Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a test method performed on the sampling site or patient bedside. Accurate results can be achieved rapidly by the application of portable analytical instruments and compatible reagents. It has been widely used in the field of in vitro diagnosis (IVD). Paper-based microfluidics technology has great potential in developing POCT due to its advantages in low cost, simple operation, rapid detection, portable equipment, and unrestricted application conditions. In recent years, the development of paper-based microfluidic technology and its integration with various new technologies and methods have promoted the substantial development of POCT technology and methods. The classification and characteristic of the paper are summarized in this review. Paper-based microfluidic sample pretreatment methods, the flow control in the process of reaction and the signal detecting and analyzing methods for the testing results are introduced. The research progress of various kinds of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (μPADs) toward POCT in recent years is reviewed. Finally, remaining problems and the future prospects in POCT application of paper-based microfluidics are discussed.
Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; methods ; Humans ; Microfluidic Analytical Techniques ; instrumentation ; Paper ; Point-of-Care Testing

Pitch deposits have negative effects on product quality, machine performance and production line profitability during pulp and paper manufacture. As traditional pitch control technology cannot provide satisfactory solutions in the pitch deposits, the enzymatic treatment has been rapidly developed for its high efficiency and pollution-free property. In this review, the chemical composition and present form of the pitch in pulp is first introduced, followed by a description of the pitch control enzymes. The emphasis is on the current research on enzymatic solutions to pitch problems, including the reaction mechanism, technology, and the present main problems of lipase, sterol esterases, laccase and lipoxygenase. Finally, the technology prospects in this field are proposed.
Laccase ; Lipase ; Lipoxygenase ; Paper

BACKGROUND: Rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing gram-negative bacilli (GNB) is required for optimal treatment of infected patients. We developed and assessed a new disk carbapenemase test (DCT). METHODS: Paper disks containing 0.3 mg of imipenem and bromothymol blue indicator were developed, and the performance of the DCT were evaluated by using 742 strains of GNB with or without carbapenemases. RESULTS: The paper disks were simple to prepare, and the dried disks were stable at -20℃ and at 4℃. The DCT detected 212 of 215 strains (98.6% sensitivity with 95% confidence interval [CI] 96.0-99.5%) of GNB with known class A (KPC and Sme) and class B (NDM, IMP, VIM, and SIM) carbapenemases within 60 min, but failed to detect GES-5 carbapenemase. The DCT also detected all two Escherichia coli isolates with OXA-48, but failed to detect GNB with OXA-232, and other OXA carbapenemases. The DCT showed 100% specificity (95% CI, 99.2-100%) in the test of 448 imipenem-nonsusceptible, but carbapenemase genes not tested, clinical isolates of GNB. CONCLUSIONS: The DCT is simple and can be easily performed, even in small laboratories, for the rapid detection of GNB with KPC, NDM and the majority of IMP, VIM, and SIM carbapenemases.
Anti-Bacterial Agents/*pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins/*metabolism ; Bromthymol Blue/chemistry ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacteria/drug effects/*enzymology ; Imipenem/pharmacology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests/*methods ; Paper ; beta-Lactamases/*metabolism

Xylanase is the key enzyme to degrade xylan that is a major component of hemicellulose. The enzyme has potential industrial applications in the food, feed, paper and flax degumming industries. The use of xylanases becomes more and more important in the paper industry for bleaching purposes. Xylanases used in the pulp bleaching process should be stable and active at high temperature and alkaline pH. Thermophilic and alkalophilic xylanases could be obtained by screening the wild type xylanases or engineering the mesophilic and neutral enzymes. In this paper, we reviewed recent progress of screening of the thermophilic and alkalophilic xylanases, molecular mechanism of thermal and alkaline adaptation and molecular engineering. Future research prospective was also discussed.
Endo-1,4-beta Xylanases ; chemistry ; Enzyme Stability ; Hot Temperature ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Paper ; Protein Engineering

The application of enzymes has a high potential in the pulp and paper industry to improve the economics of the paper production process and to achieve, at the same time, a reduced environmental burden. Specific enzymes contribute to reduce the amount of chemicals, water and energy in various processes. This review is aimed at presenting the latest progresses of applying enzymes in bio-pulping, bio-bleaching, bio-deinking, enzymatic control of pitch and enzymatic modification of fibers.
Enzymes ; Industry ; Paper

The ability to use dry blood spots (DBSs) on filter paper for the analysis of urea levels could be an important diagnostic tool for areas that have limited access to laboratory facilities. We developed a method for the extraction and quantification of urea from DBSs that were stored on 3M Whatman filter paper and investigated the effect of long-term storage on the level of urea in DBSs. DBSs of 4.5 mm in diameter were used for our assay, and we determined the urea levels in blood using a commercially available enzymatic kit (UV GLDH-method; Randox laboratories Ltd., UK). The DBSs on filter discs were stored at 4degrees C or at 37degrees C for 120 days. The mean intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variance for our method of urea extraction from dried blood was 4.2% and 6.3%, respectively. We collected 75 fresh blood samples and compared the urea content of each fresh sample with the urea content of DBSs taken from corresponding fresh blood samples. Regression analysis reported a regression coefficient (r) value of 0.97 and a recovery of urea from dried spots was 102.2%. Urea concentrations in DBSs were stable for up to 120 and 90 days when stored at 4degrees C and 37degrees C, respectively. Our results show that urea can be stored and quantitatively recovered from small volumes of blood that was collected on filter paper.
*Dried Blood Spot Testing ; Filtration ; Humans ; Paper ; Regression Analysis ; Temperature ; Urea/*blood

The ability to use dry blood spots (DBSs) on filter paper for the analysis of urea levels could be an important diagnostic tool for areas that have limited access to laboratory facilities. We developed a method for the extraction and quantification of urea from DBSs that were stored on 3M Whatman filter paper and investigated the effect of long-term storage on the level of urea in DBSs. DBSs of 4.5 mm in diameter were used for our assay, and we determined the urea levels in blood using a commercially available enzymatic kit (UV GLDH-method; Randox laboratories Ltd., UK). The DBSs on filter discs were stored at 4degrees C or at 37degrees C for 120 days. The mean intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variance for our method of urea extraction from dried blood was 4.2% and 6.3%, respectively. We collected 75 fresh blood samples and compared the urea content of each fresh sample with the urea content of DBSs taken from corresponding fresh blood samples. Regression analysis reported a regression coefficient (r) value of 0.97 and a recovery of urea from dried spots was 102.2%. Urea concentrations in DBSs were stable for up to 120 and 90 days when stored at 4degrees C and 37degrees C, respectively. Our results show that urea can be stored and quantitatively recovered from small volumes of blood that was collected on filter paper.
*Dried Blood Spot Testing ; Filtration ; Humans ; Paper ; Regression Analysis ; Temperature ; Urea/*blood

OBJECTIVETo study the operation points of manual reduction for treatment of capitellum fractures of type I and analyze the characteristics of fixation with paper splint.

METHODSFrom April 2000 to February 2008, 27 cases with capitellum fractures of type I were treated by manual reduction of 90 degrees bending elbow and external fixation with paper splint, included 23 males and 4 females aged from 5 to 14 years old (means 8.9 years) with the course from 1 to 23 hours (averaged 5.4 hours). Before treatment all the wounded elbows were swollen and malfunctioned, the X-ray film showed that the fracture fragments of capitellum were separated and upside down displaced in varying degrees. During reduction, the correct restoration point was found and the reduction was correct, continuous and steady, and coordinated the passive movement of forearm and elbow joint, and the 90 degrees bending elbow was fixed by paper splint. All the patients were assessed according to JOA elbow joint function assessment method.

RESULTSAll 27 patients were followed-up for from 6 months to 2 years (averaged 17 months). All the elbow joints were painless, the movement and functions were normal, the elbow joints were stable. After reduction, no complication was found. There were 25 cases with the fracture site reaches or nearly reaches healing of anatomical counterparts, only 2 cases with slight cubitus valgus deformity. According to JOA score 25 cases gained 100 scores and 2 cases gained 97 scores.

CONCLUSIONThis method has advantage of strong stability, high success rate, firm and easy fixation, without pressure sore and necrosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Elbow ; Female ; Fracture Fixation ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Paper ; Splints ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Adult ; Computer Terminals ; Humans ; Male ; Paper ; Reading ; Students, Medical ; Workload

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of different factors (temperature, light and germinating beds) on seed germination of Codonopsis tangshen.

METHODThe general germination method was applied.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe optimum seed germination conditions of C. tangshen were as follows: temperature 25 degrees C, light, germinating-beds top of paper (TP) or between of paper (BP). The first seedling--counting time was the 10th day after beginning the test; the final time was the 18th day. The test also showed that gibberellin notably increased the seed germination rate of C. tangshen.

Codonopsis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Germination ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Gibberellins ; pharmacology ; Light ; Paper ; Seeds ; drug effects ; growth & development ; radiation effects ; Temperature ; Time Factors