Lateral gene transfer (LGT) between bacteria constitutes a strong force in prokaryote evolution, transforming the hierarchical tree of life into a network of relationships between species. In contrast, only a few cases of LGT from eukaryotes to prokaryotes have been reported so far. The distal animal intestine is predominantly a bacterial ecosystem, supplying the host with energy from dietary p...

14–30% of the subjects (Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, and the Bacteroides fragilis group). Fallani compared neonatal fecal samples from Sweden, Scotland, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Bifidobacterium genus was predominant (40% average proportion of total detectable bacteria), followed by Bacteroides (11.4%) and Enterobacteria (7.5%; Fallani et al., 2010). Differences in colonization pattern can b...

In the last 3 decades, there has been a growing appreciation for the role of gut bacteria in gastrointestinal disease. Although inflammatory bowel disease and peptic ulcer disease have established a role for gut bacteria for more than 20 years, there is now increasing evidence that intestinal bacteria may play a role in irritable bowel syndrome as well. In this review, the current evidence for ...

Interaction potentials between soil microarthropods and microorganisms were investigated with Folsomia candida (Insecta, Collembola) in microcosm laboratory experiments. Microscopic analysis revealed that the volumes of the simple, rod-shaped guts of adult specimens varied with their feeding activity, from 0.7 to 11.2 nl. A dense layer of bacterial cells, associated with the peritrophic membran...

gut microbiota is formed by ten of trillions of microorganisms with at least 1000 different species of known bacteria. one - third of an individual gut microbiota is common to most people, while two - thirds are specific to him. growing amount of evidence indicates that gut microbiota characteristics may play an important role in mental dysfunctions. molecular mimicry between several key neurop...

The Gram-negative intestinal microbiota of Hypostomus auroguttatus and Pimelodus maculatus, a detritivorous and an omnivorous fish species, respectively, were compared between fishes from the reservoir and the stretch of the river below the dam of the Funil hydroelectric plant, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Four selective culture media were used under aerobic and two under anaerobic conditions. The o...

It is now widely understood that all animals engage in complex interactions with bacteria (or microbes) throughout their various life stages. This ancient exchange can involve cooperation and has resulted in a wide range of evolved host-microbial interdependencies, including those observed in the gut. Ciona intestinalis, a filter-feeding basal chordate and classic developmental model that can b...

Oral delivery is the most common and preferred route of drug administration although the digestive tract exhibits several obstacles to drug delivery including motility and intraluminal pH profiles. The gut milieu represents the largest mucosal surface exposed to microorganisms with 10(10-12) colony forming bacteria/g of colonic content. Approximately, one third of fecal dry matter is made of ba...

Protochordate variable region-containing chitin-binding proteins (VCBPs) consist of immunoglobulin-type V domains and a chitin-binding domain (CBD). VCBP V domains facilitate phagocytosis of bacteria by granulocytic amoebocytes; the function of the CBD is not understood. Here we show that the gut mucosa of Ciona intestinalis contains an extensive matrix of chitin fibrils to which VCBPs bind ear...

The draft genome of Citrobacter sp. CtB7.12, isolated from termite gut, is presented here. This organism has been reported as a cellulolytic bacterium, which is biotechnologically important because it can be used as a gene donor for the ethanol and biofuel industries.