Isolation of Acanthamoeba isolates belonging to T2, T3, T4 and T7 genotypes from environmental samples in Ankara, Turkey

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a blinding infection that is becoming increasingly important in human health. Early diagnosis is a prerequisite for successful treatment and requires identification of Acanthamoeba at the genotypic level. The genus Acanthamoeba consists of both pathogenic and non-pathogenic species and has been recently classified into 13 different genotypes, T1-T12 and T14. More importantly, 95% of Acanthamoeba isolates that produce keratitis belong to T4 genotypes. In this study, we attempted to determine whether predominance of T4 isolates in Acanthamoeba keratitis is due to greater virulence or greater prevalence. We isolated 18 Acanthamoeba isolates from environmental samples in Ankara, Turkey and determined their pathogenic potential by means osmotolerance, temperature tolerance and in vitro cytotoxicity assays using corneal epithelial cells. Ribosomal DNA sequencing revealed that 10 isolates belong to T2, 5 belong to T3, 2 belong to T4 and one belongs to T7 genotype. As expected, T3 and T4 isolates exhibited the most pathogenic traits and were osmotolerant, temperature tolerant and exhibited severe corneal epithelial cell cytotoxicity indicating their pathogenic potential. Overall these data indicate that high frequency of T4 isolates in keratitis cases may well be due to their greater virulence. This is the first report presenting environmental distribution of Acanthamoeba in Ankara, Turkey

Effect of Variety and Sowıng Density on Some Mıcroelements Content and Grain Yield of Chickpea (Cicerarietinum L.)

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cultivars in different sowing densities on microelementsiron (Fe), nicel (Ni),zinc (Zn)and sodiım (Na) and grain yield of chickpea (Cicerarietinum L). Field experiment was performedin research farm at the University of Bingol(Turkey) in 2016. A complete blocks design in two varieties i.e. Arda and ILC-482 were in main plots, whereas five chickpea seeding density (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 seed m-2) were in sub plots.The results indicated that seeding densities significantly affected grain yield and Ni content while Fe, Ni and Zn were not affected significantly.Variety ILC-482 produced the maximum grain yield (86,26 kg/da) by 60 seed/m-2 and Arda gave the lowest grain yield (19,80 kg/da) by 30 seed m-2.The highest Ni conten has been obtained from ILC482 variety (6.66 ppm) andthe lowest Ni content has been obtained from Arda variety (6.20 ppm)

A new vibrational level of the H2+_2^+ molecular ion

A new state of the H$_2^+$ molecular ion with binding energy of 1.09$\times10^{-9}$ a.u. below the first dissociation limit is predicted, using highly accurate numerical nonrelativistic quantum calculations. It is the first L=0 excited state, antisymmetric with respect to the exchange of the two protons. It manifests itself as a huge p-H scattering length of $a=750\pm 5$ Bohr radii.Comment: 6 pages + 3 figure

Phage Infection in Vaginal Lactobacilli: An In Vitro Study

Objective: During bacterial vaginosis, an unexplained decrease of vaginal lactobacilli occurs. To identify whether these lactobacilli could be infected by phages, we isolated phages from vaginal lactobacilli and analyzed their potential virulence in attacking vaginal lactobacilli in vitro

(EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT AIR VENT USAGE ON THERMAL COMFORT IN AUTOMOBILES DURING HEATING PERIOD

Bu çalışmanın amacı otomobil kabininde ısıtma sürecinde farklı menfez kullanımının iç ortam koşullarına ve ısıl konfora olan etkilerinin deneysel olarak incelenmesidir. Otomobil kabini içerisindeki sıcaklık, bağıl nem, ışınım sıcaklığı ve hava hızları değişik menfez kullanılması durumunda farklılıklar gösterebilmektedir. Çalışmada, aynı dış ortam koşullarında park edilmiş bir otomobil içerisinde ısıtma süreci boyunca farklı menfez kullanımında yapılan deneyler sonucu kabin iç ortam sıcaklığı, bağıl nem, ortalama ışınım sıcaklığı ve sürücü ortalama deri sıcaklığı değerleri ölçülmüştür. Yapılan deneyler sırasında sürücüye öznel anket uygulanmıştır.  Farklı iki menfez seçimi için elde sonuçlar sürücünün öznel anket için verdiği cevaplar ile karşılaştırılmış ve tartışılmıştır The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of different vent usage on ambient conditions and thermal comfort inside an automobile cabin during heating period with experiments. Temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature and air velocity values may vary when different vents are operated. In this study, ambient temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature and mean skin temperature of the driver inside the automobile cabin during heating period for different vents were measured in a parked car under same outside conditions. Subjective survey was performed during the experiments to the driver.  The results for two different vents were compared with answers taken from the subject and discussed

Analysis of Lactobacillus Products for Phages and Bacteriocins That Inhibit Vaginal Lactobacilli

Objective: Bacterial vaginosis is associated with an unexplained loss of vaginal lactobacilli. Previously, we have identified certain vaginal lactobacilli-released phages that can inhibit in vitro other vaginal lactobacilli. However, there is no apparent route for phages to be transmitted among women. The purpose of this study was to identify whether certain Lactobacillus products commonly used by women release phages or bacteriocins that can inhibit vaginal lactobacilli

Measuring the Solar Radius from Space during the 2003 and 2006 Mercury Transits

The Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory observed the transits of Mercury on 2003 May 7 and 2006 November 8. Contact times between Mercury and the solar limb have been used since the 17th century to derive the Sun's size but this is the first time that high-quality imagery from space, above the Earth's atmosphere, has been available. Unlike other measurements this technique is largely independent of optical distortion. The true solar radius is still a matter of debate in the literature as measured differences of several tenths of an arcsecond (i.e., about 500 km) are apparent. This is due mainly to systematic errors from different instruments and observers since the claimed uncertainties for a single instrument are typically an order of magnitude smaller. From the MDI transit data we find the solar radius to be 960".12 +/- 0".09 (696,342 +/- 65 km). This value is consistent between the transits and consistent between different MDI focus settings after accounting for systematic effects.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (2012 March 5

Novel Surgical Treatment of an Intraretinal Juxtapapillary Hemangioblastoma Using Intraocular Diathermy Forceps:A Case Report

The surgical treatment of intraretinal juxtapapillary retinal hemangioblastomas (JRHs) was previously contraindicated because of the significant risk of collateral damage to the macula and optic nerve. This case report discusses the effectiveness and safety of a novel surgical technique using intraocular bipolar diathermy forceps to coagulate feeder and draining blood vessels of an intraretinal JRH. The patient suffered from bilateral retinal hemangioblastomas with loss of visual function in one eye and the development of an intraretinal JRH in the other eye. Despite intensive treatment with intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide, growth of the intraretinal JRH continued, macular exudation worsened, and visual acuity decreased. Surgical treatment was undertaken in which, first, the feeder and draining vessels of the JRH were identified by comparing the retinal imaging of the JRH with the imaging before the emergence of the JRH 4 years earlier. Then, retinal incisions were made above the blood vessels and parallel to the nerve fibers during a pars plana vitrectomy. Lastly, these vessels were lifted above the retinal surface and coagulated using intraocular diathermy forceps. Postoperatively, macular edema reduced, and visual acuity increased and remained stable for about 6 months. Using intraocular diathermy forceps, this case report demonstrates effective and safe intraretinal JRH blood vessel coagulation above the retinal surface. This novel surgical approach was able to delay the deterioration of visual acuity due to tumor growth and exudation in this patient. This suggests that coagulation with intraocular diathermy forceps can be considered an additional surgical treatment option for JRHs, especially those with an intraretinal growth pattern.</p

Uveal melanoma modeling in mice and zebrafish

Despite extensive research and refined therapeutic options, the survival for metastasized uveal melanoma (UM) patients has not improved significantly. UM, a malignant tumor originating from melanocytes in the uveal tract, can be asymptomatic and small tumors may be detected only during routine ophthalmic exams; making early detection and treatment difficult. UM is the result of a number of characteristic somatic alterations which are associated with prognosis. Although UM morphology and biology have been extensively studied, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the early stages of UM tumor evolution and effective treatment to prevent metastatic disease remain elusive. A better understanding of the mechanisms that enable UM cells to thrive and successfully metastasize is crucial to improve treatment efficacy and survival rates. For more than forty years, animal models have been used to investigate the biology of UM. This has led to a number of essential mechanisms and pathways involved in UM aetiology. These models have also been used to evaluate the effectiveness of various drugs and treatment protocols. Here, we provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms and pharmacological studies using mouse and zebrafish UM models. Finally, we highlight promising therapeutics and discuss future considerations using UM models such as optimal inoculation sites, use of BAP1mut-cell lines and the rise of zebrafish models.</p