Seroprevalence of rickettsial infection in northern Cyprus: A study among hunters

@#This study was conducted to investigate rickettsial seropositivity among hunters, a high-risk population for tick-borne diseases in northern Cyprus. Serum samples were collected from 300 hunters from different locations during the 2017-2018 hunting season (November 2017 - February 2018). The samples were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) using slides coated with Rickettsia slovaca, a species belonging to the spotted fever group (SFG). During the sample collection, a questionnaire was also applied to evaluate possible risk factors for rickettsial seropositivity. Of the 300 serum samples, six (2.0%) were found to be IgG-positive with a titer of 1:64. While all seropositive individuals were male, the statistical analysis revealed no significant association of gender with rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). Other factors including age (p=0.414), residential places of the participants (p=0.347), hunting years (p=0.694) or hunting abroad (p=1.000) did not significantly affect the IgG positivity. Also, no statistical correlation was found between a history of an arthropod (tick, louse, or flea) bite and rickettsial seropositivity (p=1.000). To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates rickettsial seropositivity among human population in northern Cyprus. Our study suggests that awareness should be raised among the people especially involved in outdoor activities such as hunting, and control programs should be implemented to prevent possible rickettsiosis cases. Further serological studies using other Rickettsia spp. antigens, as well as molecular studies that search for Rickettsia spp. in humans, animals and arthropods are needed to obtain more comprehensive data on rickettsiosis in northern Cyprus.

Modification of Mediterranean Diet Pyramid from an Island's perspective / Alteração da Pirâmide Alimentar Mediterrânea na perspectiva de uma Ilha

ABSTRACT Objective The present study aimed to determine traditional and local food consumption and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in Cyprus. And also, aimed to improve their adherence to the Mediterranean diet and traditional and local food consumption. From this point, this current study aimed to revise the Cyprus Mediterranean Diet Pyramid, based on the Current Mediterranean Diet Pyramid. Methods The sample size was calculated as a minimum of 386 according to a 95.0% confidence interval, and a 5.0% error. This study was conducted online between November 2020-April 2021 in Cyprus. All volunteers were invited to this study on the national public internet platforms. Participant´s adherence to the Mediterranean diet was determined by the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener. Traditional and local food consumption frequencies were determined by a Food Frequency Questionnaire. A novel Cyprus Mediterranean Diet Pyramid was developed with traditional and local food items for Cyprus. The modification was also aimed to safeguard planet health, to increase traditional food consumption and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results 1,007 adults (78.0% native islanders/Cypriots) participated voluntarily in the current study. The mean Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener score was 7.55±2.30 points and only 34.4% had high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. According to their responses, there was a need to increase use of olive oil, vegetables, fruits, fish, and red wine consumption and to decrease red meat and dessert consumption. According to responses to the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and their traditional/local food consumption frequencies an up-to-date Cyprus Mediterranean Diet Pyramid was done hence a national food pyramid for Cyprus. Commonly consumed traditional and local foods were added to the pyramid to facilitate increased adaptation of the Mediterranean diet in the general population. Adequately consumed foods were added to make it more region-specific and rarely consumed foods were added to help to increase consumption. Conclusion This modification is believed to be instrumental to increase Mediterranean diet adaptation, traditional/local food consumption and decrease the impact of nutrition on the planet´s health. And also, this modification can shed light on the development of the other traditional food pyramids.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar o consumo alimentar tradicional e local, bem como a adesão à dieta mediterrânea no Chipre. Também teve como objetivo melhorar a adesão à dieta mediterrânea e ao consumo de alimentos tradicionais e locais. A partir desse ponto, este trabalho atual teve como objetivo revisar a Pirâmide da Dieta Mediterrânea do Chipre, que é baseada na Pirâmide da Dieta Mediterrânea Atual. Métodos O tamanho da amostra foi calculado com um mínimo de 386 de acordo com intervalo de confiança de 95,0% e erro de 5,0%. Este estudo foi realizado online entre novembro de 2020 e abril de 2021 em Chipre. Todos os voluntários foram convidados para esta análise nas plataformas públicas nacionais de internet. A adesão dos participantes à dieta mediterrânea foi avaliada pelo Medidor de Adesão à Dieta Mediterrânea. As frequências de consumo alimentar tradicional e local foram determinadas pelo Questionário de Frequência Alimentar. Foi desenvolvida uma nova Pirâmide da Dieta Mediterrânica de e para o Chipre, com alimentos tradicionais e locais. A modificação teve também como objetivo salvaguardar a saúde do planeta, aumentar o consumo de alimentos tradicionais e a adesão à dieta mediterrânea. Resultados No total de 1.007 adultos (78,0% naturais da ilha/cipriotas) participaram voluntariamente no estudo. A pontuação média obtida no Medidor de Adesão à Dieta Mediterrânea foi de 7,55±2,30 pontos, com apenas 34,4% aderindo fortemente à dieta mediterrânea. De acordo com as suas respostas, houve necessidade de aumentar a utilização de azeite, vegetais, frutas, peixe e vinho tinto, bem como de diminuir o consumo de carnes vermelhas e sobremesas. Com base nas suas respostas ao Medidor de Adesão à Dieta Mediterrânea e as suas frequências de consumo alimentar tradicional/local, foi feita uma pirâmide da Dieta Mediterrânea do Chipre atualizada, ou seja, uma pirâmide alimentar nacional para o Chipre. Alimentos locais e regionais comumente consumidos foram adicionados à pirâmide para aumentar a adesão à dieta mediterrânea. Alimentos consumidos de acordo com as recomendações foram adicionados para torná-los específico da região, e alimentos pouco consumidos foram adicionados para ajudar a aumentar o consumo. Conclusão Acredita-se que esta modificação seja determinante para aumentar a adaptação da dieta mediterrânea e o consumo de alimentos tradicionais e locais, além de diminuir o impacto da nutrição na saúde do planeta. Ainda, essa modificação pode lançar luz sobre o desenvolvimento das outras pirâmides alimentares tradicionais.

A Pilot Study: Consumptions of Statins in Morocco and North Cyprus

Background: Cholesterol lowering drugs, statins, are a major and dominant group of hypolipidemics and are often prescribed in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Objective: To assess the consumption of statins, more specifically rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin in two different countries; Morocco and North Cyprus. Setting: The study was conducted in Pharmacy Kounouz, Rabat, Morocco and Pharmacy Umut ÖKSÜZ in Nicosia North Cyprus. During the period of November, December 2018 and January 2019. Method: This study involves a sample of 100 patients of pharmacy Kounouz, Rabat Morocco and Pharmacy Umut ÖKSÜZ, Nicosia, North Cyprus, who were on regular therapy with statins (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin or Rosuvastatin) in the mentioned period. Main Outcome Measures: The difference in the frequency distribution of gender in the sample was visible in both countries where males represent a larger part of patients under statins treatment. Presence of remarkable difference between the consumption of atorvastatin, simvastatin and rosuvastatin in both countries. Results: The most common prescribed statin dose was 10 mg in North Cyprus, while in Morocco the most common dose was 20 mg. In this sample of patients, considering the prescribed doses in relation to gender, the female patients are prescribed somewhat lower doses of statins than male patients. Conclusion: While in North Cyprus, the most frequently prescribed drug was atorvastatin, in Morocco, rosuvastatin was most frequently prescribed statin.

A Review of Recent Phytomedicinal Investigations and the Need for DNA Barcoding of Endemic Plants of Northern Cyprus

Aims: To review the phytomedicinal researches on endemic plants of Northern Cyprus and to assess the plants of their DNA barcoding status.Study Design:A review.Methodology:This work reviewed available and accessible original articles in EBSCO, Ovid MEDLINE®, PubMed®, ScienceDirectTM, Scopus®and Web of ScienceTMdatabases on phytomedicinal investigations and BOLD System, MMDBD version 1.5 and GenBank®on DNA barcodes of the endemic plants of Northern Cyprusuntil May, 2020. Using keywords searches related to phytochemistry, biological activity and DNA barcoding, DNA Sequences and the data obtain evaluated and the information that does not meet the inclusion criteria were excluded. We believe that this information would tentatively help researchers to ethically explore these plants for their Medicinal and Aromatic potentials.Results:Only 6 of the 20 endemic plants of Northern Cyprus were phytopharmaceutically investigated,while DNA sequences of 5 were foundto be deposited in the publicly accessible databases accounting for30% and 25% of the total plants respectively Conclusion:Endemism is related to uniqueness in features including the phytomedicinal features, thus Northern Cyprus endemic plants holdample of such. However the results of this review showed that only few were harnessed for their medicinal properties and hence the need for their pharmacological properties and comprehensive barcoding for proper authentication, detection of adulteration, and quality control.

Morphometric characteristics and seasonal proximity to water of the Cypriot bluntnosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758)

The blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) is a medically important snake species in the Middle East. Its nominate subspecies Macrovipera l. lebetina is confined to Cyprus, where it is the only dangerously venomous snake species and heavily pursued. Despite the viper's large size, data on its body mass and sex-specific morphological differences are scarce. It is commonly believed that M. l. lebetina prefers freshwater proximity during summer. Hence, we aimed at investigating M. l. lebetina sex-specific morphological differences and its possible attraction to freshwater bodies in late summer. Methods: Morphometric characteristics, proximity to water and conservation status of M. l. lebetina were investigated in Paphos district (Cyprus) in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Vipers were caught in different habitats, examined morphologically for metric and meristic characters, and released back into their habitat. Additionally, local people were interviewed about the conservation situation of the species. Results: Of 38 recorded blunt-nosed vipers, morphological characteristics were collected from 34 (10 adult males, 16 adult females, eight unsexed juveniles). Rounded total length (ToL) ranged from 23.5 cm to 133.0 cm and weight between 10 g and 1456 g. Adult males significantly exceeded adult females in tail length (TaL), ToL and head length (HL). No significant sex-specific differences were found in snout-vent length (SVL), head width (HW), weight or body condition index (BCI), nor for the ratios TaL / SVL, TaL / ToL, HL / SVL or HL / HW. Adult females from late summer (2015) had a significantly lower mean BCI than those from spring (2014). Distances of blunt-nosed vipers to the nearest water bodies (natural and artificial, respectively) did not differ significantly between spring (2014) and late summer (2015). There was also no significant difference between the distances of vipers to natural and to artificial water bodies in spring (and late summer). Conclusions: Adult male blunt-nosed vipers exceed adult females in TaL, ToL and HL. Adult females are likely in a more vulnerable body condition in late summer than in spring. Periodic drying out of freshwater bodies in summer probably does not affect the species' occurrence. Educational workshops and habitat conservation are recommended for reducing human-viper conflict.(AU)