rmurdo on "SQL result next to menu name"

Hi all, I have a small plugin that has some records stored in sql. What I need its to do this:

In the admin section of WP on the left side I see my plugin link to the settings page. You know how some plugins have a red circle with a number in it? Like items waiting to be monitored?

I would like to do with. I know the SQL to get the result but am not having much luck getting to work in the plugin. Does anyone have an example on how to do this?

Thanks!