SOME TREES AND FRUIT CHARACTERISTICS OF IMPORTANT STANDARD AND LOCAL POMEGRANATE (Punica granatum L.) CULTIVARS GROWN IN KOCAKOY (DIYARBAKIR) DISTRICT

In this study, it was aimed to determine certain tree and Fruit characteristics of important Standard and local pomegranate cultivars grown in Kocaköy (Diyarbakir) province. In this context, 2 pomegranate species (Hicaz and Zivzik), 5 local pomegranate species (Hınara Tırş, Hınara Zer, Hınara Meğoş, Hınar Şirin and Hınara Sor) and 2 local pomegranate genotypes (Hınar-1 and Hınar2) were studied. In the study, Fruit weights ranged from 129.90 -314.59 g; Fruit heights ranged from 54.78-74.28 mm; Fruit diameters ranged from 62.92-86.43 mm; Fruit Volume strange from 129.20-293.50 ml; Fruit juice amounts ranged from 34.90-90.90 ml; Fruit densities ranged from 1.0-1.23 gr/ml; 100 seed weights ranged from 24.46-37.690 g; calix heights ranged from 9.65-21.00 mm and calix diameters ranged from 16.40-27.60 mm. In addition, Soluble solid contents (SSC) ranged from 14.60-17.29% brix; total acidity ranged from 4.02-24.51%; pH ranged from 2.55-4.15 and shape indices ranged from 0.69-0.94. Moreover, sub skin color, upper skin color, seed hardness, fruit taste, seed color, upper fruit compartment, sub fruit compartment, compartment number, compartment appearance, easiness in separating arils and Fruit pulp weights of the genotypes and cultivars were also determined.

​Discrimination of Five Gobid Species (Family: Gobiidae) based on Otolith Morphometry

Background: The fishes of family Gobiidae are one of the least studied fishes, especially for otolith structure. The otoliths were possess species specific features. Hence, traits of sagittal otolith of gobid species studied. Methods: Five gobid species Odontamblyopus roseus (Valenciennes, 1837), Trypauchen vagina (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton, 1822), Parachaeturichthys polynema (Bleeker, 1853) and Boleophthalmus dussumieri (Valenciennes, 1837) were investigated by three methods including morphological, shape indices and step wise discriminant function analysis (SDFA). Result: Interrelationship between shape indices investigated, at 95% level of confidence (P less than 0.05), revealed that perimeter of P. polynema and area of T. vagina have isometric growth with their length (b = 3.0071, 2.90, respectively) and otolith area of B. dussumieri have positive allometric growth (b = 4.23077). SDFA, based on otolith morphometry, discriminated species up with 97.18% accuracy. Hence, the results of present investigation can be used for discrimination of the species and as a tool in predicting fish size from the otoliths and in calculating the biomass of these less studied fish species.

Definition and extraction of 2D shape indices of intracranial aneurysm necks for rupture risk assessment

Purpose Intracranial aneurysms are local dilations of brain vessels. Their rupture, as well as their treatment, is associated with high risk of morbidity and mortality. In this work, we propose shape indices for aneurysm ostia for the rupture risk assessment of intracranial aneurysms. Methods We analyzed 84 middle cerebral artery bifurcation aneurysms (27 ruptured and 57 unruptured) and their ostia, with respect to their size and shape. We extracted 3D models of the aneurysms and vascular trees. A semi-automatic approach was used to separate the aneurysm from its parent vessel and to reconstruct the ostium. We used known indices to quantitatively describe the aneurysms. For the ostium, we present new shape indices: the 2D Undulation Index (UI$$_\mathrm{2D}$$ 2 D ), the 2D Ellipticity Index (EI$$_\mathrm{2D}$$ 2 D ) and the 2D Noncircularity Index (NCI$$_\mathrm{2D}$$ 2 D ). Results were analyzed using the Student t test, the Mann–Whitney U test and a correlation analysis between indices of the aneurysms and their ostia. Results Of the indices, none was significantly associated with rupture status. Most aneurysms have an NCI$$_\mathrm{2D}$$ 2 D below 0.2. Of the aneurysms that have an NCI$$_\mathrm{2D}$$ 2 D above 0.5, only one is ruptured, which indicates that ruptured aneurysms often have a circular-shaped ostium. Furthermore, the ostia of ruptured aneurysms tend to have a smaller area, which is also correlated with the aneurysm’s size. While also other variables were significantly correlated, strong linear correlations can only be seen between the area of the ostium with the aneurysm’s volume and surface. Conclusion The proposed shape indices open up new possibilities to quantitatively describe and compare ostia, which can be beneficial for rupture risk assessment and subsequent treatment decision. Additionally, this work shows that the ostium area and the size of the aneurysm are correlated. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to analyze whether stable and unstable aneurysms can be distinguished by their ostia.

Epidemiological, Morphological, and Histopathological Study of Quail Coccidiosis in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq

Coccidiosis is the most common and important disease of poultry resulting in great economic losses world widely. This objective of this study was to determine the species of Eimeria, their prevalence, and gut histopathological lesions in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in Thi-Qar province, Iraq. Over the period of ten months (December 2019 to September 2020), a total of 330 fresh fecal samples (201 from males and 129 from females) were collected from different marketplaces and farms in Thi-Qar province. Direct smear and flotation techniques were used to examine the presence of Eimeria oocysts in the fecal samples. The sporulated oocyst shape indices were determined microscopically. Hematoxylin and eosin, as well as Periodic-Acid Schiff stains, were used to document potential pathological lesions and Eimeria developmental phases within the small (duodenum, jejunum, and ileum) and large (caeca) intestines. Four species, according to the criteria adopted, Eimeria bateri, Eimeria uzura, Eimeria tsunodai, and Eimeria fluminensis were uncovered in current study, with shape indices of 1.30, 1.36, 1.30, and 1.05, respectively. The total infection rate was 64.54%; and the morphological characteristics of the oocysts was identified. The highest infection rate was in E. bateri (41.78%), while the lowest infection rate was in E. fluminensis (7.98%). The highest prevalence rate was in March 84.84% with a significant effect at (P≤0.01). The sex of quail had no significant effect of the coccidiosis infection. The study revealed a destruction in the epithelium of the mucosa and submucosa of the intestine and development of the Eimeria stages, which led to malabsorption and consequently weight loss and economic losses in the quail industry.

Sagitta otolith of three demersal species in a tropical environment

The objective of this study was to describe the morphology and morphometry of saggitta otoliths of Polydactylus virginicus, Menticirrhus cuiaranensis and Conodon nobilis in a tropical environment. Fishes were caught with rod and reel in competitive fishing events promoted in 2014-2015 along the coast of Sergipe. A total of 174 pairs of sagitta otoliths of P. virginicus, 181 of M. cuiaranensis and 77 of C. nobilis was extracted. In general, the sagitta otoliths of all three species analyzed here presented different morphology and shape indices. The permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) demonstrated significant differences among species and ontogenetic phases within each species using morphometry and shape indices. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) presented a 98.3% correct reclassification of the otoliths by species.

GWAS of allometric body-shape indices in UK Biobank identifies loci suggesting associations with morphogenesis, organogenesis, adrenal cell renewal and cancer

Genetic studies have examined body-shape measures adjusted for body mass index (BMI), while allometric indices are additionally adjusted for height. We performed the first genome-wide association study of A Body Shape Index (ABSI), Hip Index (HI) and the new Waist-to-Hip Index and compared these with traditional indices, using data from the UK Biobank Resource for 219,872 women and 186,825 men with white British ancestry and Bayesian linear mixed-models (BOLT-LMM). One to two thirds of the loci identified for allometric body-shape indices were novel. Most prominent was rs72959041 variant in RSPO3 gene, expressed in visceral adipose tissue and regulating adrenal cell renewal. Highly ranked were genes related to morphogenesis and organogenesis, previously additionally linked to cancer development and progression. Genetic associations were fewer in men compared to women. Prominent region-specific associations showed variants in loci VEGFA and HMGA1 for ABSI and KLF14 for HI in women, and C5orf67 and HOXC4/5 for ABSI and RSPO3, VEGFA and SLC30A10 for HI in men. Although more variants were associated with waist and hip circumference adjusted for BMI compared to ABSI and HI, associations with height had previously been reported for many of the additional variants, illustrating the importance of adjusting correctly for height.

Assessment of the morphometry of heads of normal sperm and sperm with the Dag defect in the semen of Duroc boars

Introduction The Dag defect is one of the primary morphological defects in sperm correlating with reduced fertility. This defect is found in the spermatozoa of many livestock species. The aim of the study was to assess the morphometry of the heads of normal sperm and sperm with the Dag defect in the semen of Duroc breeding boars. Material and Methods Sperm morphology was examined in ten ejaculates each from 12 Duroc boars. In total, 3,600 morphologically normal sperm and 838 sperm with the Dag defect were evaluated. The area, perimeter, length and width of the sperm head were measured and these basic morphometric parameters were used to calculate four additional shape indices characterising the sperm head, i.e. ellipticity, elongation, roughness and regularity. Results Sperm with this defect had markedly smaller heads, 0.32 μm shorter and 0.19 μm narrower than the heads of sperm with normal morphological structure. The heads of sperm with the Dag defect also had a 1.1μm smaller perimeter and a 2.5 μm2 smaller surface area than the heads of morphologically normal sperm. Conclusions The Dag defect is found in boar sperm irrespective of the age of the individual. It affects the morphology of the sperm head.

Otoliths as taxonomic tool to identify catfishes of the genus Mystus (Teleostei: Bagridae) from India

To contribute to the clarification of taxonomy of bagrid catfishes belonging to the genus Mystus, the lapillus otoliths of five species (Mystus armatus, M. malabaricus, M. cavasius, M. gulio and M. tengara), using various otolith shape indices such as circularity, ellipticity, rectangularity and form factor were compared. Among the indices studied, rectangularity and form factor bestowed maximum F-ratio of 49.223 and 30.621, respectively, contributing maximum to species discrimination. The F-ratio for circularity, ellipticity, rectangularity, form factor and roundness were found to be 4.154, 28.735, 30.621, 49.223 and 14.58, respectively. The shape indices studied varied significantly among the five species. Cross validation by discriminant analysis of otolith shape data explained 100%variability by the first four functions. The jack-knifed classification matrix identified that the original groups are correctly classified to an extent of 68.6%. The description provided in this article will serve as a baseline database for bagrid otolith of the genus Mystus.

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И МОРФОЛОГО-БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ИНКУБАЦИОННЫХ ЯИЦ ОТЕЧЕСТВЕННЫХ ПОРОД ИНДЕЕК

КЛЮЧЕВЫЕ СЛОВА: ИНДЕЙКИ, ПОРОДЫ, ГЕНОФОНД, ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ, ИНКУБАЦИОННЫЕ ЯЙЦА, МОРФОЛОГИЯ ЯИЦ, БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СОСТАВ ЯИЦ АННОТАЦИЯ: Целью настоящей работы явилось определение продуктивных особенностей, морфологических и биохимических характеристик инкубационных яиц переярых индеек биоресурсной коллекции в начале, середине и конце продуктивного периода при групповом учете. Исследования проводились в производственных условиях СГЦ «СКЗОСП» на индейках биоресурсной коллекции: шести пород основного генофонда и четырех популяций нового генофонда - голубых, красных и групп 602 и 607. Установлено, что средняя живая масса переярых индеек основного генофонда в начале яйцекладки превосходила стандартные значения. Наиболее высокая масса яиц (83,07 г) отмечена у бронзовой северокавказской породы. Индекс формы яиц у индеек генофонда находился в переделах 68,53-72,93%. Единицы Хау во всех породах находились в пределах 92,93-94,73%, соответствуя стандарту. Содержание витамина В2 в белке яиц было в пределах нормы у бронзовой северокавказской и узбекской палевой пород; превышение норматива наблюдалось у белой северокавказской (на 0,43 мкг/г), московской белой (на 0,67 мкг/г) и черной тихорецкой (на 0,75 мкг/г) пород. Лучший показатель по живой массе в 16 недель отмечен у белой северокавказской (5,54 кг) и московской белой (5,63 кг) пород; в этих же породах самцы имели высокую мясную оценку (от 4,47 до 4,55 балла). Живая масса индюшат-самцов в группе 607 составила 5,98 кг. THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, MORPHOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EGG INDICES IN RUSSIAN TURKEY BREEDS OF GENE POOL COLLECTION POGODAEV V.A.1, BURAVTSOVA I.N.2, ROMANENKO I.V.2, KOLOBOVA O.E.2 1 North-Caucasian Federal Scientific Agrarian Center 2 Federal Scientific Center “All-Russian Research and Technological Institute of Poultry” of Russian Academy of Sciences The productive performance, morphological and biochemical egg indices in Russian turkey breeds of gene pool collection of the North-Caucasian Zonal Experimental Station for Poultry were determined in the molted hens in the beginning, middle, and finishing stages of the second season of lay. Six breeds of the gene pool and four new populations (blue, red, group 602, and group 607) were analyzed. Average hen weight at the beginning of lay in all 6 gene pool breeds exceeded the standards for the breeds. The highest average egg weight throughout the second season of lay was found in Bronze North-Caucasian breed (83.07 g). Shape indices of eggs in all 6 breeds fell within the range 68.53-72.93%; Haugh units were 92.93-94.73% and corresponded to the standards. Concentration of vitamin B2 in the albumen was normal in Bronze Nor-Caucasian and Uzbek Fauve breeds; in 3 breeds this parameter was above the normal range (by 0.43 μg/g in White North-Caucasian, by 0.67 μg/g in Moscow White, and by 0.75 μg/g in Black Tikhoretskaya breeds). The highest live bodyweight in males at 16 weeks of age was found in White North-Caucasian (5.54 kg) and Moscow White (5.63 kg) breeds; these breeds also featured the highest average scores of meat quality (4.47-4.55 scores out of 5). Among new populations the highest live bodyweight in males at 16 weeks of age was found in group 607 (5.98 kg). Keywords: TURKEY, BREEDS, GENE POOL COLLECTION, PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, EGGS FOR INCUBATION, EGG MORPHOLOGY, BIOCHEMICAL EGG INDICES

Paradox of otolith shape indices: routine but overestimated use

The identification of fish species using otolith shape has been common in many fields of the marine science. Different analytical processes can be applied for the morphological discrimination, but reviewing the literature we have found conceptual and statistical limitations in the use of shape indices and wavelets (contour analysis), being specially worrying in the first case due to their widespread routine use. In the present study, 42 species were classified using otolith shape indices and wavelets and applying traditional and machine learning classifiers and performance measures (accuracy, Cohen’s kappa statistic, sensitivity and precision). Our results were conclusive, wavelets were a more adequate option for the classification of species than shape indices, independently of classifiers and performance measures considered. The artificial neural network and support vector machine provided the highest values for all performance measures using wavelets. In all cases, the measures of sensitivity and precision pointed out a higher confusion between some otolith patterns using shape indices. Therefore, we strongly discourage the routine use of shape indices for the identification of species.