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At least 361 records · Page 20Linked to original sources

Acute reference doses: theory and practical approaches.

The approach of the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues to the establishment of the acute reference dose for pesticides is presented and related issues are discussed. Three main points seem relevant when discussing the acute reference dose: (1) what compounds should have an acute reference dose, (2) what toxicological database is required for the establishment of an acute reference dose; (3) what safety factors are to be used. It is concluded that (1) groups of compounds that need an acute reference dose can be identified, whereas general rules for identifying groups not requiring an acute reference dose cannot be easily given; (2) studies from the standard toxicological database can often be used to allocate an acute reference dose and the usefulness of refinements (by requesting specific studies) should be evaluated after intake assessment; general rules on study requirements cannot be easily given; (3) more thought should be given to what safety factors apply in certain circumstances.

Animals↗

Application of multilayer feed-forward neural networks to automated compound identification in low-resolution open-path FT-IR spectrometry.

A drawback of current open-path Fourier transform infrared (OP/FT-IR) systems is that they need a human expert to determine those compounds that may be quantified from a given spectrum. In this work, multilayer feed-forward neural networks with one hidden layer were used to automatically recognize compounds in an OP/FT-IR spectrum without compensation of absorption lines due to atmospheric H2O and CO2. The networks were trained by fast-back-propagation. The training set comprised spectra that were synthesized by digitally adding randomly scaled reference spectra to actual open-path background spectra measured over a variety of path lengths and temperatures. The reference spectra of 109 compounds were used to synthesize the training spectra. Each neural network was trained to recognize only one compound in the presence of up to 10 other interferences in an OP/FT-IR spectrum. Every compound in a database of vaporphase reference spectra can be encoded in an independent neural network so that a neural network library can be established. When these networks are used for the identification of compounds, the process is analogous to spectral library searching. The effect of learning rate and band intensities on the convergence of network training was examined. The networks were successfully used to recognize five alcohols and two chlorinated compounds in field-measured controlled-release OP/FT-IR spectra of mixtures of these compounds.

Neural Networks, Computer↗

A protein class database organized with ProSite protein groups and PIR superfamilies.

A protein class (ProClass) database is developed as a "value-added" "second-generation" database organized according to family relationships. The database collects non-redundant protein sequence entries from SwissProt and PIR databases, and classifies them in families defined collectively by the ProSite protein groups and PIR superfamilies. The major objectives of the database are to maximize family information retrieval, to provide speedy family identification, and to help organizing existing protein sequence databases. The database has two sub-databases: PCFam (ProClass Family) to define protein families and provide links to ProSite patterns and PIR superfamilies, and PCSeq (ProClass Sequence) to describe sequence entries and provide links to PCFam, SwissProt, PIR, and ProSite databases. The current ProClass release has a total of 85,165 sequence entries, about half of which are classified in 3072 ProClass families; it also contains 10,431 newly established SwissProt-PIR links. The database can help reveal domain structures of related families, define new ProSite and PIR families, and provide family assignments for unclassified sequence entries. New ProSite and PIR family members are readily identified via database cross-reference, including 9437 SwissProt entries and 8522 PIR entries. False negative family members missed by both ProSite and PIR are detected using a neural network family identification system. The newly identified superfamily memberships are being incorporated into the current PIR database releases in a collaborative effort with the PIR. The ProClass database is accessible through anonymous FTP and on-line search on the World Wide Web.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Using Raman spectroscopy to solve crime: inks, questioned documents and fraud.

Raman microscopy is becoming a tool of major importance in forensic analysis, particularly of drugs and explosives. It is a non-invasive, non-destructive chemical probe allowing samples to be examined in their entirety without any preparation. This paper demonstrates the use of the technique as a general tool for inks analysis. Furthermore, it addresses two important issues that historically have been extremely difficult for the professional document examiner, namely, comparison of black ballpoint inks and the chronological sequencing of crossed ink lines. We show that Raman can successfully distinguish between a representative sample of commercially available black ballpoint inks. This data has been converted into a database for future reference. A method for chronological sequencing of crossed ink lines has been developed using confocal Raman microscopy. Case study work has shown the feasibility of this approach.

Databases, Factual↗

Implementation of a relational patient record with integration of educational and reference information.

The clinician must identify pertinent diagnostic information and develop appropriate medical management plans in the context of rapidly changing research information, new therapeutic options and expanding diagnostic modalities. To assist in recognition of patterns relevant to diagnostic or therapeutic interventions, the medical record must be presented in a format that emphasizes important data interrelationships. Reference and educational information specifically pertinent to the case being reviewed must be immediately accessible. A system that presents point of care patient centered clinical information, a summarized patient record, in a relational format with linked reference information has been developed. Data is acquired from the VA patient information database and provided over a PC network. At the time of data transfer, preliminary analysis and reorganization of data is performed such that interrelationships between laboratory, pharmacy and diagnostic information can be rapidly recognized. During data compilation reference and educational information is linked with patient data such that it can be accessed with a mouse click ("hotspot") when the record is subsequently reviewed. The medical record and CD-ROM based reference databases are then made available to users on a PC network in a Windows (tm) environment. Initial experience with the system is very favorable and suggests that evaluation of patient data may be significantly enhanced.

Computer Communication Networks↗

PAH Mutation Analysis Consortium Database: 1997. Prototype for relational locus-specific mutation databases.

PAHdb (http://www.mcgill.ca/pahdb ) is a curated relational database (Fig. 1) of nucleotide variation in the human PAH cDNA (GenBank U49897). Among 328 different mutations by state (Fig. 2) the majority are rare mutations causing hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) (OMIM 261600), the remainder are polymorphic variants without apparent effect on phenotype. PAHdb modules contain mutations, polymorphic haplotypes, genotype-phenotype correlations, expression analysis, sources of information and the reference sequence; the database also contains pages of clinical information and data on three ENU mouse orthologues of human HPA. Only six different mutations account for 60% of human HPA chromosomes worldwide, mutations stratify by population and geographic region, and the Oriental and Caucasian mutation sets are different (Fig. 3). PAHdb provides curated electronic publication and one third of its incoming reports are direct submissions. Each different mutation receives a systematic (nucleotide) name and a unique identifier (UID). Data are accessed both by a Newsletter and a search engine on the website; integrity of the database is ensured by keeping the curated template offline. There have been >6500 online interrogations of the website.

Animals↗

A database of germline p53 mutations in cancer-prone families.

We created a comprehensive database covering all published cases of germline p53 mutations. The current version lists 580 tumours in 448 individuals belonging to 122 independent pedigrees. The database describes each p53 mutation (type of the mutation, exon and codon affected by the mutation, nucleotide and amino acid change), each family (family history of cancer, diagnosis of Li-Fraumeni syndrome), each affected individual (sex, generation, p53 status, from which parent the mutation was inherited) and each tumour (type, age of onset, p53 status-loss of heterozygosity, immunostaining). Each entry contains the original reference(s). The database is freely available and can be obtained from http://www.lf2.cuni.cz

Computer Communication Networks↗

UnCover on the Web: search hints and applications in library environments.

Among the huge maze of resources available on the Internet, UnCoverWeb stands out as a valuable tool for medical libraries. This up-to-date, free-access, multidisciplinary database of periodical references is searched through an easy-to-learn graphical user interface that is a welcome improvement over the telnet version. This article reviews the basic and advanced search techniques for UnCoverWeb, as well as providing information on the document delivery functions and table of contents alerting service called Reveal. UnCover's currency is evaluated and compared with other current awareness resources. System deficiencies are discussed, with the conclusion that although UnCoverWeb lacks the sophisticated features of many commercial database search services, it is nonetheless a useful addition to the repertoire of information sources available in a library.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Lifelong self-directed learning using a computer database of clinical questions.

Physicians often have self-perceived knowledge gaps when they are seeing patients. Traditional continuing medical education is designed to meet the knowledge gaps of groups rather than individual physicians with specific patient problems. Physicians with clinical information needs are advised to critically evaluate high-quality original research in order to practice "evidence-based medicine." But this advice may be unrealistic for busy clinicians. We propose a system for documenting self-perceived information needs using a computer database. Concise answers to these needs are included in the database along with reference citations supporting the answers. The system tracks continuing education efforts, directs patient care decisions, and focuses lifelong learning on relevant topics. We emphasize the importance of being sensitive to personal information needs and the benefits of maintaining a record of these needs.

Clinical Medicine↗

Research for medical illustrators: searching for references.

The proliferation of online databases means that medical illustrators have ready access to a wide range of resources for research. This paper looks at approaches to finding references from a systematic keyword search, published bibliographies and journals of abstracts, to locally and nationally available online databases, e-mail alerting services and full-text journals. The Internet will often provide an abstract (similar to this), however, it may still be necessary to visit a library, archive or other source to find a hard copy, particularly for older material.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

Analysis of flanking sequences from dissociation insertion lines: a database for reverse genetics in Arabidopsis.

We have generated Dissociation (Ds) element insertions throughout the Arabidopsis genome as a means of random mutagenesis. Here, we present the molecular analysis of genomic sequences that flank the Ds insertions of 931 independent transposant lines. Flanking sequences from 511 lines proved to be identical or homologous to DNA or protein sequences in public databases, and disruptions within known or putative genes were indicated for 354 lines. Because a significant portion (45%) of the insertions occurred within sequences defined by GenBank BAC and P1 clones, we were able to assess the distribution of Ds insertions throughout the genome. We discovered a significant preference for Ds transposition to the regions adjacent to nucleolus organizer regions on chromosomes 2 and 4. Otherwise, the mapped insertions appeared to be evenly dispersed throughout the genome. For any given gene, insertions preferentially occurred at the 5' end, although disruption was clearly possible at any intragenic position. The insertion sites of >500 lines that could be characterized by reference to public databases are presented in a tabular format at http://www.plantcell. org/cgi/content/full/11/12/2263/DC1. This database should be of value to researchers using reverse genetics approaches to determine gene function.

Arabidopsis↗

Matching references with MEDLINE via TCP/IP.

Bibliographic references are an important part of databases and information resources used by clinicians and biomedical researchers. In addition to the obvious clerical advantages of standard references, bibliographic references can also be used as links to related items in different data sets. This paper describes an effort that involved matching references from a variety of disparate databases to canonical MEDLINE references. The references matched were those involved in a database unification project which is part of the Mouse Genome Informatics effort at The Jackson Laboratory. Software was developed to take advantage of a commercially available retrieval engine which accesses MEDLINE on CD-ROM disks. The software permits client programs on UNIX/C, and potentially other environments, to access unabridged MEDLINE via networks supporting the TCP/IP protocols. The matching process described can be used as a model for similar efforts with different research or clinical data sets, as well as different hardware or software environments.

Animals↗

GRNContext: an interactive web platform for contextualized gene regulatory networks visualization across human cancers.

SUMMARY: While current Gene Regulatory Network (GRN) databases provide comprehensive reference maps of potential interactions between transcription factors and target genes, they do not specify which regulatory interactions are active within specific biological contexts. This limitation is particularly critical in cancer, where transcriptional programs are inherently tissue-specific. To address this gap, we developed GRNContext, an interactive web platform designed for the visualization, exploration, and comparative analysis of gene regulatory networks contextualized across 33 cancer types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Our approach uses the TFLink human reference GRN as a starting point and integrates TCGA transcriptomic profiles to infer cancer-specific regulatory activity. Regulatory relevance was assessed using complementary machine learning and statistical methods, which were unified into a consensus score to prioritize and filter the most relevant candidate regulators for each target gene. By providing both curated context-specific GRNs and a user-friendly platform, GRNContext constitutes a comprehensive and accessible resource that supports mechanistic investigations, hypothesis generation, and translational research focused on transcriptional regulation in cancer. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: GRNContext is supported by all major browsers and freely available on the web at https://apps.cienciavida.org/grncontext. It is implemented as a client-server web application featuring a FastAPI backend and a React frontend utilizing Cytoscape.js for interactive network visualization, all containerized via Docker for cross-platform compatibility.

Humans↗

Do mucosal defensive agents improve the cure rate when used with dual or triple therapy regimens for eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection?

BACKGROUND: Some of mucosal defensive agents have anti-Helicobacter pylori activities. However, their effectiveness in eradicating H. pylori infection has not been evaluated. AIM: To assess the additive effect of mucosal defensive agents in eradication regimens using statistical analysis. METHODS: Pertinent studies were retrieved using the Medline and the Igaku-chuo-zasshi databases in Japan, reference and congress abstract lists. Studies in which regimens consisted of dual or triple therapy with mucosal defensive agents and without them, were selected from the retrieved studies. Eradication rates were extracted from studies according to intention-to-treat analysis. We evaluated the efficacies of mucosal defensive agents by pooled relative risk of eradication rates and its 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), which were calculated by Mantel-Haenszel method. Heterogeneity among the studies in treatment effect was evaluated by a chi2-test. RESULTS: In dual therapy regimens, mucosal defensive agents demonstrated significant additive effects (pooled relative risk 1.41; 95% CI: 1.24-1.61). In triple therapy regimens, these agents did not provide significant additive effect. The clinical usefulness of specific agents could not be established, when each agent was analysed independently. CONCLUSIONS: Mucosal defensive agents improve the cure rate when used with existing dual therapy regimens for eradicating H. pylori infection.

Anti-Ulcer Agents↗

Implementation of a reference management system, MacRefer, under HyperCard.

We have developed a reference management system, MacRefer, using HyperTalk on Macintosh personal computers. Using this program, one can automatically acquire data from databases created by EndNote Plus and from OVID- or Medlar-formatted records downloaded via an online use of Medline. The MacRefer's capability of formatting bibliographic database in user-defined formats is comparable with the exemplified bibliography maker, EndNote Plus. Moreover, MacRefer has several competitive features, which are insufficiently equipped with EndNote Plus. For example, MacRefer is capable of (1) maintaining subsets within a database, (2) executing complex, structured searches combining up to nine keywords for any data field with the results and search conditions preserved, and (3) easily browsing (a portion of) reference database. Although MacRefer cannot be recognized as an absolute alternative of EndNote Plus because of several limitations inherent to HyperCard, the compensatory use of these two programs will expand the personal utilization of bibliographic databases.

Computers↗

Depression and poor glycemic control: a meta-analytic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Depression is common among patients with diabetes, but its relationship to glycemic control has not been systematically reviewed. Our objective was to determine whether depression is associated with poor glycemic control. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Medline and PsycINFO databases and published reference lists were used to identify studies that measured the association of depression with glycemic control. Meta-analytic procedures were used to convert the findings to a common metric, calculate effect sizes (ESs), and statistically analyze the collective data. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the meta-analysis. Depression was significantly associated with hyperglycemia (Z = 5.4, P < 0.0001). The standardized ES was in the small-to-moderate range (0.17) and was consistent, as the 95% CI was narrow (0.13-0.21). The ES was similar in studies of either type 1 or type 2 diabetes (ES 0.19 vs. 0.16) and larger when standardized interviews and diagnostic criteria rather than self-report questionnaires were used to assess depression (ES 0.28 vs. 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Depression is associated with hyperglycemia in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Additional studies are needed to establish the directional nature of this relationship and to determine the effects of depression treatment on glycemic control and the long-term course of diabetes.

Adult↗

Evidence-based medicine in nephrology: identifying and critically appraising the literature.

BACKGROUND: Uncertainties about best management of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are reflected in wide variations in practice. Systematic reviews aim to reduce uncertainty by strengthening the evidence base for clinical practice, allowing estimation of the benefits and risks of particular interventions, whilst minimizing the potential for bias. This paper describes the methods and conduct of six systematic reviews of aspects of the management of ESRD, and the yield in terms of trials found. METHODS: Our methodology was based on that recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration (an international initiative set up to perform and disseminate systematic reviews of health care). It involved a systematic search of electronic databases and bibliographic reference lists, together with handsearching of Kidney International for studies relevant to the management of ESRD, followed by a systematic assessment of study quality. RESULTS: Around 12,000 abstracts were assessed which had been identified from electronic sources. Of these, 2085 (18%) were deemed to be reports of possible randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials relevant to the management of ESRD. Three hundred and forty were relevant to the six specific reviews, and after assessment of the full manuscripts, 39 studies were finally included in our reviews. Reports of a further nine trials, which were identified from other sources, were also included. The broad search adopted allowed the parallel development of a register of trials of all aspects of the management of ESRD. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that the methodology of systematic reviews, as promoted by the Cochrane Renal Group, is feasible but has significant resource implications. The development of a register of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) related to the management of ESRD will facilitate this form of research in the future.

Databases as Topic↗

The prevalence of comorbid depression in adults with diabetes: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the odds and prevalence of clinically relevant depression in adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Depression is associated with hyperglycemia and an increased risk for diabetic complications; relief of depression is associated with improved glycemic control. A more accurate estimate of depression prevalence than what is currently available is needed to gauge the potential impact of depression management in diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases and published references were used to identify studies that reported the prevalence of depression in diabetes. Prevalence was calculated as an aggregate mean weighted by the combined number of subjects in the included studies. We used chi(2) statistics and odds ratios (ORs) to assess the rate and likelihood of depression as a function of type of diabetes, sex, subject source, depression assessment method, and study design. RESULTS: A total of 42 eligible studies were identified; 20 (48%) included a nondiabetic comparison group. In the controlled studies, the odds of depression in the diabetic group were twice that of the nondiabetic comparison group (OR = 2.0, 95% CI 1.8-2.2) and did not differ by sex, type of diabetes, subject source, or assessment method. The prevalence of comorbid depression was significantly higher in diabetic women (28%) than in diabetic men (18%), in uncontrolled (30%) than in controlled studies (21%), in clinical (32%) than in community (20%) samples, and when assessed by self-report questionnaires (31%) than by standardized diagnostic interviews (11%). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of diabetes doubles the odds of comorbid depression. Prevalence estimates are affected by several clinical and methodological variables that do not affect the stability of the ORs.

Adult↗