Effect of oregano (Origanum onites L.) essential oil on growth,lysozyme and antioxidant activity and resistance against Lactococcus garvieae in rainbow trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different levels of Origanum onites L. essential oil as feed additives on the growth performance, antioxidant activity and disease resistance of rainbow trout. Fish (26.05 ± 0.15 g) were fed the experimental diets supplemented with four different concentrations (0.125, 1.5, 2.5 and 3.0 mL kg^?1) of O. onites essential oil for 90 days. Fish fed diets containing essential oil of O. onites had significantly higher final weight than the control group. Feed conversion ratio in fish fed diets containing 1.5 and 3.0 mL kg^?1 essential oil of O. onites was improved than other treatments (P < 0.05). The lowest feed conversion efficiency ratio was recorded in the 0.125 mL kg^?1 group of O. onites. Antioxidant status of fish was assayed for levels of plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma catalase (CAT) activity. Lysozyme activity in plasma was significantly higher in fish fed diet containing 3.0 mL kg^?1 essential oil of O. onites (P < 0.05). After 8 weeks of feeding, fish were challenged with Lactococcus garvieae and cumulative mortality was recorded over 15 days. Dietary administration of 0.125, 1.5 and 2.5 mL kg^?1 O. onites significantly reduced fish mortality (P < 0.05). The 3.0 mL kg^?1 diet showed no mortality after challenged with L. garvieae. These results suggested that the essential oil of O. onites could be applied as growth promoter and also improved disease resistance when added to rainbow trout feed.     

The Effect of Kefir as a Dietary Supplement on Nonspecific Immune Response and Disease Resistance in Juvenile Rainbow Trout,Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum 1792)

In this study, juvenile rainbow trout fed with commercial pellets containing kefir provided increased nonspecific immune response and improved disease resistance against lactococcosis and yersiniosis. Kefir was used as a feed supplement at 2, 5, and 10% inclusion rates and several nonspecific immune parameters were observed at day(s) 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 following the treatment. A total of four experimental groups, including control, was established. The various parameters including hematocrits, nitroblue tetrazolium positive neutrophils, total leukocytes, serum lysozyme activity, total serum protein, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were examined. As a result of this study, kefir‐fed fish had an increase in measured nonspecific immune parameters, especially in the group received the 10% kefir treatment. The challenged fish fed with kefir‐supplemented diet showed a better survival rate against Lactococcus garvieae than Yersinia ruckeri. Kefir supplementation reduced fish mortality significantly against L. garvieae.     

Ultrasonographic examination of the carpal canal in dogs

The aim of this study was to determine the course of the median nerve and its adjacent structures in the carpal canals of 8 healthy dogs by using high-frequency transducers. Before performing ultrasonography, the transverse and posteroanterior diameters as well as the perimeter of the carpus were measured at just proximal to the side of the carpal pad. The anatomical structures were then determined at two levels of the carpal canal, which were named the proximal and distal levels, on the transverse sonograms. The cross-sectional areas, perimeters and the transverse and posteroanterior diameters of the median nerve were measured at these levels. Although all the measurements were larger at the proximal level, significant differences between the proximal and distal levels were determined for the cross-sectional area, the perimeter and the transverse diameter of the median nerve. On the transverse sonogram, the deep digital flexor tendon was seen in almost the center of the carpal canal like a comma shape and also it had a small concavity on the caudal side. The superficial digital flexor tendon was seen as an ovoid shape on the transverse sonograms and it was located nearly at the posterior side of the carpal canal. Both tendons were seen as intermediate-grade echogenic structures. The median artery was located inside of the concavity of the deep digital flexor tendon. Also, the median nerve was seen at the posteromedial side of the median artery. As a result of this study, the cross-sectional areas of the median nerve ranged between 1.01-2.68 mm² at the proximal level and between 0.93-1.91 mm² at the distal level.     

Yield promotion and phosphorus solubilization by plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria in extensive wheat production in Turkey

Plant growth–promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been reported to stimulate the growth and yield of grain crops, particularly when nutrient supply is poor. However, the mechanisms underlying stimulation of plant growth may vary depending not only on growth conditions and crop management but also on plant and bacterial species. The present study assessed the effect of an inoculation with single or multiple PGPR strains on phosphorus (P)‐solubilization processes in the soil and on grain yield in wheat. Single inoculation with Bacillus subtilis OSU‐142, Bacillus megaterium M3, or Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 increased grain yield by 24%, 19%, and 19%, respectively, while a mixed inoculation with OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 increased grain yield by 33% relative to noninoculated plants. Single inoculations with Paenibacillus polymyxa RC05 or Bacillus megaterium RC07 were less effective. Single or mixed treatments with OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 increased the concentrations of the labile and moderately labile P fractions in rhizosphere soil. The growth‐stimulating effect of OSU‐142, M3, and Sp245 was also reflected by higher P concentrations in most plant organs. Among all inocula tested, the highest plant P acquisition was obtained in the presence of M3 and accompanied by the highest microbial P levels and the highest phosphatase activities in the rhizosphere soil. In conclusion, seed inoculation with mixed PGPR strains may effectively substitute for a part of P‐fertilizer application in extensive wheat production, and in particular M3 appears to improve the solubilization of inorganic soil P.     

The Effect of Live and Artificial Diets on Growth, Survival, and Trypsin Activity in Larvae of Penaeus indicus

In this study, partial and total replacement of live diets (microalgae and Artemia nauplii) with microencapsulated diets (MED) are demonstrated for larval culture of P. indicus . Slower growth and lower survival rate of larvae fed experimental MED were significantly improved by a supplement of 15 cells/μL frozen mixed algae (1:2, Tetrtaselmis and Skeletonema ) during protod stages (PZ1–PZ3). This low level of algal supplement to MED resulted in survival (85–92%) equal to that obtained from control live diets (91%) during protod stages. These significant improvements in larval growth and survival are likely to be due to higher larval digestive enzyme activities and hence more efficient digestion of the artificial diet by the larvae. Like other penaeids, P. indicus larvae show high total and tissue trypsin activities during PZ stages, with a peak at mysis stage 1 (M1), and a decrease during subsequent stages when fed on conventional live diets of algae followed by Artemia during mysis stages. Larvae fed 15 ceUs/μL mixed frozen algae in addition to MED demonstrated a significantly higher trypsin activity throughout herbivorous larval stages in comparison to larvae fed solely on MED. A freeze dried alga Rhinomonas reticulata incorporated into a MED at 23Vo (v/v) induced larval trypsin activity equal to that produced by live algae. Hence, the algal substances, which trigger digestive enzyme production, may be retained within the microcapsules. At mysis stages, however, addition of live prey (one Artemia/ mL) to cultures fed with MED significantly improved growth and survival although it depressed trypsin activity. For mysis stages it appears that the use of predigested ingredients is necessary to improve the digestibility of formulated diets.     

Electrical stimulation of lumbar spinal nerve roots in dogs

The aim of this study was to test the applicability of electrical stimulation of lumbar spinal nerve roots and obtain normative electrical root stimulation (ERS) data for L7 nerve root and sciatic nerve in dogs. For that purpose ERS and sciatic nerve stimulations were performed consecutively, in totally 40 healthy dogs. ERS was applied in the L7/S1 intervertebral space via monopolar needle electrodes. Muscle responses were recorded from the gastrocnemius muscles on the left and right hind limbs. Sciatic nerve stimulation was performed at the greater trochanter level on the left hind limb, with records obtained from the left gastrocnemius muscle. Mean root latencies of the left and right side were 5.22?±?0.49 ms and 5.29?±?0.53 ms, respectively. There was no significant difference in root latency between the right and left sides. The mean terminal latency was 3.82?±?0.46 ms. The proximal motor nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve was 63.15?±?3.43 m/s. The results of this study show that ERS provides objective data about the integrity of lumbar spinal nerve roots by evaluating the entire population of motor fibres and total length of the motor axon in dogs. ERS can be considered a useful diagnostic method for confirmation of diagnoses of lumbosacral diseases.     

Contributions to the moss flora of Artvin region (Hatila Valley National Park-Turkey)

Field studies were organized for exploring the moss flora of Hatila Valley National Park of Artvin (Turkey) during spring-summer period in 2005-2006. The taxonomic survey yielded eighty-five moss taxa o(comprises of seventy-nine species, six varieties) belonging to 44 genera of 16 families in Hatila Valley National Park of Artvin, Turkey. Bryum rubens Milt., Dicranodontium uncinatufm (Harv.) A. Jaeger., Eurhynchium hians var. rigidum (Boul.) Düll., Hypnum jutlandicum Holmen and Warncke, Rhynchostegiella jacquinii (Garov.) Limpr. and Pseudocrossidium hornschuchianum (Schultz) R. H. Z ander are new records for A4 grid square (40 degrees-42' N, 38 degrees-42' E) determined. All taxa were found for the first time in Artvin. For every each taxon, the habitat pattern and distribution data are presented.     

Influence of Rooting Media on Chrysopogon Zizanioides (L.) Roberty

The present study was carried out to find the influence of some organic materials on the optimum biomass production of Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty (Vetiver) using soil (S), vermicompost (VC), cow dung (CD) and coir pith (CP) at different ratios. The final day results showed that the ideal combination for the growth of the Vetiver is 1:1:1:1 v/v ratio of VC/CD/CP/S. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrogen (N)- phosphorus (P)- potassium (K), organic carbon (OC), and carbon (C)/N ratio showed in 1:1:1:1 v/v ratio of (VC/CD/CP/S), on 120th day were 7.3, 0.38 dS m^?1, 1.36%, 0.11%, 8.7%, 20.5% and C/N ratio is 15:1. The root and shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, number of culms, and total chlorophyll content of Chrysopogon zizanioides were 65cm, 197 cm, 312 g, 104.4 g, 36 culms/plant and 40.57 mg/g at 1:1:1:1 v/v ratio of (VC/CD/CP/S) treatment and compared to control sets, the increasing ratio were 6:1, 3:1, 12:1, 12:1, 3:1, 2:1 respectively.