BACKGROUND A fundamental step in evolution was the transition from unicellular to differentiated, multicellular organisms. Volvocine algae have been used for several decades as a model lineage to investigate the evolutionary aspects of multicellularity and cellular differentiation. There are two well-studied volvocine species, a unicellular alga (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii) and a multicellular a...

BACKGROUND Green algae of the family Volvocaceae are a model lineage for studying the molecular evolution of multicellularity and cellular differentiation. The volvocine alga Gonium is intermediate in organizational complexity between its unicellular relative, Chlamydomonas, and its multicellular relatives with differentiated cell types, such as Volvox. Gonium pectorale consists of approximatel...

A protocol for micropropagation of Boswellia ovalifoliolata Bal & Henry (Burseraceae) was developed using cotyledonary nodal explant on Murashige and Skoog modified medium (MS). A comparative study of micropropagation with 6-benzyladenine, kinetin and thidiazuron along with 1-naphthalene acetic acid (0.054 microM) was conducted. The highest shoot multiplication (7.1 +/- 0.2 shoots per node) was...

There is cumulative resistance against antibiotics of many bacteria. Therefore, the development of new antiseptics and antimicrobial agents for the treatment of skin infections is of increasing interest. We have screened six plant extracts and isolated compounds for antimicrobial effects on bacteria and yeasts with dermatological relevance. The following plant extracts have been tested: Gentian...

BACKGROUND Previous studies have suggested an increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of our study was to evaluate the use of CAM in German patients with IBD. METHODS A questionnaire was offered to IBD patients participating in patient workshops which were organized by a self-help association, the German Crohn's...

Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of physical disability and impaired quality of life. Current medical treatments to manage the condition remain symptomatic, designed to control pain and improve function and quality of life. Given the efficacy, safety and tolerability issues associated with NSAIDs, development of new agents to manage OA without adverse events remains a priorit...

A formulation containing Curcuma longa and Boswellia serrata extracts (CB formulation) was evaluated for safety and efficacy in osteoarthritic patients and directly compared with the selective COX-2 inhibitor, celecoxib. In total, 54 subjects were screened, 30 subjects were enrolled and 28 completed the study. The treatment was well tolerated and did not produce any adverse effect in patients, ...

In Volvox carteri development, visibly asymmetric cleavage divisions set apart large embryonic cells that will become asexual reproductive cells (gonidia) from smaller cells that will produce terminally differentiated somatic cells. Three mechanisms have been proposed to explain how asymmetric division leads to cell specification in Volvox: (a) by a direct effect of cell size (or a property der...