Kudret Narı (Momordica charantia Descourt.) Meyvesinden Saflaştırılan Peroksidaz Enzimi Kullanılarak Hibrit Nano Çiçekler Sentezlenmesi ve Direct Blue 1 Gideriminde Kullanılabilirlikleri

.Peroxidase enzymes are purified from different plant sources are used efficiently for the removal of dyes in industrial wastes. The fruit of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), an inexpensive and easily accessible vegetable, is an important source of peroxidase. In this study, total protein content was found to be 0.485 mg/mL and peroxidase activity was found to be 2360.9 EU/mg as a result of 50% protein precipitation made from green bitter gourd. However; total protein amount was 0.232 mg/mL and free peroxidase activity was determined as 7719.30 EU/mg as a result of 60% protein precipitation made from ripe bitter gourd. Peroxidase enzymes which were purified from bitter gourd in different growth stages under optimum conditions showed higher enzymatic activity compared to free forms when immobilized via enzyme-inorganic hybrid nanoflower synthesis method. The highest peroxidase activity was seen in mature fruit and hybrid nanoflower form (19661, 6 EU/mg). In addition, the usability of hybrid nanoflowers was investigated compared to the free purified peroxidase for removal of Direct Blue 1 dye widely used in textile industry. It was determined that hybrid nanoflower form synthesized especially by using ripe bitter gourd peroxidase had more dye removal.

A new approach for green synthesis and characterization of Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) genotype extracts-Cu2 nanocomplexes (nanoflower) and their effective antimicrobial activity

.In this study, we have demonstrated the fabrication of novel organic-inorganic nanobio-antimicrobial agents called “nanoflowers” (NFs) and elucidate the increase in the antimicrobial activity of NFs. This is the first report that the NFs were formed of plant extracts as the organic components and copper (II) ions (Cu2+) as the inorganic component. The Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) methanol extracts from three genotypes including A. absinthium L. (Aa), A. vulgaris L. (Av) and A. ludoviciana Nutt. (Al) were selected in the NF synthesis. The effect of the plant extract concentrations on the morphology of NFs was examined. Most regular and uniform flower-shaped morpholo- gies were observed when a concentration of 0.1 mg mL-1 plant extract was used in the synthesis of NFs. The syntesized NFs were characterized with several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The NFs exhibited much antimicrobial activity against the pathogens even at low concentrations compared to the extracts. The MICs and MBCs values for NFs were found to be range between 0.4 to 40 μg mL-1 and 40 to 400 μg mL-1 while those values for Aa, Av and Al extracts were ranged from 500-2000 μg mL-1 and 1000-4000 μg mL-1 for the studied pathogens, respectively.

Assessment of Adolescents’ Victimization, Aggression, and Problem Behaviors: Evaluation of the Problem Behavior Frequency Scale

This study evaluated the Problem Behavior Frequency Scale (PBFS), a self-report measure designed to assess adolescents’ frequency of victimization, aggression, and other problem behaviors. Analyses were conducted on a sample of 5,532 adolescents from 37 schools at 4 sites. About half (49%) of participants were male; 48% self-identified as Black non-Hispanic; 21% as Hispanic, 18% as White non-Hispanic. Adolescents completed the PBFS and measures of beliefs and values related to aggression, and delinquent peer associations at the start of the 6th grade and over 2 years later. Ratings of participants’ behavior were also obtained from teachers on the Behavioral Assessment System for Children. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a 7-factor model that differentiated among 3 forms of aggression (physical, verbal, and relational), 2 forms of victimization (overt and relational), drug use, and other delinquent behavior. Support was found for strong measurement invariance across gender, sites, and time. The PBFS factors generally showed the expected pattern of correlations with teacher ratings of adolescents’ behavior and self-report measures of relevant constructs