Methicillin and aminoglycoside resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus aureus</Emphasis> isolates from bovine mastitis and sequence analysis of their <Emphasis Type="Italic">mecA</Emphasis> genes

Although methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were generally isolated from human beings; these agents were recently isolated from various animal species. It has been shown that MRSA isolates are not only resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, but can also be resistant to the other commonly used antibiotics. In this study, 18 phenotypic methicillin resistant S. aureus isolates from bovine mastitis cases were analyzed by PCR for the presence of mecA gene encoding methicillin resistance and aac(6′)/aph(2″), aph(3′)-IIIa and ant(4′)-Ia genes encoding aminoglycoside resistance. Out of 18 S. aureus isolates (oxacillin MICs, ≥4 μg/ml), 3 were positive for mecA gene. Only one from 3 mecA positive isolates was positive for genes encoding aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and this isolate carried aac(6′)/aph(2″) in combination with aph(3′)-IIIa gene. The aph(3′)-IIIa gene was detected in 3 isolates. These three isolates carrying the aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes were resistant to gentamicin, kanamycin and neomycin. The mecA gene of 3 MRSA isolates was sequenced. All three mecA genes of these isolates were identical to that found in human MRSA strains, except a one-base substitution at nucleotide position 757. From the data presented in this study, it can be concluded that MRSA isolated from bovine mastitis may be originated from human beings, but further studies are needed to investigate the possibility of zoonotic transfer of MRSA.     

Effects of crossbreeding indigenous Hair Goat with Saanen on carcass measurements and meat quality of kids under an intensive production system

The aim of study was to investigate the effect of genotype on carcass measurements and meat quality characteristics of purebred Hair Goat, Saanen × Hair Goat (F₁ and B₁) kids under an intensive production system. In total, 24 kids were slaughtered at the age of approximately 133 days. Kids were fattened for 56 days immediately after weaning. Hot carcass weights were 6.78, 7.61 and 7.02 kg and dressing percentages were 49.71, 49.27 and 48.78%, respectively ( P  > 0.05). Differences between genotypes for carcass measurements and indexes were not significant. Effect of genotype on pH measurements, drip loss, water holding capacity, cooking loss and Warner Bratzler shear force values were not significant. Meat lightness values at 0 h, 1 h and 1 day after cutting were higher in crossbred kids than Hair Goat kids ( P  < 0.05). Redness value was significantly higher in meat samples of Hair goat kids at 0 h, 1 h and 1 day measurements ( P  < 0.05). Kid genotype had no significant effect on meat sensory characteristics, except tenderness. Panelists gave lower scores for meat tenderness to F₁ and B₁ crosses compared to purebred Hair Goat kids. In conclusion, higher meat lightness values of crossbred kids, at particularly B₁ level, might have a positive effect on the consumer choices.     

Investigation of Soil Concentrations of Persistent Organic Pollutants, Trace Elements, and Anions Due to Iron–Steel Plant Emissions in an Industrial Region in Turkey

The spatial distribution of several air pollutants emitted from iron–steel industries in Hatay-Iskenderun industrial region in Turkey was investigated by measuring their concentrations in soil. Collected soil samples (n?=?20) were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs; i.e., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polychlorinated naphthalenes), anions, and trace elements. Generally, all measured POP concentrations and marker trace elements for iron–steel industry (Zn, Pb, and Cu) were high relative to those reported previously for rural and urban areas around the world, and they were comparable to those measured recently in a similar industrial region (Aliaga, Izmir, Turkey). For all investigated POPs, elements, and anions, the highest concentrations were measured at points located north of the iron–steel industries where their emissions are transported by the prevailing southerly winds. The spatial distribution and levels of POPs, elemental, and anionic concentrations indicated that the iron–steel plants in Hatay-Iskenderun region are important sources for these pollutants. Statistically significant relationships between several organic and inorganic pollutants further confirmed that they are emitted by common sources (iron–steel plants).     

Localization profiles of natriuretic peptides in hearts of pre-hibernating and hibernating Anatolian ground squirrels (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus)

The Anatolian ground squirrel (Spermophilus xanthoprymnus) is a typical example of true mammalian hibernators. In order to adapt to extreme external and internal environments during hibernation, they lower their body temperatures, heart rates and oxygen consumption; however, pathological events such as ischemia and ventricular fibrillation do not occur in their cardiovascular systems. During the hibernation, maintenance of cardiac function is very important for survival of ground squirrels. Natriuretic peptides (NPs) are key factors in the regulation of cardiovascular hemostasis. Since NPs’ role on the protection of heart during hibernation are less clear, the aim of this study was to investigate dynamic changes in NPs content in the cardiac chambers and to reveal the possible role of NPs on establishing cardiac function in ground squirrel during hibernation using immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical results indicate that cardiac NP expressions in atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes were different from each other and were sex-independent. ANP and BNP were expressed in a chamber-dependent manner in female and male squirrel hearts. Furthermore, cardiac NPs expression levels in hibernation period were lower than those at the pre-hibernation period. During prehibernation period, ANP, BNP and CNP were expressed in the white and beige adipocytes of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT); while during hibernation period, the brown adipocytes of EAT were positive for BNP and CNP. These data suggest that the hibernation-dependent reduction in levels of NPs, particularly ANP, in cardiac chambers and EAT may be associated with low heart rate and oxygen consumption during hibernation. However, further studies are needed to better delineate the roles of NPs during the hibernation.

     

Hypodermosis in cattle slaughtered in Nigde province,Turkey<Superscript>*</Superscript>

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of hypodermosis in cattle between January and June 2005 in Nigde province, which is located in the middle of Turkey. A total of 1336 cattle, which were slaughtered in Nigde, were investigated for Hypoderma larvae. The 68 out of 1336 cattle (%5.08) were found positive for Hypoderma larvae. A total of 536 Hypoderma larvae were found in the skin and subcutaneous tissue of the back of infested cattle. The 489 out of 536 larvae (%91.23) were identified as Hypoderma bovis and 47 out of 536 (%8.77) as H. lineatum. Number of Hypoderma larvae counted on single infested cattle varied between 1–45 and the mean number of Hypoderma larvae per cattle was 7.88 (536/68). Hypodermosis was recorded for the first time in cattle from Nigde. ^*This study was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Unit of Nigde University (FEB 2004/07).     

Uni- and Multi-Variate Assessment of Drought Response Yield Indices in 10 Wheat Cultivars

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is a major cereal with its productivity being highly affected by drought. In the current study, 10 wheat cultivars were...     

Genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of the T strain of Plum pox virus

Very limited information is available on the origin, diversity and evolution of Plum pox virus (PPV) ‘Turkey’ (T) strain. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial sequences of 421 isolates and complete genome sequences of 57 isolates, representing the geographical distribution of PPV-T in Turkey, revealed the existence of several monophyletic and, in some cases, geographically limited groups within the PPV-T strain (Ankara-Konya1-Kayseri, Ankara-Balkan, Istanbul, Konya2 and Balkan). PPV-T diversity (0.018%) was found to be greater than that of PPV strains D and Rec but lower than that of the M strain when including the newly described and divergent M-Istanbul isolates, suggesting a long evolutionary history for PPV-T. The European part of Turkey in the Balkans, close to Bulgaria where PPV was identified for the first time, appears as a likely centre of origin for PPV-T isolates. The colonization of various parts of Turkey by diverse isolates from that region, followed by secondary local spread, is the most likely scenario for the diffusion of PPV-T in Turkey.     

REDD+ as a Vehicle for Community-Based Forest Management? Critical Insights from Vietnam

Small-scale Forestry - Both the reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation program (REDD+) and community-based forest management (CBFM) aim to combat forest degradation and...     

Estimating the cost of sea lice to salmon aquaculture in eastern Canada

Parasitic sea lice are serious problems in aquaculture. The true cost of these parasites is unknown. We demonstrate the economic burden imposed by sea lice, so that researchers, aquatic specialists, and policy makers can approximate the economic cost of this problem and work towards developing alternative control methods.     

H2S as a physiologic vasorelaxant: hypertension in mice with deletion of cystathionine gamma-lyase

Studies of nitric oxide over the past two decades have highlighted the fundamental importance of gaseous signaling molecules in biology and medicine. The physiological role of other gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is now receiving increasing attention. Here we show that H2S is physiologically generated by cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) and that genetic deletion of this enzyme in mice markedly reduces H2S levels in the serum, heart, aorta, and other tissues. Mutant mice lacking CSE display pronounced hypertension and diminished endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation. CSE is physiologically activated by calcium-calmodulin, which is a mechanism for H2S formation in response to vascular activation. These findings provide direct evidence that H2S is a physiologic vasodilator and regulator of blood pressure.