Effect of Long-Term Oxygen Therapy on Reducing Rehospitalization of Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work is to evaluate whether the addition of home oxygen therapy (HOT) would reduce readmission in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. METHODS: PubMed, ScopeMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The search strategy used the following keywords "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease", the intervention "long-term oxygen therapy", and the outcome "readmission" combined with the AND operator. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Jadad Scale were used for assessing the quality of cohort studies and clinical trials, respectively. A random-effects model was employed in this study after calculating the standard errors by 95% confidence intervals. The I2 statistic and Cochran's Q-test were used to measure heterogeneity. To address heterogeneity, subgroup analyses were carried out according to the length of LTOT, which was classified as "over 8 months" and "under 8 months". RESULTS: Seven studies were included in the analysis. In the pooled analysis, the RR [CI95%, p value], heterogeneity criteria for readmission reduced by 1.542 [1.284-1.851, < 0.001], I2 = 60%, and 1.693 [1.645-1.744, < 0.001], I2 = 60% for patients with a length of LTOT treatment under and above 8 months, respectively. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by systematically omitting each study, and it showed no influential studies. Egger's test indicated no publication bias (p = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results in this systematic review, long-tern oxygen therapy (LTOT) at home was associated with a significantly lower risk ratio of hospital readmission. However, the sample sizes in the studies necessitate larger RCTs to evaluate the effect of LTOT on readmission in COPD patients.

Information retrieval strategy in functional gastrointestinal disorders with emphasis on the sensitivity and precision.

BACKGROUND: To determine functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) aspects, there should be a guideline to retrieve documents in this area for researchers with different levels of knowledge about these disorders. the objective of this study was conducted in order to compile different terms related to different categories of these disorders and to determine the sensitivity of them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To set a proper search, some strategies were used to enhance the precision and sensitivity. After preparing the list of terms according to some sources such as thesauruses, Rome classification, related review articles, and so on, they were divided into seven categories and the queries in each of them were searched on the Scopus. RESULTS: The sensitivity for each of the terms in categories were calculated, and the highest values were as follow: FGIDs with 189 queries ("digestive* system* function* disorder*"), irritable bowel syndrome with 142 queries ("irritable colon*"), functional constipation with 13 queries ("function* disorder*" and constipation), functional diarrhea with 16 queries ("function* disorder*" and diarrhea), functional bloating with 29 queries ("function* disorder*" and bloat*), Functional Dyspepsia with 29 queries ("functional dyspep*"), and neurogenic bowel with 7 queries ("neurogenic bowel*"). CONCLUSION: Given the values calculated for sensitivity, and considering the type of study, in order to retrieve documents in this area, it is necessary to apply all or part of the proposed queries to the search strategy.

Sulfur Mustard and Immunology; Trends of 20 Years Research in the Web of Science Core Collection: A Scientometric Review.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to use the scientometric approach to evaluate immunological studies on the subject of sulfur mustard over the past 20 years. METHODS: In this scientometric study, the Web of Science Core Collection was searched on the studies about sulfur mustard. The published papers related to the field of immunology were retrieved from these papers. HistCite software and VOSviewer were the applied software packages for bibliometric analysis, information visualization, and creating bibliometric networks. RESULTS: Over the past 20 years, 741 researchers from 22 countries have published 201 scientific papers in 95 journals. Iran and the United States with 93 and 68 published articles ranked at the top. The Journal of International Immunopharmacology, with 33 published papers, 439 Total Global Citation Score (TGCS), and 105 Total Local Citation Score (TLCS) was the most productive and most influential in this regard. The paper entitled "Biomonitoring of exposure to chemical warfare agents: A review" and another paper entitled "Sardasht-Iran Cohort Study of Chemical Warfare Victims: Design and Methods" were the most influential papers in this topic with 200 TGCS and 27 TLCS, respectively. The most productive and the most influential centers were "Immunoregulation Research Center of Shahed University" and "The Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center (JMERC)," respectively. CONCLUSION: The result of our report as the unique scientometric evaluation of the research on sulfur mustard and Immunology can be used as a roadmap for authors, researchers, and policymakers to define the best ways to allocate their financial and executive resources.

Effect of Selenium on Thyroid Disorders: Scientometric Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Association of Selenium (Se) deficiency, an essential trace element, has been found with human diseases. Identifying literature trends on the effects of Se on the thyroid may guide in planning future studies. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using the Web of Science database to identify studies on Se and the thyroid published over the 20 years duration (1995-Dec 2014). Scientometric indices were used to draw field maps. The scientific processes, structure, evidence history, and international collaborations were included in the map. The most influential authors, journals, institutions, and countries were also examined. RESULTS: Our search identified 184 research and review papers. The number of scientific studies on Se and the thyroid has been irregular, but interest in this topic has increased in recent years. The highest number of studies was published in 2014 (16 papers) and overall growth factor of publication was 3.78. Overall, 744 authors from 282 institutions in 43 countries published in this field. The author J. Kohrle (828 citations, 14 publications), and German scientists (1272 citations, 30 publications) were most influential. CONCLUSION: This study reveals the interrelationships between different publications on the effects of Se on the thyroid. Leading scientific issues and their extent of impact were successfully determined by examining citations. The results of systematic citations and mapping fields can be used to assist in policy and management contexts.

Scientometric analysis and mapping of 20 years of glaucoma research.

AIM: To provide a scientometric analysis in the field of glaucoma. METHODS: A bibliometric method was used to obtain a view of the scientific production in field of glaucoma by data extracted from the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) from 1993 to 2013. Specific parameters were retrieved from the ISI. Articles about glaucoma were analyzed regarding the topics' structure, history, and document relationships using HistCite software. Also, the trends in the most influential publications and authors were analyzed. RESULTS: The number of articles was constantly increasing, and most highly cited articles addressed clinical and epidemiologic topics in this field. During the past three years, there has been a trend towards genomic research studies and also more molecular translational research. CONCLUSION: This was the first scientometric report on glaucoma, analyzing the characteristics of papers and the trends in scientific production. A constant increase was observed in the number of papers, while the subject of papers had a shift in the past three years towards genomic research studies.

Determining the level of awareness of the physicians in using the variety of electronic information resources and the effecting factors.

BACKGROUND: Understanding of the medical society's from the types of information resources for quick and easy access to information is an imperative task in medical researches and management of the treatment. The present study was aimed to determine the level of awareness of the physicians in using various electronic information resources and the factors affecting it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a descriptive survey. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire. The study population included all the physicians and specialty physicians of the teaching hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and numbered 350. The sample size based on Morgan's formula was set at 180. The content validity of the tool was confirmed by the library and information professionals and the reliability was 95%. Descriptive statistics were used including the SPSS software version 19. RESULTS: On reviewing the need of the physicians to obtain the information on several occasions, the need for information in conducting the researches was reported by the maximum number of physicians (91.9%) and the usage of information resources, especially the electronic resources, formed 65.4% as the highest rate with regard to meeting the information needs of the physicians. Among the electronic information databases, the maximum awareness was related to Medline with 86.5%. Among the various electronic information resources, the highest awareness (43.3%) was related to the E-journals. The highest usage (36%) was also from the same source. The studied physicians considered the most effective deterrent in the use of electronic information resources as being too busy and lack of time. CONCLUSION: Despite the importance of electronic information resources for the physician's community, there was no comprehensive knowledge of these resources. This can lead to less usage of these resources. Therefore, careful planning is necessary in the hospital libraries in order to introduce the facilities and full capabilities of the mentioned resources and methods of information retrieval.

The Webometric Status of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Webometrics refers to the quantitative study of science production, application, structure and technology in the cyber environment. Impact analysis, website collaboration, and recognition of core websites are regarded as the most practical advantages of webometrics. Furthermore, webometrics is applied in ranking studies for universities and academic institutes. This serves as an internationally approved means of academic ranking worldwide. Our study aimed to evaluate the webometric status of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) and its place in the Webometric Ranking of World Universities. We also tried to comment on how to improve the university's webometric rank at national, regional, and international levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including all websites of Iranian universities. Census sampling was applied to cover all Iranian university websites. Then the websites were evaluated according to the latest criteria for the international webometric ranking methodology (Cyberometric Lab, July 2012) and their webometric rank at the international level as well as the changes in the rank between July 2012 and January 2013 were analyzed. The webometric rank of IUMS was compared with other medical universities at different levels as well. FINDINGS: According to the findings, from July 2012 to January 2013, IUMS webometric rank improved by 707, 5 and 2 at international, national and ministerial levels, respectively. Moreover, the rank of IUMS for openness rose from 4477 to 193 during the mentioned period (∆ 4284). In excellence, the university rank did not change sensibly (1537 /1538). In the same period, the rank in presence shifted from 1137 to 1091. Meanwhile, growth in website impact was negative as the university impact rank declined from 3369 to 3393. CONCLUSION: It seems that impact as the most influential ranking indicator fails to grow proportionately as other factors of IUMS website. This is potentially due to the content language (Farsi) which is an important barrier to easy retrieval of information by non-Farsi speakers. However, the scientific content and SEO (Search Engine Optimization) standards of the website need serious improvement.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Scientometric Analysis.

Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is a major cause of central blindness among working aged adults across the world. Systematic research planning on any subject, including ARMD is in need of solid data regarding previous efforts in this field and to identify the gaps in the research. This study aimed to elucidate the most important trends, directions, and gap in this subject. The data extracted from the Institute for Scientific Information were used to perform a bibliometric analysis of the scientific productions (1993-2013) about ARMD. Specific parameters related to ARMD were analyzed to obtain a view of the topic's structure, history, and document relationships. Additionally, the trends and authors in the most influential publications were analyzed. The number of articles in this field was found constantly increasing. Most highly cited articles addressed genetic epidemiology and clinical research topics in this field. During the past 3 years, there has been a trend toward biomarker research. Through performing the first scientometric survey on ARMD research, we analyzed the characteristics of papers and the trends in scientific production. We also identified some of the critical gaps in the current research efforts that would help in large-scale research strategic planning.