Development and preclinical evaluation of equine-derived hyperimmune serum against SARS-CoV-2 infection in K-18 hACE2 transgenic (Tg) mice.

This study aimed to develop an equine-derived hyperimmune serum against SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate its efficacy as a potential immunotherapy tool for the treatment of known and potential variants of COVID-19 in preclinical trials. The novelty of this study is the whole virus and ALUM gel adjuvant formula. The horses were immunized using a whole inactivated SARS-CoV-2 antigen, and the final purified hyperimmune serum showed high plaque reduction neutralization (PRNT 50) neutralizing titers. The efficacy of the hyperimmune serum was evaluated histopathologically and biochemically in the lungs, hearts, and serum of K18 hACE2 transgenic mice (n=45), which is an accepted model organism for SARS-CoV-2 studies and was challenged with live SARS-CoV-2. Serum treatment improved the general condition, resulting in lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood plasma, as well as reduced viral RNA titers in the lungs and hearts. Additionally, it reduced oxidative stress significantly and lessened the severity of interstitial pneumonia in the lungs when compared to infected positive controls. The study concluded that equine-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could be used for COVID-19 prevention and treatment, especially in the early stages of the disease and in combination with antiviral drugs and vaccines. This treatment will benefit special patient populations such as immunocompromised individuals, as specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 can neutralize the virus before it enters host cells. The rapid and cost-effective production of the serum allows for its availability during the acute phase of the disease, making it a critical intervention in preventing the spread of the disease and saving lives in new variants where a vaccine is not yet developed.

Appropriateness of aspirin use among diabetic patients in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases: an analysis of the ASSOS study.

OBJECTIVE: Aspirin is an essential drug in the prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). It is ultimately indicated in a patient with ASCVD. However, its role is debated in primary prevention. We aimed to investigate the appropriateness of aspirin use in diabetic patients according to recommendations of recent guidelines. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ASSOS was a multicenter observational study investigating aspirin use in cardiology outpatient clinics. We evaluated aspirin use in diabetic patients in primary prevention from the ASSOS study. We also assessed the appropriate use of aspirin according to the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA), American Diabetes Association (ADA), Consensus Statement of Endocrinology, Cardiology, and Nephrology (ENCARNE), and the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF). RESULTS: A total of 5,007 patients of whom 1,537 had type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in the study. 1,132 of the total participants used aspirin for primary prevention; 313 of them had type 2 DM. Only 248 (76.7%), 132 (40.8%), and 128 (39.6%) diabetic patients indicated aspirin use according to the ESC/INCARNE, ACC/AHA, and ADA/USPTF guidelines, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Inappropriate aspirin use was common among diabetic patients, according to clinical practice guideline recommendations. In addition, the differences between the indications for the use of aspirin in diabetic patients according to the guidelines were remarkable. Guidelines that minimize these differences are needed for clinicians, and compliance with these guidelines in clinical practice could reduce inappropriate aspirin use.

Prevalence, comorbidities and mediators of childhood anxiety disorders in urban Turkey: a national representative epidemiological study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety disorders, its correlation with sociodemographic characteristics, its comorbidities with other psychiatric disorders and its predictors in school-aged children. METHODS: This study is part of a representative, multi-centered national study that is planned by the Turkish Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health to evaluate the prevalence of psychopathology among elementary school students in Turkey between the years 2014-2015. Children are screened via Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children Present and Lifetime Version. Impairment is assessed by a 3-point Likert type scale independently by the parent and the teacher. The final sample included 5842 children with the mean age of 8.7 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of any anxiety disorder without considering impairment is 16.7% and considering impairment is 5.2% in children according to our study. We found significant differences for comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Mood Disorders, Tic Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Enuresis Nocturna, Encopresis, and Intellectual Disability. Having a history of paternal physical disorder, living in the regions of Marmara, Mediterranean and Black Sea were found to be the main predictors of having childhood anxiety disorders according to the logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Better understanding of childhood anxiety disorders, comorbid conditions and predictors will result in earlier diagnosis and more appropriate treatment.

Evaluation of urinary na levels as a risk factor in patients with coronary artery disease.

INTRODUCTION: Restriction of salt intake is advised in the general population to reduce cardiovascular risk. Daily higher salt intake may contribute to high coronary artery disease (CAD) prevalence in the Turkish population, although there is limited data regarding salt intake and urinary sodium (Na) extraction in patients with CAD. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between urine Na, potassium (K), protein and creatine levels in patients with CAD. METHODS: One hundred participants, aged 30-65, who underwent coronary angiography under elective conditions were enrolled in this study between May 2019 and August 2019. Patients who had known CAD before, acute coronary syndrome, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus (DM), structural heart disease, malignancy, renal failure, and severe comorbid states were excluded from the study. Coronary angiograpy revealed CAD in 61 patients and normal coronary arteries in 39 patients who were classified as the control group. Morning urine samples were collected for analysis. The 24-hour urine sodium was calculated using the KAWASAKI method. RESULTS: Spot urinary protein extraction and spot urinary micro-protein/creatinine ratio were significantly higher in the CAD group than in the control group (p=0.035, p=0.031, respectively). Also, serum creatinine (Cr) was found to be higher while glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and Na levels were found to be lower in the CAD group than in the control group (p=0.014, p=0.012, p=0.016 respectively). The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ2(25)=41.45, p=0.021 and GFR, Na levels, spot urinary micro-protein/creatinine, and HDL levels were assessed as predictive factors for CAD.CONCLUSION: Urinary Na and K extraction is not affected by the presence of CAD. Also, spot urinary Na/ K ratio and 24-hour sodium extraction were similar between patients with and without CAD. However, decreased GFR and increased urinary micro-protein/creatinine ratio could be risk factors for CAD. Furter studies with large samples are needed to assess this relationship (Tab. 6, Ref. 16).

Could serum ACE2 levels predict infarct size in acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: a comparative study with classical biomarkers.

OBJECTIVE: Serum ACE2 level in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction may be an indicator of heart failure, however, limited studies have reported conflicting results. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum ACE2 level and infarct size in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and compare the predictive value of ACE2 level with classical biomarkers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients after the primary percutaneous coronary intervention were included in the study. For the measurement of serum ACE2 levels, blood samples were taken twice from the patients: in the first 24 hours and on the 5th day of the infarction, and once from 30 healthy volunteers. hs-cTnT, BNP, and CRP levels were measured daily, and their peak values were taken. On the 7th day of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, gSPECT was used with the 99mTc-MIBI method for assessment of infarct size. RESULTS: Baseline ACE2 values were found to be higher in patients compared to controls, and ACE2 values obtained on the 5th day were found to be higher than the baseline values in the patients. There was no significant correlation between serum ACE2 levels and the RSS (%), while peak levels of hs-cTnT, BNP, and CRP were assessed as predictive factors for the RSS (%). CONCLUSIONS: Although serum ACE2 levels increased in the acute phase of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, this increase was not associated with infarct size. Serum ACE2 level did not provide additional benefit to classical biomarkers for infarct size-related prognosis prediction.

Different Radiologic Appearances of Giant Epidermoid Cysts at the Floor of the Mouth: Three Case Reports

ABSTRACT Epidermoid and dermoid cysts are benign lesions, which may occur anywhere on the body. Approximately 7% of these lesions occur in the head and neck region and 1.6% in the oral cavity. We present three cases of giant epidermoid cysts located on the floor of the mouth. Case 1 was a 22-year-old man referred to our clinic with a 10-year history of a submental mass, which began growing and causing pain in the throat. His physical examination revealed masses in both the submental and the sublingual regions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast revealed a well-circumscribed isohypointense cystic mass with a 'sack of mar- bles' appearance. Case 2 involved a 23-year-old female referred to our clinic with difficulty in chewing and swallowing solid food for 1 week previously. Her physical examination revealed a sublingual mass displacing the tongue upward. Her MRI revealed a heterogeneous hyperin- tense cystic mass in the sublingual region. Case 3 was a 28-year-old man referred to our clinic with submental swelling, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, decreased tongue movements and snoring. His computerized tomography indicated a homogenous cystic mass in the sub- mental region. The excision of the masses with an extraoral approach was performed in all the three cases. His histopathological examination revealed epidermoid cyst. In summary, epider- moid cysts may assume various appearances at radiological imaging.

Parotid gland involvement as an initial presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most differentiated malignant thyroid neoplasm. Local metastases of PTC commonly occur in the regional lymph nodes, while distant metastases are mainly to the lung and bone. The case of a patient with PTC who presented with swelling of the parotid gland and neck, mimicking a primary parotid neoplasm, is presented herein. This case is unique due to the unexpected initial presentation of PTC with no signs of disease in the thyroid gland.

Anti-inflammatory effects of nesfatin-1 on acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer in rats: involvement of cyclo-oxygenase pathway.

In order to elucidate the contribution of cycloxygenase (COX) enzymes in the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of nesfatin-1, which improves the healing process of chronic gastric ulcers, either acetic acid (80%; ulcer groups; n = 40) or saline (control groups; n = 40) was applied to the serosal surface of male Sprague Dawley rats' stomachs for 1 min. Both the control and ulcer groups were treated daily with either i.p. saline or nesfatin-1 (0.3 µg/kg; for 3 days). Nesfatin-1-treatment was preceded with i.p. saline, COX-2 inhibitor NS-398 (2 mg/kg), COX-1 inhibitor ketorolac (3 mg/kg) or non-selective COX inhibitor indomethacin (5 mg/kg) for 3 days. The rats were decapitated at the end of the third day, and their trunk blood was collected for the measurements of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and IL-10 using ELISA. The induction of ulcers resulted in increased macroscopic scores, along with elevated gastric malondialdehyde, luminol- and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence levels and myeloperoxidase activity. On the other hand, nesfatin-1 treatment abolished these elevations. Depleted glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity levels in the saline-treated ulcer group were preserved in the nesfatin-1-treated ulcer group. Increased levels of serum TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10 in the saline-treated ulcer group, as compared to control group, were significantly decreased in the nesfatin-1-treated ulcer group. The inhibition of COX-1, and/or COX-2 reversed most of the alterations induced with nesfatin-1, but COX-2-blockade was consistently more effective to abolish all nesfatin-1-induced changes. Our results suggest that nesfatin-1 ameliorates ulcer-induced inflammatory response through the modulation of oxidant-antioxidant balance. As selective pharmacological inhibition of COX-1 or COX-2 suppresses the antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effects of nesfatin-1, it appears that nesfatin-1 decreases inflammatory mediators and neutrophil migration by a COX-dependent mechanism, especially by a COX-2- dependent mechanism, during the ulcer healing stage.

Lack of serum antineuronal antibodies in children with autism.

OBJECTIVE: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a severe group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are characterized by impairment in social communication, and imagination and social interaction. The aetiology of autism is complex, but some studies suggest autoimmunity to the central nervous system in the pathogenesis. The aim of this study is to investigate the positivity of antineuronal antibodies including anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (anti-GAD), anti-glutamate receptor (anti-GluR) antibodies and seven types of anti-ganglioside antibodies, in children with autism. METHODS: We conducted the study over a period of one year from May 2012 to December 2013. Human anti-GAD in serum were investigated with ELISA; human autoantibodies against the N-methyl-D-aspartate subtype of GluR were investigated with indirect immunofluorescence test; class IgG antibodies against the seven gangliosides were investigated with immunoblot assay. RESULTS: Serum antineuronal antibodies were measured in 42 children (24 male, 18 female) with autism in comparison to 21 (13 male, 8 female) healthy-matched children aged between 2-12 years. There was no seropositivity of antineuronal antibodies in either of the groups. CONCLUSION: There is no evidence to support an association between autism and antibodies positivity of anti-GAD, anti-GluR and anti-gangliosides (Ref. 26).

Endothelin receptor inhibition with bosentan delays onset of liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic condition.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of bosentan an orally active non-peptide mixed ETA/ETB receptor antagonist, on liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: 24 Albino-Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: healthy (Group 1), diabetic (Group 2) (60 mg/kg of streptozotocin i.p.), diabetic treated with bosentan 50 mg/kg (Group 3) and diabetic treated with bosentan 100 mg/kg (Group 4). The treatment of bosentan was initiated after streptozocin injection and continued for 60 days. RESULTS: Liver from diabetic rats showed significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and significant decrease in glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Endothelin (ET-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) gene expression significantly increased in the diabetic groups in the rat liver tissue. Bosentan treatment showed a significant up-regulatory effect on ET-1, TNF-α and TGF-ß mRNA expression. Results from histopathological evaluation of the liver were in accordance with our biochemical and molecular results. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide clear evidence that bosentan treatment is associated with promising hepatoprotective effect against diabetes-induced liver damage via reduction of cell inflammation and oxidative damage. These data suggest that ET receptors may be an important actor in diabetes-related liver damage, and blockage of these receptors may become a target for preventing diabetic complications in the future.

The prevention of ischemia/reperfusion induced oxidative damage by venous blood in rabbit kidneys monitored with biochemical, histopatological and immunohistochemical analysis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of venous blood on ischemia/reperfusion-induced oxidative DNA damage and mutation in rabbit kidneys in comparison to melatonin treatment, which has a known protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. The rabbits were divided into five groups: renal ischemia (RI), renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR), renal ischemia-venous blood-reperfusion (RIVR), melatonin + renal ischemia-reperfusion (MRIR), and the healthy sham control group (HG). Melatonin (2.5 mg/kg delivered intraperitoneally) was administered one hour prior to ischemia. In the RIVR group, 1 ml of venous blood was administered 5 minutes before the reperfusion. The xanthine oxidase activity in the kidney tissue was determined as 53.50 ± 1.72, 31.00 ± 6.39, 45.66 ± 9.20, 28.66 ± 6.05 and 14.33 ± 1.28 U/g protein; the MDA levels were 6.32 ± 0.02, 19.50 ± 1.33, 7.00 ± 0.96, 7.50 ± 0.76 and 4.75 ± 0.34 mmol/g protein; and the GSH levels were 4.50 ± 1.08, 2.76 ± 0.13, 5.48 ± 0.22, 4.93 ± 0.55 and 6.98 ± 0.33 nmol/g protein in the RI, RIR, RIVR, MRIR and HG groups, respectively. Blood, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were classified as high only in the RIR group. The MRIR and RIVR groups, in which oxidative stress was best suppressed, had much milder histopathological and immunohistochemical findings compared to the RIR group. This study has revealed that it is useful to initiate reperfusion of the ischemic tissue with venous blood.

Reliability of MDCT, with MPR and hydro-CT technique, in resectability and lymphnode staging of gastric cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of thin-slice hydro-multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT) in assessing resectability and lymph node staging of gastric cancer. METHODS: Sixty-one patients (37 males, 24 females; mean age 61 years) with gastric cancer, and whose surgery was planned, underwent preoperative abdominopelvic hydro-MDCT at slice thickness of 5 mm. We evaluated the tumor stage, depth of tumor invasion into the gastric wall, metastasis of lymph node, and presence/absence of distant metastases on the CT images produced with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) and hydro-CT technique. The results were compared with pathological and surgical findings. Diagnostic accuracy was also analyzed. RESULTS: Of 61 patients with gastric cancer, 6 (14%) were inoperable, 45 (68%) were advanced stage, and 10 (16%) were early stage gastric cancer patients. The detection rate of the primary tumor was 97% for MDCT; the overall accuracy of MDCT in the determination of the depth of invasion and serosal involvement when compared with pathological staging were 84% and 95%, respectively; the overall accuracy rate in lymph node staging was 73.5%. CONCLUSION: MDCT can improve the accuracy of preoperative T and N staging of gastric cancer and will contribute to treatment strategies for patients with advanced stage gastric cancer.

How olfaction disorders can cause depression? The role of habenular degeneration.

The removal of bilateral olfactory bulbs (OBs) can result in serious behavioral, neurochemical, neuroendocrine, and neuroimmune alterations in depressed patients. However, there is little information on how olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) leads to depression. Habenular nuclei and their connections are important in the regulation of psychomotor and psychosocial behaviors through afferent impulses of the olfactory system. Therefore, we investigated whether OB lesions lead to habenular degeneration. We used a sample of 50 rats (25 female and 25 male) for this study. Of these rats, five male and five female rats were taken as the control group. The remaining 40 rats (20 male and 20 female rats) constituted the study group, and frontal burr holes were performed at the OB level on these rats. OB cauterization was applied to 10 male and 10 female rats (n=10, 10; study group 1), mechanical OBX was applied to five male and five female rats (n=5, 5; study group 2), and no procedure was performed on the remaining 10 rats (n=5, 5). The psychomotor movements; pregnancy rates; and sexual, feeding, maternal, social, and grooming behaviors for both study groups were observed daily for 3 months. Their OBs, olfactory cortices, and habenular complexes were examined using stereological methods. All of the animals in the study groups, especially in the cauterization group, demonstrated anorexia, nutritional disorders, weight loss, psychomotor retardation, sexual aversion, decreased grooming behavior, and reduced social interaction similar to depression symptoms. As compared to the control group, the pregnancy rates, number of offspring per mother rat, and birth weights in the study groups were lower, whereas the number of stillbirths was higher. Gross anatomical examinations revealed that the OBs of all of the animals in the study groups were atrophied. Histopathological examinations detected prominent neuronal loss due to apoptosis in the habenular structures in the study groups. We detected a relationship between a decreased healthy neuronal density of the habenula and depressive symptomatology in rats with OBX. We suggest that olfaction disorders might cause neuropsychiatric disorders by affecting neuronal degeneration in habenular nuclei.

Finite element analysis of stress distribution on modified retentive tips of bar clasp.

This study used finite element analysis to evaluate the retentive tips of bar clasps made from different alloys and using different designs in order to determine whether or not different materials and tip forms are suitable for bar clasp applications. Co-Cr, Ti and Type IV Au alloys were selected based on their physical and mechanical properties. The 3D finite element models of three different bar clasp retentive tip geometries prepared from Co-Cr, Ti and Type IV Au alloys were constructed using the finite element software package MSC.Marc. Analysis of a concentrated load of 5 N applied to the removable partial denture approach arms in an occlusal direction was performed. Although stress distribution and localisation within bar clasps with different retentive tips were observed to be similar and were concentrated in the approach arm, stress intensities differed in all models.

Effect of pregnancy and foetal number on diameter of corpus luteum, maternal progesterone concentration and oxidant/antioxidant balance in ewes.

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in diameter of corpus luteum (CL), maternal progesterone (P) concentration, lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels along with enzymatic antioxidant activities in pregnant ewes bearing single and twin foetuses. The ewes were selected from healthy animals that were brought to the abattoir for slaughtering. The ewes were divided into three groups: Group 1 (non-pregnant, non-oestrous, n = 30), Group 2 (pregnant bearing a single foetus, n = 30) and Group 3 (pregnant bearing twin foetuses, n = 12) after they were slaughtered. Pregnant ewes were in the first half of the pregnancy. The diameter of CL and P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus or twin foetuses were found higher than that found in non-pregnant ewes. Similarly, the P concentration of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was higher than that found in both non-pregnant and pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. The serum glutathione (GSH) level and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses were found lower than that found in non-pregnant ewes. Additionally, the GSH-Px activity of pregnant ewes bearing twin foetuses was found lower than that found in pregnant ewes bearing a single foetus. No significant difference was found between pregnant ewes bearing female and male foetus with respect to diameter of CL, P concentration and oxidative stress parameters. There were significant positive correlations between foetal number (0, 1, 2) and diameter of CL, P concentration, MDA level, and between P concentration and diameter of CL, MDA level. However, significant negative correlations were found between foetal number (0, 1, 2) and GSH level, GSH-Px activity, and between P concentration and GSH-Px activity. In conclusion, the diameter of CL enlarges, P production increases and oxidant/antioxidant balance impairs because of the gestation stress in ewes during pregnancy.

Reaction of molecular and atomic deuterium with methanol on Pd(111).

Multiplexed thermal desorption spectroscopy was used to study the influence of preadsorbed and postadsorbed deuterium on a methanol monolayer on Pd(111). In particular, the effect of atomic deuterium exposure on the reaction products was examined in detail. Preadsorbed deuterium hinders the formation of chemisorbed methanol and favors physisorption of methanol. This leads to a strong reduction of methanol dehydrogenation during sample heating. Postadsorption of molecular deuterium also changes partially chemisorbed to physisorbed methanol. No deuteration of methanol is found under these conditions. With atomic deuterium exposure, however, significant amounts of deuterated methanol, from methanol-D1 through methanol-D4, can be produced. In addition, D exposure also causes an increased dehydrogenation probability during sample heating. The probabilities for methanol deuteration, for methanol dehydrogenation, and for D-atom bulk absorption have been determined quantitatively.

Methanol adsorption on Cu(110) and the angular distribution of the reaction products.

Integral and angle resolved thermal desorption spectroscopies were used to study methanol adsorption and oxidation on clean and oxygen covered Cu(110) surfaces. Special emphasis was put on the Cu-CuO stripe phase, which forms when the Cu(110) surface is covered with 0.25 ML of oxygen. In the temperature regime between 200 and 300 K associative desorption of methanol and water takes place, showing a normal desorption character with peaks shifting to lower temperature with increasing coverage and with a nearly cosine angular desorption distribution. In the temperature range of about 350 K formaldehyde, hydrogen, and again methanol desorb nearly concomitantly in the form of a very narrow peak (full width at half maximum=10 K), with peaks shifting to higher temperature with increasing methanol coverage. The angular distribution of these peaks is strongly forward focused, indicating activation barriers being involved. In the case of the Cu-CuO stripe phase the angular distribution of the desorption products is clearly different in the [110] and [001] azimuthal directions, demonstrating the influence of the border lines between the copper and the copper oxide stripes on the desorption process.

Pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana (Deuteromycotina: Hypomycetes) to larvae of the small poplar longhorn beetle, Saperda populnea (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

The small poplar longhorn beetle, Saperda populnea is an important pest of Lombardy poplars (Populus nigra L.) in Turkey. A survey for natural entomopathogenic fungi of S. populnea larvae was made in Erzurum, Turkey, during the period 2004-2005. Larvae (13.5%) infected with a strain of the fungus Beauveria bassiana were found. The pathogenicity of B. bassiana strain 46 was conducted with different concentrations of conidia (10(6), 10(7) and 10(8) conidia/ml) of this isolate on S. populnea larvae. The lowest concentration (10(6) conidia/ml) caused about 56% mortality within 6 days. One hundred percent mortality was achieved after median lethal time (LT(50)) of 4.6 and 4.4 days for 10(7) and 10(8) conidia/ml, respectively. There were no significant differences between median lethal times. This is the first record of natural infection of S. populnea larvae by B. bassiana.

First Report of Crown and Stem Rot of Orchid (Orchis palustris) Caused by Sclerotinia minor.

Orchis palustris Jacq. is a wild orchid native to wetlands in eastern Anatolia. During June of 2003, near Erzurum, Turkey, a decline of this orchid was observed in several meadows that had been irrigated for forage production. Stems were chlorotic, wilted, and collapsed. There was a soft, watery rot at the crowns and lower stems. White mycelium and black sclerotia formed on necrotic stem and crown tissues. The fungus was isolated from sclerotia on potato dextrose agar (PDA) and identified as Sclerotinia minor Jagger on the basis of small sclerotia (0.5 to 2.5 mm long) scattered throughout the colonies (2). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating stems of 8-week-old plants with mycelial plugs from 5-day-old PDA cultures and enclosing inoculated plants in transparent plastic bags for 3 days. After 2 weeks, symptoms similar to those in the field were observed, and S. minor was reisolated from inoculated plants. Noninoculated control plants remained asymptomatic. The disease was previously observed on O. laxiflora Lam. in Turkey (1), but to our knowledge, this is the first report of S. minor infecting O. palustris References: (1) C. Eken et al. Plant Pathol. 52:802, 2003. (2) L.M. Kohn. Phytopathology 69:881, 1979.