Antimicrobial activity of plant extract Ankaferd Blood Stopper

The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) was assessed on 102 clinical isolates from both Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria and four standard strains, including MRSA ATCC 43300, MSSA ATCC 25923, P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and E. coli ATCC 35218. ABS was significantly active against all bacteria investigated.     

In vitro effect of pituitary,interrenal and gonadal hormones on vitellogenin synthesis in primary hepatocyte cultures of Chalcalburnus tarichi

Vitellogenin (Vtg) is an important precursor yolk protein in egg‐laying vertebrates, including fish. The 17β‐oestradiol (E2) plays a crucial role in the Vtg synthesis; moreover, certain hormones can stimulate Vtg synthesis. We investigated the possible role of E2, carp recombinant growth hormone (crGH), insulin (Ins), progesterone (P4) and 11‐deoxycortisol (11‐DOC) hormones in Vtg synthesis on primary juvenile Chalcalburnus tarichi hepatocyte culture. The amount of Vtg in the medium was measured at 2‐day intervals using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The hepatocytes were maintained in culture for more than 2 weeks without the addition of serum components. Vitellogenin localization was visualized with the immunofluorescence method in E2‐supplemented hepatocytes. Among hormones applied to the culture, only E2 had an influence on Vtg synthesis in a time‐dependent manner, while crGH, Ins, P4 and 11‐DOC had no effect. However, in hepatocytes stimulated with E2 in combination with P4, a lower Vtg production was seen compared with Vtg produced when hepatocytes were stimulated with E2 alone. P4 proved to have potentiating effects on co‐treatment with E2‐induced Vtg production. As a result, E2 and P4 are the most important hormones for Vtg synthesis in juvenile C. tarichi hepatocyte culture.     

Enhancement of flexural and shear properties of carbon fiber/epoxy hybrid nanocomposites by boron nitride nano particles and carbon nano tube modification

In this study, the effect of boron nitride nano particle (BNNP) and/or carbon nanotube (CNT) adding for epoxy modification upon tensile, flexural and shear properties of epoxy resin and carbon fiber (CF) laminated nanocomposites were investigated. Epoxy based polymer nanocomposites were prepared by conventional casting in stainless steel mold and the CF/epoxy laminated nanocomposites were produced via vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Experimental results showed that the tensile, shear and flexural properties of epoxy nanocomposites and CF/epoxy laminated nanocomposites considerably increased by adding nanoparticle. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized in order to determine damage formation of experimented nanocomposite samples. The results of laboratory tests showed that the highest values of mechanical properties were obtained for BNNP-CNT hybrid nanocomposite specimens. Bending stiffness increasement values of BNNP-CNT/Epoxy and BNNP-CNT-Epoxy/CF achieved by 27.5 %, and 38.5 %, respectively. Shear strength increasement for BNNP-CNT/Epoxy and BNNP-CNT-Epoxy/CF were determined by 23 %, and 90 %, respectively.     

Protective roles of vitamin E (α-tocopherol), selenium and vitamin E plus selenium in organophosphate toxicity in vivo: A comparative study

In the present study, we investigated the possible protective role of vitamin E, selenium (Se) and vitamin E plus Se in fenthion-induced organophosphates (OP) toxicity in rats. Serum concentrations of ascorbic acid, retinol, β-carotene, ceruloplasmin, nitrite and nitrate as well as levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathion (GSH) in whole blood and in some tissues such as brain, heart, jejunum, kidney, liver, lung, muscle and pancreas were measured in sham, control, vitamin E, Se and vitamin E + Se groups. Compare to the sham group, the MDA (p < 0.001) and GSH (p < 0.01) levels in whole blood and some in tissues were significantly higher in the control animals. Ceruloplasmin levels of the control (p < 0.05), vitamin E (p < 0.05) and vitamin E + Se (p < 0.01), groups were higher than the sham group. Ascorbic acid, retinol, β-carotene as well as nitrite and nitrate levels in the control group were significantly lower than sham, vitamin E, Se and vitamin E + Se groups. We concluded that fenthion toxicity-induced lipid peroxidation and generation of free radicals in whole blood and tissues. Additionally, the antioxidants we tested did show a significant protective effect against OP-induced tissue and blood injury at the biochemical level.     

Effects of different organic materials on forage yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize (Zea mays L.)

The use of organic materials as a source of nutrients on agricultural lands ameliorates soil physical properties as well as being an environmentally friendly way of disposing of their wastes. This study was conducted to determine effects of three organic materials (poultry litter, cattle manure, leonardite) on yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. Poultry litter and cattle manure were applied based on phosphorus (P) or nitrogen (N) requirements of the crop whereas leonardite was applied only one dose (500 kg ha^?1) and also combined with three inorganic fertilizer doses (100%, 75%, 50% of recommended inorganic fertilizer dose). According to the results, the highest green herbage yield and nutrient uptake values were observed in LEO-100 whereas N-based treatments significantly decreased yield and nutrient uptake of silage maize. The use of organic materials as a combination with inorganic fertilizer in silage maize cultivation is highly beneficial for sustainable forage production.     

Evaluation of Different Approaches for Respiratory Quotient Calculation and Effects of Nitrogen Sources on Respiratory Quotient Values of Hydrocarbon Bioremediation

Blechnum orientale L. is a traditional, medicinal fern found in China. To assess the characteristics of heavy metals and As accumulation, the fronds, roots, and the rooting soils of this fern were sampled from urban, suburban, and rural woodlands across Guangdong Province in southern China. The concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn in both the fern and its rooting soils were separately detected by ICP-MS. Contamination levels of woodland rooting soils were also assessed using both a single pollution index and the Nemerow pollution index. Both the metal concentrations and the pollution index showed that soils from urban, suburban, and even rural woodlands were adversely contaminated by As, Cd, Hg, and Pb. Based on transfer factor, B. orientale had good translocation of As, Hg, and Mn, but poor translocation of Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn from the roots to the fronds. This result suggests that this fern could be an excluder to latter metals. Despite the significantly higher levels of metals in the roots as compared with the fronds, the low bioaccumulation factor suggests that this fern has a weak capacity for metal accumulation.

     

Some descriptive characteristics of a new goat breed called Honamli in Turkey

This study has been carried out in the Western Mediterranean Region of Turkey on seven different Honamli goat flocks. The aim of this study was to determine the growth characters, survival rate (till weaning, 105th day), some reproductive characteristics and marketable milk yield. The data were collected from 516 does and 210 kids (125 buckling and 85 doelings). The results indicate that the numbers of multiple birth and litter size were 32.8 % and 1.35 respectively. Survival rates of kids at the 30th, 90th, and 105th days were 98.5, 97.2, and 97.2?%, respectively. The average birth weight for the buckling and doelings was 4.1 and 3.7?kg, respectively. The average weaning weights for buckling and doelings were 26.9 and 23.4?kg, respectively. The effects of dams?? age, on sex and birth type on the growth of Honamli kids were statistically significant (p?<?0.05, p?<?0.01, and p?<?0.001). While the diameters of erythrocytes of Honamli goats are smaller, the density of hemoglobin in the erythrocytes is more than Asian, Indian, and American caprine breeds. The average lactation length and marketable milk yield was assessed to be at 210.3?days and was 89?L, respectively. The growth characteristics of Honamli kids at weaning age were assessed to be higher than most of the other goat breeds in Turkey. The results further indicated that there is a significant variation in the production traits among the different Honamli goat flocks. Production traits of Honamli goats at different breeding conditions should further be investigated to come to a definite conclusion.     

Evaluation of the effects of topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits

In this study the clinical and histopathological effects of topically applied tripeptide-copper complex (TCC) and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits was evaluated. Eighteen New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: TCC, zinc oxide and no treatment. One full thickness wound was created on each side of the dorsal midline in each rabbit. Wound margins were traced on days 0, 7, 14, and 21 and topical TCC and zinc oxide were applied daily for 21 days to each rabbit in the respective treatment groups. The mean unhealed wound area was significantly smaller in the TCC than in the zinc oxide group on day 7, but it was significantly smaller in the TCC group than in to the control group on days 7, 14 and 21. The mean percentage of wound contraction on day 7 was significantly higher in the TCC than in the zinc oxide group; however, it was significantly higher in the TCC group than in the control group on days 7, 14 and 21. Median time for the coverage of the wound bed with granulation tissue was significantly shorter in the TCC group than in the other groups. Filling of the open wound with granulation tissue to skin level was significantly slower in the control group than in the other two groups. Neutrophil counts decreased regardless of the group in parallel with healing, while neovascularization was best observed in the TCC group. The results suggest that TCC is a better choice in the treatment protocols of open wounds in rabbits than zinc oxide.     

Modulating effects of thyme and its major ingredients on oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes

The present study was carried out to investigate the modulating effects of thyme and its major components against the oxidative DNA damage induced by H(2)O(2). The human lymphocytes with thymol, carvacrol, and gamma-terpinene incubated with or without 0.1 mM H(2)O(2) for 30 min at 37 degrees C and the DNA damage were evaluated by singe cell gel electropheresis (comet assay). Concentrations above 0.1 mM thymol and gamma-terpinene and 0.05 mM carvacrol significantly induced DNA damage in human lymphocytes, but at the smaller concentrations no additional DNA strand breakage has been observed. At the all concentrations studied, gamma-terpinene did not show any protective effect against H(2)O(2) induced oxidative DNA damage, but the phenolic compounds thymol and carvacrol at concentrations below 0.2 and 0.1 mM, respectively, significantly reduced the oxidative DNA damage (p < 0.001). The n-hexane and ethyl acetate fractions prepared from the methanolic extracts of Thymus spicata also were found to inhibit DNA damage.     

Molecular and serological evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection of farm animals in the Black Sea Region of Turkey

This study was designed to determine the presence and the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in sheep and cattle in the Middle and Eastern Black Sea Regions of Turkey in which the potential vector, Ixodes ricinus, is widespread. Blood samples were collected from 720 sheep and 720 cattle from 6 provinces of the region, and used for detecting antibodies to A. phagocytophilum by indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and specific nucleic acids by a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Blood smears were also prepared and examined microscopically for the presence of A. phagocytophilum-like organisms in polymorphonuclear cells. Of the animals examined, antibodies were detected in 110 (15.27%) cattle and 107 (14.86%) sheep and A. phagocytophilum-like organisms were detected in the blood of 73 (10.13%) cattle and 71 (9.86%) sheep. In addition, specific DNA was detected in the blood of 27 (14.75%) cattle and 22 (12.35%) sheep. The results obtained constitute the first molecular and serological evidence of A. phagocytophilum infection in sheep and cattle in the Black Sea Region of Turkey.