Search

In vitro gas production technique (IVGPT) is a routine method in nutritional sciences to determine energy content, organic matter (OM) digestibility, and fermentation kinetics of feedstuffs. After collecting from two ruminally cannulated Holstein heifers (350 kg), rumen liquors were used either fresh or cryopreserved form in the inoculums for IVGPT. Starch- (barley, wheat, and corn) and protein-rich (sunflower meal, cotton seed meal, and soybean meal) feedstuffs were evaluated for gas production kinetics, fermentation pattern, and energy content in 5 replicates. pH, NH3-N concentration and volatile fatty acids (VFA) profile, gas production, and fermentation kinetics parameters were measured. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. Viable protozoa rate was found to be 70.8% in cryopreserved rumen liquor after thawing. Decrease in pH in thawed rumen liquor was less than fresh rumen liquor as the incubation period advanced. Utilization of frozen rumen liquor after thawing in IVGPT was associated with lower VFA and NH3-N concentration, cumulative gas production, and metabolisable energy estimate for all feedstuffs. In conclusion, despite high correlation between in vitro data obtained from fresh and thawed rumen liquors to predict gas production, further experiments should cope with improving cryopreservation protocol for rumen liquors in order to optimize microbial activity for maintaining fermentation pattern.

A Ebru Salman,1 Fahri Yetisir,2 Banu Yürekli,3 Mustafa Aksoy,1 Murat Yildirim,2 Mehmet Kiliç21Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, 2General Surgery Department, Atatürk Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey; 3Endocrinology Department, Bozyaka Research and Training Hospital, Izmir, TurkeyPurpose: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, our aim was to compare the analgesic efficacy of the semi-blind approach of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with a placebo block in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair.Methods: After receiving hospital ethical committee approval and informed patient consents, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I–III patients aged 18–80 were enrolled in the study. Standard anesthesia monitoring was applied to all patients. After premedication, spinal anesthesia was administered to all patients with 3.5 mL heavy bupivacaine at the L3-L4 subarachnoid space. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. Group I (n = 32) received a placebo block with 20 mL saline, Group II (n = 32) received semi-blind TAP block with 0.25% bupivacaine in 20 mL with a blunt regional anesthesia needle into the neurofascial plane via the lumbar triangle of Petit near the midaxillary line before fascial closure. At the end of the operation, intravenous (IV) dexketoprofen was given to all patients. The verbal analog scale (VAS) was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively. Paracetamol IV was given to patients if their VAS score > 3. A rescue analgesic of 0.05 mg/kg morphine IV was applied if VAS > 3. Total analgesic consumption and morphine requirement in 24 hours were recorded.Results: TAP block reduced VAS scores at all postoperative time points (P < 0.001). Postoperative analgesic and morphine requirement in 24 hours was significantly lower in group II (P < 0.01).Conclusion: Semi-blind TAP block provided effective analgesia, reducing total 24-hour postoperative analgesic consumption and morphine requirement in patients undergoing elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair.Keywords: pain, inguinal hernia, transversus abdominis plane

The combined effect of cadmium stress (0,5 mM Cd(NO 3)2) and salt stress (100 mM NaCl) on growth, lipid peroxidation and activities of some antioxidant enzymes were studied in soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) leaves. Shoot lenghts were not changed under all groups. But fresh and dry weight were decreased under salt treatment alone and Cd treatment alone. The decrease was more in the group of combined of Cd and salt treatment. Although APX activity increased under salt treatment alone and combined of Cd and salt treatment, GR activity increased under Cd treatment alone and combined of Cd and salt treatment. Nevertheless DHAR activity increased only in combined of Cd and salt stress. MDA content increased under all groups but it was more in the combined of Cd and salt stress which indicates that salinity is more harmful with cadmium stress in soybean plants. Thus, it was concluded that some of antioxidant enzymes (APX, GR, DHAR) increased their activity under combined of Cd and salt treatment but they were not efficient to protect oxidative damage from soybean plants by alleviating the lipid peroxidation.

In this study, an absorption system using ammonia-water (NH3-H2O) solution has been theoretically examined in order to meet the cooling need of a detached building having 150 m2 floor area for Antalya, Mersin and Mugla provinces in Turkey. Hourly dynamic cooling load capacities of the building were determined by using Radiant Time Series (RTS) method in the chosen cities. For the analysis, hourly average meteorological data such as atmospheric air temperature and solar radiation belonging to the years 1998-2008 are used for performance prediction of the proposed system. Thermodynamic relations for each component of absorption cooling system is explained and coefficients of performance of the system are calculated. The maximum daily total radiation data were calculated as 7173 W/m2day on July 15, 7277 W/m2 day on July 19 and 7231 W/m2day on July 19 for Mersin, Antalya and Mugla, respectively on the 23° toward to south oriented panels from horizontal surface. The generator operating temperatures are considered between 90-130°C and the best result for 110°C is found the optimum degree for maximum coefficient of performance (COP) values at the highest solar radiation occurred time during the considered days for each province. The COP values varies between 0.521 and 0.530 for the provinces. In addition, absorber and condenser capacities and thermal efficiency for the absorption cooling system were calculated. The necessary evacuated tube collector area for the different provinces were found in the range of 45 m2 to 47 m2. It is shown that although the initial investment cost is higher for the proposed absorption cooling system, it is economically feasible because of its lower annual operation costs and can successfully be operated for the considered provinces.

Photovoltaic solar cells convert light energy from the sun into electricity. Photovoltaic cells are produced by semi-conducting materials to convert the energy into electricity and during this process heat is absorbed by the solar radiation. This heat causes a loss of electricity generation efficiencies.In this study, an experimental setup was designed and established to test two separate photovoltaic panel systems with alone PV and with water cooling system PV/T to examine the heat effect on PV systems. The absorbed heat energy behind the photovoltaic cell's surface in insulated ambient was removed by means of a water cooling system and the tests for both systems were simultaneously performed along the July 2011. It is found that without active water cooling, the temperature of the PV module was higher during day time and solar cells could only achieve around 8% conversion efficiency. On the other hand, when the PV module was operated with active water cooling condition, the temperature dropped significantly, leading to an increase in the efficiency of solarcells as much as 13.6%. Gained from absorbed solar heat and maximum thermal conversion efficiencies of the system are determined as 49% and 51% for two different mass flow rates. It is observed that water flow rate is effective on the increasing the conversion efficiency as well as absorption and transitionrates of cover glass in PV/T (PV–Thermal) collector, the insulation material and cell efficiency. As a conclusion, the conversion efficiency of the PV system with water cooling might be improved on average about 10%. Therefore, it is recommended that PV system should be designed with most efficient type cooling system to enhance the efficiency and to decrease the payback period.

Comparison of the experimental results of turbulent flow structures between a smooth sphere and a sphere with a vent hole, roughened, and o-ring is presented in the presence of a free-surface. Dye visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques were performed to examine effects of passive control methods on the sphere wake for Reynolds number Re = 5000 based on the sphere diameter with a 42.5mm in an open water channel. Instantaneous and time-averaged flow patterns in the wake region of the sphere were examined from point of flow physics for the different sphere locations in the range of 0≤h/D≤2.0 where h was the space between the top point of the sphere and the free surface. The ratio of ventilation hole to sphere diameter was 0.15, o-ring was located at 55° with a 2 mm from front stagnation point of the sphere and roughened surface was formed by means of totally 410 circular holes with a 3 mm diameter and around 2 mm depth in an equilateral triangle arrangement. The flow characteristics of instantaneous velocity vectors, vorticity contours, time-averaged streamline patterns, Reynolds stress correlations and streamwise and cross-stream velocity fluctuations for both the smooth and passively controlled sphere were interpreted.

Aim of this study was to define sulcal and gyral variations of the lateral parietal cortex and underlying white matter tracts and emphasize the importance of relationship between topographic anatomy of parietal lobe and white matter tracts underlying it in approaches to deep parietal and atrial lesions. Twenty- eight formalin-fixed cerebral hemispheres of 14 adult cadavers were used. Ten hemispheres were dissected from lateral to medial by fiber dissection and all stages were photographed. Our anatomic findings were supported by MRI tractography. Postcentral sulcus and intraparietal sulcus were continuous in most of the cadavers (71% in right, 64% in left side). Intermediate sulcus of Jensen was in bayonet shape in 86 and 50 percent of cadavers at right and left side, respectively. The range of perpendicular distance between the meeting point and interhemispheric fissure was 2.5-4.9 cm in right and 2.8-4.2 cm in left hemisphere whereas the range of distance between meeting point and the sylvian fissure was 3-6 cm and 2.5-5.6 in left and right hemispheres, respectively. When the meeting point was located more laterally, the probability of damaging the arcuate fasciculus and superior longitudinal fasciculus II during dissection was increased. We also found that the intraparietal sulcus and intermediate sulcus of Jensen were associated with the superior longitudinal fasciculus II, middle longitudinal fasciculus, inferior frontooccipital fasciculus, tapetum, and optic radiation. These variations and their relation to subcortical tracts should be considered in atrium and deep parietal lobe surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a popular unicellular organism for studying photosynthesis, cilia biogenesis, and micronutrient homeostasis. Ten years since its genome project was initiated an iterative process of improvements to the genome and gene predictions has propelled this organism to the forefront of the omics era. Housed at Phytozome, the plant genomics portal of the Joint Genome Institute (JGI), the most up-to-date genomic data include a genome arranged on chromosomes and high-quality gene models with alternative splice forms supported by an abundance of whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) data. We present here the past, present, and future of Chlamydomonas genomics. Specifically, we detail progress on genome assembly and gene model refinement, discuss resources for gene annotations, functional predictions, and locus ID mapping between versions and, importantly, outline a standardized framework for naming genes.

Phosphorous (P) is an important macroelement for all organisms. However, there is a finite amount of P on Earth, therefore, new enzymes and technologies are needed for better P use in agriculture. Metallophosphoesterases are a large group of evolutionarily related proteins that are important in biotechnology. We found fourteen putative Metallophosphoesterase (MPA) genes in the genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Our RT-PCR analyses showed that some of these genes were constitutively expressed, and some were upregulated under phosphate deficiency. These results and bioinformatic analyses suggest that two of the genes (MPA11 and MPA13) are transcribed in high levels and the putative polypeptides are predicted to be secreted to extracellular space, making them ideal to be used in biotechnological applications. Phylogenetic analyses show that MPA11 and MPA13 are related to known phytases from plant species, suggesting MPA11 and MPA13 might have specific phytase activity. In light of these results, we discuss the potential of C. reinhardtii as a phytase producing organism for agricultural and industrial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ganos fault that ruptured on 9 August 1912 (Mw: 7.4) is the westernmost inland segment of the North Anatolian fault (NAF). Here, the Ganos fault is bounded at its two tips with offshore faults segments, in the Sea of Marmara to the east and the Gulf of Saros to the west in the North Aegean Trough. Therefore, the paleoseismology of the 45-km-long inland fault is of importance to the seismic hazard analysis related to offshore active faults and in particular for the seismic gap in the Marmara Region. Earlier studies have established an earthquake chronology for the western and eastern inland tips of the Ganos fault. Here, we extend the paleoseismic studies toward the central segment. Three trenches at Yörgüç have revealed evidence for two faulting events, possibly post-1669 CE ±30 years, which can be correlated to the 1659 or 1766, and the 1912 historical earthquakes. At Yeniköy, we determined an offset of 46 ± 1 m and 47 ± 1 m on a stream channel and a ridge-crest, respectively. In two trenches we determined two faulting events for the last 1000 years and seven events for the last 3500 years. In trench T5, the base of the displaced stream channel provides a calibrated date of 829-591 BCE. Using the 46 ± 1 m right-lateral displacement, we calculate a slip rate of 16.9 ± 0.7 mm/year for the last 2732 ± 119 years. A combined analysis with earlier paleoseismic studies on the Ganos fault suggests that the historical earthquakes of 1912, 1766b or 1659, 1354 or 1343a, and 1063 ruptured the entire inland fault section. In such a case, the recurrence interval for this section of the NAF corresponds to 283 ± 81 years. Combining earlier estimations, we suggest an average slip rate of 17.1 ± 0.9 mm/year for the last 2700 years and observe a characteristic slip behavior of 4.5 to 5 m per event for this section of the North Anatolian plate boundary fault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of the monocyte-to-high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR) is a new tool for predicting inflammation, which plays a major role in atherosclerosis. Subclavian artery stenosis (SAS) is usually asymptomatic, and atherosclerosis is the most common cause of chronic obstruction of the subclavian artery in adults. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the MHR and SAS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2015 and January 2020, 43 patients with SAS and 43 patients without SAS were enrolled in the study. The patients' angiographic, demographic and clinic characteristics were reviewed from their medical records. Monocytes and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterols were measured through a complete blood count. The MHR was calculated as the ratio of the absolute monocyte count to the HDL cholesterol value. The resulting MHR values were divided into the following three groups: low (7.16 ± 1.59), moderate (11.08 ± 1.53) and high (21.70 ± 5.62). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: MHR was found to be significantly higher in the SAS group compared to the control group with normal subclavian arteries (p<0.001). The frequency of SAS was found to increase with an increase in the MHR tertiles. Sensitivity and specificity values were 69.8% and 95.3%, respectively. The cut-off of the MHR value, taken as 13.39, was found to provide a significantly accurate prediction of the subclavian diagnosis (ROC area under the curve: 0.868, 95% CI: 0.789-0.947, p<0.001). After adjusting for other hematological parameters in the multivariate analysis, MHR (p=0.061) was found to be a predictor of the presence of SAS. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that MHR can be a convenient marker for predicting SAS because of the correlation between MHR and SAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]