A Comparison Investigation on Antioxidant Activities,Physicochemical Properties and Phytochemical Contents of Kiwifruit Genotypes and Cultivars

The present work was conducted to find the physicochemical properties, chemical components and antioxidant capacity of kiwifruit hydroalcoholic extracts (B-31, HO-1-14, J-242, Bruno, Greenlight, Hayward, Monty, Topstar) grown Yalova, Turkey. Phytochemical tests were performed to determine total phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbic acid. Moreover, the kiwifruit extracts were subjected to evaluate their antioxidant potential using different in vitro assays such as total antioxidant, inhibition of lipid peroxidation, reducing power, metal chelating, free radical, H₂O₂ and superoxide anion scavenging activities at 50–500 μg mL^?1, and also found EC₅₀ and IC₅₀ values. The soluble solid content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA) and pH were analyzed in all the genotypes and cultivars. The highest total phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbic acid content were found in J-242 (89.53 mg GAE/100 g), J-242 (109.13 mg QE/100 g) and HO-1-14 (64.15 mg/100 g), respectively. The linoleic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acid methyl esters were detected in all kiwifruit extracts by GC/MS. Significant differences were found between genotypes and cultivars in the antioxidant tests. The extracts showed high inhibition of lipid peroxidation and compared to standards, significantly (p < 0.05). The GC/MS analyses confirmed quantitative variability in the antioxidant profiles. The SSC, TA and pH of kiwifruit genotypes and cultivars showed a moderate level. The key parameters for the most active kiwifruit included the following: total antioxidant activity for B-31, H₂O₂ scavenging activity for J-242 and metal chelating activity for Topstar. In conclusion, this study exhibited the important role played by the genotypes and cultivars background on the chemical content and antioxidant profiles.     

Screening of Urfa pepper landraces for resistance to Meloidogyne incognita

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are significant pathogens that affect the yield and fruit quality in pepper cultivars (Capsicum spp.)....     

Compositions and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of two Hypericum species from Turkey

The chemical compositions of essential oils obtained from Hypericum hyssopifolium var. microcalycinum and Hypericum lysimachioides var. lysimachioides were analysed by using GC and GC-MS. Caryophyllene oxide was found to be the major component. The essential oils of both Hypericum species showed antimicrobial activity against nine microorganism at a concentration of 60 to 80 microg/ml.     

Immunohistochemical and qPCR determination of the expression and serum level of anti‐Müllerian hormone in pre‐pubertal,intact and ovarian remnant syndrome detected bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations, ovarian presence and expression of anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) in pre‐pubertal, bitches with signs of ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and intact bitches. In addition, we aimed to verify the suitability of serum AMH concentrations for diagnostic purposes in sterilized bitches and/or in suspected cases of ORS in the field of veterinary medicine. For this purpose, 36 healthy female dogs divided into six groups: proestrus, oestrus, dioestrus, anoestrus, pre‐pubertal and ORS. Serum AMH concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and ovarian presence and distribution of AMH was confirmed by immunohistochemical and qPCR techniques. According to the results of qPCR, while the expression values of AMH were at the highest concentrations in the proestrus and oestrus, there was a statistically significant decrease in these values at the later stages of the cycle (p < 0.05). According to hormone analysis, the serum AMH values of the ORS group had decreased significantly compared with the proestrus and oestrus (p < 0.05). Although serum AMH levels of ORS group were increased compared with anestrus and pre‐pubertal groups, this increase was statistically non‐significant (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemically, AMH expression was first observed in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles in folliculogenesis. Expression values were the highest in the proestrous and oestrus groups, but values from bitches in later stages of the cycle were statistically significant decrease in comparison with these groups (p < 0.05). As a result, AMH concentration and expression were found to be higher in proestrus and oestrus than in other periods (p < 0.05). In addition, the measurable level of AMH concentration in bitches with ORS is an indication that it can be used in the diagnosis of ORS.     

Electron microscopic studies on conjunctiva associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) in Angora goats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the electron microscopic structure of conjunctiva associated lymphoid tissue (CALT) and to determine the uptake of macromolecules from follicle associated epithelium (FAE) of Angora goats. The sample tissues taken from lower and upper eyelids of ten 5-6 month-old healthy Angora goats were used in this study. The conjunctiva associated lymphoid tissue of Angora goats was formed by solitary or aggregate lymphoid follicle and follicle associated epithelium which cover these follicle. FAE was formed by flattened epithelial cells, lymphocytes, monocytes and polymorph nuclear leukocytes but no goblet cells. Ferritin particles were seen on the apical surface, in the invaginations, vesicles, vacuoles of flattened epithelial cells. It was concluded that these epithelial cells were specialized to uptake macromolecules.     

Effects of recessive white plumage colour mutation on hatchability and growth of quail hatched from breeders of different ages

1. A total of 1200 eggs were obtained from two pure line stocks of 'wild' and 'recessive white' quail of the Pharaoh strain (Coturnix coturnix Pharaoh), with two different breeder ages (17 or 34 weeks). The recessive white line was derived from mutant birds, which appeared spontaneously within the wild-type quail colony. 2. The analysis included plumage colour and breeder age as main effects together with their interaction. There were no significant effects for apparent fertility but hatchability of total and fertile eggs was affected by plumage colour variant and breeder age. 3. Body weight was affected by plumage colour throughout the growing period, whereas the differences attributable to breeder age were significant from 21 to 42 d only. 4. Main effects and their interaction were significant for feed conversion ratio until the end of the growing period, except at the age of 7 d for the effect of breeder age. 5. It was concluded that the hatchability and growth performance of the recessive white-type was not as good as the wild-type. The young breeders (17 weeks old) had the best hatchability and subsequent growth performance.     

Evaluating the curriculum of the veterinary school of Firat University, Turkey, in terms of professional and technical skills

A significant portion of the problems faced by veterinarians is related to communication. These problems are intensely experienced between veterinary practitioners and animal owners; yet no lectures or courses aiming to improve professional skills are available in the curriculum of veterinary schools in Turkey. In this study, all students currently enrolled at, and 1992 and 1998 graduates of, the Veterinary School of Firat University (VSFU), Turkey, were surveyed to evaluate the attitudes of veterinary students and graduates toward technical and professional skills. Data were collected from 581 students and 61 recent graduates via personal interviews with students and questionnaires mailed to graduates; information was obtained about participants' technical and professional skills. The overall response rate was 85%. The results show that learning about technical and professional skills is highly valued; competence and comfort in skill sets are associated with comfort in establishing communication with instructors. Positive correlations were also noted between feeling comfortable with and feeling competent in both skill sets. In conclusion, it appears to be essential to introduce courses addressing improvement of professional skills to the curriculum of veterinary schools in Turkey, given that a successful veterinarian profile requires feeling competent in and comfortable with both technical and professional skills.     

Examination of Correlation between Histidine,Sulfur, Cadmium,and Cobalt Absorption by Morus L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., and Populus nigra L.

We investigated the relationship between histidine, sulfur (S), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co) in three hyperaccumulating plants, namely Morus L., Robinia pseudoacacia L., and Populus nigra L. The samples were collected around Gaziantep and Bursa cities because these two cities have more than 1,500,000 populations, in Turkey, as well as they are highly industrialized. Analyses for Cd, Co, and S were done by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) and for histidine by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (HPLC-MS). Related with role of histidine in detoxification, it was considered that histidine did not bind nickel (Ni) directly in the cytoplasm, but in transport vesicles because metal-rich vesicles had been observed in the cytoplasm of cells of hyperaccumulator plants. The linear correlations were r_his-Cd = 0.70 and r_his-Co = 0.74 for P. nigra L., r_his-Co = 0.52 and r_Co-S = 0.76 for R. pseudoacacia L. It was concluded that P. nigra L. leaves can be considered as hyperaccumulators.     

Dietary supplement oil classification and detection of adulteration using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) methods and common chemometric techniques [including discriminant analysis (DA), Mahalanobis distances, and Cooman plots] were used to classify various types of dietary supplement oils (DSO) and less expensive, common food oils. Rapid FT-IR methods were then developed to detect adulteration of DSO with select common food oils. Spectra of 14 types of DSO and 5 types of common food oils were collected with an FT-IR equipped with a ZnSe attenuated total reflectance cell and a mercury cadmium telluride A detector. Classification of DSO and some common food oils was achieved successfully using FT-IR and chemometrics. Select DSO were adulterated (2-20% v/v) with the common food oils that had the closest Mahalanobis distance to them in a Cooman plot based on the DA analysis, and data were also analyzed using a partial least-squares (PLS) method. The detection limit for the adulteration of DSO was 2% v/v. Standard curves to determine the adulterant concentration in DSO were also obtained using PLS with correlation coefficients of >0.9. The approach of using FT-IR in combination with chemometric analyses was successful in classifying oils and detecting adulteration of DSO.     

Vaccination of dairy cows with recombinant Streptococcus uberis adhesion molecule induces antibodies that reduce adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into bovine mammary epithelial cells

Streptococcus uberis is an important environmental mastitis pathogen that causes subclinical and clinical mastitis in lactating and nonlactating cows and heifers throughout the world. Previous work from our laboratory suggests that S. uberis adhesion molecule (SUAM) is involved in S. uberis pathogenesis and may be an excellent target for vaccine development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibody response of cattle vaccinated with recombinant SUAM (rSUAM). Uninfected primiparous dairy cows (n=30) in late lactation were divided randomly into three groups of 10 cows each: control, 200 μg rSUAM, and 400 μg rSUAM. Cows in groups vaccinated with 200 μg and 400 μg rSUAM received an emulsion containing adjuvant, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and affinity purified rSUAM. Cows in the control group received an emulsion containing adjuvant and PBS. Cows were vaccinated subcutaneously in the neck region at drying off (D-0), 28 d after drying off (D+28) and within 7 d after calving. Serum was collected at D-0, D+28, at calving (C-0), calving vaccination (CV), and during early lactation (CV+14). Serum antibody responses were measured by an ELISA against rSUAM. Following the first vaccination a significant increase in anti-rSUAM antibodies was detected at D+28 in cows from groups vaccinated with 200 μg and 400 μg rSUAM when compared to the control group. This increase in anti-rSUAM antibodies continued following the second immunization at D+28; reaching the highest levels in the post-parturient sampling period (C0), after which antibodies appeared to plateau. S. uberis UT888 pretreated with several dilutions of heat-inactivated serum from cows vaccinated with rSUAM, affinity purified antibodies against rSUAM, and to a 17 amino acid long peptide from the N terminus of SUAM (pep-SUAM) were co-cultured with bovine mammary epithelial cells and adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into epithelial cells was measured. Compared to untreated controls, opsonization of two strains of S. uberis with sera from cows vaccinated with rSUAM, with affinity purified rSUAM antibodies, or with affinity purified pep-SUAM antibodies significantly reduced adherence to and internalization of this pathogen into bovine mammary epithelial cells. In conclusion, subcutaneous vaccination of dairy cows with rSUAM during physiological transitions of the mammary gland either from or to a state of active milk synthesis induced antibodies in serum and milk and these antibodies reduced adherence to and internalization of S. uberis into mammary epithelial cells under in vitro conditions. SUAM appears to be an excellent candidate for vaccine development.