The marasmioid species, Marasmius collinus (Scop.) Singer, belonging to the family Marasmiaceae, is given as new record for the mycobiota of Turkey from Sarikamis Allahukeber Mountains National Park (Kars/Erzurum). A brief description of the taxon is given together with its photographs related to macro and micromorphologies.

Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm. commonly-known as the honey fungus is an edible mushroom and its antioxidant, antitumor, neuroprotective, and insulin resistance reductive effects have been well-characterized. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are the group of detoxification enzymes has a function to conjugate glutathione to the variety of electrophile, making them more water-soluble for excretion. Their inhibition or activation could have profound toxicological or clinical implications. This study is conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of A. mellea on GST enzymes. Total GST activities were measured using glutathione and 1 chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrates spectrophotometrically, and enzyme kinetic studies were conducted to determine Vmax and Km values. Additionally, aqueous and methanolic extracts of A. mellea were tested to see how they modulate the kinetic parameters. Vmax for liver GST enzyme was calculated as 443.90 ± 11.52 U/mg, Km value for GSH, and CDNB were determined as 4.88 ± 0.53 mM and 10.43 ± 1.07 mM, respectively. The decrease in Vmax and the increase in Km values with A. mellea extracts demonstrated a mixed-type inhibitory mechanism. Methanolic extract inhibits the GSH-dependent GST activity much more than the CDNB-dependent activity, but aqueous extract mainly affects CDNB-dependent GST activity. In conclusion, A. mellea could suppress the hepatic GST enzymes that might have toxicological consequences such as reduced cellular detoxification of electrophilic xenobiotics as well as alleviated drug resistance in the treatment of several diseases.

Armillaria mellea (Vahl) P. Kumm. commonly-known as the honey fungus is an edible mushroom and its antioxidant, antitumor, neuroprotective, and insulin resistance reductive effects have been well-characterized. Glutathione S-transferases (GST) are the group of detoxification enzymes has a function to conjugate glutathione to the variety of electrophile, making them more water-soluble for excretion. Their inhibition or activation could have profound toxicological or clinical implications. This study is conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of A. mellea on GST enzymes. Total GST activities were measured using glutathione and 1 chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene as substrates spectrophotometrically, and enzyme kinetic studies were conducted to determine Vmax and Km values. Additionally, aqueous and methanolic extracts of A. mellea were tested to see how they modulate the kinetic parameters. Vmax for liver GST enzyme was calculated as 443.90 ± 11.52 U/mg, Km value for GSH, and CDNB were determined as 4.88 ± 0.53 mM and 10.43 ± 1.07 mM, respectively. The decrease in Vmax and the increase in Km values with A. mellea extracts demonstrated a mixed-type inhibitory mechanism. Methanolic extract inhibits the GSH-dependent GST activity much more than the CDNB-dependent activity, but aqueous extract mainly affects CDNB-dependent GST activity. In conclusion, A. mellea could suppress the hepatic GST enzymes that might have toxicological consequences such as reduced cellular detoxification of electrophilic xenobiotics as well as alleviated drug resistance in the treatment of several diseases.

In this study, we have investigated the anatomy and ultrastructure of the pericarp to determine important characters of the fruits belonging to some Turkish orchidoid species, and to determine which features are related to ecological or habitat preferences. For the purpose, the samples belonging to 19 orchid taxon were collected in the Black Sea Region. SEM and light microscopy photographs were taken with the standard techniques. Variations among taxa were evaluated using various statistical methods such as correlation and discrimination analysis. Among the investigated characteristics, fruit surface ornamentation is related to habitat preferences of the species while morphometric properties of epidermal cells and structural features such as the type of crystal inclusions are important characters at the genus level.

Many plants, such as Dieffenbachia Schott, which are poisonous and can be life threatening, are present in the habitats of people. Dieffenbachia is widely used for ornamental purposes in living quarters, but it is a plant species that can harm human health as a result of contact, chewing or ingestion. The aim of this work is to attract the attention of researchers to the role of the Dieffenbachia plant, often used for ornamental purposes in homes, especially in the case of home accidents that children are exposed to and the likelihood of abuse. For this reason, Dieffenbachia poisoning cases in the literature have been discussed in the context of resources. A total of 7 cases were studied, including three cases of 1-3 years of age, 3 cases of 7-12 years and a case of adult age of 69, obtained by investigating the literature. Dieffenbachia plant can cause vital signs, such as airway obstruction and respiratory failure, as well as mild skin reactions, depending on the type of contact and amount of exposure. Care should be taken and caution should be exercised on the use of plants such as Dieffenbachia and similar plants in houses, playgrounds and other green area regulations.

The study was carried out until 2018 intermittently, on condition that majority in 2014. The study area is located between Erzincan, Malatya, Elazig and Bingöl cities in the Eastern Anatolia. Its whole is placed in the Irano-Turanian phytogeographic region and, in B7 and B8 squares according to Davis’ Grid System. During the study, 2950 samples were collected and 1559 of them were identified. The identification of these samples resulted 74 families, 386 genera and 922 taxa. The distribution of taxa by phytogeographic regions is as follows; Irano-Turanian elements 397 (43.1 %), Mediterranean elements 20 (2.2 %), Europe-Siberian elements 40 (4.3 %), East Mediterranean elements 14 (1.5 %), Euxine element 13 (1.4 %), Hyrcano-Euxine elements 3 (0.3 %), Sarmatian 1 (0.1 %), the cosmopolite or unknown distribution 434 (47.1 %). The number of endemic taxa is 150 (endemism ratio 16.3 %).

The study was based on macrofungi samples collected from the region within the boundaries of Muradiye district of Van province in 2014 and 2015. As a result of field and laboratory studies 86 macrofungi species belonging to 50 genera, 25 families, seven orders and three classes within the divisions Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were determined. The determined taxa are listed together with their habitats, substrates, collection locality, geographic coordinates and personel voucher numbers. One of them, Melanophyllum haematospermum (Bull.: Fr.) Kreisel, is a new record for Turkey as the first member of the genus Melanophyllum Velen.

In this study, we have investigated the anatomy and ultrastructure of the pericarp to determine important characters of the fruits belonging to some Turkish orchidoid species, and to determine which features are related to ecological or habitat preferences. For the purpose, the samples belonging to 19 orchid taxon were collected in the Black Sea Region. SEM and light microscopy photographs were taken with the standard techniques. Variations among taxa were evaluated using various statistical methods such as correlation and discrimination analysis. Among the investigated characteristics, fruit surface ornamentation is related to habitat preferences of the species while morphometric properties of epidermal cells and structural features such as the type of crystal inclusions are important characters at the genus level.