The impact of chromosome sorting and painting on the comparative analysis of primate genomes

Chromosome sorting by flow cytometry is the main source of chromosome-specific DNA for the production of painting probes. These probes have been used for cross-species in situ hybridization in the construction of comparative maps, in the study of karyotype evolution and phylogenetics, in delineating territories in interphase nuclei, and in the analysis of chromosome breakpoints. We review here the contributions that this technology has made to the analysis of primate genomes. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Phylogenomics of several deer species revealed by comparative chromosome painting with Chinese muntjac paints

A set of Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) chromosome-specific paints has been hybridized onto the metaphases of sika deer (Cervus nippon, CNI, 2n = 66), red deer (Cervus elaphus, CEL, 2n = 62) and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus, ECE, 2n = 47). Thir

High-density comparative BAC mapping in the black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons): Molecular cytogenetic dissection of the origin of MCR 1p+4 in the X1X2Y1Y2Y3 sex chromosome system

The black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons, 2n = 8 female/9 male) is a critically endangered mammalian species that is confined to a narrow region of southeastern China. Male black muntjacs have an astonishing X1X2Y1Y2Y3 sex chromosome system, unparalleled i

Comparative genome maps of the pangolin, hedgehog, sloth, anteater and human revealed by cross-species chromosome painting: further insight into the ancestral karyotype and genome evolution of eutherian mammals

To better understand the evolution of genome organization of eutherian mammals, comparative maps based on chromosome painting have been constructed between human and representative species of three eutherian orders: Xenarthra, Pholidota, and Eulipotyphla,

Avian comparative genomics: reciprocal chromosome painting between domestic chicken (Gallus gallus) and the stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus, Charadriiformes) - An atypical species with low diploid number

The chicken is the most extensively studied species in birds and thus constitutes an ideal reference for comparative genomics in birds. Comparative cytogenetic studies indicate that the chicken has retained many chromosome characters of the ancestral avia

A comparative study on the effect of commercial fish feeds on the growth of Thai pangas, Pangasius hypophthalmus

A 70 day long experiment was carried out to evaluate three commercial pangas feeds available in Bangladesh viz. Quality Feeds Ltd. (QF), Aftab Bohumukhi Farm Ltd. (ABF) and Saudi-Bangla Fish Feed Ltd. (SBFF) (designated as treatment_T1 T2 and T3) on the growth of Pangas, Pangasius hypophthalmus. Each treatment had two replicates using six experimental ponds of each 80m2 size. The stocking density was 250 fish/80m2. At the beginning, the fish were fed twice daily at 15% of their body weight which was gradually reduced to 10 and 6%, respectively for the rest of the period. The ranges of water quality parameters observed were: temperature 29.0°C- ~5.1 °C, pH 6.85 - 8.52, DO 1.71 - 7.65 mg/1 and transparency or Secchi depth 14.5 - 30.0 em. The mean weight gain of fish was significantly (~<0.05) higher in T3 followed by T2 and T. The specific growth rate (SGR) ranged. between 4.09 and 5.06, feed conversion ratio (FCR) values between 1.54 and 1.61 with treatment T1 showing the lowest FCR. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) values ranged between 2.03 and 2.11. The survival of fish varied between 90.4 and 91.6%. The significantly (P<0.05) highest production of fish (kg/ha/70 days) and profit (Tk/ha/70 days) was observe in T3 (SBFF) followed by T2 (ABF) and T1 (QF), respectively. The result of the study showed that on the basis of nutritive value and growth performance of pangas, feed from Saudi-Bangla Fish Feed Ltd. is the best.

Characterization of a fibrinogen-clotting enzyme from Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom, and comparative study with other venom proteases

Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom, which contains TSV-PA (a specific plasminogen activator sharing 60-70% sequence homology with venom fibrinogen-clotting enzymes), also possesses fibrinogen-clotting activity in vitro. A fibrinogen-clotting enzyme (stejnobin) has been purified to homogeneity by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography on a Mono-Q column. It is a single-chain glycoprotein with a mol. wt of 44,000. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of stejnobin shows great homology with venom fibrinogen-clotting enzymes and TSV-PA. Like TSV-PA, stejnobin was able to hydrolyse several chromogenic substrates. Comparative study of substrate specificities of stejnobin and other venom proteases purified in our laboratory was carried out on five chromogenic substrates. Stejnobin clotted human fibrinogen with a specific activity of 122 NIH thrombin-equivalent units/mg protein. However, stejnobin did not act on other blood coagulation factors, such as factor X, prothrombin and plasminogen. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride inhibited its activity, whereas ethylenediamine tetracetic acid had no effect on it, indicating that it is a serine protease. Although stejnobin showed strong immunological cross-reaction with polyclonal antibodies raised against TSV-PA, it was interesting to observe that, unlike the case of TSV-PA, these antibodies did not inhibit the amidolytic and fibrinogen-clotting activities of stejnobin. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comparative study on the toxin production and profiles Raphidophytes at different salinities

PLEASE ALSO CHECK THE FULL TEXT ABSTRACT. Toxin production and toxin profiles of four Raphidophytes grown under different salinities were compared to investigate the influence of salinity on cellular content of neurotoxin. In Chatonella andqua CaTx-1, CaTx-11, and CaTx-111 peaked at 25 pplt with yields of 0.99, 0.42, and 2.90 pg/ceU, but the highest yields (2.35 pg/cell) of CaTx-IV was attained at 30 ppt. On the other hand, Chatonella marina yielded higher proportions of CmTx-1 (0.55 pg/ceH) and CmTx-111 (2.50 pg/cell) at 25 ppt. However, CmTx-IV was present in its highest amount (1.65 pg/cell) at 30 ppt, as seen in C anriqua. A smaH amount of CmTx-11 was also detected at 20-35 ppt. The toxin compositions indicate that H. akashiwo is more sensitive to higher salinities than the other three raphidophytes. Substantial compositional change was observed in case of H. akashiwo. HaTx-11 (corresponding to PbTx-9) was detected only as a trace at 20 and 25 ppt. Toxin HaTx-IV (corresponding to oxidized PbTx-2) was most dominant and peaked at 20 ppt with a yield of 0.3 pg/cell. Considerable amounts of HaTx-1 and III (corresponding to PbTx-2 and 3) were also detected. At higher salinities of above 25 ppt HaTx-11 was not detected. F. japonica gave highest yields of FjTx-11 (PbTx-2) and FjTx-IV (Oxidized PbTx-2) at 20 ppt with yields of 0.95, 1.54 pg/cell while the production of toxic profiles FjTx-1 (PbTx- 1) and FjTx-111 (PbTx-3) peaked at 25 ppt with yields of 0.99, 2.54 pg/ceU. A sharp decrease in all toxins profiles (CaTx, CmTx, HaTX and FjTx) was found at salinities of above 30 ppt.

Comparative economic analysis of pond fish production in Mymensingh and Jessore Districts, Bangladesh

The study was conducted to determine the cost, return and relative profitability of pond fish production of Mymensingh and Jessore districts. A total of 75 ponds were selected on the basis of purposive random sampling technique from 7 villages under 2 Upazila (Trishal and Gouripur) of Mymensingh districts and 8 villages under 4 Upazila (Monimmpur, Jhikorgacha, Chowgacha and Sadar) of Jessore district. It was found that per hectare per year gross cost of pond fish production in Mymensingh and Jessore were Tk 333457.75 and Tk 54327.74, while gross return were Tk 434131.16 and Tk. 96640.00 and net return were Tk 100673.41 and Tk. 42312.26, respectively. The findings of this study revealed that the pond fish production in Jessore district was more profitable than that of Mymensingh district. Cobb-Douglas production function was applied to realize the specific effect of the factors on pond fish production. Out of six variables included in the function three variables had positive impact on return from pond fish production, in Mymensingh district but five variables had positive impact on return from pond fish production in Jessore district

Water quality of two semi-closed areas in the United Arab Emirates Coast along the Arabian Gulf:a comparative study

A comparative study was carried out between the two biggest creeks along the Arabian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates to evaluate impacts of sewage and industrial effluents on their hydrochemical characteristics. Surface and bottom water samples were collected from Abu Dhabi and Dubai creeks during the period from October 1994 to September 1995. The hydrochemical parameters studied were: temperature (21.10-34.00°C), salinity (37.37-47.09%), transparency (0.50-10.0 m), pH (7.97-8.83), dissolved oxygen (1.78-13.93 mg/l) and nutrients ammonia (ND- 13.12,ug-at N/1), nitrite (ND-6.66 ,ug-at N/1), nitrate (ND- 41.18 ,ug-at N/1), phosphate (ND- 13.06 ,ug-at P/1), silicate (0.68-32.50 ,ug-at Si/1), total phosphorus (0.26- 21.48 ,ug-at P/1), and total silicon (0.95- 40.32 ,ug-at Si/1). The present study indicates clearly that seawater of Abu-Dhabi Creek was warmer (28.l2°C) than Dubai (27.56°C) resulting in a higher rate of evaporation. Owing to more evaporation, salinity levels showed higher levels at Abu Dhabi (43.33%) compared to Dubai (39.03%) seawater. The study also revealed higher secchi disc readings at Abu Dhabi Creek (4.68 m) as compared to Dubai Creek (2.60 m) suggesting more transparency at Abu Dhabi Creek. Whereas, seawater of Dubai exhibited higher levels of pH (1.03 times), and dissolved oxygen (1.05 times) than Abu Dhabi seawater due to an increase in productivity. Meantime, seawater of Dubai showed higher tendency to accumulate ammonia (8.22 times), nitrite (10.93 times), nitrate (5.85 times), phosphate (10.64 times), silicate (1.60 times), total phosphorus (3.19 times), and total silicon (1.54 times) compared to Abu Dhabi seawater due to the enrichment of seawater at Dubai with domestic sewage waters which has distinctly elevated the levels of the nutrient salts particularly in inner-most parts of the creek leading to eutrophication signs. The changes occurred in the receiving creek water of Dubai as a result of waste-water disposal that have also reflected on the atomic ratios of nit: Effect of pollution rogen: phosphorus: silicon.

A comparative study on the embryonic development of gynogen, triploid, haploid and normal diploid embryos of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis

UV irradiation and cold shock were applied on the eggs of stinging catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis, to produce haploid,. gynogen and triploid embryos. A comparative account of the various features· of embryonic development in chromosomally manipulated groups viz. haploid, gynogen and triploid and non-manipulated normal diploid group of H fossilis has been discussed. A slow development and delayed hatching were observed in gynogen and triploid embryos compared to those in normal diploid (control) groups. Mass mortality was observed in all chromosomally manipulated groups particularly during the gastrulation stage. The hatchlings of the gynogen, triploid and normal diploid were similar in overall appearance.

Evolution of suitable trawl nets for medium size trawlers - 1: Comparative fishing efficiency between 32 m bulged belly, long wing and four panel trawls

Comparative studies of the efficiency of 32 m bulged belly, long wing and four panel trawls have shown that the bulged belly trawl to be superior to the other nets in catching bottom fishes and column fishes. 40% of the bottom fishes and 48% of the column fishes were caught by the bulged belly trawl. However, for prawn catch, the long wing trawl appears to be better as it landed 52% of the total prawn catch of the three nets. Bulged belly trawl was found to be next only to long wing trawl in this respect.

Investigations on long distance transportation of fish. 4. A comparative study of the performance of expanded polystyrene slabs and multi-layer gunny (jute) fabric as insulants

A comparative study of the insulation efficiencies of expanded polystyrene slabs and multi-layer gunny fabric in long distance transportation of fresh iced fish was made. Used plywood boxes (second hand tea chests) were employed as containers and the experiments conducted between Kakinada and Calcutta. All the three insulants tried, namely, 25.4 mm thick expanded polystyrene slab, four and two layer gunny (jute) fabric, all sealed in 150 gauge polythene sheets, showed comparable insulation efficiencies, considering total bacterial counts, organoleptic qualities and TMA and TVN values of the transported fish as parameters.

Comparative study of three short-chain neurotoxins from the venom of Naja kaouthia (Yunnan, China)

Three short-chain neurotoxins named NT-I, NT-II, and NT-III were purified from the venom of Naja kaouthia, a snake distributed throughout the south of Yunnan province, China, by a series of chromatographic steps, including an FPLC Resource S column. Their molecular weights, determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) MS, were 6952.19 Da, 6854.92 Da, and 6828.80 Da, respectively. NT-I consisted of 62 amino acid residues, and the other two consisted of 61 amino acid residues, including 8 cysteines. After hydrolysis by endoproteinase Glu-C, their primary sequences were determined. A test of their activities demonstrated that they effectively inhibited muscle contractions induced by electric stimulation. Furthermore, the extent of inhibition caused by NT-II and NT-III was less than that of NT-I. The IC(50)s were 0.04 mug/ml, 0.20 mug/ml, and 0.23 mug/ml for NT-I, NT-II, and NT-III, respectively. Compared with NT-II and NT-III, the higher activity of NT-I may be a result of the amino acid residue substitution Ile36 to Arg36.

Comparative study of traditional and improved containers for transportation of fresh fish

Traditional bamboo basket and expanded polystyrene insulated plywood box (second hand tea-chest) were compared for transportation of iced marine, fresh water and brackish water fishes from Kakinada to Madras by rail. Quality of fish at dispatching and receiving centres was assessed by organoleptic, total volatile nitrogen (TVN) and total bacterial count (TBC) tests. Based on the results obtained and the prices fetched, the traditional bamboo basket apart from being cheaper was found to be as good as expanded polystyrene insulated plywood box for short distance transportation of iced fish involving less than 24 hours journey.