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Acta Neurochirurgica Jun 2021Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. DCM is common (estimated prevalence, 2% of adults) and significantly impacts quality... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. DCM is common (estimated prevalence, 2% of adults) and significantly impacts quality of life. The AO Spine RECODE-DCM (Research Objectives and Common Data Elements in DCM) project has recently established the top research priorities for DCM. This article examines the extent to which existing research activity aligns with the established research priorities.
METHODS
A systematic review of MEDLINE and Embase for "Cervical" AND "Myelopathy" was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Full-text papers in English, exclusively studying DCM, published between January 1, 1995 and August 08, 2020 were considered eligible. Extracted data for each study included authors, journal, year of publication, location, sample size and study design. Each study was then analysed for alignment to the established research priorities.
RESULTS
In total, 2261 papers with a total of 1,323,979 patients were included. Japan published more papers (625) than any other country. Moreover, 2005 (89%) of 2261 papers were aligned to at least one research priority. The alignment of papers to the different research priorities was unequal, with 1060 papers on the most researched priority alone (#15, predictors of outcome after treatment), but only 64 total papers on the least-researched 10 priorities. The comparative growth of research in the different priorities was also unequal, with some priorities growing and others plateauing over the past 5 years.
DISCUSSION
Research activity in DCM continues to grow, and the focus of this research remains on surgery. The established research priorities therefore represent a new direction for the field.
Topics: Cervical Vertebrae; Humans; Japan; Neurosurgery; Periodicals as Topic; Quality of Life; Research; Spinal Cord Diseases
PubMed: 33625603
DOI: 10.1007/s00701-021-04767-6 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Dec 2023Medical education is a growing international field of research. However, no overview exists of Norwegian researchers' contribution to the field. This study aimed to...
BACKGROUND
Medical education is a growing international field of research. However, no overview exists of Norwegian researchers' contribution to the field. This study aimed to identify and describe medical education research originating from Norwegian research institutions.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
We performed targeted searches in Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest Education and Cristin, and identified published research within the field from Norwegian institutions. Using bibliometric analyses, we mapped patterns in research output over time, research communities that have published their work, and which publication channels were used. We also categorized the research articles according to methodology, empirical origin, educational level and topic.
RESULTS
We found 423 published research articles linked to Norwegian research institutions and an increase in the number of publications in the last decade. The studies were published in 141 different scientific journals. Of these, the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association had 94 articles (22 %). A total of 122 (29 %) articles were published in key medical education journals. Altogether 249 (59 %) of the studies were quantitative and 262 (62 %) were based on empirical data from Norway. A little more than half, 237 (56 %), focused on undergraduate medical education. Researchers affiliated to the University of Oslo were involved in 173 (43 %) articles. The most frequently researched topics were curricula, teaching and learning technology, retention and career choices.
INTERPRETATION
Research activity within the field of medical education is increasing in Norway, but few Norwegian researchers publish in the specialised medical education journals.
Topics: Humans; Bibliometrics; Norway; Biomedical Research; Curriculum
PubMed: 38088296
DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0398 -
The EMBO Journal Jun 2015The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) points out that using the Journal Impact Factor as a proxy measure for the value or quality of specific...
The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) points out that using the Journal Impact Factor as a proxy measure for the value or quality of specific research and individual scientists leads to biased research assessment. How can we resist misusing metrics?
Topics: Editorial Policies; Journal Impact Factor; Research; Research Design
PubMed: 26056152
DOI: 10.15252/embj.201570010 -
Progress in Neurobiology Jun 2022Neural activity is both a driver of brain development and a readout of developmental processes. Changes in neuronal activity are therefore both the cause and consequence... (Review)
Review
Neural activity is both a driver of brain development and a readout of developmental processes. Changes in neuronal activity are therefore both the cause and consequence of neurodevelopmental compromises. Here, we review the assessment of neuronal activities in both preclinical models and clinical situations. We focus on issues that require urgent translational research, the challenges and bottlenecks preventing translation of biomedical research into new clinical diagnostics or treatments, and possibilities to overcome these barriers. The key questions are (i) what can be measured in clinical settings versus animal experiments, (ii) how do measurements relate to particular stages of development, and (iii) how can we balance practical and ethical realities with methodological compromises in measurements and treatments.
Topics: Animals; Biomedical Research; Brain; Humans; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 35364141
DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102268 -
BMC Health Services Research May 2019Nursing and midwifery research activity is an important indicator of the quality of healthcare services and the status of nursing profession. The main aim of this study... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Nursing and midwifery research activity is an important indicator of the quality of healthcare services and the status of nursing profession. The main aim of this study was to assess the research activity in nursing and midwifery field in Arab countries.
METHOD
The current study implemented bibliometric method using Scopus database. The search strategy used country affiliation or journal name or keywords as a strategy to retrieve the required documents. The study period was from 1950 to2017. Analysis included a presentation of bibliometric indicators and VOSviewer mapping of the retrieved data.
RESULT
2935 documents were retrieved making up less than 1% of global nursing and midwifery research output. Of the retrieved documents, 25% were published in high rank (first quartile = Q1) journals. The majority (56.7%) of the retrieved documents were published in the last five years of the study period. The retrieved documents received an average of 6.9 citations per document with an h-index of 47. The total number of authors who took part in publishing the retrieved documents was 10,572, giving an average of 3.6 authors per article. Jordan ranked first in research output. Researchers from Jordan took part in over than one third (1023; 34.9%) of the retrieved documents. Lebanon (35.5%) ranked first in the percentage of documents published in Q1 journals. The United Arab Emirates ranked first in the percentage (67.4%) of publications with international authors. The most active journal involved in publishing nursing research from Arab countries was Life Science Journal (158; 5.4%). The University of Jordan was the most productive institution while the American University of Beirut ranked first in the percentage (36.9%) of documents published in Q1 journals. Author keyword analysis and10 most cited articles showed that non-communicable diseases and nursing education were the focus of nursing research in Arab countries.
CONCLUSIONS
Nursing and midwifery research activity in Arab countries has dramatically increased especially over the past five years. Despite this, nursing research is still in its infancy, lagging in quantity and quality compared to developed countries.
Topics: Arabs; Bibliometrics; Databases, Factual; Female; Humans; Jordan; Lebanon; Midwifery; Nursing; Pregnancy; Publications; Research; United Arab Emirates
PubMed: 31138250
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4178-y -
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies 2017While in some jurisdictions chiropractic is fully integrated in public and insurance funded health care systems, in others it is outside and considered as complementary...
While in some jurisdictions chiropractic is fully integrated in public and insurance funded health care systems, in others it is outside and considered as complementary or alternative health care. There is a paucity of data and rigorous scientific studies regarding most aspects of chiropractic practice although research activity has been increasing in recent years. We call for papers for a thematic series in that can help define chiropractic better to stakeholders inside and outside the profession under the theme
Topics: Chiropractic; Complementary Therapies; Delivery of Health Care; Humans; Manipulation, Chiropractic; Research
PubMed: 29118972
DOI: 10.1186/s12998-017-0163-x -
Sheng Wu Gong Cheng Xue Bao = Chinese... Oct 2020Pictet-Spenglerases (P-Sases) catalyze the Pictet-Spengler (P-S) reactions and exhibit high stereoselectivity and regioselectivity under mild conditions. The typical P-S... (Review)
Review
Pictet-Spenglerases (P-Sases) catalyze the Pictet-Spengler (P-S) reactions and exhibit high stereoselectivity and regioselectivity under mild conditions. The typical P-S reaction refers to the condensation and recyclization of β-arylethylamine with aldehyde or ketone under acidic conditions to form tetrahydroisoquinoline and β-carboline alkaloid derivatives. The related enzymatic products of P-Sases are the backbones of various bioactive compounds, including clinical drugs: morphine, noscapine, quinine, berberine, ajmaline, morphine. Furthermore, the activity of P-Sases in stereoselective and regioselective catalysis is also valuable for chemoenzymatic synthesis. Therefore, this review summarizes the research progress in the discovery, functional identification, biological characteristics and catalytic applications of P-Sases, which provide the useful theoretical reference in future P-Sases research and development.
Topics: Alkaloids; Catalysis; Enzymes; Research; Tetrahydroisoquinolines
PubMed: 33169566
DOI: 10.13345/j.cjb.200064 -
Pharmacogenomics Oct 2016The present review was aimed at analyzing the pharmacogenetic scientific activity in Central America and the Caribbean. (Review)
Review
AIM
The present review was aimed at analyzing the pharmacogenetic scientific activity in Central America and the Caribbean.
MATERIALS & METHODS
A literature search for pharmacogenetic studies in each country of the region was conducted on three databases using a list of the most relevant pharmacogenetic biomarkers including 'phenotyping probe drugs' for major drug metabolizing enzymes. The review included 132 papers involving 47 biomarkers and 35,079 subjects (11,129 healthy volunteers and 23,950 patients).
RESULTS
The country with the most intensive pharmacogenetic research was Costa Rica. The most studied medical therapeutic area was oncology, and the most investigated biomarkers were CYP2D6 and HLA-A/B. Conclusion: Research activity on pharmacogenetics in Central American and the Caribbean populations is limited or absent. Therefore, strategies to promote effective collaborations, and foster interregional initiatives and research efforts among countries from the region could help for the rational clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine.
Topics: Biomedical Research; Caribbean Region; Central America; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6; HLA-A Antigens; HLA-B Antigens; Humans; Pharmacogenetics
PubMed: 27633613
DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2016-0053 -
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine : a... Jan 2016Excellence in clinical care coupled with basic and applied research reflects the maturation of a medical subspecialty, advances that field, and provides objective data... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Excellence in clinical care coupled with basic and applied research reflects the maturation of a medical subspecialty, advances that field, and provides objective data for identifying best practices. PICUs are uniquely suited for conducting translational and clinical research. In addition, multiple investigations have reported that a majority of parents are interested in their children's participation in clinical research, even when the research offers no direct benefit to their child. However, such activity may generate ethical conflict with bedside care providers trying to acutely identify the best approach for an individual critically ill child. Ultimately, this conflict may diminish enthusiasm for the generation of scientific evidence that supports the application of evidence-based medicine into PICU clinical standard work. Accordingly this review endeavors to provide an overview of current state PICU clinical research strengths, liabilities, opportunities, and barriers and contrast this with an established pediatric hematology-oncology iterative research model that constitutes a learning healthcare system.
DATA SOURCES, DATA EXTRACTION, AND DATA SYNTHESIS
Narrative review of medical literature published in English.
CONCLUSIONS
Currently, most PICU therapy is not evidence based. Developing a learning healthcare system in the PICU integrates clinical research into usual practice and fosters a culture of evidence-based learning and continual care improvement. As PICU mortality has significantly decreased, identification and validation of patient-centered, clinically relevant research outcome measures other than mortality is essential for future clinical trial design. Because most pediatric critical illness may be classified as rare diseases, participation in research networks will facilitate iterative, collaborative, multiinstitutional investigations that over time identify the best practices to improve PICU outcomes. Despite real ethical challenges, critically ill children and their families should have the opportunity to participate in translational/clinical research whenever feasible.
Topics: Critical Illness; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; Parents; Quality Improvement; Research; Research Design; Standard of Care
PubMed: 26513203
DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000000562 -
Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases May 2019MetabERN is one of the 24 European Reference Networks created according to the European Union directive 2011/24/EU on patient's rights in cross border healthcare....
BACKGROUND
MetabERN is one of the 24 European Reference Networks created according to the European Union directive 2011/24/EU on patient's rights in cross border healthcare. MetabERN associates 69 centres in 18 countries, which provide care for patients with Hereditary Metabolic Diseases, and have the mission to reinforce research and provide training for health professionals in this field. MetabERN performed a survey in December 2017 with the aim to produce an overview documenting research activities and potentials within the network. As the centres are multidisciplinary, separated questionnaires were sent to the clinical, university and laboratory teams. Answers were received from 52 out of the 69 centres of the network, covering 16 countries. A descriptive analysis of the information collected is presented.
RESULTS
The answers indicate a marked interest of the respondents for research, who expressed high motivation and commitment, and estimated that the conditions to do research in their institution were mostly satisfactory. They are active in research, which according to several indicators, is competitive and satisfies standards of excellence, as well as the education programs offered in the respondent's universities. Research in the centres is primarily performed in genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology, and focuses on issues related to diagnosis. Few respondents declared having activity in human and social sciences, including research on patient's quality of life, patient's awareness, or methods for social support. Infrastructures offering services for medical research were rarely known and used by respondents, including national and international biobanking platforms. In contrast, respondents often participate to patient registries, even beyond their specific field of interest.
CONCLUSIONS
Taken as a whole, these results provide an encouraging picture of the research capacities and activities in the MetabERN network, which, with respect to the number and representativeness of the investigated centres, gives a comprehensive picture of research on Hereditary Metabolic Diseases in Europe, as well as the priorities for future actions. Marginal activity in human and social sciences points out the limited multidisciplinary constitution of the responding teams with possible consequences on their current capability to participate to patient's empowerment programs and efficiently collaborate with patient's advocacy groups.
Topics: Europe; Humans; Interdisciplinary Research; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 31142374
DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1091-8