Seed yield and agronomic parameters of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes grown in the Black Sea region of Turkey

Nine cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes (two released cultivars and seven lines) were evaluated for grain yield and agronomic parameters at two locations within the Middle Black Sea region of Turkey for two years (2005 to 2006). Genotypes were evaluated for plant height, first pod height from ground, branches number per plant, main branch diameter, pod length, seed number per pod, thousand seed weight and seed yield. Results indicate that the effect of genotype, year and location were significant (P<0.05) for many of the traits studied. Line G1 had the highest plant height (122.4 cm). Seed number per pod was higher in line G1 (9.9) than in other genotypes. Thousand seed weight ranged between 138.7 and 233.2 g. Seed yield ranged from 1,010 to 1,420 kg ha-1. The highest seed yield (1,420 kg ha-1) was obtained in cultivar Karagoz. Among locations, average values for most variables studied were higher in Samsun than in Kavak.Key words: Vigna unguiculata, seed yield, thousand seed weight, Black Se

Some quality traits and neurotoxin β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β- diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) contents of Lathyrus sp. cultivated in Turkey

In this study, 52 landraces accessions belonging to the species of Lathyrus sativus and Lathyrus clymenum collected from different regions of Turkey and one released variety of Lathyrus sativus were evaluated for some quality traits like seed coat color, 1000 seed weight, crude protein and neurotoxin β- N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) content. Among the investigated landraces, high variation was determined for all the investigated traits, which was attributed to both genetic as well as environmental factors. Protein content was as between 24.07 to 30.90% and β-ODAP content was as 1.35 to 3.86 mg g-1 for seed. Many landraces with low β-ODAP content (< 2.00 mg g-1) and high protein content seem to be promising material for Lathyrus breeding. Furthermore, many investigated landraces showed lower β-ODAP and higher protein contents compared with the released variety. Also, the local consumption of L. sativus landraces as a food or feed was determined during the collection process.Key words: Lathyrus, landrace, protein, β-ODAP, Turkey

The effects of sheep manure application time and rates on yield and botanical composition of secondary succession rangeland

This experimental study was conducted in Samsun/Turkey on a secondary succession rangeland during 2006 - 2008. Botanical composition of the experimental area consists of 28% legumes, 64% grasses, and 8% of other species. Target rates of sheep manure were 0, 25.0, 50.0, 75.0, and 100 kg total N ha–1, based on the manure analyses results (according to N rates in sheep manure). The sheep manure was applied at two different times. Means of 3 years of experimental period and total dry matteryield was obtained from the manure treatment of 75.0 kg N ha-1 and 50 + 50 kg N ha-1 (4153 kg ha-1, and 3813 kg ha-1, respectively). With respect to the three-year average, ratios of legumes, grasses, and otherplants ranged from 20.8 to 40.7%, 41.6 to 66.9%, and 10.7 to 20.7%, respectively. Although ratios of legumes, and other plants increased in the all of the treatments, grass ratios decreased. The crude protein content of obtained rangeland hay ranged between 107.0 and 143.0 g kg-1 in 2006, 93.0 and 123.4 g kg-1 in 2007, 116.3 and 166.4 g kg-1 in 2008. The maximum benefit was provided from the application of 75.0 kg N ha-1 with a sum of 971.2 ha-1

Two Males with SRY-Positive 46,XX Testicular Disorder of Sex Development

The 46,XX testicular disorder of sex development (46,XX testicular DSD) is a rare phenotype associated with disorder of the sex chromosomes. We describe the clinical, molecular, and cytogenetic findings of a 16-and a 30-year-old male patient with sex-determining region Y (SRY)-positive 46,XX testicular DSD. Chromosomal analysis revealed 46,XX karyotype. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) showed the SRY region translocated to the short arm of the X chromosome. The presence of the SRY gene was also confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The X chromosome inactivation (XCI) assay showed that both patients have a random pattern of X chromosome inactivation. This report compares the symptoms and features of the SRY-positive 46,XX testicular DSD patients. © 2013 Informa Healthcare USA, Inc

Vitamin C attenuates methotrexate-induced oxidative stress in kidney and liver of rats

Like several other anticancer drugs, methotrexate (MTX) causes side effects, such as neuropathic pain, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Abnormal production of reactive oxygen species has been suspected in the pathophysiology of MTX-induced hepatorenal toxicity. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the probable protective role of vitamin C (Vit C) on oxidative stress induced by MTX in the liver and kidney tissues of rats. A total of 32 rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups. The first group served as the control group. The second group received a single dose of 20 mg/kg of MTX intraperitoneally. To demonstrate our hypothesis, the third and the fourth groups received 250 mg/kg of Vit C for 3 days by oral gavage, with or without MTX treatment. At the end of the study, the liver and kidney tissues of the rats were collected and examined using histology. Both the tissues were assayed for malondialdehyde concentration and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. In hepatic and renal tissues, lipid peroxidation levels were increased, whereas SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px levels were decreased by MTX. All parameters, including CAT levels in hepatic tissue, were significantly restored after the administration of Vit C for 3 days. Similar to the biochemical findings, evidence of oxidative damage was examined in both types of tissues by histopathological examination. From the results of this study, we were able to observe that Vit C administration modulates the antioxidant redox system and reduces the renal and hepatic oxidative stress induced by MTX. Vit C can ameliorate the toxic effect of MTX in liver and kidney tissues of rat

Community-based prevention leads to an increase in condom use and a reduction in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW): the Frontiers Prevention Project (FPP) evaluation results

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>India has an estimated 2.0 million to 3.1 million people living with HIV; it has the highest number of HIV-positive people in Asia and ranks third in the world. The Frontiers Prevention Project (FPP) was implemented in 2002 to conduct targeted prevention intervention geared towards female sex workers (FSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM) in the state of Andhra Pradesh (AP). This paper reports the overall changes in behaviour and STI outcomes between 2003/4 and 2007 and also describes the changes attributed to the FPP.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The evaluation used two cross-sectional surveys among MSM and FSW at 24 sites in AP. Surveys were implemented using a similar methodology. Univariate analyses were conducted by comparing means: baseline vs. four-year follow-up and FPP vs. non-FPP. For both MSM and FSW, random and fixed-effects logit regression models at the site level were estimated for <it>condom use with last partner</it>, <it>syphilis sero-positivity </it>and <it>HSV 2 sero-positivity</it>. In addition, for FSW we estimated models for <it>condom use with regular partner</it>, and for MSM we estimated models for <it>condom use with last female partner</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among MSM, fixed-effects analysis revealed that FPP was positively correlated with the probability of <it>condom use with last female sexual partner </it>and negatively correlated with the individual probability of <it>sero-positivity to syphilis and HSV 2</it>. Among FSW, the FPP intervention was significantly correlated with increased <it>condom use with regular partners </it>and with lower probability of <it>STI sero-positivity</it>.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Important changes in behaviours related to an increase in prevention activities translated to reductions in STI sero-prevalence in AP, India. In contrast with non-FPP sites, the FPP sites experienced an intense community approach as part of the FPP intervention, and the general increase in condom use and its effect on STI sero-prevalence reflected the efficacy of these intense prevention activities focused on key populations in AP.</p

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression as Surrogate Marker for Cardiovascular Risk Meta-Analysis of 119 Clinical Trials Involving 100 667 Patients

Background: To quantify the association between effects of interventions on carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) progression and their effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods: We systematically collated data from randomized, controlled trials. cIMT was assessed as the mean value at the common-carotid-artery; if unavailable, the maximum value at the common-carotid-artery or other cIMT measures were used. The primary outcome was a combined CVD end point defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, revascularization procedures, or fatal CVD. We estimated intervention effects on cIMT progression and incident CVD for each trial, before relating the 2 using a Bayesian meta-regression approach. Results: We analyzed data of 119 randomized, controlled trials involving 100 667 patients (mean age 62 years, 42% female). Over an average follow-up of 3.7 years, 12 038 patients developed the combined CVD end point. Across all interventions, each 10 μm/y reduction of cIMT progression resulted in a relative risk for CVD of 0.91 (95% Credible Interval, 0.87–0.94), with an additional relative risk for CVD of 0.92 (0.87–0.97) being achieved independent of cIMT progression. Taken together, we estimated that interventions reducing cIMT progression by 10, 20, 30, or 40 μm/y would yield relative risks of 0.84 (0.75–0.93), 0.76 (0.67–0.85), 0.69 (0.59–0.79), or 0.63 (0.52–0.74), respectively. Results were similar when grouping trials by type of intervention, time of conduct, time to ultrasound follow-up, availability of individual-participant data, primary versus secondary prevention trials, type of cIMT measurement, and proportion of female patients. Conclusions: The extent of intervention effects on cIMT progression predicted the degree of CVD risk reduction. This provides a missing link supporting the usefulness of cIMT progression as a surrogate marker for CVD risk in clinical trials

Self-concept and body image of Turkish high school male athletes and nonathletes

This study was conducted to determine the differences in self-concept and body image satisfaction and the relation between self-concept and body image among 174 Turkish high school male athletes and 174 nonathletes. The subjects were randomly selected from public high schools which represent middle socioeconomic status in Ankara. The Harter Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents and Berscheid, Walster, and Bohrnstedt's Body Image Questionnaire were administered to all participants. Significant differences were found in social acceptance, athletic competence, and physical appearance subscales of self-concept (p < .05), as well as in mean body image satisfaction among both groups (p < .05). There were also significant correlations between subscales of self-concept and body image for athletes and nonathletes

Climate as Mediator

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of perceived teachers' feedback on the relationship among students' perceptions of motivational climate, intrinsic and extrinsic motivations, enjoyment and concentration in physical education lessons. Total of 835 middle school students (M-Age= 12.83 +/- 0.67) voluntarily participated to the cross-sectional data collection. Convenience sampling was used to select schools from Denizli. Structural Equation Modelling showed that knowledge of performance feedback positively predicted perceived performance approach climate and perceived mastery climate positively predicted enjoyment, concentration and intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, perceived motivational climate was not found to mediate the relationship among perceived teacher feedback, motivation and lesson engagement. The results were discussed in terms of implications for physical education environment.C1 [Erturan Ilker, Gokce] Pamukkale Univ, Spor Bilimleri Fak, Beden Egitimi & Spor Ogretmenligi Bolumu, Denizli, Turkey.[Asci, Hulya] Marmara Univ, Spor Bilimleri Fak, Beden Egitimi & Spor Ogretmenligi Bolumu, Istanbul, Turkey