How Do I Use Limits to Add Precision?

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Use Limits to Add Precision?

TOPIC: In MEDLINE® (File 154) and EMBASE® (File72) descriptors representing the main emphasis of the article are major descriptors and are designated by an asterisk (*) in front of the descriptor. The /DE* and /DF* suffixes can be used to restrict retrieval to records in which the specified term is a major MeSH descriptor. Alternatively, the /MAJ suffix can be used to limit retrieval to major descriptors. The remaining descriptors are minor descriptors, which are included in the search when the asterisk is not used and are displayed in a record without asterisks.

In addition, MEDLINE, EMBASE and BIOSIS Previews® (File 55) provide Limits that allow searchers to restrict retrieval to human subjects in English language articles. See Command Summaries for EMBASE and BIOSIS Previews below.

For more details on descriptors in MEDLINE click here.
For additional details on descriptors in EMBASE click here.

In this example, you will search MEDLINE for adverse effects of oxycodone as a major topic in English language articles about human subjects.

EMBASE	BIOSIS Previews
BEGIN 72 SELECT OXYCODONE/MAJ (L) (AE OR TO OR IT) SELECT S1/ENG,HUMAN TYPE S2/8/1-3 TYPE S2/7/1	BEGIN 55 SELECT OXYCODONE/DE SELECT ADVERSE(W) EFFECT? OR POISON? OR TOXIC? OR CONTRAINDICA? OR SIDE(W)EFFECT? OR UNTOWARD OR ADVERSE (W)REACTION? SELECT S1 AND S2 SELECT S3/ENG,HUMAN TYPE S4/8/1-3 TYPE S4/7/1

COMMAND SUMMARY

BEGIN 154
SELECT OXYCODONE/MAJ(L)(AE OR TO OR PO OR CT)
SELECT S1/ENG,HUMAN
TYPE S2/8/1-5
TYPE S2/9/1

HOW TO...

1. BEGIN File 154 to search MEDLINE.

2. SELECT descriptor term restricting to /MAJ and Link (L) to desired allowable subheadings.

This example shows oxycodone linked to adverse effects or toxicity or poisoning or contraindications.

3. SELECT Set 1 (S1) restricting results to English language articles and human subjects.

4. TYPE a few records in Format 8 to see titles, descriptors and publication years.

Note: Some records are omitted from this display.

5. TYPE records you wish to view using Format 9 to see the complete record.

The citation chosen is record 1.

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Stock #: 53409; Last modified: 14 Sep 2011

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