IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks :: Browsing by Author "Ralston, Rick K."

Browsing by Author "Ralston, Rick K."

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Circulating Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) in Paediatric Disease: A Systematic Review
(Wiley, 2025) Kronenberger, David W.; Zimmers, Teresa A.; Ralston, Rick K.; Runco, Daniel V.; Pediatrics, School of Medicine
Background: Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), a nonspecific inflammatory marker and member of the TGF-β superfamily, has a well-established role in both inflammation and metabolic modulation, but lacks a comprehensive paediatric literature review. In several adult disease states, including cancer cachexia and pregnancy, circulation and expression of GDF15 has been of clinical and scientific interest, but little published paediatric data exists. As such, we aim to summarize existing paediatric studies. Methods: This review follows the PRISMA-ScR guidelines for reporting and aims to summarize existing paediatric studies including GDF15, describe disease entities in which GDF15 has been investigated including existing reference ranges, and identify literature gaps to present future clinical and research direction. Our search strategy queried Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases to find original scientific articles measuring GDF15 from birth through children up to age 18. Data relating to study participant demographic and disease pathology, GDF15 measurement methods and clinical outcomes of interest were extracted. Results: Sixty-two studies were included, classified as cardiac, endocrine, mitochondrial, hematologic, neonatal, oncologic, infectious, rheumatologic, renal, neurologic or healthy. While several entities demonstrated elevated GDF15, the highest median GDF15 levels were observed in cardiac arrest 7089 pg/mL (interquartile range 3805-13 306) and mitochondrial diseases 4640 pg/mL (1896-14 064). In certain conditions, including cardiac stress, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Kawasaki Disease (KD) and certain mitochondrial myopathies GDF15 can normalize with disease treatment or resolution. Of healthy children studied, GDF15 levels were highest in healthy neonates and followed a predictable pattern, decreasing over time. Mean and standard deviation values of GDF15 in healthy children were 343.8 ± 221.0 pg/mL, with a range of 90-1134 pg/mL for study averages. Conclusions: Circulating GDF15 has been studied in a variety of paediatric diseases. However, variable evaluated outcome measures and GDF15 measurement methodologies prevent generalizability and direct comparison of these published studies. Validating normal GDF15 levels in children with standardized and reproducible methodology will help clarify GDF15's utility as a diagnostic marker of disease, a necessary step to elucidate clinical implications of GDF15 over expression and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Context and characteristics of the research metrics librarian
(2019-10-25) Craven, Hannah J.; Grooten, Todd M.; Whipple, Elizabeth C.; Ralston, Rick K.; Odell, Jere D.
Data visualization for truth maintenance in clinical decision support systems
(2015-06-19) Liu, Gilbert C.; Odell, Jere D.; Whipple, Elizabeth C.; Ralston, Rick K.; Carroll, Aaron E.; Downs, Stephen M.
Background and objectives The goal is to inform proactive initiatives to expand the knowledge base of clinical decision support systems. Design and setting We describe an initiative in which research informationists and health services researchers employ visualization tools to map logic models for clinical decision support within an electronic health record. Materials and methods We mapped relationships using software for social network analysis: NodeXL and CMAP. We defined relationships by shared observations, such as two Arden rules within medical logic modules that consider the same clinical observation, or by the presence of common keywords that were used to label rules according to standardized vocabularies. Results We studied the Child Health Improvement through Computer Automation (CHICA) system, an electronic medical record that contains 170 unique variables representing discrete clinical observations. These variables were used in 300 medical logic modules (MLM's) that prompted health care providers to deliver preventive counseling or otherwise served as clinical decision support. Using data visualization tools, we generated maps that illustrate connections, or lack thereof, between clinical topics within CHICA's MLMs. Conclusions The development of such maps may allow multiple disciplines commonly interacting over EMR platforms, and various perspectives (clinicians, programmers, informationists) to work more effectively as teams to refine the EMR by programming logic routines to address co-morbidities or other instances where domains of medical knowledge should be connected.
Do local citation patterns support use of the impact factor for collection development?
(Medical Library Association, 2008-10) Ralston, Rick K.; Gall, Carole; Brahmi, Frances A.
Enhancing research on a clinical decision support and geographic information system: getting involved as informationists
(Midwest Chapter, Medical Library Association, 2013-10-07) Whipple, Elizabeth C.; Ralston, Rick K.; Odell, Jere D.; Zimmerman, Carly; Liu, Gilbert C.
In 2012, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) funded its first ever administrative supplement for informationists. The purpose of these grants is to enhance multidisciplinary basic and clinical research by integrating information specialists (informationists) on research teams in order to improve the capture, organization, and management of biomedical research data. Three informationists at the Indiana University School of Medicine were awarded one of these supplements to work on the Child Health Improvement through Computer Automation (CHICA) system. CHICA is a computer decision support system that interfaces with existing electronic medical record systems (EMRS) and delivers "just in time" patient-relevant guidelines to physicians during the clinical encounter. CHICA-GIS integrates a geographic information system (GIS) with CHICA to refer pediatricians and parents to relevant health services (as needed, for physical activity, dental care, or tutoring) near the patient's neighborhood. The informationists are enhancing the CHICA-GIS system by: improving the accuracy and accessibility of information, managing and mapping the knowledge which undergirds the CHICA-GIS decision support tool, supporting community engagement and consumer health information outreach, and facilitating the dissemination of new CHICA-GIS research results and services. This paper describes the initial process for approaching and collaborating with researchers, writing the grant and getting funded, and progress on the project goals to date.
Exploring the publishing patterns and journal use of Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents in a large medical school
(Midwest Chapter of the Medical Library Association, 2023-10-13) Ralston, Rick K.; Stumpff, Julia C.; Ramirez, Mirian
OBJECTIVE: Graduate Medical Education residents are often encouraged or required to publish their scholarship, and librarians are asked for assistance during that process. We investigated the publication patterns of residents and the journals they cite in their publications. This knowledge will help librarians better instruct residents and inform collection development efforts that support resident publishing. METHODS: Residents who completed their training between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, were searched in Scopus. Included in this analysis were case studies/series, original research, or review articles authored by residents affiliated with our institution and published from one year after the trainee start date to 18 months after the trainee termination date. The analysis included journals in which residents published, number of publications, number of residents publishing, number of citations per publication, distribution of publishing among programs, journals cited within publications, months from start date to first publication, and subject area impact of journals in which residents published. RESULTS: Of 266 residents analyzed, 34% published at least one article. The 291 articles included in the study appeared in 188 different journals. The surgery department had the most publications and citations. Urology and Otolaryngology tied for most publications per resident with 8.33. Otolaryngology had the most citations per resident with 110.7. The top 20 journals cited in resident publications were cited 50 times or more. The median time to publication of residents' first article was 38.6 months. 48% of journals in which residents published ranked in the top 50% of their category by JIF. CONCLUSIONS: GME residents publish in a wide variety of journals, and almost half of residents' articles are published in high-impact journals (Q1 & Q2) in their subject area. A majority of residents published between 2-4 years after their start date. Libraries might provide guidance about publishing original research to support their scholarly publishing. Further, libraries can evaluate if their collections meet their residents’ research needs by examining journals cited in residents’ publications.
Exploring the publishing patterns and journal use of Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents in a large medical school.
(2023-05-19) Stumpff, Julia C.; Ramirez, Mirian; Ralston, Rick K.
OBJECTIVE: Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents are required to meet ACGME-mandated scholarship requirements.(1) Often those residents are encouraged to publish the resulting scholarship, and librarians are asked for assistance during that process. We will investigate two things: the publication patterns of residents and the journals they cite in their publications. By examining publication patterns, we will learn which types of articles residents typically author, in which departments trainees publish, etc. This knowledge will help librarians better target guidance provided to residents. Likewise, the analysis of the cited journals will inform collection development efforts that support resident publishing. METHODS: This is a descriptive ‘baseline’ exploratory study. 266 residents who completed their training between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, were searched in Scopus. Included in this analysis are case study/case series, original research, or review articles authored by residents and with our institution listed by any author. Articles were limited to publication dates that were one year after the trainee start date and 18 months after the trainee termination date. Excluded were published curriculum, editorials, conference papers, and conference posters. Articles were coded separately by two different authors (case study/case series, original research, or review articles). When there were disagreements, a third author made the final decision. The analysis included journals in which GME residents published, number of publications, number of residents publishing, number of publications cited, distribution of publishing among programs, and journals cited within publications. RESULTS: Out of the residents matriculating 2018-19, 34% published at least one article, and they published in 188 different journals. 291 total articles were published by residents, and of those articles, the majority, 60%, were original research. 41% of first authors were GME residents. Of resident program areas, Surgery had the highest number of publications and citations. When analyzing publications per resident, Urology and Otolaryngology tied for first with 8.33. Otolaryngology had the most citations per resident with 110.7. There were 8073 cited references in 2288 journals. The top 20 journals were cited more than 50 times. CONCLUSIONS: GME residents publish in a wide variety of journals. Libraries might provide guidance about publishing original research to support their scholarly publishing. Further, libraries can evaluate if their collections meet their residents’ research needs by examining journals cited in residents’ publications. The limitations of this study are that the analysis included one institution and one year of matriculating residents. Also, inter-program comparisons did not account for differing time-in-residency. Next steps are to analyze the inter-program data by time-in-residency, use the Chi-Squared test to look for relationships, and analyze journal data by program area. Eventually, other GME trainees’ publications will be analyzed. The analysis will then expand to trainees from multiple years for a more complete picture of GME trainee publishing. 1. Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education. ACGME Common Program Requirements (Residency). July 1, 2022. https://www.acgme.org/globalassets/pfassets/programrequirements/cprresidency_2022v3.pdf
Getting off obesity island: how informationists can enhance clinical decision support
(Medical Library Association, 2014-05-19) Odell, Jere D.; Ralston, Rick K.; Whipple, Elizabeth C.
Clinical decision support (CDS) will play a key role in improving the health of patients; informationists can support the development of CDS systems by indexing rule libraries and mapping the system logic. This work can help rule developers make more informed choices and understand how rules are related conceptually and operationally. With a map, rules can be written to bridge isolated concepts (islands) and rules that are no longer needed can be weeded. Here we explore the added value that informationists bring to projects by reporting on the role of informationists working on a pediatric CDS.
Identifying Inconsistencies and Reporting Deficits in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (TMB) Case Reports Authored by TMB Practitioners: a TMB-Adapted CAse REport (CARE) Guidelines Audit Through 2014
(2016-09) Munk, Niki; Shue, Sarah; Freeland, Emilee; Ralston, Rick K.; Boulanger, Karen T.; Department of Health Sciences, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Introduction: Case reports are a fundamental tool through which therapeutic massage and bodywork (TMB) practitioners can inform research and impact their field by detailing the presentation, treatment, and follow-up of a single individual encountered in practice. Inconsistencies in case reporting limit their impact as fundamental sources of clinical evidence. Using the TMB-adapted CAse REport (CARE) guidelines, the current study sought to provide a rich description regarding the reporting quality of TMB practitioner authored TMB case reports in the literature. Methods: 1) Systematic identification of published, peer-reviewed TMB case reports authored by TMB practitioners following PRISMA recommendations; 2) audit development based on TMB-adapted CARE guidelines; 3) audit implementation; and 4) descriptive analysis of audit scores. Results: Our search identified 977 articles and 35 met study inclusion criteria. On average, TMB case reports included approximately 58% of the total items identified as necessary by the TMB-adapted CARE guidelines. Introduction sections of case reports had the best item reporting (80% on average), while Case Presentation (54%) and Results (52%) sections scored moderately overall, with only 20% of necessary Practitioner Description items included on average. Audit scores revealed inconsistent abstract reporting and few audited case reports including client race (20%), perspective (26%), and occupation/ activities (40%); practitioner practice setting (12%), training (12%), scope-of-practice (29%), and credentialing (20%); adverse events or lack thereof (17%); and some aspect of informed consent (34%). Treatment descriptor item reporting varied from high to low. Various implications of concern are discussed. Conclusion: The current audit and descriptive analysis highlight several reporting inconsistencies in TMB case reports prior to 2015. Reporting guidelines for case reports are important if standards for, and impact of, TMB case reports are desired. Adherence to reporting specifications outlined by the TMB-adapted CARE guidelines could improve the impact and usability of TMB case reports in research, education, and practice.
Identifying Inconsistencies and Reporting Deficits in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (TMB) Case Reports Authored by TMB Practitioners: a TMB-Adapted CAse REport (CARE) Guidelines Audit Through 2014
(Massage Therapy Foundation, 2016-09-09) Munk, Niki; Shue, Sarah; Freeland, Emilee; Ralston, Rick K.; Boulanger, Karen T.; Department of Health Sciences, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
INTRODUCTION: Case reports are a fundamental tool through which therapeutic massage and bodywork (TMB) practitioners can inform research and impact their field by detailing the presentation, treatment, and follow-up of a single individual encountered in practice. Inconsistencies in case reporting limit their impact as fundamental sources of clinical evidence. Using the TMB-adapted CAse REport (CARE) guidelines, the current study sought to provide a rich description regarding the reporting quality of TMB practitioner authored TMB case reports in the literature. METHODS: 1) Systematic identification of published, peer-reviewed TMB case reports authored by TMB practitioners following PRISMA recommendations; 2) audit development based on TMB-adapted CARE guidelines; 3) audit implementation; and 4) descriptive analysis of audit scores. RESULTS: Our search identified 977 articles and 35 met study inclusion criteria. On average, TMB case reports included approximately 58% of the total items identified as necessary by the TMB-adapted CARE guidelines. Introduction sections of case reports had the best item reporting (80% on average), while Case Presentation (54%) and Results (52%) sections scored moderately overall, with only 20% of necessary Practitioner Description items included on average. Audit scores revealed inconsistent abstract reporting and few audited case reports including client race (20%), perspective (26%), and occupation/activities (40%); practitioner practice setting (12%), training (12%), scope-of-practice (29%), and credentialing (20%); adverse events or lack thereof (17%); and some aspect of informed consent (34%). Treatment descriptor item reporting varied from high to low. Various implications of concern are discussed. CONCLUSION: The current audit and descriptive analysis highlight several reporting inconsistencies in TMB case reports prior to 2015. Reporting guidelines for case reports are important if standards for, and impact of, TMB case reports are desired. Adherence to reporting specifications outlined by the TMB-adapted CARE guidelines could improve the impact and usability of TMB case reports in research, education, and practice.

Browsing by Author "Ralston, Rick K."

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