Digital Commons Network^™

Barley Germplasms Developed For Scald Disease Resistance Exhibited A High Level Of Genetic Diversity Based On Srap Markers, Ayten Di̇zkirici, Zeki̇ Kaya, H. Eli̇f Güren, Hi̇kmet Budak

Turkish Journal of Biology

The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity and genetic relationships among 59 Turkish barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) germplasm lines (maintained for scald disease resistance breeding) using sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers. Seventeen SRAP primer combinations produced 83 polymorphic markers, with a mean polymorphism of 73.5%. The dendrogram created based on Nei's unweighted-pair group method using arithmetic average (UPGMA) indicated that there were 4 main clusters, which was supported by principle component analysis (PCA). Cluster I primarily included only scald-resistant germplasm lines, while clusters III and IV consisted of only scald-sensitive lines, but cluster II had both …

The Effect Of Activator Application On The Anatomy, Morphology, And Viability Of Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill. Pollen, İlkay Öztürk Çali, Feyza Candan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study examined the effect of ACT-2, a K-vitamin group activator intensively applied to tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), on the anatomy, morphology, and viability of tomato pollen from plants grown under greenhouse conditions. The activator was applied to tomatoes at the recommended dosage (150 cc/100 L of tap water) and double the recommended dosage (300 cc/100 L of tap water). Pollen width and length, exine and intine layer thickness, pore width and length, and crevice width and length were measured using an ocular micrometer. Reductions were observed in all the measured parameters in all application groups, except for pollen …

Physiological And Antioxidant Response Of Three Cultivars Of Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus L.) To Salinity, Gökçen Baysal Furtana, Ruki̇ye Tipirdamaz

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of salinity on the growth, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, inorganic ions, proline accumulation, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APOX), and catalase (CAT) of 3 cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) cultivars (Çengelköy, Anadolu F1, and Beith Alpha) were investigated. Cucumber cultivars were grown in perlite culture and irrigated with half-strength Hoagland nutrient solution for a period of 35 days under controlled conditions. After this period, seedlings were treated with 150 mM NaCl solution and the plants were harvested on day 7 and day 14 of salt treatment. The fresh and dry weights, RWC, …

Adventitious Shoot Regeneration From Stem Internode Explants Of Verbena Officinalis L., A Medicinal Plant, Arzu Uçar Türker, Buhara Yücesan, Ekrem Gürel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Verbena officinalis L. (vervain) is a medicinal plant that shows several biological activities, including antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective, hypnotic/sedative, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, anticancer, cicatrizant, and antioxidant. This report describes an efficient plant regeneration system for V. officinalis via adventitious shoot development from stem internode and petiole explants. Stem internode explants were more effective than petiole explants in terms of both the number of shoots per explant and the percentages of explants forming shoots. Increasing benzyladenine (BA) concentrations steadily increased shoot formation up to 13.32 µM, but 22.22 µM BA caused a sharp decrease. The highest number of shoots (17.1 shoots per …

The Effects Of Excessive Mineral Salts And Vitamins On Fiber Cell Thickness In Flax (Linum Usitatissimum L. Cultivar Sarı 85), Hati̇ce Demi̇ray, Ayli̇n Eşi̇z Dereboylu

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of mineral salts on fiber cell thickness in flax (Linum usitatissimum L. cultivar Sarı 85) were investigated in plants grown in medium both rich and poor in mineral salts and vitamins. Three media were investigated: control (MS medium), mineral salt and vitamin deficient MS medium, and mineral salt and vitamin rich MS medium. While chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid pigment content significantly increased in the medium rich in mineral salts and vitamins, they decreased in the medium poor in mineral salts and vitamins. Moreover, the chlorophyll a:chlorophyll b ratio increased in the medium poor in …

Indole-3-Acetic Acid And Gibberellic Acid Production In Aspergillus Niger, Işil Seyi̇s Bi̇lkay, Şafak Karakoç, Ni̇lüfer Aksöz

Turkish Journal of Biology

The effects of incubation time, temperature, pH, and agitation on indole-3- acetic acid and gibberellic acid production in Aspergillus niger were studied. For indole-3-acetic acid production, 6 days of incubation at 25 °C and pH 6.0 was found to be optimum. Optimum conditions for gibberellic acid production were 12 days of incubation at 30 °C and pH 5.0. Agitation increased both indole-3-acetic acid and gibberellic acid production.

Maternal Donors Of Polyploids In Pseudoroegneria (Poaceae: Triticeae) And Related Genera Inferred From Chloroplast Trnl-F Sequences, Yu Hai-Qing, Zhang Chun, Ding Chun-Bang, Ma Xiao, Zhou Yong-Hong

Turkish Journal of Biology

To investigate the maternal donors and phylogenetic relationships of polyploids in Pseudoroegneria and related genera, the chloroplast trnL-F sequences of 31 Triticeae accessions were analyzed. The substitution saturation analysis of trnL-F sequences in this study suggested that they are suitable for phylogenetic analysis. In the trnL-F sequences tree, 4 major clades were formed: (a) the St/E clade comprised all of the Pseudoroegneria species together with species in Roegneria, Elytrigia, Douglasdeweya and Lophopyrum; (b) A. cristatum, A. mongolicum, and A. pectinatum subsp. retrofractum formed the P/W clade; (c) the Ns clade included species in Psathyrostachys; and (d) the H clade consisted …

Genetic Diversity In Doubled Haploid Wheat According To The Acid-Page Method, Morphological Traits, And Baking Quality, Javid Ojaghi, Ellada Akhundova

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study aimed to assess the genetic diversity of 102 lines of doubled haploid wheat (obtained from CIMMYT) using the acid-PAGE method, morphological traits, and baking quality. Cluster analysis of the morphological traits separated all the genotypes into 4 groups, such that the genotypes with high yield were placed in 1 group. However, based on cluster analysis of their qualitative traits, the genotypes were classified into 3 main groups, while the genotypes with high protein content were placed in a distinct group. In all, 48 bands and 47 patterns were observed in the 102 lines studied, and polymorphism was observed …

Molecular Fingerprinting Of Some Clinically Significant Nocardia And Related Strains By Restriction Polymorphism Ribosomal Rna Analyses, Kami̇l Işik, Michael Goodfellow

Turkish Journal of Biology

Fifty-three Nocardia strains were the subject of a restriction polymorphic ribosomal RNA analysis (ribotyping) designed to distinguish between representatives of clinically significant species and related strains. The organisms were assigned to 19 groups using a combination of EcoRV gene restriction endonuclease patterns and a digoxigenin-labelled Streptomyces violaceoruber TK21 rDNA probe. Each ribotype group contained 4 to 13 restriction fragments that ranged in size from 20.7 to 0.9 kb. The N. brasiliensis, N. crassostreae, N. farcinica, N. otitidiscaviarum, and N. seriolea strains showed distinct ribotype patterns. Unique banding patterns were also seen for the type strains of N. brevicatena, N. carnea, …

Biological Activities Of Cu(Ii) And Hg(Ii) Complexes Of A Heptadentate Schiff Base Ligand, Emel Ergene, Hülya Si̇vas, Kadri̇ye Benkli̇

Turkish Journal of Biology

Two metal complexes were synthesized as [Hg(L)](ClO_4)_2 and [Cu(L)](ClO_4)2 by the template reaction between 2,6-bis(2 aminothiophenoxymethyl)pyridine and 2,2'-bipyridine-6,6'-dicarboxaldehyde in the presence of Hg(II) and Cu(II) perchlorate salts. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, 1H-NMR, MASS, and Elemental Analyses values. Cytotoxicity of the compounds were investigated by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay in normal and cancerous rat fibroblasts. Both compounds showed cytotoxicity on 2 cell lines as a dose-dependent manner. Compound [Hg(L)](ClO_4)_2 was more cytotoxic than [Cu(L)](ClO_4)2. Apoptotic activity of compounds was evaluated by acridine orange staining and DNA fragmentation assay. Both cell lines exposed to the compounds exhibited …

Monitoring And Disinfection Of Biofilm-Associated Sulfate Reducing Bacteria On Different Substrata In A Simulated Recirculating Cooling Tower System, Esra İlhan Sungur, İrfan Türetgen, Reza Javaherdashti, Ayşin Çotuk

Turkish Journal of Biology

Microbial biofilm and corrosion in cooling systems are the most common problems that damage expensive equipment, cause loss of production, and increase maintenance costs. Sulfate reducing bacteria were considered the major bacterial group involved in microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). We investigated the survival and enumeration of biofilm-associated SRB on coupons of galvanized steel, stainless steel, and copper, which are materials used in the manufacturing of cooling systems. We also investigated the effect of monochloromine on SRB as in mixed-species mature biofilms formed on coupons by simulating recirculating cooling water conditions, due to the better penetration feature in biofilms than the …

The In Vitro Effect Of Certain Fungicides, Insecticides, And Biopesticides On Mycelial Growth In The Biocontrol Fungus Trichoderma Harzianum, Soumik Sarkar, Pradeepa Narayanan, Ajay Divakaran, Angusamy Balamurugan, Robert Premkumar

Turkish Journal of Biology

The in vitro effect of certain fungicides, insecticides, and biopesticides on mycelial growth of Trichoderma harzianum was evaluated. Seven systemic fungicides, 2 contact fungicides, and 4 biopesticides were tested. A progressive increase in percent inhibition of radial growth in the fungus was observed as the concentrations of the fungicides increased. Among the systemic fungicides, hexaconazole was the most toxic, followed by propiconazole and triflumizole. Toxicity of the contact fungicides was lower than that of the systemic fungicides, among which copper oxychloride and copper hydroxide were highly compatible; no inhibition was observed at lower concentrations. In terms of the insecticides tested, …

Heavy Metal Effects On P, Ca, Mg, And Total Protein Contents In Embryonic Pleopodal Eggs And Stage-1 Juveniles Of Freshwater Crayfish Astacus Leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823), Utku Güner

Turkish Journal of Biology

To determine the potential biochemical effects of heavy metal pollution on aquatic organisms, pleopodal eggs, and stage-1 juveniles of the freshwater crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823), was exposed to a non-essential (Cd) and an essential (Cu) metal, either singly or in combination. Three different sublethal doses (0.1, 0.5, and 1 ppm) and 1 interaction dose (0.1 ppm Cu + 0.1 ppm Cd) were used to evaluate the accumulation and toxicity. The effects of 2 doses of metals on P, Ca, total protein, and Mg contents in the embryonic pleopodal eggs and in stage-1 juveniles were examined by an autoanalyzer. The …

Investigation Of Heavy Metal Resistance In Some Bacterial Strains Isolated From Industrial Soils, Ersoy Sevgi̇, Gökhan Coral, A. Murat Gi̇zi̇r, M.Kemal Sangün

Turkish Journal of Biology

Soil samples were collected from an industrial area in Kazanlı, Mersin, Turkey. Six heavy metals, Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd, and Zn, were tested. ICP-AES analyses were carried out to detect the heavy metal levels of the soil samples. The analysis of test samples revealed high levels of Ni and Cr. A total of 272 Pseudomonas spp. and 161 Bacillus spp. strains were isolated from soils from 4 different sampling locations. The maximum tolerable metal concentrations (MTCs) of Cr, Cu, Ni, Co, Cd, and Zn for each isolate were determined. Resistance to Cr was found in 73.9% of the bacterial …

Fatty Acid Composition Of Total Lipids In Muscle Tissues Of Nine Freshwater Fish From The River Tigris (Turkey), Eli̇f İpek Cengi̇z, Erhan Ünlü, Mehmet Başhan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Fatty acid compositions of total lipids in the muscle of 9 freshwater fish species were examined via gas chromatography. Palmitic acid and oleic acid were the predominant saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in all the species analyzed. The highest value of total SFA was detected in Liza abu (48.94%). Alburnus mossulensis had the greatest percentage of total MUFA (55.56%). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were the most abundant PUFA in all the species analyzed. Cyprinion macrostomus had the highest percentage (72.65%) of total PUFA. The ratio of \omega3/\omega6 PUFAs ranged from 0.39 to 3.53. Chondrostoma regium, …

Ultrastructural Changes In Rat Liver By Methyleugenol And Evaluation Of Some Biochemical Parameters, Ayşegül Çerkezkayabeki̇r, Gülnur Kizilay, Fi̇gen Ertan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study investigated the effect of methyleugenol, a food flavoring and fragrance agent, on the livers of laboratory rats. Doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg/day of methyleugenol (in 0.5% methylcellulose) were administered intragastrically (IG) to 2 dose groups for 10 days alongside a control group (n = 10 for each group). Gains in body weight were not statistically significant for either dose. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities decreased (P < 0.05) for both dose groups, but AST (aspartate aminotransferase) activity decreased significantly (P < 0.05) only in the 30 mg/kg/day methyleugenol dose group. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity did not change significantly in either group. The total amount of glucose remained unchanged, but glycogen in the liver decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the 30 mg/kg/day methyleugenol dose group. There was also an increase of swelling in the smooth endoplasmic reticulum sacs (sER), electron dense accumulations in the sER, cytoplasmic vacuolization, a slight increase of mitochondria and lysosomes, and invaginations in the nucleus membranes of hepatocytes. Extensions in bile canaliculi and increasing microvilli of bile canaliculi in the liver were also observed. These findings indicate the ultrastructural toxic effect of methyleugenol on rat livers in 10 and 30 mg/kg/day doses. Therefore, we may speculate that the toxic effect of methyleugenol needs to be examined in detail.

Phenolic Compounds And Antioxidant And Antimicrobial Properties Of Helichrysum Species Collected From Eastern Anatolia, Turkey, Sevi̇l Albayrak, Ahmet Aksoy, Osman Sağdiç, Ümi̇t Budak

Turkish Journal of Biology

The antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts of 4 plants from genus Helichrysum Mill. (Asteraceae) [H. arenarium (L.) Moench subsp. erzincanicum Davis & Kupicha, H. arenarium (L.) Moench subsp. rubicundum (C.Koch.) Davis & Kupicha, H. armenium DC. subsp. araxinum (Kirp.) Takht., and H. plicatum DC. subsp. pseudoplicatum (Nab.) Davis & Kupicha] was investigated with 2 complementary test systems, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and phosphomolybdenum assay. H. plicatum subsp. pseudoplicatum showed the highest level of total antioxidant activity (161.79 ± 0.3 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g extract) in the phosphomolybdenum assay. H. arenarium subsp. erzincanicum showed the highest level of free radical …

Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Disruption Of Store-Operated Calcium Entry In A Muscarinic Receptor Signaling Pathway, Hsiu-Jen Wang

Masters Theses

"The influences of ZnO nanoparticles on cellular responses to activation of muscarinic receptors were studied in Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor. ZnO particles (20 nm) induced cytotoxicity in a time and concentration-dependent manner: following a 24 h exposure, toxicity was minimal at concentrations below 20 µg/ml but virtually complete at concentrations above 28 µg/ml. ZnO particles did not affect antagonist binding to M3 receptors or allosteric ligand effects, but increased agonist binding affinity while eliminating guanine nucleotide sensitivity. At a noncytotoxic concentration (10 µg/ml), ZnO increased resting [Ca²⁺]i from 40 to 130 nM without …

Racism, Eugenics, And Ernst Mayr’S Account Of Species, Ladelle Mcwhorter

Philosophy Faculty Publications

At his death at age one hundred in 2005, Ernst Mayr was hailed as the greatest evolutionary biologist of the twentieth century. His definition of species, published in 1942 in Systematics and the Origin of Species and known as the “biological species concept,” is familiar to every tenth grader: “Species are groups of interbreeding natural populations that are reproductively isolated from other such groups.” That definition, together with Mayr’s and Theodosius Dobzhansky’s theory of speciation, enabled the integration of modern genetics and Darwinian evolutionary theory. In this paper I will argue that it imported racism into the heart of modern …

Characterization Of Lim Kinase And Activity In Early Amphibian Embryos, Stephanie Seegert

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

EphA4 is a cellular receptor that functions in mediating tissue interactions in embryonic development. The downstream effectors of EphA4 are mainly unknown, although previous research has indicated that the enzyme p160ROCK is one of the downstream mediators in the pathway. LIM kinase is an enzyme that is activated by p160ROCK. We have hypothesized that LIM kinase acts downstream of p160ROCK in the signaling pathway. Our results showed that LIM kinase is present and activated during development when EphA4 is active in the embryo, which is consistent with a role for LIM kinase in EphA4 signaling. Further testing is necessary to …

The Impact Of Microclimate On Branch Colonization By Neotropical Cerambycid Beetles, Christina Lee

Dissertations and Theses

"Vertical stratification contributes to the great diversity of insects found in tropical rainforests. Due to differences in both biotic and abiotic factors, different strata of the forest provide different habitats for insects. A previous study in French Guiana revealed that wood-boring cerambycid beetles preferentially colonized branches at ground level in the dry season, but shifted to canopy level in the rainy season. The current beetle-rearing study was conducted to confirm the occurrence of this seasonal shift, explore possible causes, and to determine if similar microclimate conditions occurred at ground level in the dry season and the canopy level in the …

The Effect Of The Study Region On Gis Models Of Species Geographic Distributions And Estimates Of Niche Evolution; Preliminary Tests With Montane Rodents (Genus Nephelomys) In Venezuela, Ali Raza

Dissertations and Theses

Various niche-based techniques exist to model a species' potential geographic distribution in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework. These models compare the environmental conditions of localities of a species' occurrence versus those of the overall study region. In addition to uses in areas such as macroecology and conservation biology, this approach has been applied recently to studies of niche evolution and historical biogeography. Definition of the study region is critical for all of these applications but has not been addressed previously. Here, I examine the effect of changes in the extent of the study region on potential distribution models of …

Role Of Drosophila Rap/Fzr (Cdh1) In Retinal Axon Targeting And Its Interactions With Loco, Liprin-A And Ras, Marta Gronska

Dissertations and Theses

The development of the wild type Drosophila compound eye involves stereotypical targeting of photoreceptor axons to the specific layers of the optic ganglion, medulla and lamina, in the third instar larvae. To test the hypothesis that ubiquitin ligases play an important role during retinal axon targeting we have examined the patterns of axon targeting in the developing eye of the retina aberrant in pattern (rap/fzr) mutants. Rap/Fzr is a homolog of mammalian Cdh1, an activator of anaphase promoting complex (APC), an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Previous work has shown that Rap/Fzr is required in cell cycle regulation, glia differentiation and pattern …

Using Geographically Structured Evaluations To Assess Performance And Transferability Of Ecological Niche Models For Species With Many Occurrence Records: A Test Using The Caribbean Spiny Pocket Mouse, Heteromys Anomalus, Aleksandarc Radosavljevi

Dissertations and Theses

No abstract provided.

Does Evolutionary Exposure Mediate Allelopathic Effects?, Nikki Leigh Pisula

Masters Theses

Allelopathy most commonly refers to chemically mediated plant interference, though the effects may range from beneficial to inhibitory. Allelopathy has been suggested as a potential mechanism for invasion success because invasive species may produce allelochemicals that are evolutionarily novel to recipient communities. To test for evolutionary mediation of allelopathy, six target species were grown in a factorial experiment with and without activated carbon or a native allelopathic species, Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod). I used activated carbon to remove allelochemicals to separate allelopathic effects from resource competition. The species represented pairs of evolutionary experienced (native - N) and evolutionarily na'ive (non-native …

Effects Of Forest Edges On Population Dynamics In A Successional System, Kimberly Anne Lang

Masters Theses

Abandoned agricultural land is often bound by remnant woodlands which may locally influence successional dynamics. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of an old-growth forest edge on plant population dynamics within a successional system. Data from the Buell-Small Succession Study (BSS) in New Jersey were used to analyze population dynamics in relation to the forest edge during the first 50 years of succession following agriculture. It was hypothesized that edge responses would be driven by either differential colonization (dispersal and establishment) or differential performance (increase within plots).

By looking at individual species' edge responses, I …

Soil Variability And Its Influence On Plant Performance, Jeremy R. Klass

Masters Theses

During recorded history, nearly all temperate deciduous forests in eastern North America have seen extensive agricultural land-use conversions. Persistent influences of agricultural disturbance continue to shape the diversity and composition of the plant community long after agriculture has ceased. While some measures of ecosystem functioning may recover relatively quickly from agricultural disturbance, other characteristics such as levels of organic matter, carbon, and phosphorus, may remain different from primary forests for much longer periods. The alteration of the original ecosystem due to agriculture practices has far reaching impacts on biotic and nutrient dynamics along with causing significant shifts in community composition …

Population Ecotoxicology Of The Common Snapping Turtle In Agriculturally Impacted Lotic Ecosystems, Derrick L. Douros

Masters Theses

Anthropogenic impacts on lotic systems, including pollutants, have had both direct and indirect negative effects on the aquatic habitats of the world. Goals of this study are: (1) Quantify atrazine, the atrazine metabolite diaminochlorotriazine (DACT), and glyphosate burdens in common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) tissue from individuals collected within the Embarras River in Coles County, Illinois. (2) Quantify the atrazine, DACT, and glyphosate loads in water from the aquatic habitats in which common snapping turtles reside. (3) Quantify the relative abundance of all turtle species and movement patterns of common snapping turtles in this lotic ecosystem. Hoop nets and modified …

Abiotic Differences Between Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas) Nests In Natural Beach And Engineered Dunes: Effects On Hatching Success, Martha Balfour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Habitat loss is among the biggest threats to conservation worldwide, so habitat restoration plays an increasing role in endangered species management. This is especially true for species with high site fidelity, such as nesting marine turtles. Sand replenishment is commonly used to restore coastal beaches after severe erosion events, and may affect marine turtles and other species that live or reproduce in that habitat. I investigated how abiotic characteristics of sand used in a dune restoration project at Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Florida, affected reproduction of the federally-endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Sand structure and composition can affect egg …

An Assessment Of Sea Turtle Nesting Behavior In Relation To Hurricane- And Restoration-Induced Beach Morphodynamics, Tonya Michele Long

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Coastal habitats are highly dynamic and vulnerable to landscape-level disturbances such as storms and restoration projects. Along the east coast of Florida these areas are particularly valuable as they provide significant nesting habitat for two sea turtle species, the threatened loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). This coast was heavily impacted by three major hurricanes in 2004 and in some areas by large restoration projects in 2005. Recent remote sensing methods allow for broad evaluation of the shoreline and thus the ability to assess sea turtle nesting habitat at a landscape scale. I collected nesting data …