First record of Phyllorhiza punctata von Lendenfeld, 1884 (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae: Mastigiidae) from Turkey

Abstract The Australian spotted jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata has been reported from several locations in the Mediterranean, but the present report is the first record from Turkish waters. Juveniles of the Erythrean alien shrimp scad, Alepes djedaba, were observed nestling among its tentacles. Possible vectors are mentioned

Assessment of pollution indicator some hematological biomarkers in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell, 1822) living in the Ceyhan River (Adana-Turkey)

WOS: 000423295400003This study was carried out in a domestic, slaughter house and industrial discharging region of Ceyhan River and under the crest of the Aslantas Dam on the same river. In this study, the state of water quality and their effects on some hematological parameters of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was identified. Reserach, in the area under the crest of the Aslantas Dam (station I) located on the Ceyhan River and discharging region on the same river (station II). water temperature, chemical oxygen demand (COD), pH, nitrate (NO3-N), nitrite (NO2-N), ammonia (NH3-N) and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) values were determined in these two stations. The study was realised on 45 fish from each station during the summer seasons (June, July, August). The hematological parameters included erythrocyte (RBC) and RBC indices (MCV: mean corpuscular volume, MCH: mean corpuscular hemoglobin, MCHC: mean corpuscular hemoglobin consentration), leukocyte (WBC), haemoglobine (Hb), hematocrit (Hct) values and leukocyte cell formulas (lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil), serum glucose and protein levels were evaluated. The physico-chemical parameters observed that the water at station II had higher COD, NH3-N, NO2-N, pH and SRP than at station I. In this study, WBC values and leukocyte cell formulas of C. gariepinus were found increasing by means of environmental stressors and also, RBC, RBC indices, Hb and Hct values were determined decreasing in C. gariepinus collected from station II (p<0.05). On the other hand, serum glucose levels were increased and protein levels were decreased in station II. The study was found to be important in the biomonitoring of pollution of aquatic ecosystems, in terms of rational use of hematological parameters

SESQUITERPENOID CAULERPENYNE LEVELS OF NEWLY IDENTIFIED CAULERPA TAXIFOLIA VAR. DISTICHOPHYLLA FROM THE ISKENDERUN BAY, TURKEY

WOS: 000384033100018The seasonal variations of caulerpenyne (CYN) levels, secondary metabolite of Caulerpa genus, were investigated in the fronds and stolons of Caulerpa taxifolia var. distichophylla recently present at three stations in the Gulf of Iskenderun, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, including its relationships with various physicochemical parameters of the sea water. The CYN levels were highest in the spring, and decreased in autumn. Also, the CYN contents in the fronds were statistically higher than the stolons (p<0.05). The highest seasonal mean CYN content was determined in the fronds as 0.82 +/- 0.3 parts per thousand wet weight during summer season. However, there were no statistically significant differences in the CYN levels among sampling stations (p<0.05). It was also determined that the CYN levels had positive correlations with temperature and oPO4-P concentrations.Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109Y284]The authors thank to Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) for financial support of the project 109Y284

Determination of pharmaceutical active compounds in Ceyhan River, Turkey: Seasonal, spatial variations and environmental risk assessment

<p>Pharmaceutical pollution has gained attention with the development of analytical technology. The occurrence of 91 pharmaceutically active compounds from variety of drug groups including pain killers, antimicrobials, cardiovascular drugs, hypolipidemic drugs, central nervous system drugs, and stimulants was investigated in Ceyhan River, Turkey. Pharmaceutically active compounds were examined at 9 stations, seasonally during the periods of September 2013–August 2014. For the pharmaceutically active compound analysis, solid phase extraction (SPE) method was used and measured by using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Highest measured pharmaceutically active compound concentration was caffeine (4880.00 ng/L). Other high concentrated pharmaceuticals were diazepam (374.00 ng/L), gabapentin (355.00 ng/L), lidocaine (48.70 ng/L), etodolac (47.35 ng/L), metoprolol (43.60 ng/L), carbamazepine (24.25 ng/L), diclofenac (17.60 ng/L), and fluconazole (15.95 ng/L). Carbamazepine and lidocaine were the most frequently detected pharmaceutics in the river water. The results of risk assessment shows that risk quotient values (RQs) is lower than 0.01, except sertraline, which means that most of the detected pharmaceutically active compounds pose no environmental risk to aquatic environment in Ceyhan River. However, it is not possible to give precise information about the effects of all detected pharmaceutically active compounds when they behave together in the aquatic environment.</p

Elevated Homocysteine and Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine Levels in Pulmonary Hypertension Associated With Congenital Heart Disease

WOS: 000311792000013PubMed: 22526220Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). This study was designed to determine biomarker levels in patients with PAH associated with CHD (PAH-CHD) and CHD patients without PAH and to investigate the relationship of these potential biomarkers with hemodynamic findings. In this prospective single-center study, patients with CHD were analyzed according to the presence or absence of PAH and compared with healthy control subjects. Cardiac catheterization and echocardiographs were performed. Plasma homocysteine, asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Homocysteine and ADMA levels were higher in the PAH-CHD group (n = 30) than among CHD patients with left-to-right shunting but no PAH (n = 20; P < 0.001) and healthy control subjects (n = 20; P < 0.001). There was no difference in NO levels. Cyanotic PAH-CHD patients had significantly higher homocysteine than acyanotic patients in the same group. No correlation was shown between echocardiographic/hemodynamic parameters and homocysteine, ADMA, and NO levels. Homocysteine and ADMA levels are increased in patients with PAH-CHD. These parameters have the potential to be used as biomarkers in the diagnosis and follow-up evaluation of patients with PAH-CHD. However, large, multicentered prospective studies are required to facilitate routine use of these biologic markers in the clinical setting.Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd.The authors thank Elements Communications for medical writing assistance during the preparation of this manuscript, funded by Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd

Persistent left superior vena cava: Experience of a tertiary health-care center

WOS: 000298589000046PubMed: 21810152Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) in patients with all types of congenital heart defects and to determine the congenital heart anomalies accompanying PLSVC. Methods: The present study is based on a retrospective review of 1205 children who consecutively underwent cardiac catheterization from 2000 to 2007. In order to determine the existence of PLSVC, all the subjects routinely underwent superior vena cava (SVC) injection during angiography at the catheter laboratory of the study center. Results: The prevalence of PLSVC was computed to be 6.1% for the present study population. Transthoracic echocardiography was able to detect PLSVC in 32 children (2.6%) whereas angiography diagnosed PLSVC in 74 children (6.1%). The mean age of the patients with PLSVC was 40.09 +/- 50.21 months. A communication between the right and left SVC was determined in 27% of the children who were diagnosed with PLSVC after angiography was performed (20 out of 74). A statistically significant association was present between PLSVC and other congenital cardiac anomalies, including ventricular septal defect (n = 42, 56.8%), atrial septal defect (n = 31, 41.9%), pulmonary stenosis (n = 19, 25.7%), atrioventricular septal defect (n = 10, 13.5%), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 6, 8.1%) and cor triatriatum (n = 3, 4.1%). Conclusion: Transthoracic echocardiography usually visualizes dilated coronary sinus in association with PLSVC. However, SVC injection should be performed in patients undergoing angiography so that morbidity and mortality related with persistent left superior vena cava can be avoided during cardiovascular surgery

A computerized image database for freshwater algae recorded in Turkey

A computer-based image database for freshwater algae recorded in Turkey has been established. A separate page was prepared for each algal taxon and each page includes images and taxonomic and ecological information related to the taxon. Algal images were obtained mainly from authors of algal studies previously carried out in various freshwater bodies in Turkey. Data were then standardized in accordance with that of the central database of Turkish herbaria and a database for Turkish freshwater algae, which were previously established through TUBITAK projects. The database program Access was used to enter data, as this program recognizes Turkish characters. A total of 627 data with images were installed in the database. These belonged to Bacillariophyta (202 data), Chlorophyta (255 data), Chrysophyta (3 data), Cryptophyta (2 data), Cyanophyta (87 data), Dinophyta, (12 data), Euglenophyta (61 data), Prasinophyta (1 datum), Rhodophyta (1 datum), and Xanthophyta (3 data)