Demirci, F. | Demirci, B. | Gürbüz, I. | Yeşilada, E. | Başer, K.H.C.

Article | 2009 | Turkish Journal of Biology33 ( 2 ) , pp.129 - 136

The aerial parts of the endemic Achillea teretifolia Willd. and A. nobilis L. subsp. neilreichii (Kerner) Formanek collected from Beysehir were investigated for their essential oil compositions and several biological activities. The essential oils were analyzed both by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main components were identified as 1,8-cineole (34%), camphor (11%), terpinen-4-ol (8%), and ?-thujone (5%) for A. teretifolia essential oil, while fragranyl acetate (32%), fragranol (24%), and p-eudesmol (8%) for A. nobilis subsp. neilreichii essential oil, respectively. The essential oils . . .were also evaluated for their in vitro antimicrobial activity and their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals using microdilution techniques as an index for the evaluation of antioxidant activity. Both essential oils were found to be effective against the tested human pathogenic microorganisms (MIC 0.5 to >2 mg/ml) and DPPH (IC50 > 0.5 mg/ml) assay as compared to the references Daha fazlası Daha az

Gürbüz, I. | Yeşlada, E.

Article | 2008 | Turkish Journal of Biology32 ( 4 ) , pp.259 - 263

The aerial part of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. is used against various conditions including stomachache and peptic ulcer in Turkish folk medicine. In order to prove the claimed anti-ulcerogenic potential of the plant, aqueous and methanol extracts were prepared from aerial parts of E. telmateia and investigated for their anti-ulcerogenic effect on ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Pharmacological experiments clearly demonstrated that the oral administration of both methanol and aqueous extracts of Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. plant showed significant stomach protection (77.9% and 100% ulcer inhibition, respectively) against th . . .e applied model of ulcerogenesis (P < 0.001). Since both extracts were found significantly active, 80% ethanol was preferred for the extraction of the plant material and this crude methanolic extract was further fractionated by successive solvent extractions with chloroform and H2O saturated n-BuOH to obtain the chloroform and n-BuOH extracts as well as the remaining aqueous extract. The 80% ethanol extract and the solvent extracts were then submitted to pharmacological assay using the same in vivo experimental ulcer model. All the extracts statistically showed potent anti-ulcerogenic effect on this model (P < 0.001). However, the remaining aqueous extract was found prominent (98.2% ulcer inhibition). Consequently, folkloric utilization of E. telmateia on peptic ulcer has been confirmed in the present study by using ethanol-induced experimental ulcer model in rats. © TÜBİTAK Daha fazlası Daha az

Akaydın, Galip | Şimşek, Işıl | Arıtuluk, Zekiye Ceren | Yeşilada, Erdem

Article | 2013 | Turkish Journal of Biology37 ( 2 ) , pp.230 - 247

This survey was carried out by face-to-face oral interviews with 379 inhabitants who agreed to be interviewed in selected localities of the Mediterranean region: Hatay (İskenderun and Narlıca), İçel (Erdemli, Tarsus, and Silifke), and Isparta (Sav). The current study was conducted to document the ethnobotanical uses of plants. In the first step of the study, demographic profiles of the informants were evaluated. Subsequently, they were asked to state whether the plants were used for therapeutic or other purposes; then detailed information, i.e. local names, parts used, methods of preparation (decoction, infusion, poultice, oi . . .ntment, etc.) was recorded; and finally the plant materials were collected for authentication. All collected plant materials have been identified and deposited at the Herbarium of Faculty of Education of Hacettepe University (HEF). In the survey, uses of 88 plant taxa from 39 plant families were documented. Plant species from the families Rosaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae were reported to be the most frequently utilized. Among the 152 plant remedies documented, 38 remedies (25.0%) for gastrointestinal disorders, 30 remedies (19.7%) for respiratory ailments, and 18 remedies (11.8%) for urinary problems were the most frequently recorded Daha fazlası Daha az

Adıgüzel, Ahmet | İnan, Kadriye | Şahin, Fikrettin | Arasoğlu, Tulin | Güllüce, Medine | Beldüz, Ali Osman | Barış, Özlem

Article | 2011 | Turkish Journal of Biology35 ( 3 ) , pp.267 - 274

Bu çalışma Erzurum, Pasinler kaplıcasından izole edilen termofi lik bakterilerin genotipik ve fenotipik karakterizasyonunu belirlemek için yapılmıştır. Termofi lik bakterilerin genotipik ve fenotipik karakterizasyonu için yağ asidi, BOX PCR profi lleme metodları ve 16S rDNA dizileme verileri kullanılmıştır. Morfolojik, fi zyolojik ve biyokimyasal testlere dayanarak, toplam 9 bakteri suşu seçilmiştir. Bu suşlar, yağ asidi, BOX PCR profi lleme ve 16S rDNA dizi analiz yöntemlerini içeren moleküler testlerle ileri seviyede karakterize edilmiştir. Yağ asidi analiz verileri, çalışılan 9 bakteri suşunda 14 farklı yağ asidinin varlığını gös . . .termiştir. 15:0 iso, 15:0 anteiso, 16:0 iso, 17:0 iso ve 17:0 anteiso yağ asitlerini içeren beş yağ asidi ise bütün suşlarda bulunmuştur. Yağ asidi profi lleri temel alınarak yapılan analizler sonucunda bakteri suşlarının iki fenotipik gruba ayrıldığı tespit edilmiş, bu veriler, BOX PCR parmakizi ve 16S rDNA dizi analiz sonuçları ile de desteklenmiştir. Bacillus licheniformis olarak tanılanan ilk grup dört suş, Aeribacillus pallidus olarak tanılanan ikinci grup ise beş suş ile temsil edilmiştir. The present study was conducted to determine the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of thermophilic bacteria isolated from Pasinler hot spring, Erzurum, Turkey. Fatty acid profi les, BOX PCR fi ngerprints, and 16S rDNA sequence data were used for the phenotypic and genotypic characterization of thermophilic bacteria. Totally 9 diff erent bacterial strains were selected based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical tests. Th ese strains were characterized by molecular tests including fatty acid and BOX profi les, and 16S rDNA sequence. Th e data of fatty acid analysis showed the presence of 14 diff erent fatty acids in the 9 bacterial strains examined. Additionally, 5 of these fatty acids, 15:0 iso, 15:0 anteiso, 16:0 iso, 17:0 iso, and 17:0 anteiso fatty acids, were found in all isolates. Based on fatty acid profi les, it was determined that the bacterial strains were classifi ed into 2 phenotypic groups, and these data were confi rmed by BOX PCR genomic fi ngerprint profi les and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Th e fi rst group, identifi ed as Bacillus licheniformis, was represented by 4 strains, and the second group, identifi ed as Aeribacillus pallidus, was represented by 5 strains Daha fazlası Daha az

Demirci, Selami | Kaya, Mustafa Sarp | Doğan, Ayşegül | Kalay, Şaban | Altın, Nergis Özlem | Yarat, Ayşen | Şahin, Fikrettin

Article | 2015 | Turkish Journal of Biology39 ( 3 ) , pp.417 - 426

Secondary dental caries are one of the major reasons for restoration replacements. Incorporating antimicrobial properties into dental materials would limit the initiation and progression of dental caries. In the current study, dental composites having 1%, 5%, and 10% (w/w) sodium pentaborate pentahydrate were prepared and analyzed for their mechanical properties, degree of monomer conversion (DC) rate, antibacterial efects against Streptococcus mutans, and biocompatibility with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Incorporation of boron into the composites signifcantly decreased fexural strength and DC in a dose-dependent manner, . . .but the value for 1% boron-containing composite still remained within acceptable levels. Compressive strength and diametral tensile strength were not found to be diferent from those of controls. Although no inhibition zone was detected in an agar-well difusion assay for any materials tested, signifcant bacterial growth inhibition was obtained in a direct contact test for boron-containing composites. Immunocytochemical and lineage-specifc gene expression analysis revealed that composites with boron content increased the osteogenic and odontogenic capacity of hDPSCs. Boron-containing dental composites showed promising results for future clinical applications, displaying nontoxic, osteogenic, and odontogenic-inducing characteristics with remarkable antibacterial activity against S. mutans, and are hence potentially able to prevent secondary caries Daha fazlası Daha az

Demirci, S. | Kaya, M.S. | Doğan, A. | Kalay, Ş. | Altin, N.Ö. | Yarat, A. | Şahin, Fikrettin

Article | 2015 | Turkish Journal of Biology39 ( 3 ) , pp.417 - 426

Secondary dental caries are one of the major reasons for restoration replacements. Incorporating antimicrobial properties into dental materials would limit the initiation and progression of dental caries. In the current study, dental composites having 1%, 5%, and 10% (w/w) sodium pentaborate pentahydrate were prepared and analyzed for their mechanical properties, degree of monomer conversion (DC) rate, antibacterial effects against Streptococcus mutans, and biocompatibility with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs). Incorporation of boron into the composites significantly decreased flexural strength and DC in a dose-dependent manne . . .r, but the value for 1% boron-containing composite still remained within acceptable levels. Compressive strength and diametral tensile strength were not found to be different from those of controls. Although no inhibition zone was detected in an agar-well diffusion assay for any materials tested, significant bacterial growth inhibition was obtained in a direct contact test for boron-containing composites. Immunocytochemical and lineage-specific gene expression analysis revealed that composites with boron content increased the osteogenic and odontogenic capacity of hDPSCs. Boron-containing dental composites showed promising results for future clinical applications, displaying nontoxic, osteogenic, and odontogenic-inducing characteristics with remarkable antibacterial activity against S. mutans, and are hence potentially able to prevent secondary caries. © TÜBİTAK Daha fazlası Daha az

Aydin, S. | Yalvaç, M.E. | Özcan, F. | Şahin, Fikrettin

Article | 2016 | Turkish Journal of Biology40 ( 4 ) , pp.747 - 754

Electroporation is a safe and efficient method to transfect human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs), which are mainly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, pluronic F68 (PF68), a nonionic and low-foaming surfactant, was used for the first time to increase the transfection efficiency in electroporation of hTGSCs. Our results revealed that when PF68 was used in the preincubation, electroporation, and recovery medium, it dramatically increased transfection efficiency. Moreover, use of PF68 did not alter the differentiation capacity of hTGSCs, whereas cells electroporated without PF68 had significantly lower expression of Oct-4, pl . . .uripotency marker gene, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity upon osteogenic differentiation. We found that PF68 increases transfection efficiency in both electroporation and chemical transfection of cancer cells lines MCF-7 and HeLa. The study suggested that PF68 might be a safe and reliable chemical to use for increasing transfection efficiency during electroporation and chemical transfections. © TÜBİTAK Daha fazlası Daha az

Aydoğdu, Nurullah | Taşlı, Pakize Neslihan | Şişli, Hatice Burcu | Yalvaç, Mehmet Emir | Şahin, Fikrettin

Article | 2016 | Turkish Journal of Biology40 ( 2 ) , pp.430 - 442

Stem cell-based applications have become a popular and promising approach for therapy for a number of disorders including neurodegenerative diseases, degenerative muscle diseases, and osteoporosis, as well as trauma, inflammations, burns, and injuries. Human tooth germ stem cells are an adult stem cell source; they have mesenchymal stem cell properties and show high proliferative and differentiation capacity. Melatonin has been demonstrated to regulate differentiation of human and mouse mesenchymal stem cells into various cell lineages in addition to its other functions in the body. In the current study, the effects of melatonin on . . .osteogenic, neurogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic, and odontogenic differentiation of human tooth germ stem cells were investigated. The results showed that melatonin increases the viability of cells. It significantly augments osteogenic, neurogenic, chondrogenic, myogenic, and odontogenic differentiation of the cells, whereas it reduces adipogenic differentiation capability. These results suggest that melatonin has a great potential to increase differentiation capacity of human tooth germ stem cells and might be useful in regenerative therapy applications involving stem cell differentiations in addition to defining potential treatments for obesity because of its suppressor effects on adipogenesis Daha fazlası Daha az

Aslan, Galip Servet | Mısır, Dudu Gonca | Kocabaş, Fatih

Article | 2016 | Turkish Journal of Biology40 ( 2 ) , pp.276 - 289

Findings in the last decade suggest that there is a considerable amount of cardiomyocyte turnover in the human heart throughout life, albeit not sufficient for heart regeneration following myocardial infarctions. Only a few species are known to be remarkably efficient in cardiac regeneration. They restore lost cardiomyocytes via a process of cardiomyocyte dedifferentiation, which is followed by robust proliferation of cardiomyocytes and incorporation into the myocardium. Similarly, neonatal mice have been recently shown to regenerate their heart following myocardial injuries. Studies with a neonatal cardiac regeneration mouse model . . .suggest that the major source of new cardiomyocytes is likely to be of cardiomyocyte origin, with the possibility of involvement of cardiac stem cells. To this end, numerous studies have been conducted on the induction of cardiac regeneration to shed light on the underlying mechanisms. This review covers studies on the renewal of cardiomyocytes, the utilization of stem cells in myocardial therapies, and their future applications Daha fazlası Daha az

Kocabaş, F. | Ergin, E.K.

Article | 2016 | Turkish Journal of Biology40 ( 1 ) , pp.239 - 249

Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is a deadly tick-borne virus with high mortality rates. Current antivirals lack specificity, making them susceptible to off-target effects and cytotoxicity. There is an utmost need for the identification of active compounds for anti-CCHFV therapies. Inhibition of CCHFV ovarian tumor (OTU) protease by small molecules is an exciting potential antiviral therapy. In this study, computational approaches based on residue homology, the binding coordinates of ligands, and correlation analysis with in vitro data identified the pocket of Y89–W99 as the inhibition site of CCHFV OTU protease. In sil . . .ico screening of more than 600,000 compounds against this newly discovered pocket can identify potent inhibitors of CCHFV OTU protease. This novel set of compounds exhibits a common substructure and higher binding affinities. These findings distinguish the pocket of Y89–W99 as a pharmaceutical target for the optimization and identification of CCHFV OTU protease inhibitors that could serve as lead structures for discovering therapies against CCHFV. © TÜBİTAK Daha fazlası Daha az

Gürbüz, İlhan | Demirci, Betül | Franz, Gerhard | Başer, Kemal Hüsnü Can | Yeşilada, Erdem | Demirci, Fatih

Article | 2013 | Turkish Journal of Biology37 ( 1 ) , pp.114 - 121

Aerial parts of Daphne pontica were collected from Ilgaz-Çankırı, and D. oleoides subsp. oleoides was collected from 2 different localities (Ayrancı-Karaman and Ilgaz-Çankırı) in Turkey. The samples were subjected to hydrodistillation and microdistillation. The resulting volatile samples were analyzed both by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. The main components for D. pontica were identified as hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (8.6%), carvacrol (8.5%), dihydroedulane II (4.7%), (E)-geranyl acetone (4.6%), and thymol (4.5%), while nonacosane (42.5% and 27.2%), hexadecanoic . . . acid (24.4% and 20.0%), phytol (12.3%), and carvacrol (5.0%) were identified as the main components of D. oleoides subsp. oleoides obtained by hydrodistillation. Carvacrol (12.0%), thymol (7.7%), dihydroactinidiolide (7.2%), bicyclosesquiphellandrene (5.5%), and (Z)-3-hexenal (4.1%) were the major components in D. pontica, while carvacrol (27.2% and 25.4%), nonacosane (24.6%), (Z)-3-hexenal (18.5% and 2.5%), decane (7.4%), hexahydrofarnesyl acetone (7.4% and 2.2%), hexanal (6.6% and 1.5%), heptacosane (6.1%), nonanal (5.6% and 1.9%), thymol (5.1% and 2.3%), and phytol (5.0%) were identified in the D. oleoides subsp. oleoides isolated by microdistillation, respectively. In addition, the volatile components were evaluated for their ability to scavenge 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals using a bioautographic thin layer chromatography (TLC) method, and the samples showed activity comparable with that of the tested standards, vitamins C and E Daha fazlası Daha az

Aydın, Safa | Yalvaç, Mehmet Emir | Özcan, Ferruh | Şahin, Fikrettin

Article | 2016 | Turkish Journal of Biology40 ( 4 ) , pp.747 - 754

Electroporation is a safe and efficient method to transfect human tooth germ stem cells (hTGSCs), which are mainly mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, pluronic F68 (PF68), a nonionic and low-foaming surfactant, was used for the first time to increase the transfection efficiency in electroporation of hTGSCs. Our results revealed that when PF68 was used in the preincubation, electroporation, and recovery medium, it dramatically increased transfection efficiency. Moreover, use of PF68 did not alter the differentiation capacity of hTGSCs, whereas cells electroporated without PF68 had significantly lower expression of Oct-4, pl . . .uripotency marker gene, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity upon osteogenic differentiation. We found that PF68 increases transfection efficiency in both electroporation and chemical transfection of cancer cells lines MCF-7 and HeLa. The study suggested that PF68 might be a safe and reliable chemical to use for increasing transfection efficiency during electroporation and chemical transfections Daha fazlası Daha az