Molecular diversification and preliminary evaluations of some satsuma selections’ performance under mediterranean conditions

Satsuma (Citrus unshiu Marc.) has been cultivated for a long time in Turkey, and therefore variations for agronomical traits are likely among cultivated satsumas due to bud mutations. The objectives of this study were to determine variations for some selected agronomical traits and genetic markers among 21 new satsumas derived from selections. Fruit yield, fruit quality and molecular diversification of these clones were determined. The clones of 62 Adana, 4/2 Izmir and 11/1 Izmir indicated the highest yield. The fruits obtained from all clones were heavier than the control (Owari Satsuma). Molecular analysis, as assessed with 9 random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and 14 simple sequence repeats (SSR) primers, indicated that satsuma clones showed a narrow genetic base suggesting that the observed morphological polymorphism within the group must be associated with  somatic mutations which were not detected by these molecular markers.Key words: Mandarins, clonal selection, citrus

The effect of ticagrelor and clopidogrel on angiographic parameters according to diabetic status in patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction

Aim. We aimed to compare post-interventional angiographic outcomes of ticagrelor versus clopidogrel according to glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction.Material and methods. The study included a total of 532 patients, with 334 receiving ticagrelor (62,8%) and 198 clopidogrel (37,2%). Diabetic status of the patients was assessed with HbA1c. TIMI flow grade and TIMI frame count were calculated and compared between two groups.Results. TIMI flow grade 3 was higher and TFC was lower after percutaneous coronary intervention of the infarct-related artery in patients treated with ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel (89,2% vs. 73,7%; p< 0,001, 20 vs. 24; p< 0,001). There was a positive correlation between the increases in HbA1c and TFC levels in the whole group (r=0,225; p=0,004). In subgroup analysis, higher HbA1c levels did not affect TFC in patients using ticagrelor (r=-0,060; p=0,326 for patients with noreflow, r=-0,133; p=0,321 for patients with TIMI-3 flow). While level of HbA1c did not affect TFC in patients with TIMI-3 flow, the presence of post-procedural no-reflow caused worsening of TFC in patients using clopidogrel as HbA1c levels increased (r=0,374; p=0,005).Conclusion. Ticagrelor was found to be better in terms of angiographic parameters regardless of diabetes

Targeting IRE1 with small molecules counteracts progression of atherosclerosis

Metaflammation, an atypical, metabolically induced, chronic lowgrade inflammation, plays an important role in the development of obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. An important primer for metaflammation is the persistent metabolic overloading of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), leading to its functional impairment. Activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), a homeostatic regulatory network that responds to ER stress, is a hallmark of all stages of atherosclerotic plaque formation. The most conserved ERresident UPR regulator, the kinase/endoribonuclease inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1), is activated in lipid-laden macrophages that infiltrate the atherosclerotic lesions. Using RNA sequencing in macrophages, we discovered that IRE1 regulates the expression of many proatherogenic genes, including several important cytokines and chemokines. We show that IRE1 inhibitors uncouple lipid-induced ER stress from inflammasome activation in both mouse and human macrophages. In vivo, these IRE1 inhibitors led to a significant decrease in hyperlipidemia-induced IL-1β and IL-18 production, lowered T-helper type-1 immune responses, and reduced atherosclerotic plaque size without altering the plasma lipid profiles in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. These results show that pharmacologic modulation of IRE1 counteracts metaflammation and alleviates atherosclerosis

Peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and infants: NEonate and Children audiT of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe: A prospective European multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND: Little is known about current clinical practice concerning peri-operative red blood cell transfusion in neonates and small infants. Guidelines suggest transfusions based on haemoglobin thresholds ranging from 8.5 to 12 g dl-1, distinguishing between children from birth to day 7 (week 1), from day 8 to day 14 (week 2) or from day 15 (≥week 3) onwards. OBJECTIVE: To observe peri-operative red blood cell transfusion practice according to guidelines in relation to patient outcome. DESIGN: A multicentre observational study. SETTING: The NEonate-Children sTudy of Anaesthesia pRactice IN Europe (NECTARINE) trial recruited patients up to 60 weeks' postmenstrual age undergoing anaesthesia for surgical or diagnostic procedures from 165 centres in 31 European countries between March 2016 and January 2017. PATIENTS: The data included 5609 patients undergoing 6542 procedures. Inclusion criteria was a peri-operative red blood cell transfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the haemoglobin level triggering a transfusion for neonates in week 1, week 2 and week 3. Secondary endpoints were transfusion volumes, 'delta haemoglobin' (preprocedure - transfusion-triggering) and 30-day and 90-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Peri-operative red blood cell transfusions were recorded during 447 procedures (6.9%). The median haemoglobin levels triggering a transfusion were 9.6 [IQR 8.7 to 10.9] g dl-1 for neonates in week 1, 9.6 [7.7 to 10.4] g dl-1 in week 2 and 8.0 [7.3 to 9.0] g dl-1 in week 3. The median transfusion volume was 17.1 [11.1 to 26.4] ml kg-1 with a median delta haemoglobin of 1.8 [0.0 to 3.6] g dl-1. Thirty-day morbidity was 47.8% with an overall mortality of 11.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate lower transfusion-triggering haemoglobin thresholds in clinical practice than suggested by current guidelines. The high morbidity and mortality of this NECTARINE sub-cohort calls for investigative action and evidence-based guidelines addressing peri-operative red blood cell transfusions strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02350348

Physiological Investigation of Tolerance to Iron Chlorosis of Navelina Orange Budded on Different Citrus Rootstocks

In this study, physiological responses of Navelina orange budded on eight different citrus rootstocks to iron deficiency were investigated under high pH conditions. Navelina scion budded on Tuzcu 31-31 sour orange, Gou Tou sour orange, Volkameriana, Antalya Cleopatra mandarin, Carrizo citrange, Troyer citrange, C-35 citrange and TGK0633 trifoliate orange were grown in a plant growth chamber and irrigated with a modified Hoagland nutrient solution. In order to mimic an Fe deficient environment, 10 µM FeEDTA, 3 mM NaHCO3 and 2 g L-1 CaCO3 (pH=7.8) were added to the nutrient solution. Control plants were irrigated with a nutrient solution containing 100 µM FeEDTA (pH 6) for five months. At the end of the experiment, Fe chlorosis color scale, leaf total and active Fe concentrations, chlorophyll fluorescence, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase activities were determined. In Fe-deprived leaves of Navelina budded on C-35 citrange and TGK0633 trifoliate, total and active Fe concentrations and efficiency of PSII significantly decreased. These plants exhibited more severe Fe chlorosis symptoms than plants budded on the rest of rootstocks. Young Navelina trees budded on Tuzcu 31-31 sour orange and Gou Tou were less affected in terms of all parameters. As a result, Navelina scions budded on Tuzcu 31-31 and Gou Tou sour oranges were the most tolerant; the ones budded on C-35 citrange and TGK0633 were the most susceptible to Fe deficiency

Are bioactive and free sex steroids associated with bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in middle aged men?

Aim: To investigate whether bioactive and free sex steroids are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in middle aged men. Material and Methods: One hundred and fifteen out of 165 volunteers aged 35-65 years presenting to our outpatient clinic were included in the study. Serum albumin, total testosterone (T), total estradiol (E2), SHBG, osteocalcin (OC) and C-terminal telopeptide (CTx) levels were measured. Free and bioactive sex steroids, free androgen index (FAI) and free estrogen index (FEI) were calculated. BMD in the lumbar spine and the hip was measured in all participants and effects of sex steroids on BMD and bone turnover markers were investigated. Results: The mean age and the mean body mass index (BMI) in all participants were 52.4±7.8 years and 26.1±3.4 kg/m2 respectively. There was no significant difference in sex hormone levels and bone turnover markers between the individuals with osteoporosis and osteopenia and the individuals with normal BMD (p>0.05). There was a significant relation between age and FAI (r=-0.23, p=0.01), but there was no significant relation between age and bioactive and free sex steroids, FEI and SHBG. However, there was a positive correlation between BMI and bioactive E2 (r=0.35, p:0001), free E2 (r=0.29, p:0.002) and FEI (r=0.39, p=0.0001). After an adjustment for variables effective on BMD was made; no relation was found between BMD measures from the lumbar spine and the hip and serum bioactive sex steroids, free sex steroids, FAI, FEI and SHBG (p>0.05). However, there was a weak positive relation between serum bioactive T, FEI and OC, CTx levels (p=0.05). Conclusion: We think that bioactive and free sex steroids are not independent variables effective on BMD in the spine and the hip in middle aged men and that further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiology of idiopathic male osteoporosis

Rootstock effects on yield, fruit quality, rind and juice color of 'Moro' blood orange

In this study, the effects of local sour orange (Citrus aurantium L.), Taiwanica (Citrus taiwanica Tan. and Shim.), Yuzu (Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tan.), Troyer and Carrizo citranges (Citrus sinensis Osb. x Poncirus trifoliata Raf.) and Cleopatra mandarin (Citrus reshni Hort. ex Tan.) on yield, fruit quality and rind and juice color of 'Moro' blood orange variety were evaluated for two years under Adana ecological conditions. Fruit yield, fruit weight, height, diameter, index, rind thickness, juice content, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, TSS/TA ratio, fruit rind and juice color were determined in order to see the effects of various rootstocks. Fruit yield was highest on Yuzu followed by Citrus taiwanica. The thinnest fruit rinds were fruits from the trees on Carrizo and Troyer in the first and the second year, respectively. Rootstock significantly affected juice content in both years. The highest juice contents were from fruits on Yuzu in the first year and on Troyer citrange for the second year. Also, there was a significant rootstock effect on total soluble solids and ascorbic acid content, highest for fruits from the trees on Carrizo. According to the hueo data, red color in rind was highest in the fruits on Carrizo and Troyer citranges and red color in color samples were highest from fruits on Yuzu and Carrizo citrange

Effects of nursery shading on plant growth, chlorophyll content and PSII in 'Lane Late' navel orange seedlings

Citrus is grown in tropical, semitropical and subtropical climate conditions. In these regions high temperature lead to reductions of the plant growth and photosynthesis. In the citrus nursery, seedlings are frequently shaded to avoid heat damage. More recently, photo-selective shade materials designed specifically for manipulating plant development and growth has decreased solar radiation and temperature. In this work, we examined the effect of different colours and shade intensities (50% aluminet, 20% Red Leno, 13% Clear combined and 75% black shade net) on one-year-old 'Lane Late' seedling growth. Leaf number, plant scion diameter, plant rootstock diameter, SPAD and PSII parameters were investigated. At the end of the experiment, leaf number was found to be higher in 75 and 50% shade net treatments. In control plants leaf number was the least among the treatments. Scion and rootstock diameter were induced in 75 and 50% shade net treatments and the other treatments were found to be similar. PSII and chlorophyll content was found to be highest in 75% shade treatment. The lowest chlorophyll content was obtained from control plants