Delay and bias in PubMed medical subject heading (MeSH®) indexing of respiratory journals

Mapping Intimacies ◽

10.1101/2020.10.01.20205476 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Ruth M. Hadfield

Keyword(s):

Journal Title ◽

Publication Date ◽

Research Database ◽

Medical Subject Heading ◽

Medical Subject Headings ◽

Search Terms ◽

Mean Delay ◽

Literature Searches ◽

Systematic Literature Searches ◽

Over Time

AbstractIntroductionPubMed is a primary global open-access literature research database. Articles on PubMed are indexed manually with medical subject headings (MeSH®) to facilitate more complete literature searches. We aimed to determine the length of delay from publication to MeSH® indexing for key respiratory journals and to investigate whether delays are increasing over time and whether there are country or impact-factor specific biases in indexing.MethodsPubMed was searched for the keyword ‘asthma’ for the 10 year period June 2009 to June 2019. MEDLINE fields including journal title, publication date, PubMed entrez date and MeSH® indexing date were extracted and delay in indexing was calculated in days.ResultsTwenty-nine respiratory journals had delay from publication to MeSH® indexing ranging from an average of 153.6 days to 409.9 days; 5/29 (17.2%) had never been indexed for PubMed. There was a significantly longer delay in MeSH® indexing for UK-based publications (mean delay of 281.7 days) compared to USA-based publications (mean delay of 214.9 days; mean difference 66.8 days, 95% CI 60.8, 72.8, P < 0.0001). Delays in MeSH® indexing increased over time.ConclusionThere are long and increasing delays in PubMed MeSH® indexing of respiratory journals. All PubMed users should be aware that systematic literature searches that rely on MeSH® search terms or utilise PubMed filters are likely to exclude recent research and citations from key journals. Researchers and clinicians need to be aware of these delays and biases to ensure their literature searches are both up-to-date and complete.

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Critical appraisal and meta-analysis of biological variation studies on glycosylated albumin, glucose and HbA1c

Advances in Laboratory Medicine / Avances en Medicina de Laboratorio ◽

10.1515/almed-2020-0029 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Carmen Ricós ◽

Pilar Fernández-Calle ◽

Elisabet Gonzalez-Lao ◽

Margarida Simón ◽

Jorge Díaz-Garzón ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Healthy Subjects ◽

Critical Appraisal ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Biological Variation ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Literature Searches ◽

Variation Data ◽

Global Estimates ◽

Systematic Literature Searches

AbstractObjectivesNumerous biological variation (BV) studies have been performed over the years, but the quality of these studies vary. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review and critical appraisal of BV studies on glycosylated albumin and to deliver updated BV estimates for glucose and HbA1c, including recently published high-quality studies such as the European Biological Variation study (EuBIVAS).MethodsSystematic literature searches were performed to identify BV studies. Nine publications not included in a previous review were identified; four for glycosylated albumin, three for glucose, and three for HbA1c. Relevant studies were appraised by the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC). Global BV estimates were derived by meta-analysis of BIVAC-compliant studies in healthy subjects with similar study design.ResultsOne study received BIVAC grade A, 2B, and 6C. In most cases, the C-grade was associated with deficiencies in statistical analysis. BV estimates for glycosylated albumin were: CVI=1.4% (1.2–2.1) and CVG=5.7% (4.7–10.6), whereas estimates for HbA1c, CVI=1.2% (0.3–2.5), CVG=5.4% (3.3–7.3), and glucose, CVI=5.0% (4.1–12.0), CVG=8.1% (2.7–10.8) did not differ from previously published global estimates.ConclusionsThe critical appraisal and rating of BV studies according to their methodological quality, followed by a meta-analysis, generate robust, and reliable BV estimates. This study delivers updated and evidence-based BV estimates for glycosylated albumin, glucose and HbA1c.

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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Current Practice Management and Referral Trends in a Closed Healthcare System

Osteology ◽

10.3390/osteology1010004 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 39-47

Author(s):

Connor Zale ◽

Joshua Hansen ◽

Paul Ryan

Keyword(s):

Pain Management ◽

Pain Score ◽

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Occupational Outcomes ◽

Mean Delay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Mean ◽

Over Time

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a neurologic condition that can present with severe pain and dysfunction. Delay in treatment adversely affects outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient outcomes as they relate to the time from diagnosis to pain management referral once the diagnosis of CRPS has been made in a closed healthcare system. Methods: A retrospective record review from a closed healthcare system was utilized for CRPS cases from 2010–2019. Demographics, injury pattern, surgeries, pain score, treatment modalities, occupational outcomes, and time to pain management referral were recorded. Results: There were 26 cases of CRPS that met inclusion criteria. The mean time from diagnosis to treatment was 55 days. 16/26 (61.5%) were medically discharged from the military. 23/26 (88.5%) were unable to return to full duty due to CRPS. There was no significant difference in the reported pain scores over time regardless of treatment (p = 0.76). A linear regression demonstrated a significantly higher Visual Analog Scale Pain Score (VAS) over time in patients that were medically discharged (p = 0.022). Conclusions: The mean delay in referral to the pain service was 55 days. The majority of patients (88.5%) did not return to full duty secondary to the diagnosis of CRPS, and 61.5% of patients required medical separation from active duty. Due to the negative impact that the diagnosis of CRPS has on occupational outcomes with a mean delay in referral of 55 days, clinics and providers should set up referral criteria and establish early pain pathways for patients diagnosed with CRPS.

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Use of the capture-recapture technique to evaluate the completeness of systematic literature searches

BMJ ◽

10.1136/bmj.313.7053.342 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 313 (7053) ◽

pp. 342-343 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

P. Spoor ◽

M. Airey ◽

C. Bennett ◽

J. Greensill ◽

R. Williams

Keyword(s):

Literature Searches ◽

Capture Recapture ◽

Systematic Literature Searches

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Assessing IPR Disclosure within Standard Setting

Advances in IT Standards and Standardization Research - Modern Trends Surrounding Information Technology Standards and Standardization Within Organizations ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-6332-9.ch006 ◽

2015 ◽

pp. 86-105 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anne Layne-Farrar

Keyword(s):

The Body ◽

The Other ◽

Mobile Telephony ◽

Publication Date ◽

Patent Holder ◽

Policy Changes ◽

Policy Issues ◽

Full Knowledge ◽

Over Time

As part of its “policy project to examine the legal and policy issues surrounding the problem of potential patent ‘hold-up' when patented technologies are included in collaborative standards,” the Federal Trade Commission held an all-day workshop on June 21, 2011. The first panel of the day focused on patent disclosure rules intended to encourage full knowledge of patents “essential” for a standard and therefore to prevent patent ambush. When patents are disclosed after a standard is defined, the patent holder may have enhanced bargaining power that it can exploit to charge excessive royalties (e.g., greater than the value the patented technology contributes to the product complying with the standard). In this chapter, the authors present a case study on patent disclosure within the ICT sector. Specifically, they take an empirical look at the timing of patent disclosures within the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, the body responsible for some of the world's most prevalent mobile telephony standards. They find that most members officially disclose their potentially relevant patents after the standard is published, and sometimes considerably so. On the other hand, the authors also find that the delay in declaring patents to ETSI standards has been shrinking over time, with disclosures occurring closer to (although for the most part still after) the standard publication date for more recent standard generations as compared to earlier ones. This latter finding coincides with ETSI policy changes, suggesting that standards bodies may be able to improve patent disclosure with more precise rules.

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Do protocols for new randomised trials take previous similar trials into account? Cohort study of contemporary trial protocols

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026661 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e026661

Author(s):

Asger Sand Paludan-Müller ◽

Michelle C Ogden ◽

Mikkel Marquardsen ◽

Jonas Vive ◽

Karsten Juhl Jørgensen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Study ◽

Literature Search ◽

Evidence Base ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Randomised Trials ◽

Literature Searches ◽

Trial Protocols ◽

Ethical Approval ◽

Simple Search ◽

Systematic Literature Searches

ObjectiveTo investigate to what extent evidence from previous similar trials or systematic reviews was considered before conducting new trials.DesignCohort study of contemporary protocols for trials with ethical approval.MethodsAll protocols for randomised trials approved by the five ethical committees in Denmark between January 2012 and March 2013 were screened for eligibility. Included protocols were read in full to determine whether a systematic search had been conducted and references were checked to evaluate whether trial rationale and design could be challenged for not adequately considering previous evidence. To investigate whether protocols cited relevant trials, we used simple search strategies that could easily be conducted by researchers without experience with literature searches.ResultsSixty-seven protocols were included. Only two (3%) of the protocols explicitly stated to have conducted a literature search and only one (1%) provided information that allowed the search to be replicated. Eleven (16%) of the protocols described trials where we found the information insufficient to judge if the trial was ethically justified, either due to a comparator that was not supported by the presented evidence (six protocols), because they did not present a rationale for conducting the trial (two protocols), or for both reasons (three protocols). For eight (12%) of the protocols, our search identified trials that could have been relevant to cite as justification.ConclusionsWhile most protocols seem to adequately consider existing evidence, a substantial minority of trials might lack a sufficient evidence base. Very few trials seemed to have been based on a literature search which makes it impossible to know whether all relevant previous trials had been considered. Rules for ethical approval should include requirements for systematic literature searches to ensure that research participants are not exposed to sub-optimal treatments or unnecessary harms as well as to reduce research waste.

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From substance to process: A meta-ethnographic review of how healthcare professionals and patients understand placebos and their effects in primary care

Health An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health Illness and Medicine ◽

10.1177/1363459318800169 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (3) ◽

pp. 315-340 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Doug I Hardman ◽

Adam WA Geraghty ◽

George Lewith ◽

Mark Lown ◽

Clelia Viecelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Primary Care ◽

Irritable Bowel Syndrome ◽

Healthcare Professionals ◽

Clinical Validity ◽

Placebo Effects ◽

Literature Searches ◽

Irritable Bowel ◽

Systematic Literature Searches ◽

Material Substances

Research suggests that a ‘placebo’ can improve conditions common in primary care including pain, depression and irritable bowel syndrome. However, disagreement persists over the definition and clinical relevance of placebo treatments. We conducted a meta-ethnographic, mixed-research systematic review to explore how healthcare professionals and patients understand placebos and their effects in primary care. We conducted systematic literature searches of five databases – augmented by reference chaining, key author searches and expert opinion – related to views on placebos, placebo effects and placebo use in primary care. From a total of 34 eligible quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods articles reporting findings from 28 studies, 21 were related to healthcare professionals’ views, 11 were related to patients’ views and two were related to both groups. In the studies under review, healthcare professionals reported using placebos at markedly different frequencies. This was highly influenced by how placebos were defined in the studies. Both healthcare professionals and patients predominantly defined placebos as material substances such as ‘inert’ pills, despite this definition being inconsistent with current scientific thinking. However, healthcare professionals also, but less prevalently, defined placebos in a different way: as contextual processes. This better concurs with modern placebo definitions, which focus on context, ritual, meaning and enactivism. However, given the enduring ubiquity of substance definitions, for both healthcare professionals and patients, we question the practical, clinical validity of stretching the term ‘placebo’ towards its modern iteration. To produce ‘placebo effects’, therefore, primary healthcare professionals may be better off abandoning placebo terminology altogether.

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Redefining human-animal relationships: an evaluation of methods to allow their empirical measurement in zoos

Animal Welfare ◽

10.7120/109627286.28.3.247 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 247-259 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

F Patel ◽

K Whitehouse-Tedd ◽

SJ Ward

Keyword(s):

Animal Welfare ◽

Content Quality ◽

Search Terms ◽

Voluntary Approach ◽

Literature Searches ◽

Animal Welfare Science ◽

Welfare Implications ◽

Human Animal ◽

Potential Methods ◽

Definition Of

Scientific studies of human-animal interactions (HAIs) and how these develop into human-animal relationships (HARs) now represent some of the most significant contributions to animal welfare science. However, due to the current definition of HAR, studies have only been able to measure HAIs and infer its impact on HARs and animal welfare. Here, we redefine HARs as a series of repeated HAIs between two individuals known to each other, the nature of which is influenced by their historical HAIs and where consideration to the content, quality and the pattern of the interactions is also vital. With a new definition, it is now feasible to empirically measure HARs, however, first, it is important to evaluate current methods utilised in animal industries to allow standardisation across HAR research in zoos. Here, we review the current methods that have been used to assess HAIs in animals and determine their overall suitability for measuring HARs and their use in a zoo environment. Literature searches were conducted using the search terms 'human-animal' AND 'interaction', 'human-animal' AND 'relationship', 'human-animal' AND 'bond'. Subsequently, 'zoo', 'companion', 'agriculture', 'laboratory' and 'wild' were added to each combination yielding five potential methods to evaluate. These methods were assessed according to a panel of indicators including reliability, robustness, practical application and feasibility for use in a zoo environment. Results indicated that the methods utilising 'latency', 'qualitative behaviour assessment' and the 'voluntary approach test' were potentially viable to assess HARs in a zoo environment and could subsequently contribute to the assessment of welfare implications of these HARs for the animals involved. These methods now require empirical testing and comparisons within a zoo environment.

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Clinical Behavior of Ceramic, Hybrid and Composite Onlays. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17207582 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (20) ◽

pp. 7582

Author(s):

Naia Bustamante-Hernández ◽

Jose María Montiel-Company ◽

Carlos Bellot-Arcís ◽

José Félix Mañes-Ferrer ◽

María Fernanda Solá-Ruíz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Survival Rate ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Posterior Region ◽

Publication Date ◽

Clinical Behavior ◽

Lower Survival Rate ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Over Time

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to analyze the survival of onlay restorations in the posterior region, their clinical behavior according to the material used (ceramic reinforced with lithium disilicate, conventional feldspathic ceramic or reinforced with leucite; hybrid materials and composite), possible complications, and the factors influencing restoration success. The systematic review was based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, without publication date or language restrictions. An electronic search was made in the PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane databases. After discarding duplicate publications and studies that failed to meet the inclusion criteria, the articles were selected based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcome (PICO) question. The following variables were considered in the qualitative and quantitative analyses: restoration survival rate (determined by several clinical parameters), the influence of the material used upon the clinical behavior of the restorations, and the complications recorded over follow-up. A total of 29 articles were selected for the qualitative analysis and 27 for the quantitative analysis. The estimated restoration survival rate was 94.2%. The predictors of survival were the duration of follow-up (beta = −0.001; p = 0.001) and the onlay material used (beta = −0.064; p = 0.028). Composite onlays were associated with a lower survival rate over time. Onlays are a good, conservative, and predictable option for restoring dental defects in the posterior region, with a survival rate of over 90%. The survival rate decreases over time and with the use of composite as onlay material.

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