Elazig Region Research Articles

Characterization of iron nugget produced from iron ore concentrate in a microwave oven using a biomass-based reductant

This study is concerned with the characterization of iron nuggets obtained from the reduction of an iron oxide concentrate in a microwave oven using a biomass-based reducing agent. In the experiments, the concentrate of iron ore consisting of hematite and magnetite minerals supplied from Elazig region and containing 67.29% Fe after enrichment, and as a reducing agent, tea plant wastes containing 94.68% C and 0.03% S after carbonization was used. Carbon required for the reduction of iron oxides to iron was stoichiometrically added to the concentrate with a grain size of -45 µm after its basicity ratio was adjusted. The composite pellets produced after the addition of reducing agent and flux (CaO) were subjected to reduction in a household microwave oven at different times. After the process, optimum (Fe3O4+Fe2O3)/C=1/4, basicity ratio (CaO+MgO)/(SiO2+Al2O3) =1.2 results were obtained. It was seen that the metallic part contained 96.6% Fe, 2.4% C after being separated from the slag and that the metallic phase was separated from the slag very easily. As a result of the microstructure investigations, it was found that the product obtained had similar properties to white cast iron properties.

Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women, What is the Role of Antenatal Care in Prevention? A Cross-sectional Study.

To determine the prevalence of anemia with the associated factors in pregnant women and the effect of family medicine practice and antenatal care services provided by family physicians on the prevention of anemia during pregnancy. Community-based cross-sectional study. Family Health Centres in the Elazig region, Turkey from January to June 2019. A total of 495 pregnant women, attending the family health centres, were included. Women were administered a questionnaire related with the anemia and related factors; and hemoglobin values were drawn. Hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dl was classified as anaemic. Sociodemographic, individual dietary diversity and obstetric characteristics of the participants were obtained from structured questionnaire form. Binary logistic regression model was employed to determine the effect of explanatory variables on dependent variable anemia. Results: The prevalence of anemia during pregnancy was 27.9% (Hb<11.0 gr/dl). Prevalence of anemia was found lower in participants with higher education levels (p=0.005) and having nutrition education (p=0.004). Income status (OR=0.017 [95%Cl:0.002-0.15, p<0.001]), dark tea preference (OR=87.127 [95%Cl:17.68-429.36, p<0.001]), and iron supplementation time (OR=0.945 [95%Cl: 0.91-0.98, p=0.002]) were determined as the independent predictors of anemia in pregnancy. Low income, insufficient iron supplementation treatment and dark tea preference were the main predictors of anemia. Most of the factors that cause anemia during pregnancy can be prevented with patient education and supportive treatments. Therefore, the authors recommend applying effective and quality prenatal care and patient education programs to reduce anemia during pregnancy. Key Words: Pregnant women, Anemia, Prenatal care, Family practice, Turkey.

Comparison of Fatty Acid Composition of Red Grape Seeds (Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Öküzgözü and Boğazkere)

This study was planned to determine the quality criteria of the core oils of Öküzgözü and Boğazkere grape varieties grown in the Elazig region, and to compare them in terms of oil amount and fatty acid levels. Grape seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and phenolic content. Therefore, the iruse is increasing, especially in obtaining cook in goil. This study was carried out on Öküzgözü and Boğazkere, two black grapes grown locally. These two grape varieties are generally used as wine grapes. The interest in the evaluation of grape beans, which are by-products of wine production, has been increasing recently. Amounts of defined fatty acids vary according to grape varieties. In the differences between the groups, p&amp;lt;0.05, p&amp;lt;0.01 and p&amp;lt;0.001 values were used. As a result of our analysis; When the amounts of myristic acid (0.36±0.02), Palmitic acid (20.45±0.67) and Palmitoleic acid (5.80±0.10) are compared, the seeds of Boğazkere grapes have higher rates than the seeds of Öküzgözü grapes has been identified. Stearic acid (1.15±0.03), Oleicacid (19.40±0.4), Linoleicacid (54.75±0.69), Alpha-Linoleic (0.07±0.02) and Gamma When the amount of linoleic acid (0.24±0.01) was compared, it was found at higher rates in the seeds of Öküzgözü grapes than those of Boğazkere grapes.

EFFECTS OF BASALT AGGREGATES ON CONCRETE PROPERTIES

Concrete is one of the most important building materials of engineering structures and especially construction applications. Since compressive strength is the most effective parameter for determining the strength of concrete, it is one of the most important mechanical properties to be determined in concrete. Aggregate grain strength, aggregate granulometry, cement strength, water/cement ratio, and concrete fill rate are the most important factors affecting the compressive strength of concrete. The quality of concrete is directly related to the aggregate that is volumetrically found most in the concrete. It is suggested that high strength, hard, easy to obtain and easy to access basalt aggregates are preferred to obtain high-performance concrete. The present study aims to investigate the fresh and hardened concrete properties of the concrete produced by the basalt aggregates extracted in the Elazig region. For this purpose, concrete mixtures containing cement dosages of 300, 350 and 400 kg/m 3 and containing different sizes of basalt aggregates were prepared. The concrete compressive strengths were tested for cubic samples of 150x150x150mm and 100x100x100mm, while the tensile splitting strengths were tested for cubic samples of 150x150x150mm. As a result of the tests performed, as the cement dosage increased, the slump values of the concrete mixtures and the strength of the concrete increased. The micro-structural structure of existing aggregates was investigated, and strong molecular bonds were observed with SEM analysis conducted within the scope of this study. In addition, a comparison was made with reference to the concrete samples prepared with different types of aggregates used in previous studies. It was seen that the compressive strength of the concrete containing the basalt aggregate was generally higher. In this experimental study, it was concluded that the concretes produced with basalt aggregates might have better mechanical properties and be environmentally friendly and economical.

ELAZIĞ`DA ÜNİVERSİTE VE LİSEDE ÖĞRENİM GÖREN BİLGİSAYAR BÖLÜMÜ ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN ADLİ BİLİŞİM SUÇLARINA YAKLAŞIMLARI

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare student opinions on computer crimes who are currently attending at Vocational High Schools or at the university in Elazig region. Research was conducted on 300 students who serviced education the Central Industrial Vocational High School, 100th Anniversary of Industrial Vocational High School, Gazi Technical and Industrial Vocational High School and the Faculty of Technical Education and Technology of Firat University. Questionnaires administered face to face by pollsters. The questionnaires consist of 17 items. Statistical packet program was used to conduct analysis of quantitative data obtained from the study. Frequency, percentage and chi-square values were obtained.According to the findings, the percentage of high school-level students` knowledge about computer crimes is 45.3%, while this number increases to 59.3% in the university level. 74% of the high school student participants claim the lack of laws for cyber crimes, while this number is 84% in university level. As a result, level of awareness about the crimes computer forensics of university students who studying in the field, is higher than that of high school students studying in the same field have been revealed.

THE APPROACHES OF STUDENTS WHO SERVICED EDUCATION AT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE LEVELS IN ELAZIG IN THE FIELD OF COMPUTER SCIENCE, TO CYBER CRIMES

The purpose of this study is to determine and compare student opinions on computer crimes who are currently attending at Vocational High Schools or at the university in Elazig region. Research was conducted on 300 students who serviced education the Central Industrial Vocational High School, 100th Anniversary of Industrial Vocational High School, Gazi Technical and Industrial Vocational High School and the Faculty of Technical Education and Technology of Firat University. Questionnaires administered face to face by pollsters. The questionnaires consist of 17 items. Statistical packet program was used to conduct analysis of quantitative data obtained from the study. Frequency, percentage and chi-square values were obtained.According to the findings, the percentage of high school-level students` knowledge about computer crimes is 45.3%, while this number increases to 59.3% in the university level. 74% of the high school student participants claim the lack of laws for cyber crimes, while this number is 84% in university level. As a result, level of awareness about the crimes computer forensics of university students who studying in the field, is higher than that of high school students studying in the same field have been revealed.

Effects of Elazig region waste brick and limestone powder on engineering properties of self-compacting mortar

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of using mineral additives on Self compacting Mortar's (SCM) strength and viscosity properties. As Self-compacting concrete (SCC) contains less coarse aggregate than conventional concrete, mortar forms the basis of the design of SCC. Therefore, this study was found to be appropriate to use mortar. In addition, the properties of SCC such as required strength, durability and workability makes a good production of concrete inevitable. While Providing this properties, it has been presented in many studies that mineral additive (silica fume, fly ash, limestone powder, blast furnace slag etc.) and certain amount of powder material requirement is essential especially in terms of workability and consistency of SCC. Furthermore, it was aimed to prevent environmental health threats by wastes released disorderly and to add new powder material to be used in SCC and finally to reduce the cost of both transport and cement by using limestone and waste brick powder. For this purpose, 23 types of mortars, in which cement was partially replaced of limestone and waste brick powder, were produced. The mini slump flow and V-funnel tests were used to assess the workability and the self compactivity properties of the fresh mortars, and the viscosity of mortars were also measured. The hardened properties of SCM specimens including the compressive strength and tensile strength in bending were investigated and all tests were performed for 3, 7, 28 and 91 days. Moreover, capillary water absorption test were performed and, total water absorption and porosity rates of all specimens were measured.

Prevalence of parainfluenza type 3 virus antigens in pneumonic caprine lungs by direct immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase techniques

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Parainfluenza type 3 (PI-3) virus antigens using direct fluorescent antibody technique (DFAT) and immunoperoxidase (IP) staining of frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues in pneumonic lungs of goats. An abattoir survey for prevalence of pneumonia in goats was carried out between January and June 2011 in Elazig region. A total of 889 goat lungs were grossly examined, and pneumonic apical and cardiac lobes were detected in only 152 lungs (17.10%). The severity of lesions in apical and cardiac lobes was scored according to the extent of consolidation. The tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. IP and DFAT methods were only performed in tissues with 106 interstitial or fibrinous chronic bronchopneumonia. In conclusion, PI-3 viral antigens were identified at the rate of 44.40% by DFAT and 28.30% by IP in cases of natural chronic bronchopneumonia in goats in Elazig region, and the virus was suggested as one of the important etiological agents in chronic bronchopneumonia in goats.

Assessment of natural radioactivity in Elazığ region, eastern Turkey

In this study, the background radiation level of Elazig region was determined. Indoor radon measurements were made with CR-39 track detectors and a total of 208 houses were screened. Average radon concentration was 98 Bq/m3 and effective dose value was 2.48 mSv/year. Gamma radiation in air was measured with a plastic scintillator at 214 points. Average indoor and outdoor absorbed dose values were 105.8 and 85.4 nGy/h, respectively. Radioactivity levels of water and soil samples were calculated with gross alpha and gross beta methods. Average gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity concentrations were calculated, respectively, as 0.091 and 0.037 Bq/L for drinking waters and as 289.7 and 143.2 Bq/kg for surface soil.

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Elazig, Eastern Turkey

Background To investigate the prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in the urban and rural areas of the Elazig Region of Turkey. Methods A questionnaire was conducted and spirometric measurements were made, based on the BOLD protocol. A total of 1270 individuals, over 18 years of age, were included in the study, comprising 610 individuals from the city center and 660 from the rural area. The questionnaire included demographics, symptoms and possible risk factors. The description and staging of COPD were in accordance with GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease). Results Of the 1270 cases, 1206 (94.9%) were able to complete the questionnaire and undergo spirometric analysis. Of these 1206 cases, 1188 (98.5%) were used in the final assessment; the remainder were excluded due to errors in the spirometric analysis. Of the cases included in the study, 43.2% (25.9% female; 56.7% male) were current smokers. The prevalence of COPD at ≥ 18 years old was 4.5% (female 2.5%; male 6%); the prevalence at ≥ 45 years old was 11.5% (female 5.9%; male 15.1%). The majority of the COPD cases were at stages I and II (22.6% and 66%, respectively). The prevalence of COPD was higher among current and former smokers (5.8%) than non-smokers (2.8%). In general, the risk factors for COPD were found to be age, male gender, smoking, living in a rural area, and low income. Conclusions The prevalence of COPD in Elazig, Turkey was highest among the elderly and smokers, and constituted primarily stages I and II of the disease.

8 March 2010 Elazig-Kovancilar (Turkey) Earthquake: Observations on Ground Motions and Building Damage

An earthquake of MW = 6.1 occurred in the Elazig region of eastern Turkey on 8 March 2010 at 02:32:34 UTC. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicenter of the earthquake as 38.873°N-39.981°E with a focal depth of 12 km. Forty-two people lost their lives and 137 were injured during the event. The earthquake was reported to be on the left-lateral strike-slip east Anatolian fault (EAF), which is one of the two major active fault systems in Turkey. Teams from the Earthquake Engineering Research Center of the Middle East Technical University (EERC-METU) visited the earthquake area in the aftermath of the mainshock. Their reconnaissance observations were combined with interpretations of recorded ground motions for completeness. This article summarizes observations on building and ground damage in the area and provides a discussion of the recorded motions. No significant observations in terms of geotechnical engineering were made. The major tectonic structure in Turkey is the north Anatolian fault zone (NAFZ), with right-lateral faulting extending from Istanbul in the west to Karliova in the east. During the twentieth century this fault zone has produced several large earthquakes ( MS > 7) with surface rupturing with a westward migrating sequence as demonstrated in Figure 1 (Barka 1996; Utkucu et al. 2003). Around the Karliova region, NAFZ joins the southwest-trending east Anatolian fault zone (EAFZ). The EAFZ is predominantly left-lateral strike-slip in nature, but its faulting is less continuous and less localized than that of the NAFZ (Ambraseys 2009). The EAFZ has nucleated relatively small magnitude earthquakes in the twentieth century (Figure 1). Recent GPS data indicates that the slip rate in the EAFZ has an upper bound of 8±1 mm/year (Ambraseys 2009). The epicenter (by USGS) of the 8 March 2010 Elazig-Kovancilar earthquake is in the segmented fault region …

Prevalence of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in chronic hepatitis B patients in eastern Turkey: still a serious problem to consider

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a serious cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Coexistent infection with HDV tends to aggravate the course of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated liver disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HDV infection among patients chronically infected with HBV in the Elazig region, which is in eastern Turkey. A group of 282 patients infected with chronic HBV were investigated for the study. Anti-HDV seropositivity was evaluated in all patients. The anti-HDV-positive patients were further tested for HDV RNA. Severity of liver disease was assessed by liver biopsy. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between independent variables and HDV positivity. Of 282 chronic HBV patients, 192 were men (68.1%) and 90 were women (31.9%). The mean age was 43.8 ± 12.7 (between 18 and 73 years). Anti-HDV was positive in 45.5% of the patients (128/282). Among the 128 anti-HDV-positive patients, 116 were checked for HDV RNA and 56.9% were found positive (66/116). Chronic HDV infection rate was therefore present in at least 23.4% of the whole study group (66/282). There were 83 patients with cirrhosis (29.4%) in the study group. Anti-HDV seroprevalence and HDV RNA presence were higher in those with cirrhosis (61.4% and 42.2%, respectively). No significant relationship was found between anti-HDV seropositivity and demographic factors such as age, sex and operation or transfusion history except family history. HDV-RNA-positive patients had significantly higher ALT and lower albumin levels when compared to HDV-RNA-negative patients. HDV-RNA-positive patients also had a significantly higher fibrosis stage. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that HDV infection is endemic and still a serious problem in the Elazig region of eastern Turkey. HDV infection is significantly related to the family exposure and increases the risk of severe liver fibrosis in this region.

Regional Differences In The Amino Acid Sequence Of Fasciola Hepatica Cathepsin L2 From Turkey Isolate

Objective: This study describes cloning and sequence analysis of the gene coding for the cathepsin L2 gene from a F. hepatica isolate from Turkey. Methods: The adult form of F. hepatica was collected from the infected cattle liver and cDNA was obtained following total RNA isolation. After amplification of the gene by PCR, ligation and transformation was performed. Finally, DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed. Results: The gene consists of an open reading frame of 981 nucleotides corresponding for 327 amino acids. There are five amino acid positions where Firat F. hepatica cathepsin L2 differs from the F. hepatica cathepsin L2 Dublin strain. This sequence was the first cathepsin L2 gene from a Turkey isolate and the second cathepsin L2 sequence entered into the database. A comparative amino acid sequence analysis indicated that there is about 99% homology with the F. hepatica cathepsin L2 reported in the literature, 98% homology with the F. hepatica cathepsin L-like protease, and 85% homology with the F. hepatica cathepsin L1 isolated in the Elazig region at the nucleotide level. Conclusion: The amino acid differences between sequences could be evaluated for further immunization and diagnosis studies.

Interleukin-10 gene promoter polymorphism in patients with schizophrenia in a region of East Turkey

Schizophrenia is one of the most severe psychiatric disorders, with a worldwide incidence of 1%. Immunological abnormalities have been found to be associated with schizophrenia for decades. Cytokines are key proteins involved in the immune system activation. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), an important immunoregulatory cytokine, is located on chromosome 1q31–32, a region previously reported to be linked to schizophrenia in genetic studies. In the present study it was aimed to examine the IL-10 gene promoter region's polymorphic variants in patients with schizophrenia in a population of the Elazig Region of East Anatolia, Turkey. Polymorphisms at position −1082, −819 and−592 in the IL-10 promoter region were determined in 171 Turkish patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia, based on the DSM-IV, and 168 healthy controls, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). We analyzed allele, genotype, and haplotype distributions using a case–control association study. Genotyping was performed by RFLP. Statistically significant differences were observed in both allelic and genotypic frequencies of the−592A/C polymorphism (Allele, P=0.034, OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.02–1.56; Genotype, P=0.048), while the other two polymorphisms in distribution of the alleles and genotypes in patients with schizophrenia were not significantly different from those of controls (P>0.05). Our results show a significant increase of GTA homozygotes (the high IL-10-producing haplotype) in schizophrenic patients compared to control subjects (P=0.0001). These data suggest that the IL-10 gene promoter polymorphism may be one of the susceptibility factors to develop schizophrenia in the Turkish population, and apparently in all humans.

The value of interleukin‐12B (p40) gene promoter polymorphism in patients with schizophrenia in a region of East Turkey

It has been hypothesized that the activation of the immune system may be involved in the neuropathological changes occurring in the central nervous system of schizophrenic patients. Cytokines play a key role in the activation of the immune system. Moreover, they strongly influence the dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. To the best of our knowledge, in schizophrenic patients, plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-12 were investigated only in one study, where deregulation of IL-12 was determined. However, genotypical variations of the IL-12B (p40) gene have not been investigated for schizophrenic patients yet. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to examine polymorphic variants of IL-12B (p40) gene promoter region in patients with schizophrenia in a population of the Elazig Region of East Anatolia, Turkey. One hundred Turkish patients diagnosed with schizophrenia based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), and 116 healthy control subjects participated in the present study. The genotype characteristics were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism method using DNA extracted from peripheral blood. Significant differences in both the genotype and allele frequencies were found between schizophrenia patients and control groups (P < 0.01). These findings may support the hypothesis that activation of the inflammatory response system and in particular, of Th-1 cells, is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We think that this study is the first trial associated with IL-12 cytokine at the molecular genetic level on immune mechanisms for neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, and this perspective and the role of the cytokines in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia may constitute a reasonable target for the present and future treatment strategies and prognosis.

DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF GROUNDED PUMICE ON COMPRESSIVE STRENGHT OF CONCRETE WITH ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS

In this study, the effect of grounded pumice aggregate and silica fume on compressive strength of concrete was modelled with artificial neural networks (ANN). A training set consist of cement, pumice, silica fume and curing age used for ANN. With this aim, pumice of Elazig region was ground up on the cement thinness. This grounded pumice was added the mixture by replacing with cement % 5, % 10, % 15 ve % 20 in weight. In addition these series, the series with %10 silica fume were prepared to observe the effect of silica fume with pumice. The effect of the curing age was investigated by preparing the 3, 7, 28 and 90 days series. A backpropagation neural network is preferred. Data presented to network by being normalized. ANN applications were carried out with ANN toolbox of MATLAB computer program. The outputs of the network and the compressive strength values obtained from experimental studies were compared. As a result it was seen that ANN gives successful results with ratio of 98 %.

Geodynamic significance of granitoid magmatism in the southeast Anatolian orogen: geochemical and geochronogical evidence from Göksun–Afşin (Kahramanmaraş, Turkey) region

In southeast Anatolia, there are number of tectonomagmatic units in the Kahramanmaras–Malatya–Elazig region that are important in understanding the geological evolution of the southeast Anatolian orogenic belt during the Late Cretaceous. These are (a) metamorphic massifs, (b) ophiolites, (c) ophiolite-related metamorphics and (d) granitoids. The granitoids (i.e. Goksun–Afsin in Kahramanmaras, Dogansehir in Malatya and Baskil in Elazig) intrude all the former units in a NE–SW trending direction. The granitoid in Goksun–Afsin (Kahramanmaras) region is mainly composed of granodioritic and granitic in composition. The granodiorite contains a number of amphibole-bearing mafic microgranular enclaves of different sizes, whereas the granite is intruded by numerous aplitic dikes. The granitoid rocks have typical calcalkaline geochemical features. The REE- and Ocean ridge granite-normalized multi-element patterns and tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams, as well as biotite geochemistry suggest that the granitoids were formed in a volcanic arc setting. The K–Ar geochronology of the granitoid rocks yielded ages ranging from 85.76±3.17 to 77.49±1.91 Ma. The field, geochemical and geochronological data suggest the following Late Cretaceous tectonomagmatic scenario for southeast Anatolia. The ophiolites were formed in a suprasubduction zone tectonic setting whereas the ophiolite-related metamorphic rocks formed either during the initiation of intraoceanic subduction or late-thrusting (∼90 Ma). These units were then overthrust by the Malatya–Keban platform during the progressive elimination of the southern Neotethys. Thrusting of the Malatya–Keban platform over the ophiolites and related metamorphic rocks was followed by the intrusion of the granitoids (88–85 Ma) along the Tauride active continental margin in the southern Neotethys.

Investigations on the Prevalence of Enzootic Bovine Leucosis in Cattle of Elazig Province and its Vicinity

Aim of the study was to determine the prevalance of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL) in Elazig region. The cattle used in the study were belonged to public animal husbandry units and to Firat University Research and Application Farm. Most of the Cattle in public units were imported to this region from outside the country. The study was performed between September 1993 and September 1994. A total of 1300 blood samples were collected. Once, twice and three times consecutive blood samples were collected from 147, 86 and 327 animals, respectively. In the sampling periods, the cattle were examined clinically. The cattle which were dubious EBL were examined systematically. In hematological examinations; packed cell volumes (PCV %), total white blood cell counts, lymphocyte rates and its counts were determined. In serological examinations; a commercial enzyme immuunoassay (EIA) kit (CHEKIT-Leucotest, serum) was used. In none of the cattle, lymphosarcoma was seen. During hematological examinations; 3.4% of cattle once, 1.2% of cattle twice and 0.8% of cattle three times were dubious for the presence of EBL. However, 0.4% of cattle were positive for EBL during the same examination. None of these animals were BLV (bovine leucose virus)-seropozitif. Serological examinations indicated that 0.08% of serum samples had anti-BLV antibodies only once. These animals did not show any anti-BLV activity during first two sampling period. The percentage of serum samples with seropositivity in two consecutive samples was 0.15. The rate of serum samples with seropositivity in all three sampling periods was 0.5%. All of the seropositive samples were obtained from the University Farm animals. Of the seropositive samples 1.8%, 2.4% and 7.1% were seropositive during the single, two or three examinations, respectively. Animals which were seropositive during the all three sampling peridos were considered as EBL positive. EBL positivity among all the cattle investigated in the study was 0.5%. However, the EBL seropositivity in the herd was 7.1%. Only one BLV-seropositive cattle had persistent lymphocytosis. Furthermore, BLV-seropositive cattle had a tendency for anemia and lymhocytosis.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis A in the Elazig Region

In this study, the prevalence of Hepatitis A among different age groups was studied. Information obtained from such seroepidemiological studies is needed to determine the optimal age group where a general vaccination would be advisable. For the study, serum samples were taken from 941 people between the ages of 0 and 18 years old living in ElazİÛ city and surrounding villages. In the area, the general prevalance of anti-HAV (antibodies against hepatetis A virus) was 72.5% in people between 0 and 18 years old. At ages 1 and 6, positivity was 12.1% and 72.5%, respectively, whereas the rate was 100 % at age 14 and over. Antibody titers did not differ significantly between males and females (P>0.05). It is our belief that high antibody titers against HAV in our area might be releated to the low socioeconomic and hygeinic conditions. After a more detailed prevalence study, combined vaccination could be useful in lowering the frequency of HAV infection.

Determination of Listeria, Salmonella, E.coli Type 1, and K.pneumoniae in Ice Cream Samples Marketed in Elazig

This study was performed to study for the presence of E.coli type 1, K.pneumoniae. Listeria and Salmonella species in Ice cream samples marketed in Elazig. Of 73 samples examined, 22 (30.13 %) had E.coli type 1. The numbers of samples containing K.pneumoniae, E.coli type 1 + K.pneumoniae, E.coli type 1 + K.pneumoniae + Listeria, E.coli type 1 Listeria were 18 (24.65 %), 30 (41.19 %), 1 (1.36 %), 1 (1.36 %) respectively. Two samples had Listeria species. The result of identification of Listeria species have shown that all (s) isolates in the first sample belonged to L.monocytogenes. In the second sample 3 isolates were L.monocytogenes, one of the remaining isolates belonged to L.innocua and the other was L.grayii. All samples were negative for Salmonella. The result of this study indicates that ice cream samples marketed at Elazig region do not meet microbiological quality standarts required for consumer health.