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Copyright of Mustafa Kemal University Journal of Agricultural Sciences / Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Tarım Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A pregnant woman was diagnosed with Rubella re-infection in Northern Cyprus. The patient was unaware of her pregnancy when she sought medical attention for the pain, stiffness, and numbness in the fingers and hand joints without the presence of a rash. Following the confirmation of pregnancy as part of a routine check, Rubella IgM and Rubella IgG antibodies were assessed. Her Rubella IgM was in the grey zone reference units of the tests performed with the presence of Rubella IgG supporting and reinfection. Thus, further Rubella IgG avidity and Western blot were performed. Rubella IgG avidity was borderline. Hence, abortion was advised following the test results. Post-abortion, the Rubella IgM antibodies remained persistent for over 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common illness that causes skin lesions, principally ulcerations, on exposed regions of the body. Although neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are typically found in tropical areas, they have recently become more common along Africa's northern coast, particularly in Libya. The devastation of healthcare infrastructure during the 2011 war and the following conflicts, as well as governmental apathy, may be causal factors associated with this catastrophic event. The main objective of this study is to evaluate alternative diagnostic strategies for recognizing amastigotes of cutaneous leishmaniasis parasites at various stages using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs). The research is additionally aimed at testing different classification models employing a dataset of ultra-thin skin smear images of Leishmania parasite-infected people with cutaneous leishmaniasis. The pre-trained deep learning models including EfficientNetB0, DenseNet201, ResNet101, MobileNetv2, and Xception are used for the cutaneous leishmania parasite diagnosis task. To assess the models' effectiveness, we employed a five-fold cross-validation approach to guarantee the consistency of the models' outputs when applied to different portions of the full dataset. Following a thorough assessment and contrast of the various models, DenseNet-201 proved to be the most suitable choice. It attained a mean accuracy of 0.9914 along with outstanding results for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, F1-score, Matthew's correlation coefficient, and Cohen's Kappa coefficient. The DenseNet-201 model surpassed the other models based on a comprehensive evaluation of these key classification performance metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grape is one of the most produced and processed horticultural crops. This study evaluated the grape genetic resource belonging to the Vitis labrusca species. The diversity was assessed according to morphometric, antioxidant, physicochemical, and colorimetric characteristics. The diversity was evaluated using a variation index and multivariate analyses. The bunch weight of the vines exhibited a range from 21.05 g to 162.46 g, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 38.97%. The average bunch weight was 64.74 g. In terms of the berry properties, the highest CV was observed for the berry weight (21.95%). The peel thickness displayed a CV of 36.40%, and an average of 0.23 mm. The CVs for the juice characteristics in the berries of the studied vines were 7.11%, 16.61%, 19.41%, and 28.10% for the pH, TSS, must yield, and TA, respectively. The TPC of the accessions exhibited a notably low variation (CV = 4.63%). The color properties of the accessions displayed an immense variation, except for the L* values. The hierarchical clustering analysis divided the accessions into two main clusters, which both had two subclusters. The multivariate approaches separated individuals into different groups, and they were considered useful tools for utilization in the genetic diversity assessments. Further studies on the cultivation technique and crossbreeding with Vitis vinifera will provide more insights into the population, and this study will be a source for upcoming studies on V. labrusca in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raisins are a significant grape product with an annual trade volume of approximately USD 2 billion. There are various methods employed for drying grapes into raisins. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different drying methods on raisins, specifically, without pretreatment (SD), treatment with potassium carbonate (5%) containing 2% olive oil (POT), and treatment with ashy water with 2.5% olive oil (AOW). The study examined the changes in raisin weight, physicochemical characteristics, total phenolics, antioxidant and anthocyanin contents, color properties, and protein content in three grape varieties: Deyvani, Haseni, and Reşek. The results indicated that POT treatment resulted in the lightest raisins in Deyvani (0.48 g) and Reşek (0.58 g), while Haseni exhibited the heaviest raisins (0.64 g) under the same treatment. The variations in physicochemical characteristics were relatively limited compared to the changes observed in phenolic and antioxidant properties. Nontreated raisins had the lowest anthocyanin content across all varieties. Protein content was significantly affected by the POT treatment, while the effects of the AOW and SD treatments were comparatively minor. SD drying resulted in slightly brighter raisins, but lower phenolic content and significantly lower color properties. The findings of this study highlight the differential effects of drying methods on different grape varieties, emphasizing the importance of considering a variety-specific approach when selecting the drying method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of Brucella canis (B. canis) in humans is unknown in Northern Cyprus. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of B. canis and Brucella abortus (B. abortus) infection in human sera and evaluated the results obtained by agglutination-based techniques using standardized antigens made from B. canis comparatively. All of the subjects were negative in terms of Rose-Bengal plate test. Undiluted serum samples were initially screened by rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), and those which were found positive were retested in the dilution of 1/25-1/200. Confirmation of the positive results was performed by using 2-mercaptoethanol standard agglutination test (SAT). The test antigen was prepared from the less mucoid M (-) variant of B. canis, and 1/1,048 titered dog antiserum was used as positive control. In 225 serum samples, 3.6% (8/225) was positive by B. canis M (-) RSAT, 4.4 % (10/225) was positive by B. canis M (-) indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). 5.3% (12/225) was positive by B. abortus S99 RSAT and 9.8% (22/225) was positive by B. abortus S99 iELISA. Nine samples were positive by both B. abortus S99 RSAT and B. abortus S99 iELISA. Seven samples were positive by both B. canis M (-) RSAT and B. canis M (-) iELISA. One patient was positive by all methods. It is important to evaluate patient samples with RSAT and iELISA. Until the notification system gives better results to the Ministry of Health, in order to reach the real data for Northern Cyprus, multicenter prevalence determination studies should be done for future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA markers help detect the intraspecific genetic diversity of yeast strains. Eight ISSR (Inter Simple Sequence Repeats) primers were used to assess the intraspecific diversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (n = 96) from different populations (n = 3), evaluate the technological characteristics, and investigate trait-loci associations. The primers amplified 154 reproducible and scorable bands, of which 79.87% were polymorphic. The UPGMA (unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean) dendrogram clustered 96 isolates into two main clusters, supported by STRUCTURE HARVESTER results (ΔK = 2). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated significant genetic differences between (15%) and within the populations (85%) (p < 0.001). Twenty-nine genetically distinct strains were selected for the technological characterization. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that five strains with high fermentation capacity, leavening activity, high growth index at 37 °C, and harsh growth conditions were technologically relevant. Trait-loci association analyses indicated that the highest correlation (r = 0.60) was recorded for the fermentation capacity on the 8th and 113th loci, amplified by ISSR-1 and ISSR-6 primers, respectively (p < 0.05). The strains yielding high performances and the associated loci amplified by ISSR markers possess a high potential to generate locus-specific primers to target the strains with high fermentation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), can produce biofilm leading to increased morbidity and mortality in hospital infections. Antibiotic resistance is an inherent feature of bacterial biofilms, and the formation of biofilms is more widespread in MRSA. This study aimed to reveal the phenotypic biofilm-forming abilities of S. aureus isolates and to investigate the relationship of antibiotic resistance of biofilm-forming S. aureus with biofilm formation. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in the microbiology laboratory at the Near East University Hospital in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. A total of 67 non-duplicative samples (wound/pus, sputum, aspirate, blood and urine) for the study were collected between January 2020 and April 2021 from samples of inpatients and outpatients from various hospital departments. VITEK 2 system was used for bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing, biofilm formation was evaluated using Congo red agar (CRA). Results: It was observed that 56 (84.3%) of 67 S. aureus isolates cultured on CRA produced biofilm, while the remaining 11 (15.7%) were not biofilm producers. A statistically significant relationship was found between methicillin resistance and biofilm formation in S. aureus isolates. Accordingly, a significantly higher biofilm formation was observed in MRSAs compared to those with negative methicillin resistance (92.1% vs. 72.4%, p=0.034). A high proportion of isolates of S. aureus showed susceptibility towards tigecycline (100%) and gentamycin (100%). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated that methicillin-resistant strains produced more biofilms and exhibited a high degree of resistance to most antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is a serious infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites that still affects worldwide. The most common species in the world is Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). Vivax malaria is characterized by hypnozoides forms that remain latent in the liver and cause relapses months or even years later. In addition, prolonged incubation periods are mentioned in P. vivax infection. In this study, two malaria cases who applied to our hospital with an interval of eight days and diagnosed with P. vivax were examined. One of our patients come to our country 7 months ago and the other 12 months ago from Pakistan and they did not go abroad again during this time. Neither had a previous history of malaria. In our country, malaria infection has been eradicated as a result of the destruction of Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit Plasmodium spp. since 1950, and no endemic malaria cases have been encountered since then. Despite this, it is thought that the increase in import malaria cases together with the changing mosquito fauna in recent years poses a risk in terms of endemic malaria cases. As a result, more accurate and precise data will be obtained by conducting up-to-date research and surveillance studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmaniasis is vector-borne disease caused by a protozoan endo-parasite species belonging to the genus Leishmania that live in the blood and tissues of the host. Basically the animals are infected. However, human population who live in the same environment are under risk. Destructive results on the skin, mucous membranes, and visceral organs are clinical manifestations mostly observed. Overall annual prevalence of theLeishmaniasis is approximately 12 million people and the size of the populationat risk is approximately 350 million. On the other hand, it is expected that global warming will cause to increase in the number of vectors of the disease and probablyin the number of countries. Many plant extracts and the natural compounds isolated from the terrestrial plants and marine organisms have been evaluated for their antileismanial activities. The genus Cyclamen is one of the flowering plants that belongs to the family Primulaceae, and comprises numerous species, many of which are well-known for their ornamental value. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, some of the Cyclamen speciesare used traditionally for their potential biological activities. Triterpene-type saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids are the major groups among the phytochemical constituents reported. This study focused on the chemical constituents and antileismanial activities of the tubers of C. rohlfsianum which is an endemic plant in the flora of Libya. It grows especially in limestone cracks, up to 450 m altitude, and the tuber extracts aretraditionally used against Leishmania infections. The ethanolic extract of the tubers has been fractionated using reversed-phase silica gel (LiChroprep-C18). The antileishmanial activities of the fractions and as well as pure compounds isolated fromthe fractions have been studied. The structures of the isolated potent leishmanicidal compounds were established using 1D (1H, and 13CNMR, DEPT-135) and 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) experiments and HR-MS measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giriş: Çoklu ilaç dirençli bakteriyel enfeksiyonlarda kolistin kullanımına duyulan ihtiyaç arttıkça kolistin duyarlılık testleri de önem kazanmıştır. Bu çalışma ile A. baumannii, izolatlarında kolistin minimal inhibitör konsantrasyon değerlerinin sıvı mikrodilüsyon ile saptanan MİK değerleriyle araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Laboratuvarı’na gönderilen klinik örneklerden üreyen A. baumannii (50 izolat) izolatı dahil edilmiştir. İzolatların identifikasyonu BD Phoenix 100 (BectonDickinson, A.B.D) otomatize sistemi ile çalışılmıştır. Sıvı mikrodilüsyon yöntemi ile kolistin duyarlılığı çalışılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil edilen 50 izolatın 30’u trakealaspirat, 8’i balgam, 5’i idrar, 3’ü kan, 1’i kateter, 1’i BOS ve 1’i yara örneklerinden izole edilmiştir. Toplam 50 izolatın 1 tanesinde (%2) kolistine direnç saptanmıştır. Sonuç: Özellikle hastanede oluşan karbapenem dirençli Gram-olumsuz bakteri enfeksiyonlarında kolistin tedavide tercih edilmektedir. Bu nedenle kolistin duyarlılığının doğru tespit edilmesi önemlidir. Bu amaçla EUCAST’nin önerileri sıvı mikrodilüsyon yöntemidir. Bizim çalışmamız Kuzey Kıbrıs için kolistin direncinin sıvı mikrodilüsyon yöntemi ile çalışılan ilk veri olması nedeni ile önem taşımaktadır. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giriş: Klebsiella pneumoniae, insanlarda üst solunum yolu ve dışkı florasında bulunan bir bakteri olduğu için uygunsuz koşullar karşısında fırsatçı patojen olarak açığa çıkmaktadır. Bu nedenle hastane enfeksiyonlarından sorumlu bir bakteridir. Karbapenem dirençli Klebsiella pneumonaie (KDKP) enfeksiyonlarının önlenmesinde rektal sürüntü örneklerinin taranarak pozitif hastaların izole edilmesi önerilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, yoğun bakım ünitelerinde 72 saat ve üzeri yatışlarda hastaların laboratuvara gönderilen rutin rektal sürüntü örneklerinde KDKP suşlarının araştırılması ve elde edilen sonuçlar ile alınması gereken tedbirler konusunda yol gösterici olunacağı düşünülmüştür. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmada Ocak 2022-Mart 2022 tarihleri arasında Yakın Doğu Üniversitesi Yoğun Bakım Ünitelerinde, 72 saat ve üzeri süre ile yatan ve yatışları devam eden hastalardan alınan rektal sürüntü örnekleri prospektif olarak incelenmiştir. Mikrobiyoloji laboratuvarına rutin olarak gönderilen 87 hastadan rektal sürüntü örneği, Eosine Methylen Blue (EMB) agar ve %5 koyun kanlı agara ekildikten sonra 35 °C’de inkübe edilmiştir. Besiyerinde üreyen Gram-olumsuz bakterilerin identifikasyonu konvansiyonel yöntemler ile yapılmıştır. Klebsiella pneumoniae olarak saptanan suşların imipenem, meropenem ve ertapenem duyarlılığı disk diffüzyon yöntemi ile incelenerek dirençli suşlar EUCAST kriterlerine göre değerlendirilmiştir. Hastalara ait veriler, hastane otomasyon sistemi ile tespit edilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmamızda yoğun bakım servislerinde yatan toplam 87 hastadan rektal sürüntü örnekleri alınarak karbapenem dirençli Klebsiella pneumoniae suşları açısından inceleme yapılmıştır. Hastalarımızın 57’si (%65,5) erkek, 30’u kadın (%34,5) ve yaş ortalaması 70,98±14,11 (26-93 yaş arasında) idi. Bu hastaların 38’inde (%43,7) Klebsiella pneumoniae izole edilmiştir. Bu suşların ise tümünün (%100) karbapenem dirençli suşlar olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Buna göre, K. pneumoniae suşlarının imipeneme (IPM) %100 (38/38), meropeneme (MEM) %71,1 (27/38) ve ertapeneme (ETP) %86,8 (33/38) oranında direnç gösterdiği saptanmıştır. IPM, MEM veETP zon çapları ortalaması sırasıyla 16,87±7,42, 16,11±10,05, 7,74±12,10 idi. Sonuç: Hastaya uygulanan birçok girişimsel işlem ve antibiyotik kullanımı birçok çalışmada KDKP kolonizasyonu için risk olarak bulunmuştur. Antibiyotik kullanımında uygun kullanım politikaları oluşturulmasının, endikasyon ve kullanım sürelerine uyum gösterilmesinin kolonizasyon ve enfeksiyon oluşumunu sınırlandırabileceği düşünülmektedir. Aktif sürveyans kültürlerinin alınması KDKP ile kolonize hastaların erken tespit edilerek izolasyonlarının sağlanması konusunda yol gösterici olacaktır. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]