Citing retracted papers has a negative domino effect on science, education, and society

Once an academic paper is retracted, it is by no means certain it will not go on being cited. Jaime A. Teixeira da Silva, Judit Dobránszki and Helmar Bornemann-Cimenti use three key examples to demonstrate how the continued citation of retracted papers can lead to the proliferation of erroneous literature, mislead young academics and cause confusion among researchers as to the veracity of scientific claims. Most damagingly, it can undermine the credibility of science and public trust in research. Retracted papers should not be cited and it is the responsibility of researchers, editorial teams and publishers to guard against this happening

Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multi-center, multinational study on the safety and efficacy of 6% Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) sOlution versus an Electrolyte solutioN In patients undergoing eleCtive abdominal Surgery:study protocol for the PHOENICS study

BACKGROUND: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions are used for volume therapy to treat hypovolemia due to acute blood loss and to maintain hemodynamic stability. This study was requested by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to provide more evidence on the long-term safety and efficacy of HES solutions in the perioperative setting. METHODS: PHOENICS is a randomized, controlled, double-blind, multi-center, multinational phase IV (IIIb) study with two parallel groups to investigate non-inferiority regarding the safety of a 6% HES 130 solution (Volulyte 6%, Fresenius Kabi, Germany) compared with a crystalloid solution (Ionolyte, Fresenius Kabi, Germany) for infusion in patients with acute blood loss during elective abdominal surgery. A total of 2280 eligible patients (male and female patients willing to participate, with expected blood loss ≥ 500 ml, aged > 40 and ≤ 85 years, and ASA Physical status II–III) are randomly assigned to receive either HES or crystalloid solution for the treatment of hypovolemia due to surgery-induced acute blood loss in hospitals in up to 11 European countries. The dosing of investigational products (IP) is individualized to patients’ volume needs and guided by a volume algorithm. Patients are treated with IP for maximally 24 h or until the maximum daily dose of 30 ml/kg body weight is reached. The primary endpoint is the treatment group mean difference in the change from the pre-operative baseline value in cystatin-C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), to the eGFR value calculated from the highest cystatin-C level measured during post-operative days 1-3. Further safety and efficacy parameters include, e.g., combined mortality/major post-operative complications until day 90, renal function, coagulation, inflammation, hemodynamic variables, hospital length of stay, major post-operative complications, and 28-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality. DISCUSSION: The study will provide important information on the long-term safety and efficacy of HES 130/0.4 when administered according to the approved European product information. The results will be relevant for volume therapy of surgical patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2016-002162-30. ClinicalTrials.govNCT0327854

Schmerz : eine scientometrische Analyse

Der Forschungsbereich Schmerz ist wie kaum ein anderer extrem heterogen. In dieser Heterogenität Muster zu erkennen ist die Stärke einer scientometrischen Analyse. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, die sprachliche Verteilung der Publikationen, die wissenschaftliche und Rezeption der Arbeit, das Geschlechterverhältnis bei den Autoren und die inhaltlichen Themengebieten im Vergleich der Jahre 2005 zu 2015 zu analysieren. Bei der Literaturrecherche wurden insgesamt 23474 Literaturstellen gefunden. Sowohl 2005 als auch 2015 waren mehr als 95% der Arbeiten in englischer Sprache verfasst. Der Wert stieg dabei um einen Prozentpunkt an (95.2% und 96.3%, p<0.001). Unter den nicht-englischen Sprachen führten in beiden Jahren Deutsch (2.9% und 1.7%, p<0.001), Französisch (0.9% und 0.5%, p<0.001) und Spanisch (0.7% und 0.8% (p=0.503). Die Anzahl der Zitationen unterschied sich in den Jahren signifikant (p=0.00001). Die meistzitierten Arbeiten erhielten dabei 1171 bzw.185 Zitationen. Der Altmetric Attention Score lag im Median im Jahr 2005 bei 2 [2;2], im Jahr 2015 ebenso bei 2 [2;3], p=0,000001. Die Arbeit mit dem höchsten Altmetric Attention Score stammt aus dem Jahr 2005. Sie ist zugleich die einzige Arbeit, die es aus diesem Jahr in die Top-10-Wertung geschafft hat. Zwei Arbeiten erreichten einen Altmetric Attention Score über 1000. Der Anteil der Autorinnen erhöhte sich von 2005 auf 2015 von 26.4% auf 40.5% (p=0.00001). Der Anteil der Erstautorin erhöhte sich von 25.6% auf 44.9% (p=0.00001). Der Anteil der Senior-Autorinnen erhöhte sich von 26.3% auf 40.1% (p=0.00074). Im Ranking der 20 häufigsten Schlagwörter gab es zwischen 2005 und 2015 aufgrund prozentueller Änderungen Verschiebungen der Reihenfolge; es kam aber weder ein Wort dazu nach fiel eines aus dem Ranking. In der Textanalyse der häufigsten Termini zeigten sich sowohl 2005 als auch 2015 ähnliche Muster. In beiden Jahren waren die häufigsten gebrauchten Worte „headache“, „migraine“, „chronic“, „clinical“ und „receptor“. Zusammenfassend ermöglicht diese scientometrische Auswertung zum Themenbereich Schmerz Einblicke in die geographische, sprachliche und geschlechtsspezifische sowie in die inhaltliche, wissenschaftliche und öffentliche rezeptive Struktur des Forschungsbereichs.Introduction/Background: As a consequence of several traumata and risk factors patients can develop an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It is defined as an acute lung injury (developing in a time span of less than a week) with pulmonary infiltrations on both sides, not being explained by other causes such as embolism or cardiac decompensation, with a Horovitz ratio (PaO2/FiO2) below 300. In the process of developing ARDS several immune processes involving different immune cells, which until now have not been specified, play an important role. Aim/Objectives: The study aims to quantify the regional, alveolar specific immune response of patients with ARDS. This will help depict the involved immune processes more accurately. Materials and Methods: In order to gain cells for the consecutive flow cytometry analysis, peripheral blood is taken from the patients, together with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL is a procedure to clarify immunologic or infectious processes going within the alveolar compartment. For BAL a bronchoscopy is performed, during which 0.9% saline solution is instilled and aspirated in order to gain airway cells, immune cells or bacteria. The blood and the BAL fluid are consequentially analyzed at the laboratory of the clinical department for hematology by fluorescence flow cytometry in order to quantify the different immune cells according to their specific CD surface markers. Summary/Conclusion: Flow cytometry of BAL provides a mean to monitor the immunologic processes within the alveolar compartment and allows for quantifying the temporal and qualitative processes of the immune response to ARDS.vorgelegt von: Helmar Bornemann-CimentiMedizinische Universität Wien, Masterarb., 2017Medizinische Universität Wien, Diplomarbeit, 201

Spirituality in pain medicine: A randomized experiment of pain perception, heart rate and religious spiritual well-being by using a single session meditation methodology.

The aim of this study is to investigate different effects on pain perception among randomly assigned volunteers practicing meditation compared to a relaxation condition. The study examines whether participants of the experimental conditions (meditation versus relaxation) differ in the change of pain perception and heart rate measurement and in religious and spiritual well-being after an intervention. METHOD:147 volunteers (long-term practitioners and novices) were randomly assigned to the experimental conditions with a headphone guided 20-minute single session intervention. The change in their pre- and post-intervention pain perception was measured using Quantitative Sensory Testing and Cold Pressor Testing (CPTest), their stress-level was compared by monitoring heart rate, and their religious and spiritual well-being by using the Multidimensional Inventory for Religious/Spiritual Well-Being (MI-RSB48). Additionally, dimensions of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) measured the psychological resilience of the participants; pain and stress experience, and the state of relaxation and spirituality experience were assessed. Five persons were excluded due to failure in measuring the heart rate and 29 participants had to be excluded because of high values on the BSI. RESULTS:The meditation group showed an increase in their pain tolerance on the CPTest and a decrease in their pain intensity for heat after the experimental condition, in contrast to the relaxation group. Futhermore, the meditation group showed a higher level of religious spiritual well-being (MI-RSB48 Total score) as well as in the sub-dimensions General Religiosity, Forgiveness, and Connectedness after the experimental condition, compared to the relaxation group. Our data is consistent with the hypothesis that meditation increases pain tolerance and reduces pain intensity, however, further work is required to determine whether meditation contains similar implications for pain patients

Neuraxial anesthesia in patients with multiple sclerosis – a systematic review

Background and objectives: Current guidelines for neuraxial analgesia in patients with multiple sclerosis are ambiguous and offer the clinician only a limited basis for decision making. This systematic review examines the number of cases in which multiple sclerosis has been exacerbated after central neuraxial analgesia in order to rationally evaluate the safety of these procedures. Methods: A systematic literature search with the keywords “anesthesia or analgesia” and “epidural, peridural, caudal, spinal, subarachnoid or intrathecal” in combination with “multiple sclerosis” was performed in the databases PubMed and Embase, looking for clinical data on the effect of central neuraxial analgesia on the course of multiple sclerosis. Results and conclusions: Over a period of 65 years, our search resulted in 37 reports with a total of 231 patients. In 10 patients multiple sclerosis was worsened and nine multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica was first diagnosed in a timely context with central neuraxial analgesia. None of the cases showed a clear relation between cause and effect. Current clinical evidence does not support the theory that central neuraxial analgesia negatively affects the course of multiple sclerosis. Resumo: Justificativa e objetivos: As diretrizes atuais para analgesia neuraxial em pacientes com esclerose múltipla (EM) são ambíguas e oferecem ao clínico apenas uma base limitada para a tomada de decisão. Esta revisão sistemática examina o número de casos nos quais a EM foi exacerbada após analgesia neuraxial central para avaliar racionalmente a segurança desses procedimentos. Métodos: Uma busca sistemática da literatura usando as palavras-chave “anestesia ou analgesia” e “epidural, peridural, caudal, espinhal, subaracnoideo ou intratecal” em combinação com multiple sclerosis foi feita nas bases de dados PubMed e Embase à procura de dados clínicos sobre a efeito da analgesia neuraxial central sobre o curso da esclerose múltipla. Resultados e conclusões: Durante um período de 65 anos, nossa busca resultou em 37 relatos com um total de 231 pacientes. Em 10 pacientes, a esclerose múltipla foi agravada e, em nove, a esclerose múltipla ou neuromielite óptica foi diagnosticada pela primeira vez em momento concomitante com a analgesia neuraxial central. Nenhum dos casos apresentou uma clara relação entre causa e efeito. A evidência clínica atual não sustenta a teoria de que a analgesia neuraxial central afeta negativamente o curso da esclerose múltipla. Keywords: Multiple sclerosis, Neuromyelitis optica, Neuroaxial anesthesia, Palavras-chave: Esclerose múltipla, Neuromielite óptica, Anestesia neuroaxia

Neuraxial anesthesia in patients with multiple sclerosis - a systematic review

Abstract Background and objectives: Current guidelines for neuraxial analgesia in patients with multiple sclerosis are ambiguous and offer the clinician only a limited basis for decision making. This systematic review examines the number of cases in which multiple sclerosis has been exacerbated after central neuraxial analgesia in order to rationally evaluate the safety of these procedures. Methods: A systematic literature search with the keywords "anesthesia or analgesia" and "epidural, peridural, caudal, spinal, subarachnoid or intrathecal" in combination with "multiple sclerosis" was performed in the databases PubMed and Embase, looking for clinical data on the effect of central neuraxial analgesia on the course of multiple sclerosis. Results and conclusions: Over a period of 65 years, our search resulted in 37 reports with a total of 231 patients. In 10 patients multiple sclerosis was worsened and nine multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica was first diagnosed in a timely context with central neuraxial analgesia. None of the cases showed a clear relation between cause and effect. Current clinical evidence does not support the theory that central neuraxial analgesia negatively affects the course of multiple sclerosis