This study reports the biological synthesis of environmentally friendly zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using the marine red alga Gracilaria corticata. The algal extract served as a natural reducing and stabilizing agent in the formation of ZnO nanoparticles (GC-ZnONPs). The synthesized nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, HRTEM, DLS, zeta potential analysis, VSM, NMR and TGA/DTA. Characterization results confirmed that GC-ZnONPs possess a crystalline structure with predominantly spherical and hexagonal morphologies and a relatively uniform size distribution. The GC-ZnONPs exhibited significant antioxidant activity through inhibiting DPPH and H2O2 free radicals. Anti-inflammatory activity, evaluated using a bovine serum albumin (BSA) denaturation assay, demonstrated concentration-dependent inhibition of protein denaturation. In addition, GC-ZnONPs showed pronounced antibacterial activity against several pathogenic bacterial strains. Cytotoxicity assessment using the MTT assay revealed strong anticancer activity against AGS gastric cancer cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 53.16 µg/mL. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis demonstrated strong binding interactions between 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, a bioactive compound isolated from G. corticata and key gastric cancer-associated proteins, including KRAS, PIK3CA, SMAD4, TP53 and CDH1, suggesting a potential multi-target therapeutic mechanism. Collectively, these findings indicate that GC-ZnONPs exhibit multifunctional biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer properties. Overall, the results highlight the promise of green nanomedicine for the development of environmentally sustainable, marine-derived nanotherapeutics for gastric cancer treatment.
Verbascum yurtkuranianum is a locally endemic species distributed in Ericek province of Gürsu District of Bursa Province. In research, the element contents and soil properties of soil samples from 5 different locations where the V. yurtkuranianum taxon naturally spread were analyzed and they were correlated with the number of individuals in the locations. The soil properties in locations were determined to be clayey, low-medium calcareous, and moderately rich in organic matter. In this study dated 2023, it was determined that the total number of individuals with flowers or rosette leaves in 5 populations of V. yurtkuranianum naturally spread in Ericek location was 235, 216 of them had rosette leaves and 19 of them had flowers. The highest number of individuals with rosette leaves was found in location V, and the highest number of individuals with flowers was found in location I. At the same time, it was observed that the total number of individuals was highest in the region between the road and the shore of the pond located on the southeastern shore of Ericek province, which is the location V. considering that V. yurtkuranianum, a locally endemic species, is at risk due to human activities, we believe that the results obtained will provide important findings for the conservation studies of the species.
Verbascum yurtkuranianum (Schrophulariaceae) has been identified in the Ericek Neighborhood area of Bursa Province and requires very different ecological and physiological conditions. This study determined the elemental content of the aerial parts and root organs of the locally endemic Gök Sığırkuyruğu (V. yurtkuranianum) plant. The average macro nutrient contents obtained from the aerial parts of the locally endemic plant were found to be: nitrogen (N) 33.4 g kg-1, phosphorus (P) 04.79 g kg-1, potassium (K) 48.1 g kg-1, calcium (Ca) 06.79 g kg-1 and magnesium (Mg) 06.07 g kg-1. The micro nutrient contents were determined as and sodium (Na) 1350 mg kg-1. iron (Fe) 107.2 mg kg⁻¹, copper (Cu) 4.75 mg kg⁻¹, manganese (Mn) 11.66 mg kg⁻¹, zinc (Zn) 58.7 mg kg⁻¹, and boron (B) 22.9 mg kg⁻¹. The average macro nutrient contents obtained from the root part were found to be: N 33.3 g kg-1, P 07.37 g kg-1, K 47.9 g kg-1, Ca 04.29 g kg-1, Mg 04.80 g kg-1, Na 00.69 g kg-1. The micro nutrient contents were calculated as Fe 450.8 mg kg⁻¹, Cu 13.97 mg kg⁻¹, Mn 11.42 mg kg⁻¹, Zn 128.1 mg kg⁻¹, and B 16.1 mg kg⁻¹.
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has been criticized on the grounds that its approach to religious symbols is shaped not by fundamental rights and freedoms, but by subjective biases. Despite being bound by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and universal legal norms, it has been observed that in cases involving Islam, the ECtHR invokes abstract and culturally loaded concepts such as “European cultural heritage,” “shared past and future vision,” “active and passive object,” and “fragility.” As a result of this selective approach, religious symbols associated with Islam have been disproportionately restricted and a biased attitude has been exhibited by the Court. The analysis of relevant cases reveals a departure from the principle of proportionality in ECtHR judgments, along with a weakening of the principles of justice and impartiality. Through these controversial rulings, it is concluded that an approach potentially associated with Islamophobia has been adopted, and that the Court has been transformed into an institution shaped by cultural and societal prejudices, drifting away from universal legal standards.
