Azolla cultivation enables phosphate extraction from inundated former agricultural soils.

To combat the global loss of wetlands and their essential functions, the restoration and creation of wetlands is imperative. However, wetland development is challenging when soils have been in prolonged agricultural use, often resulting in a substantial nutrient legacy, especially of phosphorous (P). Inundating these soils typically leads to P mobilization, resulting in poor water quality and low biodiversity recovery. As a potential novel means to overcome this challenge, we tested whether cultivation of the floating fern Azolla filiculoides could simultaneously extract and recycle P, and provide a commercial product. Azolla has high growth rates due to the nitrogen fixing capacity of its microbiome and is capable of luxury consumption of P. Azolla cultivation may also accelerate soil P mobilization and subsequent extraction by causing surface water anoxia and the release of iron-bound P. To test this approach, we cultivated Azolla on 15 P-rich former agricultural soils in an indoor mesocosm experiment. Soils were inundated and either left unvegetated or inoculated with A. filiculoides during two 8-week cultivation periods. Biomass was harvested at different intervals (weekly/monthly/bimonthly) to investigate the effect of harvesting frequency on oxygen (O2) and nutrient dynamics. We found that Azolla attained high growth rates only on soils with high mobilization of labile P, as plant cover did not reduce surface water O2 concentrations in the first phase after inundation. This concurred with low porewater iron to P ratios (<10) and high porewater P concentrations. A. filiculoides cultivation substantially reduced surface water nutrient concentrations and extracted P at rates up to 122 kg ha-1 yr-1. We conclude that rapid P extraction by A. filiculoides cultivation is possible on soils rich in labile P, offering new perspectives for wetland rehabilitation. Additional field trials are recommended to investigate long-term feasibility, seasonal variations, and the influence of potential grazers and pathogens.

Effect of raw and fermented grape seed on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and cecal microflora in broiler chickens.

Grape seed (GS) is a by-product of the fruit juice and wine industry with the potential to be an alternative to synthetic antioxidants due to its antioxidant activity. Agro-industrial residues can be converted to more effective products by solid-state fermentation. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of GS and fermented grape seed (FGS) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and cecal microflora in broiler chickens. A total of 128 female broilers were randomly allocated into four treatment groups, each consisting of four replicates of eight birds. Throughout the 42-day feeding period, the birds were fed with soybean-corn based diet (CON), 0.15 g/kg synthetic antioxidant (butylated hydroxyanisole) supplemented diet (AO), 5 g/kg GS supplemented diet (GS), and 5 g/kg FGS supplemented diet (FGS). Dietary GS, FGS, and AO supplementation increased the BW (P < 0.05) and average daily weight gain (ADG, P < 0.05) compared with the CON group in the overall period of 42 days. Dietary FGS also increased the ADG (P < 0.05) in the period of 22-42 days compared with the control group. The pH of the breast meat of the chickens fed GS was higher (P < 0.01) than CON and FGS groups. Dietary FGS and AO decreased the b* value (P < 0.01) of breast meat compared with the CON group. Grape seed had the highest serum glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05) and catalase (CAT, P < 0.01) levels among the treatment groups. The FGS also increased serum CAT level (P < 0.01) compared with the AO group. Moreover, dietary FGS supplementation increased Lactobacillus spp. (P < 0.05) in the cecum compared with the other treatment groups and decreased Staphylococcus aureus (P < 0.05) compared with the CON and AO groups. The present findings indicate that GS and FGS can be used in broiler diets as alternatives to synthetic antioxidants.

Evaluation of mental foramen location in the 10-70 years age range using cone-beam computed tomography.

INTRODUCTION: Mental foramen (MF) locations were determined according to gender and age in terms of the vertical distance from the surrounding anatomical structures and the vertical and horizontal size of the MF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-seven male and 103 female patients in the age group between 10 and 70 years were included in our retrospective study and were examined using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The right and the left MF locations were determined from panoramic and cross-sectional images. On the cross-sectional CBCT images, the distance of the MF upper limit from the alveolar crest edge, the distance of the MF lower limit from the lower edge of the mandible, and vertical size of the MF were measured. RESULTS: MF location differed in males and females (P < 0.001); it was generally located at the first and second premolar in females, and at the level of the second premolar in males. However, the MF location was not different on the right and left sides (P = 0.436). The distance of the MF from the surrounding anatomic structures were found to be lower in females than in males in all measurements (P < 0.001). The horizontal size of the MF was found to be less on the left side (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Knowing both the position and the distance of the MF from the surrounding anatomical structures is not only useful information for surgery, but will also help avoid complications such as paresthesia.

A comparative analysis of arterial blood flow in unexplained infertility, tubal infertility and fertile groups.

We aimed to compare ovarian (O), uterine (U) and spiral (S) artery (A) resistance of patients diagnosed as fertile, unexplained infertility (UI) and tubal factor infertility (TFI) in the peri-implantation period and independent from the impact of the treatment. UI (n = 70), TFI (n = 75) and fertile (n = 72) patients' ovarian, uterine and spiral artery pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI) and the endometrial thickness, serum estradiol and progesterone levels were compared. The specificity and sensitivity values were calculated according to determined cutoff values. Both TFI and control groups' UA PI values were significantly lower than the UI group's PI values. The highest UA RI values were found in UI group and the lowest values were in the control group. UI and TFI groups' OA PI/RI values were significantly higher than the control group. Both the control and TFI groups' SA PI/RI values were significantly lower than UI group's PI/RI values. UI patients' uterine and spiral arteries PI values >1.86 and >0.85, RI values >0.80 and >0.53 can be used as a valuable test showing reduced uterine perfusion. Ovarian artery PI values >0.96 and RI values >0.58 can be used as tests showing decreased ovarian perfusion in patients with TFI. In these patients, embryo cryopreservation can be considered.

Evaluation of ten years of intrauterine insemination results at a tertiary center.

PURPOSE: To report on ten years of intrauterine insemination (IUI) practice at Haseki Training and Research Hospital to determine retrospectively, the impact of IUI on the management of subfertile couples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective analsis of all IUI cycles completed from June 1, 2003, to July 1, 2013, at the Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Baseline clinical characteristics, drugs used for ovulation induction, and triggering ovulation were reviewed. The primary outcome was clinical pregnancy. RESULTS: The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 10.2% (26/253). Improved success was significantly associated with a shorter period of infertility (4.8 ± 3.9 years vs 3.2±2.4 years; p = 0.01). Clinical pregnancy rates were significantly higher when recombinant FSH was used for ovulation induction than clomiphene citrate (CC) (22% vs 5.6%; p = 0.002). Patients were also analysed for the drug used for triggering ovulation. The clinical pregnancy rate was 27.2% in the recombinant hCG group compared with 8.6% in the urinary hCG group (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: IUI may be a safe and cost-effective option for mild male factor infertility or un- explained infertility. Better results may be obtained when recombinant FSH and recombinant hCG are used and when the duration of infertility is short.

Fukushima radionuclides at air filter and rain water samples collected from Istanbul and their atmospheric removal time.

Accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) is one of the most serious accident in the world after Chernobyl accident. Following the continuing release of radionuclides in air after FDNPP, traces of fission products ((131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs) were recorded in the air filter and rain water samples collected from the ÇNAEM area at Istanbul on 4 April 2011. Airborne particle samples were collected daily in air filters and radio assayed with a high purity germanium detector. The fission products (131)I, (134)Cs and (137)Cs were measured with the maximum activity concentrations of 1.03±0.08, 0.25±0.03 and 0.23±0.03 mBq m(-3), respectively. For determination of the origin of the releases the (134)Cs/(137)Cs ratio was calculated between 1.09 and 0.85. The authors find removal times for (137)Cs of 8.13 d, (134)Cs of 7.25 d and (131)I of 6.82 d.

Malnutrition in Turkish nursing homes: a correlate of short term mortality.

OBJECTIVE: Elderly nursing home residents are under high risk of malnutrition. Early interventions to prevent malnutrition may play a critical role in malnutrition-mortality correlation. This study aimed to obtain insight into the prevalence of malnutrition in nursing homes in the capital city of Turkey and the role of malnutrition in predicting the risk for short-term mortality. DESIGN: This study was conducted in seven different residential care facilities in Ankara. MEASUREMENTS: Nutritional status was evaluated by Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form. RESULTS: The mean age of the 534 participants was 79.46±7.22 years. Nutritional assessment revealed that 15.9% of all older adults suffered from malnutrition and another 53.6% were at risk of malnutrition. The mortality rate for all subjects was 118 (22.1%) over 18 months, which was significantly higher in participants with malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: We noted a high prevalence of malnutrition and a strong correlation of increased mortality with malnutrition in nursing home residents. Given the negative impact of malnutrition on mortality and morbidity, an emphasis should be placed on an effective nutritional policy in nursing homes.

Effect of abamectin exposure on semen parameters indicative of reduced sperm maturity: a study on farmworkers in Antalya (Turkey).

Environmental exposure to pesticides may cause serious health risks including fertility and reproductive function. The aim of this study was to highlight whether there is a relationship between exposure to abamectin and male fertility parameters of farmworkers. Twenty male farmworkers who were using abamectin and 20 men not exposed to pesticides were recruited as experimental and control groups, respectively. Semen analysis, molecular markers of sperm maturity and serum reproductive hormone levels were evaluated. In experimental group, high plasma abamectin levels were detected. These men have decreased sperm motility. Moreover, diminished molecular markers of sperm maturity, such as decreased hyaluronic acid (HA) binding of sperm, increased numbers of aniline blue positive sperm and increased percentage of creatine kinase (CK) positive sperm, were observed in abamectin-exposed men. Their serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels did not change significantly. We conclude that exposure to abamectin may impair male fertility by effecting semen quality.

Determination and phylogenetic analysis of canine distemper virus in dogs with nervous symptoms in Turkey.

In the present study, canine distemper virus (CDV) was investigated in 20 dogs having nervous signs arousing the clinical suspicion of canine distemper (CD). A total of 13 animals (65%) were stray dogs and had no accurate record about the vaccination history. Clinical examinations revealed that the majority (85%) of the animals showed systemic form characterised by predominantly nervous symptoms accompanied by mild respiratory system signs whilst the remaining cases (15%) recorded mainly respiratory distress. CDV RNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) only in 45% of the suspected cases. Phylogenetic analysis of partial nucleotide sequence of the P gene coding region revealed that the virus is closely related to European strains. Immune responses in 13 cases (65%), which were detected by dot-ELISA, indicated inefficient levels for neutralising functions against CDV. It was postulated that this response could have been mediated by either previous vaccination or mild infection with field strains.

Estudios genéticos y ambientales en el lupus eritematoso sistémico / Genetic and environmental studies in systemic lupus erythematosus

The cause of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) remains rather poorly understood. Accumulating reported evidence suggests that both environmental and genetic factors play a part. They somehow create an abnormal CD4 T-cell driving force which results in autoantibody production. We present a synthesis of previously published study. The objective of our original study was to examine the role of genetic and environmental factors in 26 families having two or more members of SLE. The role of genetic factors was examined by determining the HLA of each individual in the study. No association between SLE and HLA-A, B, C antigens was found. There was however, a significant association with HLA-DR2 in white subjects with SLE. The most striking finding was that HLA sharing was increased among the affected members, suggesting genetic similarities. Seven of 14 sib pairs (50%) who had concordant SLE were HLA identical as opposed to an expected 25%. The role of environmental factors was examined by determining lymphocytotoxic antibodies (LCA) in patients and their consanguineous and non-consanguineous relatives. Interestingly 15/18 (83%) patients with SLE and 11/22 (50%) consanguineous relatives had LCA, while 1/9 (11%) spouses and 2/42 (5%) healthy controls had these antibodies. We conclude that genetic factors have a role in the development and expression of SLE. Environmental factors may trigger the disease in genetically susceptible individuals.

La causa del lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) continúa con deficiente comprensión hasta el momento actual. Abundan los datos publicados en el sentido de que tanto los factores ambientales como los genéticos cumplen cierta función en su desarrollo. De algún modo actúan induciendo la producción de células T tipo CD4 anormales, responsables a su vez de la producción de un autoanticuerpo. Presentamos la síntesis de un estudio que hemos publicado recientemente. El objetivo de nuestra investigación original fue examinar el papel de los factores genéticos y ambientales en 26 familias con dos o más miembros enfermos de LES. La participación del componente genético fue analizada a través de la determinación del HLA de cada individuo incluido en el estudio. No se encontró relación alguna entre LES y los antígenos HLA-A, B, C. Sin embargo, hubo una asociación significativa con HLA-DR2 en individuos de raza blanca con esta enfermedad del tejido conectivo. El hallazgo más notorio fue que la participación del HLA era mayor entre los miembros afectados, señal de la existencia de similitudes genéticas. Siete de 14 pares de allegados consanguíneos (50%) que poseían LES concordante eran HLA idénticos, a diferencia del 25% que en realidad se esperaba. El papel de los factores ambientales se analizó determinando los anticuerpos antilinfocitotóxicos (ALT) en los pacientes y en sus familiares consanguíneos y no consanguíneos. En forma llamativa, 15 de 18 individuos con LES (83%) y 11 de 22 familiares consanguíneos (50%) tenían ALT, mientras que sólo 1 de 9 cónyuges (11%) y 2 de 42 controles sanos (5%) eran portadores de estos anticuerpos. Concluimos que los factores genéticos desempeñan un papel en el desarrollo y la expresión del LES. Los factores ambientales pueden actuar como desencadenantes de la enfermedad en individuos genéticamente susceptibles.

Mortality from asthma in children and young adults in Louisiana.

BACKGROUND: Asthma mortality rates have been increasing despite our improved understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma and advanced methods of treatment. Although there are many national studies of asthma mortality rates, few studies have concentrated on subnational regions such as individual states. OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the trends in asthma mortality in children and young adults during the last 15 years in Louisiana. METHODS: Asthma mortality data were acquired from the Louisiana State Center for Health Statistics for the years 1983 through 1997. All asthma deaths coded International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision 493 were included in the data set along with year, sex, and rate characteristics. State population estimates obtained from the United States Bureau of Census for three 5-year periods (1983 to 1987, 1988 to 1992, and 1993 to 1997) were used to calculate crude and adjusted mortality rates. These time periods were compared with one another and with the period 1983 to 1987, which was used as a baseline. RESULTS: For all residents, the mortality rate increased from 0.41 deaths per 100,000 persons during the 1983 to 1987 time period to 0.49 and 0.63 deaths per 100,000 persons during 1988 to 1992 and 1993 to 1997 time periods, respectively. Mortality rates have increased in both the white and non-white populations over the 15-year study period, with the most pronounced increases among the non-white population. CONCLUSION: Asthma mortality rates in Louisiana have increased, particularly among the non-white population, over the last 15 years, although the results are not statistically significant. When compared with other states, asthma mortality in Louisiana is lower than in the northeast and central north states.

Phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome.

Phenytoin hypersensitivity syndrome (PHS) is a rare, and important entity characterized by rash, fever, lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis with atypical lymphocytes, eosinophilia and associated hepatitis. In this article, we present the clinical, laboratory and histopathologic results of 5 cases of PHS. In therapy, pheyntoin was stopped and sodium valproate (10-20 mg/kg day) was started. Additionally, prednisolone was given in two patients who had not resolved eruption with conservative therapy.

Experimental studies on the biokinetics of 134Cs and 24Am in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis).

The biokinetics of 134Cs and 241Am in mussel species contaminated through water pathway has been studied under laboratory conditions. At equilibrium, the concentration factors for 134Cs and 241Am in small and large mussels were 2.80 and 2.57 and 200 and 150, respectively. The concentration factor of 134Cs in soft parts of the mussels was significantly high than whole body and shell tissue. However, the concentration factors of 241Am in soft parts and shell tissue samples were found to have similar rates. The depuration kinetics of the radionuclides were described by two-component exponential models. The biological half-lives at slow components between small and large mussels did not change significant, and were found to be 46.8-46.5 and 72.2-75.3 days for 134Cs and 241Am. The depuration kinetics of 134Cs and 241Am in soft parts described a single-component exponential model and the biological half-lives were found to be 29.4 and 41.1 days, respectively.

Penile pyoderma gangrenosum.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare ulcerating inflammatory skin disease. Genital involvement has been rarely reported. We report a 24-year-old man with penile pyoderma gangrenosum who was treated with systemic corticosteroids.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibodies and cryoglobulinemia in patients with leukocytoclastic vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: Several dermatologic manifestations of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been described. The association of HCV infection, essential mixed cryoglobulinemia and leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) have been published mainly in case reports. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HCV infection and cryoglobulinemia in patients with LV. METHODS: Twenty-five cases of LV were tested for anti-HCV antibodies by means of a third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and cryoglobulins were detected by the precipitation method. Thirty healthy volunteers served as control group. RESULTS: Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 2/25 patients with LV (8%) and none of the control group. Cryoglobulinemia was detected in 1 patient with LV and none in the control group. CONCLUSION: Although no significant difference between patients and the control group was detected, the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in LV patients is as high as 8%. Considering this, it seems reasonable to investigate the presence of HCV in unexplained cases of LV.