Estimation of the applied doses in irradiated anchovy and bluefish for shelf-life extension using image analysis in combination with DNA comet assay

The objective of the present study was to estimate applied doses of irradiated anchovy (1.83−4.22 kGy) and bluefish (1.98−5.40 kGy) for shelf-life extension by using image analysis in combination with comet assay for trading irradiated fish, especially for public health concerns. Comet assay was carried out considering the EN 13784 protocol. Observed comets were evaluated and recorded by the use of image analysis software (BS 200 ProP). Comets with long tails were observed in the irradiated anchovy and bluefish tissues. However, limited numbers of comets in intact cells were determined in the unirradiated samples. The obtained results clearly indicated that head diameter, head DNA, tail DNA, tail length, and tail moment parameters showed very good correlation (R2 = 0.82 and 0.77 for anchovy and bluefish respectively) with the applied doses of irradiation. Using image analysis in combination with comet assay may be a very useful tool for quantification of absorbed doses for local market checks and also in imported irradiated fish for official control at customs

Phylogenetic relations of Rhizoplaca Zopf. from Anatolia inferred from ITS sequence data

Like many lichen-forming fungi, species of the genus Rhizoplaca have wide geographical distributions, but studies of their genetic variability are limited. The information about the ITS rDNA sequences of three species of Rhizoplaca from Anatolia was generated and aligned with other species from other countries and also with the data belonging to Lecanora species. The examined species were collected from the volcanic rocks of Mount Erciyes which is located in the middle of Anatolia (Turkey). The sequence data aligned with eight other samples of Rhizoplaca and six different species of Lecanora were obtained from GenBank. The results support the concept maintained by Arup and Grube (2000) that Rhizoplaca may not be a genus separate from Lecanora. According to the phylogenetic tree, Rhizoplaca melanopthalma from Turkey with two different samples of R. melanopthalma from Arizona (AF159929, AF159934) and a sample from Austria formed a group under the same branch. R. peltata and R. chrysoleuca samples from Anatolia located in two other branches of the tree formed sister groups with the samples of the same species from different countries. Although R. peltata remained on the same branch with other samples of the same species from other countries it was placed in a different branch within the group. When the three species from Anatolia were considered alone, it was noticed that Rhizoplaca melanopthalma and Rhizoplaca peltata are phylogenetically closer to each other than Rhizoplaca chrysoleuca; the morphological characteristics also support this result

Genotoxic effect of cadmium in okra seedlings: Comperative investigation with population parameters and molecular markers

WOS: 000326422100004PubMed ID: 24555326Plants are considered as good bioindicators because of their significant role in food chain transfer. They are also easy to grow, adaptable to environmental stresses and can be used for assaying a range of environmental conditions in different habitats. Thus, many plant species have been used as bioindicators. In order to evaluate the genotoxic effect of cadmium, okra (Abelmoschus esculantus L.) seedlings were treated with different concentrations (30, 60, 120 mg l(-1)) of cadmium and investigated for their population parameters such as inhibition of root growth; total soluble protein content, dry weight and also the impact of metal on the genetic material by RAPD analysis. Root growth and total soluble protein content in okra seedlings were reduced with increased Cd concentrations. RAPD analysis indicated formation of new bands mostly at 60 and 120 mg l(-1) Cd treatments. Altered DNA band patterns and population parameters after Cd treatments suggest that okra could be used as an indicator to reveal the effects of genotoxic agents.Biotechnology Institute of Ankara University, Ankara [171]The authors would like to thank Biotechnology Institute of Ankara University, Ankara for providing equipments via the projects number 8,61 and 171

Assessment of air pollution genotoxicity by molecular markers in the exposed samples of Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf in the province of Kayseri (Central Anatolia)

In living organisms heterogenous air pollutants are considered as a major source of DNA damage. In this study, we aimed to describe the DNA changes in Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf samples exposed to pollution at various sites in Kayseri by RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) analysis in order to reveal the pattern of genetic variation influenced by the environmental pollution. The study area is characterized by the presence of numerous industrial activities, such as steel works, glassworks, shipbuilding, and metallurgical, mechanical, chemical and food industries. Control samples were collected from C, at forest (Sivas) and exposed to pollution in dry and wet seasons in the province of Kayseri located in Central Anatolia. Results indicated that heterogeneous pollutants might have contributed to the changes in the band patterns obtained by RAPD analysis, reflecting the occurrence of DNA damage in the control samples

Evaluation of in vitro Anticancer Activity of Vulpinic Acid and its Apoptotic Potential Using Gene Expression and Protein Analysis

Derici, Mehmet Kursat/0000-0002-8260-7492; Cansaran-Duman, Demet/0000-0003-3759-6664; Cansaran Duman, Demet/0000-0001-5662-2333WOS: 000450531500011Lichens and their secondary metabolite are still among the many unexamined natural sources in the drug industry. This study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of vulpinic acid lichen secondary metabolite and 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mu M concentrations that treat cancer cell lines (CaCo2, HepG2, Hep2C, RD Wehi) and normal cells (Vero and L929) by MTT assay. The aim of this study was to determine the apoptotic effect of vulpinic acid on a molecular level. The determination of apoptotic molecular patterns of vulpinic acid was performed on western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. In our study, transcriptome changes on both gene and protein levels showed similar results. The determination of, mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and P53 genes were showed by qRT-PCR in cancer and normal cell lines. The results of the study showed that IC50 value of vulpinic acid altered the mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and P53 genes in all examined cancer cells when compared to the untreated cells. When the mRNA levels of the examined genes were compared, it was observed that Box gene showed more expression increase in all cell lines when compared to Bcl-2 and P53 genes. This is the first evaluation of the apoptotic effect of vulpinic acid secondary metabolite on mRNA levels. The current study highlights some points regarding vulpinic acid and its use for cancer treatment.Ankara University Project OfficesAnkara University [16H0415002, 15B0415001]We thank Ankara University Project Offices, Project no. 16H0415002 and Project no. 15B0415001 for the partly financial support

Effects of humanin on experimental colitis induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid in rats

Background/Aim: The excessive apoptosis of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) partly accounts for the development of colonic inflammation and eventually results in ulcerative colitis (UC). Humanin, an endogenous anti-apoptotic peptide, has previously been shown to protect against Alzheimer's disease and a variety of cellular insults. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of glysin variant of humanin (HNG) on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into four groups as follows: Group 1 (n = 8): control; isotonic saline solution 0.1 ml/rat rectally, Group 2 (n = 8): TNBS colitis; 0.1 ml of a 2.5% (w/v) TNBS solution in 50% ethanol rectally, Group 3 (n = 8): 10 μM HNG, and Group 4 (n = 8): 20 μM HNG intraperitoneal (ip) on day 2 and 6 after rectal TNBS administration. Rats were sacrificed 7 days after the induction of colitis. Blood and tissue samples were harvested for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: HNG treatment significantly ameliorated weight loss and macroscopic and microscopic scores. TNBS-induced colitis significantly increased the colonic mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), and caspase-3 activities in group II in comparison to the group I. HNG treatment was associated with an inhibition of mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-1β, and a decrease in caspase-3 activities in colon tissues in group III and IV when compared to group II. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that HNG treatment may exert beneficial effects in UC by decreasing inflammatory reactions and apoptosis

Local and systemic reactions to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy

Background: Local and especially systemic reactions are important problems in subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Local and systemic reactions develop in 0.7% to 4% and 0.2% of all injections, respectively