The Effect of Granulocyte Colony–Stimulating Factor on Immune-Modulatory Cytokines in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment and Mesenchymal Stem Cells of Healthy Donors

AbstractGranulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) is sometimes administered to donors before bone marrow (BM) harvest. G-CSF–primed (G-BM) and unprimed BM (U-BM)–derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were obtained from 16 healthy donors and were expanded in vitro. Their proliferative characteristics, morphology, and differentiation capacity were examined. Supernatants of the second passage of MSCs were evaluated for transforming growth factor β1, hepatocyte growth factor, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels and compared with controls. The analyses of cytokines in the G-BM– and U-BM–derived MSCs supernatants revealed that PGE2 levels were significantly lower in the G-CSF–primed samples. These cytokines were also measured in BM plasma. The level of hepatocyte growth factor in G-BM plasma was significantly increased. The current study is the first to show the effects of G-CSF on the BM microenvironment of healthy human donors. The preliminary data suggest that G-BM– and U-BM–derived MSCs have similar morphologic/phenotypic properties and differentiation capacity but differ in their secretory capacity. Significant changes in cytokine levels of BM plasma in G-CSF–primed donors were also demonstrated. These findings suggest that BM MSCs and changes in the BM microenvironment may contribute to the effects of G-CSF on inflammation and immunomodulation

New monitoring confirms regular breeding of the Mediterranean monk seal in Northern Cyprus

The Endangered Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus is one of the most threatened marine mammals. Across Cyprus, suitable habitat and presence of monk seals is well documented and, recently, camera-trap surveys in Southern Cyprus found there to be pupping. We present results of the first camera-trap surveys in Northern Cyprus spanning the pupping period. Four adult/subadults and three pups were identified in three of eight caves monitored with camera traps. One site on the north-west of the island supported at least three adult/subadult seals and pupping occurred there in 3 consecutive years. The breeding and resting sites identified require urgent conservation to manage threats of disturbance, coastal development and fisheries bycatch. To determine the size of this population, a long-term survey with greater and more continuous coverage is required

Length-weight relationships of 28 fish species caught from demersal trawl survey in the Middle Black Sea, Turkey

This study provides updated the length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor of 28 fish species belonging to 23 families from the Black Sea. Samples were collected along the depths between 0-100 meters by demersal trawl surveys conducted seasonally from May 2017 to September 2019. A total of 83,885 specimens were collected. The length-weight relationships and Fulton's condition factor, minimum, maximum and mean lengths, total weights, descriptive statistics, and growth type were provided for all the species. The results indicate that LWR parameters of b varied from 2.2039 to 3.737 and Fulton's condition factor varied between 0.004 and 1.18. These findings could be useful for monitoring and management of sustainable fisheries and habitat health

Kuzeydoğu levant denizindeki demersal balik topluluklarinin değerlendirilmesi.

Ecosystem-level changes have taken place in the Mediterranean Sea over the last decades due to both anthropogenic interferences and natural perturbations. Compared to the western Mediterranean Sea, influences of these factors especially on flora and fauna characteristics are much more dramatic and intense in the eastern part, particularly in the northeastern Levant Sea where the study area is located. In this study, life history traits of some core species (both native and immigrant) occupying the continental shelf of the northeastern Levant Sea were studied in this changing ecosystem to improve limited ecological understanding of the demersal fish assemblages of the northeastern Levant Sea. For this purpose, the annual patterns in allocation and utilization of energy in demersal fish species, temporal and bathymetrical trends in fish distribution with respect to biological requirements of the species and strategies adapted by the species in growth, reproduction and energy storage were investigated by examining growth parameters, biological indices and abundance and biomass variations. Influences of environmental variables on spatiotemporal distribution and biological characteristic of Mullus barbatus were also explored by generalized additive models. Biological data were collected at monthly intervals between May 2007 and May 2010 by trawl sampling while sample collection of environmental variables (temperature and salinity) was performed from December 2008 to May 2010. Results of this study reveal that the components of the demersal fish assemblage in the region fulfill their biological activities within a short period of time when the highest productivity is reached in the area. Moreover, results indicate that within this short period of time, some native components of the demersal fish assemblages studied (Mullus barbatus and Pagellus erythrinus) exhibit strategies such as fast growth, early maturation, short reproduction season, secondary spawners to cope with the environmental peculiarities. On the other hand, the successful exotic colonizers develop strategies as well but these successful immigrants also use time (Lagocephalus suezensis) and space (depth) (Upeneus pori) slot that the native species avoid. In some of the species examined (Mullus barbatus and Lagocephalus suezensis), growth is fast, sexual maturity is early, reproduction period is short, and reproduction potential is high. With the peculiar environmental condition, these life history traits are attributed to the “r-strategy” of the species. In this study, generalized additive models of Mullus barbatus explain 81.5 % variations in Gonadosomatic Index (GSI), 55.2 % in Hepatosomatic Index (HSI) and 43.9 % in Condition Factor (K). The time component in the GAM model captures the same cyclic pattern observed in GSI of Mullus barbatus. Besides, The GAM results suggest that the highest GSI values associated with the bottom water temperature are between 18 – 19 °C while the partial effect of bottom salinity is at 38.7 psu. A positive effect of depth on GSI of the species starts after 60 meters depth and increasing trend continues until 125 meters depth and then decreases. The HSI results are almost identical to GSI outputs indicating that the effects of the parameters concerned act in a similar manner. The results of the GAM models failed to explain influence of environmental parameters on vertical and seasonal distribution of adult Mullus barbatus. However 83.5 % variances were explained in distribution of juveniles. The salinity and temperature have the highest impact on the distribution of juveniles among the parameters evaluated. The results indicate that the occurrence of Atlantic Water in the area has a positive influence on M. barbatus, particularly on the recruits through either by its low salinity or by another factor associated with this water mass. The vertical distribution range are set by the high temperatures (>27 °C) at the shallow depths during summer and the low temperatures on the shelf break zone (<16 °C). A comparison of vertical abundance distribution of Mullus barbatus and the vertical temperature variations indicate that the species may tolerate up to 27 °C and then individuals move to the deeper depths so that to the cooler waters when the temperature exceeds their tolerance limit. As well as the life history traits adopted by the species, there are some other factors providing advantages to the species. The fisheries regulations, particularly the time limits applied in the area are in favor of the species especially of pre-recruits. In the study area the pre-recruitment phase and summer YOY aggregations in shallow waters of most species studied in this thesis take place during a time when the fishing season is closed.Ph.D. - Doctoral Progra

Akdeniz fokunun (Monachus monachus, Hermann 1779) Kuzeydoğu Akdeniz'deki geçmişi, bugünkü durumu ve geleceği.

Status and distribution of the Mediterranean monk seal in the northeastern Mediterranean were studied between October 2003 and December 2005. In total, 7 research cruises and 8 research visits were carried out to the region in the study period. The study was generally focused on two regions. First region was mainly around the Cilicia basin in the northeastern Mediterranean where a known Mediterranean monk seal colony (the Cilician colony) inhabits. Second region was around the Gulf of İskenderun where the population status of the monk seals was unknown.In the northeastern Mediterranean, all monk seal caves especially those used for breeding have been checked for whelping and monitored during the study period. In total, 7 pups were found including one death pup in the study period. Observations of the breeding behavior of the species indicated that, whelping also takes place in 2 new caves in addition to the 39 caves already reported for the study area in the earlier studies. Increase in the number of breeding caves showed that the breeding sites of the species has been expanded within the last 5 years. The Cilician colony size was estimated as 30 individuals in 2005. Identification catalog for each individual in the Cilician colony was prepared. Finally, population viability analysis (PVA) for the Cilician monk seal colony was carried out by evaluating the vital parameters of the species, which have been collected since 1994. This analysis was carried out for both pre-conservation phase and the post-conservation phase. In post conservation phase, the survival and fecundity rate of the Cilician colony was found as 0.976 and 0.169 respectively whereas these values were estimated as 0.902 and 0.200 respectively in pre-conservation phase. It was found that there is a 26.9% risk that the monk seal colony abundance will fall below the existing level (30 individuals) at least once during the next 20 years and there is also 0.2% risk that the monk seal colony abundance will fall below 12 at least once during the next 20 years. The risk was found as 21.7% by evaluating the status of the colony in preconservation phase. It was the first PVA study for this species, in which all the parameters used in the analysis were based on the study population, instead of the congeneric Hawaiian Monk Seal. Prior to this study, although monk seals have been frequently sighted by local people in the region, status of the Mediterranean monk seals and presence of the suitable habitats for the species in the Gulf of İskenderun was unknown. Therefore, population status of the Mediterranean monk seal in the Gulf of İskenderun and suitable habitats were investigated. In total, 30 caves were discovered and 7 of them were classified suitable for the Mediterranean monk seal. In addition, a monk seal information network was established in the region in order to gain information about the species especially when the individuals are sighted (alive, injured or death). In total, 51 sighting reports were obtained from local people via the Mediterranean monk seal information network during the study period. Since there are sampling difficulties due to critical status of the Mediterranean monk seal, alternative sampling techniques were investigated in order to find answers to questions related to the monk seal colony inhabiting in the northeastern Mediterranean. For identification of the individuals, comparison of the individuals and monitoring the individuals, 3D model construction technique from photographs was tested as an alternative photoidentification technique for the Mediterranean monk seal. It was found that at least 100 reference points were needed to construct the 3D model of the monk seal.M.S. - Master of Scienc