Mammography: density equalizing mapping of the global research architecture

BACKGROUND

Since mammography belongs to the most important preventive techniques in modern medicine, this study maps the related worldwide research output, which encompasses quantitative and qualitative aspects of the scientific activity and socio-economic features.

METHODS

The New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science (NewQIS) computing platform identified all mammography-specific articles in the Web of Science within two time periods, from 1900 to 2014 (P1) and from 2015 to 2020 (P2), a combination of density-equalizing mapping projections (DEMP) and socio-economic benchmarking was applied for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 13,629 articles were retrieved. 8,744 articles were identified in P1 and 4,885 in P2. More than 100 articles were published annually since the 1980s. Regarding productivity and collaborative efforts, the United States was the leading nation in both evaluation periods. In our socioeconomic analysis, it was also ranked at the first place in P1 [72.68 mammography-related publications per GDP/capita (RGDP)]. The US was followed by the UK and Germany in P1 and by UK and India in P2. When population sizes were related to mammography research activities, Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands showed the highest research activity in P1 (e.g., Sweden: 31.89 publications per 1 million inhabitants). Gender analysis illustrated a relative dominance of female researchers in most countries with the exception of Japan.

CONCLUSIONS

The global mammography research activity over the last century is paralleled by strong international collaborative efforts and follows largely economic figures and prevalence rates but displays distinct differences in comparison to the research landscape of other biomedical entities.

Gender and workforce in urology - use of the BG Index to Assess Female Career Promotion in Academic Urology

PURPOSE

Today, the majority of medical graduates in countries such as the UK, the US or Germany are female. This poses a major problem for workforce planning especially in urology. We here use first the first time the previously established Brüggmann Groneberg (BG) index to assess if female academic career options advance in urology.

METHODS

Different operating parameters (student population, urology specialist population, urology chair female:male (f:m) ratio) were collected from the Federal Office of Statistics, the Federal Chamber of Physicians and the medical faculties of 36 German universities. Four time points were monitored (2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015). From these data, female to male (f:m) ratios and the recently established career advancement (BG) index have been calculated.

RESULTS

The German hospital urology specialists' f:m ratios were 0.257 (499 female vs. 1944 male) for 2015, 0.195 for 2010, 0.133 for 2005 and 0.12 for 2000. The career advancement (BG) index was 0.0007 for 2000, 0,0005 for 2005, 0.094 for 2010 and 0.073 for 2015. The decrease from 2010 to 2015 was due to an increase in the f:m ratio of hospital urologists and female medical students.

CONCLUSION

The BG index clearly illustrated that there is an urgent need for special academic career funding programs to counteract gender problems in urology. The BG index has been shown to be an excellent tool to assess female academic career options and will be very helpful to assess and document positive or negative changes in the next decades.

Human papilloma virus: global research architecture assessed by density-equalizing mapping

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is linked to cervical cancer, which represents the world's fourth most common cancer in women. So far, no detailed map of the worldwide HPV research architecture has been constructed. Hence, this study focuses on the chronological development and geographical distribution of the global HPV-specific publications and evaluates citation-based parameters as well as socioeconomic features of the publishing countries. In total, 29,330 HPV-related publications were identified. The US was the leading country with 12,270 publications. Only high-income-countries were found in the ranking of the fifteen most active countries with Germany, France, and Japan among the top five. Analysis of HPV research activity in relation to the economic strength demonstrated a lead position of Finland and Sweden with an average of 2248.78 and 1924.67 HPV-related publications per GDP in 1000 bn US-$, respectively. The most active upper-middle-income country was Mexico (416.78 HPV-related publications per GDP in 1000 bn US-$). India as lower-middle-income country reached a value of 279.78 HPV-related publications per GDP in 1000 bn US-$. Collaboration analysis pointed to the US as the center of the 4517 international HPV collaborations. The worldwide HPV-research landscape is dominated by North American and Western European countries. By contrast, a high prevalence of HPV-related cervical cancer is documented for low-income countries. Hence, HPV-related public health interventions and prevention research specifically tailored to these countries needs to be fostered by monetary support and international collaborations.

World-wide research architecture of vitamin D research: density-equalizing mapping studies and socio-economic analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the numerous associations of vitamin D with health and disease, vitamin D deficiency is still common from a global perspective. While basic research, clinical and preventive activities grow constantly in vitamin D research, there is no in-depth analysis of the related global scientific productivity available so far.

METHODS

Density equalizing mapping procedures (DEMP) were combined with socioeconomic benchmarks using the NewQIS platform.

RESULTS

A total of 25,992 vitamin D-related research articles were identified between 1900 to 2014 with a significant increase (r² = .6541) from 1900 to 2014. Authors located in Northern America - especially in the USA - distributed the majority of global vitamin D research, followed by their Western European counterparts. DEMP-analysis illustrates that Africa and South America exhibit only minor scientific productivity. Among high-income group countries, Scandinavian nations such as Denmark or Finland (2147.9 and 1607.7 vitamin D articles per GDP in 1000 billion USD) were highly active with regard to socioeconomic figures.

CONCLUSION

Networks dedicated to vitamin D research are present around the world. Overall, the Northern American and Western European nations occupy prominent positions. However, South American, African and Asian countries apart from Japan only play a minor role in the global research production related to vitamin D. Since vitamin D deficiency is currently increasing in the Americas, Europe and parts of the Middle East, research in these regions may need to be encouraged.

The uterine fibroid/myoma tumour: analysis of the global research architecture using density-equalizing mapping

Uterine fibroids can severely impact a woman's quality of life, result in significant morbidity and are a leading indication for hysterectomy. Many aspects of the disease remain largely obscure. Despite these knowledge gaps, no detailed maps of the global fibroid research architecture have yet been generated. This study used the NewQIS approach to assess worldwide research productivity, encompassing numerous aspects of the scientific output, quality and socioeconomic features. Regression analysis indicated an increase in fibroid research activity in the investigated time periods. Global research output was dominated by leading Western countries, with the USA at the forefront, but also by East Asian countries. Socioeconomic benchmarking revealed that Taiwan had the highest fibroid research activity per GDP, with a calculated average of 279.46 fibroid-related publications per 1000 billion USD GDP. Finland was the most active country with respect to research activity per population size. Subject area analyses revealed major differences in research focuses, for example 'Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging' was assigned to 29.92% of South Korean and to only 10.38% of US-American publications. In conclusion, this analysis of global fibroid research activity illustrates a multitude of important features ranging from quantitative and semi-qualitative fibroid research aspects to socioeconomic benchmarking.

Glioblastoma research: US and international networking achievements

Being the most aggressive type of brain tumor, glioblastoma is estimated to be diagnosed in about 12,400 new cases in 2017. The diagnosis is dramatic to patients and relatives and leaves open many unanswered questions for them. One is the big question why there is no cure as in other tumors. This review illustrates the US and global research efforts that have been made over the past century. It demonstrates the great magnitude of energy invested by US clinicians and scientists but undoubtedly, more research is needed and funding by NIH and other sources should be continued on the same level.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: analysis of the global research architecture using density equalizing mapping

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of female infertility worldwide. Although the related research output is constantly growing, no detailed global map of the scientific architecture has so far been created encompassing quantitative, qualitative, socioeconomic and gender aspects. We used the NewQIS platform to assess all PCOS-related publications indexed between 1900 and 2014 in the Web of Science, and applied density equalizing mapping projections, scientometric techniques and economic benchmarking procedures. A total of 6261 PCOS-specific publications and 703 international research collaborations were found. The USA was identified as the most active country in total and collaborative research activity. In the socioeconomic analysis, the USA was also ranked first (25.49 PCOS-related publications per gross domestic product [GDP]/capita), followed by the UK, Italy and Greece. When research activity was related to population size, Scandinavian countries and Greece were leading the field. For many highly productive countries, gender analysis revealed a high ratio of female scientists working on PCOS with the exception of Japan. In this study, we have created the first picture of global PCOS research, which largely differs from other gynaecologic conditions and indicates that most related research and collaborations originate from high-income countries.

Maternal depression research: socioeconomic analysis and density-equalizing mapping of the global research architecture

Maternal depression can be accounted for one of the most common complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period affecting women all over the world. So far, no detailed map of the worldwide maternal depression research architecture has been constructed, which encompasses aspects of research activity, quality, and also socioeconomic features. Using the NewQIS platform, density-equalizing mapping projections, scientometric techniques, and economic benchmarking procedures were applied to evaluate global maternal depression research for the period between 1900 and 2012. In total, 7330 related publications and 3335 international collaborations were identified. The USA was the most active country concerning collaborations and total research activity. In the socioeconomic analysis of research activity in high-income countries, Australia was ranked first with an average of 412.05 maternal depression-related publications per 1000 billion US$ GDP (Q₁), followed by the UK (Q₁ = 373.51) and Canada (Q₁ = 306.32). The group of upper-middle-income countries was led by South Africa (Q₁ = 145.67), followed by Turkey (Q₁ = 91.8). China authored 11.95 maternal depression-related publications per 1000 billion US$ GDP. The USA had the highest activity of maternal depression research per GDP in billion US$ per capita (Q₂ = 60.86). When research activity was related to population size (Q₃ = publications per Mio. inhabitants), Australia (Q₃ = 26.44) was leading the field, followed by Norway (Q₃ = 18.48). Gender analysis revealed a relatively high degree of female scientists involved in this field of research with pronounced differences between single subject areas. In summary, we here present the first picture of the global scientific development in maternal depression research over a period of more than 100 years. The research landscape is clearly dominated by North American and Western European countries, with only minor contribution of Asian or South American countries.

Congenital toxoplasmosis: an in-depth density-equalizing mapping analysis to explore its global research architecture

BACKGROUND

Toxoplasmosis endangers the unborn child if its infectious agent--toxoplasma gondii--is transmitted transplacentally during pregnancy. Although this condition occurs in all parts of the world and represents a major public health burden, no detailed knowledge on the global research architecture of congenital toxoplasmosis is available thus far. Hence, it was the aim of this study to assess the related global research activity over the past 110 years.

METHODS

We employed the NewQIS platform, which combines established scientometric and socioeconomic analysis tools with novel visualizing techniques such as density equalizing mapping projections.

RESULTS

In the Web of Science, 13,044 congenital toxoplasmosis-related items published between 1900 and 2012 were identified. These were issued by 26,483 authors originating from 125 countries. The US was the dominating nation (38.7 % of total scientific output), followed by France (10.9 %) and Great Britain (9.2 %). The US also led the ranking in regards to semi-qualitative parameters (total citations, country-specific h-indices and citation rates). When research activity was related to economic figures, the ratio of total toxoplasmosis publications to the total GDP listed Switzerland first with an average of 589.35 toxoplasmosis-related publications per GDP in 1000 Bio US-$, followed by France (545.16), the UK (486.13) and Brazil (431.84) and the US (311.11). The relation of toxoplasmosis-specific publications to the economic power indicator GDP per capita in 1000 US-$ revealed that the US was ranked first with 97.65 toxoplasmosis-related publications/GDP per capita in 1000 US-$, followed by Brazil (85.95). Subject area analysis indicated a relative shortage of studies that addressed pharmacological or public health aspects of congenital toxoplasmosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first in-depth approach to sketch a global picture of the congenital toxoplasmosis research architecture. In contrast to other fields of biomedical research, not only high-income countries play a major role regarding congenital toxoplasmosis research but also countries such as Brazil that have a high incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Caesarean Section--A Density-Equalizing Mapping Study to Depict Its Global Research Architecture

Caesarean section (CS) is a common surgical procedure. Although it has been performed in a modern context for about 100 years, there is no concise analysis of the international architecture of caesarean section research output available so far. Therefore, the present study characterizes the global pattern of the related publications by using the NewQIS (New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science) platform, which combines scientometric methods with density equalizing mapping algorithms. The Web of Science was used as a database. 12,608 publications were identified that originated from 131 countries. The leading nations concerning research activity, overall citations and country-specific h-Index were the USA and the United Kingdom. Relation of the research activity to epidemiologic data indicated that Scandinavian countries including Sweden and Finland were leading the field, whereas, in relation to economic data, countries such as Israel and Ireland led. Semi-qualitative indices such as country-specific citation rates ranked Sweden, Norway and Finland in the top positions. International caesarean section research output continues to grow annually in an era where caesarean section rates increased dramatically over the past decades. With regard to increasing employment of scientometric indicators in performance assessment, these findings should provide useful information for those tasked with the improvement of scientific achievements.

Primary ovarian leiomyoma in a premenarchal adolescent: first reported case

BACKGROUND

Primary ovarian leiomyoma is a rare benign ovarian tumor with only several reported cases in adolescents. Little is known about the origin or natural history of these rare tumors as they have occurred in a variety of presentations and were removed upon presentation without observation.

CASE

A 14-year-old, premenarchal female was found to have a 4 cm mass which grew to 6.5 cm over two years. It appeared sonographically most consistent with a teratoma; however, during surgical resection it was found to be solid, and on pathologic evaluation was identified as an ovarian leiomyoma.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

The growth of this patient's tumor with the onset of puberty supports hormonal responsivity, but its presence prior to menarche suggests an alternate origin, independent of gonadal hormones.

Deficiencies in immunoassay methods used to monitor serum Estradiol levels during aromatase inhibitor treatment in postmenopausal breast cancer patients

Optimal care for breast cancer patients undergoing aromatase inhibitor (AI) treatment is ensured when estradiol (E₂) levels are adequately suppressed. To assess treatment efficacy accurately, it is important to measure the serum E₂ levels using a well validated assay method with high sensitivity and specificity. This translates into the urgent need to evaluate various E₂ immunoassay kits, which are frequently used in hospital settings to measure E₂ serum levels in patients undergoing AI treatment, so clinicians obtain accurate and reliable measurements allowing appropriate clinical decision making. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of different commercially available and commonly used E₂ immunoassay kits regarding measurement of E₂ levels in the serum of postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with AIs, in comparison to a highly accurate and reliable mass spectrometry assay. Clinical and demographic data were obtained from 77 postmenopausal breast cancer patients who were treated with an AI. Serum E₂ levels were measured by 6 immunoassay methods and by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which served as the standard for comparison. Analysis of E₂ by LC-MS/MS showed that 70% of the samples had levels that were <5 pg/ml. Three of the assays carried out with commercial E₂ immunoassay kits had poor sensitivities and were not able to detect E₂ levels <10 or <20 pg/ml. Although two of the E₂ assays using commercial kits demonstrated a better sensitivity (5 pg/ml), the measured E₂ values were substantially higher than those obtained by LC-MS/MS. The assay with the sixth commercial E2 kit grossly underestimated the true E₂ values. E₂ assays carried out with commercial E₂ immunoassay kits lack the accuracy to measure the very low serum E₂ levels found in patients being treated with AIs. Serum samples from such patients should be sent to laboratories that use a mass spectrometry assay.

[Musculoskeletal chronic pain: Latin-American expert panel review based on scientific evidence]

Based on the continual medical education, in the first trimester of 2010 an expert in pain meeting has being made at Mexico City. The priority of the research was on educate residents of medical school or at their post graduate years, and the priority was on investigate of how our residents use adequate pain medication. In that first meeting at Mexico City, from different countries, the agreement was on inadequate use of pain treatment caused from inadequate education of the proper indication of drugs and other therapies for muscle skeletal pain. We decided to make a Latin American expert recommendation in chronic muscle pain where we include: epidemiological and socioeconomic pain data, actual classification of NSAIDs, pharmacological and other treatment in pain, and side effects of most popular drugs with actual recommendations. We include Medline guides, reviews, randomized studies and meta-analysis from 2001 to 2010.

[Computer assisted codification of diagnosis. Experience in a neurology/neurosurgery service]

The aim of this report is to show a dBase III+based program designed to assign the International Classification of Diseases codes to medical diagnoses. The principal features, advantages and limitations diagnoses. The principal features, advantages and limitations of the program are depicted and its yield with different users in a Neurology and Neurosurgery department is analyzed. It is concluded that this is a user friendly software with minimal hardware requirements that can be used in any clinical setting.