Terpenoids, also known as isoprenoids, are a large class of natural products consisting of isoprene (C5) units. There are two biosynthetic pathways, the mevalonate pathway [MD:M00095] and the non-mevalonate pathway or the MEP/DOXP pathway [MD:M00096], for the terpenoid building blocks: isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP). The action of prenyltransferases then generates higher-order building blocks: geranyl diphosphate (GPP), farsenyl diphosphate (FPP), and geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP), which are the precursors of monoterpenoids (C10), sesquiterpenoids (C15), and diterpenoids (C20), respectively. Condensation of these building blocks gives rise to the precursors of sterols (C30) and carotenoids (C40). The MEP/DOXP pathway is absent in higher animals and fungi, but in green plants the MEP/DOXP and mevalonate pathways co-exist in separate cellular compartments. The MEP/DOXP pathway, operating in the plastids, is responsible for the formation of essential oil ...

The idealism of the 60s gives way to cynicism as the United States pulls out of Vietnam; the White House conspires to silence John Lennon; the Rolling Stones release

Helicobacter spp. are helical or curved, gram-negative bacteria. For culture, they need especially enriched culture media. The Helicobacter genus comprises at least 35 species. Some Helicobacter species colonise the gastric mucosa, while others colonise the intestine and liver of humans or animals. In humans, Helicobacter pylori is correlated with gastritis and stomach ulcers, but it is not normally relevant in animals. It is an anthroponotic disease - in other words, an infection of an animal with a human pathogen. Pathogenicity of Helicobacter spp. in animals has not yet completely been clarified. Helicobacter mustelae was detected in ferrets with gastritis and stomach ulcers, Helicobacter heilmanii was found in pigs with stomach ulcers. They also seem to be associated with gastritis, vomiting and inappetence in dogs and cats. Prevalence is very high, both in healthy as well as in infected animals. Hence, an infection does not always lead to the outbreak of the disease. It is likely that the ...

Journal of Wildlife Diseases publishes work on infectious, parasitic, toxic, nutritional, physiologic, and neoplastic diseases impacting wild animals.