Chemical and Nutritional Characteristics of Holothuria tubulosa (Gmelin, 1788); A Seasonally Comparative Study

Sea cucumbers belonging to the Holothuroidea class are a group of worm-like and soft-bodied echinoderms that live in nearly all marine environments. Mediterranean Holothuria tubulosa is an economic sea cucumber species found in Turkish seas. This study aimed to present the first report of detailed amino acid profile and investigate the biochemical and nutritional characteristics of H. tubulosa seasonally collected from one of the densest natural beds, located at Çanakkale Strait (Southern Coast of Marmara Sea), Turkey. According to our results, the highest protein, lipid, and ash contents (%) were found to be 10.2, 1.9, and 5.1, respectively. The highest percentages of saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were 42.9, 28.3, and 37.8, respectively. Total amino acids (mg/g crude protein) ranged between 867.2 and 974.0 among all seasons. All essential amino acids were found in body wall tissues and ranged between 7.1 and 5.9. Mineral composition was found to be desirable at the recommended and threshold levels. In general, the proximate composition of H. tubulosa was directly affected by seasons (p < .05); however, amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral compositions were found to be similar among all seasons, except summer (p > .05).     

Microbiological and Physicochemical Quality of Carp sausage Enriched With Propolis Natural Extract during Chilled Storage

This study aimed to determine the effect of propolis extract on quality of liquid smoked carp (Cyprinus carpio) sausage stored at 2°C for 9 weeks. Carp sausages were separated into three groups: control group, without propolis extract; second group, with 1% (w/w) propolis extract added; and third group, with 2% (w/w) propolis extract added. Propolis extract added carp sausages showed lower total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) value, peroxide value (PV), and free fatty acid (FFA) content compared to control during the storage period. During 9 weeks of storage, propolis extract added carp sausages showed significantly lower total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (TAMB) and psychrophilic bacteria count (PBC) than those of control samples (p < .05). Yeast and mold were not detected in all fish sausages throughout the storage period.     

The effects of environmental factors on survival,growth and biochemical composition of transplanted oysters (Ostreaedulis Linnaeus, 1758) from Aegean Sea to southern Black Sea

This study examined survival, growth rate and biochemical composition of oysters (Ostrea edulis) when transplanted from Aegean Sea to southern Black Sea (Sinop) and maintained offshore in a submerged long‐line from December 2008 to December 2009. In December 2009, the mean length and live weight were 92.52 ± 1.40 mm and 109.60 ± 2.41 g respectively. Mean specific growth rate (SGR) was found as 1.29 ± 0.16%. Meat yield ranged from 7.90 to 11.47%. Mean moisture and ash were 81.40 ± 0.52% and 9.50 ± 0.55% respectively. Protein content was between 36.57% and 61.31% with a mean of 50.17 ± 2.13%, while lipid content was between 4.83% and 10.86% with a mean of 7.74 ± 0.49%. Carbohydrate content was between 20.88% and 46.89% with a mean of 32.59 ± 2.38%. The study demonstrated that protein, lipid and carbohydrate were used for different metabolic needs of oysters. Mortality was dependent on physiological stress related to the gonadal activity, temperature and inorganic matter in seawater. Consequently, the low salinity rate has a negative impact on growth rate of oyster. However, there was not a serious adaptation problem in transplanted oysters from Aegean Sea to Black Sea.     

Determination of histological and genotoxic effects of formalin on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)

Formalin (37–40% formaldehyde) is one of the most effective, widely used chemical in pisciculture for its antiparasitic, antifungal and prophylactic activities. It is used in paints, cleaning products and textile industry, as well. Genotoxic and histological effects of sublethal formalin exposure on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) are investigated in this study. The semi‐static acute test was employed. One‐tenth, one‐fifth and half of the 96‐h LC₅₀ value, 148 mg L^?1, were used as sublethal exposure concentrations: 15, 30 and 75 mg L^?1 for 24, 48, 96 and 168 h respectively. The micronucleus test was applied to investigate the genotoxic effects on fish erythrocytes at the end of predetermined exposure periods and all tissues of the fish were sampled for histological examination. The micronucleus frequencies increased significantly in all exposure groups when compared with their control groups in a dose and time dependent manner (P < 0.05). Results of histological examination showed no histopathological findings in the gonads, heart, skeletal muscle, spleen and intestine tissues after sublethal formalin exposure. Passive hyperaemia of liver tissue in varying proportions, hydropic degeneration, fatty degeneration in high concentrations, branchitis on gill tissues in varying proportions, epithelial lifting, telangiectasia, bleeding in kidney and hyperaemia were found in Nile tilapia exposed to formalin at different concentrations and durations. As a result, it is thought that formalin leads to tissue damage and shows genotoxic effects even at 15 mg L^?1 concentration in O. niloticus.     

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.     

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Effects of dietary supplementation of synbiotics and phytobiotics on performance,caecal coliform population and some oxidant/antioxidant parameters of broilers

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of synbiotics and phytobiotics on performance, small intestine weight, pH and caecal coliform counts of broilers. The influences of synbiotics and phytobiotics on oxidant/antioxidant status in the blood of broilers were also assessed. A total of 200 broiler chicks were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments, either fed a basal diet or the same diet supplemented with 1 g/kg synbiotic, 1 g/kg phytobiotic or 1 g/kg synbiotic plus 1 g/kg phytobiotic. The diet supplemented with both synbiotic and phytobiotic had no effect on body weight, body weight gain, feed intake and feed efficiency of broilers at the end of the study (p > 0.05). Neither small intestine weight nor pH was affected by any of the treatments. Supplementation of both synbiotic and phytobiotic to diet decreased the caecal coliform count (p < 0.01). Addition of synbiotics and phytobiotics in combination significantly increased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p ≤ 0.05), whereasphytobiotic addition alone showed only a slight increase. Similarly, elevated nitric oxide (NO) level was recorded in the synbiotic‐ and phytobiotic‐fed group and in the phytobiotic‐fed group (p ≤ 0.001). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities did not differ between the groups. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of synbiotic and phytobiotic improved the gut health by decreasing the caecal total coliform count, but growth performance was not affected by the supplementations. Further investigations are needed to determine the effects of phytobiotics on oxidative/antioxidative metabolism as regards their compositional analysis.     

IMAGING DIAGNOSIS—CANINE MENINGIOANGIOMATOSIS

Meningioangiomatosis is a rare proliferative disorder of the central nervous system. It occurs sporadically in dogs and is characterized by a leptomeningeal plaque that extends from the subarachnoid space along the perivascular spaces into the adjacent parenchyma. We describe the clinical presentation, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and neuropathologic characteristics of two additional dogs with meningioangiomatosis, and document involvement of the thoracolumbar spinal cord, a site not previously described for this condition. MR imaging findings were different from those previously described, most likely reflecting the degree of vascularity and collagen deposition. The MR imaging features of meningioangiomatosis are not specific.     

A new Late Miocene Hystrix (Hystricidae,Rodentia) from Turkey

The Çorakyerler fossil locality in Anatolia reveals unique faunal elements. This study introduces Hystrix kayae sp. nov., a new Late Miocene porcupine initially classified as Hystrix sp. Yavuz et al., 2018. This finding expands our knowledge of Late Miocene Anatolian porcupines, bringing the total number of known species to three. H. kayae sp. nov. is larger than Hystrix aryanensis and exhibits greater upper cheek tooth crown height. Its cheek tooth morphology differs from Hystrix depereti, and it possesses distinctive U-shaped choanae unlike Hystrix primigenia. The Çorakyerler locality may predate sites with H. aryanensis and H. primigenia but aligns temporally with Hystrix parvae localities. This study enhances our understanding of Late Miocene porcupine diversity in Anatolia, emphasizing the importance of Çorakyerler in unraveling the evolutionary history of these fascinating mammals.     

Heavy Metal Monitoring Around the Nesting Environment of Green Sea Turtles in Turkey

The concentrations of Cd, Pb, Fe, Cr, Ni, Se, Sb, As and Cu were investigated in the nesting environment of green turtles in Mediterranean Sea near Kazanl?, Mersin-Turkey. Tissues of plants growing on the beach and the adjacent environment, beach sand, sea ground sediment, sea grass as well as the egg shells from the nests were analyzed and the results showed no significant high levels of heavy metals detected. The higher levels of metals (Cr, Cu, Pb, Cd and As) were found in the samples from ground sea sediments. Ni and Sb were found at higher levels in river waters and Fe was at the highest in field soil. The high levels of Pb, Fe and Cd were also detected in sea grass, and the Cr, Cu and Ni in sea lily when comparison made with other plants. The levels of essential elements such as Fe and Cu were detected as the highest in most of the specimens. The herbivorous green turtles might be affected from the heavy metal concentrations in the future, since they feed on mainly sea grass. The accumulation of heavy metals via rivers into the sea might cause some pollution problems.