Genetic Variability, Heritability, and Genetic Advance for Ethanol Yield and Yield Components in Sweet Sorghum (Sorghum Bicolor Var. Saccharatum (L.)

Sweet sorghumis a strong candidate for a cheap and renewable source of energy and play a vital role for the uplift of socio-economic status of the farmers of Turkey through the development of high yielding varieties along with a reasonable amount of fodder and biofuel production. The objective of this research was to evaluate the potential of sweet sorghum as a source for fodder and biofuel production, also the magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and contributing characters of forty-nine sweet sorghum genotypes. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design with four replications in Turkey. Analysis of variance revealed that there are highly significant differences among the genotypes in all investigated traits indicating the presence of variability. The genotypes Smith and Batem-3 with high juice, sugar and ethanol yield can be used for breeding of biofuel production in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. High heritability accompanied with high genetic advance was observed fortheflowering day, fresh biomass weight, stem fresh weight, juice volume, estimated sugar yield, and estimated ethanol yield. Therefore, these characters could be used for the development of high yielding sorghum varieties through selection in a breeding program

Computed tomography as a predictor of the extent of the disease and surgical outcomes in ovarian cancer

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to determine the predictive value of Computed Tomography (CT), alone or in combination with serum CA-125 levels, for preoperative staging, detection of the extent of the disease, and surgical complications in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Material and methods: One hundred and fourteen patients diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma following an exploratory laparotomy with a preoperative CT scan, performed between January 2007 and June 2013, were enrolled in the study. Preoperative CT and intraoperative surgical findings were compared using 14 parameters and predictions of CT for gas­trointestinal, genitourinary, and cardiovascular complications. All radiological features and clinical characteristics were analyzed statistically. Results: CT and surgical findings correlated (sensitivity/ specificity) as follows: uterine and tubal spread (66%/89%), cervical involvement (100%/80%), peritoneal nodulesincreased density-carcinomatosis (57%/93%), omental involvement (68%/95%), retroperitoneal involvement (25%/84%), ascites (85%/87%), perirectal and perivesical fat plan obliteration (43%/94%), liver metastasis (50%/91%), small and large bowel involvement (47%/95%), adnexal mass (94%/70%), and other metastases (47%/86%). Also, CT findings were found to be statistically insignificant for prediction of mesenteric involvement, bladder metastasis, and diaphragmatic involvement. The overall CT sensitivity and specificity at detecting intraoperative findings was 91% and 71%, respectively. We found a statistically significant correlation between intestinal involvement on CT and the necessity of additional surgical procedures. Conclusions: CT is a widely used imaging method in the preoperative evaluation of ovarian cancer. However, its predictive value, sensitivity and specificity differ, depending on the anatomical region

LEGU-MED: Developing Biodiversity-Based Agriculture with Legume Cropping Systems in the Mediterranean Basin

Environmental degradation and the decrease of ecosystem service provision are currently of major concern, with current agricultural systems being a major driver. To meet our future environmental and sustainability targets a transformation of the agro-food systems and current agricultural value chain are crucial. One approach to redesign farming systems is the concept of biodiversity-based agriculture (BBA) which relies on sustainable diversification of biological components and their natural interactions in farming systems to maximize fertility, productivity, and resilience to external perturbations. Despite minimizing anthropogenic inputs, BBA is not yet able to meet all beneficial environmental objectives. BBA applied in the Mediterranean basin requires urgent innovation in approaches, methodologies, and models for small-holder traditional farming systems to ensure a stable provision of ecosystem services and better resilience to environmental stresses linked to climate change. Legumes are the backbone of the Mediterranean agro-ecosystems from ancient times, but their unique and wide biodiversity was not sufficiently valorized, especially by North-African countries. Here, we present LEGU-MED, a three-year international project funded by PRIMA initiative 2019. An international consortium was established involving five universities, 5 research institutes, and one private company from 8 countries: Italy, Germany, Spain, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, and Croatia. The main objective of this project is to put forward an international and well-integrated plan to valorize the legume agrobiodiversity of the Mediterranean in biodiversity-based farming systems and consequently enhance agro-ecosystem functions and services in the Mediterranean basin. The successful completion of LEGU-MED will have the following impacts on Mediterranean legume-based farming systems: (1) improve water use efficiency, (2) reduce the use of anthropogenic inputs through the maintenance of soil fertility, (3) enhance pollination and improve ecological connectivity with flora and fauna, (4) protect close-by wildland ecosystems, (5) enhance other ecosystem services (e.g., pest, disease, and weed suppression), and (6) provide healthier and safer protein-rich food. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Performance of some winter chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes in mediterranean conditions

The research was carried out to determine suitable chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes with large seed and high yield to be able to grown in winter. Yield and yield components were investigated in 22 chickpea genotypes, which were obtained from ICARDA, and Aydin-92 (check) in 1999-2000, 2000-2001 and 2003-2004 growing seasons. According to the combined analysis of three years, seed yield was ranged from 1582 to 2132 kg ha-1. X 93 TH 56-3/2, and FLIP 90-58 C genotypes were determined to be adaptable to Mediterranean conditions and produce larger seeds and higher yield than Aydin-92. Besides, significant and positive correlations between seed yield and total pod number, full pod number, seed number, seed weight, and harvest index were determined in this research

The association between probationers’ addiction levels and socioeconomic-psychological characteristics

Abstract Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate probationers’ addiction levels and associated socioeconomic and psychological features in Izmir Probation Directorate. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in Izmir Probation Directorate between August 27, 2018 and November 27, 2018. The study’s dependent variable was adult probationers’ addiction level which was evaluated by the Addiction Profile Index-Clinical Version (API-C). The independent variables were individual factors, social environmental factors, API-C scale subdimensions and perceived social support. For paired comparisons, Student’s t test and ANOVA were used. Linear regression analysis was used for multiple comparisons. p < 0.05 was accepted as the limit of statistical significance. Results A total of 200 male probationers participated in the study (82.3%, n = 243). The participants’ average age was 29.9 ± 7.7. The participants’ average addiction score was 5.65 ± 2.33. According to the results of the regression analysis; education level (B = 1.438, 95% CI 0.936, 1.941, p < 0.001) working status at a job (B = 2.687, 95% CI 1.428, 3.945, p < 0.001) father’s education level (B=-1.117, 95% CI -1.473, -0.762, p < 0.001) and anger management problems (B = 0.750, 95%CI 0.517, 0.982, p < 0.001) were explanatory for addiction level. The model was 50.8% explanatory of addiction level (p < 0.05). Conclusion Probationers who grew up with only their mother, whose father had a low education level, who had higher levels of anger management problems and who were unemployed had higher levels of addiction. These results emphasize the need for social work in the rehabilitation processes of individuals. Treating the risk factors indicated by the study results as screening and follow-up parameters in the probation population can be useful in improving the success of the probation program

Development of Independent MU/Treatment Time Verification Algorithm for Non-IMRT Treatment Planning: A Clinical Experience

The aim of this study is to develop an algorithm for independent MU/treatment time (TT) verification for non-IMRT treatment plans, as a part of QA program to ensure treatment delivery accuracy. Two radiotherapy delivery units and their treatment planning systems (TPS) were commissioned in Liv Hospital Radiation Medicine Center, Tbilisi, Georgia. Beam data were collected according to vendors' collection guidelines, and AAPM reports recommendations, and processed by Microsoft Excel during in-house algorithm development. The algorithm is designed and optimized for calculating SSD and SAD treatment plans, based on AAPM TG114 dose calculation recommendations, coded and embedded in MS Excel spreadsheet, as a preliminary verification algorithm (VA). Treatment verification plans were created by TPSs based on IAEA TRS 430 recommendations, also calculated by VA, and point measurements were collected by solid water phantom, and compared. Study showed that, in-house VA can be used for non-IMRT plans MU/TT verifications

Potential Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Blunt Multiple Trauma Who Survive Initial Resuscitation

Introduction. The aim was to identify risk factors that influence in-hospital mortality for patients with moderate-to-severe blunt multiple trauma (BMT) who survive initial resuscitation. Methods. The prospective study involved 195 adult patients with BMT who were admitted to a referral hospital’s emergency department (ED) between May 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. Results. Forty-three (22%) of the 195 patients died in hospital. Multivariate analysis identified low blood pH (odds ratio [OR] 6.580, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.12-38.51), high serum lactate level (OR 1.041, 95% CI 1.01-1.07), high ISS (OR 1.109, 95% CI 1.06-1.16), high APACHE II score (OR 1.189, 95% CI 1.07-1.33), traumatic brain injury (TBI) (OR 4.358, 95% CI 0.76-24.86), severe hemorrhage (OR 5.314, 95% CI 1.07-26.49), and coagulopathy (OR 5.916, 95% CI 1.17-29.90) as useful predictors of acute in-hospital mortality. High ISS (OR 1.047, 95% CI 1.02-1.08), TBI (OR 8.922, 95% CI 2.57-31.00), sepsis (OR 4.956, 95% CI 1.99-12.36), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (OR 8.036, 95% CI 1.85-34.84), respiratory failure (OR 9.630, 95% CI 2.64-35.14), renal failure (OR 74.803, 95% CI 11.34-493.43), and multiple organ failure [MOF] (OR 10.415, 95% CI 4.48-24.24) were risk factors for late in-hospital mortality. High Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was a good predictor for survival at 2, 7, and 28 or more days of hospitalization (OR 0.708 and 95% CI 0.56-0.09; OR 0.835 and 95% CI 0.73-0.95; OR 0.798 and 95% CI 0.71-0.90, resp.). Conclusion. Several factors signal poor short-term outcome for patients who present to the ED with moderate-to-severe BMT: low blood pH, high serum lactate level, presence of TBI, severe hemorrhage, coagulopathy, organ failure (respiratory, renal, and MOF), and ARDS. For this patient group, ISS and APACHE II scores might be helpful for stratifying by mortality risk, and GCS might be a good predictor for survival

Interleukin (IL)-17F (H161R) and IL-23R (R381Q) Gene Polymorphisms in Turkish Population with Periodontitis

WOS: 000375075300002Background: Periodontitis is triggered by periodontal pathogens and influenced by environmental and genetic factors. Genes encoding molecules related to the immune response are the main candidates for polymorphisms analysis and may be possibly associated with this pathology. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the interleukin (IL)-17F Histidine161Arginine (H161R) and IL-23R Arginine381Glycine (R381Q) gene polymorphisms in patients with periodontitis in Turkish population. Materials and Methods: 90 periodontally healthy, 90 patients with chronic periodontitis and 57 patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis were included in the study. Participants were identified through clinical examinations and radiographs. DNA was isolated from venous blood samples from each patient and genotype analyses were made for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Data were analyzed using the x(2) test. Results: The comparison of allelic, genotypic frequencies of the IL-17F (H161R) and IL-23R (R381Q) polymorphisms revealed no significant differences between the periodontally healthy individuals and patients with periodontal diseases. Conclusion: On the basis of the present findings, it can be suggested that IL-17F gene (H161R) and IL-23R gene (R381Q) polymorphisms are not associated with the susceptibility to periodontitis in Turkish population