This study evaluated age-related changes in the gross morphology and morphometry of the testis and epididymis of the African Greater Cane Rat (AGCR). Twenty pathogen-free cane rats used for this study were randomly divided into 4 groups; Group I - prepubertal (≤4 months), Group II - pubertal (>4≤12 months), Group III - adult (>12≤30 months), and Group IV - aged (>30 months) of 5 animals each. On day 8th of acclimatization, testis and epididymis were harvested from sedated cane rat, described grossly and standard morphometric parameters (length, width, circumference, weight, and relative weight) determined. Gross morphological observations in the testes of all the different age categories showed similar characteristically cream to milky-white coloration and ellipsoidal shape. The epididymis in the different AGCR group uniquely presents the same inverted S-shaped outline, loose attachment to the testis, and less distinct division into caput, corpus, and cauda segments. Testicular and epididymal morphometric parameters were significantly reduced in the prepubertal cane rat relative to other groups. The parameters consistently displayed an age-dependent increment with the advancing age of the animal. In conclusion, this study has shown that both testicular and epididymal gross morphometrics increase with age advancement and perhaps might be linked to the varying functional reproductive status of the different age groups of the African greater cane rat.

Banana is a fruit crop which has high demand in Ethiopia, but its production is constrained by lack of disease free planting material with conventional propagation methods. For shoot initiation, shoot tip explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mg/L BAP. Similarly, MS medium supplemented with BAP at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg/L in combination with IBA at 0.25 and 0.50 mg/L were used for shoot multiplication. Half- strength MS medium augmented with IBA at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 mg/l were used for root induction. MS medium without PGRs were used as controls. Finally, hardening of the in vitro derived plantlets was carried out in green house both in the primary and secondary acclimatization stages. Results showed that the highest shoot initiation percent (93.40%), highest mean number of shoots per explant (4.67) and lesser day for shoot induction (11.00) were observed in explant cultured on MS + 1.0 mg/L BAP. With shoot multiplication, highest shooting percent (92.60%), maximum number of shoots (7.67) and highest shoot length (5.27 cm) were recorded on MS + 1.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L IBA. The highest rooting percent (93.40%), maximum root number per shoot (7.67) and highest root length (11.00 cm) were found on a half strength MS medium + 2.0 mg/L IBA. The survival rate of plantlets were 96.00% in coco peat substrate in primary acclimatization and 97.92% in forest soil, sand and manure substrates mixed at 3:2:1 ratio in secondary acclimatization. Overall, the result showed that the PGRs type, concentrations and combinations used are effective for mass propagation of banana variety studied in this experiment.

Despite positive effects on nutrition, it has been reported that milk causes allergic reactions and many health problems. Allergic reaction to milk is called lactose intolerance, but it is estimated that this is not caused by lactose, but by the β -casein structure of milk, which varies depending on animal species. Although there are many fractions of β-casein in the structure of milk, especially A1 and A2 casein attract attention. A1 β -casein causes many health problems because it plays a role in the formation of the bioactive opioid peptide β-casomorphin-7 (β-CM-7). These health problems are allergic reactions, weakening of the immune system and slowing down of the gastro-intestinal system and some systemic diseases (cardiovascular disease, type 1 diabetes, autism, schizophrenia). The underdevelopment of gastro-intestinal system, especially in newborns, causes us to encounter these health problems more frequently. For this reason, the consumption of milk containing A1 β-casein, especially cow’s milk from culture breeds, is not recommended. Since BKM-7 (β-casomorphin-7) formed by A1 β-casein cannot occur in A2 β-casein, these health problems cannot be expected to be observed. However, A2 β-casein causes DPP4 (dipeptidyl peptidase 4) enzymes to be regulated in the body and a non-opioid effect is observed. It is recommended to consume goat’s milk and dairy products containing A2 β-casein in newborns, people with celiac disease and stomach disorders. Despite the lack of studies on the subject of A1 and A2 β-casein and the ongoing discussions, in this review, the importance and differences of A1 and A2 β-caseins in cow and goat milk were discussed and their effects on human health.

The management of forests, a source of livelihood in Nigeria, especially in the rural areas has received little attention in recent times. As a result, most of the forest dwellers who depend on these forests for survival are poor and are beginning to diversify their livelihood into off and non-forest activities as a relevant source of income. This study assessed participation in forest management practices, livelihood diversification and, the welfare of forest dwellers in Gambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria. Primary data, collected from 121 respondents using a multistage sampling Procedure were analyzed employing Descriptive Statistics, Logit, Tobit, and Ordinary Least Squares model. The decision to participate in forest management practices was significantly linked to gender, age, and membership in a forest association. Also, participation in forest management practices, gender, age, and credit accessibility significantly influenced livelihood diversification positively while farm size and monthly income had negative effects. The welfare of forest dwellers was found to be positively influenced by being a married indigene, having access to credit, participation in forest management practices, livelihood diversification, and monthly income while age, education, and market distance from homestead negatively affected the welfare of forest dwellers.

Bu araştırmada, geleneksel yöntemle üretilen Erzincan dut pekmezinin bazı kalite özelliklerinin belirlenmesi hedeflenmiştir. Bu amaçla, 2018 ve 2019 yıllarında geleneksel olarak üretilen 10 adet dut pekmezi örneğinde, çeşitli fiziksel ve kimyasal özellikler ile antioksidan aktivite tespit edilmiştir. Pekmez örneklerinde; pH 4,86-5,17, titrasyon asitliği %0,53-0,85, toplam kuru madde %71,91-84,07, suda çözünür kuru madde %70,60-83,80, toplam kül %1,44-3,47, protein %1,47-3,19, su aktivitesi 0,59-0,75, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) 5,70-72,62 mg/kg, toplam şeker %64,04-71,40, invert şeker %40,46-56,15, sakkaroz %7,76-26,59, kalori 262,01-294,54 kcal/100 g, viskozite 745-15275 cP, L* değeri 19,19-32,64, a* değeri 5,68-17,53, b* değeri 2,46-9,01, H° değeri 15,78-52,10 ve C* değeri 8,74-19,72 aralığında belirlenmiştir. Toplam fenolik madde (TFM), 1,1diphenyl-2picyrlhydrazyl (DPPH) antioksidan aktivite ve % inhibisyon değerleri ise sırasıyla; 3,92-10,05 mg GAE/g, 1,31-6,25 mg TE/g ve %7,96-30,69 aralığında bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonuçları değerlendirildiğinde; genel olarak pekmez örneklerinin besin değerlerinin yüksek olduğu, antioksidan ve TFM açısından iyi birer kaynak oldukları ve HMF miktarlarının TS 12001 Pekmez Standardı’nda bildirilen limitlerin oldukça altında kaldığı görülmektedir. Sonuç olarak, Erzincan yöresine ait geleneksel üretim tekniği ile doğal, besin değeri yüksek ve sağlığa yararlı pekmezlerin üretilebildiği ortaya çıkmıştır. Bu araştırma sonuçlarının, Erzincan geleneksel dut pekmezinin önemi, tanıtımı, değer kazanması ve koruma altına alınmasında katkı sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.

Bu çalışmada Rosaceae familyasında yer alan Cotoneaster transcaucasicus Pojark meyvelerinin hekzan ve metanol ekstraklarının toplam fenolik madde ve flavonoid madde içerikleri ile antioksidan aktiviteleri araştırılmıştır. Folin-Ciocaltaeu metodu kullanılarak fenolik madde miktarları metanol ekstraktında 50,34±2,70 mg GAE/g ve hekzan ekstraktında 38,06±1,32 mg GAE/g olarak belirlendi. Toplam flavonoid madde miktarı ise alüminyum nitrat yöntemi kullanılarak metanol ekstraktında 52,01±3,78 mg KE/g ve hekzan ekstraktında ise 60,54±6,82 mg KE/g olarak hesaplandı. C. transcaucasicus hekzan ve metanol ekstraklarının antioksidan aktiviteleri, DPPH ve FRAP yöntemleri ile değerlendirildi. Ekstrakların IC50 değerleri hekzan ekstraktı için 0,411mg/mL, metanol ekstraktı için 0,237 mg/ mL olarak hesaplandı. Ayrıca Fe3+-Fe2+ indirgeyici antioksidan gücünün hekzan ekstraktında daha fazla olduğu belirlendi. Sonuç olarak C. transcaucasicus meyvelerinin fenolik ve flavonoid madde miktarlarının ve antioksidan aktivitelerinin yüksek olduğu görülmüştür. Bu çalışma C. transcaucasicus türünde yapılan ilk çalışma niteliğinde olup bundan sonra yapılacak olan çalışmalara öncülük edeceği düşünülmektedir.

Bu çalışmada Aydın, Çanakkale, İzmir ve Muğla illerinde üretilen hayıt ballarının bazı fiziksel ve kimyasal özellikleri ile uçucu bileşenlerinin ve duyusal özelliklerinin tanımlanması amaçlanmıştır. Değerlendirilen hayıt ballarında toplam 16 farklı uçucu bileşen belirlenmiştir (4 aldehit, 3 furan, 2 alkol, 2 sülfürlü bileşik, 2 terpen, 1 alkan, 1 benzenik bileşik ve 1 keton). Hayıt ballarının ortak uçucu bileşenlerinin dimetil sülfit, oktan, nonanal, 2-furankarboksaldehit, 2-etil-1-hegzanol, 1-(2-furanil)-etanon, benzaldehit, 5-metil-2-furankarboksaldehit ve benzenasetaldehit olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bütün hayıt ballarında benzenasetaldehit en fazla bulunan uçucu bileşen olup ardından benzaldehit ve 2-furankarboksaldehit gelmektedir. Duyusal değerlendirme sonucunda hayıt ballarında çiçeğimsi, meyvemsi, karamelimsi, acı badem, fermente, hayvanımsı, baharatımsı, vaksımsı ve odunumsu koku karakteri, tatlı ve ekşi tat karakterleri ile burukluk ağız hissi algılanmıştır. Bütün örneklerde çiçeğimsi, meyvemsi, karamelimsi, tatlı ve ekşi karakter yoğun olarak algılanmıştır.

Agricultural production is one of the leading sectors in the world and in our country in terms of employment rates. Agricultural production activities, the importance of which is increasing day by day due to the increasing world population, is an important strategic element for every country. The economy of many countries, including our country, still depends on the products they obtain because of agricultural production. Appropriate agricultural policies should be implemented to increase the productivity in agricultural production, to protect the employed workforce and to ensure its continuity. In addition to establishing appropriate agricultural policies, employed workers should also be protected by laws, regulations and directives. It is a fact that most of the people employed in agricultural production in our country must work under dangerous and harsh conditions without being under legal protection, without union formation and union rights, as in other sectors. Protecting the health of agricultural production workers working under very difficult conditions due to variable climatic conditions, ensuring safe production and ensuring that the necessary Occupational Health and Safety measures are taken should be among the priority items when forming our state’s policies. In this study, the situation in the world and in our country was examined under the title of occupational health and safety in agricultural production. The hazards and risk factors to be encountered in agricultural production have been determined and the Occupational Health and Safety measures to be taken against them have been tried to be explained.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a member of the family Compositae (Asteraceae). This plant, which is grown for its leaves, is grown in open field and greenhouse conditions almost everywhere in the world and in Turkey. With the present study virus diseases of lettuce and their prevalence in Konya province was revealed for the first time. For this purpose, leaf samples were taken from lettuce plants showing virus diseases symptoms with surveys carried out in Konya province lettuce planting areas from May to August in 2020. Then the collected lettuce leaf samples were tested in laboratory conditions by Double Antibody Sandwich Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (DAS-ELISA) method to reveal infections of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), Miraflori lettuce big vein virus (MiLBVV), Lettuce mosaic virus (LMV), and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). According to the information obtained from the results of the study, it was determined that 40 out of 97 (41.23%) lettuce plant samples and all (6) weed samples were infected with at least one of the viruses. In lettuce leaf samples; TSWV (27.83%), LMV (12.37%), CMV (10.31%) and MiLBVV (5.15%) infections have been detected. In weed samples; infections of CMV (83.33%), LMV (66.66%), and TSWV (50%) have been revealed. The infections of TSWV, LMV, CMV, and MiLBVV on lettuce plants in Konya province were reported firstly with the study.

Vinegar is an aqueous food product made by a succession of yeast and acetic acid bacteria activities from fruits that contain high carbohydrates such as apples and grapes. Vinegar has been used as a dietary spice and natural remedy since ancient times due to its therapeutic properties including antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. It has been shown that some bioactive compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity in vinegars lead to anticancer activity. The aim of the present study was to investigate antiproliferative effect of commercial and home-made apple vinegars in native and neutralized form on myeloma cells. In order to neutralize the vinegars, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used. A serial two-fold dilutions of the vinegars (50%, 25%, 12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, 1.56%, 0.78%, 0.39%) prepared with cell medium were treated to the cells. The MTT (3-(4.5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) assay was used to determine the cellular viability in the cells treated with the vinegars. In this study, while commercial vinegar possessed a stronger antiproliferative activity than home-made vinegar, all native vinegars possessed stronger antiproliferative effect than neutralized vinegars. Interestingly, when home-made vinegar (both native and neutralized) concentrations were from 6.25 to 1.56%, the cell viability increased. Apple vinegar exhibited antiproliferative activity on myeloma cells; however, further studies are required to clarify the mechanisms underlying this activity.