Efficiency of the inbreeding coefficient f and other estimators in detecting null alleles,as revealed by empirical data of locus oke3 across 65 populations of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta

A survey of 65 populations of chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta across the species range revealed homozygote excess (947 homozygotes in 2954 fish) at a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based simple sequence repeat (SSR) locus oke3 with multiple alleles, whereas re‐designed PCR primers indicated that 328 of these homozygotes were actually heterozygotes. Statistically significant high positive values of inbreeding coefficients, f, in multiple populations appeared to be a reliable predictor of null alleles. Based on these data, three methods were checked for their ability to estimate null‐allele frequencies.     

Proton-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) Analysis and DNA-chain Break study in rat hepatocarcinogenesis: A possible chemopreventive role by combined supplementation of vanadium and beta-carotene

Combined effect of vanadium and beta-carotene on rat liver DNA-chain break and Proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis was studied during a necrogenic dose (200 mg/kg of body weight) of Diethyl Nitrosamine (DENA) induced rat liver carcinogenesis. Morphological and histopathological changes were observed as an end point biomarker. Supplementation of vanadium (0.5 ppm ad libitum) in drinking water and beta-carotene in the basal diet (120 mg/Kg of body weight) were performed four weeks before DENA treatment and continued till the end of the experiment (16 weeks). PIXE analysis revealed the restoration of near normal value of zinc, copper, and iron, which were substantially altered when compared to carcinogen treated groups. Supplementation of both vanadium and beta-carotene four weeks before DENA injection was found to offer significant (64.73%, P < 0.001) protection against generation of single-strand breaks when compared with the carcinogen control counter parts. A significant stabilization of hepatic architecture of the cells was observed as compared to carcinogen control in vanadium plus beta-carotene treated group. This study thus suggests that vanadium, a prooxidant but potential therapeutic agent yield safe and effective pharmacological formulation with beta-carotene, an antioxidant, in the inhibition of experimental rat hepatocarcinogenesis.     

Isolation of ES-like lines of common voles of the genus Microtus from blastocysts and germ cells and as a result of the fusion of somatic cells with mouse embryonic stem cells

Three and four independent cell lines with limited pluripotency were obtained from the inner cell mass cells of blastocysts and primordial germ cells of common voles, respectively. The results of cytogenetic analysis suggest that all these lines originated from the embryos of F1 Microtus rossiaemeridionalis x M. arvalis males and had a great number of near-triploid cells already during the early passages. The cells of these lines, like those of the inner cell mass, were characterized by the alkaline phosphatase activity. Nine independent cell lines were obtained as a result of hybridization of the mouse embryonic stem cells and vole splenocytes: eight lines and one line from hybridization with the M. kirgisorum and M. rossiaemeridionalis splenocytes, respectively. The cells of these lines expressed some properties of embryonic stem lines had a chromosome complement similar to the sum of two initial diploid sets of the mouse and vole.     

Variation in morphometric and genetic characteristics of stellate sturgeon juveniles raised at different densities

Genetic and size/weight characteristics of stellate sturgeon juveniles were examined under standard and twice lower than standard densities. Viability, growth rate, and variability of juveniles were higher at standard density. Individuals with different genotypes exhibited higher viability and faster growth at different densities, which was particularly pronounced in case of the PGM1 locus. Despite the high phenotypic variability of sturgeon juveniles under standard conditions, its genetic component was higher at low density. It was concluded that low density conditions, which are closer to the natural ones, mediate maintenance of genetic variability.