Serum-Cholesterin,ABO-Blutgruppen und Hämoglobintyp

Zusammenfassung Serum-Cholesterin, ABO-Blutgruppen (N=715), Glucose-6-PhosphatDehydrogenase (G-6-PD, Farbstoff-Reduktionstest, N=611) und der Hämoglobintyp (osmotische Resistenz und Cellulose-Acetat-Elektrophorese, N=469) wurden bei anscheinend gesunden, 20 Jahre alten Männern aus 12 Distrikten der Provinz Chiang Mai in Nordthailand bestimmt. Das Körpergewicht hatte keinen Einfluß auf die Cholesterinkonzentration. Probanden der Blutgruppe A hatten signifikant höhere Cholesterinwerte als die der Gruppen 0 und B. Gruppe B hatte höhere Werte als Gruppe 0, aber die Differenz war nur schwach signifikant. Der mittlere Cholesterinwert der Probanden mit -Thalassaemia minor war signifikant niedriger als der der Gruppen mit normalem Hämoglobin und mit -Thalassaemie oder abnormalem Hämoglobin. Zwischen den drei letzteren Gruppen bestand kein signifikanter Unterschied. Diese Befunde bestätigen für eine tropische Bevölkerung mit an Fetten armer Ernährung die Beziehung zwischen -Thalassämie (Fessas et al., 1963; Mayo et al., 1969, Griechenland) und ABO-Blutgruppen (Mayo et al., 1969; Oliver et al., 1969; Langman et al., 1969; Beckman u. Olivecrona, 1970) einerseits und der Serum-Cholesterin-Konzentration.

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Serum-cholesterol, AB0 blood-groups and haemoglobin typeGenetic influences on the serum-cholesterol level

Summary Serum-cholesterol, ABO blood-groups (N=715), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD, dye decolorization test, N=611) and haemoglobin type (osmotic fragility, cellulose acetate electrophoresis, N=469) were determined in apparently health, 20 years old males from 12 districts of the province of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Body weight and G-6-PD deficiency did not seem to influence the serum-cholesterol level. Probands with blood-group A had significantly higher cholesterol concentrations than groups 0 and B. The difference between groups 0 and B, the latter having somewhat higher levels, was only weakly significant. Cholesterol levels were significantly lower in probands with -thalassaemia minor when compared with a normal control group. The difference between the control group and the probands with -thalassaemia and abnormal haemoglobins (mainly HbE trait) was not significant. These findings confirm for a tropical rural population with a diet low in fat the association between -thalassaemia and low cholesterol concentrations previously reported from Greece (Fessas et al., 1963; Mayo et al., 1969) and the association between blood-group A and high cholesterol levels found in several European populations (Mayo et al., 1969; Oliver et al., 1969; Langman et al., 1969; Beckman and Olivecrona, 1970).

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Beurlaubt von der Universitäts-Kinderklinik Bonn.

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Eingerichtet und unterstützt von der Stiftung Volkswagenwerk.     

Étude de l'association des chromosomes acrocentriques dans les hémopathies

Résumé Une étude quantitative de l'association des chromosomes acrocentriques a été entreprise dans des cas d'hémopathies: leucémies myéloïdes chroniques, plyglobulies vraies, leucémies myélomonocytaires de l'enfant. Cette étude montre qu'il n'y a pas de différence constitutionnelle apparente pour la tendance à l'association des chromosomes acrocentriques entre sujets normaux et sujets atteints d'hémopathie. Une diminution de la tendance aux associations est constatée dans la population cellulaire munie de chromosome Philadelphie par rapport à celle qui en est dépourvue. L'explication de cette observation est discutée en fonction du stade des cellules observées et du rôle du nucléole dans l'association des chromosomes acrocentriques.

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Summary The association of acrocentric chromosomes in blood diseases (chronic granulocytic leukaemia, polycythemia vera, myelomonocytic leukaemia in children) was quantitatively studied.This study shows that the tendancy to association of acrocentric chromosomes is not different in normal cells from normal subjects and from patients with blood disease. A decrease of the tendancy to this association is found in Ph 1 positive cell population but not in Ph 1 negative. The explanation of this finding is discussed in relation with the stage of the studied cells and the role of the nucleolus in the association of acrocentric chromosomes.

     

Nomenclatural types of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Picea abies</Emphasis> syntaxa reported from Slovakia

The paper includes assignation of nomenclatural types to Slovak syntaxa dominated naturally by Picea abies, i.e. to 1 order (Athyrio filicis-feminae-Piceetalia Hadač ex Hadač et al. 1969) and 14 associations and 5 subassociations of the alliances Piceion excelsae Pawłowski ex Pawłowski et al. 1928, Athyrio alpestris-Piceion Sykora 1971, Oxalido-Piceion Hadač et al. 1969 and Chrysanthemo rotundifolii-Piceion (Krajina 1933) Hadač et al. 1969. The association name Avenello-Piceetum excelsae Hadač et al. 1969 is validated. Essential syntaxonomical notes to syntaxa Athyrio alpestris-Piceion, Calamagrostio villosae-Piceetum are included as well as nomenclatural comments to Vaccinio-Piceetea and Athyrio-Piceetalia.     

Etude critique des distinctions tinctoriales effectuées parmi les cellules endocrines de la muqueuse fundique du Lapin

Résumé Si chez des animaux intacts ou ayant reçu de la L-Dopa on compare les images d'une même coupe traitée d'abord selon Falck, ensuite colorée ou imprégnée selon divers procédés, on peut constater les faits suivants: la formaldéhyde confère une fluorescence jaune terne (Jt) à des cellules GIC dépourvues d'argyrophilie selon Sevier et Munger mais imprégnées en technique de Grimélius, colorées par le picroponceau et l'hématoxyline au plomb. Il y a approximativement trois fois plus de cellules imprégnées selon Grimélius que de cellules fluorescentes; parmi elles 1/3 environ réagit fortement en technique de Sevier et Munger (cellules à sérotonine), 1.3 réagit faiblement (cellules SM), 1/3 ne réagit pas du tout (cellules D et Jt). Les cellules SM correspondent aux «ECL cells» bien que dépourvues d'amine et d'argentaffinité (Fontana-Masson); elles se divisent en GIC et non GIC, les premières sont ou non colorables par l'hématoxyline au plomb, les secondes ne le sont pas.

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Critical study of tinctorial distribution proposed among endocrine cells of the fundic mucosa in the rabbit

Summary Whether the same endocrine like cells are reactive towards different staining reactions has been hardly examined in normal and L-Dopa treated rabbits for distinction of cell types. Samples were first freeze-dried, exposed to formaldehyde vapours (standard Falck technic) and sections photographied. Thereafter they became further hydrated and were stained with silver according to Fontana-Masson or Grimelius or Sevier-Munger, or with ferric ferricyanide or lead hematoxylin or picroponceau.Formaldehyde condensation induced a bright yellow fluorescence in serotonin cells and revealed a dim yellow (jaune terne: Jt) unexpected fluorescence in others scarce cells. The laters were non argentaffin, unreactive with Sevier-Munger method but argyrophilic in Grimelius technic, stained blue black by lead hematoxylin and red by picroponceau; there are a part of the GIC or APUD cells group.Grimelius reaction stained three times as many cells as fluorescence did. With Sevier-Munger method, heavily darkened (serotonin cells), slightly reactive (Sevier-Munger or SM cells) and unreactive cells (D and Jt cells) roughly represented 1/3 each of all Grimelius positive cells. ECL cells according to Capella et al. (1969) apparently corresponded to SM cells; since all fluorescent cells are strongly argentaffin and reactive with Sevier-Munger method, since they are too much scanty to include EC and ECL cells it is conclude that ECL cells failed to exhibit fluorescence and to store serotonin: furthermore taking hypothetically ECL cells into fluorescent cells it would imply to blend D cells and SM cells which is at variance with earlier observations of unreactivity of D cells in Sevier-Munger technic at the ultrastructural level. SM cells population seemed heterogenous: only some of them were GIC and only some of the laters were stained by lead hematoxylin; however it is not clear how much the L-Dopa administration effect the second staining possibly causing erroneous reactions.

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Avec la collaboration technique de Mme A. de Gouyon.     

Localization of ribosomal RNA genes on human acrocentric chromosomes

Summary Clonal derivatives of a human heteroploid cell line, with different numbers of acrocentric chromosomes, show different rDNA contents. A linear relationship has been found between the rDNA content and the relative mass of the acrocentric chromosomes (D+G) expressed as the ratio between the mass of their DNA and the mass of the DNA of the whole chromosomal complement. The results suggest that human rRNA genes are located exclusively on the chromosomes of the groups D and G and that all these chromosomes contain rRNA genes.     

Analyse de la structure fine des chromosomes du Gorille (Gorilla gorilla)

Summary Prometaphasic chromosomes of Gorilla, Homo and Pan are compared, using R, Q, T and H-bands techniques in complement of a previous work (Lejeune et al., 1973). Various mechanisms of chromosomal rearrangements are demonstrated with particular reference to heterochromatic segments. Some phylogenic conclusions are proposed.

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Zusammenfassung Prometaphase-Chromosomen von Gorilla, Mensch und Schimpanse werden mit hilfe der R-, Q-, T- und H-Bandentechnik verglichen; frühere Arbeiten (Lejeune et al., 1973) werden dadurch ergänzt. Verschiedene Mechanismen von Chromosomen-Rearrangements werden dargestellt; dabei finden die Heterochromatin-Segmente besondere Beachtung. Einige phylogenetische Folgerungen werden gezogen.

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Travail de l'E.R.A. n^o 47 du C.N.R.S.     

Screening for minute deletions in patients with suspected cri-du-chat syndrome and apparently normal karyotype

Summary Measurement studies were carried out on the B-group chromosomes in three patients with suspected cri-du-chat syndrome, four karyotypically confirmed cases of the syndrome and three normal subjects. None of the propositi showed a detectable short-arm deletion. Within the four cases with obvious short arm deletion the amount of the deletion varies to a high degree. In addition to the technique of chromosome measurement proposed by other authors (e.g. Warburton et al., 1967, 1969; Miller et al., 1969), we present another method easely to apply for screening purposes in cases in which a deletion is not readily detectable, blind studies were unsuccessful, or when the amount of the deletion ought to be demonstrated.

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Zusammenfassung Messungen der B-Chromosomen wurden in Metaphasen verschiedener Probanden durchgeführt: 1. drei Patienten mit Verdacht auf Cri du Chat-Syndrom ohne sichtbare Defizienz am kurzen Arm von Chromosom 5; 2. vier Patienten mit deutlich erkennbarer Defizienz; 3. drei gesunde Vergleichspersonen mit unauffälligem Karyotyp. Eine Deletion war in keinem der Verdachtsfälle nachweisbar. In der Gruppe mit Defizienz zeigte sich eine erhebliche Variation im Ausmaß des deletierten Segments. In Ergänzung zu Methoden der Chromosomenmessung anderer Autoren (vgl. Warburton et al., 1967, 1969; Miller et al., 1969) wird eine weitere einfache Methode angewendet, die unter geringem Aufwand in Zweifelsfällen Aufschluß über das Vorhandensein und Ausmaß einer Deletion am kurzen Arm eines B-Chromosoms geben kann.

     

Untersuchungen an Farbstoff-produzierenden Holzpilzen

Summary Feeding Peniophora sanguinea (Fr.) Bres. with glucose or phenylpropane-derivatives causes pigment-formation. Since phenylpropanes effect faster pigment-formation, a biosynthesis-scheme as in the case of Volucrisporin (II) may be assumed (Chandra et al., 1966).We have discussed the possibility, that the biosynthesis leads via pulvinic acid-derivatives (based upon the work of Maass and Niesh, 1967) to leukopigments, from which finally the pigments of the Peniophora sanguinea-type, for example Xylerythrin (I), described by Gripenberg (1965, 1970) and Gripenberg and Martikkala (1969, 1970) are formed.     

Different rate of intrapopulation chromosome polymorphism in two species of Black Sea Blennies (Blenniidae,Pisces)

Somatic karyotypes in seven specimens of Blennius sanguinolentus include 22 subtelocentric and 26 acrocentric chromosomes, whereas one male has 2n=47=1M+22ST+24A: polymorphism is evidently a result of centric fusion of two acrocentrics. Blennius tentacularis is characterized by the availability of four karyomorphs out of which three coincide with karyotypes described earlier (Carbone et al., 1987). Karyttype-I consists of a 48 small uni-armed chromosome, but both karyotypes II and III with 2n=48 and 2n=47 respectively include one large acrocentric chromosome, and karyotype-IV has one large submetacentric out of the 47 chromosomes. Karyotypic variability of B. tentacularis is attributed either to polymorphism by 1–3 chromosome rearrangements or to availability of sex-determining mechanism, including the Y-autosome translocation. This diverse series of male karyomorphs may reflect the complicated behavioural structure.     

Multiple sex chromosome system of X1X1X2X2/X1X2)Y type in lutjanid fish, Lutjanus quinquelineatus (Perciformes)

The karyotype and other chromosomal markers as revealed by C-banding and Ag-staining were studied in Lutjanus quinquelineatus and L. kasmira (Lutjanidae, Perciformes). While in latter species, the karyotype was invariably composed of 48 acrocentric chromosomes in both sexes, in L. quinquelineatus the female karyotype had exclusively 48 acrocentric chromosomes (2n = 48) but that of the male consisted of one large metacentric and 46 acrocentric chromosomes (2n = 47). The chromosomes in the first meiotic division in males showed 22 bivalents and one trivalent, which was formed by an end-to-end association and a chiasmatic association. Multiple sex chromosome system of X₁X₁X₂X₂/X₁X₂Y type resulting from single Robertsonian fusion between the original Y chromosome and an autosome was hypothesized to produce neo-Y sex chromosome. The multiple sex chromosome system of L. quinquelineatus appears to be at the early stage of the differentiation. The positive C-banded heterochromatin was situated exclusively in centromeric regions of all chromosomes in both species. Similarly, nucleolus organizer region sites were identified in the pericentromeric region of one middle-sized pair of chromosomes in both species. The cellular DNA contents were the same (3.3 pg) between the sexes and among this species and related species.     

Karyotypes of metaphase chromosomes in diploid populations of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Dendranthema zawadskii</Emphasis> and related species (Asteraceae) from Korea: diversity and evolutionary implications

Although the Dendranthema zawadskii complex has been known to comprise a series of polyploids (4×, 6×, 8×), we found diploid individuals (with 2n=18) to occur in four populations of D. zawadskii var. latilobum in the southern region of Korea. Karyotypes of metaphase chromosomes were diverse because numbers of metacentric, submetacentric, and acrocentric chromosomes differ even within a population. A total of 17 karyotypes were found in 31 diploid individuals collected from the four populations. The karyotypes were also diverse in the presence or absence of chromosomes with a secondary constriction on a short or long arm and, if present, in the number of such chromosomes. They were further diverse in the presence or absence of non-homologous chromosome(s), the presence or absence of a chromosome with a satellite, and, if present, how many and where satellites are present. Almost the same pattern of diversity was found in diploid individuals (with 2n=18) of D. boreale and D. indicum as well, irrespective of whether they occur together with D. zawadskii var. latilobum or not. Structural features of chromosomes in the variously different karyotypes suggest that reciprocal translocation and the hybridization between individuals with different karyotypes had repeatedly occurred not only in D. zawadskii var. latilobum, but also in D. boreale and D. indicum. Morphologically intermediate individuals between D. zawadskii var. latilobum and D. indicum suggests that the hybridization occur with different species as well. Electronic Publication     

Homoeologous relationship between wheat and rye chromosomes. Present status

The work on methods for determining the homoeologous relationship between wheat and rye chromosomes has been reviewed. The results obtained for rye chromosomes belonging to different homoeologous groups have been discussed. It is proposed that chromosome 3R of Lee et al. (1969) should be designated as 1R/3R. It is pointed out that homoeology of all seven rye chromosomes may not be known in the future also, due to translocations. It is, therefore, suggested that Secale montanum should be used instead of S. cereale. Future lines of work have been suggested.     

A species specific satellite DNA family of Drosophila subsilvestris appearing predominantly in B chromosomes

This paper describes a species specific satellite DNA family (pSsP216) of Drosophila subsilvestris, a palearctic species of the D. obscura group. The pSsP216 family consists of tandemly arranged 216 bp repetitive units that are predominantly localized on B chromosomes. These chromosomes appear in variable numbers in the karyotype of this species. Some pSsP216 repeats can also be detected in the centromeric heterochromatin of the acrocentric A chromosomes. Two strains, one with and the other without B chromosomes, were investigated for sequence variability and for the location of this satellite DNA on the chromosomes. Among 16 clones of the 216 bp basic repeat unit an overall similarity of about 93% and no strain specific differences were found, indicating that the B chromosomes may have derived from the A chromosomes (probably the dots) by spontaneous amplification of the pSsP216 satellite DNA family.     

Chromosome differences in Peromyscus maniculatus populations at different altitudes in Colorado

Mice of the genus Peromyscus all have 48 chromosomes. Yet the appearance of the 48 chromosomes is highly variable from species to species (Hsu & Arrighi, 1966, 1968, 1971; Pathak et al., 1973) and even in different populations of the same species (Sparkes & Arakaki, 1966; Ohno et al., 1966; Hsu & Arrighi, 1968; Arakaki et al. 1970; Te & Dawson, 1971; Bradshaw & Hsu, 1972; Murray & Kitchin, 1976). The evolutionary significance of this variation and the mechanisms for its initiation and maintenance have been of interest for quite a few years. However, it was not until the sophisticated chromosome banding techniques became available that mammalian cytogeneticists were able to begin to study the chromosome variation of Peromyscus in some detail. The use of C-banding led Hsu & Arrighi (1971) to the finding that the short arms of chromosomes in three different species of Peromyscus contained constitutive heterochromatin. These results suggested that the variations in the number of acrocentric chromosomes in Peromyscus might be a result of different amounts of heterochromatin. Later studies (Duffey, 1972; Waterbury, 1972; and Pathak et al., 1973) were also consistent with this hypothesis.However, it was soon discovered that not all chromosomal differences among Peromyscus populations are due to heterochromatin changes. Studies by Arighi et al. (1976) and Murray & Kitchin (1976) showed that some chromosomal differences between species and subspecies of Peromyscus are due to pericentric inversions. Thus, it appears that both inversions and the addition of heterochromatin are involved in the evolution of the karyotype of Peromyscus.The purpose of our study was to investigate the chromosomes of Peromyscus maniculatus in different populations in Colorado (U.S.A.) and to test for relationships involving an altitudinal gradient. In the first part of this study, orcein stained chromosomes from three subspecies of mice sampled at nine different altitudes were examined for karyotype variability. In the second part of the study, karyotypes of two subspecies (P. m. rufinus and P. m. luteus), representing high and low altitude populations were examined with Q banding to determine the mechanisms responsible for chromosomal differences.     

Physical mapping of the 5S ribosomal RNA genes in Arabidopsis thaliana by multi-color fluorescence in situ hybridization with cosmid clones

The 5S ribosomal RNA genes were mapped to mitotic chromosomes of Arabidopsis thaliana by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In the ecotype Landsberg erecta, hybridization signals appeared on three pairs of chromosomes, two of which were metacentric and the other acrocentric. Hybridization signals on one pair of metacentric chromosomes were much stronger than those on the acrocentric and the other pair of metacentric chromosomes, probably reflecting the number of copies of the genes on the chromosomes. Other ecotypes, Columbia and Wassilewskija, had similar chromosomal distribution of the genes, but the hybridization signals on one pair of metacentric chromosomes were very weak, and detectable only in chromosomes prepared from young flower buds. The chromosomes and arms carrying the 5S rDNA were identified by multi-color FISH with cosmid clones and a centromeric 180 bp repeat as co-probes. The metacentric chromosome 5 and its L arm carries the largest cluster of the genes, and the short arm of acrocentric chromosome 4 carries a small cluster in all three ecotypes. Chromosome 3 had another small cluster of 5S rRNA genes on its L arm. Chromosomes 1 and 2 had no 5S rDNA cluster, but they are morphologically distinguishable; chromosome 1 is metacentric and 2 acrocentric. Using the 5S rDNA as a probe, therefore, all chromosomes of A. thaliana could be identified by FISH. Chromosome 1 is large and metacentric; chromosome 2 is acrocentric carrying 18S-5.8S-25S rDNA clusters on its short arm; chromosome 3 is metacentric carrying a small cluster of 5S rDNA genes on its L arm; chromosome 4 is acrocentric carrying both 18S-5.8S-25S and 5S rDNAs on its short (L) arm; and chromosome 5 is metacentric carrying a large cluster of 5S rDNA on its L arm.     

Karyotype of the Snow Sculpin <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myoxocephalus brandti</Emphasis> Steindachner (Cottidae) from Peter the Great Bay,Sea of Japan

The karyotype of the snow sculpin Myoxocephalus brandti, 2n = 44, NF = 46, from Peter the Great Bay was studied. Two-armed chromosomes were presented by one pair of metacentric chromosomes of medium size; one-armed chromosomes included two pairs of large subtelocentric chromosomes and a pair of large acrocentric chromosomes. Ag-NOR-staining in the telomere vicinity revealed nucleolus-organizing regions in one metacentric chromosome and in one medium size acrocentric chromosome in one of the fishes, in two homological small acrocentric chromosomes in three fishes, and in one acrocentric chromosome of average size in six fishes. No difference between the male and female karyotypes and any type of variability was revealed. The karyotypes of the snow sculpin M. brandti and the frog sculpin M. stelleri were compared. Their distinctions and similarities were displayed.Original Russian Text Copyright ¢ 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Ryazanova.     

Karyotypes of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) from different geographic regions

Three different karyotypes have been found so far among Saimiri originating from five different South American localities. All animals examined have the same diploid number (44) of chromosomes but the number of acrocentric and submetacentric chromosomes varies, presumably as a result of pericentric inversions. Saimiri originating from Iquitos, Peru, consistently have ten acrocentric chromosomes; animals originating from Leticia, Colombia, have 12 acrocentric chromosomes. Hybrids produced in our laboratory have the expected 11 acrocentrics and one unpaired submetacentric chromosome. Animals originating from Guyana have fourteen acrocentric chromosomes and the expected two fewer submetacentric chromosomes. Squirrel monkeys from Costa Rica, Panama, and Pucallpa, Peru, studied to this date conform to the Iquitos type with ten acrocentric chromosomes. These findings point to genetic differences which may result in variable responses to laboratory situations. The evolutionary factors involved in this rearrangement of chromosomes and possible influences on phenotypes are subjects of interest for future study. The importance of identifying the source of squirrel monkeys used in biomedical research is apparent if results from different laboratories are to be repeated or compared.     

Satellite association of the nucleolar chromosomes in a plant

Summary A method for preparing chromosomes that included enzyme maceration and subsequent flame-drying allowed us to easily detect satellite association in the mitotic cells ofNothoscordum fragrans (2 n=19), which has six acrocentric nucleolar chromosomes in its chromosome complement. Of 593 metaphase plates examined, approximately 60% had satellite association. The number of chromosomes involved in the association varied from two to six, and the incidence decreased as the number of chromosomes involved in the association increased. Comparison of the same chromosomes stained with Giemsa and subsequently with silver demonstrated that the nucleolar organizing regions (NORs) that responded almost negatively to Giemsa and positively to silver was responsible for satellite association. The nucleoli may strongly correlate with satellite association since persistent nucleoli associated with a few metaphase chromosomes were sometimes found and the nucleoli had a strong tendency to fuse with each other at interphase. Four types of acrocentric chromosomes could be discriminated on the basis of the bands negatively staining with Hoechst. All four types were involved in satellite association and there were significant deviations from the expectation for random participation in the association.     

Fluorochromierung menschlicher Chromosomen mit Atebrin-Essigsäure

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Technik zur Fluorochromierung menschlicher Chromosomen angegeben, die ein differenziertes Fluorescenzmuster hervortreten läßt.

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Staining of human chromosomes with acetic acid-quinacrine

Summary A technic for staining human chromosomes is described which shows differentiated fluorescence.

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Mit Unterstützung des Landesamts für Forschung in Nordrhein-Westfalen.     

Chromosomes of Australian lygosomine skinks (Lacertilia: Scincidae)

The karyotypes of 25 species from the scincid genera Egernia, Corucia and Tiliqua have been investigated using C-banding, silver staining of nucleolar organiser regions (NORs) and Hoechst 33258 induced condensation inhibition. At least one member from each of the species groups of Egernia recognised by Storr et al. (1981) was studied. The three genera have very similar conventionally stained karyotypes of 32 chromosomes. Some species show departures from this basic karyotype but these are due to additions of C-band positive material. Silver stained. NOR patterns are variable but most species have a silver staining site on a pair of larger microchromosomes. All specimens studied except one have a proximal C-band on the acrocentric ninth pair, which shows failure to condense following treatment with the fluorochrome Hoechst 33258. Heterogamety was not observed in any species. Mabuya multifasciata, proposed as a relative of the Egernia group, while having 32 chromosomes does not share the C-band marker on pair nine, unique to the Egernia group. Tribolonotus gracilis, sometimes allied with the Egernia group, has 32 chromosomes and a similiar karyotype, but prominent procentric C-bands on all chromosome pairs obscure the detection of the proximal C-band marker on pair nine.