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This paper describes a new species of Halamphora – Halamphora lombokensis sp. nov. and records for the first time Halamphora banzuensis for the coasts of Indonesia. The study utilized light and scanning electron microscopy to meticulously examine the morphology. These species were found at Kuta Beach on the island of Lombok in Indonesia in highly saline sandy environments. The newly identified species, H. lombokensis sp. nov., is characterized by its semi-lanceolate to narrowly semi-elliptic shape with a straight ventral and convex dorsal margin. The study contributes to our understanding of marine diatom flora in Indonesia's coastal regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we describe Halamphora vantushpaensis sp. nov., a newly identified diatom species found in the highly alkaline Lake Van in Eastern Turkey (Türkiye). This new species is characterized morphologically by light and scanning electron microscopy, performed on both wild and cultivated samples. Two monoclonal cultures were submitted to a genome-skimming approach, giving access to the complete sequence of their nuclear rRNA cluster of genes, mitochondrial and plastid genomes. Both strains were highly similar from the genomic point of view, with few mutations noted, although in organellar genomes some of them concerned protein coding genes and were non-silent. Also, the group II intron in the mitochondrial cox1 gene was found to display a relatively high number of polymorphisms. The plastome also distinguishes itself from other Halamphora spp. by the extension of its inverted repeat at the expense of the two single copy regions of the genome. Maximum likelihood molecular phylogeny inferred from a concatenated three genes dataset (18S, psbC and rbcL) positions this species within the K clade, which is known to contain hypersaline to freshwater species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Craspedostauros E.J. Cox is a diatom genus comprising 17 taxa reported from various regions of the world. While many species of Craspedostauros are epibiontic, the taxa have variable ecological preferences. In this study we formally describe Craspedostauros nazmii sp. nov., an epilithic species discovered along the Turkish Black Sea Coast, based on light and scanning electron microscopy. Craspedostauros nazmii sp. nov. is characterized by valves that are lanceolate to narrowly lanceolate, slightly constricted near the apices with uniseriate, parallel throughout the whole valve, transapical striae and and the presence of an apical silica flap. The areolae are distributed over the valve face and the mantle. The differences and similarities between C. nazmii sp. nov. and established species of Craspedostauros are discussed. Based on shape and morphometrics, the most similar species is Craspedostauros capensis, but it is easily distinguished from C. nazmii sp. nov. by its lack of an apical silica flap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diatoms associated with the order Bacillariales, Rhopalodiales and Surirellales are well known to be present in marine and brackish waters. In this study, diatoms in the western Black Sea coasts of Turkey were investigated with ultrastructure details. Species belonging to the Bacillariales, Rhopalodiales and Surirellales were subject to light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, and a total of twenty-four taxa were investigated. This study examines details on the morphology and biogeography of the taxa with remarks on their distribution in Turkey. The results revealed that four species were reported on the Turkish coasts for the first time. These species were Nitzschia liebethruthii, N. volvendirostrata, Epithemia guettingeri and Campylodiscus scalaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we describe Nitzschia anatoliensis Górecka, Gastineau & Solak sp. nov., an example of a diatom species inhabiting extreme habitats. The new species has been isolated and successfully grown from the highly alkaline Van Lake in East Turkey. The description is based on morphology (light and scanning electron microscopy), the sequencing of its organellar genomes and several molecular phylogenies. This species could easily be overlooked because of its extreme similarity to Nitzschia aurariae but molecular phylogenies indicate that they are only distantly related. Furthermore, molecular data suggest that N. anatoliensis may occur in several alkaline lakes of Asia Minor and Siberia, but was previously misidentified as Nitzschia communis. It also revealed the very close genetic proximity between N. anatoliensis and the endosymbiont of the dinotom Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, providing additional clues on what might have been the original species of diatoms to enter symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Leishmanias is a neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania that affect numerous species including humans. and is endemic in over 98 countries year. including Turkey and its subcontinental region. Although curcumin has been shown to have anti-leishmanial activities. they have some drawbacks including low aqueous solubility and toxicity. Addressing these limitations. the delivery of CurcuEmulsomes into the astrocytes was achived by encapsulating the active molecule in a lipid-based nanocarrier system. so-called CurcuEmulsome. For the scope of the study. we focused on anti-Leishmanial effects of curcuemulsomes on Leishmania infantum parasites and infected astrocytes where non-infected astrocytes testify the safety of the designed formulation. Methods: Curcuemulsomes were synthesized by thin film hydration method as described before. The formulations were characterized using Zetasizer for their particle size distribution (dynamic light scattering) and zeta potential characteristics (Phase Analysis Light Scattering). The shape and the integrity were analyzed under Scanning Electron Microscopy. Encapsulation rates were quantified through absorbance analysis at 430 nm. Cytotoxicity of CurcuEmulsomes on Leishmania parasites were examined by Alamar Blue cell viability assay. Cell viability of Leishmania-infected astrocytes were investigated using flow cytometer. Results: CurcuEmulsomes were found to be effective against both Leishmania parasites and Leishmania-infected astrocytes. The viability studies demonstrated the prolonged therapeutic effect which was comparable to free curcumin as assessed by cell viability studies. As the cell culture studies investigated. emulsomes have lower the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values against Leishmania parasites than that of free form of the compounds. Conclusion: CurcuEmulsomes were found to be effective against Leishmania parasites and Leishmania-infected astrocytes on in vitro model and highlights the potential of the system as a new approach for antileishmania therapy. When curcumin were used as emulsome formulations. it was more efficient against Leishmania-infected astrocytes resulted from the effects of enhanced bioavailability of the CurcuEmulsomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]