High cell density reactor for the production ofLactobacillus plantarum

Summary The production of a flocculent strain ofLactobacillus plantarum was performed in a high cell density reactor: a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) with a settler and an external cell recirculation. Two variables were assessed, the recirculation rate (R) and the dilution rate (D). The effect of the latter is much more important than the effect of the former in ensuring a quick start up in the flocculation process. The cell volumetric productivities obtained with this system increase directly with dilution rate and recirculation rate. The values of cell volumetric productivities obtained are considerably higher than those obtained in continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) and much higher than in batch reactors.     

Conservation of pBuM–2 satellite DNA sequences among geographically isolated Drosophila gouveai populations from Brazil

In this study, we have compared 34 repetition units of pBuM-2 satellite DNA of individuals from six isolated populations of Drosophila gouveai, a cactophilic member of Drosophila buzzatii cluster (repleta group). In contrast to the results of previous morphological and molecular data, which suggest differentiation among the D. gouveai populations, the sequences and the cluster analysis of pBuM-2 monomers showed that this repetitive element is highly conserved among the six D. gouveai populations (97.8% similarity), indicating a slow rate of evolution of pBuM-2 sequences at the population level. Probably, some homogenization mechanisms of tandem sequences, such as unequal crossing or gene conversion, have maintained the sequence similarity of pBuM-2 among D. gouveai populations. Alternatively, such a result may be associated with a functional role of pBuM-2 sequences, although it is not understood at present.     

Diversity of tiger moths in a Neotropical hotspot: determinants of species composition and identification of biogeographic units

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a Biodiversity Hotspot, yet many biological groups in this biome are poorly known. We compiled information on the diversity of Atlantic Forest tiger moths (Arctiidae) and assessed the resemblance among localities, whether arctiid assemblages are concordant with major vegetation types, and the importance of environmental factors in structuring the variation among assemblages. Additionally, we developed a procedure composed of subsampling and procrustean analysis to assess the robustness of the results from community composition ordinations when localities differ in species richness. To do this, we built a database from specimens deposited in the ten most important Brazilian entomological collections, and mapped species richness in one-degree latitude/longitude grid cells. We employed Principal Coordinates Analysis to assess similarities among the best-sampled localities. We obtained 8,667 records including 1,193 species, representing 60 and 20% of the estimated Brazilian and Neotropical faunas, respectively. Our subsampling procedure indicated that the ordination was not greatly affected by differences in species richness, and was congruent with major vegetation types. Lowland localities on the seacoast were quite distinct in species composition. A second group included localities in montane areas in the southeast part of the biome. The last group included localities in the southern region and those with Araucaria forests, and was associated with long distances from the ocean, even distribution of precipitation throughout the year, and large annual temperature ranges.     

中国黑龙江水系茴鱼属一新纪录种(鲑形目,茴鱼科)

2006年10～11月,在黑龙江水系(中国境内)的乌苏里江、呼玛河、额木尔河等河流采集到茴鱼属鱼类标本,经鉴定为中国1新纪录种--下游黑龙江茴鱼Thymallus tugarinae.下游黑龙江茴鱼体色鲜艳,背部无或具少量黑色斑点,体侧具鲜艳橙色条纹,明显区别于属内其它物种.与同分布于黑龙江水系的黑龙江茴鱼T.grubii相比,两者在以下性状上存在明显区别:1)新纪录种体侧背部无或仅具少数黑色斑点,后者体侧具有大量黑色斑点;2)新纪录种背鳍鳍条数为23～26,后者为19～22;3)新纪录种体侧具多行间断开的鲜艳橙色条纹,后者无;4)新纪录种背鳍边缘红色带纹宽阔,后者狭窄;5)分布区不同,新纪录种仅分布于黑龙江中下游,后者仅分布于黑龙江中上游.     

Molecular Identification of Candida Species in the Oral Microbiota of Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Case–Control Study

Mycopathologia - Candida species are common in the human oral microbiota and may cause oral candidiasis (OC) when the microbiota equilibrium is disturbed. Immunosuppressed individuals are...