Distribution and Cytogenetic Features of Triploid Males of Crucian Carp in Azov Basin

When studying uni-bisexual crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) populations in the Azov basin in 1995–2000, we found triploid males, which constituted 2.5%, on average, of the total numbers of studied samples. The areas of nuclei of erythrocytes of triploid males were, on average, 1.35 times those in diploid males. At the same optical density of DNA, the sizes of mature spermatozoon heads in triploid males were, on average, 1.8 times smaller than in diploid males, as follows from the data obtained in summer 1996. The results of similar studies carried out during the period of natural spawning activity in 1997–1999 suggest that the sizes of spermatozoon heads in triploid males were, on the contrary, 1.5 those in diploid males. Triploid males were characterized by mosaicism of spermatozoon sizes and chromosome mosaicism in somatic cells. Electrophoretic analysis for the locus of transferrin confirmed the triploid status of this genetic group. The results of comparative crosses of crucian carps with different ploidy suggest a high fertilizing capacity of triploid males, as well as normal viability of their progenies. A distinct positive correlation (r = 0.73) was found between the numbers of triploid females and triploid males in mixed di-triploid populations. No significant correlation was found between males and females within di- and triploid forms.     

Sturgeon production trials in the waste-heat effluents of a pulp and paper plant in Archangelsk, Russia

Sturgeons were cultured at the Solombalsky cellulose and paper plant (CPP) in Arkhangelsk over a 3 year period. The warm-water effluents of the biological treatment unit were utilized to rear the Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) and its hybrids with the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus). Another culture trial included the Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstädtii) and its hybrids with the beluga (Huso huso). The most profitable culture (in terms of growth rates) was with the Siberian sturgeon and its hybrids with the sterlet. After the second year of culture, Siberian sturgeon and its hybrid averaged about 2.3 kg in wet weight while Russian sturgeons gained less (1.5 kg). One- and two-year old sturgeons grown at the Solombalsky CPP met practically all requirements needed for a successful culture.     

Determination of the number of tissue compatibility genes in the carp using the transplantation test in the third generation of induced gynogenesis

Transplantations have been carried out of anal fin in carp individual progeny of the third consecutive generation of induced gynogenesis. The part of grafts accepted made 19.4 +/- 5.0% (71 transplantations have been carried out). With the data obtained, an approximate quantity of histocompatible genes has been determined in carp which amounted to 32. Calculation has been done on the basis of the assumption that the part of histocompatible genes being in homozygous state in the given progeny equals the inbreeding coefficient of this progeny. Inbreeding coefficients have been calculated using experimental data of other authors.     

Ecological and genetic mechanisms of the dynamics of population abundance in silver crucian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch, 1782)) from the Tsimlyansk Reservoir

Silver crucian carp is the dominant commercial fish of the Tsimlyansk Reservoir (the Don River). A retrospective analysis of the ecological and genetic factors determining the dynamics of the silver crucian carp population at different stages of reservoir functioning was performed. At the most recent stage, the lake-swamp environmental conditions suitable for crucian carp and a lack of any dependence on other cyprinid fishes during the reproduction of this species determine its domination in the reservoir??s fish community. The size, sex, and genetic structures of the crucian carp population, characterized by numerous age groups and low linear and weight growth rates, are presented.     

Determination of BCR/ABL translocation in radiation-associated acute myeloid leukemia patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization

We report the results of BCR/ABL translocation analysis on interphase leukemic cells of 33 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Of these, there were 13 persons exposed to ionizing radiation due to the Chernobyl accident with radiation-associated AML and 20 patients with spontaneous disease. BCR/ABL translocation which was detected in 4 and I case respectively may play an important role in radiation-induced leukemigenesis.     

Relation of the immunogenicity of artificial antigens to the number of polyelectrolyte-bound protein molecules

Complexes and covalent conjugates of protein antigens with polyelectrolytes of different molecular mass have been synthesised. The structure and composition of the resulting water-soluble complex particles were determined. Artificial antigen immunogenicity was shown to depend on the amount of protein molecules complexed with polyelectrolytes. Direct correlation between immunostimulating activity of the polymer-carrier, immunogenicity of complex antigens and size-dependent capacity of the polymer molecule to aggregate protein globules has been established.     

Cross-reacting antigens of pathogenic Burkholderia and some dangerous causative agents of infectious diseases

Cross-reacting antigens in B. mallei, B. pseudomallei, B. thailandensis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis were studied with the use of immuno- and electrophoretic techniques. The set of antigens was shown to be almost identical in the causative agents of glanders, melioidosis, as well as in B. thailandensis, though in the latter organism 200-kD glycoprotein was absent. The analysis of immuno- and proteinograms demonstrated the presence of cross-reactions in the representatives of the genus Burkholderia with the causative agents of plague, tularemia and tuberculosis, which served as the basis for making the scheme of their antigenic relationships. The use of immunosorption techniques with subsequent analysis of the preparations by means of the SDS polyacryl gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting made it possible to characterize cross-reacting antigens of the pathogenic microorganisms under study, to establish their molecular weights (81-15 kD) and to show that some detected antigens are analogous to B. pseudomallei outer membrane proteins (34 and 30 kD).