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PubMed1999

Evaluating vaginal pH. Accuracy of two commercial pH papers in comparison to a hand-held digital pH meter.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy, in a clinical setting, of two commercial pH papers compared to a hand-held digital pH meter. STUDY DESIGN: Vaginal specimens from 30 women, ages 17-40, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, pregnant and nonpregnant, were evaluated for vaginal pH using pHydrion paper, ColorpHast paper and a reference hand-held, battery-operated pH meter. Pearson product-moment correlation analysis and concordance correlation analysis were performed comparing each of the pH papers to the pH meter. RESULTS: Pearson product correlation coefficients suggested a strong correlation between the pH papers compared to the commercial pH meter; however, concordance correlation coefficients were fair (< 97%). If a pH cutoff of 4.5 had been used as one of the diagnostic tools for the evaluation of bacterial vaginosis (i.e., pH > 4.5), the ColorpHast paper would have resulted in a theoretical false negative rate of 21%, and the pHydrion paper would have resulted in a false negative rate of 24%. There were no false positives. Using a single pH readout of 5.0 could have resulted in a correct value, ranging from 3.85-6.15 pH units with pHydrion paper and a range of 4.32-5.68 using the ColorpHast pH paper. The accuracy of ColorpHast paper was better than that of pHydrion paper. A 1 SD range for the mean pH difference for pHydrion paper was 1.054-0.854 and for ColorpHast was 0.619-0.501. The correlation coefficient for the pHydrion paper was .87, and the correlation coefficient for ColorpHast paper was .88. CONCLUSION: Two pH papers had questionable accuracy in a clinical setting as compared to the hand-held, battery-powered pH meter. There was a theoretical 24% false negative rate if a pH cutoff of 4.5 had been used for pHydrion paper and a 21% false negative rate for ColorpHast paper. Although correlation coefficients were 88%, concordance correlations were inadequate for both papers.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Concentration of the most-cited papers in the scientific literature: analysis of journal ecosystems.

BACKGROUND: A minority of scientific journals publishes the majority of scientific papers and receives the majority of citations. The extent of concentration of the most influential articles is less well known. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The 100 most-cited papers in the last decade in each of 21 scientific fields were analyzed; fields were considered as ecosystems and their "species" (journal) diversity was evaluated. Only 9% of journals in Journal Citation Reports had published at least one such paper. Among this 9%, half of them had published only one such paper. The number of journals that had published a larger number of most-cited papers decreased exponentially according to a Lotka law. Except for three scientific fields, six journals accounted for 53 to 94 of the 100 most-cited papers in their field. With increasing average number of citations per paper (citation density) in a scientific field, concentration of the most-cited papers in a few journals became even more prominent (p<0.001). Concentration was unrelated to the number of papers published or number of journals available in a scientific field. Multidisciplinary journals accounted for 24% of all most-cited papers, with large variability across fields. The concentration of most-cited papers in multidisciplinary journals was most prominent in fields with high citation density (correlation coefficient 0.70, p<0.001). Multidisciplinary journals had published fewer than eight of the 100 most-cited papers in eight scientific fields (none in two fields). Journals concentrating most-cited original articles often differed from those concentrating most-cited reviews. The concentration of the most-influential papers was stronger than the already prominent concentration of papers published and citations received. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a plethora of available journals, the most influential papers are extremely concentrated in few journals, especially in fields with high citation density. Existing multidisciplinary journals publish selectively most-cited papers from fields with high citation density.

Journal Impact Factor↗

PubMed1988

A search for discomfort-inducing factors in carbonless copying paper.

Connections between various types of carbonless copying paper and the occurrence of work-related symptoms of the skin and mucous membranes were studied. The analysis started from the exposure factor, i.e., from the carbonless copying papers and not from the exposed persons. In total, 276 paper samples were investigated. One hundred ninety samples were carbonless copying papers for which information was obtained concerning both the handling of the papers and the symptoms occurring among those handling the papers. To distinguish between carbonless copying papers of different makes, gas chromatography of paper extracts was performed, sometimes combined with thin-layer chromatography of the color formers. By coding the paper samples, the analyses of the papers and the interviews of the exposed persons could be performed "blindly." In the carbonless copying paper most frequently associated with complaints, mono-iso-propylbiphenyl (MIPB) was used as solvent for the color formers. It is probable, however, that the symptoms connected to this paper were induced by some component of the paper other than MIPB. A covariation between papers associated with skin symptoms and mucous membrane symptoms was observed. Exposure to carbonless copying papers treated with desensitizing ink (D-ink) covariated statistically with work-related skin irritation. The causative factor was probably two specific D-inks available on the Swedish market at the period of the investigation.

Biphenyl Compounds↗

PubMed1999

[Author analysis of papers published in "Space Medicine & Medical Engineering" from 1988 to 1998].

Objective. To probe into the characteristics of authors, institutes and region distribution of papers published in "Space Medicine & Medical Engineering" (SMME), as well as its papers indexed and cited by CBMDisc, CB-ISITC and CSCD-CD98; to look into its core authors, core regions and core institutes. Method. Bibliometric method was used to analyse its published papers, cited papers and indexed papers. Result. 716 papers have been published in SMME, among which 622 were coauthor papers (86.9%); 94 were single author papers (13.1%); organization collaboration papers 109 (15.2%); institutes 548 (76.5%); colleges and Universities 132 (18.4%); hospitals 36 (5.1%). CBMDisc and CB-ISTIC index rate were 81% and 75% of its papers respectively, SMME's 39 papers were cited in 25 journals via CSCD-CD98, 10 of 42 core authors are cited. Conclusion. Papers published in SMME per issue have been increasing in 10 years, core region is Beijing. Core authors have been formed in SMME. Papers indexed by CBMDisc and CB-ISTIC are also increasing. But its citation status is not ideal, and high cited papers and high cited authors are few. Numbers and types of Natural Scientific Foundation supported papers are increasing.

Academies and Institutes↗

PubMed1998

Respiratory function and immunological status in paper-recycling workers.

The respiratory function and immunological status of workers employed in the paper recycling industry were studied. The mean age of the 101 studied workers was 41 years, and the mean duration of their exposure was 17 years. A group of 87 unexposed workers of similar age, duration of employment, and smoking history was studied for the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms. Lung function in the paper workers was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow volume (MEFV) curves and recording forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and maximum expiratory flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the FVC (FEF50, FEF25). Immunological studies were performed in all 101 paper workers and in 37 control workers (volunteers). These included skin-prick tests with paper-dust extracts and other nonoccupational allergens, as well as the measurement of total serum immunoglobulin E. Significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were found in paper compared with control workers (P < 0.01). The highest prevalences were found for chronic cough (36.6%), chronic phlegm (34.7%), chronic bronchitis (33.7%), sinusitis (31.7%), and dyspnea (18.8%). Occupational asthma was diagnosed in four (4.0%) of the paper workers. A logistic regression analysis performed on chronic respiratory symptoms of paper workers indicated significant effects of smoking and exposure, with the smoking effect being the most important. Multivariate analysis of lung-function parameters indicate significant effects of exposure. For paper workers, the measured FEF50 and FEF25 were significantly decreased, compared with predicted values, suggesting obstructive changes located primarily in smaller airways. Among 101 tested paper workers, 16 (15.8%) had positive skin-prick tests to at least one of the paper extracts; none of the control workers reacted to these extracts. Increased serum IgE levels were found in 21% of the paper workers and in 5% of control workers (P < 0.05). Paper workers with positive skin-prick tests to any of the paper and/or other tested extracts had higher prevalences of chronic respiratory symptoms and lower measured lung-function tests compared with predicted than did those with negative skin-prick tests, but the differences were not statistically significant. The measured concentrations of total and respirable dust in this industry were higher than those recommended by Croatian standards. Our study suggests that work in the paper-recycling industry is associated with respiratory impairment and that sensitive workers employed in this industry may be at particular risk of developing chronic respiratory abnormalities.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Hand rolling cigarette papers as the reference point for regulating cigarette fire safety.

AIM: To compare the burning characteristics of the tobacco and paper of manufactured and hand rolled cigarettes, and set a fire safety standard of manufacture to largely reduce the fire risk from discarded cigarettes. METHODS: (1) Cigarette extinction test of ignition strength: 40 cigarettes per brand, lit and placed on 15 layers of filter paper, in accordance with ASTM test standard E2187-02. (2) Citrate extracted by 0.1N hydrochloric acid from cigarette papers and from tobacco in manufactured cigarettes, the supernatant analysed by high performance liquid chromatography using ultraviolet visual light spectrophotometer. (3) Survey of 750 nationally representative adults age 18 years and over, by telephone, including 184 smokers. MATERIALS: (a) New Zealand made Holiday, and Horizon, and US made Marlboro manufactured cigarettes; (b) US manufactured Merit with banded paper; (c) Holiday, Horizon and Marlboro hand rolling tobaccos, hand rolled in Rizla cigarette papers; (d) manufactured cigarettes as in (a), reconstructed using Rizla hand rolling cigarette papers. RESULTS: 1. (a) For each brand of manufactured cigarettes, 40/40 burnt full length; (b) for Merit banded paper cigarettes 29/40 (73%) burnt full length; (c) for each brand of hand rolled cigarettes 0/40 burnt full length; (d) 0/40 manufactured cigarettes reconstructed with Rizla hand rolling paper burnt full length. 2. Citrate content: (a) In manufactured cigarette papers: 0.3-0.8 mg; in tobacco of manufactured cigarettes: Holiday 0, Horizon 0, Marlboro 8.8 mg; (b) Merit: in banded paper 0.418 mg; in tobacco 10.23 mg; (c) In hand rolled cigarettes: in the papers < 0.08 mg; in hand rolled tobacco 13.3-15.0 mg; (d) In hand rolling papers of reconstructed cigarettes: < 0.018 mg. 3. Requiring manufactured cigarettes to compulsorily self-extinguish when left unattended was supported by 67% of smokers, 61% of manufactured cigarette smokers, 82% of hand rolled smokers, and by 68% of non-smokers. CONCLUSION: The wrapping paper is a key determinant of whether or not unpuffed cigarettes burn their full length. Using international test methods, popular brands of manufactured cigarettes all burnt full length, but none did so when re-wrapped in hand rolling cigarette paper. This provides a ready-to-hand smoker acceptable standard for reducing ignition potential from manufactured cigarettes, as a basis for regulation or litigation.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1986

The scientific literature in diagnostic radiology for American readers: a survey and analysis of journals, papers, and authors.

The scientific literature in diagnostic radiology for American readers was surveyed by studying the recent growth of its journals, papers and authors. The number of journals has increased rapidly, following the growth in the production of papers. Of the 36 scientific diagnostic radiology journals available at a university medical center, 18 began publication in 1973 or later. The proliferation of new journals should moderate as the size of the American diagnostic radiology research community stabilizes and the newer journals publish a growing share of the papers. Citation analysis, a method of studying interrelationships between papers and journals, showed that citations from papers published in clinical journals to papers published in diagnostic radiology journals accounted for 6% of total citations made in those clinical journals. This observation indicates that research in diagnostic radiology has considerable relevance to research in clinical medicine. Although the number of papers from American diagnostic radiology researches increased from 468 papers in two journals in 1960 to 2861 papers in 16 journals in 1984, the number of researchers increased more rapidly, resulting in a decline in aggregate productivity. At the same time, the average number of authors per paper increased from 2.15 in 1960 to 4.36 in 1985. The first authorship of a scientific paper appears to be the most suitable quantitative measure of research productivity. Study of a sample of 130 diagnostic radiology researchers showed that, on average, each researcher published 3.8 papers as first author in the 5 years from 1980 to 1984. The most prolific 15% of the authors published 52% of the papers.

Authorship↗

PubMed2001

[What happens when medical students set their own exam papers?].

BACKGROUND: In the section for general practice at the University of Bergen, Norway, we want to emphasise learning more than control in our work with students. As a step in this direction we invited students to come up with proposals for exam papers, papers that usually include six to nine multiple steps for clinical reasoning. We guaranteed that one out of three proposals would be included as a paper in the written examination, possibly slightly modified. This article is an evaluation of the consequences of letting medical students set some of their own exam papers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The process was evaluated using 1) grades given, 2) students' assessment of whether this mode of setting papers influenced their exam preparations, and 3) students' free-text comments on the process. RESULTS: 57 out of 64 students (89%) took part in the evaluation. All knew that their fellow students had set one of the exam papers, but only 34 (60%) reported that this knowledge had changed the way they prepared for the exam. The mean grade was 9.9 (range 5-12, on a scale from 1 to 12, 6 being the lowest pass grade) for the paper set by students, and 9.5 (range 5-11) for all papers combined. Mean difference in score was 0.32 (95% confidence interval 0.08-0.64). Students' free-text comments showed that they specifically prepared for the three known paper topics. They drew comfort from knowing at least one of the papers set, and the student-set papers were found relevant for general practice. INTERPRETATION: Letting medical students set one of the exam papers makes them feel more confident. Student-set papers were seen as relevant for clinical practice. The control function of the exam seemed to have been preserved.

Educational Measurement↗

PubMed2006

Effect of void structure of photocatalyst paper on VOC decomposition.

TiO2 powder-containing paper composites, called TiO2 paper, were prepared by a papermaking technique, and their photocatalytic efficiency was investigated. The TiO2 paper has a porous structure originating from the layered pulp fiber network, with TiO2 powders scattered on the fiber matrix. Under UV irradiation, the TiO2 paper decomposed gaseous acetaldehyde more effectively than powdery TiO2 and a pulp/TiO2 mixture not in paper form. Scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion analysis revealed that the TiO2 paper had characteristic unique voids ca. 10 microm in diameter, which might have contributed to the improved photocatalytic performance. TiO2 paper composites having different void structures were prepared by using beaten pulp fibers with different degrees of freeness and/or ceramic fibers. The photodecomposition efficiency was affected by the void structure of the photocatalyst paper, and the initial degradation rate of acetaldehyde increased with an increase in the total pore volume of TiO2 paper. The paper voids presumably provided suitable conditions for TiO2 catalysis, resulting in higher photocatalytic performance by TiO2 paper than by TiO2 powder and a pulp/TiO2 mixture not in paper form.

Acetaldehyde↗

PubMed2002

Toxicity testing and chemical analyses of recycled fibre-based paper for food contact.

Food-contact materials, including paper, have to comply with a basic set of criteria concerning safety. This means that paper for food contact should not give rise to migration of components, which can endanger human health. The objectives of this pilot study were, first, to compare paper of different qualities as food-contact materials and to perform a preliminary evaluation of their suitability, from a safety point of view, and, second, to evaluate the use of different in vitro toxicity tests for screening of paper and board. Paper produced from three different categories of recycled fibres (B-D) and a raw material produced from virgin fibres (A) were obtained from industry, and extracts were examined by chemical analyses and diverse in vitro toxicity test systems. The products tested were either based on different raw materials or different treatments were applied. Paper category B was made from 40% virgin fibres, 40% unprinted cuttings from newspapers, and 20% de-inked newspapers and magazines. Paper categories C and D were based on newspapers and magazines. However, paper D was de-inked, whereas C was not. To identify constituents of the papers with a potential to migrate into foodstuff, samples of the paper products were extracted with either 99% ethanol or water. Potential migrants in the extracts were identified and semiquantified by GC-IR-MS or GC-HRMS. In parallel to the chemical analyses, a battery of four different in vitro toxicity tests with different endpoints were applied to the same extracts. (1) a cytotoxicity test using normal human skin fibroblasts. The test was based on measurements of the reduction of resazurin to resorufin by cellular redox processes and used as a screening test for acute or general toxicity; (2) a Salmonella/microsome assay (Ames test) as a screening test for mutagenic and potentially carcinogenic compounds; (3) a recombinant yeast cell bioassay as a screening test for compounds with oestrogenic activity; (4) an aryl hydrocarbon (Ah)-receptor assay (CALUX assay) as a screening test for compounds with dioxin-like activity. In addition, the papers were testedfor microbial content and, in general, the microbiological load was quite low. The following microorganisms were counted and identified on both surface and homogenized pulp samples: the total number of aerobic bacteria, the number of aerobic and anaerobic spore formers, the number of Bacillus cereus/thuringiensis, and the number of yeast and moulds. The chemical analyses showed a significantly higher amount and different composition pattern of chemicals extracted with ethanol compared with water. Analyses of the ethanol extracts showed a distinctly smaller number and lower concentrations of chemicals in extracts prepared from sample A compared with extracts of samples B-D. The compounds identified in B-D were similar, but the amounts were lower in B compared with C and D. In accordance with the chemical analyses, the water extracts were less cytotoxic than the ethanol extracts. The extract prepared from virgin fibres was less cytotoxic than the extracts prepared from paper made from recycled fibres, and extracts prepared from C was the most cytotoxic. None of the extracts showed mutagenic activity. No conclusion about the oestrogenic activity could be made, because all extracts were cytotoxic to the test organism (yeast cells). Ethanol extracts of A and B showed a negligible positive response in the Ah-receptor assay at the highest nontoxic concentration, whereas C and D showed a more pronounced effect with C being the most potent. A comparable weak effect of water extracts of samples B-D was observed, too. However, the active compound(s) was not identified by chemical analyses.

Biological Assay↗

PubMed2004

[Determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans in newsprints and copy papers by HRGC/HRMS].

The concentrations of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in newsprints and copy papers which included blank and printed paper samples were determined by isotope dilution and high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). All of the paper samples collected at random were extracted with organic solvents and the extracts were cleaned up successively by three different chromatographic columns. The results indicated that the total concentrations of PCDD/ Fs in newsprints were higher than those in copy papers, but the total toxicity equivalent (TEQ) values of newsprint samples were lower than those in copy paper samples. In addition, for both papers, the concentrations of PCDD/Fs in printed papers were higher than the blank papers. Moreover, the patterns of PCDD/Fs in newsprint samples and copy paper samples were different. The total international TEQ values of PCDD/Fs in newsprints and printed newsprints were 0.48 ng/kg and 0.61 ng/kg, respectively. Moreover, the total TEQ values of PCDD/Fs in copy paper and printed copy paper samples were 0.74 ng/kg and 0.79 ng/kg, respectively. The recoveries of 13C labeled 2, 3 ,7, 8-substituted PCDD/Fs spiked before extraction into all paper samples were between 49.82% and 131.34%.

Benzofurans↗

PubMed1977

A comparison of the performance of three multiple choice question papers in obstetrics and gynaecology over a period of three years administered at five London medical schools.

Four, and later five, of the medical schools in the one multiple choice question (MCQ) paper in Obstertrics and Gynaecology to their students at the end of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology courses. The paper was amended twice after intervals of approximately 12 months. The results showed differences in performance between the five schools on questions and alternatives within questions, which were common to all editions of the paper (the "short" paper). These differences were also shown in the first two editions of the full paper (the "long" paper), but were not apparent in the third. There was a significant improvement in performance from the first to the second paper edition of the long by approximately 11%, but this was reversed from the second to the third edition, where there was a significant decrease in performance by approximately 4%. We cannot here exclude the possibility that this decrease in the third edition has resulted from sample bias. The rank order of the schools may result from differences in methods of teaching. It seems that such relative performance between London medical schools in contributed to by the differences in course legnth and by the occurence of mid-course test. It appears also that student performance in any of the schools has not been uniform over the period of the study, there being a peak during the period when the second edition of the paper was used. Variations in student selection occuring between schools may effect some of these differences. There was also a marked difference in students' performance between Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The short papers appeared easier than the full papers. Whilst this may due to the greater clarity of phrasing for the questions of the short paper, we also believe the subject matter of the short paper may be more relevant. A distinct effect could also be shown, over the period, due to improvements in the wording of the questions. It is possible that students perform better at Obstetrics than at Gynaecology.

Curriculum↗

PubMed1998

The use of acupuncture in dentistry: a review of the scientific validity of published papers.

OBJECTIVE: To review the scientific validity of published papers on the efficacy of acupuncture in dentistry based on predefined methodological criteria. MATERIALS: A literature search performed by the Royal Society of Medicine and the University Library, Copenhagen, Denmark was able to identify 74 papers written in English, German, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Italian, French and Russian published between 1966 and 1996. The search words were: acupuncture and electro-acupuncture, randomised controlled trials (RCT), dental pain, postoperative dental pain, painrelieving in dentistry, and dental analgesia. Among the 74 listed papers, 48 papers were reviewed in the following languages: English, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian and German. Fifteen papers were excluded because they were written in French, Italian or Russian; 11 papers were excluded because the abstract clearly indicated the paper was not a RCT or the paper was of a general nature without relevance to acupuncture. METHODS: To assess the methodological quality of the included papers, all papers were scored on the basis of predefined criteria. A total of 92 points could be achieved and on the basis of this scale papers were rated as: Excellent (85-100%), Good (70-84%), Fair (60-69%) and Bad (< 60%). MAIN OUTCOME: Fifteen out of 48 papers met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Only one study met the criteria with more than 85%. Five studies met the criteria with 70-84%. Three studies met the criteria with 60-69%. Six studies did not meet the criteria. Acupuncture in 11 out of 15 studies proved effective in the treatment of temperomandibular dysfunction (TMD) and as analgesia. Four studies showed no effect of acupuncture. CONCLUSION: The value of acupuncture as an analgesic must be questioned. The effect of acupuncture in treating TMD and facial pain seems real and acupuncture could be a valuable alternative to orthodox treatment.

Acupuncture Analgesia↗

PubMed2006

The fate of papers rejected by Australian Family Physician.

BACKGROUND: Research papers submitted to Australian Family Physician (AFP) are accepted or rejected on the judgment of the research editor with advice from expert reviewers. Rejection can be outright (e.g., when research is "fatally flawed") or, more often, conditional (when authors are invited to respond to criticisms). Sometimes authors fail to resubmit. The fate of both groups of papers is unknown, as are the reasons for failing to resubmit. METHOD: We sent an explanatory email to all authors who submitted a paper to the AFP research section between 2002 and 2004, with a simple eight question survey (plus 1-2 additional questions for authors of rejected/withdrawn articles. RESULTS: Of 123 requests sent, 50 were returned (41% response rate). These were supplemented by an extra 19 papers identified by literature searching. Authors of accepted papers were more likely to participate than those whose papers were rejected or withdrawn. Most papers (28/47, 60%) submitted to AFP were written specifically for the journal. Those that were published underwent major change from the original submitted. Three out of 11 papers rejected by AFP were published in another journal. Authors who failed to resubmit (or withdrew) their paper usually cited being too busy. The editorial and peer review process was considered valuable by 74% of responders. Most accepted papers (20/37, 54%) underwent one revision; rejected articles were usually rejected outright (9/11, 82%). DISCUSSION: That authors often lose interest in getting their paper published after preparing it for submission is curious. Most authors consider peer and editorial review to be valuable.

Australia↗

PubMed2006

Computer-based versus pen-and-paper testing: students' perception.

BACKGROUND: Computer-based testing (CBT) has become increasingly popular as a testing modality in under- and postgraduate medical education. Since 2004, our medical school has utilised CBT to conduct 2 papers for the third- and final-year assessments - Paper 3, with 30 multiple choice questions featuring clinical vignettes, and the modified essay question (MEQ) paper. AIMS: To obtain feedback from final-year students on their preferred mode of testing for Paper 3 and MEQ components of the Medicine track examination, and the reasons underlying their preferences. METHODS: An online survey was carried out on 213 final-year undergraduates, in which they were asked to provide feedback on Paper 3 and MEQ papers. Students were asked if they thought that the CBT format was preferable to the pen-and-paper (PNP) format for Paper 3 and the MEQ, and why. RESULTS: One hundred and fourteen out of 213 (53.5%) students completed the online survey. For Paper 3, 91 (79.8%) felt that CBT was preferable to PNP, 11 (9.6%) preferred the PNP format and 12 (10.5%) were unsure. For the MEQ, 62 (54.4%) preferred CBT over PNP, 30 (26.3%) preferred the PNP format and 22 (19.3%) were unsure. Reasons given to explain preference for CBT over PNP for Paper 3 included independence from seating position, better image quality (as images were shown on personal computer screens instead of projected onto a common screen) and the fact that CBT allowed them to proceed at their own pace. For the MEQ, better image quality, neater answer scripts and better indication of answer length in CBT format were cited as reasons for their preference. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey indicated that whereas the majority of students preferred CBT over PNP for Paper 3, a smaller margin had the same preference for the MEQ.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed1995

Environmentally friendly paper may increase risk of hand eczema in rosin-sensitive persons.

BACKGROUND: A connection between patch test reactions to paper extracts and contact allergy to rosin (colophony) has been demonstrated. OBJECTIVE: We wanted to determine whether a difference in the allergenic activity of various types of paper is related to a difference in the pulp. METHODS: Patients with dermatitis who were frequently exposed to paper were patch tested with extracts from various papers and the standard series. The extracts were also tested in volunteers with or without contact allergy to rosin and in animals. The rosin compounds in the papers were analyzed by gas chromatography. RESULTS: The subjects reacting to paper extracts also reacted to rosin. Most reactions were found to the papers produced from mechanical pulps, which contained the highest analyzed amounts of rosin compounds. Animals sensitized to rosin reacted only to paper from mechanical pulp. CONCLUSION: Papers based on mechanical pulps that are considered to be environmentally friendly have a greater potential to elicit positive patch test reactions than papers made from other pulps. The increased use of mechanical pulps in different applications may increase the incidence of rosin-related hand eczema.

Abietanes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Enzymatic hydrolysis of waste office paper using viscosity as operating parameter.

Enzymatic hydrolysis of waste office (WO) paper with feeding WO paper in a reactor was investigated using apparent viscosity as operating parameter. Since the apparent viscosity was correlated with the concentration of pulping WO paper, the amount of hydrolyzed WO paper was assumed by measuring the decrease in the apparent viscosity. Then the amount of hydrolysis WO paper and the amount of enzyme corresponding to the desired ratio were fed into the reactor. When the WO paper and 1% (to the amount of WO paper) enzyme were fed to the hydrolytic reaction, 87 g/L of reducing sugar (RS) with a hydrolytic yield of 42.2% was obtained for a 24-h hydrolysis. However, when nonpulping WO paper and 5% (to the amount of WO paper) enzyme were fed to the hydrolytic reaction, 120 g/L of RS with a hydrolytic yield of 40% was obtained for a 24-h hydrolysis. Therefore, the RS concentration from this hydrolysis process feeding WO paper using apparent viscosity as operating parameter may be of sufficient concentration to serve as a carbon source in microorganism culture or chemical feedstock.

Acremonium↗

PubMed1995

Tolerance to different toilet paper preparations: toxicological and allergological aspects.

BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: A controlled open trial was performed in 40 individuals suffering from chronic perianal eczema. Various toilet paper preparations representing the conventional type made of pure cellulose, the recycled and the moist type were investigated using the patch test as were allergens possibly related to toilet paper. In addition, a chronic use test and a repeated rubbing test were performed with a conventional and a recycled toilet paper preparation. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients could be evaluated in full. A variety of reactions were seen in the patch test, most of which were of the allergic type. Allergens included many different chemical entities, e.g. preservatives used in moist toilet paper such as Kathon CG and Euxyl K 400. In a volunteer allergic to Euxyl K 400, allergy to the moist toilet paper regularly used by him was established. After discontinuation of its application, perianal dermatitis disappeared. In the repeated rubbing test at the forearm, 10 volunteers showed a reaction with the recycled paper preparation while no such reaction was seen upon the application of the conventional type of toilet paper. The validity of these findings was corroborated by corresponding results in the use test. CONCLUSION: There is clearly a potential for allergic reactions to components of moist toilet paper and reactions to recycled toilet paper presumably irritant by nature. These irritant reactions are probably caused by the rough texture of current paper types and do not reflect the presence of potentially toxic ingredients such as metal salts.

Adult↗