We developed a fast and simple protocol for accurate quantification of small freshwater ciliates by flow cytometry (FCM). The ciliates were stained with several nucleic acid stains such as TO-PRO-1, YO-YO-1 and PicoGreen, and analysed by a commercially available flow cytometer. The method was tested with cultures of the prostomatid species Urotricha farcta and Balanion planctonicum, including t...

We investigated the effect of pH on growth, cell volume, and production of the freshwater ciliates Urotricha farcta, U. furcata, and U. castalia in laboratory cultures with Cryptomonas sp. as food. Overall, pH had a significant, species-specific effect on all parameters investigated. The food alga, Cryptomonas sp., showed a wide pH tolerance, with positive growth rates between pH 4.4 and pH 9.6...

Herbal supplements are not governed by the same regulations as prescription drugs, we hypothesize that the content of their active ingredients may vary largely among different manufacturers. This may produce variable therapeutic outcomes. This study aims to examine this hypothesis on commonly used herbal supplements among cancer patients. CYP1A2 has been implicated in the activation of many car...