https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12809/234 2026-06-30T23:21:09Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12809/11221 ASSESSMENT OF METAL CONTAMINATION AND ASSOCIATED ECOLOGICAL AND HEALT RISKS IN CREEKS DISCHARGING INTO GOKOVA BAY, TURKİYE Genç, Tuncer Okan; Yılmaz, Fevzi; Yılmaz, Ersin; Yıldız, Dilek; Kabanka, Göktuğ This study presents a comprehensive assessment of metal contamination and associated ecological and human health risks in three freshwater systems (Azmak, Ak & ccedil;ap & imath;nar, and & Ccedil;etibeli Creeks) discharging into G & ouml;kova Bay, a Special Environmental Protection Area on the southwestern coast of T & uuml;rkiye. Surface water and sediment samples were collected monthly from six stations between April 2023 and March 2024, and concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mn, Zn, and Cd were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. Sediment contamination was evaluated using the Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (ER and RI), while non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks were assessed through Average Daily Dose (ADD), Hazard Quotient (HQ), Hazard Index (HI), and Cancer Risk (CR) according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methodologies. Multivariate statistical analyses, including Spearman correlation, principal component analysis, and non-parametric tests, were employed to identify spatial and seasonal patterns. Sediment concentrations followed the order Fe > Mn > Zn > Cu > Cd, with Cd exhibiting exceptionally high levels (mean: 8.75 mg kg(-1)), substantially exceeding international sediment quality guidelines. Cd showed very high contamination (CF = 89.35), extreme enrichment (EF = 455.05), and strong geoaccumulation (Igeo = 5.77), indicating severe anthropogenic input. The overall ecological risk index (RI = 2688.42) revealed a very high ecological risk, overwhelmingly driven by Cd. Spatial analyses identified Ak & ccedil;ap & imath;nar downstream station as the principal contamination hotspot, whereas seasonal variation was limited except for Cd, which peaked during spring. Human health risk assessment indicated that sediment ingestion poses significant non-carcinogenic risks, particularly for children (HI = 181.34), and carcinogenic risk from Cd exposure in children (CR = 6.25 x 10(-4)) exceeded the acceptable threshold recommended by the USEPA. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12809/11215 Differential Cytotoxicity of Hydroxycinnamic Acids in Cancer Cells: Structure–Activity Insights From a Broad Panel of Cell Lines Onat Taşdelen, Kadriye Aslıhan; Sezer Kürkçü, Merve; Öztürkel Kabakaş, Hatice; Anara, Babayeva; Çöl, Bekir Phenolic acids, abundant in plant-based foods, are increasingly investigated for their anticancer potential. This study systematically evaluated the cytotoxic effects of three hydroxycinnamic acids-trans-cinnamic acid (tCA), p-coumaric acid (pCA), and ferulic acid (FA)-across 10 cancer cell lines (A-673, HeLa, PC-3, SW48, HT-29, Caco-2, HUH-7, MG-63, 2A3, CARM-L12-TG3) and one non-cancerous cell line (Phoenix) after 48 and 72 h of treatment. IC50 values were determined via MTT assay. At 48 h, tCA showed the most significant reduction in metabolic activity in Caco-2 and HUH-7 cells, while HT-29 was the most resistant. pCA showed selective potency in A-673 and PC-3 cells, whereas FA demonstrated broad cytotoxic activity, with pronounced effects in SW48 and HeLa cells. Cytotoxicity increased in a time-dependent manner at 72 h. The non-cancerous Phoenix cells were generally less sensitive, supporting the selective inhibitory effect of these compounds toward malignant cells. Statistical analyses revealed highly significant effects of treatment and time factors, with significant treatment and time interactions in A-673, HeLa, and PC-3 cells. These findings indicate that pCA is the most selective compound, FA exerts the broadest cytotoxicity, and tCA shows a balanced but time-dependent effect. Collectively, this study highlights hydroxycinnamic acids as promising scaffolds for developing selective anticancer agents. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12809/11038 Fabrication and Characterization of a Multifunctional Coating to Promote the Osteogenic Properties of Orthopedic Implants Saraç, Nurdan; Koç, Serap; Baygar, Tuba; Özarslan, Selma; Uğur, Aysel Titanium-based alloys are used in orthopedic applications as fixation elements, hard tissue replacements in artificial bones, and dental implants. Despite their wide range of applications, metallic implant defects and failures arise due to inadequate mechanical bonding, postoperative clotting problems, aseptic loosening, and infections. To improve the surface bioactivity and reduce the corrosion rate of the Ti6Al4V alloy, multi-layered coatings (HAp, BG, Cs, and Hep) were applied via electrophoretic deposition (EPD). XRD images showed the presence of HAp within the coating. In vitro investigation: cell line NIH-3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on the non-coated and coated Ti6Al4V substrates, and their cellular behavior was evaluated. The results indicated that the HApBGCsHep coating could enhance the adhesion and proliferation of NIH 3T3 cells. In addition, the potentiodynamic polarization results are compatible with the in vitro outcome. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12809/10989 Volatile Compound Profiling of Seven Tuber Species Using HS-SPME-GC-MS and Classification by a Chemometric Approach Korkmaz, Cansu; Hellal, Khaoula; Taş-Küçükaydın, Meltem; Çayan, Fatih; Küçükaydın, Selçuk; Duru, Mehmet Emin Edible mushrooms are important providers of nutrients and are well recognized for their particular organoleptic properties. The volatiles that Tuber releases serve purposes beyond simply appealing to our sense of smell. Truffles have different smells and tastes due to the fact that they contain different volatile components; therefore, aroma is essential in defining the organoleptic properties and quality of truffles. In this research, seven Tuber species, namely, Tuber ferrugineum, Tuber nitidum, Tuber excavatum, Tuber rufum, Tuber puberulum, Tuber aestivum, and Tuber borchii were selected. The primary objective of this study was to carry out the first in-depth investigation of the volatile compounds and chemometric analysis of seven truffle species from the Tuber genus that are grown in Turkey. The SPME headspace combined with GC-MS analysis identified 60 volatiles from different classes, with the abundance of terpenes being followed in a decreasing order by alcohols, aldehydes, sulfides, ketones, and other aromatic compounds. According to the chemometric analysis, methional, 3-methyl-4,5-dihydrothiophene, p-(methylthio) benzaldehyde, 3-octene, linalyl acetate, methyl caproate, and β-trans-ocimene could be highlighted as markers for T. borchii grown in Turkey. This investigation was conducted for the first time using T. ferrugineum, T. puberulum, and T. nitidum. The comparison of the volatile profile of these tubers' species displayed branded differences. Thus, the knowledge gained from this research may pave the way to identify the key aroma contributors in the chosen Tuber species. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z