Population genomics of post-glacial western Eurasia.

Western Eurasia witnessed several large-scale human migrations during the Holocene1-5. Here, to investigate the cross-continental effects of these migrations, we shotgun-sequenced 317 genomes-mainly from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods-from across northern and western Eurasia. These were imputed alongside published data to obtain diploid genotypes from more than 1,600 ancient humans. Our analyses revealed a 'great divide' genomic boundary extending from the Black Sea to the Baltic. Mesolithic hunter-gatherers were highly genetically differentiated east and west of this zone, and the effect of the neolithization was equally disparate. Large-scale ancestry shifts occurred in the west as farming was introduced, including near-total replacement of hunter-gatherers in many areas, whereas no substantial ancestry shifts happened east of the zone during the same period. Similarly, relatedness decreased in the west from the Neolithic transition onwards, whereas, east of the Urals, relatedness remained high until around 4,000 BP, consistent with the persistence of localized groups of hunter-gatherers. The boundary dissolved when Yamnaya-related ancestry spread across western Eurasia around 5,000 BP, resulting in a second major turnover that reached most parts of Europe within a 1,000-year span. The genetic origin and fate of the Yamnaya have remained elusive, but we show that hunter-gatherers from the Middle Don region contributed ancestry to them. Yamnaya groups later admixed with individuals associated with the Globular Amphora culture before expanding into Europe. Similar turnovers occurred in western Siberia, where we report new genomic data from a 'Neolithic steppe' cline spanning the Siberian forest steppe to Lake Baikal. These prehistoric migrations had profound and lasting effects on the genetic diversity of Eurasian populations.

Anatomical, Morphological, and Chemical Characterizations and Biological Activities of Gagea taurica Steven (Liliaceae): A New Record for the Turkish Flora.

Gagea genus, which is native to the Mediterranean and Black Sea regions, has attracted significant attention due to its biodiversity and potential health benefits. In this study, the biochemical composition and biological activities of methanol extracts from various parts of G. taurica were investigated, along with their anatomical and morphological characteristics. The best antimicrobial activity was found to be MeOH extracts of corm and leaf against several Candida strains with MIC=640 µg/mL. The highest level of phenolics together with significant results of antioxidant activities were observed in flowers extracts. The α-amylase inhibition assay results showed that the highest inhibition percentage was observed with acarbose (59 %), followed by leaf extract (43 %). Leaf exhibited the most effective inhibitory activity in AChE inhibition assay, whereas flower demonstrated the most significant inhibitory activity in BChE inhibition assay. Hesperidin was found as 1621.0001 ng/ml value in flower extract and 283.9339 ng/ml value leaf.

Metal concentrations, selenium-mercury balance, and potential health risk assessment for consumer of whiting (Merlangius merlangus euxinus L., 1758) from different regions of the southern Black Sea.

The significant increase in the human population and the associated industrial wastes have a widespread impact on coastal areas. It is important to monitor trace elements that affect food safety and pose a potential consumer health threat. All over the Black Sea coast, people enjoy consuming whiting as both meat and roe. In February 2021, whitings were caught by bottom trawling from four different locations on the coasts of Kastamonu, Sinop (Sarikum, Adabasi), and Samsun in the southern Black Sea region. The meat and roe extracts obtained from whiting samples were analyzed through an optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-MS). Trace element concentrations of whiting meat and roe in this study were Zn > Fe > Sr > As > Al > Se > B > Mn > Cu > Hg > Li > Ni > Ba > Pb > Cr > Cd and Zn > Fe > Al > As > Cu > Sr > Mn > Se > B > Ba > Li > Ni > Hg > Cr > Pb > Cd, respectively. These amounts were lower than the acceptable values accepted by the EU Commission. In case of whiting and roe consumption of a maximum of three portions (860.33 g) for Adabasi, six portions for Kastamonu (1432.37 g), three portions for Samsun (828.55 g), and five portions (1253.04 g) for Sarikum per month do not pose a health risk.

The mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis (Crimea, Black Sea) as a source of essential trace elements in human nutrition.

Micronutrients, or essential trace elements, are important components in various metabolic processes inherent to the normal functioning of organism. To date, a substantial part of the world population suffers from a lack of micronutrients in the diet. Mussels are an important and cheap source of nutrients, which can be utilized to mitigate the micronutrient deficiency in the world. In the present work, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, the contents of the micronutrients Cr, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, I, and Mo were studied for the first time in soft tissues, shell liquor, and byssus of females and males of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis as the promising sources of essential elements in the human diet. Fe, Zn, and I were the most abundant micronutrients in the three body parts. Significant sex-related differences in the body parts were detected only for Fe, which was more abundant in byssus of males, and Zn, which exhibited higher levels in shell liquor of females. Significant tissue-related differences were registered in the contents of all the elements under study. M. galloprovincialis meat was characterized as the optimal source of I and Se for covering the daily human needs. Regardless of sex, byssus turned out to be richer in Fe, I, Cu, Cr, and Mo in comparison with soft tissues, which fact allows recommending this body part for the preparation of dietary supplements to compensate for the deficiency of these micronutrients in the human body.

A holistic approach to the eco-geochemical risk assessment of trace elements in the estuarine sediments of the Southeastern Black Sea.

The estuarine sediments were sampled seasonally along the southeast coast of the Black Sea, to assess the concentrations, sources, distributions, and possible ecological risks of trace elements (TEs). The mean concentrations of TEs (mg/kg) were ranked as Fe (56,659.83) > Al (39,758.00) > Mn (1168.53) > Zn (155.03) > Cr (120.75) > Pb (93.71) > Cu (82.66) > Ni (44.93) > Co (17.98) > As (13.66) > Cd (0.99) > Hg (0.18), respectively. The stations S4 and S6 showed "very high contamination" for Pb, "significantly enrichment" for Pb and Cd, "high ecological risk" for Cd, and "heavily polluted" for Pb and Cd according to the results of CF, EF, Eri, Igeo, respectively. The rest of the stations were in the low or moderate contamination through the all seasons as assessed by different eco-geochemical risk assessment indices. The integrated risk evaluation indices indicated no contamination in stations S3 and S5.

Spatiotemporal PAH levels in surface water of the Southeastern Black Sea; baseline study from the Giresun shores.

Samples of surface water were collected seasonally along the 121 km long Giresun coastline to comparatively evaluate the source, distribution, and ecological risk of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total PAHs levels, varied between 47.42 and 576.69 ng L-1 with the mean of 161.5 ng L-1, were consistent with seawater studies worldwide. Diagnosis rates evinced that PAHs in seawater along the Giresun coastline are primarily sourced from biomass, coal and petroleum combustion and petroleum at lesser extent. The three-ring PAHs (40.2 %) was proportionally high, followed by 2-ring PAHs (26.5 %). The toxicity equivalent quotient (TEQ) and risk quotients (RQ) were employed to assess ecological risk posed by PAHs in Giresun coastal seawater. As a result, the ecological risk in all seasons was at moderate to high risk level, except for autumn, which shows low to moderate risk according to TEQ. RQ values of ∑PAHs displayed low to moderate ecological risk.

Evaluation of Environmental and Nutritional Aspects of Bee Pollen Samples Collected from East Black Sea Region, Turkey, via Elemental Analysis by ICP-MS.

Honeybee pollens are good food sources in terms of their mineral contents and are specific to the regions they are collected. In addition, they may be used as bioindicators in the assessment of environmental pollution based on their potentially toxic element contents. In the present study, mineral element composition and potentially toxic element levels of honeybee pollen samples collected from various cities in East Black Sea Region of Turkey (18 samples) were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave assisted acid digestion. The method validation was performed by using CRM (Certified Reference Material-BCR®279-Sea Lettuce-Ulva lactuca) to evaluate the accuracy and precision. Elemental composition of honeybee pollens were detected within the following ranges (minimum-maximum, mg kg-1 dry pollen); Mn (manganese): 11.579-117.349, Fe (Iron): 34.865-811.043, Zn (zinc): 17.707-56.223, Se (selenium): 0.422-0.722, Cr (chromium): 0.848-6.949, Cu (copper): 7.510-26.344, Mg (magnesium): 549.921-2149.716, Ca (calcium): 726.575-2201.837, Na (sodium): 36.518-120.283, Pb (lead): < 0.005-0.622, Cd (cadmium): 0.039-1.390, Ni (nickel): 2.317-21.710, and As (arsenic): 1.331-2.248. Recommended daily allowance, target hazard quotients, hazard index, and carcinogenic risk values of the pollens were calculated with the help of these results. In considering THQ values, pollens were determined to be safe for the consumption of both genders. Based on the carcinogenic risk calculation, most of the pollens examined in this study were categorized as moderately risky. Monitoring studies can be used to identify new sources of contamination or the origin and spread of a particular element. Hence, bee pollens can also be considered as potential bioindicators of toxic metal pollution. HIGHLIGHTS: • Mineral content and potentially toxic metal levels of 18 honeybee pollens were determined. • Recommended daily allowance (RDA) values were calculated. • The nutritional aspects of honeybee pollen samples were evaluated. • Hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and carcinogenic risk (CR) estimation of honeybee pollens were assessed. • The potentiality of honeybee pollens as a bioindicator for pollution was discussed.

Role of alkaline barriers in radionuclide distribution in river valley environments on the Russian Black Sea coast.

This paper reports on the radioecological properties of environmental components in the Mzymta and Sochi River valleys on the Russian Black Sea coast. The environmental components covered are river sediments, alluvial soils, mosses, and fluvial water. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to determine the distribution patterns of Th and U stemming from two geochemical alkaline barriers present in the river valleys. One is a calcium barrier resulting from the metamorphic transition from neutral mudstones to alkaline carbonate rocks. The other is a sodium barrier formed in estuaries under the influence of Na-rich tidal seawater. The sodium barrier was responsible for an increase in Th and U concentrations in river water, a slight decrease in soil and sediments, and strong sorption on mosses. The calcium barrier reduced Th and U concentrations in river water, but increased them in soil and mosses. In the Sochi River valley, the content of calcium in the components of the natural environment is higher compared to the Mzymta River valley and, on average, 4 times higher in the river water. This factor determines the relatively high Th and U content in the natural environment of the Sochi River valley, as these radionuclides are easily extracted from the mineral component of river water by carbonate solutions. On the whole, the radioecological status of the river valleys was recognized as favourable. Gamma radiation exposure dose rate near the surface (20-27 µR/h or less in mountainous areas and 9-17 µR/h in the lowlands) was below the natural level typical for open mountainous areas of central Russia. River sediments in both valleys had low radionuclide concentrations based on the specific activities of naturally occurring radionuclides 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra, 232Th, and 40K. In similar river basins that may be targeted for future development, accumulation of Th and U in soil and mosses on calcium barriers and elevated concentrations in river water on sodium barriers should be expected.

Element concentrations of cultured fish in the Black Sea: selenium-mercury balance and the risk assessments for consumer health.

Fish are a powerful model for risk-benefit analyses to explore the impact of elements on human health among all accessible species. The sea bream (Sparus aurata), sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), turbot (Scophthalmus maximus), and weights of > 1 kg large rainbow trout registered as "Turkish Salmon," (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are four economically important cultured species in the Black Sea In this research, it is aimed (1) to determine the value of the elements, (2) to determine total Hg and Se concentrations, Se/Hg molar ratios, and the HBVSe index, and (3) to calculate the consumer's possible health risk in the edible tissues of cultivated four economically important Black Sea fish species. Fish and diet samples from all species were obtained in 2020 from aquaculture locations in the Black Sea (Sinop, Samsun, and Trabzon cites of Turkey). At the end of the study, the elements in all edible tissues and all the parameters analyzed [Se/Hg, estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), maximum allowable consumption rate (CRlim and CRmm)] in cultured fish tissues were below permissible values. Additionally, when compared with the data of the World Health Organization and The National Academy of Sciences, it determined that consuming cultured fish in the Black Sea adequately meets the daily elemental requirement.

Effect of global warming on dermatology practice: The increase in cases of cutaneous larva migrans in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic disease seen in people in contact with soil in tropical countries. Almost all cases reported in regions without a tropical climate have a history of travel to a tropical region. AIM: In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of climate change on CLM cases and the demographic characteristics of these cases. For this purpose, the climate information of the period in which we determined the case series and the characteristics of the patients were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was designed retrospectively. Patient files and pre- and post-treatment photographic archives were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, the region's weather history over the last 50 years was examined. RESULTS: The records of patients diagnosed with CLM in 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. In total, 22 cases were detected. The common feature of all cases was that they worked as tea pickers. After examining the weather conditions of the period when the cases were commonly reported, it was determined that there was a sharp temperature increase compared with previous years. CONCLUSION: Due to climate change, an increase in the number of CLM cases is observed in non-tropical regions. Since it is considered a disease-specific to tropical regions, the diagnosis may be overlooked in cases outside these regions. However, CLM should be kept in mind as a diagnostic possibility by clinicians practicing in non-tropical regions as well, especially when treating patients who work with soil, such as tea harvesters.

Paleodemographic analysis of age at death for a population of Black Sea Scythians: An exploration by using Bayesian methods.

OBJECTIVES: Studies of the demography of past populations involving deterministic life tables can be criticized for ignoring the errors of estimation. Bayesian methods offer an alternative, by focusing on the uncertainty of the estimates, although their results are often sensitive to the choice of prior distributions. The aim of this study is to explore a range of Bayesian methods for estimating age at death for a population of nomadic warriors-Scythians from the Black Sea region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, skeletons of 312 individuals (93 children and 219 adults) from Glinoe (Moldova), dated to the 5th-2nd century BCE, were examined. We unified the age categories corresponding to different aging methods, allowing an application of a probabilistic assessment of the age categorization. A hierarchical Bayesian multinomial-Dirichlet-Dirichlet model was applied, with a hypothetical, subjective reference population, a real reference population, and no reference. RESULTS: Stationary-population life expectancy was estimated as 27.7 years (95% CI: 25.1-30.3) for a newborn (e0 ), and 16.4 years (14.0-19.0) for 20-year-olds (e20 ), although with high uncertainty, and sensitive to the model specification. Slight differences in longevity between different social strata and between the Classical and Late chronological periods were found, although with high estimation errors. A more robust finding, confirming earlier studies, was a high probability of death in young adulthood, which could depend on Scythian lifestyle (conflicts, wars). DISCUSSION: Our study shows a way to overcome some limitations of broad age categorization by using the Bayesian approach with alternative model specifications, allowing to assess the impact of reference populations.

Trophic state and limiting nutrient evaluations using trophic state/level index methods: a case study of Borçka Dam Lake.

The relationships between nutrients and the trophic state of Borçka dam reservoir in the Çoruh River Basin, which is located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey, were evaluated using the trophic state index (TSI), trophic level index (TLI), and statistical analysis. The samples data were analyzed for chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and secchi disk (SD). In the evaluation, according to the TSI' TLI and Turkish legislation, the reservoir is assessed as mesotrophic in terms of TP, TN data of the water quality. The measurement results of these parameters are higher at the depth points and lower on the surface. The Chl-a parameter is evaluated mesotrophic with 2013 data at the depth, and oligotrophic with 2016 data. The result of TSI (Chl-a) < TSI (SD), TSI (Chl-a) < TSI (TP), and TSI (TN) indicate non-algal turbidity. At the same time, this was verified by calculating the non-algal turbidity coefficient (Kna). It is observed that there is a low correlation between Chl-a and Kna, however a low correlation with TN, and a high correlation with TP. Non-algal particles in the dam lake may occur due to surface runoff and soil erosion from the agricultural area and human settlements. Regression analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between nutrients and Chl-a. The relationship of Chl-a concentration with TN, TP, and TN/TP concentrations is weak. This supports that there are inorganic suspended solids (non-volatile suspended solids) with high underwater light availability.Graphical abstract.

Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and antibiotic resistance in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and sociodemographic risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and antibiotic resistance in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 344 patients with dyspeptic symptoms who completed an extended questionnaire were enrolled in the study. Diagnosis of H. pylori infection was made by rapid urease test, histopathological investigation, and culture. Susceptibility of H. pylori strains was assessed by agar dilution (amoxicillin, tetracycline, metronidazole, levofloxacin) and E-test (clarithromycin) methods. RESULTS: The H. pylori positivity rate was 40.4% (139/344). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age and the presence of duodenal ulcer were independent risk factors associated with H. pylori positivity (odds ratio (OR): 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.99, p=0.013; OR: 5.42, 95% CI: 1.96-14.98, p=0.001, respectively). Of 104 H. pylori-positive cultures, 43 strains (41%) were susceptible to all antibiotics, whereas 61 (59%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. H. pylori resistance rates were 34% for levofloxacin, 31.1% for metronidazole, 28.2% for clarithromycin, 2.9% for amoxicillin, and 1% for tetracycline. Logistic regression analysis indicated that previous use of clarithromycin was the only independent risk factor for H. pylori resistance (OR: 6.25, 95% CI: 1.59-24.52, p=0.009). CONCLUSION: An understanding of the risk factors for H. pylori positivity and antibiotic resistance in an extended anamnesis may affect treatment choice and facilitate H. pylori eradication. In regions where antibiotic resistance rates are elevated, performing antibiotic susceptibility tests may lead to effective eradication treatment.

An investigation of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women and their infants in Giresun province located in the Black Sea region of Turkey.

The aim of this study is to investigate vitamin D deficiency and the associated risk factors in pregnant women and their infants in the Black Sea region of Turkey. One hundred and twenty healthy pregnant women in the last trimester and their healthy newborn pairs were observed between June and August 2017 in Giresun province. The serum 25(OH)D3 and calcium levels were measured through the samples collected from maternal and neonatal cord blood. The effects of maternal lifestyle on the maternal vitamin D levels were assessed by multiple regression analysis. The mean concentrations of 25(OH)D3 were found to be 9.54 ± 6.35 ng/mL and 11.16 ± 6.52 ng/mL in the maternal and neonatal cord blood sera, respectively. Vitamin D deficiency (≤20 ng/mL) and severe vitamin D deficiency (≤5 ng/mL) were observed in between 94.2% and 24.2% of mothers and 90% and 10% of infants, respectively. The clothing style, the consumption of milk/dairy products and antenatal multivitamin supplement usage were found as significant factors on the serum vitamin D levels. Even during the Summer months, the vitamin D deficiency in mothers and infants was observed at high rates in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. As a result, it has been concluded that routine maternal serum 25(OH)D3 measurements for clinical follow-up, vitamin D supplementation and regular consumption of dairy products should be recommended. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? Vitamin D deficiency is a very important risk factor to be considered for maternal and infant health. In a large number of studies, it has been observed that the risk of a vitamin D deficiency in women during their pregnancy was found to be higher, depending on the various strong influences such as the demographic and maternal lifestyles. What the results of this study add? A vitamin D deficiency associated with the demographic and lifestyle factors of pregnant women and their infants was investigated in Giresun province, located in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. The results of this study add that a vitamin D deficiency in the maternal and in the infants may be observed at high rates in regions with mostly rainy weather, even during the Summer months. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The vitamin D levels in infants can be determined indirectly by looking at the vitamin D levels in third trimester pregnancies. Furthermore, it is suggested as a non-invasive method to determine vitamin D levels by taking advantage of the maternal level, without measuring the vitamin D levels of infants. Thus, this will be effective to reduce health costs and to prevent the possible diseases affecting the future life of infants. Routine maternal serum 25(OH)D3 measurements for clinical follow-up, vitamin D supplementation and the regular consumption of dairy products should be recommended to pregnant women with risk factors, even in the Summer in the Black Sea Region of Turkey. In addition, further studies are needed to investigate the vitamin D deficiency associated with the demographic and lifestyle factors of pregnant women and their infants, especially for the different locations of Turkey.

Effect of large magnetotactic bacteria with polyphosphate inclusions on the phosphate profile of the suboxic zone in the Black Sea.

The Black Sea is the world's largest anoxic basin and a model system for studying processes across redox gradients. In between the oxic surface and the deeper sulfidic waters there is an unusually broad layer of 10-40 m, where neither oxygen nor sulfide are detectable. In this suboxic zone, dissolved phosphate profiles display a pronounced minimum at the upper and a maximum at the lower boundary, with a peak of particulate phosphorus in between, which was suggested to be caused by the sorption of phosphate on sinking particles of metal oxides. Here we show that bacterial polyphosphate inclusions within large magnetotactic bacteria related to the genus Magnetococcus contribute substantially to the observed phosphorus peak, as they contain 26-34% phosphorus compared to only 1-5% in metal-rich particles. Furthermore, we found increased gene expression for polyphosphate kinases by several groups of bacteria including Magnetococcaceae at the phosphate maximum, indicating active bacterial polyphosphate degradation. We propose that large magnetotactic bacteria shuttle up and down within the suboxic zone, scavenging phosphate at the upper and releasing it at the lower boundary. In contrast to a passive transport via metal oxides, this bacterial transport can quantitatively explain the observed phosphate profiles.

Drivers of phytoplankton blooms in the northeastern Black Sea.

In order to understand of the processes controlling phytoplankton successions in the NE Black Sea, long-term data series are needed. We compiled 15 years (2002-2017) of measurements from which the existence emerges of a tight link between phytoplankton species dominance and nutrients concentrations. The latter is strongly influenced by wind direction. The link between algal dominance and nutrients is mediated by the growth strategy adopted by algal species. In spring, when nutrients are abundant, small diatoms such as Pseudo-nitzschia pseudodelicatissima, with a "rapid growth strategy", prevail. In late spring and early summer, when N is low and P and Si are high, coccolithophorids such as Emiliania huxhleyi dominate, thanks to an "affinity growth strategy". Large diatoms, especially Pseudosolenia calcar-avis, dominate in summer and autumn, when their "storage growth strategy" allows the exploitation of discontinuous upwelling of nutrients. These seasonal changes of dominant species influence the structure of the food web.

Evaluation of Bioactivities, Phenolic and Metal Content of Ten Wild Edible Mushrooms from Western Black Sea Region of Turkey.

In this study, we investigated the phenolic profile, metal concentrations, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of edible mushrooms collected from Sinop, Turkey: Amanita caesarea, Boletus edulis, Grifola frondosa, Hydnum repandum, Lactarius deliciosus, L. piperatus, L. volemus, Laetiporus sulphureus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Ramaria flava. The mycochemical contents of R. flava, L. sulphureus, A. caesarea, L. deliciosus, and B. edulis were high. The cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) contents of mushrooms were between < 0.54 and 8.97 ppm. L. deliciosus had effective total antioxidant activity (7990 µmol α-tocopherol eq./g), ABTS·+ (2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) scavenging activity scavenging activity (EC50:7.87 µg/mL), and free-radical scavenging activity (EC50: 0.018 µg/mL) due to high levels of phenol, flavonoid, ß-carotene, and lycopene. B. edulis demonstrated strong reducing power (A0.5: 11.89 µg/mL), inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation (EC50:0.0016 µg/mL), and H2O2 scavenging activity (EC50: 0.28 µg/mL). A. caesarea and R. flava showed the best metal chelating activity (EC50:44.31 µg/mL) and superoxide anion scavenging activity (EC50:0.18 µg/mL), respectively. Inhibition zone values of A. caesarea extract were detected between 8.1 and 27.1 mm for B. cereus. Our results show that mushrooms are promising dietary sources for natural prevention of many infectious diseases and that they act as antioxidant agents.

Comparison and origins of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the entrance and the exit of the Turkish Straits System (TSS).

Investigations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in water and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments were performed in the entrance and the exit of the Turkish Straits System (TSS) in autumn of 2016 and spring of 2017. TPH and PAH values ranged from 1.7 to 11.6 µg/l and 120 to 2912 ng/g (dw), respectively. On the basis of the given surface fluxes of the TSS, average petroleum flows were calculated as 1631 t/y from the Black Sea to the Marmara Sea and 8484 t/y from the Marmara Sea to the Aegean Sea. Pollution by PAHs ranged from relatively moderate to high. The most polluted sediments were collected from regions affected by shipping, such as Riva and Seddülbahir located at the entrance and the exit of the TSS, respectively. Moreover, origins of PAHs were determined using the ratios of PAH congeners. The main origins of PAHs were found as both pyrolytic and petrogenic at most stations.

Interventions by Hospital Nurses for the spiritual needs of patients in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the spiritual care interventions of the nurses in hospitals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Nurses employed in the 5 hospitals of Eastern Black Sea Region constitute the universe of the research that was planned to be descriptive. 1254 out of 1765 nurses were reached out between 1-30 May 2015 without a sample selection. The data were collected by the researchers is based on face-to-face survey techniques in which sociodemographic attributes built on literature and opinions on spiritual care were evaluated. Permission of the hospitals and nurses were obtained for the study. Number and percentage distributions and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: As the nurses' sociodemographic attributes were examined, 29.3% of them belonged to 30-35 age group, 26% of them worked as a nurse manager for 82-161 months, and 56.7% of them worked for 162-300 months. Ninety-one percent of them stated that they never practiced spiritual care-related nursing, 97.5% of them stated that they never received support from hospital clergymen, 93.2% of them stated that they did not talk about spiritual need with the patient since they did not find it necessary. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there is very little or no interventions directed at the spiritual dimension during the patient's caring process.

[A new strategy for enhancing acanthamoebicidal activity with synthesis of nanoflower of Laurocerausus officinalis Roemer (cherry laurel) fruit extracts]. / Laurocerausus officinalis Roemer (taflan) meyve ekstrelerinden nanoçiçek sentezi ile akantamoebisidal aktivitenin arttirilmasinda yeni bir strateji.

Pathogenic Acanthamoeba species often cause infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis among people who use contact lenses. It is a type of infection that can result in corneal ulceration, visual loss or even blindness, if not treated. There are various therapeutic options available in the treatment of Acanthamoeba infections but they are usually tough treatments with limited efficacy. For instance, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a commonly used contact lens disinfectant which is effective against Acanthamoeba but it is toxic to the cornea. For these reasons, new and more efficacious treatment options are required for Acanthamoeba infections. In this context, plants are considered natural resources for the discovery of new drugs. Laurocerasus officinalis Roem. (cherry laurel) (Rosaceae) grows in Black Sea region; and it is known as "Taflan", "Laz kirazi" or "Karayemis". Local people are using the seeds against diabetes, while the fruits are consuming as food, and used fordiuretic and passing kidney stones. It has also been reported that the seeds of the cherry laurel are used as an antiparasitic agent in this area. The aim of the study was to confirm the traditionally use of antiparasitic activity of this fruit and to increase the potential effect by means of organic-inorganic hybrid synthesis. Total phenol contents of methanol extracts prepared from endocarp, mesocarp and seeds of the fruit were calculated. The effects of methanol extracts and nano flower (NFs) plants synthesized from these extracts on the proliferation of Acanthamoeba castellanii were investigated. Thus, for the first time, novel organic-inorganic nanobio-antiparasitic agents called NFs were produced from cherry laurel and the increase in the amoebicidal activity of the NFs was elucidated. The characterization of NFs were determined with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FT-IR) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) techniques. In addition, the catalytic activity of the fruit extracts and the NFs were measured against guaiacol in the presence of H2O2. The viability testing of A.castellanii cysts used for amoebicidal activity was performed using 4% trypan blue. Methanol extracts and nano-flowers were prepared at concentrations of 32, 16, 8, 4, 2 and 1 mg/ml in 0.9% saline and distributed 200 µl each in tubes and incubated in the room temperature with the addition of 200 µl of 98% viable A.castellani parasites. The results were evaluated using the SPSS V.22.0 program and it was determined that there was a significant increase in the amoebicidal activity of NFs compared with the other extracts according to variance analysis (p≤ 0.05). In the study, it was determined that samples killed parasites or reduced parasite proliferation at certain times. As a result, NFs synthesized from fruit extracts were demonstrated about three times more effective than the non hybrid extracts for amoebicidal activity. This situation can be explained as high proliferative effect of a new nano-bio-antiparasitic agent known as nanoflower against A.castellanii.