Article
Surgery
Ginimol Mathew, Riaz Agha
Summary: The updated STROCSS 2021 guidelines, developed through a consensus exercise by an expert panel, received high levels of agreement from the participants, ensuring ongoing good reporting quality in observational studies in surgery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Steven Kerr, Sander Greenland, Karen Jeffrey, Tristan Millington, Stuart Bedston, Sir Lewis Ritchie, Colin R. Simpson, Adeniyi Francis Fagbamigbe, Amanj Kurdi, Chris Robertson, Sir Aziz Sheikh, Igor Rudan
Summary: This study examines the conditions under which sample odds ratios (ORs) from a case-control study can accurately estimate population rate ratios. The authors find that sampling controls from individuals still at risk at the time of the outcome event of the index case is not sufficient for a sample OR to be a consistent estimator for a rate ratio. They provide numerical examples to demonstrate the impact of failing to satisfy these conditions on the accuracy of sample ORs as estimates of population rate ratios.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Angela MacCarthy, Paula Dhiman, Shona Kirtley, Patricia Logullo, Bethan Copsey, Gary S. Collins
Summary: The reporting of case-control studies for risk factors of pancreatic cancer remains inconsistent and inadequate, with particular issues in addressing bias and study sample size determination. Study cases are described in more detail than study controls.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Charla Jean Basran, Guojon Mar Sigurosson
Summary: This study found significant under-reporting of cetacean bycatch in fisher logbooks, with observers reporting much higher numbers in trawls, nets, and hook and line gears. Despite legal requirements, fishers lack incentives to report and have concerns over negative repercussions to the industry. Introduction of electronic monitoring may provide a more viable option for obtaining reliable bycatch estimates and could potentially replace logbook reporting.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Nikos Papadimitriou, Marc J. Gunter, Neil Murphy, Audrey Gicquiau, David Achaintre, Stefanie Brezina, Tanja Gumpenberger, Andreas Baierl, Jennifer Ose, Anne J. M. R. Geijsen, Eline H. van Roekel, Andrea Gsur, Biljana Gigic, Nina Habermann, Cornelia M. Ulrich, Ellen Kampman, Matty P. Weijenberg, Per Magne Ueland, Rudolf Kaaks, Verena Katzke, Vittorio Krogh, Bas Bueno-de-Mesquita, Eva Ardanaz, Ruth C. Travis, Matthias B. Schulze, Maria-Jose Sanchez, Sandra M. Colorado-Yohar, Elisabete Weiderpass, Augustin Scalbert, Pekka Keski-Rahkonen
Summary: The study found that higher plasma tryptophan levels may be associated with a lower risk of colon cancer, while increased serotonin levels may be linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Additionally, the kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio may reflect altered tryptophan metabolism during colon cancer development.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2021)
Review
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
P. Jenkins, A. MacCormick, J. Stokes, F. Lyall, A. Rogers, N. Gafoor
Summary: Vascular reporting is a complex subspecialty that requires dedicated vascular specialists to ensure subtle findings are communicated appropriately to the clinical team. The increasing complexity of endovascular treatments, as well as improved imaging techniques, pose greater challenges for nonspecialist reporters in urgent reporting settings.
CLINICAL RADIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kate KuKanich, Amy Burklund, Rob McGaughey, Nancy Muturi, Sasha Thomason, M. M. Chengappa, Ingrid Garrison, Bryna Stacey, Shuping Zhang, Tamara Gull
Summary: A carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales outbreak at a veterinary teaching hospital in the United States called for improved communication and collaboration among diagnostic laboratories, public health authorities, veterinarians, and pet owners. Multiple institutions collaborated to establish a surveillance system, determine the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in companion animals, and develop educational materials. The study recommends implementing a One Health strategy to enhance surveillance programs, identify and report antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, and educate veterinarians and pet owners about transmission risks.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Zezhong Wang, Jacob Ritchie, Jingtao Zhou, Fanny Chevalier, Benjamin Bach
Summary: This paper introduces a novel format for reporting controlled studies in the domain of human-computer interaction, leveraging data comics as study reports to provide an open and glanceable view of studies. The use cases of data comics study reports range from illustrations for non-scientific audiences to inclusion in scientific articles, demonstrating a wide range of applications.
IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON VISUALIZATION AND COMPUTER GRAPHICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuke Wang, Pengbo Liu, Jamie VanTassell, Stephen P. Hilton, Lizheng Guo, Orlando Sablon, Marlene Wolfe, Lorenzo Freeman, Wayne Rose, Carl Holt, Mikita Browning, Michael Bryan, Lance Waller, Peter F. M. Teunis, Christine L. Moe
Summary: Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater is a valuable approach to track COVID-19 transmission. We developed a multi-level wastewater surveillance system using adaptive nested sampling strategy to track COVID-19 in Atlanta. The study demonstrates how a well-designed wastewater surveillance system provides actionable information, including early warning and identification of disease hotspots.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ginimol Mathew, Riaz Agha
Summary: The STROCSS 2021 guidelines were developed and approved by a Delphi consensus exercise with 89% participation rate, receiving high scores of 7 to 9, to ensure ongoing good reporting quality among observational studies in surgery.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Huimin Zhou, Xueting Min, Jianghui Chen, Chunyan Lu, Yixuan Huang, Zhenhua Zhang, Huiying Liu
Summary: We conducted a meta-analysis of 242 published articles to assess the interactions between warming and other global change drivers on plant phenology. We found that warming had the strongest effect on leaf out and first flowering, while warming and decreased precipitation were the most pronounced drivers for leaf colouring. Interactions between warming and other drivers were common, with both synergistic and antagonistic effects observed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hongzhen Du, Tianfeng Zhang, Xuning Lu, Meicui Chen, Xiaoling Li, Zengning Li
Summary: This study aimed to summarize previous findings on the relationship between glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL) and lung cancer risk. The results of meta-analysis showed a positive association between GI and lung cancer risk, while no associations were found between GL and lung cancer risk.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Elizabeth Korevaar, Amalia Karahalios, Simon L. Turner, Andrew B. Forbes, Monica Taljaard, Allen C. Cheng, Jeremy M. Grimshaw, Lisa Bero, Joanne E. McKenzie
Summary: This study aimed to examine the statistical approaches, methods, and completeness of reporting in reviews that meta-analyze results from interrupted time series (ITS). The results showed that although most reviews used two-stage meta-analysis and fitted random effects models, reporting of the statistical methods and ITS characteristics was often incomplete. The study suggests that improvement is needed in the conduct and reporting of these reviews.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jie K. Hu, Kwun C. G. Chan, David J. Couper, Norman E. Breslow
Summary: The case-cohort design reduces the cost of epidemiological studies by selecting more informative participants in the full cohort for expensive variable measurements. Additive hazards models are rarely used in case-cohort studies due to software and application limitations, but a newly developed method and R package now allow for their application. The method enhances precision by incorporating auxiliary information from the full cohort and can identify synergistic effects between biomarkers in predicting coronary heart disease risk, which traditional risk factors may overlook.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Katie M. O'Brien, Kaitlyn G. Lawrence, Alexander P. Keil
Summary: Nested case-control or case-cohort sampling methods in cohort studies can reduce costs and provide flexibility and efficiency. However, these methods are underutilized in epidemiologic literature. Recent advances in statistical methods and software have made analysis of case-cohort data easier and applicable to a variety of research questions and populations.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Steven H. J. Hageman, Jannick A. N. Dorresteijn, Michiel L. Bots, Folkert W. Asselbergs, Jan Westerink, Miriam P. van der Meulen, Arend Mosterd, Frank L. J. Visseren, F. W. Asselbergs, H. M. Nathoe, G. J. de Borst, M. L. Bots, M. Geerlings, M. H. Emmelot, P. A. de Jong, T. Leiner, A. T. Lely, N. P. van der Kaaij, L. J. Kappelle, Y. M. Ruigrok, M. C. Verhaar, F. L. J. Visseren, J. Westerink
Summary: This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of treatment strategies guided by predicted lifetime benefit versus risk factor levels in patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic disease. The results showed that treatment based on lifetime benefit led to more CVD-free life years and more events avoided compared to risk factor-based treatment, indicating it is a potentially effective and cost-effective strategy for reducing residual CVD risk in these patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ina Rissanen, Mirjam Geerlings, Seppo Juvela, Jouko Miettunen, Markus Paananen, Sami Tetri
Summary: The study suggests that the general health condition of mothers during pregnancy may impact the risk of cerebrovascular disease in offspring. Factors such as hospitalization, having multiple ill health conditions, and not using vitamin or iron supplements were associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease in the offspring.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STROKE
(2022)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jan P. Vandenbroucke, Elizabeth B. Brickley, Neil Pearce, Christina M. J. E. Vandenbroucke-Grauls
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marjut Sarjomaa, Lien My Diep, Chi Zhang, Yngvar Tveten, Harald Reiso, Carina Thilesen, Svein Arne Nordbo, Kristine Karlsrud Berg, Ingeborg Aaberge, Neil Pearce, Hege Kersten, Jan Paul Vandenbroucke, Randi Eikeland, Anne Kristin Moller Fell
Summary: This study aims to assess the total antibody levels against the spike protein of SARS CoV-2 up to 12 months after COVID-19 infection in non-vaccinated individuals. The results indicate that the majority of non-vaccinated individuals who were PCR-positive for COVID-19 still had detectable total antibodies against the spike protein at least 10 to 12 months after infection.
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Rashid Ghaznawi, Ina Rissanen, Jeroen de Bresser, Hugo J. Kuijf, Nicolaas P. A. Zuithoff, Jeroen Hendrikse, Mirjam Geerlings
Summary: This study examined the association between carotid artery stenosis (CAS) and progression of hemispheric brain atrophy. The results showed that severe CAS on the right side was associated with a greater decrease in volume of both the left and right hemispheres, while increasing degrees of CAS on the left side were not associated with greater volume loss.
CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Hematology
Nils Skajaa, Jan P. Vandenbroucke, Claus Ziegler Simonsen, Henrik Toft Sorensen, Kasper Adelborg
Summary: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) mainly affects young to middle-aged women. The prognosis of patients with CVT varies according to their age and sex. CVT patients have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at other sites, ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and mortality. The risks differ between age groups and sexes.
Article
Neurosciences
Emma L. Twait, Kim Blom, Huiberdina L. Koek, Maarten H. T. Zwartbol, Rashid Ghaznawi, Jeroen Hendrikse, Lotte Gerritsen, Mirjam I. Geerlings
Summary: This study used high-field 7T MRI to explore the association between psychosocial factors and hippocampal (subfield) volumes. The results showed that depression and anxiety were not associated with specific hippocampal (subfield) volumes, while childhood maltreatment and recent stressful life events may have an impact on hippocampal volume. Additionally, low social support was associated with smaller CA3 volume.
HUMAN BRAIN MAPPING
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Julien Riou, Anthony Hauser, Anna Fesser, Christian L. Althaus, Matthias Egger, Garyfallos Konstantinoudis
Summary: The study estimates that after accounting for deaths directly related to COVID-19, mortality in Switzerland was lower than expected, suggesting a positive impact of control measures.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Neil Pearce, Jan P. Vandenbroucke
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Cecilia Hvitfeldt Fuglsang, Lars Pedersen, Morten Schmidt, Jan Vandenbroucke, Hans Erik Botker, Henrik Toft Sorensen
Summary: This study used Danish national registries to examine the impact of migraine on the risk of premature myocardial infarction (MI) and ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke among men and women. They found that migraine was associated with similarly increased risk of premature ischemic stroke among both men and women, but there may be an increased risk of MI and hemorrhagic stroke only among women.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nicolas Banholzer, Kathrin Zuercher, Philipp Jent, Pascal Bittel, Lavinia Furrer, Matthias Egger, Tina Hascher, Lukas Fenner
Summary: The study assessed the transmission of respiratory infections in schools and the association with infection control measures. The findings showed that mask mandates were more effective than air cleaners in reducing aerosol concentrations and the transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2. The multiple-measurement approach used in this study could be applied to continuously monitor the transmission risk of respiratory infections and the effectiveness of infection control measures in schools and other congregate settings.
Article
Oncology
Nathalie Veronica Fernandez Villalobos, Yann Ruffieux, Andreas D. Haas, Chido Chinogurei, Morna Cornell, Katayoun Taghavi, Matthias Egger, Naomi Folb, Gary Maartens, Eliane Rohner
Summary: There is a lack of longitudinal studies comparing cervical cancer rates between women living with HIV and women without HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. This study used reimbursement claims data to compare cervical precancer and cancer incidence rates between these two groups in South Africa. The results showed that women living with HIV had a roughly 3-fold higher risk of developing cervical precancer and cancer compared to women without HIV.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Carole Metekoua, Yann Ruffieux, Victor Olago, Tafadzwa Dhokotera, Matthias Egger, Julia Bohlius, Eliane Rohner, Mazvita Muchengeti
Summary: The main risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva (SCCC) among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa are immunodeficiency and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The incidence rate of SCCC decreased between 2004 and 2014, and PWH residing within latitudes 30°S to 34°S had a lower SCCC risk. Other risk factors for SCCC were lower CD4 counts and middle age, while there was no evidence for an association of sex or settlement type with SCCC risk.
JNCI-JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Severin, Michaela Strinzel, Matthias Egger, Tiago Barros, Alexander Sokolov, Julia Vilstrup Mouatt, Stefan Mueller
Summary: This study analyzed 10,000 peer review reports from 1,644 biomedical journals and found that peer review in higher impact factor journals tends to be more thorough in addressing study methods but gives relatively less emphasis to presentation and suggesting solutions. This indicates that the Journal Impact Factor is a poor predictor of the quality of peer review.
Article
Clinical Neurology
J. M. Spijkerman, J. J. M. Zwanenburg, W. H. Bouvy, M. I. Geerlings, G. J. Biessels, J. Hendrikse, P. R. Luijten, H. J. Kuijf
Summary: A method for automatic detection and quantification of perivascular spaces (PVS) was developed, showing good correlation between automatic and manual PVS counts. Additionally, differences in length and tortuosity of PVS in different brain regions were observed.
CEREBRAL CIRCULATION - COGNITION AND BEHAVIOR
(2022)