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The occurrence of the zoonotic protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in marine mammals remains a poorly understood phenomenon. In this study, samples from 589 marine mammal species and 34 European otters (Lutra lutra), stranded on the coasts of Scotland, Belgium, France, The Netherlands and Germany, were tested for the presence of T. gondii . Brain samples were analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of parasite DNA. Blood and muscle fluid samples were tested for specific antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT), a commercial multi-species enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Out of 193 animals tested by PCR, only two harbour porpoise ( Phocoena phocoena ) cerebrum samples, obtained from animals stranded on the Dutch coast, tested positive. The serological results showed a wide variation depending on the test used. Using a cut-off value of 1/40 dilution in MAT, 141 out of 292 animals (41%) were positive. Using IFA, 30 out of 244 tested samples (12%) were positive at a 1/50 dilution. The commercial ELISA yielded 7% positives with a cut-off of the sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio ≥ 50; and 12% when the cut-off was set at S/P ratio ≥ 20. The high number of positives in MAT may be an overestimation due to the high degree of haemolysis of the samples and/or the presence of lipids. The ELISA results could be an underestimation due to the use of a multispecies conjugate. Our results confirm the presence of T. gondii in marine mammals in The Netherlands and show exposure to the parasite in both the North Sea and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean. We also highlight the limitations of the tests used to diagnose T. gondii in stranded marine mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the feasibility of collecting convalescent plasma for passive immunotherapy of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection by using ELISA to screen serum samples from 443 potential plasma donors: 196 patients with suspected or laboratory-confirmed MERS-CoV infection, 230 healthcare workers, and 17 household contacts exposed to MERS-CoV. ELISA-reactive samples were further tested by indirect fluorescent antibody and microneutralization assays. Of the 443 tested samples, 12 (2.7%) had a reactive ELISA result, and 9 of the 12 had reactive indirect fluorescent antibody and microneutralization assay titers. Undertaking clinical trials of convalescent plasma for passive immunotherapy of MERS-CoV infection may be feasible, but such trials would be challenging because of the small pool of potential donors with sufficiently high antibody titers. Alternative strategies to identify convalescent plasma donors with adequate antibody titers should be explored, including the sampling of serum from patients with more severe disease and sampling at earlier points during illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Przegląd Elektrotechniczny is the property of Przeglad Elektrotechniczny and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Leishmaniasis caused by more than 20 species of genus Leishmania is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sand flies. The studies on Leishmania infection in cats is very few in Turkey and therefore we aimed to screen stray cats living in city of İzmir located in western Turkey using nested PCR targeting kinetoplast DNA and serological techniques (ELISA and IFA). Leishmania DNA positive samples were also studied by ITS1 real time PCR. Whole blood and serum samples were obtained from stray cats (n: 1101) living in different counties of İzmir. In serological assays, a serum sample was considered positive in 1:40 dilution in IFA and for ELISA a serum sample was accepted positive when the absorbance value (AV) exceeded the mean AV + Standard Deviation (SD) of the negative control serum samples. According to the results, the seropositivity rates were 10.8% (119/1101) and 15.2% (167/1101) by in house ELISA and IFA, respectively. Among serology coherent samples, the seropositivity rate was 11.1% (116/1047) as detected by both assays after discordant samples (n: 54) were discarded. Of the 1101 stray cats, six (0.54%) were positive by nested PCR while only one of these six samples was positive by ITS1 real time PCR. During PCR, three controls designated as Leishmania infantum , Leishmania tropica , and Leishmania major were used for species identification. According to nested PCR results, L. tropica was identified in two cats (no.76 and 95). In another cat (no. 269), there were two bands in which one of them was well-matched with L. infantum and the other band had ∼850 bp size which does not match with any controls. Remaining three cats (no. 86, 514, and 622) also had the ∼850 bp atypical band size. ITS1 real time PCR detected L. tropica in only one cat (no. 622) which showed an atypical band size in nested PCR. These results indicated that three cats with only one atypical band (no. 86, 514, and 622) and the cat with mixed infection (no. 269) were infected with L. tropica . Altogether, L. tropica was detected in all six DNA positive cats and L. infantum was detected in one cat with mixed infection. In conclusion, although the reservoir role of cats in nature is still unclear the high seroprevalence rate against Leishmania parasites and detecting parasite DNA in stray cats in İzmir indicates that the stray cats are frequently bitten by infected sand flies. Further research activities are required to reveal the frequency of leishmaniasis in cats in different regions of Turkey where Leishmania species are endemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theileriosis is a worldwide protozoal tick-borne disease caused by Theileria equi , which may produce a variety of clinical signs and turn infected horses into lifetime carriers. This study has aimed to perform a serological and molecular detection of T. equi and associated factors in sports horses from six areas of northeastern Brazil. In overall, 59.6% horses were positive by indirect immunofluorescence assay and 50.4% by polymerase chain reaction. No significant association was found when presence of ticks, age, gender, anemia or total plasma proteins was analyzed with seropositivity and molecular techniques. Although a significant association of infection was found in two cities. Thus, local risk factors other than presence of ticks, horse age, gender, anemia and total plasmatic proteins may dictate prevalence of T. equi infection in sports horses, even in highly endemic areas with no control of infection prior to horse competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Cientifica de la Facultade de Veterinaria is the property of Universidad del Zulia, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

From 2007 to 2010, The Netherlands experienced a major Q fever outbreak with more than 4000 notifications. Previous studies suggested that Q fever patients could suffer long-term post-infection health impairments, especially fatigue. Our objective was to assess the Coxiella burnetii antibody prevalence and health status including fatigue, and assess their interrelationship in Herpen, a high-incidence village, 7 years after the outbreak began. In 2014, we invited all 2161 adult inhabitants for a questionnaire and a C. burnetii indirect fluorescence antibody assay (IFA). The health status was measured with the Nijmegen Clinical Screening Instrument (NCSI), consisting of eight subdomains including fatigue. Of the 70·1% (1517/2161) participants, 33·8% (513/1517) were IFA positive. Of 147 participants who were IFA positive in 2007, 25 (17%) seroreverted and were now IFA negative. Not positive IFA status, but age <50 years, smoking and co-morbidity, were independent risk factors for fatigue. Notified participants reported significantly more often fatigue (31/49, 63%) than non-notified IFA-positive participants (150/451, 33%). Although fatigue is a common sequel after acute Q fever, in this community-based survey we found no difference in fatigue levels between participants with and without C. burnetii antibodies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: At least two genetically different porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) strains have been identified in the United States (U.S. PEDV prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains). The current serological assays offered at veterinary diagnostic laboratories for detection of PEDV-specific antibody are based on the U.S. PEDV prototype strain. The objectives of this study were: 1) isolate the U.S. PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain in cell culture; 2) generate antisera against the U.S. PEDV prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains by experimentally infecting weaned pigs; 3) determine if the various PEDV serological assays could detect antibodies against the U.S. PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain and vice versa. Results: A U.S. PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain was isolated in cell culture in this study. Three groups of PEDV-negative, 3-week-old pigs (five pigs per group) were inoculated orally with a U.S. PEDV prototype isolate (previously isolated in our lab), an S-INDEL-variant isolate or virus-negative culture medium. Serum samples collected at 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days post inoculation were evaluated by the following PEDV serological assays: 1) indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) assays using the prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains as indicator viruses; 2) virus neutralization (VN) tests against the prototype and S-INDEL-variant viruses; 3) PEDV prototype strain whole virus based ELISA; 4) PEDV prototype strain S1-based ELISA; and 5) PEDV S-INDEL-variant strain S1-based ELISA. The positive antisera against the prototype strain reacted to and neutralized both prototype and S-INDEL-variant viruses, and the positive antisera against the S-INDEL-variant strain also reacted to and neutralized both prototype and S-INDEL-variant viruses, as examined by IFA antibody assays and VN tests. Antibodies against the two PEDV strains could be detected by all three ELISAs although detection rates varied to some degree. Conclusions: These data indicate that the antibodies against U.S. PEDV prototype and S-INDEL-variant strains cross-reacted and cross-neutralized both strains in vitro. The current serological assays based on U.S. PEDV prototype strain can detect antibodies against both U.S. PEDV strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate antibody positive titer in vaccinated and non-vaccinated cattle using schizont infected myeloid cells as an antigen. The result was compared with indirect fluorescent antibody level in the same animals. For this study 116 milking cows, 95 vaccinated and 21 non-vaccinated, were bleeded in order to prepare sera. They were tested with both ELISA and IFA tests. 94 sera had positive antibody titer and 22 sera were negative through ELISA test but, with IFA test, only 89 sera showed positive antibody titer and 27 were negative. Thereby, it was concluded that the sensitivity and specificity of ELISA test in comparison with IFA test was 95.5 % and 66.6 % respectively. This study generally indicated that ELISA could be an effective test for seroepidemiological investigations of bovine tropical theileriosis, and it is considered to be valid as an additional test to distinguish the vaccinated from the non vaccinated cattle in order to schedule vaccination programs.

Maternal infection with Toxoplasma gondii acquired during pregnancy may result in congenital infection of developing fetuses. Up to now, decision on informed therapeutic abortion of fetuses suspected of having T. gondii infection in Iran has been made based on serological findings in mothers. This might have led to unnecessary abortion of many uninfected children. We evaluated the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay on amniotic fluids against serological findings in mothers. PCR results in this study indicated that only about one third of Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA) positive mothers had passed the infection to their children. It was a sigh of relief for the majority of mothers who learned that their infants were uninfected. On the other hand it helped the mothers of infected fetuses out of an awkward predicament by making them able to make a solid decision to terminate the pregnancy or carry their children to term.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has raised a global alert since March 2003. After its causative agent, SARS-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV), was confirmed, laboratory methods, including virus isolation, reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and serologic methods, have been quickly developed. In this study, we evaluated four serologic tests ( neutralization test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], immunofluorescent assay [IFA], and immunochromatographic test [ICT]) for detecting antibodies to SARS-CoV in sera of 537 probable SARS case-patients with correlation to the RT-PCR . With the neutralization test as a reference method, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 98.2%, 98.7%, 98.7%, and 98.4% for ELISA; 99.1%, 87.8%, 88.1% and 99.1% for IFA; 33.6%, 98.2%, 95.7%, and 56.1% for ICT, respectively. We also compared the recombinant-based western blot with the whole virus–based IFA and ELISA; the data showed a high correlation between these methods, with an overall agreement of >90%. Our results provide a systematic analysis of serologic and molecular methods for evaluating SARS-CoV infection.

In the indeterminate chronic period of Chagas disease (ChD) the treatment has not been conclusive, because the serological negativization requires many years. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of nifurtimox (NF) in the treatment of chronic ChD in prolonged follow-up by serological techniques of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) IgG comparing 2 groups of patients, treated and non treated. Mann-Whitney test was performed for ELISA and IFA, with significant difference between the groups (P<0.05). IgG levels were lower in individuals treated compared with untreated patients, indicating chemotherapeutic efficacy in prolonged follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O objeto deste artigo é o conceito de verdade tal como se articula no oráculo de Ifá cubano; seu objetivo é ilustrar a fecundidade de um "método ontográfico" que procure mapear as premissas ontológicas do discurso nativo por meio da produção de conceitos que, não sendo os conceitos nativos eles mesmos, constituam equivalentes aproximados destes. Enfatizando a afirmação dos praticantes de que o Ifá é infalível, propõe-se que os vereditos divinatórios devem ser entendidos como verdades necessárias, isto é, como enunciados que não poderiam não ser verdadeiros. Em seguida, mostrando que, do ponto de vista das concepções comuns de verdade, a necessidade modal dos oráculos só pode parecer um absurdo dogmático, procura-se avançar uma conceitualização alternativa que concorde com as convicções dos informantes, examinando um complexo de conceitos e práticas associados ao oráculo a fim de avaliar as premissas que garantem a verdade e sua emergência na prática do Ifá.This article analyzes the concept of truth as employed by Ifá oracles in Cuba; its aim is to illustrate the fertility of an 'ontographic method' dedicated to mapping the ontological premises of native discourse through the production of concepts which, while not the native concepts themselves, comprise close equivalents to them. Emphasizing practitioners claims that the Ifá is infallible, it is proposed that divinatory verdicts should be understood as necessary truths, that is, as statements which cannot not be true. Then, after showing that from the viewpoint of common place conceptions of truth, the modal necessity of oracles can only appear a dogmatic absurdity, I propose an alternative conceptualization which agrees with the convictions of informants. This involves examining a complex of concepts and practices linked to the oracle in order to evaluate the premises which ensure truth and its emergence in Ifá practice.

ANCA are classes of antibodies or in reality autoantibodies usually produce in conditions that degradation of neutrophiles occurs. This is led to vascular damage. They are more common in rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), systemic Lupus Erythematus (SLE) and vasculitic diseases especially Wegners’ granulomatosis (With specificity and sensitivity as high as 95%). We decided to design IFA-ANCA because this assay has high sensitivity and in with comparison other techniques such as ELISA & RIA is more economic and simple. On the other hand, screening test for determining ANCA is immunofluorescent assay. ANCA test establishment contains: Isolation of neutrophiles, fixation with Ethanol and Formalin, improvement of method and quality control by using of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), 2 staining pattern are observed. Cytoplasmic (C-ANCA) or classic and prinuclear (P-ANCA) pattern. Established ANCA test by inter assay method had 95% reproducibility and 91% precision.

Objective: To induce Chlamydia trachomatis mutants by EMS and screen mutants by indirecting immunofluorescence (IFA), to lay experiment basis for searching Chlamydia functional genome. Method: McCoy cell was infected with C. trachomatis serovar D and treated with EMS, the survivors harvested from EMS-treated cultures were separated and purified by plaque assay. The mutants were screened and identified by IFA with different monoclonal antibodies. Results: Three strains with small inclusion body, one strain with round inclusion body and one strain with D413N-negative were screened out by IFA and purified by plaque assay. Conclusion: Mutant strains were successfully screened out from C. trachomatis serovar D treated with EMS, which lays an experimental basis for further study on the relationships between functional genomes and phenotype of Chlamydia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a leader in the Fertilizer and phosphate international market, OCP decided on April 2014 to get certification in compliance with the IFA's standard “Protect and Sustain”. This standard is relating to product stewardship through the value chain of the phosphate: since the Research and Development to customer delivery. This certification consists on the compliance, of OCP management system and standards relating to security and SHE issues, with IFA's standards and criteria summarized in the 12 principles of IFA. The scope of this certification concerned Gantour-Safi integrated line from R&D to customer delivery, including mining operations, processing, chemical units, port facilities, external storage, supply chain, commercial and marketing, sourcing and contracting. The certification audit aims to check that Fertilizers and raw materials, additives and intermediate products are processed and manufactured, handled, stored, distributed and used in a safe way. To guaranty the success of this project in Five months, a task force was formed. This project team was motivated and exited to achieve this goal on time. The product stewardship performance of OCP was analyzed in September 2014 and OCP was awarded in IFA's summit in Marrakech on November 2014. This award with a high score (product steward excellence) was a result of our commitment to reach a high level in safety, security and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sensitivity of a K39 ELISA (Leishmania IgG, Virion/Serion) for the detection of antibodies in patients with imported leishmaniasis was compared with an immunofluorescence assay (IFA), which was applied as 'golden standard'. The retrospective study comprised 93 IFA-positive or borderline sera from 42 patients with visceral ( n = 16) or cutaneous ( n = 26) leishmaniasis. Patients had acquired infection predominately in the Mediterranean area or the Middle East. The Leishmania species ( Leishmania donovani/ infantum, Leishmania tropica, Leishmania major) were identified by real-time PCR. The majority (94 %) of first samples from patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) tested positive by K39 ELISA. Antibody levels ranged from low to very high (33.19-1990.00 U/ml; median 596.66 U/ml) but did not correlate with the respective IFA titers. High K39 ELISA values correlated with acute infection in immunocompetent individuals. K39 antibodies declined in all individuals after clinically successful therapy, but time to seronegativity varied considerably (51 weeks to >6 years). In patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the sensitivity of the K39 ELISA was low (23 %) compared to IFA (92 % positive). Antibody levels ranged from low to medium (10.85-524.77 U/ml; median 19.77 U/ml). The highest antibody concentrations were seen in L. infantum-infected individuals. Summarizing, a high K39 ELISA value indicates active VL. The assay is, like IFA, not a measure for effective therapy but may support post-treatment monitoring. Low level positivity can indicate subclinical, previous or clinically cured VL or even CL. The K39 ELISA can supplement highly sensitive screening tests in the diagnosis and follow-up of imported leishmaniasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of canine ehrlichiosis and risk factors of this disease in companion dogs' population of Mashhad, North East of Iran. Canine Monocytic Ehrlichiosis (CME) is a zoonotic disease transmitted by ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium, Ehrlichia canis. Methods: During September 2009 until November 2010, 250 companion dogs from Mashhad, North-East of Iran, were examined for serum antibody detection against E. canis by means of immunofluorescence assay test (IFAT) and factors associated with a positive antibody response. Results: There was a very low prevalence of anti-E. canis antibodies (0.8%, 2/250) among studied dogs. The antibody titers for two seropositive dogs were 1:80 and 1:160, respectively. One (0.4%) of seropositive dogs was infested with, R. sanguineus. In blood smears from one of infested dogs (0.4%), typical morulae of E. canis was observed in lymphocytes. The results confirm that the lowest occurrence of reactive dogs indoors probably related to low tick infestion. Conclusion: This is the first report that describes serological evidences of canine monocytic ehrlichiosis in North- East of Iran. Results suggested that E. canis infection in owned pet dogs from North of Khorasan was not endemic from 2009 to 2010. Additional molecular studies are necessary to confirm E. canis infection and to identify the local strains of the organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High consequence human pathogenic viruses must be handled at biosafety level 2, 3 or 4 and must be rendered non-infectious before they can be utilized for molecular or immunological applications at lower biosafety levels. Here we evaluate psoralen-inactivated Arena-, Bunya-, Corona-, Filo-, Flavi- and Orthomyxoviruses for their suitability as antigen in immunological processes and as template for reverse transcription PCR and sequencing. The method of virus inactivation using a psoralen molecule appears to have broad applicability to RNA viruses and to leave both the particle and RNA of the treated virus intact, while rendering the virus non-infectious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease with a relatively wide distribution in different areas of the world, including Iran. The parasite is mainly diagnosed microscopically, but serological approaches might be useful for diagnosis as well. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of an immunoblotting system for serodiagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Methods: Sixty-one sera samples from parasitologically confirmed CL patients and 50 sera samples from healthy controls along with 50 sera sample from non-CL patients were collected. Native strain of Leishmania major was cultured in Schneider medium and soluble Leishmania antigens were prepared from amastigotes-like parasites. All of sera samples were evaluated by an immunoblotting system. Results: Components of 14 to 135 kDa were detectable by the sera of CL patients. From 61 sera of CL patients, 59 cases (96.7%) detected a 63 kDa subunit and 51 cases (83.6%) recognized a 32-35 kDa component. Among all subunits, the 63 kDa band showed the highest sensitivity (96.7%) and a 75 kDa band had the highest (98%) specificity. Conclusion: Immunoblotting has a satisfactory performance in diagnosis of CL and this test can be used, as an aid, for proper diagnosis of CL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mother and child in a community constitute vulnerable group or special risk group, pregnancy and childbirth are special events in a women's life. In India, the utilization of basic maternal health services has remained poor in spite of increase in public and private expenditure on the provision of advanced health care. Objectives: To assess the utilization of antenatal maternal health services under NRHM program in Shirura rural field practice area of S. N. Medical College Bagalkot. To assess the factors responsible for utilisation of antenatal Maternal health Services. Materials and Methods: The cross sectional study was conducted in rural field practice area of S. Nijalingappa Medical College, Bagalkot. The number of postnatal mothers interviewed was 302. Postnatal mothers who were residing in the rural area during their antenatal period and who were within 3rd month of postnatal period were included. Results: Among the 302 mothers interviewed, 50.3% were between 19-23 years of age and 47% belonged to Class IV socioeconomic status. About 98.7% mothers were registered their pregnancy out of which 79.1% registered in the 1st trimester. Mothers with > 4 antenatal visits was 67%, acceptance of inj TT (98.7%) and IFA tablet consumption was only 45.7%. There was significant association between socioeconomic status, age at conception and parity with full ANC coverage. There was no statistical significance between age, religion, type of family, husbands education, mothers education, husbands occupation, mothers occupation with full ANC package. Conclusion: Overall utilization of antenatal services by the study population is satisfactory when compared to national indicators and this positive work should be encouraged and continued with more community awareness and participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ciência Animal Brasileira is the property of Universidade Federal de Goias, Escola de Veterinaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, a total of 600 blood samples of 200 cattle, 200 sheep and 200 goats from 4 different farms in Aydin Province were investigated serologically and molecularly for the presence of C. burnetii. According to ELISA, the number of positive samples gathered from cattle, sheep and goats were 40 (20.0%), 58 (29.0 %) and 42 (21.0 %), respectively. According to IFA method, the number of positive samples gathered from cattle, sheep and goats were 44 (22.0%), 58 (29.0 %) and 46 (23.0 %), respectively. According to PCR analysis, the number of PCR positive samples of cattle were 96 (48.0%), sheep were 72 (36.0%) and goats were 46 (23.0%). In conclusion, PCR analysis was found as the most sensitive method for detecting C. burnetii from blood samples taken from animals which seem to be healthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we designed and implemented a PIFA(Planar Inverted F Antenna) + IFA(Inverted F Antenna) hybrid MIMO(Multi Input Multi Output) antenna for the hexa mobile communication service band. By the simultaneous operation both PIFA and IFA using the coupled feeding structure, we tried for application to modern mobile phones that have large ground size. A PIFA is applied to the ground area, and an IFA is applied to no ground small space on top of the phone. A diagonal fed MIMO antenna is implemented PCB embedded type without antenna carrier component. Implemented antenna on the bare board measured within 3 : 1 for VSWR under hexa mobile communication band as CDMA, GSM900, DCS, KPCS, USPCS, and WCDMA. Measured average gains and efficiencies were -5.19~-3.16 dBi and 30.27~48.26 % for the CDMA, GSM900 band, and -9.50~-5.19 dBi and 11.23~30.28 % for the DCS, KPCS, USPCS, WCDMA band. It's shown that studied antenna can be applied to the antenna for the modern mobile phone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) are produced against lysozomal constituents and primary granules of myeloid cells (Neutrophiles & monocytes) in some rheumatic diseases and wegner’s granulomtosis (WG). This antibodies not only may related to onset of vasculitis lesions, but also have a valuable diagnostic tool, thus, first we tired to evaluated the prevalence of this antibodies in 65 serum of patients with RA and 42 serum of patients with SLE. By using of indirect immunoflourescence assay (IFA), two staining patterns are recognized: Cytoplasmic (C-ANCA) pattern which in 80% of results from anti-PR3, and prenuclear (P-ANCA) pattern, which can result from any antibody directed to myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G (CG) lactoferrin (LF), elastsae (HLE) and lysozyme (LZ). The sensitivity and specificity for SLE from 1:128 serum dilution was 8% and 85.1% respectively, and for RA from 1:16 dilution was 32.2% and 87.5% respectively. Of the 19 SLE, ANCA positive patients 18 (94.7%) had P-ANCA and 1 patient (5.3%) had C-ANCA and of the 23 RA, ANCA positive patients, 17 (73.9%) had P-ANCA and 6 patients (26.1%) had C-ANCA.

In this study, nine organic sediment samples from a medieval archaeological site at Pineuilh, France, were examined for Giardia intestinalis using two commercially available immunological kits [enzyme-linked immuno sorbent and immunofluorescence (IFA) assays]. Both techniques detected G. intestinalis in one sample, dated to 1,000 Anno Domini. This is the first time IFA was successfully used to detect protozoa in Old World archaeological samples. Such immunological techniques offer important perspectives concerning ancient protozoa detection and identification.

This study uses a longitudinal critical needs analysis to diagnose the English for academic purposes (EAP) needs of Turkish medical students seeking proficiency in medical English and contribute to needs analysis methodology. The data were collected from medical students and specialists. To obtain valid and reliable information about medical students' needs, five types of instruments were used: ethnographic methods, including sustained observation and participation in a research setting; reflective journals; and a questionnaire and in-depth interview. The questionnaire design was based on essays collected from the students during their study, and the items were constructed from the students' own words. To the best of my knowledge, this study is the first attempt in the literature to triangulate both methods and data with a focus on critical pedagogy to diagnose EAP needs. The findings are the result of the triangulation of data and methodology to ensure the reliability and validity of the findings. A total of 525 subjects participated in the research (186 participants in the pilot study and 339 participants in the main study). The findings revealed medical students' expectations of their English for specific purposes (ESP) instructor, students' shortcomings, and the problems and strategies they use while learning medical English. The interview data analysis sought to determine whether higher education students can be a reliable source to consult for their own educational needs in higher education. The methodology followed here can be replicated in other mainstream classrooms

This paper offers a detailed ethnography of a shrine house based in Havana called Ilé Tuntun, whose leader is the babalawo (priest-diviner of Ifá) Frank Obeché. Ilé Tuntun aims, with the help of Yoruba political and religious dignitaries, to re-establish lost links with Africa and reform Ifá’s practice in Cuba. Ilé Tuntun embodies a current tendency among various Cuban babalawos, who are interested in developing contacts with Yoruba. But this group also offers a very specific discourse as well as significant ritual innovations that aim to unite Cuban babalawos. The claim of a new ritual filiation (or African ancestry) as well as an innovative and learned discourse—based, in particular, on elements stemming from exchanges with Nigerian dignitaries who visited Cuba—are the key-elements that sustain the project. This paper analyses this discourse and its ritual implications, drawing on data collected during a field study with the group. In some ways, these efforts of Ilé Tuntun show continuity with similar attempts that have been made in the past, but they also exemplify more contemporary changes in the Cuban ritual field. However, judging by the reactions of numerous babalawos based in Havana, they appear to be controversial for two reasons. First, Ilé Tuntun, by renewing and reinterpreting historical links to Africa, advocates a ritual subordination to Yoruba religious and political dignitaries. In this sense, the group challenges the legitimacy of Cuban babalawos legitimacy. Secondly, Ilé Tuntun claims supremacy, and its leader claims supremacy and authority, over the babalawo community. The very idea of a possible Ifá unification arouses distrust among Cuban babalawo, and Frank Obeché’s claims of possessing Yoruba royal titles is also doubted by many of his peers, who keep their distance from him and from the group. Still, controversial though it may be, Ilé Tuntun has real visibility in the Cuban capital.