Performance of the Immunoglobulin G Avidity and Enzyme Immunoassay IgG/IgM Screening Tests for Differentiation of the Clinical Spectrum of Toxoplasmosis

Tanyuksel, Mehmet,Guney, Cakir,Araz, Engin,Saracli, M.Ali,Doganci, Levent The Microbiological Society of Korea 2004 The journal of microbiology Vol.42 No.3

Toxoplasmosis has been well known as an important human infection to consider especially in pregnant women. Although many serologic methods are available, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis can be extremely difficult. The presence of increased levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies indicates an infection, but it does not differentiate between a recent and past infection. The purpose of our study was to compare the performance of the ELISA T. gondii IgG/IgM test, a widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, to the ELISA IgG avidity method. One hundred and four serum samples (from 38 males and 66 females) were tested and evaluated from symptomatic patients (chorioretinitis, lymphadenopathy), and from women in their first trimester of pregnancy who were suspected of having toxoplasmosis, The high IgG avidity and ELISA IgG antibody levels were in agreement for 51 of the specimens (49.0%). Thirty-eight discrepant (borderline) results from the IgG avidity method were positive for IgM (3 specimens) and IgG (37 specimens). Interestingly, out of the eight serum samples that were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, two samples were low IgG avidity, and three samples were borderline. There was no statistically significant relation observed between the results of the IgG avidity method and the ELISA IgG test, and the IgG avidity method and ELISA IgM test (X$^2$=1.987; p=0.370 and X$^2$=2.152; p=0.341, respectively). The IgG avidity method was considered easy to perform and an acceptable approach for the differentiation of discrepant results (recent/chronic) and for the current detection of T. gondii antibodies. We concluded that the determination of IgG avidity is a helpful tool for the diagnosis of the ocular form of toxoplasmosis and it is a safe method for screening this disease in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Performance of the Immunoglobulin G Avidity and Enzyme Immunoassay IgG/IgM Screening Tests for Differentiation of the Clinical Spectrum of Toxoplasmosis

Mehmet Tanyuksel,Cakir Guney,Engin Araz,M.Ali Saracli,Levent Doganci 한국미생물학회 2004 The journal of microbiology Vol.42 No.3

Toxoplasmosis has been well known as an important human infection to consider especially in pregnant women. Although many serologic methods are available, the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis can be extremely difficult. The presence of increased levels of Toxoplasma-specific IgG antibodies indicates an infection, but it does not differentiate between a recent and past infection. The purpose of our study was to compare the performance of the ELISA T. gondii IgG/IgM test, a widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, to the ELISA IgG avidity method. One hundred and four serum samples (from 38 males and 66 females) were tested and evaluated from symptomatic patients (chorioretinitis, lymphadenopathy), and from women in their first trimester of pregnancy who were suspected of having toxoplasmosis. The high IgG avidity and ELISA IgG antibody levels were in agreement for 51 of the specimens (49.0%). Thirty-eight discrepant (borderline) results from the IgG avidity method were positive for IgM (3 specimens) and IgG (37 specimens). Interestingly, out of the eight serum samples that were positive for both IgG and IgM antibodies, two samples were low IgG avidity, and three samples were borderline. There was no statistically significant relation observed between the results of the IgG avidity method and the ELISA IgG test, and the IgG avidity method and ELISA IgM test (χ2=1.987; p=0.370 and χ2=2.152; p=0.341, respectively). The IgG avidity method was considered easy to perform and an acceptable approach for the differentiation of discrepant results (recent/chronic) and for the current detection of T. gondii antibodies. We concluded that the determination of IgG avidity is a helpful tool for the diagnosis of the ocular form of toxoplasmosis and it is a safe method for screening this disease in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils of Some Lamiaceae Species from Turkey

Sarac, Nurdan,Ugur, Aysel The Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.4

In this study, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils obtained by using the hydrodistillation method from some lamiaceous plants-Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. longifolia, M. longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. typhoides (Briq.) Harley var. typhoides, Mentha pulegium L., Salvia fruticosa Miller, Salvia tomentosa Miller, Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi ssp. glandulosa (Req.) P.W. Ball, Nepeta cadmea Boiss., Lavandula stoechas L. ssp. stoechas, and Ziziphora tenuior L.-were determined by using the disc diffusion method. The plants used in this study were collected from different localities of Mu$\breve{g}$la Province, Turkey. All the essential oils isolated from the plants were very effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which included multiple-antibiotic resistant strains, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MU 87. The essential oils of the plant species, except S. tomentosa and S. fruticosa, were very effective against Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activities varied depending on the species, subspecies, or variety. In fact, essential oils of some plants belonging to the same taxa but collected from different localities showed different levels of antimicrobial activities.

The In Vitro Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils of Some Lamiaceae Species from Turkey

Nurdan Sarac,Aysel Ugur 한국식품영양과학회 2009 Journal of medicinal food Vol.12 No.4

In this study, antimicrobial activities of the essential oils obtained by using the hydrodistillation method from some lamiaceous plants—Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. longifolia, M. longifolia (L.) Hudson ssp. typhoides (Briq.) Harley var. typhoides, Mentha pulegium L., Salvia fruticosa Miller, Salvia tomentosa Miller, Calamintha nepeta (L.) Savi ssp. glandulosa (Req.) P.W. Ball, Nepeta cadmea Boiss., Lavandula stoechas L. ssp. stoechas, and Ziziphora tenuior L.—were determined by using the disc diffusion method. The plants used in this study were collected from different localities of Muğla Province, Turkey. All the essential oils isolated from the plants were very effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which included multiple-antibiotic resistant strains, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MU 87. The essential oils of the plant species, except S. tomentosa and S. fruticosa, were very effective against Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activities varied depending on the species, subspecies, or variety. In fact, essential oils of some plants belonging to the same taxa but collected from different localities showed different levels of antimicrobial activities.

Antimicrobial Activities of the Essential Oils of Origanum onites L., Origanum vulgare L. Subspecies hirtum (Link) Ietswaart, Satureja thymbra L., and Thymus cilicicus Boiss. & Bal. Growing Wild in Turkey

Nurdan Sarac,Aysel Ugur 한국식품영양과학회 2008 Journal of medicinal food Vol.11 No.3

In the present study, four separate samples of Origanum onites L., three separate samples of Satureja thymbra L., Origanum vulgare L. ssp. hirtum (Link) Ietswaart, and Thymus cilicicus Boiss. & Bal. were collected from various regions of Mugla, Turkey. The essential oils of these plants were obtained by the hydrodistillation method. Antimicrobial activities of the essential oils against microorganisms, including multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria, were investigated using the disc diffusion method. Different antibiotic discs were used for comparison to the inhibition zones. All the essential oils used in this study were very effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, which included multiple resistant strains, except Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and Pseudomonas fluorescens MU 87. The essential oils of the O. onites, O. vulgare ssp. hirtum, and S. thymbra were especially very effective against the resistant strains such as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia MU 64, S. maltophilia MU 99, and Chryseomonas luteola MU 65. The maximum antimicrobial activity was observed with the essential oils of O. onites. The antimicrobial activities of the essential oils varied depending on the species, subspecies, or variety. In fact, the essential oils of some plants belonging to the same species that were collected from different locations showed different levels of antimicrobial activities.

Validity and reliability of performance tests as balance measures in patients with total knee arthroplasty

( Devrim Can Sarac ),( Bayram Unver ),( Vasfi Karatosun ) 대한슬관절학회 2022 대한슬관절학회지 Vol.34 No.-

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate validity and reliability of the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Single Leg Stance Test (SLST), 2 Minute Walk Test (2MWT), and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (5xSST) for evaluating balance in patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 41 participants who had undergone TKA 6 months before the study due to osteoarthritis. Participants performed the TUG, 10MWT, SLST, 5xSST, and 2MWT. Each of the tests was performed twice, with a 1-day interval between tests. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) models were used to determine the test-retest reliability. The level of correlations between performance tests and Berg Balance Scale and Fall Efficacy Scale-International were used to establish concurrent and convergent validity of the performance tests, respectively. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 64.07 ± 10.57 years. All tests showed excellent reliability (ICC > 0.94), excluding SLST that demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.72). All of the tests (SLST, 10MWT, 5xSST, 2MWT, TUG) were found to have good validity (rho > 0.704). Conclusions: According to these results, TUG, 10MWT, SLST, 5xSST, and 2MWT are reliable and valid outcome measures in patients with TKA, and could be used to assess balance after TKA surgery.

An investigation of non-linear optimization methods on composite structures under vibration and buckling loads

Akbulut, Mustafa,Sarac, Abdulhamit,Ertas, Ahmet H. Techno-Press 2020 Advances in computational design Vol.5 No.3

In order to evaluate the performance of three heuristic optimization algorithms, namely, simulated annealing (SA), genetic algorithm (GA) and particle swarm optimization (PSO) for optimal stacking sequence of laminated composite plates with respect to critical buckling load and non-dimensional natural frequencies, a multi-objective optimization procedure is developed using the weighted summation method. Classical lamination theory and first order shear deformation theory are employed for critical buckling load and natural frequency computations respectively. The analytical critical buckling load and finite element calculation schemes for natural frequencies are validated through the results obtained from literature. The comparative study takes into consideration solution and computational time parameters of the three algorithms in the statistical evaluation scheme. The results indicate that particle swarm optimization (PSO) considerably outperforms the remaining two methods for the special problem considered in the study.

Evaluation of shear bond strength of repair acrylic resin to Co-Cr alloy

Kulunk, Safak,Kulunk, Tolga,Sarac, Duygu,Cengiz, Seda,Baba, Seniha The Korean Academy of Prosthodonitics 2014 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.6 No.4

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of different surface treatment methods and thermal ageing on the bond strength of autopolymerizing acrylic resin to Co-Cr. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Co-Cr alloy specimens were divided into five groups according to the surface conditioning methods. C: No treatment; SP: flamed with the Silano-Pen device; K: airborne particle abrasion with $Al_2O_3$; Co: airborne particle abrasion with silica-coated $Al_2O_3$; KSP: flamed with the Silano-Pen device after the group K experimental protocol. Then, autopolymerized acrylic resin was applied to the treated specimen surfaces. All the groups were divided into two subgroups with the thermal cycle and water storage to determine the durability of the bond. The bond strength test was applied in an universal test machine and treated Co-Cr alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant differences among surface treatments and thermocycling. Their interactons were followed by a multiple comparison' test performed uing a post hoc Tukey HSD test (${\alpha}=.05$). RESULTS. Surface treatments significantly increased repair strengths of repair resin to Co-Cr alloy. The repair strengths of Group K, and Co significantly decreased after 6,000 cycles (P<.001). CONCLUSION. Thermocycling lead to a significant decrease in shear bond strength for air abrasion with silica-coated aluminum oxide particles. On the contrary, flaming with Silano-Pen did not cause a significant reduction in adhesion after thermocycling.

Evaluation of shear bond strength of repair acrylic resin to Co-Cr alloy

Seda Cengiz,Duygu Sarac,Seniha Baba,Tolga Kulunk,safak Kulunk 대한치과보철학회 2014 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.6 No.4

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of different surface treatment methods and thermal ageing on the bond strength of autopolymerizing acrylic resin to Co-Cr. MATERIALS AND METHODS Co-Cr alloy specimens were divided into five groups according to the surface conditioning methods. C: No treatment; SP: flamed with the Silano-Pen device; K: airborne particle abrasion with Al2O3; Co: airborne particle abrasion with silica-coated Al2O3; KSP: flamed with the Silano-Pen device after the group K experimental protocol. Then, autopolymerized acrylic resin was applied to the treated specimen surfaces. All the groups were divided into two subgroups with the thermal cycle and water storage to determine the durability of the bond. The bond strength test was applied in an universal test machine and treated Co-Cr alloys were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the significant differences among surface treatments and thermocycling. Their interactons were followed by a multiple comparison' test performed uing a post hoc Tukey HSD test (α=.05). RESULTS Surface treatments significantly increased repair strengths of repair resin to Co-Cr alloy. The repair strengths of Group K, and Co significantly decreased after 6,000 cycles (P<.001). CONCLUSION Thermocycling lead to a significant decrease in shear bond strength for air abrasion with silica-coated aluminum oxide particles. On the contrary, flaming with Silano-Pen did not cause a significant reduction in adhesion after thermocycling.

Kinetic study on the leaching of calcined magnesite in gluconic acid solutions

Bahar Bayrak,Hanifi Sarac,Oral Lac¸in 한국공업화학회 2010 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.16 No.3

A kinetic study on the leaching of calcinedmagnesite in aqueous gluconic acid solutionswas investigated in batch reactor employing the parameters of particle size, temperature, stirring speed, solid–liquid ratio and acid concentration. A mathematical model was evaluated for the rate increased with decreasing particle size and increasing temperature and initially, the leaching in terms of acid concentration and then fell with increasing concentration. It was found in the study that stirring speed was not effective on leaching rate. The leaching rate decreases as solid–liquid ratio increases. It was shown that the mathematical model for calcined magnesite particle was:1:9041 lnðð1 XBÞ1=3 þ 1:157Þ þ 0:952 lnðð1 XBÞ2=3 1:156ð1 XBÞ1=3 þ 1:338Þ3:298 arctanð0:577ð1:73ð1 XBÞ1=3 1ÞÞ ¼3bkSCA0rBR tDissolution curves were evaluated in order to test shrinking core models for fluid–solid systems. Consequently, it was determined that the leaching rate is controlled by surface chemical reaction. In addition, the fact that dissolution was controlled by the surface chemical reaction was also supported with the relationship between the rate constant and the particle radius. The activation energy of the process was determined to be 32.88 kJ mol1. 2010 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.