Investigations on pests, diseases and present early warning system of apple orchards in Isparta, Turkey

As a result of three year surveys performed in the apple orchards in Isparta region, 19 pest species belonging to 4 orders were determined and it was found that the main pest was codling moth. Most of the predators and parasitoids were effective against aphids and they were mostly found in the orchards where selective pesticides were used. Apple scab and powdery mildew were the most common and important diseases. Biology of codling moth and apple scab in the region were investigated. By using the obtained data, proper application times were given and some recommendations regarding integrated pest management program in apple orchards, were summarized

Effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on Early Bone Tissue Healing in Extraction Sockets: An Experimental In vivo Study

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) on early bone healing of extraction sockets in rats.Method: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The maxillary right first molar tooth of the rats was extracted under general anesthesia. Two groups (C-1, n = 6 and C-2, n = 6) received saline solutions in the extraction sockets immediately and one day after the extraction, respectively, while two groups (A-1, n = 8 and A-2, n = 8) received ABS. The rats in A-1 and C-1 groups were sacrificed after 7 days of post-extraction while the rats in A-2 and C-2 groups were sacrificed after 28 days. Bone samples were taken from the maxillas, and tissues were prepared for histopathological analysis. Osteoid tissue (OT), mineralized bone tissue (MT), remaining area (RA), and inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) were determined. The histomorphometric results were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results Osteoid formation was highest in C-1 group (39.71 ± 9.68, p < 0.05). Differences in OT among other groups were not significant (p > 0.05). MT was higher in C-2 group (47.73 ± 12.15) than in other groups (p < 0.05). RA was highest in C-1 group (59.95 ± 12.75). ICI was significantly lower in control (C1 and C-2) groups than in ABS (A-1 and A-2) groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion: ABS administered topically to extraction sockets immediately after extraction has no effect on bone healing; in fact, ABS increases inflammation in vivo

Effects of Thiamethoxam on Vespula Germanica (F.) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Damage of pesticides used in agriculture on non-target organisms (except honey bees) is not sufficiently considered and neglected. Studies showed that wild bees, like honey bees, were also affected by pesticides. Wild bee species should also be protected because of their importance in pollination and biological control and also in order to protect biodiversity. Effects of pesticides on wild bees should be investigated without delay and precautions should be taken to protect the generations of wildlife. In addition, while increasing the agricultural areas, habitat for wild pollinators should be established.In this study, effect of Thiamethoxam, an agriculturally active agent in the neonicotinoid group, commonly used in agriculture fields, on the European wasp (Vespula germanica) was investigated. For this purpose, 2 molar carnation-flavored syrup in a petri dish was placed in a field where wild bees are frequent, and wild bees had got accustomed there. Trial doses were prepared with thiamethoxam dose commonly used in agricultural areas (15 ml/100 L water) and 50% dilutions of this dose (15.00, 7.50, 3.75, 1.87, 0.93, 0.46, 0.23, 0.12, 0.06 ml/100 L water) and fed in 2 molar syrup. Those who returned to the carnation petri dish after feeding were recorded at the 1st, 4th and 24th hours.At the end of the study, bees fed with 15.00, 7.50, and 3.75 ml / 100 L doses of the pesticide all died. One hour after pesticide ingestion, 84.73% of the control group and 13.33% of the bees fed with 1.87 ml / 100L dose, were alive and returned to the syrup petri dish

Spatial variability of precipitation regimes over Turkey

Turkish annual precipitation regimes are analysed to provide large-scale perspective and redefine precipitation regions. Monthly total precipitation data are employed for 107 stations (1963–2002). Precipitation regime shape (seasonality) and magnitude (size) are classified using a novel multivariate methodology. Six shape and five magnitude classes are identified, which exhibit clear spatial structure. A composite (shape and magnitude) regime classification reveals dominant controls on spatial variability of precipitation. Intra-annual timing and magnitude of precipitation is highly variable due to seasonal shifts in Polar and Subtropical zones and physiographic factors. Nonetheless, the classification methodology is shown to be a powerful tool that identifies physically-interpretable precipitation regions: (1) coastal regimes for Marmara, coastal Aegean, Mediterranean and Black Sea; (2) transitional regimes in continental Aegean and Southeast Anatolia; and (3) inland regimes across central and Eastern Anatolia. This research has practical implications for understanding water resources, which are under ever growing pressure in Turkey

Compressive Response of Polycrystalline NiCoMnGa High-Temperature Meta-magnetic Shape Memory Alloys

The effects of the addition of quaternary element, Co, to polycrystalline NiMnGa alloys on their magnetic and shape memory properties have been investigated. NiCoMnGa polycrystalline alloys have been found to demonstrate good shape memory and superelasticity behavior under compression at temperatures greater than 100 °C with about 3% transformation strain and low-temperature hysteresis. It is also possible to train the material to demonstrate a large two-way shape memory effect

Post-Partum Pituitary Insufficiency and Livedo Reticularis Presenting a Diagnostic Challenge in a Resource Limited Setting in Tanzania: A Case Report, Clinical Discussion and Brief Review of Existing Literature.

Pituitary disorders following pregnancy are an important yet under reported clinical entity in the developing world. Conversely, post partum panhypopituitarism has a more devastating impact on women in such settings due to high fertility rates, poor obstetric care and scarcity of diagnostic and therapeutic resources available. A 37 year old African female presented ten years post partum with features of multiple endocrine deficiencies including hypothyroidism, hypoadrenalism, lactation failure and secondary amenorrhea. In addition she had clinical features of an underlying autoimmune condition. These included a history of post-partum thyroiditis, alopecia areata, livedo reticularis and deranged coagulation indices. A remarkable clinical response followed appropriate hormone replacement therapy including steroids. This constellation has never been reported before; we therefore present an interesting clinical discussion including a brief review of existing literature. Post partum pituitary insufficiency is an under-reported condition of immense clinical importance especially in the developing world. A high clinical index of suspicion is vital to ensure an early and correct diagnosis which will have a direct bearing on management and patient outcome

Transient deSUMOylation of IRF2BP proteins controls early transcription in EGFR signaling

Molecular switches are essential modules in signaling networksand transcriptional reprogramming. Here, we describe a role forsmall ubiquitin-related modifier SUMO as a molecular switch inepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling. Using quantita-tive mass spectrometry, we compare the endogenous SUMOproteomes of HeLa cells before and after EGF stimulation. Thereby,we identify a small group of transcriptional coregulators includingIRF2BP1, IRF2BP2, and IRF2BPL as novel players in EGFR signaling.Comparison of cells expressing wild type or SUMOylation-deficientIRF2BP1indicates that transient deSUMOylation of IRF2BP proteinsis important for appropriate expression of immediate early genesincludingdual specificity phosphatase1(DUSP1, MKP-1) and thetranscription factor ATF3. We find that IRF2BP1is a repressor,whose transient deSUMOylation on the DUSP1promoter allows—and whose timely reSUMOylation restricts—DUSP1transcription.Our work thus provides a paradigm how comparative SUMOproteome analyses serve to reveal novel regulators in signal trans-duction and transcription