Anatolia Turkey Research Articles

Regional drug abuse prevalence depending on laboratory based urine illicit drug screening results

Objectives: To determine the laboratory based drug abuse prevalence of persons who have illicit and/or addictive substance test requests instead of alcohol in a city in Middle Anatolia in Turkey. Methods: Laboratory information system’s data of urine samples, submitted to Biochemistry Laboratory from various clinics, between January 2014 and June 2016 were retrospectively investigated. In comprehension of illicit drug use amphetamin, cannabis, opiate, cocaine and benzodiazepin group tests were screened with Cloned Enzyme Donor Immunoassay method. Positivity-negativity rates according to years, age-gender distribution and number of multiple substance usage were investigated. Results: Totally 79873 illicit drugs were screened in 19763 urine samples. 18080 males (% 91.5) and 1683 females (%8.5), with a mean age of 30.7±10.8 years (range: 4-86) and 27.2±10.5 years (range: 1-86) respectively were included. The average positivity rate according to the sample size in last 2.5 years was 23%; 19% in 2014, 23% in 2015, and 27% in 2016. The positivity rates according to number of analyzed tests were 5.9%, 6.7% and 7.5% respectively. In 2014 the maximum positivity rate was in benzodiazepine (12.5%) and secondly in cannabinoids (11.9%). Whereas amphetamine were the most common drug used (16.3%) with a 4.17 fold increase in 2015 compared to 2014. The increase in amphetamine group substance positivity continued in the first half of 2016 compared to previous year. The most common and the second most common multiple substance usage were amphetamine+ cannabis and amphetamine+opiate respectively. Conclusion: According to laboratory information of illicit drug screening results in urine, drug abuse is increasing through years. Amphetamine group is the most common used substance in the last two years in this region. This is the first study contributing to the prevalence of substance use in a city of Middle Anatolia in Turkey with a large sample volume and patient population.

Andisols of Turkey: An example from the Cappadocian Volcanic Province

A number of studies have been conducted on the genesis of soils from volcanic deposits in semi- humid and humid climates. However, there has been little study of the mineralogical properties and genesis of soils from volcanic rocks in arid and semi-arid climates. This study was conducted to understand the genesis of soils from different volcanic parent materials, such as andesite, dacite, volcanic ash, basalt and ignimbrite, in the region east of the Erciyes stratovolcano in Central Anatolia. At least three soil profiles were selected from each parent material, and 17 soil profiles were described. Soil samples were also taken from each soil horizon for physical, chemical and mineralogical analyses. Soil profiles vary according to elevation and the types of derived-parent materials and are divided into 17 pedons and 15 horizons (2A, 2Bw, 2Bw1, 2C, A2, BC, Bw, Bw1, Bw2, Bw3, C, C1, C2, Cr, R). Soil acidity varied from slightly alkaline to slightly acidic in all soils. Organic matter contents were higher in the surface horizons and generally decreased with depth in all pedons. The extractable cation values of ammonium oxalate, pyrophosphate, dithionite-citrate and sodium pyrophosphate, as well as unhydrolyzed volcanic glass, allophone, imogolite, smectite and ferrihydrite contents of the soils, are variable based on the parent materials, pedons and elevations that are typical of the Cappadocian volcanogenic soils in Anatolia of Turkey. These soils can generally be described as alu-andic Andisols, due to their Alo+1/2Feo values and Alp/Alo ratios. The important factors affecting the formation and development of soils are climatic variations affecting horizon development and genesis, soil parent material diversities and leaching regimes originating from elevation differences.

The first record of Callodictya kazeruna Dlabola (Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, Fulgoroidea: Dictyopharidae) from Turkey

Callodictya kazeruna (Dlabola, 1986) described from southern Iran is recorded here for the first time from Eastern Anatolia in Turkey. A key to the two known species of the genus Callodictya Melichar, 1912 is given.

Phytosociological investigations of steppe and steppe forest vegetation in the south-east part of Central Anatolia of Turkey

Ekolojik sistemlerin daha iyi anlasilmasi icin yari kurak ortamlardaki fitosenozlerin temel bilesenlerinden olan step ve step ormani komunitelerinin gelisimi, yapisi ve siniflandirilmasinin arastirilmasi gerekmektedir. Bu nedenle calismada, Ic Anadolu step ve step ormani vejetasyonunun sintaksonomik olarak siniflandirilmasina katki saglamasi amaclanmistir. Nigde ilinin kuzeyinde bulunan Golludag’da bulunan arastirma alaninin vejetasyonu Braun-Blaunquet metoduna gore analiz edilmistir. Vejetasyon verilerinin analizi, kumeleme ve Egilimsiz Uyum Analizi ile gerceklestirilmistir. Komuniteler ile bazi cevresel faktorler arasindaki iliski Temel Bilesen Analizi yardimiyla incelenmistir. Calismada Ic Anadolu’da iki yeni step ve step ormani komunitesi tespit edilmistir. Step komunitesi A gropyro tauri - Stachydion lavandulifoliae alyansina ve Astragalo-Brometalia ordosuna dâhil edilirken, step ormani komunitesi Quercion anatolicae alyansina ve Querco cerridis-Carpinetalia orientalis ordosu icerisinde siniflandirilmistir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Golludag, step, mese caliligi, fitososyoloji, sintaksonomi Received (Gelis): 05.10.2016 - Revised (Duzeltme): 21.11.2016 - Accepted (Kabul): 24.11.2016 Cite (Atif): Kenar, N, 2017. Phytosociological investigations of steppe and steppe forest vegetation in the south-east part of Central Anatolia of Turkey. Journal of the Faculty of Forestry Istanbul University 67(2): 203-219. DOI: 10.17099/jffiu.322422

Views of Teachers Working in South-East Anatolia Region Regarding Current Problems in Education

The purpose of this study is to identify the current problems of the teachers working in the provinces of Southeastern Anatolia in Turkey and to list these problems according to their importance. Screening model is used in the study. One open-ended question was asked (identify seven problems related to the education system and order them according to their importance) to 270 teachers working in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Kahramanmaraş, Mardin, Şırnak and Adıyaman (Southeastern provinces of Turkey). The collected data were analyzed using quantitative research method. Descriptive and chi-square analysis was conducted to create categories and to determine whether there is a significant difference between the gender, seniority and class-branch. Education problems were classified into six categories: Problems related with 1) School’s physical conditions; 2) Teachers; 3) Education system; 4) Educational management, inspection, planning and economy; 5) Education Programs and training; 6) Students-parents. There is no significant difference between these categories expressed by the teachers. There is also no significant difference among the first seven most expressed problems according to gender, class-branch, and teachers’ seniority.

English

In this study, the effects of family leadership orientation on social entrepreneurship, generativity and academic education success were examined with the views of college students. The study was conducted at a state university in Central Anatolia in Turkey. 402 college students who attending at three different colleges voluntarily participated in this study. Data were collected by the utilization of Family Leadership Orientation Scale, Social Entrepreneurship Scale, Generativity Scale and Grade Points of Average (GPA) of the students. Data were analyzed by quantitative analysis techniques. The findings showed that college students were pretty under the influence of economic family leadership with 4.52 average score. Social entrepreneurship (3.71), generativity (3.61) and academic achievement (3.03) were evaluated by the students as good level. There were statistically significant differences in terms of gender and academic achievement for economic and social family leadership orientation. The results of regression analyses showed that the family leadership orientation explains 27% of social entrepreneurship; 16% of generativity and 5% of academic achievement. The family leadership perception, which constitutes three dimensions, namely social, cultural and economic, affects the students’ social entrepreneurship and this consequently influences their generativity and academic achievement. This theory was verified by means of structured equation model test. Model fit indices were CMIN/df = 1.60; NFI = 0.99; RFI = 0.95; IFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.98; CFI = 0.99 and RMSEA = 0.04. The findings were discussed on the basis of relevant literature. Key words: Family leadership, social entrepreneurship, generativity, academic success.

A study of the chikungunya virus in humans in Turkey

Background/aim: The chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne disease and has recently been causing explosive outbreaks. The CHIKV has spread throughout all continents. Although the first chikungunya case imported from India to Turkey was reported in 2012, there is no detailed epidemiologic study in Turkey yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroprevalence of the CHIKV in Turkey. Materials and methods: ELISA was used to screen 500 random serum samples of healthy people collected from Kırıkkale, which is located in central Anatolia in Turkey. The results were verified by indirect immunofluorescence test (IIFT). Results: The results showed that 0.4% samples were positive for CHIKV. In the verification study with IIFT, CHIKV IgG type antibodies were defined as negative. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first serological study on the CHIKV in Turkey. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to elucidate the epidemiological situation in patients that have fever and arthritis.

Coumarin derivatives from the roots of Heptaptera cilicica

The genus Heptaptera (Apiaceae) has four species growing in Turkey. Heptaptera cilicica (Syn. Meliocarpus cilicicus, Colladonia cilicica, Prangos cilicica) is an endemic species growing only in Adana-Mersin area of South Anatolia in Turkey [1]. Heptaptera species are known to be rich in coumarin derivatives [2 – 4] and have antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities [5]. In this study, air-dried and powdered roots of Heptaptera cilicica (Boiss. & Bal.) Tutin were extracted with CHCl3. The CHCl3 extract was subjected to column chromatography on silica gel with a solvent gradient of n-hexane-EtOAc (100:0 → 0:100, v/v) to give four main fractions. These main fractions were separately subjected to silica gel column using n-hexane with increasing amounts of EtOAc. Then, the subfractions were crystallized with the same solvent system to yield a new furocoumarin: trichoclin angelate with five known coumarin derivatives: umbelliprenin, badrakemone, badrakemin, badrakemin acetate and prunate. Their structures were identified by means of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, ESI-MS). Trichoclin angelate was new for the literature and the known compounds, badrakemin and badrakemin acetate, were isolated from Heptaptera species for the first time.

Stripe Rust Partial Resistance Increases Spring Bread Wheat Yield in South‐eastern Anatolia, Turkey

AbstractStripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f.sp. tritici is the most serious disease of wheat globally including south‐eastern Anatolia of Turkey, where wheat originated. In this study, 12 spring wheat genotypes were artificially inoculated and preserved in two locations, Diyarbakır and Adıyaman, during the 2011–2012 season to investigate loss in yield and yield components. Genotypes were evaluated at the adult plant stage using two partial resistance parameters: final disease severity and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). AUDPC ranged from 14.8 to 860 in Diyarbakır, and 74 to 760 in Adıyaman. Yield loss ranged from 0.6 to 68.5% in Diyarbakır and 9.8 to 56.8% in Adıyaman. Genotypes G1, G5, G7 and G8 were found to lose less yield, while higher yield loss was observed in G3, G4 (Nurkent), G5 and G9 (Karacadağ‐98). The highest loss in thousand kernel weight was observed in a susceptible cultivar Karacadağ‐98 in Diyarbakır followed by 43.4 and 24.4% in Adıyaman. Test weight loss reached 8.89% in Diyarbakır and 20.8% in Adıyaman. Yield loss and AUDPC had a positive significant relationship. Based on the values of AUDPC, final disease severity and yield loss, three major clusters were formed for 12 wheat genotypes. Partially resistant genotypes were found to lose less grain yield and seemed to be stronger against severe stripe rust pressure.

A Field Survey of Promising Mulberry (Morus spp.) Genotypes from Turkey

In this study the mulberry population in the Mediterranean and Eastern Anatolia Turkey was examined with regard to fruit properties. The research material consisted of uncultivated mulberry (Morus spp.) trees. Thirty five mulberry genotypes for table, 6 genotypes for fruit juice, 11 genotypes for syrup (pekmez) and 9 genotypes for drying, were selected, 32 of which belonged to Morus alba, 12 to Morus rubra and 8 genotypes to Morus nigra. Continued and more detailed selection studies with this population of genotypes are necessary to provide material that is suitable for future breeding efforts. It may also be possible to select some of this native material that has sufficient commercial value to justify its release to growers.

Determination of bacterial disease on stone fruits grown in Lake Van Basin, East Anatolia of Turkey

Determination of bacterial disease on stone fruits grown in Lake Van Basin, East Anatolia of Turkey

Occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi on insect pests of stored wheat and maize in Central and South Anatolia in Turkey

Naturally occurring fungal pathogens of stored-grain insect pests were identified and quantified using different insect sampling techniques in wheat and maize storage facilities in Central and South Anatolia in Turkey. Storage facilities were sampled by probing, trapping and visual inspection in five cities (Sanliurfa, Kahramanmaras, Adana, Mersin and Konya) from June to November 2013. Entomopathogenic fungi recovered from dead insects were identified to species level by sequencing the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region of the genomic DNA. Of the three species isolated, the majority were Beauveria bassiana (97 isolates), followed by Purpureocillium lilacinum (20 isolates). The third species, Beauveria varroae (9 isolates), is the first record on stored-product pest insects. Thirty-five isolates were from Tribolium spp., 29 from Sitophilus spp., 24 from Cryptolestes ferrugineus, 22 from Rhyzopertha dominica, 8 from Oryzaephilus surinamensis, 4 from Trogoderma granarium, 3 from Latheticus oryzae and 1 from a species of Cryptophagidae. The fungal infection of stored-grain pests did not vary significantly according to the time of sampling. A higher frequency of occurrence was recorded for Adana than the other cities and for Tribolium species than the other hosts. Grain samples taken by probing resulted in a higher frequency of fungal infection, but commodity type did not have a significant effect. The results demonstrated that (1) entomopathogenic fungi occurred at a low frequency, and (2) location, together with sampling technique, can affect their recovery. Further exploration of this ecosystem could yield important information for improving their use for management of stored-grain pests.

Response of maize for grain to potassium and magnesium fertilizers in soils with high lime contents

ABSTRACTAn antagonistic reaction between calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K) may lead to low absorption of K and Mg by plants from soils with high Ca contents even when levels of K and Mg should be adequate. Two separate field studies were carried out in 2009 and 2010 to determine the effects of potassium (0, 40, 80, 120 kg K2O ha−1; as potassium sulfate) and magnesium (0, 20, 40, 60 kg magnesium oxide (MgO)ha−1; as magnesium sulfate) applied to a soil with high lime content either separately or in combinations, on the grain yield and yield components of maize for grain in semi-arid Central Anatolia in Turkey. One dose of the K, Mg-fertilizers was applied during sowing in both years. According to the results, increasing the dosage of K increased yield components more than increases in Mg dosages. Combinations of K and Mg tended to maximize the yield components. Moreover, the greatest plant heights, first ear lengths, grain weights per ear and protein ratios were obtained for the K80Mg40 dose.

Genetic Diversity Among Historical Olive (Olea europaea L.) Genotypes from Southern Anatolia Based on SSR Markers.

Olive (Olea europaea) is an ancient and important crop in both olive oil production and table use. It is important to identify the genetic diversity of olive genetic resources for cultivar development and evaluation of olive germplasm. In the study, 14 microsatellite markers (UDO4, UDO8, UDO9, UDO11, UDO12, UDO22, UDO24, UDO26, UDO28, DCA9, DCA11, DCA13, DCA15, and DCA18) were used to assess the genetic variation on 76 olive (Olea europaea L.) genotypes from Mardin province together with 6 well-known Turkish and 4 well-known foreign reference cultivars. All microsatellite markers showed polymorphism and the number of alleles varied between 9 and 22, with an average of 14.57. The most informative loci were DCA 11 (22 alleles) and DCA 9 (21 alleles). Dendrogram based on genetic distances was constructed for the 86 olive genotypes/cultivars, which revealed the existence of different clusters. The high genetic similarity was evident between Bakırkire2 and Zinnar5 (0.74) genotypes, while the most genetically divergent genotypes were Gürmeşe5 and Yedikardeşler2 (0.19). It was concluded that there was abundant SSR polymorphism in olive germplasm in southern Anatolia in Turkey and could be important for future breeding activities.

Response of sunflower to potassium and magnesium fertilizers in calcerous soils in central Anatolia of Turkey

ABSTRACTThis research was carried out to determine the effects of potassium [0, 40, 80, 120 kg potassium oxide (K2O) ha−1] and magnesium (0, 20, 40, 60 kg magnesium oxide (MgO) ha−1) applied into soil separately and together on the grain yield and yield components of sunflower for oil grown in two farmer fields in the semi-arid Central Anatolia in 2009 and 2010. The experiments were set as factorial experiment design in randomized blocks and 4 replicates. Potassium and Mg-fertilizers were used in the single time into base in the sowing. According to the results, K application in the increasing doses increased yield components more than that of Mg. Together giving of the K and Mg in certain combinations took the yield components to maximum levels. The highest grain yields were obtained by the K40Mg40 in the first year (7313 kg ha−1) and by the Mg60 in the second year (6510 kg ha−1).

Sandfly-Borne Phlebovirus Isolations from Turkey: New Insight into the Sandfly fever Sicilian and Sandfly fever Naples Species.

Southern Anatolia in Turkey at the border with Syria, where many refugee camps are settled, is endemic for sandfly-borne leishmaniasis. Sandfly-borne phleboviruses are also known to circulate in this region, although their relevance in terms of medical implications is virtually unknown. Therefore, the specific objectives of our study were firstly to identify isolate and characterise potentially pathogenic phleboviruses in sandflies; secondly to determine the complete genomic sequence of any viruses that we were able to isolate; and thirdly, to further our understanding of the potential medical importance and epidemiological significance of these viruses. To achieve these objectives, we organised field campaigns in 2012 and 2013. Two new phleboviruses (Toros and Zerdali viruses) were isolated and characterized by complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Toros virus was genetically most closely related to Corfou virus within the Sandfly fever Sicilian group. Zerdali virus was most closely related to Tehran virus within the Sandfly fever Naples species. Although these new viruses belong to genetic groups that include several human pathogens, it is not yet clear if Toros and Zerdali viruses can infect humans and cause disease such as sandfly fever. Consequently, the availability of these genetically characterized infectious viruses will enable seroprevalence studies to establish their medical importance in this region and to assist the health agencies to develop appropriate and effective disease control strategies.BackgroundMany studies have presented virus sequences which suggest the existence of a variety of putative new phleboviruses transmitted by sandflies in the Old World. However, in most of these studies, only partial sequences in the polymerase or the nucleoprotein genes were characterised. Therefore to further our understand of the presence and potential medical importance of sandfly-borne phleboviruses that circulate in southern Anatolia, we initiated field campaigns in 2012 and 2013 designed to identify, isolate and characterise phleboviruses in sandflies in this regionMethodology/Principal FindingsAn entomological investigation encompassing 8 villages in Adana, Mediterranean Turkey was performed in August and September 2012 and 2013. A total of 11,302 sandflies were collected and grouped into 797 pools which were tested for the presence of phleboviruses using specific primers for RT-PCR analysis and also cell culture methods for virus isolation. Seven pools were PCR positive, and viruses were isolated from three pools of sandflies, resulting in the identification of two new viruses that we named Zerdali virus and Toros virus. Phylogenetic analysis based on full-length genomic sequence showed that Zerdali virus was most closely related with Tehran virus (and belongs to the Sandfly fever Naples species), whereas Toros virus was closest to Corfou virus.Conclusions/SignificanceThe results indicate that a variety of phleboviruses are co-circulating in this region of southern Anatolia. Based on our studies, these new viruses clearly belong to genetic groups that include several human pathogens. However, whether or not Toros and Zerdali viruses can infect humans and cause diseases such as sandfly fever remains to be investigated.

New records of the William’s Jerboa, Paralactaga cf. williamsi (Thomas, 1897) (Rodentia: Dipodidae) from northeastern Iran with notes on its ecology

Paralactaga williamsi, a five-toed jerboa, is known to occur in Anatolian Turkey, northern Lebanon, Armenia, Azerbaijan and western Iran. Here, we report the first record of this species in Kopet-Dag Mountains, northeastern Iran. Species identification was based on external morphology, skull and molar teeth morphology and morphometrics studies, as well as molecular an­al­yses. Brief notes on the ecology of the species are also provided. This new record expands the distribution of P. williamsi in Iran about 850 km eastward, however further sampling will be needed for a better judgment on the taxonomic status of this species in eastern Iran and to determine the patterns of its distribution. Since the specimen did not group with other P. williamsi in the cytochrome b analysis, we provisionally classify the specimens as P. cf. williamsi.

Dichoropetalum alanyensis (Apiaceae), a new species from South Anatolia, Turkey

Dichoropetalum alanyensis Bilgili, Sagiroglu and H.Duman, a new species from South Anatolia in Turkey (Antalya-Alanya), is described and illustrated. It is closely related to D. Chryseum (Boiss. And Heldr. Ex Boiss.) Pimenov and Kljuykov, from which it differs mainly by its habit, basal leaves and lobes, and mericarp features. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed. Notes are also given on its ecology and conservation status, together with scanning electron micrographs of mericarp surface sculpturing pattern. ITS sequences were used for DNA fingerprinting. The data were analyzed with the SEAVIEW package. Standardized data were used to generate a dendrogram that revealed the phylogenetic relationships of taxa in tribes Selineae (Dichoropetalum-Johrenia), Tordylieae (Cymbocarpum), and Bupleureae (Diplotaenia) from different localities.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of malignant melanoma in Southeast Anatolia in Turkey.

IntroductionThe present study aimed to establish the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with malignant melanoma (MM).MethodsThe present study retrospectively analyzed the data of 78 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with MM in Dicle University Medical Faculty, Dermatology and Medical Oncology departments between 2005 and 2014.ResultsThe study included 78 patients in total with 44 (56.4%) male and 34 (43.6%) female. Median age of the patients was 62.50 years (range: 27 - 84 years). Of the patients, 78.2% (n = 61) had cutaneous melanoma, 8.9% had solid organ melanoma, and 2.5% had ocular and mucosal melanoma. The most common tumor localization among the patients was the lower extremities with 29.4% (n = 23). The most common histopathological type was nodular malignant melanoma with 35.8% (n = 28). Based on TNM, Clark and Breslow classifications, 26.9% (n = 21) of the patients were stage 4, 26.9% (n = 21) were Clark stage 4, and 37.1% (n = 29) were Breslow stage 4. Median overall survival in all patients was 14.9 months (95% CI 10.9 - 18.8 months). In the multivariate Cox analysis, only stage statistically significantly affecting survival [odds ratio (OR): 0.54; (95% CI 0.16-1.82, p = 0.02)].ConclusionMalignant melanoma data are also important for the optimal utilization of effective methods and healthcare resources to prevent the disease. In order to minimize MM mortality and morbidity, not only the society but also physicians from primary and secondary care hospitals should become familiar with melanoma.

Changes in nutrient concentrations of maize (zea mays var. intendata) leaves under potassium and magnesium applications in Central Anatolia

This research was carried out to determine the effects of potassium (0, 40, 80, 120 kg K2O ha-1; as potassium sulfate; 50% K2O) and magnesium (0, 20, 40, 60 kg MgO ha-1; as magnesium sulfate; 16% MgO) applied to the soil, either separately or in various combinations, on some nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn) in maize leaves grown under field conditions in semi-arid Central Anatolia in Turkey in 2009 and 2010. The study was designed as a factorial arrangement in randomized block design with four replications. After soil analysis of the study areas, K and Mg-fertilizers were applied at sowing. The results showed that the K applications alone could increase the nutrient concentrations of the leaves, and synergic relations were found between K and P, Fe, or Zn. Synergic relations were also found between Mg and P or Fe. Generally, combined applications of K and Mg resulted in higher nutrient concentrations in the leaves by ameliorating the antagonistic effect of poor soil K-Ca-Mg ionic balances. The leaf nutrient concentrations were generally higher in the first year (2009) than that of the experiment than in the second year (2010).