Dear Colleague

Archival data is an important means upon which biomedical researchers can build new scientific information. A number of databases on Dialog have added archive files. In this issue read about the new archive in Zoological Record Online, archival data in MEDLINE and watch for EMBASE Classic with biomedical information back to 1947 coming soon.

Also check some of the new self-paced training courses that will get you started on Dialog or refresh your knowledge and search skills. And, review the latest addition to the How Do I...? series for Biomedical research.

Rosmarie Matter, Senior Manager
Publisher Management

MEDLINE® Reloaded on Dialog and DataStar

MEDLINE (File 154, 155/MEDL, MEZZ, MEIP) is reloaded every year because the National Library of Medicine re-indexes relevant documents from the whole database with changed medical terms. This year 494 new MeSH® headings have been added. About half of the new descriptors in 2007 MeSH are drugs or chemicals. For more details about the changes, read comprehensive articles at the NLM Web site.

More Archival Data in MEDLINE

The National Library of Medicine® (NLM®) has digitized nearly 40 journals back to the first volume for each title and has placed the contents in MEDLINE®. Over 70,000 additional citations, including author abstracts, when available, are now included. About 38,000 are from issues that predate 1966 as the date of publication; some date to the late 1800s (e.g., Journal of Anatomy and Physiology). About 32,000 are from issues published from 1966 forward. These consist of issues that predate when the title was selected for indexing (e.g., Texas Heart Institute Journal), as well as those that belong to journals which were or are selectively indexed for MEDLINE (e.g., Plant Physiology, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

Note: The National Library of Medicine has completed an indexed list of journals for MEDLINE 2007. Check the Web site to see the entire list.

Key Drug Pipeline Databases Online Course Updated

Pipeline databases contain comprehensive pharmaceutical information from discovery to post-marketing of a drug. Key Drug Pipeline Databases, the free, online, self-paced course that provides detailed information about the major drug pipeline databases on Dialog, has been updated with the latest information about the files. Each lesson focuses on one pipeline database, including highlights of the database, advantages to using it and detailed remarks about each section of the database record. Drug pipeline databases highlighted in the course include: IMS R&D Focus, Pharmaprojects, Adis R&D Insight and Prous databases.

The course is designed for new or experienced users who are interested in understanding the similarities and differences among the major drug pipeline databases offered by Dialog.

This is an easy way to familiarize yourself with the specific features and strengths of each file and when it is most beneficial to use it. Exercises included with each lesson reinforce your knowledge of the databases. Try the course.

Pharmaprojects Released on Dialog with New Data and Features

Pharmaprojects on Dialog (File 128, 928) was released with additional content. The following data enhancements were implemented:

• Licensing availability for all 40 Pharmaprojects countries (ST=, /ST)
• Multiple patent and priority information included in tabular format (PN=)
• New Target information, including synonyms for the target being covered and additional family groups (/TG, TG=, /TF)
• Indication as to whether the substance is a new chemical entity (NC=)

For complete details about the new enhancements, consult the Dialog Bluesheet. Pharmaprojects on DataStar (PHAR, PHLP, PHDI, PHZZ) was reloaded earlier this year. Review the Base database for Pharmaprojects (BASE-PHAR) or the Datasheet for changes.

The Story Behind the Zoological Record Online Unique Collection

Archive data added to Inspec, BIOSIS Previews®, CAB Abstracts, Ei Compendex® and most recently, to Zoological Record Online® provides groundbreaking research in a variety of subjects on which researchers can build. The Zoological Record Online archive covers the period from 1864 to 1977 and contains approximately 1.5 million records. File 185 now covers from 1864 to the present.

With the addition of the archive, Zoological Record Online is now the oldest continuing bibliographic database in life sciences and provides the most complete record of animal science and taxonomy literature for living and fossil species.

It is a valuable resource to track changes and review original descriptions of specimens as they were first described,” states Keith MacGregor, Executive Vice President, Academic & Government Markets, Thomson Scientific.

Read the story behind the unique collection of animal biology and biodiversity backfiles.

Call for Contributors

Participate in knowledge sharing with your colleagues interested in topics related to biomedicine and life sciences. Share your story suggestions with us at support.dialog.com/enewsletters/contribute/.