Revision of the deep-sea Eulimidae (Gastropoda, Caenogastropoda) from off Northeast Brazil.

The present study reviews the taxonomy of the marine gastropods belonging to the family Eulimidae Philippi, 1853 from the continental slope off Northeast Brazil. The genera Abyssoaclis Barros, Mello, Barros, Lima, Santos, Cabral Padovan, 2003 and Aclis Lovén, 1846 were not treated here. A total of 20 taxa were identified in this region, excluding Eulima hebes Watson, 1883, a species with a doubtful classification in Eulimidae. The species were assigned to the following genera: Costaclis Bartsch, 1947, Eulima Risso, 1826, Fusceulima Laseron, 1955, Melanella Bowdich, 1822, Ophieulima Warén Sibuet, 1981, Sticteulima Laseron, 1955, Thaleia Warén, 1979, and Umbilibalcis Bouchet Warén, 1986. The genera Sticteulima, Ophieulima and Umbilibalcis are reported for the first time in the southwestern Atlantic. Four species represent new records for the southwestern Atlantic. A redescription of the shell morphology is provided for: Costaclis egregia (Dall, 1889b), Melanella doederleini (Brusina, 1886), and Umbilibalcis lata (Dall, 1889b). Additional information to the original description are reported for other species. Melanella sarissa is considered as a synonym of Melanella cinca Dall, 1927. Six new species are described: Eulima cracentis sp. nov., Melanella paraabida sp. nov., M. adiastalta sp. nov., M. anapetes sp. nov., Sticteulima cabrali sp. nov. and S. canopusensis sp. nov. Lectotypes are designated for: Costaclis hyalina, C. egregia, Eulima ephamilla (Watson, 1883), E. psila and E. (?) hebes. Eulima sp. 1, Melanella sp. 1 and Melanella sp. 2 are potential new species, but the scarcity of material precludes a formal description at this moment.

Assessment of labile plasma iron in patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Body iron disorders have been reported after myeloablative conditioning in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). There is a concern that labile plasma iron (LPI), the redox-active form of iron, can be involved in the occurrence of toxicity and other complications commonly observed in the early post-HSCT period. In order to better understand the LPI kinetics and its determinants and implications, we undertook sequential LPI determinations before and after conditioning until engraftment in 25 auto-HSCT patients. Increased LPI was present in only 5 patients before starting conditioning. Shortly after conditioning, LPI levels were increased in 23 patients, with peak at day 0, returning to normal range upon engraftment in 21 patients. Overall, LPI levels correlated weakly with serum ferritin and more strongly with transferrin saturation; however, both parameters were apparently not applicable as surrogate markers for increased LPI. Although this was a small cohort, logistic regression suggested that baseline LPI levels could predict occurrence of grade III or IV toxicity. In conclusion, LPI kinetics is influenced by aplasia following conditioning and engraftment. Measuring LPI before starting conditioning can offer an opportunity to predict toxicity and, perhaps, the need for chelation therapy.

The effect of stocking density on the growth of apple snails native Pomacea bridgesii and exotic Pomacea lineata (Mollusca, Gastropoda).

The demand for alternative food sources is currently in evidence in the world and, therefore, the culture of animal species considered not conventional makes this theme relevant and appropriate. In the present study, the species Pomacea lineata and Pomacea bridgesii, each with three stowage densities (0.5 [T1], 1 [T2], and 1.5 [T3] animal/L), were tested. They were analyzed regarding growth rate, weight gain, final biomass, feed conversion and percentage of survival. There was not any statistically significant difference between the different densities for both species. The final average weight in the three waterworks did not differ significantly in P. bridgesii. In P. lineata, T1 (22.3 ± 1.80g) was significantly higher than T2 and T3. On the other hand, the absolute gain of weight in P. lineata and P. bridgesii was significantly higher in T1 (21.9 ± 1.80g and 37.2 ± 6.34g) than in T2 and T3 respectively. In contrast, the gain of biomass of P. lineata and P. bridgesii was significantly higher in T3 (276.3 ± 33.16g and 431.4 ± 37.20g) than in T1 and T2, respectively. Based on the results obtained, all species studied presented potential for aquaculture, mainly P. bridgesii, distinguished for showing a better development even in waterworks with higher densities.