Biographical reflection and readiness to master age-related changes at a senior age

The article presents the results of an empirical study of psychological readiness to master age.related changes and biographical reflection in the elderly in the context of professional employment. A comparison of the level of biographical reflection and readiness for age.related changes in working and non.working pensioners was carried out, and the nature of the relationship between these phenomena was described.This study was funded by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research Grant № 19‑013‑00431

Behavioural observations of reintroduced Takhi or Przewalski horses (Equus ferus przewalskii) in Mongolia

During 1992 and 1993, 14 reintroduced Przewalski Horses or Takhi (Equus ferus przewalskii) were studied in the Hustain Nuruu Mountain Steppe reserve in Mongolia. Most of the individuals did not know each other before reintroduction. These Takhi were the first of five groups due to be released in the reserve after an acclimatisation period of at least 1 year. During acclimatisation the Takhi, lived visually and acoustically separately, in fenced enclosures of approximately 45 ha each. The observations, mostly scan-sampling, were carried out in each season. The observation bouts were divided over six periods and over two harem herds. Two of the periods were in the Same consecutive seasons, so comparison over the years was possible. Social integration within the Takhi herds was very high from the beginning, as described by the spatial relation and synchronisation data. Between 50 and 89% of the observation time, the behaviour of all herd members was synchronised, The amount of time spent grazing by the Takhi (30-68% of the daylight period) was similar to that of feral horses and Takhi in captivity and semi-reserves. The Takhi tended to rest in the morning and have a bimodal period of grazing at dawn and in the afternoon. The Takhi displayed clear habitat preferences for certain activities, They had a strong preference to rest at the highest point in their enclosure. They fed preferably on two or three different vegetation types (with five types available in each enclosure), The amount of time spent grazing during the non-growing seasons (49 +/- 15%) indicates that the feeding value and availability of food were sufficient. Health changes were detected adequately using condition scoring sheets. No supplementary food or water was supplied during the harsh winters. Moreover, low mortality rates and high reproductive success show that the mountain steppe is a habitat which is potentially suitable for establishing a healthy Takhi population. Takhi is the first species to return to its native habitat after living only in toes for so many generations

Diversity of bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria isolated from Mediterranean fish viscera

International audienceNine lactic acid bacteria strains showing bacteriocin-like activity were isolated from various fresh fish viscera. The following species were identified based on 16S rDNA sequences: Enterococcus durans (7 isolates), Lactococcus lactis (1) and Enterococcus faecium (1). These strains were active against Listeria innocua and other LAB. Random amplified polymorphic DNA analyses showed four major patterns for the E. durans species. PCR analyses revealed a nisin gene in the genome of the Lc. lactis strain. Genes coding enterocins A, B and P were found in the genome of the E. faecium isolate. Enterocins A and B genes were also present in the genome of E. durans GM19. Hence, this is the first report describing E. durans strains producing enterocins A and B. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed that the purified bacteriocin produced by the E. durans GMT18 strain had an exact molecular mass of 6,316.89 Da. This bacteriocin was designated as durancin GMT18. Edman sequencing failed to proceed; suggesting that durancin GTM18 may contain terminal lanthionine residues. Overall, the results obtained revealed the presence of a variety of enterococci in Mediterranean fish viscera, as evidenced by their genetic profiles and abilities to produce different bacteriocins. These strains could be useful for food biopreservation or as probiotics

Leuconostoc mesenteroides SJRP55: A Bacteriocinogenic Strain Isolated from Brazilian Water Buffalo Mozzarella Cheese

The production of bacteriocins by Leuconostoc mesenteroides represents an important opportunity for exploration of their potential use for industrial purpose. The antimicrobial compounds produced by L. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP55 strain were characterized and purified. Cell-free supernatant of Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP55 produced antibacterial compounds against Listeria spp. strains and not inhibiting against Lactobacillus spp. The antimicrobial substances were stable at high temperatures (100 C for 2 h and 121 C for 20 min) and low pH (pH 2–4) values, but sensitive to proteolytic enzymes and resistant to aamylase, lipase and catalase enzymes. The optimal temperature for active peptides production was 25 C. The antimicrobial compounds were purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity column and reverse-phase chromatography. Mass spectrometry and amino acids analyses showed that the bacteriocins were identical to mesentericin Y105 and B105. The producer strain’s DNA analysis revealed presence of open reading frames possibly coding for virulence factors, such as enterococcal surface protein (esp), collagen adhesion (ace) and intrinsic vancomycin resistance (vanA); however, biogenic amines encoding genes were not observed. Leuc. mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides SJRP55 is a promising biopreservative culture in fermented milk, and the purified bacteriocins can also be applied in food preservation.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Departamento de Engenharia e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas de São José do Rio Preto, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, R. Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, Jardim Nazareth, CEP 15054-000, SP, BrasilUniversidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, Departamento de Engenharia e Tecnologia de Alimentos, Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas de São José do Rio PretoFAPESP: 2010/09302-1FAPESP: 2011/11922-