A comparison of the academic impact of plastic surgery units in the United Kingdom and Ireland using bibliometric analysis

Academic output is just one aspect of a successful career as a plastic surgeon. However, for those with a strong interest in academia, the academic output of a department will likely be a key factor when deciding how to rank jobs. The aim of this study was to quantify and rank the academic output of plastic surgery units across the UK and Ireland. The Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science Bibliometric analysis tool was used to collate cumulative (1950–2016), 10 year (2006–2016) and 3 years (2013–2015) research output data for plastic surgery units in the UK and Ireland. Sixty-six plastic surgery units were identified. Departments were ranked for each time period according to the number of papers produced, number of citations (Nc) and h-index (a measure of the impact of scientific output). The top 3 departments for number of papers in the last 10 years were The Royal Free Hospital, London (226) Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford (218), and Morriston Hospital and Swansea (188). The top 3 for h-number were The Royal Free Hospital (21) Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester (18) and Morriston Hospital (17). Academic output varies across plastic surgery units in the UK and Ireland. A number of departments have consistently maintained high academic outputs across the years and will be of interest to surgeons hoping to pursue a career in academia.     

The ABA intervention for improving breastfeeding initiation and continuation: Feasibility study results

The UK has low breastfeeding rates, with socioeconomic disparities. The Assets‐based feeding help Before and After birth (ABA) intervention was designed to be inclusive and improve infant feeding behaviours. ABA is underpinned by the behaviour change wheel and offers an assets‐based approach focusing on positive capabilities of individuals and communities, including use of a Genogram. This study aimed to investigate feasibility of intervention delivery within a randomised controlled trial (RCT). Nulliparous women ≥16 years, (n = 103) from two English sites were recruited and randomised to either intervention or usual care. The intervention – delivered through face‐to‐face, telephone and text message by trained Infant Feeding Helpers (IFHs) – ran from 30‐weeks' gestation until 5‐months postnatal. Outcomes included recruitment rates and follow‐up at 3‐days, 8‐weeks and 6‐months postnatal, with collection of future full trial outcomes via questionnaires. A mixed‐methods process evaluation included qualitative interviews with 30 women, 13 IFHs and 17 maternity providers; IFH contact logs; and fidelity checking of antenatal contact recordings. This study successfully recruited women, including teenagers, from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas; postnatal follow‐up rates were 68.0%, 85.4% and 80.6% at 3‐days, 8‐weeks and 6‐months respectively. Breastfeeding at 8‐weeks was obtained for 95.1% using routine data for non‐responders. It was possible to recruit and train peer supporters to deliver the intervention with adequate fidelity. The ABA intervention was acceptable to women, IFHs and maternity services. There was minimal contamination and no evidence of intervention‐related harm. In conclusion, the intervention is feasible to deliver within an RCT, and a definitive trial required.     

Effects of acute liver injury on blood coagulation

Summary.  The mechanisms leading to the hemostatic changes of acute liver injury are poorly understood. To study these further we have assessed coagulation and immune changes in patients with acute paracetamol overdose and compared the results to patients with chronic cirrhosis and normal healthy controls. The results demonstrate that in paracetamol overdose coagulation factors (F)II, V, VII and X were reduced to a similar degree and were significantly lower than FIX and FXI (mean levels 0.28, 0.16, 0.13, 0.19, 0.51 and 0.72 IU mL⁻¹, respectively). In cirrhosis, by contrast, FII, FV, FVII, FIX and FX were equally reduced whilst FXI was lower than the other factors (mean levels 0.64, 0.69, 0.62, 0.60, 0.66 and 0.40 IU mL⁻¹, respectively). FVIII was raised in paracetamol overdose patients but normal in those with cirrhosis (mean levels 1.95 and 1.01 IU mL⁻¹, respectively). Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were raised in both patient groups, but higher levels were found in paracetamol overdose, compared to cirrhosis. Thrombin-antithrombin and soluble tissue factor levels were higher in those with acute liver injury but normal in cirrhosis. Antithrombin levels were reduced in both acute liver injury and cirrhosis. From these data we put forward a novel mechanism for the coagulation changes in acute paracetamol induced liver injury. We propose that immune activation leads to tissue factor-initiated consumption of FII, FV, FVII and FX, but that levels of FIX and FXI are better preserved because antithrombin inhibits the thrombin induced positive feedback loop that activates these latter factors.     

The impact of sequential quality assessment exercises on laboratory performance: the multicentre ECAT Angina Pectoris Study. Report from the European Concerted Action on Thrombosis and Disabilities (ECAT)

As an adjunct to a European multicentre prospective study, five quality assessment (QA) exercises, spanning a period of 2.5 years, were undertaken. In these, fifteen laboratories from eight countries each performed ten haemostatic factor assays. The design of the QA exercises allowed the between-duplicate, between-day and between-laboratory coefficients of variation (CVs) to be calculated. The between-duplicate CV decreased by a factor of one quarter, and the between-day CV by a factor of one third, over the five exercises. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay consistently showed the lowest CVs, while there was notable improvement in the between-day CVs for von Willebrand factor related antigen (vWF R:Ag) and factor VIII clotting activity (VIII:C). However, the between-laboratory CV, assessing extent of agreement between the different laboratories, did not apparently improve over the five exercises. Thus, while QA exercises may be very useful in improving the performance of haemostatic assays according to criteria which an individual laboratory can assess, improving agreement on haemostatic assay results between laboratories may be more difficult to achieve.