Genetic gains in wheat in Turkey: Winter wheat for dryland conditions

Wheat breeders in Turkey have been developing new varieties since the 1920 s, but few studies have evaluated the rates of genetic improvement. This study determined wheat genetic gains by evaluating 22 winter/facultative varieties released for rainfed conditions between 1931 and2006. The study was conducted at three locations in Turkey during 2008-2012, with a total of 21 test sites. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replicates in2008 and 2009 and three replicates in 2010-2012. Regression analysis was conducted to determine genetic progress over time. Mean yield across all 21 locations was 3.34 t ha^(-1) but varied from 1.11 ha^(-1) to 6.02 t ha^(-1) and was highly affected by moisture stress. Annual genetic gain was 0.50% compared to Ak-702, or 0.30% compared to the first modern landmark varieties. The genetic gains in drought-affected sites were 0.75% compared to Ak-702 and0.66% compared to the landmark varieties. Modem varieties had both improved yield potential and tolerance to moisture stress. Rht genes and rye translocations were largely absent in the varieties studied. The number of spikes per unit area decreased by 10% over the study period,but grains spike^(-1) and 1000-kemel weight increased by 10%. There were no significant increases in harvest index, grain size, or spike fertility, and no significant decrease in quality over time. Future use of Rht genes and rye translocations in breeding programs may increase yield under rainfed conditions.

Intraperitoneal rupture of the hydatid cyst: Four case reports and literature review

BACKGROUND Most patients with hydatid cysts are asymptomatic, and they are diagnosed incidentally during radiological evaluations performed for other reasons.However, some patients develop symptoms and complications due to cyst size,location, and the relationship between the cyst and adjacent structures. The most serious complications that can occur are rupture of the cysts into the biliary tract,vascular structures, hollow viscus, and peritoneal cavity. We aimed to describe the management of four cases of intraperitoneal rupture of hydatid cysts.CASE SUMMARIES Four patients aged between 27 and 44 years(two men and two women) were admitted to our clinic with sudden abdominal pain(n = 4), hypotension(n = 3),and anaphylaxis(n = 2). Three of the perforated cysts were located in the liver,and one was located in the spleen. Two patients developed cyst rupture after minor trauma, and the other two developed spontaneous rupture. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay IgG results were positive for two patients and negative for the other two. All patients received albendazole treatment after surgical intervention(range: 2-6 mo). Two patients developed hepatic abscesses requiring drainage; one of these patients also developed hydatid cyst recurrence during postoperative follow-up(range: 25-80 mo).CONCLUSION Intraperitoneal rupture is a life-threatening complication of hydatid cysts. It is important to manage patients with surgical intervention as soon as possible with aggressive medical treatment for anaphylactic reactions.

Renoportal anastomosis in living donor liver transplantation with prior proximal splenorenal shunt

For transplant surgeons, end-stage liver disease with portal venous thrombosis and a previous splenorenal shunt(SRS) is a significant challenge during liver transplantation. Thrombosis of the portal vein can be corrected by surgical interventions, such as portal venous thrombectomy or surgical removal of the thrombosed portal vein. Even also placement of a graft between the mesenteric vein and the graft portal vein can be performed. If these maneuvers fail, a renoportal anastomosis(RPA) can be performed to achieve adequate graft inflow. A 51-year-old male patient who had a history of proximal SRS and splenectomy underwent living donor liver transplantation(LDLT) due to cryptogenic cirrhosis. LDLT was performed with RPA using a cadaveric iliac vein graft. The early postoperative course of the patient was completely uneventful and he was discharged 20 d after transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first patient to receive LDLT with RPA after surgical proximal SRS and splenectomy.

International Winter Wheat Improvement Program: history,activities, impact and future

International Winter Wheat Improvement Program(IWWIP) was established in 1986 between the Government of Turkey and CIMMYT with three main objectives:(1) develop winter/facultative germplasm for Central and West Asia,(2) facilitate global winter wheat germplasm exchange, and(3) training wheat scientists.ICARDA joined the program in 1991 making it a threeway partnership that continues to work effectively.The germplasm developed by IWWIP as well as the winter wheat cultivars and lines received from global cooperators are assembled into international nurseries.These nurseries are offered annually to public and private entities(IWWIP website) and distributed to more than 100 cooperators in all continents.IWWIP impact has primarily been in new winter wheat cultivars combining broad adaptation, high yield potential, drought tolerance and disease resistance.A total of 93 IWWIP cultivars have been released in 11 countries occupying annually an estimated 2.5–3.0 Mha.IWWIP cooperation with researchers in Turkey, Central and West Asia and several US universities has resulted in a number of publications reviewed in this paper.Important IWWIP impacts include national inventories of wheat landraces in Turkey, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, their collection, characterization, evaluation and utilization.