How many sources are neded? The effects of bibliographic databases on systematic review outcomes. [Preprint]

Systematic reviews are an established method to synthesize the current state of research for a specific question to make evidence-based decisions in research, politics, and practice. A key activity of a review approach is a systematic and comprehensive search strategy to find all potentially relevant literature. Although guidelines and handbooks address relevant methodological aspects and recommend strategies, the right choice of databases and information sources is unclear. Specifically in educational research, an interdisciplinary field, with no core database at hand and multiple potentially relevant sources available, investigators lack guidance for choosing the most appropriate ones. The presented study investigates the coverage in terms of scope, similarity and combination efficiency of seven multidisciplinary, discipline-specific and nationally focused databases. The evaluation is based on relevant assessed literature of two extensive recently published reviews in German educational research that serve as gold standard to evaluate the databases. Results indicate distinct variations in the databases, while also detecting databases with equal coverage. The paper contributes to guidance in choosing databases for educational review studies, while stressing that this process depends on a review\u27s topical and geographical focus. Moreover, general implications resulting from the study refer to the relevance of database choice for review outcomes, the careful consideration of diverse search strategies beyond database search and a rigorous documentation of database inclusion and exclusion criteria. (DIPF/Orig.

Die Entwicklung des Wurzelkortex während der Arbuskulären Mykorrhiza-Symbiose wird durch den neuen GRAS-Transkriptionsfaktor MIG1 kontrolliert

Die Arbuskuläre Mykorrhiza-Symbiose ist die erfolgreichste Pflanzen-Mikroben Interaktion unter Landpflanzen. Für ihre Etablierung sind enorme tranksriptionelle Umprogrammierungen nötig. Durch eine funktionelle Charakterisierung konnte das GRAS-Protein MIG1 als neue Komponente dieser pflanzlichen Transkriptionsmaschinerie identifizieren werden. Zusammen mit DELLA1, einem Repressor des GA-Signalweges, konnte MIG1 eine Funktion im radialen Wachstum kolonisierter Kortexzellen zugewiesen werden

Diagrammatik der Architektur

Ist das ›unruhige Enzephalogramm‹, mit dem James Graham Ballard 1975 in seinem architekturkritischen Klassiker ›High Rise‹ die Silhouette von London gleichsetzt, schon gelesen worden? Oder selbstkritischer gefragt: Warum kann das Diagramm einen wesentlichen Aspekt zeitgenössischer Bildtheorie darstellen, während diese Kategorie im architektonischen Diskurs immer noch von den komplexen, letztlich aber instrumentell ausgerichteten Ansätzen der 1990er Jahre bestimmt wird? Auf einer Kölner Tagung im Januar 2011 wurde die Diagrammatik der Baukunst unter Berücksichtigung aktueller Ansätze der Bild- und Kulturtheorien neu bewertet. Die in diesem Band publizierten Beiträge aus unterschiedlichen Disziplinen – Architektur, Pädagogik, Kunstgeschichte, Informatik – zu Themenbereichen vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart belegen, dass diagrammatische Darstellungen und Denkmuster in allen Bereichen der Architektur wichtig werden können, sei es für Lehre, Entwurf, Ausführung, Vermittlung oder Analyse. Ihre Fähigkeit, Momente der Operationalität, der Evidenz und der Spur zu vereinen, lassen sie zu einer Gelenkstelle zwischen verschiedenen zeitlichen und räumlichen Manifestationen von Architektur und ihren Medien werden

First Community-Wide, Comparative Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry Study

The number of publications in the field of chemical cross-linking combined with mass spectrometry (XL-MS) to derive constraints for protein three-dimensional structure modeling and to probe protein-protein interactions has increased during the last years. As the technique is now becoming routine for in vitro and in vivo applications in proteomics and structural biology there is a pressing need to define protocols as well as data analysis and reporting formats. Such consensus formats should become accepted in the field and be shown to lead to reproducible results. This first, community-based harmonization study on XL-MS is based on the results of 32 groups participating worldwide. The aim of this paper is to summarize the status quo of XL-MS and to compare and evaluate existing cross-linking strategies. Our study therefore builds the framework for establishing best practice guidelines to conduct cross-linking experiments, perform data analysis, and define reporting formats with the ultimate goal of assisting scientists to generate accurate and reproducible XL-MS results

Systematic Reviews in Education

This project comprises studies and activities on (systematic) reviews in educational sciences at the DIPF| Leibniz Institute for Research and Information in Education (https://www.dipf.de). Further information on reviews and approaches in education, as well as on current projects can be found at the information webpage of the Fachportal Pädagogik: https://www.fachportal-paedagogik.de/forschungsinformation/systematic-reviews-suche-im-fpp-12922-de.html (soon available in English as well)

Bisphenol A-related effects on bone morphology and biomechanical properties in an animal model

Bisphenol A (BPA), which is contained in numerous plastic products, is known to act as an endocrine-disruptive, toxic, and carcinogenic chemical. This experimental series sought to determine the influence of BPA exposure on the femoral bone architecture and biomechanical properties of male and female Wistar rats. BPA was applied subcutaneously by using osmotic pumps. After 12 weeks, the bones were analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and a three-point bending test. Comparing the female low- and high-dose groups, a significantly greater marrow area (p = 0.047) was identified in the group exposed to a higher BPA concentration. In addition, the trabecular number tended to be higher in the female high-dose group when compared to the low-dose group (p > 0.05). The area moment of inertia also tended to be higher in the male high-dose group when compared to the male low-dose group (p > 0.05). Considering our results, BPA-related effects on the bone morphology in female Wistar rats are osteoanabolic after high-dose exposure, while, in male rats, a tendency toward negative effects on the bone morphology in terms of a reduced cross-sectional cortical area and total area could be demonstrated

Does the Current State of Evidence Justify the Broad Use of Cross-Links in Dorsal Instrumentation? A Systematic Review

Cross-links increase the stability of screw-rod systems in biomechanical testing. The aim of this systemic review was to find evidence pertaining to the additional benefit of the implantation of cross-links in clinical practice in regard to different spinal diseases. Therefore, a systematic literature analysis of two online databases was performed according to the PRISMA statement. Inclusion criteria were prospective and retrospective studies investigating the use of cross-links in dorsal instrumentation. Biomechanical studies and case series were excluded. A total of seven retrospective studies remained for final full-text evaluation. In total, two studies each address the use of cross-links in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis or atlantoaxial fusion, one study in congenital scoliosis. In atlantoaxial fusion the additional use of cross-links may provide earlier bony fusion. In surgical treatment for pediatric scoliosis the additional use of cross-links does not provide additional benefit. Radiological outcome and complication rate did not differ in between groups. No study addressed the use of cross-links in short- or long-segment fusion due to degenerative or traumatic disorders of the spine. There is a deficiency in published literature towards the impact of cross-links in spinal surgery. The current clinical evidence data do not confirm the biomechanical advantages of cross-links in clinical practice. Further studies are needed to warrant the use of cross-links in the future

Long-term Radiological and Clinical Outcome after Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery in Patients with Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: A Prospective 6-Year Follow-up Study

Objective To assess which radiological alignment parameters are associated with a satisfactory long-term clinical outcome after performing lumbar spinal fusion for treating degenerative spondylolisthesis. Methods This single-center prospective study assessed the relation between radiological alignment parameters measured on standing lateral lumbar spine radiographs and the patient-reported outcome using four different questionnaires (COMI, EQ-5D, ODI and VAS) as primary outcome measures (level of evidence: II). The following spinopelvic alignment parameters were used: gliding angle, sacral inclination, anterior displacement, sagittal rotation, lumbar lordosis, sacral slope, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence. Furthermore, the length of stay and perioperative complications were documented. Only cases from 2013 to 2015 of low-grade degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (Meyerding grades I and II) were considered. The patients underwent open posterior lumbar fusion surgery by pedicle screw instrumentation and cage insertion. The operative technique was either a posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) or a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) performed by three different senior orthopedic surgeons. Exclusion criteria were spine fractures, minimally invasive techniques, underlying malignant diseases or acute infections, previous or multisegmental spine surgery as well as preoperative neurologic impairment. Of 89 initially contacted patients, 17 patients were included for data analysis (11 males, six females). Results The data of 17 patients after mono- or bisegmental lumbar fusion surgery to treat low-grade lumbar spondylolisthesis and with a follow-up time of least 72 months were analyzed. The mean age was 66.7 +/- 11.3 years. In terms of complications two dural tears and one intraoperative bleeding occurred. The average body mass index (BMI) was 27.6 +/- 4.4 kg/m(2) and the average inpatient length of stay was 12.9 +/- 3.8 days (range: 8-21). The long-term clinical outcome correlated significantly with the change of the pelvic tilt (r(s) = -0.515, P < 0.05) and the sagittal rotation (r(s) = -0.545, P < 0.05). The sacral slope was significantly associated with the sacral inclination (r(s) = 0.637, P < 0.01) and the pelvic incidence (r(s) = 0.500, P < 0.05). In addition, the pelvic incidence showed a significant correlation with the pelvic tilt (r(s) = 0.709, P < 0.01). The change of the different clinical scores over time also correlated significantly between the different questionnaires. Conclusions The surgical modification of the pelvic tilt and the sagittal rotation are the two radiological alignment parameters that can most accurately predict the long-term clinical outcome after lumbar interbody fusion surgery