BarA of Streptomyces virginiae is a specific receptor protein for virginiae butanolide (VB), one of the gamma-butyrolactone autoregulators of the Streptomyces species, and acts as a transcriptional regulator controlling both virginiamycin production and VB biosynthesis. The downstream gene barB, the transcription of which is under the tight control of the VB-BarA system, was found to be transcr...

We investigated how exogenous and endogenous glucocorticoids affect feather replacement in European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) after approximately 56% of flight feathers were removed. We hypothesized that corticosterone would retard feather regrowth and decrease feather quality. After feather regrowth began, birds were treated with exogenous corticosterone or sham implants, or endogenous cort...

Karstand cave-systems are complex, 3-dimensional phenomena. Mapping and visualizing them represents a challenge to cartographers, morphologists and computer-graphics-specialists. Surveying and sketching of cave-maps as well as the construction of 3D-cave-models (incl. geology) are important parts of cave exploration and research. Besides supporting the efforts of speleologists, cave maps and 3D...

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein requirement for lemon fin barb hybrid fingerlings. Triplicate groups of fish (1.00 ± 0.05 g) were fed twice a day until apparent satiation with five isocaloric (16 kJ/g) diets containing varying protein level ranging from 20 to 40% for 60 days. Survival was not affected by the dietary protein level. The weight gain and specific g...

This study was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein requirement for lemon fin barb hybrid fingerlings. Triplicate groups of fish (1.00 ± 0.05 g) were fed twice a day until apparent satiation with five isocaloric (16 kJ/g) diets containing varying protein level ranging from 20 to 40% for 60 days. Survival was not affected by the dietary protein level. The weight gain and specific g...

We describe a case of acute vertebral osteomyelitis with associated prevertebral abscess due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in an immunocompetent adult with recent known traumatic inoculation from the barb of a fish.

Conventional wisdom among cave divers is that submerged caves in aquifers, such as in Florida or the Yucatan, are unstable due to their ever-growing size from limestone dissolution in water. Cave divers occasionally noted partial cave collapses occurring while they were in the cave, attributing this to their unintentional (and frowned upon) physical contact with the cave walls or the aforementi...