Evaluation of Probabilistic Streamflow Forecasts Based on EPS for a Mountainous Basin in Turkey

AbstractWhen designing water structures or managing a watershed it is a challenging task to determine the response of a basin to storm and/or snowmelt. In this study, the Upper Euphrates Basin (10,275 km2 area and elevation range of 1125-3500 m) located at the headwater of Euphrates River, one of Turkey's most important rivers, is selected as the application area. In this region, snowmelt runoff constitutes approximately 2/3 in volume of the total yearly runoff, therefore, runoff modeling and forecasting during spring and early summer is important in terms of energy and water resources management. The aim of the study is to make a forward-oriented, medium-range flow forecasting using Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) which is a pioneer study for Turkey. Conceptual hydrological model HBV, which has a common usage in the literature, is chosen to predict streamflows. According to the results, Nash-Sutcliffe model efficiencies are 0.85 for calibration (2001-2008) and 0.71 for validation (2009-2014) respectively. After calibrating/validating the hydrologic model, EPS data including 51 different combinations produced by ECMWF is used as probability based weather forecasts. Melting period during March-June of 2011 is chosen as the forecast period. The probabilistic skill of EPS based hydrological model results are analyzed to verify the ensemble forecasts

Are identities oral? Understanding ethnobotanical knowledge after Irish independence (1937-1939)

BACKGROUND: The Schools' Folklore Scheme (1937-1939) was implemented at a pivotal time in Irelands' political history. It resulted in a body of ethnological information that is unique in terms of when, why and how it was collected. This material consists of over 700,000 pages of information, including ethnomedicinal and ethnobotanical traditions, reflecting an oral identity that spans generations and that in many cases was not documented in writing until the 1930s. The intention of this study is to highlight the importance of the Schools' Folklore Scheme and to demonstrate an ethnographic approach based on recollections of original participants of the scheme, to further understand the material in the collection and the impact it had on the participants. METHODS: This study involves an analysis of both oral and archival data. Eleven semi-structured interviews with original participants of the scheme were carried out between April and September 2016. Their corresponding schools' archival contributions to the scheme were located, and ethnomedicinal information was analysed and compared with the participants' recollections. RESULTS: The majority of participants' stated the scheme had a positive impact on them. Five participants' recalled collecting ethnomedicinal information, and there was a direct correlation between three of the participants' ethnomedicinal recollections and their entries in the archives. One third of all the ethnomedicinal entries analysed included the use of a plant. There were 191 plant mentions and 64 plant species named. CONCLUSIONS: Contacting the original participants offers a novel approach of analysing this archival material. It provides a unique first-hand account of this historical initiative, an insight into how the scheme was implemented and how it impacted upon the children. The ethnomedicinal and ethnobotanical information provides an understanding of the medicinal practices in Ireland during the 1930s. The plant species that were both orally recalled by participants and documented in the archives are in keeping with key ethnomedicinal systems throughout the world

Antimicrobial effect of the extracts from Hypericum perforatum against oral bacteria and biofilm formation

Context: One traditional medicines, Hypericum perforatum L. (Hypericaceae), possesses several beneficial effects against depression, ulcers, dyspepsia, abdominal pains, burns, bacterial infections, migraine headaches, and sciatica

Fatty acid composition and preclinical resarches on Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. & Mey.: Discovery of a new anti-inflammatory agent

Background: Anthemis species have been used for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhoid, stomachache and inflammatory diseases in Turkish folk medicine. Anthemis wiedemanniana Fisch. And Mey. is an endemic plant used as painkiller, antispasmodic, sedative and for the treatment of urinary inflammations. Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflamatory activity of the extracts of A. wiedemanniana by using in vivo methods. Materials and Methods: Carrageenan-, PGE 2 - and serotonin-induced hind paw edema, 12-O-tetradecanoyl-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema and acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability models were used for the anti-inflammatory activity assessment. Moreover, the fatty acid composition of A. wiedemanniana was investigated by gas chromatography (GC). Results: n-Hexane, diethyl ether and total sesquiterpene lactone extracts exhibited significant inhibition in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability model. n-Hexane and total sesquiterperne lactone extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity in PGE 2 - and serotonin-induced hind paw edema model. However none of the extracts displayed significant activity in TPA-induced ear edema model in mice. C 4:0 (Buthyric acid), C 20:0 (Arachidic acid) and C 16:1 (Palmitoleik acid) were found to be the major fatty acids in these species. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were found in higher amounts than monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. SFAs were determined as 63.17%, UFAs as 20.89% and PuFAs as 15.95%. Conclusion: This study confirms the traditional usage of A. wiedemanniana for inflammatory diseases

Fatty acid compositions and anti-inflammatory activities of Tripleurospermum parviflorum (Willd.) Pobed. and Tripleurospermum tenuifolium (Kit.)

In Turkish traditional medicine, Tripleurospermum species have been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential and fatty acid composition of the extracts prepared from Tripleurospermum parviflorum (Willd.) Pobed. and T. tenuifolium (Kit.). Anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by using carrageenan-, and serotonin- induced hind paw edema and acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability models. The fatty acid compositions of the plants were investigated by gas chromatography (GC). EtOAc extracts of T. tenuifolium and T. parviflorum exerted notable inhibitory effect in the all in vivo anti-inflammatory activity models tested. Generally, C 16:0 palmitic acid and C 18:2 linoleic acid were found to be the major fatty acids in two species. Saturated fatty acids (SFAs) were found in higher amounts than monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in two species. SFAs were determinated at 63.15% and 58.68% in T. tenuifolium and T. parviflorum, respectively. The high content of linoleic acid and palmitic acid may be primarily responsible for significant anti-inflammatory activity. The present study confirms the anti-inflammatory activity of T. parviflorum and T. tenuifolium. Further phytochemical and biological activity studies are needed for the determination of the active principle/s and anti-inflammatory activity mechanism. © 2015 ACG Publications. All rights reserved

Coumarins and coumarin-related compounds in pharmacotherapy of cancer

Cancer is one of the most common causes of disease-related deaths worldwide. Despite the discovery of many chemotherapeutic drugs that inhibit uncontrolled cell division processes for the treatment of various cancers, serious side effects of these drugs are a crucial disadvantage. In addition, multi-drug resistance is another important problem in anticancer treatment. Due to problems such as cytotoxicity and drug resistance, many investigations are being conducted to discover and develop effective anticancer drugs. In recent years, researchers have focused on the anticancer activity coumarins, due to their high biological activity and low toxicity. Coumarins are commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and leukemia, and they also have the ability to counteract the side effects caused by radiotherapy. Both natural and synthetic coumarin derivatives draw attention due to their photochemotherapy and therapeutic applications in cancer. In this review, a compilation of various research reports on coumarins with anticancer activity and investigation and a review of structure-activity relationship studies on coumarin core are presented. Determination of important structural features around the coumarin core may help researchers to design and develop new analogues with a strong anticancer effect and reduce the potential side effects of existing therapeutics

Anti-inflammatory Activity Researches on Tripleurospermum parviflorum (Willd.) Pobed. and Tripleurospermum tenuifolium (Kit.)

WOS: 00020933970020

Scientific Assessment of the Anti-Inflammatory and Wound Healing Potential of Campanula lyrata subsp. lyrata, A Turkish Folk Remedy [Türk Halk İlacı Campanula lyrata subsp. Lyrata’nın Anti-enflamatuvar ve Yara İyileştirici Etkilerinin Bilimsel Olarak Değerlendirilmesi]

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities of the extracts prepared from the aerial parts of Campanula lyrata Lam. subsp. lyrata (Campanulaceae) by using in vivo methods in order to confirm the traditional utilization. n-Hexane, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), methanol (MeOH) and aqueous extracts were separately prepared from the air-dried and powdered plant materials. Carrageenan-, and serotonin- induced hind paw edema, 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced mouse ear edema and acetic acid-induced increase in capillary permeability models were employed in mice for the anti-inflammatory activity assessment. Wound-healing activity was investigated by using incision and excision wound models along with hydroxyproline determination and histopathological analyses. MeOH extract displayed significant anti-inflammatory effect in the carrageenan- and serotonin- induced hind paw edema model and in acetic acidinduced increase in capillary permeability model with the values of 25.3, 27.8 and 31.8%, respectively. MeOH extract was also found to have significant wound healing potential in the incision and excision wound models with the values of 26.9 and 39.6%, respectively. MeOH extract ointment treated group tissues also showed enhaced hydroxyproline content. The present study confirms the anti-inflammatory and wound healing activities of C. lyrata subsp. lyrata. © 2015, Turkish Pharmacists Association. All rights reserved