The structures of crystalline layers from six Bacteroides strains were studied by electron microscopy. Two different hexagonal crystalline surface layers were found, one with a unit cell spacing of 21.5 nm and another with a spacing of 7.7 nm. A three-dimensional structure of the 21.5-nm layer and a two-dimensional projection of the 7.7-nm layer were determined to 3.0- and 3.8-nm resolution, re...

Full-length cDNA of the gene checkpoint homolog 1 (Chk1) was cloned from Daphnia carinata and designated DcarChk1. DcarChk1 cDNA was 1817 bp in length and encoded a 497-amino acid polypeptide. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that DcarChk1 was most closely related to Chk1 of Daphnia pulex, followed by homologous genes of insects. Expression of DcarChk1 was higher in adult Daphnia than in larvae, ...

BACKGROUND Wound healing is often impaired in diabetic animals and humans. Matrix metalloproteases act as pro-inflammatory agents in physiological wound healing pathways by stimulating cytokines including the interleukins, IL6, IL1A and IL1B, and the tumor necrosis factor and transforming growth factor beta1. Botanicals are traditionally used to assist healing of different types of wounds, beca...

BACKGROUND This paper presents the first quantitative ethnobotanical study of the flora in Toli Peer National Park of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Being a remote area, there is a strong dependence by local people on ethnobotanical practices. Thus, we attempted to record the folk uses of the native plants of the area with a view to acknowledging and documenting the ethnobotanical knowledge....

This work describes the phytochemical analysis and analgesic activity of a non polar fraction obtained from Adiantum cuneatum grown in Brazil. The results showed that the hexane fraction as well as two pure compounds, identified as filicene (1) and filicenal (2), given intraperitoneally, exhibited potent analgesic activity when evaluated in two models of pain in mice, writhing test and formalin...

With more than 200 species, the maidenhair fern genus Adiantum is among the top ten most diverse fern genera. Adiantum is pantropical in distribution and, due to the presence of a unique synapomorphy (sporangia borne on indusia rather than laminae), perhaps the most easily recognized fern genus. Many of its members, including numerous cultivars derived from A. raddianum, are grown as ornamental...

Objective: Asthma is an increasing chronic respiratory disease affecting over 300 million people worldwide. Several studies have shown that herbal remedies may improve asthma control and reduce asthma symptoms. In this study, the effects of short-course administration of an herbal mixture (ASMATUSTM) in asthmatic children during viral respiratory tract infection, were evaluated. Materials and M...

We have investigated how edge effects influence the fern community of Jaguarão Forest (08º 35' 49" S and 35º 15' 39" W), located in the district of Rio Formoso, Pernambuco, Brazil. A comparative analysis was made of the interior and edge of the fragment of forest, regarding the richness, abundance and diversity of ferns in the two areas. Six plots of 10 × 20 m were chosen, three in each area. A...

Background: The oxidant-antioxidants balance in the living organism is constantly challenged by internal and external pressures. Maidenhair or Adiantum capillus-veneris (Acv) is rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant effects.  Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the effect of Acv hydroalcoholic extract on the oxidative stress rate of blood and brain of mice in the depres...