Life Sciences Commons^™

From Introduction To Biomass Dominance: The Invasive Fish Striped Piggy (Pomadasys Stridens) Reshaping Demersal Assemblages In The Eastern Mediterranean, Mehmet Cengi̇z Deval

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Rapid increases in the abundance and biomass of nonindigenous species have the potential to profoundly reshape demersal fish assemblages in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, yet quantitative evidence from long-term standardized surveys remains scarce. In the present study, temporal changes in biomass dynamics and community structure were assessed using fishery-independent trawl surveys conducted on the continental shelf of Antalya Bay (GSA 24) during two periods a decade apart (2009–2010 and 2020–2021), with particular focus on the Lessepsian striped piggy Pomadasys stridens. Based on the second survey, in which both daytime and nocturnal sampling were conducted, the biomass index (BI) differed significantly …

Comparative Cytogenetics Of Four Phelsuma Species: Insights Into Chromosome Evolution In Malagasy Gekkonidae, Marcello Mezzasalma, Gaetano Odierna, Fabio Maria Guarino, Elvira Brunelli

Turkish Journal of Zoology

Karyotype diversification and chromosome mutations (or macromutations) such as  inversions, fusions, and fissions represent understudied factors of biological evolution.  We present in this study one of the first experimental cytogenetic analyses  on the Malagasy day geckos of the genus Phelsuma. A molecular analysis was  performed using a trait of the mitochondrial 12S and a comparative chromosome  study with traditional Giemsa coloration, Ag-NOR staining and sequential C-banding  (C-banding + Giemsa + fluorochromes) on nine individuals of Phelsuma from different  localities. The molecular analysis allowed unambiguous identification of  three species (P. lineata, P. laticauda, and P. standingi), while two additional samples  likely …

Unveiling The Diversity Within Salvia Caespitosa Sensu Lato (Lamiaceae): Three New “Hidden” Endemic Species From Türkiye​, Ferhat Celep, Musa Doğan, Gali̇p Akaydin, Ahmet Kahraman, Ersi̇n Karabacak, Ömer Çeçen, Meti̇n Armağan, Chun-Lei Xiang, Bryan T. Drew

Turkish Journal of Botany

Documenting species, particularly those that are threatened or endangered, is fundamental to biodiversity conservation. However, many taxa remain scientifically unrecognized, being either undiscovered or unpublished. While some plants can be easily recognized as new species, other identifications are obscured by morphological, taxonomic, and nomenclatural complexity. Detecting cryptic or “hidden” species is therefore essential to understanding biodiversity and plant evolution. Our revisionary studies on Salvia demonstrate that the morphologically complex Salvia caespitosa is not a single species but instead comprises at least four distinct species, three with narrow distributions. This conclusion is supported by integrative evidence from extensive field studies, herbarium …

A New Species Of The Genus Heracleum From Türkiye: H. Papilionaceum (Apiaceae: Tordyliaea​), Mehmet Sağiroğlu, Mardiya Sabdani̇, Bariş Bani̇, Hayri̇ Duman

Turkish Journal of Botany

A new species, Heracleumpapilionaceum (Apiaceae: Tordylieae), is described and illustrated from the Elmacık Mountains, Bolu Province, northwestern Türkiye. Morphological studies and phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal (nr)DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer sequences placed the new species close to H. apiifolium and H. munzurense. Comparative morphological and fruit anatomical data, images, and a distribution map are provided. An International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List assessment is also presented, supporting its classification as Critically Endangered.

Erginia (Asteraceae: Cichorieae: Crepidinae), A New Genus Accommodating Chondrilla Spinosa, An Orphan Species Of Localized Distribution In Southeastern Anatolia, Murat Erdem Güzel, Kami̇l Coşkunçelebi̇, Serdar Makbul, Mutlu Gültepe, Zeynepnur Alemdağ, Norbert Kilian

Turkish Journal of Botany

The new genus Erginia is established to accommodate Chondrilla spinosa, a species of previously uncertain systematic placement, with a highly localized distribution in Southeastern Anatolia (Türkiye) on alpine screes along two mountain ridges. Although there has been general agreement that the species is a member of the subtribe Crepidinae in its wider sense, including the Chondrillinae, its placement in Chondrilla is based on the superficial resemblance of its achene features, which also do not match any other known genus, and no molecular phylogenetic analysis had clarified its sister group. In this study, we produce additional micro- and macromorphological as well …

Integrative Data Inform The Taxonomy Of Salix: A Case Study Of S. Purpurea L. Subsp. Leucodermis Yalt. (Salicaceae) From Türkiye, Peli̇n Acar, Yasi̇n Kaya, Dudu Özlem Mavi̇ İdman, Irina V. Belyaeva

Turkish Journal of Botany

The study of endemic species provides valuable perspectives on evolutionary history and future targets for their conservation. Salix purpurea L. subsp. leucodermis Yalt., which is endemic to Sandras Mountain in Türkiye, was analysed using morphological, anatomical, and genomic methods. This study presents the first draft short-read sequence of S. purpurea subsp. leucodermis, providing preliminary genomic evidence of differentiation from related taxa. This study also revealed a specific combination of anatomical features (prominent calcium oxalate crystals and amphistomatous leaves) and morphological characteristics (striated wood, glabrous buds, absence of stipules) that differentiate the taxon in question from the closely related species S. …

Influence Of A New Nanoensemble Of Graphene Oxide And Indole-3-Acetic Acid On The Morphophysiological, Biochemical, And Ultrastructural Characteristics Of Upland Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.), Nurlan Amrahov, Ulviyya Hasanova, Aliyeva Gunel, Aghazada Goncha, Fuad Rzayev, Eldar Gasimov, Aliyeva Solmaz, Lala Gahramanli, Elvin Ibrahimli, Ruhangiz Mammadova, Zarema Gakhramanova, Cem Bayram, Goncha Eyvazova, Si̇bel Hasanova, Ziyaddin Mammadov

Turkish Journal of Botany

​The exogenous application of phytohormones plays a crucial role in the activation of adaptive mechanisms in plants under both normal and stress conditions. Therefore, the present study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of nanoensembles based on indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and graphene oxide (GO) nanolayers. The surface of GO synthesized by the modified Hummer method was noncovalently functionalized with IAA molecules. The structure and morphological properties of the prepared materials were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The IAA and IAA+GO nanoensemble enhanced the morphological parameters, lateral root formation, catalase and peroxidase …

Effects Of Calcium And Magnesium Ions On Wheat (Triticum Aestivum) Chromosome Structure Visualized Using Light And Scanning Elec​Tron Microscopes, Andi Salamah, Fitri Amalia Nurchasanah, Vycka Fikriyani Fairuz, Astari Dwiranti

Turkish Journal of Botany

Divalent cations, particularly calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+), are essential for maintaining chromosomal architecture, yet their roles in plants remain poorly characterized. This study investigated the effects of Ca2+ and Mg2+ on the chromosomal structure of wheat (Triticum aestivum, 2n = 6x = 42), a widely used model in plant cytogenetics. Root-tip chromosomes were isolated enzymatically and treated with BAPTA (a Ca2+-specific chelator), EDTA (a broad cation chelator), and buffer solutions containing either 5 mM Mg2+ (XBE5) or no Mg2+ (XBE). Chromosomes were stained with aceto-orcein for light microscopy and processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microscopic observations revealed that …

Systematic Implications Of Seed Morphology In Oxytropis (Galegeae: Fabaceae) From Pakistan, Amjad Khan, Amir Sultan, Raees Khan, Rozina Rozina, Shahab Ali, Ali Bagheri, Rifat Ullah Khan, Abdul Samad Mumtaz, Tariq Ullah, Ghalia Saleem Aljeddani, Hasil Khan

Turkish Journal of Botany

Oxytropis is a taxonomically challenging genus within the tribe Galegeae of the family Fabaceae. Despite its systematic importance, the seed morphology of Oxytropis has been poorly investigated. In the present study, we examined the seed morphology of 18 Oxytropis species representing 10 sections from the Pakistan, with the aim of evaluating the diagnostic value of seed traits using both light and scanning electron microscopy. The current investigation revealed two distinct seed shapes, namely cordiform and prolonged reniform, across the studied taxa. Seed length ranged from 1.75 mm in O. crassiuscula to 2.3 mm in O. duthieana, while seed width varied …

Optimized Immunoprecipitation Identifies Candidate Proteins Associated With Eyespot Protein Eye2 In Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii ​, Esra Öztürk, Telsa Mittelmeier, Carol Dieckmann, Atakan Sukatar

Turkish Journal of Botany

​The EYE2 protein is essential for eyespot assembly and localization in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its function remain poorly understood. In this study, we present a systematic evaluation and optimization of an immunoprecipitation (IP)-based workflow for isolating EYE2 and its associated protein complexes. Key methodological variables including strain selection, flagella removal, and detergent concentration were compared using western blotting to determine optimal extraction conditions. The combination of the cell wall-deficient cw15 strain, 4% digitonin extraction, and pH shock-mediated deflagellation significantly enhanced IP specificity and reproducibility. Using this optimized protocol, EYE2 and its potential interaction partners were isolated …

Water-Driven Reactivation Of Photosystem Ii In Plagiochasma Appendiculatum, Vineet Soni, Upma Bhatt, Yashwant Sompura

Turkish Journal of Botany

Plagiochasma appendiculatum, a desiccation-tolerant liverwort, offers a unique system for unraveling the biophysical dynamics of photosynthetic recovery upon rehydration. This study employed high-resolution chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) kinetics to clarify the sequential reactivation of photosystem II (PSII) during the desiccation-to-rehydration transition. Upon desiccation, the OJIP transient collapsed into a linear trace, indicating complete photochemical arrest and inactivation of PSII reaction centers (RCs). Rehydration triggered a biphasic recovery, including an initial rapid phase (0–30 min) marked by sharp increases in F0 and Fm , indicative of PSII–LHCII supercomplex reassembly and thylakoid membrane restoration, followed by a stabilization phase (30–125 min) wherein …

Ameliorating Chromium-Induced Stress In Maize Through Phosphorus And Melatonin Application, Zunaira Zafar, Shoaib Ahmad, Muhammad Akhtar, Shafaqat Ali, Sarah Owdah Alomrani, Muhammad Ali Alshehri

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Chromium (Cr+6)  toxicity is a significant environmental stress factor that severely hampers plant growth and productivity. This study aimed to evaluate whether the combined application of phosphorus fertilizer and melatonin could alleviate chromium induced stress in maize  (Zea mays L.).  A foliar spray of melatonin (50 µM) was applied alongside two phosphorus sources—phosphoric acid (PA) and diammonium phosphate (DAP), each at 60% of the recommended rate. Two maize cultivars (FH-1046 and YH-1898) were grown under chromium stress (0, 15, and 30 mg kg–1) to assess treatment effects. The results demonstrated that FH-1046 plants treated with PA + melatonin under noncontaminated …

The Change Of Yield, Growth, And Fruit Quality In Rubygem Strawberry Using Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Species, Selma Kuru Berk

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), which exist symbiotically with plant roots, affect plant growth, yield, and fruit quality. The effects of AMF vary depending on the cultivar and mycorrhizal type. In this study, the effects of different AMF types on the Rubygem strawberry cultivar, widely grown in Türkiye, were examined. Gigaspora margarita and Funneliformis mosseae AMF species were applied to plant roots at seedling planting. Fruit quality criteria, including yield, acidity, soluble solid content, phenolic compounds, organic acids, crown and root development, and the number of daughter plants and stolons, were examined. The highest yield was 431.02 g in G. margarita. …

The Core Microbiome Of Fluvisols From The Vistula River Valley: Relationships Between Bacteria And Basic Soil Properties, Karolina Furtak, Anna Marzec-Grządziel, Jarosław Grządziel, Jacek Niedźwiecki

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Fluvisols develop in river valleys through the accumulation of alluvial sediments. They are characterised by high fertility and are extensively used for agriculture. This study aimed to identify the core microbiome of fluvisols in the Vistula Valley and to examine its relationship with the basic physicochemical properties of the soils. Six types of fluvisol (very light, light, medium, and heavy) from four locations in Lublin province were analysed, with samples collected in 2018 and 2022. The microbiome structure was determined by sequencing the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene and was compared with soil parameters such as pH, electrical …

Multidimensional Scaling (Mds) Analysis Of Fire Blight Resistance In Apple Genotypes Selected From The Eastern Black Sea Region Of Türkiye, Kubi̇lay Kurtuluş Baştaş, Hati̇ce Dumanoğlu, Veli̇ Erdoğan, Ahmet Aygün, Rabi̇a Albayrak Deli̇ali̇oğlu, Sai̇d Efe Dost, Ümi̇t Serdar, Özgün Kalkişim, Sali̇h Maden, Zahi̇de Kocabaş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Erwinia amylovora is the causal agent of fire blight, which is known as one of the most destructive diseases of apple. The use of fire blight-resistant cultivars/rootstocks is one of the most effective methods available to manage this disease. We previously selected 199 local apple cultivars that showed no clearly visible symptoms of fire blight on the plants from the coastline of the eastern Black Sea Region in Türkiye. The region is characterized by the highest rainfall and humidity levels in the country. In this research, young plants of these genotypes grafted onto MM.106 rootstock were screened for fire blight …

Derived Smoke Solution Mitigates Drought Stress In Forage Pea By Enhancing Antioxidant Defense Mechanisms, Medi̇ne Çopur Doğrusöz

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

This study was conducted to enhance plant resilience against drought stress, a major threat to agricultural production, by utilizing an eco-friendly application derived from agricultural waste. We investigated the protective effect of a smoke solution, derived from poppy harvest residues, on the biometric and biochemical parameters of two forage pea (Pisum sativum spp. arvense L.) varieties (GAP Pembesi and Özkaynak). Seeds were primed with 1% and 10% smoke solutions and grown under three distinct conditions: normal irrigation (control), moderate drought, and severe drought. Parameters including biometric traits, chlorophyll pigments, secondary metabolites, and antioxidant enzyme activities were analyzed. The smoke solution …

Prediction Of Furniture Exports In Türkiye Using Machine Learning Methods, İlker Akyüz, Nadi̇r Ersen, Ti̇muçi̇n Bardak, Selahatti̇n Bardak

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

In this study, it was aimed to predict Türkiye’s furniture exports for the period from January 2010 to May 2025 using machine learning methods based on macroeconomic indicators. The dataset consisted of 10 economic variables, including the furniture industry production index, capacity utilization rate, import volume, total exports, real effective exchange rate, producer price index, money supply, and oil prices, with 185 observations per variable and a total of 2035 data points. During the data preprocessing phase, no missing or outlier values were detected, and the data were divided into 70% training and 30% testing subsets. Decision tree, random forest, …

Ozonated Water Delays The Microbial Growth And Sensory Quality Loss Of Capia Pepper Fruit During Cold Storage, Yasi̇n Şi̇mşek, Mehmet Ali̇ Koyuncu, Derya Erbaş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The aim of the present research was to evaluate, for the first time, the effect of ozonated water treatments on the postharvest quality of capia pepper (Capsicum annuum L. ‘Kaptan’). The peppers were harvested at the optimum time and transported to the laboratory immediately. Uniform and quality fruit was selected and precooled. After precooling, the fruit was divided into four groups. The first three groups were immersed in ozonated water at three different concentrations (1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 ppm) for 15 min. The last group (control) was immersed in distilled water for 15 min. The peppers were kept at room …

Unveiling Resistance Mechanisms To Fusarium Wilt Through Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Of Cicer Arietinum And Cicer Reticulatum, Özlem Tuna, Yasi̇n Kaymaz, Talap Talapov, Canan Can, Muhammed Bahatti̇n Tanyolaç, Duygu Ateş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Developing resistant chickpea cultivars is essential for managing Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum, a major pathogen responsible for substatial yield losses. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq–based transcriptome analysis to characterize gene expression changes in resistant and susceptible genotypes of Cicer arietinum L. and C. reticulatum following inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 0. Susceptible genotypes exhibited markedly higher numbers of differentially expressed genes compared with resistant genotypes. Defense-related genes were induced in all plants upon infection; however, resistant genotypes specifically upregulated genes functioning in the apoplast or extracellular region while downregulating intracellular processes—a pattern not observed …

Characterization Of Poly-Β-Hydroxybutyrate And Its Biosynthesis In Priestia Endophytica Ucm B-5715, Alina Kharchuk, Maksym Kharchuk, Maksym Kharkhota, Sergiy Rogalsky, Oksana Tarasyuk, Oleksandr Kisten, Anastasiia Hubina, Illya Kapats, Liliia Avdieieva

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers with promising applications in biotechnology and medicine; however, the diversity of their biosynthesis within the genus Priestia remains poorly characterized. Although Priestia species have been recognized as potential PHA producers, the detailed genomic architecture and physicochemical properties of the polymers synthesized by these bacteria, particularly in the type strain, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced by Priestia endophytica UCM B-5715 and to investigate the PHB biosynthetic genes across related strains.

Materials and methods: PHB granules were visualized and measured using fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron …

Plant Extract-Enriched Mineral Beverages: Effects Of Temperature And Ultrasound Processing On Bioactive Content, Eli̇f Feyza Topdaş, İsa Arslan Karakütük, Memnune Şengül

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Functional beverages derived from herbal extracts have potential health benefits. There is a growing interest in these beverages because they are a sustainable and health-promoting alternative to conventional flavored drinks. This study aimed to produce phenolic rich mineralized herbal beverages using lyophilized purple basil, lavender, and thyme extracts at two different concentrations (2% and 4%). Changes in the physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, color, and viscosity), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays), and individual phenolic compounds were determined for beverages stored at 4, 25, and …

Ecological Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metal-Microplastic Interactions In Agricultural Soils Irrigated With Secondary Treated Wastewater, Senar Aydin, Osman Mücevher, Arzu Ulvi̇, Fatma Bedük, Özen Merken, Ci̇han Uzun, Mehmet Emi̇n Aydin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The increased reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation in arid and semiarid regions raises environmental concerns regarding microplastics (MPs), specifically their capacity to adsorb and transport heavy metals. This study assesses the quantity of MPs and associated metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Co) in agricultural soils irrigated with TWW in the Konya region of Türkiye. To this end, a total of 202 soil samples were collected from TWW-irrigated (180) and nonirrigated control fields (22) at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). MPs were extracted from the samples using a density separation technique, identified microscopically, and analyzed for …

Influence Of Crop Diversification On Climate Change Mitigation And Business Profitability: A Study Of The Southern Marmara Region, Türkiye, Engi̇n Tolga Önder, Nuray Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Crop diversification strategies are being put forward to mitigate the negative effects of climate change associated with greenhouse gas emissions, and thus to ensure sustainable food production that is resilient to climate change and to reduce the risks faced by producers. By diversifying their agricultural products producers can insure themselves against the risks associated with climate variations, disease, and pests, contributing to both continuous food production and income flow. The present study investigates the effect of climate change on enterprise income in the Yenişehir district of Bursa province – a region noted for its intensive production of vegetables and other …

Effects Of Fenugreek And Shatavari On Vasomotor And Hormonal Balance In Ovariectomized Rats, Füsun Erten, Beşi̇r Er, Cemal Orhan, Abhijeet A. Morde, Muralidhara Padigaru, Kazi̇m Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek, TFG) and Asparagus racemosus Willd. (shatavari, AR) have been extensively used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and traditional folk medicine to support women’s health. TFG seeds are traditionally employed as galactagogues and hormonal modulators, while AR roots are valued as rejuvenating tonics with phytoestrogenic activity, prescribed for menopausal complaints and reproductive well-being. Both plants also exhibit antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects, suggesting their potential as safe, nonhormonal alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy. This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of TFG and AR, administered individually or in combination, on vasomotor symptoms, hormonal balance, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine markers in …

Context-Dependent Regulation Of Six1 By Ets1 Within Emt-Associated Transcriptional Networks, İrem Yalim Camci

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process driving tumor plasticity, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Although E26 transformation-specific transcription factor 1 (ETS1) and Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) are individually implicated in EMT-related transcriptional programs, the regulatory interplay and functional coordination of these proteins across tumor states remain unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mechanistic and clinical behavior of the ETS1–SIX1 axis, with a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and aggressive endothelial-like cancer phenotypes.

Materials and methods: ETS1–SIX1 expression patterns were analyzed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in HCCderived cell lines and the endothelial-like SK-HEP-1 cell …

Small Rna Sequencing Identifies Tsrna-05020 As A Potential Regulator Of Cervical Cancer Progression, Cheng Peng, Cong Liang, Jie Liu, Yunlu Liu, Ping Liu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant gynecologic tumor. Small RNAs derived from tRNA (tsRNAs) have been reported to play regulatory roles in tumor progression and suppression. However, the functional role of tsRNAs in CC remains largely unclear.

Materials and methods: Small RNA sequencing was performed on normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and CC clinical cell samples to identify differentially expressed tsRNAs (DEtsRNAs). qRT-PCR was used to validate the selected DEtsRNAs. The effects of tsRNA-05020 on HeLa cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were assessed.

Results: Compared with the normal group, 215 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in CIN tissues, …

Retinoic Acid-Loaded Nanoparticles Enhance Macrophage-Mediated Control Of Leishmania Infantum, Zeynep İşlek, Merve Gündoğdu, Zeynep Di̇la Yüksel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Visceral leishmaniasis, primarily caused by Leishmania infantum, remains a major global health challenge due to limitations in current chemotherapeutic options, including toxicity and emerging drug resistance. Host-directed therapeutic approaches are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an immunomodulatory molecule with host-dependent effects on macrophage function; however, its therapeutic use is hindered by instability and poor solubility. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a controlled and biocompatible delivery platform capable of enhancing intracellular drug accumulation.

Materials and methods: ATRA-loaded SLNs were prepared and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Their antileishmanial activity was evaluated …

Nutrient Uptake Of Two Microalgae From Culture Medium Under Nickel Treatment, Di̇lara Erdaği, Büşranur Şeker, Celal Caner, Gi̇zem Çeti̇n, Hüseyi̇n Altundağ, Hati̇ce Tunca

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Phycoremediation is essential for purifying wastewater of heavy metals to ensure a sustainable environment, as these components can be detrimental to organisms upon entering the food chain. Among heavy metals, nickel is vital at low concentrations due to its presence in the active sites of many metalloenzymes in algae. However, at high concentrations, it disrupts the functioning of many metabolic reactions. This study examines the effects of nickel treatment on the uptake of macro- and micronutrients in medium by algae via ion exchange pathways or in competition with other metals. The study aims to determine the effects of nickel …

An In Vitro Mechanistic Study Of Cholinergic-Associated Mechanisms Relevant To Masld In Hepg2 Cells, Gamze Sönmez, Müslüm Gök, Suat Sari, Ebru Bodur

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the hepatic cholinergic axis are critical regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammatory signaling; however, their time-dependent interplay in hepatocytes remains incompletely understood. Clarifying how n-6 and n-3 PUFAs interact with cholinergic pathways may provide mechanistic insight into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Materials and methods: HepG2 cells were used to examine the combined effects of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) overexpression and PUFA exposure. Cells were treated with linoleic acid (LA; n-6) or α-linolenic acid (α-LA; n-3) for 24 or 48 h. Gene expression analyses were performed to assess pathways involved in de novo lipogenesis, β-oxidation, …

Origins Of Mitochondrial Diversity In Turkish Sheep Breeds: Anatolia As A Contact Zone Or Refugial Center?, Nezi̇h Ata, İbrahi̇m Cemal

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Advances in molecular genetics, especially the integration of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses, have significantly transformed our understanding of the origins, geographical centers, and dispersal dynamics of domestication, a field traditionally based on archaeological and morphological evidence. In this study, the mtDNA control-region sequences of 296 individuals from 15 native Turkish sheep breeds were analyzed to clarify their maternal genetic diversity and evolutionary origins. Sequencing of a 531-bp D-loop fragment revealed 53 polymorphic sites and 78 distinct haplotypes, indicating substantial haplotypic diversity (Hd = 0.918) and nucleotide diversity (π = 0.01391) within these populations. All five major ovine mitochondrial haplogroups (A, …