Truncated RanGAP encoded by the Segregation Distorter locus of Drosophila

Segregation Distorter (SD) in Drosophila melanogaster is a naturally occurring meiotic drive system in which the SD chromosome is transmitted from SD/SD+ males in vast excess over its homolog owing to the induced dysfunction of SD+-bearing spermatids. The Sd locus is the key distorting gene responsible for this phenotype. A genomic fragment from the Sd region conferred full distorting activity when introduced into the appropriate genetic background by germline transformation. The only functional product encoded by this fragment is a truncated version of the RanGAP nuclear transport protein. These results demonstrate that this mutant RanGAP is the functional Sd product.     

Immunohistochemical and qPCR determination of the expression and serum level of anti‐Müllerian hormone in pre‐pubertal,intact and ovarian remnant syndrome detected bitches

The aim of this study was to determine the serum concentrations, ovarian presence and expression of anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) in pre‐pubertal, bitches with signs of ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) and intact bitches. In addition, we aimed to verify the suitability of serum AMH concentrations for diagnostic purposes in sterilized bitches and/or in suspected cases of ORS in the field of veterinary medicine. For this purpose, 36 healthy female dogs divided into six groups: proestrus, oestrus, dioestrus, anoestrus, pre‐pubertal and ORS. Serum AMH concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and ovarian presence and distribution of AMH was confirmed by immunohistochemical and qPCR techniques. According to the results of qPCR, while the expression values of AMH were at the highest concentrations in the proestrus and oestrus, there was a statistically significant decrease in these values at the later stages of the cycle (p < 0.05). According to hormone analysis, the serum AMH values of the ORS group had decreased significantly compared with the proestrus and oestrus (p < 0.05). Although serum AMH levels of ORS group were increased compared with anestrus and pre‐pubertal groups, this increase was statistically non‐significant (p > 0.05). Immunohistochemically, AMH expression was first observed in the granulosa cells of primordial follicles in folliculogenesis. Expression values were the highest in the proestrous and oestrus groups, but values from bitches in later stages of the cycle were statistically significant decrease in comparison with these groups (p < 0.05). As a result, AMH concentration and expression were found to be higher in proestrus and oestrus than in other periods (p < 0.05). In addition, the measurable level of AMH concentration in bitches with ORS is an indication that it can be used in the diagnosis of ORS.     

MyHC and MyLC isoforms in Akhal-Teke horses of different gender and genetic background

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between MyHC and MyLC isoforms and the pedigree of the horses from different genetic background and gender. 26 Purebred Akhal-Teke horses (8 stallions and 18 mares) were used in this study, the horses belonged to 7 different sire lines and 9 different dam families. A muscle biopsy of depth 60 mm from the left gluteus medius muscle was obtained. The present study found the highest heritability for MyLC 1_fast, MyLC 2_slow and MyHC I isoform proportions, while only the first was statistically significantly different from zero. The mares had higher proportion of MyHC IIx and MyLC 3_fast isoforms than the stallions. No statistically significant differences were found between sire lines and dam families. However, as the heritability of MyHC and MyLC in horses is found to be of moderate value, our study does not reject the hypothesis that it could be used as additional parameter in choosing the right animals for sport and breeding.     

Teat characteristics in relation to animal temperament during milking in buffaloes,and comparison of buffalo and cow teat morphology

This study aimed to examine the teat characteristics in relation to the animal temperament during milking in the Anatolian buffaloes using ultrasonographic, histomorphological and immunohistochemical methods. The teat canal length (TCL), teat wall thickness (TWT), teat cisternal diameter (TCD), teat diameter (TD), teat length (TL), and teat circumference (TC) values in docile (n = 5) and nervous (n = 7) buffaloes were measured at the 0th, 3rd and 6th minute of stimulation. In additional experiments, comparative histomorphology and immunohistochemical examinations of buffalo (n = 7) and cow teats (n = 8) were performed. It was determined that post-stimulation mean TCL values were significantly higher in nervous buffaloes than those of teats in docile buffaloes (p < .05). A significant positive correlation between TCD and TD, TL and TC in both docile and nervous buffaloes was noted (p < .05). Unlike nervous buffaloes where only 3/14 teat canals were open by 3rd minute of milking stimulation, almost all (9/10) teat canals were observed opened in docile buffaloes. There were fewer muscle but more collagen bundles in buffalo teats compared with cow teats. It seems that temperament of animal during milking effects the milking efficiency, and in nervous buffaloes, probably the stimulation alone may not be sufficient for opening of the teat canal and hence achieve complete milking.     

DNAPL TCE Oxidation with Permanganate: Influence of the Phase Transfer Catalyst Pentyltriphenylphosphonium

Dense nonaqueous phase (DNAPL) trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation by potassium permanganate (KMnO₄) was investigated in the presence of the cationic surfactant pentyltriphenylphosphonium (PTPP) bromide, acting as a phase transfer catalyst. Series of batch tests were performed in 5.0-mL conical vials containing Milli-Q water and 1.0 mM DNAPL TCE with initial permanganate concentrations ([MnO₄ ^?]₀) of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 mM, adding PTPP (0, 10, and 20 mol% of permanganate, respectively). Chloride ion (Cl^?) and MnO₄ ^? in water samples were analyzed to observe MnO₄ ^? consumption and TCE degradation over the elapsed time (0 to 90 min). The calculated values of pseudo first-order rate constants for MnO₄ ^? consumption indicated that the rate of MnO₄ ^? depletion increased with higher mole percent PTPP. At experimental conditions of 1.0 and 2.0 mM [MnO₄ ^?]₀, analyses of Cl^? concentration showed that higher mole percent of PTPP induced greater Cl^? release, indicating faster TCE oxidation. On the other hand, for 3.0 and 5.0 mM [MnO₄ ^?]₀, the concentration of Cl^? was lower with the presence of PTPP. This result indicated that MnO₄ ^? had migrated further into the inner space of DNAPL, and consequently, the Cl^? took a longer time to diffuse from DNAPL to an aqueous phase.     

A comparison of the gelling of isubgol,agar and gelrite on in vitro shoot regeneration and rooting of variety Samsun of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Agar is being used to solidify media for plant tissue culture since long. Both purity and type of agar or gelling agent influence the behaviour and growth of tissues in culture. The study using leaf disc explants of variety Samsun of tobacco compares adventitous shoot regeneration on 0.5 cm × 0.5 cm leaf discs cultured on MSD4X2 medium and rooting on MSO medium gelled with different blends of agar–isubgol, gelrite–isubgol, phytagel–isubgol or isubgol singly. It was found that irrespective of some problems associated with isubgol gel, the maximum number of shoot per explant were recorded on MSD4X2 medium gelled with 7 g/l isubgol. The longest shoots were recorded on MSD4X2 medium gelled with 9 g/l isubgol. Likewise, the highest number of roots were also recorded on MSO medium gelled with 7 g/l isubgol. For a given quantity of a medium, agar, gelrite/isubgol blends are very cheap compared to agar used singly. Moreover, blends of agar/isubgol, gelrite/isubgol gelled at low temperatures indicated safe use of these gels for heat labile substances in genetic transformation or tissue culture experiments. The results emphasized the potential of the isubgol used singly or in combination with agar and gelrite for economic commercial application, replacing the costliest, though not indispensable, gelling agent agar.     

Efficient in vitro multiplication in Ornithogalum ulophyllum Hand.-Mazz. from twin scale explants

Ornithogalum ulophyllum Hand.-Mazz. with beautiful white flowers is an important medicinal and ornamental plant of the Middle Eastern countries and need exploitation for commercial propagation. The study reports in vitro mass proliferation of bulblets achieved from twin scales and “in vitro regenerated bulblet” explants on MS medium supplemented with various concentrations of BAP–NAA. The best regeneration on twin scales and “in vitro regenerated bulblets” was obtained on MS medium containing 2 mg l⁻¹ BAP–0.5 mg l⁻¹ NAA and 2 mg l⁻¹BAP–1 mg l⁻¹ NAA, respectively. However, bulb scales seemed to be more potent for bulblet regeneration. A large number of the developing bulblets rooted on the regeneration medium. Remaining non-rooting bulblets were rooted on MS medium containing 1 mg l⁻¹ NAA. All plants were acclimatized in the environmental chamber for 4 weeks and were transferred to the greenhouse for flowering. Regenerated bulblets developed into morphologically normal plants.     

The genome sequence of Drosophila melanogaster

The fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most intensively studied organisms in biology and serves as a model system for the investigation of many developmental and cellular processes common to higher eukaryotes, including humans. We have determined the nucleotide sequence of nearly all of the approximately 120-megabase euchromatic portion of the Drosophila genome using a whole-genome shotgun sequencing strategy supported by extensive clone-based sequence and a high-quality bacterial artificial chromosome physical map. Efforts are under way to close the remaining gaps; however, the sequence is of sufficient accuracy and contiguity to be declared substantially complete and to support an initial analysis of genome structure and preliminary gene annotation and interpretation. The genome encodes approximately 13,600 genes, somewhat fewer than the smaller Caenorhabditis elegans genome, but with comparable functional diversity.     

Age-Related Changes in Myosin Light and Heavy Chain Isoforms’ Composition in Gluteus Medius Muscle of Sedentary Akhal-Teke Horses

The primary purpose of the present study was to examine age dependence of gluteus medius muscle phenotypic plasticity with regard to myosin light chain (MyLC) and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoform expression of sedentary Akhal-Teke horses. A total of 23 Akhal-Teke horses (11 horses, 1.5 to 2.5-year-old; nine horses, 9 to 20-year-old; and three horses, 21 to 23.5-year-old) were studied. A muscle biopsy of depth 60 mm from the left gluteus medius muscle was obtained. MyHC and MyLC isoform pattern was determined in three age groups. The current study demonstrated that in the 21 to 23.5-year-old age group, the relative content of MyHC I isoform and MyLC 1_slow isoform decreased significantly. The results of the current study indicate that gluteus medius muscle of Akhal-Teke horses consists of a relatively high percentage of MyHC I and IIa isoforms, which together compose about 50% of MyHC. MyHC IIa and IIx isoforms together compose 88% to 94% of MyHC isoforms. Age-related decrease of the relative content of MyHC I and MyLC 1_slow isoforms in gluteus medius muscle starts in Akhal-Teke horses older than 20 years.