Systematic review of the psychometric properties of instruments to measure sexual desire.

BACKGROUND: Sexual desire is one of the domains of sexual function with multiple dimensions, which commonly affects men and women around the world. Classically, its assessment has been applied through self-report tools; however, an issue is related to the evidence level of these questionnaires and their validity. Therefore, a systematic review addressing the available questionnaires is really relevant, since it will be able to show their psychometric properties and evidence levels. METHOD: A systematic review was carried out in the PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Science Direct, and Web of Science databases. The search strategy was developed according to the following research question and combination of descriptors and keywords, including original studies with no limit of publication date and in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Two reviewers carried out the selection of articles by abstracts and full texts as well as the analysis of the studies independently. The methodological quality of the instruments was evaluated by the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. RESULTS: The search resulted in 1203 articles, of which 15 were included in the review. It identified 10 instruments originally developed in the English language. Unsatisfactory results on methodological quality were evidenced in cultural adaptation studies with no description of the steps of the processes and inadequacy of techniques and parameters of adequacy for models. The Principal Component Analysis with Varimax rotation predominated in the studies. CONCLUSIONS: The limitation of the techniques applied in the validation process of the reviewed instruments was evident. A limitation was observed in the number of adaptations conducted and contexts to which the instruments were applied, making it impossible to reach a better understanding of the functioning of instruments. In future studies, the use of robust techniques can ensure the quality of the psychometric properties and the accuracy and stability of instruments. A detailed description of procedures and results in validation studies may facilitate the selection and use of instruments in the academic and/or clinical settings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42018085706.

Producción científica de los hospitales públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, 2017 / Scientific production from public hospitals of the City of Buenos Aires, 2017

El número de publicaciones en la literatura científica provenientes de una institución es indicador de su producción científica. La producción científica de los hospitales del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (GCBA) ha sido valorada previamente, pero sin discriminar cuánto de dicha producción correspondía a otras instituciones académicas asentadas en ellos (Universidad de Buenos Aires, UBA, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, CONICET). Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar las publicaciones incluidas en PubMed que corresponden a hospitales del GCBA, describir sus principales características, y discriminar la contribución de otras instituciones académicas (UBA y CONICET). Es un estudio transversal por búsqueda en PubMed incorporando el nombre de los 34 hospitales del GCBA, UBA y CONICET. Se identificaron 2727 publicaciones de hospitales del GCBA (4.6% de las publicaciones de Argentina); 73.9% en inglés, 78.9% referidas a humanos, 37.2% de los últimos 5 años; 6.4% con alto nivel de evidencia (ensayos clínicos y metaanálisis), 28.4% incluían niños. En comparación con el total nacional, las publicaciones del GCBA incluyen menos trabajos en inglés, más investigaciones en humanos, más ensayos clínicos y más investigación en niños. De las publicaciones correspondientes a hospitales del GCBA, el 90.4% no compartían la afiliación con el CONICET ni con la UBA. Concluyendo, los hospitales del GCBA aportaron 4.6% del total de publicaciones de Argentina en PubMed; el 90% no es compartida con UBA ni CONICET. Las publicaciones de instituciones del GCBA incluyen más ensayos clínicos e investigación en niños.

The number of publications in the scientific literature coming from an institution is an indicator of its scientific production. The scientific production of the hospitals of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires (GCBA) has been evaluated previously, but without discriminating how much of that production corresponded to other academic institutions settled there (University of Buenos Aires, UBA, National Council of Scientific Research and Techniques, CONICET). Our objective was to evaluate the publications included in PubMed that correspond to hospitals of the GCBA, describe their main characteristics, and discriminate the contribution of other academic institutions (UBA and CONICET). It is a cross-sectional study based on a PubMed search, using the name of each of the 34 GCBA hospitals, CONICET and UBA in the "affiliation" field. In total, 2727 publications from GCBA hospitals were identified (4.6% of Argentine publications); 73.9% in English, 78.9% in relation to humans, 37.2% in the last 5 years; 6.4% with high level of evidence (clinical trials and meta-analysis), and 28.4% including children. Compared to the national total, the GCBA publications include fewer works in English, more research in humans, more clinical trials and more research in children. Of the publications corresponding to hospitals of the GCBA, 90.4% did not share the affiliation with CONICET or with UBA.In conclusion, the GCBA hospitals generated 4.6% of the total Argentine publications in PubMed; and 90% of these was not shared with UBA or CONICET. Publications from GCBA institutions include more clinical trials and research in children.

[Scientific production from public hospitals of the City of Buenos Aires, 2017]. / Producción científica de los hospitales públicos de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, 2017.

The number of publications in the scientific literature coming from an institution is an indicator of its scientific production. The scientific production of the hospitals of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires (GCBA) has been evaluated previously, but without discriminating how much of that production corresponded to other academic institutions settled there (University of Buenos Aires, UBA, National Council of Scientific Research and Techniques, CONICET). Our objective was to evaluate the publications included in PubMed that correspond to hospitals of the GCBA, describe their main characteristics, and discriminate the contribution of other academic institutions (UBA and CONICET). It is a cross-sectional study based on a PubMed search, using the name of each of the 34 GCBA hospitals, CONICET and UBA in the "affiliation" field. In total, 2727 publications from GCBA hospitals were identified (4.6% of Argentine publications); 73.9% in English, 78.9% in relation to humans, 37.2% in the last 5 years; 6.4% with high level of evidence (clinical trials and meta-analysis), and 28.4% including children. Compared to the national total, the GCBA publications include fewer works in English, more research in humans, more clinical trials and more research in children. Of the publications corresponding to hospitals of the GCBA, 90.4% did not share the affiliation with CONICET or with UBA. In conclusion, the GCBA hospitals generated 4.6% of the total Argentine publications in PubMed; and 90% of these was not shared with UBA or CONICET. Publications from GCBA institutions include more clinical trials and research in children.

Critical analysis and systematization of rat pancreatectomy terminology.

PURPOSE:: To critically analyze and standardize the rat pancreatectomy nomenclature variants. METHODS:: It was performed a review of indexed manuscripts in PUBMED from 01/01/1945 to 31/12/2015 with the combined keywords "rat pancreatectomy" and "rat pancreas resection". The following parameters was considered: A. Frequency of publications; B. Purpose of the pancreatectomy in each article; C. Bibliographic references; D. Nomenclature of techniques according to the pancreatic parenchyma resection percentage. RESULTS:: Among the 468, the main objectives were to surgically induce diabetes and to study the genes regulations and expressions. Five rat pancreatectomy technique references received 15 or more citations. Twenty different terminologies were identified for the pancreas resection: according to the resected parenchyma percentage (30 to 95%); to the procedure type (total, subtotal and partial); or based on the selected anatomical region (distal, longitudinal and segmental). A nomenclature systematization was gathered by cross-checking information between the main surgical techniques, the anatomic parameters descriptions and the resected parenchyma percentages. CONCLUSION:: The subtotal pancreatectomy nomenclature for parenchymal resection between 80 and 95% establishes a surgical parameter that also defines the total and partial pancreatectomy limits and standardizes these surgical procedures in rats.

Critical analysis and systematization of rat pancreatectomy terminology

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To critically analyze and standardize the rat pancreatectomy nomenclature variants. METHODS: It was performed a review of indexed manuscripts in PUBMED from 01/01/1945 to 31/12/2015 with the combined keywords "rat pancreatectomy" and "rat pancreas resection". The following parameters was considered: A. Frequency of publications; B. Purpose of the pancreatectomy in each article; C. Bibliographic references; D. Nomenclature of techniques according to the pancreatic parenchyma resection percentage RESULTS: Among the 468, the main objectives were to surgically induce diabetes and to study the genes regulations and expressions. Five rat pancreatectomy technique references received 15 or more citations. Twenty different terminologies were identified for the pancreas resection: according to the resected parenchyma percentage (30 to 95%); to the procedure type (total, subtotal and partial); or based on the selected anatomical region (distal, longitudinal and segmental). A nomenclature systematization was gathered by cross-checking information between the main surgical techniques, the anatomic parameters descriptions and the resected parenchyma percentages. CONCLUSION: The subtotal pancreatectomy nomenclature for parenchymal resection between 80 and 95% establishes a surgical parameter that also defines the total and partial pancreatectomy limits and standardizes these surgical procedures in rats.

The Frequent Unusual Headache Syndromes: A Proposed Classification Based on Lifetime Prevalence.

BACKGROUND: There is no agreement on a single cutoff point or prevalence for regarding a given disease as rare. The concept of what is a rare headache disorder is even less clear and the spectrum from a very frequent, frequent, occasional to rare headache syndrome is yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: An attempt has been made to estimate the lifetime prevalence of each of the headache subtypes classified in the ICHD-II. METHOD: Using the ICHD-II, 199 different headache subtypes were identified. The following classification was made according to the estimated lifetime prevalence of each headache disorder: very frequent (prevalence >10%); frequent (between 1 and 10%); occasional (between 0.07 and 1%); and unusual or rare (<0.07%). RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-four of 199 (77%) were categorized as unusual headache disorders, 7/199 (4%) as very frequent, 9/199 (5%) as frequent, and 29/199 (15%) as occasional forms of headache disorder. CONCLUSION: The unusual headache syndromes do not appear to be as infrequent in clinical practice as has been generally believed. About three-fourths of the classified headache disorders found in the ICHD-II can be considered as rare. This narrative review article may be regarded as an introduction to the concept of unusual headaches and a proposed classification of all headaches (at least those listed in the ICHD-II).

[An analysis of Chilean biomedical publications in PubMed in the years 2008-2009]. / Análisis de las publicaciones biomédicas chilenas indizadas en PubMed, en los años 2008 y 2009.

BACKGROUND: During the years 2008 and 2009, 1,191 biomedical articles authored by Chilean investigators working in Chile were indexed in PubMed. AIMS: To evaluate the potential visibility of those articles, according to scientometric indexes of the journals where they were published. METHODS: Those journals where the articles had been published were identified and each journal’s Impact Factor (JIF), 5-year JIF, SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), SCImago Quartiles (Q) for 2010 and the Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) for 2008-2009 were identified. RESULTS: Three hundred and twelve articles (26,2%) were dedicated to experimental studies in animals, tissues or cells and they were classified as “Biomedicine”, while 879 (73,8%) were classified as “Clinical Medicine”; in both areas the main type of articles were original reports (90% and 73.6%, respectively). Revista Médica de Chile and Revista Chilena de Infectología concentrated the greater number of publications. Articles classified in Biomedicine were published more frequently in English and in journals with higher scientometric indexes than those classified in Clinical Medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Biomedical articles dealing with clinical topics, particularly case reports, were published mostly in national journals or in foreign journals with low scientometric indexes. It can be partly attributable to the authors’ interest in reaching local readers. The evaluation of research productivity should combine several scientometric indexes, selected according to the field of research, the institution's and investigators’ interests, with a qualitative and multifactorial assessment.

Análisis de las publicaciones biomédicas chilenas indizadas en PubMed, en los años 2008 y 2009 / An analysis of Chilean biomedical publications in PubMed in the years 2008-2009

Background: During the years 2008 and 2009, 1,191 biomedical articles authored by Chilean investigators working in Chile were indexed in PubMed. Aims: To evaluate the potential visibility of those articles, according to scientometric indexes of the journals where they were published. Methods: Those journals where the articles had been published were identified and each journal’s Impact Factor (JIF), 5-year JIF, SCImago Journal Rank (SJR), SCImago Quartiles (Q) for 2010 and the Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) for 2008-2009 were identified. Results: Three hundred and twelve articles (26,2%) were dedicated to experimental studies in animals, tissues or cells and they were classified as “Biomedicine”, while 879 (73,8%) were classified as “Clinical Medicine”; in both areas the main type of articles were original reports (90% and 73.6%, respectively). Revista Médica de Chile and Revista Chilena de Infectología concentrated the greater number of publications. Articles classified in Biomedicine were published more frequently in English and in journals with higher scientometric indexes than those classified in Clinical Medicine. Conclusions: Biomedical articles dealing with clinical topics, particularly case reports, were published mostly in national journals or in foreign journals with low scientometric indexes. It can be partly attributable to the authors’ interest in reaching local readers. The evaluation of research productivity should combine several scientometric indexes, selected according to the field of research, the institution's and investigators’ interests, with a qualitative and multifactorial assessment.

Searching for randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews on exercise. A descriptive study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The current paradigm of science is to accumulate as much research data as possible, with less thought given to navigation or synthesis of the resulting mass, which hampers locating and using the research. The aim here was to describe the number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) focusing on exercise, and their journal sources, that have been indexed in PubMed over time. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study conducted at Bond University, Australia. METHOD: To find RCTs, a search was conducted in PubMed Clinical Queries, using the category "Therapy" and the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) term "Exercise". To find SRs, a search was conducted in PubMed Clinical Queries, using the category "Therapy", the MeSH term "Exercise" and various methodological filters. RESULTS: Up until 2011, 9,354 RCTs about exercise were published in 1,250 journals and 1,262 SRs in 513 journals. Journals in the area of Sports Science published the greatest number of RCTs and journals categorized as belonging to "Other health professions" area (for example nursing or psychology) published the greatest number of SRs. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was the principal source for SRs, with 9.8% of the total, while the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise published 4.4% and 5.0% of the RCTs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid growth and resulting scatter of RCTs and SRs on exercise presents challenges for locating and using this research. Solutions for this issue need to be considered.

Leukocyte telomere length in patients with schizophrenia: A meta-analysis.

Schizophrenia has been suggested as a syndrome of accelerated aging. Telomere length (TL) decrease is considered one biological marker associated with age and can be accelerated by pathological characteristics present in schizophrenia. Several studies evaluated TL in schizophrenia, but the results are still controversial. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the existing results of TL in leukocytes of individuals with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls. A search was performed in PubMed, using the keywords 'telomere schizophrenia' and 'telomere psychosis'. We included data from original articles that measured TL in leukocytes of human patients with schizophrenia and healthy control subjects. 45 articles were found, but only 7 met our criteria. Telomere length of controls was not statistically different from that of patients with schizophrenia (p=0.07). Crossvalidation with the leave-one-out method resulted in a significant model (p=0.03) in which TL of individuals with schizophrenia is smaller than control (SMD=0.38; 95% CI=[0.05, 0.72]). We also propose a biological pathway through which schizophrenia could promote telomere erosion and how antipsychotics might compensate this loss. There are few studies made on this subject with diverse methodology and heterogeneous sample. Some articles did not consider other possible influences on TL. Overall our results suggest that TL is decreased in schizophrenia. Although this is consistent with the idea of accelerated aging, schizophrenia is a complex disease and there are several factors that influence TL that should be controlled in future studies.

Searching for randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews on exercise. A descriptive study / Busca de ensaios clínicos randomizados e revisões sistemáticas sobre exercício físico. Um estudo descritivo

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The current paradigm of science is to accumulate as much research data as possible, with less thought given to navigation or synthesis of the resulting mass, which hampers locating and using the research. The aim here was to describe the number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (SRs) focusing on exercise, and their journal sources, that have been indexed in PubMed over time. DESIGN AND SETTING: Descriptive study conducted at Bond University, Australia. METHOD: To find RCTs, a search was conducted in PubMed Clinical Queries, using the category "Therapy" and the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) term "Exercise". To find SRs, a search was conducted in PubMed Clinical Queries, using the category "Therapy", the MeSH term "Exercise" and various methodological filters. RESULTS: Up until 2011, 9,354 RCTs about exercise were published in 1,250 journals and 1,262 SRs in 513 journals. Journals in the area of Sports Science published the greatest number of RCTs and journals categorized as belonging to "Other health professions" area (for example nursing or psychology) published the greatest number of SRs. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was the principal source for SRs, with 9.8% of the total, while the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research and Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise published 4.4% and 5.0% of the RCTs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The rapid growth and resulting scatter of RCTs and SRs on exercise presents challenges for locating and using this research. Solutions for this issue need to be considered. .

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O paradigma atual da ciência é acumular o máximo de dados de pesquisa possível, com menos atenção dada a navegação ou a síntese do volume resultante, o que dificulta a localização e utilização das pesquisas. O objetivo foi descrever o número de ensaios clínicos randomizados (ECRs) e revisões sistemáticas (RSs) focados em exercício físico publicados em periódicos, que foram indexados no PubMed ao longo do tempo. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo descritivo conduzido na Bond University, Austrália. MÉTODO: Para encontrar ECRs, foi realizada uma busca no PubMed Clinical Queries, usando a categoria "Terapia" e o termo de Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) "Exercício". Para encontrar RSs, foi realizada uma busca no PubMed Clinical Queries, usando a categoria "Therapy" e o termo MeSH "Exercício" e vários filtros. RESULTADOS: Até 2011, 9.354 ECRs sobre exercício foram publicados em 1.250 periódicos e 1.262 RSs em 513 periódicos. Periódicos na área de Ciências do Esporte publicaram o maior número de ECRs e revistas classificadas como pertencentes à area "Outras profissões de saúde" (por exemplo, enfermagem ou psicologia) publicaram o maior número de RSs. A Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews foi a principal fonte para RSs, com 9,8% do total, enquanto o Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research e o Medicine & Science Sports & Exercise publicaram 4,4% e 5,0% dos ECRs, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: O rápido crescimento e consequente dispersão dos ECRs e RSs sobre exercício físico apresentam desafios para localizar e usar pesquisas. Precisa-se de reflexões sobre a resolução do assunto. .

Bibliometrics of intraoperative radiotherapy: analysis of technology, practice and publication tendencies.

PURPOSE: To analyze the performance and quality of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) publications identified in medical databases during a recent period in terms of bibliographic metrics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bibliometric search was conducted for IORT papers published in the PubMed database between 1997 and 2013. Publication rate was used as a quantity indicator; the 2012 Science Citation Index Impact Factor as a quality indicator. Furthermore, the publications were stratified in terms of study type, scientific topic reported, year of publication, tumor type and journal specialty. We performed a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine differences between the means of the analyzed groups. RESULTS: Among the total of 207 journals, articles were reported significantly more frequently in surgery (n = 399, 41 %) and radiotherapy journals (n = 273, 28 %; p < 0.01). The highest impact factor was achieved by clinical oncology journals (p < 0.01). The majority of identified articles were retrospective cohort reports (n = 622, 64 %), followed by review articles (n = 204, 21 %; p < 0.001). Regarding primary topic, reports on cancer outcome following specific tumor therapy were most frequently published (n = 661, 68 %; p < 0.001) and gained the highest mean impact factor (p < 0.01). Gastrointestinal tumor reports were represented most frequently (n = 456, 47 %; p < 0.001) and the mean superior impact factor was earned by breast and gynecologic publications (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: We identified a consistent and sustained scientific productivity of international IORT expert groups. Most publications appeared in journals with surgical and radiooncological content. The highest impact factor was achieved by medical oncology journals.

Neurobiological correlates of apathy in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: a critical review.

BACKGROUND: In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), apathy was associated with faster clinical deterioration. Studies involving neurobiological correlates such as neuroimaging and biomarkers have presented distinct results. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to analyze neurobiological correlates of apathy in AD and MCI based on evidence from the literature involving brain neuroimaging and classical AD biomarkers. METHODS: This review comprised studies published from 1996 to June 2013 from the Pubmed database. The studies were divided into Part I (neuroimaging) and Part II (chemical biomarkers). The analysis included the identification of brain regions involved and assessments of apathy and cognition. We found 68 publications: 33 fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 35 were case reports or were not clear about the measurements of apathy and were excluded. From the 33 eligible studies, 26 were classified into part I, and 7 studies were included in part II. We created specific criteria to appropriately classify the quality level of each publication. RESULTS: Prefrontal regions and the anterior cingulate were the leading brain areas associated with apathy in AD and MCI. Other regions, including cortical and subcortical structures, have also been implicated in this syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities in frontal regions (associated with impairments in planning and decision making) and anterior cingulate (related to emotional blunting and loss of motivation) were the crucial structures associated with apathy in AD and MCI.

Cranial vault lymphoma: a systematic review of five patients.

Bone involvement is a common finding in many types of lymphoma (Clin Oncol 9(3): 195-196, 1997). However, cranial vault affliction has been regarded as an exceedingly rare presentation, particularly in the case of primary lymphoma (J Neurosurg 108(5): 1018-1020, 2008). Our objective is to describe a series of five immunocompetent patients with histologically confirmed cranial vault lymphoma (CVL), and to conduct a systematic review of the current literature. Our review points out identical imaging patterns in most of the lesions for all reported CVL cases, despite their different histological subtypes. This typical pattern can be seen on computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an expansive tumor that affects all three compartments of the cranial vault, including the scalp, skull bone, and pachymeninges, even in the absence of osteolysis. We argue that the absence of osteolysis might enhance diagnostic capability. In the appropriate clinical setting, these features represent important disease characteristics that may help with an earlier diagnosis. Large B-cell lymphoma was the most common subtype of primary CVL.

Classics of urology: a half century history of the most frequently cited articles (1955-2009).

To identify and characterize the most frequently cited articles published in Journals dedicated to Urology over the last 50 years. A Pubmed search was performed of all articles published in the 13 most cited urological journals between 1955 and 2009. Articles with more than 100 citations were identified as "classic", and were analyzed further. Of 97,554 articles published during this time, 1239 articles were cited more than 100 times. The most common topic among classic articles was prostate cancer and prostate-specific antigen (33.5%), followed by bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. A further analysis was performed for the 50 most frequently cited articles ("top-50").

The analytical epidemiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder: risk factors and correlates.

In this qualitative systematic review, we evaluate studies of the demographic, innate, and environmental risk factors and correlates associated with the development of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in epidemiological samples. We found that a significant proportion of the studies indicate that late adolescence is a period of increased vulnerability for the development of OCD; that OCD affects predominantly female adults and male children and adolescents; that those who are unmarried or abusing drugs are more likely to present with OCD; that OCD is a familial and genetic disorder, particularly when one considers symptom dimensions instead of categorical diagnosis and when the disorder begins at an early age; and that individuals with OCD from the community, like those seen in clinical settings, may be especially prone to present psychiatric conditions such as mood and anxiety disorders. Although there are plenty of data on the correlates and risk factors of OCD in epidemiological samples, more research is needed on other potential risk factors, including obstetrical and pregnancy problems, pre-morbid neurocognitive functioning, and streptococcal infections, among others.