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Research for research: tools for knowledge discovery and visualization.

This paper describes a method to construct from a set of documents a spatial representation that can be used for information retrieval and knowledge discovery. The proposed method has been implemented in a prototype system and allows the researcher to browse interactively and in real-time a network of relationships obtained from a set of full text articles. These relationships are combined with the potential relationships between concepts as defined in the UMLS semantic network. The browser allows the user to select a seed term and find all related concepts, to find a path between concepts (hypothesis testing), and to retrieve the references to documents or database entries that support the relationship between concepts.

Biomedical Research↗

Study of transcripts from AC010088, a 199,485 bp fragment of the human Y chromosome located in the azoospermia factor region c.

Deletions on the long arm of the human Y chromosome are associated with male infertility. In this work, we studied transcripts of a 199,485 bp long fragment of the Yq11 region (GenBank accession number, AC010088) located in the AZFc (azoospermia factor region c), and characterized their gene structures. After masking repetitive elements, we searched human mRNA Refseqs (reference sequences), a dbEST (database of expressed sequence tags) and a non-redundant nucleic acid database for the mRNAs and ESTs corresponding to the AC010088 using the BLAST programs at the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) site. Our findings are summarized as follows: i) BPY2 (testis basic protein on Y, 2), DAZ1 (deleted in azoospermia 1), TTY4 (testis transcript Y 4) mRNAs and 23 ESTs were found; ii) Eighteen of 23 ESTs were transcripts of the DAZ gene(s), one EST was a transcript of TTY4 gene, and the remaining 4 probably corresponded to 4 different pseudogenes; iii) DAZ gene(s) were expressed not only in testis, but also in lung carcinoma cells, stomach and Ewing's sarcoma cells; iv) beta-satellite clusters were present around and within the BPY2 and TTY4 gene region; v) In this study, TTY4, BPY2 and DAZ1 genes were mapped precisely to the AC010088 region.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Psychosocial factors at work in relation to low back pain and consequences of low back pain; a systematic, critical review of prospective cohort studies.

Relevant studies of low back pain (LBP) published between 1990 and 2002 were systematically retrieved via electronic databases and checking of reference lists. Forty papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 10 were of high quality. A wide variety of instruments had been used for collection of data on work related psychosocial factors, many of which had not undergone any form of validation. Moderate evidence was found for no association between LBP and perception of work, organisational aspects of work, and social support at work. There was insufficient evidence for a positive association between stress at work and LBP. No conclusions could be drawn regarding perception of work and consequences of LBP. There was strong evidence for no association between organisational aspects of work and moderate evidence for no association between social support at work and stress at work and consequences of LBP.

Cohort Studies↗

The 2004 Canadian recommendations for the management of hypertension: Part III--Lifestyle modifications to prevent and control hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To provide updated, evidence-based recommendations regarding the role of lifestyle modification in the treatment and prevention of hypertension. OUTCOMES: Lifestyle modification interventions including exercise, weight reduction, alcohol consumption, dietary modification, intake of dietary cations and stress management are reviewed. Antioxidants and fish oil supplements are also reviewed, although specific recommendations cannot be made at present. EVIDENCE: MEDLINE searches were conducted from January 2002 to September 2003 to update the 2001 recommendations for the management of hypertension. Supplemental searches in the Cochrane Collaboration databases were also performed. Reference lists were scanned, experts were contacted, and the personal files of the subgroup members and authors were used to identify additional published studies. All relevant articles were reviewed and appraised independently using prespecified levels of evidence by content and methodology experts. RECOMMENDATIONS: Key recommendations include the following: lifestyle modification should be extended to nonhypertensive individuals who are at risk for developing high blood pressure; 30 min to 45 min of aerobic exercise should be performed on most days (four to five days) of the week; an ideal body weight (body mass index 18.5 kg/m2 to 24.9 kg/m2) should be maintained and weight loss strategies should use a multidisciplinary approach; alcohol consumption should be limited to two drinks or fewer per day, and weekly intake should not exceed 14 standard drinks for men and nine standard drinks for women; a reduced fat, low cholesterol diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products, and maintains an adequate intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium, should be followed; salt intake should be restricted to 65 mmol/day to 100 mmol/day in hypertensive individuals and less than 100 mmol/day in normotensive individuals at high risk for developing hypertension; and stress management should be considered as an intervention in selected individuals. VALIDATION: All recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence and voted on by the Canadian Hypertension Education Program Evidence-Based Recommendations Task Force. Individuals with irreconcilable competing interests (declared by all members, compiled and circulated before the meeting) relative to any specific recommendation were excluded from voting on that recommendation. Only those recommendations achieving at least 70% consensus are reported here. These guidelines will continue to be updated annually.

Adult↗

[Comparative restriction enzyme analysis of the genome in variola virus strains from the Russian collection].

Comparative RFLP analysis was for the first time performed for 21 variola virus (VARV) strains of the Russian collection with 20 amplicons covering the total VARV genome. The amplicons were synthesized in the long polymerase chain reaction. A database useful as a reference for identifying VARV strains was generated. VARV strains isolated in different geographical regions were compared and proved to vary mostly in variable genome regions. Each of the dendrograms constructed included three clusters of African, Asian, and VARV-alastrim isolates. The VARV-alastrim isolates differed to the greatest extent from the other strains. VARV strains isolated during an ecdemic variola burst in Moscow (1960) grouped with Asian isolates. Polymorphism of VARV strains was for the first time observed for a single variola burst with a few affected patients.

Base Sequence↗

[Comparative analysis of the non-profit, for-profit and public hospital providers: American experiences].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The new legislation allowed hospitals and other health care facilities to be converted into for-profit status. The detailed regulatory framework is under development in Hungary. This article reviews the literature of studies comparing hospital financial performance and the quality of care before and after conversion from public or non-profit status to for-profit. METHODS: Studies were identified through electronic search of Medline (Pubmed), EconLit, Cochrane Library, Economic Evaluation Database (EED), az Health Technology Assessment (HTA) databases, library files and reference lists. The literature search was extended to the Internet, World Bank, International Labor Office (ILO), Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and WHO websites as well as government, academic institutions and large insurance companies web pages for unpublished online information. Time series and before-after studies and systematic literature reviews were included. RESULTS: The conversion from non-profit to for-profit status improved the profitability of the hospitals. However the quality of care (measures in mortality, frequency of side effects, complications) might suffer in the first couple years of the conversion. The conversion may increase the total health care expenditures per capita. Trustful relationship between patients and physicians may also be threatened. CONCLUSION: The generalisability of the American experiences into the Hungarian single payer system may be limited. From societal point of view, for-profit providers could provide socially beneficial care in areas where it is possible to define, monitor and evaluate the nature and quality characteristics of the services, as well as market competition can be ensured. However most of the healthcare services are too complex to fall into this category.

Australia↗

Growth characteristics of renal cortical tumors in patients managed by watchful waiting.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize tumor growth of patients managed conservatively for renal cell carcinoma. METHODS: Patients electing conservative management of radiographically determined renal cell carcinomas were referred to a surveillance database. Exclusion criteria consisted of locally advanced disease (>T2) and those with metastatic disease. Clinical follow-up included renal imaging with ultrasound or computed tomography at least every 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were originally managed conservatively, two of whom subsequently underwent nephrectomy because of rapid tumor growth. Mean follow-up was 26 months. Mean tumor volume and diameter at presentation was 62.4 cc and 4.08 cm respectively. Overall tumor growth was 24 cc/year by volume or .86 cm/year diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Given the stage migration of incidentally detected renal masses, the natural history of these tumors remains incomplete. Overall tumor growth in selected populations appear to be slow even in those diagnosed with larger masses. These data may be useful in counseling patients and directing further trials on conservative therapy for renal cell carcinoma.

Aged↗

The Cochrane review of physiotherapy interventions for ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To update the Cochrane review on the effectiveness of physiotherapy interventions in the management of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: All randomized studies available in systematic searches (electronic databases, contact with authors, reference lists) up to February 2004 were included. Two reviewers independently selected trials for inclusion, assessed the validity of included trials, and extracted data. Investigators were contacted to obtain missing information. RESULTS: Six trials with a total of 561 participants were included. Two trials compared individualized home exercise programs with no intervention. Low quality evidence for effects in favor of the home exercise program was found in physical function and spinal mobility [absolute benefit 10.3 cm on fingertip to floor distance; relative percentage difference (RPD) 37%)]. Further, the trials showed low quality evidence for no group differences in pain. Three trials compared supervised group physiotherapy with an individualized home exercise program. Moderate quality evidence for effectiveness was found in patient global assessment and spinal mobility in favor of the supervised group. The trials showed moderate quality evidence for no differences in pain intensity between the groups. One trial compared a 3-week inpatient spa-exercise therapy followed by weekly outpatient group physiotherapy with weekly outpatient group physiotherapy alone. Moderate quality evidence was found for effects in pain (absolute benefit 0.9 cm on visual analog scale; RPD 19%), physical function (absolute benefit 1 cm; RPD 24%), and patient global assessment (absolute benefit 1.3 cm; RPD 27%), in favor of the combined spa-exercise therapy. CONCLUSION: The current best available evidence suggests that physiotherapy is beneficial for people with AS. However, it is still not clear which treatment protocol should be recommended in the management of AS.

Ambulatory Care↗

Rinsing with chlorhexidine gluconate solution after brushing and flossing teeth: a systematic review of effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to discuss the concept of delaying the use of chlorhexidine mouthrinse (CHX) until some time after the use of dentifrice. METHOD AND MATERIALS: Sources included 13 electronic databases, 7 international drug reference books, and the World Wide Web; references of all relevant papers; and further information requested from authors and organizations. Inclusion criteria were a predefined hierarchy of evidence. Study validity was assessed with checklists. Two reviewers independently screened sources, extracted data, and assessed validity. RESULTS: CHX, a cation, interacts and forms salts of low solubility and antibacterial activity with anions, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP). CHX and MFP are not compatible in clinically relevant concentrations in vitro. A 30-minute interval between SLS and CHX rinsing gave a significantly reduced antiplaque effect of CHX, whereas after 2 hours the neutralizing effect of SLS disappeared. Rinsing with dentifrice slurry and CHX produced a significantly increased plaque score compared to CHX and water. In regard to tooth staining by CHX mouthrinses, use of dentifrice before CHX showed a reduction in staining of 18%, whereas CHX followed by dentifrice showed a reduction in staining of about 79%. Literature relating to this interaction is limited; more controlled microbiologic and clinical studies are needed to certify the inaccuracy of this modality of administration. CONCLUSION: To optimize the antiplaque effect of CHX, it seems best that the interval between toothbrushing and rinsing with CHX be more than 30 minutes, cautiously close to 2 hours after brushing.

Chlorhexidine↗

Effectiveness of preventive primary care outreach interventions aimed at older people: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of preventive primary care outreach interventions aimed at older people. Knowing whether such interventions are effective could help busy family physicians make choices about which preventive care services to provide. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, AgeLine, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and EMBASE databases and reviewed the reference lists of retrieved articles. STUDY SELECTION: We included studies of preventive primary care interventions aimed at patients 65 years and older if the studies were randomized controlled trials and if any of the following outcomes was reported: mortality, living in the community, admission to acute care hospitals, and admission to long-term care. We defined preventive primary care outreach as proactive, provider-initiated care, which can be provided by nurses, physicians, other professionals, or volunteers, that is in addition to usual care and is provided in primary care settings. Such care can be provided through home visits, office visits, telephone contacts, or a combination of these methods. SYNTHESIS: We assessed the quality of studies and extracted descriptive information on study populations, interventions, and outcomes for 19 trials involving 14,911 patients. Summary odds ratios were estimated for each outcome using a random effects model. CONCLUSION: This review showed that studies of preventive primary care outreach interventions aimed at older people were associated with a 17% reduction of mortality and a 23% increased likelihood of continuing to live in the community.

Aged↗

Quality of life in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is a life saving device for individuals with life threatening ventricular arrhythmias. There is no doubt that it is a cost effective therapy in various congenital and acquired arrhythmogenic disorders. Nevertheless, shock delivery may be painful and frightening which causes psychological distress and deterioration of perceived quality of life. METHODS: A systematic meta-analysis on studies reporting quality of life in patients implanted with ICDs was done using professional databases. Related articles and references of the relevant articles were also searched for suitable studies. RESULTS: Thirty studies with a total of 3412 patients on implantable defibrillators were identified. Five of them were large randomised studies with a total of 1680 patients, while 25 were non-randomised studies. Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form health survey (SF -94 36) was the most common instrument used for assessment of quality of life. Only one of the 5 major randomised trial reported worsening of quality of life after implantation of a defibrillator. In the subgroup of patients receiving shocks, three out of the five trials reported worsening of quality of life. SUMMARY: Most of the randomised studies showed either neutral or better quality of life in patients on implantable defibrillators. In the subset of patients receiving shocks, worsening of quality of life was found in most randomised studies. Therefore, activation of antitachycardia pacing should be performed in every ICD-patient in order to miminze painful shocks and consequent deterioration of quality of life.

Journal Article↗

Computerized decision support systems in primary care.

Computerized decision support can be passive or active. Passive decision support occurs when a computer facilitates access to relevant patient data or clinical knowledge for interpretation by the physician. Examples include CPR systems and reference texts or literature databases on CD-ROM. Effective passive decision support may ultimately prove to have a significant impact on physician decision making, but its potential to do so has been largely unexplored. Active decision support implies some higher level of information processing, or inference, by the computer. Examples include reminder / alert systems and diagnostic decision support systems. Inference processing in active decision support systems is generally rule-based, but probabilistic inference has been successfully used as well. Reminder systems have been consistently demonstrated to improve dramatically physician guideline compliance, generally by reducing oversight or error. The same potential for large-scale, systematic impact on physician decision-making by diagnostic decision support systems probably does not exist, but these systems may prove to be extremely useful in individual cases. Current applicability of diagnostic decision support systems to primary care is limited by the incompleteness and inaccuracies of the knowledge bases of these systems with respect to primary care. The applicability of computerized decision support in general to primary care is limited by more practical considerations. Widespread computerized decision support will not occur without CPR systems coupled with appropriate data standards and nomenclatures that will permit decision support tools to be accessed effortlessly during the routine process of patient care.

Clinical Medicine↗

Carbohydrate and alcohol content of 200 oral liquid medications for use in patients receiving ketogenic diets.

OBJECTIVE: The ketogenic diet is used in patients with intractable seizure disorders. To maintain a ketotic state, patients on this diet must maintain a strict low-carbohydrate intake. Because these patients often require medication, and because many pharmaceutical products (especially liquid formulations) contain significant quantities of carbohydrates, it is important that each drug product be evaluated before proceeding with the ketogenic diet. The purpose of this study was to compile the carbohydrate content of oral liquid products for patients on or considering a ketogenic diet. METHODS: A list of 200 oral liquid drug products and their manufacturers was compiled using the Children's Health Care-Minneapolis pharmacy purchasing database, the Physicians' Desk Reference, and previously published lists of oral liquid medications. Manufacturers were contacted either by telephone or by letter and asked specifically about the sucrose, fructose, sorbitol, glycerin, and alcohol content of these liquid formulations. RESULTS: The carbohydrate and alcohol content of 200 oral liquid products was determined and shown in an accompanying table. CONCLUSIONS: Many oral liquid medications contain significant amounts of carbohydrate. Tablet and capsule formulations are preferred when possible. To date, it has been difficult to quantify the carbohydrate content of liquid medications because of unavailability of this information. The carbohydrate content of 200 oral liquid medications is provided here to assist health care practitioners, patients, and care givers in designing drug regimens low in carbohydrates for patients on or considering a ketogenic diet.

Administration, Oral↗

Assessment of bone density in children with Scheuermann's disease.

Twenty four children with Scheuermann's disease (11 girls and 13 boys) aged 9-18 years measured for bone mineral density. The total skeleton (TB BMD) and lumbar spine (L2-L4 BMD) mineral density were investigated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). In nine patients with Scheuermann's disease and backache we found lower levels of TB BMD and L2-L4 BMD in comparison with reference population of Lunar database. Osteopenia in these children may be caused by decreased physical activity due to vertebral pain.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

Treatment for avascular necrosis of bone in people with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Avascular necrosis of bone is a frequent and severe complication of sickle cell disease and its treatment is not standardised. It is therefore important to gather evidence about the safety and effectiveness of different interventions. OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of surgery compared to non-surgical management on both the short- and the long-term outcomes (efficacy, safety, and adverse events) for people with sickle cell disease-related avascular necrosis. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group trials register, which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearches of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Additional randomized controlled trials were sought from the reference lists of the trials found and reviews identified by the search strategy. Date of the most recent search: April 2004. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (published or unpublished). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One ongoing clinical trial has been identified but no data are available for inclusion in the review. MAIN RESULTS: Five trials were identified by the searches. Four trials were not eligible for inclusion and one is an ongoing clinical trial. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: We were unable to find any evidence from completed randomized controlled trials assessing treatments for avascular necrosis in people with sickle cell disease. We await the results of an ongoing clinical trial to assess the benefits and risks of a surgical approach compared to a non-surgical approach as a means of improving survival and quality of life for people with sickle cell disease-related avascular necrosis of bone.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

I. A bibliographic database for quantitative analysis of phosphorus flow in ruminants.

The present study describes a quantitative analysis of phosphorus metabolism in ruminants. The database compiles 100 sources either published (95) or unpublished (5) involving studies on true or apparent phosphorus balances carried out before 1999. The database reports 652 distinct experimental conditions (lines) described with experimental variables (column) involving a total of 2982 animals: 414 lambs (33 references), 1078 sheep (37 references), 64 pregnant ewes (3 references), 212 lactating ewes (5 references), 528 calves (20 references), 4 maintenance cows (1 reference), 519 lactating cows (6 references), 42 kids (1 reference) and 121 lactating goats (3 references). The reliability of the database was tested using some general relationships.

Animals↗

Splenectomy versus conservative management for acute sequestration crises in people with sickle cell disease.

BACKGROUND: Acute splenic sequestration crises are a complication of sickle cell disease, with high mortality rates and frequent recurrence in survivors of first attacks. Splenectomy and blood transfusion, with their consequences, are the mainstay of long term management used in different parts of the world. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether splenectomy (total or partial) to prevent acute splenic sequestration crises in people with sickle cell disease improved survival and decreased morbidity in patients with sickle cell disease, as compared with regular blood transfusion. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group specialist trials register which comprises references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches, hand searching relevant journals and hand searching abstract books of conference proceedings Additional randomized controlled trials were sought from the reference lists of the studies found and reviews identified by the search strategy. Date of the most recent search: December 2001 SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing splenectomy (total or partial) to prevent recurrence of acute splenic sequestration crises to no treatment or blood transfusion in people with sickle cell disease. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: No trials of splenectomy for acute splenic sequestration were found. MAIN RESULTS: No trials of splenectomy for acute splenic sequestration were found. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy, if full, will prevent further sequestration and if partial, may reduce the recurrence of acute splenic sequestration crises but there is lack of evidence from trials that it improves survival and decreases morbidity in sickle cell disease. There is a need for a well-designed, adequately powered randomised controlled trial to assess the benefits and risks of splenectomy compared to transfusion programmes as a means of improving survival and decreasing mortality from ASS in people with sickle cell disease.

Acute Disease↗

Controlling third-party expenditures and improving quality assurances: a plea for change.

Growing demands to contain health care's inflationary expenditures have particular relevance for elective (eg, orthodontic) services, because their progressively increasing provision will ultimately jeopardize the resources for others (eg, restorative dentistry). Some form of rationalization is therefore inevitable, especially in services eligible for payments from third-party benefits. These are central concerns of the ongoing debate on whether rationalization should be driven by service efficiency and cost efficiency and who should make such decisions. The adaptation of contemporary computer-based technology could resolve this dilemma, especially if real-time comprehensive assessments of 3-dimensional craniofacial forms before and after treatment are incorporated into local and national databases. Such a facility would then help to develop clinical guidelines to optimize the provision of specific orthodontic services for particular malocclusions. Referring individual cases to these databases would subsequently help to control service expenditures and maintain or even improve their outcomes to the ultimate benefit of both the profession and the public.

Cost Control↗