Induced spawning, larval development and rearing of two indigenous Malaysian mahseer, Tor tambroides and T. douronensis

The Mahseers (Tor spp.) are highly valued freshwater fishes across the Himalayan and South-east Asian regions. Over exploitation of natural stocks because of high demand and the deteriorating environmental conditions have resulted in marked decline of mahseers in the wild. Malaysian mahseers, T. tambroides (Bleeker) and T. douronensis (Valenciennes), locally known as empurau, kelah or belian and semah, respectively, have significant cultural and economic importance but both species are now threatened in the wild because of environmental degradation and over fishing. A captive breeding programme was instigated to attempt to propagate these two species artificially for conservation and aquaculture purposes. Both pond-reared and tank-held T. tambroides and T. douronensis reached sexual maturity in captivity and were successfully induced to spawn using hormone treatments. Ovaprim (0.5 mL kg⁻¹) was the most successful hormone treatment for both species. Pre-treatment of fish with Ovaplant (28–68 μg kg⁻¹, 2–7 weeks before spawning induction) greatly improved the success rate of spawning induction. Repeat spawning (within 4 months of initial spawning) was induced in some captive fish. Use of formalin baths improved hatching by preventing fungal infections. Embryonic development and hatching are described. Juveniles were reared in static greenwater ponds. Tor tambroides reached 142–179 g (max 270 g) in 60 weeks. These results represent the first successful captive spawning and rearing of both species. Options for future research to improve production are discussed.

Factors influencing skin colour in cultured Australian snapper Pagrus auratus

Sea cage production of Australian snapper has been largely constrained during the past decade by abnormal skin pigmentation which has negatively impacted marketability. The research described in this study identified dietary, environmental and harvesting techniques to successfully alter skin colour to potentially improve the viability of snapper aquaculture in Australia.

Antitropicality of Pacific fishes : molecular insights

Twenty-one molecular genetic studies of thirteen antitropical Pacific fishes are herein reviewed. High dispersal potentials and Plio-Pleistocene transequatorial divergence are suggested for approximately half of the taxa studied, consistent with movement across the tropics during glacial periods. Divergences within two fish groups were mid-Miocene in age, corresponding to a period suggested for vicariant isolation associated with equatorial warming, but high dispersal potentials complicate the interpretation of biogeographic history. Only one study suggested transequatorial divergence older than 20 million years. There is a greater proportion of Pleistocene transequatorial divergences in the East Pacific than the West Pacific, consistent with the suggestion that conditions in the East Pacific are more amenable to the formation of antitropical distributions. Multiple transequatorial divergences have been observed within at least two groups, and instances of cryptic speciation have been identified twice. Areas for future research concern taxa that differ from the majority studied to date with respect to latitudinal distribution, bathymetry, evolutionary age, and dispersal potential. Molecular characters have demonstrated utility for the study of antitropical fishes, but with limitations.

A comparison of trace element concentrations in cultured and wild carp (Cyprinus carpio) of Lake Kasumigaura, Japan

The concentrations of 13 elements were determined in the muscle, liver, intestine, kidney, and gonads of cultured and wild carp caught at two sites in Lake Kasumigaura, Japan, between September 1994 and September 1995. Despite having a reputation for being heavily polluted, the carp were not heavily burdened with metals. Our results suggest that despite their dietary differences, the wild and cultured fish were accumulating and distributing metals in the same manner and that aquaculture practices are not increasing metal concentrations in these fish. Metal concentrations were lowest in muscle, and did not exceed established quality standards for fish. The differences in metal concentrations between cultivated and wild carp are negligible and should pose no health problems for consumers of either type of fish.

Upregulation of glutathione-related genes and enzyme activities in cultured human cells by sublethgal concentrations of inorganic arsenic

Inorganic arsenic (jAs), a known human carcinogen, acts as a tumor promoter in part by inducing a rapid burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mammalian cells. This causes oxidative stress and a subsequent increase in the level of cellular glutathione (GSH). Glutathione, a ubiquitous reducing sulfhydryl tripeptide, is involved in ROS detoxification and its increase may be part of an adaptive response to the oxidative stress. Glutathione related enzymes including glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) also play key roles in these processes. In this study the regulatory effects of inorganic arsenite (As111) on the activities of GSH-related enzymes were investigated in cultured human keratinocytes. Substantial increases in GR enzyme activity and mRNA levels were shown in keratinocytes and other human cell lines after exposure to low, subtoxic, micromolar concentrations of As111 for 24 h. Upregulation of GSH synthesis paralleled the upregulation of GR as shown by increases in glutamatecysteine lyase (GeL) enzyme activity and mRNA levels, cystine uptake, and intracellular GSH levels. Glutathione S-transferase activity was also shown to increase slightly in keratinocytes, but not in fibroblasts or breast tumor cells. Overall the results show that sublethal arsenic induces a multicomponent response in human keratinocytes that involves upregulation of parts, but not all of the GSH system and counteracts the acute toxic effects of jAs. The upregulation of GR has not previously been shown to be an integral part of this response, although GR is critical for maintaining levels of reduced GSH.

Steroid 21-hydroxylase expression in cultured rat astrocytes

Over the past decade or so it has become widely recognised that the brain is a significant steroidogenic organ. Many publications have highlighted the ability of the brain to synthesise and interconvert a large number of steroid products including cholesterol, progesterone and testosterone. In this study, in vitro experiments were performed to determine if 21-hydroxylation of steroids is undertaken by rat brain astrocytes in culture. This is a common reaction that occurs in the adrenal gland and other organs in mammals, catalysing the conversion of pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (progesterone) to 21-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (deoxycorticosterone).

Previous reports have indicated that 21-hydroxylation occurs within the rat brain, however, the precise identity of the cells expressing 21-hydroxylase has not yet been determined. Several metabolites, such as 5α-pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (tetrahydroprogesterone) and 3α,21-dihydroxy-5-pregnan-20-one (tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone) were of particular interest because of their modulatory role in neuronal function, such as their agonist activity at γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA_A) receptors.

Evidence was obtained for the expression of peripheral 21-hydroxylase enzyme (P450c21) in cultured rat brain astrocytes by a combination of mass spectroscopy and molecular biology techniques. This is a significant finding as expression of 21-hydroxylase within astrocytes may be indicative of a wider role for these cells in modulating neuronal behaviour.

The role of human resource management (HRM) in Australian-Malaysian joint ventures

This article examines human resource management (HRM) for successful Australian-Malaysian joint ventures (JVs), on the basis of survey data and case studies. The findings suggest that each phase of JV development had its own pattern of HR practices. Three phases of development were distinguished - initiation, transitional, and maturational. The first phase involved selecting, recruiting and training a skilled workforce and formulating rudimentary human resource policies. Cultural differences were most marked in this phase. The second phase, after three years of operation, involved evolution of human resource policies better suited to local conditions, and more polycentric management staffing. The final phase, after six years of operation, saw the development of a distinctive human resources system, and the minimisation of cultural differences as an operational issue. In this phase there was also a move to more geocentric management staffing.

Fresh and cultured buccal cells as a source of mRNA and protein for molecular analysis

We developed a method for obtaining viable buccal cells from mouthwash samples for use as a source of mRNA and protein. Immunofluorescent analysis showed that most cells were derived from nonkeratinized parabasal epithelia, with a minor proportion of proliferative cells. Gene expression was detected in buccal cells using reverse transcription PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. Using a keratinocyte-specific medium, buccal cells could be cultured on Matrigel™-coated permeable filters for up to 2 weeks while maintaining the expression of some epithelial-specific markers, including cytokeratin 13, cytokeratin 10, transferrin receptor, and β-integrin. The basal marker cytokeratin 14 and Ki67, an indicator of cellular proliferation, were detected in a few cells. We show that buccal cells can be obtained from a noninvasive procedure for use as a source of material for biochemical analyses. A population of the buccal cells can be maintained in culture for up to 2 weeks using keratinocyte-specific medium in combination with extracellular matrix.

Heavy metal concentrations in wild and cultured blacklip abalone (haliotis rubra Leach) from southern Australian waters

The concentrations of 12 trace metals were assessed in wild and cultured specimens of blacklip abalone, Haliotis rubra, from each of two sites, Geelong and Port Fairy, in Victoria, Australia. Cadmium, copper, iron and zinc were quantified in the foot muscle of specimens from all four populations but the concentrations of aluminium, arsenic, beryllium, chromium, lead, manganese, nickel and vanadium were below the detection limits of the instrumental techniques employed. When similar sized specimens from each population were compared, the concentrations of each of the quantifiable metals varied according to location. The Geelong wild population had the highest or equal highest concentrations of each metal. Metal concentrations in the wild populations were usually greater than or equal to the concentrations in the corresponding cultured population. The concentrations of the regulated essential elements, copper and zinc, decreased with an increase in abalone length whereas the concentrations of iron, manganese and cadmium were independent of length. Metal concentrations in H. rubra from all sites complied with the Australian Food Code and other standards of food safety.

Synergistic antiproliferative action of the Flavonols Quercetin and Kaempferol in cultured human cancer cell lines

The consumption of vegetables containing the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol reduces the risk of cancer. We utilized human gut (HuTu-80 and Caco-2) and breast cancer cells (PMC42) to show the synergistic effect of quercetin and kaempferol in reducing cell proliferation. A trend in reduction of total cell counts was seen following a single exposure, a 4-day exposure or a 14-day exposure to quercetin and kaempferol. Combined treatments with quercetin and kaempferol were more effective than the additive effects of each flavonol. The reduction in cell proliferation was associated with decreased expression of nuclear proliferation antigen Ki67 and decreased total protein levels in treated cells relative to controls. In conclusion, the synergistic antiproliferative effect of quercetin and kaempferol demonstrated in cultured human cells has broad implications for understanding the influence of dietary nutrients in vivo, where anticancer effects may be a result of nutrients which act in concert.

A comparison of Australian and Malaysian views on the use of biometric devices in everyday situations

Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City, many countries including Australia and Malaysia have been able to justify the use biometric devices such as finger print scans, retina scans and facial recognition for identification and surveillance of its citizens and others in the name of national security. In addition, biometric devices are increasingly being used worldwide by organizations to keep track of their employees and their productivity, leading to concerns of privacy, the safety, reliability, abuse and misuse of the data collected and violations of civil liberties. Taking the critical theory perspective, this paper will analyse the data collected and report on the findings of a survey carried out in Australia and Malaysia, with respect to the responses provided and opinions expressed to the survey s open ended and other questions
by individuals as to their current use, experiences, preferences, concerns about the devices and the situations in which they think biometric devices should be used, including in their workplaces. This descriptive study uses both quantitative and qualitative data to examine what Australians and Malaysians think about the use of biometric devices in everyday situtions
and compare them as to their similarities and differences. The paper will then critically examine the ethical and civil liberties issues involved in the use of biometric devices in everyday life and argues that regulatory and legal measures should be taken to safeguard the rights of citizens while maintaining national security and productivity, in order to avoid the situation of Michel Foucaults Panopticon becoming an unpleasant everyday reality, which could negatively irifluence socialjustice and create social change due to its effects on individuals in two multicultural societies. The paper will argue about the need to educate the general public as to the issues of surveillance and privacy involved in the use of biometric devices in everyday situations.

Productivity growth and efficiency change in Malaysian manufacturing: recent evidence from disaggregated data

This paper estimates productivity growth in Malaysian manufacturing over the period 1983-1999. Malmquist productivity Indices (MPIs) have been computed using non parametric Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) type linear programming, which show productivity growth sourced from efficiency change and growth in technology. Unlike previous studies, this study identifies the sources of productivity growth in Malaysian manufacturing industries at the five digit breakdown of Malaysian Standard Industrial Classification (MSIC) thereby revealing more industry specific efficiency and technical growth patterns. Results indicated that a high majority of the industries operated with low levels of technical efficiency with little or no improvement over time. Growth estimates revealed that two third of the industries (76 out of total 114 categories) experienced average annual productivity improvement ranging from 0.1% to 7.8%. Average annual technical progress was recorded by 95 industry categories while technical efficiency improvement was achieved by 53 industries. Overall yearly average indicated relatively low productivity growth from the mid 1990’s onwards caused by either efficiency decline or technical regress. Summary results for industries showed that some of the high rates of productivity growth have been recorded in glass and glass products (7.3%), Petroleum and coal (7.2%), industrial chemicals (4.9%) contributed from both efficiency improvement and technical progress ranging from 0.8% to 5.4% and from 1.7% to 4.1%, respectively. These results are expected to have some implications for ongoing and future strategic policy reform in Malaysian manufacturing generating a more sustainable growth for specific industry categories.

Miraculous draught of fishes

This print hung in Alfred Deakin's study in 'Llanarth', South Yarra. It is a print of Raphael's original cartoon for the Sistine Chapel tapestries, drawn by him and his workshop in 1515. The original cartoona are in the Victoria and Albert Museum.