Microscopic studies of the skin of the Turkish Angora goat. I. Skin layers

The study describes basic structural aspects of the integumental layers (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) of the Turkish Angora goat. The results have been obtained by light- and electronmicroscopical methods. Central topics are measurements of layer thickness as related to annual season and life period, as well as typical criteria of integumental layer construction as connected with the hair cycle. Remarkable is a trimerous organization of the dermis and cyclic changes in the thickness of the stratum adiposum of the hypodermis. The findings are discussed with regard to comparable observations from other domestic mammals.     

Bleaching of Hemp (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cannabis Sativa</Emphasis> L.) Fibers with Peracetic Acid for Textiles Industry Purposes

Hemp plant exhibits various eco-friendly properties and hemp fiber processing does not cause environmental damage, however, it is known that most chemical operations have a risk to interrupt a sustainable production. As stated in several studies, peracetic acid is an important environmental friendly bleaching agent when compared to its conventional competitors. In this study, hemp fabric was bleached with peracetic acid with exhaustion and padding methods. The effects of temperature, pH, process time, concentration on whiteness values were determined. The influences of bleaching processes were investigated via instrumental and imaging methods. Physical properties of the treated fibers were also tested. Besides peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide bleaching was carried out for comparison. COD values of bleaching effluents were analyzed for selected samples. Higher whiteness values were obtained with exhaustion bleachings than pad-batch bleachings. Quite high whiteness values (up to 68.13 Stensby whiteness index) attained in peracetic acid without significant fiber damage.     

Mathematical modeling and an application of the filled function method in entomology

Macrosiphum rosae (L.) is one of the most destructive pests for Rosa damascena (Miller) when it is found in high numbers. In order to understand the population dynamics of this pest, our priority should be the determination of what extent environmental factors affect the pest population. In this study, we apply fuzzy logic modeling to visualize the population variations, which depends on the environmental factors (temperature and humidity), by using the data obtained from the field studies. After that, we determine the values of temperature and humidity that makes the number of M. rosae maximum by using the filled function method as a global optimization technique.     

A colorimetric quantification of softened polylactic acid and polyester filament knitted fabrics to ‘Water-spotting’

Water droplets falling onto finished fabrics can create spots which can spoil the appearance of the fabric. This study compares the propensity of softened filament polylactic acid and polyester fabrics to exhibit the adverse affects of ‘water-spotting’, and to identify suitable softeners and methods for their application to minimise and eliminate the problem. The degree of water spotting was greater on softened polylactic acid fabrics than on softened polyester fabrics. Polylactic acid and polyester fabrics with hydrophobic properties did not exhibit any water spotting. Softeners applied by an exhaustion process resulted in a finished fabric which exhibited no water spotting for either dyed polylactic acid or dyed polyester fabrics. The softening active agent was not responsible for the water spotting. The other components in the softener formulation (such as emulsifier, wetting agent), which carries the unfixed dyes with water, were found to be responsible. The water spot halo disappeared after a single machine laundering process.     

A serologic investigation of epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) in cattle and gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa in Turkey

Epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus (EHDV) is a vector-borne disease of ruminants disseminated in the tropic and subtropic zone of the world. Gazella subgutturosa subgutturosa (goitered gazelle) is native species of Anatolia. Due to risk of extinction, captured gazelles have been taken under protection in a restricted area at Ceylanpinar state farm. In this study, the presence of EHDV was investigated serologically in 82 goitered gazelle and 399 cattle. Seropositivity rates in goitered gazelle and cattle were detected as 2.43% and 3.50%, respectively.     

Effect of dose on the intravenous pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid in goats

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of tolfenamic acid (TA) following intravenous (IV) administration at doses of 2 and 4 mg/kg in goats. In this study, six healthy goats were used. TA was administered intravenously to each goat at 2 and 4 mg/kg doses in a cross-over pharmacokinetic design with a 15-day washout period. Plasma concentrations of TA were analyzed using the high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector, and pharmacokinetic parameters were assigned by noncompartmental analysis. Following IV administration at dose of 2 mg/kg, area under the concentration–time curve (AUC_0−∞), elimination half-life (t_1/2ʎz), total clearance (Cl_T) and volume of distribution at steady state (V_dss) were 6.64 ± 0.81 hr^*µg/ml, 1.57 ± 0.14 hr, 0.30 ± 0.04 L h^-1 kg^-1 and 0.40 ± 0.05 L/kg, respectively. After the administration of TA at a dose of 4 mg/kg showed prolonged t_1/2ʎz, increased dose-normalized AUC_0-∞, and decreased Cl_T. In goats, TA at 4 mg/kg dose can be administered wider dose intervals compared to the 2 mg/kg dose. However, further studies are needed to determine the effect of different doses on the clinical efficacy of TA in goats.     

Morphometric analysis of the mandible of Bardhoka autochthonous sheep in Kosovo

Kosovo, one of the countries in the Balkan Peninsula, has a long tradition in sheep farming, and sheep breeds share triple purpose breed characteristics: milk, meat and wool. Bardhoka sheep, also with triple productive profile, is an important sheep breed because of its economic value with its milk production. In this study, 24 mandibles of adult Bardhoka sheep (12 male and 12 female) aged between 2 and 5 were used. The sheep were acquired from slaughterhouse around Kosovo, and the mandibles were selected without any deformities from healthy sheep. After cleaning the mandibles, a total of 12 morphometric measurements were taken from each sample using digital calliper. The difference between female and male was statistically significant (p < .05) for measurement 11 (height of mandible level of alveolar edge of 3rd molar tooth). The mean value of measurement 11 in male individuals was 42.26 ± 3.96, and it had a higher value than in female individuals (39.37 ± 2.57). In the literature, knowledge related to mandible morphometry of Bardhoka sheep was insufficient. The aim of this study was to determine mean values from osteometric measurements of Bardhoka sheep mandible and obtain references with the values acquired.     

A novel eco-friendly colorant and dyeing method for poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate

Although madder (Rubia tinctorum) has been used as a well-known natural textile dye source for dyeing of natural fibers such as wool, silk and cotton, 100 % polyester dyeing with madder is not common. In this study, polyester samples were dyed with madder at different dyeing temperatures, from 60 °C to 130 °C, in company with 7 chemical and 5 natural mordants. Color properties and rub, light and wash fastness performances were investigated. Different shades of orange, brown, pink and reddish green colors were obtained. Dyeing at 130 °C exhibited the highest color yield, the highest chroma and the lowest lightness values. Overall, chemical mordants exhibited higher color yields than natural mordants. High wash fatness, moderate light and rub fastness levels were observed. The potassium bitartrate and gallnut, a natural mordant, exhibited the best results. The madder dyeing of polyester should be carried out at hot temperature conditions, 130 °C, in order to obtain the highest achievable color yield and chroma with the highest light and wash fastness properties.     

Antibodies to Schmallenberg virus in domestic livestock in Turkey

This, partly retrospective study, was designed to determine the seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus (SBV), a new Orthobunyavirus first reported in Germany in late 2011, in domestic ruminants from the Middle Black Sea, West, and Southeast regions of Turkey. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to screen serum samples collected from slaughterhouse animals between 2006 and 2013. The overall seroprevalence was 335/1,362 (24.5 %) with 325/816 (39.8 %), 5/307 (1.6 %), 3/109 (2.8 %), and 2/130 (1.5 %) recorded in cattle, sheep, goats, and Anatolian water buffalo, respectively. This is the first study to demonstrate the presence of antibodies to SBV in Turkish ruminants; it indicates that cattle are more susceptible to infection than sheep, goats, or buffalo and that exposure of domestic ruminants to SBV in Turkey may have occurred up to 5 years prior to the first recorded outbreak of the disease in 2011.