RESUMO
Statistical analysis has become integral to the planning, conduct, and reporting of modern medical research. Attention to the statistical aspects of manuscripts submitted to Obstetrics & Gynecology goes back approximately 40 years and the process used in their evaluation has evolved over that time. For the past 20 years, submissions with any type of statistics and being seriously considered for acceptance have routinely been reviewed by a Statistical Editor who judges the work on a number of statistical and design characteristics. Findings of the statistical design review (which has been done by one Statistical Editor over the entire 20-year period) are integrated into the editorial decision about acceptance. The statistical review generally leads to rejection of approximately 16-25% of manuscripts and in a larger proportion, it identifies less serious problems, the correction of which improves the final product.
Assuntos
Pesquisa Biomédica/estatística & dados numéricos , Políticas Editoriais , Ginecologia , Obstetrícia , Interpretação Estatística de Dados , Estudos de Avaliação como Assunto , Feminino , Humanos , Manuscritos Médicos como Assunto , EditoraçãoRESUMO
A protective effect of folate against the development of neural tube defects (NTDs), specifically, anencephaly and spina bifida, is now well recognized, having been established by a chain of clinical research studies over the past half century. This article summarizes the more important of these studies, which have led to the current situation in which all women capable of becoming pregnant are urged to ingest folic acid regularly. The recommended intakes are 4 mg/d for those at high risk (by virtue of a previous NTD pregnancy outcome) and 0.4 mg/d for all others. However, a reduction in NTD births did not follow promulgation of these recommendations, and so folic acid fortification was mandated in the United States and some other countries. Although some controversy remains about the adequacy of fortification levels, the process was followed by significant improvement in folate indexes and a reduction of 25-30% in NTD frequency (about one-half of the proportion of cases assumed to be responsive to folate). The folate-NTD relation represents the only instance in which a congenital malformation can be prevented simply and consistently. Nevertheless, several research gaps remain: identification of the mechanism by which the defect occurs and how folate ameliorates it; characterization of the relative efficacy of food folate, folic acid added to foods, and folic acid by itself; delineation of the dose-response relations of folate and NTD prevention; and more precise quantification of the dose needed to prevent recurrences.
Assuntos
Ácido Fólico/administração & dosagem , Alimentos Fortificados , Defeitos do Tubo Neural/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Medicina Baseada em Evidências , Feminino , Ácido Fólico/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Recém-Nascido , Masculino , Defeitos do Tubo Neural/epidemiologia , Gravidez , Resultado do Tratamento , Estados Unidos/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the publication rate and factors influencing publication among presentations to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) from 1991 through 2000. STUDY DESIGN: Plenary presentations matched to an equal number of concurrent presentations were examined for publication rate and associated factors by univariable and multivariable analysis, respectively. The National Library of Medicine online library, PubMed, was searched for authors and/or subject to determine publication. Various characteristics of meeting abstracts were examined related to eventual publication. RESULTS: There were 88 presentations in each group, with plenary presentations published at a higher rate (81% vs 56%, P=.004) and in more prominent journals (21% vs 1%, P <.001) than other presentations. This publication rate is higher than that reported for most other medical society meetings. Multivariable analysis identified prospective design, plenary presentation, and originality as independent predictors of publication. CONCLUSION: The SMFM meeting selection process identifies presentations likely to be published, and therefore presumably of high quality. The overall publication rate of concurrent presentations appears to be better than that of many other medical society meetings.
Assuntos
Congressos como Assunto , Obstetrícia , Editoração/estatística & dados numéricos , Sociedades Médicas , Perinatologia , PubMedAssuntos
Cistadenocarcinoma Papilar/história , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/história , Neoplasias Ovarianas/história , Baltimore , Cistadenocarcinoma Papilar/patologia , Cistadenocarcinoma Seroso/patologia , Feminino , História do Século XX , Hospitais Universitários/história , Humanos , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Sistema de RegistrosRESUMO
CONTEXT: To compare telephone, fax, and e-mail methods of prodding tardy reviewers. METHODS: Randomized trial conducted January 1998 through June 1999 at the main editorial office of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Reviewers who had failed to file reviews by 28 days after being sent manuscripts (7 days after deadline) were sent identical messages in oral (telephone) or written (fax and e-mail) form inquiring as to the status of review, asking for its completion as soon as possible, and requesting it be sent by fax or e-mail. RESULTS: Of 378 reviewers, proportions returning reviews within 7 days were essentially identical: telephone, 85 (68%) of 125; fax, 86 (67%) of 129; and e-mail, 84 (67%) of 124 (P =.59). In the two thirds who responded, the mean time to return reviews did not differ among the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: Contacting tardy reviewers resulted in a review being received within 7 days in about two thirds of cases, and it made no difference if the contact was made by telephone, fax, or e-mail.