SOME ASPECTS OF THE BIOLOGY OF ABU MULLET (Liza abu HECKEL, 1843) IN THE ORONTES RIVER, TURKEY

Starost, rast i razmnožavanje abu cipla iz rijeke Orontes u Turskoj su opisani na 411 uzoraka od svibnja 2011. do travnja 2012. godine. Ukupni odnos mužjaka i ženki je bio 1: 1,29. Dužina vilice svih jedinki bila je u rasponu od 2,2 do 18,5 cm, a totalna težina od 1,85 do 66,40 g. Izometrijski rast zabilježen je kod mužjaka (b = 2,938) i kod svih jedinki (b = 2,907); pozitivan alometrijski rast uočen je za ženke (b = 3,246). Parametri rasta von Bertalanffijeve krivulje, dobiveni na temelju podataka iz otolita, iznosili su L∞ = 19,48 cm, k = 0,258 godina-1 i t0 = -1,738 godina za mužjake, L∞ = 20.31 cm, k = 0,313 godina-1 i t0 = -1,432 godina za ženke. Indeks performansi rasta (Φ) je utvrđen: 1,99 za mužjake, 2,11 za žene i 2,18 za svaku jedinku. Srednji kondicijski faktor (K) izračunat je kao 0,792 ± 0,027 za mužjake i 0,835 ± 0,030 za ženke. Dužina u zrelosti je 11,49 cm za mužjake i 11,82 cm za ženke. Fekunditet iznosi 14413 ± 1569 s promjerom jaja od 0,44 ± 0,07 mm. Mrijest je bio između travnja i kolovoza. Abu cipal je dobro prilagođen u rijeci Orontes i sposoban je za uspješnu reprodukciju. Njegova izračunata dob i veličina zrelosti bila je manja i mlađa od ostalih populacija.The age, growth and reproduction are described for 411 individuals of abu mullet from the Orontes River in Turkey between May 2011 and April 2012. The overall male to female ratio was 1:1.29. Fork length of all individuals ranged from 2.2 to 18.5 cm and total weight from 1.85 to 66.40 g. Isometric growth was observed for males (b=2.938) and all individuals (b=2.907); positive allometric growth was observed for females (b=3.246). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters based on data from otoliths were L∞ = 19.48 cm, k=0.258 year-1 and t0=-1.738 years for males, L∞ = 20.31 cm, k=0.313 year-1 and t0=-1.432 years for females. The growth performance index (Φ) was found to be 1.99 for males, 2.11 for females and 2.18 for all individuals. The mean condition factor (K) was calculated as 0.792±0.027 for males and 0.835±0.030 for females. Length at maturity was 11.49 cm for males and 11.82 cm for females. The fecundity was 14413±1569 with an egg diameter of 0.44±0.07 mm. Spawning period was between April and August. Abu mullet has acclimated well in the Orontes River and is capable of successful reproduction. Its calculated age and size at maturity was smaller and younger than for other populations

Evaluation of appendicitis risk prediction models in adults with suspected appendicitis

Background Appendicitis is the most common general surgical emergency worldwide, but its diagnosis remains challenging. The aim of this study was to determine whether existing risk prediction models can reliably identify patients presenting to hospital in the UK with acute right iliac fossa (RIF) pain who are at low risk of appendicitis. Methods A systematic search was completed to identify all existing appendicitis risk prediction models. Models were validated using UK data from an international prospective cohort study that captured consecutive patients aged 16–45 years presenting to hospital with acute RIF in March to June 2017. The main outcome was best achievable model specificity (proportion of patients who did not have appendicitis correctly classified as low risk) whilst maintaining a failure rate below 5 per cent (proportion of patients identified as low risk who actually had appendicitis). Results Some 5345 patients across 154 UK hospitals were identified, of which two‐thirds (3613 of 5345, 67·6 per cent) were women. Women were more than twice as likely to undergo surgery with removal of a histologically normal appendix (272 of 964, 28·2 per cent) than men (120 of 993, 12·1 per cent) (relative risk 2·33, 95 per cent c.i. 1·92 to 2·84; P < 0·001). Of 15 validated risk prediction models, the Adult Appendicitis Score performed best (cut‐off score 8 or less, specificity 63·1 per cent, failure rate 3·7 per cent). The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score performed best for men (cut‐off score 2 or less, specificity 24·7 per cent, failure rate 2·4 per cent). Conclusion Women in the UK had a disproportionate risk of admission without surgical intervention and had high rates of normal appendicectomy. Risk prediction models to support shared decision‐making by identifying adults in the UK at low risk of appendicitis were identified

Some aspects of the biology of Abu mullet Liza abu (Heckel, 1843) in the Orontes River, Turkey

The age, growth and reproduction are described for 411 individuals of abu mullet from the Orontes River in Turkey between May 2011 and April 2012. The overall male to female ratio was 1:1.29. Fork length of all individuals ranged from 2.2 to 18.5 cm and total weight from 1.85 to 66.40 g. Isometric growth was observed for males (b=2.938) and all individuals (b=2.907); positive allometric growth was observed for females (b=3.246). The von Bertalanffy growth parameters based on data from otoliths were L∞ = 19.48 cm, k=0.258 year−1 and t0=−1.738 years for males, L∞ = 20.31 cm, k=0.313 year−1 and t0=−1.432 years for females. The growth performance index (Φ) was found to be 1.99 for males, 2.11 for females and 2.18 for all individuals. The mean condition factor (K) was calculated as 0.792±0.027 for males and 0.835±0.030 for females. Length at maturity was 11.49 cm for males and 11.82 cm for females. The fecundity was 14413±1569 with an egg diameter of 0.44±0.07 mm. Spawning period was between April and August. Abu mullet has acclimated well in the Orontes River and is capable of successful reproduction. Its calculated age and size at maturity was smaller and younger than for other populations

Structural and chemical analysis of hydroxyapatite (HA)-Boron nitride (BN) nanocomposites sintered under different atmospheric conditions

Calcium phosphate derivatives have been widely employed in medical and dental applications for hard tissue repair, since they are the main inorganic constitution of hard tissue; such as bones and teeth. Owing to their excellent osteoconductive and bioactive properties, Hydroxyapatite (HA) based ceramics are the best candidates of this group for medical, bioscience and dental applications. However, when replacing a bone or tooth, HA is not able to sustain similar mechanical properties. In this study, to improve the mechanical properties, nanoscale hexagonal boron nitride (nhBN) with different compositional percentages was added to the nano HA (nHA) to form composites. The effect of compositional changes and sintering parameters on microstructural and morphological properties of the ceramic composites was comparatively investigated. Detailed chemical characterization of the composite materials was carried out using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman Spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) investigations were employed to monitor morphological and surface features. Additional Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations were carried out to reveal the nanostructure and crystal structure of the composites

Electrophoretic coating of hydroxyapatite-boron nitride nanocomposites on titanium implants

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have long been used as implant materials in dental and orthopedic applications. However, they can suffer certain disadvantages, such as poor osteoinductive properties and low corrosive-wear resistance. The potential of hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings to enhance the long-term stability of the bond between metallic implants and the surrounding bone structure has been well documented. The HAp-coated implant can combine the high mechanical strength of the metal with the excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity of the ceramic and is therefore suitable for implants in high load-bearing applications. Recently, in order to improve the mechanical properties of the HAp coating itself, HAp composite coatings can used. Accordingly, nano-sized hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)-HAp composites coated on Ti by Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process and structural and morphological properties of coatings were investigated. For the structural characterization, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy and EDS were used, and for the identification of morphology and surface features, TEM, SEM and FIB and AFM techniques were utilized. Acknowledgements: 112M592, 112M590 TUBITAK Primary Subjects R&D Funding Program projects are gratefully acknowledged for the financial support

The effect of sintering conditions on the formation of hydroxyapatite-boron nitride nanocomposites

Being the main inorganic constitution of hard tissues (bone and teeth),calcium phosphates has been applied in medical and dental applications in hard tissue repair. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics have attracted attention because of their excellent osteoconductive and bioactive properties. In spite of having sufficient biocompatibility, HAp cannot perform the expected mechanical properties of a hard tissue. It is considered that, the production of composites by adding a variety of materials to nHAp would improve mechanical properties and by controlling important parameters such as particle size and shape, particle distribution and agglomeration also affect the mechanical properties. Accordingly, nano-sized hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) having different compositional percentages was added to the nHAp to form novel composites with expected properties and the effect of sintering process on microstructure and morphological properties of sintered composites were investigated. For the structural characterization, XRD, Raman Spectroscopy and EDS were used, and for the identification of morphology and surface features, TEM, SEM and FIB and AFM techniques were utilized

Comparison of a novel antigen detection test with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection

Molecular diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in respiratory specimens is considered the gold standard method. This method is highly sensitive and specific but it has some limitations such as being expensive and requiring special laboratory equipment and skilled personnel. RapidFor (TM) Antigen Rapid Test Kit is a commercially available Ag-RDT which is produced in Turkey and designed to detect the nucleocapsid antigen of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of this novel SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection considering the RT-PCR method as the gold standard. Four hundred forty-four nasopharyngeal swab samples which were collected from the patients who met clinical criteria of COVID-19 from ten centers in Turkey between September 2020 and February 2021 were included in the study. All the nasopharyngeal swab samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 RNA using commercial RT-PCR kits (Bioeksen and A1 Lifesciences, Istanbul, Turkey) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Viral loads were assessed according to the cycle threshold (Ct) values. RapidFor (TM) SARS-CoV-2 antigen test (Vitrosens Biotechnology, Istanbul, Turkey) was used to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in all samples following the manufacturer's instructions. Out of 444 nasopharyngeal swab samples tested, 346 (77.9%) were positive and 98 (22.1%) were negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RTPCR. Overall sensitivity of the RapidFor (TM). Antigen Rapid Test Kit was 80.3% whereas specificity was found to be 87.8%. Positivity rate of rapid antigen test in samples with Ct values over 25 and below 30 was 82.7%, while it increased to 95.7% in samples 20 <= Ct < 25 and reached 100% in samples with Ct values below 20. RapidFor (TM) SARS-CoV-2 Ag test might be a good choice in the screening of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and their contacts for taking isolation measures early, with advantages over RT-PCR as being rapid, easy and being applicable in every laboratory and even at point of care