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Scientific evidence in medicine is based on data generated from research. Recently, the number of scientifically active physicians has decreased, which has led to the development of the Clinician Scientist Programs. To better structure and focus the research of young physicians, we aimed to investigate the impact of collaborations and other factors on the quality and output of scientific publications.The abstracts of three annual congresses of the German Society of Urology were systematically analysed regarding content, collaborations, and study design. Full-text publications and journals were identified through a MEDLINE® search. Impact factors (IFs) were identified using Journal Citation Reports™. To identify factors which predict publication and IFs, χ1,074 abstracts were reviewed. The publication rate of subsequent peer-reviewed full-text publications was 52.5%. Collaborations with at least one institution (odds ratio (OR) 2.02, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.48-2.76, p0.0001), statistical analysis (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.41-2.60, p0.0001), study design (prospective vs. retrospective: OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.06-1.93, p=0.021), and national collaborations (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.04-1.98, p=0.029) increased the likelihood of publication in a peer-reviewed journal in a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Experimental design (OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.32-5.84, p=0.007), international collaborations (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.23-4.15, p=0.009), oncologic topics (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.23-3.07, p=0.005), prostate disease (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.08-2.84, p=0.023), and statistical analysis (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.06-2.64, p=0.026) were associated with a higher IF.Abstracts resulting from collaborative research projects had a higher likelihood of subsequent full-text publication and a higher IF. More full-text publications were reported when abstracts included a statistical analysis. Hence, intensive networking (e. g. at congresses and workshops) of researching physicians as well as statistical/biometrical classes could be key factors to improve academic success.

Background The cell surface interleukin 22 (IL-22) receptor complex is mainly expressed in epithelial and tissue cells like pancreatitis cells. Recent studies described that IL-22R was overexpressed in malignant diseases and was associated with a poor overall survival (OS). The role of IL-22RA1 gene expression in muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) has not been investigated, yet. Objectives The aim of this study was to analyze the role of IL-22RA1 gene expression in patients with MIBC. Methods In a cohort of 114 patients with MIBC who underwent radical cystectomy, IL-22RA1 gene expression was analyzed with qRT-PCR and correlated with clinical parameters. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis were performed. For validation, an in silico dataset (TCGA 2017, n=407) was reanalyzed. Results IL-22RA1 gene expression was independent of clinicopathological parameters like age (P=0.2681), T stage (P=0.2130), nodal status (P=0.3238) and lymph vascular invasion (LVI, P=0.5860) in patients with MIBC. A high expression of IL-22RA1 was associated with a shorter OS (P=0.0040) and disease-specific survival (P=0.0385). Furthermore, a shorter disease-free survival (DFS) was also associated with a high expression of IL-22RA1 (P=0.0102). In the multivariable analysis, IL-22RA1 expression was an independent prognostic predictors regarding OS (P=0.0096, HR=0.48). In the TCGA cohort, IL-22RA1 expression was independent regarding to OS and DFS. Conclusion A high IL-22RA1 gene expression was associated with worse outcome. Furthermore, IL-22RA1 represented an independent predictor regarding OS in our cohort and therefore might be used for risk stratification in patients with MIBC.