Investigation of haematological and biochemical side effects of tilmicosin in healthy New Zealand rabbits

In this study, the effects of tilmicosin on some haematological and biochemical variables were investigated. Ten male New Zealand rabbits were used as material. The tilmicosin was injected (25 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously as a single injection), and the rabbits were monitored for 4 days. No negative effects of tilmicosin on haematological and biochemical variables were observed, but it did cause a temporary decrease in red and white blood cell counts.     

Investigation of biochemical and haematological side-effects of enrofloxacin in dogs

In the present study, effects of enrofloxacin on biochemical, haematological and blood gas parameters were investigated. Changes in laboratory parameters were monitored during the treatment period. Enrofloxacin was administered (5 mg/kg intramuscularly, once daily) to 10 healthy dogs for 14 days. Acidosis and temporary increases in aspartate aminotransferase, indirect bilirubin, sodium, partial pressure of CO2 and mean corpuscular volume levels as well as decreased levels of inorganic phosphorus, ionized calcium, potassium, partial pressure of O2 and standard bicarbonate were observed. The results of this study suggest that these observed effects of enrofloxacin on blood gas parameters should be taken into consideration in long-term use of the drug.     

Porcine circovirus type 2 and associated diseases in Romania--short communication

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has been demonstrated to be the causal agent for postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome (PDNS). This report describes the first detection of PCV2 and associated diseases in a Romanian swine herd located in Transylvania. The clinical signs, pathological and histopathological changes observed in affected pigs were similar to those previously described for PDNS and PMWS. Polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridisation were used for the detection of PCV2 nucleic acids from tissues and serum samples. Complete PCV2 genomes of both PMWS and PDNS cases were sequenced and analysed, and by comparing them with each other no genomic differences could be detected. The sequence analysis showed that the Romanian PCV2 was closely related to PCV2 identified in France and in Hungary.     

Effects of coated hatching eggs obtained from old broiler breeders with chitosan on embryonic growth,hatching results and chick quality

The aim of this research was to determine the effects of coating broiler hatching eggs with chitosan on egg quality, embryonic growth, hatching results and chick quality. Eggs obtained from old broiler breeder, aged 59 weeks, were used. Eggs were divided into two groups (coated with chitosan and uncoated) groups. Each group was divided into three groups according to the storage period. Eggs were stored for periods of 1, 4 and 7 days at 15°C and 80% humidity. Then, they were incubated. Storage period of eggs up to 7 days did not affect the egg quality, egg weight loss, embryo growth, chick properties and hatchability of fertile eggs. However, embryo development, relative residual yolk sac weight and relative chick weight were affected by coating eggs with chitosan. Interaction was not found between storage lengths and coating of eggs with chitosan for all examined parameters. The results of the present study suggested that hatching eggs obtained from old broiler breeder flocks were immersed into chitosan solution once and quickly have negative effect on the embryo weight, yolk sac absorption and relative chick weight. It has been observed that covering the hatching eggs with chitosan is not suitable in this respect even if immersion takes place once and in a short time.     

Effect of flunixin meglumine treatment during and after embryo transfer on the pregnancy rate in cattle

This study aimed to determine the effect of flunixin meglumine treatment during and after the transfer of in vivo produced embryos to Angus (cows) and Holstein (cows and heifers) breeds of cattle on pregnancy rate. Holstein cows were used as donors in the study. A double dose of prostaglandin F2α was administered to the recipient animals for synchronization. Uterine flushing was performed in donors on day 7 after artificial insemination. A total of 295 transferable embryos were obtained. These embryos were transferred to Angus cows (n = 85), Holstein heifers (n = 80) and Holstein cows (n = 130). After the transfer, these animals were divided into three subgroups. The first subgroup (TI) was administered flunixin meglumine during embryo transfer, and the second subgroup (TII) was administered flunixin meglumine both during embryo transfer and on days 8 and 9 after the transfer. The third subgroup (TIII) was not administered anything and it was considered the control group. Pregnancy examination of the recipients was performed on days 30–35 after the transfer using real-time ultrasonography. The pregnancy rates after embryo transfer were found to be 43.52% in Angus cows, 42.5% in Holstein heifers, and 24.61% in Holstein cows (p < .05). When the animals were not classified according to breed, the pregnancy rates in subgroups TI, TII and TIII were found to be 29.29%, 45.10% and 29.79%, respectively (p < .05). In addition, the pregnancy rates were higher in TII and TIII subgroups of Angus cows and Holstein heifers compared to that of Holstein cows (p < .05). As a result, the pregnancy rates obtained after embryo transfer in Angus cows and Holstein heifers were found to be higher than that in Holstein cows. In addition, it was concluded that the administration of flunixin meglumine during and during/after embryo transfer has a positive effect on pregnancy rates in Angus cows and Holstein heifers.     

An Alternative Sucker Management Method in Hazelnut: Application of Nitrogen Fertilizer Solution

The goal of this study was to determine the usability of nitrogen solution for hazelnut sucker management. This study was carried out from 2015 to 2016?at two hazelnut orchards; one established with the shrub (ocak) system in Atakum district and the other established with the multi-stemmed system in the Carsamba district, both in Samsun province. For sucker management, 21% ammonium sulphate (AS) and 26% calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) fertilizer solutions were used. Doses of 0, 10, 15 and 20% of solutions for both fertilizers were tested. In the study, hazelnut suckers were removed by knife in July 2015 and March 2016. Nitrogen solution applications were started in September 2015 when suckers reached 20–30?cm length. In 2016 four applications were made from April to August. Fifteen days after the applications, the wilting ratio (starting from the tip) and newly emerged suckers per bush were determined. Nitrate, pH, and EC analyses were made with soil samples collected at the beginning of the experiment and compared to those taken 15 days after each application. As a result, a 10% dose of 21% ammonium sulphate fertilizer gave the best results for hazelnut sucker management. Nitrogen solution application should be started 1 to 1.5 months after removal of suckers by cutting with a knife. Suckers should be removed when they reach 15–20?cm length and before they are lignified. For effective sucker management, nitrogen solution application should be applied at least three times in a year.

     

Comparison of the Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amaranthus cruentus</Emphasis> Flour and Its Protein Concentrate

Plants constitute an alternative source of proteins in the human diet, with advantages over animal proteins because of their low content of saturated fats and absence of cholesterol. Within the framework of a wider research project on the role of Amaranthus cruentus (Ac) in lipid metabolism, in this work the chemical composition and biological value of the Ac flour and its protein concentrate were compared. Proximate chemical composition, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, some antinutrient factors, and biological values were determined for Ac seed flour and its protein concentrate obtained by extraction at pH 11 and precipitation at pH 4.5. The flour protein content was 16.6 g% while that of the concentrate was 52.56 g%. The content of the soluble dietary fiber with a hypolipemic function was notably higher in the protein concentrate (12.90 g%) than in the seed flour (4.29 g%). The protein concentrate also exhibited a higher content of insoluble dietary fiber. The Ac flour and the concentrate contain 75.44 and 56.95% unsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Squalene, which affects the biosynthesis of cholesterol, was detected both in the flour and the concentrate oils, with a higher content in the concentrate (9.53%) as compared to the flour (6.23%). Comparison of the amino acid composition with the FAO pattern protein indicated that the concentrate does not have limiting amino acids, while the flour has leucine, threonine, and valine. The content of lysine was high in both the flour and the concentrate, making these products particularly useful as a complement for cereal flour, which is deficient in this amino acid. The biological quality analysis demonstrated an improvement in the quality of the concentrate. The presence of saponins, phytic acid, and trypsin inhibitors in the concentrate, which favor the metabolism of lipids, suggests that consumption of the concentrate might reduce the risk of heart disease.     

Measurement of fuzz fibers on fabric surface using image analysis methods

Fuzz on the fabrics, which is the fibers protruded from the fabric surface, is very important in view of appearance quality, since it causes unpleasant appearance on the fabrics and also leads to pilling which makes fabric appearance and softness worse. However, fuzz on fabric surface is measured mostly by subjective methods (human vision) rather than objective methods. Thus, in this study, objective method using image analysis techniques has been developed for the measurement of fuzz on fabric surface. Fuzz on the fabric has also been ranked and rated by experts in order to see the reliability of the results obtained from the fuzz measurement. It was observed that correlation coefficient (r) between rating value and objective measurement value was 0.9 and this correlation coefficient value confirmed the reliability of this method.     

Recreational scuba diving in a groundwater ecosystem: Disturbance mechanisms,ecological impacts and stakeholder perceptions

1. Ecological damage by scuba divers has been extensively studied in marine ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, whereas the impacts on freshwater environments such as groundwater springs is unknown. In the Silfra groundwater fissure in Iceland, a vast increase in diver entries has occurred during the last decade, prompting concerns over potential ecosystem impacts and visitor carrying capacity.
2. Here, a mixed‐method approach was used to assess the impacts of scuba diving in Silfra. (a) Divers were recorded under water to observe the mechanisms of diver‐related disturbances, (b) benthic material was collected along transects in Silfra and the undisturbed fissure Flosagjá to compare biofilm biomass and zoobenthic communities between and within fissures, and (c) the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders surrounding the dive tourism in Silfra were explored.
3. Underwater observations showed that 91.4% of the divers caused at least a single disturbance, resulting in biofilm detachments and/or sediment stirring. Diver fins caused the most frequent disturbances, predominantly through fin‐generated currents but also by directly contacting the substrate. Benthic biofilm biomass was lower in Silfra than Flosagjá and exhibited a negative correlation with dive‐use. Some disturbance‐tolerant zoobenthic groups exhibited moderate to strong correlations with dive‐use.
4. All stakeholders had negative perceptions towards increasing diver entries, but although entry limitation could improve tourism quality, disturbance might only minimally be reduced as springs like Silfra may be particularly sensitive.
5. Springs are characteristically stable and uniform environments that can be vulnerable to disturbance. Their use for scuba diving should be carefully managed through a holistic approach and an active collaboration between all stakeholders.

     

Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences from Fig mosaic virus isolates in Turkey

Fig mosaic virus (FMV), which was described recently, is the only characterized causal agent of fig mosaic disease (FMD). It has six RNA segments and belongs to the Bunyaviridae family. In order to determine the genetic diversity of Turkish FMV isolates, the most common fig cultivars showing FMD symptoms were collected from different fig-growing provinces of Turkey. Nucleoprotein (Np) and Glycoprotein (Gp) gene-specific primers of FMV were used for RT-PCR analysis. According to RT-PCR results, 71 of 90 samples from 20 different cultivars and unknown fig seedlings were found to be infected by FMV. Among them, 41 isolates were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analyses based on the partial Gp and Np sequences at the amino acid level by the neighbor-joining method. The isolates showed more than 80% identity with reference FMV isolates (Acc. nos. FM991954.1 and FM864225.2). Based on phylogenetic analysis, the sequences clustered into two main groups for Np and Gp regions. Significant relationships between FMV isolates based on geographic origin and cultivars were not observed.