Restriction mapping and sequencing have shown that humans have
substantially lower levels of mitochondrial genome diversity (d) than
chimpanzees. In contrast, humans have substantially higher levels of
heterozygosity (H) at protein-coding loci, suggesting a higher level of
diversity in the nuclear genome. To investigate the discrepancy further, we
sequenced a segment of the mitochondrial genome control region (CR) from 49
chimpanzees. The majority of these were from the Pan troglodytes versus
subspecies, which was underrepresented in previous studies. We also
estimated the average heterozygosity at 60 short tandem repeat (STR) loci
in both species. For a total sample of 115 chimpanzees, d = 0.075 +/0
0.037, compared to 0.020 +/- 0.011 for a sample of 1,554 humans. The
heterozygosity of human STR loci is significantly higher than that of
chimpanzees. Thus, the higher level of nuclear genome diversity relative to
mitochondrial genome diversity in humans is not restricted to
protein-coding loci. It seems that humans, not chimpanzees, have an unusual
d/H ratio, since the ratio in chimpanzees is similar to that in other
catarrhines. This discrepancy in the relative levels of nuclear and
mitochondrial genome diversity in the two species cannot be explained by
differences in mutation rate. However, it may result from a combination of
factors such as a difference in the extent of sex ratio disparity, the
greater effect of population subdivision on mitochondrial than on nuclear
genome diversity, a difference in the relative levels of male and female
migration among subpopulations, diversifying selection acting to increase
variation in the nuclear genome, and/or directional selection acting to
reduce variation in the mitochondrial genome.
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Abstract Two chronosequences of unsaturated, buried loess sediments, ranging in age from <10,000 years to >1 million years, were investigated to reconstruct patterns of microbial ecological succession that have occurred since sediment burial. The relative importance of microbial transport and survival to succession was inferred from sediment ages, porewater ages, patterns of abundance (measured by direct counts, counts of culturable cells, and total phospholipid fatty acids), activities (measured by radiotracer and enzyme assays), and community composition (measured by phospholipid fatty acid patterns and Biolog substrate usage). Core samples were collected at two sites 40 km apart in the Palouse region of eastern Washington State, near the towns of Washtucna and Winona. The Washtucna site was flooded multiple times during the Pleistocene by glacial outburst floods; the Winona site elevation is above flood stage. Sediments at the Washtucna site were collected from near surface to 14.9 m depth, where the sediment age was approximately 250 ka and the porewater age was 3700 years; sample intervals at the Winona site ranged from near surface to 38 m (sediment age: approximately 1 Ma; porewater age: 1200 years). Microbial abundance and activities declined with depth at both sites; however, even the deepest, oldest sediments showed evidence of viable microorganisms. Same-age sediments had equal quantities of microorganisms, but different community types. Differences in community makeup between the two sites can be attributed to differences in groundwater recharge and paleoflooding. Estimates of the microbial community age can be constrained by porewater and sediment ages. In the shallower sediments (<9 m at Washtucna, <12 m at Winona), the microbial communities are likely similar in age to the groundwater; thus, microbial succession has been influenced by recent transport of microorganisms from the surface. In the deeper sediments, the populations may be considerably older than the porewater ages, since microbial transport is severely restricted in unsaturated sediments. This is particularly true at the Winona site, which was never flooded. 相似文献
Fishes represent the stem vertebrate condition and have maintained several
gene arrangements common to mammalian genomes throughout the 450 Myr of
divergence from a common ancestor. One such syntenic arrangement includes
the GPI-PEPD enzyme association on Xiphophorus linkage group IV and human
chromosome 19. Previously we assigned the Xiphophorus homologue of the
human ERCC2 gene to linkage group U5 in tight association with the CKM
locus. CKM is also tightly linked to the ERCC2 locus on human chromosome
19, leading to speculation that human chromosome 19 may have arisen by
fusion of two ancestral linkage groups which have been maintained in
fishes. To investigate this hypothesis further, we isolated and sequenced
Xiphophorus fish genomic regions exhibiting considerable sequence
similarity to the human DNA ligase 1 amino acid sequence. Comparison of the
fish DNA ligase sequence with those of other species suggests several modes
of amino acid conservation in this gene. A 2.2-kb restriction fragment
containing part of an X. maculatus DNA ligase 1 exon was used in backcross
hybrid mapping with 12 enzyme or RFLP loci. Significant linkage was
observed between the nucleoside phosphorylase (NP2) and the DNA ligase
(LIG1) loci on Xiphophorus linkage group VI. This assignment suggests that
the association of four DNA repair-related genes on human chromosome 19 may
be the result of chance chromosomal rearrangements.
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Two experiments were designed to investigate release patterns of oxytocin into plasma during oestrus and the early luteal phase. In Exp. 1, blood samples were collected from 5 ewes every 30 min for 10 h during 6 days around oestrus and the early luteal phase. During oestrus concentrations of oxytocin were generally low (1.27 +/- 0.54 pg/ml; mean +/- s.d.) but with occasional pulses up to 6 pg/ml. By Day 5 mean basal concentrations had risen to 4.5 +/- 2.1 pg/ml with a fluctuating release pattern. In Exp. 2, a method was developed for continuous blood sampling from conscious, unrestrained ewes. On the predicted day of oestrus following an untreated oestrous cycle, 8-ml blood samples were collected every minute for two 35-min periods (8 ewes: 16 sampling periods). For 6 ewes a ram was introduced to the pen for part of this time, and resulting behaviour was recorded. Additional blood samples were assayed for LH and progesterone to determine the stage of the cycle. Overall mean oxytocin concentrations ranged from 1.5 +/- 0.53 to 6.8 +/- 5.25 pg/ml in different animals. Ewes which were both in oestrus and exposed to the ram showed a pulsatile oxytocin release pattern consisting of low baseline concentrations with short-duration pulses superimposed (duration 1-4 min; amplitude 2.5-31.7 pg/ml; frequency 3.18/h). Coitus was not temporally associated with pulsatile release. However, the importance of the presence of the ram was indicated by total separation of 2 oestrous ewes from the ram until after experimentation. In these animals only 1 pulse of oxytocin was detected in 2.7 h of sampling. It is concluded that, although mean oxytocin concentrations at oestrus were low, short duration pulses were released into the plasma at this time. This effect may be dependent on the presence of a ram. 相似文献
Contact and airborne transmission of P. multocida in rabbits was evaluated in an artificially controlled environment. Transmission by contact occurred more readily from rabbits with acute infections than from rabbits with chronic infections. However, airborne transmission to rabbits in adjacent cages did not occur. 相似文献
An experiment was carried out to determine if broiler fowl, when given a free choice, would avoid ammoniated environments. The effect of rearing aerial environment on these preferences was tested subsequently during a similar free choice experiment.
Firstly, each of four flocks of twelve 26-day-old female Ross broiler fowl, reared in fresh air, was placed in a preference chamber with access to four compartments. After an initial 4-day acclimatisation period, where no ammonia was provided, birds were given a free choice of 4, 11, 20 and 37 ppm atmospheric ammonia over a period of 16 days. Coloured panels in each of the compartments provided the birds with a secondary cue to associate with aerial environment. Ammonia/colour cue treatment was relocated to a different compartment every 4 days. Data collection occurred during two periods that differed in light level: bright (100 lx) and dim (10 lx). The birds avoided the two higher ammonia concentrations, choosing to spend equal amounts of their time in 4 and 11 ppm during the bright phase. During the dim period, broiler fowl spent significantly more time in 4 ppm (light intensity and ammonia occupancy interaction: F3,60 = 5.40; P = 0.002). Ammonia significantly affected compartment visit duration with back transformed mean visits of 37, 28, 20 and 15 min for 4, 11, 20 and 37 ppm, respectively (Wald statistic = 29.07; d.f. = 3; P < 0.001).
Secondly, eight flocks of 12 female broiler fowl were exposed to either 2 or 19 ppm ammonia from 1 to 26 days of age. At 26 days, each flocks, was placed in a preference chamber with access to four compartments and kept at the same atmospheric ammonia concentration (2 or 19 ppm) during an acclimatisation periods of 4 days. Following acclimatisation, a 4-day test was conducted in which the birds were given a choice of compartments containing 4, 12, 20 and 37 ppm ammonia with colour cues. Birds again avoided the two higher ammonia concentrations (F3,15 = 8.54; P = 0.002) and there was no significant interaction between ammonia and previous exposure. Again there was an effect of ammonia on compartment visit duration (Wald statistic = 15.94; d.f. = 3; P = 0.001) but there was no significant interaction between ammonia and previous exposure. Broiler fowl avoid ammonia at concentrations commonly found on poultry units regardless of previous experience, suggesting it to be aversive at concentrations above approximately 10 ppm. 相似文献
A group of 14 ewes was actively immunized against oxytocin coupled to carrier protein, and comparisons of the reproductive status of these animals were made against ewes immunized against carrier protein only (N = 5) and untreated controls (N = 6). The last two groups were indistinguishable and were therefore combined as a single control group for analysis of the results. Oestrous cycle lengths were significantly extended in oxytocin-immunized ewes (P less than 0.005) with 42% of cycles lasting greater than 18 days. Cloprostenol treatment in the mid-luteal phase resulted in apparently normal luteal regression and re-ovulation, but luteal phase FSH concentrations and follicular phase LH concentrations were elevated in the immunized ewes, although surge levels of both hormones were unaffected. Measurements of free oxytocin concentrations in the blood suggested that these were significantly raised in treated animals. Progesterone concentrations in peripheral plasma were not altered by treatment. Mating resulted in a conception rate of 91% in control ewes compared with only 28% in oxytocin-immunized animals (P less than 0.01). There was no evidence of any conceptus material in the uteri of non-pregnant immunized ewes 25 days after service. Some had re-ovulated, whereas the ovaries of others contained mature corpora lutea which had been maintained. Ovarian histology appeared normal. We conclude that active immunization against oxytocin influences gonadotrophin secretion and reduces fertility. The site(s) of action for both of these effects needs to be determined. 相似文献
Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) is an extremely rare congenital condition where one or more of the pulmonary veins are connected to the venous circulation. Although initially suspected with unexplained right ventricular enlargement on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), cardiac MRI is able to delineate the anatomical variant. We present a case of a 65-year-old male diagnosed with left sided PAPVC using multimodality cardiac imaging. 相似文献