Esther Y. Dell

Conserving Digital Resources: Issues and Future Access

This article explores the need for and the problems with digital preservation. Digital documents are much more easily discovered and shared than their analog counterparts, but not only is there a mistaken belief that digital preservation will occur without conscious intervention, there are also outstanding technical issues to be resolved. Even when these problems are recognized, it is unclear what materials should be preserved. Medical librarians have an important role to play in these decisions and should engage with their communities and play an active role in the process.

Resveratrol: Enough to Explain the French Paradox?

The observation that high consumption of saturated fats and low cardiovascular diseases among the French had scientists questioning whether their regular intake of red wine might be the secret behind this so-called French Paradox. Resveratrol, the polyphenol antioxidant from the skin of the grapes, might be part of the explanation.

Starting a Fee-Based Systematic Review Service

ABSTRACT The George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library at Penn State College of Medicine began a fee-based systematic review service, a model for cost recovery, in October 2013. This article describes the library’s experience in establishing, introducing, and promoting the new service, which follows the Institute of Medicine’s recommended standards for performing systematic reviews. The goal is to share this information with librarians who are contemplating starting such a service.

ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES

Vodou folk medicine practices and healing arts are inextricably bound to the beliefs of the ancient Vodou religion and are expressed as attempts to achieve a balance between the physical and spiritual worlds. This column provides a sample of useful Internet sites on Vodou healing traditions. doi:10.1300/J381v11n03_08 [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com>

Detoxification : Not just for addicts anymore

Abstract The use of detoxification (or cleanses) for health maintenance or as preparation for additional treatments is becoming more prominent among practitioners and consumers of alternative health care. This column provides links to resources on the practice and how it is utilized to promote health and well-being.

Glucosamine/Chondroitin: Still Waiting for an Answer

Abstract Results of the four-year study entitled the Glucosamine/ chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) provided partial answers to those seeking relief from arthritis pain. Scientists will continue studying the efficacy of these substances as pain remedy and cartilage rejuvenator.

TCM: traditional Chinese medicine

The interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a relatively new phenomenon in North America; however, the practice of TCM has been standard health care in China for several thousand years. The purpose of this column is to introduce the reader to educational Internet sites that focus on this ancient form of medicine, so that one may begin making informed decisions about TCM practices. Similar to other eastern systems of medicine, TCM is linked to traditional philosophical teachings and emphasizes the mind/body/ spirit connection as integral to an individual’s total health; yet it is not synonymous with a religious practice. TCM is a combination of modalities aimed at both preserving health and healing sickness. The TCM belief system is founded on the premise that each individual has an optimal level of health, and that sickness is the result of deviating from this optimal state. This departure from ‘‘perfect health,’’ or ‘‘harmony,’’ may be due to either internal (stress, depression, etc.) or external (temperature, trauma, etc.) factors. For example, when the Traditional Chinese practitioner evaluates a patient, the diagnostic process (which includes taking a pulse, observing, listening, smelling, and touching) would also evaluate the patient’s deviation from ‘‘optimum health,’’ and a treatment would be prescribed to bring these factors back in line or back in harmony. The different components of Traditional Chinese Medicine may be used singly or in combination. They may also be used in addition to