Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2007
A descriptive analysis of authorship within medical journals, 1995-2005.
The emphasis on publications for promotion in academic medicine would lead one to the theory that authorship numbers would increase proportionally with this emphasis. To investigate authorship trends across a number of periodicals, we performed a descriptive study comparing two full years of published articles spaced ten years apart from five medical journals. ⋯ We describe a trend of increasing mean authors, editorial authorship, study groups, and multicenter trials over time with fewer solo authors now publishing original research or case reports. The academic medical community must pursue an authorship requirement consensus to assure that a standard of contribution for all authors on a given paper is met.
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Southern medical journal · Apr 2007
Multicenter StudyAlcohol use and religiousness/spirituality among adolescents.
Previous studies indicate that religiousness is associated with lower levels of substance use among adolescents, but less is known about the relationship between spirituality and substance use. The objective of this study was to determine the association between adolescents' use of alcohol and specific aspects of religiousness and spirituality. ⋯ Forgiveness is associated with a lowered risk of drinking during adolescence.
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Southern medical journal · Mar 2007
Comparative StudyElevated red cell distribution width in the diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in patients presenting with anemia and thrombocytopenia.
To determine if red cell distribution width (RDW) is elevated in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of such elevation in the diagnosis of TTP. ⋯ TTP should be suspected in patients presenting with unexplained anemia and thrombocytopenia with an RDW > or = 18%.
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Southern medical journal · Feb 2007
ReviewPhysiological and behavioral aspects of glycemic control and hypoglycemia in diabetes.
Homeostatic mechanisms that maintain blood glucose concentration within a narrow physiologic range are complex and redundant. Elaborate feedback loops involving insulin, glucagon, sympathoadrenal mediators, growth hormone, amylin, and incretins normally operate synchronously to keep blood glucose within a narrow set point. Individuals with diabetes have defects in glucose homeostatic pathways, including the counterregulatory pathways that oppose hypoglycemia and ensure sufficient glucose is available to serve the brain's metabolic needs. ⋯ Focusing on the practical implications, we review the endocrinological principles underlying normal glucose homeostasis and the defects in regulation and counterregulation, including hypoglycemia unawareness, that occur with diabetes. Iatrogenic and behavioral factors that contribute to hypoglycemia risk and nocturnal hypoglycemia are discussed. A companion manuscript reviews the clinical symptoms and fundamentals of hypoglycemia prevention, recognition, and management.