Extract of Calvatia gigantea inhibits proliferation of A549 human lung cancer cells

In this study, in order to investigate the anticancer mechanism of Calvatia gigantea extract, edible mushroom species, which belong to Lycoperdaceae family, changes of CCND1, CCND2, CDK4, p21, Akt, Bax, Bcl-2, p53, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were evaluated in A549 lung cancer cells. Cytotoxic effect of C.gigantea extract was evaluated by using XTT (2,3-bis-(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5 carboxanilide). The C. gigantea extract was treated in a time and dose dependent manner within the range 25 μg/ml–2 mg/ml to determine the IC50 dose. IC50 dose for C. gigantea extract was detected as 500 μg/ml for 72 h. According to expression results, while CCND1, CCND2, CDK4, Akt and Bcl-2 expression clearly decreased, Bax, p53, caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression clearly increased in the dose group cells (A549 cells treated with 500 μg/ml dose of C. gigantea extract for 72 h). However, there was no change in p21 expression. C. gigantea extract induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by decreasing the CCND1, CCND2, CDK4, Akt and Bcl-2 expression and by increasing Bax, p53, caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression in A549 cells. Mushrooms are eukaryotic organisms heavily used because of their supposedly anticancer effect. Many mushroom species have been used for medical purposes, as a result of also having many effects such as antibiotic, antiviral and anticancer effects. It is thought that the C. gigantea extract may be a significant agent for treatment of lung cancer as a single agent or in combination with other drugs. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Pre-service science teachers' views about characteristics of effective science teaching and effective science teacher

In this study an attempt was made to understand the perceptions of pre-service science teachers regarding effective science teaching strategies and teachers who are successful at implementing these strategies in their educational practice culminating towards being considered an effective science teacher. Firstly, for the purposes of this research a consideration of the following questions was necessary: What are the characteristics of effective science teaching? What are the characteristics of an effective science teacher? In order to gain insight into the research in question, related literature was reviewed and questionnaire research, including open-ended questions had been administered to pre-service teachers. Some remarkable findings have been discovered which are briefly discussed. The main feature revealed through the study is that pre-service science teachers believe the pedagogical skills of professional teachers should take precedence at first over the improvement of their theoretical knowledge on their subject matter. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE HEAVY METAL CONTENT OF VARIOUS WILD EDIBLE

A determination was made of the concentrations of 9 heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Mn, Cu, Fe, Cr, Ni, Co and Zn) in six naturally growing mushroom species (Morchella esculenta, Helvella leucopus, Pleurotus ostreatus, Lactarius deliciosus, Tricholoma terreum and Suillus luteus) found in the forests around the city of Denizli and of soil substrates taken from where they were growing, and the possibility of using the fungi as a bio-indicator of environmental pollution was investigated. Analyses were performed with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Of the 9 heavy metals investigated in the study, the highest Cd and Pb contents were found in H. leucopus (3.44 and 3.94 mg kg(-1), respectively), the highest contents of Mn, Cu, Fe and Zn were in L. deliciosus (37.6, 56.1, 253 and 142.2 mg kg(-1), respectively), and the highest Cr, Ni and Co contents were found in P ostreatus (1.08, 132 and 0.55 mg kg(-1), respectively). It was concluded that mushrooms growing in parks or gardens in the city or in smaller towns, near to industrial areas or by the side of roads where there is heavy traffic, should not be consumed

Soil and habitat characteristics of various species of mushroom growing wild in the Gireniz Valley, Turkey

Soil samples were collected from six different localities and habitats in the Gireniz valley of Denizli province, Turkey, where six species of mushroom (Agaricus langei, Lactarius salmonicolor, Morchella conica, Rhizopogon roseolus, Russula delica and Tricholoma terreum) grow naturally and plentifully, and which are known as the ‘home’ of these mushrooms, and their physical properties (soil reaction, salt, saturation, organic matter and lime) and chemical properties (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) were determined. In addition, the vegetation, elevation and growing seasons of these mushrooms were studied in order to investigate the effects of habitat characteristics on their growth. It was found that mushroom growth required a soil that was moderately or slightly alkaline (pH 7.70–8.19), non-saline (432–550 µS/cm), clayey (74–109%) or clayeyloamy (67–69%) in structure, having 1.56–5.49% humus as organic matter, and chalky (1.26–33.48%). Also, such macro-and microelements as P (3.64–10.58 mg kg–1), K (221.4–381.4 mg kg–1), Ca (5917–9195 mg kg–1), Mg (425.1–1202 mg kg–1), Cu (0.459–1.334 mg kg–1), Fe (6.91–47.90 mg kg–1), Mn (4.43–30.08 mg kg–1) and Zn (0.155–1.567 mg kg–1) are needed for the growth and reproduction of mushrooms. It was established that the concentration in Na in the soils was very low (10.92–20.85 mg kg–1). It was determined in our study that mushrooms needed suitable vegetation, elevation and temperature in order to grow plentifully in a given area. It was also established that mushroom variety was high in areas where plant variety was also high. It is thought that areas where mushrooms grow plentifully in the wild will be effective in protecting or bringing under cultivation various edible mushrooms which have their own characteristic habitat, climatic and soil conditions, and which are used as economic, food or medical resources, whether locally or more generally. Also, some mushroom species could be indicators of the environment where they are found or of the soils in which they grow. © 2015, Scibulcom Ltd. All rights reserved

Prospective science teachers conceptual understanding about proteins and protein synthesis

In present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of traditional teaching on levels of conceptual understanding of prospective science teachers on protein and protein synthesis before, after and six months after of instruction. Firstly, according to the views of the expert in the area, concept analysis was carried out about protein and protein synthesis. Considering the concept analysis, a six-item conceptual understanding test was prepared and administered as the pre-test, post-test and delayed post-test. As a result of the study, it was determined that the prospective science teachers had some difficulties in understanding concepts about protein and protein synthesis and traditional instruction was insufficient to overcome these problems. Especially, it was revealed that the candidates had severe misconceptions about process of protein synthesis and structure of protein. Finally, some suggestions were presented with the support of the findings obtained from this study. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Macrofungi of Tavas (Denizli) District in Turkey

Macrofungi samples have been collected during the field trips carried out in Tavas (Denizli) between in 1999-2001. As a result of field and Laboratory studies totally 45 taxa belong to 19 families were identified. Nine of these belong to Ascomycetes and 36 to Basidiomycetes. Seventeen species are edible and four taxa are poisonous. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Macrofungi of Honaz Mountain (Denizli)

Specimens of macrofungi were collected from localities on Honaz Mountain (Denizli) in 2005 and 2006, particularly during autumn and spring. Field and laboratory studies revealed a total of 109 taxa belonging to 64 genera, 32 families and 2 classes. Six taxa belong to Ascomycetes and 103 to Basidiomycetes. © Tübitak

Tavas (Denizli) İlçesinin Makrofungusları

Macrofungi samples have been collected during the field trips carried out in Tavas (Denizli) between in 1999-2001. As a result of field and laboratory studies totally 45 taxa belong to 21 families were identified. 9 of these belong to Ascomycet.es and 36 to Basidiomycetes.1999-2001 yıllarında, Tavas İlçesinde (Denizli) yapılan arazi çalışmalarında makrofungus örnekleri toplanmıştır. Arazi ve laboratuar çalışmaları sonucu 21 familyaya ait 45 takson teşhis edilmiştir. Bunlardan 95u Ascomycetes ve 36’sı Bas idiomycetes sınıfına aittir

Determination by ICP/MS of trace metal content in ten edible wild mushrooms from Turkey

The determination of nineteen trace metal levels (Li, Be, Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Sn, Sb, Te, Hg and Pb) was performed for ten naturally growing edible mushroom species in three different provinces of Turkey. The possibility of using the mushrooms as a bio-indicator of environmental pollution was investigated. Trace metal contents were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), after wet digestion procedure. The highest amounts of Li, Al, V, Fe and Se were found in C. cornucopioides (0.41, 285.92, 0.595, 300.87 and 0.780 µg g–1, respectively), the highest amounts of Co, Ni, Cu, Sb and Hg were found in H. lacunosa (1.736, 1.687, 13.22, 0.452 and 0.402 µg g–1, respectively), the highest amounts of Cr and Zn were found in S. squamosus (0.700 and 29.16 µg g–1, respectively), the highest amounts of Te and Pb were found in T. anatolicum (0.007 and 1.102 µg g–1, respectively), the highest amounts of Be were found in M. costata (0.018 µg g–1), and the highest levels of Mn were found in R. roseolus (8.49 µg g–1). The Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Ni, Sn and Hg contents determined in the edible mushrooms which we analysed were lower than the observed values in literature. Also, available data indicate that the mushroom collection area was not polluted by toxic heavy metals. These data are important in the fields of toxicology, food chemistry and environmental protection. © 2015, Scibulcom Ltd. All rights reserved