Objective To evaluate the quality of Chinese literatures on the methodology of D-dimer diagnostic test. Method We searched CNKI (1994 to 2006) and CBM (1978 to 2006) for articles involving the diagnostic tests of D-dimer for coagulation disorders. Result A total of 63 relevant articles were retrieved and 7 were included in our review. Only one of these provided useful data on two two table for the evaluation of diagnostic accuracy. Conclusions Few studies on the diagnostic tests of D-dimer have been performed and publ ished in China, all of poor quality. Further studies should focus on clinical diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, so as to provide more valuable information for readers.
Objective To compare the efficiency of epidermis cell culture between big graft method and small strip method. Methods The big graft method was to cut the skin tissue reticularly from dermis layer while the epidermis were not cut off. After it was digested fully in trypsin, theepidermis was separated from skin and was used to culture epidermal cells. The small strip method was routine. The time to cut the skin and to separate the epidermis was recorded, and the number and quality of cells were compared between two methods. Results It took 8-10 minutes to cut an area of 5 cm2 skin into small strips and 1-2 minutes into big grafts. It took 10-15 minutes to separate the epidermis from the same area skin by small strip method and 2 minutes by big graft method. The cells showed better vigor and its number was more by big grafts than by small strips.The chance of fibroblast contamination was reduced obviously. Conclusion The big graft method is simpler than the small strip method and can culture more epidermis cells with less chance of fibroblast contamination.
Umbrella review is a research method that comprehensively analyzes the systematic reviews and meta-analysis of a research question. In recent years, the research methods of umbrella review have been widely used, but the quality of umbrella review is uneven. Therefore, this paper focuses on the production methods and existing challenges of umbrella review, in order to provide references for domestic researchers to make umbrella review.
In the process of guideline development and construction of clinical questions, it is necessary to guide clinicians to propose clinical problems into PICO (population, intervention, control, outcome) structured clinical questions. However, there are still unclear criteria to define and judge the appropriateness of the width of the PICO elements of a clinical question. Either too wide or too narrow can make the PICO question unsuitable to be a question for clinical practice guidelines to answer. We graded the clinical questions to be eight grades (3, 2, 1, 0, −1, −2, −3, mixed) according to the number of the PIC elements, which obviously needed to be adjusted to evaluate applicability of the appropriateness of the width of the clinical questions. Our work can provide methodological references for clinicians and guideline developers.
Scoping reviews are intended to help researchers in complex and extensive fields can better address exploratory research questions, comprehensive and systematic understanding of the current development of a field. However, the current scoping review needs to be unified in the implementation process, and the emergence of the JBI scoping review execution process can solve this problem well, which combines and improves the framework of the previous execution process, and regulates the whole process of scoping review production in depth and comprehensively from the aspects of the research purpose and questions, inclusion criteria, search, screening, data extraction, and analysis of the results, etc., and it has a strong authority and professionalism. Therefore, in order to help researchers better carry out and implement the scoping reviews, this paper focuses on the JBI scoping review execution process, and through detailed interpretation of the JBI scoping review execution process and demonstration of examples, it provides references for researchers to correctly apply the JBI scoping review execution process, in order to enhance the transparency and reliability of the research results, and to promote the scientific application of scoping reviews in China.
The necessity and methods of systematic review or Meta-analysis of observational studies were introduced. The difference between the systematic review or Meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials was also described.
Objective To form the list of methodological quality evaluation and explanation for the selection of objective performance criteria in single arm trial, and initially construct a methodological guiding tool for the selection and evaluation of target value, so as far to provide a research basis for improving the system of single-arm trial quality evaluation by objective performance criteria method. Methods Combining the bias risk assessment method of observational study, interventional trails, domestic and foreign policy documents, and systematically collecting the common bias and evaluation key points, preliminarily proposing the list of methodological quality evaluation and explanation for the selection of objective performance criteria in single-arm trial, via two rounds of expert consensus voting using nominal group method, finally formulating the list based on the voting results and expert opinions. Results Through two rounds of discussion, sorting, comprehensive expert opinions, we improved the corresponding items in the list and finally formed the list of methodological quality evaluation and explanation for the selection of objective performance criteria in single-arm trial, which included four areas: authority, traceability, comparability, and reliability, including 10 items. The entries in each field considered both design and implementation throughout the clinical trial. Conclusion The methodology list developed in this study provides methodological guidance for the selection of objective performance criteria and quality evaluation, and provides a solid theoretical basis for the establishment of a complete methodological system of quality evaluation for objective performance criteria single arm trails.
Meta-research is the "research of research", which aims to explore the existing quality of research in the scientific field, so as to help researchers comprehensively and systematically understand the current status of research development in a certain field, and to find relevant solutions to improve the quality of research in the field, which is a kind of scientific research concept. The concept of meta-research is widely used in the field of medicine, but its definition and use are still unclear in China. Therefore, this paper explores the origin of the definition of meta-research, the scope of research areas involved, and the path of its translation and implementation from the medical perspective, to help domestic researchers understand and familiarize themselves with the theoretical basis of meta-research, and provide them with a framework of ideas for the correct conduct and implementation of meta-research, so as to promote the scientific application and development of meta-research in the domestic medical field.
Objectives To explore the quality of the reporting of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).Methods We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 4, 2006), PubMed, EMbase, the Chinese Biomedical Database (CBMdisc), VIP Information, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (from establishment to February 2007). We also checked the reference lists of included studies. The quality of the reporting of RCTs was assessed using the 22-item checklist of the CONSORT Statement and other self-established criteria. Results Thirty-eight RCTs were included. The word “randomization” was not present in any of the trials, and only 17 reports used a structured abstract. All trials did not report the scientific background and the rational for the trial, the estimation of the necessary sample size, the methods of allocation concealment and blinding, participant flow chart, ITT analysis, and ancillary analyses. Some authors misunderstood the diagnostic criteria and inclusion criteria, some selected inappropriate control interventions, and some did not clearly describe their statistical methods or used incorrect methods. All 38 trials reported positive outcomes, few reported adverse effects. No report included a general interpretation of the new trial’s results in the context of current evidence in their discussion section, and none mentioned the limitations of the study, the clinical and research implications or the external validity of the trial findings. Conclusion The overall reporting quality of RCTs of TCM for CFS is poor. Defects are found in each section of the reports. Researchers and journal editors should learn and use the principles and methods of evidence-based medicine—especially the use of a transparent prospective clinical trial register and the CONSORT Statement—to improve the design, conduct and report TCM trials.