Determination of long-term effects of consecutive effective fresh chicken manure with solarization and verticillium wilt (Verticillium dahlia Klebb) on weed and its control in egg plant

The aim of the study was to determine the weed density and the most economical way of weed control in eggplant (Solanum melongena) fields contaminated with Verticillium dahliae (Kleb) after the application of fresh chicken manure and solarization in the second year as the same crop was grown. The effect of solarization on weed and the labor need in weed control continued in a diminishing way in the consecutive observations. With fresh chicken manure (FCM), number of weeds (number m-2) decreased but their green and dry biomass (weights g m-2) increased. The labor need (d ha-1) to control the weeds decreased. Similar results were also recorded for V. dahliae inoculation. As a result of the study, 50% of labor saving was achieved in the plots of solarization and either FCM rate combinations [sol x FCM (12 kg.m-2); sol x FCM (6 kg.m-2)] compared to the control plots. Achieved savings in labor can afford to cover the costs of solarization and FCM.Key words: Soil solarization, fresh chicken manure, Verticillium dahliae, eggplant, weed, weed control

Central region morphometry in a child brain; Age and gender differences

Background: Data on central region morphometry of a child brain is  important not only in terms of providing us with information about central region anatomy of the brain but also in terms of the help of this  information for the plans to be applied in neurosurgery.Objective: In the present study, central region morphometry of a child  brain in mid.sagittal MR images was analyzed in age and gender groups.Materials and Methods: Different points determined previously,  commissura posterior (PC) and the distances between cerebral cortex point (VCS) vertical to commissura anterior. commissura posterior line, sulcus centralis (CS), sulcus marginalis (MS), and the angle (α) between   CS-PC-MS were determined and measured together with difference of gender in three different age groups (aged 6.9, 10.13, and 14.17).Results: Central region measures of the brains of boys aged 6.17 are  higher than girls except for MS.PC distance. While VCS.PC, CS.PC, and MS-PC measures display a significant difference in the girls aged 14.17  when compared to the other age groups of 6.9 and 10.13 (P < 0.05), angle α is not significantly different in age and gender groups (P > 0.05). However, while VCS-PC, CS-PC and MS-PC distances show a significant  increase in girls beginning from the age of 14, this increase is limited in boys.Conclusion: Morphometric differences observed in different age groups in boys and girls shall contribute our evaluation of the alterations in brain development in both of genders and shall be useful in preparation of  surgical operation plans to be applied to the central region.Key words: Brain, central region, child, morphometry, magnetic resonance Imagin

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

Fenestration of the vertebral artery: case presentation

Fenestrations of vertebral arteries are considered to be rare abnormalities observed in angiographic and autopsy studies. They result from vascular abnormalities that occur during the embryological development of vertebral artery. Fenestrations of the vertebral artery are vascular structures having 2 different lumens and endothelium layers, sharing either the same or separate adventitia layers. As a result ofthe carotid Doppler ultrasonography performed on a 65-year-old woman applying to the Neurology Clinic of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Research and Practice Hospital with the complaints of vertigo and numbness in the head, a plaque leading to 60% stenosis in the right internal carotid artery, close to the place of initiation was seen. The patient, whose vertebral artery lumen structures and calibrations have found to be normal in the Doppler ultrasonography of vertebral artery, was scheduled for double-sided selective carotid and vertebral artery angiography. With the performed digital subtraction angiography imaging method, an atheroma plaque, extending to internal carotid artery proximal starting from sinus caroticus through the right internal carotid artery and leading to 50% stenosis, having the appearance of an ulcer, was observed. In the vertebral artery angiography of the case, while the right vertebral artery was found to be normal, fenestration in the upper cervical segment was observed in the left vertebral artery. This situation has been presented in this paper with radiological and embryological evaluation

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

Speciation and preconcentration of chromium from water and food samples by synthesized chelating resin

The poly(N,N'-dipropionitrile methacrylamide-co-divinylbenzene-co-2- acrylamido-2-methyl- 1-propanesulfonic acid) resin was synthesized as a new chelating adsorbent for speciation of chromium in water and food samples by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The resin was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Effects of pH, concentration of elution solution, sample flow rate, sample volume and interfering ions on the recovery of Cr(III) were investigated. The sorption capacity of the resin was found to be 12.1 mg g-1 for Cr(III). A high preconcentration factor (150) and low relative standard deviation (2.0%, n = 10) were obtained. The limit of detection of the method was 1.11 ?g L -1. The method validation was performed by analyzing certified standard reference materials (TMDA-70 lake water and SRM 1568a rice flour) and spiked water and food samples. The developed method was applied to the determination of the chromium in various water and food samples. © 2013 Sociedade Brasileira de Química

Effects on growth of persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) rootstock of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi species

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) is grown in many parts of the world that display subtropical climate conditions, including Turkey. There are 2 common rootstocks used in its production: D. kaki and D. virginiana Thunb. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), a symbiosis between plant roots and members of an ancient phylum of fungi, Glomeromycota, improves root development, water supply, and nutrients such as phosphate and zinc in the host plant. In this study, the effects of 5 AM fungi species (Glomus mosseae, G. clarium, G. etunicatum, G. caledonium, and G. intraradices) on plant growth, chlorophyll concentration, and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv’/Fm’) in D. virginiana were investigated under greenhouse conditions. We determined that mycorrhizal inoculations increased shoot and root dry weight compared to the noninoculated plants. Plants inoculated with G. etunicatum showed the highest total plant dry weight. Highest leaf chlorophyll concentration was measured in a plant inoculated with G. caledonium. The results of chlorophyll fluorescence were similar for all AM inoculations; however, they significantly differed from those of noninoculated plants. The results demonstrated the benefit potential of mycorrhizal inoculations for persimmon production. © TÜBİTAK