Elsevier ScienceDirect Research Articles

NOD2 Polymorphisms and Pulmonary Tuberculosis Susceptibility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The association between NOD2 and tuberculosis (TB) risk has been reported widely, but the results of previous studies remained controversial and ambiguous. To assess the association between NOD2 polymorphisms and TB risk, a meta-analysis was performed. A literature search was conducted by using the PubMed, Ovid, ISI Web of Knowledge, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). We identified the data from all articles estimating the association between NOD2 polymorphisms and TB risk. In total, 2,215 cases and 1,491 controls in 7 case-control studies were included. In meta-analysis, we found significant association between the Arg702Trp polymorphism and TB risk (OR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.20-0.90, P = 0.02). However, no significant association was found between the Arg587Arg (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.83-2.07, P = 0.25) and Gly908Arg (OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.21-2.87, P = 0.71) polymorphisms and TB risk. The present meta-analysis suggested that NOD2 Arg702Trp polymorphism was likely to be a protective factor for TB. However, the Arg587Arg and Gly908Arg polymorphisms might not be the genetic risk factors for TB susceptibility.

Elsevier's ScienceDirect as an E-book Platform for Medical Libraries

With more than 2,500 peer-reviewed journals and more than 19,000 books, Elsevier's ScienceDirect is a full-text, scientific database covering the fields of science, technology, and medicine. While ScienceDirect is a fully integrated database featuring journal and book content, this review focuses on ScienceDirect as an e-book platform and explores the access, interface, browsing and searching capabilities, and functionality for health sciences e-books. It finds that the ScienceDirect database is a robust resource for researchers and medical librarians, offering a wide range of tools and options for viewing and working with e-book content.

Endoscopic mucosal resection vs endoscopic submucosal dissection for rectal carcinoid tumours: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) are used for the removal of rectal carcinoid tumours. There are no current guidelines or consensus on the optimal treatment strategy for these lesions. A systematic review was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of ESD and EMR. The generation of inclusion criteria and analysis of data were based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. A systematic literature review was conducted using the following databases: Medline, Embase, SpringerLink, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Science Citation Index and the Cochrane Library. Only papers comparing treatment of rectal carcinoid tumours by EMR and by ESD were selected. The data collected included the patients' demographic information, interventions made, observed outcome and sources of bias. Four papers were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. ESD was more effective than EMR in complete resection (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.14-0.58; P = 0.000). ESD was as safe as EMR [rate difference (RD) -0.01; 95% CI -0.07 to 0.05; P = 0.675]. Recurrence rates did not differ significantly between the EMR and ESD groups (RD 0.04; 95% CI -0.01 to 0.09; P = 0.150). The duration of ESD was longer than EMR (standardized mean difference -1.73; 95% CI -2.73 to -0.74; P = 0.001). The study indicates that ESD is the better treatment for rectal carcinoid tumours.

Relação entre aterosclerose subclínica, pressão arterial e perfil lipídico em crianças e adolescentes obesos: uma revisão sistemática

The present study aimed to systematically review the literature about intima-media thickness (IMT), blood pressure (BP), and lipid profile (LP) in obese and non-obese children and adolescents. The search was carried out in electronic databases (PubMed, Bireme, and Elsevier ScienceDirect) between 2000-2010. The following keywords, in English, were used: "obesity", "adolescents", "atherosclerosis" and "child", using two combinations: obesity+child+atherosclerosis and obesity+adolescents+atherosclerosis. The electronic search resulted in 3,211 manuscripts. After analysis of the inclusion criteria, 13 papers were selected. Of these, two studies showed significant correlation between IMT and the variables BP, LDL, and triglycerides. In other studies, no significant correlations were found. There is a wide methodological variability across the studies. However, obese children and adolescents had higher values of IMT, BP, and LP.

Studies on the Probabilistic Model for Ship-Bridge Collisions

Shocking ship-bridge collisions indicate that there's large space in the previous bridge anti-collision technology research. There are several advantages in the risk-based anti-collision technology of the bridges. Thus the databases such as SpringerLink, Elsevier ScienceDirect and CNKI, the Chinese database, are included to collect literature for the purpose of examining the probabilistic models. Reviewing the current representative models, this paper argues some limitations in the models, such as the questionable applicability of models, the neglected affects of pier turbulent zones as well as some inaccuracies in the mathematical formulations. Accordingly, the paper revises the current models and also addresses increasing the representativeness of samples with sufficient experiments. This paper explores the topic for its potential applications, and aims to make some contribution to the references on the topic so as to popularize and promote the technology in a real sense.

Association of NQO1 rs1800566 polymorphism and the risk of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) rs1800566 polymorphism is found to have a lower enzymatic activity, which may result in increased incidence of several kinds of carcinomas including colorectal cancer. Results from published studies on the association of NQO1 rs1800566 genetic polymorphism with the risk of colorectal cancer are inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis to summarize the possible association. All eligible published studies were searched from PubMed and Elsevier ScienceDirect. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were analyzed for additive, dominant, and recessive models to assess the association using fixed- or random-effect model. We identified 12 case-control studies that include 5,525 cases and 6,272 controls for the present meta-analysis. Significant associations between NQO1 rs1800566 genetic polymorphism and risk of colorectal cancer were observed in additive (OR = 1.09, 95% CI = 1.02-1.16, p = 0.009) and dominant models (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.04-1.21, p = 0.004 for TT + CT vs. CC). Moreover, in the subgroup analysis based on ethnicity, significant associations were observed in Caucasians but not in Asians. This meta-analysis provided evidence that NQO1 rs1800566 genetic polymorphism was associated with increased risk of colorectal cancer and that the T allele probably acts as an important risk factor.

Meta-analysis of Drug Treatment for Scrub Typhus in Asia

Scrub typhus is an important febrile disease in Asia, and antibiotics have been used to treat this disease. The purpose of this study was to generate large-scale evidence of the efficacy of different antibiotic regimens for treating scrub typhus using a meta-analysis. PubMed, Elsevier ScienceDirect, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang (Chinese) were searched to identify relevant articles. The data from eligible citations were extracted by two reviewers. All analyses were performed using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager 4.2 and Stata 10.0 software programs. We conducted a meta-analysis of 17 separate studies that evaluated the efficacy of treatment with the different antibiotic regimens for scrub typhus. The median time (h) to clearance of fever in the azithromycin-treated group was longer than that in the chloramphenicol-treated group (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 12.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.26,23.06). Adverse events were 2.95 (95%CI: 1.32, 6.61) times more likely to occur in the azithromycin-treated group than in the chloramphenicol-treated group. The clearance time (days) for the main symptoms (including fever, headache, rash and lymphadenectasis) in the doxycycline-treated group was shorter than that in the chloramphenicol-treated group (WMD = -0.4, 95%CI: -0.53, -0.26) in five trials. Adverse drug events occurred significantly less frequently in the azithromycin-treated group than in the doxycycline-treated group (relative risk [RR] = 0.47, 95%CI: 0.31,0.71). Doxycycline was found to act more quickly, but more adverse drug events occur when using this regimen compared to azithromycin and chloramphenicol.

Usage Data, E-journal Selection, and Negotiations: An Iranian Consortium Experience

This article reports on the analysis of COUNTER-compliant usage data of Elsevier ScienceDirect journals for the period of 2004–2009 by Consiran, an Iranian national consortium with fifty-eight institutions. The aim of the analysis was to develop a license model for subscription purchases. The results show that journal use followed the “80/20 rule” or Pareto principle. The conclusion is that, for a cost-benefit license model, institutions should be grouped into three or four categories based on their subject fields and amount of use. The article also discusses the problem with usage data and highlights the need for implementing a system to locally collect and analyze usage data rather than relying on the usage data provided by vendors and publishers.

Clinical value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery for cervical cancer: A Meta-analysis

Objective To evaluate clinical value of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NACT) before surgery for cervical cancer. Methods The author searched the clinical trials on the treatment of cervical cancer comparing NACT followed by surgery versus initial surgery in the main medical data resources(MEDLINE、PUBMED、ELSEVIER ScienceDirect、CNKI、CBMdisc、Cochrane Library and EMBASE)published in English and Chinese literature. We abstracted data about positive pelvic nodes, interstitial infiltration, vascular invasion, positive surgical margin,3-year overall survival (OS),3-year disease-free survival(DFS),5-year OS,5-year DFS from both NACT group and control group, and a meta-analysis was applied. Results The hazard ratio (HR) of positive pelvic nodes on NACT group versus control group was 0.52 (95 % CI 0.42 ～ 0.64, P<0.0001), HR of interstitial infiltration was 0.41 (95 % CI 0.32 ～ 0.55, P<0.0001), HR of vascular invasion was 0.25 (95 % CI 0.16 ～0.38, P<0.0001), and HR of positive surgical margin was 0.44 (95 % CI 0.22 ～ 0.87, P=0.02), all differences were statistically significant. And there were significant difference on the HRs of 3-year DFS, and 5-year DFS, which were 1.45 (95% CI 1.10 ～ 1.91,P=0.008)and 1.33 (95 % CI 1.05 ～ 1.77,P=0.04). And there were no significant difference on HRs of 3-year OS and 5-year OS, which were 1.11 (95 % CI 0.85 ～ 1.46, P =0.46)and 1.11(95%CI 0.87 ～1.40,P= 0.40)respectively. Conclusion For cervical cancer,NACT could reduce pathological risk factors and maybe improve prognosis. Key words: Cervical cancer; Neoadjuvant chemotherapy; Meta-analysis

Usage Data, E-journal Selection, and Negotiations: An Iranian Consortium Experience

This article reports on the analysis of COUNTER-compliant usage data of Elsevier ScienceDirect journals for the period of 2004–2009 by Consiran, an Iranian national consortium with fifty-eight institutions. The aim of the analysis was to develop a license model for subscription purchases. The results show that journal use followed the “80/20 rule” or Pareto principle. The conclusion is that, for a cost-benefit license model, institutions should be grouped into three or four categories based on their subject fields and amount of use. The article also discusses the problem with usage data and highlights the need for implementing a system to locally collect and analyze usage data rather than relying on the usage data provided by vendors and publishers.

The case for small-scale domestic cannabis cultivation

The shift to (inter)regional production, trade and domestic cultivation has become an irreversible international trend. Until now, the focus of most empirical work has been on large-scale, commercially oriented and professionally organized segments of the cannabis industry, often based on police data and on the perspective of law enforcement agencies. This paper offers a review of recent Dutch- language research that focuses on cannabis cultivation. Empirical studies were identified through literature searches using relevant search terms and Web of Science, Elin, Social Science Research Network and Elsevier ScienceDirect. The paper presents the main findings of Dutch and Belgian empirical work on the factors that stimulated the import substitution process on the cannabis market, aspects related to quality and potency issues, typologies of cannabis growers, and (unintended) effects of pursued policies. In the light of this (selective) review the author offers some commentary and analysis concerning the claims made by different stakeholders, and concludes with some reflections on future research and on policy implications. The author outlines the importance of small-scale, independent or ideologically oriented cannabis cultivation as an underresearched market segment. The author also makes a case for greater toleration of small-scale cannabis cultivation, to secure the least worst of cannabis markets.

The widely shared definition of e‐Government

PurposeThis paper aims to provide details of a study on the widely shared definition of e‐government and to help scholars – especially young scholars – to understand the scope and meaning of the field.Design/methodology/approachFrom 1998‐2007, a ten‐year time‐span, 632 articles from the three world‐leading academic databases, including Wiley InterScience, Elsevier ScienceDirect, and SCI Expanded, were retrieved and 324 were analyzed using CATA software (Concordance 3.20), to identify the vocabulary that was used frequently by e‐government scholars. Then the distinct vocabulary was used to construct the widely shared definition of e‐government.FindingsIn those 324 articles, 57 words generated from the text analysis formed the basis for imputing a widely shared definition of the field of e‐government. The definition was conceptualized by six elements.Research limitations/implicationsTwo limitations of the pool of articles selected may be noted. First, articles were drawn from three leading academic databases in an effort to distinguish e‐government from other fields; but such an approach omitted any consideration of how e‐government definitions varied from different academic fields. Second, because the pool of articles was drawn only from these three, journals excluded by these databases were thus omitted.Originality/valueThe study is unique in that it discusses the definition of e‐government by an exploratory approach. The universal shared definition extracted could serve as either a screen or a magnet for future research. And the methodology could be applied to several academic fields, including administration and management, library and information science, e‐records management, computer science, etc.

Genetics of the hamartomatous polyposis syndromes: a molecular review

Hamartomatous polyposis syndromes are a heterogeneous group of disorders that are inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. These syndromes only represent a small number of the inherited gastrointestinal cancer predisposition syndromes. However, many of these syndromes carry a substantial risk for developing colorectal cancer, as well as extra-colonic malignancy. We searched for articles on inherited hamartomatous polyposis syndromes, including familial juvenile polyposis syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome 2B, hereditary mixed polyposis syndrome, Cronkhite-Canada syndrome, basal cell nevus syndrome, and neurofibromatosis 1, in PubMed, Embase, and Elsevier ScienceDirect. In this review, we briefly discuss the diagnosis and clinical features of these disorders and the molecular alterations responsible for these syndromes. Given the clinical similarities of these hamartomatous syndromes and the autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, it is sometimes difficult to differentiate hamartomatous polyps, especially with atypical presentation. The molecular analysis and diagnosis make it possible to identify the subtype of these syndromes. In addition, these tests raise an intriguing possibility that surveillance and early medical intervention will allow for the identification of at-risk patients and the reduction of morbidity and mortality.

Metabolic Implications of Severe Burn Injuries and Their Management: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Severe burn patients are some of the most challenging critically ill patients, with an extreme state of physiologic stress and an overwhelming systemic metabolic response. A major component of severe burn injury is a hypermetabolic state associated with protein losses and a significant reduction of lean body mass. The second prominent component is hyperglycemia. Reversal of the hypermetabolic response by manipulating the patient's physiologic and biochemical environment through the administration of specific nutrients, growth factors, or other agents, often in pharmacologic doses, is emerging as an essential component of the state of the art in severe burn management. The present review aims at summarizing the new treatment modalities established to reduce the catabolic burden of severe burn injuries, for which there is some evidence-based support. A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Search tools included Elsevier ScienceDirect, EMBASE.com, Medline (OVID), MedlinePlus, and PubMed. Topics searched were Nutrition and Burns, Metabolic Response and Burns, Hypermetabolism and Burns, Hyperglycemia and Burns, and several more specific topics when indicated. With a focus on the most recently published articles, abstracts were reviewed and, when found relevant, were included as references. Full text articles, whenever available, were retrieved. Many issues remain unanswered. Unfortunately, the present state of our knowledge does not allow the formulation of clear-cut guidelines. Only general trends can be outlined, and these will certainly have some practical applications but above all will dictate future research in the field.

Knowledge management approach in build‐to‐order supply chains

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to survey knowledge management (KM) practices and to examine the applications and technologies adopted when developing the knowledge management system (KMS) in build‐to‐order supply chains (BOSC).Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses a literature review of research articles from 1996 to 2007 with keyword indexes to survey the KM practice, KMS technology and its application in BOSC. Such keyword indexes include: BOSC, SCM, KM, KMS, expert system, knowledge‐based system and information system on the Elsevier online database, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, Proquest, Emerald, DOAJ, and Wiley Inter Science. A total of 1,500 articles were found but only 149 articles related to the keywords of KMS application and KM practices within SCM and BOSC.FindingsThe important findings indicate that the KMS application is solely focused on single knowledge problem for enabling individual SC members to attain operational excellence. There is a need for further research into the development of KMS with features of knowledge coordination that cross organizational borders in attaining the BOSC integration.Research limitations/implicationsPerhaps, the limitation of this study was the narrowness of the scope of the paper based on the keywords used for searching.Practical implicationsValidation of the multi‐disciplines of KM practices and KMS applications provides enterprises with useful guidelines for implementing KM‐ and KMS‐related projects within their current BOSC practices.Originality/valueThis paper provides useful knowledge by highlighting the characteristics of KMS technology within BOSC and empirical insights into the relationship between KM and BOSC practices.

Biomedical Journals and Global Poverty: Is HINARI a Step Backwards?

Biomedical Journals and Global Poverty: Is HINARI a Step Backwards?

A meta-analysis of the yield of capsule endoscopy compared to double-balloon enteroscopy in patients with small bowel diseases

To compare the diagnostic yield of capsule endoscopy (CE) with that of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE). Pubmed, Embase, Elsevier ScienceDirect, the China Academic Journals Full-text Database, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched for the trials comparing the yield of CE with that of DBE. Outcome measure was odds ratio (OR) of the yield. Fixed or random model method was used for data analysis. Eight studies (n = 277) which prospectively compared the yield of CE and DBE were collected. The results of meta-analysis indicated that there was no difference between the yield of CE and DBE [170/277 vs 156/277, OR 1.21 (95% CI: 0.64-2.29)]. Based on sub analysis, the yield of CE was significantly higher than that of double-balloon enteroscopy without combination of oral and anal insertion approaches [137/219 vs 110/219, OR 1.67 (95% CI: 1.14-2.44), P < 0.01), but not superior to the yield of DBE with combination of the two insertion approaches [26/48 vs 37/48, OR 0.33 (95% CI: 0.05-2.21), P > 0.05)]. A focused meta-analysis of the fully published articles concerning obscure GI bleeding was also performed and showed similar results wherein the yield of CE was significantly higher than that of DBE without combination of oral and anal insertion approaches [118/191 vs 96/191, fixed model: OR 1.61 (95% CI: 1.07-2.43), P < 0.05)] and the yield of CE was significantly lower than that of DBE by oral and anal combinatory approaches [11/24 vs 21/24, fixed model: OR 0.12 (95% CI: 0.03-0.52), P < 0.01)]. With combination of oral and anal approaches, the yield of DBE might be at least as high as that of CE. Decisions made regarding the initial approach should depend on patient's physical status, technology availability, patient's preferences, and potential for therapeutic endoscopy.

Developing criteria for the withdrawal of print content available online

PurposeLimited physical and financial resources and changing customer behaviors compelled the University of Arizona Science‐Engineering Library to pursue more flexible collection management options, such as removing print copies of journals as the library purchased the electronic backfiles. The purpose of this paper is to describe a process used at the library to compare electronic journals to their print counterparts.Design/methodology/approachThe library's approach was to study the electronic content provided through Elsevier's ScienceDirect for completeness and quality of text and images. This was to ensure that the removal of print would minimally impact library customers while reclaiming building space that could be better utilized to meet changing customer needs.FindingsThe process uncovered the reality that the electronic backfiles were not always adequate substitutes for print copies. In response, it was necessary to open a dialogue with the publisher to share the library's findings that resulted in improved electronic backfiles.Originality/valueThis paper weighs the advantages and disadvantages of taking a transformational approach to collection management.

Now available onlineellipsis trends in pharmacological sciences

The online version of TiPS contains a simple search-and-browse facility that enables you to view the full text version of all articles published in the journal since January 1998. Browsing and searching the articles is straightforward and designed for simple navigation. Articles can be viewed in three display formats: text with thumbnail figures, text with full figures or as a text-only article (with pop-up figures) for rapid downloading. High-quality printouts can also be obtained from the PDF files. Since 1 June 1999, access has been restricted to personal print subscribers to TiPS only, who will benefit from continued access to TiPS online by accessing the site using a unique subscription key. For information about how to obtain your key please visit www.trends.com. The subscription key is important and should be kept safe because it is your unique access code to your online journal for the remainder of the year. Institutional access is currently available through Elsevier's ScienceDirect (www.sciencedirect.com) services. Subscribers and non-subscribers alike will continue to have free access to full contents lists, abstracts, search facilities and the e-mail contents alerting service. It is also possible to download full-text articles on a pay-per-view basis. If you are not a subscriber and would like to become one, please complete the subscription card in this journal. Each new subscriber will have access TiPS online and also receive the full complement of printed issues. Over the forthcoming year, TiPS will continue to provide coverage of topical and timely developments.