A synopsis of how to write and publish an article
The prospect of starting your first foray into research is usually daunting enough to put many off from doing this. In the last issue of this journal, an attempt was made to ameliorate these fears by providing a basic guide on how to tackle a research project. Once you have managed to complete your research successfully, you will be faced with another hurdle – publication. It is widely known that undertaking research without publishing your findings is as good as not doing the research at all. The world needs to know what your research findings are, even if they did not demonstrate what you thought they might, as that, too, is an important and useful finding to others. This article attempts to provide basic advice on how to translate your research into an article and ultimately publish it. The same advice can also be used for those who merely want to publish an interesting case report or case series.
An opinion piece on conducting a scoping review
An increasingly common method for combining research findings is the scoping review. Scoping reviews are comparably a new method for which there is not yet a set universal research definition or conclusive strategy. Scoping reviews are usually employed for reconnaissance or to define the operational definitions and conceptual limits of a subject or sector. Scoping studies are especially helpful when a particular field of literature has not been thoroughly examined or shows a complex or diverse character that makes a more in-depth systematic review of the evidence arduous to conduct. Although scoping studies can be carried out to assess the usefulness and possible need for comprehensive systematic review, scoping studies can also be carried out to synthesise and distribute research findings, identify research gaps, and provide recommendations for future studies. This article aims to explain why scoping reviews should be undertaken, how they are conducted, and the necessity for scoping studies on wound care in South Africa.
Cost-effectiveness of Debrichem in managing hard-to-heal venous leg ulcers in the UK
Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are a major cause of morbidity and decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The prevalence of VLUs in adults ≥ 18 years of age in the UK has been estimated at around 1 per 100 individuals in 2017/18. VLUs arise from chronic venous insufficiency in the lower limbs, for which the main risk factors include family history, deep venous thrombosis, age and obesity. These ulcers can heal within weeks or take up to several months. Once healed, some VLUs recur and patients can experience a cycle of ulceration, healing and recurrence. Some VLUs fail to heal in a timely manner and they then become hard-to-heal. Hard-to-heal ulcers, as with other hard-to-heal wounds, are subject to prolonged or excessive inflammation, persistent infections, and the inability of dermal and/or epidermal cells to respond to reparative stimuli.
Microwave oven electromagnetic radiation injury to a paediatric hand: a case report
Microwave ovens emit microwaves, which through a process of intense molecular vibration friction, will produce heat to cook the contents. Electromagnetic radiation is subdivided according to wave frequency into radio waves, microwaves, terahertz radiation, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, x-rays and gamma rays. Electromagnetic radiation behaviour depends on its wavelength. Higher frequencies will have shorter wavelengths and lower frequencies will have longer wavelengths (Figure 1). Microwave radiation forms part of non-ionising radiation, appearing in the high-frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum (between infrared and radio frequencies ranging from 10 to 100 000 MHz). In recent years, microwave ovens have become more affordable and readily available with most households or workplaces having access to them.
Apocrine hidradenoma of the scalp: an unusual presentation as a chronic wound
A 21-year-old male presented with a chronic ulcerative wound on his scalp. He was otherwise well with a background of being human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and on antiretroviral treatment (ART) (absolute CD4 count 315 cells/uL). This wound started spontaneously 4 years ago as a small growth and progressively enlarged. He had no other contributory past medical or surgical history. He was seen and treated for this lesion on multiple occasions at base hospital. The lesion was 4 cm x 6 cm in size with approximately 2 cm of elevation on the right posterior occipital aspect of the scalp (Figure 1). The ulcerative surface was clean granulation tissue with no hair growth over the lesion. There were no other skin lesions noted. No lymphadenopathy or other significant findings were elicited. A punch biopsy was done at his referral institution which found features compatible with possible syringocystadenoma papilliferum.