Rising cases of neurodegenerative disorders negatively impact human and economic resources of the globe, hence the need to search for safe, affordable, and effective psychotherapeutic interventions. In the present study, the effect of extracts from roots of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) on norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in brain and serum of seemingly healthy rats was investigated. Fresh roots of M. oleifera were collected, dried, ground and subjected to aqueous, methanol and diethyl-ether extractions. Median lethal dose (LD50) of M. oleifera aqueous root extract was determined. Animal experimental groups received 100- and -200 mg/kg body weights of the different root extracts of M. oleifera. The animals were sacrificed after anesthesia on the eleventh day, and blood and brain samples were taken and tested for total proteins and catecholamines. All data were analysed using one-way-analysis of variance and Tukey tests. Value less than 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. High doses of aqueous, methanol, and diethyl ether root extracts of M. oleifera significantly (p0.05) altered by the aqueous, methanol and diethyl-ether root extracts, whilst brain epinephrine concentration was significantly (p<0.05) raised by the diethyl-ether root extract. Norepinephrine levels in the brains and serum of rats that appeared to be in good condition were only marginally elevated by high and low dosages of the plant's aqueous and methanol root extracts, but they were markedly elevated (p<0.05) by both doses of the di-ethyl-ether extract. The present study reveals that di-ethyl-ether root extract of M. oleifera can dose dependently alter norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in brain and serum of apparently healthy rats. Consequently, it is crucial to investigate the mechanism by which the administration of di-ethyl-ether root extract of the plant to animals modulate catecholamine production.

Cancer prevention includes approaches that can reduce the risk of developing cancer, such as maintaining a healthy diet and avoiding exposure to mutagenic agents. Plants with antimutagenic properties can be valuable as cancer-protective agents. This study aims to investigate the antimutagenic activity and cancer-protective effects of Ziziphus spina-christi using in vitro and in vivo human and animal models, respectively. The antimutagenic activity of Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract was examined in cultured human lymphocytes using sister-chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and 8-OHdG assays. In addition, the cancer-protective effect of the extract was investigated using a skin painting assay and7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)induced cancer of Balb/c mice. Animals were treated with DMBA for 20 weeks with concurrent consumption of Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract 100mg/kg daily, 5 days/week. The Ziziphus spina-christi leaf extract significantly reduced the levels of SCEs and the 8-OHdG levels in human lymphocytes in a dose-response manner (P0.05). In conclusion, the experimental investigation demonstrated the beneficial properties of Ziziphus spina-christi as an anticancer agent.

Microalgae are prokaryotic or eukaryotic organisms that have photosynthetic anabolic activity. This anabolic photosynthesis is related to the abiotic factor of light. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the morphological diversity level of microalgae based on their environment, especially light intensity. We collected samples based on two types of environment, namely high light community (HL-1D and HL-2D) and low light community (LL-1D and LL-2D). The Data were analyzed using Species Richness Indices (Menhinick and Margalef indices), Species Diversity (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson Indices), and Eveness Index. Based on the results of morphological identification, we found the presence of algae from the divisions Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, and Euglenophyta in both communities. The most dominant species found in the HL environment were Cyanophyta (Chroococcus sp., Microcystis sp., Nostoc sp., Oscilatoria sp.), Chlorophyta (Actinastrum sp., Ankistrodesmus sp., Centritractus belanophorus, Coelastrum sp., Closterium sp., Gleocapsa sp., Mougeutia sp., Pediastrum sp., Scenedesmus sp., Selenastrum sp., Sphaeroplea sp., Tetraspora cylindrica, Ulothrix sp., and Volvox sp.), Euglenophyta (Cryptoglena sp. And Lepocinclis sp.). Species found in the LL environment were Cyanophyta (Bulbochaeta sp.) and Chlorophyta (Pleurotaenium sp., Uronema elongasi, and Zygnema sp.). Microalgae communities in high light communities have higher diversity than low light communities. This study can be used as a reference for the diversity of microalgae in two different types of environments, especially in the tropics and in freshwater microalgae communities. This diversity data could be a reference for researchers and provide preliminary information of microalgae potency as alternative biofuels in the future.

Installing an artificial nest box has a positive effect on the cavity nesters such as great tit (Parus major). Beyond the process of installing an artificial nest box, a study on the effect of ecological factors on breeding performance is necessary. This study was conducted to evaluate the ecological factors influencing breeding performance of great tits (Parus major) in artificial nest boxes in temperate mixed forests. In this study, the first egg-laying date and percentage of shrub were closely related among ecological factors. Variable influencing clutch size was date of first egg-laying date. Percentage of shrub had a positive relation to hatching success and fledgling success. First egg-laying date may represent quality of parental individuals. In addition, shrub can provide better food resources and has an impact on hatching success and fledgling success. These results suggest that higher quality of parental individual predominates the better the foraging site for enhancing breeding success. Also, managing shrubs in the forest appear to have a positive effect on breeding performance. Moreover, long-term ecological research is needed for the conservation of the birds and their habitats.

Aedes aegypti (L., 1762) (Diptera: Culicidae) is an important pest for human health. It vectors many diseases, including yellow fever (YF), dengue (DENV), and chikungunya (CHIKV). This species has invaded numerous countries including Balkan and Caucasian countries few past decades. The established populations of species were found in Turkey in 2015. We investigated the genetic variation, molecular phylogenetics, and differences between samples from Turkey and Georgia using four mitochondrial and one genomic DNA markers. The possible origin of the species was determined separately for each gene region using maximum likelihood trees. The ML analysis showed a close relation with the Caucasian samples, and some haplotypes are specific to this region. Our results suggest that Turkish Ae. aegypti strains might have been a mix of Asian and American strains. The differences between Turkish and Georgian samples were statistically insignificant and values of difference were very low according to AMOVA. Pairwise difference values between the two countries indicated that populations may have the same origin and variation value between two countries is very low. As a conclusion, our results revealed that our region (Turkey and Georgia) samples were most probably a new invasion rather than an ancient one.

Morphological features are important for intraspecific and interspecific variation. Teeth are important taxonomical characteristics because they can differ according to diet. Shape analysis of the first upper molar (M1) was used to determine geographical variations and effects of ecological changes on the population structure of Hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) living in Turkey. Both outline and landmark analysis, as well as a canonical variates analysis, showed significant differences in teeth shape between populations. With this technique, we separated out two subspecies: M. a. trapezius and M. a. abanticus.