Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Life Sciences Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Articles 1 - 30 of 91

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Assessment Of Genetic Diversity In Naturally Growing 29 Trifolium L. Taxa From Bolu Province Using Rapd And Ssr Markers, Emel Uslu, Gözde Damla Ertuğrul, Mehmet Teki̇n Babaç Jan 2013

Assessment Of Genetic Diversity In Naturally Growing 29 Trifolium L. Taxa From Bolu Province Using Rapd And Ssr Markers, Emel Uslu, Gözde Damla Ertuğrul, Mehmet Teki̇n Babaç

Turkish Journal of Biology

Two molecular marker technologies, RAPD and SSR, were used to determine the genetic diversity of 29 taxa of Trifolium L. collected from Bolu Province. The analysis was carried out using 11 RAPD and 5 SSR markers. A total of 446 and 331 fragments were produced by RAPD and SSR markers, respectively. The amplification products were 300-3500 bp with RAPD and 125-3000 bp with SSR markers. These bands were scored as absence and presence for all taxa. Data obtained were used to estimate genetic similarity using Jaccard’s coefficient, and dendrograms were constructed by the UPGMA method using either RAPD and SSR …


Transcriptional Profiling Of Transferrin Gene From Egyptian Cotton Leaf Worm, Spodoptera Littoralis, Nurper Güz, Asli Dağeri̇, Tuğba Erdoğan, Mouzhgan Mousavi, Şeri̇fe Bayram, Mehmet Oktay Gürkan Jan 2013

Transcriptional Profiling Of Transferrin Gene From Egyptian Cotton Leaf Worm, Spodoptera Littoralis, Nurper Güz, Asli Dağeri̇, Tuğba Erdoğan, Mouzhgan Mousavi, Şeri̇fe Bayram, Mehmet Oktay Gürkan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Iron is an essential nutrient for almost all organisms, but it is also a potent toxin because it can catalyze oxidative reactions that are destructive to cells. Transferrin is an essential protein involved in iron metabolism, immunity, and vitellogenesis in insects. We have characterized a cDNA encoding a putative iron-binding transferrin (SpliTrf) in Egyptian cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest that causes extensive losses in many vegetable, fodder, and fiber crops. The structure of the putative SpliTrf showed significant homology to other insect transferrins. Gene expression of SpliTrf was examined from different adult tissues including the …


A Holistic Approach For Selection Of Bacillus Spp. As A Bioremediator For Shrimp Postlarvae Culture, Thimmalapura Devaraja, Sanjoy Banerjee, Fatimah Yusoff, Mohamed Shariff, Helena Khatoon Jan 2013

A Holistic Approach For Selection Of Bacillus Spp. As A Bioremediator For Shrimp Postlarvae Culture, Thimmalapura Devaraja, Sanjoy Banerjee, Fatimah Yusoff, Mohamed Shariff, Helena Khatoon

Turkish Journal of Biology

Indigenous Bacillus pumilus, B. licheniformis, and B. subtilis were isolated from marine water and soil samples and investigated for potential bioremediation ability in Penaeus monodon culture. Bacillus spp. were selected based on their wide range of growth conditions, ease of mass culture, tolerance to total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), inhibition of pathogenic vibrios, nonpathogenicity, and ability to reduce TAN. Results showed that optimum growth of the selected Bacillus spp. occurred at 30 °C, pH 7.5, and 1.5% NaCl, and they secreted protease, amylase, and lipase. Vibrio spp. were also inhibited by 3 Bacillus spp. In addition, the selected Bacillus spp. had …


Medium Optimization For The Production Of Exopolysaccharide By Bacillus Subtilis Using Synthetic Sources And Agro Wastes, Sirajunnisa Abdul Razack, Vijayagopal Velayutham, Viruthagiri Thangavelu Jan 2013

Medium Optimization For The Production Of Exopolysaccharide By Bacillus Subtilis Using Synthetic Sources And Agro Wastes, Sirajunnisa Abdul Razack, Vijayagopal Velayutham, Viruthagiri Thangavelu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) play an extensive role as biopolymers in the environment by replacing synthetic polymers as they are degradable, nontoxic, and produced by microorganisms. An attempt was made to optimize a medium, by the one-factor-at-a-time method, for an enhanced production of EPS from a soil isolate, Bacillus subtilis. The study was carried out by experimenting on various nutrients at different concentrations. EPS was precipitated using ethanol, the total carbohydrate content was determined by phenol sulfuric acid method, and functional groups were detected by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometry. The finalized medium contained sucrose (20 g/L), yeast extract (5 g/L), NaCl …


Evaluation Of E330-Induced Developmental Toxicity Using Fetax, Ayper Boğa Pekmezekmek, Uğur Seçi̇l Bi̇nokay, Kübra Akillioğlu, Yaşar Sertdemi̇r Jan 2013

Evaluation Of E330-Induced Developmental Toxicity Using Fetax, Ayper Boğa Pekmezekmek, Uğur Seçi̇l Bi̇nokay, Kübra Akillioğlu, Yaşar Sertdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study evaluates the teratogenic and toxicological effects of citric acid (E330), a food additive, on Xenopus laevis embryos. The embryos were exposed to a range of E330 concentrations, from stage 8 to 11 of development, for 96 h under static renewal test conditions. The median lethal concentrations, no-observed adverse effect concentration (NOAEC), lowest observed adverse effect concentration (LOAEC), and minimum concentration to inhibit growth (MCIG) values were calculated. The lethal concentration (LC) values LC_{10}, LC_{20}, LC_{30}, LC_{40}, and LC_{50} determined for E330 exposure were 0.0113, 0.0117, 0.0119, 0.0122, and 0.0124 g/L, respectively. NOAEC and LOAEC values were calculated …


Phylogenetic Analysis Of Rhizoctonia Solani Ag-4 Isolates From Common Beans In Black Sea Coastal Region, Turkey, Based On Its-5.8s Rdna, Meli̇ke Çebi̇ Kiliçoğlu, İbrahi̇m Özkoç Jan 2013

Phylogenetic Analysis Of Rhizoctonia Solani Ag-4 Isolates From Common Beans In Black Sea Coastal Region, Turkey, Based On Its-5.8s Rdna, Meli̇ke Çebi̇ Kiliçoğlu, İbrahi̇m Özkoç

Turkish Journal of Biology

In this study, 114 Rhizoctonia solani isolates were obtained from diseased common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants from the Black Sea coastal region of Turkey. Genetic variation was determined among R. solani anastomosis group 4 (AG-4) subgroups (AG-4 HG-I and AG-4 HG-II). ITS-5.8 rDNA sequences of these isolates were aligned with other known R. solani sequences from GenBank, and distance and parsimony analysis were used to determine phylogenetic relationships. The R. solani AG-4 isolates were placed in 2 main lineages, corresponding to AG-4 HG-I and AG-4 HG-II. Based on phylogenetic analysis, genetic variations were shown in the AG-4 subgroups (especially …


Purification Of Antioxidant Protein Isolated From Peganum Harmala And Its Protective Effect Against Ccl4 Toxicity In Rats, Hanaa Ahmed, Helal Abu Elzahab, Gamia Alswiai Jan 2013

Purification Of Antioxidant Protein Isolated From Peganum Harmala And Its Protective Effect Against Ccl4 Toxicity In Rats, Hanaa Ahmed, Helal Abu Elzahab, Gamia Alswiai

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study was conducted to determine the protective effect of the purified protein from seeds of Peganum harmala against carbon tetrachloride (CCl_{4})-induced toxicity in male albino rats. The purification steps included ammonium sulfate fractionation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, CM-Sepharose, and Superdex 75 columns. The molecular mass of the purified protein was 132 kDa by gel filtration technique; it consisted of 2 subunits with molecular masses of 30.199 kDa and 38.018 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Results of the dose-dependent experiment with purified protein prior to CCl_4 administration were higher at 4 mg/kg body weight. The antioxidant activity of the purified protein …


Karyotype Traits In Romanian Selections Of Edible Blue Honeysuckle, Elena Truta, Gabriela Vochita, Craita Maria Rosu, Maria Magdalena Zamfirache, Zenovia Olteanu, Lacramioara Oprica Jan 2013

Karyotype Traits In Romanian Selections Of Edible Blue Honeysuckle, Elena Truta, Gabriela Vochita, Craita Maria Rosu, Maria Magdalena Zamfirache, Zenovia Olteanu, Lacramioara Oprica

Turkish Journal of Biology

Large morpho-anatomical and biochemical variability was evidenced in all Lonicera caerulea L. provenances. The knowledge of chromosome constitution is of basic importance in this context of elevated phenotype heterogeneity and represents a necessary step in breeding programs. The Romanian selections are tetraploid (2n = 4x = 36). Chromosomes are small-sized (


Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, And Synergistic Properties Of Two Nutraceutical Plants: Terminalia Catappa L. And Colocasia Esculenta L., Sumitra Chanda, Kalpna Rakholiya, Komal Dholakia, Yogesh Baravalia Jan 2013

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, And Synergistic Properties Of Two Nutraceutical Plants: Terminalia Catappa L. And Colocasia Esculenta L., Sumitra Chanda, Kalpna Rakholiya, Komal Dholakia, Yogesh Baravalia

Turkish Journal of Biology

Antibiotics have been effective in treating infectious diseases, but resistance to these drugs has led to the emergence of new and reemergence of old infectious diseases. Using a combination of plant extracts and antibiotics is one way of combating these multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of 2 nutraceutical plants: Terminalia catappa and Colocasia esculenta. The antimicrobial activity of the plants was evaluated against 25 microorganisms by agar well diffusion method. C. esculenta did not show any antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi. Therefore, only methanol extract of T. catappa was …


Comparison Of The Volatiles Of Daphne Pontica L. And D. Oleoides Schreber Subsp. Oleoides Isolated By Hydro- And Microdistillation Methods, İlhan Gürbüz, Betül Demi̇rci̇, Gerhard Franz, Kemal Hüsnü Can Başer, Erdem Yeşi̇lada, Fati̇h Demi̇rci̇ Jan 2013

Comparison Of The Volatiles Of Daphne Pontica L. And D. Oleoides Schreber Subsp. Oleoides Isolated By Hydro- And Microdistillation Methods, İlhan Gürbüz, Betül Demi̇rci̇, Gerhard Franz, Kemal Hüsnü Can Başer, Erdem Yeşi̇lada, Fati̇h Demi̇rci̇

Turkish Journal of Biology

Aerial parts of Daphne pontica were collected from Ilgaz-Çankırı, and D. oleoides subsp. oleoides was collected from 2 different localities (Ayrancı-Karaman and Ilgaz-Çankırı) in Turkey. The samples were subjected to hydrodistillation and microdistillation. The resulting volatile samples were analyzed both by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. The main components for D. pontica were identified as hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (8.6%), carvacrol (8.5%), dihydroedulane II (4.7%), (E)-geranyl acetone (4.6%), and thymol (4.5%), while nonacosane (42.5% and 27.2%), hexadecanoic acid (24.4% and 20.0%), phytol (12.3%), and carvacrol (5.0%) were identified as the main components of D. oleoides subsp. oleoides obtained …


Evaluation Of Anti-Plasmodium Berghei Activity Of Crude And Column Fractions Of Extracts From Withania Somnifera, Zerihun Teklemariam Dame, Beyene Petros, Yalemtsehay Mekonnen Jan 2013

Evaluation Of Anti-Plasmodium Berghei Activity Of Crude And Column Fractions Of Extracts From Withania Somnifera, Zerihun Teklemariam Dame, Beyene Petros, Yalemtsehay Mekonnen

Turkish Journal of Biology

Different crude methanolic and chloroform extracts of Withania somnifera leaves, and column fractions of the methanolic extract, were tested in vivo for antimalarial activity on Swiss albino male mice. Each mouse in the study was infected intraperitoneally with 0.2 mL of blood containing 10^6-10^7 infected erythrocytes taken from mice previously infected with chloroquine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei. The extracts were given to the infected mice intraperitoneally starting from 3 h following inoculation. Antimalarial activity was evaluated by taking blood smears on day 4. The results revealed that column fractions of methanolic extract obtained from leaves of Withania somnifera showed significantly improved suppression …


The Effects Of Zinc Chloride During Early Embryonic Development In Zebrafish (Brachydanio Rerio), Melek Küçükoğlu, Uğur Seçi̇l Bi̇nokay, Ayper Boğa Pekmezekmek Jan 2013

The Effects Of Zinc Chloride During Early Embryonic Development In Zebrafish (Brachydanio Rerio), Melek Küçükoğlu, Uğur Seçi̇l Bi̇nokay, Ayper Boğa Pekmezekmek

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study investigated the developmental toxicity of zinc chloride (ZnCl_{2}) in zebrafish embryos (Brachydanio rerio, Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes). Zebrafish embryos were exposed to 5 different concentrations of ZnCl_{2}, from the blastula stage, for 15 days under static renewal test conditions. As a result, the corresponding median lethal concentration (LC_{50}) value determined for ZnCl_2 exposure was 1.36 mg/L (0.65 mg/L as a lone Zn^{2+} ion). At 1.0 mg/L ZnCl_{2}, the exposed group's hatching began at 7 days instead of at 4 days, and most of the embryos died in the chorion without hatching at 11 and 12 days. Developmental deformities such as …


Effect Of Nitrogen Supply On The C/N Balance In The Lichen Evernia Prunastri (L.) Ach., Silvana Munzi, Tommaso Pisani, Luca Paoli, Monia Renzi, Stefano Loppi Jan 2013

Effect Of Nitrogen Supply On The C/N Balance In The Lichen Evernia Prunastri (L.) Ach., Silvana Munzi, Tommaso Pisani, Luca Paoli, Monia Renzi, Stefano Loppi

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study investigated the relationship between nitrogen and carbon in the thalli of the lichen Evernia prunastri, with an emphasis on the role of the C/N balance in the response of this species to N excess. For this purpose, thalli collected at a remote site were sprayed for 5 weeks with NH_{4}NO_{3} (0.05 and 1 M) and (NH_{4})_{2}SO_4 (0.025 and 0.5 M) solutions, and later analyzed for their C and N content. The results showed that the total N content of thalli increased and the total C content decreased along with increasing N concentration in the treatment solutions. Consequently, the …


An Ethnobotanical Survey In Selected Towns Of The Mediterranean Subregion (Turkey), Gali̇p Akaydin, Işil Şi̇mşek, Zeki̇ye Ceren Arituluk, Erdem Yeşi̇lada Jan 2013

An Ethnobotanical Survey In Selected Towns Of The Mediterranean Subregion (Turkey), Gali̇p Akaydin, Işil Şi̇mşek, Zeki̇ye Ceren Arituluk, Erdem Yeşi̇lada

Turkish Journal of Biology

This survey was carried out by face-to-face oral interviews with 379 inhabitants who agreed to be interviewed in selected localities of the Mediterranean region: Hatay (İskenderun and Narlıca), İçel (Erdemli, Tarsus, and Silifke), and Isparta (Sav). The current study was conducted to document the ethnobotanical uses of plants. In the first step of the study, demographic profiles of the informants were evaluated. Subsequently, they were asked to state whether the plants were used for therapeutic or other purposes; then detailed information, i.e. local names, parts used, methods of preparation (decoction, infusion, poultice, ointment, etc.) was recorded; and finally the plant …


Biopolymer Generation From Sweet Sorghum Juice: Screening, Isolation, Identification, And Fermentative Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production By Bacillus Aryabhattai, Varavut Tanamool, Tsuyoshi Imai, Paiboon Danvirutai, Pakawadee Kaewkannetra Jan 2013

Biopolymer Generation From Sweet Sorghum Juice: Screening, Isolation, Identification, And Fermentative Polyhydroxyalkanoate Production By Bacillus Aryabhattai, Varavut Tanamool, Tsuyoshi Imai, Paiboon Danvirutai, Pakawadee Kaewkannetra

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study aims to use sweet sorghum juice (SSJ) to produce an environmentally friendly biopolymer of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by bacteria isolated from soil. Among 18 isolates, only 3 isolates, coded as S4, S6, and S11, were chosen to produce PHA via batch fermentation compared to 3 strains of Alcaligenes eutrophus, A. latus, and Hydrogenophaga sp., respectively, under controlled conditions at pH 7, 35 °C, and 20 g/L of initial total sugar in the SSJ. The results clearly showed that the isolate S4 can produce maximum PHAs of 1.74 g/L with 57.62% dry cell weight and yield maximum hourly productivity at …


Bioaccumulation Of Tributyltin And Its Impact On Spermatogenesis In Mud Crab Scylla Serrata (Forskal), Revathi Peranandam, Iyapparaj Palanisamy, Munuswamy Natesan, Arockia Vasanthi Lourduraj, Krishnan Muthukalingan Jan 2013

Bioaccumulation Of Tributyltin And Its Impact On Spermatogenesis In Mud Crab Scylla Serrata (Forskal), Revathi Peranandam, Iyapparaj Palanisamy, Munuswamy Natesan, Arockia Vasanthi Lourduraj, Krishnan Muthukalingan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of tributyltin (TBT) on the spermatogenesis of mud crab Scylla serrata were studied. TBT-exposed crabs exhibited a decrease in the gonadosomatic Index and the hepatosomatic Index compared to the crabs in the control group. Bioaccumulation of the TBT levels also varied in different tissues. The treated crabs showed variation in the weight of the testes with respect to TBT concentrations. Histological results clearly indicated that the control crabs showed spermatophores and granular substances were seen filling up the lumen of the seminiferous tubules. The testes of the experimental crabs illustrated that disruption in the seminiferous tubule membrane architecture, …


Cr(Vi) Reduction By Cellulosimicrobium Sp. Isolated From Tannery Effluent, Aniqa Naeem, Rida Batool, Nazia Jamil Jan 2013

Cr(Vi) Reduction By Cellulosimicrobium Sp. Isolated From Tannery Effluent, Aniqa Naeem, Rida Batool, Nazia Jamil

Turkish Journal of Biology

Cr(VI) is a toxic metal that has carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on all living organisms. In order to study the contribution of microbes towards Cr(VI) reduction into the less toxic Cr(III) form, an indigenous chromium-resistant bacterial strain (A_8) was isolated from a tannery effluent. It was identified as Cellulosimicrobium sp. on the basis of morphological and biochemical characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. It could tolerate up to 1800 µg mL^{-1} of K_{2}CrO_{4} and showed an optimum reduction (98.6%) of Cr(VI) at the concentration of 900 µg mL^{-1} aerobically. Cell-free enzyme assay exhibited the reduction of Cr(VI) in vitro. A …


Enhancement Of Mycolytic Activity Of An Antagonistic Bacillus Subtilis Through Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (Ems) Mutagenesis, Ashwini Narasimhan, Samantha Suresh, Deepak Bist, Srividya Shivakumar Jan 2013

Enhancement Of Mycolytic Activity Of An Antagonistic Bacillus Subtilis Through Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (Ems) Mutagenesis, Ashwini Narasimhan, Samantha Suresh, Deepak Bist, Srividya Shivakumar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Bacillus subtilis, isolated from the chili rhizosphere, capable of producing 3 mycolytic enzymes (chitinase, \beta-1,3-glucanase, and cellulase), was mutated by the chemical mutagen ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). Mutants were screened based on their antifungal ability on dual plate assay against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides OGC1, the causal agent of anthracnose disease in fruit crops. EMS mutagenesis yielded 60 isolated mutants on NA plates, of which 3 (M3, M4, and M24) showed loss of antagonism against C. gloeosporioides OGC1 and 6 (M8, M21, M22, M57, M58, and M59) exhibited increased antagonism. The remaining mutants did not show any difference in their antagonistic property. …


In Vitro Antimicrobial And Cytotoxic Activity Of Tamarix Dioica Roxb. Leaves, Saifullah Khan, Farman Ullah, Tahir Mahmood Jan 2013

In Vitro Antimicrobial And Cytotoxic Activity Of Tamarix Dioica Roxb. Leaves, Saifullah Khan, Farman Ullah, Tahir Mahmood

Turkish Journal of Biology

Medicinal plants have been in use for thousands of years for treatment of different types of diseases and a large inventory of useful drugs has been isolated from them. The aim of our study is to investigate a new and effective plant possessing antimicrobial activity. The crude extracts of Tamarix dioica Roxb. leaves, as well as fractions of the extract in various solvents, were investigated against standard strains of bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella flexneri, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus and fungi Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Trichophyton rubrum, Candida tropicalis, and Aspergillus fumigatus. For in …


Role Of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria On Antioxidant Enzyme Activities And Tropane Alkaloid Production Of Hyoscyamus Niger Under Water Deficit Stress, Mansour Ghorbanpour, Mehrnaz Hatami, Kazem Khavazi Jan 2013

Role Of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria On Antioxidant Enzyme Activities And Tropane Alkaloid Production Of Hyoscyamus Niger Under Water Deficit Stress, Mansour Ghorbanpour, Mehrnaz Hatami, Kazem Khavazi

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study examined the effects of inoculation with 2 rhizobacteria strains, Pseudomonas putida (PP) and Pseudomonas fluorescens (PF), on growth parameters, chlorophyll, proline, leaf relative water content (RWC), antioxidant enzyme activities (including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and catalase (CAT)), tropane alkaloids (such as hyoscyamine (HYO) and scopolamine (SCO)), and production of Hyoscyamus niger under 3 water deficit stress (WDS) levels, i.e. 30% (W1), 60% (W2), and 90% (W3) water depletion of field capacity. The results showed that inoculation with PP and PF strains minimized the deleterious effects of WDS on growth parameters. The activities of SOD and POX in …


A Cellulase-Free, Thermoactive, And Alkali Xylanase Production By Terrestrial Streptomyces Sp. Ca24, İlknur Porsuk, Süleyman Özakin, Bülent Bali̇, Ebru İnce Yilmaz Jan 2013

A Cellulase-Free, Thermoactive, And Alkali Xylanase Production By Terrestrial Streptomyces Sp. Ca24, İlknur Porsuk, Süleyman Özakin, Bülent Bali̇, Ebru İnce Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Biology

Microbial xylanases have attracted much attention because of their applications in industrial processes during the past few decades. Sixty-five terrestrial actinomycetes previously isolated from rhizospheric soils of endemic plants were tested for their ability in production of xylanase. The results revealed that 33 isolates could degrade xylan on both solid and liquid media. Extracellular xylanase production by these isolates was characterized during their growth in liquid medium. Streptomyces sp. CA24, one of the most active strains, was selected for optimization of xylanase production. The enzyme secretion was enhanced when the medium was supplemented with oat spelt xylan (0.5%) and yeast …


Phospholipases C From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Bacillus Cereus Isolates, Chromosome-Mediated Enzymes With Roles In Virulence, Nooran Elleboudy, Mohammad Aboulwafa, Nadia Hassouna Jan 2013

Phospholipases C From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa And Bacillus Cereus Isolates, Chromosome-Mediated Enzymes With Roles In Virulence, Nooran Elleboudy, Mohammad Aboulwafa, Nadia Hassouna

Turkish Journal of Biology

Phospholipases C (PLCs) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa D183 and Bacillus cereus D101, 2 clinical isolates from 2 pus specimens, were partially purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by dialysis and used to study the possible role of PLC in the virulence of the isolates. Partially purified PLC from both isolates induced lysis of Vero cells in the presence and absence of the producing bacterial cells. Noncytolytic dilutions of the partially purified PLC from Pseudomonas aeruginosa increased adherence of the producing cells to Vero cells but did not affect internalization. However, Bacillus cereus cells neither adhered to nor were internalized within the …


Production Of Herbicide-Resistant Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L.) Transformed With The Bar Gene, Muhammad Aasim, Khalid Mahmood Khawar, Sebahatti̇n Özcan Jan 2013

Production Of Herbicide-Resistant Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata L.) Transformed With The Bar Gene, Muhammad Aasim, Khalid Mahmood Khawar, Sebahatti̇n Özcan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Plant genetic engineering has opened new avenues to modify crops and has provided a powerful tool for crop improvement. The present study reports the development of regeneration and genetic transformation protocol for the Turkish cowpea cultivar Akkiz. The immature cotyledons were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 0.25-0.75 mg L^{-1} 6-benzylaminopurine with or without 0.25 mg L^{-1} \alpha-naphthalene acetic acid. Shoot regeneration varied 44.4%-83.3% with 2.1-5.0 shoots per explant. Regenerated shoots were rooted in MS medium containing 0.50 mg L^{-1} indole-3-butyric acid and acclimatized in the greenhouse, where they flowered and set seeds. Immature cotyledons were transformed with …


Stimulation Of Dendritic Cells With Vaccine And Vaccine-Antibody Complex And Effect On Immune Response, İbrahi̇m Hati̇poğlu, İbrahi̇m Söğüt, Duygu Ercan, Soner Aksu, Hülya Si̇vas, Aynur Başalp Jan 2013

Stimulation Of Dendritic Cells With Vaccine And Vaccine-Antibody Complex And Effect On Immune Response, İbrahi̇m Hati̇poğlu, İbrahi̇m Söğüt, Duygu Ercan, Soner Aksu, Hülya Si̇vas, Aynur Başalp

Turkish Journal of Biology

Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines are a promising and potent therapeutic tool for chronic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and cancer because of the unique ability of DCs to stimulate T cells. The challenge of DC vaccines is to find an effective form for antigen presentation. Although pure antigens, antigen complexes, plasmids, and mRNA have been used in different studies, no proper application to overcome this problem has been found yet. In this study, we investigated the eligibility of a commercial hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine or a vaccine-monoclonal antibody complex for antigen loading of DCs for a therapeutic purpose. DCs were derived …


Proteomic Evidence For The Plasticity Of Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Ahmet Tarik Baykal, Betül Baykal, Müge Serhatli, Zelal Adigüzel, Mehmet Altuğ Tunçer, Ömer Kaçar, Kemal Baysal, Ceyda Açilan Ayhan Jan 2013

Proteomic Evidence For The Plasticity Of Cultured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells, Ahmet Tarik Baykal, Betül Baykal, Müge Serhatli, Zelal Adigüzel, Mehmet Altuğ Tunçer, Ömer Kaçar, Kemal Baysal, Ceyda Açilan Ayhan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Morphological, functional, and gene expression studies have established the phenotypic plasticity of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). These cells have been shown to respond to environmental stimulants such as extracellular matrix and growth factors. Cellular changes can vary between extremes defined as the contractile and synthetic states. Various growth factors have been shown to have profound effects on the phenotype of these cells. In this study, we intended to investigate the effects of growth factor-rich medium on the protein expression of vascular SMCs in culture. Interestingly, transiently changing the type of medium did not result in any apparent morphological differences, yet …


Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns Of Environmental And Hospital Isolations Of Enterococci In Aydın, Erman Oryaşin, Haci Hali̇l Biyik, Gamze Başbülbül, Bülent Bozdoğan Jan 2013

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns Of Environmental And Hospital Isolations Of Enterococci In Aydın, Erman Oryaşin, Haci Hali̇l Biyik, Gamze Başbülbül, Bülent Bozdoğan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The aim of the present study was to evaluate antimicrobial susceptibilities of enterococci isolated from water, soil, waste, and food samples to determine resistance mechanisms and their transferability, and to test clonality of these environmental enterococci. The results were compared with the susceptibility patterns of hospital enterococci reported in a previous study. Samples from 9 environmental sources were cultured, and species were identified using 16S rRNA sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the agar dilution method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were tested for vancomycin, tetracycline, teicoplanin, ampicillin, gentamicin, erythromycin, rifampicin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin. Resistance genes and transposons were determined …


Morphological And Molecular Identification Of Pennate Diatoms Isolated From Urla, İzmir, Coast Of The Aegean Sea, Kutsal Kesi̇ci̇, İnci̇ Tüney, Doğuş Zeren, Mustafa Güden, Atakan Sukatar Jan 2013

Morphological And Molecular Identification Of Pennate Diatoms Isolated From Urla, İzmir, Coast Of The Aegean Sea, Kutsal Kesi̇ci̇, İnci̇ Tüney, Doğuş Zeren, Mustafa Güden, Atakan Sukatar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Diatoms represent an important class of aquatic phototrophs. They are not only one of the major contributors to global carbon fixation, but they also play a key role in the biogeochemical cycling of silica. Molecular identification methods based on conserved DNA sequences, such as internal transcribed spacer (ITS) have revolutionized our knowledge and understanding of conventional taxonomy. In this study, we aimed to compare the conventional identification methods with molecular identification methods. To do so, we isolated 4 diatom samples from the coast at Urla and characterized them using light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) according to morphological …


Lignification Response For Rolled Leaves Of Ctenanthe Setosa Under Long-Term Drought Stress, Rabi̇ye Terzi̇, Nesli̇han Saruhan Güler, Ni̇hal Çalişkan, Asi̇m Kadioğlu Jan 2013

Lignification Response For Rolled Leaves Of Ctenanthe Setosa Under Long-Term Drought Stress, Rabi̇ye Terzi̇, Nesli̇han Saruhan Güler, Ni̇hal Çalişkan, Asi̇m Kadioğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Leaf rolling is a dehydration avoidance mechanism for plants under drought stress. To understand how it affects the lignification process in response to long-term drought stress in Ctenanthe setosa plants that have the leaf-rolling mechanism, the enzymes in lignification were studied in unrolled leaves as a control and at 2 different leaf rolling indices at days 35 and 47 of the drought period. The results indicated that the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase, indole-3-acetic acid oxidase, soluble peroxidase, ionically wall-bound peroxidase, covalently wall-bound peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase were increased during long-term drought stress. However, nitrate reductase activity was decreased while …


The Effect Of Sooty Mold On Fluorescence And Gas Exchange Properties Of Olive Tree, Sonia A. P. Santos, Conceicao Santos, Sonia Silva, Glória Pinto, Laura M. Torres, Antonio J. A. Nogueira Jan 2013

The Effect Of Sooty Mold On Fluorescence And Gas Exchange Properties Of Olive Tree, Sonia A. P. Santos, Conceicao Santos, Sonia Silva, Glória Pinto, Laura M. Torres, Antonio J. A. Nogueira

Turkish Journal of Biology

Sooty mold is a complex of dark-pigmented fungi that covers leaves and branches of the olive tree (Olea europaea L.). This coverage can bring several consequences for the plant, such as decrease of the photosynthetic rate. Therefore, this study aims to understand the effect of sooty mold on fluorescence and gas exchange of olive leaves. Olive leaves were field-collected and histological, physiological (water content, fluorescence parameters, and carbon dioxide fluxes), and biochemical (osmolality; chlorophyll a, b, and a/b contents; and lipid peroxidation) analyses were performed in healthy leaves and in leaves covered with sooty mold. Histological analysis revealed a complex …


Genetic Diversity Of Golden Root (Rhodiola Rosea L.) In Northern Norway Based On Recently Developed Ssr Markers, Zsuzsanna György, Erling Fjelldal, Anna Szabó, Paul Eric Aspholm, Andrzej Pedryc Jan 2013

Genetic Diversity Of Golden Root (Rhodiola Rosea L.) In Northern Norway Based On Recently Developed Ssr Markers, Zsuzsanna György, Erling Fjelldal, Anna Szabó, Paul Eric Aspholm, Andrzej Pedryc

Turkish Journal of Biology

Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.), an adaptogenic herb, has received increased attention in recent years. The genetic diversity of roseroot was studied with simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers, which have not been widely used so far. Plants were collected in Finnmark County, Norway, from 10 habitats. Eight recently developed microsatellite (SSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity. However, only 4 SSR markers were informative during this study. The primer pairs for these 4 SSR markers produced 20 fragments with an average of 5 putative alleles per locus. Observed heterozygosity was 1.0 at each locus, whereas expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.60 …