Biology Commons^™

Flamboyant Cuttlefish: Camouflage Tactics And Colorful Behavior, Shaquilla M. Hamlett

Scientific Communication News

No abstract provided.

Distribution Of Polar Bear Dens In The Canadian Arctic, Brice Schrenkel

Scientific Communication News

No abstract provided.

Using Ecological Analyses To Characterize Socio-Economic Food Deserts, Annie Goyanes, J. Matthew Hoch

Marine & Environmental Sciences Faculty Datasets

“Food desert” refers to an area where citizens lack access to fresh, affordable, nutritious food. Food deserts are generally in low-income urban neighborhoods or rural towns and can be considered environmental or economic injustice. South Florida and Broward County have been documented as having a high food insecurity rate, indicative of households having difficulty putting food on the table. Given the high rate of food insecurity, it was hypothesized that a lack of access to food and the presence of socio-economic food deserts was at least partially responsible. Data was collected by visiting three supermarkets in each of the 13 …

Size Scaling In The Skull Of North American Felids As Adaptations For Prey Acquisition, Ashley Destin, Judd A. Case

2020 McNair Scholar Collection

This comparative study explores the relationship between skull morphology and general body size among felids (house cat, lynx, puma), mustelids (minks, weasels, badgers), and canids (foxes, coyotes, wolves); with a focus on North American felids, as it relates to prey acquisition. Previous studies have focused on the evolution of the carnivore skull shape, which include the species examined in this study. Using measurement methods laid out by Radinsky (1981a; 1984), the size of skull components are compared to overall body size to determine the rate of scaling of skull features with body size.

Statistical evaluations of skull measurements within and …

How Exercise Impacts The Brain And Cognition, Cody Larson

Biology and Microbiology Graduate Students Plan B Research Projects

Physical exercise has been shown to impact the brains composition and functionality. The changes that arise in the structure of brain, as result of engaging in physical exercise, give rise to cognitive changes. Structural changes are observed most notably in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. These changes are preceded by elevations in cerebral blood flow, and growth factors, resulting increased neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. Frequency, duration, intensity, and type of physical exercise can have differing effects on the brain. Moderate intensity aerobic exercise presents the most profound improvements in memory, and inhibitory control over time.

Epigenetic Modifications Due To Maternal Diet, Amanda Thaler

Biology and Microbiology Graduate Students Plan B Research Projects

Obesity is a growing exponentially to be a health issue globally. Worldwide the rate of obesity has nearly doubled since 1980, with approximately 200 million adult men and 300 million adult women now being considered obese. We are also seeing growing percentages of woman of reproductive age being considered obese (BMI>30). Maternal obesity is known to increase the likelihood of developing complications during the pregnancy such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. These conditions create the environment for the growing fetus that are more difficult than that of a healthy pregnancy. The Developmental programming hypotheses links the environment of development …

E-Cadherin Might Be A Stage-Dependent Modulator In Aggressiveness In Pancreatic Cancer Cells, Esra Aydemi̇r Çoban, Di̇dem Teci̇mel, Ezgi̇ Kaşikci, Ömer Faruk Bayrak, Fi̇kretti̇n Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) pathology is known for its uncontrollable progress due to highly invasive characteristics and refractory behavior against existing chemotherapies. The aberrant expression of CDH1 (expresses the protein E-cadherin) is associated with increased overall survival in various cancers, however, E-cadherin expression in PDAC progression has remained elusive. We investigated the impact of exogenously elevated E-cadherin levels on the tumorigenicity of transduced low grade and metastatic PDAC cell lines, Panc-1 and AsPC-1, respectively. Constitutive expression of E-cadherin promoted a more hybrid E/M state in AsPC-1 cells, while it was associated with the acquisition of a more epithelial-like state in …

Comparison Of Anticarcinogenic Properties Of Viburnum Opulus And Its Active Compound P-Coumaric Acid On Human Colorectal Carcinoma, Serdar Karakurt, Gülsüm Abuşoğlu, Zeki̇ye Ceren Arituluk

Turkish Journal of Biology

Resistance to therapeutic agents and the highly toxic side effects of synthetic drugs has spurred new research in the treatment of colon cancer, which has high morbidity and mortality ratios. This study aims to clarify the molecular mechanisms of the anticarcinogenic properties of methanol extract of Viburnum opulus L. (EVO)and its main active compound, trans-p-coumaric acid (p-CA), on human colon cancer cells (DLD-1, HT-29, SW-620, Caco-2) and healthy colon epithelial cells (CCD-18Co). The effects of EVO on controlled cell death (apoptosis) and the cell division cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Alteration in mRNA and protein expressions of switch genes …

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Induces Apoptosis In Colorectal Cancer Cells Via Inhibition Of Survivin, Ceren Sari, Ceren Sümer, Fi̇gen Celep Eyüpoğlu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Drug resistance and drug-induced damage of healthy tissues are major obstacles in cancer treatment. Therefore, to develop efficient anticancer therapy, it is necessary to find compounds that affect tumor cells, but do not exhibit toxicity to healthy cells. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has been demonstrated to have anticancer properties in many types of cancer. In this study, the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of CAPE on the RKO colorectal cancer cell line and CCD 841-CoN normal colorectal cell line was investigated. In addition, changes in the survivin expression were …

Anxiolytic, Antioxidant, And Neuroprotective Effects Of Goji Berry Polysaccharides In Ovariectomized Rats: Experimental Evidence From Behavioral, Biochemical, And Immunohistochemical Analyses, Fatma Pehli̇van Karakaş, Hami̇t Coşkun, Hayri̇ye Soytürk, Bi̇hter Gökçe Bozat

Turkish Journal of Biology

Recent studies have indicated that polysaccharides, the main component of the Lycium barbarum L. fruit, have beneficial effects (e.g., anxiolytic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective) on humans and rodents. However, the effects of different dosages of such polysaccharides on ovariectomized rats and their underlying mechanisms in the brain have not been evaluated in the literature. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the high and low doses of polysaccharides obtained from Lycium barbarum fruits (HD-LBP and LD-LBP, respectively) on anxious behaviors via behavioral (using the OFT and EPM), biochemical (using ELISA), and immunohistochemical (using immunohistochemical staining) measures in detail. Two weeks …

Upregulation Of Psmd4 Gene By Hypoxia In Prostate Cancer Cells, Sümeyye Aydogan Türkoğlu, Gi̇zem Dayi, Feray Köçkar

Turkish Journal of Biology

Ubiquitin-proteasome pathways have a crucial role in tumor progression. PSMD4 (Rpn10, 26S proteasome non-ATPase subunit 4), which is a subunit of the regulatory particle, is a major ubiquitin (Ub) receptor of 26S proteasome. PSMD4 overexpression has been observed in colon carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and breast cancer. In this work, we elucidated the effect of hypoxia on PSMD4 gene expression in prostate cancer cells (PC3). Chemically mimicked hypoxia drastically upregulated PSMD4 gene expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Transient transfection experiments indicated that all promoter fragments were active in PC3 cells. Hypoxia increased transcriptional activity of all PSMD4 promoter constructs. …

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Micrornas Action As Biomarkers For Breast Cancer, Thanh Thi Ngoc Nguyen, Minh Thi Hong Tran, Vy Thi Lan Nguyen, Uyen Doan Phuong Nguyen, Giang Dien Thanh Nguyen, Luan Huu Huynh, Hue Thi Nguyen

Turkish Journal of Biology

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recently described as small noncoding RNAs that are involved in numerous crucial physiological processes, such as cell cycles, differentiation, development, and metabolism. Thus, dysregulation of these molecules could lead to several severe disorders, including breast cancer (BC). Ongoing investigations in malignant growth diagnostics have distinguished miRNAs as promising disease biomarkers. As with any other mRNAs, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA sequence encoding for miRNA (miR-SNPs) indeed lead to potential changes in the function of miRNA. In this study, miR-SNPs located in different miRNA sequence regions, which have been associated with BC in different ways, and …

Regulation Of E2f1 Activity Via Pka-Mediated Phosphorylations, Mustafa Gökhan Ertosun, Sayra Di̇lmaç, Fatma Zehra Hapi̇l Zevkli̇ler, Gamze Tanriöver, Sadi̇ Köksoy, Osman Ni̇dai̇ Özeş

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Moderate High Temperature And Uv-B On Accumulation Of Withanolides And Relative Expression Of The Squalene Synthase Gene In Physalis Peruviana, Günce Şahi̇n, Murat Telli̇, Ercan Selçuk Ünlü, Fatma Pehli̇van Karakaş

Turkish Journal of Biology

Physalis peruviana L. (Cape gooseberry) is a source for a variety of phytocompounds such as withanolides, withanone, withaferin A, and withanolide A. These withanolides are high-value drug candidates due to their various pharmacological properties. To meet the increasing demands for these compounds, plant cell technology offers a reliable alternative. Exogenous addition of elicitors is considered the most effective strategy for enhanced production of secondary metabolites. In this study, we investigated changes in withanolide accumulation and characterized the gene expression level changes of squalene synthase enzyme in P. peruviana shoot cultures exposed to mild nonlethal heat stress (45°C for 2 and …

In Vitro Tooth-Shaped Scaffold Construction By Mimicking Late Bell Stage, Paki̇ze Nesli̇han Taşli, Gül Merve Yalçin Ülker, Alev Cumbul, Ünal Uslu, Şahi̇n Yilmaz, Batuhan Turhan Bozkurt, Fi̇kretti̇n Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

Neogenesis of osseous and ligamentous interfacial structures is essential for the regeneration of large oral or craniofacial defects. However, current treatment strategies are inadequate in renewing supporting tissues of teeth after trauma, chronic infections or surgical resection. Combined use of 3D scaffolds with stem cells became a promising treatment option for these injuries. Matching different scaffolding materials with different tissues can induce the correct cytokines and the differentiation of cells corresponding to that particular tissue. In this study, a hydroxyapatite (HA) based scaffold was used together with human adipose stem cells (hASCs), human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) and gingival …

Adjuvant Potency Of Astragaloside Vii Embedded Cholesterol Nanoparticles For H3n2 Influenza Vaccine, Rükan Genç, Ni̇lgün Yakuboğullari, Ayşe Nalbantsoy, Fethi̇ye Çöven, Erdal Bedi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

Adjuvants are substances that increase the immune response to a given antigen. In the development of novel vaccine adjuvants/ systems, saponins are one of the most attractive molecules due to their altered immunomodulatory activities. In this study, we tried to develop PEG (polyethylene glycol)/cholesterol-based lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver the Astragaloside VII (AST-VII) and potentiate adjuvant properties of AST-VII for the influenza vaccine. In the formation of PEG/cholesterol/AST-VII-based LNPs (PEG300: Chol-AST-VII LNPs), 3 different primary solvents (acetone, ethanol, and chloroform) were evaluated, employing their effects on hydrodynamic particle size, distribution, surface chemistry, and colloidal stability. Prepared nanoparticles were simply admixtured …

Transcriptional Splice Variants Of Cd40 And Its Prognostic Value In Breast Cancer, Neşe Ünver, Di̇ğdem Yöyen Ermi̇ş, Bahar Zehra Weber, Güneş Esendağli

Turkish Journal of Biology

CD40 is an important tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family protein for the development of antitumor response against cancer cells, apart from its role in the regulation of the immune system as a costimulatory molecule. It is broadly expressed on the surface of immune cells and in diverse cancer types, including breast cancer. Here, we analyzed both CD40/CD40 ligand expression in breast cancer cells and tissues using public data sets and overall survival analysis in ungrouped breast cancer patients, as well as in the triple-negative breast cancer subtype. We detected CD40 gene expression along with its 3 different splice variants …

Proximity Mapping Of The Microtubule Plus-End Tracking Protein Slain2 Using The Bioid Approach, Eli̇f Nur Firat Karalar

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Interaction Of Influenza A Virus Ns2/Nep Protein With The Amino-Terminal Part Of Nup214, Burçak Şenbaş Akyazi, Ayşegül Pi̇ri̇nçal, Atsushi Kawaguchi, Kyosuke Nagata, Kadi̇r Turan

Turkish Journal of Biology

Influenza A viruses have a single-stranded RNA genome consisting of 8 segments. Each RNA segment associates with the nucleoprotein (NP) and viral RNA polymerase to and from a viral ribonucleoprotein (vRNP) particle. The viral mRNA synthesis is dependent on a capped primer derived from nascent host RNA transcripts. For these processes to take place, vRNPs must pass through the cell nuclear pore complex (NPC) to the nucleus. The influenza A virus NS2 protein, also called the nuclear export protein (NES), has an important role in the nucleocytoplasmic transport of vRNPs. This protein interacts with the host cellular nucleoporins during the …

Pkr Inhibitors Suppress Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress And Subdue Glucolipotoxicitymediated Impairment Of Insulin Secretion In Pancreatic Beta Cells, Abdullah Yalçin, Gülçi̇n Şarkici, Umut Kerem Kolaç

Turkish Journal of Biology

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance and hypersecretion of insulin from the pancreas to compensate for decreased insulin sensitivity in the peripheral tissues. In later stages of the disease insulin-secreting beta cell degeneration commences and patients require insulin replacement therapy in order to accomplish proper regulation of their blood glucose. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the beta cells is one of the factors contributing to this detrimental effect. Protein kinase R (PKR) is a cellular stress kinase activated by ER stress and contributing to degeneration of pancreatic islets. In order to determine whether inhibition of PKR activation …

Msap Analysis Reveals Diverse Epigenetic Statuses In Opium Poppy Varieties With Different Benzyisoquinoline Alkaloid Content, Betül Bulut, Zehra Aydinli, Mi̇ne Türktaş

Turkish Journal of Biology

DNA methylation is one of the major epigenetic modifications influencing the regulation of gene expression. The opium poppy is an important medicinal plant. Its latex contains opium, which is a rich source of pharmaceutical benzyisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA). Here, the methylation-sensitive amplification polymorphism (MSAP) profiling technique using 21 MSAP molecular markers was applied in order to compare levels of DNA methylation between 6 opium poppy varieties. MSAP profiling reflected the different methylation statuses among opium poppy varieties having divergent BIA content. Moreover, different organ-specific epigenetic profiles were observed between the samples. Differential epigenetic profiles of capsules and shoots from the leaves …

Bioethical Issues In Genome Editing By Crispr-Cas9 Technology, Fatma Betül Ayanoğlu, Ayşe Eser Elçi̇n, Yaşar Murat Elçi̇n

Turkish Journal of Biology

Genome editing technologies have led to fundamental changes in genetic science. Among them, CRISPR-Cas9 technology particularly stands out due to its advantages such as easy handling, high accuracy, and low cost. It has made a quick introduction in fields related to humans, animals, and the environment, while raising difficult questions, applications, concerns, and bioethical issues to be discussed. Most concerns stem from the use of CRISPR-Cas9 to genetically alter human germline cells and embryos (called germline genome editing). Germline genome editing leads to serial bioethical issues, such as the occurrence of undesirable changes in the genome, from whom and how …

Phylogenetic Analysis Of Sars-Cov-2 Genomes In Turkey, Ogün Adebali̇, Ayli̇n Bi̇rcan, Defne Çi̇rci̇, Burak İşlek, Zeynep Kilinç, Berkay Selçuk, Berk Turhan

Turkish Journal of Biology

COVID-19 has effectively spread worldwide. As of May 2020, Turkey is among the top ten countries with the most cases. A comprehensive genomic characterization of the virus isolates in Turkey is yet to be carried out. Here, we built a phylogenetic tree with globally obtained 15,277 severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes. We identified the subtypes based on the phylogenetic clustering in comparison with the previously annotated classifications. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of the first 30 SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated and sequenced in Turkey. We suggest that the first introduction of the virus to the country is earlier …

An Updated Analysis Of Variations In Sars-Cov-2 Genome, Osman Mutluhan Uğurel, Oğuz Ata, Di̇lek Balik

Turkish Journal of Biology

A novel pathogen, named SARS-CoV-2, has caused an unprecedented worldwide pandemic in the first half of 2020. As the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences have become available, one of the important focus of scientists has become tracking variations in the viral genome. In this study, 30366 SARS-CoV-2 isolate genomes were aligned using the software developed by our group (ODOTool) and 11 variations in SARS-CoV-2 genome over 10% of whole isolates were discussed. Results indicated that, frequency rates of these 11 variations change between 3.56%-88.44 % and these rates differ greatly depending on the continents they have been reported. Despite some variations being …

Identification Of The Nucleotide Substitutions In 62 Sars-Cov-2 Sequences From Turkey, Ayşe Banu Demi̇r, Domenico Benvenuto, Yusuf Hakan Abacioğlu, Silvia Angeletti, Massimo Ciccozzi

Turkish Journal of Biology

A previously unknown coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has been shown to cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The first case of COVID-19 in Turkey has been declared in March 11th, 2020 and from there on, more than 150,000 people in the country have been diagnosed with the disease. In this study, 62 viral sequences from Turkey, which have been uploaded to GISAID database, were analyzed by means of their nucleotide substitutions in comparison to the reference SARS-CoV-2 genome from Wuhan. Our results indicate that the viral isolates from Turkey harbor some common mutations with the viral …

Integration Of Transcriptomic Profile Of Sars-Cov-2 Infected Normal Human Bronchial Epi-Thelial Cells With Metabolic And Protein-Protein Interaction Networks, Hamza Umut Karakurt, Pinar Pi̇r

Turkish Journal of Biology

A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2, formerly known as nCoV-2019) that causes an acute respiratory disease has emerged in Wuhan, China and spread globally in early 2020. On January the 30th, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared spread of this virus as an epidemic and a public health emergency. With its highly contagious characteristic and long incubation time, confinement of SARS-CoV-2 requires drastic lock-down measures to be taken and therefore early diagnosis is crucial. We analysed transcriptome of SARS-CoV-2 infected human lung epithelial cells, compared it with mock-infected cells, used network-based reporter metabolite approach and integrated the transcriptome data with protein-protein interaction …

Sars-Cov-2 Neutralizing Antibody Development Strategies, Bertan Koray Balcioğlu, Meli̇s Deni̇zci̇ Öncü, Hasan Ümi̇t Öztürk, Fatima Yücel, Fi̇li̇z Kaya, Müge Serhatli, Hi̇vda Ülbeği̇ Polat, Şaban Teki̇n, Ayli̇n Özdemi̇r Bahadir

Turkish Journal of Biology

In December 2019 a novel coronavirus was detected in Wuhan City of Hubei Province-China. Owing to a high rate of transmission from human to human, the new virus called SARS-CoV-2 differed from others by its unexpectedly rapid spread. The World Health Organization (WHO) described the most recent coronavirus epidemic as a global pandemic in March 2020. The virus spread triggered a health crisis (the COVID-19 disease) within three months, with socioeconomic implications. No approved targeted-therapies are available for COVID-19, yet. However, it is foreseen that antibody-based treatments may provide an immediate cure for patients. Current neutralizing antibody development studies primarily …

Covid-19: Current Knowledge, Disease Potential, Prevention And Clinical Advances, Aftab Alam, Mohd Faizan Siddiqui, Nikhat Imam, Rafat Ali, Mushtaque Mushtaque, Romana Ishrat

Turkish Journal of Biology

The top priority of any nation is to lead the nation towards prosperity, progress, and economic growth, confronting several challenges and concerns arisen from global situations. The sudden outbreak of any disease defies the health care systems and economy of nations. COVID-19 is one of the viral diseases which broke out in Wuhan city of China in 2019. COVID-19 outbreak intermittently prevailed all over the world. It exposes the fragility of the established health care systems across the world in spite of comprising modern science and technology. Unfortunately, there is no chemotherapeutic agent in the regimen of antiviral drugs or …

Sars-Cov-2 Isolation And Propagation From Turkish Covid-19 Patients, Ci̇han Taştan, Bulut Yurtsever, Gözde Karakuş, Derya Di̇lek Kançaği, Sevda Demi̇r, Selen Abanuz, Utku Seyi̇s, Mülazi̇m Yildirim, Recai̇ Kuzay, Ömer Eli̇bol, Serap Arbak, Merve Açikel Elmas, Selçuk Bi̇rdoğan, Osman Uğur Sezerman, Ayşe Sesi̇n Kocagöz

Turkish Journal of Biology

The novel coronavirus pneumonia, which was named later as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, namely SARS-CoV-2. It is a positive-strand RNA virus that is the seventh coronavirus known to infect humans. The COVID-19 outbreak presents enormous challenges for global health behind the pandemic outbreak. The first diagnosed patient in Turkey has been reported by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Health on March 11, 2020. In May, over 150,000 cases in Turkey, and 5.5 million cases around the world have been declared. Due to the urgent need for a vaccine and …

Gut-Lung Axis And Dysbiosis In Covid-19, Büşra Aktaş, Belma Aslim

Turkish Journal of Biology

COVID-19, a novel infectious disease, caused by SARS-CoV-2, affected millions of people around the world with a high mortality rate. Although SARS-CoV-2 mainly causes lung infection, gastrointestinal symptoms described in COVID-19 patients and detection of the viral RNA in feces of infected patients drove attentions to a possible fecal-oral transmission route of SARS-CoV-2. However, not only the viral RNA but also the infectious viral particles are required for the viral infection and no proof has been demonstrated the transmission of the infectious virus particles via the fecal-oral route yet. Growing evidence indicates the crosstalk between gut microbiota and lung, that …