Digital Commons Network^™

Expression And Purification Of Porcine Akirin2 In Escherichia Coli, Xiaoling Chen, Zhiqing Huang, Bo Zhou, Huan Wang, Gang Jia, Jiayun Qiao

Turkish Journal of Biology

Akirin2 is a recently discovered gene related to immune responses that also plays an important role in skeletal myogenesis. In this study, in order to scale up the production of recombinant porcine Akirin2 (pAkirin2), we report the expression and purification of a His-tagged version of recombinant pAkirin2 in Escherichia coli. The pAkirin2 is a polypeptide of 203 amino acids containing 42 rare codons. The recombinant pAkirin2 was expressed as an N-terminal fusion protein with His6 tag in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) host strain. The protein was purified by Ni-IDA affinity chromatography, yielding over 90% highly purified recombinant pAkirin2, with a …

Hepatoprotective Effects Of Malva Sylvestris L. Against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity, Liaqat Hussain, Javaria Ikram, Kanwal Rehman, Muhammad Tariq, Muhammad Ibrahim, Muhammad Sajid Hamid Akash

Turkish Journal of Biology

Malva sylvestris is traditionally used for the treatment of liver diseases, but sufficient pharmacological-based scientific literature is not available online to authenticate its use in liver ailments. We aimed to assess the hepatoprotective effects of Malva sylvestris against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The extract was concentrated using a rotary evaporator and then desired concentrations of extracts were made by dissolving in normal saline. The standard drug silymarin (100 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug to compare the therapeutic effects of Malva sylvestris. Two different doses of Malva sylvestris (300 and 600 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally for 7 consecutive days …

Preconditioning Effect Of Cytokinins On In Vitro Multiplication Of Embryonic Node Of Grass Pea (Lathyrus Sativus L.) Cultivar Gürbüz, Surendra Barpete, Muhammad Aasim, Khalid Mahmood Khawar, Sancar Fati̇h Özcan, Sebahatti̇n Özcan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Lathyrus sativus L. (grass pea) is an important grain legume crop grown all over the world. It is very recalcitrant and difficult to regenerate under in vitro conditions. The present study determined the effect of preconditioning of cytokinins [10 and 20 mg L^{-1} thidiazuron (TDZ) and 2-isopentenyl adenine (2iP)] and postconditioning of dissimilar levels of TDZ-indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 2iP-IBA on in vitro shoot multiplication using embryonic node explants. The results showed that preconditioning followed by postconditioning on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 mg L^{-1} 2iP or TDZ combined with 0.10 mg L^{-1} IBA …

Nitrate And Iron Nutrition Effects On Some Nitrate Assimilation Enzymes And Metabolites In Spirulina Platensis, Merve Esen, Razi̇ye Öztürk Ürek

Turkish Journal of Biology

Effects of different sodium nitrate and iron concentrations on the production of some metabolites and pigments and the activities of some nitrate assimilation enzymes [nitrate reductase (NR), nitrite reductase (NiR), glutamine synthetase (GS), and glutamate synthase (GOGAT)] were investigated in the growth medium of Spirulina platensis (Gamont) Geitler. For this purpose, S. platensis was cultivated on Zarrouk's medium containing different sodium nitrate concentrations (10-180 mM). A 100 mM sodium nitrate concentration stimulated growth of this organism as well as the production of pigments and other metabolites and enzyme activities. In the presence of 100 mM sodium nitrate, different concentrations of …

Aging And Cancer: Molecular Facts And Awareness For Turkey, Gülgün Gündüz, Kayahan Fişkin

Turkish Journal of Biology

Two important subjects concerning extension of the human life-span are biological aging processes and their relationship to diseases, and especially to the formation of cancer. It is clear that an aging population poses some challenges for developing countries. We set out to show the demographic structure of Turkey and to discuss the feasibility of decreasing the prevalence of cancer. We overviewed the literature on the relationship between biological aging and cancer formation, the environmental causes of cancer, and age-related characteristics of cancer in the elderly. In addition, some statistical data on the changing demography of Turkey were reviewed. It is …

Origins Of The Classical Gene Concept, 1900–1950: Genetics, Mechanistic, Philosophy, And The Capitalization Of Agriculture, Garland E. Allen

Biology Faculty Research

In the period of “classical genetics” (roughly 1915–1950), the common view of the gene was mechanistic—that is, genes were seen as individual, atomistic units, as material components of the chromosomes. Although it was recognized early on that genes could interact and influence each other’s expression, they were still regarded as individually functioning units, much like the chemists’ atoms or molecules. Although geneticists in particular knew the story was more complex, the atomistic gene remained the central view for a variety of reasons. It fit the growing philosophy of mechanistic materialism in the life sciences, as biologists tried to make their …

How Does Spaceflight Affect The Human Body?, Sara Dina Feinzeig

The Science Journal of the Lander College of Arts and Sciences

Spaceflight can impact just about every organ of the human body. The launch into space increases gravitational forces, which may decrease consciousness. Once subjected to the microgravity of outer space, the constant mechanical stress exerted on the body from Earth’s gravity decreases enormously, causing bone degeneration to occur. Calcium, a major component of bone is excreted in very high amounts, often leading to the formation of calcium kidney stones. Astronauts perform weight bearing exercise, take osteoporosis drugs and calcium and vitamin D supplements in order to combat bone loss. The vertebrae of the spine are also impacted by the lack …

Effect Of Feed Additives On Amino Acid And Dipeptide Transport By Intestines Of American Lobster And Atlantic White Shrimp, Maria Louise Peterson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Previous nutritional physiology research using L-histidine and zinc in American lobster intestine (Homarus americanus) has suggested that these solutes can be co-transported as complexes (Histidine-Zinc-Histidine) across the intestine using a peptide transporter. Furthermore, transport of L-leucine was shown to be inhibited by high calcium concentrations. Dipeptide and bis-complex transport and the role of calcium were investigated in the perfused intestines of lobster and Atlantic white shrimp (Litopenaeus setiferus). Following trans-intestinal transport, serosal medium was analyzed for amino acid composition by gas chromatography. In lobster, the transport of glycylsarcosine (Gly-Sar) from mucosa to serosa was stimulated two-fold …

Effects Of Asphondylia Borrichiae, Simulated Herbivory, And Nutritional Status On Survival, Flowering, And Seed Viability In Sea Oxeye Daisy (Borrichia Frutescens), Lisa S. Rowan

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Although herbivory and other types of plant damage typically are viewed as detrimental to plant survival and performance, vigorous regrowth, greater seed set, and fitness benefits may be possible when damage to the apical meristem, or actively growing stem terminal, is involved. Such damage releases apical dominance, or the hormonal suppression of lateral buds, activates dormant lateral buds, and enables lateral shoots to grow. Since in plants with terminal flowers, each stem may bear a flower, removal of the apical meristem may result in stem bifurcation and ultimately increase the number of flowers and seeds, thereby increasing potential fitness. In …

Functional Characterization Of A Putative Disaccharide Membrane Transporter In Crustacean Intestine, Rasheda S. Likely

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The mechanisms of transepithelial absorption of dietary sucrose in the American lobster, Homarus americanus, were investigated in this study to determine whether sugars can be transported across an animal gut intact or as monosaccharides following hydrolysis. Lobster intestine was isolated and mounted in a perfusion chamber to characterize the mechanisms of mucosal to serosal (MS) ¹⁴C -sucrose transport across the intestine MS fluxes were measured by adding varying concentrations of ¹⁴C-sucrose to the perfusate which resulted in a hyperbolic curve following Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The kinetic constants of the proposed sucrose transporter were K_M = 15.84 ± 1.81 …

Reproductive Biology Of The Bonnethead (Sphyrna Tiburo) From The Southeastern U.S. Atlantic Coast, Melissa I. Gonzalez De Acevedo

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the life history of marine wildlife is essential for the management of both commercial and recreational fisheries. Bonnetheads (Sphyrna tiburo) are a component of the small coastal shark (SCS) fishery complex, and are caught regularly in both types of fisheries. Despite being well studied in the Gulf of Mexico, little is known about bonnetheads from the U.S. Atlantic coast. The goal of the first component of this study was to provide new, key information on their life history to improve management of U.S. Atlantic populations, particularly by identifying reproductive seasonality, periodicity and fecundity. This was accomplished by examining sexually …

Developmental Origins Of Pregnancy Loss In The Adult Female Common Marmoset Monkey (Callithrix Jacchus), J. N. Rutherford, V. A. Demartelly, D. G. Layne Colon, Corinna N. Ross, S. D. Tardif

Biology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Background: The impact of the intrauterine environment on the developmental programming of adult female reproductive success is still poorly understood and potentially underestimated. Litter size variation in a nonhuman primate, the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), allows us to model the effects of varying intrauterine environments (e.g. nutrient restriction, exposure to male womb-mates) on the risk of losing fetuses in adulthood. Our previous work has characterized the fetuses of triplet pregnancies as experiencing intrauterine nutritional restriction. Methodology/Principal Findings: We used over a decade of demographic data from the Southwest National Primate Research Center common marmoset colony. We evaluated differences between …

Effects Of Weaning Age On Body Composition And Growth Of Ex Situ California Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus) Pups, Brandon Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pinnipeds exhibit a wide range of lactation strategies that vary from just a few days to nearly three years in duration. Phocids have a relatively short, intense nursing period culminating with weaning after just a few days or weeks, while dependent otariids generally take several months of consuming a combined milk and solid food diet before being completely independent. The transition to nutritional independence can be particularly challenging for newly weaned pups, which must adjust to behavioral, physiological and nutritional changes as a milk diet is replaced with solid food. An interruption in energy resources during this formative stage could …

Analysis Of The Role Of Two Autophagy Pathway Related Genes, Becn1 And Tsc1, In Murine Mammary Gland Development And Differentiation, Amber N. Hale

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

The mammary gland is a dynamic organ that undergoes the majority of its development in the postnatal period in four stages; mature virgin, pregnancy, lactation, and involution. Every stage relies on tightly regulated cellular proliferation, programmed cell death, and tissue remodeling mechanisms. Misregulation of autophagy, an intracellular catabolic process to maintain energy stores, has long been associated with mammary tumorigenesis and other pathologies. We hypothesize that appropriate regulation and execution of autophagy are necessary for proper development of the mammary ductal tree and maintenance of the secretory epithelia during late pregnancy and lactation. To test this hypothesis we examined the …

Renal Humoral, Genetic And Genomic Mechanisms Underlying Spontaneous Hypertension, Jason A. Collett

Theses and Dissertations--Biology

In spite of significant progress in our knowledge of mechanisms that control blood pressure, our understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension, its genetics, and population efforts to control blood pressure, hypertension remains the leading risk factor for mortality worldwide. It’s estimated that 1 out of every 3 adults has hypertension. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and is considered a primary or contributing cause of death to more than 2.4 million US deaths each year. Although spontaneous hypertension has been the subject of substantial research, many critical questions remain unanswered.

To investigate mechanisms underlying spontaneous …

Heterotic Grouping And Patterning Of Quality Protein Maize Inbreds Based On Genetic And Molecular Marker Studies, Ambika Rajendran, Arunachalam Muthiah, John Joel, Ponnusamy Shanmugasundaram, Dhandapani Raju

Turkish Journal of Biology

An investigation was done to study the heterotic grouping and patterning in quality protein maize inbreds. Biochemical screening resulted in the choice of 3 inbreds each with high (UQPM 2, UQPM 4, and UQPM 21) and low (UQPM 18, UQPM 19, and UQPM 20) lysine and tryptophan contents respectively for genetic studies using diallel analysis. UQPM 20 × UQPM 18 was notable as it possessed high standard heterosis and specific combining (sca) effect for grain yield, protein, tryptophan, and lysine. Based on yield sca, the 6 parental inbreds were classified into 3 heterotic groups. Intergroup cross UQPM 20 × UQPM …

Ex Situ Conservation Of Dianthus Giganteus D’Urv. Subsp. Banaticus (Heuff.) Tutin By In Vitro Culture And Assessment Of Somaclonal Variability By Molecular Markers, Liliana Jarda, Anca Butiuc Keul, Maria Hohn, Andrzej Pedryc, Victoria Cristea

Turkish Journal of Biology

Ex situ conservation of Dianthus giganteus subsp. banaticus was obtained by in vitro culture on different culture media supplemented with phytohormones. Assessment of somaclonal variability over a period of preservation by in vitro culture is required prior to introduction and acclimatization in natural habitats. In this study we used 2 types of molecular markers, ISSR and multilocus SSR markers, which allow comparison of different alleles, to assess the somaclonal variability of endemic taxa Dianthus giganteus subsp. banaticus after a period of 24 months of preservation by in vitro culture. The assessment of somaclonal variability of D. giganteus subsp. banaticus shows …

Temperature-Induced Stress Response In Lymantria Dispar Neurosecretory Neurons, Larisa Ilijin, Milena Vlahovic, Vesna Peric Mataruga, Ivana Kmetic, Anja Gavrilovic, Dragana Matic, Marija Mrdakovic

Turkish Journal of Biology

The release of neurosecretory material from A2 neurosecretory neurons (NSNs) was stimulated in Lymantria dispar fourth instar caterpillars exposed to a temperature of 35 °C for 1, 12, and 24 h, as well as those allowed recover after exposure (12 h at 35 °C, then 12 h at 23 °C). The levels of 2 protein forms with the same molecular mass as bombyxin (3-4 and 4-5 kDa) increased with prolonged exposure to 35 °C. The second band was present only in the groups exposed to this stressor. There was intensified synthetic activity and a low level of secretion in L2' …

Inhibitory Effect Of Enterocin Kp In Combination With Sublethal Factors On Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Or Salmonella Typhimurium In Bhi Broth And Uht Milk, Zeli̇ha Yildirim, Yaseli̇n İlk, Meti̇n Yildirim, Kader Tokatli, Ni̇lgün Öncül

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of physical and chemical sublethal treatments on the antibacterial activity of enterocin KP produced by Enterococcus faecalis KP against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium were investigated. Enterocin KP was not active against intact cells of E. coli O157:H7 or S. Typhimurium. However, the use of enterocin KP together with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (50 mM), sodium tripolyphosphate (50 mM), sublethal heating (60 °C for 10 min), cold shock (-20 °C for 2 h), or acid stress (mixture of 40% lactic acid, 16% propionic acid, 16% acetic acid) in BHI medium decreased the cell number of E. coli O157:H7 by …

Grizzly Bear Monitoring By The Heiltsuk People As A Crucible For First Nation Conservation Practice, William G. Housty, Anna Noson, Gerald W. Scoville, John Boulanger, Richard M. Jeo, Chris T. Darimont, Christopher E. Filardi

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of the Sciences

Guided by deeply held cultural values, First Nations in Canada are rapidly regaining legal authority to manage natural resources. We present a research collaboration among academics, tribal government, provincial and federal government, resource managers, conservation practitioners, and community leaders supporting First Nation resource authority and stewardship. First, we present results from a molecular genetics study of grizzly bears inhabiting an important conservation area within the territory of the Heiltsuk First Nation in coastal British Columbia. Noninvasive hair sampling occurred between 2006 and 2009 in the Koeye watershed, a stronghold for grizzly bears, salmon, and Heiltsuk people. Molecular demographic analyses revealed …

The Effects Of Sugar Substitutes On The Gut Microbiota Of Mice, Katie A. Lantau

All Master's Theses

Obesity has become an ever increasing global problem. This has caused people to turn to sugar substitutes, no calorie sweeteners, to reduce their caloric intake. However, recent studies have shown that it is not just caloric intake that can affect weight, but also the diversity of the bacteria in the gut (Turnbaugh et al., 2009). It has been shown that an increased Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio and an overall decrease in microbial diversity leads to an obesity associated gut microbiome (Turnbaugh et al., 2009; Ley et al., 2005). The purpose of this study was to determine if two of the most popular …

Parasitism And Feather Reflectance In Mourning Doves (Zenaida Macroura), Wesley Youngblood

Honors Theses

The theory of sexual selection has proven to be an important factor in understanding the mechanisms behind the evolution of secondary sexual traits. The Hamilton and Zuk (1982) hypothesis of parasite-mediated sexual selection postulates that birds evolved ornamentation to indicate parasite resistance to potential mates. My research explores the relationship between parasite load and plumage coloration in hunter-harvested mourning doves. Plumage from seven body areas was collected, ectoparasites were quantified and blood smears made so that intracellular hematozoan parasites could be quantified. Tarsometatarsi were measured, and the testes of males were collected to determine any effects of parasite load on …

An Evaluation Of Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activity In Response To Burning As A Forest Restoration Technique, William M. Steward

Honors Theses

Burning is a method of forest restoration with the goal of returning natural tree species to ecosystems. Burning has a wide range of effects on an ecosystem, including the alteration of important soil processes and characteristics. One of the key components of soil is the activity of extracellular enzymes, which can be used to provide insight into the nutritional requirements of soil microbes as well as nutrient availability and cycling. Because enzymes are important in the overall functioning of soil and can be used to assess soil health, there is great need to examine the effects of burning on soil …

In Vitro Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, And Oxidative Effects Of Acyclic Sesquiterpene Farnesene, Kübra Çeli̇k, Başak Toğar, Hasan Türkez, Numan Taşpinar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Farnesene (FNS) is an acyclic sesquiterpene. It has a wide range of important biological effects such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, although its cytotoxic, cytogenetic, and oxidative effects have not been investigated in human blood tissue yet. To this aim, both MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were carried out to evaluate cell viability and cytotoxicity. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidative stress (TOS) parameters were used to assess oxidative alterations. In addition, micronucleus and chromosomal aberration tests were used for mutagenic and genotoxic studies. The results revealed that FNS reduced cell viability at concentrations of higher than …

Genome-Wide Identification And Analysis Of Growth Regulating Factor Genes In Brachypodium Distachyon: In Silico Approaches, Ertuğrul Fi̇li̇z, İbrahi̇m Koç, Hüseyi̇n Tombuloğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Growth-regulating factor (GRF) genes may play important roles for regulating growth and development in different plant tissues and organs. Here we report the first genome-wide analysis of the GRF gene family in Brachypodium. We performed in silico comparative analysis of GRF genes, including their structure, duplication in the genome, conserved motifs, and phylogenetic relationship. At the end of the study, 10 BdGRF genes were identified. The highest number of GRF genes was identified on chromosome 1 with 5 members, whereas the least number of genes (only 1 member) was found on chromosomes 2, 4, and 5. Of those, a single …

Investigation Of Potential Virulence Genes And Antibiotic Resistance Characteristics Of Enterococcus Faecalis Isolates From Human Milk And Colostrum Samples, Si̇ne Özmen Toğay, Ayhan Temi̇z, Ayten Çelebi̇, Leyla Açik, Siddi̇ka Songül Yalçin

Turkish Journal of Biology

Enterococci may improve the typical taste and flavor of fermented foods through their proteolytic and lipolytic activities. However, some enterococcal strains are recognized as nosocomial pathogens, which have virulence genes and resistance to certain antibiotics. Enteroccocci are also found in human milk microflora. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential virulence genes and antibiotic resistance characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis isolates from human milk and colostrum samples. In total, 23 Enterococcus faecalis strains were identified from human milk and colostrum samples. Antibiotic-resistant E. faecalis isolates were determined using the disk diffusion method. Vancomycin resistance genes (vanA, vanB) and …

Prothoracicotropic Hormone-Producing Neurosecretory Neurons And Antioxidative Defense In Midgut Of Lymantria Dispar In Trophic Stress, Vesna Peric Mataruga, Milena Vlahovic, Marija Mrdakovic, Dajana Todorovic, Dragana Matic, Anja Gavrilovic, Larisa Ilijin

Turkish Journal of Biology

As a very invasive insect species, Lymantria dispar is adaptable and sensitive to a changing environment. In insects the neuroendocrine system first reacts to stress by production of prothoracicotropic neurohormones (PTTH) that control ecdysteroid synthesis (morphogenetic and stress hormones). In this article, we report changes in the L2' brain neurosecretory neurons that synthesize PTTH in L. dispar larvae after feeding on locust tree leaves (Robinia pseudoacacia), an unsuitable host plant. Groups of larvae (n = 20 per experimental group) were offered this in comparison with oak leaves (Quercus robur), a suitable control diet, for 3 days after molting into the …

Herbicide-Tolerant Sugarcane (Saccharum Officinarum L.) Plants: An Unconventional Method Of Weed Removal, Idrees Ahmad Nasir, Bushra Tabassum, Zahida Qamar, Muhammad Aslam Javed, Muhammad Tariq, Abdul Munim Farooq, Shahid Javed Butt, Abdul Qayyum, Tayyab Husnain

Turkish Journal of Biology

Unnecessary weed growth in sugarcane fields forces plants to compete for nutrients and sunlight for survival, which most often leads to significant yield losses. As chemical herbicides cannot differentiate between crop plants and weeds, the development of herbicide-tolerant crops is anticipated. Four sugarcane varieties, CPF-234, CPF-213, HSF-240, and CPF-246, were used to develop glyphosate herbicide tolerance. A glyphosate-tolerant gene of 1368 bp cloned directionally under the 35S promoter with the \Beta-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene was used as the transgene. Through the biolistic transformation of sugarcane, calli of all cultivars were transformed with glyphosate-tolerant gene constructs. Efficient regeneration conditions were optimized …

Expression And Purification Of Porcine Pid1 Gene In Escherichia Coli, Huan Wang, Xiaoling Chen, Zhiqing Huang, Bo Zhou, Gang Jia, Guangmang Liu, Hua Zhao

Turkish Journal of Biology

In this study, in order to scale up the production of recombinant porcine phosphotyrosine interaction domain containing 1 (pPID1), a pET-28a (+)-pPID1 expression plasmid was constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3). The recombinant pPID1 was then purified and identified by western blotting, and was also analyzed in vitro for its function. The recombinant protein was tagged with only a His6 tag at its C-terminus, which could be conveniently purified by affinity column. The protein could be induced for efficient expression with 0.75 mM IPTG for 8 h at 30 °C, yielding approximately 3 mg/L. In vitro biological activity …

Evaluation Of Orange Peel, An Industrial Waste, For The Production Of Aspergillus Sojae Polygalacturonase Considering Both Morphology And Rheology Effects, Ni̇han Göğüş, Bengi̇ Hakgüder Taze, Hande Demi̇r, Canan Tari, Sevcan Ünlütürk, Marcelo Fernandez Lahore

Turkish Journal of Biology

Orange peel is an agroindustrial waste rich in pectin and known to be an inducer for pectinase production. The use of this low-cost substrate for the production of an industrially important enzyme, polygalacturonase (PG), can be an alternative way to turn this waste into a value-added product, contributing to the reduction of environmental waste disposal problems. Enzyme productions by fungal microorganisms are affected by environmental and nutritional factors, demanding the determination of optimum conditions for maximum enzyme production with the desired fungal morphology and broth rheology. Therefore, complex and additional carbon sources were optimized with respect to PG production by …