Biology Commons^™

Physical And Sensoric Attributes Of Flaxseed Flour Supplemented Cookies, Shahzad Hussain, Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Masood Sadiq Butt, Muhammad Issa Khan, Ali Asghar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Full fat flaxseed flour was supplemented with wheat flour @ 5, 10, 15, 20,25 and 30%. Cookies were prepared from composite flours. Cookies prepared without flaxseed flour were kept as control. The mean quality score of the cookies decreased with the increase in the level of the flaxseed flour supplementation. Colour and crispiness of the cookies showed a declining trend as compared to flavour and texture of cookies. Cookies containing 20% and lower level of the full fat flaxseed flour were acceptable in relation to their overall acceptability. Significant reduction in the spread factor of the cookies was observed. Addition …

Colchicine-Induced Tetraploidy And Changes In Allele Frequencies In Colchicine-Treated Populations Of Diploids Assessed With Rapd Markers In Gossypium Arboreum L., Saeed Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Faroog Ahmad Khan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Two cultivars of cotton G. arboreum L. cv. FDH-228 and HK-113 were treated with colchicine solution (1%) with 3 methods of application. Colchicine application at the seedling stage on shoot apex was successful. Tetraploid plants of arboreum (4x = 2n = 52) had larger vegetative, reproductive parts, but less frequent stomata and higher optical density of DNA than their normal diploid counterparts (2n = 26). Results also showed that individuals that escaped the duplicating effects of colchicine although treated, presented significant point mutagenic effects. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers were used to evaluate diversity and similarities in populations treated with …

Analysis Of The Effects Of Chromatin Modifying Complexes On The Transcription Of Retrotransposon Ty2-917 In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Sezai̇ Türkel, Bükay Yeni̇ce

Turkish Journal of Biology

Transcription of the yeast retrotransposon Ty2-917 is regulated by a complex set of regulatory regions located both upstream and downstream of the transcription initiation site. In this study, it was found that certain chromatin modifying factors are essential for the transcriptional regulation of Ty2-917. Among the chromatin binding factors tested in this research, non-histone proteins Nhp6A/B have the largest effect on the transcription of Ty2-917. In Dnhp6A/B double mutant yeast strain transcription of Ty2 decreased 20-fold, indicating that these non-histone proteins are essential for the transcription of Ty2-917. Furthermore, it was also shown that the transcription of Ty2-917 decreased by …

Acute Effects Of Trichloroacetic Acid On Serum Enzyme Levels And Erythrocyte Carbonic Anhydrase Activity In Rats, Hali̇t Demi̇r, İsmai̇l Çeli̇k

Turkish Journal of Biology

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a sublethal dose of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) on serum enzyme levels and erythrocyte carbonic anhydrase (CA) activity in rats under laboratory conditions. Ten Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided in 2 groups of 5 rats. A 200 mg/kg dose of TCA was administered intraperitoneally to the 5 rats in the treatment group. An equal amount of saline solution was injected into the control group. Serum enzyme levels and erythrocyte CA activity of the rats were measured 1, 3, and 6 h after treatment. According to the results, while the …

Antifungal Activity Of Clerodendrum Inerme (L). And Clerodendrum Phlomidis (L)., Rajasekaran Anitha, Ponnusamy Kannan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The ethyl acetate and hexane extracts of leaves and stems of Clerodendrum inerme and Clerodendrum phlomidis (Verbenaceae) were screened for antifungal activity. Both ethyl acetate and hexane extracts of C. phlomidis stem and leaf exhibited appreciable inhibition on all the studied plant and human pathogenic fungi. However, leaf hexane extract (1 mg/ml) of C. inerme inhibited the plant pathogenic fungi better than the human dermatophytes.

Rnf Genes In Purple Sulfur Bacterium Allochromatium Vinosum, H. Benan Di̇nçtürk, Volkan Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

Allochromatium vinosum is a photosynthetic, diazotrophic purple sulfur bacterium that oxidizes reduced sulfur compounds hydrogen sulfide, elemental sulfur and thiosulfide. In this article, we report the presence of rnf genes in Allochromatium vinosum, some of which have been reported to take part in nitrogen fixation in some species.

Antimicrobial Activity Of Palustriella Commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra Extracts (Bryophyta), Semra İlhan, Fi̇li̇z Savaroğlu, Ferdağ Çolak, Cansu Fi̇li̇k İşçen, Fatma Zerri̇n Erdemgi̇l

Turkish Journal of Biology

The present study describes the antimicrobial activity of 2 extracts of Palustriella commutata (Hedw.) Ochyra, collected from the Sündiken Mountains, Eskişehir, Turkey. These extracts were first prepared with acetone and methanol solvents under reflux. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was then assessed using the disc diffusion method against 11 bacteria, 1 yeast, and 8 moulds. The antimicrobial test results revealed that the acetone extract had a potential activity against 9 test bacteria. While some gram-positive bacteria tested were sensitive (Bacillus mycoides, B. cereus, B. subtilis, and Micrococcus luteus), all gram-negative bacteria tested (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia …

Hill Reaction, Photosynthesis And Chlorophyll Content In Non-Sugar-Producing (Turnip, Brassica Rapa L.) And Sugar-Producing (Sugar Beet, Beta Vulgaris L.) Root Crop Plants, Manzer H. Siddiqui, M.Masroor A. Khan, M. Nasir Khan, Firoz Mohammad, M. Naeem

Turkish Journal of Biology

A pot experiment was conducted at the Botany Department, A.M.U., Aligarh, on 2 root crop plants, viz. turnip (Brassica rapa L.), non-sugar-producing and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), sugar-producing, to compare their physiological activity (Hill activity, photosynthesis and chlorophyll content). The seeds of each plant were sown in 20 pots (80% soil + 20% FYM) separately. Two samplings were done at 125 and 140 days (after sowing). Hill activity was measured spectrophotometrically using DCPIP indicator and photosynthesis was assayed by LICOR-6200 Photosynthesis System. Sugar beet gave the maximum leaf-area, Chl a/b ratio, stomatal conductance and photosynthesis rate and Hill activity …

Effects Of Sequential Sub-Culturing On The Survival And Enzyme Activity Of Neocallimastix Hurleyensis, Mehmet Sai̇t Eki̇nci̇, Emi̇n Özköse, İsmai̇l Akyol

Turkish Journal of Biology

This study investigated the long-term adaptation of a rumen anaerobic fungus, Neocallimastix hurleyensis, grown on each of 3 different substrates as the sole energy source. The rumen anaerobic fungus was cultivated on Avicel, Xylan and glucose for up to 31 subcultures, and its survival and enzymatic activity were monitored. The fungus was able to survive on each of these substrates. Significant increases in the xylanase, avicelase and carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) activities of N. hurleyensis were observed after 31 subcultures on Avicel and Xylan. However, there was a significant decrease in these enzyme activities after 31 consecutive subcultures of the N. hurleyensis …

Non-Histone Proteins And The Mediator Complex Are Essential For The Transcription Of Hxt2 And Hxt4 Genes In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Si̇nem Güzelvardar, Sezai̇ Türkel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Transcriptional activation of HXT2 and HXT4 genes require rapid reorganization of the chromatin structure on the promoter regions of these genes. In this study, it was found that the transcription of HXT2 and HXT4 genes decreased 4- to 7-fold in the yeast strain that does not contain the non-histone proteins 6A and 6B (Nhp6A/B). In addition, results of this research indicated that Nhp6A/B are required for the rapid derepression and activation of HXT2 and HXT4 transcription upon glucose signaling. Furthermore, it was found that Med2p, which provides the connection between the transcriptional activators and the basal transcription factors, is also …

Antimicrobial Activities Of The Extracts Of Marine Algae From The Coast Of Urla (İzmir, Turkey), İnci̇ Tüney, Bi̇lge Hi̇lal Çadirci, Di̇lek Ünal, Atakan Sukatar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Methanol, acetone, diethyl ether, and ethanol extracts of 11 seaweed species from the coast of Urla were tested in vitro for their antimicrobial activities against Candida sp., Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli with the disc diffusion method. Diethyl ether was the best solution for extracting the effective antimicrobial materials from the algae species used in this experiment, with the exception of D. linearis, for which ethanol was the most effective extraction solution. Diethyl ether extracts of fresh Cystoseira mediterranea, Enteromorpha linza, Ulva rigida, Gracilaria gracilis, and Ectocarpus siliculosus showed effective results against all test …

Antioxidant And Free Radical Scavenging Properties Of Twelve Traditionally Used Indian Medicinal Plants, Farrukh Aqil, Iqbal Ahmad, Zafar Mehmood

Turkish Journal of Biology

The methanolic crude extracts of 12 traditionally used Indian medicinal plants were screened for their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties using a-tocopherol and butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) as standard antioxidants. Antioxidant activity was measured by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assay and compared with the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method. Free radical scavenging activity was evaluated using diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. The overall antioxidant activity of Lawsonia inermis was the strongest, followed in descending order by Ocimum sanctum, Cichorium intybus, Piper cubeba, Punica granatum, Allium sativum, Delonix regia, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Mangifera indica, Camellia sinensis, and Trigonella foenum-graecum. Seven plants, …

Biochemical Responses Of Dimorphic Seeds Of Arthrocnemum Indicum Willd. During Germination, Inhibition, And Alleviation Under Saline And Non-Saline Conditions, Zamin Shaheed Siddiqui

Turkish Journal of Biology

Dimorphic seeds of Arthrocnemum indicum (a halophytic shrub) exhibit diverse germination responses following salinity treatment and subsequent exposure to growth regulators by adjusting their physiological and biochemical processes. The present study examined the effects of 24-h and 72-h NaCl treatment on germination, germination velocity, and the associated biochemical changes in protein and RNA contents of 2 seed morphs, and compared these effects after transfer into distilled water or 10 mM thiourea solution. Treatment for 24 and 72 h in NaCl solution induced a significant reduction in the rate of germination and final percent germination of both seed morphs. No germination …

Antibacterial Activity Of Four Plant Extracts Used In Palestine In Folkloric Medicine Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Bassam Abu-Shanab, Ghaleb Mohammad Adwan, Naser Jarrar, Awni Abu-Hijleh, Kamel Adwan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Ethanolic and hot water extracts from 4 different plant species used in Palestine in popular medicine for the treatment of several ailments of microbial and non-microbial origin were evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Both water and ethanol extracts of Mentha longifolia, Melissa officinalis and Rosa damascena were effective on MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the ethanolic extract of M. longifolia and M. officinalis were in the range of 3.125 to 12.50 mg/ml and 12.50 to 25.00 mg/ml, respectively. The ethanolic extract with the greatest antimicrobial activity was …

Effectiveness Of The Entomopathogenic Nematodes Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora And Steinernema Feltiae Against Tenebrio Molitor (Yellow Mealworm) Larvae In Different Soil Types At Different Temperatures, Alper Susurluk

Turkish Journal of Biology

The efficiency of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema feltiae Tur-S3 and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Tur-H2, isolated in Turkey, against larvae of Tenebrio molitor L. was investigated in different soil type and temperature conditions. Sterilized and non-sterilized silver sand, clay-loam soil, and compost soil were tested, each at 12, 18, and 24 ºC. Temperature had the greatest effect on the mortality of T. molitor larvae caused by both nematode species. The efficiency of the 2 nematodes was greater in sterile than in nonsterile conditions, and was greater in sandy soils than in clay soils. The results showed that Steinernema feltiae was more efficient …

Isolation And Characterization Of Four Isoinhibitors From Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata (L.) Walp.) Seeds, Reda Helmy Ahmed Sammour

Turkish Journal of Biology

Four isoinhibitors of trypsin have been isolated from the cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., in a highly purified state, as indicated by Urea-SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, equilibrium chromatography, and amino acid analysis. The amino acid composition was characterized by the absence of free -SH groups, high half-cysteine, and the absence of tryptophan and methionine in isoinhibitors II and III. Isoinhibitor II contained 96 amino acid residues, whereas isoinhibitor III contained 80. Isoinhibitor II had lysine in the reactive site, while isoinhibitor III had arginine. Isoinhibitor IA inhibited trypsin only, while isoinhibitors IB, II, and III inhibited both trypsin and \alpha-chymotrypsin, indicating …

The Relationship Between Seasonal Variation In Phytoplankton And Zooplankton Densities In Hirfanlı Dam Lake (Kırşehir, Turkey), Tülay Baykal, Selahatti̇n Salman, İlkay Açikgöz

Turkish Journal of Biology

Phytoplankton and zooplankton densities in Hirfanlı Dam Lake were studied between July 1999 and June 2000. In addition, phytoplankton biomass was measured using chlorophyll a concentration. The density of Cladocera at the surface and that of Rotifera at the bottom were low in the summer months. For phytoplankton, Cyclostephanos dubius (Fricke) Round was dominant. The variation in the density of organisms did not follow a known pattern. Species composition, seasonal distribution and species density variations show that the lake was advanced mesotrophic. The lake was alkaline and, from time to time, there was an odor in the littoral regions where …

Chemical Composition Of The Essential Oil Of Salvia Aethiopis L., Medi̇ne Güllüce, Hakan Özer, Özlem Bariş, Di̇mi̇tra Daferera, Fi̇kretti̇n Şahi̇n, Moschos Polissiou

Turkish Journal of Biology

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Salvia aethiopis was analyzed by employing GC-MS. Thirty-two components (98.0% of the total oil) were identified in the essential oil of S. aethiopis. The main components of this oil were germacrene D (29.0%), \alpha-copaene (19.8%), \beta-cubebene + \beta-elemene (9.9%), bicyclogermacrene (9.3%), \delta cadinene (8.7%), and \beta-caryophyllene (7.3%).

Karyological Observation Of Red Mullet (Mullus Barbatus Linnaeus, 1758), Serkan Saygun, İsmi̇han Karayücel, Recep Bi̇rcan

Turkish Journal of Biology

The number and structure of red mullet chromosomes (Mullus barbatus Linnaeus, 1758) were investigated and the species karyotype was analyzed. Specimens were obtained by trawl from the coast of Zonguldak, Turkey. A colchicine solution, 0.1 mg/g of body weight, was intramuscularly injected dorsally, and intraperitoneally injected ventrally. Slides were prepared from gill and fin epithelial tissues. Results of the conventional staining method showed that this species has 2n = 44 diploid chromosomes.

Antibacterial Effects Of Nutraceutical Plants Growing In Palestine On Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Ghaleb Mohammad Adwan, Bassam Abu-Shanab, Kamel Adwan, Farah Abu-Shanab

Turkish Journal of Biology

The antibacterial effects of single and combined plant extracts of water, ethanol and methanol for two nutraceuticals utilized in Palestine were studied against multiple drug resistances Pseudomonas aeruginosa using well diffusion method. These plants are Rhus coriaria and Thymus vulgaris. Combinations of these extracts showed an additive action against this pathogen.

Functionality Of Different Surfactants And Ingredients In Frozen Dough, Ali Asghar, Faqir Muhammad Anjum, Masood Sadiq Butt, Shahzad Hussain

Turkish Journal of Biology

Surfactants are widely used in bakeries as dough strengtheners and dough improvers but there is a wide range of compounds available according to their mode of action that could potentially improve the quality of not only the simple breads and doughs but also of frozen dough. These types of product usually have a short shelf-life when compared with normal bakery products. With the increase in modernization and new trends in food products, consumers are becoming more and more aware and conscious about their diet and therefore their health as well. The quality of frozen dough bakery products could be improved …

Modulation Of The Serotonin Reuptake Transporter In Raw264.7 Macrophages, Sienna Marie Arenas Malubay

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role as both a neurotransmitter and animmune modulator. The serotonin reuptake transporter (SERT) clears the extracellular space of 5-HT, which decreases the effects of 5-HT on target cells. This study demonstrated that the RAW264.7 macrophage cell line expresses SERT function, measured by assays of 3H-5HT uptake. The 5-HT uptake in RAW264.7 macrophages was more than 10-fold that of peritoneal macrophages, indicating that these cells are an excellent model for studying regulation of the SERT. Activation of macrophages with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased SERT activity in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and Western blots indicate that the …

Movements And Habitat Selection Of Raccoons In A Rural Illinois Landscape, Erin E. Barding

Masters Theses

Conversion of native plant communities for purposes such as urban development, agriculture and industry reduces the amount of intact wildlife habitat and fragments that which remains. Much of the natural habitat in the Midwestern U.S. has been converted to agricultural use. Population declines of many avian species have been attributed to high rates of predation in fragmented landscapes. Furthermore, edge-related increases in nest predation are one of the main factors in reducing reproductive success. Studies throughout Illinois have suggested that the entire state may be a population sink for several species of birds. Mesocarnivores, particularly raccoons (Procyon lotor) and skunks …

Urea: A Natural Cryoprotectant In The Freeze-Tolerant Wood Frog (Rana Sylvatica), Elizabeth A. Fincel

Masters Theses

The wood frog (Rana sylvatica) is one of only a few vertebrates that are able to withstand freezing of their body fluids. Various organic osmolytes play a central role in physiological adaptation to freezing and other osmotic stresses in diverse taxa, but in R. sylvatica only one cryoprotectant, glucose, has been identified. The objective of this study was to determine whether urea, an osmolyte that naturally accumulates in the tissues of overwintering R. sylvatica, also functions to limit freeze/thaw injury. Secondly, it was investigated whether hyperuremia is associated with increased osmolyte concentration to counteract any negative effect of urea.

Using …

Seedling Development N Stylisma Pickeringii Var. Pattersonii (Convolvulaceae), An Endangered Illinois Species, Jason B. Cunningham

Masters Theses

Stylisma pickeringii (Torr.) Gray var. pattersonii (Fern. & Schub.) Myint (Convolvulaceae) is listed as an endangered plant species in Illinois and is commonly known as Patterson bindweed or Patterson dawnflower. It is a prostrate vine that occurs in well-drained sand prairies and sandy open woods. High temperature, low moisture holding ability and blowing sand in these prairies create a harsh environment for seedling establishment.

Seedlings of Stylisma pickeringii show a unique pattern of development, which may enhance their ability to become established. Following radicle and cotyledon emergence, an enlarged ring encircling the radicle, referred to as the transition zone, develops. …

Spatial And Temporal Differences In Fish Assemblages In The Sangamon River, Illinois: Methods For Community Comparisons And Documentation Of Species' Range Expansion, Mark J. Fincel

Masters Theses

Anthropogenic disturbance has been recognized as having adverse effects on native flora and fauna in an environment. One such disturbance that has received increasing attention in recent years is the effects of water altering structures such as reservoirs, dams, dykes, and levees. For the past 6 years, Eastern Illinois University has conducted an intensive sampling program in an effort to document spatial and temporal heterogeneity of an 8.5 km reach of the Sangamon River beginning just below Lake Decatur Dam in Decatur, Illinois. My objective has been to characterize stream habitat and to assess differences in stream fish assemblages above …

Role Of Apoe In Regeneration, Maturation And Synaptogenesis Of Olfactory Receptor Neurons In Mice, Salina Gairhe

Masters Theses

Previous studies have shown that apolipoprotein E (apoE), a lipid transporting protein, is involved in the growth and regeneration of injured neurons. apoE is a key molecule involved in lipid transport system associated with compensatory sprouting and synaptic remodeling after neuronal injury. Also, transport of cholesterol and phospholipids in brain is regulated by the coordinated expression of apoE and its main Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) receptors during the different phases of the neuronal reinnervation processes. The discovery of apolipoprotein E4 genotype, a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), is suggestive of involvement of dysfunctional apoE lipid transport system in …

Defining Edge Gradients Using Plant Species Composition In Oak-Hickory Forest Patches, Elise M. Tulloss

Masters Theses

Forest conservation is greatly enhanced with an increased understanding of the transitional nature of edges. Edge characteristics control ecological flows into the forest that may influence its structure and composition. Most forests in east-central Illinois exist as small patches, making the region an ideal location for studying edge effects. The objectives of this study were to identify the mechanisms and processes that determine gradients of plant composition and to develop a predictive model of edge effects using plant species composition as an indicator of edge influence. A data set was gathered to relate understory forest species composition to several environmental …

Expression Of Apoe In The Mouse Olfactory System During Development And Post Injury, Sreenivas Nannapaneni

Masters Theses

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a prominent player in transporting cholesterol and metabolizing plasma lipoproteins, has emerged as a major risk factor in causing Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE, extensively expressed in the primary olfactory pathway, binds to its low-density lipoprotein receptor and related receptors to play a role both in development and in control of the immune system. Previous studies have shown that apoE is expressed at high concentrations in the olfactory nerve (ON) and around the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB) and that the apoE levels in these regions increase substantially following lesioning of the olfactory epithelium (OE). Studies from …

The Effects Of Apoe On Olfactory Neuron Plasticity In Mice, Ikemefuna T. Nwosu

Masters Theses

Apolipoprotein E (apoE), a lipid transporting protein, is a major risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that apoE is expressed at high concentrations in the olfactory nerve (ON) and around the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb (OB) and that the apoE levels in these regions increase substantially following lesioning of the source of the olfactory nerves, the olfactory epithelium (OE). However, the mechanism(s) underlying the contribution of apoE to neuronal functioning and developing AD are not clearly understood. To investigate and better clarify the role of apoE in nerve regeneration, I examined the presence and …