The effects of periodontal therapy on serum antibody levels to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis (part II)

Levels of IgG and IgM antibodies were estimated against Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 17 patients with juvenile periodontitis, 15 with adult periodontitis and 24 healthy controls at the beginning of treatment and 3 to 8 months after periodontal therapy. After treatment, antibodies to A. actinomycetemcomitans and P.gingivalis had decreased in patients, but the levels were still significantly higher than in healthy controls. Whether or not an of antibody level against a specific bacteria changes after periodontal treatment is however, still debatable.     

Recycling carbon fiber composites using microwave irradiation: Reinforcement study of the recycled fiber in new composites

With increasing use of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites in transportation, sports, and many other industries, recycling of the scrap and end‐of‐life composites has presented both great challenges and opportunities. In this work, we report our study on reclaiming carbon fibers from CFRP using energy efficient microwave irradiation. Different irradiation conditions were used and the optimal conditions were determined based on the surface morphology of the recycled fiber. Polypropylene (PP) and Nylon, representing nonpolar and polar polymers, respectively, were reinforced using the recycled fiber through extrusion and injection molding. For comparison, PP and Nylon reinforced by virgin carbon fiber were also prepared using the same processing conditions. Tensile, flexural, and impact test results showed that, while both carbon fibers could improve these properties, they exhibited different reinforcing effects on the two polymers. The recycled fiber outperformed the virgin fiber in reinforcing PP whereas the virgin fiber performed better in Nylon. This was due to the differences in surface roughness, surface bonding, and fiber aspect ratio between the two fibers. This study shows the great potential of recycled carbon fiber and microwave irradiation as an effective recycling technique. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42658.     

Determination of the energy savings and the optimum insulation thickness in the four different insulated exterior walls

The optimum insulation thickness of the external wall for four cities from four climate zones of Turkey, energy savings over a lifetime of 10 years and payback periods are calculated for the five different energy types and four different insulation materials applied externally on walls. Extruded polystyrene, expanded polystyrene, nil siding and rock wool as wall insulation material are selected. In this study, the net energy cost savings are calculated using the P₁–P₂ method. The results show that energy cost savings vary between 4.2 $/m² and 9.5 $/m² depending on the city and insulation materials. The highest payback period value with 2.25 years in Mersin found by using natural gas as an energy source for heating, while the lowest value is reached by using LPG as an energy source in Bitlis.     

A Comparative Study on Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of Fe-Mn-Si and Fe-Mn-Si-Cr Alloys

In this study, the crystal structure and magnetic properties of Fe-30Mn-6Si (wt.%) and Fe-30Mn-6Si-5Cr (wt.%) alloys were compared by using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Physical Properties Measurement System (PPMS) measurements. Detailed analysis of diffractograms at room temperature demonstrates that the Cr-free sample contains austenite and martensite phases, but for Cr-added sample the martensite phase disappears. According to micro hardness measurements, the presence of chromium decreased the hardness of the alloy. The magnetic saturation values at room temperature were measured as 11.32 emu/g for Fe-30Mn-6Si (wt.%) alloy and 18.34 emu/g for Fe-30Mn-6Si-5Cr (wt.%) alloy. The addition of Cr increased the magnetic saturation value of FeMnSi alloy while for both systems the hysteresis loop was quite narrow. As a result, both alloys exhibited soft magnetic characteristic.     

Effect of fuel type on the optimum thickness of selected insulation materials for the four different climatic regions of Turkey

The optimum insulation thickness of the external wall for four various cities from four climate zones of Turkey, energy savings over a lifetime of 10 years and payback periods are calculated for the five different energy types and four different insulation materials. Foamboard 3500, Foamboard 1500, extruded polystyrene and fiberglass as insulation material are selected. In this study, it is calculated the value of the amount of the net energy savings using the P₁–P₂ method. The results show that optimum insulation thicknesses vary between 1.06 and 7.64 cm, energy savings vary between 19 $/m² and 47 $/m², and payback periods vary between 1.8 and 3.7 years depending on the city and the type of fuel. The highest value of energy savings is reached in A?r? for LPG fuel type, while the lowest value is obtained in Ayd?n for natural gas.     

Serum antibodies to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis in juvenile periodontitis and adult periodontitis (part I)

Recent microbiological studies support the concept that specific gram negative bacteria play a major role in the etiology and pathogenesis of human chronic inflammatory periodontal disease. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans has been isolated frequently from juvenile periodontitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis has been shown to be a prominent species in adult periodontitis in humans. The purpose of this study was to determine levels of the specific antibodies to A.actinomycetemcomitans and P.gingivalis in 17 patients with juvenile and 15 patients with adult periodontitis and 24 healthy subjects. IgG and IgM antibody titers against these antigens were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of antibodies against A.actinomycetemcomitans were significantly higher in the juvenile periodontitis compared to the adult periodontitis patients and controls. Anti-P.gingivalis antibodies were elevated in adult periodontitis compared to juvenile periodontitis patients and controls.     

Physical and mechanical properties of materials prepared using Class C fly ash and soybean oil

In present work; epoxidized soybean oil (ESO), fly ash (FA) and natural clay (C) are used to produce 45 kinds of biocomposite materials and by analyzing the physical–mechanical properties of these novel materials, their use as an insulation material is investigated. The compressive strength, tensile strength, abrasion loss, thermal conductivity and oven-dry mass of each sample are measured. The minimum thermal conductivity of 0.273 W/mK is observed with the samples containing ESO–FA–C. It is increased with the decrease of ESO and FA. The compressive and tensile strengths are varied from 13.53 to 6.31 MPa and 1.287 to 0.879 MPa, respectively.     

Effect of additives on reinforcement of radiation-induced jute-urethane polymer composites

Thick polymer film was prepared under gamma irradiation using urethane acrylate in the presence of N-vinylpyrrolidone, ethyl hexyl acrylate, and trimethylol propane triacrylate. Both jute dust and hessian cloth (jute fabric) were used to constitute composites based on the prepared resin matrix. Some of their physical and mechanical properties were studied. Some additives such as acetic acid, acrylamide, urea, talc, and titanium oxide were incorporated into the formulation to investigate their effect on the physical and mechanical properties. Water absorption and weathering resistance of the resin and composites were also investigated. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 67: 79–85, 1998     

Morphometry of the optic disc in Togolese patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma. Preliminary study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure morphometric parameters of the optic disc in Togolese glaucoma patients and suspects by the mean of the millimetric scale of the slit lamp and the Goldmann contact lens. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We selected 202 patients (393 eyes) with a mean age of 36.69 years +/- 15.33 (standard deviation); they were divided into 2 subgroups A (162 glaucomatous) and B (40 glaucoma suspects); direct reading of the slit lamp millimetric scale and the Goldmann contact lens was used. RESULTS: In the group A, the optic disc vertical diameter was 1.792 +/- 0.21 mm; the horizontal diameter was 1.701 +/- 0.198 mm. In the group B, vertical disc diameter was 1.700 +/- 0.262 mm; the horizontal one was 1.662 +/- 0.190 mm. The vertical cup disc diameter was 1.147 +/- 0.274 mm in the group A and 0.708 mm +/- 0.274 mm in the group B. The neuroretinal area was 1.360 +/- 0.524 mm2 in group A and 1.786 +/- 0.467 mm2 in group B. CONCLUSION: This study using millimetric scale of the slit lamp and the three mirrors Goldmann contact lens was easy, simple and useful clinically. It could be helpful in conducting quantitative studies in countries with low resources because this method is costless compared with others.     

Combined use of root conditioning, fibrin-fibronectin system and a collagen membrane to treat a localized gingival recession: a 10-case report

The relationship between the therapeutic alliance and treatment participation and drinking outcomes during and after treatment was evaluated among alcoholic outpatient and aftercare clients. In the outpatient sample, ratings of the working alliance, whether provided by the client or therapist, were significant predictors of treatment participation and drinking behavior during the treatment and 12-month posttreatment periods, after a variety of other sources of variance were controlled. Ratings of the alliance by the aftercare clients did not predict treatment participation or drinking outcomes. Therapists ratings of the alliance in the aftercare sample predicted only percentage of days abstinent during treatment and follow-up. The results document the independent contribution of the therapeutic alliance to treatment participation and outcomes among alcoholic outpatients.