Regional cases of bovine ephemeral fever (BEF) were documented previously in Turkey. Previous cases were confirmed in South-East Turkey with low cow mortality. Recent BEF-suspected outbreaks with high mortality were documented in many regions of Turkey in 2012. The aim of study was the epidemiological examination of the outbreak and molecular characterization of the viruses detected from the outbreak. For this reason, blood samples were collected from BEF-suspected outbreak regions. From the results of RT-PCR, high rate of BEF-suspected samples (48/60 or 80%) was found positive for BEF virus (BEFV) RNA. The nucleotide sequences of the G1 region of G gene of BEFV in the current study during the 2012 outbreak were grouped into cluster II of BEFV. It was suggested that BEFV may be spread out to other neighbor countries in the future years.

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BackgroundCrimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a tick-borne virus of the genus Nairovirus family Bunyaviridae, which are enveloped viruses containing tripartite, negative polarity, single-stranded RNA. CCHF is characterized by high case mortality, occurring in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Currently, there are no specific treatments or licensed vaccines available for CCHFV. Recently, two research groups have found adult mice with defective interferon responses allowed to lethal CCHFV infection. These mouse models could provide invaluable information for further studies. Efforts to develop a vaccine against CCHFV are being made. To determine the efficacy of vaccine candidates it is important to conduct serological studies that can accurately measure levels of protective antibodies. In the present study, a pseudo-plaque reduction neutralization test (PPRNT) based on enzyme-catalyzed color development of infected cells probed with anti-CCHFV antibodies was used to measure neutralization antibody of CCHFV.MethodsSixty-nine human serum samples (20 acute and 49 convalescent) were tested. The presence of CCHFV antibodies was determined and confirmed by a commercial ELISA kit. CCHFV RNA was determined by RT-PCR. All the samples were analyzed by PPRNT and fluorescent focus reduction neutralization test (FFRNT) to measure of CCHFV-neutralizing antibodies.ResultsPseudo-plaque reduction neutralization test showed a high sensitivity (98%), specificity (100%) and agreement (96,6%) in qualitative comparison with those of the FFRNT. There was a high correlation between the titers obtained in PPRNT and FFRNT (R2 = 0.92). The inter- and intra-assay variation of PPRNT revealed good reproducibility and positive cut-off of PPRNT was defined as 1:4 by the geometric mean titers for the individual samples distributed.ConclusionThe pseudo-plaque reduction neutralization test described in this study is a fast, reproducible and sensitive method for the measurement of CCHF neutralizing antibodies. This novel assay could serve as useful tools for CCHF research in epidemiology, vaccine development and other studies of immunity. It also provides an alternative to PRNT when viruses with no or poor CPE in cell culture.

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double parotid ducts were observed in a formalin-fixed 72-yearold male cadaver. The cadaver had no trace of scars, adhesions or signs of trauma or operation. All measurements were taken using a stainless steel caliper with an accuracy of 0.02 mm. The study conforms to the provisions of the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and all subsequent revisions. AbstractThe parotid duct is formed by the confluence of two ducts in the gland which ascend and descend at right angle to the main duct. While crossing the masseter muscle, it can receive the accessory parotid duct. Although the anatomical course of this duct is well known, the reports on its normal anatomical variations and morphometry are very few. During routine dissection in the Department of Anatomy of Ege University School of Medicine, double parotid ducts were observed bilaterally in a 72-year-old male cadaver. These were traced carefully and neighboring anatomic structures were demonstrated. The two ducts on both sides merged with each other to form the main parotid duct that had a straight course running horizontally towards the anterior border of the masseter muscle. The length of the main parotid duct was 20.02 mm on the right side and 16 mm on the left side. The distance between tragus and the union point of the double ducts was 52 mm on the right side and 58.72 mm on the left side. Detailed morphometry and location of the double parotid ducts are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic luminal procedures.

Anatomical variations of the hamstring muscles are not common. During anatomy dissection of the lower extremities of an adult male cadaver, an aberrant muscular bundle was observed. This aberrant muscle bundle was originated from long head of biceps femoris and merged with semitendinosus. Because the muscular bundle runs across the sciatic nerve, it may compress the sciatic nerve and cause symptoms of sciatic nerve compression. This type of muscular bundle may potentially predispose hamstring strain and hamstring injury. Such a muscular bundle also may cause confusion during surgery or evaluation of CT and MRI scans. Therefore, awareness of this type of variations is essential to avoid complications during diagnostic radiology and surgeries.

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