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Articles 13891 - 13920 of 20459

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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 …

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Partial Purification And Characterization Of Cellulases From Digestive Tracts Of The African Giant Snail (Achatina Achatina), Paul Chijioke Ozioko, Sabinus Oscar Onyebuchi Eze, Ferdinand Chiemeka Chilaka Jan 2013

Partial Purification And Characterization Of Cellulases From Digestive Tracts Of The African Giant Snail (Achatina Achatina), Paul Chijioke Ozioko, Sabinus Oscar Onyebuchi Eze, Ferdinand Chiemeka Chilaka

Turkish Journal of Biology

Crude cellulase was extracted from the digestive tracts of 30 mature Achatina achatina and subjected to a 3-step purification process of ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis, and gel filtration. This purification procedure gave 3 prominent enzyme activity peaks that coincided with protein peaks and were designated A, B, and C, corresponding to high endoglucanase, \beta-glucosidase, and total cellulase activities, respectively. Temperature optima of 50 °C were recorded for \beta-glucosidase and total cellulase while 45 °C was recorded for endoglucanase. Total cellulase, glucosidase, and endoglucanase showed maximum activities at pH values of 5.5, 4.5, and 7.5, respectively. Kinetic studies show that total …

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Memory-Enhancing Effects Of The Leptin Hormone In Wistar Albino Rats: Sex And Generation Differences, Alper Karakaş, Hami̇t Coşkun, Fevzi̇ye Umut Kizilkaya Jan 2013

Memory-Enhancing Effects Of The Leptin Hormone In Wistar Albino Rats: Sex And Generation Differences, Alper Karakaş, Hami̇t Coşkun, Fevzi̇ye Umut Kizilkaya

Turkish Journal of Biology

Leptin is a hormone secreted by adipose tissue that informs the brain about the fat stores of the body. In this study, we examined the effects of timed leptin injections on spatial memory performances of adult and juvenile male and female Wistar rats with the Morris water maze test. We applied the injections and conducted the training trials for 4 days. On the fifth day after leptin injections, the experiments were performed. The activities were recorded and analyzed with the Noldus Ethovision Animal Video Tracking System. The results show that the spatial memory performance of the rats was improved by …

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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 …

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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 …

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Effects Of Acacia Cyanophylla Lindl. Extracts On Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Four Crop And Weed Plants, Asma El Ayeb, Hichem Ben Jannet, Fethia Harzallah Skhiri Jan 2013

Effects Of Acacia Cyanophylla Lindl. Extracts On Seed Germination And Seedling Growth Of Four Crop And Weed Plants, Asma El Ayeb, Hichem Ben Jannet, Fethia Harzallah Skhiri

Turkish Journal of Biology

The aqueous and organic extracts of the roots, stems, phyllodes, flowers, legumes, and seeds of Acacia cyanophylla Lindl. were assayed at different concentrations to assess their allelopathic potential. The extracts were tested on the seeds of 2 crops (Triticum aestivum L. and Lactuca sativa L.) and 2 weeds (Peganum harmala L. and Silybum marianum L.) species. The final germination percentages and the seedling shoot and root lengths were significantly reduced by the A. cyanophylla extracts as compared to the control. Aqueous extract from seeds was the strongest inhibitor of germination, shoot length, and root length for L. sativa and P. …

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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 …

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Effect Of Exogenously Applied Salicylic Acid On Cadmium Chloride-Induced Oxidative Stress And Nitrogen Metabolism In Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum L.), Esra Koç, Ayşen Sülün Üstün, Nuri̇ Çeli̇k Jan 2013

Effect Of Exogenously Applied Salicylic Acid On Cadmium Chloride-Induced Oxidative Stress And Nitrogen Metabolism In Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum L.), Esra Koç, Ayşen Sülün Üstün, Nuri̇ Çeli̇k

Turkish Journal of Biology

Salicylic acid (SA) has a key role in the formation of induced systemic resistance and hypersensitive cells, but it has also been indicated to be effective in the formation of strong responses against abiotic stresses such as drought, cold, heavy metal toxicity, and osmotic stress. This study has demonstrated a connection between the total soluble protein and the nitrate reductase (NR) activity. In 20 \muM CdCl_2, 40 \muM CdCl_2 + 0.5 mM SA, and 100 \muM CdCl_2 + 0.5 mM SA treatments, on the 1st day following the treatment an increase was detected in the NR activity when compared to …

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Purification And Characterization Of A Novel Detergent- And Organic Solvent-Resistant Endo-Beta-1,4-Glucanase From A Newly Isolated Basidiomycete Peniophora Sp. Ndvn01, Dinh Kha Trinh, Dinh Thi Quyen, Thi Tuyen Do, Ngoc Minh Nghiem Jan 2013

Purification And Characterization Of A Novel Detergent- And Organic Solvent-Resistant Endo-Beta-1,4-Glucanase From A Newly Isolated Basidiomycete Peniophora Sp. Ndvn01, Dinh Kha Trinh, Dinh Thi Quyen, Thi Tuyen Do, Ngoc Minh Nghiem

Turkish Journal of Biology

A novel extracellular endoglucanase from a basidiomycete strain Peniophora sp. NDVN01 was purified 2.8-fold to homogeneity through ammonium sulfate precipitation and gel filtration with Bio-Gel P-100 and Sephadex G-75. The endoglucanase had a specific activity of 163.8 U/mg protein and a molecular mass of 32 kDa. Optimum temperature and pH were at 60 °C and 4.5, respectively. The enzyme was stable at up to 42 °C and in the pH range of 3.5-5.5 with a residual activity of over 80% for 24 h of treatment. Ni^2^+ activated but other metal ions showed no or slight inhibitory effect on the enzyme …

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Optimization Of Immobilization Conditions By Conventional And Statistical Strategies For Alkaline Lipase Production By Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Mutant Cells: Scale-Up At Bench-Scale Bioreactor Level, Deepali Bisht, Santosh Kumar Yadav, Nandan Singh Darmwal Jan 2013

Optimization Of Immobilization Conditions By Conventional And Statistical Strategies For Alkaline Lipase Production By Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Mutant Cells: Scale-Up At Bench-Scale Bioreactor Level, Deepali Bisht, Santosh Kumar Yadav, Nandan Singh Darmwal

Turkish Journal of Biology

Suitability of 3 matrices, agarose, sodium alginate, and polyacrylamide, for immobilization of mutant cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 10,055 was investigated. Of these, agarose was proven to be the best as exhibiting maximum enzyme production (4363.4 U/mL), followed by polyacrylamide gel (2172.3 U/mL). Alginate beads were the poorest. The one-variable-at-a-time approach suggested agarose at 2.0%, immobilized bead at 4.0 g blocks/50 mL, and initial cell loading of 0.8 g in the matrix as optimum conditions for maximum lipase production (5982.3 U/mL) after 24 h of incubation. However, response surface methodology studies determined the optimum values of these variables as 1.96%, …

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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 …

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Occurrence Of Enterocin Genes, Virulence Factors, And Antibiotic Resistance In 3 Bacteriocin-Producer Enterococcus Faecium Strains Isolated From Turkish Tulum Cheese, Banu Özden Tuncer, Zeli̇ha Ay, Yasi̇n Tuncer Jan 2013

Occurrence Of Enterocin Genes, Virulence Factors, And Antibiotic Resistance In 3 Bacteriocin-Producer Enterococcus Faecium Strains Isolated From Turkish Tulum Cheese, Banu Özden Tuncer, Zeli̇ha Ay, Yasi̇n Tuncer

Turkish Journal of Biology

In this study, the occurrence of enterocin genes, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance in the bacteriocin-producer Enterococcus faecium EYT17, EYT31, and EYT39 strains was investigated. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies showed that all of the E. faecium strains carried the enterocin A and B structural genes (entA and entB), while E. faecium EYT17 and EYT31 strains also carried the enterocin P structural gene (entP). None of the strains exhibited \beta-haemolysis or gelatinase activity. PCR analysis revealed that EYT17, EYT31, and EYT39 strains were clear of potential virulence determinants, except for ccf and efaAfm. The ccf gene was found in all …

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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 …

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Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Reduces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced By Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury In Rat, Khadijeh Hashemi, Kazem Parivar, Samira Fazlifar, Alireza Haghparast, Mehrdad Mohri, Naser Margan Azghadi, Mohammadhossein Nazem Shirazi, Amir Afkhami Goli Jan 2013

Pomegranate (Punica Granatum L.) Reduces Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Induced By Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury In Rat, Khadijeh Hashemi, Kazem Parivar, Samira Fazlifar, Alireza Haghparast, Mehrdad Mohri, Naser Margan Azghadi, Mohammadhossein Nazem Shirazi, Amir Afkhami Goli

Turkish Journal of Biology

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is one of the main causes of acute renal failure, leading to generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and ensuing oxidative stress, which results in unfolded/misfolded protein accumulation and its dependent response pathways, generally known as unfolded protein response (UPR), in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We studied the effects of renal I/R on the expression of ER-stress genes, as well as concomitant effects of oral pretreatment with pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) pith and carpellary membrane (PPCM). An in vivo model of rat kidney I/R followed by conventional and real-time RT-PCR was used to evaluate the modulation of GRP78 …

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Effect Of Drought Stress On Oxidative Damage And Antioxidant Enzyme Activity In Melon Seedlings, Musa Kavas, Mehmet Cengi̇z Baloğlu, Oya Akça, Fatma Seli̇n Köse, Derya Gökçay Jan 2013

Effect Of Drought Stress On Oxidative Damage And Antioxidant Enzyme Activity In Melon Seedlings, Musa Kavas, Mehmet Cengi̇z Baloğlu, Oya Akça, Fatma Seli̇n Köse, Derya Gökçay

Turkish Journal of Biology

Drought stress is one of the most serious environmental limitations affecting the growth and productivity of plants. In the current study, oxidative damage and antioxidant responses under polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced osmotic stress were compared in 2 melon cultivars, Kırkağaç and Galia. Melon seedlings were subjected to PEG-6000 solutions of 2 different osmotic potentials, -0.2 MPa and -0.4 MPa. Various physiological parameters, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline content, and antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR) were measured. A reduction in fresh and dry weights of shoot and root tissues was observed. Significant proline accumulation was detected with …

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Probing The Architecture Of Testis And Morphology Of Male Germinal Cells In The Mud Crab With The Atomic Force Microscopy, Mahalingam Anbarasu, Ramangalingam Kirubagaran, Gopal Dharani, Thanumalaya Subramoniam Jan 2013

Probing The Architecture Of Testis And Morphology Of Male Germinal Cells In The Mud Crab With The Atomic Force Microscopy, Mahalingam Anbarasu, Ramangalingam Kirubagaran, Gopal Dharani, Thanumalaya Subramoniam

Turkish Journal of Biology

The architecture of testicular lobules, morphology of spermatozoa, and spermatophore in the mud crab, Scylla serrata, are described for the first time employing atomic force microscopy (AFM). A fast and simple squash preparation protocol was followed using crustacean physiological saline without distorting the natural structure. Observations provided new insight into the arrangement of lobules and morphology of testicular assembly. It consists of a close network of lobules of different sizes in a radial manner on radially branching basal tubules. Budding of new lobules is another distinguishable feature noted in the network of testicular organization. A thin membranous envelope of the …

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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 …

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Production And Characterization Of Uricase From Streptomyces Exfoliatus Ur10 Isolated From Farm Wastes, Magda Aly, Sanaa Tork, Saleh Al-Garni, Reda Allam Jan 2013

Production And Characterization Of Uricase From Streptomyces Exfoliatus Ur10 Isolated From Farm Wastes, Magda Aly, Sanaa Tork, Saleh Al-Garni, Reda Allam

Turkish Journal of Biology

Uricase plays an important role in nitrogen metabolism and can be used medically as a diagnostic reagent. From soil, wastewater, and poultry waste samples collected in Jeddah, 49 bacterial isolates were obtained on either nutrient agar or starch nitrate agar. All the obtained isolates were screened on minimal medium containing 0.5% uric acid for uricase production. The most active bacterium (isolate UR10) produced about 0.5 U/mL of intracellular uricase and was identified as a species belonging to the genus Streptomyces using morphological, physiological, and biochemical characters. By 16S rDNA, it was identified as Streptomyces exfoliatus UR10. Maximum uricase production was …

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Purification And Biochemical Characterization Of An Extracellular Lipase From Psychrotolerant Pseudomonas Fluorescens Ke38, Aysun Adan Gökbulut, Alper Arslanoğlu Jan 2013

Purification And Biochemical Characterization Of An Extracellular Lipase From Psychrotolerant Pseudomonas Fluorescens Ke38, Aysun Adan Gökbulut, Alper Arslanoğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

An extracellular lipase producing bacterium was isolated from a soil sample, and identified as a strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. It was named Pseudomonas fluorescens KE38. KE38 showed psychrotolerant properties with an optimum growth temperature of 25 °C. The lipase enzyme secreted by KE38 was purified 41.13-fold with an overall yield of 54.99%, and a specific activity of 337.3 U/mg. The molecular mass of purified lipase was estimated to be approximately 43 kDa by SDS-PAGE. Although the lipase was active at a temperature range of 15–65 °C, it exhibited maximum activity at 45 °C, at pH …

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Hepatopancreas Mitochondria Of Mytilus Galloprovincialis: Effect Of Zinc Ions On Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Metabolism, Antonino De Lisi, Ermelinda Prato, Francesca Biandolino, Giulio Sarli, Donatella Negro, Gianluigi La Piana, Domenico Marzulli Jan 2013

Hepatopancreas Mitochondria Of Mytilus Galloprovincialis: Effect Of Zinc Ions On Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Metabolism, Antonino De Lisi, Ermelinda Prato, Francesca Biandolino, Giulio Sarli, Donatella Negro, Gianluigi La Piana, Domenico Marzulli

Turkish Journal of Biology

Oxygen uptake, respiratory complexes, and metabolic activities have been studied in mitochondria isolated from the hepatopancreata of Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in the “Mar Grande” of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy). Although exposure to 5.0 µg Zn^{2+}/L resulted in a significant increase of states 3 and 4 respiration with glutamate + pyruvate as respiratory substrate, it was found that the exposure of mussels to different concentrations of Zn^{2+} (2.5–7.5 µg/L) neither inhibited mitochondrial respiration nor exerted any inhibitory effect on representative mitochondrial dehydrogenases. It rather stimulates these activities, producing an extra synthesis of adenosine triphosphate by hepatopancreas mitochondria and possibly increasing its …

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A Comparative Study Of Egf Effects On In Vitro Bovine Embryo Development In Monoculture And Sequential Media, Azadeh Zahmatkesh, Mahmood Amiri Roudbar, Morteza Daliri Joupari Jan 2013

A Comparative Study Of Egf Effects On In Vitro Bovine Embryo Development In Monoculture And Sequential Media, Azadeh Zahmatkesh, Mahmood Amiri Roudbar, Morteza Daliri Joupari

Turkish Journal of Biology

Different culture system conditions can affect cleavage, zygote genome activation, embryo development, and viability. The purpose of the present study was to compare a monoculture synthetic oviductal fluid medium with modified sequential G1/G2 media and also to investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on bovine embryo development. Oocytes were aspirated from 2- to 6-mm ovarian follicles and matured in maturation media. After in vitro fertilization of matured oocytes, presumptive zygotes were cultured in test media with or without additional exogenous EGF. Results indicated that EGF significantly increased blastocyst formation but not cleavage rate in both media. There was …

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Micropropagation And Antimicrobial Activity Of Curcuma Aromatica Salisb., A Threatened Aromatic Medicinal Plant, Shamima Akhtar Sharmin, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Md. Mominul Islam Sheikh, Rashed Zaman, Muhammad Khalekuzzaman, Sanjoy Chandra Mondal, Mohammad Anwarul Haque, Mohammad Firoz Alam, Iftekhar Alam Jan 2013

Micropropagation And Antimicrobial Activity Of Curcuma Aromatica Salisb., A Threatened Aromatic Medicinal Plant, Shamima Akhtar Sharmin, Mohammad Jahangir Alam, Md. Mominul Islam Sheikh, Rashed Zaman, Muhammad Khalekuzzaman, Sanjoy Chandra Mondal, Mohammad Anwarul Haque, Mohammad Firoz Alam, Iftekhar Alam

Turkish Journal of Biology

A rapid and improved micropropagation protocol was developed for Curcuma aromatica, a threatened aromatic medicinal plant, using rhizome sprout as the explant. Stepwise optimization of different plant growth regulators, carbon sources, and basal media was adopted to establish an efficient micropropagation protocol. When cytokinins, such as benzyl amino purine (BAP) or 6-(\alpha,\alpha-dimethylallylamino)-purine (2iP), were used either singly or in combination with naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) for shoot induction and multiplication, a single use of BAP was the most effective. As a carbon source, 3% (w/v) sucrose exhibits the greatest promotive effect on shoot initiation and proliferation compared with other carbon …

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Cytogenetic Effects Of Endogenous Sex Hormones Depending On Smoking Habits, Handan Erboğa, Hasan Basri̇ İla Jan 2013

Cytogenetic Effects Of Endogenous Sex Hormones Depending On Smoking Habits, Handan Erboğa, Hasan Basri̇ İla

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effects of periodical hormonal fluctuations related to the menstrual cycle on chromosome sensitivity and cytotoxicity. The study group consisted of 8 healthy donors (4 nonsmokers and 4 smokers). Cytogenetic tests were done in vitro (in test tubes), and the known mutagenic effect of mitomycin C was added to determine chromosome sensitivity. Blood was drawn from the donors at specified time intervals (follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase), and control groups and mitomycin C-treated groups were formed. In the controls, the highest sister chromatid exchange frequency was detected in the …

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Relating Climate Change To The Nesting Phenology And Nest Environment Of Marine Turtles, Monette Schwoerer Jan 2013

Relating Climate Change To The Nesting Phenology And Nest Environment Of Marine Turtles, Monette Schwoerer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ectotherms (including marine turtles) being especially sensitive to climate, are at risk to the accelerated rate of human-driven climate change. This study addresses two concerns associated with marine turtles and climate change – the relationship between the timing of marine turtle nesting and sea surface temperature; and the concern over the feminization of marine turtle populations due to rising sand temperatures. Previous studies of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) have documented the relationship between sea surface temperatures and nesting phenology. Earlier nesting behaviors in both species have been associated with warmer sea surface temperatures. …

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Juvenile Ornamentation: Its Evolution, Genetic Basis, And Variation Across Habitats, Angela Tringali Jan 2013

Juvenile Ornamentation: Its Evolution, Genetic Basis, And Variation Across Habitats, Angela Tringali

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ornamental traits are considered honest advertisements of fitness, and their evolution is usually explained in terms of sexual selection. This explanation remains unsatisfactory in some instances, for example, juvenile birds whose plumage is molted prior to adulthood and breeding. I first evaluate whether juvenile plumage reflectance signals dominance status in the Federally Threatened Florida scrub-jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) using a combination of observational and experimental methods. Then I estimate the heritability, non-genetic maternal and environmental effects, and strength of selection on juvenile plumage reflectance using archived feather samples and a pedigree constructed from historical nest records. Finally, I compare plumage reflectance …

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Carcass Feeding For Captive Vultures: Testing Assumptions About Zoos And Effects On Birds And Visitors, Hannah Gaengler Jan 2013

Carcass Feeding For Captive Vultures: Testing Assumptions About Zoos And Effects On Birds And Visitors, Hannah Gaengler

Dissertations and Theses

Carcass feeding is a potentially controversial feeding method for zoo animals. The common assumption is that many North American zoos refrain from feeding large carcasses to their carnivorous animals because zoo visitors might not approve of this feeding method. However, since there are several species of carnivores in zoos that feed from large carcasses in nature, this food type also has the potential to be beneficial to their welfare. In intelligent and usually inquisitive scavengers like vultures, a lack of activity and behavioral opportunities could be a welfare problem in captivity; providing them with a more complex food item might …

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Modeling Survival Of Immature Loggerheads (Caretta Caretta) And Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From 10 Years Of Mark-Recapture Data At The Florida Power And Light St. Lucie Plant, Andrew Sterner Jan 2013

Modeling Survival Of Immature Loggerheads (Caretta Caretta) And Green Turtles (Chelonia Mydas) From 10 Years Of Mark-Recapture Data At The Florida Power And Light St. Lucie Plant, Andrew Sterner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Loggerheads (Caretta caretta) are listed as Threatened and green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are listed as Endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act. While green turtle nest production in Florida has increased markedly in recent years, loggerhead nest production has followed a more tenuous path. Reasons for these differences are unknown. Limited demographic information is available for these species of conservation concern. I used Barker models, which incorporated mark-recapture, live-resight and dead recovery data, implemented in Program MARK. These models were used to estimate apparent survival for immature loggerhead (

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Disturbance-Based Management And Plant Species Change In Massachusetts Sandplain Heathlands Over The Past Two Decades, Kirsten Martin Jan 2013

Disturbance-Based Management And Plant Species Change In Massachusetts Sandplain Heathlands Over The Past Two Decades, Kirsten Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Massachusetts sandplain heathlands are habitats of conservation concern, harboring many rare plant species and providing habitat for animals that depend on openlands. These heathlands are threatened by human development, shrub encroachment in the absence of disturbance, and potentially increasing soil nutrient levels. Sandplain heathlands are managed with prescribed fire, in order to maintain their open structure and maintain species diversity. In order to assess how past management was correlated with species change, I used a data set that spanned twenty years from three different heathlands in Massachusetts. I looked for correlations between management and species change. Correlations between species change …

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Wetland Diversity In A Disturbance-Maintained Landscape: Effects Of Fire And A Fire Surrogate On Aquatic Amphibian Survival And Species Depauperateness., Joyce Klaus Jan 2013

Wetland Diversity In A Disturbance-Maintained Landscape: Effects Of Fire And A Fire Surrogate On Aquatic Amphibian Survival And Species Depauperateness., Joyce Klaus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Disturbance is one of the central concepts explaining how diversity arises and is perpetuated in ecological time. A good model system for testing hypotheses related to disturbance is the longleaf pine ecosystem in the southeastern U.S. because in this ecosystem frequent, low-severity fires acts as a disturbance that maintains a unique vegetation structure and high species richness. Vegetation structure influences animal distributions; in fire-dependent ecosystems many animals rely on open-structured, fire-maintained vegetation but shrubs and trees encroach into fire-dependent ecosystems where fire has been excluded. Prescribed burning and mechanical removal are commonly used as restoration tools to control encroachment. To …

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Biogeography And Systematics Of The Nerodia Clarkii/Nerodia Fasciata Clade In Florida, Gregory Territo Jan 2013

Biogeography And Systematics Of The Nerodia Clarkii/Nerodia Fasciata Clade In Florida, Gregory Territo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Biogeography provides a window into the evolutionary history of populations, and helps explain the diversity and distribution of life through time. Viewed from a systematic perspective, biogeographic studies generate convincing arguments to explain the relationships among organisms and categorize them into useful taxonomies. When taxonomies do not reflect evolutionary histories, inaccurate representations of biodiversity confound future studies and conservation efforts. Two thamnophiine snakes, Nerodia clarkii and Nerodia fasciata, harbor unique morphological and ecological adaptations that obscured natural groupings, leading to controversial taxonomic delimitations. Additionally, population declines documented in N. clarkii compressicauda and N. clarkii taeniata led managers to list N. …

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