Matthias Bundschuh

Gold nanoparticles: recent aspects for human toxicology

Nanoparticles (particles sized between 1 and 100 nanometers) are more and more used in all fields of science and medicine for their physicochemical properties. As gold has traditionally been considered as chemically inert and biocompatible, in particular, gold nanoparticles have been established as valuable tools in several areas of biomedical research. But in contrast to the multitude of studies that addressed the clinical use of gold nanoparticles, only little is known about potential toxicological effects such as induction of inflammatory immune responses, possible apoptotic cell death or developmental growth inhibition in embryos. Therefore the present study performed a systematic review of toxicological data, especially experimentally acquired data concerning in-vivo-toxicity, published in the PubMed. It can be stated that the data in this area of research is still largely limited. Especially, knowledge about size-, charge- and surface-chemistry dependent in-vivo-toxicity is needed to predict the hazard potential of auric nanoparticles (AuNPs) for humans.

Yellow fever disease: density equalizing mapping and gender analysis of international research output

BackgroundA number of scientific papers on yellow fever have been published but no broad scientometric analysis on the published research of yellow fever has been reported.The aim of the article based study was to provide an in-depth evaluation of the yellow fever field using large-scale data analysis and employment of bibliometric indicators of production and quantity.MethodsData were retrieved from the Web of Science database (WoS) and analyzed as part of the NewQis platform. Then data were extracted from each file, transferred to databases and visualized as diagrams. Partially by means of density-equalizing mapping makes the findings clear and emphasizes the output of the analysis.ResultsIn the study period from 1900 to 2012 a total of 5,053 yellow fever-associated items were published by 79 countries. The United States (USA) having the highest publication rate at 42% (n = 751) followed by far from Brazil (n = 203), France (n = 149) and the United Kingdom (n = 113). The most productive journals are the “Public Health Reports”, the “American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene” and the “Journal of Virology”. The gender analysis showed an overall steady increase of female authorship from 1950 to 2011. Brazil is the only country of the five most productive countries with a higher proportion of female scientists.ConclusionsThe present data shows an increase in research productivity over the entire study period, in particular an increase of female scientists. Brazil shows a majority of female authors, a fact that is confirmed by other studies.

Silicosis: geographic changes in research: an analysis employing density-equalizing mapping

BackgroundA critical evaluation of scientific efforts is needed in times of modified evaluation criteria for academic personnel and institutions.MethodsUsing scientometric benchmark procedures and density-equalizing mapping, we analysed the global scientific efforts on “silicosis” of the last 92 years focusing on geographical changes within the last 30 years, specifying the most productive authors, institutions, countries and the most successful cooperations.ResultsThe USA as the most productive supplier have established their position as center of international cooperation, followed in considerable distance by the United Kingdom, Germany and China. Asian countries, particularly China, catch up and are expected to excel the USA still in this decade.ConclusionThe combination of scientometric procedures with density-equalizing mapping reveals a distinct global pattern of research productivity and citation activity. Modified h-index, citationrate and impact factor have to be discussed critically due to distortion by bias of self-citation, language and co-authorship.

Asylsuchende und Impfen

ZusammenfassungSeit 2014 ist die Zahl der Asylsuchenden in Deutschland stark angestiegen. Der Anteil der Asylsuchenden aus Ländern mit eingeschränktem Zugang zu medizinischer Versorgung und Impfungen ist erheblich. Durch die enge räumliche Situation in den Erstaufnahmeeinrichtungen besteht für Asylsuchende eine erhöhte Gefahr für Ausbrüche von Infektionskrankheiten. Der vorliegende Übersichtsartikel beschreibt die aktuellen Empfehlungen für Impfungen gemäß des RKI und der STIKO.AbstractThe number of people seeking asylum in Germany has increased dramatically since 2014. Among asylum seekers, the proportion of people from countries with limited access to health care and immunization is considerable. Thus, there is a high probability of infectious disease outbreaks for asylum seekers in their accommodations due to close living conditions. This review article describes the current immunization guidelines in Germany according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) and German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO).

Kongenitale Toxoplasmose und Toxoplasma gondii

ZusammenfassungEine Infektion mit Toxoplasma gondii verläuft bei immunkompetenten Menschen meist symptomlos, kann jedoch im Rahmen einer Schwangerschaft schwere Schädigungen beim Ungeborenen verursachen. Bei weniger als 10 % der betroffenen Neugeborenen manifestiert sich die kongenitale Toxoplasmose mit der klassischen Symptomtrias aus Hydrozephalus, Chorioretinitis und intrakraniellen Kalzifikationen. Die Mehrheit der Fälle zeigt keine oder unspezifische Symptome wie Krampfanfälle, Ikterus, Anämie oder Fieber. Aufgrund der meist uncharakteristischen mütterlichen Symptome wird eine frühe Diagnosestellung häufig erschwert. Die aktuell eingesetzten Medikamente Spiramycin, Pyrimethamin und Sulfadiazin stellen keine kurative Therapie dar, sind aber in der Lage, die Inzidenz der Erkrankung zu senken oder die Schädigung des Feten zu limitieren. Besonders wichtig ist die Aufklärung der Patientin zur Expositionsprophylaxe. Einfache Maßnahmen wie Händehygiene oder eine Vermeidung potenziell kontaminierter Lebensmittel reduzieren das Risiko einer mütterlichen Infektion auf ein Minimum.AbstractAn infection with Toxoplasma gondii mostly follows an asymptomatic course in immunocompetent individuals; however, when contracted in pregnancy or up to 6 months before, the parasite can cause serious sequelae in the unborn child. In less than 10 % of newborns, congenital toxoplasmosis is manifested as the classic triad of hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis and intracranial calcifications. In the majority of cases newborns show either no manifestations or unspecific findings, such as seizures, jaundice, anemia and fever. An early diagnosis in pregnancy is difficult as maternal symptoms are mostly unspecific. Drugs, such as spiramycin, pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine are currently the mainstay of therapy. They do not provide curative treatment but may decrease the incidence of the disease or limit the sequelae in the fetus. It is particularly important to educate patients about prophylaxis against exposure: simple measures, such as hand hygiene and avoiding potentially contaminated foods can help to reduce the risk of maternal infection to a minimum.

Global Research on Smoking and Pregnancy—A Scientometric and Gender Analysis

The exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy is considered to be amongst the most harmful avoidable risk factors. In this scientometric and gender study scientific data on smoking and pregnancy was analyzed using a variety of objective scientometric methods like the number of scientific contributions, the number of citations and the modified h-index in combination with gender-specific investigations. Covering a time period from 1900 to 2012, publishing activities of 27,955 authors, institutions and countries, reception within the international scientific community and its reactions were analyzed and interpreted. Out of 10,043 publications the highest number of scientific works were published in the USA (35.5%), followed by the UK (9.9%) and Canada (5.3%). These nations also achieve the highest modified h-indices of 128, 79 and 62 and the highest citation rates of 41.4%, 8.6% and 5.3%, respectively. Out of 12,596 scientists 6,935 are female (55.1%), however they account for no more than 49.7% of publications (12,470) and 42.8% of citations (172,733). The highest percentage of female experts about smoking and pregnancy is found in Australasia (60.7%), while the lowest is found in Asia (41.9%). The findings of the study indicate an increase in gender equality as well as in quantity and quality of international scientific research about smoking and pregnancy in the future.

Hepatitis B: global scientific development from a critical point of view

Hepatitis B is the tenth leading cause of death worldwide. Countries with high endemicity, such as China and Taiwan show high scientific productivity in this field and dominate the top ten list of the most productive authors worldwide, providing four of them. This is remarkable, as the USA and Europe usually maintain leading positions, not only regarding country‐specific scientific productivity, but also top ten ranking of most productive and most cited authors in other important medical sectors. So far, a scientometric analysis of the topic ‘hepatitis B’ has not been generated despite an increased need for it in times of modified evaluation criteria for academic personnel and a subsequent tendency to co‐authorship and author self‐citation. In this study, scientometric methods and large‐scale data analysis were used to evaluate quality and quantity of scientific research dealing with the topic ‘hepatitis B’ and to contribute to distinguish relevant research output. Data were gained from Pubmed and ISI‐Web. In the time span of 1971–2011, 49 166 items were published by 250 countries, of which the USA have been the most productive supplier with 28% of all publications, followed in considerable distance by Germany, China, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Italy and Taiwan, respectively. The USA have established their position as centre of international cooperation. Their cooperation with China proves to be the most productive one. The most prolific journals in the field of hepatitis b were ‘Hepatology’, the ‘Journal of Hepatology’ and the ‘Journal of Medical Virology’. h‐index, citation rate and impact factor, commonly used for assessment of scientific quality, were determined and discussed critically with regard to distortion by bias of self‐citation and co‐authorship.

Pancreatitis: Global Research Activities and Gender Imbalances: A Scientometric Approach Using Density-Equalizing Mapping.

Objective Despite the high impact of acute and chronic pancreatitis on the global burden of disease, no scientometric evaluation in this research field has yet been conducted. Therefore, we have issued an analysis in the field of pancreatitis research covering the past 112 years. Methods Data were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Density-equalizing mapping and large-scale data analysis were used to visualize bilateral and multilateral research cooperation. Results Finland is the only 1 of the 15 most productive countries showing a ratio in favor of female scientists. The United States is the most productive supplier with 24.1% of all publications. The most successful international cooperation proved to be the one between the United States and Germany. Although the United States holds the highest h-index, Switzerland obtains by far the highest citation rate. China, Russia, and India show only little international cooperation, given their scientific productivity. Conclusions For the benefit of scientific progress, more countries with considerable numbers of patients should contribute to international collaborations and female researchers should be encouraged and supported.

MRSA: A Density-Equalizing Mapping Analysis of the Global Research Architecture

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has evolved as an alarming public health thread due to its global spread as hospital and community pathogen. Despite this role, a scientometric analysis has not been performed yet. Therefore, the NewQIS platform was used to conduct a combined density-equalizing mapping and scientometric study. As database, the Web of Science was used, and all entries between 1961 and 2007 were analyzed. In total, 7671 entries were identified. Density equalizing mapping demonstrated a distortion of the world map for the benefit of the USA as leading country with a total output of 2374 publications, followed by the UK (1030) and Japan (862). Citation rate analysis revealed Portugal as leading country with a rate of 35.47 citations per article, followed by New Zealand and Denmark. Country cooperation network analyses showed 743 collaborations with US-UK being most frequent. Network citation analyses indicated the publications that arose from the cooperation of USA and France as well as USA and Japan as the most cited (75.36 and 74.55 citations per collaboration article, respectively). The present study provides the first combined density-equalizing mapping and scientometric analysis of MRSA research. It illustrates the global MRSA research architecture. It can be assumed that this highly relevant topic for public health will achieve even greater dimensions in the future.

Global architecture of gestational diabetes research: density-equalizing mapping studies and gender analysis

ObjectiveGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with substantial morbidity for mothers and their offspring. While clinical and basic research activities on this important disease grow constantly, there is no concise analysis of global architecture of GDM research. Hence, it was the objective of this study to assess the global scientific performance chronologically, geographically and in relation to existing research networks and gender distribution of publishing authors.Study designOn the basis of the New Quality and Quantity Indices in Science (NewQIS) platform, scientometric methods were combined with modern visualizing techniques such as density equalizing mapping, and the Web of Science database was used to assess GDM-related entries from 1900 to 2012.ResultsTwelve thousand five hundred four GDM-related publications were identified and analyzed. The USA (4295 publications) and the UK (1354 publications) dominated the field concerning research activity, overall citations and country-specific Hirsch-Index, which quantified the impact of a country’s published research on the scientific community. Semi-qualitative indices such as country-specific citation rates ranked New Zealand and the UK at top positions. Annual collaborative publications increased steeply between the years 1990 and 2012 (71 to 1157 respectively). Subject category analysis pointed to a minor interest of public health issues in GDM research. Gender analysis in terms of publication authorship revealed a clear dominance of the male gender until 2005; then a trend towards gender equity started and the activity of female scientists grew visibly in many countries. The country-specific gender analysis revealed large differences, i.e. female scientists dominated the scientific output in the USA, whereas the majority of research was published by male authors in countries such as Japan.ConclusionThis study provides the first global sketch of GDM research architecture. While North-American and Western-European countries were dominating the GDM-related scientific landscape, a disparity exists in terms of research output between developed and low-resource countries. Since GDM is linked to considerable mortality and morbidity of mothers and their offspring and constitutes a tremendous burden for the healthcare systems in underserved countries, our findings emphasize the need to address disparities by fostering research endeavors, public health programs and collaborative efforts in these nations.