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This study was conducted to determine seasonal infections of the metazoan parasite fauna of Mesopotamian spiny eel (Mastacembelus mastacembelus) inhabiting in Euphrates and Tigris Basin, Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. A total of 122 fish were caught between November 2016 and August 2017 and 4932 parasites were recorded. One species of protozoan parasite (Ichthyophthirius multifiliis), two species of Monogenea (Mastacembelocleidus heteranchorus and Diplozoon sp.), one species of Digenea (Diplostomum spathaceum), one species of Cestoda (Polyonchobothrium magnum), two species of Nematoda (Procamallanus viviparous and Rhabdochona denudata), two species of Copepoda (Eergasilus sieboldi and Argulus foliaceus), one species of Hridunea (Piscicola geometra) and one species of Unionidae (Unio pictorum) observed respectively. According to their prevalence, I. multifiliis (10.66%), M. heteranchorus (58.19%), Diplozoon sp. (0.1%), D. spathaceum (63.93%), P. magnum (24.59%), P. viviparous, (0.41%), R. denudata (9.01%), E. sieboldi (14.75%), A. foliaceus (3.27%), P. geometra (3.3%) and U. pictorum (58.19%) were found. All parasite species except A. foliaceus in this study are new records. From these parasites, Diplozoon sp. and P. geometra are the first records for the Mesopotamian spiny eel parasite fauna worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the metazoan parasites of Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) and Acanthobrama marmid Heckel, 1843 fishes in the Göynük stream were sampled between July 2011 and June 2012. During the study, 37 C. trutta and 44 A. marmid were examined. Eight different parasite species were found in C. trutta: Dactylogyrus crivellius, Dactylogyrus lenkorani, Dactylogyrus pulcher, Dogielius mokhayeri, Gyrodactylus sp. 1 (Monogenea), Rhabdochona denudata (Nematoda), Neoechinorhynchus zabensis (Acanthocephala) and Lamproglena pulchella (Copepoda). Five different parasite species were found in A. marmid: Dactylogyrus elegantis, Gyrodactylus sp. 2, Paradiplozoon megan (Monogenea), Caryophyllaeus laticeps (Cestoda) and Ergasilus sieboldi (Copepoda). Infection values of parasite species were calculated. According to the results, it determined that N. zabensis (43.24 %) is dominant species in C. trutta and D. elegantis (70.45 %) is dominant species on A. marmid. The parasites were found on C. trutta, D. crivellius and D. mokhayeri are the first records for parasite fauna in Turkish freshwater fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in Sami Abdurrahman Park and Shanadar Park, Erbil, (North Iraq); four stations were selected in Sami Abdurrahman Park and four stations in Shanadar Park. Water samples were collected in polyethylene bottles and algal samples were collected in sterile vial of 50 ml. The study was focused on the epipelon and phytoplankton composition during the study period. Water temperature at all stations was ranged from 11-16 °C. The results of water sample analysis showed the following records; Electrical conductivity ranged as 295-1370 pS.cm-1 and turbidity 7-11 NTU; Total alkalinity, acidity and hardness ranged as follows 196-390, 19.21-15.62, 165 to 220 mg CaCO3 l-1. Calcium and magnesium ion concentrations ranged between 55-96 and 25-30.13 respectively. Total dissolved solid concentration varied between 329-666 mgl-1. Hydrogen ion values were noted as 7.97-8.25. Dissolved oxygen concentration and biological oxygen demand changed between 2.61- 4.45 mgl-1 and 14.64 - 17.41 mgl-1 indicating slight organic pollution. A total of 32 algal species was identified belong to 20 genera and 5 divisions in algal flora of the parks. Green and blue-green algae appeared to occur with more species and more abundant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents data on the food composition of the Near Eastern Fire Salamander,Salamandra infraimmaculata,from Bingöl, eastern Turkey. A total of 139 prey items was determined in the food content of 28 individuals (14 juveniles, 7 males, and 7 females). Insecta (N%= 37.4), Gastropoda (27.3%), and Isopoda (25.9%) constitute together 91% of the food items. The most frequent prey groups in the diet are Coleoptera (F%=50.0%), Isopoda (57.1%), and Gastropoda (46.4%). Coleoptera (V%= 34.6%), Gastropoda (28.0%), and Isopoda (23.5%) had the highest prey volumes. No significant difference was found between the sexes in food composition. The species generally feeds upon poorly flying or slow-moving invertebrates, but is opportunistic in taking up more mobile prey species as well. Diptera, Odonata and Hemiptera were found in small numbers only. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, the current and future distributions of Neurergus strauchii was predicted by using the maximum entropy ecological niche modeling. The most important factors which shaped the present distribution of the species are isothermality and precipitation of driest month. The species is particularly distributed on the Euphrates Valley and in the west and south of Lake Van. According to the future model scenarios, it is predicted that depending on the climate change, there will be some loss in the habitats suitable for the species to inhabit and that its distribution will particularly tend to narrow from its western and eastern boundaries. Accordingly, the pressure of climate change and the other factors on the species is also discussed. In addition, the record of N. strauchii from a new locality in Elazığ (Eastern Anatolia) is first provided in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, Lernaean parasite (Lernaea cyprinacea) or called cyclopoid copepod parasite was reported on the examined fish species captured from the Karasu Creek (Van, Turkey), in July 2014. Cyclopoid parasites were isolated from the external surface of fins, operculum and body surface of Capoeta capoeta. A total of 82 parasites were found in 20 fish caught. The prevalence of parasites were calculated as 65% and the intensities as 6.31%. The cyclopoid parasite was observed and measured by microscope observations. The morphological features of the parasite specimens and the pictures are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate helminth parasites of Eurasian Marsh Frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) from Bingöl province, in 2012. A total of 42 specimen were collected from six localities from Bingöl (Eastern Anatolia, Turkey) Twelve helminthes species were found from the collected samples: Haematolechus breviansa, Diplodiscus subclavatus Opisthioglyphe ranae, Pleurogenoides medians, Gorgodera cygnoides, Gorgoderina vitelliloba, Cosmocerca ornate, Rhabdias bufonis, Oxysomatium brevicaudatum, Eustrongylides excisus, Oswaldocruzia filiformis and Acanthocephalus ranae. Several studies on helminth fauna of Eurasian marsh frogs (P. ridibundus) have been published by different researchers and localities. All parasite species have been recorded previously but this study is the first helminthological study for host-frog from Bingöl province, Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents data on age, growth and longevity of a population of Neurergus strauchii in Eastern Anatolia (Bingöl, Turkey) based on skeletochronological data. The phalangeal diaphyseal cross-sections of 54 individuals studied (12$, 42$) showed that females are on average older than males: the ages ranged from 6 to 14 years, with an average age of 8.8 years in males and 10.9 years in females. Sexual maturity is reached at an age of 4-5 years in both sexes. The slow growth and the longevity make the species vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D has been shown to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its well-established role in the maintenance of mineral homeostasis and bone health. The aims of this study were to evaluate vitamin D status in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and also to examine whether there is an association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and disease activity in JIA. Children with JIA who had an outpatient visit between March and April 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory findings and vitamin D levels were evaluated. Disease activity was calculated using JADAS-27. Serum vitamin D levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 47 patients, 29 (61.7%) of them girls, with a mean age of 9.3±3.9 years and a median follow-up period of 28 months, were included in the study. The mean serum vitamin D level of all patients was 17.7±11.6 ng/ ml. Vitamin D insufficiency (serum vitamin D: 15-20 ng/ml) and deficiency (serum vitamin D level <15 ng/ml) were found in 9 (19.1%) and 25 patients (53.2%), respectively. The vitamin D level was <20 ng/ml in 72.3% of the children. Only 13 patients (27.7%) were found to have adequate vitamin D levels (>20 ng/ml). There was a significant negative correlation between vitamin D levels and disease activity (p=0.01, r=-0,37). The mean JADAS-27 score was significantly higher in patients with 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml than in patients with 25(OH)D levels >15 ng/ml (p = 0.003). We suggest that vitamin D deficiency may be a possible modifiable risk factor affecting disease activity in JIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vitamin D has been shown to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to its well-established role in the maintenance of mineral homeostasis and bone health. The aims of this study were to evaluate vitamin D status in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and also to examine whether there is an association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and disease activity in JIA. Children with JIA who had an outpatient visit between March and April 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Clinical and laboratory findings and vitamin D levels were evaluated. Disease activity was calculated using JADAS-27. Serum vitamin D levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). A total of 47 patients, 29 (61.7%) of them girls, with a mean age of 9.3±3.9 years and a median follow-up period of 28 months, were included in the study. The mean serum vitamin D level of all patients was 17.7±11.6 ng/ ml. Vitamin D insufficiency (serum vitamin D: 15-20 ng/ml) and deficiency (serum vitamin D level <15 ng/ml) were found in 9 (19.1%) and 25 patients (53.2%), respectively. The vitamin D level was <20 ng/ml in 72.3% of the children. Only 13 patients (27.7%) were found to have adequate vitamin D levels (>20 ng/ml). There was a significant negative correlation between vitamin D levels and disease activity (p=0.01, r=-0,37). The mean JADAS-27 score was significantly higher in patients with 25(OH)D levels <15 ng/ml than in patients with 25(OH)D levels >15 ng/ml (p = 0.003). We suggest that vitamin D deficiency may be a possible modifiable risk factor affecting disease activity in JIA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a disease caused by pathologies in the alternative complement system. The prevalence of aHUS is 10% of all aHUS cases. The subgroup of aHUS designated as DEAP (DEficiency of CFHR Proteins and CFH Autoantibody Positive)-HUS because of autoantibody to complement factor H (CFH) and CFH-related protein deficiency is seen very rarely, and the prevalence is 6% of all aHUS cases in the literature. We present here a female patient with DEAP-HUS. A 7.5-year-old girl with recurrent attacks of HUS had low C3 level. We initiated plasmapheresis treatment. After further analysis of the complement system, the result was compatible with DEAP-HUS, so we initiated immunosuppressive treatment. There were also family members with deficiency of CFHR-1 and CFHR-3, but they had no CFH autoantibody and no symptoms of HUS. In atypical cases of HUS, we should investigate complement status, especially for factor H autoantibody, for which treatment options differ from those of the other types of aHUS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyze the etiology of nephrocalcinosis (NC) and whether it has any effect on growth and renal function in children. Forty-three children who were diagnosed with bilateral NC were studied retrospectively. Two neonates treated with furosemide and five premature infants were excluded from the study. The most common condition leading to NC was hereditary tubulopathies (50%). Data of 27 children who had a follow-up period of at least two years were examined in more detail. Of the 27 patients, the median age at first examination was 12 (range: 2-132) months and median follow-up time was 57 (range: 24-209) months. Thirteen of 27 (48.1%) patients had height standard deviation scores (hSDS) <-2 at presentation, and 6 (22.2%) patients who had normal glomerular function were still below -2 SDS at the last examination. Hypercalciuria was present in 25 (92.6%) patients at the first evaluation and in 6 (22.2%) patients at the last examination. The degree of NC worsened in 6 (22.2%), remained stable in 15 (55.5%) and decreased in 6 (22.2%) patients during the follow- up period. Chronic renal insufficiency (CRI) developed in 5 patients without there being any increase in the degree of NC. In conclusion, growth and renal function in these patients generally depend on the nature of the underlying disease but not the degree of NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothyroidism has been reported rarely as the cause of rhabdomyolysis in adults and children. We present here a non-compliant adolescent with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism who developed rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure with no additional predisposing factor. A 13-year-old girl with a previous history of hypothyroidism due to thyroid hypoplasia presented with generalized myalgia, malaise, vomiting, and oliguria lasting for three days. Neurological examination revealed bilateral marked weakness and tenderness of muscles of both lower and upper extremities. Urine had bloody appearance and urine analysis showed blood reaction with dipstick test, but there were no erythrocytes on microscopic examination. Serum creatine phosphokinase and myoglobin levels were elevated. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were high, and free thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) levels were low, compatible with uncontrolled hypothyroidism. Renal function tests showed acute renal failure. Other causes of rhabdomyolysis such as muscular trauma, drugs, toxins, infections, vigorous exercise, and electrolyte abnormalities were excluded. Hemodialysis was administered for 24 sessions. After L-thyroxine therapy, thyroid function tests normalized, muscle strength improved, serum muscle enzyme levels returned to normal levels, and renal function tests recovered. One must be aware that rhabdomyolysis may develop in a non-compliant patient with hypothyroidism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the seasonal prevalence, and intensity of Allocreadium isoporum, which was founded as an endoparasite in Oxynoemacheilus tigris. A total of 136 host fishes was captured seasonally from Murat River near province of Bingol, Turkey, between from December 2012 to November 2013. During the study totally 209 parasites were recorded. The seasonal prevalence, and intensity, seasonal variation of sex and size of the host fish, the highest and lowest infection density, and larval and mature forms of A. isoporum ratio of the distribution were investigated. This study has been conducted to determine the infection parameters, of A. isoporum in O. tigris for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted while working on the fish population in the Murat River in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. During the field surveys, Lernaea cyprinacea L. 1758, an ectoparasitic copepod species was detected on the soft parts the dorsal and anal fins of Cyprinion macrostomus. It was concluded from a review of the literature that no data on the parasite host was not reported in previous studies conducted in the all over the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]