Use the MeSH or EMTREE Explode Feature?

TOPIC: In MEDLINE® (File 154) the Explode feature can be used with MeSH descriptors. MeSH descriptors that have narrower terms can be retrieved in a single search statement using the exclamation mark (!) with that descriptor. For example, all occurrences of the term, LYME DISEASE as a descriptor, plus the narrower term ERYTHEMA CHRONICUM MIGRANS and LYME NEUROBORRELIOSIS as descriptors, can be retrieved with SELECT LYME DISEASE!. Multiple terms can be exploded in a single search statement (e.g., SELECT GLOMERULONEPHRITIS! AND INTERFERONS!). The (L) operator can be used to link MeSH subheadings to exploded MeSH headings (e.g., SELECT ESOPHAGEAL DISEASES! (L)SURGERY). For more details on the Explode feature in MEDLINE, click here.

The Explode feature in EMBASE® (File72) works much the same way with EMTREE descriptors. For details on EMTREE in EMBASE click here.

In this example, you will cast the widest descriptor net in MEDLINE regarding headache disorders.

COMMAND SUMMARY

BEGIN 154
VISUAL EXPAND HEADACHE DISORDERS
Check the Explode in Selection box and click Select
TYPE S1/8/1-3
Click Links > Display > Type Full Record

HOW TO...

1. BEGIN File 154 to search MEDLINE.     2. Visual Expand the descriptor term or phrase. 3. To retrieve all narrower terms, check the box next to Use EXPLODE in selection and click Select.
Set 1 (S1) shows the Explode command (!) was used and retrieved over 11,000 narrower terms. 4. TYPE a few records in Format 8 to see titles, descriptors and publication years. Note: An alternate way to run this search is to continue to EXPAND the term. To view an example, see How Do I Use the MeSH or EMTREE Explode Feature in the Classic version.
5. Click Links > Display > Type Full Record to see the complete record of your choice.
Note: Part of the record is omitted from this display.

RELATED HOW DO I...? SOLUTIONS

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• Use the MeSH online thesaurus?

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Stock #: 53408; Last modified: 14 Sep 2011

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