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PubMed2006

Declaration of patent applications as financial interests: a survey of practice among authors of papers on molecular biology in Nature.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether authors of scientific publications in molecular biology declare patents and other potential financial interests. DESIGN: Survey of a 6-month sample of papers related to molecular biology in Nature. METHODS: The esp@cenet worldwide patent search engine was used to search for patents applied for by the authors of scientific papers in Nature that were related to molecular biology and genetics, between January and June 2005. RESULTS: Of the 79 papers considered, four had declared that certain authors had competing financial interests. Seven papers in which no financial interests were declared had authors with patent applications that were based on the research in the paper or were closely related to it. Another paper had two authors with connections to biotechnology companies that were not disclosed. CONCLUSION: Two thirds of the papers in which authors had patent applications or company affiliations that might be considered to be competing financial interests did not disclose them. Failure to disclose such information may have negative implications on the perception of science in society and on its quality if the possible bias is hidden. Journals should make greater efforts to ensure full disclosure, and scientific institutions should consider failure to disclose financial interests as an example of scientific malpractice. Establishing a register of interests for scientists is one way to increase transparency and openness.

Biotechnology↗

PubMed1990

Blood-spotted filter paper measurements of thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone in the follow-up of children with congenital hypothyroidism.

Neonatal screening for congenital hypothyroidism using T4 and TSH measurements from blood-spotted filter paper is a well-established method. However, it has not been used to monitor T4 and TSH concentrations in the follow-up of these children. In 22 treated children with congenital hypothyroidism whom we follow up in our Clinic, T4 and TSH concentrations were concomitantly measured from venous blood and blood-spotted filter paper. There was a significant positive correlation between both T4 and TSH measurements from venous blood versus blood-spotted filter paper (r = 0.7, p = 0.001; r = 0.78, p less than 0.05). Filter paper T4 values above 7 micrograms/dl could exclude hypothyroxinemia in 98% of the specimens. When TSH values were above 10 microU/ml, it was confirmed in 94% of the specimens, and when they were above 20 microU/ml, it was confirmed in 97% of the specimens. Measurements of both filter paper T4 and filter paper TSH did not increase the reliability of the results obtained by examining the two hormones separately. We therefore suggest that filter paper T4 and/or TSH measurements have distinct advantages in monitoring the treatment of children with congenital hypothyroidism. It can be performed in the community, enabling assistance in the follow-up of children in remote areas who are unable to show up for serum tests. The results are obtained quickly and allow improved follow-up by providing useful information such as excluding hypothyroxinemia or suggesting the possibility of noncompliance, and by a psychological effect on parents. However, they cannot replace serum T4 and TSH measurements altogether.

Blood Specimen Collection↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The one fixed point in a changing age. An analysis of half-secular trends among original papers published in The Lancet 1945-95.

We performed a systematic survey of original papers published in The Lancet throughout the years 1945, 1946, 1970 and 1995. The Lancet was chosen due to a conservative layout through these years, and the year 1946 added to the analysis to ponder for any war-induced bias. The general layout and structure of the journal were indeed maintained throughout these years. The number of authors per paper increased steadily (from 1.7 +/- 1.3 in 1945 to 6.4 +/- 3.4 in 1995), as well as the number of papers written on behalf of investigation groups (from 1 in 1945 to 37 in 1995). Major changes were observed in the area of origin of the papers, from an overwhelming British Isles' preponderance (87% of papers published in 1945) to a partake with Continental Europe, America and international groups (27, 33, 15 and 12%, respectively of the 1995 papers). The most often addressed fields of medicine shifted from war-, surgery- and microbiology-related subjects in 1945 towards cardiology-, oncology-, and virus-related works in 1995. The most impressive and enduring change was the increase in the use of statistical tools for data analysis and presentation (0.3% of papers in 1945 vs. 60% in 1995).

Authorship↗

PubMed1988

How research becomes knowledge in radiology: an analysis of citations to published papers.

The process by which research becomes generally disseminated knowledge in radiology was studied by an analysis of reference citations. A citation is the event that occurs when one paper is listed as a reference by another paper. Analysis of the citations received by 30 diagnostic radiology journals in 1985 showed that five journals received 73% of the citations. Approximately half of the citations were made to papers over 5 years old. Analysis of the citations received by the 1977 issues of eight journals over a 9-year period showed a rapid rise in the number of citations received, a peak in the third year after publication, and a slow, exponential decline. Analysis of citations to a group of individual papers showed that 10% of the papers received nearly 50% of the citations. This information suggests that citations to the radiology literature are concentrated among a handful of papers in a few journals. The citation activities of individual journals reflect in part their editorial policies. Parameters of citation activity may be relevant to selecting journals for subscription, reading, or publication. The radiology literature has lasting relevance and receives citations for many years. Advancement of the science of radiology follows the lead of a very few works; the most frequently cited papers concern practical techniques and procedures.

Periodicals as Topic↗

PubMed1999

Productivity of SCI Korean medical papers: 1996-1997.

In order to investigate the extent and growth of SCI publication activity of Korean medicine, DIALOG's SCISearch database was searched and the number of SCI Korean medical papers in each medical specialty was measured by publication year and by document type for 1996 and 1997. The percentage contribution of Korean medical papers to SCI database and the SCI publication productivity ratio were analyzed for each of 57 medical specialties. The data obtained in this study was compared with the data representing the 1980s and the data for the first half of the 1990s. The absolute productivity of SCI Korean medical papers as measured by the number of SCI Korean papers has increased about ten times from 306 papers in 1990 to 3,261 papers in 1997. More than 15% of SCI Korean publication output has resulted from six Korean medical journals indexed in SCI from 1995. The relative productivity of SCI Korean medical papers as measured by the percentage contribution from Korea to SCI and by its corresponding productivity ratio is not as impressive as the absolute productivity and its growth rate. It has increased three times from 0.245% to 0.642% during the same period. The relative productivity of SCI Korean medical publication output is not as great as the SCI Korean publication output of all sciences combined (1.02%).

Databases, Factual↗

PubMed2002

Comparison of the elemental composition of office document paper: evidence in a homicide case.

Fraudulent substitution of a page within a multiple page document such as a will or business contract, the counterfeit manufacture of paper banknotes, and linking ransom or extortion notes have all been the focus of criminal investigations at one time or another. In a recent homicide investigation, document examiners were requested to compare a threatening letter received by a business partner of the deceased with paper samples seized under warrant from a suspect's house. Through a quantitative elemental analysis of the concentrations of nine elements (Na, Mg, Al, Mn, Sr, Y, Ba, La, and Ce) within the questioned and specimen documents, determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), it was concluded that (i) the paper of the threatening letter originated from a different source to that of the paper seized from the suspect's house and (ii) all six pages of paper seized from the suspect's house originated from the same source. This discrimination of paper is presented as both a statistical t-test analysis (99.9% confidence limit) as well as construction of an elemental fingerprint for individual replicates within the questioned and specimen sample populations. This is the first reported use of the comparison of the elemental composition of document paper, determined by ICP-MS, to assist in a criminal investigation.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparative analysis of duodenal biopsy tissue orientation supported on vegetable matrix versus filter paper.

BACKGROUND: Biopsy tissue may get disoriented if filter paper is used as a supporting medium. Use of vegetable matrix (cucumber) as a supporting medium may obviate the need of lifting the tissue while making blocks and thus avoid disorientation that occurs during this step. OBJECTIVE: To compare the orientation of duodenal biopsy tissue supported on vegetable matrix (cucumber) and on filter paper. METHODS: Over one year, 40 patients (20 with large-volume diarrhea, 20 with dyspepsia) were included in the study. Two pairs of duodenal biopsy tissues were obtained during gastroscopy; one pair was placed on filter paper, the other on vegetable matrix. Tissue and vegetable matrix were embedded together while making blocks, whereas the tissue had to be lifted off in case of filter paper. Sections were stained and assessed for crypt-villous alignment, parallel orientation of crypts and presence of visible muscularis mucosae with the help of a scoring system. RESULTS: Compared to biopsy tissue supported on filter paper, vegetable matrix-supported tissues were better oriented. Scores were rated as bad, good and very good in 8, 11 and 21 vegetable matrix-mounted tissues and in 21, 11 and 8 filter paper-mounted tissues, respectively. CONCLUSION: Duodenal biopsy tissue supported on vegetable matrix (cucumber) is better oriented than that on filter paper.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Detection of day blood filarial antigens by Og4C3 ELISA test using filter paper samples.

BACKGROUND: The launching of the global filariasis elimination programme has necessitated the use of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tests. The Og4C3 monoclonal antibody-based ELISA test has been found to be highly specific and sensitive for the diagnosis of filariasis using night blood samples. However, it requires a serum sample which poses problems of transport and storage. Collection of blood samples on filter paper the will greatly circumvent these problems. Therefore, we evaluated the utility of the Og4C3 assay on filter paper samples collected during daytime. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 63 microfilariae (mf) carriers during different time periods in a day on filter paper discs as well as venous blood for sera. The mf carriers and chronic (hydrocele n = 20; lymphoedema n = 120) and acute filariasis (adenolymphangitis n = 39) patients were from the endemic areas and the non-endemic normals were from Uthagamandalam district of Tamil Nadu, India. The filarial antigens in the samples were determined using the Og4C3 filarial antigen assay as per the manufacturer's instructions (JCU TrapBio, Australia). The sensitivity of the assay on sera and filter paper samples collected during night and also on filter paper samples collected during different time intervals of the day were compared with those of the membrane filtration technique, which was used as a gold standard. RESULTS: The geometric mean titre of the sera samples collected during night was 11 units/ml for non-endemic normals and 601.2 units/ml for mf carriers. The specificity of the assay on sera samples collected during night was 100% and the sensitivity 96.8% and the positive and negative values were 100% and 95.2%, respectively. The antigen positivity of the filter paper samples collected during morning hours was 93.3% while it was 76.6% and 86.7% for afternoon and evening hours. A significant association was observed between antigenaemia levels and mf density in the blood samples collected during the night. CONCLUSION: The samples collected on filter paper during the day can be used as an alternative to sera samples for detection of filarial antigens employing Og4C3 ELISA. Also, samples collected during morning hours yield a higher positivity. The assay when applied to serum samples will be useful especially when quantitative results are required.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed1992

How to write and publish scientific papers: scribing information for pharmacists.

The principles of writing and publishing scientific papers are outlined. Scientific writing can be both professionally and financially rewarding, but many pharmacists hesitate to write for publication. A primary obstacle is not knowing how to begin. Thoughtful planning is the first and most important step. Before writing a word, the writer should identify the main message, audience, target journal, resource materials, type of manuscript, and authorship. The sections of a paper reporting original research include the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion, references, and tables and figures. Some of these elements also appear in review papers and columns. In general, information given in one section should not duplicate information in another. The writer typically drafts the methods section first, followed by the results, the discussion, and the introduction. Along with intellectual responsibility for the paper, an author must assume various ethical responsibilities, such as ensuring that it contains no plagiarism, that all sources of funding have been acknowledged, and that the paper has not been simultaneously submitted to other journals. To enhance the likelihood of publication, the writer should edit the manuscript carefully and follow the target journal's instructions to contributors. Once the writer has submitted a paper, it must pass the muster of editors and, for peer-reviewed journals, outside experts. Several revisions may be requested before final acceptance. Pharmacists who adhere to the established pattern for writing and submitting scientific papers have the best chance of seeing their work in print.

Humans↗

PubMed2006

Relationship between item difficulty and discrimination indices in true/false-type multiple choice questions of a para-clinical multidisciplinary paper.

INTRODUCTION: This paper reports the relationship between the difficulty level and the discrimination power of true/false-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in a multidisciplinary paper for the para-clinical year of an undergraduate medical programme. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCQ items in papers taken from Year II Parts A, B and C examinations for Sessions 2001/02, and Part B examinations for 2002/03 and 2003/04, were analysed to obtain their difficulty indices and discrimination indices. Each paper consisted of 250 true/false items (50 questions of 5 items each) on topics drawn from different disciplines. The questions were first constructed and vetted by the individual departments before being submitted to a central committee, where the final selection of the MCQs was made, based purely on the academic judgement of the committee. RESULTS: There was a wide distribution of item difficulty indices in all the MCQ papers analysed. Furthermore, the relationship between the difficulty index (P) and discrimination index (D) of the MCQ items in a paper was not linear, but more dome-shaped. Maximal discrimination (D = 51% to 71%) occurred with moderately easy/difficult items (P = 40% to 74%). On average, about 38% of the MCQ items in each paper were "very easy" (P > or =75%), while about 9% were "very difficult" (P <25%). About two-thirds of these very easy/difficult items had "very poor" or even negative discrimination (D < or =20%). CONCLUSIONS: MCQ items that demonstrate good discriminating potential tend to be moderately difficult items, and the moderately-to-very difficult items are more likely to show negative discrimination. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of our MCQ items.

Adult↗

PubMed1991

An appraisal of the quality and presentation of scientific papers at the 31st annual conference of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology.

To assess the quality of papers presented at the annual conference of the Indial Society of Gastroenterology, a proforma was completed by selected assessors regarding the time taken to present the paper, the quality of the paper and other aspects of presentation. Forty-six papers were evaluated; fifteen of 38 (39%) papers took more than the prescribed time of 8 minutes; 10% were rated unsatisfactory in quality. The quality and content of slides were rated as unsatisfactory in 17% and 7% respectively. The quality and relevance of the questions asked from the floor were graded as unsatisfactory in 20% and 14% respectively. Of the responses from authors to these questions, 33% were graded as unsatisfactory. In all, 28 (61%) of 46 papers assessed were unsatisfactory on one or more counts. Thus, efforts are needed to improve the quality of papers presented and of their presentation.

Congresses as Topic↗

PubMed1991

[Development and clinical evaluation of a new urinary protein test paper (URINE-TP)].

Because standard urinary protein test paper reacts more strongly to albumin than to globulin, we attempted to develop a test paper sensitive to globulin by applying chromatic analysis principles used in quantitative analysis of urinary protein. We developed a new urinary protein test paper (URINE-TP) containing a reagent of ACID VIOLET 17. It was found that URINE-TP reacts with the same strength to gamma-globulin as to albumin. This new test paper therefore allows accurate detection of Bence Jones protein, which was formerly detectable with standard test paper. There was a correlation between values for urinary protein obtained with URINE-TP and those obtained by quantitative analysis. As with standard test paper, URINE-TP indicates urinary protein values in the normal range by a lack of reaction, but on URINE-TP positive and negative results are more clearly distinguishable than on standard test paper. From these results, we conclude that URINE-TP enables detection of both gamma-globulin and albumin in the urine, and that is as sensitive as the analytical method in the screening of urinary proteins.

Bence Jones Protein↗

PubMed1993

[Neonatal blood IgE levels on filter paper as indicators of atopic disease--a follow-up at the age 18 months and 5 years].

Measurements of IgE levels in the blood of neonates were investigated using filter paper for blood collection in mass screening of congenital metabolic disorders by time-resolved fluoroimmunometric assay. In an analysis of the present result, IgE value of at least 0.015 U/ml, the measurement limit, were considered as high. High IgE levels in filter paper blood were seen in 28 (7.2%) of the 389 cases. When the relation with serum IgE levels at 18 months of age was investigated in 134 of 389 subjects, high serum IgE levels were also found in 86.7% of the subjects with high IgE levels in filter paper blood. In addition, when the relation between family history of atopic disease and presence of atopic disease in the first 18 months of age was investigated in 203 of the 389 subjects, 90% of the subjects with a family history of atopic disease and high IgE levels in filter paper blood developed atopic disease. On the other, 50% and 24.7% of the subjects with low IgE levels in filter paper blood and an atopic family history or no atopic family history, developed atopic disease, respectively. There were significant differences among these three groups (p < 0.01). When the relation between IgE levels in filter paper blood and presence of atopic disease in the first 5 years of age was investigated in 87 of the 389 subjects. 95% of the subjects with high IgE levels in filter paper blood developed atopic disease, though 57% of the subjects with low IgE levels developed atopic disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed1995

An assessment of the statistical procedures used in original papers published in the SAMJ during 1992.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the statistical procedures used in original papers published in the SAMJ. DESIGN: Descriptive study based on a random sample of 100 papers from the 153 papers with methodological content that were published in the SAMJ during 1992. RESULTS: This review showed that 34% (95% CI (25%; 43%)) of papers used no statistical procedure at all or used simple descriptive statistics only. In sampling methods, there was a predominance of the use of the period sampling method as opposed to probability sampling methods. Inappropriate statistical methods were used in 15% (6%; 24%) of papers, while in 16% (9%; 23%) statistical procedures and in 13% (6%; 20%) the sampling methods used could not be identified. Inaccurate graphical methods were used in 17% (6%; 28%) of papers. Confidence intervals and power calculations are used far too infrequently, in 33% (19%; 47%) and 11% (3%; 19%) of appropriate papers respectively. If the Journal's readers are at least familiar with simple descriptive statistics, contingency table analysis, simple epidemiological statistics, t-test procedure and confidence interval calculation and interpretation, they will have a complete understanding of the statistical content of 60% of original articles published in the Journal. CONCLUSION: Guidelines for the statistical treatment of reported data and the statistical review of articles before publication will assist substantially in improving the quality of statistical analysis. More intensive use of available biostatistical and epidemiological expertise at the study design and analysis stages is needed to shift the emphasis from descriptive research to analytical investigation.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

PubMed1996

A new filter paper method to measure capillary blood lead level in children.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and evaluate a new filter paper method to determine capillary blood lead levels accurately in children. DESIGN: Paired comparison of lead levels determined in capillary whole blood dried on filter paper with lead levels in venous whole blood samples determined by a reference method. SETTING: Children's Hospital of Michigan clinics, Detroit. PATIENTS: One hundred children aged 9 months to 6 years. INTERVENTIONS: Lead concentrations determined in capillary whole blood samples dried on filter paper were compared with concentrations measured in paired venous whole blood samples by a reference method. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparability of the two lead assay methods was assessed with the concordance coefficient. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictivity of the capillary filter paper method relative to the reference method were determined at three intervention decision concentrations of blood lead defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: There was high agreement between the two assay methods, with a concordance coefficient of O.96. The capillary filter paper assay had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 90% for differentiating blood lead levels of 0.48 mumol/L (10 micrograms/dL) or more. Blood lead levels of 0.72 mumol/L (15 micrograms/dL) or more and 0.96 mumol/L (20 micrograms/dL) or more were identified with 98% and 94% sensitivity and 98% and 99% specificity, respectively. Positive predictivity was 93%, 98%, and 97%, respectively, at the three blood lead concentration decision points. CONCLUSION: The capillary filter paper method for blood lead analysis described herein provides a convenient, sensitive, accurate, and inexpensive method to examine children for elevated blood lead levels.

Child↗

PubMed2005

Radioimmunoassay of estrone conjugates from urine dried on filter paper.

Hormonal analysis of urine from free-ranging primates has been limited due to the difficulty of preserving samples under field conditions. Drying urine on filter paper is an alternative for field preservation. This study describes a new laboratory method for eluting steroids from filter paper with methanol, along with a series of experiments used to develop and validate this method. The overall elution recovery of estrone sulfate (ES) from filter paper was 86.4%. Estrone conjugate (E1C) levels in humans and captive orangutans were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Values from samples dried on filter paper were significantly correlated with values from matched frozen samples, with elution efficiencies ranging between 97.1% and 102.4%. Creatinine (Cr) measurements from frozen urine compared to urine dried on filter paper were also significantly correlated (r=0.96) with an elution efficiency of 101.7%. After the samples were stored for 2 years, the absolute values of E1C and Cr were significantly lower but were still significantly correlated with frozen urine values. These data demonstrate the effectiveness of filter paper as a medium for preserving urinary steroid samples, and the efficiency of methanol as a solvent for eluting E1C and Cr. This method thus provides a viable alternative to the traditional procedure of freezing urine for field studies, where freezers are not available.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Towards electronic paper displays made from microbial cellulose.

Cellulose (in the form of printed paper) has always been the prime medium for displaying information in our society and is far better than the various existing display technologies. This is because of its high reflectivity, contrast, low cost and flexibility. There is a major initiative to push for a dynamic display technology that emulates paper (popularly known as "electronic paper"). We have successfully demonstrated the proof of the concept of developing a dynamic display on cellulose. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first significant effort to achieve an electronic display using bacterial cellulose. First, bacterial cellulose is synthesized in a culture of Acetobacter xylinum in standard glucose-rich medium. The bacterial cellulose membrane thus formed (not pulp) is dimensionally stable, has a paper-like appearance and has a unique microfibrillar nanostructure. The technique then involves first making the cellulose an electrically conducting (or semi-conducting) sheet by depositing ions around the microfibrils to provide conducting pathways and then immobilizing electrochromic dyes within the microstructure. The whole system is then cased between transparent electrodes, and upon application of switching potentials (2-5 V) a reversible color change can be demonstrated down to a standard pixel-sized area (ca. 100 microm2). Using a standard back-plane or in-plane drive circuit, a high-resolution dynamic display device using cellulose as substrate can be constructed. The major advantages of such a device are its high paper-like reflectivity, flexibility, contrast and biodegradability. The device has the potential to be extended to various applications, such as e-book tablets, e-newspapers, dynamic wall papers, rewritable maps and learning tools.

Acetobacter↗

PubMed2003

Colored moderately thermophilic bacteria in paper-machine biofilms.

Biofilms cause several problems in papermaking. This report describes a microbiological survey of colored biofilms in six paper and board machines, including two case studies of outbreaks of colored slimes in which the causative bacteria were found. A total of 95 pink-, red-, orange- or yellow-pigmented strains were isolated. Nearly all (99%) of the strains grew at 52 degrees C, 72% grew at 56 degrees C, but only 30% grew at 28 degrees C, indicating that most of the strains were moderately thermophilic. Biofilm formation potential and biocide susceptibility of the strains were analyzed with a microtiter plate assay. In the presence of 5 ppm of methylene bisthiocyanate or 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide in paper-machine water, 55 strains formed biofims. Moreover, 39 strains increased biofilm production by 5-753% in the presence of biocide, suggesting that biocide concentrations inhibitory to planktonic but not to surface-attached cells may actually promote biofouling. The cells may have inactivated a portion of the biocides, as the cell density in this assay was high, corresponding to the highest cell densities occurring in the circulating waters. Four groups of colored bacteria that were isolated from several mills were identified. Pink-pigmented Deinococcus geothermalis and red-pigmented Meiothermus silvanus occurred as common primary biofilm-formers in paper machines. This report is the first description of the involvement of Meiothermus species in red-slime formation in the paper industry. The third group of bacteria (putative new species related to Roseomonas) contained strains that were not biofilm formers, but which were commonly found in slimes of neutral or alkaline machines. The fourth group contained red-pigmented biofilm-forming strains representing a novel genus of alpha- Proteobacteria related to Rhodobacter. Many colored paper-machine bacteria are species previously known from microbial mats of hot springs. Some characteristics of the bacterial groups are described here in order to facilitate their recognition in future cases of colored-slime outbreaks in the paper industry.

Biofilms↗