Bringing results to fruition through publication: An analysis of a peer-reviewed, open access and context-focused journal's editorial practice

When it comes to helping to shape sustainable development, research is most useful when it bridges the science–implementation/management gap and when it brings development specialists and researchers into a dialogue (Hurni et al. 2004); can a peer-reviewed journal contribute to this aim? In the classical system for validation and dissemination of scientific knowledge, journals focus on knowledge exchange within the academic community and do not specifically address a ‘life-world audience’. Within a North-South context, another knowledge divide is added: the peer review process excludes a large proportion of scientists from the South from participating in the production of scientific knowledge (Karlsson et al. 2007). Mountain Research and Development (MRD) is a journal whose mission is based on an editorial strategy to build the bridge between research and development and ensure that authors from the global South have access to knowledge production, ultimately with a view to supporting sustainable development in mountains. In doing so, MRD faces a number of challenges that we would like to discuss with the td-net community, after having presented our experience and strategy as editors of this journal. MRD was launched in 1981 by mountain researchers who wanted mountains to be included in the 1992 Rio process. In the late 1990s, MRD realized that the journal needed to go beyond addressing only the scientific community. It therefore launched a new section addressing a broader audience in 2000, with the aim of disseminating insights into, and recommendations for, the implementation of sustainable development in mountains. In 2006, we conducted a survey among MRD’s authors, reviewers, and readers (Wymann et al. 2007): respondents confirmed that MRD had succeeded in bridging the gap between research and development. But we realized that MRD could become an even more efficient tool for sustainability if development knowledge were validated: in 2009, we began submitting ‘development’ papers (‘transformation knowledge’) to external peer review of a kind different from the scientific-only peer review (for ‘systems knowledge’). At the same time, the journal became open access in order to increase the permeability between science and society, and ensure greater access for readers and authors in the South. We are currently rethinking our review process for development papers, with a view to creating more space for communication between science and society, and enhancing the co-production of knowledge (Roux 2008). Hopefully, these efforts will also contribute to the urgent debate on the ‘publication culture’ needed in transdisciplinary research (Kueffer et al. 2007).

Hip Osteoarthritis MRI Scoring System (HOAMS): reliability and associations with radiographic and clinical findings

To develop a semiquantitative MRI-based scoring system (HOAMS) of hip osteoarthritis (OA) and test its reliability and validity.

LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous analysis of uracil, 5,6-dihydrouracil, 5-fluorouracil and 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil in human plasma for therapeutic drug monitoring and toxicity prediction in cancer patients

The chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is widely used for treating solid tumors. Response to 5-FU treatment is variable with 10-30% of patients experiencing serious toxicity partly explained by reduced activity of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). DPD converts endogenous uracil (U) into 5,6-dihydrouracil (UH(2) ), and analogously, 5-FU into 5-fluoro-5,6-dihydrouracil (5-FUH(2) ). Combined quantification of U and UH(2) with 5-FU and 5-FUH(2) may provide a pre-therapeutic assessment of DPD activity and further guide drug dosing during therapy. Here, we report the development of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for simultaneous quantification of U, UH(2) , 5-FU and 5-FUH(2) in human plasma. Samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction with 10:1 ethyl acetate-2-propanol (v/v). The evaporated samples were reconstituted in 0.1% formic acid and 10 μL aliquots were injected into the HPLC system. Analyte separation was achieved on an Atlantis dC(18) column with a mobile phase consisting of 1.0 mm ammonium acetate, 0.5 mm formic acid and 3.3% methanol. Positively ionized analytes were detected by multiple reaction monitoring. The analytical response was linear in the range 0.01-10 μm for U, 0.1-10 μm for UH(2) , 0.1-75 μm for 5-FU and 0.75-75 μm for 5-FUH(2) , covering the expected concentration ranges in plasma. The method was validated following the FDA guidelines and applied to clinical samples obtained from ten 5-FU-treated colorectal cancer patients. The present method merges the analysis of 5-FU pharmacokinetics and DPD activity into a single assay representing a valuable tool to improve the efficacy and safety of 5-FU-based chemotherapy.

7-year follow-up after open reduction and internal screw fixation in Bennett fractures

Bennett fractures are unstable, and, with inadequate treatment, lead to osteoarthritis, weakness and loss of function of the first carpometacarpal joint. This study focuses on long-term functional and radiological outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation.

Iron(III)-Pivalate-Based Complexes with Tetranuclear {Fe-4(mu(3)-O)(2)}(8+) Cores and N-Donor Ligands: Formation of Cluster and Polymeric Architectures

Different synthetic routes have been used for the preparation of a new tetranuclear [Fe4O2(O2CCMe3)(8)(bpm)] cluster (1) and a one-dimensional coordination polymer [Fe4O2-(O2CCMe3)(8)(hmta)](n) (2) (bpm = 2,2'-bipyrimidine and hmta = hexamethylenetetramine). For cluster 1, two structural isomers, 1a and 1b center dot 3MeCN, have been found. X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that all complexes consist of a central {Fe-4(mu(3)-O)(2)}(8+) core. In 1a, metal ions in the core are additionally linked by six bridging pivalates as two other pivalates and a bpm ligand are chelated to Fe-III ions, whereas in cluster 1b, metal ions in the {Fe-4(mu(3)-O)(2)}(8+) core are linked by seven bridging pivalates and only one carboxylate as well as bpm are chelated to the iron centers. In coordination polymer 2, [Fe4O2(O2CCMe3)(8)] clusters are bridged by hmta ligands to form zigzag chains. Magnetic measurements have been carried out to characterize these complexes and revealed antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe-III ions with best-fit parameters of J(wb) = -72.2 (1a) and -88.7 cm(-1) (1b) for wing...body interactions.

Limited open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum

The extended lateral L-shaped approach for the treatment of displaced intra-articular fractures of the calcaneum may be complicated by wound infection, haematoma, dehiscence and injury to the sural nerve. In an effort to reduce the risk of problems with wound healing a technique was developed that combined open reduction and fixation of the joint fragments and of the anterior process with percutaneous reduction and screw fixation of the tuberosity. A group of 24 patients with unilateral isolated closed Sanders type II and III fractures was treated using this technique and compared to a similar group of 26 patients managed by the extended approach and lateral plating. The operation was significantly shorter (p < 0.001) in the first group, but more minor secondary procedures and removal of heel screws were necessary. There were no wound complications in this group, whereas four minor complications occurred in the second group. The accuracy and maintenance of reduction, and ultimate function were equivalent.

Early loading of nonsubmerged titanium implants with a chemically modified sand-blasted and acid-etched surface: 6-month results of a prospective case series study in the posterior mandible focusing on peri-implant crestal bone changes and implant stability quotient (ISQ) values

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective case series study was to evaluate the short-term success rates of titanium screw-type implants with a chemically modified sand-blasted and acid-etched (mod SLA) surface after 3 weeks of healing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 56 implants were inserted in the posterior mandible of 40 partially edentulous patients exhibiting bone densities of class I to III. After a healing period of 3 weeks, all implants were functionally loaded with a screw-retained crown or fixed dental prosthesis. The patients were recalled at weeks 4, 7, 12, and 26 for monitoring and assessment of clinical and radiological parameters, including implant stability quotient (ISQ) measurements. RESULTS: None of the implants failed to integrate. However, two implants were considered "spinners" at day 21 and left unloaded for an extended period. Therefore, 96.4% of the inserted implants were loaded according to the protocol tested. All 56 implants including the "spinners" showed favorable clinical and radiographic findings at the 6-month follow-up examination. The ISQ values increased steadily throughout the follow-up period. At the time of implant placement, the range of ISQ values exhibited a mean of 74.33, and by week 26, a mean value of 83.82 was recorded. Based on strict criteria, all 56 implants were considered successfully integrated, resulting in a 6-month survival and success rate of 100.0%. CONCLUSION: This prospective study using an early-loading protocol after 3 weeks of healing demonstrated that titanium implants with the modified SLA surface can achieve and maintain successful tissue integration over a period of at least 6 months. The ISQ method seems feasible to monitor implant stability during the initial wound-healing period.

Intra- and inter-individual variation of BIS-index and Entropy during controlled sedation with midazolam/remifentanil and dexmedetomidine/remifentanil in healthy volunteers: an interventional study

INTRODUCTION: We studied intra-individual and inter-individual variability of two online sedation monitors, BIS and Entropy, in volunteers under sedation. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers were sedated in a stepwise manner with doses of either midazolam and remifentanil or dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. One week later the procedure was repeated with the remaining drug combination. The doses were adjusted to achieve three different sedation levels (Ramsay Scores 2, 3 and 4) and controlled by a computer-driven drug-delivery system to maintain stable plasma concentrations of the drugs. At each level of sedation, BIS and Entropy (response entropy and state entropy) values were recorded for 20 minutes. Baseline recordings were obtained before the sedative medications were administered. RESULTS: Both inter-individual and intra-individual variability increased as the sedation level deepened. Entropy values showed greater variability than BIS(R) values, and the variability was greater during dexmedetomidine/remifentanil sedation than during midazolam/remifentanil sedation. CONCLUSIONS: The large intra-individual and inter-individual variability of BIS and Entropy values in sedated volunteers makes the determination of sedation levels by processed electroencephalogram (EEG) variables impossible. Reports in the literature which draw conclusions based on processed EEG variables obtained from sedated intensive care unit (ICU) patients may be inaccurate due to this variability. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Nr. NCT00641563.