We report the draft genome sequence of arsenite-oxidizing Halomonas sp. strain HAL1, isolated from the soil of a gold mine. Genes encoding proteins involved in arsenic resistance and transformation, phosphate utilization and uptake, and betaine biosynthesis were identified. Their identification might help in understanding how arsenic and phosphate metabolism are intertwined.

The following four species Physcomitrium pyriforme (Funariaceae), Bryum alpinum, Pohlia elongata (Bryaceae) and Fabronia pusilla (Fabroniaceae), are reported for the first time from Iran. The specimens were collected from Makhmal-kuh mountain (situated in north of Khorram-abad, Lorestan province). The voucher specimens are preserved in the Az-Zahra University herbarium, Tehran, Iran.   

The draft genome sequence of Halomonas sp. KHS3, isolated from seawater from Mar del Plata harbor, is reported. This strain is able to grow using aromatic compounds as a carbon source and shows strong chemotactic response toward these substrates. Genes involved in motility, chemotaxis, and degradation of aromatic hydrocarbons were identified.

Halomonas strain GFAJ-1 was reported in Science magazine to be a remarkable microbe for which there was "arsenate in macromolecules that normally contain phosphate, most notably nucleic acids." The draft genome of the bacterium was determined (NCBI accession numbers AHBC01000001 through AHBC01000103). It appears to be a typical gamma proteobacterium.

A new species, Mygdonia milivoji sp. nov. (Coreidae: Coreinae: Mictini) from south-west Madagascar is described, illustrated and compared with widely distributed M. elongata Distant, 1879. A key to Mygdonia species based on females is given and distribution of both Madagascan species is briefly discussed.

The possible use of Lactobacillus brevis IBRC-M10790 with degrading phytase activity was investigated in sourdough and Barbari bread –using 20 and 30% of sourdough in the formulation- in order to enhance the nutritional bioavailability, and the efficiency of the bacteria in decreasing phytate via using in sourdough was compared to yeast. Results showed that L. brevis ...

Secondary metabolites of the marine sponges Acanthella elongata, Axinella donnani, Callyspongia diffusa, Callyspongia subarmigera, and Echinodictyum gorgonoides were collected from fishing nets and their in vitro antibacterial properties against eight virulent marine fish pathogens were studied at incubation temperatures of 20°C and 30°C. Crude methanol extracts of the tested sponges showed spe...

New species of ciliates belong to genus Metaradiophrya was recorded from intestine of Pheretima elongata, collected from Aurangabad district (M.S.). In the present study, morphological characteristics of this ciliate and its similarities and differences were discussed compared with other species of this genus.

After preliminary screening, Mortierella alpina and Mortierella elongata were compared with respect to arachidonic acid content. M. alpina ATCC 16266 produced 2.1 g of arachidonic acid per liter in media containing 10% glucose while the highest percentage of arachidonic acid in lipid (43.3%) was observed at a glucose concentration of 2%. Arachidonic acid content in lipids increased to 66% durin...