Crocus antalyensis subsp. striatus subsp. nov. (Iridaceae) from southwest Anatolia

A new subspecies Crocus antalyensis subsp. striatus subsp. nov. from western Turkey is described. It is characterized by rough papery, light brown corm tunics, leaves that exceed the flower at anthesis and are recurved, distinctly striped inner perianth segments and deeply branched pale yellow or white style. The karyotype of the new subspecies is presented.     

Chaenorhinum semispeluncarum sp. nov. and C. yildirimlii sp. nov. (Scrophulariaceae) from east Anatolia,Turkey

Chaenorhinum semispeluncarum H. Y?ld?r?m, Kit Tan, S. ?enol & A. Pirhan sp. nov. and C. yildirimlii Kit Tan, H. Y?ld?r?m, S. ?enol & A. Pirhan sp. nov. (Scrophulariaceae, C. sect. Microrrhinum) from east Anatolia are described and illustrated. They are both narrow endemics related to the rare C. cryptarum, also from east Anatolia. Chaenorhinum semispeluncarum occurs on calcareous marl rich in potassium nitrate at the entrance of wet caves in Malatya and differs from C. cryptarum by its erect habit, smaller corollas, shallowly ribbed and tuberculate, bicoloured seeds. Chaenorhinum yildirimlii from the neighbouring province of Erzincan was found on alluvial soil of stream banks and differs from C. semispeluncarum by its seed characters which are similar to those of C. cryptarum. Chaenorhinum yildirimlii differs from C. cryptarum, most conspicuously by the violet lower corolla lip spotted dark purple at the apex.     

Centaurea nerimaniae sp. nov. (Asteraceae) from south Anatolia,Turkey

Centaurea nerimaniae?. Kültür sp. nov. (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from south Anatolia, Turkey. It is morphologically similar to C. antiochia Boiss. var. praealta (Boiss. & Bal.) Wagenitz. The geographical distribution of the new species and related species is mapped. The chromosome number of C. nerimaniae (counted in root tips) is 2n=20.     

Inferring population structure and genetic diversity of broad range of wild diploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) accessions using SSR markers

Diversity analyses in alfalfa have mainly evaluated genetic relationships of cultivated germplasm, with little known about variation in diploid germplasm in the M. sativa–falcata complex. A collection of 374 individual genotypes derived from 120 unimproved diploid accessions from the National Plant Germplasm System, including M. sativa subsp. caerulea, falcata, and hemicycla, were evaluated with 89 polymorphic SSR loci in order to estimate genetic diversity, infer the genetic bases of current morphology-based taxonomy, and determine population structure. Diploid alfalfa is highly variable. A model-based clustering analysis of the genomic data identified two clearly discrete subpopulations, corresponding to the morphologically defined subspecies falcata and caerulea, with evidence of the hybrid nature of the subspecies hemicycla based on genome composition. Two distinct subpopulations exist within each subsp. caerulea and subsp. falcata. The distinction of caerulea was based on geographical distribution. The two falcata groups were separated based on ecogeography. The results show that taxonomic relationships based on morphology are reflected in the genetic marker data with some exceptions, and that clear distinctions among subspecies are evident at the diploid level. This research provides a baseline from which to systematically evaluate variability in tetraploid alfalfa and serves as a starting point for exploring diploid alfalfa for genetic and breeding experiments.     

LGBT+ Individuals’ Perceptions of Healthcare Services in Turkey: A Cross-sectional Qualitative Study

When accessing healthcare services, LGBT+ individuals are often exposed to segregating and marginalizing discourses. Knowledge about how such experiences are reflected in the moral world of LGBT+ individuals living in Turkey is limited. This study examined LGBT+ individuals’ lived experiences when utilizing healthcare services. The findings are discussed in terms of moral discourses related to LGBT+ individuals’ gender identity and sexual orientation. A qualitative field study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with fifty-five LGBT+ individuals from Turkish cities who were in contact with various non-governmental organizations that conduct studies on gender identity and sexual orientation. A questionnaire was administered with items on participants’ demographic information, experiences, behavioural patterns, and knowledge regarding healthcare services. The data were analysed thematically. The findings were evaluated within the framework of “access to healthcare service” theme related to “healthcare service demand” context. Additionally, the “interaction with physicians” theme was addressed in the context of “physician–patient/counselee relationship.” LGBT+ individuals state that they are exposed to stigmatizing and segregating discourses by healthcare professionals, which might pose an obstacle for adaptive health-seeking behaviours. These results suggest that physicians’ professional approach has a considerable influence on LGBT+ individuals’ capacity for utilizing healthcare services.     

Selenium-Mercury Balance in Commercial Fish Species from the Turkish Waters

Biological Trace Element Research - The interactions between selenium (Se) and mercury (Hg) were assessed in order to interpret public health risk, associated with dietary mercury exposure due to...     

Dye-incorporated poly(EGDMA-HEMA) microspheres as specific sorbents for aluminum removal

Aluminum [Al(III)] adsorption onto dye-incorporated poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(EGDMA-HEMA)] microspheres was investigated. Poly(EGDMA-HEMA) microspheres, in the size range of 150–200 μm, were produced by a modified suspension polymerization of EGDMA and HEMA. The reactive dyes (i.e., Congo Red, Cibacron Blue F3GA and Alkali Blue 6B) were covalently incorporated to the microspheres. The maximum dye load was 14.5 μmol Congo Red/g, 16.5 μmol Cibacron Blue F3GA/g and 23.7 μmol Alkali Blue 6B/g polymer. The maximum Al(III) adsorption on the dye microspheres from aqueous solutions containing different amounts of Al(III) ions were 27.9 mg/g, 17.3 mg/g and 12.2 mg/g polymer for the Congo Red, Cibacron Blue F3GA and Alkali Blue 6B, respectively. The maximum Al(III) adsorption was observed at pH 7.0 in all cases. Non-specific Al(III) adsorption was about 0.84 mg/g polymer under the same conditions. High desorption ratios (95%) were achieved in all cases by using 0.1 M HNO₃. It was possible to reuse these dye-incorporated poly(EGDMA-HEMA) microspheres without significant losses in the Al(III) adsorption capacities.     

SPC212 human mesothelioma cells underwent apoptosis,oxidative stress,and morphological deformation following Astaxanthin treatment

Astaxanthin (ASX) is one of the keto-carotenoids, which is biologically more active than other counterparts. Besides its variety of beneficial effects, it was reported to exert anticancer effects. Despite its utilization against different cancer types, the effect of ASX on mesothelioma has yet to be well-studied. In this study, our goal is to ascertain how ASX will affect SPC212 human mesothelioma cells. First, the effective doses of ASX against SPC212 cells were investigated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Thereafter, with flow cytometry analysis, Annexin-V and caspase 3/7 assay were implemented for the evaluation of apoptotic cell death and an oxidative stress test was carried out to determine how the free radicals changed. Ultimately, the cells' morphology was examined under a light microscope. The effective doses of ASX were found as 50, 100, and 200 µM. In the Annexin V assay, the total apoptosis increased to around 12%, 30%, and 45% with increasing doses of ASX. In the caspase 3/7 assay, the total apoptosis was around 25% and 38% at 100 and 200 µM. In oxidative stress analysis, reactive oxygen species-positive cells rose from 4.54 at the lowest dose to 86.95 at the highest dose. In morphological analysis, cellular shrinkage, decrease in cell density, swelling and vacuolations in some cells, membrane blebbing, and apoptotic bodies are observed in ASX-treated cells. To conclude, the current study provided insights into the efficacy and effects of ASX against SPC212 mesothelioma cells regarding morphology, proliferation, and cell death for future studies.