scholarly journals Graphical representation of the body of the evidence: the essentials for understanding the evidence gap map approach

Medwave ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (03) ◽  
pp. e8164-e8164
Author(s):  
Bastián Schuller-Martínez ◽  
Nicolás Meza ◽  
Javier Pérez-Bracchiglione ◽  
Juan Víctor Ariel Franco ◽  
Cristóbal Loezar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Graphical Representation ◽  
Clinical Epidemiology ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
The Body ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Outcome Framework ◽  
Objective Evidence

The significant increase in scientific evidence production has led to the creation of methods to facilitate evidence review and synthesis. This has turned, this has resulted in the emergence of different designs depending on the review’s objective. Evidence gap maps constitute a novel approach for literature review. They are thematic collections of a broad field of evidence, using a systematic search strategy that identifies gaps in knowledge and engages, early on, the target audience to design a friendly graphic product. Evidence maps are a tool to be considered in the roster of options available for research funders in that they are particularly useful for evidence-based decision-making and evidence-based policy development. The most commonly used formats to display the findings of evidence gap search designs are the bubble plot and the intervention-outcome framework. This article corresponds to the sixth of a series of narrative reviews on general topics of biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. The purpose of this review is to describe the principal features of evidence gap maps, highlighting their main objectives and utility, exploring the most commonly used mapping formats, and comparing this approach with other evidence synthesis designs.

scholarly journals Evidence-based Nomenclature and Taxonomy of Research Impact Indicators

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mudassar Arsalan ◽  
Omar Mubin ◽  
Abdullah Al Mahmud
Keyword(s):  
Policy Development ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
Development Economic ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Research Impact Assessment ◽  
Impact Indicators ◽  
Environment Sustainability ◽  
The Impact

AbstractPurposeThis study aims to classify research impact indicators based on their characteristics and scope. A concept of evidence-based nomenclature of research impact (RI) indicator has been introduced for generalization and transformation of scope.Design/methodology/approchLiterature was collected related to the research impact assessment. It was categorized in conceptual and applied case studies. One hundred and nineteen indicators were selected to prepare classification and nomenclature. The nomenclature was developed based on the principle—“every indicator is a contextual-function to explain the impact”. Every indicator was disintegrated into three parts, i.e. Function, Domain, and Target Areas.FindingsThe main functions of research impact indicators express improvement (63%), recognition (23%), and creation/development (14%). The focus of research impact indicators in literature is more towards the academic domain (59%) whereas the environment/sustainability domain is least considered (4%). As a result, research impact related to the research aspects is felt the most (29%). Other target areas include system and services, methods and procedures, networking, planning, policy development, economic aspects and commercialisation, etc.Research limitationsThis research applied to 119 research impact indicators. However, the inclusion of additional indicators may change the result.Practical implicationsThe plausible effect of nomenclature is a better organization of indicators with appropriate tags of functions, domains, and target areas. This approach also provides a framework of indicator generalization and transformation. Therefore, similar indicators can be applied in other fields and target areas with modifications.Originality/valueThe development of nomenclature for research impact indicators is a novel approach in scientometrics. It is developed on the same line as presented in other scientific disciplines, where fundamental objects need to classify on common standards such as biology and chemistry.

scholarly journals Body-Cooling Paradigm in Sport: Maximizing Safety and Performance During Competition

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 382-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
William M. Adams ◽  
Yuri Hosokawa ◽  
Douglas J. Casa
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Performance ◽  
Literature Search ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
The Body ◽  
Sport Competition ◽  
Improve Exercise Performance ◽  
Body Cooling ◽  
And Performance

Context:Although body cooling has both performance and safety benefits, knowledge on optimizing cooling during specific sport competition is limited.Objectives:To identify when, during sport competition, it is optimal for body cooling and to identify optimal body-cooling modalities to enhance safety and maximize sport performance.Evidence Acquisition:A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify articles with specific context regarding body cooling, sport performance, and cooling modalities used during sport competition. A search of scientific peer-reviewed literature examining the effects of body cooling on exercise performance was done to examine the influence of body cooling on exercise performance. Subsequently, a literature search was done to identify effective cooling modalities that have been shown to improve exercise performance.Evidence Synthesis:The cooling modalities that are most effective in cooling the body during sport competition depend on the sport, timing of cooling, and feasibility based on the constraints of the sports rules and regulations. Factoring in the length of breaks (halftime substitutions, etc), the equipment worn during competition, and the cooling modalities that offer the greatest potential to cool must be considered in each individual sport.Conclusions:Scientific evidence supports using body cooling as a method of improving performance during sport competition. Developing a strategy to use cooling modalities that are scientifically evidence-based to improve performance while maximizing athlete’s safety warrants further investigation.

scholarly journals Introduction to network meta-analysis for evidence synthesis

Medwave ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (06) ◽  
pp. e8315-e8315
Author(s):  
Catalina Gracia González-Xuriguera ◽  
Laura Vergara-Merino ◽  
Luis Garegnani ◽  
Luis Ortiz-Muñoz ◽  
Nicolás Meza
Keyword(s):  
Graphical Representation ◽  
Clinical Epidemiology ◽  
Evidence Synthesis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Distinctive Features ◽  
Assessment Development ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Multiple Treatments ◽  
Therapeutic Alternatives ◽  
Grade Approach

This article belongs to a collaborative methodological series of narrative reviews about biostatistics and clinical epidemiology. The goal is to present basics concepts concerning the systematics reviews of multiple treatments comparisons with network meta-analysis. For clinical ques-tions with several therapeutic alternatives to be compared, the central question is how to classify or rank their effectiveness (benefit and harm) to choose the best option. The network meta-analysis aims to answer questions related to the effectiveness and safety of comparing multiple treatments by the simultaneous analysis of results raised from direct and indirect comparisons. The network geometry is the general graphical representation of the network meta-analysis and allows to understand and assess the strength of comparisons. The network meta-analysis should check several assumptions to be valid, especially the transitivity assumption, which allows assuming that there are no systematic differences among the included comparisons, except their compared interventions. Thus, it is possible to know the relative therapeutic effectiveness of each pair of interventions included in the network meta-analysis and their ranking in terms of categorization. It has been proposed to use a modified Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach considering the distinctive features of network meta-analysis to assess the certainty of the evidence for each comparison and the ranking of interventions.

scholarly journals Thoracic Surgery in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Novel Approach to Reach Guideline Consensus

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2769
Author(s):  
Tomasz Dziodzio ◽  
Sebastian Knitter ◽  
Helen Hairun Wu ◽  
Paul Viktor Ritschl ◽  
Karl-Herbert Hillebrandt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thoracic Surgery ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Healthcare Systems ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Prospective Data ◽  
National Healthcare ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Key Questions

The COVID-19 pandemic challenges international and national healthcare systems. In the field of thoracic surgery, procedures may be deferred due to mandatory constraints of the access to diagnostics, staff and follow-up facilities. There is a lack of prospective data on the management of benign and malignant thoracic conditions in the pandemic. Therefore, we derived recommendations from 14 thoracic societies to address key questions on the topic of COVID-19 in the field of thoracic surgery. Respective recommendations were extracted and the degree of consensus among different organizations was calculated. A high degree of consensus was found to temporarily suspend non-critical elective procedures or procedures for benign conditions and to prioritize patients with symptomatic or advanced cancer. Prior to hospitalization, patients should be screened for respiratory symptoms indicating possible COVID-19 infection and most societies recommended to screen all patients for COVID-19 prior to admission. There was a weak consensus on the usage of serology tests and CT scans for COVID-19 diagnostics. Nearly all societies suggested to postpone elective procedures in patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and recommended constant reevaluation of these patients. Additionally, we summarized recommendations focusing on precautions in the theater and the management of chest drains. This study provides a novel approach to informed guidance for thoracic surgeons during the COVID-19 pandemic in the absence of scientific evidence-based data.

Comparative Analysis: The State of Colorado Study, Part II

2004 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
Kathryn Mueller ◽  
Douglas Van Zet ◽  
Debra J. Northrup ◽  
Edward B. Whitney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Living ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Clinical Assessments ◽  
Physician Judgment ◽  
History Of ◽  
Key Terms ◽  
Causation Analysis ◽  
Work Interference

Abstract [Continued from the January/February 2004 issue of The Guides Newsletter.] To understand discrepancies in reviewers’ ratings of impairments based on different editions of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides), users can usefully study the history of the revisions as successive editions attempted to provide a comprehensive, valid, reliable, unbiased, and evidence-based system. Some shortcomings of earlier editions have been addressed in the AMA Guides, Fifth Edition, but problems remain with each edition, largely because of the limited scientific evidence available. In the context of the history of the different editions of the AMA Guides and their development, the authors discuss and contextualize a number of key terms and principles including the following: definitions of impairment and normal; activities of daily living; maximum medical improvement; impairment percentages; conversion of regional impairments; combining impairments; pain and other subjective complaints; physician judgment; and causation analysis; finally, the authors note that impairment is not synonymous with disability or work interference. The AMA Guides, Fifth Edition, contrasts impairment evaluations and independent medical evaluations (this was not done in previous editions) and discusses impairment evaluations, rules for evaluations, and report standards. Upper extremity and lower extremity impairment evaluations are discussed in terms of clinical assessments and rating processes, analyzing important changes between editions and problematic areas (eg, complex regional pain syndrome).

An Evidence-Based Review of Antitussive Herbs Containing Essential Oils in Traditional Persian Medicine

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayda Hosseinkhani ◽  
Bijan Ziaeian ◽  
Kamran Hessami ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Zarshenas ◽  
Ali Kashkooe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Online Databases ◽  
Persian Medicine ◽  
Troublesome Symptom ◽  
Traditional Persian Medicine

Background: Cough is one of the most common medical symptoms for which medical advice is sought. Although cough is a protective reflex responsible for clearing the airways from secretions and foreign bodies, it can be a troublesome symptom that causes discomfort to patients. Due to the increasing interest in herbal remedies in the both developed and developing countries, in the current study, we aimed to overview medicinal herbs containing essential oils used as antitussive agents according to the Traditional Persian Medicine [TPM] textbooks. We summarized the relevant scientific evidence on their possible pharmacological actions. Methods: To collect the evidence for treatment of cough or “seaal” [cough in ancient books] from TPM sources, five main medicinal Persian manuscripts were studied. The antitussive herbs were listed and their scientific names were identified and authenticated in accordance with botanical reference books. ScienceDirect and PubMed online databases were searched for related mechanisms of action of the reported medicinal plants. Results: The number of 49 herbs containing essential oils were recommended in TPM for the treatment of cough; 21 of them had at least one known mechanism of action for cough suppression in the scientific literature. According to this review, most of the cited medicinal plants were assessed for either nitric oxide inhibitory or antitussive/expectorant activities. Conclusion: In addition to advantageous effects of antitussive herbs noted by TPM, the present review highlighted some recent evidence-based data on these promising candidates that could be used as an outline for future research on their medicinal use.

scholarly journals Subcellular Localization and Vesicular Structures of Anthocyanin Pigmentation by Fluorescence Imaging of Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Stigma Protoplast

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 685
Author(s):  
Enerand Mackon ◽  
Yafei Ma ◽  
Guibeline Charlie Jeazet Dongho Epse Mackon ◽  
Qiufeng Li ◽  
Qiong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oryza Sativa ◽  
Subcellular Localization ◽  
Oryza Sativa L ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Brown Rice ◽  
The Body ◽  
Central Vacuole ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Black Rice

Anthocyanins belong to the group of flavonoid compounds broadly distributed in plant species responsible for attractive colors. In black rice (Oryza sativa L.), they are present in the stems, leaves, stigmas, and caryopsis. However, there is still no scientific evidence supporting the existence of compartmentalization and trafficking of anthocyanin inside the cells. In the current study, we took advantage of autofluorescence with anthocyanin’s unique excitation/emission properties to elucidate the subcellular localization of anthocyanin and report on the in planta characterization of anthocyanin prevacuolar vesicles (APV) and anthocyanic vacuolar inclusion (AVI) structure. Protoplasts were isolated from the stigma of black and brown rice and imaging using a confocal microscope. Our result showed the fluorescence displaying magenta color in purple stigma and no fluorescence in white stigma when excitation was provided by a helium–neon 552 nm and emission long pass 610–670 nm laser. The fluorescence was distributed throughout the cell, mainly in the central vacuole. Fluorescent images revealed two pools of anthocyanin inside the cells. The diffuse pools were largely found inside the vacuole lumen, while the body structures could be observed mostly inside the cytoplasm (APV) and slightly inside the vacuole (AVI) with different shapes, sizes, and color intensity. Based on their sizes, AVI could be grouped into small (Ф < 0.5 um), middle (Ф between 0.5 and 1 um), and large size (Ф > 1 um). Together, these results provided evidence about the sequestration and trafficking of anthocyanin from the cytoplasm to the central vacuole and the existence of different transport mechanisms of anthocyanin. Our results suggest that stigma cells are an excellent system for in vivo studying of anthocyanin in rice and provide a good foundation for understanding anthocyanin metabolism in plants, sequestration, and trafficking in black rice.

scholarly journals Brain drain and brain gain in Russia: Analyzing international migration of researchers by discipline using Scopus bibliometric data 1996–2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Subbotin ◽  
Samin Aref
Keyword(s):  
Brain Drain ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Donor Country ◽  
International Mobility ◽  
Science System ◽  
Migration Rates ◽  
Net Migration ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Five Disciplines ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWe study international mobility in academia, with a focus on the migration of published researchers to and from Russia. Using an exhaustive set of over 2.4 million Scopus publications, we analyze all researchers who have published with a Russian affiliation address in Scopus-indexed sources in 1996–2020. The migration of researchers is observed through the changes in their affiliation addresses, which altered their mode countries of affiliation across different years. While only 5.2% of these researchers were internationally mobile, they accounted for a substantial proportion of citations. Our estimates of net migration rates indicate that while Russia was a donor country in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it has experienced a relatively balanced circulation of researchers in more recent years. These findings suggest that the current trends in scholarly migration in Russia could be better framed as brain circulation, rather than as brain drain. Overall, researchers emigrating from Russia outnumbered and outperformed researchers immigrating to Russia. Our analysis on the subject categories of publication venues shows that in the past 25 years, Russia has, overall, suffered a net loss in most disciplines, and most notably in the five disciplines of neuroscience, decision sciences, mathematics, biochemistry, and pharmacology. We demonstrate the robustness of our main findings under random exclusion of data and changes in numeric parameters. Our substantive results shed light on new aspects of international mobility in academia, and on the impact of this mobility on a national science system, which have direct implications for policy development. Methodologically, our novel approach to handling big data can be adopted as a framework of analysis for studying scholarly migration in other countries.

scholarly journals Cataract surgery practice patterns worldwide: a survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000464
Author(s):  
Tommaso Rossi ◽  
Mario R Romano ◽  
Danilo Iannetta ◽  
Vito Romano ◽  
Luca Gualdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cataract Surgery ◽  
Practice Patterns ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
P Value ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Surgical Volume ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Type Of Institution ◽  
Surgical Setting

ObjectiveTo report the results of a global survey on cataract practice patterns related to preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative care, surgical setting and personnel allocation.Methods and analysisAn online 28 questions survey was sent to 240 ophthalmologists asking to describe prevailing trends in their institutions across 38 countries and 5 continents. Questions inquired country, institution, surgical volume and setting, anaesthesia, preoperative and intraoperative examination and postsurgical care. Statistical analysis used crosstabs lambda statistics for non-parametric nominal variables. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results209/240 (87%) ophthalmologists responded: 38% representing public hospitals, 36% private practices and 26% academic sites; overall surgical volume was between 241 700 and 410 500 cataracts per year. There was a significant correlation between type of institution and surgical volume. Complete results available in online (https://freeonlinesurveys.com/r/W6BcLLxy).ConclusionCataract surgery related patterns of perioperative care showed significant difference among respondents, regardless to type of institution, surgical volume and country. Many evidence-based procedures are unevenly practiced around the world and some widespread and expensive habits lack solid scientific evidence while consuming enormous amount of resources both monetary and human. There is a need to reach consensus and share evidence-based practice patterns.

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