Effects of Enzyme-Producing Probiotic Bacteria Isolated from the Gastrointestinal Tract of Trout on the Growth Performance, Survival, and Digestive Enzyme Activity of Rainbow Trout Fry (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

In this study, we investigated the effects of enzyme-producing probiotic bacteria isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of rainbow trout on the growth performance, feed conversion ratio, and digestive enzyme activity, of fry (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Three isolates (G8/2013, T7/2013 and U5/2013) of candidate bacteria elicited the highest protease, lipase, and amylase activities, respectively. Isolates were identified as Aeromonas sp., Bacillus sp. and Citrobacter braakii by morphological, physiological, biochemical characterizations as well as 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The fry basal diet was supplemented with probiotics at varying concentrations; G8 group, Aeromonas sp. 1.72 x 108 CFU/g; U5 group, Bacillus sp. 3.01 x 108 CFU/g; T7 group, C. braakii 2.96 x 108 CFU/g and a mixed group (same bacterial concentrations), and control group (no bacteria). The rainbow trout fry were fed ad libitum in triplicate treatments with supplemented and non-supplemented probiotic diets for 70-days. The total bacterial count in the intestine was significantly higher in the mixed group (30th and 50th days) and U5 group (50th and 70th days) compared with the control group. However, there was no significant difference in weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), nutrient digestibility, or digestive enzyme activity among the groups.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria and the potential probiotic Hafnia alvei on growth and survival rates of narrow clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Esch., 1823) stage II juveniles

The aim of this study was to screen potential probiotic bacteria against Aeromonas hydrophila and determine the effects of antagonistic bacteria and a commercial product containing lactic acid bacteria on the survival and growth of stage II Astacus leptodactylus juveniles. For this purpose, a total of 110 bacterial strains were isolated from adult, stage II crayfish juveniles and rearing water screened for antagonistic activities against A. hydrophila with well diffusion agar assay. Hafnia alvei strain from stage II crayfish juveniles displayed the inhibition zone (10mm) against A. hydrophila. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with four treatments for 60 days: (I) crayfish fed with live food without probiotics (control group); (II) crayfish fed with live food enriched with lactic acid bacteria (0.015 gL^-1); (III) crayfish fed with live food enriched with Hafnia alvei (10^6 CFU mL^−1); (IV) crayfish fed with control diet and H. alvei added to rearing water (10^6 CFU mL^−1). As a result of this study, lactic acid bacteria and Hafnia alvei applications did not positively affect growth and survival of stage II A. leptodactylus juveniles. In the future, studies on screening potential probiotic bacteria should be used in vitro and in vivo tests. In addition, it will be useful to investigate the lactic acid bacteria and Bacillus spp. from indigenous microflora of crayfish

Evaluation of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance of healthcare providers in a tertiary Pediatric hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to reveal the perceptions of healthcare providers who work in a tertiary children’s hospital about domestic and foreign COVID-19 vaccines to determine the frequency of hesitancy toward COVID-19 vaccination prior to its availability in Turkey and to elucidate the reasons for its rejection and distrust. Methods: A questionnaire about COVID-19 vaccination was conducted with 343 healthcare providers, including pediatricians, pediatric nurses, and auxiliary health staff. The questionnaire was conducted online. In the survey, participants were asked about sociodemographic characteristics and opinions on domestic and foreign COVID-19 vaccines, and reasons for vaccine refusal. Results: Women were more likely to be reluctant to get a domestic (p  .05). The factors predicting vaccine acceptance were status as a doctor, more than 10 years of professional experience, and male gender. Conclusion: More than half of the healthcare providers were willing to have a COVID-19 vaccine once available. Indecision rates were found to be high, although rejection rates were not. Status as a doctor, more than 10 years of professional experience, and male gender were factors associated with vaccination intention

Efect of Levosimendan and Nigella Sativa on Erythrocyte Deformability During Myocardial Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Arslan, Mustafa/0000-0003-4882-5063WOS: 000419806200071

Effect of Levosimendan and Nigella Sativa on Erythrocyte Deformability During Myocardial Ischaemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats

Arslan, Mustafa/0000-0003-4882-5063WOS: 000437527600007Objective: Ischaemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a chain of events put in place by tissue ischaemia. Reperfusion following the cellular damage causes an active inflammatory response. Erythrocyte deformability and plasma viscosity play a critical role in tissue and organ perfusion. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effect of levosimendan and nigella sativa on erythrocyte deformability during myocardial IR injury in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were included in the study. The animals were randomly divided into four experimental groups. The coronary arteries of rats in Group C (control group) were not occluded or reperfused. Myocardial IR was performed by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery for 30 min, followed by 2 h of reperfusion in the IR (IR), IR-levosimendan (24 mu g/kg) (IRL) group and IR-nigella sativa (0.2 mL/kg) (IRNS) group. Erythrocyte suspensions formed with a PBS buffer solution containing 5% htc were used to measure the deformability. Results: As a result compared to control group, IR increased the relative resistance, a marker of erythrocyte deformability, significantly (p<0.05). There were significant differences between the groups according to the comparisons with ANOVA test (p<0.0001). The results obtained after corrections with Bonferroni test were as follows: Comparisons of the IRL and IRNS groups revealed similar results (p=0.764). The values of the IR group were significantly higher than those of the control, IRNS and IRL groups (p<0.0001, p=0.001, p=0.003, respectively). Conclusion: Rats with IR injury had decreased erythrocyte deformability. This injury might cause more problems in microcirculation. Levosimendan and nigella sativa may be useful in reducing the adverse effects of this type of injury

Mesenteric Doppler ultrasonography findings of Echinococcus multilocularis infection: an experimental study.

The diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis, caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, is often difficult and almost always possible only in the later stages of the disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the findings of Doppler ultrasonography images for the diagnosis of intraabdominal non-visceral alveolar echinococcosis in Meriones unguiculatus. Six infected animals were studied. Abdominal Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed 20-25 days after the implantation. Then, animals were sacrificed and infected specimens were histopathologically examined. The sonographic examinations of the infected animals revealed lobulated, heterogeneous cystic intraabdominal masses. There were echogenic solid areas with hypoechoic and anechoic cystic areas within the lesions. Doppler ultrasound examination revealed vascular islands within those heterogeneous cystic lesions. Color mode showed multiple vascular coding areas within the solid part of the lesions, most of them were venous structures but there were also arterial vessels showing dominant flow with low resistive indices. Vascular structures were supposed to be the invaded native mesenteric vessels within the infiltrating inflammatory mass lesions. We consider that the Doppler ultrasound finding of irregular mesenteric vascular structures within intraabdominal heterogenous mass lesions may be an important sign for the diagnosis of experimental non-visceral alveolar echinococcosis in Meriones unguiculatus

The contribution of SPECT/CT in patients with radionuclide shuntography through shunt dysfunction

Objective: Radionuclide CSF study is a simple, effective, and low-radiation-dose procedure for the assessment of shunt patency. With the help of CT image of single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), the interpretation becomes more accurate and easier.The aim of this study was to compare the classical methods and 2D planar scintigraphic images with radionuclide shuntography fused SPECT/CT. Methods: Between 2015-2019 all hydrocephalic patients who underwent radionuclide shuntography and classical methods (cranial CT, USG and/or direct X-rays), for suspected VP shunt malfunction at our hospital were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Fusion with SPECT/CT is provided in all radionuclide shuntographies