more significantly over time in the field of stroke. Research on sex and gender differences in MI and stroke is largely underfunded, particularly by the EU.
CONCLUSIONS
The data demonstrate how sex-/gender-specific research differs between specialties, most likely due to the diverse interest, funding opportunities and authorship distributions identified.
Topics: Authorship; Bibliometrics; Biomedical Research; Data Mining; Female; Health Status Disparities; Healthcare Disparities; Humans; Male; Myocardial Infarction; Periodicals as Topic; Research Support as Topic; Sex Factors; Stroke; Time Factors
PubMed: 21252506
DOI: 10.1159/000323258 -
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology Jul 2015To determine the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent or reduce publication and related biases. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effectiveness of interventions designed to prevent or reduce publication and related biases.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING
We searched multiple databases and performed manual searches using terms related to publication bias and known interventions against publication bias. We dually reviewed citations and assessed risk of bias. We synthesized results by intervention and outcomes measured and graded the quality of the evidence (QoE).
RESULTS
We located 38 eligible studies. The use of prospective trial registries (PTR) has increased since 2005 (seven studies, moderate QoE); however, positive outcome-reporting bias is prevalent (14 studies, low QoE), and information in nonmandatory fields is vague (10 studies, low QoE). Disclosure of financial conflict of interest (CoI) is inadequate (five studies, low QoE). Blinding peer reviewers may reduce geographical bias (two studies, very low QoE), and open-access publishing does not discriminate against authors from low-income countries (two studies, very low QoE).
CONCLUSION
The use of PTR and CoI disclosures is increasing; however, the adequacy of their use requires improvement. The effect of open-access publication and blinding of peer reviewers on publication bias is unclear, as is the effect of other interventions such as electronic publication and authors' rights to publish their results.
Topics: Access to Information; Conflict of Interest; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Disclosure; Peer Review; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Program Evaluation; Prospective Studies; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Registries
PubMed: 25835490
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2015.01.008 -
International Maritime Health 2023This study aims to analyse safety management in the shipping industry and suggest further research. Safety management is a critical component in preventing accidents...
This study aims to analyse safety management in the shipping industry and suggest further research. Safety management is a critical component in preventing accidents within the shipping industry. Unfortunately, ship accidents are relatively common. To improve safety management in the shipping industry, it is necessary to identify various problems and solutions from previous studies. This study uses comprehensive mapping, utilising bibliometric and systematic reviews, to analyse 669 articles within the Scopus database. The findings indicate an increase in the number of publications, while the number of citations is decreasing. China is identified as the most influential country in terms of publication numbers and international collaborations. Co-authorship analysis reveals that only 24 out of 1,773 authors collaborated with other authors. Based on the systematic review, this study concludes that the human factor plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of safety management. Therefore, further research focusing on support systems that can reduce human error in safety management is important. Additionally, research on the relationship between cultural and structural aspects in safety management is necessary to reduce friction between the two aspects. This research contributes to the mapping of previous research and can be used to determine the topic of further research.
Topics: Humans; Indonesia; Bibliometrics; Safety Management; Ships
PubMed: 36974490
DOI: 10.5603/IMH.2023.0003 -
Injury Aug 2021The sudden increase of questionable or predatory journals has raised concerns in the medical literature. The aims of this study were to identify potentially legitimate...
BACKGROUND
The sudden increase of questionable or predatory journals has raised concerns in the medical literature. The aims of this study were to identify potentially legitimate and questionable trauma journals and to assess the applicability of criteria previously proposed in the literature to distinguish them.
METHODS
A comprehensive search strategy was developed to identify journals using keywords and controlled vocabulary. Presumed legitimate journals were identified using nine databases (Directory of Open Access Journals, PubMed, Web of Science, etc.). Presumed questionable journals were identified using Google Search/Scholar, emails received and former Beall's lists. Scientific active English journals whose titles contained the words injury or trauma were eligible. Two reviewers independently selected journals and extracted information from their websites. Criteria to differentiate journals status were based on two lists proposed by Shamseer et al. (2017; salient characteristics) and Wicherts (2016; transparency of peer review's items) and treated as dichotomous variables. Applicability of criteria to distinguish journal status was assessed using Fisher's exact test.
RESULTS
Following duplicate removal, 54 potentially legitimate and 30 potentially questionable active English journals were included. Among 13 salient characteristics, seven were found to distinguish potentially legitimate from potentially questionable trauma journals: the presence of fuzzy images or spelling and grammar errors on the website, homepages targeting authors, request to submit manuscripts by email, the absence of a retraction policy, promise of rapid publication and copyright claims. However, only 3/14 of Wicherts' items were associated with journal status: journal's website highlights issues of publication ethics, the journal has clear guidelines concerning sharing and availability of research data, and journal allows authors to indicate names of (non-) desired reviewers.
CONCLUSIONS
Eighty-four active English trauma journals were identified. Among 27 criteria, 10 were found to determine trauma journals status related to their scientific legitimacy. Though no single criteria is foolproof, these criteria may be helpful to authors, readers, and reviewers when assessing potential legitimacy of scientific trauma journals.
Topics: Humans; Periodicals as Topic
PubMed: 33789794
DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.03.031 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Feb 2024This study critically examines the dynamic interplay between green finance and environmental sustainability using a systematic review and bibliometric analysis. The...
This study critically examines the dynamic interplay between green finance and environmental sustainability using a systematic review and bibliometric analysis. The analysis is centered on 507 scholarly articles published between 2013 and 2023 in the Scopus database and leverages Microsoft Excel, Harzing Publish or Perish, and VOSviewer to identify publication trends, key contributors, research impact, and emergent themes in this rapidly evolving field. The findings reveal that research on green finance and environmental sustainability has increased exponentially over the past decade, with China and institutions in Asia emerging as prominent contributors compared to other regions. This study also identified the Environmental Science and Pollution Research journal as the most active source title, demonstrating its commitment to publishing current findings on the topic. Through keyword analysis, several research avenues have been proposed to guide future research on enhancing the strategic role of green finance in promoting environmental sustainability. These avenues include broadening the geographical scope of research, exploring the synergies between green finance and emerging fintech innovations, developing robust metrics to quantify the socioeconomic impacts of green finance, establishing a risk and resilience framework to protect green finance against uncertainties, and creating a Green Finance Performance Index to evaluate the dual returns of environmental and financial performance.
Topics: Asia; Bibliometrics; China; Databases, Factual; Economic Development
PubMed: 38194178
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31809-6