The need to develop tailored tools for improving the quality of thematic bibliometric analyses: Evidence from papers published in Sustainability and Scientometrics

Purpose: The aim of this article is to explore up to seven parameters related to the methodological quality and reproducibility of thematic bibliometric research published in the two most productive journals in bibliometrics, Sustainability(a journal outside the discipline) and Scientometrics, the flagship journal in the field.Design/methodology/approach: The study identifies the need for developing tailored tools for improving the quality of thematic bibliometric analyses, and presents a framework that can guide the development of such tools. A total of 508 papers are analysed, 77% of Sustainability, and 23% published in Scientometrics, for the 2019-2021 period.Findings: An average of 2.6 shortcomings per paper was found for the whole sample, with an almost identical number of flaws in both journals. Sustainability has more flaws than Scientometrics in four of the seven parameters studied, while Scientometrics has more shortcomings in the remaining three variables.Research limitations: The first limitation of this work is that it is a study of two scientific journals, so the results cannot be directly extrapolated to the set of thematic bibliometric analyses published in journals from all fields.Practical implications: We propose the adoption of protocols, guidelines, and other similar tools, adapted to bibliometric practice, which could increase the thoroughness, transparency, and reproducibility of this type of research.Originality/value: These results show considerable room for improvement in terms of the adequate use and breakdown of methodological procedures in thematic bibliometric research, both in journals in the Information Science area and journals outside the discipline.

Preventative effects of a probiotic, Lactobacillus salivarius ssp. salivarius, in the TNBS model of rat colitis

AIM： To investigate the intestinal anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of a probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius ssp. salivariusCECT5713 in the TNBS model of rat colitis. METHODS： Female Wistar rats （180-200 g） were used in this study. A group of rats were administered orally the probiotic L. salivarius ssp. salivarius （5 × 10^8 CFU suspended in 0.5 mL of skimmed milk） daily for 3 wk. Two additional groups were used for reference, a non-colitic and a control colitic without probiotic treatment, which received orally the vehicle used to administer the probiotic. Two weeks after starting the experiment, the rats were rendered colitic by intracolonic administration of 10 mg of TNBS dissolved in 0.25 mL of 500 mL/L ethanol. One week after colitis induction, all animals were killed and colonic damage was evaluated both histologically and biochemically. The biochemical studies performed in colonic homogenates include determination of myeloperoxidase （MPO） activity, glutathione （GSH） content, leukotriene B4 （LTB4） and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） levels, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） expression. In addition, the luminal contents obtained from colonic samples were used for microbiological studies, in order to determine Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria counts. RESULTS： Treatment of colitic rats with L. salivarius ssp. salivarius resulted in amelioration of the inflammatory response in colitic rats, when compared with the corresponding control group without probiotic treatment. This antiinflammatory effect was evidenced macroscopically by a significant reduction in the extent of colonic necrosis and/or inflammation induced by the administration of TNBS/ethanol （2.3±0.4 cm vs3.4±0.3 cm in control group, P〈0.01） and histologically by improvement of the colonic architecture associated with a reduction in the neutrophil infiltrate in comparison with non-treated colitic rats. The latter was confirmed biochemically by a significant reduction of colonic MPO activity （105.3±26.0 U/g vs 180.6±21.9 U/g, P〈0.05）, a marker of neutrophil infiltration. The beneficial effect was associated with an increase of the colonic GSH content （1 252±42 nmol/g vs i 087±51 nmol/g, P〈0.05）, which is depleted in colitic rats, as a consequence of the oxidative stress induced by the inflammatory process. In addition, the treatment of colitic rats with L. salivarius resulted in a significant reduction of colonic TNF-（~ levels （509.4±68.2 pg/g vs782.9±60.1 pg/g, P〈0.01） and in a lower colonic iNOS expression, when compared to TNBS control animals without probiotic administration. Finally, treated colitic rats showed higher counts of Lactobacilli species in colonic contents than control colitic rats, whereas no differences were observed in Bifidobacteria counts. CONCLUSION： Administration of the probiotic L. salivarius ssp. salivarius CECT5713 facilitates the recovery of the inflamed tissue in the TNBS model of rat colitis, an effect associated with amelioration of the production of some of the mediators involved in the inflammatory response in the intestine, such as cytokines, including TNF-α and NO. This beneficial effect could be ascribed to its effect on the altered immune response that occurs in this inflammatory condition.

Gallbladder tuberculosis: False-positive PET diagnosis of gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder tuberculosis (GT) is an extremely rare disease, and very few cases have been reported in the literature. The first case of GT was described in 1870 by Gaucher. A correct preoperative diagnosis of GT is unusual, and it is frequently confused with various gallbladder diseases. We present a new case of a patient who underwent surgery with the preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder cancer after a false positive positron emission tomography scan in the diagnostic work-up.

Duodenal duplication cyst and pancreas divisum causing acute pancreatitis in an adult male

Duodenal duplication cysts are rare congenital abnormalities which are more commonly diagnosed in infancy and childhood.However,in rare cases,these lesions can remain asymptomatic until adulthood.The combination of duplication cyst and pancreas divisum is extremely rare and both conditions have been linked with acute recurrent pancreatitis.We present the case of a 37 years-old patient who presented with repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis.By means of magnetic resonance imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography we discovered a duplication cyst whose cavity received drainage from the dorsal pancreas.After opening the cyst cavity to the duodenal lumen with a needle knife the patient presented no further episodes in the clinical follow-up.Comparable literature findings and therapeutic options for these abnormalities are discussed with regard to the presented case.

Wilson disease and psychiatric symptoms: A brief case report

Wilson disease (WD) is an uncommon recessive genetic disorder affecti叩 copper metabolism. Cardiac, neurological, hepatic and renal manifestations are well defined, nevertheless approximately 30% of patients debut with neuropsychiatric symptoms. These psychiatric alterations resulting from the accumulation of this heavy metal in the basal ganglia are some how less specific. We present a short review of psychiatric symptoms of WD and describe a case of a 37-year-old woman diagnosed with WD who presented neuropsychiatric symptoms and had a consequent delay in diagnosis and causal treatment. Patients who develop WD starti叩 with a predominance of neuropsychiatric symptoms tend to manifest hepatic symptoms later, therefore have a longer delay of diagnosis and a poorer outcome than patients with hepatic symptoms. An early diagnosis ofWD can avoid irreversible neurological damage.

Successful treatment of psychosis induced by interferon alpha and ribavirin with paliperidone:first case reported

Several clinical studies have shown a large number of mental symptoms by immunomodulatory treatment with interferon (IFN). The most frequently described symptoms are depression, suicidal behaviour, manic symptoms, anxiety, psychosis and delirium, associated with other non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, psychomotor retardation, decreased libido, insomnia, difficulty in concentration and attention. Having a history of mental disorder contraindicates the use of IFN-alpha. These adverse effects that affect the mental state appear usually at the beginning of the treatment (most after 3 weeks of treatment). The incidence of psychotic episodes is low and the episodes usually remit when treatment is interrupted;only some cases require antipsychotic treatment. We present the case of a patient affected with hepatitis C who began to present self-referential delirious symptoms after receiving the treatment with IFN and who was successfully treated with paliperidone. This patient could be classified within the group of high-risk psychiatric patients given the family history of schizophrenia and his personal history of illegal drug consumption. The pharmacological actions of paliperidone are similar to other high potency atypical antipsychotics.丁he receptorbinding profile of paliperidone most closely resembles that of risperidone and ziprasidone. Paliperidone differs from risperidone and most other antipsychotics by its relatively low extent of enzymatic hepatic metabolism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case described that was successfully treated with paliperidone.

Liquid biopsy approach to pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer(PC)continues to pose a major clinical challenge.There has been little improvement in patient survival over the past few decades,and it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer mortality by 2030.The dismal 5-year survival rate of less than 10%after the diagnosis is attributable to the lack of early symptoms,the absence of specific biomarkers for an early diagnosis,and the inadequacy of available chemotherapies.Most patients are diagnosed when the disease has already metastasized and cannot be treated.Cancer interception is vital,actively intervening in the malignization process before the development of a full-blown advanced tumor.An early diagnosis of PC has a dramatic impact on the survival of patients,and improved techniques are urgently needed to detect and evaluate this disease at an early stage.It is difficult to obtain tissue biopsies from the pancreas due to its anatomical position;however,liquid biopsies are readily available and can provide useful information for the diagnosis,prognosis,stratification,and follow-up of patients with PC and for the design of individually tailored treatments.The aim of this review was to provide an update of the latest advances in knowledge on the application of carbohydrates,proteins,cell-free nucleic acids,circulating tumor cells,metabo-lome compounds,exosomes,and platelets in blood as potential biomarkers for PC,focusing on their clinical relevance and potential for improving patient outcomes.

Psychosis and Dandy-Walker syndrome:a case report and review of the literature

Dandy-Walker syndrome(DWS)is a group of brain malformations which sometimes present with psychotic symptoms.We present the case of a patient diagnosed with Dandy-Walker variant who presented with schizophrenia-like psychosis.A man in his 30s was admitted to an acute psychiatric unit presenting with persecutory delusions,auditory hallucinations and violent behaviour.The MRI performed showed the typical alterations of Dandy-Walker variant:vermian hypoplasia and cystic dilatation of the fourth ventricle.He also suffered from mild intellectual disability.After being treated with olanzapine 10 mg/d for a month,his psychotic symptoms greatly improved and he was discharged.In conclusion,DWS may cause psychosis through a dysfunction in the circuit connecting prefrontal,thalamic and cerebellar areas.The association between these two conditions may contribute to the understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Impact of an Active Pharmacovigilance Program in a Third-Level Clinic in Barranquilla, Colombia

The objective of this study is to assess the impact of APV （active pharmacovigilance） and PPV （passive pharmacovigilance） by detection of ADEs （adverse drug events）, through PIs （pharmaceutical interventions）. Authors have used observational pre-post intervention study. Dader methodology was used in 123 patients with data obtained from medical records and pharmaceutical interview. Detection of ADE was made by direct observation and laboratory tests, with statistical significance 0.05. In PPV, 47 ADEs were detected： nausea, vomiting, skin rash and skin redness. In APV, 100 ADEs are presented, similar to those described in the PPV, in which Dipyrone produced 26.2%. The causes of DRPs （drug related problems） were： probability of adverse events 36%, personal characteristics 30%, and dose regimen and/or inadequate duration 22%. Out of 127 PIs performed, 91.34% were accepted and resolved. The patient satisfaction rate was 82.7% for APV and doctor satisfaction 90.4% with high impact, surpassing the 80%. The impact of APV was 93.6% and 53% in PPV for PIs and ADEs. PIs were performed to the ADEs with a high percentage of accepted and solved ones. Evaluation of satisfaction of patients and doctors in APV had a high impact. The assessment of APV generated a high impact on compliance and PPV a low one.

HLA class Ⅰ loss in colorectal cancer:implications for immune escape and immunotherapy

T cell-mediated immune therapies have emerged as a promising treatment modality in different malignancies including colorectal cancer(CRC).However,only a fraction of patients currently respond to treatment.Understanding the lack of responses and finding biomarkers with predictive value is of great importance.There is evidence that CRC is a heterogeneous disease and several classification systems have been proposed that are based on genomic instability,immune cell infiltration,stromal content and molecular subtypes of gene expression.Human leukocyte antigen class Ⅰ(HLA-Ⅰ)plays a pivotal role in presenting processed antigens to T lymphocytes,including tumour antigens.These molecules are frequently lost in different types of cancers,including CRC resulting in tumour immune escape from cytotoxic T lymphocytes during the natural history of cancer development.The aim of this review is to(i)summarize the prevalence and molecular mechanisms behind HLA-Ⅰ loss in CRC,(ii)discuss HLA-Ⅰ expression/loss in the context of the newly identified CRC molecular subtypes,(iii)analyze the HLA-Ⅰ phenotypes of CRC metastases disseminated via blood or the lymphatic system,(iv)discuss strategies to recover/circumvent HLA-I expression/loss and finally(v)review the role of HLA class Ⅱ(HLA-Ⅱ)in CRC prognosis.