1
|
Clinical Animal Behaviour: Paradigms, Problems and Practice. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12223103. [PMID: 36428330 PMCID: PMC9687072 DOI: 10.3390/ani12223103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the public and clinicians are interested in the application of scientific knowledge concerning problem animal behaviour and its treatment. However, in order to do this effectively it is essential that individuals have not only scientific literacy but also an appreciation of philosophical concepts underpinning a particular approach and their practical implications on the knowledge generated as a result. This paper highlights several common misunderstandings and biases associated with different scientific perspectives relevant to clinical animal behaviour and their consequences for how we determine what may be a useful treatment for a given patient. In addition to more reflective evaluation of results, there is a need for researchers to report more information of value to clinicians; such as relevant treatment outcomes, effect sizes, population characteristics. Clinicians must also appreciate the limitations of population level study results to a given case. These challenges can however be overcome with the careful critical reflection using the scientific principles and caveats described.
Collapse
|
2
|
The Future of Biomarkers in Veterinary Medicine: Emerging Approaches and Associated Challenges. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12172194. [PMID: 36077913 PMCID: PMC9454634 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In this review we seek to outline the role of new technologies in biomarker discovery, particularly within the veterinary field and with an emphasis on ‘omics’, as well as to examine why many biomarkers-despite much excitement-have not yet made it to clinical practice. Further we emphasise the critical need for close collaboration between clinicians, researchers and funding bodies and the need to set clear goals for biomarker requirements and realistic application in the clinical setting, ensuring that biomarker type, method of detection and clinical utility are compatible, and adequate funding, time and sample size are available for all phases of development. Abstract New biomarkers promise to transform veterinary practice through rapid diagnosis of diseases, effective monitoring of animal health and improved welfare and production efficiency. However, the road from biomarker discovery to translation is not always straightforward. This review focuses on molecular biomarkers under development in the veterinary field, introduces the emerging technological approaches transforming this space and the role of ‘omics platforms in novel biomarker discovery. The vast majority of veterinary biomarkers are at preliminary stages of development and not yet ready to be deployed into clinical translation. Hence, we examine the major challenges encountered in the process of biomarker development from discovery, through validation and translation to clinical practice, including the hurdles specific to veterinary practice and to each of the ‘omics platforms–transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics and metabolomics. Finally, recommendations are made for the planning and execution of biomarker studies with a view to assisting the success of novel biomarkers in reaching their full potential.
Collapse
|
3
|
Wicherts JM. The Weak Spots in Contemporary Science (and How to Fix Them). Animals (Basel) 2017; 7:E90. [PMID: 29186879 PMCID: PMC5742784 DOI: 10.3390/ani7120090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, the author discusses several of the weak spots in contemporary science, including scientific misconduct, the problems of post hoc hypothesizing (HARKing), outcome switching, theoretical bloopers in formulating research questions and hypotheses, selective reading of the literature, selective citing of previous results, improper blinding and other design failures, p-hacking or researchers' tendency to analyze data in many different ways to find positive (typically significant) results, errors and biases in the reporting of results, and publication bias. The author presents some empirical results highlighting problems that lower the trustworthiness of reported results in scientific literatures, including that of animal welfare studies. Some of the underlying causes of these biases are discussed based on the notion that researchers are only human and hence are not immune to confirmation bias, hindsight bias, and minor ethical transgressions. The author discusses solutions in the form of enhanced transparency, sharing of data and materials, (post-publication) peer review, pre-registration, registered reports, improved training, reporting guidelines, replication, dealing with publication bias, alternative inferential techniques, power, and other statistical tools.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jelte M Wicherts
- Department of Methodology and Statistics, Tilburg University, Warandelaan 2, 5037 AB, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
This article summarizes the relevant definitions related to biomarkers; reviews the general processes related to biomarker discovery and ultimate acceptance and use; and finally summarizes and reviews, to the extent possible, examples of the types of biomarkers used in animal species within veterinary clinical practice and human and veterinary drug development. We highlight opportunities for collaboration and coordination of research within the veterinary community and leveraging of resources from human medicine to support biomarker discovery and validation efforts for veterinary medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Myers
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland 20855;
| | - Emily R Smith
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland 20855;
| | - Phillip G Turfle
- Center for Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Maryland 20855;
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hohenhaus AE, Kelsey JL, Haddad J, Barber L, Palmisano M, Farrelly J, Soucy A. Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Soft Tissue Sarcoma: An Evidence-Based Review of Case Management. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2016; 52:77-89. [DOI: 10.5326/jaaha-ms-6305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Canine cutaneous and subcutaneous soft tissue sarcomas (STS) account for 20.3% of malignant neoplasms of the skin. This article makes recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up in dogs with STS, using evidence-based medicine concepts. Although our review of the literature on the management of canine STS found many of the studies to be less than rigorous, board-certified specialists in internal medicine, surgery, pathology, oncology, and radiation oncology were able to make several recommendations based on the literature review: cytology and biopsy are important for presurgical planning; wide (>3 cm margins) surgical excision decreases the likelihood of tumor recurrence; the use of a histologic grading scale is useful in predicting biologic behavior; and, in select cases, chemotherapy and radiation therapy may be beneficial adjunct treatments to surgical excision. More research is necessary to determine minimum size of surgical margins, the impact of radiation therapy on incompletely resected tumors, the ideal chemotherapy protocol for high grade STS, and the optimal methods of monitoring dogs for tumor recurrence and metastasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ann E. Hohenhaus
- From the Animal Medical Center, New York, NY (A.E.H.); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (J.L.K.); IDEXX Laboratories, New York, NY (J.H.); Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (L.B.); VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT (M.P.); the Veterinary Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT (J.F.); and Guilford Veterinary Hospital, Guilford, CT (A.S.)
| | | | - Jamie Haddad
- From the Animal Medical Center, New York, NY (A.E.H.); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (J.L.K.); IDEXX Laboratories, New York, NY (J.H.); Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (L.B.); VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT (M.P.); the Veterinary Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT (J.F.); and Guilford Veterinary Hospital, Guilford, CT (A.S.)
| | - Lisa Barber
- From the Animal Medical Center, New York, NY (A.E.H.); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (J.L.K.); IDEXX Laboratories, New York, NY (J.H.); Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (L.B.); VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT (M.P.); the Veterinary Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT (J.F.); and Guilford Veterinary Hospital, Guilford, CT (A.S.)
| | - Matthew Palmisano
- From the Animal Medical Center, New York, NY (A.E.H.); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (J.L.K.); IDEXX Laboratories, New York, NY (J.H.); Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (L.B.); VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT (M.P.); the Veterinary Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT (J.F.); and Guilford Veterinary Hospital, Guilford, CT (A.S.)
| | - John Farrelly
- From the Animal Medical Center, New York, NY (A.E.H.); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (J.L.K.); IDEXX Laboratories, New York, NY (J.H.); Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (L.B.); VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT (M.P.); the Veterinary Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT (J.F.); and Guilford Veterinary Hospital, Guilford, CT (A.S.)
| | - Anita Soucy
- From the Animal Medical Center, New York, NY (A.E.H.); Stanford University, Stanford, CA (J.L.K.); IDEXX Laboratories, New York, NY (J.H.); Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA (L.B.); VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center, Norwalk, CT (M.P.); the Veterinary Cancer Center, Norwalk, CT (J.F.); and Guilford Veterinary Hospital, Guilford, CT (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Christopher MM. Weighing the impact (factor) of publishing in veterinary journals. J Vet Cardiol 2015; 17:77-82. [PMID: 26007711 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2015.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Revised: 01/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The journal in which you publish your research can have a major influence on the perceived value of your work and on your ability to reach certain audiences. The impact factor, a widely used metric of journal quality and prestige, has evolved into a benchmark of quality for institutions and graduate programs and, inappropriately, as a proxy for the quality of individual authors and articles, affecting tenure, promotion, and funding decisions. As a result, despite its many limitations, publishing decisions by authors often are based solely on a journal's impact factor. This can disadvantage journals in small disciplines, such as veterinary medicine, and limit the ability of authors to reach key audiences. In this article, factors that can influence the impact factor of a journal and its applicability, including precision, citation practices, article type, editorial policies, and size of the research community will be reviewed. The value and importance of veterinary journals such as the Journal of Veterinary Cardiology for reaching relevant audiences and for helping shape disciplinary specialties and influence clinical practice will also be discussed. Lastly, the efforts underway to develop alternative measures to assess the scientific quality of individual authors and articles, such as article-level metrics, as well as institutional measures of the economic and social impact of biomedical research will be considered. Judicious use of the impact factor and the implementation of new metrics for assessing the quality and societal relevance of veterinary research articles will benefit both authors and journals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary M Christopher
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| |
Collapse
|