Ecological features of Tricholoma anatolicum in Turkey

Tricholoma anatolicum H.H. Doğan & Intini was first published as a new species in 2003, and it is known as “Katran Mantarı” in Turkey. It has great importance in trading and is also exported to Japan. However, there is no extensive information on its ecological status. To reveal its features of ecological status, we studied eight different places in Turkey in the years of 2005 and 2009. According to our results, this species makes an ectomycorrhizal association with Cedrus libani trees. The distribution area of the species is Taurus Mountain between 1,400 and 1,700 m elevations from the Mediterranean region. The morphological features of the species are closer to Tricholoma magnivelare (Peck) Redhead than the other members of Matsutake group. Its characteristic features are white to cream-coloured fruiting body, a special odour like tar, different aroma and cyanophilic spores. In general, it grows on well-drained and infertile sandy soil in C. libani forests, which are more than 25 years old. The fruiting period is from October to November and also grows in Mediterranean climate type.Key words: Ectomycorrhizal fungi, Matsutake group, Mediterranean region, Tricholoma anatolicum, Turkey

Macrofungal diversity of Bolu Abant Nature Park (Turkey)

This study was based on materials of macrofungi collected from Bolu Abant Nature Park between 2008 and 2009. As a result of field and laboratory studies, 103 taxa belonging to 34 families were identified. Five (5) taxa belong to Ascomycota and 98 to Basidiomycota

DIVERSITY OF MICROFUNGI ON FAGACEAE IN ULUDAG FORESTS

WOS: 000363091600042Forests ecosystems are sources of oxygen and wood products, also they prevent soil erosion, improve water and air quality, serve as homes for wildlife; and therefore, they preserve and increase biodiversity. Forests can host a diverse community of fungal species with various effects on their host trees. In this research, trees of Fagaceae family of Uludag forests of Bursa province were investigated between the years of 2002 and 2008. By microscopic examination we identified 38 microfungi species in 27 genera belongs to Ascomycota and 1 microfungus species in 1 genus belongs to Basidiomycota. The taxa belong to 15 families: Botryosphaeriaceae, Diaporthaceae, Diatrypaceae, Dothioraceae, Erysiphaceae, Gnomoniaceae, Incertae sedis, Melanconidaceae, Microstromataceae, Nectriaceae, Pseudovalsaceae, Rhytismataceae, Trichosphaeriaceae, Valsaceae and Xylariaceae. The distribution of species by trophic groups revealed a dominance of xylotrophic species. With this study, fungal diversity of Fagaceae family in Uludag forests was identified and included in the mycobiota of Turkey

Fomitopsis pinicola in healthful dietary approach and their therapeutic potentials

Certain macrofungi species have been used for medical purposes and as nutrients since the old times. The present study aims to determine and compare total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) values, and Fe, Zn, Cu, Pb, and Ni levels in Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst samples gathered in Balıkesir province Kazdağı National Park and Yalova province Çınarcık Hasan Baba Woods in Turkey. TAS, TOS, and OSI values of mushroom samples were measured with Rel Assay kits. Mushroom heavy metal content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and wet decomposition procedure. In the samples collected from Çınarcık district, OSI values were 0.99±0.03, while in the samples collected from Kazdağı National Park, OSI values were 0.13±0.01. Fe content in the samples collected from Çınarcık district were 265.9±70.5 ppm, while Fe content in the samples collected from Kazdağı National Park were 31.31±1.43 ppm. As a result, it is considered that the mushrooms could be used as antioxidant source. Furthermore, it could be argued that as a result of the increase in heavy metal levels, the production of oxidants increases in living organisms, which in turn increases the oxidative stress index

Effects of Complementary use of Organic and Inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of Cucumber (Cucumu sativus. L.) on an ultisol

A field study was conducted in 2008 and 2009 early cropping seasons to assess the response of cucumber (Cucumus sativus L.) to complementary use of organic and inorganic fertilizers in Uyo agro-ecology. The fertilizer treatments were: NPK (15:15:15) at 100 and 200 kgha-1, poultry manure (PM) at 5 and 10 tha-1 , and complementary application of 100 kgha-1 of NPK + 5 tha-1 of PM, 100 kgha-1 of NPK + 10 tha-1 of PM, 200 kgha1 of NPK +5 tha-1 of PM ,200 kgha-1 of NPK +10 tha-1 of PM and control (no fertilizer). Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in all the growth and yield parameters considered in both cropping seasons. The combined application of 200 kgha-1 of NPK and 10 tha-1 of PM performed better than sole application of either organic or inorganic fertilizer, with fresh fruit yield of 14.63 and 14.92 tha-1 in 2008 and 2009, respectively and exceeded other treatments by 1 -76% and 1-73% in 2009 and 2010, respectively. This indicates strongly the synergistic benefits of using both organic and inorganic fertilizers even at lower rates

Evaluation of complementary use of organic manure for sustainable water yam production in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria

A two year study was conducted at University of Uyo Teaching and Research Farm, Use Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State in 2009 and 2010 cropping seasons to assess the effects of complementary use of different organic manures on water yam growth and yield, economic returns to management as well as attack by some pests . The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. There were 8 fertilizer treatments viz: poultry manure (PM), goat manure (GM), and oil palm bunch ash (OPBA) each at 20 tha-1 , OPBA + PM, OPBA + GM and PM + GM each at a ratio of 1:1 (10 tha-1 + 10 tha-1), NPK (15:15:15) at 400 kgha-1 ( a recommended dose of inorganic fertilizer) and control (no soil amendment). Results showed significant differences on vegetative traits, number of days to senescence and yield and yield components of water yam. Treatments that received complementary application of PM + GM produced the highest tuber yield (26.15 and 27.96 tha-1 in 2009 and 2010, respectively with corresponding cost- benefit ratios of 14.17 and 15.49,respectively) followed by complementary use of OPBA + PM, (24.22 and 27.03 tha-1,respectively). The use of inorganic fertilizer (NPK - 15:15:15) produced 22.60 and 23.81 tha-1 of yam tuber with a corresponding cost -benefit ratio of 11.02 and 10.88 in 2009 and 2010, respectively .All organic manure based treatments had no symptom of termite and yam beetle attack. This study indicates strongly the potentials of complementary use of organic manures for sustainable water yam production in Uyo, southeastern Nigeria. Keywords: organic manures, complementary use, water ya

COMBINING ABILITY AND HETEROTIC PATTERN IN WEST AFRICAN SORGHUM LANDRACES

Heterotic grouping based on combining ability for traits of interest, in addition to plant performance and genetic relationship among germplasm, would be useful in planning crosses in breeding programmes. This study aimed at determining the combining abilities of selected landraces for morphological and physiological traits under contrasted environments and identifying the suitable heterotic grouping method for superior hybrid production. For this purpose, nineteen accessions representing different origins and population structure among West African Sorghum Accessions Panel (WASAP) and two female lines, were used in \uab\ua0Line x tester\ua0\ubb mating design to produce thirty-eight (38) hybrids. Analysis of variance showed significant general combining ability and specific combining ability effects for grain weight, plant height, days to flowering, panicle length and chlorophyll content implying existence of heterotic responses for these traits. Both additive and non-additive gene effects were important in controlling the inheritance of the traits. Parents K31.3, K37 and Ni331 were the best combiners for grain weight, providing the opportunity for breeders to improve grain yield under diverse environments. AVG-1 x K31.3 and AVG-1 x Tg148 were the superior hybrids. Combining ability based heterotic grouping methods classified sorghum accessions into four groups. The heterotic group\u2019s specific and general combining ability (HSGCA) method was the suitable in predicting hybrid superiority. This combining abilities based heterotic grouping study is an additional tool that breeders could use to identify the best parents for superior hybrids development in West Africa.La d\ue9termination des groupes h\ue9t\ue9rotiques bas\ue9e sur les aptitudes \ue0 la combinaison des traits d\u2019int\ue9r\ueat en plus des performances et des relations g\ue9n\ue9tiques dans une collection est importante pour planifier les croisements en s\ue9lection. Cette visait la d\ue9termination des aptitudes \ue0 la combinaison des accessions locales pour certains traits morphologiques sous environnements contrast\ue9s et l\u2019identification de la meilleure m\ue9thode dans la pr\ue9diction de la vigueur hybride. Dans cette perspective, dix-neuf accessions repr\ue9sentant diff\ue9rentes origines et la structure de la population d\u2019un panel ouest africain de sorgho (WASAP) et deux m\ue2les st\ue9riles ont \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9s dans un croisement \uab\ua0Line x tester\ua0\ubb pour produire trente-huit hybrides F1, objet de cette \ue9tude. L\u2019analyse de variance a indiqu\ue9 des effets significatifs de l\u2019aptitude g\ue9n\ue9rale et sp\ue9cifique \ue0 la combinaison pour le poids grain, la hauteur plante, la dur\ue9e semis floraison et la concentration en chlorophylle traduisant l\u2019existence des r\ue9ponses h\ue9t\ue9rotiques pour ces traits. Les effets g\ue9niques additif et non-additif ont \ue9t\ue9 importants dans le contr\uf4le de ces caract\ue8res. K31.3, K37 et Ni331 pr\ue9sentent les meilleures aptitudes g\ue9n\ue9rales \ue0 la combinaison puis AVG-1 x K31.3 et AVG-1 x Tg148 ont \ue9t\ue9 les meilleurs hybrides pour le poids grains. Ils constituent une opportunit\ue9 pour l\u2019am\ue9lioration dans divers environnements. Les diff\ue9rentes m\ue9thodes ont class\ue9 les accessions de sorgho en quatre groupes. Le groupage bas\ue9 sur la m\ue9thode HSGCA accroit l\u2019efficience en s\ue9lection de 15 %. Cette \ue9tude offre un outil d\u2019aide pour les s\ue9lectionneurs dans le choix des meilleurs parents \ue0 croiser pour la production des hybrides sup\ue9rieurs en Afrique de l\u2019Ouest

Radiation control in LHD and radiation shielding capability of the torus hall during first campaign of deuterium experiment

The activities carried out to obtain public consent for deuterium experiments in LHD, which began in 2017, are reviewed in this paper. In addition, the upgrades and the safety management of LHD for deuterium experiments, including neutron yield measurement system, exhaust detritiation system, institutional regulation for radiation control, and other issues, are briefly presented.During the first campaign of the deuterium experiments in LHD, the shielding of gamma-ray and neutron by the concrete wall of the LHD torus hall was evaluated. Also, the confinement of radioactive isotopes in air inside the torus hall was investigated. No increase of radiation dose was measured outside the torus hall, although the high radiation dose field inside the torus hall was found during deuterium experiments. Therefore, almost all gamma-rays and neutrons were shielded by the concrete wall of the torus hall due to its sufficient thickness of 2 m. The radioactive isotopes in air as well as in other components were well confined in the torus hall. In particular, the pressure control inside the torus hall being lower than outside the torus hall effectively prevented the radioactive isotopes in air from diffusing to the unprescribed area

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic imaging in children—techniques and an overview of non-neoplastic disease entities

Imaging plays a major role in the diagnostic work-up of children with hepatobiliary or pancreatic diseases. It consists mainly of US, CT and MRI, with US and MRI being the preferred imaging modalities because of the lack of ionizing radiation. In this review the technique of US, CT and MRI in children will be addressed, followed by a comprehensive overview of the imaging characteristics of several hepatobiliary and pancreatic disease entities most common in the paediatric age group

New Insight in Loss of Gut Barrier during Major Non-Abdominal Surgery

PG - e3954 AB - BACKGROUND: Gut barrier loss has been implicated as a critical event in the occurrence of postoperative complications. We aimed to study the development of gut barrier loss in patients undergoing major non-abdominal surgery. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Twenty consecutive children undergoing spinal fusion surgery were included. This kind of surgery is characterized by long operation time, significant blood loss, prolonged systemic hypotension, without directly leading to compromise of the intestines by intestinal manipulation or use of extracorporeal circulation. Blood was collected preoperatively, every two hours during surgery and 2, 4, 15 and 24 hours postoperatively. Gut mucosal barrier was assessed by plasma markers for enterocyte damage (I-FABP, I-BABP) and urinary presence of tight junction protein claudin-3. Intestinal mucosal perfusion was measured by gastric tonometry (P(r)CO2, P(r-a)CO2-gap). Plasma concentration of I-FABP, I-BABP and urinary expression of claudin-3 increased rapidly and significantly after the onset of surgery in most children. Postoperatively, all markers decreased promptly towards baseline values together with normalisation of MAP. Plasma levels of I-FABP, I-BABP were significantly negatively correlated with MAP at (1/2) hour before blood sampling (-0.726 (p<0.001), -0.483 (P<0.001), respectively). Furthermore, circulating I-FABP correlated with gastric mucosal P(r)CO2, P(r-a)CO2-gap measured at the same time points (0.553 (p = 0.040), 0.585 (p = 0.028), respectively). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This study shows the development of gut barrier loss in children undergoing major non-abdominal surgery, which is related to preceding hypotension and mesenterial hypoperfusion. These data shed new light on the potential role of peroperative circulatory perturbation and intestinal barrier los