Barriers to publishing in biomedical journals perceived by a sample of French researchers: results of the DIAzePAM study

Abstract Background As publishing is essential but competitive for researchers, difficulties in writing and submitting medical articles to biomedical journals are disabling. The DIAzePAM (Difficultés des Auteurs à la Publication d’Articles Médicaux) survey aimed to assess the difficulties experienced by researchers in the AP-HP (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris, i.e., Paris Hospitals Board, France), the largest public health institution in Europe, when preparing articles for biomedical journals. The survey also aimed to assess researchers’ satisfaction and perceived needs. Methods A 39-item electronic questionnaire based on qualitative interviews was addressed by e-mail to all researchers registered in the AP-HP SIGAPS (Système d’Interrogation, de Gestion et d’Analyse des Publications Scientifiques) bibliometric database. Results Between 28 May and 15 June 2015, 7766 researchers should have received and read the e-mail, and 1191 anonymously completed the questionnaire (<45 years of age: 63%; women: 55%; physician: 81%; with PhD or Habilitation à Diriger des recherches––accreditation to direct research––: 45%). 94% of respondents had published at least one article in the previous 2 years. 76% of respondents felt they were not publishing enough, mainly because of lack of time to write (79%) or submit (27%), limited skills in English (40%) or in writing (32%), and difficulty in starting writing (35%). 87% of respondents would accept technical support, especially in English reediting (79%), critical reediting (63%), formatting (52%), and/or writing (41%), to save time (92%) and increase high-impact-factor journal submission and acceptance (75%). 79% of respondents would appreciate funding support for their future publications, for English reediting (56%), medical writing (21%), or publication (38%) fees. They considered that this funding support could be covered by AP-HP (73%) and/or by the added financial value obtained by their department from previous publications (56%). Conclusions The DIAzePAM survey highlights difficulties experienced by researchers preparing articles for biomedical journals, and details room for improvement

Serine protease inhibitors protect better than IL-10 and TGF-beta anti-inflammatory cytokines against mouse colitis when delivered by recombinant lactococci

Background: Different studies have described the successful use of recombinant lactic acid bacteria (recLAB) to deliver anti-inflammatory molecules at the mucosal level to treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Methods: In order to identify the best strategy to treat IBD using recLAB, we compared the efficacy of different recombinant strains of Lactococcus lactis (the model LAB) secreting two types of anti-inflammatory molecules: cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-beta 1) and serine protease inhibitors (Elafin and Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor: SLPI), using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse model of colitis. Results: Our results show that oral administration of recombinant Lactococcus lactis strains expressing either IL-10 or TGF-beta 1 display moderate anti-inflammatory effects in inflamed mice and only for some clinical parameters. In contrast, delivery of either serine protease inhibitors Elafin or SLPI by recLled to a significant reduction of intestinal inflammation for all clinical parameters tested. Since the best results were obtained with Elafin-producing Lactococcus lactis strain, we then tried to enhance Elafin expression and hence its delivery rate by producing it in a Lactococcus lactis mutant strain inactivated in its major housekeeping protease, HtrA. Strikingly, a higher reduction of intestinal inflammation in DSS-treated mice was observed with the Elafin-overproducing htrA strain suggesting a dose-dependent Elafin effect. Conclusions: Altogether, these results strongly suggest that serine protease inhibitors are the most efficient anti-inflammatory molecules to be delivered by recLat the mucosal level for IBD treatment

Additional file 1: of Barriers to publishing in biomedical journals perceived by a sample of French researchers: results of the DIAzePAM study

English version of the DIAzePAM questionnaire. English version of list of items analyzed in the present article. (PDF 169 kb

Protocol for the development of a multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline for the care of patients with chronic subdural haematoma [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 2 approved with reservations]

Introduction: A common neurosurgical condition, chronic subdural haematoma (cSDH) typically affects older people with other underlying health conditions. The care of this potentially vulnerable cohort is often, however, fragmented and suboptimal. In other complex conditions, multidisciplinary guidelines have transformed patient experience and outcomes, but no such framework exists for cSDH. This paper outlines a protocol to develop the first comprehensive multidisciplinary guideline from diagnosis to long-term recovery with cSDH.  Methods: The project will be guided by a steering group of key stakeholders and professional organisations and will feature patient and public involvement.  Multidisciplinary thematic working groups will examine key aspects of care to formulate appropriate, patient-centered research questions, targeted with evidence review using the GRADE framework.  The working groups will then formulate draft clinical recommendations to be used in a modified Delphi process to build consensus on guideline contents.  Conclusions: We present a protocol for the development of a multidisciplinary guideline to inform the care of patients with a cSDH, developed by cross-disciplinary working groups and arrived at through a consensus-building process, including a modified online Delphi