Studies on the Epidemiology of Tropical Theileriosis (Theileria annulata Infection) in Cattle in Central Anatolia,Turkey

An epidemiological survey for Theileria annulata infection was conducted in 12 selected villages around Ankara in Central Anatolia, Turkey, during the period April 1990 to January 1993. During the survey, 198 cattle of 30 local breeds, 84 Holstein-Friesian×local breeds and 84 Holstein-Friesian breed were examined for antibodies to T. annulata and the presence of the vector ticks. Four species of Hyalomma ticks were identified: Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, Hyalomma anatolicum excavtum, Hyalomma detritum and Hyalomma marginatum marginatum. Salivary gland staining indicated that infected adult ticks of all four species were present and, therefore, were implicated in the transmission of tropical theileriosis in the field. Generally, the Hyalomma infestation rate was low, with the heaviest infestations occurring on the older animals. Young adults and calves had very low infestation rates. Most ticks seen on cattle were adults, very few nymphs were found. The blood smear and serological examination of the 198 cattle conducted in March, before the start of the first disease season, showed that the prevalence of piroplasmosis was 11.1% (22 out of 198) and the seroprevalence of T. annulata was 10.6% (21 out of 198). Forty-three animals were then excluded from the study because they were seropositive and/or harboured piroplasms. Ninety-two seronegative animals showed piroplasmosis (92 out of 155) and 34 seronegative animals became seropositive for T. annulata (34 out of 155) during the three disease seasons. One animal became clinically ill with tropical theileriosis and required treatment. The incidence of cattle showing piroplasmosis and disease in the total study sample was 50.7% and 0.5% per disease season, respectively. The seroconversion rate of new infection with T. annulata in the total study was 14.3% per animal season. The number of cattle showing piroplasmosis was much greater than the number of seropositive cattle, which may indicate the presence of another species of Theileria. The two different management systems encountered in the study were considered to have influenced the tick infestation levels.     

Histological and immunohistochemical studies of the proximal caecum and caecal tonsils of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The proximal caecum in quails consists of lymphoid and non‐lymphoid structures. The caecal tonsils in the proximal part of the caecum are units of gut‐associated lymphoid tissue in poultry. This study aimed to examine the histological characteristics of the proximal caecum, as well as compositions of dendritic cells (DCs) and antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) in the caecal tonsil of quails. Tissue sections were stained with Crossman's triple, periodic acid–Schiff, Gordon and Sweet's silver, Congo red and methyl green‐pyronin dyes, as well as immunohistochemically by the streptavidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method. Caecal lymphoid tissue was located in the lamina propria and submucosa. Germinative centres were observed within the lymphoid tissue. Reticular fibres were mainly distributed in the border area of the germinal centre with only a few fibres scattered in the centre. Plasma cells were observed in the subepithelial region and germinal centres. Eosinophil granulocytes were prevalent in the lymphoid tissue. Additionally, CD83‐immunoreactive DCs and MHC class II immunoreactive APCs were present in the subepithelial area and diffuse lymphoid tissue. While DCs were seen in the germinal centres of tonsillar units, APCs were rarely present in the germinal centres, but they were noticed around the germinal centres. In conclusion, the histological structure of the proximal caecum in quails and the distributions of some immunological cells in the caecal tonsils were revealed. Therefore, the defensive role of the caecal tonsils in the digestive system may be better understood, and comparative studies may be carried out.     

Determination of Energy Use Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) Production in Adıyaman Province

The purpose of this research is to perform the energy use efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of pistachio production. This research was performed for 2016 and 2017 production season in Ad?yaman province of Turkey in dry conditions in 2017. The data supplied from research were collected from 152 different farms by face to face surveys with simple random sampling method. The agricultural input energies and output energies used in pistachio production were computed to determine the energy use efficiency. According to the research findings, the energy inputs in pistachio production were computed respectively as 4561.11?MJ ha^?1 (35.50%) diesel fuel energy, 3206.24?MJ ha^?1 (24.96%) chemical fertilizers energy, 2420.93?MJ ha^?1 (18.84%) machinery energy, 1020.06?MJ ha^?1 (7.94%) human labour energy, 715.69?MJ ha^?1 (5.57%) animal labour energy, 656.95?MJ ha^?1 (5.11%) farmyard manure energy and 266.16?MJ ha^?1 (2.07%) chemicals energy. Total input energy was computed as 12,847.14?MJ ha^?1. Energy values of pistachio yield were computed as 15,008.65?MJ ha^?1. Energy use efficiency, specific energy, energy productivity and net energy computations were computed respectively as 1.17, 22.32?MJ kg^?1, 0.04?kg MJ^?1 and 2161.51?MJ ha^?1. The consumed total energy input in pistachio production can be classified as 49.01% direct, 50.99% indirect, 18.62% renewable and 81.38% non-renewable. Total GHG emission was computed as 1123.72?kg CO_2?eqha^?1 for pistachio production with the greatest portions for human labour (32.42%). The human labour followed up chemical fertilizers usage (23.21%), diesel fuel consumption (19.89%), machinery usage (15.30%), farmyard manure usage (5.65%), chemicals usage (3.25%) and animal labour usage (0.27%), respectively. Additionally, GHG ratio value was computed as 1.95 kgCO_2?eqkg^?1 in pistachio production.

     

A histochemical investigation of different distribution of TSH cells in adenohypophsis of female and male rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate histochemically the localization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) cells and the number of TSH cells in adenohypophysis of ovariectomized adult females, intact females at estrous and diestrous phase of sexual cycles and castrated and non-castrated adult male rats. TSH cells, distributed throughout the pars distalis in all groups, were observed more frequent in areas near to the pars intermedia than other regions. The cells were round, ovoid, stellar-shaped and had contacts with sinusoids. Their nuclei were large and round-shaped. The cells were found mostly single or occasionally in groups of double and triple. The number of TSH cells was higher in estrous than diestrous phase in intact rats. In adenohypophysis of ovariectomized rats, their numbers were less than that of intacts in estrous, but higher than that of found in diestrous phases. Furthermore, the numbers of TSH cells in intact females during estrous phase was higher than those found in intact and castrated male rats. On the other hand, castration reduced the number of TSH cells while ovariectomy had no effect in this respect.     

The influence of dietary boron supplementation on egg quality and serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus, magnesium levels and alkaline phosphatase activity in laying hens

This study was performed to investigate the influence of dietary boron (B) supplementation on egg production, interior and exterior egg quality and serum parameters related to egg formation in laying hens. Two hundred and twenty four, 18 week old, Hyline Brown 98 strain hens were assigned to 7 groups with 4 replicates. After 10 days of adaptation the hens were fed for 8 weeks on diets supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (diet) B (H(3)BO(3)). Live weight, feed consumption and egg production were reduced in the 400 mg/kg B supplemented group. Increases were determined in serum Ca, inorganic P and Mg levels and serum ALP activity was not influenced by supplemental B. Boron changed the interior and exterior quality of eggs. In particular, high level of B supplementation reduced live weight, feed consumption and egg production and changed some blood metabolites.     

MHC class II expression by mast cells in the genital tract of cows

This work examined the presence of MHC class II molecules expressing mast cells in oviduct, uterus and vaginal tissues in cows. The tissue samples of five cows were collected from a local slaughterhouse. Toluidine blue pH 0.5 (TB) and avidin-biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) staining procedures applied to adjacent sections from tissue samples. It was determined that some TB + cells were also gave positive reaction with strept ABC staining for MHC II molecules. To our knowledge this is the first evidence indicating the presence of MHC class II molecules expressing mast cells in the cow.     

Evaluation of cytochrome b as a sensitive target for PCR based detection of T. annulata carrier animals

Bovine tropical theileriosis, caused by the tick-borne protozoan Theileria annulata, imposes a serious constraint upon breed improvement programmes and livestock production in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Animals that recover from primary infection serve as carriers and play a critical role in the epidemiology of the disease, acting as reservoirs of infection. However, conclusive identification of carrier animals can be problematic. This study describes assessment of candidate target genes for PCR assay-based detection of T. annulata infected carrier animals. Following in silico screening and rejection of three major multi-copy gene families, an assay based on PCR amplification of a 312 bp segment of the T. annulata gene for cytochrome b (Cytob1 assay) was established. Sensitivity was evaluated using serial dilutions of blood obtained from experimentally infected calves, while specificity was confirmed by testing DNA representing twelve different T. annulata stocks and other Theileria and Babesia species. Direct comparison with other target genes and published data indicated that Cytob1 PCR-based assays provide the greatest level of sensitivity, combined with a high level of specificity and the ability to detect different T. annulata genotypes. It can be concluded that the cytochrome b gene is the optimal target for PCR amplification and its incorporation in a Reverse Line Blot Assay offers the most sensitive method yet devised to detect the parasite in carrier animals. The use of this assay will increase the accuracy of epidemiological studies aimed at improving disease control in endemically unstable regions.