Northern Part Of Turkey Research Articles

Syntrichia minor (Pottiaceae) and Cephaloziella integerrima (Cephaloziellaceae) new to bryophyte flora of Turkey

Syntrichia minor (Bizot) M.T. Gallego, J. Guerra, M.J. Cano, Ros & S?nchez-Moya (Pottiaceae, Bryophyta - mosses) and Cephaloziella integerrima (Lindb.) Warnst. (Cephaloziellaceae, Marchantiophyta - liverworts) are recorded for the first time from Turkey. In addition, the rare C. integerrima is new to Southwest Asia. These species were collected from the northern part of Turkey, respectively Karab?k (Safranbolu) and Kastamonu (Bozkurt). Site description, synonyms, illustrations, ecology, distribution and diagnostic characters of these species are presented.

Antimicrobial activity and agricultural properties of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.) grown in northern parts of Turkey: a case study for adaptation

This study was designed to determine the adaptation capability of bitter melon (Momordica charantia L.), which is widely grown in tropical and subtropical climates, in northern parts of Turkey. In this study, plant height, number of fruits, fruit length, fruit width, number of seeds and fruit weight of bitter melon grown in field conditions were determined. The antimicrobial effect of the ethanol extract of fruit and seeds against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans microorganisms was tested in vitro by the disc diffusion method. In conclusion, plant height (260 cm), number of fruits (16 per plant), number of seeds (30.2 per fruit), fruit width (3.8 cm), fruit length (10.6 cm) and fruit weight (117.28 g fruit− 1) were determined; fruits were found to have antimicrobial activity against A. niger; oil and seeds were found to have antimicrobial activity against A. niger and E. coli.

Effect of urban geometry on pedestrian-level wind velocity

The orientation of the streets and the height of continuous buildings cut off summer breezes and the prevailing wind in Izmir, Turkey. Compared with the northern parts of Turkey, the summer period in Izmir is relatively hot, humid and long. Due to the dense urban structure and the expansion of hard surface materials, the temperature in the city centre is higher than this centre's surroundings and this effect is called the urban heat island. Consequently, pedestrian comfort in the city drops dramatically especially in locations where the wind flow is obstructed by buildings. In addition, natural ventilation through the building façades is weakened due to the low average wind speed in the streets. For better outdoor and indoor comfort the citizens in Izmir should benefit from the prevailing wind and summer breezes locally named ‘imbat’ in the sea-land direction. Therefore, the existing situation is examined through the field study in order to understand the natural ventilation potential at the pedestrian level in the selected main streets in Izmir.

Mad Honey Poisoning Presenting with Ventricular Tachycardia and Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report

Apart from its role as an important nutrient, honey is used for alternative medicinal purposes. Cases presenting with severe hypotension, bradycardia, atrioventricular block and asystole have been reported following ingestion of honey in northern parts of Turkey, and certain parts of Japan, Brazil and Nepal. Herein, we report a case presenting with ventricular tachycardia and acute inferoposterolateral myocardial infarction after ingestion of mad honey (grayanotoxin). According to our knowledge, such case is being reported for the first time in the literature.

Genetic diversity in wild sweet cherries (Prunus avium) in Turkey revealed by SSR markers

Wild sweet cherry (Prunus avium) trees are abundant in the northern part of Turkey, including the Coruh Valley. We analyzed 18 wild sweet cherry genotypes collected from diverse environments in the upper Coruh Valley in Turkey to determine genetic variation, using 10 SSR primers. These SSR primers generated 46 alleles; the number of alleles per primer ranged from 3 to 7, with a mean of 4.6. The primer PS12A02 gave the highest number of polymorphic bands (N = 7), while CPSCT010, UDAp-401 and UDAp-404 gave the lowest number (N = 3). Seven groups were separated in the dendrogram, although most of the genotypes did not cluster according to phenological and morphological traits. This level of genetic diversity in these wild sweet cherry genotypes is very high and therefore these trees would be useful as breeders for crosses between cultivated sweet cherry and wild genotypes.

Taxonomic studies on Donacia Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Donaciinae) of Southwestern Turkey with notes on their geographic distributions, habitats and host plant associations

Current knowledge on distribution, habitat and host plant associations of aquatic leaf beetles (Donaciinae) of Turkey is rather limited. In the present study, members of the aquatic leaf beetle genus Donacia Fabricius, 1775 distributed in Southwestern Turkey are investigated. A total of five species are found: D. vulgaris Zschach, 1775, D. simplex Fabricius, 1775, D. impressa Paykull, 1799, D. marginata Hoppe, 1795 and D. bicolora Zschach, 1788. Although these species were previously recorded from the middle and northern parts of Turkey, all of them are recorded from southwestern part of the country for the first time. Habitus and genital structures of the species are photographed. Actual and possible local distributions of the species are discussed and mapped. Host plant and habitat preferences are also presented in detail. (© 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Cardiac effects of “mad honey”: a case series

Background. Grayanotoxins (GTX), also known as andromedotoxins, are produced by plants of the Ericacae family. This toxin is responsible for “mad honey” intoxication, which can present with fatal cardiac bradyarrhythmias and circulatory collapse. GTXs lead to cardiac toxicity because they increase sodium channel permeability and activate the vagus nerve. Objective. We evaluated 42 patients (33 males) prospectively who had been hospitalized with diagnosis of “mad honey” intoxication in a state hospital setting. Methods and results. The median age of patients was 48.5 years and all patients were admitted with complaints of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, and sweating. Five of the patients had syncope before admission. On admission, the mean systolic blood pressure was 73.1 ± 12.7 mmHg, the mean diastolic blood pressure was 52.1 ± 11.3mmHg, mean heart rate was 38 ± 7 bpm. On initial electrocardiograms, 18 patients had sinus bradycardia, 15 patients had complete atrioventricular block, and 9 patients had nodal rhythm. All patients were monitored in a coronary care unit and treated sympomatically with atropine, intravenous fluids, and dopamine. None of the patients needed temporary pacing and all were discharged without complications. Conclusion. “Mad honey,” which is produced widely in northern parts of Turkey can be toxic. This intoxication should be considered in patients admitted to emergency department with bradycardia and hypotension especially in regions where this honey is produced.

Evaluation of noise pollution caused by vehicles in the city of Tokat, Turkey

Noise pollution and its influence on environment and life quality of human beings may be considered as a hot topic in scientific research. Since there are no sufficient studies on noise pollution in Turkey, this study was carried out to determine motorway noise levels in Tokat city centre, located at the northern part of Turkey. Noise measurements were taken in the evening to determine noise pollution all over the city as motorway transportation noise. The equivalent sound levels - Leq- were measured at 65 points, between 17 and 19 p.m. in the city. High noise levels on these streets were observed throughout the city. At fifty of sixty-five measurement points (76.9%), noise values exceeded 65 dB(A), limit value according to Turkish noise control regulation, while at fifteen points (23.1%) this value was under this value. Statistical analysis revealed that, there were significant differences in noise levels amaong the streets (P < 0.05). The results showed that noise should be mentioned among the major environmental problems and studies aim at preventing it should have great priority. Keywords: Tokat, noise, motorway, noise pollution, survey.

Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in the Black Sea Region, Turkey, and Investigation of the Related Factors with Chronic Kidney Disease

We aimed to assess the prevalence of CKD in the Black Sea Region, Turkey, and to evaluate any relationship between age, gender, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and CKD. This study was conducted in 70 different areas in Tokat Province in the Black Sea Region, in the northern part of Turkey. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated from the serum creatinine using MDRD formulas. CKD-defined estimated GFR was lower than 60 mL/min/1.73m2. A total of 1,079 persons were included in this study (mean age 41.4±17 years [range: 18–95 years], 49.4% males, 50.6% living in an urban area). Of the 1,079 individuals, 5.28% were diabetic, 22.9% were obese, and 37.8% were hypertensive. CKD was found in 62 of them (5.75%). The prevalence of CKD was 5.58% in non-diabetics and 8.77% in diabetics. No significant differences were found between two groups. The prevalence of CKD was 3.77% in non-hypertensive individuals and 8.82% in hypertensive patients, and 4.46% in non-obese and 9.31% in obese. The evident significant differences were found between groups (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.004, respectively). The prevalence of CKD increased with age within our population. A salient observation was the markedly higher prevalence of CKD in females than males (p = 0.046). There was an inverse correlation between eGFR and age (r = 0.529, p < 0.0001). The overall prevalence of CKD was 5.75% in general population. The prevalence of CKD increased with age within our population. Age, gender, obesity and hypertension were found to be significant risk factors for development of CKD in our population.

Recovery of copper and cobalt from ancient slag

About 2.5 million tonnes of copper smelter slag are available in Küre, northern part of Turkey. This slag contains large amounts of metallic values such as copper and cobalt. A representative slag sample containing 0.98% Cu, 0.49% Co and 51.47% Fe was used in the experimental studies. Two different methods, direct acid leaching and acid baking followed by hot water leaching were used for recovering Cu and Co from the slag. The effects of leaching time, temperature and acid concentration on Cu- and Co-dissolving efficiencies were investigated in the direct acid leaching tests. The optimum leaching conditions were found to be a leaching time of 2 h, acid concentration of 120 g L(-1), and temperature of 60 degrees C. Under these conditions, 78% Cu and 90% Co were extracted. In the acid baking + hot water leaching tests, 74% Co was dissolved after 1 h of roasting at 200 degrees C using a 3:1 acid:slag ratio, whereas the Cu-dissolving efficiency was 79% and the total slag weight loss was approximately 50%.

Cyclone track variability over Turkey in association with regional climate

In this study a set of cyclone frequency statistics is developed and the prevailing tracks of cyclones are derived for a region of the world that has not been previously investigated in detail. Analysis reveals that Turkey experiences the effects of five dominant cyclone trajectories. Investigation of the seasonal variability of the cyclone frequencies shows that the highest number of cyclones occurs during winter. The variability of the subtropical jetstream latitude is analysed by multi-variable regression involving cyclone numbers, the numbers of occurrences of the Mediterranean Persistence High Pressure (MPHP), which is an extension of the Azore High Pressure and their periods. This analysis revealed that the most important factor among the three factors chosen is the number of observed blocking cases over Turkey. Although the northern parts of Turkey are accepted as having a transitional type climate between the Mediterranean and temperate regions, our results showed that they are more influenced by cyclones of Mediterranean origin. Copyright © 2000 Royal Meteorological Society

Recovery of Cobalt from Copper Slags

An approximate amount of 2 million tons of copper slag has been lying on the northern part of Turkey from ancient time. This slag contains 0.43% cobalt and 1% copper. This paper reports work carried out to process this slag for recovery of cobalt and copper.