A look at vulnerability in the older population in health sciences studies: a systematic review / O olhar sobre a vulnerabilidade na população idosa nos estudos das ciências da saúde: uma revisão sistemática

The objective of this study was to systematically investigate and review studies on the concept of vulnerability associated with the health of the older population. Articles were selected, filtered, and analyzed following the steps recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Screening and data extraction were performed independently by 2 reviewers using templates developed by the authors. Data extracted included specific details about population, interest, and context. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they: 1) were cross-sectional or prospective, 2) involved community-dwellers aged ≥ 60 years, 3) were published in the last 10 years, and 4) had as a concept vulnerability associated with the health of the older population. A total of 833 studies were identified and screened, 26 of which were included. Most included studies addressed vulnerability in older adults as an individual aspect, whether biological or psychological. The remaining studies reported vulnerability as affecting socio-environmental, health care system, and multifactorial aspects. Therefore, the concept of "vulnerability in older people" was not properly defined in the biomedical scientific community. When we return to the guiding question of this review, we can conclude that the conditions of vulnerability of older people are being treated broadly and diversely, producing different methodological strategies. The systematic review was conducted in the United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) databases between August and December 2020 and updated in September 2022, with registration number CRD42022361649

O objetivo da pesquisa é investigar e revisar sistematicamente estudos sobre o conceito de vulnerabilidade associado à saúde da população idosa. Os trabalhos foram selecionados, filtrados e analisados seguindo as etapas recomendadas pela The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. A triagem e a extração de dados foram realizadas por dois revisores independentes usando modelos desenvolvidos pelos autores. A extração de dados incluiu detalhes específicos da população; interesse; contexto. Consideraram-se artigos que: 1) fossem estudos transversais ou prospectivos, 2) envolvessem idosos da comunidade (≥ 60 anos), 3) fossem dos últimos dez anos; tivessem como conceito a vulnerabilidade associada à saúde da população idosa. O total de 833 estudos foi identificado e triado, e 26 deles foram incluídos. A maioria dos estudos incluídos verificou a vulnerabilidade do idoso no aspecto individual, seja biológico, seja psicológico. Em contrapartida, o restante dos estudos acredita que a vulnerabilidade atinja o aspecto socioambiental, sistema de saúde e multifatorial. Sendo assim, conceito de "vulnerabilidade do idoso" não está devidamente definido na comunidade científica biomédica. Neste caso, retornando à questão norteadora desta revisão, conclui-se que as condições de vulnerabilidade do idoso estão sendo tratadas de maneira ampla e diversa, produzindo diferentes estratégias metodológicas. A revisão sistemática foi realizada nas bases de dados United States National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs) e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), entre agosto e dezembro de 2020, com atualização em setembro de 2022, sob código CRD42022361649

Sesgos en investigación quirúrgica / Biases in surgical research

Resumen Los resultados de diversos hallazgos de investigación han sido objeto de crítica, en especial en los últimos años, debido a presencia de errores sistemáticos (sesgos), los que ponen en duda la validez interna de los resultados obtenidos. Estos sesgos pueden ocurrir en cualquier etapa del curso de una investigación, es decir, desde la planificación del estudio hasta la presentación y publicación de sus resultados. Los sesgos se han clasificado de diferentes formas, intentado agruparlos bajo dimensiones conceptuales, objeto de organizar de mejor forma la información existente, que además es considerable. Los sesgos pueden ocurrir por diversos motivos, pero en general, los más frecuentes son aquellos originados por el observador (él o los que miden), por lo que es observado (sujeto en estudio); y aquello con lo que se observa (instrumento de medición). Por otra parte, varios de los múltiples sesgos existentes, se pueden agrupar en: sesgos de selección, de medición o información, y de confusión. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue comentar la importancia de los sesgos más comunes en la investigación quirúrgica, y su relación con algunos diseños de investigación; así como, conocer las estrategias existentes para minimizar su ocurrencia.

The results of many research findings have come under scrutiny in recent years due to the introduction of systematic errors (biases), which can occur at any stage during an investigation, from planning to presentation of results and their presentation and further publication. Biases have been classified in different ways, trying to group them under conceptual dimensions to better organize the existing information, which is considerable. Biases can occur for various reasons, but in general, the most frequent are those originated by the observer, what is observed; and what is observed with. I.e., the subject that is measured, who measures it and with what it measures it. On the other hand, several of the multiple biases can be grouped into selection, measurement or information, and confounding biases. The aim of this manuscript was to comment on the importance of the most common biases in surgical research, and their relationship with some research designs; as well as know the existing strategies to reduce its occurrence.

Perfil de la producción científica sobre anquiloglosia / Profile of scientific production on ankyloglossia

Este trabajo tiene como objetivodescribir el perfil de la producción científica referente a anquiloglosia. Para ello fuerealizada una investigación por medio de la búsqueda de artículos científicos indexados en las bases de datos electrónicas LILACS y PUBMED. Para la revisión bibliométrica fueron considerados y tabulados los datos referidos al año de publicación, tipo de estudio y nivel de evidencia. Los datos fueron discutidos sobre la óptica cuantitativa y de valores representativos. Los primeros resultados permitieron analizar 651 estudios publicados. La mayor parte de las investigaciones sobre anquiloglosia encontradas correspondieron a estudios de tipo descriptivo y serie de casos (49,31%) seguido de relato de caso, investigación in vitro, en animales y revisión de literatura (24,27%), cohorte y casos-controles (11,98%), opinión de experto (11,68%), ensayo clínico randomizado (1,54%) y revisión sistemática (1,22%). Pocos estudios abordaron complicaciones durante o después de la realización de la cirugía para liberación del frenillo lingual. En conclusión, la producción científica sobre anquiloglosia ha mostrado un creciente aumento en los últimos 28 años, siendo publicados estudios con nivel de evidencia 1, 2 y 3, cuyo mayor enfoque fue realizado en la cirugía para la liberación del frenillo lingual.

This work aims to describe the profileof scientific production referring to ankyloglossia. For this an investigation was carried out by searching for scientific articles indexed in the electronic databases LILACS and PUBMED. For the bibliometric review, the data referring to the year of publication, type of study and level of evidence were examined and tabulated. The data were discussed on the quantitative and representative values optics. The first results allowed to analyzic 651 published studies were analyzed. Most of the research on tongue tie found correspond to descriptive studies and case series (49.31%), followed by case reports, in vitro research, in animals and literature review (24.27%), cohort and cases and controls (11.98%), specialist opinion (11.68%), randomized clinical trials (1.54%) and systematic reviews (1.22%). Few studies addressed complications during or after lingual frenulum release surgery. In conclusion Scientific production on ankyloglossia has shown an increasing increase in the last 28 years, with studies with evidence levels 1, 2 and 3 being published, whose main focus was the performance of surgery to release the lingual frenulum.

Gerontología: un mirada bibliométrica de las citaciones clásicas en Web Of Science (1975-2018) / Gerontology: a bibliometric look at classical citations in Web Of Science (1975-2018)

Resumen La gerontología es comprendida como un enfoque interdisciplinario que aborda el proceso de envejecimiento y vejez. El presente artículo caracteriza la evolución de la investigación en el campo gerontológico durante los últimos 44 años a través de un análisis bibliométrico de los trabajos de mayor impacto en el área. Se revisaron 94 publicaciones de la colección principal de la Web of Science (WoS) de Thomson Reuters en el periodo 1975-2018. Se analizan las publicaciones y su evolución longitudinal, el acoplamiento de documentos clásicos, áreas de investigación, autores y co-autorías, revistas y países. Se concluye que Estados Unidos es el país que reúne la mayor cantidad de publicaciones, citas y revistas de difusión de textos clásicos.

Abstract Gerontology is understood as an interdisciplinary approach that addresses the process of aging and old age. The present article characterizes the evolution of research in the gerontological field during the last 44 years through a bibliometric analysis of the works of greatest impact in the area. Ninety-four publications were reviewed from the main collection of the Web of Science (WoS) by Thomson Reuters in the period 1975-2018. The publications and their longitudinal evolution, the coupling of classic documents, research areas, authors and co-authors, journals and countries are analyzed. It is concluded that the United States is the country with the largest number of publications, citations and journals disseminating classical texts.

Análisis cienciométrico de la producción científica del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología / National Cancer Institute scientific production scientometric analysis

Resumen Introducción: La cienciometría permite analizar la productividad e impacto de las publicaciones científicas mediante técnicas bibliométricas y computacionales. Objetivo: Proponer una metodología multidimensional para obtener el perfil cienciométrico del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (INCan), México, y compararlo respecto a otras instituciones nacionales de salud. Método: Con el programa LabSOM y la metodología ViBlioSOM, basada en redes neuronales artificiales, se analizó la producción científica del INCan indexada en la Web of Science entre 2007 y 2017. Se obtuvo el perfil cienciométrico multidimensional del Instituto y se comparó con el de otras instituciones nacionales de salud. Resultados: En productividad, el INCan ocupa el cuarto lugar de las 10 instituciones mexicanas de salud pública indexadas en la Web of Science.; en el ranking de impacto normalizado, el sexto lugar. Aun cuando de 1323 artículos, 683 (51.62 %) no recibieron citas, 11 artículos de excelencia (0.83 %) lograron 24 % de 11 932 citas y, consecuentemente, el impacto normalizado del INCan evidenció una productividad media por arriba de la media mundial. Conclusión: El análisis multidimensional con la red neuronal propuesta permite obtener un perfil cienciométrico institucional absoluto y relativo más fidedigno e integral que el derivado de conteos de variables aisladas.

Abstract Introduction: Scientometrics analyzes scientific publications through bibliometric and computational techniques, whereby productivity and impact indicators are generated. Objective: To propose a multidimensional methodology in order to obtain the scientometric profile of the National Cancer Institute (INCan), Mexico, and rank it with regard to other national health institutions. Method: Using the LabSOM software and the ViBlioSOM methodology based on artificial neural networks, the INCan scientific production indexed in the Web of Science from 2007 to 2017 was analyzed. The multidimensional scientometric profile of the Institute was obtained and compared with that of other national health institutions. Results: In terms of productivity, INCan ranks fourth among the 10 Mexican public health institutions indexed in the Web of Science; in the normalized impact ranking, it ranks sixth. Although out of 1323 articles 683 (51.62 %) did not receive citations, 11 articles classified as excellent (0.83 %) obtained 24 % of 11,932 citations and, consequently, INCan normalized impact rate showed a mean productivity higher than the world mean. Conclusion: Multidimensional analysis with the proposed neural network enables obtaining a more reliable and comprehensive absolute and relative institutional scientiometric profile than that derived from measuring isolated variables.

Analysis of the technical-scientific production of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) productivity fellows in Pediatrics / Análise da produção técnico-científica de bolsistas de produtividade do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) na área da Pediatria

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the technical-scientific production of research productivity fellows of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, in Pediatrics, from 2013 to 2016. Methods: First, data were obtained identifying fellowship researchers using the Lattes Platform, and subsequently calculating the indicators present in their Lattes curricula using scriptLattes software v8.10. Results: In the period studied, 17 fellowship researchers were identified. They published a total of 524 articles in journals, most of them ranked as high and intermediate Qualis. In addition, fellowship researchers conducted 158 supervisions during the period, published 119 books or chapters and 465 papers in conference proceedings. Conclusion: The Brazilian scientific production in Pediatrics has shown to be significant and of good impact, both nationally and internationally. However, the distribution of research groups is concentrated in specific regions of Brazil.

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a produção técnico-científica de bolsistas de produtividade em pesquisa do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, na área de Pediatria, no período de 2013 a 2016. Métodos: Os dados foram obtidos identificando-se os bolsistas, por meio da Plataforma Lattes, e, posteriormente, contabilizando-se os indicadores presentes em seus currículos Lattes, pelo software scriptLattes v8.10. Resultados: No período, foram identificados 17 pesquisadores bolsistas, os quais publicaram 524 artigos em periódicos, em sua maioria classificados com Qualis elevado/intermediário. Ainda, os pesquisadores realizaram, no período, 158 orientações, publicaram 119 livros/capítulos e 465 trabalhos em anais de congressos. Conclusão: A produção científica brasileira na área de Pediatria mostrou-se expressiva e de impacto, em âmbito nacional e internacional. Entretanto, a distribuição dos grupos é concentrada em regiões específicas do Brasil.

Mapping the tuberculosis scientific landscape among BRICS countries: a bibliometric and network analysis

BACKGROUND The five BRICS (Brazil, Russian, Indian, China, and South Africa) countries bear 49% of the world's tuberculosis (TB) burden and they are committed to ending tuberculosis. OBJECTIVES The aim of this paper is to map the scientific landscape related to TB research in BRICS countries. METHODS Were combined bibliometrics and social network analysis techniques to map the scientific publications related to TB produced by the BRICS. Was made a descriptive statistical data covering the full period of analysis (1993-2016) and the research networks were made for 2007-2016 (8,366 records). The bubble charts were generated by VantagePoint and the networks by the Gephi 0.9.1 software (Gephi Consortium 2010) from co-occurrence matrices produced in VantagePoint. The Fruchterman-Reingold algorithm provided the networks' layout. FINDINGS During the period 1993-2016, there were 38,315 peer-reviewed, among them, there were 11,018 (28.7%) articles related by one or more authors in a BRICS: India 38.7%; China 23.8%; South Africa 21.1%; Brazil 13.0%; and Russia 4.5% (The total was greater than 100% because our criterion was all papers with at least one author in a BRICS). Among the BRICS, there was greater interaction between India and South Africa and organisations in India and China had the highest productivity; however, South African organisations had more interaction with countries outside the BRICS. Publications by and about BRICS generally covered all research areas, especially those in India and China covered all research areas, although Brazil and South Africa prioritised infectious diseases, microbiology, and the respiratory system. MAIN CONCLUSIONS An overview of BRICS scientific publications and interactions highlighted the necessity to develop a BRICS TB research plan to increase efforts and funding to ensure that basic science research successfully translates into products and policies to help end the TB epidemic.

¿ Es necesario tener conocimientos avanzados de estadística para acceder a las publicaciones módicas? / Is it necessary to have advanced statistical knowledge to access medical literacy?

La introducció;n de análisis estadísticos en revistas biomó;©dicas debe atribuirse a Dunn y a Greewood en la dó;©cada del 30, quienes reflejan los conceptos del análisis e interpretació;n estadística. El objetivo del trabajo fue analizar la utilizació;n de distintas pruebas estadísticas y el grado de accesibilidad análisis-dependiente y artículo-dependiente de los artículos originales publicados en la revista Medicina (B Aires) en el período 2008-2017. Se realizó; un estudio bibliomó;©trico, descriptivo, observacional, de corte transversal, en el cual se incluyeron los artículos originales que fueron evaluados de acuerdo a la escala propuesta por Mora Ripoll y col. Se revisaron 301 artículos en idioma espaó;±ol, el 96% presentó; análisis estadísticos. Entre los 215 artículos que emplearon alguna tó;©cnica de estadística inferencial, el 49.7% utilizó; la prueba chi-cuadrado, pruebas z para proporciones, el test exacto de Fisher o prueba de McNemar. El 29.2% empleó; pruebas t de student y pruebas z, incluyendo el uso de estas tó;©cnicas o de intervalos de confianza para contrastes de conformidad de medianas, y/o homogeneidad de medianas (dos muestras), en muestras apareadas o independientes. Los resultados indican que un lector conocedor de las pruebas incluidas en el Nivel II tendrá acceso estadístico al 75% de los artículos originales publicados. Se comprobó; que no es necesario tener conocimientos avanzados de estadística para acceder a la mayoría de las publicaciones, pero sí es importante que estos contenidos sean desarrollados haciendo hincapí en el razonamiento estadístico por sobre la aplicació;n y utilizació;n de software o la elecció;n del test adecuado.

The introduction of statistical analysis in biomedical journals should be attributed to Dunn and Greenwood in the 1930s, who reflect the concepts of statistical analysis and interpretation. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of different statistical tests and the level of accessibility analysis-dependent and article-dependent of the original articles published in the journal Medicina (B Aires) in the period 2008-2017. A bibliometric, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was carried out, in which the original articles were evaluated according to the scale proposed by Mora Ripoll et al. From the 301 articles in Spanish reviewed, 96% presented statistical analyses. Among the 215 articles that used some inferential statistics technique, 49.7% used the chi-square test, z tests for proportions, the Fisher exact test or the McNemar test; 29.2% used student t-tests and z-tests, including the use of these techniques or the use of confidence intervals for medium-conformance contrasts, and /or median-homogeneity (two samples), in paired or independent samples. The results indicate that a reader who knows about the tests included in Level II will have statistical access to 75% of the original articles published. It was found that it is not necessary to have advanced knowledge of statistics to access most publications, but it is important that these contents are developed with emphasis on statistical reasoning over the application and use of software or the choice of the appropriate test.

Métodos actuales para asegurar la validez de los estudios de causalidad en Medicina / Current methods to assure the validity of the causality studies in Medicine

RESUMEN Fundamento: Los estudios de causalidad deben aportar resultados certeros, lo cual depende de la adecuación de los mismos, de ahí la necesidad de conocer los métodos que aseguren la validez de estas investigaciones. Objetivo: Sistematizar los métodos actuales para el estudio de causalidad en Medicina que incluye el diseño, los requerimientos que aseguran su validez y los métodos para el cumplimiento de estos requerimientos. Desarrollo: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica en bases de datos biomédicas, se seleccionó la literatura de mayor actualidad, integralidad y cientificidad con la cual se organizó una síntesis crítica, a la que se le agregó la experiencia de las autoras. Se presentan técnicas para la detección y tratamiento de la confusión y la interacción y para garantizar la comparabilidad entre grupos. Entre las técnicas se destacan la aleatorización mendeliana, el puntaje de susceptibilidad, los G-métodos, los modelos estructurales marginales y anidados, la lógica difusa y el análisis estadístico implicativo. Conclusiones: A pesar del avance en los métodos estadísticos es el investigador el encargado de garantizar la no confusión residual y discernir entre lo estadísticamente significativo y lo clínicamente aceptable.

ABSTRACT Background: Causality studies must provide accurate results, which depends on their adequacy, therefore the need of knowing the methods that ensure the validity of these investigations. Objective: To systematize the current methods for the study of causality in Medicine that includes the design, the requirements that ensure its validity and the methods for complying with these requirements. Development: It was carried out a bibliographic review in biomedical databases and selected the most current, comprehensive, scientific literature, with this, a critical synthesis was organized, with the experience of the authors. Techniques for the detection and treatment of confusion and interaction were presented, also to ensure comparability between groups. Among the techniques, Mendelian randomization, susceptibility score, G-methods, marginal and nested structural models, fuzzy logic and implicative statistical analysis stand out. Conclusions: Despite the progress in statistical methods, the researcher is responsible for guaranteeing residual non-confusion and distinguishing between statistically significant and clinically acceptable.

Profile and scientific output of researchers recipients of CNPq productivity grant in the field of medicine

SUMMARY BACKGROUND. This study aimed to evaluate the scientific production of researchers in the field of Medicine who receive a productivity grant from the CNPq. METHODS: The curriculum Lattes of 542 researchers with active grants from 2012 to 2014 were included in the analysis. Grants categories/levels were stratified into three groups according to the CNPq database (1A-B, 1C-D, and 2). RESULTS. There was a predominance of grants in category 2. During their academic career, Medicine researchers published 76512 articles, with a median of 119 articles per researcher (IQ, interquartile range, 77 to 174). Among the 76512 articles, 36584 (47.8%) were indexed in the Web of Science (WoS database). Researchers in Medicine were cited 643159 times in the WoS database, with a median of 754 citations (IQ, 356 to 1447). There were significant differences among the categories of grants concerning the number of citations in WoS (P <0.001). There was a significant difference in the number of times researchers were cited according to the specialty included in Medicine area. (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION. Strategies to improve the scientific output qualitatively possibly can be enhanced by the knowledge of the profile of researchers in the field of Medicine.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produção científica de pesquisadores da área de Medicina que recebem bolsa de produtividade do CNPq. MÉTODOS: Os currículos Lattes de 542 pesquisadores com bolsas ativas de 2012 a 2014 foram incluídos na análise. As categorias/níveis das bolsas de produtividade foram estratificadas em três grupos de acordo com a classificação do CNPq (1A-B, 1C-D e 2). RESULTADOS: Houve predomínio de bolsas na categoria 2. Durante a carreira acadêmica, pesquisadores da Medicina publicaram 76.512 artigos, com mediana de 119 artigos por pesquisador (Intervalo Interquartil, IQ, 77 a 174). Entre os 76.512 artigos, 36.584 (47,8%) foram indexados no banco de dados da Web of Science (WoS). Pesquisadores em Medicina receberam 643.159 citações no banco de dados de WoS, com uma mediana de 754 citações (IQ, 356 a 1.447). Houve diferenças significativas entre as categorias de bolsas em relação ao número de citações em WoS (P < 0,001). Houve uma diferença significativa no número de citações recebidas pelos pesquisadores de acordo com a especialidade incluída na área de Medicina (P < 0,001). CONCLUSÃO: Estratégias para melhorar qualitativamente a produção científica possivelmente podem ser aprimoradas pelo conhecimento do perfil dos pesquisadores no campo da Medicina.

National scientific production on Burnout Syndrome in ICU nurses and physicians: a bibliometric study

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientific production on Burnout Syndrome in physicians and nurses of ICU in Brazil. METHOD: Bibliometric study, documentary, with quantitative approach. We selected articles published in Brazil on Burnout Syndrome in the ICUs, in the VHL and Portal Capes, from 2000 to 2018. RESULTS: 40 articles were identified, predominantly from the Southeast. Prevalence of those published in the Brazilian Journal of Intensive Care and in the Journal of Nursing UFPE online. The B2 Qualis periodical is the most prominent. The most prevalent descriptors were: Intensive Care Units, Burnout Syndrome, Burnout and Professional Exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses are more interested in publishing this issue. Burnout Syndrome studied in intensive physicians would contribute to identifying its prevalence in these professionals.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: Analisar a produção científica sobre a Síndrome de Burnout em médicos e enfermeiros de UTI no Brasil. MÉTODO: Estudo bibliométrico, documental, com abordagem quantitativa. Foram selecionados artigos publicados no Brasil sobre a Síndrome de Burnout nas UTIs, na BVS e Portal Capes, entre 2000 e 2018. Foi elaborado um mapa conceitual de modo a organizar o eixo temático. RESULTADOS: Foram identificados 40 artigos, predominantemente do Sudeste. Prevaleceram os publicados na Revista Brasileira de Terapia Intensiva e na Revista de Enfermagem UFPE on-line. O Qualis periódico B2 é o de maior destaque. Os descritores encontrados com maior prevalência foram: Unidades de Terapia Intensiva, Síndrome de Burnout, Burnout e Esgotamento Profissional. CONCLUSÕES: Enfermeiros apresentam maior interesse em publicar nessa temática. A Síndrome de Burnout estudada em médicos intensivistas contribuiria para identificar a sua prevalência nesses profissionais.

Producción científica y licenciamiento de escuelas de medicina en el Perú / Scientific production and licensing of medical schools in Peru

La nueva ley universitaria 30220 del 2014 creó la obligatoriedad del licenciamiento institucional de todas las universidades peruanas a cargo de la Superintendencia Nacional de Educación Superior Universitaria - SUNEDU, el primer programa de pregrado en pasar por el mismo proceso será medicina. El licenciamiento de programas de medicina es necesario para garantizar que las condiciones en que se imparte la carrera en el Perú son las adecuadas, con la alta posibilidad de cierre de algunas escuelas de medicina. Una vez que una escuela de medicina haya demostrado que cumple con las condiciones básicas de calidad, se realiza una evaluación cualitativa y una cuantitativa que incluye tres criterios: producción científica en Web of Science, impacto medido a través del índice H, y resultados del examen nacional de medicina, para determinar los años de licenciamiento. Este artículo realiza una evaluación de los indicadores cuantitativos vinculados a investigación usando Web of Science y Scopus, además de hacer revisiones técnicas y metodológicas de los mismos; así como sugerencias para los otros indicadores.

The new university law 30220 of 2014 introduced the mandatory institutional licensing of all Peruvian universities by the National Superintendence of Higher University Education (SUNEDU, in Spanish). The first undergraduate program to go through this process will be medicine. The licensing of medical programs is necessary to ensure that the conditions in which the program is taught in Peru are adequate, with a high probability of closing some medical schools. Once a medical school has demonstrated that it meets the basic conditions of quality, a qualitative and quantitative evaluation is carried out that includes three criteria: scientific production in the Web of Science, impact measured through the H index, and results of the national medical exam, to determine the years of licensing. This article evaluates the quantitative indicators linked to research using Web of Science and Scopus, in addition to making technical and methodological revisions of them. Suggestions for the other indicators are also covered by this article.

International collaboration among medical societies is an effective way to boost Latin American production of articles on tuberculosis / A colaboração internacional entre sociedades médicas é uma forma eficaz de aumentar a produção de artigos sobre tuberculose na América Latina

ABSTRACT Objective: Most studies of tuberculosis originate from high-income countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis. A review of the scientific production on tuberculosis in Latin American countries, most of which are low- or middle-income countries (some with high or intermediate tuberculosis incidence rates), would improve the understanding of public health challenges, clinical needs, and research priorities. The aims of this systematic review were to determine what has been published recently in Latin America, to identify the leading authors involved, and to quantify the impact of international collaborations. Methods: We used PubMed to identify relevant manuscripts on pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), or multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), published between 2013 and 2018. We selected only studies conducted in countries with an annual tuberculosis incidence of ≥ 10,000 reported cases and an annual MDR-TB incidence of ≥ 300 estimated cases, including Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. Articles were stratified by country, type, and topic. Results: We identified as eligible 395 studies on PTB and 188 studies on DR/MDR-TB-of which 96.4% and 96.8%, respectively, were original studies; 35.5% and 32.4%, respectively, had an epidemiological focus; and 52.7% and 36.2%, respectively, were conducted in Brazil. The recent Latin American Thoracic Association/European Respiratory Society/Brazilian Thoracic Association collaborative project boosted the production of high-quality articles on PTB and DR/MDR-TB in Latin America. Conclusions: Most of the recent Latin American studies on tuberculosis were conducted in Brazil, Mexico, or Peru. Collaboration among medical societies facilitates the production of scientific papers on tuberculosis. Such initiatives are in support of the World Health Organization call for intensified research and innovation in tuberculosis.

RESUMO Objetivo: A maioria dos estudos sobre tuberculose é proveniente de países de alta renda com baixa incidência de tuberculose. Uma revisão da produção científica sobre tuberculose na América Latina, região onde a maioria dos países é de baixa ou média renda, alguns com alta ou média incidência de tuberculose, seria útil para entender as necessidades clínicas e de saúde pública, bem como as prioridades de pesquisa. O objetivo desta revisão sistemática foi identificar o que foi publicado recentemente na América Latina, os principais autores envolvidos e o impacto das colaborações internacionais. Métodos: O PubMed foi usado para identificar manuscritos relevantes sobre tuberculose pulmonar (TBP) e tuberculose resistente ou multirresistente publicados entre 2013 e 2018. Foram selecionados apenas os estudos realizados em países com incidência anual de tuberculose ≥ 10.000 casos notificados e incidência anual de tuberculose multirresistente ≥ 300 casos estimados, incluindo Brasil, Peru, México, Colômbia e Argentina. Os artigos foram estratificados por país, tipo e tópico. Resultados: Foram identificados 395 estudos sobre TBP e 188 sobre tuberculose resistente/multirresistente, dos quais 96,4% e 96,8%, respectivamente, eram estudos originais; 35,5% e 32,4%, respectivamente, concentravam-se em epidemiologia; 52,7% e 36,2%, respectivamente, haviam sido realizados no Brasil. O recente projeto colaborativo da Asociación Latinoamericana de Tórax/European Respiratory Society/Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia impulsionou a produção de artigos de alta qualidade sobre TBP e tuberculose resistente/multirresistente na América Latina. Conclusões: A maioria dos estudos recentes sobre tuberculose na América Latina foi realizada no Brasil, México ou Peru. A colaboração entre sociedades médicas facilita a produção de artigos científicos sobre tuberculose. Iniciativas assim atendem ao pedido da Organização Mundial da Saúde de intensificação das pesquisas e inovações na área de tuberculose.

Características da produção científica sobre o trabalho infantil na América Latina / Características de la producción científica sobre el trabajo infantil en Latinoamérica / Characteristics of research on child labor in Latin America

O presente estudo analisou as características da produção científica sobre trabalho infantil na América Latina, de 2004 a 2014. Foram encontrados 114 trabalhos, nas bases de dados LILACS e SciELO. Os artigos foram categorizados com base nos conceitos de campo e agentes sociais de Pierre Bourdieu, destacando os produtores, os locais de publicação, os objetos e discursos. Observou-se um crescimento da produção no período, especificamente a partir de 2006. O Brasil ocupou a posição dominante na produção científica com 80,7% do total, seguido da Colômbia, Argentina e México. Os objetos de estudo são majoritariamente de abordagem qualitativa (55,3%) e metade dos artigos está indexada em revistas Qualis B1 ou superior. Apenas 14,9% das pesquisas, no entanto, receberam financiamento. Os produtores são de origens diversas, com a participação de psicólogos (26,3%), enfermeiros (17,5%) e economistas (13,2%). Os estudos estão situados em subáreas das Ciências Humanas, constituídas pelos discursos da Psicologia Social e do Desenvolvimento; Ciências da Saúde com destaque para os estudos epidemiológicos, pautados nos conceitos da enfermagem do trabalho e na subárea de Ciências Sociais Aplicadas com os estudos econômicos. Observou-se que os objetos de estudos relacionados ao trabalho infantil focam seu interesse na relação deste com a saúde, a educação, o trabalho e a assistência social, com pouca interdisciplinaridade nas publicações.

Este estudio analizó las características de la producción científica sobre el trabajo infantil en Latinoamérica desde 2004 hasta 2014. Se encontraron 114 trabajos en las bases de datos LILACS y SciELO. Se categorizaron los artículos a partir de los conceptos de campo y agentes sociales de Pierre Bourdieu, destacando productores, lugares de publicación, objetos y discursos. Se observó un crecimiento de la producción en este período, específicamente a partir de 2006. Brasil ocupó la posición dominante en la producción científica con un 80,7% de la producción, seguido de Colombia, Argentina y México. Los objetos de estudio son mayoritariamente de abordaje cualitativo (55,3%) y la mitad de los artículos están indexados en revistas Qualis B1 o superiores. No obstante, solamente un 14,9% de las investigaciones recibieron financiación. Los productores tienen orígenes diversos, hay psicólogos (26,3%), enfermeros (17,5%) y economistas (13,2%). Los estudios están situados en las subáreas de las Ciencias Humanas, constituidas por los discursos de la Psicología Social y del Desarrollo; Ciencias de la Salud con énfasis en estudios epidemiológicos, según conceptos de enfermería laboral y dentro de la subárea de las Ciencias Sociales Aplicadas con estudios económicos. Se observó que los objetos de estudio relacionados con el trabajo infantil enfocan su interés en la relación de éste último con la salud, la educación, el trabajo y la asistencia social, con poca interdisciplinaridad en las publicaciones.

The current study analyzed the characteristics of research on child labor in Latin America from 2004 to 2014. A total of 114 studies were identified in the LILACS and SciELO databases. The articles were categorized according to the concepts of field and social agents, as in Pierre Bourdieu, highlighting the authors, places of publication, objects, and discourses. An increase was observed in the research output during this period, specifically since 2006. Brazil held a dominant position in the research with 80.7% of the total publications, followed by Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico. The objects of study are mostly qualitative approaches (55.3%), and half of the articles are indexed in Qualis B1 journals or higher. However, only 14.9% of the studies had received funding. The authors have various backgrounds, featuring participation by psychologists (26.3%), nurses (17.5%), and economists (13.2%). The studies are situated in subareas of the Human Sciences, consisting of the discourses of Social and Developmental Psychology; Health Sciences, featuring epidemiological studies, based on concepts from occupational health nursing; and the subarea of Applied Social Sciences with studies in economics. The objects of studies on child labor focus their interest on its relationship to health, education, work, and social assistance, with little interdisciplinarity in the publications.

Conceptos generales en bioestadística y epidemiología clínica: error aleatorio y error sistemático / General concepts in biostatistics and clinical epidemiology: random error and systematic error

La investigación biomédica, particularmente la que involucra a seres humanos, está siempre sometida a fuentes de error que deben ser reconocidas. El error sistemático o sesgo, se asocia con debilidades en el diseño metodológico o de la fase de ejecución del estudio. Éste afecta su validez y se valora cualitativamente. Por su parte, el error aleatorio se relaciona con las variaciones producidas por el azar, el cual puede expresarse cuantitativamente, pero nunca eliminarse. Esta revisión es la primera entrega de una serie metodológica sobre conceptos generales en bioestadística y epidemiología clínica desarrollada por la Cátedra de Metodología de la Investigación Científica de la Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile. En este artículo se abordan los conceptos teóricos asociados al error, su evaluación y control. Finalmente, se discuten algunas controversias actuales en cuanto a su conceptualización, de relevancia para estudiantes de pre y posgrado de ciencias de la salud.

Biomedical research, particularly when it involves human beings, is always subjected to sources of error that must be recognized. Systematic error or bias is associated with problems in the methodological design or during the execu-tion phase of a research project. It affects its validity and is qualitatively ap-praised. On the other hand, random error is related to variations due to chance. It may be quantitatively expressed, but never removed. This review is the first of a methodological series on general concepts in biostatistics and clin-ical epidemiology developed by the Chair of Scientific Research Methodology at the School of Medicine, University of Valparaíso, Chile. In this article, we address the theoretical concepts of error, its evaluation, and control. Finally, we discuss some current controversies in its conceptualization that are relevant to undergraduate and graduate students of health sciences.

Limitaciones para la publicación científica biomédica en los países de Costa Rica, Guatemala y Panamá. Una visión de es pecialistas y residentes / Limitations for biomedical scientific publication in Cos ta Rica, Guatemala, and Panama. A vision from specialists and resident

Objetivo: Los países de Costa Rica, Guatemala y Panamá muestran una escasa producción biomé­dic a. El objetivo de este estudio es identificar las barreras para la publicación y establecer propues­tas para incentivar la investigación biomédica. Métodos: Se realizó una encuesta en línea con la participación de 76 médicos sobre 4 ejes relacio­nados con las limitantes para la investigación y publicación científica. Se realizó un modelo de re­gresión logística para identificar las variables asociadas con la probabilidad de publicación. Resultados: Un total de 63 encuestados (67.1%; IC 95%: 56.5 ­ 77.7) reportaron haber publicado al menos un estudio científico, en su mayoría reportes de casos (47.4%) y revisiones (40.8%). Los años de ejercicio profesional, el grado académico, o el tipo de institución del encuestado no se rela­cionaron con la probabilidad de realizar publicaciones científicas. El principal origen de los fondos fueron recursos propios (67.1%). Las principales limitaciones fueron la falta de tiempo y recurso hu­mano para investigación (88.2%). Los encuestados desearían tener más tiempo para la investiga­ción (92.1%) y mayor apoyo institucional (78.9%), a la vez que propusieron que los entes externos deben promover su participación en ensayos clínicos (65.8%) y en actividades académicas (61.8%). Conclusión: La mayoría de encuestados señaló que la falta de recursos, tiempo y personal como li­mitantes importantes para la publicación biomédica.

Aim: Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama are known by the scarce amount of biomedical produc­ tion. Our aim was to identify barriers to scientific publication and to establish proposals for increa­ sing biomedical investigation in these countries. Methods: An on­line questionnaire was completed by 76 physicians about 4 frameworks. A logistic regression model was done to identify variables associated with the probability of publication. Results: 63 physicians (67.1%; IC 95%: 56.5 ­ 77.7) have published at least one scientific paper. Most of these publications were cas e reports (47.4%) and reviews (40.8%). Physicians laboring in priv ate practices (p<0.001) and those specialists in medical oncology or hematology (p=0.02) were more likely to be involved in clinical trials (26.3%). Professional experience, academic al degree, and type of medical practice were not related to the number of scientific publications. The majority of phy sicians finance their projects by their own resources (67.1%). The main limitations were lack of time and human resources (88.2%). The respondents would like to have more time to spend in re­ search (92.1%), and more institutional support (78.9%). They also proposed that external entities should promote their participation in clinical (65.8%) and support academic activities (61.8%). Conclusion: Most of the physicians pointed that lack of human, time, and monetary resources are important barriers to scientific publication

Use of pharmaceutical nanotechnology for the treatment of leishmaniasis

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Leishmaniasis is a global public health concern. Currently available treatments are associated with considerable side effects. The use of nanotechnology has shown promise for improving efficacy and bioavailability and minimizing side effects. METHODS: This study investigated available literature, including patents and scientific articles, to identify advances in the use of nanotechnology for the treatment of leishmaniasis. RESULTS: Our findings revealed a stable number of patents and scientific articles published over the past five years. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to intensify research on the use of nanotechnology for the treatment of leishmaniasis.