The effects of the pressing and the scalding treatments on some quality properties in Mara cheese production

WOS: 000181960400020The study was designed to elicit some basic information on the effect of different pressing and scalding treatments applied to the curd with special reference to the standardization of Mara cheese. For each experiment six different samples (IA, IB, IC, IIA, IIB, IIC) were used. The samples were manufactured experimentally by applying three different scalding treatments, 70 +/- I degreesC/5 min. (A), 75 +/- 1 degreesC/5 min. (B) and 80 +/- I degreesC/5 min (C), to each of two curds pressed for I h by 1:5 kg (1) and 1.5:5 kg (11) weights of milk used. All experimental samples were examined microbiologically, chemically and physically on the first, 15(th), 30(th) 60(th) and 90(th) adys of the ripening period in addition to the assessment of the sensorial characteristics of 30, 60 and 90-day-old experimental samples. During the ripening period no regular changes were found in the fat, moisture, ash, salt content and acidity, pH and a(w) values of the samples, although moisture content increased by 1-4% at the end of ripening. It was determined that sample IB in group I had a high a(w) value and the difference between IA and IB was significant at p < 0.05. Aerobic mesophilic and Lactobacillus microorganisms decreased in number at different rates toward the end of the ripening period, although the decrease was not considerable in the colony count of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms after the 30(th) day of ripening. Sample IA had the maximum total sensorial score on the 30(th) and 90(th) days of the ripening period and 113 on the 60(th) day. It is concluded that pressing and scalding treatments applied to the curds slightly affected the chemical and physical characteristics and that treatments by pressing for 1 h by 1:5 weight of milk used and of scalding at 70 +/- 1 degreesC for 5 min will give better sensorial quality characteristics, particularly with regard to appearance

Investigation of Pneumocystis jirovecii in Clinical Specimens by Different Methods

Pneumocystis jirovecii causes pneumonia in premature, newborn or malnourished children, as well as in immunocompromised subjects such as chemotherapy receiving, transplant and AIDS patients. Since the mortality and morbidity rates of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in these patients were high, rapid and accurate diagnosis is important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of Giemsa staining (GS), direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) assay, (1 -> 3)-beta-D-Glucan (BDG) test and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of P.jirovecii in clinical specimens. A total of 100 PCP-suspected patients with underlying diseases who were followed-up in outpatient and inpatient clinics of our hospital between December 2008-July 2010 were included in the study. All the patients (66 male, 34 female; mean age: 42.04 years) were under long-term immunosuppressive drug therapy due to their hematological malignancies, kidney transplantation, neutropenia or chronic diseases. Respiratory samples [86 bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), 8 endotracheal aspirate, 1 nasotracheal aspirate, 3 pleural, 2 lung biopsy samples] obtained from the patients have been studied with GS (Merck, Germany), DFA (Pneumo Cel, Cellabs, Australia) and PCR (primers targeting MSG gene, LightCycler, Roche, USA), while serum samples (n = 100) with BDG (Fungitell, ACC Inc, USA) and PCR methods. In BAL samples two were found positive by GS, DFA and PCR, and six were positive only by PCR, yielding a total positivity in 8 (8%) samples. All of the sera were negative with PCR, however 29 of them were positive (> 80 pg/ml), five were equivocal (61-79 pg/ml) and 66 were negative (< 60 pg/ml) with BDG test. Eight patients with positive results in BAL-PCR were also positive with BDG test. Although the agreement between GS and DFA was high (kappa = 1), it was observed as low between PCR and DFA (kappa = 0.38), DFA and BDG (kappa = 0.07), BAL-PCR and BDG (kappa = 0.28). DFA taken as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity values of GS, PCR and BDG methods were calculated as 100% and 100%; 100% and 93%; 100% and 67%, respectively. In the ROC analysis performed for BDG test, with DFA and BAL-PCR taken as the gold standards, the sensitivity, specificity and cut-off values of BDG were estimated as 100%, 93.9% and 494 pg/ml, and 100%, 72.8% and 62 pg/ml, respectively. Our data indicated that, overall specificity was high (100%) when using GS and DFA tests together, while the sensitivity has been elevated to 93% with the additional use of PCR and BDG tests, in the diagnosis of PCP-suspected patients. In conclusion, combination of all these tests should be performed for the laboratory diagnosis of P.jirovecii

Failure Behavior of Composite Laminates with Multi-Pin Loaded Holes

The aim of this study is to determine the failure behavior of laminated glass-epoxy composite plate which is subjected to a traction force by four pins. The failure load and failure mode of composite plates which have the stacking sequence of [0/90/+/- 45](S) has been observed experimentally. The ratio of edge distance from the hole center to pin diameter (E/D), the ratio of longitudinal holes distance to pin diameter (F/D) and the ratio of transverse holes distance to pin diameter (G/D) were selected as parameters. The results showed that the specimens except for E/D = 2 have similar behavior in terms of failure loads and failure modes

Presence of Campylobacter (C-jejuni) in recreational, lake and stream water and fresh fish in Turkey

WOS: 000232142700003The occurence of Campylobacter (C.) jejuni was studied in recreational lake and stream water and fresh fish during the months of April to June 2004 in the Kars district of Turkey. In total, 54 water samples were analyzed, 21 of which were from lake water (Cildir lake) and 21 were from stream water (Kars stream). Twelve samples were from untreated drinking water tabs. A total of 75 fresh fish (Capoeta capoeta capoeta, Capoeta trutta, Alburnoides bipunctatus, Leuciscus cephalus) samples that were caught from the same lake or stream were also analyzed. C. jejuni was detected by culturing in one sample out of 21 water samples from Cildir lake, at the level of 4.76 % with the value of 0.36 MPN/ml. Out of 21 water samples from Kars stream, 3 (14.28 %) were positive for C. jejuni. Values varied from <0.30 MPN/ml to 0.36 MPN/ml. No C. jejuni was detected in 12 unchlorinated drinking water samples. C. jejuni was isolated from the internal organs of 2.66 % (2 samples) of the fish examined. This is the first study in the region indicating water sources as a risk factor. In this case, even we could not isolate C. jejuni from untreated drinking water, C. jejuni was isolated from lake and stream water. Therefore, it was concluded that it is hazardous to use untreated surface water for drinking. Care should be taken regarding the use of these water sources even for only domestic purposes because there may be a threat to the health and well-being of users. Furthermore, contamination of agricultural products via irrigation has to be prevented

Etiological agents of superficial mycoses in Kayseri, Turkey

Objective In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of agents that cause superficial mycoses and clinical types of superficial mycoses in terms of age and gender in our region were aimed. Methods Five hundred samples of nails, skin and skin with hair taken from 476 children and adult patients pre-diagnosed with superficial mycoses were examined by direct microscopy and cultural methods between October 2009 and October 2010. Results Fungal elements were determined in 212 (42.4%) of the samples by using direct microscopy. Fungal growth was detected in 111 (22.2%) cultures of the same samples. It was found that the most common agents in superficial mycoses were Trichophyton rubrum (43.7%), Candida spp. (28%) and less often, Aspergillus spp., Malassezia spp., Saccharomyces spp., Rhodotorula spp., Trichosporon spp. and Trichophyton verrucosum. Conclusion The significance of diagnosis by using direct microscopy and culturing together was again shown for the diagnosis of superficial fungal infections that follow a chronic course and affect the quality of life of patients. The most common agents in the superficial mycoses were T. rubrum. With this study, defining the aetiological agents of superficial mycoses in the Kayseri region is expected to contribute to the literature in terms of epidemiological data

Parents With Children in Preschool Children'S Picture Book Review Elections

This study illustrated that parent with children 3-6 years old children's book aimed to examine the views of the elections. Subjects of the study in Mersin, Gaziantep, located in the provinces of Ankara, 190 parents with children 3-6 years old constitutes. The data was collected using the public survey method, and the database was formed in qualitative form. Parents were asked to fill both the personal information part and the part about illustrated children's books. The qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis.WoSScopu

Assessment of Candida Species Colonization and Denture-Related Stomatitis in Bar- and Locator-Retained Overdentures

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of denture-related stomatitis (DRS) in different attachment-retained overdenture wearers and its association with particular colonizing Candida species. Thirty-seven edentulous patients with implant-supported maxillary or mandibular overdentures were enrolled. A full clinical history was obtained, including details of patients' oral hygiene practices and the levels of erythema based on Newton's classification scale. Swabs were taken from the palate and investigated mycologically to identify the yeast colonies. Quantitative and qualitative microbiological assessments were performed, which included recording the total numbers of colonies (cfu), their color, and their morphological characteristics. Significant differences were found in cfu values between the attachment and inner surfaces of locator- and bar-retained overdentures (P .05)