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Happy 45th Anniversary to MEDLINE!

This year MEDLINE celebrates its 45th anniversary! MEDLINE, which stands for Medical Literature and Retrieval System Online, was launched by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in October 1971. It is the world’s premier biomedical database with 23 million bibliographic references from over 5,600 journals dating back to 1946.

How has MEDLINE changed over the past 45 years? Here’s a few interesting facts:

  • In 1971, MEDLINE required a loud dial-up modem and was fee-based.
    In 2016, MEDLINE is freely available to anyone with access to the Internet.
  • In 1971, there were only 22 users.
    So far in 2016, there have been 601 million unique visitors.
  • By June 1972, there were 70,000 searches.
    So far in 2016, there have been 2.8 billion searches.

NLM created this fun timeline comparing current events to the growth of MEDLINE over the past 45 years.

Courtesy: U.S. National Library of Medicine
Courtesy: U.S. National Library of Medicine

People often search MEDLINE via PubMed, but don’t know what the difference is between them. MEDLINE is the largest subset of PubMed. PubMed also includes links to full-text articles and other types of articles that are considered out-of-scope for MEDLINE, primarily from general sciences and general chemistry journals, as well as other types of information. If you’re interested in learning how to use PubMed, consider taking our one hour hands-on Painless PubMed Workshop.

For more information about this notable anniversary, read “MEDLINE Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary!” in the September-October issue of the NLM Technical Bulletin.

~Jill Foust

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HSLS Staff News

The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, etc.

News

Kate Flewelling, Health Professions Coordinator, NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region, received a Sewell Stipend from the Public Health/Health Administration Section of the Medical Library Association to attend the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, from October 30–November 2, 2016.

Publications

Author names in bold are HSLS-affiliated

M. Dasari, C.B. Wessel, HSLS Head of Research Initiatives, and G.G. Hamad, published “Prophylactic Mesh Placement for Prevention of Incisional Hernia after Open Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” in The American Journal of Surgery, 212(4): 615-622, October 2016.

Jonathon Erlen, History of Medicine Librarian, published “Dissertations on or Related to Sigmund Freud” and “Dissertations on or Related to Carl Jung” in History of Psychiatry.

Carrie Iwema, Information Specialist in Molecular Biology, Andrea Ketchum, Research & Instruction Librarian/Scholarly Communication Liaison, and Melissa Ratajeski, Coordinator of Data Management Services, published “Library Support for Data Management Plans” in The Medical Library Association Guide to Data Management for Librarians, edited by Lisa Federer, Chapter 9, Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2016.

K. Khurshid, J. Yabes, P.M. Weiss, Research & Instruction Librarian, et al, published “Effect of Antihypertensive Medications on the Severity of Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 12(8): 1143-51, August 15, 2016.

Presentation

Author name in bold is HSLS-affiliated

Lydia Collins, Consumer Health Coordinator, NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region, presented “Engage for Health: A Health Program in a Box @ Your Library” at the Pennsylvania Library Association in Pocono Manor, PA, on October 17, 2016. Co-presenters included Dana Brigandi, Lauri Fletcher, Barbara Gerhard, and Susan Jeffery.

Poster Presentation

Author name in bold is HSLS-affiliated

Utsav K. Bansal, Cameron Jones, Thomas W. Fuller, Charles Wessel, HSLS Head of Research Initiatives, et al, presented “The Efficacy of Tadalafil Daily Versus On-Demand in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis” at the 68th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American Urological Association, in Buffalo, NY, on September 29, 2016.

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Classes November 2016

HSLS offers classes on database searching, software applications such as Prezi, bibliographic management, and molecular biology and genetics. For more information, visit the online course descriptions.

Classes are held on the first floor of Falk Library (200 Scaife Hall) in Classroom 1 and on the upper floor of the library in Classroom 2. All classes are open to faculty, staff, and students of the schools of the health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, who will need a valid Pitt ID or e-mail account. They are also open to UPMC residents and fellows, who will need to show their UPMC IDs. Continue reading →

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Diving into the World of Data Visualization

You’ve collected your data—now what? Having a basic set of data visualization skills will enable you to effectively communicate their significance. From understanding how your audience will interpret a bubble chart on your conference presentation to having proficiency with data visualization software packages, there is a wide variation in levels of mastery.

Begin by learning some of the basic principles of visual design. You may already subconsciously practice some of these. Many of us use symmetry when creating visual objects because it can create a sense of balance or cohesiveness. Other rules challenge conventional wisdom. Did you know that pie charts are controversial in the design world? In his seminal work, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, Edward Tufte argues that pie charts should never be used because it is very difficult for the viewer to compare quantities. Over thirty years later, we still see many data designers continuing to use pie charts. On what side of the debate do you fall?

Once you have the basic rules down, you can start scoping out some of the many data visualization tools that are available. Microsoft Excel can be used to create basic visualizations. Tableau is free software that can be used to analyze, synthesize, and then create interactive visualizations to present your data. If you’re motivated, R is a programming language and environment that can be used to create data visualizations. Try a few tools before committing so that you choose which is best for your data set and skills.

Whether you become an expert on beautiful and minimalist bar charts or learn how to create interactive three dimensional visualizations, data visualizations will help your audience explore your data for new insights and meaning.

HSLS offers two classes related to data visualization. If you’re interested in continuing the discussion, please attend our Data Visualization class on October 10 or Infographics class on October 7.

~Rose Turner

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Thesis and Dissertation Publication with Lambert Academic: Author Beware

Newly minted University of Pittsburgh Master’s and Doctorate holders may receive an e-mail from Lambert Academic Publishing, offering to publish your thesis or dissertation as a book. While this sounds flattering, there is no real advantage to taking up the offer.

Googling Lambert Academic Publishing will bring up a number of websites describing Lambert’s business model, which does not provide the author wider distribution of the work, royalties, or enhancement of their CV. If you sign with Lambert, you relinquish all rights to future publication, for all or parts of your thesis. Publishers generally require authors to sign copyright agreements, which vary in what rights the author retains of further use. In this and all other cases, be sure you are satisfied that the advantages of publishing, such as visibility and recognition for your work, outweigh any loss of control over the content.

If you publish with Lambert, your thesis will be published without editing and with virtually no format change from the final version approved by the University. You will be encouraged to buy a number of copies yourself in order to lower the price of the book for other buyers.

If you are considering publishing articles based on your thesis or dissertation work, see the HSLS Scholarly Communication Guide for information on selecting a publisher, open access publication, your rights as an author, and more.

~Barb Folb

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HSLS MolBio: 3 New Bioinformatics Tools & 1 New Name

HSLS is pleased to announce the availability of three new resources to help researchers analyze their biomedical data, and the renaming of one familiar tool.

Key Pathway Advisor (KPA) is a workflow tool that uses MetaCore content to simplify “omics” data analysis, perform causal reasoning network analysis and apply a comprehensive pathway analysis workflow, enable gene expression and gene variant data integration, and generate interactive structured reports for further analysis or sharing.

Key Pathway Advisor

Ingenuity Variant Analysis (IVA) combines analytical tools and integrated content to help rapidly identify and prioritize variants by drilling down to a small, targeted subset of compelling variants based upon both published biological evidence and personal knowledge of disease biology. Use IVA to consider variants from multiple biological perspectives, explore different biological hypotheses, and identify the most promising variants for follow-up.

Ingenuity Variant Analysis

Biomedical Genomics Workbench is a comprehensive and accurate data analysis platform that helps find the signal in the noise in cancer and hereditary disease NGS data. With its broad selection of end-to-end analysis workflows, tools, and visualization modules, it enables easy and accurate discovery, verification, and validation of novel disease biomarkers.

Biomedical Genomics Workbench

BaseSpace Correlation Engine (formerly NextBio Research) applications support early-stage research to identify mechanisms of disease, drug targets, and prognostic or predictive biomarkers. Explore the continually growing library of curated genomic data. The easy-to-use, web-based tools mine this data and create billions of novel correlations. The full Professional version of BaseSpace Correlation Engine offers a complete solution for data storage, analysis, and integration.

BaseSpace Correlation Engine

Register for these new tools and receive access instructions. A Pitt or UPMC e-mail account is required to register for Biomedical Genomics Workbench, and a Pitt e-mail account for Correlation Engine, IVA, and KPA.  Please contact HSLS MolBio with any questions, and check the workshop schedule for relevant classes.

~Carrie Iwema

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Nursing Pins Featured in Falk Library Exhibit

HSLS presents a new exhibit with a numismatic twist, The Ultimate Service Pin, a History of Nursing, by Dawn McBride. The author is a Clinical Research Project Manager at the University of Pittsburgh where she is also a nurse and collector at heart. She gives viewers a glimpse of nursing history through her collection of nursing pins and coins featuring nurses and nursing related symbols.

The exhibit is on display on the main floor of Falk Library, across from the stairwell, from September 19, 2016, through January 5, 2017. It is open to the public and can be viewed during the library’s regular hours.

This information is over 2 years old. Information was current at time of publication. This information is over 2 years old. Information was current at time of publication.

Treasures from the Rare Book Room: Scrapbooks

clayton2The idea of preserving memories, special moments, and histories in albums using scraps such as prints, bookplates, quotes, poems, calling cards, paper cutouts, press clippings, and photographs is not a new concept. In the United States, with the invention of photography and the appearance of a variety of patented photography and scrapbook albums, scrapbooking gained popularity in the 19th century. Today’s renewed interest in genealogy keeps the art of scrapbooking alive.

Falk Library has several interesting scrapbooks in its collections. There are albums from the School of Dentistry and the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic documenting Pitt’s contributions to research in related disciplines as well as illustrating special dentistry collections focused on the history of anesthesia. Other impressive topics include: a volume on curious customs, miracles and psychic occurrences, and three scrapbooks on the supernatural with newspaper clippings from the 1920s and 1930s on vampires, fortune tellers, human sacrifices, and magic. There are also two unique albums from the 27th Base Hospital in Angers during WWI and 27th General Hospital in New Guinea during WWII. Finally, there is a scrapbook honoring Lillian Clayton.

clayton1Sarah Lillian Clayton (1874-1930) was a nurse and a Superintendent of Nurses at Philadelphia General Hospital (PGH). She graduated from PGH Training School of Nursing in 1896 and began a nursing career that took her to Dayton, Minneapolis, and Chicago, only to return and complete her career in Philadelphia where she started. She became a national leader in nursing education, active in many organizations, and served as president of the National League for Nursing Education (1917-1920) and the American Nurses Association (1926-1930).

Clayton’s scrapbook was prepared by Florence Anna Ambler (Hay), one of her students and acolytes in 1930. It is a tribute to the distinguished nurse and includes photographs, press clippings, and typescripts of correspondence to and from Miss Clayton. In 1958, the scrapbook was donated to the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Today it can be viewed in the Rare Book Room by appointment.

~Gosia Fort

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HSLS Staff News

The HSLS Staff News section includes recent HSLS presentations, publications, staff changes, staff promotions, degrees earned, etc.

Publications

Author names in bold are HSLS-affiliated

Michelle Burda, Education & Health Literacy Coordinator, NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region, and Terence Starz, published, “E-Health, Telemedicine Pose Challenges, Offer Benefits for Patients with Arthritis,” in The Rheumatologist, August 11, 2016.

Jonathon Erlen, History of Medicine Librarian, published, “Disability Studies: Disabilities Abstracts,” in The Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 12(2-3): 155-7, 2016.

Michele Klein-Fedyshin, Research & Clinical Instruction Librarian, and Charlie Wessel, Head of Research Initiatives, were acknowledged for their work on several recently published Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines:

Presentation

Michelle Burda, Education & Health Literacy Coordinator, NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region, presented “Celebrate Go4Life® Promoting Healthy Living for Older Adults” at the Where to Turn Resource Fair at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA, on September 16, 2016.

This information is over 2 years old. Information was current at time of publication.

Classes October 2016

HSLS offers classes on database searching, software applications such as Prezi, bibliographic management, and molecular biology and genetics. For more information, visit the online course descriptions.

Classes are held on the first floor of Falk Library (200 Scaife Hall) in Classroom 1 and on the upper floor of the library in Classroom 2. All classes are open to faculty, staff, and students of the schools of the health sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, who will need a valid Pitt ID or e-mail account. They are also open to UPMC residents and fellows, who will need to show their UPMC IDs. Continue reading →

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AccessPharmacy Arrives

Just in time for the new academic year, HSLS has initiated a subscription to AccessPharmacy. This online resource offers features for students and faculty incorporating pharmacy e-textbooks, drug monographs, and curriculum support. Faculty can find textbook chapters, cases, multimedia, and quizzes with interactive learning modules; while students can prepare for licensing board exams, read texts, prep with flashcards, or access assignments and resources all in one site.

Clinicians can locate calculators, quick answers, patient education handouts, and evidence-based pharmacy topics from featured studies. Patient education handouts are written for either acute, adult, pediatric, or drug topics. Drug topics are available in English and Spanish, while disease topics can be found in up to ten languages.

To use AccessPharmacy, type AccessPharmacy in the search.HSLS box on the HSLS home page or browse the Databases A-Z list.

AccessPharmacy joins our subscriptions to AccessMedicine and AccessSurgery, with remote access on any device once a personalized account is registered. Sign up for a MyAccess account from a Pitt or UPMC networked computer, and you’ll have remote access to content along with personalized favorite resources. You can also access content remotely using Pitt’s remote access service or UPMC Access, even if you don’t have a MyAccess account.

The Custom Curriculum tool enables faculty to create interactive learning modules. To have instructor privileges added to your MyAccess profile, send an e-mail request to customcurriculum@mhprofessional.com, specifying that AccessPharmacy is your preferred resource. The McGraw-Hill User Services team will send an e-mail confirmation when Custom Curriculum instructor privileges have been enabled.

Personal, dynamic, and interactive are some words to describe AccessPharmacy. Discover its utility for yourself!

~Michele Klein Fedyshin

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Bringing Rigor and Reproducibility to Research

HSLS and the Department of Biomedical Informatics are sponsoring a one-day symposium, Bringing Rigor and Reproducibility to Research, on Thursday, September 22, 2016, from 10 a.m.–2p.m., in BST S100A (note room change). The symposium features a keynote speaker, Victoria Stodden, PhD, who will discuss “Rethinking the Scholarly Record: Facilitating Reproducibility of Computational Results.” A panel discussion follows the talk.

The featured panelists are:

  • Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, PhD, RN, FAAN, Dean and Distinguished Service Professor of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh
  • Charles Horn, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine & Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh
  • Janette Lamb, PhD, Assistant Director, Genomics Research Core, University of Pittsburgh
  • Jeremy P. Somers, PhD, Scientific Director, Office of Research, Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh

A box lunch will be provided to those who register. A spotlight on resources that will help researchers to bring rigor and reproducibility to their own research concludes the day.

R3 poster image

This project has been supported in part or in full with federal funds through the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM012342 with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System.

~Nancy Tannery

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Peer Review Week 2016: Innovative Ways to Energize the Review Process

September 19-25 has been designated Peer Review Week 2016 to highlight the importance of the role peer review plays in scholarly communication. This is an excellent time to review new models of peer review resulting from the revolution of electronic publishing. The chart below illustrates the new flexibility in peer review, in both pre- and post-publication. Open review and commentary has become more common, both as a means of speeding up the publication process and encouraging open discussion.

peer review
*Open access

Adapted from A. Fresco-Santalla and T. Hernandex-Perez, “Current and Evolving Models of Peer Review,” The Serials Librarian, 67 (2014): 373–398.

Note that authors publishing in Open Access journals retain copyright to their work, although even some traditional publishers are following that lead and becoming more generous. Check your publisher’s website to confirm current copyright agreements.

Some experiments in peer review include new business models, such as ELife, which is supported by foundations and does not charge publications fees at all. PeerJ has optional memberships starting at $199 which include at least one free publication with a requirement to review one paper. (Scroll down to PeerJ FAQs for details.) These two journals were created by academics who have experienced the publication difficulties of researchers.

Another aspect being examined is reviewer incentives, especially at a time when reviewers are hard to find. Reviewers make large contributions to scholarly efforts, but are generally not rewarded in citations or institutional recognition. New businesses such as Publons are providing a standardized way of tracking reviews to be recorded as a citation for annual faculty reports or CVs. Publons is linked through ORCID and Altmetric to accurately report reviewing statistics for an author.

For those who want to know more about peer review today, see

Wiley Publishers:

The BMJ:

For more information, e-mail Andrea Ketchum at ketchum@pitt.edu or call 412-648-9757.