The sea bream's nematode and Sparus aurata, sampled from the Iskenderun Bay, Mediterranean, in March 2008 were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry for their some heavy metal (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Mg, Pb, and Zn) levels. The metal concentrations of the parasites were compared to different organs (liver, muscle, gill, intestine, and skin) of the fish hosts. There were significant differences in Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, Hg, Mg, and Pb concentrations in tissues of fish and its parasite. The parasite Cd, Cu, and Pb concentration was higher than the other tissues. Furthermore, significant differences were detected in the heavy metal accumulations between the parasitized and unparasitized fish tissues in Cd, Cu, Hg, and Pb concentrations. The Cd, Hg, and Pb concentrations were found in fish muscle at mean concentrations over the permissible limits proposed by the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) on the survival and growth of Astacus leptodactylus juveniles were evaluated. Experimental diets were prepared by using supplementation of 0 (Control), 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g MOS kg -1 commercial trout larvae diet containing 43 g kg -1 protein and 15.74 g kg -1 lipid. A. leptodactylus juvenile with an average total length of 3.6 ± 0.46 cm (TL) and average weight of 1.25 ± 0.43 g was stocked in 0.2-m 2 aquariums at a rate of 50 crayfish/m 2 and reared for 60 days at 22.8°C. The experiment consisted of four treatments with three replicates each. Each aquarium contained ten crayfish. Crayfish juvenile fed with 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 MOS attained 6.15 ± 0.49, 5.94 ± 0.29, 7.34 ± 0.39, and 5.94 ± 0.27 cm final total length and 50, 56.67, 46.67, and 50% survival rates, respectively. Moreover, molting frequencies in 0, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 g kg -1 MOS groups were detected as 44.44, 61.11, 83.33, and 38.88%, respectively. At the end of the experiment, a general enhanced growth performance (P \ 0.05) and feed conversion ratio were observed in crayfish fed on the diet containing 3.0 g kg -1 . Crayfish juveniles fed with 3.0 g kg -1 MOS had the highest final length (7.34 ± 0.39 cm), although their survival was the lowest (46.67%) compared to other treatments but not significant. Specific growth rates were significantly different (P \ 0.05) among the treatment groups at the end of the 60-day experiment. There were no significant differences (P [ 0.05) in percentage moisture, protein, and ash (wet-weight basis) in the tail meat of A. leptodactylus juvenile among treatments (diet) that averaged 82.3, 16.1, and 1.2%, respectively. However, lipid value was significantly different among the diets P \ 0.05), with values between 0.13 and 0.32. From the current results, it could be advised to use MOS at the rate of 3.0 g kg -1 in A. leptodactylus juvenile diets.

Purpose This study aimed to examine the challenges faced by pregnant women and their daily life activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, to assess the psychological impacts of the pandemic and their expectations to improve women's mental health, thereby increasing the awareness of healthcare professionals of the subject. Methods The research was conducted with the participation of 30 pregnant women, who were selected by purposive sampling using the phenomenological approach, between 15 June 2020 and 15 August 2020. Telephone interviews were conducted with pregnant women due to social isolation measures during the Coronavirus pandemic. Results In the study, the following four themes were determined: (a) measures taken against the pandemic, (b) problems regarding the antenatal period during the pandemic, (c) gestation period and change in social life, (d) psychological effects of the pandemic and methods for coping with them. Also, 14 sub-themes were determined regarding these themes. Conclusion The results of the study revealed that the pandemic had multidimensional impacts on pregnant women, including their social life and physical health. Psychologically, it caused many negative emotional states, particularly concerns and fears. During the pandemic, healthcare professionals should be aware of the needs of pregnant women and plan protective and informative interventions for both their physiological and psychological health.

Objective:This study was planned as a descriptive study for the purpose of examining the sexual functions of patients' who underwent a gynecological operation and received brachytherapy.Methods:The study was conducted with 118 women who attended the Radiation Oncology Unit at Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital in Izmir Province for Gynecological Oncology follow-up, who participated voluntarily and were assigned using the random sampling method. The participants were married, sexually active, had a diagnosis of gynecologic cancer, underwent an operation and received brachytherapy for four months after the operation. The Individual Identification Form and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) were used as the data collection tools.Results:The average age of women who participated in study was 50.90±7.98 and 41.5% of them had completed primary school. About 60% of the participants had cervical cancer and 69.5% had a total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy. The FSFI average score was determined to be 15.77±8.71. It was found that 97.5% of the participants received fewer than 30 points from the scale and these participants thus experienced sexual dysfunction.Conclusions:According to the findings obtained from the study, almost all thewomen that had an operation as a result of adiagnosis of gynecologic cancer and received brachytherapy experienced sexual dysfunction.

No abstract