Mucus cells in koi (Cyprinus carpio) scale epidermis

Morphological and dynamic characteristics of epidermal mucus cells were examined in intact scales of Cyprinus carpio. Mucus cells were identified by alcian blue staining and live mucus cells characterized with differential interference contrast microscopy. Mucus cell pores were shown to be narrow slits or triangular‐shaped openings which are invariably situated at cell‐cell junctions. Small granules were often located at or just below the openings with larger granules positioned deeper into the cell. The large granules were observed to undergo a bubbling‐like activity, where a granule suddenly appears, enlarges and then abruptly disappears. Situated below the large granules is a dense matrix of quiescent small, tightly packed mucin granules. The findings suggest that mature epidermal mucus cells are structurally ordered with respect to secretory activity, where small numbers of initially basally located, densely packed granules rapidly expand in a location proximal to the pore and presumably prior to mucus release through the pore.     

Microridges in Cyprinus carpio scale epidermis

Actin‐based microridges were evaluated in koi scale epidermis in situ. The fingerprint‐patterned microridges covered the dorsal face of superficial layer cells and were overall similar to that described in many fishes. Several other microridge patterns were observed, however, ranging from loose or tightly packed ridges, fragmented ridges, a honeycomb ridge pattern and the presence of actin‐rich puncta. Individual F‐actin‐stained microridges varied greatly in length, from a few to 30 μm or more, with a few single ridges extending the entire perimeter of a cell. Branched microridges, comprised of single ridges that appeared continuous with each other, extended to over 150 μm in some cases. The actin‐binding proteins α‐actinin and cortactin were distributed in a dot‐like pattern along the length of individual ridges, consistent with bundled actin cores described in earlier studies. Antiphosphotyrosine antibody failed to detect this signal transduction‐related amino acid modification in microridges unless tyrosine phosphatases were first inhibited, after which bright phosphotyrosine‐rich dots were detected along the microridges.     

Rapid, sensitive and simple detection method for koi herpesvirus using loop-mediated isothermal amplification

New methods were developed for the detection of koi herpesvirus (KHV, CyHV-3) by LAMP, which were compared with the PCR for specificity and sensitivity. We designed two primer sets targeting a specific sequence within the 9/5 PCR amplicon (9/5 LAMP) and the upper region of the Sph I-5 PCR amplicon ( Sph I-5 LAMP), including a sequence highly conserved among the strains. The amplification was monitored in real-time based on the increase in turbidity, with magnesium pyrophosphate as the by-product. The reactions were carried out under isothermal conditions at 65°C for 60 min. The detection limit of both LAMP was six copies, equal to the modified Sph I-5 PCR. No cross-reactivity with other fish pathogenic viruses and bacteria was observed. Sph I-5 LAMP was found to have a quicker response in terms of the reaction velocity than 9/5 LAMP. Therefore, we consider Sph I-5 LAMP to be superior for routine use. Additionally, LAMP was found applicable to crude extract from gills and other organs. LAMP methods are superior in terms of sensitivity, specificity, rapidity and simplicity, and are potentially a valuable diagnostic tool for KHV infections.     

Population genetics and management units of invasive common carp Cyprinus carpio in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia

Common carp Cyprinus carpio were introduced into Australia on several occasions and are now the dominant fish in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), the continent's largest river system. In this study, variability at 14 microsatellite loci was examined in C. carpio ( n = 1037) from 34 sites throughout the major rivers in the MDB, from 3 cultured populations, from Prospect Reservoir in the Sydney Basin and from Lake Sorrell in Tasmania. Consistent with previous studies, assignment testing indicated that the Boolara, Yanco and koi strains of C. carpio are present in the MDB. Unique to this study, however, the Prospect strain was widely distributed throughout the MDB. Significant genetic structuring of populations (Fisher's exact test, AMOVA and distribution of the different strains) amongst the MDB sub-drainages was detected, and was strongly associated with contemporary barriers to dispersal and population history. The distributions of the strains were used to infer the history of introduction and spread of C. carpio in the MDB. Fifteen management units are proposed for control programmes that have high levels of genetic diversity, contain multiple interbreeding strains and show no evidence of founder effects or recent population bottlenecks.     

Population genetics of invasive common carp Cyprinus carpio L. in coastal drainages in eastern Australia

The common carp Cyprinus carpio introduced in two drainages in eastern Australia are largely descended from European common carp, and in a third drainage they descend largely from East Asian common carp. The partial genetic differentiation among the species in those drainages is consistent with their origins.     

锦鲤咽齿替换及齿胚的解剖学观察,前插1

从鱼类解剖学和口腔医学的角度,观察和讨论了锦鲤咽齿、齿胚的形态结构和咽齿的替换,并对咽齿和咬合板做了扫描电镜观察.发现锦鲤咽齿替换与齿胚有密切关系;咽齿替换分为两侧不同名齿同时替换、同侧两枚不同名齿同时替换和单侧一枚齿自主替换3种类型;咽齿替换是终生发生的,遵循着"被替换咽齿的骨性支持从基骨骨孔开始吸收-同名齿胚的移行与就位-旧齿脱落与新齿支持组织改建为骨性"的过程.认为齿胚的发育是启动咽齿替换的起始因素;锦鲤与野生鲤有近缘关系.     

The palatability of flavoured novel floating pellets made with brewer's spent grain to captive carp

Abstract

The palatability to common carp, Cyprinus carpio L. of three newly developed differently flavoured floating pellets made from a high proportion (40%) of brewer's spent grain (BSG) was tested using a multiple-offer feeding experiment. The addition of ‘bold’ flavours, such as vanilla or strawberry essence, may help mask the unpleasant taste of some piscicides; however, their inclusion must not compromise uptake by carp. There were no significant differences between the consumption rates of the three varieties, and all flavours were readily consumed. Therefore, it is suggested that highly flavoured pellets made with BSG have a strong potential to mask the flavour of an unpalatable toxin, and further research is now needed to test this hypothesis.     

Cyprinid herpes virus-3 (CyHV-3) bears genes of genetically distant large DNA viruses

A large DNA virus, designated koi herpes virus (KHV), carp interstitial nephritis gill necrosis virus (CNGV) and Cyprinid herpes virus-3 (CyHV-3), causes massive mortality of carp. Morphologically, the virus resembles herpes viruses, but it contains a genome of ca 295 kbp, larger than that of any Herpesviridae member. Interestingly, three CyHV-3 genes, thymidylate monophosphate kinase (TmpK), ribonucleotide reductase and thymidine kinase, which are involved in deoxynucleotide tri-phosphate synthesis, resemble those of pox viruses. In addition to the TmpK gene, which is nonexistent in the genome of herpes viruses, CyHV-3 contains a B22R-like gene, exclusively expressed by pox viruses. These results raise questions on the phylogenic origin of CyHV-3.     

Recent advances in the study of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus replication and pathogenesis

It has now been over twenty years since a novel herpesviral genome was identified in Kaposi's sarcoma biopsies. Since then, the cumulative research effort by molecular biologists, virologists, clinicians, and epidemiologists alike has led to the extensive characterization of this tumor virus, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus(KSHV; also known as human herpesvirus 8(HHV-8)), and its associated diseases. Here we review the current knowledge of KSHV biology and pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on new and exciting advances in the field of epigenetics. We also discuss the development and practicality of various cell culture and animal model systems to study KSHV replication and pathogenesis.     

The structure, reproduction and taxonomy of Vidalia and Osmundaria (Rhodophyta, Rhodomelaceae)

Comprises species occurring mostly in subtidal habitats in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate areas of the world. An analysis of the type species, V. spiralis (Sonder) Lamouroux ex J. Agardh, a species from Australia, establishes basic characters for distinguishing species in the genus. These characters are (1) branching patterns of thalli, (2) flat blades that may be spiralled on their axis, (3) width of the blade, (4) primary or secondary derivation of sterile and fertile branchlets and (5) position of sterile and fertile branchlets on the thalli. Application of the latter two characters provides an important basic method for separation of species into three major groups. Osmundaria , a genus known only in southern Australia, was studied in relation to Vidalia , and its separation from the Vidalia assemblage is not accepted. Species of Vidalia therefore are transferred to the older genus name, Osmundaria. Two new species, Osmundaria papenfussii and Osmundaria oliveae are described from Natal. Confusion in the usage of the epithet, Vidalia fimbriala Brown ex Turner has been clarified, and Vidalia gregaria Falkenberg, described as an epiphyte on Osmundaria pro/ifera Lamouroux, is revealed to be young branches of the host, Osmundaria prolifera.     

New or rare chromosome counts in Artemisia L. (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) and related genera from Kazakhstan

Fifteen chromosome counts of six Artemisia taxa and one species of each of the genera Brachanthemum, Hippolytia, Kaschgaria, Lepidolopsis and Turaniphytum are reported from Kazakhstan. Three of them are new reports, two are not consistent with previous counts and the remainder are confirmations of very scarce (one to four) earlier records. All the populations studied have the same basic chromosome number, x = 9, with ploidy levels ranging from 2x to 6x. Some correlations between ploidy level, morphological characters and distribution are noted.     

肝癌中HBV和HCV基因和抗原的分布及意义

采用原位分子杂交方法检测HCV RNA及HBV X基因;采用免疫组织化学方法研究HCV核心抗原,非结构区C33c抗原及HBxAg在肝细胞肝癌中的定位及分布.结果表明(1)HCV RNA、HBV X基因在肝细胞肝癌组织检出率分别为40%(55/136)和82%(112/136).HCV RNA定位于癌细胞的胞浆内,阳性细胞呈散在、灶状及弥漫分布三种形式;HBV X基因在肝癌细胞中的分布呈胞浆型、核型及核浆型,阳性细胞也呈上述三种分布形式;(2)HCV C33c抗原、核心抗原在肝细胞肝癌中的阳性率为81%(133/164)及86%(141/164).C33c抗原定位于癌细胞及肝细胞的胞浆内;核心抗原既定位于癌细胞核中,又可定位于胞浆中.C33c抗原阳性细胞以灶状分布为主;而核心抗原阳性细