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At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed2001

BioMolQuest: integrated database-based retrieval of protein structural and functional information.

MOTIVATION: Information about a particular protein or protein family is usually distributed among multiple databases and often in more than one entry in each database. Retrieval and organization of this information can be a laborious task. This task is complicated even further by the existence of alternative terms for the same concept. RESULTS: The PDB, SWISS-PROT, ENZYME, and CATH databases have been imported into a combined relational database, BIOMOLQUEST: A powerful search engine has been built using this database as a back end. The search engine achieves significant improvements in query performance by automatically utilizing cross-references between the legacy databases. The results of the queries are presented in an organized, hierarchical way.

Abstracting and Indexing↗

PubMed2003

HGT-DB: a database of putative horizontally transferred genes in prokaryotic complete genomes.

The Horizontal Gene Transfer DataBase (HGT-DB) is a genomic database that includes statistical parameters such as G+C content, codon and amino-acid usage, as well as information about which genes deviate in these parameters for prokaryotic complete genomes. Under the hypothesis that genes from distantly related species have different nucleotide compositions, these deviated genes may have been acquired by horizontal gene transfer. The current version of the database contains 88 bacterial and archaeal complete genomes, including multiple chromosomes and strains. For each genome, the database provides statistical parameters for all the genes, as well as averages and standard deviations of G+C content, codon usage, relative synonymous codon usage and amino-acid content. It also provides information about correspondence analyses of the codon usage, plus lists of extraneous group of genes in terms of G+C content and lists of putatively acquired genes. With this information, researchers can explore the G+C content and codon usage of a gene when they find incongruities in sequence-based phylogenetic trees. A search engine that allows searches for gene names or keywords for a specific organism is also available. HGT-DB is freely accessible at http://www.fut.es/~debb/HGT.

Amino Acids↗

PubMed2004

Noise-induced hearing loss and hearing conservation in mining.

BACKGROUND: Noise exposure is prevalent in mining, and as the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss has not changed much in the past two decades, hearing conservation is an important issue. OBJECTIVES: To review the literature and highlight important developments in the field. METHODS: A review of the literature using OVID as the primary search engine, using the search terms as: noise, occupational; hearing loss, noise induced; ear protective devices; and mining. RESULTS: A total of 66 articles were found, but only 11 were in the English language and few were published in the past 10 years. This is disappointing, because neither noise exposure nor the consequent risk of noise-induced hearing loss seems to have changed much in the past 20 years. Noise is, however, a generic hazard, and this article reviews current best practice in prevention.

Audiometry↗

PubMed2000

Web page quality: can we measure it and what do we find? A report of exploratory findings.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report exploratory findings from an attempt to quantify the quality of a sample of World Wide Web (WWW) pages relating to MMR vaccine that a typical user might locate. METHOD: Forty pages obtained from a search of the WWW using two search engines and the search expression 'mmr vaccine' were analysed using a standard proforma. The proforma looked at the information the pages contained in terms of three categories: content, authorship and aesthetics. The information from each category was then quantified into a summary statistic, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated using a 'gold standard' of quality derived from the published literature. Optimal cut-off points for each of the three sections were calculated that best discriminated 'good' from 'bad' pages. Pages were also assessed as to whether they were pro- or anti-vaccination. RESULTS: For this sample, the combined contents and authorship score, with a cut-off of five, was a good discriminator, having 88 per cent sensitivity and 92 per cent specificity. Aesthetics was not a good discriminator. In the sample, 32.5 per cent of pages were pro-vaccination; 42.5 per cent were anti-vaccination and 25 per cent were neutral. The relative risk of being of poor quality if anti-vaccination was 3.3 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.8, 6.1). CONCLUSION: The sample of Web pages did contain some quality information on MMR vaccine. It also contained a great deal of misleading, inaccurate data. The proforma, combined with a knowledge of the literature, may help to distinguish between the two.

Authorship↗

PubMed2001

Online personal medical records: are they reliable for acute/critical care?

OBJECTIVE: To provide an introduction to Internet-based Online Personal Medical Records (OPMRs), to assess their use and limitations in acute/critical care situations, and to identify potential improvements that could increase their usefulness. DESIGN: A review of publicly available Internet-based OPMRs conducted in April 2001. DATA SOURCES: Twenty-nine OPMR sites were identified in March 2000 using ten Internet search engines with the search term "Personal Medical Records." Through 2000 and 2001, an additional 37 sites were identified using lists obtained from trade journals and through the author's participation in standards-setting meetings. MEASUREMENTS: Each publicly available site was reviewed to assess suitability for acute/critical care situations using four measures developed by the author and for general use using eight measures developed in a standards-setting process described in the article. RESULTS: Of the 66 companies identified, only 16 still offer OPMRs that are available to the public on the Internet. None of these met all of the evaluation measures. Only 19% had rapid emergency access capabilities and only 63% provided medical summaries of the record. Security and confidentiality issues were well addressed in 94% of sites. Data portability was virtually nonexistent because all OPMRs lacked the ability to exchange data electronically with other OPMRs, and only two OPMRs permitted data transfer from physician electronic medical records. Controls over data accuracy were poor: 81% of sites allowed entry of dates for medical treatment before the patient's date of birth, and one site actually gave incorrect medical advice. OPMRs were periodically inaccessible because of programming deficiencies. Finally, approximately 40 sites ceased providing OPMRs in the past year, with the probable loss of patient information. CONCLUSIONS: Most OPMRs are not ready for use in acute/critical care situations. Many are just electronic versions of the paper-based health record notebooks that patients have used for years. They have, however, great promise and, with further development, could form the basis of a new medical record system that could contribute to improving the quality of medical care.

Confidentiality↗

PubMed2003

Bladder cancer facts: accuracy of information on the Internet.

PURPOSE: Patients continually seek information regarding the etiology, diagnosis, management and treatment of bladder cancer. The Internet has a growing number of health web sites and it is a tremendous resource for medical information. We examined the accuracy and completeness of bladder cancer sites on the World Wide Web. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Internet searching was performed by retrieving the first 30 universal resource locators from 8 popular search engines using the search term bladder cancer. A total of 38 independent web sites were evaluated. Other sites were inaccessible, duplicates or only contained linked pages. Two reviewers evaluated the accuracy and completeness of information using a predetermined 41-point checklist rating instrument that evaluated essential information related to bladder cancer. The kappa statistic was used to evaluate interrater variability. RESULTS: The mean kappa statistic for evaluable variables was 0.70. Most nonevaluable variables had excellent agreement, indicating good overall interrater reliability. No rating factor was present on 100% of sites. Eight factors were present and accurate on 80% to 90% of web pages and related to signs/symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic tests and treatment of early stage disease. Six factors were inaccurate on 32% of sites, including incidence (7), staging (3), recurrence (1), and treatment of early invasive (1) and metastatic (1) disease. CONCLUSIONS: Bladder cancer information retrieved from the majority of medical web sites was incomplete. However, general information relating to presentation, diagnosis, staging and treatment of low stage disease was present and accurate on most sites. Although inaccurate information was detected on 32% of the sites, it tended to be related to outdated information. It is reasonable to refer patients to select comprehensive web sites to obtain pertinent information about bladder cancer.

Humans↗

PubMed2005

A review of the literature considering the role of mental health nurses in assertive outreach.

A review of the literature considering the role of mental health nurses in assertive outreach Assertive outreach teams are a central component of the UK government vision for Mental Health. The general aim of such services is to engage with clients who for one reason or another lose contact with traditional services and require a more flexible approach to care. Researchers and the Government recognize that nurses who work within Assertive Outreach need specialist skills, knowledge and personal attributes to carry out their work. A comprehensive review of the literature was carried out via computer search engines, an Internet search and a hand search of pertinent references. Two screens were applied to the literature to make sure only the highest quality information was evaluated. The results of the literature search were presented in tabular format and three key themes were identified as being important for mental health nurses working in assertive outreach services. These themes were clinical knowledge and skills, successful outcomes for assertive outreach services and personal attributes of practitioners. Multidisciplinary working within assertive outreach services allows for some of the ethical dilemmas to be resolved. However, the competing demands placed on nurses, including risk assessment verses engagement, may lead to high stress levels and burnout. Research studies highlight that without experienced and knowledgeable staff the provision of an assertive outreach model is in jeopardy. The Government and service providers need to ensure that practitioners within assertive outreach services receive sufficient training, managerial and clinical supervision, in order to do the best for a very challenging and chaotic client group.

Community-Institutional Relations↗

PubMed2006

The use of the nicotine inhaler in smoking cessation.

PURPOSE: To raise awareness among nurse practitioners (NPs) about the nicotine inhaler by providing clinical and practical information about the use of the nicotine inhaler as a treatment option for smoking cessation. DATA SOURCES: This included data-based and review articles in the medical literature, tobacco use and dependence clinical practice guideline, and Medline and Cinahl search engines. Criteria for search keywords were "nicotine inhaler" and "nicotine replacement therapy." Initial search was done in December 2004. CONCLUSIONS: The nicotine inhaler has been tested as safe and efficacious in the treatment of tobacco cessation. Clinical trials show the nicotine inhaler to be useful alone or as an adjunct to other pharmacological therapies. Current national guidelines recommend that the nicotine inhaler be used in smoking cessation therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The nicotine inhaler is appropriate for many different smokers, including certain types of cardiac patients. NPs can include the nicotine inhaler in a group of nicotine replacement therapies to ensure that smokers are successful in tobacco cessation.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed2005

AgeLine: free and valuable database from AARP.

AgeLine is the definitive source for information related to people over the age of 50, and for issues concerned with aging. AgeLine is available free from the AARP Web site, and it provides an excellent search engine with many search options. AgeLine is also available by paid subscription from major database vendors.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of herbal dietary supplements marketed on the internet for recreational use.

BACKGROUND: The Internet is a popular tool for marketing and purchasing herbal dietary supplements (DS). Various Web sites sell these products purely for recreational use. OBJECTIVE: To describe the content of Web sites that advertise and market herbal DS for recreational use (ie, for the purpose of altering mood/behavior/or perception, "getting high," or as a substitute for a drug of abuse). METHODS: Four major search engines and the search terms "buy herbal high" and "buy legal high" were used to identify Web sites selling herbal DS for recreational use. Web sites were evaluated for their country of origin and for compliance with the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA). Products were evaluated for their ingredient lists, effect claims, comparisons with illicit drugs, adverse effects, drug interactions, and contraindications. RESULTS: Twenty-eight unique Web sites with 119 products were evaluated. Most sites were in the US (54%) and were in compliance with DSHEA. Forty-seven percent of the products were likened to illicit drugs, typically marijuana (48%) or 3-,4-methylene dioxyamphetamine (Ecstasy; 23%). The most common product ingredients were ephedra alkaloids (27%), Salvia divinorum (17%), kava (10%), guarana (10%), Acorus calamus (10%), and damiana (10%). Effect claims frequently involved the products' use as a hallucinogen (51%) or stimulant (39%). Sixty-four percent of the sites mentioned adverse effects, and 54% mentioned drug interactions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that herbal DS are being marketed for use as legal alternatives to illicit drugs of abuse. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of this trend and the products that are involved.

Advertising↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The validity of health claims on the World Wide Web: a systematic survey of the herbal remedy Opuntia.

PURPOSE: The World Wide Web has become a significant source of health information for the public, but there is concern that much of the information is inaccurate, misleading, and unsupported by scientific evidence. To explore this issue, the validity of health claims for the herb Opuntia on the World Wide Web was analyzed. DATA SOURCES: From December 1998 to May 1999, health claims were identified from Web sites utilizing nine search engines. A corresponding search was conducted of the scientific literature. Search terms included common and botanical names for Opuntia. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Nutritional support guidelines for herbs were used to identify claims from relevant sites. Scientific studies included established methodological designs with no restrictions on source, language, type of subjects, or dosage forms for Opuntia. DATA EXTRACTION METHODS: A checklist of significant information was prepared for Web sites and scientific studies. The quality of scientific studies was assessed with two instruments, the Jadad and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) scales. DATA SYNTHESIS: Validity of health claims on Web sites was compared with scientific reports. Searches retrieved 184 Web sites, 98 with health claims and 51 with research studies. Only 34% of the claims were addressed in the scientific literature, and evidence was conflicting or contradictory. For human studies, none met the criteria for high quality as determined by the Jadad and JAMA scales. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS: The majority of health claims were based on folklore or indirect scientific evidence and could not be validated by scientific research. This suggests a need to check the validity of herbal information on the World Wide Web.

Drug Information Services↗

PubMed2000

Reconnoitering the antivaccination web sites: news from the front.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, Western Europe and other areas, groups opposing universal childhood immunization are reported to be gaining political momentum. METHODS: A review was done of Internet sites opposing childhood immunization, with the goal of describing the philosophies and strategies used by the groups presenting them. A random sample of antivaccination Web sites was obtained using standard Internet search engines and the search terms "vaccination" and "immunization." These sites were analyzed for content, common themes, philosophy, affiliation with groups or organizations, and suggested strategies for avoiding vaccination. RESULTS: Twenty-six of the 51 sites found were randomly selected for review. Fifteen of these were associated with groups promoting the use of alternative medicine for preventing or treating infectious disease. Groups concerned with civil liberties were also represented, as were conspiracy theorists. CONCLUSIONS: Many groups have an interest in opposing universal childhood immunization, and some of them have a prominent presence on the Internet. Physicians and parents should be aware of the existence of these groups and their philosophies. Further research and educational efforts to counter their effects is necessary.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Quality of childhood brain tumour information on the Internet in French language].

The continuing growth of the Internet has transformed the access to medical information. However, there are still little data on the quality of e-Health information available. This study examined the content and readability of paediatric neuro-oncology information on the Internet in the French language. The first 30 uniform/universal resource locators (URLs) from each of six search engines using the search terms "medulloblastoma", "ependymoma", "craniopharyngioma", "brainstem glioma" and "low grade glioma" were retrieved for accuracy and evaluation when appropriate. Eligible web sites were rated using the Discern instrument and a 13-items checklist. Readability was assessed using Flesch Reading Ease score. Out of 815 sites visited, only 22 fulfilled the evaluation criteria. Most sites rated either fair (25%), poor (59%) or very poor (13%). The mean readability score was 19.8 (6-32), indicative of poor accessibility by readability and complex vocabulary content. The poor quality of e-Health information is not specific of Web sites in French. The role of cooperative groups and the Health Care System in providing and disseminating clear and compelling medical information is essential.

Brain Neoplasms↗

PubMed2003

Using contextual queries.

Search engines generally treat search requests in isolation. The results for a given query are identical, independent of the user, or the context in which the user made the request. An approach is demonstrated that explores implicit contexts as obtained from a document the user is reading. The approach inserts into an original (web) document functionality to directly activate context driven queries that yield related articles obtained from various information sources.

Databases as Topic↗

PubMed2004

Contextual annotation of web pages for interactive browsing.

With the information on the World Wide Web and in specialized databases exploding, researchers and physicians are in dire need to browse efficiently though the large corpus of information resources in their field of interest. The focus is not any longer to find everything related to your interest, but it shifts to zooming in, based on context and expanding again in neighboring knowledge domains. This paper describes an attempt to develop a completely new, interactive way of browsing distributed corpora of information without the need for multiple different queries in different information resources. Classical search engines generally treat search requests in isolation. The results for a given query are identical, and do not automatically take on board the context in which the user made the request. The system described here explores implicit contexts as obtained from the document that the user is reading. The new approach merges the searching and browsing into one combined "read-and-search" mode and alleviates the shift users are normally forced to between searching and reading.

Hypermedia↗

PubMed2006

Diagnosis and management of ST elevation myocardial infarction: a review of the recent literature and practice guidelines.

There is a large volume of literature available to guide the peri-infarct management of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Most of this literature focuses on improving the availability and efficacy of reperfusion therapy. The purpose of this article is to review contemporary scientific evidence and guideline recommendations regarding the diagnosis and therapy of STEMI. Studies and epidemiological data were identified using Medline, the Cochrane Database, and an Internet search engine. Medline was searched for landmark and recent publications using the following key words: STEMI, guidelines, epidemiology, reperfusion, fibrinolytics, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), facilitated PCI, transfer, delay, clopidogrel, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), beta-blockers, nitrates, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. The data accessed indicate that urgent reperfusion with either fibrinolytics or percutaneous intervention should be considered for every patient having symptoms of myocardial infarction with ST segment elevation or a bundle branch block. The utility of combined mechanical and pharmacological reperfusion is currently under investigation. Ancillary treatments may utilize clopidogrel, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, or low molecular weight heparin, depending on the primary reperfusion strategy used. Comprehensive clinical practice guidelines incorporate much of the available contemporary evidence, and are important resources for the evidence-based management of STEMI.

Bundle-Branch Block↗

PubMed2005

Using concept relations to improve ranking in information retrieval.

Despite improved search engine technology, most searches return numerous documents not directly related to the query. This problem is mitigated if relevant documents appear high on a ranked list of search results. We propose that some queries and the underlying information needs can be modeled as relationships between concepts (relations), and we match relations in queries to relations in documents to try to improve ranking of search results. We investigate four techniques to identify two relationships important in medicine, causes and treats, to improve the ranking of medical text documents relevant to clinical questions about causation and treatment. Preliminary results suggest that identifying relation instances can improve the ranking of search results.

Databases, Bibliographic↗

PubMed2006

Gene functional similarity search tool (GFSST).

BACKGROUND: With the completion of the genome sequences of human, mouse, and other species and the advent of high throughput functional genomic research technologies such as biomicroarray chips, more and more genes and their products have been discovered and their functions have begun to be understood. Increasing amounts of data about genes, gene products and their functions have been stored in databases. To facilitate selection of candidate genes for gene-disease research, genetic association studies, biomarker and drug target selection, and animal models of human diseases, it is essential to have search engines that can retrieve genes by their functions from proteome databases. In recent years, the development of Gene Ontology (GO) has established structured, controlled vocabularies describing gene functions, which makes it possible to develop novel tools to search genes by functional similarity. RESULTS: By using a statistical model to measure the functional similarity of genes based on the Gene Ontology directed acyclic graph, we developed a novel Gene Functional Similarity Search Tool (GFSST) to identify genes with related functions from annotated proteome databases. This search engine lets users design their search targets by gene functions. CONCLUSION: An implementation of GFSST which works on the UniProt (Universal Protein Resource) for the human and mouse proteomes is available at GFSST Web Server. GFSST provides functions not only for similar gene retrieval but also for gene search by one or more GO terms. This represents a powerful new approach for selecting similar genes and gene products from proteome databases according to their functions.

Chromosome Mapping↗