Middle Black Sea Research Articles

The Relationships Between Otolith Dimensions-Total Length of Chub (Squalius cephalus, L.1758) Sampled from Some Inland Waters of the Middle Black Sea Region

In this study, the relationships between otolith dimensions and total length of chub (Squalius cephalus, L.1758) sampled from a few inland waters of Black Sea was researched. Chub samples were obtained from the four different localities (Abdal, Akçay, Terme and Yedikır). Power models were applied to estimate the relationships between the otolith measurements and total length (TL). Paired t-test, independent t test and ANOVA were done to test the data statistically. The average total length of individuals sampled from Abdal, Akçay and Terme Streams, Yedikır Dam Lake varies between 11.49 ± 0.79 cm, 10.31 ± 0.52 cm, 10.33 ± 0.29 cm and 11.11 ± 0.33 cm, respectively. When all the data were evaluated according to localities, it was found that there was no difference in terms of otolith breadth (OB) and otolith length (OL) for asteriscus and lapillus otoliths. There were differences in terms of otolith weight of lapillus in localities. There were no differences of asteriscus otolith weight of chub between localities. The relationships between TL and OB, OL and OW were determined using the power regression equation and best fit was obtained between TL and OW for Terme (r2 =0.936) and Yedikır (r2 =0.912), OL for Akçay and Abdal Streams (r2=0.973).

Assessment of landslide-triggering factors and occurrence using morphometric parameters in Geyraz Basin, Tokat, Northern Turkey

The Geyraz Stream is one of the tributaries of the Yesilirmak River, located within the southern of Middle Black Sea section, and enters the main river at Tokat city centre. Geyraz is a basin that has experienced numerous landslide events. In this study, morphometric parameters of areas prone to landslide occurrence were investigated and computed in GIS. These parameters included the Dissection Index, hypsometric integral, drainage density, Stream Power Index, and Compound Topographic Index, first and second orders. In addition, rocks, slopes and frequencies of first- and second-order streams in subbasins were considered and their correlations were examined. The moderate (15–20%) and high slope (20–25%) values with primarily clayey rocks (schist and flysch) correspond to high Di and Hi values, a maximum number of first- and second-order streams, and high landslide occurrence, while very steep slopes lead to low Di values and a low density of landslides. Results show that former landslides occurred in areas with Di values of 0.1–0.15, moderately steep and steep slopes, a maximum number of first- and second-order streams, high stream frequency on clayey rocks (schist and flysch), CTI values of 60–100, and SPI values of 75–85. In other words, landslide events are triggered by higher drainage frequency on primarily clayey rocks, intense fluvial incision and medium–high steep slopes. The location of agricultural land in the landslide area, reflecting lack of vegetation cover, is another landslide-triggering factor. Thus, the study area was ranked in six different classes and risk was rated as very low, low, medium, medium to high, high and very high. Determination of areas prone to landslide occurrence and their triggering factors is important for regional planning with respect to basin management and hazard prevention.

The relation between heat flow obtained by curie depth point (CDP) and the faults and gas leaks in the black sea

CDP values were measured. They range from 22km to 38km. The deepest CDP values are observed in the Black Sea basins where the sediment thickness is high, while the shallowest values are observed in the middle Black Sea ridge, and in the thin sedimentary regions of the coast. The Central Black Sea ridge generally ranges from 22 to 28 km. From the CDP values, the heat gradient and corresponding heat flow values were also obtained. Heat flow values of the Black Sea basin range from 22 to 41mW/m2. When the relationship between the deep faults and gas leaks with the heat flow is examined, it is observed that the possible deep fault zones and gas migration places correspond to a higher heat flow value than the average heat flow.

Determination of alkaloids and oil rates of some poppy (papaver somniferum L.) varieties cultivated as winter and summer

The aim of this study is to determine the alkaloid and oil rates contents of some poppy ( Papaver somniferum L.) varieties, such as morphine, codeine, oripavine, thebaine, noscapine and papaverine, which are planted as winter and summer. Five varieties of poppy (Zaferyolu, TMO 2, Ofis NP, Ofis 4, Anayurt) registered in different organizations were used in the research. The study was carried out in the trial field belonging to Tokat Middle Black Sea Crossing Belt Agricultural Research Institute Directorate in 2015 and 2016. Alkaloid analyzes were carried out on an HPLC device in the Bolvadin Alkaloid Plant Laboratory. The study was carried out in three replications according to randomized block trial design. As a result; Varieties of poppy the cultivated as summer, mean morphine value 0.61-1.19 %, the codeine 0.07-0.25 %, the oripavine 0.01-0.02 %, thebaine 0.02-0,11 %, noscapine, 0,04-0,49 %, papaverine , 0,03-0,18 and oil ratio values varied between 41,6-48,8 %. Varieties of poppy the cultivated as winter; mean morphine value 0.29-0.56 %, the codeine 0.04-0.09 %, the oripavine 0.0002-0.007 %, thebaine 0.01-0.06 %, noscapine, 0.009-0.93 %, papaverine , 0.00-0.06 %, and oil ratio values varied between 45.3-54.3 %. Poppy varieties cultivated as summer, according to winter sown alkaloid ratios are higher and oil ratios are lower.

The effects of sex and season on the metal levels and proximate composition of red mullet (Mullus barbatus Linnaeus 1758) caught from the Middle Black Sea

ABSTRACTThe effects of seasonal and sexual differences on the levels of macro, trace element, and toxic metal levels in Mullus barbatus were investigated using the ICP-MS. The quantity relationships of macro elements were found as K>P>Na>Ca>Mg for male, P>K>Na>Ca>Mg in female; the quantity relationships of trace elements were determined as Fe>Zn>Mn>Mo>Se>Cu>Ni>Co in male, Fe>Zn>Mn>Se>Cu>Ni>Mo>Co in female; and the quantity relationship of toxic elements were found as As>Pb>Cd in both male and female. Macro, trace, and toxic metal levels showed no significant differences (p > .05) in terms of sexuality, but demonstrated seasonal differences (p > .05). Overall, the highest level of macro elements was determined in the autumn, while the high level of trace elements was measured in the winter. The As, Cd, and Pb levels in the muscle tissue of red mullet fish were higher than acceptable limits. However, when the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Estimated Weekly Intake (EWI) of both toxic metals are considered, they appear to be below acceptable limits. As a result, it was determined that the red mullet had been contaminated with toxic metals (Cd and Pb) but their levels according to EDI and EWI were below the limit.

Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus Strains in Under Five Children.

To determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of rotaviruses in children presenting to authors' hospital in Middle Black Sea region of Turkey. The results may supply important information about vaccine studies in Turkey. Rotavirus antigen was detected by latex agglutination test and rotavirus RNA was detected by RT-PCR test. On the other hand, rotavirus positive samples were genotyped by semi-nested multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The highest rate of rotavirus positivity (46.9%) was observed among children in the 13 to 24 mo age group. All the positive-strains were in G1-4, G8-9, P [4], P [8], and P [9] genotypes. The most common G and P combination in present study was G9P[8] (n=24, 28.9%). The present results indicated that the most prevalent genotypes were G1, G9, P8, G9P[8] and G1P[8] in authors' region. Rotavirus vaccines used in this region must include mainly these genotypes.

Interpolated mapping and investigation of environmental radioactivity levels in soils and mushrooms in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

ABSTRACTThe activity concentration of natural (238U, 232Th, and 40K) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides was determined in 50 samples (obtained from the same station) from various species of mushrooms and soil collected from the Middle Black Sea Region (Turkey). The activities of 238U, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs were found as 84 ± 16, 45 ± 14, 570 ± 28, and 64 ± 6 Bq kg–1 (dry weight), respectively, in the mushroom samples and as 51 ± 6, 41 ± 6, 201 ± 11, and 44 ± 4 Bq kg–1, respectively, in the soil samples for the entire area of study. The results of all radionuclide activity measurements, except those of 238U and 232Th in the mushroom samples, are consistent with previous studies. In the soil samples, the mean values of 238U and 232Th are above the world mean, and the activity mean of 40K is below the world mean. Finally, the activity estimation was made with both the soil and mushroom samples for unmeasured points within the study area by using the ordinary kriging method. Radiological distribution maps were generated.

The length-weight and length-length relationships of bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix (Linnaeus, 1766) from Samsun, middle Black Sea region

In this study, length-weight relationship (LWR) and length-length relationship (LLR) of bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix were determined. A total of 125 specimens were sampled from Samsun, the middle Black Sea in 2014 fishing season. Bluefish specimens were monthly collected from commercial fishing boats from October to December 2014. All captured individuals (N=125) were measured to the nearest 0.1 cm for total, fork and standard lengths. The weight of each fish (W) was recorded to the nearest 0.01 g. According to results of analyses, there were no statistically significant differences between sexes in term of length and weight (P˃0.05). The minimum and maximum total, fork and standard lengths of bluefish ranged between 13.5-23.6 cm, 12.50-21.80 cm and 10.60-20.10 cm, respectively. The equation of length-weight relationship were calculated as W=0.008TL3.12 (r2>0.962). Positive allometric growth was observed for bluefish (b>3). Lengthlength relationship was also highly significant (P<0.001) with coefficient of determination (r2 ) ranging from 0.916 to 0.988.

Prevalence of Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Middle Black Sea Population

Prevalence of Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Middle Black Sea Population

Determination of Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Cd after Heat Treatment in some vegetables and Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown in the Middle Black Sea Region

Background: In this study, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and Cd were determined after heat treatment of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), leek (Allium porrum L.), green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.),

Prevalence of Impacted Wisdom Teeth in Middle Black Sea Population

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional randomized study was to investigate the prevalence and angulation of third molar impaction in patients between 19‒26 years old who were living in the Middle Black Sea region of Turkey. Patients and Methods: Total 1006 patients between 19 and 26 years of age who were referred to the Ordu University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery between 2010 and 2015 were included in the study. Of these 1,006 patients, 410 were male and 596 were female. The prevalence and positions of the impacted third molar teeth from the 4th quadrant on the panoramic radiographs were documented according to the classifications of Pell and Gregory as well as that of Winter. In the Pell and Gregory classification, the teeth in class C were evaluated as impacted teeth. Results: There was a total of 1,518 impacted molars. Of the included patients, 48.3% had impacted third molars. The most common angulation of impacted third molars was the vertical position in both mandible (28.4%) and maxilla (28.8%). The prevalence of impacted mandibular third molars (57.3%) was significantly higher than that of the impacted maxillary third molars (42.7%) (P<0.05). The prevalence and angulation of impacted third molars between genders was not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: The pattern of third molar impaction in the Middle Black Sea region was characterized by a high prevalence of level C impaction with a vertical position that was greater in the mandibles and had no sex predilection.

Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey and Demographic Characteristics of Patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, is increasing in prevalence worldwide. Other than small-scale studies, there is a scarcity of data on the prevalence of MS in Turkey. The present study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of MS in the Middle Black Sea Region and the demographic characteristics of patients. Patients living in the Middle Black Sea Region and who were diagnosed with MS were included. The study was designed based hospital of Turkey. A total of 1,787 patients were interviewed, and a diagnosis of MS was confirmed in 1,584. The prevalence of MS was found to be 43.2/100,000 in the Middle Black Sea Region; this was calculated based on the total population and number of patients in the provinces and districts in this region. The mean age at the disease onset was 29.39±7.6 years. Among the patients, 1,299 (81.9%) had relapsing-remitting MS, 74 had secondary progressive MS, 77 had relapsing-progressive MS, 47 had primary progressive MS, and 87 had clinically isolated syndrome. The Middle Black Sea Region was found to have a high risk for the prevalence of MS. This study is the most comprehensive epidemiologic study having the largest geographical distribution on the prevalence of MS in Turkey.

Determination of the nutritional and seed properties of some wild edible plants consumed as vegetable in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the some nutritional and seed properties of three wild edible plants, namely, Malva neglecta (common mallow), Polygonum cognatum (knotweed) and Trachystemon orientalis (Abraham-Isaac-Jacob), consumed as vegetable in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey. In this study, the plants were collected from five different localities in four different provinces (Amasya, Ordu, Samsun and Tokat) of the region. As a result, the nutritional and seed properties of wild edible plants varied considerably depending on the species and locality. Nutritional analysis showed that the wild edible plants contained important levels of protein (15.71 to 19.96%), potassium (1219.19–1867.47mg/100g), phosphorus (56.89–195.86mg/100g), calcium (282.96–688.32mg/100g) and magnesium (112.54–165.79mg/100g). The length, width, thickness, geometric mean diameter, sphericity, surface area, volume, 1000 seed weight and bulk density of wild edible plant seeds varied from 1.71 to 3.11mm, 1.37 to 1.83mm, 1.00 to 1.61mm, 1.41 to 2.06mm, 0.60 to 0.85, 6.27 to 13.29mm2, 1.20 to 3.17mm3, 1.40 to 3.41g and 532.3 to 680.9kg/m3, respectively. The germination rate and mean germination time of seeds changed from 36.33 to 64.67% and 7.00 to 12.67day, respectively. The results clearly revealed that these wild plants had important nutritional properties. Thus, these wild plant species could serve as good and cheap food sources in human diet. Additionally, the findings of this study may provide useful information on nutritional composition and seed properties of these wild plants for researchers.

Historical Geography of Middle Black Sea (Amisos)

Historical Geography of Middle Black Sea (Amisos)

Improving Reading Comprehension Skills with Children’s Books through Metacognitive Strategy: The Turkish Context

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of metacognitive strategy in improving reading comprehension skills through children’s literature of literary quality. A quasi-experimental study was carried out in a private secondary school in a city located Middle Black Sea region of Turkey. Two classes were randomly chosen as the study group, and since the academic achievement scores of the students in these two classes were similar, one class was assigned as the experimental group and the other as the control group. There were 35 students in experimental group whereas while the control group consisted of 30. The results of the study were analyzed using independent t-test samples to determine if there was a significant difference in reading comprehension skills during the pre-test and the post-test between the experimental and the control group. Moreover, One Way Ancova analysis was used to determine the effect of metacognitive strategy on improving reading comprehension skills in books of literary quality. According to the results of t-test analysis, there was a significant difference of between the experimental and the control group in reading comprehension skills. As a result of One Way Ancova analysis, a significant difference was found between the pre-test and the post-test in the experimental group. Thus, when students used metacognitive strategy in books of literary quality, they obviously advanced in terms of their reading comprehension. This fact suggests that using metacognitive strategy in books of literary quality helped students in the experimental group improve both their reading skills and reading comprehension skills, when compared to the control group, in which an attempt was made to improve reading and comprehension skills in the conventional way.

National level landslide susceptibility assessment of Turkey utilizing public domain dataset

Landslide studies have been integrated into geographic information systems with the help of technological developments using several methods like inventory, heuristic, statistic and deterministic methods in the recent years. However, since a nationwide landslide susceptibility zoning map has not been produced for the entire territory of Turkey, this study aims to produce a landslide susceptibility map of Turkey at a national scale by utilizing publicly available datasets. In order to develop a landslide susceptibility map of Turkey at the scale of 1:2,000,000, an index-based calculation, which considers six factors (slope, lithology, local relief, rainfall, land use, seismicity) that covers the entire territory of Turkey and controls the occurrence of landslides, was applied in a 500 × 500 m pixel resolution. Each layer (factor) having various effects on landslide susceptibility has been merged into the model with assigned weights. Four different weight groups were assigned to the layer sets through expert judgement in order to capture the layer variability for landslide susceptibility in Turkey. The performances of four different weight groups were compared and evaluated by using a receiver operator characteristics curve for minimizing the uncertainty of expert judgement procedure. It was observed that the W3 group was superior to the other weight groups in prediction skills. The susceptibility map of W3 has been classified into five groups: no, low, moderate, high and very high susceptibility. The no susceptibility class represents 4.2 % of the Turkish territory (plains and low hills), low susceptibility class 36.4 %, medium susceptibility 8.3 %, high susceptibility 47.5 % and very high susceptibility class 3.6 %, mostly in the western and middle Black Sea regions, respectively.

Spatial variability of soil penetration resistance in an alluvial delta plain under different land uses in middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to analyse the soil compaction and its spatial variability on an alluvial plain in Kızılırmak River Delta in Turkey, which is an important agricultural area where vegetable, rice, cereals and other crops have been grown under conventional tillage and irrigation over a long period. Penetration resistance (PR) was measured at 5 cm depth intervals between 0 and 40 cm soil depth, and gravimetric water content (GWC), field capacity (FC) and texture were determined for 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm. Penetration resistance values in some parts of the area were higher than the critical value for root growth limitation, the mean PR values at all depths were considerably lower than the critical value despite a relative increase in PR with soil depth. The areas with values greater than 3.0 MPa, except for 0–5 cm, were generally located in the fields with high sand content, especially near the Kızılırmak River. In contrast, for 0–5 cm, the areas with PR greater than 3.0 MPa, which is the value accepted for root growth limitation, were usually located in the west and northwest of the study area and had a high clay content.

Evidence of Leishmania spp. antibodies and DNA in dogs in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

Dunya Saglik Orgutu 98 ulkede, yaklasik 350 milyon kisinin hastaliga yakalanma riski tasidigi leishmaniasisi en onemli zoonozlardan birisi olarak gormektedir. Leishmaniasis ayni zamanda Turkiye’de de ciddi bir halk sagligi problemidir. Hastaligin kontrol politikalarini olusturabilmek icin kopek leishmaniasisin yayginliginin bilinmesi buyuk onem tasimaktadir. Bu calisma ile Orta Karadeniz Bolgesi’nde kopeklerde Leishmania enfeksiyonu ilk kez bildirildi. Enfeksiyonun tanisi icin 240 kopekten alinan ornekler parazitolojik (lenf aspirati), serolojik (ELISA) ve molekuler (kDNA-PCR) yontemler kullanilarak incelendi. Ayni bolgelerden CDC (Centers for Disease Control) minyatur isik tuzaklari kullanilarak kum sinekleri yakalandi ve kDNA-PCR ile Leishmania varligi yonunden incelendi. Incelenen 240 kan orneginin sadece birinde (% 0.41) Leishmania cinsine karsi antikor ve Leishmania kDNA’si tespit edildi. Ayni kopegin lenf aspiratinda Leishmania spp. amastigotlarina rastlandi. Bununla birlikte Phlebotomus spp. ornek havuzunda Leishmania kDNA’si saptanmadi. Sonuclar goz onune alindiginda kopek leishmaniasisin halk sagligina etkileri olabilecegi ve bu bolgede tarama calismalarina devam edilmesine ihtiyac oldugu dusunulmustur

Identification of root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) fromgreenhouses in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey

Root-knot nematodes are among the main important pests causing serious yield losses in greenhouses worldwide, including Turkey. Accurate identification of these pests is essential for determining appropriate control strategies. Identification of Meloidogyne species based on perineal pattern morphology alone is not viable or reliable due to overlaps and high variability among the species. Therefore, our objective was to overcome the difficulties in identifying 90 populations of root-knot nematodes collected from different greenhouses in the Middle Black Sea Region (Samsun, Tokat, Amasya, Çorum, Ordu, and Sinop provinces), using not only morphological (perineal pattern morphology) but also biochemical (esterase phenotype) and molecular (PCR with species-specific primers) techniques. The results indicated that M. arenaria, M. ethiopica, M. javanica, and M. incognita were identified at 42.2%, 41.1%, 12.2%, and 4.4% of the total populations, respectively. Meloidogyne ethiopica was detected for the first time in Turkey on eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) and nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.), and was only found in greenhouses in the coastal provinces (Samsun, Sinop, Ordu) of the Middle Black Sea Region. Our study confirmed that the E3 esterase phenotype is a useful character for distinguishing M. ethiopica from other Meloidogyne species.

Pegylated Interferon/Ribavirin dual therapy in patients with chronic Hepatitis C: results of 323 cases

Objective: The combination of pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin has become a mainstay in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment in patients with CHC, while considering new approaches. Methods: A total of 323 patients with CHC underwent PEG-IFN and ribavirin combination treatment from the 3 centers (2 in Ordu and 1 in Samsun provinces) in Middle Black Sea region between the years of 2003-2013. Results: Of the patients, 208 (67%) were female and had a mean age 54 ± 10 years (median: 54; 19-70). Genotyping was performed in 163 patients, and 161 patients (98.8%) revealed genotype 1. Sustained virologic response (SVR) and the end of treatment response rates ere 58.3% and 75.6%, respectively. In patients with rapid virological response, the SVR rate was 85.1%, whereas in patients with a HCV RNA level less than 800,000 IU/ml, the SVR rate was 71.2%. The SVR rates were found to be higher in patients who developed hypothyroidism, which was statistically significant (p = 0.03). The most frequent side effect was anemia, followed by thrombocytopenia, fatigue, and loss of appetite. Conclusion: Presently, PEG-IFN/ribavirin is still an option in the treatment of certain patient populations even after the consideration of newer treatment methods. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2015;5(4): 151-155 Key words: Pegylated interferon, ribavirin, therapy, hepatitis C