Formulating MEDLINE queries for article retrieval based on PubMed exemplars

Bibliographic search engines allow endless possibilities for building queries based on specific words or phrases in article titles and abstracts, indexing terms, and other attributes. Unfortunately, deciding which attributes to use in a methodologically sound query is a non-trivial process. In this paper, we describe a system to help with this task, given an example set of PubMed articles to retrieve and a corresponding set of articles to exclude. The system provides the users with unigram and bigram features from the title, abstract, MeSH terms, and MeSH qualifier terms in decreasing order of precision, given a recall threshold. From this information and their knowledge of the domain, users can formulate a query and evaluate its performance. We apply the system to the task of distinguishing original research articles of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of sensorimotor function from fMRI studies of higher cognitive functions

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Dietary Fatty Acids for Healthy Adults

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) that dietary fat for the healthy adult population should provide 20% to 35% of energy, with an increased consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and limited intake of saturated and trans fats. The Academy recommends a food-based approach through a diet that includes regular consumption of fatty fish, nuts and seeds, lean meats and poultry, low-fat dairy products, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. These recommendations are made within the context of rapidly evolving science delineating the influence of dietary fat and specific fatty acids on human health. In addition to fat as a valuable and calorically dense macronutrient with a central role in supplying essential nutrition and supporting healthy body weight, evidence on individual fatty acids and fatty acid groups is emerging as a key factor in nutrition and health. Small variations in the structure of fatty acids within broader categories of fatty acids, such as polyunsaturated and saturated, appear to elicit different physiological functions. The Academy recognizes that scientific knowledge about the effects of dietary fats on human health is young and takes a prudent approach in recommending an increase in fatty acids that benefit health and a reduction in fatty acids shown to increase risk of disease. Registered dietitian nutritionists are uniquely positioned to translate fat and fatty acid research into practical and effective dietary recommendations

Polyphenols, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Disease

Polyphenols are compounds found in foods such as tea, coffee, cocoa, olive oil, and red wine and have been studied to determine if their intake may modify cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Historically, biologic actions of polyphenols have been attributed to antioxidant activities, but recent evidence suggests that immunomodulatory and vasodilatory properties of polyphenols may also contribute to CVD risk reduction. These properties will be discussed, and recent epidemiological evidence and intervention trials will be reviewed. Further identification of polyphenols in foods and accurate assessment of exposures through measurement of biomarkers (i.e., polyphenol metabolites) could provide the needed impetus to examine the impact of polyphenol-rich foods on CVD intermediate outcomes (especially those signifying chronic inflammation) and hard endpoints among high risk patients. Although we have mechanistic insight into how polyphenols may function in CVD risk reduction, further research is needed before definitive recommendations for consumption can be made

Prebiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel disease risk factors include poor diet, and corresponding low intake of dietary fiber, specifically prebiotics, which is fermented by the gut microbiota. Dietary fibers, many of which are potential prebiotics, have hundreds to thousands of unique chemical structures that may promote bacteria or bacterial groups to provide beneficial health effects. In vitro and in vivo animal models provide some support for the use of prebiotics for inflammatory bowel disease through inflammation reduction. Studies using prebiotics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are limited and focus on only a select few prebiotic substances. Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease, Ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease, Prebiotics, Fibe

Culture Counts: Examinations of Recent Applications of the Penn Resiliency Program or, Toward a Rubric for Examining Cultural Appropriateness of Prevention Programming

It is imperative that researchers pay close attention to the influences of culture on mental health, and acknowledge a cultural context of illness and change when designing prevention programming. Researchers E. V. Cardemil, K. J. Reivich, and M. E. P. Seligman (2002) and D. L. Yu and M. E. P. Seligman (2002) have made attempts at adapting the existing Penn Resiliency Program (PRP) for culturally appropriate use cross-culturally and interculturally. The success of these modifications is discussed within a framework of guidelines designed to remind scientists how much culture counts. Finally, informative resources and a rubric are shared with prevention scientists for use in future development of culturally appropriate prevention programming

Association of Diet QualityMeasured by Three A Priori-Defined Dietary Patterns With Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Permeability Among Obese Individuals

Objectives: The human gastrointestinal tract (GI)may play a critical role in the prevention of obesity and metabolic diseases. Considering the importance of a healthy diet for optimal health, this study examined associations of diet quality assessed by three a priori-defined dietary patterns (Healthy Eating Index 2010 [HEI-2010],Mediterranean Eating Pattern for Americans [MEPA], and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension [DASH] with gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and intestinal permeabilitymarkers in adult obese participants. Conclusions: Blautia abundance and inversely associated with intestinal permeability markers such as urinary 24-h sucralose levels suggesting diet quality may have positive impact on the human GI community

Relationships between Leg Power, Leg Strength, Knee Valgus and Trunk Endurance with Hip Pain in Dancers

The hip is a common site of pain and injury in dancers. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships between leg power, leg strength, knee valgus and trunk endurance with anteriolateral hip pain. Nine collegiate-aged dancers currently in a university dance program (age = 20±1 yrs, height = 64.8±4.5 in, weight = 131.2±12.8 lbs) reported, on a Visual Analog Scale, their level of pain at rest and while dancing. The dancers’ countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and anterior, posterior and bi-lateral trunk endurance were then assessed. The CMJ and SJ assessments, as measures of lower body power and strength, respectively, were conducted on a contact mat (Just Jump, Probotics, Huntsville, AL). During the CMJ, knee valgus was evaluated by filming the participant (120 fps) from the frontal view. The CMJ with the highest jump score was used to measure the greatest amount of knee valgus collapse, defined as the angle from the ASIS, middle of the patella and center of the tibiotalar joint. Moderate Pearson’s product-moment correlations were observed between age (r = 0.48), posterior trunk endurance (r = -0.48) and the ratio between right lateral and anterior trunk endurance (r = 0.42) with hip pain while resting. Moderate correlations were found between leg power (r = -0.43), leg strength (r = -0.54), the ratio between right and left lateral trunk endurance (r = -0.46), and the ratio between left lateral and posterior trunk endurance (r = 0.46) with hip pain while dancing. Increasing leg power and strength as well as addressing asymmetries, particularly in the trunk musculature, may decrease the pain associated with dancing; further research is needed to explore these relationships

Comparison of Recycling Outcomes in Three Types of Recycling Collection Units

Commercial institutions have many factors to consider when implementing an effective recycling program. This study examined the effectiveness of three different types of recycling bins on recycling accuracy by determining the percent weight of recyclable material placed in the recycling bins, comparing the percent weight of recyclable material by type of container used, and examining whether a change in signage increased recycling accuracy. Data were collected over 6 weeks totaling 30 days from 3 different recycling bin types at a Midwest university medical center. Five bin locations for each bin type were used. Bags from these bins were collected, sorted into recyclable and nonrecyclable material, and weighed. The percent recyclable material was calculated using these weights. Common contaminates found in the bins were napkins and paper towels, plastic food wrapping, plastic bags, and coffee cups. The results showed a significant difference in percent recyclable material between bin types and bin locations. Bin type 2 was found to have one bin location to be statistically different (p = 0.048), which may have been due to lack of a trash bin next to the recycling bin in that location. Bin type 3 had significantly lower percent recyclable material (p \u3c 0.001), which may have been due to lack of a trash bin next to the recycling bin and increased contamination due to the combination of commingled and paper into one bag. There was no significant change in percent recyclable material in recycling bins post signage change. These results suggest a signage change may not be an effective way, when used alone, to increase recycling compliance and accuracy. This study showed two or three-compartment bins located next to a trash bin may be the best bin type for recycling accuracy

Perceptions of Multicultural Training in Predoctoral Internship Programs: A Survey of Interns and Training Directors

Multicultural training at internship sites is a critical component in the preparation of doctoral-level psychologists, so the quality of this training is of the utmost importance. In the following study, the authors examine multicultural training from the perspective of predoctoral interns and training directors at counseling center sites that offer a major or minor rotation in multicultural therapy. Results suggest that perspectives vary between interns and training directors and that there is a great difference in the type of criteria used by each site as evidence of a major or minor rotation. The need for more standardized criteria to define major and minor rotations and suggestions for the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, internship training directors, and prospective interns are discussed

Optimism and Physical Health: A Meta-analytic Review

Background—Prior research links optimism to physical health, but the strength of the association has not been systematically evaluated. Purpose—The purpose of this study is to conduct a meta-analytic review to determine the strength of the association between optimism and physical health. Methods—The findings from 83 studies, with 108 effect sizes (ESs), were included in the analyses, using random-effects models. Results—Overall, the mean ES characterizing the relationship between optimism and physical health outcomes was 0.17, p<.001. ESs were larger for studies using subjective (versus objective) measures of physical health. Subsidiary analyses were also conducted grouping studies into those that focused solely on mortality, survival, cardiovascular outcomes, physiological markers (including immune function), immune function only, cancer outcomes, outcomes related to pregnancy, physical symptoms, or pain. In each case, optimism was a significant predictor of health outcomes or markers, all p<.001. Conclusions—Optimism is a significant predictor of positive physical health outcomes