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ABSTRACT This study assessed the effect of strain and enriched cage stocking density on performance, egg size distribution, egg quality, and welfare status in laying hens. Lohmann brown (LB) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW) strains at 20 weeks of age were allotted to different cage stocking densities, with 1016, 762, or 610 cm2 of cage floor area per hen. Live body weight at the age at sexual maturity and at 52 weeks of age, feather condition, and some egg quality parameters differed between hen strains and among stocking densities (p0.05). Furthermore, egg size distribution was similar between hen strains (p>0.05), but dissimilar among stocking densities (p

ABSTRACT This study examined the effects of age, housing environment, and strain (Lohmann Sandy (LS) and Lohmann LSL Classic (LW)) on egg quality traits. Deep litter (DL), free access to outdoor Mentha piperita (MP), Petroselinum crispum (PC), and Medicago sativa (MS) vegetated environments were examined. A total of 260 four-week-old birds were randomly distributed to DL and outdoor plant-associated groups, with four and three replicates, respectively, and 10 birds per replicate. Eggs were analyzed between 26 and 52 weeks of hen age, every 4 weeks. Overall, all egg quality parameters significantly differed as hen age increased (p0.05). Strain significantly affected shape index, shell thickness, albumen height, albumen index, Haugh unit, albumen pH, yolk index, and yolk color score. LS eggs had higher shape index, shell thickness, yolk index, and yolk color score (p0.05). This study showed that allowing hens access to MS, PC, or MP plant species improved shell quality traits. Moreover, it appears that there is a greater genetic variability in albumen and yolk quality traits.

ABSTRACT This study determined the effect of layer age, egg-laying time, cage tier, and cage direction (outward-inward) on egg quality parameters of commercial layer chickens reared in enriched cages. A total of 944 layers (approximately 100 eggs every four weeks, from the 26 to the 58th week) obtained from Lohmann LSL-Classic layers reared at the Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University Ayhan Şahenk Agricultural Application and Research Centre were analyzed. Laying hen age significantly affected all the egg quality variables (p0.05). Furthermore, it was found that cage direction had a significant effect on egg weight, shell thickness, egg surface area, and all the internal egg quality traits, except for yolk color score (p

ABSTRACT This study investigated the impact of housing environment on performance parameters of the Lohmann LSL Classic (LW) and Lohmann Sandy (LS) strains. The deep litter (DL), free access to outdoor Mentha piperita (MP), Petroselinum crispum (PC), and Medicago sativa (MS) housing environments were examined. A total of 260 four-week-old birds were randomly allotted to DL and outdoor plant-associated groups, with four and three replicates, respectively, and 10 birds per replicate. Data collection for weekly feed intake began at 4 weeks until the end of the study. Weekly hen weights were measured from 4 weeks of age until the age of 50% egg production; and then later, at 52 weeks of age. From the day of the first egg until the last day of the study, eggs laid in each nest box tier (upper, middle, bottom, and floor) were recorded and weighed at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 3:00 p.m. Housing environment influenced the age at first egg and 50% egg production, hen-day egg production, feed intake during the egg-laying period, feed conversion ratio, average egg weight, and egg size distribution (p

Acrolein (AC) is one of the most toxic environmental pollutants, often associated with incomplete combustion of petrol, wood, and plastic, oil frying, and tobacco smoking, that causes oxidative damage to DNA and mitochondria. Considering that little is known about the protective effects of whey protein (WP) against AC-induced liver toxicity, the aim of our study was to learn more about them in respect to liver mitochondrial oxidative stress, respiratory enzymes, Krebs cycle enzymes, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). To do that, we treated Sprague Dawley rats with daily doses of AC alone (5 mg/kg bw in 0.9 % NaCl solution), WP alone (200 mg/kg bw, in 0.9 % NaCl solution), or their combination by oral gavage for six days a week over 30 days. As expected, the AC group showed a drop in glutathione levels and antioxidant, transport chain, and tricarboxylic acid cycle enzyme activities and a significant rise in mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyl levels. Co-treatment with WP mitigated oxidative stress and improved enzyme activities. Judging by the measured parameters, WP reduced AC toxicity by improving bioenergetic mechanisms and eliminating oxidative stress.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia Mill.) flowers and its distilled products are of major raw materials for cosmetic, perfumery, medicine and cleaning industries. Lavender flower production, essential oils and their qualities are affected by growing conditions and used agricultural methods. Mulching is a cultural application used for horticultural production in order to combat weeds, keep the soil temperature constant, eliminate soil moisture evaporation, provide favourable growth conditions for ample flower production, and improve the quality essential oil production. In this sense, plastic mulch application is the mainly preferred method by the growers, due to its low costs and durability. In the present study, two-year field (2014-2015) studies were carried out to evaluate the lavender flower production, essential oil yield in both conventional (without mulch) and plastic mulching systems in city of Kilis-Turkey. The individual essential oil compounds were identified using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS). Essential oils obtained from dried flowers were assayed for their neuroprotective effects. According to the results, fresh and dry inflorescence yields, dry flower yields, flower essential oil contents and compositions were affected by different growing methods, including (1) plastic mulching system and (2) conventional (without mulch) system. Considering the fresh inflorescence changes, mulching increased the yield by 147.84% in the first year while no significant changes were noted between treatments. Interestingly, dry inflorescence yield did not show a significant increase for both growing systems at first year but mulching enhanced the yield by 9.87% in the second year, in related to the traditional treatment. The results revealed that dry flower was not affected by both growing systems corresponding to the years. As for essential oil content, no changes were noted for both growing systems in the first year, whilst mulching increased the content by 13.73% in the second year. As the case of agricultural yield, the neuroprotective activities of essential oils obtained from mulching conditions exerted higher inhibitory roles against Acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE), butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE), and tyrosinase (TYRO) enzymes, in relative to the traditional treatments by 81.62%, 84.12%, 73.34% in the first year and by 76.15%, 79.80% and 68.02% in the second year. Such a high variation in neuroprotective activities can be explained by changes in essential oil contents, as observed for the percentage of the compounds. Consequently, these findings reveal that mulching application significantly contributes to the increase of agricultural yield and the growing of medicinal and aromatic plants that are more resistant to changing environmental conditions and biotic stress factors.

Çalışmanın amacı, likidite ve finansal kaldıracın bankaların aktif ve öz sermaye karlılıkları üzerindeki etkisini incelemektir. Bu amaç doğrultusunda, Türkiye’de faaliyet gösteren mevduat bankaları üzerinde bir uygulama yapılmıştır. 2014 – 2019 yıllarını kapsayan dönem için kalkınma ve yatırım bankaları hariç 31 bankanın örneklem olarak seçildiği çalışmada, likidite ölçüsü olarak likidite oranı, finansal kaldıraç ölçüsü olarak borç oranı ve karlılık ölçüsü olarak da aktif ve öz sermaye karlılığı oranları kullanılmıştır. Yapısal Eşitlik Modelinin uygulandığı çalışma sonucunda, finansal kaldıracın öz sermaye karlılığı üzerinde olumlu, aktif karlılığı üzerinde ise olumsuz bir etkisi olduğu tespit edilmişken, likidite oranının gerek aktif gerekse öz sermaye karlılığı üzerinde bir etkisinin olmadığı belirlenmiştir.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to compare edible giblets weight, tibial bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) of two slow-growing broiler genotypes (Hubbard S757; S757 and Hubbard Grey Barred JA; GB-JA) reared with outdoor access, and to determine the relationship between these variables. Day-old chicks (straight-run) of the genotypes S757 (n=120) and GB-JA (n=120) were housed for 98 days. Each genotype was assigned to six pens of 20 birds each. Birds were reared in indoor floor pens and moving shelters with outdoor access (during daylight hours). Absolute body (BW), heart (HW), spleen (SW), liver (LW), gizzard (GW), and abdominal fat pad (AFW) weights of the genotype S757 and male birds were statistically higher than that of the genotype GB-JA and female birds. Genotype statistically affected relative HW, whereas sex affected relative GW. Although BMD values were not influenced by genotype or sex, S757 birds and males presented statistically higher tibial BMC, lean, lean+BMC, total mass values (g) and area (cm2) compared with GB-JA birds and females. BW, HW, SW, LW, GW and AFW were positively correlated with BMC obtained by DXA. In conclusion, the measured traits influenced by genetic strain and sex. The use of the Hubbard S757 genotype in organic production systems with outdoor access is recommend.

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of hatching egg weight of broiler parent stocks on hatching results, chick performance, carcass characteristics, internal organ weights and some blood stress parameters. Eggs were divided into 3 egg weight groups (55.0 to 60.0 g (light), 60.1 to 65.0 g (medium) and 65.1 to 70.0 g (heavy)) for the experiments. After incubation, mixed-gender broiler chicks from the hatcher were placed into 27 grower pens (2x1 m) with 9 replications for 3 weight groups by using randomized block design. Each pen had 25 broiler chicks. Therefore, 225 chicks were used for each group and 675 chicks in total. The experiment was designed with nine replicates. Chi-square test, variance analysis test and Duncan multiple range test were used during statistical analysis. Hatching egg weight significantly affected egg shell thickness (p=0.042), egg weight loss on 18th day of incubation (p

To improve hen welfare, several studies have investigated various environmental enrichments that suit different laying hen production systems. The positive results of these studies can enable such environmental enrichments to be utilized in commercial laying hen production. This paper reviewed the effects of environmental enrichments in different laying hen production systems on hen welfare and egg quality. The successfully proven environmental enrichments in free-range production system include forage, shelterbelt, and artificial shade in outdoor area and novel objects and H-shaped perching structures in indoor. These are associated with increased range use that positively affects hen welfare. In aviary system, perches, and litter materials (e.g., straw, sand) as environmental enrichments are linked to improved behavioral expression, reduced stress, and enhanced immune system. Under the litter system, environmental enrichment with substrates (e.g., pecking stones, alfalfa blocks, silage, straw, barley) has been found to increase the foraging behavior of laying hens. This reduces severe feather pecking thus, improving the plumage condition of hens. Although the effects of environmental enrichments on hen welfare have been assessed and scientifically proven in the reviewed studies, significant progress of their impact on egg quality traits has not been reported. The studies have shown that environmental enrichments have no significant effect on egg quality traits. Also, appropriate pasture or plant species as environmental enrichments in free-range production system in relation to hen welfare and egg quality have not been identified. Therefore, it is important to continue studies on environmental enrichments while emphasizing their influence on egg quality since it is a major performance trait in the egg industry. In addition, there is a need for studies to identify ideal pasture or plant species for free-range production system that positively affects hen welfare and egg quality.

This study compared egg quality parameters in layers under free-range system with prefabricated pens and backyard while emphasizing hen age. A total of 300 eggs collected from prefabricated pens and backyard farming families in the Çamardı District of Niğde Province were used as study materials. The assessed external and internal egg quality characteristics included egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk index, and yolk colour. The effect of production system on albumen index, Haugh unit, and yolk colour score was found statistically significant. There was a significant effect of age on shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh Unit, yolk index, and yolk colour score. The effect of interaction between age and production system was statistically significant for shape index, shell thickness, yolk index, Haugh Unit, and yolk colour score. It was determined that the egg`s meat and blood spots percentages from the free-range and backyard systems were 10.6% and 15.3%, respectively. It was concluded that while eggs produced from free-range system are superior in terms of egg weight, shape index, and Haugh unit those obtained from backyard hens are higher in eggshell thickness, eggshell breaking strength, and egg yolk colour.

Today, the honeybee parasite Varroa destructor is thought to be the most dangerous creature in the beekeeping industry worldwide. In this study, the efficacy of using drone brood cells (known to have no residue concerns in bee products and harmless on bee health) as traps against V. destructor was investigated. A total of 16 honeybee (Apis mellıfera) colonies with V. destructor infestation percentage of less than 5% were used for the trial. The treatment group consisted of 8 colonies that were randomly assigned to molded drone comb (comb with 5.4 mm hexagonal cells). The other 8 were assigned to unmolded comb to form the control group. In the trial groups, after 20 days (from 10th May), all drone combs with complete pupation were removed and destroyed on 30th May, 20th June, 10th July, 30th July, and 20th August. During the trial, varroa mite infestation rate (mean abundance), colony development, and varroa mite preference for drone and work bee brood cells were determined. The results showed that the application of drone brood cells as a control method was statistically significant against V. destructor, and did not negatively affect colony development. On the other hand, V.destructor's preference for both drone and worker bee brood cells among the groups was not statistically significant. In conclusion, drone brood cells ensured an approximately 43% success rate as traps against V. destructor compared to the control group. The effective application of drone brood cells as traps in combination with other Varroa mite control methods should be investigated.

Objectives:Fixation preference testing is widely used to detect amblyopia, particularly in preverbal children. Pattern electroretinogram (pERG) is an electrophysiological test which is a sensitive indicator of macular function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fixation preference and macular function on pERG in children with strabismus.Materials and Methods:The study included 11 children with strabismus. All underwent ophthalmological examination including fixation preference by binocular fixation pattern test, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, and pERG.Results:The mean age of the patients was 10.09±1.18 years. All patients had unilateral fixation. The mean BCVA was 0.85±0.17 in preferred and 0.48±0.19 in non-preferred eyes (p=0.003). The mean p50 amplitude was 6.07±2.06 μV in preferred and 5.29±2.20 μV in non-preferred eyes (p=0.203), and the mean N95 amplitude was 8.27±2.86 μV and 8.03±3.24 μV respectively (p=0.594). BCVA was correlated with p50 and N95 amplitudes in the non-preferred eyes (p=0.023 and p=0.014). Interocular BCVA difference was correlated with interocular P50 amplitude difference (r=0.688, p=0.019).Conclusion:Although amblyopia is typically considered a cortical phenomenon, future larger studies are needed to investigate the relationship between fixation preference and macular electrophysiological function.

Congenital cataract is a challenging ophthalmological disorder which can cause severe visual loss. It can be diagnosed at birth or during the first year of life. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for the visual prognosis. It can be associated with various ocular and systemic abnormalities. Determining whether congenital cataract is isolated or associated with other pathology is an indispensable step for the prediction of potential vision as well as early diagnosis and treatment of conditions that can cause morbidity or mortality. Many genes have been identified in the molecular etiology of congenital cataract. Most mutations have been reported in the crystallin genes. Determination of the genetic cause may not only enable individualized genetic counseling but also help to identify concomitant ocular and/or systemic disorders depending on the characteristics of the genetic test used. Recently, next-generation sequencing in particular has become an evolving technology for determining the molecular etiology of congenital cataract and furthering our knowledge of the disease.

Background and Aims: Cuscuta sp. (Dodder), known as “Ikşut”, is a parasitic herbaceous plant that negatively affects the yield and quality of cultivated crops; however, it has been used as an ancient medicinal plant for curing liver problems for centuries in the southeastern part of Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and mineral compositions of Cuscuta monogyna Vahl. subsp. monogyna Vahl. (CMM) grown on different host plants, along with their antioxidant activity, and to compare the host plant parts and their collected dodders. Methods: In this study, dodders were collected from host plants, including vineyardolive, pomegranate, green pepper, and liquorice in Turkey. The dodders were removed from their hosts before the drying process. Mineral contents were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Optical Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and phytochemical contents were identified by chromatography. The total polyphenolic compositions and antioxidant activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: Because of the phenolic contents in the host plants and dodders, a significant variation was observed, with values ranging from 5.175% to 35.238%.. Different plant extracts and their varied dilutions had radical scavenging activity on 2.2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl in the ranges of 57.78 - 95.87%. Variations in mineral compositions were also determined in the dodders and their host plants. Conclusion: Mutualist or semi-parasitic plant communities share many phytochemical compounds and thus have the potential to exhibit similar activities. With regard to the obtained results, the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of dodder plants are closely related to their host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) has a typical electroencephalography (EEG) pattern of generalized 3 Hz spike and wave discharges (SWD). Focal interictal discharges were also documented in a small number of documents. The aim was to investigate the amplitudes of interictal 3 Hz SWD within the 1st second in drug-naïve CAE patients. In this way, areas with maximal electronegativity at the beginning of clinically generalized discharges will be documented. The EEG records of children with drug-naïve CAE were evaluated retrospectively by two child neurologists first for 3 Hz SWD. Then, a machine-learning model evaluated the amplitudes of 3 Hz in the 1st second of SWD. Maximum electronegativity areas were documented and classified as focal, bilateral, and generalized. One hundred and twelve 3 Hz SWD were evaluated in 11 patients. Among discharges within the 1st second, maximum electronegativity areas were documented as focal for 44 (39.2%), bilateral for 8 (7.1%), generalized for 60 (53.5%). Among focal electronegativity areas, mostly right central, left occipital and midline parietal areas were documented in 12 (10.7%), 7 (6.2%), and 6 (5.3%), respectively. Eight (7.1%) of the maximum electronegativity areas were detected bilaterally, of which 7 (6.2%) originated from the frontopolar areas. Focal maximal electronegativity areas were frequently observed in drug-naïve CAE patients, comprising approximately half of non-generalized discharges. Focal discharges might be misleading in diagnosis. Focal areas within the brain may be responsible for and contribute to absence seizures that appear bilaterally symmetrical and generalized clinically. Although its clinical implication is unknown, this warrants further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Natural products represent a gold mine for scientists looking for compounds for the treatment of health problems and diseases with their different biological and pharmacological activities. However, recent research is focused on finding natural sources of antioxidants.

Hot money flows refer to short-term foreign currencies entering the country's economies through short-term loans and portfolio investments. The purpose of the study is to determine the impact of hot money flows in Turkey on stock exchange index, exchange rates and interest rates. For this purpose, BIST-100 Index closing values, US dollar exchange rates and five-year Treasury bond interest rates were considered to explain hot money data. The data are in an annual frequency and the analyses were made for the period between 1989 and 2019. The structural equation model was applied in the study. The model fit index values that helped to determine the success rate of the established model was examined before passing on to the analysis. According to the model fit index values, it was determined that the model was compatible with the data. It was found that hot money has a positive effect on the stock exchange index and a negative effect on interest rates and exchange rates.

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) accounts for approximately 40% of retinal artery obstructive disease. The visual prognosis is relatively good, with the exception of recurrent BRAO. Recurrent BRAO may be idiopathic or associated with conditions such as systemic vasculitides, blood dyscrasias, floppy mitral valve syndrome, or Susac syndrome. This report describes a patient who presented with an inferior BRAO without any indication of systemic disease. There was a history of a superior BRAO in the same eye. Patients with a BRAO are at significant risk for future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events and these patients should be referred to a neurologist and a cardiologist immediately after diagnosis.

The basic rule in honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) rearing is to work with qualified queens. Quality queen means strong and healthy colonies. Honey bee colonies are a social community, each managed by a single queen bee. The queen bee is the only female that produces eggs in the colony under normal conditions, and the quality and healthy queen is important for the continuity of the colony. Many factors affect the quality of the queen bee, such as the rearing colony, the age of the transferred larva and the transfer medium, the season, cell emergence weight, spermatheca charged, the characteristics of the starter and finisher hives. In this paper, the issues to be considered in raising a quality queen are emphasized.

This paper provided a brief account of the need of in ovo feeding technology for efficient incubation and hatching as driven by the current and projected poultry production figures. After substantial laboratory experiments in the early 1980s, in ovo vaccination technology became applicable in the commercial broiler hatcheries. The scientific theories that enabled the use of in ovo vaccination facilitated the process of injecting the various nutrient composition into broiler eggs/embryo (in ovo feeding) considering the injection site and the stage of embryonic development. Some studies of in ovo feeding have found scientifically positive effects on incubation properties but they remain insufficient at the commercial level thus, the adoption of the application is very slow compared to other embryo management techniques. Therefore, continuous studies on the best nutrient compositions, combinations, and concentrations are required for the commercial use of in ovo feeding technology.