RESUMO
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of multifunctional organometallic compounds that include metal ions combined with assorted organic linkers. Recently, these compounds have received widespread attention in medicine, due to their exceptional qualities, including a wide surface area, high porosity, outstanding biocompatibility, non-toxicity, etc. Such characteristic qualities make MOFs superb candidates for biosensing, molecular imaging, drug delivery, and enhanced cancer therapies. This review illustrates the key attributes of MOFs and their importance in cancer research. The structural and synthetic aspects of MOFs are briefly discussed with primary emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic features, as well as their performance and significance in modern therapeutic methods and synergistic theranostic strategies including biocompatibility. This review offers cumulative scrutiny of the widespread appeal of MOFs in modern-day oncological research, which may stimulate further explorations.
Assuntos
Neoplasias , Humanos , Animais , Estruturas Metalorgânicas/química , Estruturas Metalorgânicas/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias/diagnóstico , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Técnicas Biossensoriais/instrumentação , Técnicas Biossensoriais/métodos , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Concentração de Íons de Hidrogênio , Campos Magnéticos , TemperaturaRESUMO
Volume scanning electron microscopy (VSEM) involves the serial sectioning and imaging of a sample using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), followed by segmentation and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction using computer software packages to allow visualization of 3D structures. VSEM can reveal qualitative and quantitative properties of organelles and cells within tissues at nanoscale. The ability to visualize spatial relationships of structures of interest within and across cells in 3D space in particular sets VSEM apart from conventional SEM and transmission electron microscopy. Here, we provide an overview of VSEM platforms and image processing, highlighting characteristics that will aid selection of a method to address specific research questions in dermatological research.
Assuntos
Imageamento Tridimensional/métodos , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura/métodos , Animais , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Dermatologia/instrumentação , Dermatologia/métodos , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Imageamento Tridimensional/instrumentação , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura/instrumentação , Pele/citologia , Pele/diagnóstico por imagem , Pele/patologiaRESUMO
The development of nanomaterials with therapeutic and/or diagnostic properties has been an active area of research in biomedical sciences over the past decade. Nanomaterials have been identified as significant medical tools with potential therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities that are practically impossible to accomplish using larger molecules or bulk materials. Fabrication of nanomaterials is the most effective platform to engineer therapeutic agents and delivery systems for the treatment of cancer. This is mostly due to the high selectivity of nanomaterials for cancerous cells, which is attributable to the porous morphology of tumour cells which allows nanomaterials to accumulate more in tumour cells more than in normal cells. Nanomaterials can be used as potential drug delivery systems since they exist in similar scale as proteins. The unique properties of nanomaterials have drawn a lot of interest from researchers in search of new chemotherapeutic treatment for cancer. Metal sulfide nanomaterials have emerged as the most used frameworks in the past decade, but they tend to aggregate because of their high surface energy which triggers the thermodynamically favoured interaction. Stabilizing agents such as polymer and microgels have been utilized to inhibit the particles from any aggregations. In this review, we explore the development of metal sulfide polymer/microgel nanocomposites as therapeutic agents against cancerous cells.
Assuntos
Antineoplásicos/administração & dosagem , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos/métodos , Microgéis/química , Nanoestruturas/química , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Polímeros/química , Semicondutores , Sulfetos/química , Antineoplásicos/química , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Humanos , Metais/químicaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: In an effort to mitigate COVID-19 related challenges for clinical research, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued new guidance for the conduct of 'virtual' clinical trials in late March 2020. This study documents trends in the use of connected digital products (CDPs), tools that enable remote patient monitoring and telehealth consultation, in clinical trials both before and after the onset of the pandemic. DESIGN: We applied a comprehensive text search algorithm to clinical trial registry data to identify trials that use CDPs for remote monitoring or telehealth. We compared CDP use in the months before and after the issuance of FDA guidance facilitating virtual clinical trials. SETTING: All trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with start dates from May 2019 through February 2021. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the overall percentage of CDP use in clinical trials started in the 10 months prior to the pandemic onset (May 2019-February 2020) compared with the 10 months following (May 2020-February 2021). Secondary outcome measures included CDP usage by trial type (interventional, observational), funder type (industry, non-industry) and diagnoses (COVID-19 or non-COVID-19 participants). RESULTS: CDP usage in clinical trials increased by only 1.65 percentage points, from 14.19% (n=23 473) of all trials initiated in the 10 months prior to the pandemic onset to 15.84% (n=26 009) of those started in the 10 months following (p<0.01). The increase occurred primarily in observational studies and non-industry funded trials and was driven entirely by CDP usage in trials for COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in the short-term, new options created by regulatory guidance to stimulate telehealth and remote monitoring were not widely incorporated into clinical research. In the months immediately following the pandemic onset, CDP adoption increased primarily in observational and non-industry funded studies where virtual protocols are likely medically necessary due to the participants' COVID-19 diagnosis.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , COVID-19 , Telemedicina , COVID-19/epidemiologia , Teste para COVID-19 , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Humanos , Estudos Observacionais como Assunto , Pandemias , SARS-CoV-2 , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: By 2050, almost 5 billion people globally are projected to have myopia, of whom 20% are likely to have high myopia with clinically significant risk of sight-threatening complications such as myopic macular degeneration. These are diagnoses that typically require specialist assessment or measurement with multiple unconnected pieces of equipment. Artificial intelligence (AI) approaches might be effective for risk stratification and to identify individuals at highest risk of visual loss. However, unresolved challenges for AI medical studies remain, including paucity of transparency, auditability, and traceability. METHODS: In this retrospective multicohort study, we developed and tested retinal photograph-based deep learning algorithms for detection of myopic macular degeneration and high myopia, using a total of 226â686 retinal images. First we trained and internally validated the algorithms on datasets from Singapore, and then externally tested them on datasets from China, Taiwan, India, Russia, and the UK. We also compared the performance of the deep learning algorithms against six human experts in the grading of a randomly selected dataset of 400 images from the external datasets. As proof of concept, we used a blockchain-based AI platform to demonstrate the real-world application of secure data transfer, model transfer, and model testing across three sites in Singapore and China. FINDINGS: The deep learning algorithms showed robust diagnostic performance with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves [AUC] of 0·969 (95% CI 0·959-0·977) or higher for myopic macular degeneration and 0·913 (0·906-0·920) or higher for high myopia across the external testing datasets with available data. In the randomly selected dataset, the deep learning algorithms outperformed all six expert graders in detection of each condition (AUC of 0·978 [0·957-0·994] for myopic macular degeneration and 0·973 [0·941-0·995] for high myopia). We also successfully used blockchain technology for data transfer, model transfer, and model testing between sites and across two countries. INTERPRETATION: Deep learning algorithms can be effective tools for risk stratification and screening of myopic macular degeneration and high myopia among the large global population with myopia. The blockchain platform developed here could potentially serve as a trusted platform for performance testing of future AI models in medicine. FUNDING: None.
Assuntos
Algoritmos , Inteligência Artificial , Blockchain , Aprendizado Profundo , Degeneração Macular/diagnóstico , Miopia/diagnóstico , Retina/diagnóstico por imagem , Área Sob a Curva , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Estudos de Coortes , Conjuntos de Dados como Assunto , Humanos , Estudo de Prova de Conceito , Curva ROC , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
2D monolayer gastric organoids (2DMGOs)-on-a-chip have consistent structures and can live for more than a year in culture. This state-of-the-art cell physiological system in a microfluidic device provides a way to investigate biomedically relevant, stimuli-dependent cellular responses in a variety of differentiated 2DMGOs.
Assuntos
Dispositivos Lab-On-A-Chip , Organoides , Fisiologia , Estômago , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Humanos , Organoides/fisiologia , Fisiologia/instrumentação , Fisiologia/métodos , Estômago/fisiologiaRESUMO
Flow cytometry is a popular technique used for both clinical and research purposes. It involves laser-based technology to characterize cells based on size, shape, and complexity. Additionally, flow cytometers are equipped with the ability to take fluorescence measurements at multiple wavelengths. This capability makes the flow cytometer a practical resource in the utilization of fluorescently conjugated antibodies, fluorescent proteins, DNA binding dyes, viability dyes, and ion indicator dyes. As the technology advances, the number of parameters a flow cytometer can measure has increased tremendously, and now some has the capacity to analyze 30-50 or more parameters on a single cell. Here, we describe the basic principles involved in the mechanics and procedures of flow cytometry along with an insight into applications of flow cytometry techniques for biomedical and allergic disease research.
Assuntos
Citometria de Fluxo/métodos , Hipersensibilidade/imunologia , Imunofenotipagem/métodos , Análise de Célula Única/métodos , Linfócitos T/citologia , Animais , Anticorpos/análise , Antígenos CD/genética , Antígenos CD/imunologia , Biomarcadores/análise , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Sobrevivência Celular , Citometria de Fluxo/instrumentação , Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Humanos , Hipersensibilidade/diagnóstico , Hipersensibilidade/genética , Hipersensibilidade/patologia , Imunoconjugados/análise , Lasers , Análise de Célula Única/instrumentação , Linfócitos T/imunologiaRESUMO
Female mosquitoes need a blood meal to reproduce, and in obtaining this essential nutrient they transmit deadly pathogens. Although crucial for the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, blood feeding remains poorly understood due to technological limitations. Indeed, studies often expose human subjects to assess biting behavior. Here, we present the biteOscope, a device that attracts mosquitoes to a host mimic which they bite to obtain an artificial blood meal. The host mimic is transparent, allowing high-resolution imaging of the feeding mosquito. Using machine learning, we extract detailed behavioral statistics describing the locomotion, pose, biting, and feeding dynamics of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles stephensi, and Anopheles coluzzii. In addition to characterizing behavioral patterns, we discover that the common insect repellent DEET repels Anopheles coluzzii upon contact with their legs. The biteOscope provides a new perspective on mosquito blood feeding, enabling the high-throughput quantitative characterization of this lethal behavior.
Scientists often sacrifice their own skin to study how mosquitos drink blood. They allow mosquitos to bite them in laboratory settings so they can observe the insects' feeding behavior. By observing blood feeding, scientists hope to find ways to prevent deadly diseases like malaria, which is transmitted by bites from mosquitos carrying the malaria parasite. These studies are not only unpleasant for the volunteers, they also have important limitations. For example, it is too risky to use pathogen-infected mosquitos that could make the volunteers sick. A device called the biteOscope developed by Hol et al. may give scientists and their skin a reprieve. The device has a transparent skin-like covering that attracts mosquitos and supplies them an artificial blood meal when they bite. The device captures high-resolution images of the insects' behavior. It is small enough to fit in a backpack when disassembled, costs about $900 to $3,500 US dollars, and is suitable for use in the laboratory or in the field. Using machine-learning techniques, Hol et al. also developed an automated system for analyzing the images. The researchers tested the device on four types of disease-transmitting mosquitos. In one set of experiments, Anopheles mosquitos were recorded interacting with a biteOscope partially coated with an insect repellent called DEET. The images captured by the biteOscope showed that the mosquitos are attracted to the warm surface and land on the part coated with DEET. But when their legs come in contact with the repellent, they leave. The biteOscope provides scientists a new way to study blood feeding, even in mosquitos infected with dangerous pathogens. It might also be used to test new ways to prevent mosquitos from biting and spreading disease. Because the device is portable and relatively inexpensive, it may enable larger studies in a variety of settings.
Assuntos
Culicidae/fisiologia , Comportamento Alimentar/fisiologia , Mordeduras e Picadas de Insetos , Animais , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Culicidae/efeitos dos fármacos , Feminino , Repelentes de Insetos/farmacologia , Modelos BiológicosRESUMO
The actinomycetes are Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the order Actinomycetales within the phylum Actinobacteria. They include members with significant economic and medical importance, for example filamentous actinomycetes such as Streptomyces species, which have a propensity to produce a plethora of bioactive secondary metabolites and form symbioses with higher organisms, such as plants and insects. Studying these bacteria is challenging, but also fascinating and very rewarding. As a Microbiology Society initiative, members of the actinomycete research community have been developing a Wikipedia-style resource, called ActinoBase, the purpose of which is to aid in the study of these filamentous bacteria. This review will highlight 10 publications from 2019 that have been of special interest to the ActinoBase community, covering 4 major components of actinomycete research: (i) development and regulation; (ii) specialized metabolites; (iii) ecology and host interactions; and (iv) technology and methodology.
Assuntos
Actinobacteria/fisiologia , Bases de Dados Factuais , Actinobacteria/genética , Actinobacteria/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Actinobacteria/metabolismo , Animais , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Produtos Biológicos/metabolismo , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/organização & administração , Microbiologia Ambiental , Regulação Bacteriana da Expressão Gênica , Streptomyces/genética , Streptomyces/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Streptomyces/metabolismo , Streptomyces/fisiologia , SimbioseRESUMO
The multifaceted ability to produce, transmit, receive, and respond to acoustic signals is widespread in animals and forms the basis of the interdisciplinary science of bioacoustics. Bioacoustics research methods, including sound recording and playback experiments, are applicable in cognitive research that centers around the processing of information from the acoustic environment. We provide an overview of bioacoustics techniques in the context of cognitive studies and make the case for the importance of bioacoustics in the study of cognition by outlining some of the major cognitive processes in which acoustic signals are involved. We also describe key considerations associated with the recording of sound and its use in cognitive applications. Based on these considerations, we provide a set of recommendations for best practices in the recording and use of acoustic signals in cognitive studies. Our aim is to demonstrate that acoustic recordings and stimuli are valuable tools for cognitive researchers when used appropriately. In doing so, we hope to stimulate opportunities for innovative cognitive research that incorporates robust recording protocols. This article is categorized under: Neuroscience > Cognition Psychology > Theory and Methods Neuroscience > Behavior Neuroscience > Cognition.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica , Neurociência Cognitiva , Psicoacústica , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Pesquisa Biomédica/normas , Neurociência Cognitiva/instrumentação , Neurociência Cognitiva/métodos , Neurociência Cognitiva/normas , HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a method of noninvasive neuromodulation and potential therapeutic tool to improve functioning and relieve symptoms across a range of central and peripheral nervous system conditions. Evidence suggests that the effects of tDCS are cumulative with consecutive daily applications needed to achieve clinically meaningful effects. Therefore, there is growing interest in delivering tDCS away from the clinic or research facility, usually at home. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive guide to operationalize safe and responsible use of tDCS in home settings for both investigative and clinical use. METHODS: Providing treatment at home can improve access and compliance by decreasing the burden of time and travel for patients and their caregivers, as well as to reach those in remote locations and/or living with more advanced disabilities. RESULTS: To date, methodological approaches for at-home tDCS delivery have varied. After implementing the first basic guidelines for at-home tDCS in clinical trials, this work describes a comprehensive guide for facilitating safe and responsible use of tDCS in home settings enabling access for repeated administration over time. CONCLUSION: These guidelines provide a reference and standard for practice when employing the use of tDCS outside of the clinic setting.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Doenças do Sistema Nervoso/terapia , Cooperação do Paciente , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Telemedicina/métodos , Estimulação Transcraniana por Corrente Contínua/métodos , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Eletrodos , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Projetos de Pesquisa , Telemedicina/instrumentaçãoAssuntos
Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/metabolismo , Pesquisa Biomédica/tendências , Eritrócitos/metabolismo , Atrofia de Múltiplos Sistemas/sangue , Dispositivos Eletrônicos Vestíveis/tendências , alfa-Sinucleína/sangue , Animais , Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/fisiopatologia , Biomarcadores/sangue , Biomarcadores/metabolismo , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Humanos , Atrofia de Múltiplos Sistemas/diagnóstico , Atrofia de Múltiplos Sistemas/fisiopatologiaAssuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/normas , Comparação Transcultural , Testes Neuropsicológicos/normas , Psicometria/normas , Esquizofrenia , Cognição Social , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Humanos , Internacionalidade , Psicometria/instrumentação , Esquizofrenia/diagnóstico , Esquizofrenia/fisiopatologiaRESUMO
In this study, we show how defocused spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) can be employed to recover chemical information from media of biomedical significance within sealed plastic transfusion and culture bags using a commercial SORS instrument. We demonstrate a simple approach to recover subsurface spectral information through a transparent barrier by optimizing the spatial offset of the defocused beam. The efficiency of the measurements is assessed in terms of the SORS ratio and signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) through a simple manual approach and an ordinary least squares model. By comparing the results for three different biological samples (red blood cell concentrate, pooled red cell supernatant and a suspension of Jurkat cells), we show that there is an optimum value of the offset parameter which yields the maximum S/N depending on the barrier material and optical properties of the ensemble contents. The approach was developed in the context of biomedical applications but is generally applicable to any three-layer system consisting of turbid content between transparent thin plastic barriers (i.e., front and back bag surfaces), particularly where the analyte of interest is dilute or not a strong scatterer.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Análise Espectral Raman/instrumentação , Análise Espectral Raman/métodos , Eritrócitos , Humanos , Células JurkatRESUMO
Recently, interest in the effects of radio frequency (RF) on biological systems has increased and is partially due to the advancements and increased implementations of RF into technology. As research in this area has progressed, the reliability and reproducibility of the experiments has not crossed multidisciplinary boundaries. Therefore, as researchers, it is imperative to understand the various exposure systems available as well as the aspects, both electromagnetic and biological, needed to produce a sound exposure experiment. This systematic review examines common RF exposure methods for both in vitro and in vivo studies. For in vitro studies, possible biological limitations are emphasized. The validity of the examined methods, for both in vitro and in vivo, are analyzed by considering the advantages and disadvantages of each. This review offers guidance for researchers to assist in the development of an RF exposure experiment that crosses current multidisciplinary boundaries.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica , Exposição à Radiação/análise , Ondas de Rádio/efeitos adversos , Animais , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/métodos , Telefone Celular , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Projetos de PesquisaRESUMO
The association between an action and its sensory consequence has been linked to our sense of agency (SoA). While ecological validity is crucial in investigating such a complex phenomenon, previous paradigms focusing on the cortical analysis of movement-related images used simplified experimental protocols. Here, we examined the influence of action-associated predictive processes on visual event-related potentials (ERPs) in a paradigm that models everyday actions more precisely, using a commercial gesture control device, ecological stimuli depicting a human hand and a behavioural training to reinforce the sense of control over action outcomes. We assessed whether a more natural setup would result in robust ERP modifications following self-initiated movements relative to passive viewing of the same images. We found no compelling evidence for amplitude modulation for the early occipital C1 and P1 components. Crucially, we observed strong action-associated amplitude enhancement for the posterior N1, an effect that was not present in our previous study that relied on conventional button-presses. We propose that the N1 effect in our ecologically more valid paradigm can either reflect stronger attentional amplification of domain-specific visual processes following self-initiated actions, or indicate that sensory predictions in the visual N1 latency range manifest in larger (rather than reduced) ERPs. Overall, our novel approach utilizing a gesture-control device can be a potent tool for investigating the behavioural and neural manifestations of SoA in the visual modality.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica , Córtex Cerebral/fisiologia , Potenciais Evocados Visuais/fisiologia , Gestos , Atividade Motora/fisiologia , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Percepção Visual/fisiologia , Adulto , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Pesquisa Biomédica/normas , Eletroencefalografia , Feminino , Mãos/fisiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Testes Neuropsicológicos/normas , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Microfluidic systems (MFS) provide a range of advantages in biomedical applications, including improved controllability of material characteristics and lower consumption of reagents, energy, time and money. Fabrication of MFS employs various materials, such as glass, silicon, ceramics, paper, and metals such as gold, copper, aluminum, chromium and titanium. In this review, gold thin film microfluidic channels (GTFMFC) are discussed with reference to fabrication methods and their diverse use in chemical and biomedical applications. The advantages of gold thin films (GTF) include flexibility, ease of manufacture, adhesion to polymer surfaces, chemical stability, good electrical conductivity, surface plasmon resonance effects, ability to be chemically functionalized, etc. Various electroactuators and electroanalytical devices can incorporate GTF. GTF-based MFS have been used in environmental monitoring, assays of biomarkers, immunoassays, cell culture studies and pathogen identification.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Ouro/química , Dispositivos Lab-On-A-ChipRESUMO
The growing commercialization of scientific research has raised important concerns about industry bias. According to some evidence, so-called industry bias can affect the integrity of the science as well as the direction of the research agenda. I argue that conceptualizing industry's influence in scientific research in terms of bias is unhelpful. Insofar as industry sponsorship negatively affects the integrity of the research, it does so through biasing mechanisms that can affect any research independently of the source of funding. Talk about industry bias thus offers no insight into the particular epistemic shortcomings at stake. If the concern is with the negative effects that industry funding can have on the research agenda, conceptualizing this influence as bias obscures the ways in which such impact is problematic and limits our ability to offer solutions that can successfully address the concerns raised by the growing role of private funding in science.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/economia , Mercantilização , Transferência de Tecnologia , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentaçãoRESUMO
We investigated whether motion sickness analogous to carsickness can be studied in a moving base simulator, despite the limited motion envelope. Importantly, to avoid simulator sickness, vision outside the simulator cabin was restricted. Participants (Nâ¯=â¯16) were exposed blindfolded to 15-min lateral sinusoidal motion at 0.2â¯Hz and 0.35â¯Hz on separate days. These conditions were selected to realize optimal provocativeness of the stimulus given the simulator's maximum displacement and knowledge on frequency-acceleration interactions for motion sickness. Average motion sickness on an 11-point scale was 2.21⯱â¯1.97 for 0.2â¯Hz and 1.93⯱â¯1.94 for 0.35â¯Hz. The motion sickness increase over time was comparable to that found in studies using actual vehicles. We argue that motion base simulators can be used to incite motion sickness analogous to carsickness, provided considerable restrictions on vision. Future research on carsickness, potentially more prevalent in autonomous vehicles, could benefit from employing simulators.
Assuntos
Condução de Veículo/psicologia , Pesquisa Biomédica/instrumentação , Simulação por Computador , Enjoo devido ao Movimento/psicologia , Estimulação Luminosa/instrumentação , Adulto , Feminino , Voluntários Saudáveis , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: In 1997 the "Wessex Research Network (WReN) Spider" was developed and validated to assess the research experience of general practice based researchers. This bibliometric study traces the use and development of this instrument over 15 years. METHODS: We performed a bibliographic search to identify all the citations of the original article since 2002. RESULTS: Thirty one relevant papers were found. Publications were classified according to whether they used (N = 18) or cited (N = 13) the WReN Spider. The majority of these papers came from Australia (N = 18) and 10 papers focussed on the research training of Allied Health Professionals. The WReN Spider was used in 12 studies to assess baseline experience before a training intervention or to compare before and after training scores. The WReN Spider was often (N = 9) modified to additionally assess interest, confidence or interest in up-skilling in each of its 10 limbs. It was also often (N = 14) used in tandem with open ended questions to gain a more detailed understanding of people's research skills, or with additional questions focussing on the research context, culture and team. None of the papers confirmed the validation of the WReN Spider, although it was applied in contexts that differed from the one in which it was developed. CONCLUSIONS: The WReN Spider continues to be used to measure the research experience of health care practitioners, but it is frequently enhanced with other questions to look at the wider issues of research success, including collaborators, resource and environment.