Postgenomic research on leishmaniasis: a critical self-appraisal.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Kaye PM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC2817896 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Postgenomic research on leishmaniasis: a critical self-appraisal.
Kaye Paul M PM Blackwell Jenefer M JM
Trends in parasitology 20080804 9
Scientific conferences, a major feature of academic life, rarely provide the opportunity for self-appraisal of a research field. During a 2007 meeting on leishmaniasis research in the postgenomic era, approximately 60 researchers participated in group discussions that aimed to provide a critical self-appraisal of the state of the field and to highlight major roadblocks that are likely to prevent the translation of new research into tools for leishmaniasis control. These discussions demonstrated ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC152475 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundSince the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, a large number of COVID-19-related papers have been published. However, concerns about the risk of expedited science have been raised. We aimed at reviewing and categorizing COVID-19-related medical research and to critically appraise peer-reviewed original articles.MethodsThe data sources were Pubmed, Cochrane COVID-19 register study, arXiv, medRxiv and bioRxiv, from 01/11/2019 to 01/05/2020. Peer-reviewed and preprints publications related to COVID-19 were included, written in English or Chinese. No limitations were placed on study design. Reviewers screened and categorized studies according to i) publication type, ii) country of publication, and iii) topics covered. Original articles were critically appraised using validated quality assessment tools.ResultsAmong the 11,452 publications identified, 10,516 met the inclusion criteria, among which 7468 (71.0%) were peer-reviewed articles. Among these, 4190 publications (56.1%) did not include any data or analytics (comprising expert opinion pieces). Overall, the most represented topics were infectious disease (n = 2326, 22.1%), epidemiology (n = 1802, 17.1%), and global health (n = 1602, 15.2%). The top five publishing countries were China (25.8%), United States (22.3%), United Kingdom (8.8%), Italy (8.1%) and India (3.4%). The dynamic of publication showed that the exponential growth of COVID-19 peer-reviewed articles was mainly driven by publications without original data (mean 261.5 articles ± 51.1 per week) as compared with original articles (mean of 69.3 ± 22.3 articles per week). Original articles including patient data accounted for 713 (9.5%) of peer-reviewed studies. A total of 576 original articles (80.8%) showed intermediate to high risk of bias. Last, except for simulation studies that mainly used large-scale open data, the median number of patients enrolled was of 102 (IQR = 37-337).ConclusionsSince the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of research is composed by publications without original data. Peer-reviewed original articles with data showed a high risk of bias and included a limited number of patients. Together, these findings underscore the urgent need to strike a balance between the velocity and quality of research, and to cautiously consider medical information and clinical applicability in a pressing, pandemic context. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://osf.io/5zjyx/.
| S-EPMC7780085 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundMedical research is a central part of any residency training. In view of the new Saudi orthopedic committee promotion regulation that mandates each resident to participate in a research project, the challenges that stand in the way of completion of substantial research within surgical residency must be investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the practice, attitudes, perception, and limitations associated with research among residents in the Saudi orthopedic program in the central region.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between June and July 2020 using an online-based survey. The total number of study participants was 128 orthopedic residents out of the 191 residents enrolled in the central region program. Data were analyzed, and descriptive statistics in the form of frequency and percentage were determined, analytical tests were performed with P < 0.05 being statistically significant.ResultsMost residents (95 %) participated in a research project during residency. Most projects (53.10 %) were case reports followed by retrospective studies (48.40 %). The majority (79.70 %) did not attend a research methods course during residency. Experience in research differed significantly (P < 0.05) by age, residency year, and center. The mean involvement score was significantly higher among males at 3 (± 1) than among females at 2 (± 0) (P < 0.001). Only 40.60 % have access to orthopedic journals, and the same percentage (40.60 %) knew how to Critique original articles. There was a statistically significant difference in the accessibility score according to the training center. Lack of faculty support and mentorship were the main barriers to medical research at 62.50 and 39.10 %, respectively. A total of 68.80 % reported that funding was not available through their institutes.ConclusionsIn Saudi Arabia, the level of meaningful clinical research and publications by orthopedic residents is still low. The results of this study should be taken into consideration before the implementation of the new promotion criteria in the centers under the umbrella of Saudi orthopedic committee.
| S-EPMC8173921 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Parkinson's disease, the most common movement disorder, has a strong neuroinflammatory aspect. This is evident by increased pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum, and the presence of activated microglial cells, and inflammatory cytokines in the substantia nigra of post-mortem brains as well as cerebrospinal fluid of Parkinson's disease patients. The central and peripheral neuroinflammatory aspects of Parkinson's disease can be investigated in vivo via administration of the inflammagen lipopolysaccharide, a component of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. In this mini-review, we will critically evaluate different routes of lipopolysaccharide administration (including intranasal systemic and stereotasic), their relevance to clinical Parkinson's disease as well as the recent findings in lipopolysaccharide mouse models. We will also share our own experiences with systemic and intrastriatal lipopolysaccharide models in C57BL/6 mice and will discuss the usefulness of lipopolysaccharide mouse models for future research in the field.
| S-EPMC9120679 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Recently, polymerization-induced self-assembly (PISA) has become widely recognized as a robust and efficient route to produce block copolymer nanoparticles of controlled size, morphology, and surface chemistry. Several reviews of this field have been published since 2012, but a substantial number of new papers have been published in the last three years. In this Perspective, we provide a critical appraisal of the various advantages offered by this approach, while also pointing out some of its current drawbacks. Promising future research directions as well as remaining technical challenges and unresolved problems are briefly highlighted.
| S-EPMC4806311 | biostudies-other
Project description:ObjectivesThe objectives were to critically appraise the emergency medicine (EM) medical education literature published in 2016 and review the highest-quality quantitative and qualitative studies.MethodsA search of the English language literature in 2016 querying MEDLINE, Scopus, Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and PsychInfo identified 510 papers related to medical education in EM. Two reviewers independently screened all of the publications using previously established exclusion criteria. The 25 top-scoring quantitative studies based on methodology and all six qualitative studies were scored by all reviewers using selected scoring criteria that have been adapted from previous installments. The top-scoring articles were highlighted and trends in medical education research were described.ResultsSeventy-five manuscripts met inclusion criteria and were scored. Eleven quantitative and one qualitative papers were the highest scoring and are summarized in this article.ConclusionThis annual critical appraisal series highlights the best EM education research articles published in 2016.
| S-EPMC6339548 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background and Aims: The Genomics Working Group (of the Cancer Research Network (CRN) Pharmacovigilance Project) explored single-site experiences with genomic studies to understand challenges and opportunities for collecting and using biological specimens. Its specific aims were to:Methods: We distributed a survey on existing biospecimen availability to principal investigators at all CRN Pharmacovigilance sites. Information collected included the number of specimens, storage methods, and type of specimens available. Investigators were also asked to identify past and current studies at their institutions in order to collect information on successful specimen collection strategies. A literature review was conducted both to identify potential barriers to participation and to understand the feasibility of various recruitment procedures. Benefits and limitations of ?opt-out? and ?opt-in? specimen collection methods were examined. Lastly, we developed study documents, including recruitment letters and informed consent forms, for future saliva and blood specimen collection efforts.Results: Two of the CRN HMOs currently have large-scale banked blood or saliva specimens (>20,000) within existing repositories. One site has two large-scale studies (>20,000 participants each) with banked specimens able to provide DNA for future research. Whole blood or blood components are the most commonly collected specimen types, and multiple CRN sites have access to banked tumor blocks. There were 33 past or current studies that included biospecimen collection. There was a trade-off between intensive data collection requirements and recruitment yield, cost, and participation burden.Conclusions: There is great potential for collection, storage, and use of biospecimen samples for research within the CRN. For future collection efforts, ?opt-out? models allow fast sample accrual, but impact data de-identification requirements. ?Opt-in? models allow for broad data collection, but are resource and time intensive. Pathology time and support may be a barrier to future use of stored samples.
| S-EPMC3006521 | biostudies-other
Project description:Clinical practice CPGs (CPGs) have been developed to summarize evidence related to the management of osteoarthritis (OA). CPGs facilitate uptake of evidence-based knowledge by consumers, health professionals, health administrators and policy makers. The objectives of the present review were: 1) to assess the quality of the CPGs on non-pharmacological management of OA; using a standardized and validated instrument--the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool--by three pairs of trained appraisers; and 2) to summarize the recommendations based on only high-quality existing CPGs. Scientific literature databases from 2001 to 2013 were systematically searched for the state of evidence, with 17 CPGs for OA being identified. Most CPGs effectively addressed only a minority of AGREE II domains. Scope and purpose was effectively addressed in 10 CPGs on the management of OA, stakeholder involvement in 12 CPGs, rigour of development in 10 CPGs, clarity/presentation in 17 CPGs, editorial independence in 2 CPGs, and applicability in none of the OA CPGs. The overall quality of the included CPGs, according to the 7-point AGREE II scoring system, is 4.8 ± 0.41 for OA. Therapeutic exercises, patient education, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, acupuncture, orthoses and insoles, heat and cryotherapy, patellar tapping, and weight control are commonly recommended for the non-pharmacological management of OA by the high-quality CPGs. The general clinical management recommendations tended to be similar among high-quality CPGs, although interventions addressed varied. Non-pharmacological management interventions were superficially addressed in more than half of the selected CPGs. For CPGs to be standardized uniform creators should use the AGREE II criteria when developing CPGs. Innovative and effective methods of CPG implementation to users are needed to ultimately enhance the quality of life of arthritic individuals.
| S-EPMC3888378 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been developed to summarize evidence about the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and facilitate the uptake of evidence-based knowledge by consumers, health professionals, health administrators and policy makers. The objectives of this review was to assess the quality of CPGS on non-pharmacological management of RA with a standardized and validated instrument--the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool and summarize the key recommendations from these CPGs. Scientific literature databases from 2001 to 2013 were systematically searched and a total of 13 CPGs for RA was identified. Only a minority of AGREE II domains were effectively addressed by the CPGS. Scope and purpose was effectively addressed in 10 out of 13 CPGs, stakeholder involvement in 11 CPGs, rigor of development in 6 CPGs, clarity/presentation in 9 CPGs, editorial independence in 1 CPGs, and applicability in none of the CPGs. The overall quality of the included CPGs according to the 7-point AGREE II scoring system was 4.8 ± 1.04. Patient education/self-management, aerobic, dynamic and stretching exercises were the commonly recommended for the non-pharmacological management of RA by the high-quality CPGs. The general clinical management recommendations tended to be similar among high-quality CPGs. Non-pharmacological management interventions were superficially addressed in more than half of the selected CPGs. CPGs creators should use the AGREE II criteria when developing guidelines. Innovative and effective methods of CPGs implementation to users are needed to ultimately enhance the quality of life of arthritic individuals. In addition, it was difficult to establish between strongly recommended, recommended and weakly recommended, as there is no consensus between the strength of the recommendations between the appraised CPGs.
| S-EPMC4026323 | biostudies-literature
Project description:American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is a vector-transmitted infectious disease with an estimated 1.5 million new cases per year. In Brazil, ACL represents a significant public health problem, with approximately 30,000 new reported cases annually, representing an incidence of 18.5 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Corte de Pedra is in a region endemic for ACL in the state of Bahia (BA), northeastern Brazil, with 500-1,300 patients treated annually. Over the last decade, population and family-based candidate gene studies were conducted in Corte de Pedra, founded on previous knowledge from studies on mice and humans. Notwithstanding limitations related to sample size and power, these studies contribute important genetic biomarkers that identify novel pathways of disease pathogenesis and possible new therapeutic targets. The present paper is a narrative review about ACL immunogenetics in BA, highlighting in particular the interacting roles of the wound healing gene FLI1 with interleukin-6 and genes SMAD2 and SMAD3 of the transforming growth factor beta signalling pathway. This research highlights the need for well-powered genetic and functional studies on Leishmania braziliensis infection as essential to define and validate the role of host genes in determining resistance/susceptibility regarding this disease.
| S-EPMC4131779 | biostudies-literature