Performance of Some Forages Species (\u3cem\u3eFestuca arundinacea\u3c/em\u3e L., \u3cem\u3eChloris gayana\u3c/em\u3e var. Katambora, \u3cem\u3eLotus corniculatus\u3c/em\u3e L. and \u3cem\u3eMedicago sativa\u3c/em\u3e L.) in Saline Soil

Salinity is a soil degradation process which reduces plant diversity and agricultural productivity, decreases fertility and devalues the land in regions with arid and semi-arid climate. This process inhibits water and nutrient intake of plants from soil due to changeable nitrogen percentage and/or the intensity of soluble salt concentration. When the fact that agricultural lands are limited around the world and that the need for nutrition increases incrementally is taken into consideration, it is obvious that available lands should be used more effectively. Hence, it is quite crucial to reclaim saline soil and utilize it more economically (Woods 1996)

Reproductive Characteristics of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta fario L.) Reared in North-Eastern Turkey

Abstract Spawning time, fecundity, fertilization rate, and egg size of brown trout (Salmo trutta fario) reared in north-eastern Turkey were investigated. Seventeen females were stripped into separate bowls and eggs were fertilized by milt from at least two males. Spawning lasted from mid-November to early January. The mean brood size was 989.4±620.53 g and mean total and relative fecundities were 2029±2051 eggs/individual and 2259±947 eggs/kg body weight, respectively. Mean egg diameters and weights were 5.3±0.40 mm and 93.9±19.37 mg. The mean fertilization and hatching rates were 95.4±4.60% and 83.3±11.79% of the total number of eggs. Correlations were positive between body weight and total (r 2 = 0.8665, p<0.001) and relative (r 2 = 0.1632, p>0.10) fecundity, and negative between egg diameter and body weight (r 2 = -0.002, p>0.10) and total fecundity (r 2 = -0.0865, p>0.05). Our findings suggest that reproductive parameters of brown trout under culture conditions in north-eastern Turkey are similar to those of other salmonid species

The Value of Secretin-Enhanced MRCP in Patients With Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to assess the additional value of secretin-enhanced MRCP over conventional (non–secretin-enhanced) MRCP in diagnosing disease in patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of a radiology database found 72 patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis who had secretin-enhanced MRCP and ERCP correlation within 3 months of each other between January 2007 and December 2011. Of these patients, 54 had no history of pancreatic tumor or surgery and underwent MRI more than 3 months after an episode of acute pancreatitis. In addition, 57 age- and sex-matched control subjects with secretin-enhanced MRCP and ERCP correlation and without a diagnosis of recurrent acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis were enrolled as the control group. All studies were anonymized, and secretin-enhanced MRCP images (image set A) were separated from conventional 2D and 3D MRCP and T2-weighted images (image set B). Image sets A and B for each patient were assigned different and randomized case numbers. Two blinded reviewers independently assessed both image sets for ductal abnormalities and group A image sets for exocrine response to secretin. RESULTS There were statistically significantly more patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis with reduced exocrine function compared with patients in the control group (32% vs 9%; p < 0.01) on secretin-enhanced images. Patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis were more likely to have side branch dilation (p = 0.02; odds ratio, 3.6), but not divisum, compared with the control group. Secretin-enhanced images were superior to non–secretin-enhanced images for detecting ductal abnormalities in patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis, with higher sensitivity (76% vs 56%; p = 0.01) and AUC values (0.983 vs 0.760; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Up to one-third of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis showed exocrine functional abnormalities. Secretin-enhanced MRCP had a significantly higher yield for ductal abnormalities than did conventional MRI and should be part of the MRCP protocol for investigation of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis

Accumulation of Macronutrients in Forage Grasses Under Saline and Alkaline Conditions

This study was designed to determine P, K, Ca, Mg and Na mineral accumulations in Agropyron elongatum, Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon and Festuca arundinacea species grown on control (non-saline and non-alkaline), highly saline, highly alkaline and highly saline-alkaline soils, and to check whether the obtained fodders meet mineral requirements of animals. The research established in 2011 under a randomized complete blocks design, and continued for three years. Results revealed that macro nutrient contents (P, K, Ca, Mg and Na) accumulation differed significantly among species (except for K), locations (except for Ca) and years. No significant differences were observed among species in terms of potassium content. The highest phosphorus content was detected in Agropyron elongatum, while the highest Ca content observed in A.elongatum and F.arundiancaea. Moreover, the highest Mg content was observed in F.arundiancaeand the highest Na content in A.elongatumand F.arundiancaea. The lowest P, K+ and Na+ accumulations were detected from highly saline-alkaline soils while Mg2+ content was observed in control, highly saline and highly alkaline soils. As for meeting mineral requirements by animals, Ca2+ content of the obtained fodder was found to be sufficient while K+ accumulations were found to be lower and P and Na+ contents, on the other hand, were found to be higher than the recommended levels. Thus, K+ requirements by the animals should be met by additional feeding and because of rich sodium and phosphorus contents, fodder obtained from these species should be fed with caution

Comparison of hepatic MDCT, MRI, and DSA to explant pathology for the detection and treatment planning of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The diagnosis and treatment plan for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be made from radiologic imaging. However, lesion detection may vary depending on the imaging modality. This study aims to evaluate the sensitivities of hepatic multidetector computed tomography (MDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) in the detection of HCC and the consequent management impact on potential liver transplant patients. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen HCC lesions were analyzed in 41 patients who received an orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). All of the patients underwent pretransplantation hepatic DSA, MDCT, and/or MRI. The imaging results were independently reviewed retrospectively in a blinded fashion by two interventional and two abdominal radiologists. The liver explant pathology was used as the gold standard for assessing each imaging modality. RESULTS: The sensitivity for overall HCC detection was higher for cross-sectional imaging using MRI (51.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]=36.2-58.4%) and MDCT (49.8%, 95% CI=43.7-55.9%) than for DSA (41.7%, 95% CI=36.2-47.3%) (P=0.05). The difference in false-positive rate was not statistically significant between MRI (22%), MDCT (29%), and DSA (29%) (P=0.67). The sensitivity was significantly higher for detecting right lobe lesions than left lobe lesions for all modalities (MRI: 56.1% vs. 43.1%, MDCT: 55.0% vs. 42.0%, and DSA: 46.9% vs. 33.9%; all P<0.01). The sensitivities of the three imaging modalities were also higher for lesions ≥2 cm vs. <2 cm (MRI: 73.4% vs. 32.7%, MDCT: 66.9% vs. 33.8%, and DSA: 62.2% vs. 24.1%; all P<0.01). The interobserver correlation was rated as very good to excellent. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity for detecting HCC is higher for MRI and MDCT than for DSA, and so cross-sectional imaging modalities should be used to evaluate OLT candidacy

Analysis of the Relationship Between Smartphone Addiction and Internet Addiction and Self-Esteem and Loneliness

DergiPark: 545391trakyasobedİnternetve akıllı telefon bağımlılığı gelişen teknoloji ile birlikte psikoloji alandizininde sıklıkla incelenen konuların başında gelmiştir. Sürekli internet veakıllı telefon başındaki bireyler toplumdan uzaklaşmakta ve yalnızlaşmaktadır.Bu durum bireylerin kendilerine olan saygılarında da azalmaya neden olmaktadır.Bu çalışmanın amacı akıllı telefon ve internet bağımlılığı ile benlik saygısıve yalnızlık arasındaki ilişkinin incelenmesidir. Yapılan çalışmada ilişkiseltarama modeli tercih edilmiştir. Bu amaçla yürütülen çalışmaya 137’si kadın ve93’ü erkek olmak üzere 230 kişi katılmıştır. Katılımcılara içeriğinde;demografik veri formu, akıllı telefon bağımlılığı ölçeği, Young İnternetBağımlılığı Testi Kısa Formu, Rosenberg Benlik Saygısı Ölçeği ve UCLA YalnızlıkÖlçeği’nin bulunduğu anket formu uygulanmıştır. Yapılan korelasyon analizlerisonucunda akıllı telefon bağımlılığı ile benlik saygısı ölçeği toplam puanlararasında negatif, orta düzeyde ve anlamlı; telefon bağımlılığı ile yalnızlıkölçeği toplam puanları arasında pozitif ve düşük düzeyde anlamlı bir korelasyonkatsayısı elde edilmiştir. İnternet bağımlılığı ile benlik saygısı ölçeğitoplam puanlar arasında negatif, orta düzeyde ve anlamlı bir korelasyonkatsayısı; internet bağımlılığı ile yalnızlık ölçeği toplam puanlar arasında pozitif,orta düzeyde anlamlı bir korelasyon katsayısı hesaplanmıştır. İnternetin kişiiçin önemi, benlik saygısı ve yalıtılmışlık akıllı telefon bağımlılığınıyordamaktadır. İnternetin kişi için önemi, benlik saygısı, yaş ve yalıtılmışlıkinternet bağımlılığını yordamaktadır.Internetand smart phone addiction has been one of the most frequently studied topics inthe psychology field index along with the developing technology. Individualswho constantly interest internet and smart phone move away from society andbecome lonely. This leads to a decrease in the respect of individuals forthemselves. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between smartphone and Internet addiction and self-esteem and loneliness. In this study,relational screening model was preferred. For this purpose, 230 people, 137 ofwhom were female and 93 of them were male, participated in the study.Demographic data, Smart Phone Addiction Scale, Young Internet Addiction TestShort Form, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale and UCLA Loneliness Scale were appliedto the participants. The results of the correlation analysis, positive, low andsignificant correlation coefficient between smart phone addiction and self-esteemscale total scores, and negative, moderate and significant correlationcoefficient between smart phone addiction loneliness subscale total scores wasfound. Between internet addiction and self-esteem scale total scores positive,moderate and significant correlation coefficient; between internet addictionand loneliness scale total scores positive, moderate and significantcorrelation coefficient was calculated. The importance of the internet for theperson, self-esteem and the isolation have been found to be predictive factorsfor smart phone addiction. The importance of the internet for the person,self-esteem, age and the isolation have been found to be predictive factors forinternet addiction

Transferrin-Decorated Niosomes with Integrated InP/ZnS Quantum Dots and Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Dual Targeting and Imaging of Glioma

The development of multifunctional nanoscale systems that can mediate efficient tumor targeting, together with high cellular internalization, is crucial for the diagnosis of glioma. The combination of imaging agents into one platform provides dual imaging and allows further surface modification with targeting ligands for specific glioma detection. Herein, transferrin (Tf)-decorated niosomes with integrated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MIONs) and quantum dots (QDs) were formulated (PEGNIO/QDs/MIONs/Tf) for efficient imaging of glioma, supported by magnetic and active targeting. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the complete co-encapsulation of MIONs and QDs in the niosomes. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated enhanced cellular uptake of the niosomal formulation by glioma cells. In vitro imaging studies showed that PEGNIO/QDs/MIONs/Tf produces an obvious negative-contrast enhancement effect on glioma cells by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and also improved fluorescence intensity under fluorescence microscopy. This novel platform represents the first niosome-based system which combines magnetic nanoparticles and QDs, and has application potential in dual-targeted imaging of glioma

In-Vitro Application of Magnetic Hybrid Niosomes: Targeted siRNA-Delivery for Enhanced Breast Cancer Therapy

Even though the administration of chemotherapeutic agents such as erlotinib is clinically established for the treatment of breast cancer, its efficiency and the therapy outcome can be greatly improved using RNA interference (RNAi) mechanisms for a combinational therapy. However, the cellular uptake of bare small interfering RNA (siRNA) is insufficient and its fast degradation in the bloodstream leads to a lacking delivery and no suitable accumulation of siRNA inside the target tissues. To address these problems, non-ionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) were used as a nanocarrier platform to encapsulate Lifeguard (LFG)-specific siRNA inside the hydrophilic core. A preceding entrapment of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (FexOy-NPs) inside the niosomal bilayer structure was achieved in order to enhance the cellular uptake via an external magnetic manipulation. After verifying a highly effective entrapment of the siRNA, the resulting hybrid niosomes were administered to BT-474 cells in a combinational therapy with either erlotinib or trastuzumab and monitored regarding the induced apoptosis. The obtained results demonstrated that the nanocarrier successfully caused a downregulation of the LFG gene in BT-474 cells, which led to an increased efficacy of the chemotherapeutics compared to plainly added siRNA. Especially the application of an external magnetic field enhanced the internalization of siRNA, therefore increasing the activation of apoptotic signaling pathways. Considering the improved therapy outcome as well as the high encapsulation efficiency, the formulated hybrid niosomes meet the requirements for a cost-effective commercialization and can be considered as a promising candidate for future siRNA delivery agents

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms and post-inflammatory cysts: interobserver agreement and diagnostic performance of MRI with MRCP

Purpose: We aimed to answer several clinically relevant questions; (1) the interobserver agreement, (2) diagnostic performance of MRI with MRCP for (a) branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) and serous cystic neoplasms (SCN), (b) distinguishing mucinous (BD-IPMN and MCN) from non-mucinous cysts, and (c) distinguishing three pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCN) from post-inflammatory cysts (PIC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed at a tertiary referral center for pancreatic diseases on 71 patients including 44 PCNs and 27 PICs. All PCNs were confirmed by surgical pathology to be 17 BD-IPMNs, 13 MCNs, and 14 SCNs. Main duct and mixed type IPMNs were excluded. Two experienced abdominal radiologists blindly reviewed all the images. Results: Sensitivity of two radiologists for BD-IPMN, MCN and SCN was 88-94%, 62-69% and 57-64%, specificity of 67-78%, 67-78% and 67-78%, and accuracy of 77-82%, 65-75% and 63-73%, respectively. There was 80% sensitivity, 63-73% specificity, 70-76% accuracy for distinguishing mucinous from non-mucinous neoplasms, and 73-75% sensitivity, 67-78% specificity, 70-76% accuracy for distinguishing all PCNs from PICs. There was moderate-to-substantial interobserver agreement (Cohen's kappa: 0.65). Conclusion: Two experienced abdominal radiologists had moderate-to-high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for BD-IPMN, MCN, and SCN. The interobserver agreement was moderate-to-substantial. MRI with MRCP can help workup of incidental pancreatic cysts by distinguishing PCNs from PICs, and premalignant mucinous neoplasms from cysts with no malignant potential

Reproductive Performance of Wild and Hatchery-Reared Black Sea Salmon

Spawning period, total fecundity, egg size, and fertilization and hatching rates of wild and hatch- ery-reared Black Sea salmon (Salmo trutta labrax Pallas, 1811) were investigated. Wild brood- stock consisted of 15 females (4-5 years old) with a mean weight of 1773.2±1014.4 g. Hatchery- reared broodstock consisted of 28 females (3 years old) with a mean weight of 869.5±319.6 g. The spawning period lasted from mid-November to the beginning of January. Mean total fecun- dity was 3524.6±2106.9 and 1931.3±915 eggs/female for wild and hatchery-reared broodstock, respectively, and mean egg diameters were 5.2±0.20 and 5.0±0.24 mm. Fertilization and hatch- ing rates were 98.4±1.71% and 88.1±8.78% for wild broodstock and 97.9±1.84% and 83.1±15.77% for hatchery-reared. The reproductive parameters of wild and hatchery-reared Black Sea salmon in northeastern Turkey were similar to those of other salmonid species