Energy transduction mechanisms in living organisms, such as photosynthesis and respiration, store light and chemical energy in the form of an electrochemical gradient formed across a lipid bilayer. In this work we show that the proton concentration in an electrode/phospholipid bilayer interface can be controlled and monitorised electrochemically by immobilizing a membrane-bound hydrogenase. Thu...

updated) Introduction: Infections associated with intravascular devices represent 10 to 20% of all nosocomial infections and are mostly caused by microorganisms belonging to the skin flora. Antiseptic agents are used to disinfect the skin prior to catheter insertion, to reduce the risk of device colonization by the skin microorganisms. Nevertheless, the skin flora will rebound over time and wil...

The effect of body warming and cooling on the heart and breathing rates has been studied in the agamid lizard Uromastyx microlipes. Electrocardiograph (ECG) of Uromastyx microlipes consists of P, QRS, and T components similar to those in mammals. Heart rate increases with body temperature. During warming the heart rate ranged from 7-134 beat/min, while during cooling ranged from 2-73 beat/min. ...

Antibiotics are metabolic by-products of complex biosynthetic pathways in microorganisms. They are usually produced by aerobic spore-forming bacteria in the genera Bacillus and Streptomyces and in the Fungi Penicillium and Cephalosporium. Antimicrobials such as bacteriocins are inhibitory peptides or proteins, which have bactericidal effects on micro-organisms closely related to the producer. T...

This study describes the first isolation of Staphylococcus epidermidis from gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata), reared in the southwest of Turkey. During the spring of 2003 (April-May), the infection appeared in juvenile gilthead sea bream (3-5 g) in a net cage. The outbreak occurred after a sudden increase of water temperature in the middle of April. The fish losses were up to 12 % in one day....

Low copy number (LCN) DNA evidence (≤100pg) can become difficult to analyze with traditional STR analysis due to allele drop-out and increased stochastic effects. To overcome these limitations, whole genome amplification (WGA) has been investigated. Degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR (DOP-PCR), one form of WGA, uses a partially degenerate primer and a low annealing temperature (30oC) to gene...

This study reports the isolation of microorganisms that are resistant to environment containing limonene, the most important residue in the citrus industry. For the isolation, samples collected from strategic places of a citrus processing plant (yellow water, entrance and exit of the bagasse tank, effluent and deteriorated fruits found in bins, machine straps, fruit washers and plant floor), so...

Strawberry anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum acutatum J. H. Simmonds, is one of the most serious diseases in commercial strawberry production. Even in well-managed fields, losses due to the fruit-rotting phase can exceed 50% when conditions favor disease development (10). Historically, the disease has been thought of as a “southern” disease (16), occurring primarily in the warmer production...

citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in iran. among the citriculture areas of iran, mazandaran province has the highest acreage (about 100,000 ha), production and number of varieties nationwide. unauthorized importation of citrus species and cultivars and propagation by growers and nurserymen have led to perpetuation and spread of virus, viroid and other graft-transmissible pathogens...