Texts for Comprehension

and Summary

Este material es propiedad de la Cátedra de Inglés Médico, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de la UNLP y debe
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 Scientific Papers – Classification and characteristics

Different Types of Scientific Papers

Scholarly articles (usually called papers) are published in print and in online scholarly journals,
and are reviewed by experts in a process known as a peer review before they are published. They
are written for other scholars or experts. There are several different types of scholarly publications,
which vary by discipline. Not all journals publish every type of scholarly article.
We will focus our attention on the following types of articles:

Review article
Review articles provide critical and constructive analysis of existing research in a field. They’re
usually structured to provide a summary of existing literature, analysis, and comparison. Often,
they identify specific gaps or problems and provide recommendations for future research.
They are considered as secondary literature. This means that they generally don’t present new
data from the author’s experimental work, but instead provide analysis or interpretation of a
body of primary research on a specific topic. Authors of these articles meticulously report on
existing research through summarising and analysing, comparing, identifying common themes and
gaps in the knowledge base, and providing directions for future research.
There are three main types of review article:
1. Literature review – presents the current knowledge including substantive findings as well as
theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic.
2. Systematic review – identifies, appraises and synthesizes all the empirical evidence that meets
pre-specified eligibility criteria to answer a specific research
question. Researchers conducting systematic reviews use
explicit, systematic methods that are selected with a view
aimed at minimizing bias, to produce more reliable findings
to inform decision making.
3. Meta-analysis – a quantitative, formal, epidemiological
study design used to systematically assess the results of
previous research to derive conclusions about that body of
research. Typically, but not necessarily, a meta-analysis
study is based on randomized, controlled clinical trials.

Research Article (Original article)

Original research papers, or empirical articles, are the most common type of journal article.
They are detailed studies reporting new work and are classified as primary literature.
Generally, these academic articles will include Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results,
Discussion, and Conclusion sections. These publications are typically long, ranging anywhere from
3,000 to 8,000 words and may extend to 12,000 words for some journals.

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 Scientific Papers – Classification and characteristics

Clinical study
In medicine, a clinical study report is a type of article that provides in-depth detail on the
methods and results of a clinical trial. They are typically similar in length and format to original
research articles.
Clinical trial papers describe methods and results of controlled studies usually undertaken with
large patient groups that have been randomly assigned to treatment and control groups.

Case report
A medical case report – also sometimes called a clinical case study – is an original short report
that provides details of a single patient case. Case reports include detailed information on the
symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of an individual patient. They remain one of
the cornerstones of medical progress and provide many new ideas in medicine.

(Material recuperado y adaptado de: https://www.cwauthors.com/article/Different-types-of-scientific-papers;

https://authorservices.taylorandfrancis.com/publishing-your-research/writing-your-paper/different-types-of-
research-articles/

 Lea el texto sobre las clases de artículos científicos y resuma sus principales
características en español

A. Artículo de Revisión B. Artículo de C. Estudio Clínico D. Informe de Caso

Investigación

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 Scientific Papers – Classification and characteristics

Other kinds of scholarly articles are the following:

Book review
Many academic journals publish book reviews, which aim to provide insight and opinion on
recently published scholarly books. Writing book reviews is often a good way to begin academic
writing. It can help you get your name known in your field and give you valuable experience of
publishing before you write a full-length article.

Perspective articles
One type of scholarly article is a perspective or opinion article where an expert in the field
provides an opinion or perspective on some aspect of the research. These are often written by
more seasoned researchers and tend to be short, usually about 2,000 words.

Commentaries and letters to editors

Letters to editors, as well as ‘replies’ and ‘discussions’, are usually brief comments on topical
issues of public and political interest (related to the research field of the journal), anecdotal
material, or readers’ reactions to material published in the journal.
Commentaries are similar, though they may be slightly more in-depth, responding to articles
recently published in the journal. There may be a ‘target article’ which various commentators are
invited to respond to.

Conference materials
Many of our medical journals accept conference material supplements. These are open access
peer-reviewed, permanent, and citable publications within the journal.
Conference material supplements record research around a common thread, as presented at a
workshop, congress, or conference, for the scientific record. They can include the following types
of articles:
 Poster extracts
 Conference extracts
 Presentation extracts

Data notes
Data notes are a short peer-reviewed article type that concisely describe research data stored in a
repository. Publishing a data note can help you to maximize the impact of your data and gain
appropriate credit for your research.
Data notes promote the potential reuse of research data and include details of why and how the
data were created. They do not include any analysis but they can be linked to a research article
incorporating analysis of the published dataset, as well as the results and conclusions.

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 Scientific Papers – Abstracts

The Abstract
Most kinds of articles usually begin with an Abstract
An abstract is a short summary of the research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7
sentences, 150-250 words) long. A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:

 to let readers get the gist or essence of the paper or article quickly, in order to decide whether to
read the full paper;
 to prepare readers to follow the detailed information, analyses, and arguments in the paper;
 to help readers remember key points from the paper.
The Contents of an Abstract
Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of the paper
will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully.

Here are the typical kinds of information found in most abstracts:

1. the context or background information for your research; the general topic under study;
the specific topic of the research
2. the central questions or statement of the problem the research addresses
3. what’s already known about this question, what previous research has done or shown
4. the main reason(s), the exigency, the rationale, the goals for your research—Why is it
important to address these questions? Are you, for example, examining a new topic? Why is that
topic worth examining? Are you filling a gap in previous research? Applying new methods to take a
fresh look at existing ideas or data? Resolving a dispute within the literature in your field? . . .
5. the research and/or analytical methods
6. the main findings, results, or arguments
7. the significance or implications of the findings or arguments.

The structure of an Abstract

Many journals require contributors (authors wishing to publish their articles in the journal) to
provide a structured abstract - an abstract which is divided into specific sections.
Slightly different headings are used in some journals. For example:
The BMJ (British Medical Journal) structured abstract is divided into the following sections:
 Objective
 Design
 Setting
 Subjects
 Main outcome measure
 Results
 Conclusion

The NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine) abstract is diveded into these sections:
 Background
 Methods
 Results
 Conclusions

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 Scientific Papers – Abstracts

Sample Abstract
Reporting a new method for reprogramming adult mouse fibroblasts into induced cardiac
progenitor cells

(Recuperado y adaptado de: https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/writing-an-abstract-for-your-research-paper/)

 Lea los siguientes abstracts y teniendo en cuenta la clasificación y los rasgos que
estudiamos decida a qué grupo pertenece cada abstract.

ABSTRACT 1: _________________________

Medicinal plants with a potential to treat Alzheimer and associated symptoms

Anil Kumar Singhal, Vijay Naithani, Om Prakash Bangar
Venus Medicine Research C enter, Venus Remedies Ltd., Baddi, H.P, India

Correspondence Address: Anil Kumar Singhal

Venus Medicine Research Center, Venus Remedies Ltd., Baddi, H.P.

Abstract

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disease of the brain named after German physician
Aloes Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Alzheimer is the most common form of dementia and affects
an estimated 10 million people worldwide. AD demolishes the vital brain cells, causing trouble with memory,
thinking, and behavior, brutal enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, and social life. Recognized factors in
Alzheimer disease include acetylcholine deficiency, free radicals, and inflammation of the brain tissue. Many
of the current drugs taken to treat the disease, such as, donepezil, have unpleasant side effects and doctors are
keen to find alternatives. There is no cure for Alzheimer disease, but drugs designed to slow disease
progression are available. Some herbs may help to improve brain function, but scientific evidence to prove that
they can treat Alzheimer disease, is limited. Electronic database like MEDLINE, LILACS, Cochrane Library,
dissertation Abstract (USA), National Research Register, Current Controlled trials, Centerw atch Trials
Database, and PsychINFO Journal Article bases were used to search for information related to studies done
on plants in the past years. The objective here is to provide a systematic review of the ongoing evidence
pertaining to the use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of Alzheimer disease (AD) and its associated
symptoms.

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 Scientific Papers – Abstracts
ABSTRACT 2: _________________________

Helicobacter pylori detection in gastric biopsies, saliva and dental plaque of

Brazilian dyspeptic patients.
Rasmussen LT, Labio RW, Gatti LL, Silva LC, Queiroz VF, Smith Mde A, Payão SL.
Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brasil.
Abstract
Helicobacter pylori is an important human pathogen that causes chronic gastritis and is associated with the
development of peptic ulcer disease and gastric malignancies. The oral cavity has been implicated as a
potential H. pylori reservoir and may therefore be involved in the reinfection of the stomach, which can
sometimes occur following treatment of an H. pylori infection. The objectives of this paper were (i) to
determine the presence of H. pylori in the oral cavity and (ii) to examine the relationship between oral H.
pylori and subsequent gastritis. Gastric biopsies, saliva samples and dental plaques were obtained from 78
dyspeptic adults. DNA was extracted and evaluated for the presence of H. pylori using polymerase chain
reaction and Southern blotting methods. Persons with gastritis were frequently positive for H. pylori in their
stomachs (p < 0.0001) and there was a statistically significant correlation between the presence of H. pylori
in gastric biopsies and the oral cavity (p < 0.0001). Our results suggest a relationship between gastric
infection and the presence of this bacterium in the oral cavity. Despite this, H. pylori were present in the oral
cavity with variable distribution between saliva and dental plaques, suggesting the existence of a reservoir
for the species and a potential association with gastric reinfection.

ABSTRACT 3: _________________________

Adverse Effects of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids: A Literature Review

Giuseppe Davide Albano, Francesco Amico, Giuseppe Cocimano, Aldo Liberto, Francesca Maglietta, Massimiliano Esposito, Giuseppe Li Rosi,
Nunzio Di Nunno, Monica Salerno, and Angelo Montana

Abstract

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AASs) are a large group of molecules including endogenously produced
androgens, such as testosterone, as well as synthetically manufactured derivatives. AAS use is widespread
due to their ability to improve muscle growth for aesthetic purposes and athletes’ performance, minimizing
androgenic effects. AAS use is very popular and 1–3% of US inhabitants have been estimated to be AAS
users. However, AASs have side effects, involving all organs, tissues and body functions, especially long-
term toxicity involving the cardiovascular system and the reproductive system, thereby, their abuse is
considered a public health issue. The aim of the proposed review is to highlight the most recent evidence
regarding the mechanisms of action of AASs and their unwanted effects on organs and lifestyle, as well as
suggesting that AAS misuse and abuse lead to adverse effects in all body tissues and organs. Oxidative
stress, apoptosis, and protein synthesis alteration are common mechanisms involved in AAS-related damage
in the whole body. The cardiovascular system and the reproductive system are the most frequently involved
apparatuses. Epidemiology as well as the molecular and pathological mechanisms involved in the
neuropsychiatric side-effects of AAS abuse are still unclear, further research is needed in this field. In
addition, diagnostically reliable tests for AAS abuse should be standardized. In this regard, to prevent the use
of AASs, public health measures in all settings are crucial. These measures consist of improved knowledge
among healthcare workers, proper doping screening tests, educational interventions, and updated legislation.
Keywords: AASs; anabolic androgenic steroids; organ damage; toxicity; injury; chronic administration.

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ABSTRACT 4: _________________________

Caffeine in preterm infants: where are we in 2020?

Laura Moschino1 , Sanja Zivanovic2,3, Caroline Hartley3 , Daniele Trevisanuto1 , Eugenio Baraldi1 and Charles Christoph Roehr2,3
Affiliations: 1 Dept of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. 2 Newborn Services, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK. 3 Dept of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
Correspondence: Charles Christoph Roehr, Dept of Paediatrics, Newborn Services, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS,
Headley Way, Headington, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. E-mail: Charles.Roehr@ouh. nhs.uk

ABSTRACT The incidence of preterm birth is increasing, leading to a growing population with potential
long-term pulmonary complications. Apnoea of prematurity (AOP) is one of the major challenges when
treating preterm infants; it can lead to respiratory failure and the need for mechanical ventilation. Ventilating
preterm infants can be associated with severe negative pulmonary and extrapulmonary outcomes, such as
bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), severe neurological impairment and death. Therefore, international
guidelines favour non-invasive respiratory support. Strategies to improve the success rate of non-invasive
ventilation in preterm infants include pharmacological treatment of AOP. Among the different
pharmacological options, caffeine citrate is the current drug of choice. Caffeine is effective in reducing AOP
and mechanical ventilation and enhances extubation success; it decreases the risk of BPD; and is associated
with improved cognitive outcome at 2 years of age, and pulmonary function up to 11 years of age. The
commonly prescribed dose (20 mg·kg−1 loading dose, 5–10 mg·kg−1 per day maintenance dose) is
considered safe and effective. However, to date there is no commonly agreed standardised protocol on the
optimal dosing and timing of caffeine therapy. Furthermore, despite the wide pharmacological safety profile
of caffeine, the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in caffeine-treated preterm infants is still debated. This
state-of-the-art review summarises the current knowledge of caffeine therapy in preterm infants and
highlights some of the unresolved questions of AOP. We speculate that with increased understanding of
caffeine and its metabolism, a more refined respiratory management of preterm infants is feasible, leading to
an overall improvement in patient outcome.

ABSTRACT 5: _________________________

Covid-19-Associated Retinopathy
Pierre Gascon MD a,b*, Antoine Briantais MDc *, Emmanuelle Bertrand MDa , Prithvi Ramtohul MDa , Alban Comet MDa , Marie Beylerian
MDa , Lauren Sauvan MDa , Laure Swiader MDc , Jean Marc Durand MD, PhDc , and Danièle Denis MD, PhDa a Ophthalmology Department,
Aix-Marseille University, Hopital Nord, Marseille, France; b Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille,
France; c Internal Medicine Department, Aix-Marseille University, Hopital Timone Rue Saint Pierre, Marseille, France

ABSTRACT
A 53-year-old man presented with acute loss of vision, negative scotoma and dyschromatopsia in his left
eye. He reported contact with people with severe respiratory syndrome - coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) 8
days prior to the symptoms. Funduscopic examination revealed several retinal hemorrhages. Spectral-
domain optical coherence tomography showed lesions consistent with acute macular neuroretinopathy and
paracentral acute middle maculopathy. Quickly after his presentation, SARSCov-2 was confirmed by chest
computed tomography-scan and RT-PCR in this patient. Thrombotic complications associated with Covid-
19 infection have high incidence and may involve the retina. We described a case of retinal involvement
associated with Covid-19 infection.
Précis: Funduscopic examination revealed retinal hemorrhages in a man with loss of vision. Optical
coherence tomography showed an acute macular neuroretinopathy and paracentral acute middle
maculopathy. Coronavirus disease was confirmed by chest computed tomography-scan and RT-PCR.

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 Scientific Papers – Abstracts
ABSTRACT 6: _________________________

Bile Acids Improve the Antimicrobial Effect of Rifaximin.

Darkoh C, Lichtenberger LM, Ajami N, Dial EJ, Jiang ZD, Dupont HL.
The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Texas Medical School,
Baylor College of Medicine, The University of Texas School of Public Health, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital .
Abstract
Diarrhea is one of the most common infirmities affecting international travelers; occurring in 20-50% of
persons visiting developing regions from industrialized countries. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC)
is the most common causative agent isolated in approximately half of the cases of travelers' diarrhea.
Rifaximin, a largely water-insoluble, non-absorbable (<0.4%) antibiotic that inhibits bacterial RNA
synthesis is approved for the treatment of travelers' diarrhea caused by diarrheagenic E. coli. However, the
drug has minimal effect on bacterial flora or the infecting E. coli in the aqueous environment of the colon.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect and bioavailability of rifaximin in aqueous
solution in the presence and absence of physiologic concentrations of bile acids. Methods used included
growth measurement of ETEC (strain H10407), rifaximin solubility measurements, total bacterial protein
determination, and assessment of functional activity of rifaximin by monitoring inhibition of bacterial beta-
galactosidase expression. Solubility studies showed rifaximin to be 70-120 fold more soluble in bile acids
(approximately 30% in 4mM bile acids) than in aqueous solution. Addition of both purified bile acids and
human bile to rifaximin at sub-inhibitory and inhibitory concentrations significantly improved the drug's
anti-ETEC effect by 71% and 73% respectively, after 4 hours. This observation was confirmed by showing a
decrease in overall amount of total bacterial protein expressed during incubation of rifaximin plus bile acids.
Rifaximin-containing bile acids inhibited the expression of ETEC beta-galactosidase at a higher magnitude
compared to samples that did not contain bile acids. The study provides data showing that bile acids
solubilize rifaximin on a dose-response basis increasing the drug's bioavailability and antimicrobial effect.
These observations suggest that rifaximin may be more effective in the treatment of infections in the small
intestine due to higher concentration of bile in this region of the gastrointestinal tract than in the colon.
Water insolubility of rifaximin is the likely explanation of the drug's minimal effects on colonic flora and
fecal pathogens despite in vitro susceptibility.

ABSTRACT 7: _________________________

Surgical treatment for lipomyelomeningocele in children.

Huang SL, Shi W, Zhang LG.
Department of Neurosurgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University,
Xi'an, 710004, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lipomyelomeningocele (LMM) is a common and severe closed neural tube defect in
children. Because of the complex anatomy of LMM and the difficulty in assessing the value of surgery, the
management of patients with LMM is controversial. This study was undertaken to evaluate effective
techniques and procedures in surgical treatment of LMM and to assess the value of early neurosurgical
intervention. METHODS: Twenty-five children with LMM aged from 2 months to 6 years underwent
surgery between January 2004 and December 2006. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine and
electromyography (EMG ) of the lower limbs was conducted in all patients preoperatively.
Urodynamic studies were appropriate even in asymptomatic patients. Hoffman's functional grading was used
to assess the pre and postoperative status of the patients. The operation was composed of subtotal
excision of lipoma, suturing of the spinal pia mater, and section of the filum terminale. Suturing of the spinal

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pia mater was performed in a wide process of reconstruction of meningeal layers including the dura. Follow-
up lasted 1-4 years (mean 2.1 years), in which all children underwent neurological examination, EMG and
MRI. RESULTS: After surgery a temporary neurological deterioration was found in two patients including
slight weakness of a leg in one patient and urinary retention in the other, but it recovered completely a few
days later. No postoperative complications were encountered. During the follow-up, 20 asymptomatic
patients remained symptom-free. Symptoms disappeared totally in 2 of the 5 patients with neurological
deficits, improved in one patient and stabilized in the remaining 2. MRI showed no tethered cord in all
patients who underwent surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Early operation for LMM patients, even
asymptomatic ones, should be performed to prevent the development of neurological deficits. Subtotal
excision of lipoma, suturing of the spinal pia mater, and section of the filum terminale are recommended in
the surgical treatment of LMM. The longitudinal cut of the filum terminale, a technique we have established
in our surgical practice, is a simple and practical way to identify the filum terminale by visual inspection.
And suturing the spinal pia mater is of extreme importance in preventing postoperative tethering.

ABSTRACT 8: _________________________

Monkeypox Virus Infection in Humans across 16 Countries

— April–June 2022

J.P. Thornhill, S. Barkati, S. Walmsley, J. Rockstroh, A. Antinori, L.B. Harrison, R. Palich, A. Nori, I. Reeves, M.S. Habibi, V. Apea, C.
Boesecke, L. Vandekerckhove, M. Yakubovsky, E. Sendagorta, J.L. Blanco, E. Florence, D. Moschese, F.M. Maltez, A. Goorhuis, V. Pourcher,
P. Migaud, S. Noe, C. Pintado, F. Maggi, A.-B.E. Hansen, C. Hoffmann, J.I. Lezama, C. Mussini, A.M. Cattelan, K. Makofane, D. Tan, S.
Nozza, J. Nemeth, M.B. Klein, and C.M. Orkin, for the SHARE-net Clinical Group*

BACKGROUND
Before April 2022, monkeypox virus infection in humans was seldom reported outside African regions where it is
endemic. Currently, cases are occurring worldwide. Transmission, risk factors, clinical presentation, and outcomes of
infection are poorly defined.
METHODS
We formed an international collaborative group of clinicians who contributed to an international case series to describe
the presentation, clinical course, and outcomes of polymerase-chain-reaction–confirmed monkeypox virus infections.
RESULTS
We report 528 infections diagnosed between April 27 and June 24, 2022, at 43 sites in 16 countries. Overall, 98% of
the persons with infection were gay or bisexual men, 75% were White, and 41% had human immunodeficiency virus
infection; the median age was 38 years. Transmission was suspected to have occurred through sexual activity in 95%
of the persons with infection. In this case series, 95% of the persons presented with a rash (with 64% having ≤10
lesions), 73% had anogenital lesions, and 41% had mucosal lesions (with 54 having a single genital lesion). Common
systemic features preceding the rash included fever (62%), lethargy (41%), myalgia (31%), and headache (27%);
lymphadenopathy was also common (reported in 56%). Concomitant sexually transmitted infections were reported in
109 of 377 persons (29%) who were tested. Among the 23 persons with a clear exposure history, the median
incubation period was 7 days (range, 3 to 20). Monkeypox virus DNA was detected in 29 of the 32 persons in whom
seminal fluid was analyzed. Antiviral treatment was given to 5% of the persons overall, and 70 (13%) were
hospitalized; the reasons for hospitalization were pain management, mostly for severe anorectal pain (21 persons);
soft-tissue superinfection (18); pharyngitis limiting oral intake (5); eye lesions (2); acute kidney injury (2); myocarditis
(2); and infection-control purposes (13). No deaths were reported.
CONCLUSIONS
In this case series, monkeypox manifested with a variety of dermatologic and systemic clinical findings. The
simultaneous identification of cases outside areas where monkeypox has traditionally been endemic highlights the
need for rapid identification and diagnosis of cases to contain further community spread.

This article was published on July 21, 2022, and updated on August 25, 2022, at NEJM.org .

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