Effects of Multipart Media Framing on Consumer Attitudes Toward Biotechnology

This study explores whether and how people with a negative biotechnology-related perception can change their attitudes when they are exposed to a positive message in two different frames. The two frames differ in terms of the medium, the language used, and the general tone. A frame is thus conceptualized as unified symbolic entities, rather than just words or positioning in terms of valence (positive/negative). An exploratory stage was conducted through in-depth interviews, which resulted in three audience categories. Results of the experimental study indicated that it is, in fact, possible to turn negative attitudes into positive attitudes for people with intuitive perceptions. People with analytical and ideological perceptions change their attitudes only when the frame is scientific

Presence of Different Bacterial Species in Thermal Sources and Novelty in Their Industrial Enzyme Productions

In this study, one hundred and thirty isolates were isolated from water and sludge samples taken from hot springs located in different regions of Turkey. Among them, eleven isolates were chosen according to conventional (morphological, physiological and biochemical tests) and molecular methods (rep-PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing). These bacteria were then tested for their capability to produce valuable enzymes. As a result; species belonging to Bacillus, Anoxybacillus, Aeribacillus, Enterococcus, Exiguobacterium and Paenibacillus were identified. Test strains were found to have optimum reproductive potential at pH 5.0-9.0 and 15-65°C, usually at a concentration of 1.0-10.0% (w/v) NaCl. In addition, all thermo-tolerant bacteria were Gram, endospore (except E. profundum), catalase and oxidase (except E. faecium and E. profundum) positive, and rod-shaped (except E. faecium). It was observed that all isolates had a 99% similarity percentage as a result of 16S rRNA sequence analysis. All of the isolates were capable of producing industrially important enzymes moreover, eight of them could produce at least two of these enzymes. Test strains had high potential of industrial enzyme production, and the enzymes from these thermo-tolerant isolates will be widely used in biotechnological processes

Proteolytic, Lipolytic and Amylolytic Bacteria Reservoir of Turkey; Cold-Adaptive Bacteria in Detergent Industry

Enzymes which would be active in cold conditions can be used in a wide range of fields from molecular biology to detergent industry due to their low processing capacity and high activity. In this study, sixty cold-adapted bacteria were isolated from water and sludge samples collected from Erzurum and Van provinces. Identification of eight isolates by molecular [(GTG)5 -PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing] techniques and tests for temperature (4-35°C), pH (3-11) and salt (2-15% (w/v) requirements were performed. These bacteria were belonging to Pseudomonas chlororaphis subsp. aureofaciens (SM011A), Psychrobacter faecalis (SM012D), Rahnella aquatilis (SM015A), Shewanella putrefaciens (SM018A), Pseudomonas lactis (SM0110A), Flavobacterium chryseum (SM0112E ), Exiguobacterium mexicanum (SM0117A) and Glutamicibacter arilaitensis (SM0118A). The physicochemical requirements for all isolates ranged between 4-25°C, pH 5-7 and 2-15% salt (NaCl) concentration. However, E. mexicanum did not require salt in growth medium. All bacteria were evaluated for protease, lipase and amylase enzymes and all were found to be multiple enzyme producers. The eight isolates were identified from the resources of Turkey, for the first time and enzyme production abilities of some isolates to produce enzymes were declared. The originating of the producers of these enzymes from Turkey shows that Turkey has a remarkable reservoir for cold-adaptive microorganisms and these microorganisms will make important contributions to the detergent industry worldwide

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF FOUR TURKISH SPECIES OF ERYNGIUM L.

The antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of various endemic and non-endemic Eryngium species from Turkey were investigated. Nine endemic and two non-endemic Eryngium species were analyzed using a microdilution assay for their antibacterial and antifungal activities. Cytotoxic activities of E. pseudothoriifolium, E. thorifolium, E. davisii, and E. falcatum, on prostate carcinoma and endometrial cancer cells were analyzed by cytotoxic activity assay. It was observed that 16 out of 22 extracts (aerial or root part) showed antibacterial activities. Fifteen out of 22 extracts showed antifungal activity with the lowest MIC (156 mg/l) value against Candida albicans ATCC 10231 and C. tropicalis ATCC 750. Aerial parts of E. pseudothoriifolium, E. thorifolium, E. davisii, and E. falcatum exhibited cytotoxic effects on endometrial cancer cells. This evaluation of tested endemic Eryngium species' antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities is the first of its kind

New xylanolytic enzyme from Geobacillus galactosidasius BS61 from a geothermal resource in Turkey

Adiguzel, Ahmet/0000-0001-8848-6647; GENC, BERNA/0000-0002-2790-9578WOS: 000447682100113PubMed: 30059740In this study, isolation, conventional and molecular characterizations of ten thermophilic bacteria from Rize/Ayder were carried out. Xylanase from Geobacillus galactosidasius BS61 (GenBank number: 10(447660) was purified by acetone precipitation, Diethylaminoethyl-cellulose and Sephadex G-100 chromatographies. the xylanase of G. galactosidasius BS61 in clarifying fruit juice was also investigated. Enzyme was purified 29.80-fold with 75.18% yield; and molecular weight was determined as 78.15 kDa. the optimum temperature of xylanase was 60 degrees C. the enzyme activity was maintained fully after 24 h and over 50% after 168 h at pH 4.0-10.0, while optimum pH was 7.0. K-m and V-max for beech wood xylan were measured as 3.18 mg mL(-1), 123 U mg protein(-1). in addition, Ca2+, Na+, Al3+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ had decreasing effect on enzyme activity, while enzyme activity had been protected against anions, especially HSO3- and HPO42- stimulated enzyme activity. Xylanase applications (with 15 U/mL enzyme activity) in orange and pomegranate juices were increased; and the sugar and turbidity amounts were reduced 17.36% +/- 1.18 and 30.52 +/- 1.23, respectively. These results indicated that the xylanase of G. galactosidasius BS61 has biotechnological potential in juice clarification due to its stability against metal ions, chemicals and high pH-values. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Research Development Centre of Ataturk UniversityAtaturk University [2015-339, FAD-2018-6352]This work was supported by the Research Development Centre of Ataturk University (Grant numbers are 2015-339 and FAD-2018-6352)

Bacteriocin Producing Bacteria Isolated from Turkish Traditional Sausage Samples

In this study, traditional sausage samples from different provinces of Turkey (Gaziantep, Antalya, Erzurum and Kahramanmaras) were obtained and one hundred three isolates were collected. Using the (GTG)5 -PCR genomic fingerprint analysis method, seven of them were observed to be different and conventional tests of these isolates were performed. Molecular identification of two isolates carrying the bacteriocin gene and having antimicrobial activity by agar disc diffusion method was performed by 16S rRNA sequence analysis. As a result, the seven isolates were identified as Aerococcus urinaeequi (EK1), Streptococcus salivarius (EK2), Leuconostoc mesenteroides (EK3), Macrococcus caseolyticus (EK4), Lactococcus garvieae (EK5), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (EK6) and Lactobacillus sakei (EK7). Among these strains, it has been determined that Ln. mesenteroides and L. sakei carried the mecentericin and sacacin genes. When antimicrobial activity against different strains was examined, inhibition formations of Ln. mesenteroides and L. sakei on Enterococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenteriae and Escherichia coli O157: H7 were observed

Cytotoxic effect of Rosa canina extract on human colon cancer cells through repression of telomerase expression

Rosa canina is a member of the genus Rosa that has long been used for medical objectives. Several studies have reported cytotoxic effects of different Rosa species, but there has been only limited investigation of the cytotoxic effect of R. canina. The purpose of the current study was to examine the potential effect of R. canina extract on cell viability, the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the expression of telomerase in human colon cancer (WiDr) cells. The cytotoxic effect of the extract was determined using MTT assay. The mechanism involved in the cytotoxic effect of the extract was then evaluated in terms of apoptosis and the cell cycle using flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was investigated using the fluorometric method, and expression levels of telomerase were studied using RT-PCR. R. canina extract exhibited a selective cytotoxic effect on WiDr cells compared with normal colon cells. The extract induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase and apoptosis via reduced MMP in WiDr cells. R. canina extract significantly repressed telomerase expressions at treatment times of 48 and 72 h in WiDr cells. Our results suggest that R. canina may have considerable potential for development as a novel natural product-based anticancer agent. Keywords: Apoptosis, Colon cancer, Cytotoxicity, Rosa canina, Telomeras

Fabry Disease Prevalence in Renal Replacement Therapy in Turkey

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting from lack of alpha-galactosidase A (AGALA) activity in lysosomes. Objective: In this multicenter study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of FD in renal transplant (Tx) recipients in Turkey. We also screened dialysis patients as a control group. Methods: All Tx and dialysis patients were screened regardless of the presence of a primary disease. We measured the AGALA activity in all male patients as initial analysis. Mutation analysis was performed in male patients with decreased AGALA activity and in female patients as the initial diagnostic assay. Results: We screened 5,657 patients. A total of 17 mutations were identified. No significant difference was observed between the groups regarding the prevalence of patients with mutation. We found FD even in patients with presumed primary kidney diseases. Seventy-one relatives were analyzed and mutation was detected in 43 of them. We detected a patient with a new, unknown mutation (p.Cys223) in the GLA gene. Conclusions: There are important implications of the screening. First, detection of the undiagnosed patients leads to starting appropriate therapies for these patients. Second, the transmission of the disease to future generations may be prevented by prenatal screening after appropriate genetic counseling. In conclusion, we suggest screening of kidney Tx candidates for FD, regardless of etiologies of chronic kidney disease. (C) 2019 S. Karger AG, Base