Derivatives of erythropoietin that are tissue protective but not erythropoietic

Erythropoietin (EPO) is both hematopoietic and tissue protective, putatively through interaction with different receptors. We generated receptor subtype-selective ligands allowing the separation of EPO's bioactivities at the cellular level and in animals. Carbamylated EPO (CEPO) or certain EPO mutants did not bind to the classical EPO receptor (EPOR) and did not show any hematopoietic activity in human cell signaling assays or upon chronic dosing in different animal species. Nevertheless, CEPO and various nonhematopoietic mutants were cytoprotective in vitro and conferred neuroprotection against stroke, spinal cord compression, diabetic neuropathy, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis at a potency and efficacy comparable to EPO.     

Alternative α* Parameter Estimation for Simplified Beerkan Infiltration Method to Assess Soil Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity

Eurasian Soil Science - In situ characterization of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) requires a large number of experiments, sampling, and laboratory measurements that are time-consuming...     

Nylon 66/polyester hybrid cords: 1. Design and investigation of properties

In this study, Nylon 66/Polyester (Ny 66/PET) hybrid cord design and production was investigated to obtain new cord with better performance than conventional cord. The factors affecting cord properties and cord production process were examined. Taguchi design of experiment method was implemented in order to minimize the required number of experiments. Different sets of 4 reference cords conventionally used in tyre industry were prepared and resorcinol-formaldehyde-latex (RFL) treated in order to make a comparison of performance. Mechanical and thermal properties of hybrid cords were measured and compared with the values of reference cords. It was found that the twist level of high modulus PET component in the hybrid cords should be the same or above of the nylon in order to obtain maximum tensile strength. It was observed that shrinkage values of hybrid cords varied between PET and Ny 66 reference cords. Moreover, for all treated hybrid cords, satisfactory cord-rubber adhesion values were obtained by using double dip adhesion system.     

Antagonistic effects of natural Pseudomonas putida biotypes on Polymyxa betae Keskin,the vector of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus in sugar beet

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - This in vivo study investigated the ability of fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. to suppress Polymyxa betae, a vector of Beet necrotic yellow vein virus...     

Silage yield and quality of row intercropped maize and soybean in a crop rotation following winter wheat

Maize (Zea mays L.) intercropped with soybean (Glycine max L.) may be a viable option to improve the quality of the silage. In this study, maize and soybean intercropped in different numbers of rows and their monocropping equivalents were tested to determine the best intercropping system in a crop rotation following winter wheat. The treatments were monoculture maize (M), monoculture soybean (S), 75% maize + 25% soybean (3M:1S), 50% maize + 50% soybean (2M:2S) and 25% maize + 75% soybean (1M:3S). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications in 2011 and 2012 in Antalya, Turkey. Highest fresh forage yields were obtained from maize (53.3 t ha^?1) and 3M:1S (62.8 t ha^?1) treatments in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Maize treatment had highest dry matter yield (21.1 and 22.0 t ha^?1) in both years. Quality analysis of silage revealed that 3M:1S was superior to maize treatment in terms of dry matter (25.23%), crude protein (7.31%), crude fiber (18.27%), neutral detergent fiber (42.56%), acid detergent fiber (25.81%), lactic acid (4.71%) and acetic acid (4.05%). In conclusion, 3M:1S row intercropped production system was a better alternative for silage to monoculture maize in a crop rotation following winter wheat.     

Genetic diversity and frequency of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) detected in cattle in Turkey

The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and diversity of bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV) infecting cattle in Turkey. A total of 1124 bovine blood samples from 19 farms in 4 different Turkish regions were tested by antigen capture ELISA (ACE). BVDV antigen was found in 26 samples from 13 farms. Only 20 of the 26 initial test positive cattle were available for retesting. Of these, 6 of 20 tested positive for BVDV, by ACE and real-time RT-PCR, one month after initial testing. Phylogenetic analysis, based on comparison of the E2 or the 5'UTR coding regions, from 19 of the 26 initial positive samples, indicated that 17 belonged to the BVDV-1 genotype and 2 to the BVDV-2 genotype. Comparison of 5'UTR sequences segregated 8 BVDV-1 strains (strains 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, and 19) to the BVDV1f, 1 strain (strain 8) to the BVDV1i and 1 strain (strain 14) to the BVDV1d subgenotypes. One strain (strain 4) did not group with other subgenotypes but was closer to the BVDV1f. The remaining 6 BVDV-1 strains (strains 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, and 18) segregated to a novel subgenotype. The E2 sequence comparison results were similar, with the exception that strain 5 grouped with the novel subgenotype rather than BVDV1f subgenotype. It appears that among the diverse BVDV strains in circulation there may be a subgenotype that is unique to Turkey. This should be considered in the design of diagnostics and vaccines to be used in Turkey.     

Investigation of the antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from gangrenous mastitis of ewes

In this study, Staphylococcus aureus strains (n = 110) isolated from seven ewe flocks in Sanliurfa, Turkey were screened for antibiotic resistance and biofilmforming ability as well as for genes associated with antibiotic resistance and biofilm-forming ability. All isolates were found to be susceptible to oxacillin, gentamicin, clindamycin, cefoxitin, tetracycline, vancomycin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin and sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The percent proportions of strains resistant to penicillin G, ampicillin and erythromycin were 27.2% (n = 30), 25.4% (n = 28) and 6.3% (n = 7), respectively. Regarding the antibiotic resistance genes, 32 (29%) isolates carried the blaZ and 8 (7.2%) the ermC gene. Other resistance genes were not detected in the isolates. All isolates showed biofilm-forming ability on Congo red agar (CRA), while 108 (98.18%) and 101 (91.81%) of them were identified as biofilm producers by the use of standard tube (ST) and microplate (MP) methods, respectively. All isolates carried the icaA and icaD genes but none of them harboured the bap gene. The results demonstrated that S. aureus isolates from gangrenous mastitis were mainly resistant to penicillins (which are susceptible to the staphylococcal beta-lactamase enzyme), and less frequently to erythromycin. Furthermore, all of the S. aureus isolates produced biofilm which was considered a potential virulence factor in the pathogenesis of staphylococcal mastitis.     

The Effects of Sex and Seasonality on the Metal Levels of Warty Crab (Eriphia verrucosa) in the Black Sea

The present paper examines the impacts of gender and season variables on the nutritional composition and metal levels of warty crab caught in the central Black Sea region (Ordu). Crab samples were caught over four seasons, using gillnets, trammel net, and SCUBA diving. Results of chemical analysis showed that protein, lipid, moisture, and total mineral substance level ranges of male crabs were 20.45–22.64%, 0.95–1.27%, 75.44–77.09%, and 1.63–2.08%, while these ranges in female individuals were determined as 19.45–21.46%, 0.63–0.92%, 75.44–77.44%, and 2.08–3.28%, respectively. Macro and trace element levels in crab muscle tissue were determined as K > P > Na > Ca > Mg and Zn > Fe > Cu > Mn > Se > Ni > Mo > Co, respectively. Cd and Pb levels in crab muscle tissue were determined to be lower than the limit values given in codices independent of the seasonal variables. However, as the levels were found to be above the limit values, metal concentrations in crabs were also evaluated based on provisional tolerable daily intake and provisional tolerable weekly intake limits.     

Evidence of bovine immunodeficiency virus in cattle in Turkey

A seroepidemiological study of bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) infections was conducted in four different cattle herds in Turkey. A total of 300 blood samples were analyzed and 12.3% were found to be positive for anti-BIV p26 antibodies by Western blot analysis and 1.6% positive for anti-BLV gp51 antibodies by an immunodiffusion test. BIV infection was confirmed with the detection of BIV-provirus DNA using the nested polymerase chain reaction. This is the first evidence for the presence of BIV in cattle in Turkey.     

Evaluation of virucidal activity of three commercial disinfectants and formic acid using bovine enterovirus type 1 (ECBO virus), mammalian orthoreovirus type 1 and bovine adenovirus type 1

A modified version of the test method of the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) was developed using formic acid and three commercial disinfectants to evaluate virucidal activity against three non-enveloped viruses, bovine enterovirus type 1 (ECBO virus), mammalian orthoreovirus type 1 and bovine adenovirus type 1 (BAV 1). Determination of the effects of temperature was carried out at 20 and 10 degrees C. All tests with protein load used bovine serum albumin (BSA) and yeast extract. The investigations were performed in suspension tests and in carrier tests using poplar wood virus carriers. The carrier tests showed that ECBO virus could be inactivated at 20 degrees C with 1% formic acid within a 60 min reaction time. For disinfection of ECBO virus at 10 degrees C within 60 min, a 2% concentration of formic acid was necessary. Formic acid was ineffective against reovirus and bovine adenovirus and cannot be recommended as a reference disinfectant. Inactivation of ECBO virus and adenovirus type 1 using a disinfectant containing aldehydes and alcohols could be achieved, but only at room temperature. The disinfection of reovirus type 1 at room temperature with this product was possible without a protein load. This disinfectant exhibited disinfection ability at 10 degrees C at a concentration of more than 2% or with a longer exposure time. A disinfectant containing aldehydes was effective at room temperature but its effect was reduced in the presence of organic matter. Inactivation at 10 degrees C was found only against adenovirus. The fourth disinfectant, which contained peroxiacetic acid, inactivated all test viruses at a concentration of 0.5% within 15 min independent of temperature and protein load.