Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Test Series (test + series)
Selected AbstractsPatch testing with components of water-based metalworking fluids: results of a multicentre study with a second seriesCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2006Johannes Geier Background:, Although many allergens in metalworking fluids (MWF) are identified, there are still some MWF components, which are not sufficiently investigated concerning their sensitizing properties. Objectives:, To investigate sensitization to 10 frequently used MWF components, which are not part of the established MWF test series, in metalworkers with suspected occupational dermatitis due to MWF. Patients/Methods:, Oleyl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, dimethylolurea, 4,4,-methylenebis morpholine, imazalil, 1-amino-2-propanol (monoisopropanolamine; MIPA), 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol (AEPD), 2,5-bis(n-octyldithio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole, zinc alkyl dithiophosphate and dibenzyl disulfide have been patch tested in 144 patients. Results:, 7 patients reacted positively to the formaldehyde releaser 4,4,-methylenebis morpholine, and 6 of these patients also reacted to formaldehyde and/or other formaldehyde releasers. 4 patients reacted positively to myristyl alcohol tested at 10% petrolatum (pet.). Additionally, 20 doubtful or irritant reactions occurred. 1 patient each reacted positively to oleyl alcohol, MIPA, and AEPD. None of the other test substances mentioned above elicited any clear-cut positive reaction. Patch testing with well-known MWF allergens showed proportions of positive reactions, which were comparable to those from other studies, e.g. 11% to monoethanolamine, 8% to colophonium and 3%,5% to various preservatives. Conclusions:, 4,4,-methylenebis morpholine may be an important MWF allergen, although clinical relevance could not be stated definitely in every case. Myristyl alcohol should not be patch tested at 10% pet., but at a lesser concentration, due to irritant properties. [source] Contact allergy to textile dyes in southern SwedenCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 6 2006K. Ryberg Contact allergy to disperse dyes in textiles is documented in prevalence studies from southern Europe. To evaluate the prevalence of allergic patch test reactions to different textile dyes in southern Sweden, and to look at the sites of dermatitis in individuals hypersensitive to textile dyes, we retrospectively investigated 3325 consecutively patch-tested patients. They had all been patch tested with the standard test series supplemented with a textile dye mix (TDM) consisting of 8 disperse dyes, i.e. Disperse (D) Blue 35, 106 and 124, D Yellow 3, D Orange 1 and 3 and D Red 1 and 17. All but 3 of the TDM-positive patients were additionally tested with the separate dyes included in the mix. The frequency of contact allergy to TDM was 1.5%, which is comparable with studies from southern Europe. The most common dye allergen was D Orange 1. The high prevalence of allergic reactions to D Orange 1 was unexpected, whereas test reactions to D Blue 106 and 124 were lower than expected from other studies. Compared to all tested patients, the TDM-positive patients more often had dermatitis on their arms, face, neck and axillary folds, and women also had a higher frequency of hand dermatitis. [source] P59 Patch test results to plant extracts and chemicalsCONTACT DERMATITIS, Issue 3 2004Kristiina Alanko Objective and methods:, We review patch test results from two special patch test series for plant allergens, ,plant extracts' and ,allergenic plant chemicals', provided by Prof. Hausen (Germany) and tested in 1992,2003. The standard series contained Sesquiterpene-lactone mix (SL mix) since 1993 (3/1998,10/1999 excluded) and Compositae mix since 3/1998. We present the cases where either SL mix or Compositae mix gave an allergic reaction and where, in addition, the series of plant extracts was tested. Results:, SL mix and Compositae mix were tested to 900 patients. Among them, plant extracts were tested in 122 and plant chemicals in 104 cases. 30 patients had an allergic reaction to Compositae mix and 17 to SL mix as well. In the plant extract series, there were more than 5 allergic reactions to feverfew(21), true chamomile(21), arnica(18), chrysanthemum(18), laurel bay leaf(13), tansy(12), gaillardia(9), yarrow(8) and pot marigold(7). In the plant chemical series, there were 9 allergic reactions to parthenolide and single reactions to primin, chlorophorin and Mansonone A. Conclusions:, Compositae mix gave a positive test reaction always together with SL mix, which gave a positive reaction in only part of these cases. The concentration of Compositae mix was lowered from 6% to 3% in 1/1999 because of cases of active sensitisation. The lower concentration seems to be reliable for detecting allergy, although it still causes active sensitisation. [source] Specific aspects on crack advance during J -test method for structural materials at cryogenic temperaturesFATIGUE & FRACTURE OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES, Issue 2 2006K. WEISS ABSTRACT Cryogenic elastic plastic, J -integral investigations on metallic materials often show negative crack extension values with respect to resistance curve J - R. According to the present ASTM standard, the use of unloading compliance technique relies on the estimation procedure of the crack lengths during the unloading sequences of the test. The current standard, however, does not give any specific procedure for treating such negative data. To date, the applied procedure uses the shifting of the negative crack extension values either to the onset of the blunting line or to the offset of the resistance curve. The present paper represents a solution of the negative crack length problem on the basis of a mechanical evaluation procedure of the unloading slopes. The achieved progress using this evaluation technique is demonstrated on different materials such as cryogenic high toughness stainless steels, low carbon ferritic steel and aluminum alloys from the series of 7000 and 5000. In addition, this work deals with the crack tunnelling phenomenon, observed for high toughness materials, and shows the reduction of this crack extension appearance by using electro discharge machining (EDM) side groove technique. The differences between EDM processed side grooves and standard V-notch machining have been investigated within these test series. [source] Characterization of the combustion products in large-scale fire tests: comparison of three experimental configurationsFIRE AND MATERIALS, Issue 2 2001Per Blomqvist The storage of large amounts of polymers and other bulk chemicals is a potential hazard in the case of fire. There is at present a lack of knowledge about the implications of such fires. In particular the role of the ventilation conditions on fire chemistry has warranted investigation. A set of indoor, large-scale combustion experiments, conducted on five different materials is described in this article. The main test series was conducted using the ISO 9705 room, where both well-ventilated and under-ventilated conditions were attained by restricting the opening of the room. The degree of ventilation was determined using a phi meter. Furthermore, in addition to measuring the traditional fire-related parameters, extensive chemical characterization of the combustion products was made. Two additional series of experiments were also performed. In one series of tests the size of the enclosure was increased and the fuel was placed in a storage configuration to simulate a real storage situation. In the other test series, three of the materials were tested as large-scale open pool fires. The results from the three configurations are compared regarding yields of combustion products as a function of the degree of ventilation. For a number of toxic combustion products a clear dependence of the production on the equivalence ratio was found. Further, placing the fuel in a storage configuration did not significantly change the outcome of the combustion. Thus, the ISO 9705 room is of a size and scale that can be taken as a model for representing real-scale fires. Additionally it has been demonstrated that an advantage of the ISO 9705 room is the ability to alter the ventilation conditions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Physiological costs of the hearing due to noise exposure, additional physical stress, and combined exposure to alcohol and cigarette smokeHUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICS IN MANUFACTURING & SERVICE INDUSTRIES, Issue 3 2002H. Strasser In 2 studies, each with 5 test series, physiological costs of the hearing due to legally tolerable noise exposures of 94 dB (A) for 1 hr have been measured audiometrically. The temporary threshold shifts (TTS) and their restitution time, as well as cardiovascular responses in work-related heart rate increases, of 10 and 8 subjects (Ss), respectively, could be shown to be modulated by additional physical stress and combined exposure to alcohol (Study 1) and cigarette smoke (Study 2). Moderate dynamic muscle work (50 W) administered via a bicycle ergometer either immediately after noise, or simultaneous to the noise exposure, significantly reduced restitution time as well as the integrated restitution temporary threshold shift (IRTTS). A physical stress to 100 W,which exceeded the endurance level when demanded simultaneously to the noise exposure,did not show any favorable effects. However, if the same physical stress succeeded the noise exposure, and when it was interrupted several times for the audiometric measurements, it also brought about significant accelerations of the restitution processes. Some reductions in physiological costs of the hearing were found due to an intervening alcohol consumption (blood alcohol concentration , 0.08%) prior to the noise exposure and a simultaneous physical load of 50 W. Smoking 10 cigarettes instead of the consumption of alcohol was associated with a reduced TTS, but a prolonged restitution time. IRTTS as total physiological costs of the most unfavorable combination of noise, simultaneous high physical workload, and preceding smoke exposure was increased. The results of the test series with cigarette smoke,probably due to the small group of just 8 Ss and the counteracting effects of the agents carbon monoxide (CO) and nicotine,were not statistically significant, but these exposures were associated with a substantial activation of the cardiovascular system. Significant heart rate increases are evidence that CO and nicotine must not be neglected as influential factors in the context of physiological costs that the organism, and especially the hearing, has to pay for noise exposures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Hair breakage,How to measure and counteractINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COSMETIC SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010H.-M. Haake J. Cosmet. Sci., 60, 143,151 (March/April 2009) Synopsis A system to determine the efficacy of hair treatments in terms of anti-breakage and split end prevention was developed which involves the repeated combing of hair strands. The device allows ten hair strands to be combed simultaneously. First, the influences of chemical hair treatments like bleaching on hair breakage were examined. In a next step, the protective effects of benchmark products from the market were studied. Since nearly all commercial products with anti-breakage claims contain silicones combined with cationic polymers, alternative actives were searched. In a test series with different waxes in shampoo formulations with a variable number of parameters, the particle size was found to be the factor with the strongest influence on the amount of wax deposited on the shampooed hair. Therefore, a targeted development was started, resulting in a combination of several ethers dispersed in sodium laureth sulfate. Excellent conditioning, anti-breakage and split ends protection properties of the compound were found, showing also a dosage dependency. The latter could be explained by analyzing the amounts of waxes applied on treated hair. In these experiments, a dependency on the concentration in the shampoo was found. [source] Evaluation of HPLC columns: A study on surface homogeneity of chemically bonded stationary phasesJOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 3-4 2003Bogus, aw Buszewski Abstract The aim of the current work is to study the heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface on the basis of physicochemical investigations and chromatographic tests. A series of packing materials with octadecyl chains chemically bonded to a silica matrix were prepared for this purpose. The surface and structural properties of bare silica and silica-based octadecyl phases were characterized by porosimetry, elemental analysis, 29Si CP/MAS NMR, etc. The most advanced characterization methods based on adsorption microcalorimetry (heat of wetting) measurements were employed to obtain information about the heterogeneity and topography of unmodified and modified silica gel. For the chromatographic study, these phases were evaluated on the basis of the retention data under non-aqueous conditions. A test series of solutes with various chemical properties, such as pK a values, was used. It was found that heterogeneity of the packing surface results in low HPLC resolution. Use of a non-aqueous mobile phase (n -hexane) reduces analytical interference by eliminating hydrophobic interactions between alkyl ligands and the analyte. [source] A disc brake test stand for measurement of airborne wear particlesLUBRICATION SCIENCE, Issue 6 2009Jens Wahlström Abstract During braking, there is wear on both the rotor and the pads. This process generates particles that may become airborne. In field tests, it is difficult to distinguish these particles from others in the surrounding environment. Therefore, a laboratory test stand has been designed which allows control of the cleanliness of the surrounding air. The test stand consists of a front right brake assembly mounted in a sealed chamber. A braking load is applied by a pneumatic system and the rotor, which has been pre-conditioned with a rust layer to simulate a car standing parked overnight in a wet environment, is driven by an electric motor. The number and size of airborne wear particles are then measured. This experimental set-up has been verified by an initial test series performed at low braking loads. The results suggest that this test stand can be used to study rust layer removal from the rotor. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Technical note: Standardized and semiautomated Harris lines detectionAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue 3 2008S. Suter Abstract Arrest in long bone growth and the subsequent resumption of growth may be visible as radiopaque transverse lines in radiographs (Harris lines, HL; Harris, HA. 1933. Bone growth in health and disease. London: Oxford University Press). The assessment of individual age at occurrence of such lines, as part of paleopathological skeletal studies, is time-consuming and shows large intra- and interobserver variability. Thus, a standardized, automated detection algorithm would help to increase the validity of such paleopathological research. We present an image analysis application facilitating automatic detection of HL. On the basis of established age calculation methods, the individual age-at-formation can be automatically assessed with the tool presented. Additional user input to confirm the automatic result is possible via an intuitive graphical user interface. Automated detection of HL from digital radiographs of a sample of late Medieval Swiss tibiae was compared to the consensus of manual assessment by two blinded expert observers. The intra- and interobserver variability was high. The quality of the observer result improved when standardized detection criteria were defined and applied. The newly developed algorithm detected two-thirds of the HL that were identified as consensus lines between the observers. It was, however, necessary to validate the last one-third by manual editing. The lack of a large test series must be noted. The application is freely available for further testing by any interested researcher. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] The Aachen MiniHLM,A Miniaturized Heart-Lung Machine for Neonates With an Integrated Rotary Blood PumpARTIFICIAL ORGANS, Issue 9 2010Jutta Arens Abstract The operation of congenital heart defects in neonates often requires the use of heart-lung machines (HLMs) to provide perfusion and oxygenation. This is prevalently followed by serious complications inter alia caused by hemodilution and extrinsic blood contact surfaces. Thus, one goal of developing a HLM for neonates is the reduction of priming volume and contact surface. The currently available systems offer reasonable priming volumes for oxygenators, reservoirs, etc. However, the necessary tubing system contains the highest volumes within the whole system. This is due to the use of roller pumps; hence, the resulting placement of the complete HLM is between 1 and 2 m away from the operating table due to connective tubing between the components. Therefore, we pursued a novel approach for a miniaturized HLM (MiniHLM) by integrating all major system components in one single device. In particular, the MiniHLM is a HLM with the rotary blood pump centrically integrated into the oxygenator and a heat exchanger integrated into the cardiotomy reservoir which is directly connected to the pump inlet. Thus, tubing is only necessary between the patient and MiniHLM. A total priming volume of 102 mL (including arterial filter and a/v line) could be achieved. To validate the overall concept and the specific design we conducted several in vitro and in vivo test series. All tests confirm the novel concept of the MiniHLM. Its low priming volume and blood contact surface may significantly reduce known complications related to cardiopulmonary bypass in neonates (e.g., inflammatory reaction and capillary leak syndrome). [source] Querkraftbemessung von bügel- oder wendelbewehrten Bauteilen mit KreisquerschnittBETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 7 2010Michél Bender Dr.-Ing. Berechnungs- und Bemessungsverfahren; Bewehrung; Versuche Abstract Für bügel- oder wendelbewehrte Stahlbetonbauteile mit Kreisquerschnitt , mit oder ohne zusätzlich drückenden Normalkräften , werden aus dem speziellen inneren Schubfluss die Spannungen in Bügeln und im geneigten Druckfeld abgeleitet und in Widerstandsgleichungen zur Querkraftbemessung umgesetzt. Die Gleichungen besitzen die bekannte Form aus DIN 1045-1 bzw. EC2 und sind erweitert durch einen so genannten Wirksamkeitsfaktor, welcher die Widerstände gegenüber Rechteckquerschnitten auf rund 75% herabsetzt. Alternativ zur bekannten Gleichungsart wird eine additive Widerstandsform aus Betontraganteilen, Fachwerkwirkung und Sprengwerk für die maßgebende Zugstrebentragfähigkeit vorgeschlagen. Eine umfangreiche Versuchsserie verifiziert die Ansätze und zeigt Einzeleffekte von Bügelspannungen, Bewehrungsgrad und Bügelaktivierung sowie Wendel- und Normalkrafteinflüsse. Shear Design of Members with Circular Sections Reinforced by Stirrups or Spirals For RC members with circular sections the stresses within stirrups or spiral reinforcements as well as within the inclined compression field are derived from the specific inner shear flow and elaborated to gain equations for the shear resistances. The equations use the established scheme of DIN 1045-1 or EC 2 extended by an efficiency factor reducing resistances compared to rectangular sections to about 75%. Alternatively, an additive approach for the resistance of the tensile strut is proposed. It sums up from concrete contributions, strut-and-tie actions as well as arch contributions introduced by axial forces. Both approaches are verified to experimental data taken from extensive test series. The characteristics of stirrup stresses and stirrup activation as well as effects from the shear reinforcement ratio, the use of inclined spirals and axial forces are presented. [source] Experimentelle und numerische Untersuchungen zum Tragverhalten von Stahlbetondecken mit kugelförmigen HohlkörpernBETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 6 2010Marcin Abramski Dr.-Ing. Abstract Massive Flachdecken erweisen sich in Hoch- und Industriebau häufig als insgesamt überlegenes Deckensystem. Die hohe Eigenlast dieser Decken kann ihren Anwendungsbereich jedoch einschränken. Eine sinnvolle Abhilfe schafft dann die Integration von Hohlkörpern in der neutralen Zone, weil hierdurch eine spürbare Gewichtsreduktion eintritt. Neben der Eigenlast wird auch der Verbrauch der unter ökologischen Gesichtspunkten wesentlichen Ressourcen Betonstahl und Zement deutlich verringert. Die Hohlräume beeinflussen vor allem die Querkrafttragfähigkeit solcher Decken. Vier Versuchsserien, die mit kugelförmigen Hohlkörperdecken des Systems "cobiax" durchgeführt wurden, werden in diesem Beitrag beschrieben. Aus den Versuchen wird ein Abminderungsfaktor zur Beschreibung des Querkrafttragverhaltens abgeleitet, der auch in die kürzlich erteilte allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung des Deckensystems eingegangen ist. Die Nachrechnung der Versuche mit der Finite-Elemente-Methode zeigt eine gute Übereinstimmung von Numerik und Experiment, so dass in der Weiterentwicklung Parameterstudien auf dieser Grundlage zur Ergänzung von Versuchen hilfreich sein werden. Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Bearing Behaviour of Hollow Core Slabs Massive flat slabs have proven to be the most appropriate ceiling system for structural and industrial engineering. However the high dead load of these slabs might reduce their field of application. This problem can be solved by void formers that are placed in the neutral zone. These block-outs cause a noticeable reduction of weight. Furthermore, the masses of ecologically important resources like reinforcement steel and cement can be reduced as well. The shear bearing capacity is significantly influenced by these block-outs. This article describes four test series with spherical void former floors of the system "cobiax". A reduction factor for the shear bearing capacity is derived from these tests. That factor was also introduced in the technical approval for this slab system which has been issued recently. A comparison to a calculation with the finite element method shows that the numerical results and the results of the tests are quite similar. In future research, parameter studies based on the finite element method might be helpful additional to further tests. [source] Zur Druck-Zug-Festigkeit von Stahlbeton und stahlfaserverstärktem StahlbetonBETON- UND STAHLBETONBAU, Issue 8 2009Ekkehard Fehling Prof. Dr.-Ing. Versuche; Bemessungs- und Berechnungsverfahren Abstract Während die Druckfestigkeit des Betons durch gleichzeitig wirkenden Querdruck gegenüber der einaxialen Druckfestigkeit erheblich gesteigert werden kann, führen Querzugbeanspruchung und Rissbildung zu einer Abminderung der Tragfähigkeit. Dies gilt für unbewehrten Beton und Stahlbeton gleichermaßen. In den einschlägigen Regelwerken finden sich hierzu international sehr unterschiedliche Bemessungsansätze, wobei die vorgesehenen Abminderungsbeiwerte für denselben Anwendungsfall um das bis zu Zweifache differieren. Die Frage der Druck-Zug-Festigkeit von Stahlbeton wurde in den vergangenen 40 Jahren von zahlreichen Wissenschaftlern untersucht. Ihre Ergebnisse sind allerdings zum Teil ebenso widersprüchlich wie die aktuelle Normensituation. Basierend auf eigenen experimentellen Untersuchungen sowie einer kritischen Auswertung und Einordnung als richtungweisend angesehener, früherer Versuchsreihen wird ein Vorschlag zur Abminderung der Druckfestigkeit des gerissenen Stahlbetons entwickelt. Erstmals wird dabei auch der Einfluss einer Faserzugabe in Kombination mit Stabstahlbewehrung berücksichtigt. Ein Vergleich mit den in DIN 1045-1, CEB-FIP Model Code 1990, Eurocode 2 und ACI Standard 318-05 angegebenen Bemessungsregeln zeigt, dass allein DIN 1045-1 die in den Versuchen beobachtete maximale Abminderung der Druckfestigkeit durch Querzug und Rissbildung zum Teil erheblich unterschätzt, so dass eine konservative Auslegung der Tragwerke nicht immer sichergestellt ist. Biaxial Compression-Tension-Strength of Reinforced Concrete and Reinforced Steel Fibre Concrete The compressive strength of concrete can be substantially increased in relation to uni-axial compressive strength by transverse compression acting at the same time. In contrast, transverse tension and cracking lead to a reduction of the load-carrying capacity. This holds true for plain concrete as well as for reinforced concrete. In international standards very different calculation rules can be found on this subject, whereby the provided reductions differ up to a factor of two for the same application. The question of biaxial compression-tension-strength of reinforced concrete was examined in the past 40 years by numerous scientists. Their results are, however, partially contradictory in the same way as the current standard situation. Based on own experimental investigations as well as on a critical review and classification of former test series regarded as trend-setting, a proposal for the reduction of the compressive strength of cracked reinforced concrete is developed. For the first time, also the influence of fibres in addition to bar reinforcement is considered thereby. A comparison with the calculation rules in DIN 1045-1, CEB-FIP Model Code 1990, Eurocode 2, and ACI Standard 318-05 shows, that exclusively DIN 1045-1 underestimates sometimes substantially the maximum reduction of the compressive strength by transverse tension and cracking observed in the tests, so that a conservative design of structures cannot always be ensured. [source] Superficial bladder tumours: analysis of prognostic factors and construction of a predictive indexBJU INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2003B. Ali-El-Dein OBJECTIVES To assess the prognostic factors that could be used to predict tumour recurrence and progression, and to construct and validate a predictive index. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between June 1991 and December 2000, 533 patients (418 men and 115 women; mean age 55.4 years) underwent complete transurethral resection of histologically confirmed pTa and pT1 transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, after which 377 (test series) were randomized into two subsequent studies, of six groups, to receive adjuvant intravesical sequential bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and epirubicin, BCG alone, epirubicin (50 or 80 mg), adriamycin 50 mg or no adjuvant therapy. Factors potentially affecting tumour recurrence or progression were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis, i.e. tumour stage, histological grade, DNA ploidy, history of recurrence, multiplicity, size, tumour configuration, associated carcinoma in situ, recurrence at the first 3-month check cystoscopy and the use of adjuvant therapy. The regression coefficients determined by Cox regression analysis were used to construct a predictive index (PI). The algebraic sum of the regression coefficients of the factors with independent and significant association with disease-free survival for each case represented a proportional hazard score (PHS). The PI was validated in another series of 156 patients (validation series) in whom the same regression coefficients for the same significant factors as the test series were used to categorize it into three risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare the different risk categories in both test and validation series. RESULTS The mean (sd, range) follow-up in the test and validation series were 58 (19, 5,96) and 28.3 (14.9, 2,94) months, respectively. In the test series, tumour stage, DNA ploidy, multiplicity, history of recurrence, tumour configuration, cystoscopy result and the type of adjuvant therapy had independent significance for recurrence on multivariate analysis. For progression, the cystoscopy result, DNA ploidy and grade were the only independent and significant predictors. The ranges of PHS for the factors affecting recurrence-free and progression-free survival were 0.0,7.14 and 0.0,5.84, respectively, which were divided equally into three risk categories with significant differences on Kaplan-Meier curves and a log-rank test (P < 0.001). The three categories in the validation series were significantly different from each other and each was comparable with that in the test series. CONCLUSIONS Tumour stage, DNA ploidy, multiplicity, history of recurrence, tumour configuration and type of adjuvant therapy affected independently the rate of recurrence after resecting superficial bladder tumour. Recurrence at the 3-month cystoscopy, histological grade and DNA ploidy were the only predictors of progression to muscle-invasion. The PI dividing the patients into three risk groups with different treatment and follow-up strategies for recurrence and progression was reproducible in a validation series. [source] Simultaneous sensitivity to fragrancesBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006D.A. Buckley Summary Background, Cinnamal/cinnamic alcohol and isoeugenol/eugenol are pairs of related fragrance chemicals found in Fragrance Mix I (FM I), and thus are routinely tested in combination with other fragrances in the European standard patch test series. Their close structural similarity makes the occurrence of simultaneous sensitivity within these chemical pairs likely, although at present there are no robust data to support this hypothesis. Objectives, To establish the frequency of simultaneous reactions to these fragrance chemicals in patients with suspected fragrance allergy attending a contact dermatitis clinic; to provide evidence in support of proposed metabolic pathways; and to determine whether including all four separately in FM I is necessary to avoid missing a diagnosis of fragrance allergy. Methods, We analysed retrospectively the records of patients patch tested to the European standard series during the 15-year period 1984,98 for positive reactions to FM I. In a subset of patients tested to the constituents of FM I, positive reactions to cinnamal, cinnamic alcohol, isoeugenol and eugenol were sought. Data were analysed using 2 × 2 contingency tables (Fisher's exact test). Results, During this period, 23 660 patients were tested to the European standard series, of whom 1811 (7·7%) had positive reactions to FM I. Of the 1112 patients tested to the constituents of FM I, 934 had positive reactions to at least one constituent (total 1324 positive reactions to constituents). Of these 934, 826 also had positive reactions to FM I itself; 108 were negative to FM I but reacted to one or more of its constituents. One hundred and seventy-eight patients did not react to any of the breakdown constituents of FM I; 34 of these had positive reactions to FM I itself. Of 139 patients allergic to cinnamic alcohol, 87 were also allergic to cinnamal (63%), compared with 108 (11·1%) of 973 cinnamic alcohol-negative patients (P < 0·00001). Of 231 patients allergic to isoeugenol, 50 were also allergic to eugenol (22%), vs. 109 (12·4%) of 881 isoeugenol-negative patients (P = 0·0002). Conclusions, These data support in vitro experiments indicating that cinnamal and cinnamic alcohol may generate a common hapten and are consistent with the view that simultaneous sensitization to isoeugenol and eugenol occurs to a limited extent, despite their being metabolized via different pathways. In view of the substantial number of isolated reactions to each of these fragrance chemicals, all four should continue to be included separately as constituents of FM I. [source] Photoallergic contact dermatitis is uncommonBRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2001A. Darvay Background Despite the enormous increase in sunscreen use, allergic contact (AC) and photoallergic (PA) reactions to ultraviolet (UV) filters are considered rare. Objectives To analyse the data from 2715 patients who underwent photopatch testing at St John's Institute of Dermatology during the period 1983,98. Methods A retrospective analysis of all positive photopatch test episodes was undertaken with the results retrieved from the environmental dermatology database and further verified with the original archived patch test documentation for each individual patient. Results In 111 patients with positive reactions (4·1%), there were 155 AC or PA reactions to allergens in the photopatch test series. Eighty PA reactions were observed in 62 (2·3%) patients (32 men and 30 women, age range 28,75 years), with UV filters accounting for 52 positive reactions (65%), drugs 16 (20%), musk ambrette 11 (14%) and the antiseptic trichlorocarbanilide one (1%). The most common UV filter photoallergen was benzophenone-3 with 14 positive results, followed by benzophenone-10 (n = 9), isopropyl dibenzoylmethane (n = 6), p -aminobenzoic acid (PABA) (n = 5), octyl dimethyl PABA (n = 5), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (n = 4), isoamyl methoxycinnamate (n = 2), ethyl methoxycinnamate (n = 2), octyl methoxycinnamate (n = 2), amyl dimethyl PABA (n = 2) and phenylbenzimidazole sulphonic acid (n = 1). A similar number of AC reactions to UV filters was detected in this study. Thus 49 patients (1·8%) had a total of 75 reactions: 51 due to UV filters and 24 as a result of exposure to fragrances and therapeutic agents. Benzophenone-10 accounted for 13 AC reactions and benzophenone-3 for eight reactions. Twenty-two patients had a PA reaction alone, whereas 19 patients had chronic actinic dermatitis and 15 patients polymorphic light eruption (PLE) in addition. Thus, 34 of the 62 patients (55%) had a preceding underlying photodermatosis. Conclusions These results show a low yield of positive photopatch tests. Thus, despite the large increase in the use of UV filters over the last decade, the development of PA reactions remains rare. Furthermore, most of the common UV filter photoallergens identified in this study, including PABA, amyl dimethyl PABA and benzophenone-10, are now rarely used in sunscreen manufacture, while isopropyl dibenzoylmethane was voluntarily removed from the market in 1993. Currently, benzophenone-3 is the commonest contact photoallergen still in widespread use. In contrast, the UVB filter octyl methoxycinnamate, used in a number of sunscreens, produced only two positive PA reactions in 12 years of testing. Nevertheless, although these reactions are extremely rare, patients with photodermatoses such as PLE and chronic actinic dermatitis do represent a group of patients at increased risk of developing photoallergy. Further photopatch test series should be regularly reviewed and updated, as the relevance of individual photoallergens changes over time. Currently, there is no evidence that PA reactions represent a common clinical problem. [source] | |||||||||||||