Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Library Services”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,765 records · Page 98Linked to original sources

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↗

MATRAS: A program for protein 3D structure comparison.

The recent accumulation of large amounts of 3D structural data warrants a sensitive and automatic method to compare and classify these structures. We developed a web server for comparing protein 3D structures using the program Matras (http://biunit.aist-nara.ac.jp/matras). An advantage of Matras is its structure similarity score, which is defined as the log-odds of the probabilities, similar to Dayhoff's substitution model of amino acids. This score is designed to detect evolutionarily related (homologous) structural similarities. Our web server has three main services. The first one is a pairwise 3D alignment, which is simply align two structures. A user can assign structures by either inputting PDB codes or by uploading PDB format files in the local machine. The second service is a multiple 3D alignment, which compares several protein structures. This program employs the progressive alignment algorithm, in which pairwise 3D alignments are assembled in the proper order. The third service is a 3D library search, which compares one query structure against a large number of library structures. We hope this server provides useful tools for insights into protein 3D structures.

Algorithms↗

Biomechanics of locked plates and screws.

OBJECTIVE: To review the biomechanical principles that guide fracture fixation with plates and screws; specifically to compare and contrast the function and roles of conventional unlocked plates to locked plates in fracture fixation. We review basic plate and screw function, discuss the design rationale for the new implants, and examine the biomechanical evidence that supports the use of such implants. DATA SOURCES: Systematic review of the per reviewed English language orthopaedic literature listed on PubMed (National Library of Medicine online service). STUDY SELECTION: Papers selected for this review were drawn from peer review orthopaedic journals. All selected papers specifically discussed plate and screw biomechanics with regard to fracture fixation. PubMed search terms were: plates and screws, biomechanics, locked plates, PC-Fix, LISS, LCP, MIPO, and fracture fixation. DATA SYNTHESIS: The following topics are discussed: plate and screw function-neutralization plates and buttress plates, bridge plates; fracture stability-specifically how this effects gap strain and fracture union, conventional plate biomechanics, and locking plate biomechanics. CONCLUSIONS: Locked plates and conventional plates rely on completely different mechanical principles to provide fracture fixation and in so doing they provide different biological environments for healing. Locked plates may increasingly be indicated for indirect fracture reduction, diaphyseal/metaphyseal fractures in osteoporotic bone, bridging severely comminuted fractures, and the plating of fractures where anatomical constraints prevent plating on the tension side of the bone. Conventional plates may continue to be the fixation method of choice for periarticular fractures which demand perfect anatomical reduction and to certain types of nonunions which require increased stability for union.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Morphologic classification of filtering blebs after glaucoma filtration surgery: the Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale.

PURPOSE: To establish a new classification system for filtering blebs according to clinical morphologic parameters. The purpose of this classification system is to provide a uniform and objective assessment of bleb appearance and establish a framework system through which outcomes of filtration surgery may be better correlated to clinical morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale contains a set of photographic standards illustrating a range of filtering bleb morphology selected from the slide library of the Glaucoma Service at the Indiana University Department of Ophthalmology. These standards consist of slit lamp images for grading bleb height, extent, vascularity, and leakage with the Seidel test. For grading, the morphologic appearance of the filtration bleb is assessed relative to the standard images for the 4 parameters and scored accordingly. Fifty-one clinical bleb photographs were evaluated and scored by 3 glaucoma subspecialists in a masked fashion according to the scale. RESULTS: For all of the grading scales, high interobserver agreement was found using the scale to classify the appearance of filtering blebs (height +0.76; extent +0.78; vascularity +0.90, interclass correlation coefficient for consistency using a 2-way mixed effect model). CONCLUSION: The Indiana Bleb Appearance Grading Scale is a simple, reproducible, yet comprehensive system for classifying the morphologic slit lamp appearance of filtration blebs.

Filtering Surgery↗

Pathophysiology of priapism: dysregulatory erection physiology thesis.

PURPOSE: While a modest amount of medical literature has been written on the topic of priapism, reports heretofore have focused predominantly on diagnostic and management related aspects of the disorder, providing meager information in regard to its pathophysiology. Accordingly the intent of this review was to explore the etiological and pathogenic factors involved in priapism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review entailed an overview of traditional and modern concepts that have been applied to the pathophysiology of priapism and an evaluation of assorted observational and experimental data relating to this field of study. The basic exercise consisted of a literature search using the National Library of Medicine PubMed Services, index referencing provided through the Historical Collection of the Institute of Medicine of The Johns Hopkins University and a survey of abstract proceedings from national meetings relevant to priapism. RESULTS: Insight into the pathophysiology of priapism was derived from a synthesis of evolutionary clinical experiences, mythical beliefs, clinical variants and scientific advances associated with the field of priapism. The results can be summarized. 1) Clinicopathological manifestations of priapism support its basic classification into low flow (ischemic) and high flow (nonischemic) hemodynamic categories, commonly attributed to venous outflow occlusion and unregulated arterial overflow of the penis, respectively. 2) Factual information is insufficient to substantiate etiological roles for urethral infection, bladder distention, failed ejaculation, satyriasis and sleep apnea in priapism. 3) Features of the variant forms of priapism invoke changes in nervous system control of erection and penile vascular homeostasis as having pathogenic roles in the disorder. 4) Clinical therapeutic and basic science investigative studies have revealed various effector mechanisms of the erectile tissue response that may act in dysregulated fashion to subserve priapism. CONCLUSIONS: This exercise suggested that, while priapism is commonly defined in terms of adverse mechanical contexts affecting penile circulation, it may also be viewed at least in some situations as an unbalanced erectile response involving derangements in possibly diverse systems of regulatory control. An integrative scientific approach that encompasses tissular, cellular and molecular levels of investigation may allow further understanding of the pathophysiology of the disorder. Ongoing elucidation of this pathophysiology can be expected to promote the development of new priapism therapies.

Greece, Ancient↗

Neuroprotection and nerve grafts in the treatment of neurogenic erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: The rationale for protecting the nerve supply of the penis derives mainly from the fact that neurological injury or disease states involving this organ commonly result in erectile dysfunction. Novel directions in the management of neurogenic erectile dysfunction that pertain specifically to sustaining penile neuronal function are described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The review constitutes a summary of neuroprotective strategies for penile erection that are under investigation at the basic science level or have been brought to clinical practice. The basic exercise consisted primarily of a literature search using the National Library of Medicine PubMed Services, with references made to such keywords as nerve grafts, nerve growth factors, neuroprotection and nerve regeneration. RESULTS: Primary advances in this field have centered on repairing structural defects and restoring the functional integrity of the cavernous nerves of the penis. In the former autologous nerve conduits, such as sural nerve grafts, have been explored and used prominently in the context of radical prostatectomy. In the latter diverse neurotrophic treatments have been investigated, with progress mostly limited to animal models of cavernous nerve injury. Basic concepts and ongoing developments in the neurobiology of axonal regeneration were identified as being applicable to this area of neurourology. CONCLUSIONS: Because neurogenic origins represent a leading categorical cause of erectile dysfunction, the importance of developing and applying treatment approaches to alleviate neuropathic effects on the erectile tissue of the penis is certain. Medical and surgical innovations for preserving and reconstituting the functional nerve supply of the penis offer great promise in the management of erectile dysfunction.

Animals↗