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The value of medical publications: 'to read them would...burden the memory to no useful purpose'.

In 1782 William Black published his Historical Sketch of Medicine and Surgery, in which he addressed the subject of medical publications and their value. He doubted whether even one physician in a thousand managed to add 'one iota of information to the medical fund' and whether more than a tiny fraction of medical publications over the centuries had contained 'any material discovery for useful improvement' in medical knowledge. The debate on the value of published material and the explosion of medical publication continues: the National Library of Medicine search service now has access to 9 million articles on MEDLINE, from 3900 current medical journals. Easy identification and retrieval of relevant and worthwhile information remain major obstacles for the clinician despite advances in electronic information systems. Black's concerns about medical publications, concerns that echoed the more general doubts of philosopher Voltaire quoted in the title, appear to be timeless.

Bibliometrics↗

Procalcitonin as a marker of postoperative complications.

OBJECTIVE: Procalcitonin (PCT) is a 116 amino acid peptide that functions as a pro-hormone for calcitonin in the C cells of the thyroid gland. Large quantities of intact PCT are present in the blood of patients with sepsis, particularly when organ dysfunction occurs. PCT has been proposed as an early marker of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to examine the diagnostic accuracy of PCT as a marker of postoperative complications by systematically reviewing the existing literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The databases PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched to find studies on the diagnostic accuracy of PCT in the postoperative phase. Primary studies were retrieved using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of nine studies were included. These studies were heterogeneous regarding the spectrum of patients, complications, design and methodological quality according to QUADAS (quality assessment of studies of diagnostic accuracy). This could explain the marked variation in diagnostic accuracy. Considering all types of complications the sensitivity ranged from 37% to 100% and the specificity from 70% to 100%. On examining the infectious complications separately, it was found that the sensitivity ranged from 70% to 86% and the specificity from 45% to 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to a pronounced heterogeneity among the existing studies, the diagnostic accuracy of PCT as a marker for postoperative complications is not yet sufficiently clarified.

Biomarkers↗

The efficacy of laser therapy in wound repair: a meta-analysis of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: We determined the overall effects of laser therapy on tissue healing by aggregating the literature and subjecting studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria to statistical meta-analysis. BACKGROUND DATA: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) devices have been in use since the mid sixties, but their therapeutic value remains doubtful, as the literature seems replete with conflicting findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pertinent original research papers were gathered from library sources, online databases and secondary sources. The papers were screened and coded; those meeting every inclusion and exclusion criterion were subjected to meta-analysis, using Cohen's d. statistic to determine the treatment effect size of each study. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies with 31 effect sizes met the stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria. The overall mean effect of laser therapy on wound healing was highly significant (d = +2.22). Sub-analyses of the data revealed significant positive effects on wound healing in animal experiments (d = +1.97) as well as human clinical studies (d = +0.54). The analysis further revealed significant positive effects on specific indices of healing, for example, acceleration of inflammation (d = +4.45); augmentation of collagen synthesis (d = +1.80); increased tensile strength (d = +2.37), reduced healing time (d = +3.24); and diminution of wound size (d = +0.55). The Fail-Safe number associated with the overall effect of laser therapy was 509; a high number representing the number of additional studies-in which laser therapy has negative or no effect on wound healing-required to negate the overall large effect size of +2.22. The corresponding Fail-Safe number for clinical studies was 22. CONCLUSION: We conclude that laser therapy is an effective tool for promoting wound repair.

Animals↗

Global prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adults with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is considered to exhibit increased prevalence among adults with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but the reported prevalence estimates among such patients vary. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the global prevalence of MetS in adults with confirmed OSA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for all primary studies published in English that used standard polysomnography for OSA diagnosis and reported MetS estimates. At least two reviewers independently screened for eligible studies, extracted data, and graded the risk of bias using the Risk of Bias Assessment Tool for Non-randomised Studies. Three-level random-effects model was applied for the meta-analysis, reporting pooled prevalence estimate with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Pre-specified subgroup analyses and meta-regression were also performed. Heterogeneity was quantified using I2 and chi-square statistics. RESULTS: A total of 102 studies were eligible for inclusion (34&#x2009;013 adults with OSA from 28 countries). The combined MetS prevalence was 55.4% (95% CI: 51.0%, 59.8%). Considerable heterogeneity was noted among the included studies (I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;97.8%), whilst the risk of bias ranged from low to high. Subgroup analysis examining the effects of geographic region, study design, MetS definition, and apnea-hypopnea index threshold showed a significant variation in prevalence estimates across most subgroups (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.0001). Meta-regression analysis indicated a positive association between mean body mass index (&#x3b2;&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.0772, t&#x2009;=&#x2009;4.56, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.0001) and MetS prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: MetS has a high prevalence among adults with polysomnography-confirmed OSA, underscoring the need for prompt MetS screening in these patients. Future longitudinal and genetic/mechanistic studies should investigate the factors accounting for this association. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD420251073055.

Humans↗

Targeting urothelium: ex vivo assay standardization and selection of internalizing ligands.

PURPOSE: With the goal of targeting the human bladder using phage display technology we designed and tested a tissue binding assay on intact urothelium ex vivo. This approach may form the molecular basis for clinical development of peptide or peptidomimetic guided intravesical compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We screened 2 phage display random peptide libraries on human urothelium. Select peptides were tested for their binding ability to human urothelium, 2 human transitional cell carcinoma cell lines and a nontransitional cell carcinoma cell line. Next we standardized an ex vivo binding assay, validated binding of selected phage to whole urothelium, and evaluated whether receptor mediated internalization into urothelium derived cells occurred. Finally we tested if the presence of the glycosaminoglycan layer had any effect on the binding of the urothelium targeted phage. RESULTS: Phage selected and recovered in the screening were isolated and sequenced. Displayed peptide sequences were searched against online protein databases. Five classes of peptide motifs were characterized based on their ability to bind to normal urothelium but not to control cell lines. Remarkable consistency and reproducibility were observed in the ex vivo binding assays. Two classes of peptide motifs sharing the sequence Ile/Leu-Ser-Gly-Leu bound to normal urothelium and to 2 transitional cell carcinoma cells but not to nontransitional cell carcinoma cells in a glycosaminoglycan independent manner and mediated internalization into cells of urothelial origin. CONCLUSIONS: We introduce a strategy for screening combinatorial peptide libraries on bladder mucosa, a standard model for ex vivo intact urothelium binding assays and a panel of urothelium binding peptides that may be suitable for translation into targeted intravesical therapy applications.

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell↗

Ultra-high-throughput microarray generation and liquid dispensing using multiple disposable piezoelectric ejectors.

The authors have constructed an array of 12 piezoelectric ejectors for printing biological materials. A single-ejector footprint is 8 mm in diameter, standing 4 mm high with 2 reservoirs totaling 76 micro L. These ejectors have been tested by dispensing various fluids in several environmental conditions. Reliable drop ejection can be expected in both humidity-controlled and ambient environments over extended periods of time and in hot and cold room temperatures. In a prototype system, 12 ejectors are arranged in a rack, together with an X - Y stage, to allow printing any pattern desired. Printed arrays of features are created with a biological solution containing bovine serum albumin conjugated oligonucleotides, dye, and salty buffer. This ejector system is designed for the ultra-high-throughput generation of arrays on a variety of surfaces. These single or racked ejectors could be used as long-term storage vessels for materials such as small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, or cell libraries, which would allow for efficient preprogrammed selection of individual clones and greatly reduce the chance of cross-contamination and loss due to transfer. A new generation of design ideas includes plastic injection molded ejectors that are inexpensive and disposable and handheld personal pipettes for liquid transfer in the nanoliter regime.

Cell Line↗

Trypsinogen hL is not a new member of the human trypsinogen family, but a known mouse ortholog.

An allegedly novel human trypsinogen cDNA clone termed trypsinogen hL was recently reported in the Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin (2003; 26: 361-364). This "new" trypsinogen sequence was isolated by PCR using human lung cDNAs as template and was presumed to be a new member of the human trypsinogen family. However, trypsinogen hL does not match any sequence in the human genome; whereas it is 100% identical to mouse trypsinogen 7. Thus, trypsinogen hL is not of human origin, and its cloning from a human cDNA library was clearly a result of contamination with mouse genetic material. Publication of this cloning artifact could have been avoided by a simple BLAST search of GenBank or other sequence databanks.

Animals↗

Utilization of library outreach services by dental school alumni, 1988-1998.

BACKGROUND: The University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry Library outreach service includes the Dental Reference Service, or DRS; Loansome Doc service, Career Opportunity Center, or COC; and the Instructional Resources Library, or IRL. The author reviewed usage of services for 1988-1998 to analyze use by alumni and nonalumni and to determine possible trends. METHODS: The author reviewed the UMKC School of Dentistry Library outreach service database from 1988-1998 to determine the total number of contacts for all services, numbers of contacts for each service, overall number of items sent and the number of dental health professionals contacting the services. RESULTS: The author found that the COC received 55 percent of contacts for the years 1988-1998, while the DRS received 26 percent of the total contacts and the IRL service received 19 percent. The DRS had the highest usage by alumni (80 percent); Loansome Doc service accounted for 11 percent of the DRS contacts. Total number of items sent in response to all requests was 34,325, of which 22,647 (66 percent) were to alumni. Alumni usage of all outreach services was consistent, ranging from 54 to 63 percent of the total. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that UMKC School of Dentistry alumni are active information-seekers. Several questions, however, remain, indicating that additional research should be done in the area of dental informatics. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Information-seeking behaviors are an important part of the active clinical practice and may become more important as evidenced-based dentistry becomes more prevalent.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

40 years of the British Medical Association film competition.

Since its inception in 1957 the BMA's annual film competition has fulfilled three roles--promoting the effective use of film and video in medical education, encouraging the production of high quality audiovisual material, and helping to increase the holdings of its film library. The BMA awards recognise programmes for their clinical accuracy, educational value and creative use of the medium.

Awards and Prizes↗

[An example of practical medicine in al-Andalus: Abū-l- 'Alā' Zuhr's Kitāb muŷarrabāt al-jawāss (c. 1060-1131)].

This article reports a preliminary study of Abu-l-Ala: his life, his works and his significance as a writer, scientist and physician. All existing Arab manuscripts on the Kitāb muŷarrabāt al-jawāss are cited, and Arabic manuscript no. 520 from the Bodleian Library in Oxford is described. Finally, the translation is given, and folios 41v., 42r., 52v., 53r., 81v., 82v., 93r., 94v., 97v., 100r. and 100v. reproduced, from the Bodleian Library manuscript of the Kitāb muŷarrabāt al-jawāss. This material includes the peculiarities and therapeutic features of plants and animals such as elecampane, love-in-a-mist, ivy, the goat, the ostrich, the hoopoe and laudanum. The text reproduced here, as well as the work in general, contains large doses of quackery.

Arab World↗

Antigens recognized by IgG derived from tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes in human lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer tissues are often infiltrated by B lymphocytes, but it is not clear whether these infiltrations represent tumor-specific immune response or a nonspecific reaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serological analysis of recombinant cDNA expression libraries (SEREX) were previously modified using a severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice model engrafted with fresh human lung cancer. Here, a panel of antigens recognized by tumor-infiltrating B lymphocytes (TIB) in human lung cancer were characterized. RESULTS: The modified SEREX analysis identified 22 distinct antigens in a large cell carcinoma of the lung. Sequence analysis and real time-PCR analysis showed that 55% of isolated antigens were overexpressed in tumor tissues and 9% had mutation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the humoral immune response of TIB in lung cancer patients can be detected in the xenotransplanted SCID mouse model and our modification shows high sensitivity and specificity for identification of tumor antigens.

Animals↗

Filing and retrieving a personal collection of 35-mm teaching slides in medicine. A simplified system.

The use of 35-mm slides to teach or supplement lectures has become an important technique in medical education. To be effective, the slide collections need an efficient filing and retrieval system. The systems previously described for filing and retrieval of slides usually are expensive, require many materials and much space, and are more suited for slide libraries and large collections than for personal collections of teaching slides. A more simple and inexpensive system to file and retrieve personal collections of 35-mm teaching slides uses color labels to identify groups of topics and also numbers to identify each slide in a given group. The color labels also help in proper loading of slides into the slide tray. This system can be expanded easily to suit individual needs.

Audiovisual Aids↗

Seize the day.

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Computer-Assisted Instruction↗

Identification of potential protective antigens of Ostertagia ostertagi with local antibody probes.

The identification of protective helminth antigens remains the most important challenge in the development of parasitic vaccines. To identify protective antigens of Ostertagia ostertagi, an important abomasal parasite of cattle, parasite-specific local antibodies from the abomasal mucus and from the draining lymph nodes were collected from calves immunized with multiple infections and from 'primary infected' animals. With these probes, Western blots of extracts and excretion/ secretion (E/S) material from L3, L4 and adult life-stages as well as cDNA expression libraries were screened to identify antigens that were exclusively recognized by antibodies from 'immunized' calves. In the adult stage, a protein of 32 kDa was specifically detected on Western blot by mucus antibodies from 'immunized' animals. In the L3 and L4 larval stages, proteins situated in the regions of 28-29 kDa were recognized by mucus antibodies and a 59 kDa antigen was specifically recognized by lymph node antibodies from 'immunized' animals. Screening E/S material revealed no specific difference in recognition pattern between 'immunized' and 'primary infected' animals. Screening of the cDNA libraries revealed 26 relevant clones, coding for 15 proteins, among these several with potential protective capacity, immunodominant properties or functional and physiological importance e.g. metalloproteases, an aspartyl protease inhibitor and collagen.

Animals↗