Ongoing Activity of Toscana Virus Genotype A and West Nile Virus Lineage 1 Strains in Turkey: A Clinical and Field Survey

Toscana virus (TOSV), West Nile virus (WNV) and tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV) are among major viral pathogens causing febrile disease and meningitis/encephalitis. The impact of these viruses was investigated at a referral centre in Ankara Province, Central Anatolia in 2012, where previous reports suggested virus circulation but with scarce information on clinical cases and vector activity. Serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid samples from 94 individuals were evaluated, in addition to field‐collected arthropod specimens that included 767 sandflies and 239 mosquitoes. Viral nucleic acids in clinical samples and arthropods were sought via specific and generic nested/real‐time PCRs, and antibody responses in clinical samples were investigated via commercial indirect immunofluorescence tests (IIFTs) and virus neutralization. A WNV antigen assay was also employed for mosquitoes. WNV neuroinvasive disease has been identified in a 63‐year‐old male via RNA detection, and the WNV strain was characterized as lineage 1. TOSV infections were diagnosed in six individuals (6.3%) via RNA or IgM detection. Partial sequences in a 23‐year‐old female, presented with fever and transient pancytopenia, were characterized as TOSV genotype A. Febrile disease with arthralgia and/or peripheral cranial nerve involvement was noted in cases with TOSV infections. Previous WNV and TOSV exposures have been observed in 5.3% and 2.1% of the subjects, respectively. No confirmed TBEV exposure could be identified. Morphological identification of the field‐collected mosquitoes revealed Culex pipiens sensu lato (74.4%), Anopheles maculipennis (20.9%), An. claviger (2.1%) and others. Sandfly species were determined as Phlebotomus papatasi (36.2%), P. halepensis (27.3%), P. major s. l. (19.3%), P. sergenti (8.9%), P. perfiliewi (4.4%), P. simici (2.6%) and others. Viral infections in arthropods could not be demonstrated. TOSV genotype A and WNV lineage 1 activity have been demonstrated as well as serologically proven exposure in patients. Presence of sandfly and mosquito species capable of virus transmission has also been revealed.     

Mathematical modeling and an application of the filled function method in entomology

Macrosiphum rosae (L.) is one of the most destructive pests for Rosa damascena (Miller) when it is found in high numbers. In order to understand the population dynamics of this pest, our priority should be the determination of what extent environmental factors affect the pest population. In this study, we apply fuzzy logic modeling to visualize the population variations, which depends on the environmental factors (temperature and humidity), by using the data obtained from the field studies. After that, we determine the values of temperature and humidity that makes the number of M. rosae maximum by using the filled function method as a global optimization technique.     

Evaluating the long-term effects of tillage systems on soil structural quality using visual assessment and classical methods

Current agricultural practices and their impacts on the sustainability of crop production can be evaluated by simple and reliable soil structure assessment tools. The study was conducted to determine the effects of long-term (2006–2017) tillage systems on structural quality of a clayey soil using the visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) and classical field and laboratory measurements. A field experiment with seven tillage systems, representing both traditional and conservation tillage methods, was conducted on a clayey soil in the Cukurova region, Turkey. Soil samples from 0–10, 10–20 and 20–25 cm depths were analysed for mean weight diameter (MWD), porosity and organic carbon. Penetration resistance (PR) was determined in each treatment plot. The VESS scores (<2) of upper 0–5 cm indicated a good structural quality for all tillage systems. The VESS scores were positively related to PR and MWD and negatively to macroporosity (MaP) and total porosity. In reduced and no-till systems, poorer soil structures were observed in subsurface layers where firm platy and angular blocky structures were defined. Mean VESS score (3.29) in 20–25 cm depth where PR was 3.01 MPa under no-till indicated a deterioration of soil structural quality; thus, immediate physical interventions would be needed. Lower VESS scores and PR values under strategic tillage which was created by ploughing half of no-till plots in November 2015 indicated successful correction of compaction caused by long-term no-till. The results suggest that the VESS approach is sensitive and useful in distinguishing compacted layers within the topsoil.     

Effects of atropine and pralidoxime pretreatment on serum and cardiac oxidative stress parameters in acute dichlorvos toxicity in rats

Recent several studies have reported that oxidative stress could be an important component of the mechanism of cardiotoxicity due to organophosphate-induced toxicity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oxidative and antioxidative parameters in cardiac toxicity of organophosphate poisoning, and determine the effects of atropine and pralidoxime on this parameters. The experimental groups were randomly divided into five groups as control (corn oil), dichlorvos (30 mg/kg), atropine (10 mg/kg), pralidoxime (40 mg/kg), and atropine (10 mg/kg) + pralidoxime (40 mg/kg) groups. Serum cholinesterase levels were suppressed with dichlorvos, and these reductions were inhibited with atropine and/or pralidoxime pretreatment. Serum, but not cardiac, total free sulfhydryl groups and paraoxonase activities were significantly increased in the pralidoxime group when compared to the control group. Serum arylesterase activities were elevated in the dichlorvos, atropine, pralidoxime, and atropine + pralidoxime groups when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde and catalase activities in serum and cardiac tissues were not markedly different between the groups. No significant changes were also observed with cardiac myeloperoxidase and serum ceruloplasmin activities. In conclusion, these results showed that acute dichlorvos administration did not cause marked cardiac damage, and oxidative stress probably does not play a major role in dichlorvos-induced poisoning. On the other hand, especially pralidoxime treatment markedly increased the serum total free sulfhydryl groups, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities. However, the underlying mechanisms for these changes are not exactly known.     

Comparison of the effect of cronolone sponges and PMSG or cloprostenol on estrous induction in Turkish Saanen goats

The efficiency of cronolone sponges in combination with either pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) or cloprostenol (PGF2alpha) for inducing and synchronizing the estrous cycle in Turkish Saanen does was investigated during the transition from non-breeding to breeding season. All does (n = 80) were treated with 20 mg cronolone sponges for 11 days and divided into 4 equal groups. In addition, each doe received an intramuscular injection of either 1.5 ml sterile saline solution, 0.075 mg PGF2alpha, 500 IU PMSG or 500 IU PMSG and 0.075 mg PGF2alpha, 24 h before the sponge removal. Cervical artificial insemination (AI) with frozen-thawed semen was performed once 16 h after the detection of the first accepted mount. The total estrous response for the first 24 +/- 4 h, total estrous response within 96 h, time to onset of the induced estrus, duration of the induced estrus and pregnancy rate was found to be 75.0%, 97.5%, 31.4 +/- 1.2 h, 29.3 +/- 1.2 h, and 33.3%, respectively. There were significant differences between the first two groups and the last two groups in terms of the onset of induced estrus and estrous response at the first 24 +/- 4 h (P < 0.05). These results indicate that the use of cronolone/PMSG was more effective than cronolone/PGF2alpha in the attainment of early and compact induction of estrus in Turkish Saanen does.     

Modeling the fate and transport of Al-Ahmadi oil spill

Over the period January-May 1991 Iraqi forces, occupying the state of Kuwait, caused a massive amount of oil to be released in the waters of the Arabian Gulf. The volume of oil released may have been as large as 6 × 10⁶ bbls. Most of the oil was released at or near Mina Al-Ahmadi in southern Kuwait. Two mathematical models, GULFSLIK II and OILPOL, were used to simulate the fate and transport of oil spilled at Al-Ahmadi. The oil spill trajectory model GULFSLIK II was used in an operational real time mode to predict the surface trajectory of oil spills at various locations. The real time trajectory analysis was used to support tactical spill response. Short term precictions were made using 7-d wind forecasts. Long term predictions were made using monthly wind averages. Comparisons between predicted trajectories and actual sightings show that GULFSLIK II is reasonably accurate. The oil spill fate and transport model, OILPOL, was applied to compute surface and subsurface distribution of oil, and analyze the fate of the spilled oil. An oil spill size of 4 × 10⁶ bbls was assumed. OILPOLL results were used to support damage assessment studies and environmental impact statements. The distribution of oil on the surface and subsurface layers were obtained daily for a period of 80 d. Oil concentration at strategic locations in the Gulf were also computed. Surface oil distribution as predicted by OILPOL was compared with sighting data. The results show excellent agreement.