scholarly journals The Metabolomics Society—Current State of the Membership and Future Directions

Metabolites ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Krista A. Zanetti ◽  
Robert D. Hall ◽  
Julian L. Griffin ◽  
Sastia Putri ◽  
Reza M. Salek ◽  
...  

Background: In 2017, the Metabolomics Society conducted a survey among its members to assess the degree of its current success, define opportunities for improving its service to the community and make plans to establish future goals and direction of the Society. Methods: A 32-question online survey was sent via e-mail to all Metabolomics Society members as of 19 June 2017 (n = 644). In addition to the direct e-mails, the link to access the survey was made available through social media. The survey was open until 10 August 2017. Question-specific data were reported using the summary data generated by SurveyMonkey and additional stratified analyses performed using Stata 15. Results: The number of respondents was 394 (61%) with 348 (88%) completing the multiple-choice questions in survey. Metabolomics Society annual meetings, networking and the opportunity to join the global metabolomics community were among the most important benefits expressed by the Metabolomics Society members. Conclusions: The survey collected the first data focusing on membership issues from Society members. The Society should focus on collecting and monitoring of demographic data during the membership registration process; continuing to support the early-career members of the Society; and developing initiatives that focus on member networking to retain and increase Society membership.

2021 ◽  
pp. 1270-1275
Author(s):  
Renata D. Peixoto ◽  
Anelisa K. Coutinho ◽  
Rui Fernando Weschenfelder ◽  
Gabriel Prolla ◽  
Duilio Rocha ◽  
...  

PURPOSE The utility of administering fluorouracil (5-FU) in bolus in regimens of infusional 5-FU has been questioned. We aimed to quantify the use of 5-FU bolus in infusional regimens for gastrointestinal malignancies among Brazilian oncologists. METHODS This was a cross-sectional electronic survey composed of eight multiple-choice questions sent to Brazilian oncologists during 14 days in February 2021. The survey instrument collected demographic data of participants and assessed practices in terms of 5-FU bolus use. We evaluated the association of demographic variables and 5-FU prescribing patterns with Fisher’s exact test (odds ratio [OR]). RESULTS The survey was completed by 332 medical oncologists. Overall, 37% were experienced oncologists and 32% were gastrointestinal specialists. In the first-line metastatic and in the adjuvant settings, 40% and 67% of oncologists always prescribe 5-FU bolus in infusional regimens, respectively. Experienced oncologists more frequently omit 5-FU bolus when compared with early-career oncologists, both in the metastatic (41% v 26%; OR, 1.98; P = .005) and adjuvant settings (28% v 14%; OR, 2.32; P = .003). In addition, more GI specialists remove 5-FU bolus when compared with generalists, but only in the metastatic setting (44% v 25%; OR, 2.33; P = .001). GI specialists are more likely to consider that treatment efficacy is not affected by 5-FU bolus withdrawal than are generalists (89% v 75%; OR, 2.65; P = .003). Most respondents (67%) keep leucovorin at the same doses when omitting 5-FU bolus, and only 16% always recommend dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase testing. CONCLUSION Our survey indicates that experience in oncology practice and percentage of time dedicated to treat GI cancers influence the prescription of 5-FU bolus in Brazil, with more frequent omission of it among experienced gastrointestinal specialists, particularly in the metastatic setting.


1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1126-1142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Gilger

This paper is an introduction to behavioral genetics for researchers and practioners in language development and disorders. The specific aims are to illustrate some essential concepts and to show how behavioral genetic research can be applied to the language sciences. Past genetic research on language-related traits has tended to focus on simple etiology (i.e., the heritability or familiality of language skills). The current state of the art, however, suggests that great promise lies in addressing more complex questions through behavioral genetic paradigms. In terms of future goals it is suggested that: (a) more behavioral genetic work of all types should be done—including replications and expansions of preliminary studies already in print; (b) work should focus on fine-grained, theory-based phenotypes with research designs that can address complex questions in language development; and (c) work in this area should utilize a variety of samples and methods (e.g., twin and family samples, heritability and segregation analyses, linkage and association tests, etc.).


Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 575
Author(s):  
Graziella Orrù ◽  
Davide Bertelloni ◽  
Francesca Diolaiuti ◽  
Federico Mucci ◽  
Mariagrazia Di Giuseppe ◽  
...  

Background: Emerging aspects of the Covid-19 clinical presentation are its long-term effects, which are characteristic of the so-called “long COVID”. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of physical, psychological, and sleep disturbances and the quality of life in the general population during the ongoing pandemic. Methods: This study, based on an online survey, collected demographic data, information related to COVID-19, sleep disturbances, and quality of life data from 507 individuals. The level of sleep disturbances and quality of life was assessed through the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), respectively. Results: In total, 507 individuals (M = 91 and F = 416 women) completed the online survey. The main symptoms associated with “long COVID” were headache, fatigue, muscle aches/myalgia, articular pains, cognitive impairment, loss of concentration, and loss of smell. Additionally, the subjects showed significant levels of insomnia (p < 0.05) and an overall reduced quality of life (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the study appear in line with recent publications, but uncertainty regarding the definition and specific features of “long COVID” remains. Further studies are needed in order to better define the clinical presentation of the “long COVID” condition and related targeted treatments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cylie M. Williams ◽  
Anna Couch ◽  
Terry Haines ◽  
Hylton B. Menz

Abstract Background On the 19th of January, 2020, the Chief Medical Officer of Australia issued a statement about a novel coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2. Since this date, there have been variable jurisdictional responses, including lockdowns, and restrictions on podiatry practice. This study aimed to describe impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the podiatry profession in Australia. Methods This was a cross sectional study of Australian podiatrists using demographic data collected between 2017 and 2020, and pandemic-related question responses collected between 30th March and 31st August, 2020. Data were collected online and participants described their work settings, patient funding types, business decisions and impacts, and information sources used to guide practice decisions during this time-period. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse open-ended questions about their practice impact of SARS-CoV-2. Results There were 732 survey responses, with 465 Australian podiatrists or podiatric surgeons providing responses describing pandemic impact. From these responses, 223 (49% of 453) podiatrists reported no supply issues, or having adequate supplies for the foreseeable future with personal protective equipment (PPE) or consumables to support effective infection prevention and control. The most frequent responses about employment, or hours of work, impact were reported in the various categories of “business as usual” (n = 312, 67%). Participants described most frequently using the local state and territory Department of Health websites (n = 347, 75%), and the Australian Podiatry Association (n = 334, 72%) to make decisions about their business. Overarching themes which resounded through open-ended comments was that working through the pandemic was likened to a marathon, and not a sprint. Themes were: (i) commitment to do this, (ii) it’s all in the plan, but not everything goes to plan, (iii) my support team must be part of getting through it, (iv) road blocks happen, and (v) nothing is easy, what’s next? Conclusion Podiatrists in Australia reported variable pandemic impact on their business decisions, PPE stores, and their valued sources of information. Podiatrists also described their “marathon” journey through the pandemic to date, with quotes describing their challenges and highlights. Describing these experiences should provide key learnings for future workforce challenges, should further restrictions come into place.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000987
Author(s):  
Nicola J Roberts ◽  
Carol A Kelly ◽  
Kate A Lippiett ◽  
Emma Ray ◽  
Lindsay Welch

BackgroundNurses have been at the forefront of the pandemic response, involved in extensive coordination of services, screening, vaccination and front-line work in respiratory, emergency and intensive care environments. The nature of this work is often intense and stress-provoking with an inevitable psychological impact on nurses and all healthcare workers. This study focused on nurses working in respiratory areas with the aim of identifying and characterising the self-reported issues that exacerbated or alleviated their concerns during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsAn online survey was developed consisting of 90 questions using a mixture of open-ended and closed questions. Participant demographic data were also collected (age, gender, ethnicity, number of years qualified, details of long-term health conditions, geographical location, nursing background/role and home life). The online survey was disseminated via social media and professional respiratory societies (British Thoracic Society, Primary Care Respiratory Society, Association of Respiratory Nurse Specialists) over a 3-week period in May 2020 and the survey closed on 1 June 2020.ResultsThe study highlights the experiences of nurses caring for respiratory patients during the first wave of the pandemic in early 2020. Concerns were expressed over the working environment, the supply and availability of adequate protective personal equipment, the quality of care individuals were able to deliver, and the impact on mental health to nurses and their families. A high number provided free-text comments around their worries and concerns about the impact on their household; these included bringing the virus home, the effect on family members worrying about them, mental health and the impact of changing working patterns, and managing with children. Although both formal and informal support were available, there were inconsistencies in provision, highlighting the importance of nursing leadership and management in ensuring equity of access to services.ConclusionsSupport for staff is essential both throughout the pandemic and afterwards, and it is important that preparation of individuals regarding building resilience is recognised. It is also clear that psychological support and services for nurses and the wider healthcare team need to be available and quickly convened in the event of similar major incidents, either global or local.


Author(s):  
Sebastiaan A. Pronk ◽  
Simone L. Gorter ◽  
Scheltus J. van Luijk ◽  
Pieter C. Barnhoorn ◽  
Beer Binkhorst ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Behaviour is visible in real-life events, but also on social media. While some national medical organizations have published social media guidelines, the number of studies on professional social media use in medical education is limited. This study aims to explore social media use among medical students, residents and medical specialists. Methods An anonymous, online survey was sent to 3844 medical students at two Dutch medical schools, 828 residents and 426 medical specialists. Quantitative, descriptive data analysis regarding demographic data, yes/no questions and Likert scale questions were performed using SPSS. Qualitative data analysis was performed iteratively, independently by two researchers applying the principles of constant comparison, open and axial coding until consensus was reached. Results Overall response rate was 24.8%. Facebook was most popular among medical students and residents; LinkedIn was most popular among medical specialists. Personal pictures and/or information about themselves on social media that were perceived as unprofessional were reported by 31.3% of students, 19.7% of residents and 4.1% of medical specialists. Information and pictures related to alcohol abuse, partying, clinical work or of a sexually suggestive character were considered inappropriate. Addressing colleagues about their unprofessional posts was perceived to be mainly dependent on the nature and hierarchy of the interprofessional relation. Discussion There is a widespread perception that the presence of unprofessional information on social media among the participants and their colleagues is a common occurrence. Medical educators should create awareness of the risks of unprofessional (online) behaviour among healthcare professionals, as well as the necessity and ways of addressing colleagues in case of such lapses.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Useche ◽  
Luis Montoro ◽  
Francisco Alonso ◽  
Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios

The increasing number of registered road crashes involving cyclists during the last decade and the high proportion of road crashes resulting in severe injuries and fatalities among cyclists constitutes a global issue for community health, urban development and sustainability. Nowadays, the incidence of many risk factors for road crashes of cyclists remains largely unexplained. Given the importance of this issue, the present study has been conducted with the aim of determining relationships between infrastructural, human factors and safety outcomes of cyclists. Objectives: This study aimed, first, to examine the relationship between key infrastructural and human factors present in cycling, bicycle-user characteristics and their self-reported experience with road crashes. And second, to determine whether a set of key infrastructural and human factors may predict their self-reported road crashes. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, a total of 1064 cyclists (38.8% women, 61.2% men; M = 32.8 years of age) from 20 different countries across Europe, South America and North America, participated in an online survey composed of four sections: demographic data and cycling-related factors, human factors, perceptions on infrastructural factors and road crashes suffered. Results: The results of this study showed significant associations between human factors, infrastructural conditions and self-reported road crashes. Also, a logistic regression model found that self-reported road crashes of cyclists could be predicted through variables such as age, riding intensity, risky behaviours and problematic user/infrastructure interactions. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that self-reported road crashes of cyclists are influenced by features related to the user and their interaction with infrastructural characteristics of the road.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristy Buccieri ◽  
Abram Oudshoorn ◽  
Tyler Frederick ◽  
Rebecca Schiff ◽  
Alex Abramovich ◽  
...  

Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better understand the scope of the issue, and how these patients are discharged from hospital, a national survey of key stakeholders was conducted in 2017. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness distributed an online survey to their network of members through e-mail and social media. A sample of 660 stakeholders completed the mixed-methods survey, including those in health care, non-profit, government, law enforcement and academia. Findings Results indicate that hospitals and homelessness sector agencies often struggle to coordinate care. The result is that these patients are usually discharged to the streets or shelters and not into housing or housing with supports. The health care and homelessness sectors in Canada are currently structured in a way that hinders collaborative transfers of patient care. The three primary and inter-related gaps raised by survey participants were: communication, privacy and systems pressures. Research limitations/implications The findings are limited to those who voluntarily completed the survey and may indicate self-selection bias. Results are limited to professional stakeholders and do not reflect patient views. Practical implications Identifying systems gaps from the perspective of those who work within health care and homelessness sectors is important for supporting system reforms. Originality/value This survey was the first to collect nationwide stakeholder data on homelessness and hospital discharge in Canada. The findings help inform policy recommendations for more effective systems alignment within Canada and internationally.


Author(s):  
Abdulrahman Y. Al-Haifi ◽  
Abdul Salam Mohamed Al Makdad ◽  
Mohammed Kassim Salah ◽  
Hassan A. Al-Shamahy ◽  
Wadee Abdullah Abdulwahid Al Shehari

Objectives:  Lower respiratory infections (LRTIs) are the leading reason of death infectious diseases in the world and the fifth leading cause of death in general. The study aimed to identify the general characteristics of LRTI, the causative bacteria and the results of sensitivity to antibiotics. Subjects and methods:  A multicentre prospective study was performed at 3 University hospitals. The study included 555 clinical diagnostic cases as LRTI cases, 328 male and 227 female, aged 3 to 69 years. Clinical and demographic data were collected in the standard questionnaire, and samples included sputum or bronchial lavage (BAL) staining and culture. Samples were cultured in 3 different bacterial media, blood agar and LJ slope, chocolate agar with Co2; cultures were then examined for possible bacterial pathogens of LRTI. Possible bacterial pathogens were isolated and identified by standard laboratory techniques, and microbial sensitivity testing was carried out by disc diffusion method. Results:  LRTI was recorded among all age groups and with less frequency in children less than 16 years of age. A large number of LRTI (36.2%) was not diagnosed, most in CAP (52.4%), followed by HAP (33.9%) while unidentified cases were lower in AECOPD (22.8%). CAP isolates are K. pneumoniae (26.2%), S. pyogens (12.3%), and S. pneumoniae (9%); in HAP are MSSA (24%), E. Coli (12.9%), MRAS (11.1%), K. pneumoniae (10.5%) and P. aeruginosa (7%); and in AECOPD are M. catarrhalis (47.2%), K. pneumoniae (17.2%), H. influnzae (10.7%) and P. aeruginosa (2%). In Gram-positive bacteria, high resistance to ampicillin/sulbactam (100%) and amoxicillin/clavulanate (100%) was recorded, while moderate resistance to amikacin, vancomycin, cefepime and moxifloxacin was recorded. In Gram-negative bacteria, a high resistance to 3rd g Cephalosporin’s  (68.5%) was recorded, while a moderate sensitivity to the other antibiotics tested was recorded. Conclusion:  There is a high rate of undiagnosed LRTI in Yemen and this highlights the need for health authorities to develop strategies to diagnose most of the causes of LRTI, including Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, and viral causes. No antibiotics are completely effective in treating LRTI in our area and antibiotic sensitivity should be performed in all cases. Peer Review History: Received 22 April 2019; Revised 4 May; Accepted 9 May, Available online 15 May 2020 UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Name: Dr. Michael Otakhor Erhunmwunse Affiliation: St. Philomena Catholic Hospital, Nigeria E-mail: [email protected]   Name: Dr. Amany Mohamed Alboghdadly Affiliation: Princess Nourah bint abdulrahman university, Riyadh E-mail: [email protected] Comments of reviewer(s): Similar Articles: BIOFILM FORMATION AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY OF UROPATHOGENS IN PATIENTS WITH CATHETER ASSOCIATED URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS IN IBB CITY -YEMEN PREVALENCE, ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN AND RISK FACTORS OF MRSA ISOLATED FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS AMONG MILITARY PATIENTS AT 48 MEDICAL COMPOUND IN SANA'A CITY-YEMEN


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