The study investigated the water quality characteristics of the spring waters, creeks and lakes in Yalova Province, Turkey. The 12-month study was carried out in 2005 and the same study was repeated in the same stations in 2008. Water samples were collected from 9 stations on a monthly basis. For the determination of the water quality, dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, ammonium nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate nitrogen, potassium, total copper, chlorine, sulphate, iron, phosphate, zinc and sulfide analyses were performed. The water quality parameters of the spring waters, creeks and lakes were determined with respect to months and years. The stations that are known to receive wastewater and solid waste inputs were revealed to have high concentrations of water pollution-indicating parameters.

İnsanoğlu yaşamını devam ettirmek için hava ve suya ihtiyaç duyduğu oranda gıdaya da ihtiyaç duymaktadır. Bu ihtiyacını doğal tarım yöntemi ile karşılayan toplumlar zamanla dünya nüfusunun artması ve buna paralel olarak gıda ihtiyacının da arttığı gerekçesiyle yüksek verim sağlayan konvansiyonel tarım yöntemine geçmiştir. Çeşitli riskler (kimyasal ilaçlar, kimyasal gübreler vb.) taşıyan bu yöntem bilim insanları arasında farklı görüşlerin ortaya çıkmasına sebep olmuştur. Bu nedenle konvansiyonel tarıma alternatif bir yöntem olarak organik tarım ortaya çıkmıştır. Günümüzde tüketicilerin de bilinçlenmeye başlaması ile birlikte tüketiciler gıdaları sağlık açısından sorgulamaya başlamışlardır. Bu anlamda gıdanın besin kalitesi ve duyusal kalitesi önem kazanmıştır. Bitkisel (meyve/sebze, tahıllar vb.) ve hayvansal (et, süt vb.) kaynaklı bütün gıdaların kalitesi tarım yönteminden etkilenmektedir. Bu çalışmada iki farklı tarım yönteminin gıdalar üzerinde oluşturduğu riskler ile gıdaların besinsel ve duyusal kalitesi üzerine etkileri hakkında bilgi verilecektir.

This research was conducted to determine forage yield, chemical composition, milk yield and milk composition in dairy cattle grazing on pasture established with species and mixtures of Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne, Bastion,PR), Orchardgrass(Dactylis glometata, Pizza,OG) and White clover(Trifolium repens, Huia,WC). In this research conducted for two years, the grazing experiment was carried out according to a change over trial design. For this purpose, a total of 6 Holstein Friesian cows (at the 2nd lactation and with an average of 520 ± 26 kg live weight) were used for two periods, each of which consisted of 30 days (8 days of adaptation and 22 days of the basis period). The milk nutritional composition of the animals (dry matter, fat and protein content) was determined in the last three days in the last five consecutive days of each lactation period. The acid detergent fiber (ADF) content of pasture obtained from Perennial ryegrass + White clover mixture (PRWC) was found to be lower than that obtained from the other two (PR and OG) pasture and Net Energy Lactation (NEL) content was found higher in the first grazing period in the first year. However, the effect of the investigated pastures on milk yield was not significant, but it was found that the effects on milk protein yield in the first year and dry matter of milk in the second year were significant. In the first year of grazing period, milk yield, milk fat yield and protein yield were found to be significant. The results of this study showed that under these operating conditions, the botanical composition of the pasture had no effect on the amount and composition of the milk, but the milk yield decreased as the vegetation period advanced.

β-thalassemia major is severe hemolytic anemia which requires repeated blood transfusion and for survival, which leading to iron overload. Serious complications due to iron over load are recognized in the thalassemia patients. objectives Vitamin D and calcium are important factors for homeostasis of calcium in this study. This study was conducted for a period of two year including from patients with β- thalassemia major from Duhok Thalassemia Centre between 2014 -2015. Thirty eighth β- thalassemia major patients and thirty eighth persons with age- matched as control group were enrolled in the study. Serum concentration of 25- hydroxy vitamin D and calcium were estimated by enzyme linked fluorescent assay and colorimetric method, respectively. In patients, the level of serum 25- hydroxy vitamin D was significantly lower 11.11±4.36 ng/mL compared with control group (14.03±5.96ng/mL). Vitamin D deficiency is observed about 94.73% in patients. The mean level of serum calcium in patients group is 7.9±0.47mg/dL and 8.98±0.77 mg/dL in control group. There was a statistically significant difference in serum calcium value between patients and control group. 44.73% of patients have hypocalcaemia. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency and low total serum calcium levels in thalassemia patients with a significantly lower than healthy group. Hypocalcemia and vitamin D deficiency may be results from the negative effect of the repeated blood transfusion and malnourishment.

Plant clinics in Nepal has been started in 2008 and has coverage in more than 40 districts of Nepal. A study has been conducted in Chitwan district of Nepal to assess the changes on farmer’s knowledge attitude and practice due to implementation of plant clinics. Total of 175 clinic attendants and 175 non-attendants were selected by simple random sampling method and interviewed by using semi-structured questionnaire. By and large, this study found wider positive changes among clinic attendants than non-attendants especially on their knowledge and skills to identity pests and diseases with their causes and practice appropriate remedial measures against those problems. The study revealed positive impact to by increasing knowledge and skillset among attending farmers to assess the season of disease and pest occurrence, estimate economic threshold level as well as preventive and curative measures against the plant health problems. Plant clinic has made impressive positive changes on adoption of recommended dose of pesticides and organic control methods among attendants than non-attendants. The level of awareness and adoption of waiting period after pesticide use was found higher among attendants than non-attendants.

Bu araştırmada da tarım sektörüne yönelik Türkiye’ de 2004-2017 yılları arasında sağlanan tarımsal krediler ile tarımsal GSYH arasındaki ilişki panel veri analizi yardımıyla ortaya koyulmuştur. Analiz yöntemi olarak, Panel Birim Kök Testi, Panel Eşbütünleşme Testi ve Panel Granger Nedensellik Analizinden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırma, AB Kırsal Alan Sınıflandırmasına göre üç bölgede değerlendirilmiştir. Bu bölgeler, kentsel alan, ara kırsal ve baskın kırsal olarak tanımlanmaktadır. Elde edilen bulgulara göre, her üç bölgede de değişkenler arasında uzun dönem eşbütünleşme görülmüştür. Nedensellik analizi sonuçlarına göre ise, kentsel alan ve ara kırsal bölgelerde değişkenler arasında iki yönlü nedensellik görülürken, baskın kırsal bölgede nedensellik ilişkisi görülmemiştir. Baskın kırsal bölgeyi oluşturan altı il dikkate alındığında (Artvin, Bayburt, Bingöl, Çankırı, Gümüşhane, Tunceli), gelir düzeyi düşük, ortalama arazi büyüklüğü nispeten daha küçük ve geçimlik işletme diye ifade edilebilecek işletme yapısından oluştuğu bilinmektedir. Dolayısıyla, yatırıma ve ekonomik değer elde etmeye yönelik tarımsal üretimin yoğun olmadığı bölgede tarımsal kredi ve tarımsal GSYH ilişkisinin olmaması beklenen bir sonuç olarak değerlendirilebilir. Bu çerçevede, tarımsal kredilerin ve bunlardan faydalanma olanaklarının gözden geçirilerek yöresel/bölgesel dinamiklere göre kurgulanması ve daha geniş bir tabana yayılarak üretim süreçlerinde kullanılabilme olanaklarının yapılandırılması gerekmektedir.

The study was carried out to examine the effect of varied levels of dietary monosodium glutamate on acetylcholinesterase, specific acetylcholinesterase and total protein concentrations in the brain regions of broiler chickens. Three hundred (300) day – old unsexed Abor – acre chickens were randomly assigned to diets: A, B, C, D, E and F containing 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.25 g/kg MSG respectively. Each treatment was replicated 5 times with 10 birds per replicate. The birds were fed ad – libitum and provided with clean water for 8 weeks (56 days) after which 2 birds per replicates were slaughtered. The brains were removed, dissected into different regions comprising of the olfactory lobe, pineal body, optic lobe, cerebellum and the medulla oblongata. The different parts of the brain were homogenized to determine the acetylcholinesterase and total protein which were also used in the assessment of the specific acetylcholinesterase of the brain. No significant differences were observed in the acetylcholinesterase activity of the olfactory lobe, pineal body, optic lobe, cerebellum except for the medulla. Likewise, the dietary monosodium glutamate did not influence the activities of the total protein and specific acetylcholinesterase of the olfactory lobe portion of the brain. The dietary monosodium glutamate exerted significant effects on the total protein of other brain parts studied and which invariably resulted in significant changes in the specific acetylcholinesterase of the optic lobe, cerebellum and medulla except for the optic lobe. This study revealed that monosodium glutamate added to broilers diet above 0.75 g/kg significantly altered the concentration of the brain acetylcholinesterase, total protein and specific acetylcholinesterase thereby impaired brain functions.

Public health around the globe is still under the major threats and of some serious infectious diseases though a marvelous progress carried out in the field of human medicines. Therefore, use of products from natural sources as medicinal agent probably antecede in human history. The advancement and knowledge of various useful plants and their properties, functions and its use over synthetic drugs has increased in recent years. Bauhinia variegata L. (Kachnar) is an ornamental flowering plant within the Leguminosae family. Hairy branches of the plant are widely used in various traditional remedies to cure vast range of disease infections. Several plant portions, like roots, stem and stem bark, leaves, buds and flowers, are not only popular in different disease treatment but also useful in the manufacture of fibers, gum and to conserve the nature. The phytochemical screening exposed that B. variegata consist of various important secondary metabolites like flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and steroids, saponins and tannins compounds that are appropriate to be used in the treatment of various biological activities, such as antibacterial, antidiabetic, antitumor, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcer, anticarcinogenic effects, anti-inflammatory, nephro and hepatoprotective effects and wound healing effect. The current review is to demonstrate the medicinal, nutritional and biological importance of B. variegata as multidimensional effects on various diseases.

Pothohar region of the Punjab, Pakistan is rain-fed with undulating topography. Soils of the area are predominantly loose with low water retention capacity and are vulnerable to erosion. Erratic and high intensity rainfall causes land erosion in the area producing gullies and gorges. Therefore, agriculture in the area faces twin menace of soil erosion and moisture stress. On-farm water control structures are among the important measures to control soil erosion and conserve moisture to enhance agriculture productivity. Present study was designed to evaluate the impact of these structures on soil moisture conservation and physio-chemical characteristics of soil in wheat growing fields. Wheat was sown in the fields, with and without structures during 2009 to 2013. It has been found that construction cost of such structures is about one-fourth that of conventionally used structures in the area whereas reduction in soil erosion has been observed up to 10% with 21% soil moisture conservation as compared to control. Soil fertility level improved significantly as a result of reduced run off and nutrient loss. A substantial improvement in wheat yield up to 15% due to increased fertility and moisture content was also recorded. These structures facilitated a safe disposal of surplus rain water which minimized the gully development, improved the soil structure, checked fertility loss and improved soil moisture retention.

In this study, plant growth, yield and sprout quality were investigated by planting at three different periods in three different Brussels sprout varieties in Çukurova Region. In this research, the effects of four different sowing and planting times on plant height (cm), main shoot diameter (mm), leaf number (number/plant), yield (g/m2), sprout weight (g), sprout diameter (mm), sprout height (mm), vitamin C (mg/100 g), antioxidant capacity [μmol trolox equivalents (TE)/g] and total phenolic content [mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g] were investigated in Franklin Fı, Maximus Fı and Divino Fı Brussels sprout varieties. According to the research results; Maximus Fı variety was found to be longer, thicker and more leafy than the other varieties in terms of plant height, main shoot diameter and number of leaves. Based on yield, Maximus Fı variety was recorded to be more efficient (584.88 g/m2) than the other varieties (367.97 g/m2 and 259.82 g/m2 in Franklin Fı and Divino Fı, respectively). Maximus Fı was superior than the other Brussels sprout varieties, Franklin Fı and Divino Fı in terms of sprout weight, sprout diameter and sprout height. When the planting times were evaluated, it was recorded that the 1st period was more suitable in terms of both yield and sprout characteristics compared to the other periods. In the vitamin C content, antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content, Franklin Fı was showed higher rates than the other varieties and more nutrient content was detected in the late plantings.