Long-term study (2005–2010) on the vaccination with BoHV-1 glycoprotein E-deleted marker vaccine in selected two dairy herds in Turkey

A follow-up study from 2005 to 2010 was carried out in two herds where eradication programme for the bovine herpes virus-1 (BoHV-1) infection depends on the vaccination with inactivated glycoprotein E-deleted vaccine that was started in 2001 following the vaccination with inactivated conventional vaccine between 1999 and 2001. For serological screening, a total of 12,976 sera sampled over several sampling times approximately 6 months of interval during 5 years (2005–2010) were tested for glycoprotein E (gE)- and glycoprotein B-specific antibodies using ELISA. According to the serological evidence, the long-term persistence of BoHV-1 antibodies, success of marker vaccine, first vaccination time of the calves in herds regularly vaccinated, etc. were discussed in this paper. In conclusion, the vaccination programme using gE (?) marker vaccines, with making efforts to prevent the other factors about transmission of infection, was suggested for the eradication of BoHV-1 infection in Turkey as many EU countries. This is the first report on the BoHV-1 eradication programme in some dairy cattle in Turkey.     

Challenges in developing and implementing a decision support systems (ETÇAP) in forest management planning: a case study in Honaz and Ibradı, Turkey

Decision support systems (DSSs) are indispensable tools in preparing a forest management plan for a better combination of multiple forest values. This study attempted to develop and explain a stand-based forest management DSS (Ecosystem-based multiple-use forest planning [ETÇAP]) comprising a traditional simulation, linear programming (LP), metaheuristics and geographic information system. The model consists of five submodels; traditional management approach to handle inventory data, an empirical growth and yield model, a simulation to conceptualize management actions, a LP technique to optimize resource allocation and a simulated annealing approach to directly create a spatially feasible harvest schedule. The ETÇAP model has been implemented in a comparative two case study areas; Denizli–Honaz and Akseki–Ibrad?. Both simulation and optimization models outperformed to the traditional management plan. The periodical change of growing stock, allowable cuts, carbon sequestration and water production are used as performance indicators. The results showed that more amount of wood could be harvested over time compared to traditional level of harvesting. It could be concluded that various management strategies allowed managers to stimulate more decision options for better outputs through intertemporal trade-offs of management interventions as the model provided tools to quantify forest dynamics over time and space. Challenges exist to establish the functional relationships between forest structure and values for better quantification and integration into the management plans.     

Exploring the common ground of landscape ecology and landscape archaeology through a case study from eastern Anatolia,Turkey

Landscape Ecology - Landscape archaeology has a lot to offer to landscape ecology, being an interdisciplinary approach that emphasizes the study of long-term human–environment dynamics. We...     

Obtaining medical textiles including microcapsules of the ozonated vegetable oils

In this paper, it was aimed to obtain disposable medical textiles having antibacterial and wound healing properties, as well as biological adaption. For this purpose, the St. John’s Wort oil and flax seed oil were ozonated, and the oils were capsulated with arabic gum. The produced ozonated oils were characterized through FTIR and TGA analyses, as well as the properties of antibacterial, wound healing, and biological adaption were investigated. The produced microcapsules were examined via optical microscope and FTIR. The characterized microcapsules of the ozonated oils were applied to the textiles with padding method. After the applications, the fabrics were researched with SEM and FTIR analyses; in addition the antibacterial and wound healing properties and biological adaption of the textiles were also investigated. The results showed that the St. John’s Wort oil and flax seed oil were successfully ozonated and microcapsulated. The microcapsules of the oils could be applied to the fabric samples with the determined application recipe. The ozonated oils and the fabric samples applied microcapsules of the ozonated oils gained high antibacterial and wound healing property. In addition, the fabric samples were produced as having biological adaptation.     

An investigation on the gamete quality of Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta labrax) broodstock fed with mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)

In this study, the effect of combined feeding Black Sea trout (Salmo trutta labrax) broodstock with commercial feed and mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) for 50 days before the breeding period in order to evaluate the gamete quality. While the control group was fed with commercial feed, mealworm larvae were given as an additional protein source 2 days a week and 3 days a week to the experimental groups formed from female and male individuals. In addition to the growth parameters, the number of eggs (number/individual) and the egg diameter (mm), sperm volume (ml), density of spermatozoa (×10⁹ cell/ml), total motility (%), progressive motility (%) and average curvilinear velocity (VCL, µm/sec) values were determined. At the end of the study, the highest live weight gain was found as 46.2 g in the control group of male. The egg diameters were 4.3 ± 1.8 mm and 4.5 ± 1.4 mm in the worm treatment groups fed twice and three times with mealworm respectively. As a result, it was determined that feeding fish with mealworm larvae as an addition to the commercial diet in female individuals did not affect the amount of eggs (p > .05), but the egg diameters were significantly smaller in the control group than the mealworm groups (p < .05). In spermatological characteristics, only the amount of sperm was different between the groups (p < .05); all other parameters were found to be similar to each other with no statistical differences (p > .05).     

Origin and distribution of facial nerve anatomy in van cats

This study aims to reveal the morphological properties of facial nerve and the middle ear in Van cats. Study material was composed of 6 female Van cats. Dissections were performed under a Zoom Stereo Microscope. There was no plexus buccalis in Van cats. The chorda tympani was observed to pass through an opening in the tympanic cavity, emerge through a small opening just behind the retroarticular process, and join the lingual nerve. A rounded anatomical formation with a size of 2.75 ± 0.3 mm was found to be located within the mastoid process of the temporal bone between the facial nerve and the auricular branch of the vagus nerve. The stapes nerve was not present. The geniculate ganglion was very prominent and about 1.00 mm high. The deep petrosal nerve was observed to emerge from the plexus tympanicus. The bulla tympanica was 18.96 ± 0.10 mm long, 13.03 ± 0.20 mm wide and 13.16 ± 0.20 mm high. After leaving the mandibular nerve, the n.tensoris tympani coursed caudally around the a.maxillaris, formed an ansa, entered the tympanic cavity through the canalis musculotubarius and reached an end in the m. tensor tympani. Due to the scarcity of studies on the middle ears of Van cats, it is thought that this study will fill a gap in the field of veterinary anatomy.     

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.     

Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Mechanisms of Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Bovine Milk

The aim of this study was to identify methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains gathered from 2002 to 2006 from milk samples in Aydin region in Turkey. Among 93 S. aureus strains isolated from bovine milk with mastitis, 16 were resistant to methicillin. Methicillin‐resistant S. aureus strains were studied further for their staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types, pulsotypes, spa and MLST types, antimicrobial susceptibilities, mechanisms of resistance and presence of Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin gene. The MRSA strains were multi‐drug resistant. The susceptibility rates to antimicrobials tested were 0%, 0%, 0%, 0%, 6.25%, 16.25% and 56.25% for erythromycin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, tetracyclin, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin, respectively. All tetracycline and gentamicin resistant strains carried tet(M) and aac(6)‐aph(2) gene, respectively. Among macrolide‐resistant isolates, nine had erm(A), and seven had both erm(A) and erm(B) genes. The molecular characterization by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis showed presence of three pulsotypes with their variants. The pulsotype B strains were type IV with SCCmec typing, and representative of pulsotype B was t190 by spa typing and ST8 by MLST typing. The strains with pulsotype A and C were SCCmec III, and representative of these pulsotypes was t030 by spa typing. The MLST type of pulsotype A was ST239 and pulsotype C was one allele variant of ST239. None of the isolates harboured the PVL gene. Presence of hospital‐related MRSA strains may indicate transmission of these strains between human and animals. In case of clonal spread beside the infected animals’ treatment of MRSA carrier, farm workers should also be considered. Hygienic measures and rational antibiotic use may avoid resistance selection, clonal dissemination of resistant strains and decrease losses because of mastitis in dairy herds.     

Chemical and Non-Chemical Thinning Treatments Influence Berry Growth and Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cv.</Emphasis> Shiraz Wine Grape (<Emphasis Type="Italic">V. vinifera</Emphasis> L.)

Yield management is important subject in modern grape growing and winter pruning and cluster thinning treatments were used for yield control. Standard cluster thinning is generally labor intensive and expensive method and grape growers try to new methods, which are alternative to cluster thinning for reducing berry set. The goal of the present research was to investigate the effects of chemical thinning treatments such as ethephon (ETH), gibberellic acid (GA₃), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and non-chemical thinning treatments such as early leaf removal (ELR) and standard cluster thinning (SCT) on decreasing grape yield and enhancing berry composition of cv. Shiraz. In this study, percentages of berry set of cv. Shiraz were decreased by both chemical and non-chemical thinning treatments compared to Control. The results from these two different thinning methods shown certainly significant differences in berry composition of cv. Shiraz. Eventually, the best results in improved quality characteristics of cv. Shiraz were obtained from ELR treatment and treatments of ELR, ETH, GA_3, NAA and SCT successively resulted in considerable enhancements in quality attributes of cv. Shiraz.     

Effects of weed control practices on surface-dwelling arthropod predators in tomato agroecosystems

Weed control, an important practice in agroecosystems to protect crop production, is usually achieved with herbicides. However, these pesticides are expensive, pose potential risks to the environment, may affect some beneficial organisms indirectly, and decrease overall arthropod biodiversity, including pests and their natural enemies, by removing weeds that might act as hosts or shelters for many organisms. The activity density response of important surface-dwelling arthropod predators (ground beetles [Coleoptera: Carabidae], ants [Hymenoptera: Formicidae] and spiders [Arachnida: Araneae]) to herbicides (trifluralin and paraquat), and to two alternative weed management practices (rye straw mulch and mechanical treatment to maintain weeds below threshold levels, in comparison with an untreated check), was assessed using pitfall traps. The mulch treatment had the greatest effect on activity density, reducing the number of predators trapped significantly (P<0.05). Herbicide use resulted in significant (P<0.05) reductions in the activity density of ground beetles. Most predators were trapped in the check plots — which had the highest weed biomass, followed in turn by numbers trapped in the threshold weed control treatment, the full herbicide application and the mulch treatment plots. http://www.phytoparasitica.org posting July 10, 2002.