On the origin of eukaryotic cells and their endomembranes.

A novel hypothesis for the origin of eukaryotic cells is presented. It is assumed that the universal ancestor was bounded by two membranes of heterochiral lipid composition. We propose that the prokaryotic cells (the hypothetical host entity for alpha proteic-bacteria), though sharing a common ancestor with Archaea, was bounded by two membranes.

Combination treatment of rat adjuvant-induced arthritis with methotrexate, probiotic bacteria Enterococcus faecium, and selenium.

The effects of the probiotic bacteria Enterococcus faecium (EF) and selenium were studied on methotrexate (MTX) treatment in rats with adjuvant arthritis. Arthritic rats were treated orally with the following substances: lyophilized EF (15 mg/kg/day, 5 days a week), sodium selenite pentahydrate (SSe; 0.050 mg/kg containing 0.