Detection of Candida species by nested PCR method in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Systemic fungal diseases are the infections caused by false treatment protocols and generally are not taken into consideration especially in the veterinary...     

Control of tsetse flies and trypanosomes using molecular genetics

TSETSE FLIES (DIPTERA: Glossinidae) are important agricultural and medical vectors transmitting the African trypanosomes, the agents of sleeping sickness disease in humans and various diseases in animals (nagana). While the prevalence of disease has increased to epidemic proportions, lack of a mammalian vaccine and affordable and effective drugs have hindered disease control. Trypanosomiasis management relies heavily on the control of its single insect vector, the tsetse fly. Despite the effectiveness of some of these tools, their impact on disease control has not been sustainable due to their local nature and extensive dependence on community participation. Recent advances in molecular technologies and their application to insects have revolutionized the field of vector biology, and there is hope that such new approaches may form the basis for future tsetse interventions. The success of the genetic approaches aiming to disrupt the transmission cycle of the parasite in their invertebrate host depends on full understanding of the interaction between tsetse and trypanosomes. This article reviews the biology of trypanosome development in the fly and the multiple bacterial symbionts that inhabit the same gut environment. The availability of a genetic transformation system for the midgut symbiont allows for gene products to be expressed in vivo in the tsetse gut where they can produce a hostile environment for pathogen transmission. The characterization of gene product(s) with anti-pathogenic properties and their expression in vivo is discussed. A strategy is outlined where the replacement of susceptible insect phenotypes with their engineered refractory counterparts can result in decreased disease transmission.     

Properties of modified ethylene terpolymer/poly(lactic acid) blends based films

In order to explore an alternative method instead of plasticization for improving the toughness, flexibility and processability of PLA based packaging films, two different kinds of modified polyethylene based elastomers, such as glycidyl methacrylate or maleic anhydride functionalized ethylene-acrylate based elastomers, were melt blended with PLA. Their properties were compared with conventional PEG plasticized PLA. The chemical interaction between end groups of PLA and epoxide or maleic anhydride functional groups of elastomers was shown by FTIR. Scanning electron microscopy showed that up to 20 % PEG loading, one phase morphology was achieved, however beyond this point, a phase separation was observed for plasticized PLA. For PLA/elastomer blends, a two-phase morphology was obtained as a result of immiscible nature of PLA and elastomers. Tensile and dynamic mechanical properties indicated that elastomer based blends were better than plasticized PLA independently from elastomer type. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis exhibited that the T _g value was remarkably lowered in the plasticized PLA; however, it did not change in the case of elastomers. In terms of oxygen permeability and biodegradability, plasticized PLA was found to be better than elastomer based blends.     

Nitrogen mineralisation in the soil of indigenous oak and pine plantation forests in a Mediterranean environment

Nitrogen mineralisation in soils of various forest sites (pine plantation, natural and thinned oak) at Uluda? University campus in Bursa, Turkey was investigated continuously over a year by the field incubation method. Net nitrogen mineralisation and nitrification rates varied depending on sampling dates. Although nitrogen mineralisation and nitrification rates increased in the spring and summer months, there was no seasonal variation in the soils of the examined forests. Annual net nitrate (NO₃^?–N) accumulation in the upper soil layer (0–5 cm) was higher in Oak I and Oak II (14 kg ha y^?1 and 12 kg ha y^?1) than in the pine plantation (8 kg ha y^?1). While annual net NO₃^?–N accumulation (0–5 cm) varied between the oak forests (possibly due to forest management practices), annual net N_min values were similar in these forests. No significant correlation was found between the examined soil parameters and net nitrification and mineralisation rates in the soils (P > 0.05). These results indicate that tree species and forest management practices play important roles in N cycling in forest ecosystems.     

Effects of dietary selenium of organic form against lead toxicity on the antioxidant system in Cyprinus carpio

In this study was evaluated potential protective effect of organic selenium (Se) on heavy metal stress induced by lead (Pb) in Cyprinus carpio. For this reason, C. carpio was exposed to sublethal concentration of Pb (1.5 mg/L Pb(NO₃)₂) for 14 days. The fish were fed a basal (control; measured 0.55 mg/kg Se) diet or a basal diet supplemented with 2.50 mg/kg (measured 2.92 mg/kg Se) organic Se (Sel-Plex^®) during the experiment period. The variations in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST) activities, and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) with malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver and brain tissues of C. carpio were investigated in experimental groups. GSH levels in liver and brain tissues were significantly decreased by exposure to Pb. GST activity was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in liver tissue, but decreased in brain of treated fish by exposure to Pb. Also, GSH-Px activity was significantly increased in liver tissue, but decreased in brain of Pb-treated fish. Levels of MDA were increased in liver and brain of Pb-treated fish. The organic Se treatment for Pb-intoxicated animals improved activities of GSH-Px, GST and levels of MDA within normal limits. Supplemented Se could be able to improve Pb-induced oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation and regulating antioxidant defense system in tissues.     

Purification and characterization of Ocimum basilicum L. polyphenol oxidase

A partial characterization of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity in Ocimum basilicum L. is described. PPO in O. basilicum L. was extracted and purified through (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, dialysis, and a Sepharose 4B-l-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid affinity column. The samples obtained from (NH4)2SO4 precipitation and dialysis were used for the characterization of PPO. At the end of purification by affinity chromatography, 11.5-fold purification was achived. The purified enzyme exhibited a clear single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular mass of the enzyme was estimated to be approximately 54 kDa. The contents of total phenolic and protein of O. basilicum L. extracts were determined. The total phenolic content of O. basilicum L. was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and was found to be 280 mg 100 g(-1) on a fresh weight basis. The protein content was determined according to the Bradford method. The enzyme showed activity to 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates, but not to tyrosine. Therefore, of these three substrates, 4-methylcatecol was the best substrate due to the highest V(max)/K(m) value, followed by pyrogallol and catechol. The optimum pH was at 6, 8, and 9 for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol, respectively. The enzyme had an optimum temperature of 20, 40, and 50 degrees C for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol, respectively. It was found that optimum temperature and pH were dependent on the substrates studied. The enzyme activity with increasing temperature and inactivation time for 4-methylcatechol, catechol, and pyrogallol substrates decreased due to heat denaturation of the enzyme.     

Levels of selected minerals,nitric oxide,and vitamins in aborted Sakis sheep raised under semitropical conditions

The serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron and of nitric oxide, retinol, and β-carotene were determined in Sakiz ewes that had experienced an abortion and in healthy controls. Ten healthy and 25 aborted Sakiz sheep were selected from Afyon zone in western Turkey. Their ages ranged between 2 and 4 years weighing between 40 and 60 kg at the time of experiment. All of the abortions occurred in October. The concentrations of retinol, β-carotene, phosphorus, and zinc were significantly lower and those of calcium and nitric oxide were increased in aborted ewes relative to healthy controls. The serum levels of iron, copper, and magnesium were not significantly different among the two groups. In conclusion, abortion is an important problem in commercially important species of ruminants in many regions in the tropics including of western Turkey. Deficiencies of retinol, β-carotene, phosphorus and zinc, and the increase of calcium and nitric oxide concentration may play an important role in the etiology of abortion in ewes. Prophylactic measures such as vitamin and mineral supplementation may be of help to prevent or reduce the incidence of abortion in sheep.     

Responses of barley to hypoxia and salinity during seed germination,nutrient uptake,and early plant growth in solution culture

The resistance of most plants to salt can be impaired by concurrent waterlogging. However, few studies have examined this interaction during germination and early seedling growth and its implications for nutrient uptake. The aim of the study was to examine the response of germination, early growth, and nutrient uptake to salt (NaCl) and hypoxia applied to barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Stirling), in solution culture. Hypoxia, induced by covering seeds with water, lowered the germination from 94% to 28% but salinity and hypoxia together lowered it further to 13% at 120 mM NaCl. While the germination was 75% at 250 mM NaCl in aerated solution, it was completely inhibited at this NaCl concentration under hypoxia. Sodium ion (Na⁺) concentrations in germinated seedlings increased with increasing salinity under both aerated and hypoxic conditions during germination, while K⁺ and Mg⁺ concentrations were decreased with increasing salinity in 6 d old seedlings. After 20 d, control seedlings had the same dry weights of the roots and shoots with and without hypoxia but at 10 mM NaCl and higher, shoot and root dry weight was depressed with hypoxia. Sodium ion increased in roots and shoots with increased NaCl under both aerated and hypoxic conditions while K⁺ was depressed when salinity and hypoxia were applied together and Ca²⁺ was mostly decreased by NaCl. In general, hypoxia had greater effects on nutrient concentrations than NaCl by decreasing N, P, S, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Fe in shoots and by increasing B concentrations. The threshold salinity levels decreased markedly for germination, uptake of a range of nutrients, and for seedling growth of barley under hypoxic compared to well‐aerated conditions.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Corythucha ciliata</Emphasis>, a new <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platanus</Emphasis> pest in Turkey

An invasive Tingidae, the platanus lace bug Corythucha ciliata (Say, 1832) (Hemiptera: Tingidae), which specializes on Platanus spp., was found for the first time in Turkey in 2007; it was recorded from a 120 km² area in the northwestern part of the country. Infestations occurred in an area between Taşkesti and Abant in Bolu Province, which is located near major cities and two main motorways. The pest species is newly spreading in Turkey, causing noticeable damage to Platanus orientalis trees.     

Mating types of Phomopsis viticola isolates from grapevine in Aegean Region/Turkey

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Mating type diversity has been recently studied in Diaporthe/Phomopsis isolates from different hosts and geographical origin. Two idiomorphic mating...