Reference intervals, or reference ranges, aid medical decision-making by containing a pre-specified proportion (e.g., 95%) of the measurements in a representative healthy population. We recently proposed three approaches for estimating a reference interval from a meta-analysis based on a random effects model: a frequentist approach, a Bayesian…

Purpose: This research note illustrates the effects of video data with nonsquare pixels on the pixel-based measures obtained from videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS). Method: Six pixel-based distance and area measures were obtained from two different videoflouroscopic study units; both yielding videos with nonsquare pixels with different…

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of applying two recent phase I meta-analyses methods to protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs) developed in oncology and to identify situations where these methods could be both feasible and useful. This ancillary study used data from a systematic review conducted to identify dose-finding studies for PKIs. PKIs…

Background: Both PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE contain records from the MEDLINE database. However, there are subtle differences in content, functionality, and search syntax between the two. There are many instances in which researchers may wish to search both interfaces, such as when conducting supplementary searching for a systematic review to retrieve…

People are inundated with popular press reports about medical research concerning what is healthy, get advice from doctors, and hear personal anecdotes. How do people integrate conflicting anecdotal and statistical information when making medical decisions? In four experiments (N = 4126), we tested how people use conflicting information to judge…

Many people suffer from chronic diseases and problems due to injury from accidents or ailments. Some problems, such as measles and cancer, can be cured or put into remission with time, medicine, or treatments. Other ailments, such as high blood pressure, failing kidneys, and cystic fibrosis, cannot be cured and require continuous use of…

Clinical and educational experience is one of the most commonly studied variables in clinical judgment research. Contrary to clinicians' perceptions, clinical judgment researchers have generally concluded that accuracy does not improve with increased education, training, or clinical experience. In this meta-analysis, the authors synthesized…

The topic of diagnostic error is a relatively new one in the academic arena and lacks an organized research agenda. Participants at "Diagnostic Error in Medicine-2008" formally considered this issue and provided initial suggestions. Recommendations were made to standardize taxonomies and definitions, especially in regard to what constitutes a…

The symptomatology of 34 patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome was described in detail. The purpose was to clarify the diagnostic criteria for Tourette's syndrome by describing the type, variety, and frequency of symptoms in this illness. (Author)

Explained are modern techniques of corneal transplantation, and indicated are prognostic factors in various diagnostic categories of corneal disease. (DB)

Serum of five children ages 1 to 19 months with congenital pure red cell aplasia (incomplete or defective development of red blood cells) was injected in normal mice to determine possible inhibition of red blood cell formulating stimulants. (CL)

Discusses the symptoms, treatment, and help for sufferers of Tourette's syndrome. (BF/JH)

Summarizes a discussion by ten leaders in the field of child sexual abuse concerning the medical consequences of child sexual abuse. (DB)