scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on publication dynamics and non-COVID-19 research production

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Raynaud ◽  
Valentin Goutaudier ◽  
Kevin Louis ◽  
Solaf Al-Awadhi ◽  
Quentin Dubourg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
High Impact ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Number Of Authors

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected health systems and medical research worldwide but its impact on the global publication dynamics and non-COVID-19 research has not been measured. We hypothesized that the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the scientific production of non-COVID-19 research. Methods We conducted a comprehensive meta-research on studies (original articles, research letters and case reports) published between 01/01/2019 and 01/01/2021 in 10 high-impact medical and infectious disease journals (New England Journal of Medicine, Lancet, Journal of the American Medical Association, Nature Medicine, British Medical Journal, Annals of Internal Medicine, Lancet Global Health, Lancet Public Health, Lancet Infectious Disease and Clinical Infectious Disease). For each publication, we recorded publication date, publication type, number of authors, whether the publication was related to COVID-19, whether the publication was based on a case series, and the number of patients included in the study if the publication was based on a case report or a case series. We estimated the publication dynamics with a locally estimated scatterplot smoothing method. A Natural Language Processing algorithm was designed to calculate the number of authors for each publication. We simulated the number of non-COVID-19 studies that could have been published during the pandemic by extrapolating the publication dynamics of 2019 to 2020, and comparing the expected number to the observed number of studies. Results Among the 22,525 studies assessed, 6319 met the inclusion criteria, of which 1022 (16.2%) were related to COVID-19 research. A dramatic increase in the number of publications in general journals was observed from February to April 2020 from a weekly median number of publications of 4.0 (IQR: 2.8–5.5) to 19.5 (IQR: 15.8–24.8) (p < 0.001), followed afterwards by a pattern of stability with a weekly median number of publications of 10.0 (IQR: 6.0–14.0) until December 2020 (p = 0.045 in comparison with April). Two prototypical editorial strategies were found: 1) journals that maintained the volume of non-COVID-19 publications while integrating COVID-19 research and thus increased their overall scientific production, and 2) journals that decreased the volume of non-COVID-19 publications while integrating COVID-19 publications. We estimated using simulation models that the COVID pandemic was associated with a 18% decrease in the production of non-COVID-19 research. We also found a significant change of the publication type in COVID-19 research as compared with non-COVID-19 research illustrated by a decrease in the number of original articles, (47.9% in COVID-19 publications vs 71.3% in non-COVID-19 publications, p < 0.001). Last, COVID-19 publications showed a higher number of authors, especially for case reports with a median of 9.0 authors (IQR: 6.0–13.0) in COVID-19 publications, compared to a median of 4.0 authors (IQR: 3.0–6.0) in non-COVID-19 publications (p < 0.001). Conclusion In this meta-research gathering publications from high-impact medical journals, we have shown that the dramatic rise in COVID-19 publications was accompanied by a substantial decrease of non-COVID-19 research. Meta-research registration https://osf.io/9vtzp/.

scholarly journals Profile of Scientific Production on Ankyloglossia

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Roberta Lopes de Castro Martinelli ◽  
Reinaldo Jordão Gusmão ◽  
María Paz Moya Daza ◽  
Irene Queiroz Marchesan ◽  
Giédre Berretin-Felix
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Scientific Production ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
First Results ◽  
Bibliometric Review

This work aims to describe the profile of scientific production referring to ankyloglossia. For this an investigation was carried out by searching for scientific articles indexed in the electronic databases LILACS and PUBMED. For the bibliometric review, the data referring to the year of publication, type of study and level of evidence were examined and tabulated. The data were discussed on the quantitative and representative values optics. The first results allowed to analyzic 651 published studies were analyzed. Most of the research on tongue tie found correspond to descriptive studies and case series (49.31%), followed by case reports, in vitro research, in animals and literature review (24.27%), cohort and cases and controls (11.98%), specialist opinion (11.68%), randomized clinical trials (1.54%) and systematic reviews (1.22%). Few studies addressed complications during or after lingual frenulum release surgery. In conclusion Scientific production on ankyloglossia has shown an increasing increase in the last 28 years, with studies with evidence levels 1, 2 and 3 being published, whose main focus was the performance of surgery to release the lingual frenulum.

scholarly journals Publications Trends in Major Anesthesiology Journals: A 20-Year Analysis of Five Top-Ranked Journals in the Field

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 418-424
Author(s):  
Stefan Koppert ◽  
Michael Weibenbacher ◽  
Andreas Wieser ◽  
Christoph Zelger ◽  
Markus Hermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Reports ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Publication Trends ◽  
Microsoft Excel ◽  
Rating Instrument ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Authors

Background: With the intention to quantify the importance of a medical journal, the Impact Factor (IF) was introduced. It has become a de facto fictive rating instrument of the importance of medical journals. Also, it is often used to assess the value of the individual publications within the specific journal. The aim of the present study was to analyze publication trends over 20 years in five high-ranked anesthesiology journals. Methods: The Medline (NCBI) database PubMed was used for analysis which was restricted to the following journals: 1. Anesthesiology; 2. British Journal of Anaesthesia; 3. Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology; 4. Anesthesia & Analgesia; and 5. Anaesthesia. Specific publication parameters (IFs, number of pages and authors, etc.) were retrieved using the PubMed download function and imported into Microsoft Excel for further analysis. Results: The mean IF of the five journals analyzed increased significantly within the study period (1991 vs. 2010; +61.81%). However, the absolute number of case reports decreased significantly by 54.7% since 1991. The journals Br J Anaesth (12.2%), J Neurosurg Anesthesiol (51.9%), and Anesth Analg (57.2%) showed significant increases in the number of publications per year. The mean number of authors increased significantly in all the journals from 1991 to 2010 (3.0 vs. 4.3; +43.3%). Conclusions: The IF, as well as the number of articles per year and the number of authors per article, increased significantly. In contrast, the number of pages per article remained comparable during the period analyzed.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine: Best Practices

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (S16) ◽  
pp. 34-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachelle S. Doody
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Cholinesterase Inhibitors ◽  
Treatment Guidelines ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Number Of Patients

Today’s therapies must be put in the context of both currently available treatments as well as treatment trials with exciting potential for use in the near future. Current clinical trial methodologies do not allow for clear separation of symptomatic treatments from disease-modifying therapies; it may be unproductive to maintain this distinction given the current range of treatments available. A more currently relevant focus is added value. Therapies should aim to provide added value through incremental benefits above and beyond existing treatments, as well as enduring benefits.Alzheimer’s disease (AD) treatment guidelines are not used by physicians only. Healthcare payers often make use of these guidelines to delimit coverage. Cost concerns will also impact AD treatments after generic cholinesterase inhibitors are made available; it is widely believed that a great number of patients will switch to generics. Therefore, treatment guidelines must account for the possible adverse effects of switching therapies as well as the desirability of persistent treatment. There are many AD treatment guidelines, among them the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Management of Dementia Guidelines, which are currently being revised. The Institute for the Study on Aging (ISOA) Management of Alzheimer’s Disease in Managed Care Guideline also presents a different approach for a different audience.The first step to creating evidence-based best practices guidelines is to determine what is meant by “evidence.” A system of classification exists for examining forms of evidence: Class I evidence is provided by one or more well-designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials, including overviews or meta-analyses of such trials. Class II evidence is provided by well-designed observational studies with concurrent controls; for example, case-control studies that generate hypotheses about epidemiologic associations. Class III evidence is provided by expert opinion, case series, case reports, and studies with historical controls.

scholarly journals Leprosy in Refugees and Migrants in Italy and a Literature Review of Cases Reported in Europe between 2009 and 2018

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Anna Beltrame ◽  
Gianfranco Barabino ◽  
Yiran Wei ◽  
Andrea Clapasson ◽  
Pierantonio Orza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
European Guidelines ◽  
Eye Involvement ◽  
Multibacillary Leprosy

Leprosy is a chronic neglected infectious disease that affects over 200,000 people each year and causes disabilities in more than four million people in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The disease can appear with a wide spectrum of clinical forms, and therefore the clinical suspicion is often difficult. Refugees and migrants from endemic countries affected by leprosy can remain undiagnosed in Europe due to the unpreparedness of clinicians. We retrospectively describe the characteristics of 55 refugees/migrants with a diagnosis of leprosy established in Italy from 2009 to 2018. Continents of origin were Africa (42%), Asia (40%), and South and Central America (18%). The symptoms reported were skin lesions (91%), neuropathy (71%), edema (7%), eye involvement (6%), fever (6%), arthritis (4%), and lymphadenopathy (4%). Seven patients (13%) had irreversible complications. Overall, 35% were relapses and 66% multibacillary leprosy. Furthermore, we conducted a review of 17 case reports or case series and five nationwide reports, published in the same decade, describing 280 migrant patients with leprosy in Europe. In Europe, leprosy is a rare chronic infectious disease, but it has not completely disappeared. Diagnosis and treatment of leprosy in refugees and migrants from endemic countries are a challenge. European guidelines for this neglected disease in this high-risk population would be beneficial.

A SARC phase II multicenter trial of imatinib mesylate (IM) in patients with aggressive fibromatosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9515-9515 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Chugh ◽  
R. G. Maki ◽  
D. G. Thomas ◽  
D. Reinke ◽  
J. K. Wathen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Ii ◽  
Primary Endpoint ◽  
Phase Ii Trial ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Aggressive Fibromatosis ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Fresh Tissue ◽  
Maximum Change

9515 Background: Aggressive fibromatosis (desmoid tumors, AF) are uncommon, locally aggressive, connective tissue neoplasms. Existing literature on systemic treatment of AF is sparse and consists mostly of case reports and small case-series. Based on previous observation of regression of AF treated with IM and tumoral expression of IM targets, SARC (Sarcoma Alliance for Research through Collaboration) included the treatment of AF onto a multi-institution phase II trial of IM in sarcoma. Here we report early clinical and laboratory results of the AF group. Methods: Eligible patients had histologically proven AF, unresectable or difficult to resect without considerable functional impairment. Patients were treated with IM 300 mg po BID (BSA≥1.5m2). The primary endpoint was complete (CR) or partial response(PR) at two months or stable disease (SD) or better at four months. Tumor DNA was extracted from available formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue specimens and analyzed via allelic PCR and genomic DNA sequence analysis for specific point mutations in PDGFRα exons 12/14/18, PDGFRβ exons 12/18, KIT exons 9/11/13/17, and bRAF. Results: 51 patients were enrolled from 10/02 to 12/05 at 5 institutions, with 45 patients currently evaluable. The median age is 37 (range 14–67), and median number of prior therapies is 1 (range 0–3). 36 patients (80%) reached the primary endpoint of CR/PR at 2 months or SD or better at 4 months. The median time to treatment failure is 6.8 months (95% C.I. 5.8–17.1). Thus far, the maximum change in the largest dimension of the tumor ranged from a 21% increase to a 45% decrease. In 22 available tumor specimens, deletions within PDGFRαE12 and E18 were noted in 1 and 3 patients, respectively, while a wildtype genotype was found in other regions. Conclusions: IM has activity in AF, the mechanism of which remains unclear. While this is the largest reported phase II trial of AF, further improvement in evaluating clinical efficacy in this disease is clearly necessary. We plan an analysis of the maximum change in largest tumor dimension for each patient, which will be particularly beneficial in AF as responses often occur late. We have not as yet identified a laboratory predictor of clinical benefit. Further investigation of other potential targets in fresh tissue is warranted. [Table: see text]

Care of the Cocaine User with Nasal Deformity

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (04) ◽  
pp. 411-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anil Joshi ◽  
Alwyn D'Souza ◽  
Abigail Walker
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Approach ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Western World ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Nasal Deformity ◽  
Psychiatric Comorbidities ◽  
Operative Care ◽  
Number Of Patients

AbstractCocaine is the most commonly used stimulant in the Western world, and its use is increasing not only in young people but also in people older than 40 years. Intranasal use is associated with several pathologies, ranging from crusting and blockage, to fibrosis and scarring, to destruction of the osteocartilaginous structures of the midface. As its use becomes more prevalent in society, the reconstructive surgeon can accordingly expect to be faced with an increasing number of patients with cocaine-related nasal deformity. However, the use of cocaine adds a significant layer of complexity to the perioperative and operative care that requires careful consideration by the whole health care team. We present a practical evidence-based guide to management of reconstruction of the cocaine nose, taking in all aspects of periprocedural care. Finally, we present a model for surgical approach based on best evidence and the experience of the senior author. A search was performed of the Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Collection database using both MeSH keywords and free text words, identifying key articles on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and medical and psychiatric comorbidities of cocaine users. Both case series and case reports reporting cocaine-associated defects and their reconstruction were reviewed together with the senior authors (A.D.S., A.J.), and a series of recommendations synthesized based on these recommendations. The nasal deformities associated with cocaine use represent only the tip of the iceberg of underlying associated pathology. The surgeon who embarks upon reconstruction of the cocaine nose should be aware of possible coexisting medical and psychiatric comorbidities that may complicate both the patient's motivations for surgery and their fitness to undergo anesthesia. Ultimately, successful reconstructive outcomes are critically dependent on holistic perioperative care and the surgeon's ability to be flexible in their surgical approach.

scholarly journals Russian-language publication activities of medical researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic: results of the year

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 4451
Author(s):  
O. T. Kim ◽  
O. M. Drapkina ◽  
Yu. V. Rodionova
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Healthcare Management ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
Original Research ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Study Designs

Aim. To study the dynamics and patterns of medical publications in Russian, made during the year from February 2020, in order to assess the completeness of data on the etiology, pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as rehabilitation and healthcare management during a pandemic.Material and methods. We searched for publications using the Pubmed database and the Elpub platform. The search was carried out using the following requests: “COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2”. Thematic sections were allocated according to source type, specialization and research design. The publications were classified according to keywords and meaning. The publication time was estimated by the date it was accepted for publication. Values were assessed using numerical values and graphs.Results. One hundred fifteen (28,5%) publications presented data from original research, while 288 (71,5%) — reflected the results of already existing sources. An increase in proportion of primary sources with the pandemic spread was established. There were following most common study designs: case series — 87 (77,7%); case reports — 15 (13,4%); cohort studies — 8 (7,1%); randomized clinical trials — 2 (1,8%). By topic, the largest number of articles are devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 — 250 (62%), epidemiology — 36 (8,9%), etiology and pathogenesis — 36 (8,9%), healthcare management — 30 (7,4%), “Other” — 20 (4,9%), and policy papers from expert communities — 13 (3,25%). The smallest number of publications is directly related to cardiology and prevention, including immunoprophylaxis — 12 (2,9%), as well as rehabilitation — 6 (1,5%).Conclusion. The dynamics and patterns of publications on COVID-19 in Russian are generally in line with global trends and reflect the pandemic characteristics in Russia. Due to disease novelty, there is currently a knowledge gap in the treatment, prevention and long-term outcomes of COVID-19. In the future, studies with a higher evidence level are needed on possible methods of treatment, prevention, including cardiology issues and vaccination, as well as rehabilitation.

scholarly journals 18 Years of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) Research: Where Are We Now?—An Umbrella Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (19) ◽  
pp. 8818
Author(s):  
Roberto Sacco ◽  
Monica Diuana Calasans-Maia ◽  
Julian Woolley ◽  
Oladapo Akintola ◽  
Carlos Fernando de Almeida Barros Mourão ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw ◽  
Umbrella Review ◽  
Severe Condition ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Studies ◽  
Study Designs

Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a condition affecting patients exposed to medications used to treat benign and malignant conditions of bone tissue. Many studies have highlighted that ONJ is a severe condition, which is very challenging to manage, especially in individuals with oncologic disease. The aim of this umbrella review is to analyze all available interventional and non-interventional systematic reviews published on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) and summarize this evidence. Material and methods: A multi-database search (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL) was performed to identify related multi-language papers published from January 2003 until June 2021. An additional manual search was also performed in systematic review registries (PROSPERO, INPLASY, JBI and OFS) to identify possible missing reviews. Data were extracted from relevant papers and analyzed according to the outcomes selected in this review. Results: The search generated 25 systematic reviews eligible for the analysis. The total number of patients included in the analysis was 80,840. Of the reviews, 64% (n = 16) were non-interventional and 36% (n = 9) were interventional. Study designs included case series 20.50% (n = 140), retrospective cohort studies 12.30% (n = 84) and case reports 12.20% (n = 83). It was unclear what study design was used for 277 studies included in the 25 systematic reviews. Conclusions: The data reviewed confirmed that the knowledge underpinning MRONJ in the last 20 years is still based on weak evidence. This umbrella review highlighted a widespread low-level quality of studies and many poorly designed reviews.

Trends in Health Quality-related Publications over the past three decades. (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Mendlovic ◽  
Francis B Mimouni ◽  
Iris Arad ◽  
Eyal Heiman
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Quality ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Quality ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Number Of Publications

BACKGROUND Quality assessment in health care is a process of planned activities whose ultimate goal is to achieve a continuous improvement of medical care through the evaluation of structure, process, and outcome measures. Physicians and health care specialists involved with quality issues are faced with an enormous and nearly always increasing amount of literature to read and integrate OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that the number of publications in the field of health care quality increases over time, and particularly the number of high-evidence journal articles such as randomized control trials, systematic reviews, and ultimately, practice guidelines. METHODS We used MEDLINE database to retrieve relevant articles published between during the 29 year-period between 1/1/1989 and 12/31/2018. The search was conducted in March 2021. Publications from 2019 and 2020 were excluded because of incomplete data. We used the keywords "quality care", "quality management", "quality indicators" and "quality improvement” and limited the search fields to title and abstract. RESULTS During the 29-year evaluation period there was a significant cubic increase in the number of publications both in total number of publications and in the variety of publication types studied The rate of increase varied for different types of publications, with the largest increase in reviews, and the smallest increase in case reports. There was a systematic stagnation or even decrease in the number of publications starting in 2015 regardless of publication type. CONCLUSIONS Over the past 29 years the field of quality in health care has seen a significant yearly increase of published original studies with a relative stagnation since 2015. We suggest that contributors to this dynamic field of research should focus on producing more evidence based publications and guidelines

111 Epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (6) ◽  
pp. A44.1-A44
Author(s):  
Stephen Walsh ◽  
Joel Corbett ◽  
K Meng Tan ◽  
Simon Broadley
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Disease Course ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Significant Difference

IntroductionEpileptic seizures have been described in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) in both anecdotal case reports and case series. The recent identification of specific antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein in a small number of patients with demyelinating disease which may resemble neuromyelitis optica or acute disseminated encephalopathy, which may involve seizures, raises the possibility that anti-MOG antibody related demyelination may account for the association of epilepsy with MS.MethodsWe have undertaken a retrospective review of cases of MS diagnosed at the Gold Coast MS clinic over a 10 year period. All cases were systematically asked if they had ever had an epileptic seizure either via a patient completed questionnaire or at a clinic visit. Demographic and clinical information were also recorded. These data have been analysed using descriptive statistics and appropriate tests for significant differences between those with epilepsy and those without.Results428 cases with complete data were identified. Those with a history of epilepsy were slightly younger (median (range); 44.5 (27–64) years vs 4715–88 years), but this difference was not statistically significantly different. The gender ratio was the same for both groups (9/12 (75%) for those with epilepsy and 326/416 (78%)). There was no significant difference in age of onset, disease course, relapse frequency or level of disability. Although numbers are small, seizure appear to occur most frequently earlier in the disease course and are rarely an ongoing issue.ConclusionThese data support earlier work indicating that epilepsy occurs in people with MS who are younger. This fits with the notion that seizures arise in the context of the inflammatory stage of multiple sclerosis rather than the degenerative phase. Further work needs to be undertaken to assess any association with anti-MOG antibodies and epileptic seizures in demyelinating disease.

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