Risk factors for occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey

Veterinarians and veterinary technicians are at risk for occupational brucellosis. We described the risk factors of occupational brucellosis among veterinary personnel in Turkey. A multicenter retrospective survey was performed among veterinary personnel who were actively working in the field. Of 712 veterinary personnel, 84 (11.8%) had occupational brucellosis. The median number of years since graduation was 7 (interquartile ranges [IQR], 4–11) years in the occupational brucellosis group, whereas this number was 9 (IQR, 4–16) years in the non-brucellosis group (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, working in the private sector (odds ratio [OR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.55–5.28, p = 0.001), being male (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.05–18.84, p = 0.041), number of performed deliveries (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002–1.02, p = 0.014), and injury during Brucella vaccine administration (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.16–9.3, p < 0.001) were found to be risk factors for occupational brucellosis. We suggest that all veterinary personnel should be trained on brucellosis and the importance of using personal protective equipment in order to avoid this infection.     

Effect of freezing and thawing processes on some physical properties of saline–sodic soils mixed with sewage sludge or fly ash

Dispersion of saline–sodic soils was rather difficult to leach. Therefore, negative effects of freeze–thaw on soil physical properties should be reduced by inexpensive and practical methods. This study investigates the effect of freeze–thaw cycles (3, 6, and 9) on wet aggregate stability, bulk density, and permeability coefficient in three soils with different electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage levels (soil I: 5.30 dS m⁻¹, 47.51%; soil II: 42.80 dS m⁻¹, 55.45%; soil III: 36.30 dS m⁻¹, 59.34%) which consist of different proportions of sewage sludge and fly ash by volume (10%, 20%, and 30%). The experiment was conducted under laboratory conditions using disturbed and non-cropped soil samples mixed with sewage sludge and fly ash. Soils mixed with sewage sludge produced higher aggregate stability and permeability coefficients and lower bulk density values as compared to the soils mixed with fly ash. Sewage sludge added with a rate of 30% eliminated the negative effects of freeze–thaw processes on wet aggregate stability. Freeze–thaw processes did not affect the bulk density of the soils II and III, which were mixed with sewage sludge. However, fly ash addition decreased the bulk density of these soils very significantly after nine freeze–thaw cycles. Addition of sewage sludge or fly ash with rates of 20% and 30% significantly increased the permeability coefficients in soil I after nine freeze–thaw cycles. Results indicated that addition of sewage sludge and/or fly ash to saline–sodic soils could be alternative way for reducing negative effects of freezing–thawing on soil wet aggregate stability, bulk density, and permeability coefficient.     

Is metoclopramide an alternative to tramadol in management of post-operative pain? An experimental study

In this study, metoclopramide was compared with other pharmacological agents for preventing post-operative pain. Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats, weighing 310-345 g were included in the study; 1 cm surgical incision, including skin, facia, and muscle was made to the plantar surface of rear foot of all anaesthetized rats. Rats were randomized into four groups. In group 1 (group S) 2 cm3 saline, in group 2 (group M) 2 cm3 metoclopramide (5 mg/kg) in group 3 (group T) 2 cm3 tramadol (45 mg/kg), in group 4 (group M+T) half doses of group M and group T was given intraperitoneally. Post-operative pain was assessed after 2 h, first and second days of incision. Post-operative pain scores were found to be significantly lower in group M, group T and group M+T when compared with the control group. But there was no significant difference between these groups. We concluded that metoclopramide, with low cost, fewer side-effects and being significantly effective for preventing post-operative pain, can be an alternative to tramadol.     

Quantitative trait loci for agronomic and seed quality traits in an F2 and F4:6 soybean population

Molecular breeding is becoming more practical as better technology emerges. The use of molecular markers in plant breeding for indirect selection of important traits can favorably impact breeding efficiency. The purpose of this research is to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) on molecular linkage groups (MLG) which are associated with seed protein concentration, seed oil concentration, seed size, plant height, lodging, and maturity, in a population from a cross between the soybean cultivars ‘Essex’ and ‘Williams.’ DNA was extracted from F₂ generation soybean leaves and amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Markers that were polymorphic between the parents were analyzed against phenotypic trait data from the F₂ and F_4:6 generation. For the F₂ population, significant additive QTL were Satt540 (MLG M, maturity, r² = 0.11; height, r² = 0.04, seed size, r²= 0.06], Satt373 (MLG L, seed size, r² = 0.04; height, r² = 0.14), Satt50 (MLG A1, maturity r² = 0.07), Satt14 (MLG D2, oil, r² = 0.05), and Satt251 (protein r² = 0.03, oil, r² =0.04). Significant dominant QTL for the F₂ population were Satt540 (MLG M,height, r² = 0.04; seed size, r² = 0.06) and Satt14 (MLG D2, oil, r² = 0.05). In the F_4:6 generation significant additive QTL were Satt239 (MLGI, height, r² = 0.02 at Knoxville, TN and r² = 0.03 at Springfield, TN), Satt14 (MLG D2, seed size, r² = 0.14 at Knoxville, TN), Satt373 (MLG L, protein, r² = 0.04 at Knoxville, TN) and Satt251 (MLG B1, lodging r² = 0.04 at Springfield, TN). Averaged over both environments in the F_4:6 generation, significant additive QTL were identified as Satt251 (MLG B1, protein, r² = 0.03), and Satt239 (MLG I, height, r² = 0.03). The results found in this study indicate that selections based solely on these QTL would produce limited gains (based on low r² values). Few QTL were detected to be stable across environments. Further research to identify stable QTL over environments is needed to make marker-assisted approaches more widely adopted by soybean breeders. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of consecutive applications of gypsum in equal,increasing, and decreasing quantities on soil hydraulic conductivity of a saline‐sodic soil

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of consecutive application of gypsum dissolved in leaching water on hydraulic conductivity of a saline‐sodic soil. Drainage type plastic columns with a 10 cm diameter were used in this laboratory experiment. Soil depth within columns was 30 cm with an average bulk density of 1.38 g cm^–3. Leaching water was applied in six equal portions. Total gypsum was applied at 1, 3, and 5 portions after dissolving in leaching water. In dissolution, equal (1.273 + 1.273 + 1.273 Mg ha^–1), increasing (0.637 + 1.273 + 1.910 Mg ha^–1) and decreasing (1.910 + 1.273 + 0.637 Mg ha^–1) quantities of gypsum were used. Results were compared with the control treatment, in which total amount of gypsum were mixed with surface layer of soil column before leaching. Hydraulic conductivity of soil increased in all treatments. The maximum hydraulic conductivity value was obtained at consecutive application of gypsum at decreasing quantities.     

Fruit Yield and Quality,and Irrigation Water Use Efficiency of Summer Squash Drip-Irrigated with Different Irrigation Quantities in a Semi-Arid Agricultural Area

Fruit yield, yield components, fruit mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) of summer squash responses to different irrigation quantities were evaluated with a field study. Irrigations were done when the total evaporated water from a Class A pan was about 30 mm. Different irrigation quantities were adjusted using three different plant-pan coefficients (Kcp, 100% (Kcp1), 85% (Kcp2) and 70% (Kcp3)). Results indicated that lower irrigation quantities provided statistically lower yield and yield components. The highest seasonal fruit yield (80.0 t ha⁻¹) was determined in the Kcp1 treatment, which applied the highest volume of irrigation water (452.9 mm). The highest early fruit yield, average fruit weight and fruit diameter, length and number per plant were also determined in the Kcp1 treatment, with values of 7.25 t ha⁻¹, 264.1 g, 5.49 cm, 19.95 cm and 10.92, respectively. Although the IWUE value was the highest in the Kcp1 treatment (176.6 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹), it was statistically similar to the value for Kcp3 treatment (157.1 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹). Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fruits was higher in the Kcp1 (44.27 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) mg⁻¹ fresh sample) and in the Kcp2 (84.75%) treatments, respectively. Major (Na, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S) and trace (Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and B) mineral contents of squash fruits were the highest in the Kcp2 treatment, with the exception of P, Ca and Cu. Mineral contents and total phenolic content were significantly affected by irrigation quantities, but antioxidant activity was not affected. It can be concluded that the Kcp1 treatment was the most suitable for achieving higher yield and IWUE. However, the Kcp2 treatment will be the most suitable due to the high fruit quality and relatively high yield in water shortage conditions.     

Yield and Heavy Metal Content of Wastewater-Irrigated Cauliflower and Soil Chemical Properties

A two-year field study was conducted to determine the effects on the growth, yield, heavy metal content, and water use of cauliflowers and on the soil chemical properties of irrigation with reclaimed urban wastewaters (filtered, aerated, diluted) by comparing with fresh water under semi-arid climate conditions. Cauliflower curd yield, water use efficiency, and heavy metal contents were found to be the highest in the filtered wastewater application. Cadmium (Cd) content was just over the critical level for human health. Filtered and aerated wastewater applications created higher soil salinity, organic matter, and total nitrogen (N), dipotassium oxide (K₂O), and phosphorus pentoxide (P₂O₅) contents. Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) contents in the surface soil were also found to be significantly higher. Treated-wastewater irrigation could increase cauliflower yield and water productivity. However, higher heavy metal contaminations under these conditions may increase health risks. Therefore, the diluted wastewater application may be preferred, but it must be utilized while taking human health into account.     

Fruit Yield and Quality,and Irrigation Water Use Efifciency of Summer Squash Drip-Irrigated with Different Irrigation Quantities in a Semi-Arid Agricultural Area

Fruit yield, yield components, fruit mineral content, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and irrigation water use efifciency （IWUE） of summer squash responses to different irrigation quantities were evaluated with a ifeld study. Irrigations were done when the total evaporated water from a Class A pan was about 30 mm. Different irrigation quantities were adjusted using three different plant-pan coefifcients （Kcp, 100% （Kcp1）, 85% （Kcp2） and 70% （Kcp3））. Results indicated that lower irrigation quantities provided statistically lower yield and yield components. The highest seasonal fruit yield （80.0 t ha-1） was determined in the Kcp1 treatment, which applied the highest volume of irrigation water （452.9 mm）. The highest early fruit yield, average fruit weight and fruit diameter, length and number per plant were also determined in the Kcp1 treatment, with values of 7.25 t ha-1, 264.1 g, 5.49 cm, 19.95 cm and 10.92, respectively. Although the IWUE value was the highest in the Kcp1 treatment （176.6 kg ha-1 mm-1）, it was statistically similar to the value for Kcp3 treatment （157.1 kg ha-1 mm-1）. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of fruits was higher in the Kcp1 （44.27 μg gallic acid equivalents （GAE） mg-1 fresh sample） and in the Kcp2 （84.75%） treatments, respectively. Major （Na, N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S） and trace （Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn and B） mineral contents of squash fruits were the highest in the Kcp2 treatment, with the exception of P, Ca and Cu. Mineral contents and total phenolic content were signiifcantly affected by irrigation quantities, but antioxidant activity was not affected. It can be concluded that the Kcp1 treatment was the most suitable for achieving higher yield and IWUE. However, the Kcp2 treatment will be the most suitable due to the high fruit quality and relatively high yield in water shortage conditions.