Bibliometric evaluation of pediatric neurosurgery in North America

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 695-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Klimo ◽  
Garrett T. Venable ◽  
Nickalus R. Khan ◽  
Douglas R. Taylor ◽  
Brandon A. Shepherd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Lorenz Curves ◽  
Gini Coefficients ◽  
Private Practitioners ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fellowship Programs ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Citation Metrics

Object The application of bibliometric techniques to academic neurosurgery has been the focus of several recent publications. The authors provide here a detailed analysis of all active pediatric neurosurgeons in North America and their respective departments. Methods Using Scopus and Google Scholar, a bibliometric profile for every known active pediatric neurosurgeon in North America was created using the following citation metrics: h-, contemporary h-, g-, and e-indices and the m-quotient. Various subgroups were compared. Departmental productivity from 2008 through 2013 was measured, and departments were ranked on the basis of cumulative h- and e-indices and the total number of publications and citations. Lorenz curves were created, and Gini coefficients were calculated for all departments with 4 or more members. Results Three hundred twelve pediatric neurosurgeons (260 male, 52 female) were included for analysis. For the entire group, the median h-index, m-quotient, contemporary h-, g-, and e-indices, and the corrected g- and e-indices were 10, 0.59, 7, 18, 17, 1.14, and 1.01, respectively; the range for each index varied widely. Academic pediatric neurosurgeons associated with fellowship programs (compared with unassociated neurosurgeons), academic practitioners (compared with private practitioners), and men (compared with women) had superior measurements. There was no significant difference between American and Canadian pediatric neurosurgeons. The mean Gini coefficient for publications was 0.45 (range 0.18–0.70) and for citations was 0.53 (range 0.25–0.80). Conclusions This study represents the most exhaustive evaluation of academic productivity for pediatric neurosurgeons in North America to date. These results should serve as benchmarks for future studies.

scholarly journals Publication activity of chief and consultant general/visceral surgeons in German university hospitals—a ten-year analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva C. Böckmann ◽  
E. S. Debus ◽  
R. T. Grundmann
Keyword(s):  
Impact Factor ◽  
Publication Activity ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Cumulative Impact ◽  
University Departments ◽  
The Third ◽  
Publication Number ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Number Of Publications

Abstract Purpose The publication activity of 38 German general/visceral surgery university departments, documented by first or last authorship from staff surgeons (chief and consultants), was evaluated. Methods The observation period extended from 2007 to 2017 and all PubMed-listed publications were considered. Impact factor (IF) was evaluated through the publishing journal’s 5-year IF in 2016, as was the IF for each individual publication. Ranking was expressed in quartiles. Results The staff surgeons of the 38 departments comprised 442 surgeons, of which only 351 (79.4%) were active as first or last authors. Four thousand six hundred and ninety-nine publications published in 702 journals were recorded. The four leading departments in publication number published as much as the last 20 departments (1330 vs. 1336 publications, respectively). The mean of the first (most active) department quartile was 19.6 publications, the second 15.4, the third 11.0, and the last quartile 7.6 per publishing surgeon. The total cumulative impact factor was 14,130. When examining the mean number of publications per publishing surgeons per the 10 year period, the mean of the first quartile was 57.9 cumulative IF, the second 45.0, the third 29.5, and the fourth quartile 17.1. With 352 (7.5%) publications, the most frequently used journal was Chirurg, followed by Langenbeck’s Archives of Surgery with 274 (5.8%) publications. Pancreas-related topics led in terms of publication number and IF generated per individual publication. Conclusion A significant difference in publication performance of individual departments was apparent that cannot be explained by staff number. This indicates that there are as yet unknown factors responsible for minor publication activity in many university departments.

scholarly journals The effect of GMFCS level, age, sex, and dystonia on multi-dimensional outcomes after selective dorsal rhizotomy: prospective observational study

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 1729-1740
Author(s):  
Conor Scott Gillespie ◽  
◽  
Alan Matthew George ◽  
Benjamin Hall ◽  
Steven Toh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Function ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Pediatric Neurosurgery ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy ◽  
Dorsal Rhizotomy ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Age Category ◽  
Gmfcs Level

Abstract Purpose Investigate the effect of age category (1–9 years vs 10–18 years), sex, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level, and presence of dystonia on changes in eight function test parameters 24 months after selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR). Methods Prospective, single-center study of all children aged 3–18 years with bilateral cerebral palsy with spasticity who underwent SDR at a tertiary pediatric neurosurgery center between 2012 and 2019. A linear mixed effects model was used to assess longitudinal changes. Results From 2012 to 2019, 42 children had follow-up available at 24 months. Mean GMFM-66 scores increased after SDR (mean difference 5.1 units: 95% CI 3.05–7.13, p < 0.001). Statistically significant improvements were observed in CPQoL, PEDI Self-care and Mobility, 6MWT, Gillette, and MAS scores. There was no significant difference in the improvements seen for age category, sex, GMFCS level, and presence of dystonia for most of the parameters tested (5/8, 6/8, 5/8, and 6/8 respectively). Conclusion SDR may improve gross and fine motor function, mobility and self-care, quality of life, and overall outcome based on extensive scoring parameter testing at 24 months. Atypical patient populations may benefit from SDR if appropriately selected. Multi-center, prospective registries investigating the effect of SDR are required.

scholarly journals Radiooncological View on Therapy Outcome after Multidisciplinary Treatment of Sinonasal Tumors

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2364
Author(s):  
Olena Klymenko ◽  
Anna Maria Stefanie Buchberger ◽  
Barbara Wollenberg ◽  
Klaus-Dietrich Wolff ◽  
Victoria Kehl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Volume ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Sinonasal Carcinoma ◽  
Volume Delineation ◽  
Sequential Boost ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Integrated Boost ◽  
Primary Focus

Purpose: We report the outcome of a mono-institutional retrospective study of sinonasal carcinoma with the primary focus on GTV (gross tumor volume) and the effect of radiotherapy. Methods: 53 patients with sinonasal carcinoma and that of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinus or both except lymphoma were included. All patients were treated between 1999 and 2017. For tumor volume delineation, all pre-therapeutic images were fused to the planning CT (computed tomography). Results: The median follow-up was 17 months [0.3–60], the median age 60 years, 35 males and 18 females were included. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (60.4%) was the predominant histology, followed by adenocarcinoma (15.1%). The mean composite OS (overall survival) time was 33.3 ± 3.5 months. There was no significant difference in the 5 y composite OS between tumor localization or radiotherapy setting. The simultaneous integrated boost concept showed a trend towards improving five-year composite OS compared to the sequential boost concept. The only factor with a significant impact on the 5 y composite OS rate was the pre-therapeutic GTV (cutoff 75 cm3; p = 0.033). The GTV ≥ 100 cm3 has no effect on the 5 y composite OS rate for SCC. Conclusions: The pre-therapeutic GTV is a prognostic factor for five-year composite OS for the entire group of patients with sinonasal tumors, influencing the outcome after completion of all treatment strategies. The GTV seems to not influence five-year composite OS in SCC. For this rare tumor entity, an intensive, multidisciplinary discussion is essential to finding the best treatment option for the patient.

Comprehensiveness of Breast Radiology Fellowship Online Content

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spencer Beck ◽  
Aditya Khurana ◽  
Ana P Lourenco ◽  
Adam E M Eltorai
Keyword(s):  
Breast Imaging ◽  
Online Content ◽  
Program Coordinator ◽  
Contact Information ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fellowship Programs ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Program Characteristics ◽  
Application Requirements ◽  
Source Of Information

Abstract Objective The content of websites for fellowship programs is an important source of information for residents applying to breast imaging fellowship programs (BIFPs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the comprehensiveness of online content of BIFPs. Methods A list of BIFPs was obtained from the Society of Breast Imaging website. Each program’s website was evaluated for the presence of 19 training-relevant content variables. Impact of program characteristics on comprehensiveness scores was determined. For statistical analysis, Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to assess differences in comprehensiveness scores based upon region, and two-tailed t-tests were used to compare based upon program size. Results A total of 79 BIFP websites were analyzed. The mean comprehensiveness score of BIFP websites based on meeting the 19 criteria was 44.1% (8.4 ± 2.7/19). Program coordinator contact information (72/79, 91.1%), application requirements (71/79, 89.9%), and faculty information (56/79, 70.9%) appeared on &gt;70% of websites. The majority of fellowships had a dedicated webpage for their program (71/79, 89.9%). Information regarding 12 of the 19 criteria appeared on fewer than 50% of websites. Program region (P = 0.32) and size (P = 0.16) were not associated with any differences in mean comprehensiveness score. Additionally, there was no significant difference in scores associated with filling all available positions for the 2020 match cycle (P = 0.77). Conclusion There is a paucity of information commonly sought out by applicants on the websites of most BIFPs. Both programs and applicants may mutually benefit from increasing comprehensive online content.

Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on the Lipid Profile of Patients with Sjögren Syndrome

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 902-908 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michail P. Migkos ◽  
Theodora E. Markatseli ◽  
Chrisoula Iliou ◽  
Paraskevi V. Voulgari ◽  
Alexandros A. Drosos
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Profile ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Sjögren Syndrome ◽  
Lipoprotein Cholesterol ◽  
Atherogenic Index ◽  
Entire Group ◽  
Sjogren Syndrome ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Changes Over Time

Objective.Many studies have highlighted the hypolipidemic action of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). We investigated the effect of HCQ on the lipid profile of patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS).Methods.The present retrospective observational study included 71 female patients with SS treated with HCQ. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic index (TC/HDL) were measured at baseline, after 6 months, and 1, 3, and 5 years after initiation of HCQ treatment. Analysis to investigate changes over time was performed in the entire patient group and in the separate subgroups: those receiving (21 patients) and those not receiving (50 patients) hypolipidemic treatment.Results.For the entire group of patients a statistically significant decrease in TC was noted (levels before treatment 220 ± 41 mg/dl, and at 5 yrs 206 ± 32 mg/dl, p = 0.006). A statistically significant difference was observed in the levels of HDL (57 ± 14 mg/dl vs 67 ± 17 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). Patients not receiving a hypolipidemic agent during the same period demonstrated a decrease in TC (214 ± 40 mg/dl vs 208 ± 34 mg/dl, p = 0.049), an increase in HDL levels (55 ± 15 mg/dl vs 67 ± 18 mg/dl, p < 0.001), and a decrease in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients receiving hypolipidemic treatment, the respective changes in their lipid profile were not significant in the first years but became significant in the long term.Conclusion.Use of HCQ in patients with SS was related to a statistically significant decrease in TC, an increase in HDL, and improvement in the atherogenic index.

scholarly journals The academic productivity and impact of the University of Toronto Neurosurgery Program as assessed by manuscripts published and their number of citations

2015 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Lozano ◽  
Joseph Tam ◽  
Abhaya V. Kulkarni ◽  
Andres M. Lozano
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Gini Coefficients ◽  
Academic Activity ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
The University ◽  
Number Of Citations ◽  
The Impact

OBJECT Recent works have assessed academic output across neurosurgical programs using various analyses of accumulated citations as a proxy for academic activity and productivity. These assessments have emphasized North American neurosurgical training centers and have largely excluded centers outside the United States. Because of the long tradition and level of academic activity in neurosurgery at the University of Toronto, the authors sought to compare that program's publication and citation metrics with those of established programs in the US as documented in the literature. So as to not rely on historical achievements that may be of less relevance, they focused on recent works, that is, those published in the most recent complete 5-year period. METHODS The authors sought to make their data comparable to existing published data from other programs. To this end, they compiled a list of published papers by neurosurgical faculty at the University of Toronto for the period from 2009 through 2013 using the Scopus database. Individual author names were disambiguated; the total numbers of papers and citations were compiled on a yearly basis. They computed a number of indices, including the ih(5)-index (i.e., the number of citations the papers received over a 5-year period), the summed h-index of the current faculty over time, and a number of secondary measures, including the ig(5), ie(5), and i10(5)-indices. They also determined the impact of individual authors in driving the results using Gini coefficients. To address the issue of author ambiguity, which can be problematic in multicenter bibliometric analyses, they have provided a source dataset used to determine the ih(5) index for the Toronto program. RESULTS The University of Toronto Neurosurgery Program had approximately 29 full-time surgically active faculty per year (not including nonneurosurgical faculty) in the 5-year period from 2009 to 2013. These faculty published a total of 1217 papers in these 5 years. The total number of citations from these papers was 13,434. The ih(5)-index at the University of Toronto was 50. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of comparison with published bibliometric data of US programs, the University of Toronto ranks first in terms of number of publications, number of citations, and ih(5)-index among neurosurgical programs in North America and most likely in the world.

Impact of international research fellows in neurosurgery: results from a single academic center

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Wuyang Yang ◽  
Jordina Rincon-Torroella ◽  
James Feghali ◽  
Adham M. Khalafallah ◽  
Wataru Ishida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Research ◽  
Scientific Productivity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Doctor Of Philosophy ◽  
Number Of Publications ◽  
Number Of Citations

OBJECTIVE International research fellows have been historically involved in academic neurosurgery in the United States (US). To date, the contribution of international research fellows has been underreported. Herein, the authors aimed to quantify the academic output of international research fellows in the Department of Neurosurgery at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. METHODS Research fellows with Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or MD/PhD degrees from a non-US institution who worked in the Hopkins Department of Neurosurgery for at least 6 months over the past decade (2010–2020) were included in this study. Publications produced during fellowship, number of citations, and journal impact factors (IFs) were analyzed using ANOVA. A survey was sent to collect information on personal background, demographics, and academic activities. RESULTS Sixty-four international research fellows were included, with 42 (65.6%) having MD degrees, 17 (26.6%) having PhD degrees, and 5 (7.8%) having MD/PhD degrees. During an average 27.9 months of fellowship, 460 publications were produced in 136 unique journals, with 8628 citations and a cumulative journal IF of 1665.73. There was no significant difference in total number of publications, first-author publications, and total citations per person among the different degree holders. Persons holding MD/PhDs had a higher number of citations per publication per person (p = 0.027), whereas those with MDs had higher total IFs per person (p = 0.048). Among the 43 (67.2%) survey responders, 34 (79.1%) had nonimmigrant visas at the start of the fellowship, 16 (37.2%) were self-paid or funded by their country of origin, and 35 (81.4%) had mentored at least one US medical student, nonmedical graduate student, or undergraduate student. CONCLUSIONS International research fellows at the authors’ institution have contributed significantly to academic neurosurgery. Although they have faced major challenges like maintaining nonimmigrant visas, negotiating cultural/language differences, and managing self-sustainability, their scientific productivity has been substantial. Additionally, the majority of fellows have provided reciprocal mentorship to US students.

scholarly journals Comparison of a Population of Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, Plethodon cinereus, under Native Dominant Wood Coverboards and Natural Cover Objects

2009 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-David Moore
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Age Structure ◽  
Sugar Maple ◽  
Good Method ◽  
Plethodon Cinereus ◽  
Eastern North America ◽  
Native Forest ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Population Demographics ◽  
Significant Difference

Artificial cover objects or coverboards have been widely used to study Eastern Red-backed Salamanders (Plethodon cinereus), a species that is very abundant in eastern North America and known to be one of the most common vertebrates within its geographical range. However, recent studies have suggested that potential bias may be associated with the use of coverboards compared with natural cover objects. In this study, age structure and body size (weight and snout-vent length, SVL) of P. cinereus found under coverboards and natural cover objects at Lake Clair (Quebec, Canada) were compared. Coverboards were made of Sugar Maple (Acer sacchrum), a native forest species dominant in the study area. In 2004 and 2005, a total of 162 P. cinereus were found under coverboards, and 156 P. cinereus were found under natural cover objects. No significant difference in the age structure, mean weight, or SVL of P. cinereus was observed between the two sets. This study suggests that the type of coverboard used at Lake Clair is a good method to obtain an accurate index of P. cinereus population demographics, and is similar to that expected under natural cover objects. This technique should help to establish a standard protocol that could better allow direct comparisons among studies in the future. However, more studies are needed to explain the high proportion of adult specimens found under both cover types at Lake Clair relative to studies in other regions in North America.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Survey of the North American Skull Base Society Part 3: The State of Lateral Skull Base Surgery Training in North America

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (04) ◽  
pp. 399-415
Author(s):  
Neil S. Patel ◽  
Jamie J. Van Gompel ◽  
Nicole M. Tombers ◽  
Michael J. Link ◽  
Matthew L. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
North America ◽  
Skull Base ◽  
North American ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Case Volume ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Training Requirements ◽  
The North ◽  
Fellowship Programs

Introduction Optimal management of vestibular schwannoma (VS) demands involvement of an experienced multidisciplinary team. As the number of training programs in neurotology and skull base neurosurgery continues to rise, ensuring that trainees are capable of evidence-based decision-making and treatment, whether microsurgical or radiosurgical, is of paramount importance. The purpose of this study is to characterize the landscape of neurotologic and neurosurgical fellowship training programs in North America, with special reference to VS management. Methods A 64-item web-based survey assessing VS practice trends was devised by members of the North American Skull Base Society (NASBS) Research Task Force and distributed electronically to NASBS membership via SurveyMonkey as a cross-sectional study. Participation was entirely voluntary and there was no remuneration for survey completion. The survey link was active from November 29 to December 14, 2016. Results Of 719 members of the NASBS who were emailed a survey link, a total of 57 were returned (8%) completed surveys. Of all respondents, 51 (89%) claimed to have formal training in skull base neurosurgery or neurotology. Thirty-three respondents (65%) were skull base neurosurgeons while the remainder were neurotologists (n = 18; 35%). Institutions with fellowship programs tended to have a higher surgical, radiosurgical, and overall case volume than those with a residency program alone. However, 20% of respondents at institutions with fellowship programs reported evaluating less than 50 new diagnoses of VS per year and 12% reported a surgical case volume of less than 10 cases per year. Conclusion As the number of skull base training programs expands, it is our duty to ensure that trainees gain sufficient experience to enter independent practice with the ability to exercise informed decision-making and safely perform VS surgery and radiosurgery. In the current training climate, implementing multidisciplinary care models, formalized training requirements, and emerging surgical simulators will support the development of minimum proficiencies in VS care.

Evaluation of extent and amount of heterogeneous variance for milk yield in Uruguayan Holsteins

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 259-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. I. Urioste ◽  
D. Gianola ◽  
R. Rekaya ◽  
W. F. Fikse ◽  
K. A. Weigel
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Phenotypic Variance ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Lorenz Curves ◽  
Gini Coefficients ◽  
Adjustment Procedure ◽  
Contemporary Group ◽  
Lactation Length ◽  
Log Linear

AbstractThe extent and amount of heterogeneous phenotypic variance for milk yield in the Uruguayan Holstein population were evaluated and a simple method of accounting for heterogeneity was developed. Lactation records (159 169) collected between 1989 and 1998 by two recording schemes were used to form 8955 herd-year-season-parity-lactation length contemporary groups. A log-linear model was used to identify factors affecting heterogeneity of phenotypic variance. The model included effects of production level, contemporary group size, recording scheme, herd, season of calving, parity number, calving year period and length of lactation and accounted for 50% of the variation in log variances. Estimates from this model were used in a Bayesian manner, to obtain posterior mean estimates of within-contemporary-group variances, which were then used to standardize records to a baseline variance. Effects of the adjustment were assessed by comparing coefficients of variation before and after correction, by correlation and regression between mean and standard deviations, and by using Gini coefficients and Lorenz curves. The adjustment procedure reduced heteroscedasticity primarily by decreasing the frequency of low-variance contemporary groups. Lorenz curves and Gini coefficients indicated that the largest impact of the standardization procedure was related to the size of the contemporary group. Some differences in the effect of the correction were found between recording schemes. The method for adjusting records is simple and easy to adapt to current genetic evaluation procedures.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document