Seven pure-culture strains of fungi cultivated by attine ants (ant-garden fungi) were isolated from locally maintained leaf-cutting ant colonies. An ant-garden fungus strain obtained from an Atta cephalotes colony, when offered to ants of the colony from which the fungus was isolated, was accepted as their own. Young fungus cultures were harvested and incorporated into the fungus garden, and cu...

The antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of essential oils (orange oil, eucalyptus oil, fennel oil, geranium oil, juniper oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, purified turpentine oil, thyme oil, Australian tea tree oil) and of menthol, the main component of peppermint oil, were investigated. The antimicrobial activities were determined on the Gram (+) Staphylococcus epidermidis and the Gram (...

Plant oils have been utilized for a variety of purposes throughout history, with their integration into foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. They are now being increasingly recognized for their effects on both skin diseases and the restoration of cutaneous homeostasis. This article briefly reviews the available data on biological influences of topical skin applications of some plant o...

Given that the protein coding sequence of the mammalian genome takes u p only ab out a percent of t he t otal g enomic s equence, t he mammalian genome holds g reat pot ential for ha rboring num erous no n-coding R NAs (ncRNAs). In addition, the recent ENCODE project has revealed that most o f the h uman g enome i s t ranscribed. Many nc RNAs ha ve a pr ofound s econdary structure w hich is e s...

P I t a S i f n m BSTRACT t is the position of the American Dieetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, nd the American College of Sports edicine that physical activity, athetic performance, and recovery from xercise are enhanced by optimal utrition. These organizations recmmend appropriate selection of oods and fluids, timing of intake, nd supplement choices for optimal ealth and exercise perfo...

The central ne rvous system (CNS) consists of tw o major ce ll type s, neurones and glial ce lls. Neuronal communication w ith other neurone s or glial c ells is effected mainly through ne uro-transmitte rs and peptides, w hile glial ce lls appear to use an abundant range of factors for the communication w ith either ne urone s or other glial c ells. The communication betw een ne urone s can sp...