Color FISH Research Articles

The Effect of Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles on Carcass Composition, Fatty Acid Composition, Skin and Fillet Coloration of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) as an alternative protein source on carcass composition, fatty acid composition, skin, and fillet coloration of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Four isoproteic (45.5% crude protein) and isocaloric (17.42 MJ/kg) diets were formulated using DDGS (0, 10, 20 and 30%) for a feeding trial of 84 days. Fish (mean initial weight of 19.88 g) were distributed into triplicate treatments at a rate of 25 fish per 200 L tanks and fed to satiation with the experimental diets three times a day. The results of the present study show that the coloration of experimental fish was not modified negatively by the use of DDGS protein sources in diets. Carcass composition values were also not affected by increased DDGS, although some fatty acids were affected. Total saturated fatty acids, total monounsaturated fatty acids, total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Σn-3 PUFA) and Σn-3 PUFA/total n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Σn-6 PUFA) values of the fish in the experimental groups were found to be statistically similar. On the other hand, palmiteloic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and Σn-3 PUFA decreased, while linoleic acid, Σn-6 PUFA and ΣPUFA increased significantly. In conclusion, the fatty acid composition of fish muscle was affected by the use of DDGS up to a rate of 30% in rainbow trout diet, while no negative effect on the skin and fillet coloration could be found.

Rhodococcus sp. as probiotic bacteria for increase the survival, growth and coloration of fish Puntius conchonius

An The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bacteria Rhodococcus sp. in growth, survival, and coloration of Puntius conchonius. It was obtained a batch of 300 larvae of seven days after hatching and were divided in six aquariums of 60 litters (50 org per aquarium) and fed with Artemia franciscana nauplii, enriched with Rhodococcus sp. at a concentration of 1 x 10 7 cells per milliliter. There was also a control treatment where larvae were only fed with Artemia nauplii without probiotic. Every fifteen days, biometric parameters were obtained such as weight, total length, high, wide. Also, physicochemical parameters were measured like pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, nitrites, and ammonium, and it was evaluated the increase in fish coloration following the method for pigment extraction. Feeding period was carried out for 60 days. Survival was 100% in both treatments, but in fish fed with Rhodococcus sp. presented better growth results in total length, wide and weight, than control group. Regarding to fish coloration, variance analysis showed significant differences between treatments (P=0.035), having a better coloration in tissue of fish fed with probiotic, proving that this genus present enormous benefits as it not only improves productive parameters, but also increases coloration of fish; fundamental aspect for ornamental species commercialization.

Heavy loads of parasitic freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritiferaL.) larvae impair foraging, activity and dominance performance in juvenile brown trout (Salmo truttaL.)

AbstractThe life cycle of the endangered freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) includes a parasitic larval phase (glochidia) on the gills of a salmonid host. Glochidia encystment has been shown to affect both swimming ability and prey capture success of brown trout (Salmo trutta), which suggests possible fitness consequences for host fish. To further investigate the relationship between glochidia encystment and behavioural parameters in brown trout, pairs (n = 14) of wild‐caught trout (infested vs. uninfested) were allowed to drift feed in large stream aquaria and foraging success, activity, agonistic behaviour and fish coloration were observed. No differences were found between infested and uninfested fish except for in coloration, where infested fish were significantly darker than uninfested fish. Glochidia load per fish varied from one to several hundred glochidia, however, and high loads had significant effects on foraging, activity and behaviour. Trout with high glochidia loads captured less prey, were less active and showed more subordinate behaviour than did fish with lower loads. Heavy glochidia loads therefore may negatively influence host fitness due to reduced competitive ability. These findings have implications not only for management of mussel populations in the streams, but also for captive breeding programmes which perhaps should avoid high infestation rates. Thus, low levels of infestation on host fish which do not affect trout behaviour but maintains mussel populations may be optimal in these cases.

Dietary astaxanthin improved the body pigmentation and antioxidant function, but not the growth of discus fish (Symphysodonspp.)

To assess the effects of dietary astaxanthin on the growth and body colour of red discus fish (Symphysodon spp.), synthetic astaxanthin was added into the basal diet (beef heart hamburger) with the levels of 0 (control diet), 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg kg−1 respectively. The six experimental diets were fed to discus fish with an initial body weight of 10.3 ± 0.8 g for 8 weeks. The results showed that the supplementation of 50–200 mg kg−1 astaxanthin had no significant effects on growth performance of discus fish, but the high supplementation of astaxanthin (300 or 400 mg kg−1) significantly reduced the weight gain and increased the feed coefficient ratio (P < 0.05). After 4 or 8 weeks of feeding, the L* (lightness) values in astaxanthin-supplemented groups were significantly lower, while a* (redness), b* (yellowness) and skin astaxanthin contents were significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). When the astaxanthin supplementation reached 200 mg kg−1, skin redness and astaxanthin contents remained relatively stable. When b* was relatively stable, the supplemental astaxanthin was 300 (4 weeks) and 50 mg kg−1 (8 weeks) respectively. With the supplemental astaxanthin increasing, the astaxanthin retention rate significantly decreased and hepatic total antioxidant capacity was strengthened. The dietary astaxanthin also significantly increased the reduced glutathione level (P < 0.05) when the astaxanthin inclusion was higher than 50 mg kg−1. The above results showed that dietary astaxanthin could effectively improve the skin pigmentation of red discus fish in 4 weeks and the supplementation level was suggested to be 200 mg kg−1.

Carotenoids and Pigmentation in Ornamental Fish

In recent decades aquariculture has emerged as a globally growing million dollar industry comprising cultivation of various freshwater and marine species of finfish as well as shellfish. Pigmentation is one of the major quality attributes of the aquarium fish for market acceptability. Carotenoids are responsible for pigmentation of muscle in food fish and skin color in ornamental fish. Like all other animals fishes are unable of de novo synthesis of carotenoids and rely on diet for fulfillment of carotenoids. Properly formulated feed is the major backbone of successful culture of ornamental fish in confined environment. In this review paper an attempt has been made to prioritize the importance of carotenoids in aquariculture.

Colour thresholds in a coral reef fish.

Coral reef fishes are among the most colourful animals in the world. Given the diversity of lifestyles and habitats on the reef, it is probable that in many instances coloration is a compromise between crypsis and communication. However, human observation of this coloration is biased by our primate visual system. Most animals have visual systems that are ‘tuned’ differently to humans; optimized for different parts of the visible spectrum. To understand reef fish colours, we need to reconstruct the appearance of colourful patterns and backgrounds as they are seen through the eyes of fish. Here, the coral reef associated triggerfish, Rhinecanthus aculeatus, was tested behaviourally to determine the limits of its colour vision. This is the first demonstration of behavioural colour discrimination thresholds in a coral reef species and is a critical step in our understanding of communication and speciation in this vibrant colourful habitat. Fish were trained to discriminate between a reward colour stimulus and series of non-reward colour stimuli and the discrimination thresholds were found to correspond well with predictions based on the receptor noise limited visual model and anatomy of the eye. Colour discrimination abilities of both reef fish and a variety of animals can therefore now be predicted using the parameters described here.

KOMPOSISI KIMIA DAGING SEGAR DAN SIFAT ORGANOLEPTIK KELELAWAR OLAHAN

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ORGANOLEPTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PROCESSING BAT (Pteropus alecto) FRESH MEAT. Study was done to evaluate chemical composition and preference degree of the consumers on the processing bat meat compared with beef, chicken and cakalang fish using steam cooking method, flavor cooking and spicy cooking method. Chemical composition was analyzed by proximate analysis using procedures of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The organoleptic test was done by hedonic test. Data of the hedonic test were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis method. To evaluate data distribution of the panelist respons on the sample test, the data were using plot graphic box. The hedonic scales were using 1 to 7. The variables used were including color, taste, flavor, tenderness and general acceptance. Results of proximate analyses of bat meat based on fresh meat indicated that water content was 67.21 percents and protein was 20.48 percents. Based on dry matter, the protein contents of bat meat, pork, chicken, and cakalang fish were 48.97 percents, 69.08 percents, 67.14 percents, and 69.41 percents, respectively. The water contents were 5.76 percents, 9.92 percents, 8.27 percents, and 9.90 percents, repsectively; the calcium (Ca) contents were also 10.62 percents, 1.09 percents, 1.36 percents, 1.38 percents, respectively; while Phosphor (P) contents were 1.46 percents, 0.69 percents, 0.66 percents, and 0.72 percents, respectively. Variance analysis for organoleptic test showed that meat type with different processing affected significantly on taste, color, flavor, tenderness and general preference of bat meat, beef meat, chicken meat and cakalang fish by steam cooking, chicken flavor, and spicy cooking methods. Conclusion, bat meat contained protein relatively lower than that in pork meat, chicken meat, and cakalang fish, but mineral contents were relative higher. Results of organoleptic test showed that preference degree of processing meat were higher on using spicy flavor. The specific test on taste, color, flavor, tenderness and general responsed showed relatively the same responses by the panelists. Key word: Chemical composition, organoleptic test, processing bat meat

Abstract 439: Detection of aurora kinase A (AURKA) focal amplification in plasma samples of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer

Abstract Purpose: Aurora kinases are associated with acquired resistance to therapy in human cancers. We hypothesized that AURKA amplification is a late event in ovarian cancer (OC) progression and that frequency of amplification might be underestimated if assessed in tumor samples collected at the time of initial diagnosis. To test this hypothesis, we determined AURKA amplification levels in patients with recurrent OC and compared those to AURKA amplification levels in the same patients at the time of diagnosis. Methods: Samples were collected from 33 patients with taxane- and platinum-resistant OC enrolled in a first-in-human (FIH) study that evaluated monotherapy with AMG 900, an orally administered pan-aurora kinase inhibitor (NCT00858377). We performed a targeted analysis of the AURKA locus and surrounding regions using next-generation paired-end sequencing (Illumina HiSeq2500 and 100 bp paired-end reads). By using extremely high sequence coverage (average coverage of &amp;gt; 2,000-fold), we were able to detect and quantify circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in plasma and to identify chromosomal alterations characteristic of tumor DNA. Sequencing was performed at Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx, Baltimore, MD). In addition, we performed AURKA (20q13) / 20q11 FISH in archival FFPE sections from the same patients. The AURKA (20q13) / 20q11 dual color FISH probe kit was purchased from Kreatech (now Leica Biosystems, Buffalo Grove, IL). Amplification states were defined as follows: amplified: AURKA (20q13) / 20q11 signal &amp;gt; 2.0; borderline: AURKA (20q13) / 20q11 signal &amp;lt; 2.0 and &amp;gt; 1.5; non-amplified: AURKA (20q13) / 20q11 signal &amp;lt; 1.5. FISH analyses were performed at Mosaic Laboratories (Lake Forest, CA). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Plasma samples were available from all patients. Analysis of rearrangements surrounding the AURKA locus in plasma samples identified 11 of the 33 patients as AURKA amplified. Archival FFPE sections were available from 27 of the 33 patients, and 21 of these 27 patients were evaluable by FISH for AURKA amplification. FISH only identified 1 patient as AURKA amplified and 1 additional patient as borderline amplified. Patients with AURKA amplification in plasma had received a median (min, max) of 6 (2,18) prior lines of chemotherapy, while patients without AURKA amplification had received a median (min, max) of 3 (1, 14) lines of prior chemotherapy. AURKA amplification as determined in plasma ctDNA at the time of AMG 900 study entry was an indicator of shorter PFS (median 9.4 vs 19.9 weeks; P = 0.04) and OS (median 9.4 vs 27.6 weeks; P = 0.013). Conclusions: Our results suggest that AURKA amplification is a late event in ovarian cancer progression,and that monitoring AURKA focal amplification in plasma ctDNA allows the non-invasive assessment of acquired resistance to cancer therapy. Citation Format: Gloria Juan, Katherine Paweletz, Abraham Anderson, Erick Gamelin, Gregory Friberg, Robert Loberg, Florian Vogl. Detection of aurora kinase A (AURKA) focal amplification in plasma samples of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 439.

Depth‐dependent plasticity in opsin gene expression varies between damselfish (Pomacentridae) species

Phenotypic plasticity plays an important role in adapting the visual capability of many animal species to changing sensory requirements. Such variability may be driven by developmental change or may result from environmental changes in light habitat, thereby improving performance in different photic environments. In this study, we examined inter- and intraspecific plasticity of visual sensitivities in seven damselfish species, part of the species-rich and colourful fish fauna of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Our goal was to test whether the visual systems of damselfish were tuned to the prevailing light environment in different habitats and/or other aspects of their lifestyle. More specifically, we compared the opsin gene expression levels from individuals living in different photic habitats. We found that all species expressed rod opsin (RH1) used for dim-light vision, and primarily three cone opsins (SWS1, RH2B and RH2A) used for colour vision. While RH1 levels changed exclusively following a diurnal cycle, cone opsin expression varied with depth in four of the seven species. Estimates of visual pigment performance imply that changes in opsin expression adjust visual sensitivities to the dominant photic regime. However, we also discovered that some species show a more stable opsin expression profile. Further, we found indication that seasonal changes, possibly linked to changes in the photic environment, might also trigger opsin expression. These findings suggest that plasticity in opsin gene expression of damselfish is highly species-specific, possibly due to ecological differences in visual tasks or, alternatively, under phylogenetic constraints.

Image analysis-based classification of pigmentation patterns in fish: A case study of pseudo-albinism in Senegalese sole

We present new objective tools for extraction and classification of skin colour and textural features in fish using a Gray Level Co-Occurrence matrix (GLCM) method followed by data dimension reduction procedures. To achieve this, we examined the skin pigmentation patterns in Senegalese sole, Solea senegalensis early juveniles showing several degrees of pigmentation patterns ranging from pseudo-albinosis to normal pigmentation. Four textural descriptors were chosen to extract the textural features of sole skin from the GLCM image (contrast, energy, homogeneity and correlation). Effective classification and discrimination procedures of sole skin textural descriptors were analyzed and compared by means of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). Results indicated that LDA was more suitable for this task and by using it we could easily differentiate between albino and pseudo-albino soles. Therefore, we propose an open source classification system based on image analysis that can be used in studies on fish pigmentation patterns and defects. The description of the work contained herein also suggests how this classification system, together with an appropriately designed mechanical sorting system, might be used in separating abnormal fish during aquaculture production. Statement of relevanceThis contribution presents new tools for extraction and classification of skin colour and textural features in fish using a Gray Level Co-Occurrence matrix (GLCM) method followed by data dimension reduction procedures. These procedures are of special interest in flatfish hatcheries where pigmentary disorders are common; the use of the image analysis procedures may allow the proper identification of malpigmented fish and the assessment of their quality in terms of pigmentation patterns.

Interphase Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization Analysis of Cytogenetic Abnormalities in Egyptian Patients with Plasma Cell Myeloma

Background: Cytogenetic abnormalities are ubiquitous in plasma cell myeloma representing the hallmark of the disease. These abnormalities have been used as the foundation to establish prognostic factors for accurate risk stratification in plasma cell myeloma. The present study aimed to detect the incidence 14q32 IgH rearrangements, t(11;14), t(4;14), 13q del and 17p del by Interphase Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (iFISH) and their relation to the standard prognostic factors and patients’ outcome . Method: Thirty one newly diagnosed Egyptian myeloma patients were tested for the expression of 14q32 IgH rearrangements by using the locus specific identifier (LSI) IGH Dual Color FISH break apart rearrangement probe, we also used the LSI IGH/CCND1 Dual Color Dual Fusion Probe for detection of t(11;14)(q13;q32), LSI IGH/FGFR3 Dual Fusion Probe for detection of t(4;14)(p16;q32), LSI D13S319 (13q14.3) probe for detection of 13q del and LSI TP53 Probe for detection of 17p del on bone marrow samples collected from the patients at diagnosis. Results: Abnormal iFISH results were found in 21 patients (67.7%) of the 31 examined patients. Ten patients (32.3%) exhibited 14q IgH rearrangement. Both t(11;14) and t(4;14) were found in 4 patients (12.9%). 17p13 del was detected in 3 patients (9.7%) while 8 patients (25.8%) showed positive results for 13q del. There were statistical significant decrease in mean total leucocytic count (P= 0.030) and mean serum albumin level (P= 0.008) in patients showing positive genetic abnormalities detected by iFISH whereas a significant increase in β2-microglobulin level (>5.5mg/dL) (P= 0.052) and kappa light chain (P= 0.015) were found in those patients. A statistically significant lower serum calcium ( 300 IU/L) (P= 0.003). Patients with positive t(4;14) had significantly older age (over 60 years) (P= 0.018) and lower platelet counts ( 4x10 9 /L) (P= 0.002). Patients with positive 13q del had significantly lower mean

Safety and efficacy of copper complexes of chlorophylls for ornamental fish, grain‐eating ornamental birds and small rodents and of copper complexes of chlorophyllins for all animal species

Copper complexes of chlorophylls are applied as colourants used for ornamental fish, grain-eating ornamental birds and small rodents (subgroup: substances which favourably affect the colour of ornamental fish or birds). Copper complexes of chlorophyllins are applied as a colourant to add colour to feedingstuffs of cats and dogs and all animal species and for all animal species for use in certain groups of feed materials. In the absence of adequate data on absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, genotoxicity, subchronic and chronic toxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity of copper complexes of chlorophyllins, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) could not conclude on the safety of this additive for the consumer. No data on the tolerance of target animals were provided. In the absence of adequate toxicological data that would allow deriving a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) and to exclude the genotoxic potential, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of copper complex of chlorophylls and copper complex of chlorophyllins for the target animals. In the absence of data the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the safety for the user of the additives. No risks to the environment are expected from the use of copper complexes of chlorophylls or copper complexes of chlorophyllins in animal nutrition. The FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude (i) on the efficacy of copper complexes of chlorophylls to colour ornamental fish, grain-eating ornamental birds and small rodents, and (ii) on the concentrations of copper complexes of chlorophylls and of chlorophyllins necessary to visibly colour feed of cats and dogs, ornamental birds, small rodents and certain feed materials for all animal species.

The Bigeye Scad, Selar Crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793) (Family Carangidae), New to the California Marine Fauna, with a List to and Keys for All California Carangids

The anomalously warm waters of the northeast Pacific 2014–2015 brought with it a variety of subtropical and tropical fish species previously unusual or absent from California waters (Bond et al., 2015; pers. comm. M. McCrea, pers. comm.; J. Shepherd). On 1 February 2015, Mr. Keichi Yamamoto speared a fish that we have identified as Selar crumenophthalmus (Bloch, 1793), the bigeye scad (Fig. 1). The fish was captured in the midwaters of a kelp bed (bottom depth 8 m) off Rancho Palos Verdes (33u489N, 118u249W), southern California. This is the first time this species has been reported from off California. The fish he speared was one of approximately 10 conspecifics that were swimming with a school of juvenile jack mackerel, Trachurus symmetricus (Ayres, 1855). This specimen is housed in the fish collection at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, LACM 58288-1. We identified this fish (22.4 cm fork length) through the following diagnostic characters: Two papillae on the bone margin at the rear of the gill chamber (the lower one larger than the upper); the presence of a large eye (eye width greater than snout length) with adipose eyelid covers; and dorsal, anal, and pectoral fin counts and gill raker counts (Table 1). Meristics from our specimen fall within the range reported by other studies. Hardened scutes were present in the posterior lateral line. No finlets were present. The fish color was olive on dorsum, with a golden stripe along flanks, and a silvery belly. There was a diffuse golden ring around the eye. Bigeye scad are normally circumtropical. In the western Pacific, they have been found as far northward as the Pacific coast of southern Japan (Nakabo, 2002) and Sea of Japan (Parin, 2003). Previous to this capture, the eastern Pacific range was from Lagunas Ojo de Liebre-Guerrero Negro, central Baja California (Galvan-Magana et al., 2000) to Cabo Blanco, Peru (Chirichigno, 1974), including the Gulf of California (Smith-Vaniz in Fischer et al., 1995), Islas Galapagos (Grove and Lavenberg, 1997), Isla de Malpelo, Isla de Coco, Isla Clipperton, and Islas Revillagigedo (Robertson and Allen, 2008). This is a pelagic species found from surface waters to depths of 170 m (558 ft) (Randall et al., 1990, Allen and Robertson, 1994). It reaches a maximum length of 70 cm (Kuiter and Tonozuka, 2001). Of particular interest is that Mr. Yamamoto first observed a similar number of what were likely the same species in the same location in November 2014, also mixed in with juvenile jack mackerel. In addition, Mr. Yamamoto continued to observe bigeye scad at this location to as late as early March 2015, at this time swimming with a school of juvenile Pacific barracuda (Sphyraena argentea Girard, 1852). These sightings suggest that at least some bigeye scad may remain within a relatively circumscribed area for lengthy periods.

Retinal specialization through spatially varying cell densities and opsin coexpression in cichlid fish.

The distinct behaviours of animals and the varied habitats in which animals live place different requirements on their visual systems. A trade-off exists between resolution and sensitivity, with these properties varying across the retina. Spectral sensitivity, which affects both achromatic and chromatic (colour) vision, also varies across the retina, though the function of this inhomogeneity is less clear. We previously demonstrated spatially varying spectral sensitivity of double cones in the cichlid fish Metriaclima zebra owing to coexpression of different opsins. Here, we map the distributions of ganglion cells and cone cells and quantify opsin coexpression in single cones to show these also vary across the retina. We identify an area centralis with peak acuity and infrequent coexpression, which may be suited for tasks such as foraging and detecting male signals. The peripheral retina has reduced ganglion cell densities and increased opsin coexpression. Modeling of cichlid visual tasks indicates that coexpression might hinder colour discrimination of foraging targets and some fish colours. But, coexpression might improve contrast detection of dark objects against bright backgrounds, which might be useful for detecting predators or zooplankton. This suggests a trade-off between acuity and colour discrimination in the central retina versus lower resolution but more sensitive contrast detection in the peripheral retina. Significant variation in the pattern of coexpression among individuals, however, raises interesting questions about the selective forces at work.

Mate choice plasticity in a coral reef fish

Mate choice and intrasexual mating competition are the processes that drive sexual selection and can be interrelated in multiple ways. Female preference may be altered by exposure to male-male interactions. This could happen because of a reduced ability of females to evaluate males in the presence of male-male competition or because females use information from male interactions to form mating preferences. In this study, female preference for a male tail ornament was measured in the presence and absence of male-male competition in a coral reef fish, the damselfish Chrysiptera cyanea. Despite the striking colors of coral reef fishes, few studies have investigated the role of their coloration in the context of sexual selection. When male-male interactions were prevented, females showed a temporal change in preference with respect to male tail coloration, preferring brightly colored males early in the study period and dull males later on. Thus, females did not become less selective, but reversed their preference function within the breeding season. When males were allowed to interact, male-male agonistic interactions were extremely frequent and male courtship activity was strongly reduced. In this situation, females still displayeda sexual interest in males, but were indiscriminate with regard to male tail coloration.Taken together, these results provide compelling evidence for plasticity of female matingpreference, related to the social context and time in the breeding season.

Modelling colour constancy in fish: implications for vision and signalling in water.

Colour vision and colour signals are important to aquatic animals, but light scattering and absorption by water distorts spectral stimuli. To investigate the performance of colour vision in water, and to suggest how photoreceptor spectral sensitivities and body colours might evolve for visual communication, we model the effects of changes in viewing distance and depth on the appearance of fish colours for three teleosts: a barracuda, Sphyraena helleri, which is dichromatic and two damselfishes, Chromis verater and Chromis hanui, which are trichromatic. We assume that photoreceptors light-adapt to the background, thereby implementing the von Kries transformation, which can largely account for observed colour constancy in humans and other animals, including fish. This transformation does not, however, compensate for light scattering over variable viewing distances, which in less than a metre seriously impairs dichromatic colour vision, and makes judgement of colour saturation unreliable for trichromats. The von Kries transformation does substantially offset colour shifts caused by changing depth, so that from depths of 0 to 30 m modelled colour changes (i.e. failures of colour constancy) are sometimes negligible. However, the magnitudes and directions of remaining changes are complex, depending upon the specific spectral sensitivities of the receptors and the reflectance spectra. This predicts that when judgement of colour is important, the spectra of signalling colours and photoreceptor spectral sensitivities should be evolutionarily linked, with the colours dependent on photoreceptor spectral sensitivities, and vice versa.

Effects of Different Carotenoids on Pigmentation of Blood Parrot (Cichlasoma synspilum × Cichlasoma citrinellum)

A feeding experiment was carried out to determine the effects of dietary carotenoid source on body color, skin and scale pigmentation, antioxidant responses of blood porrot (Cichlasoma synspilum ♀ × Cichlasoma citrinellum ♂). Seven experimental diets were formulated as following: the control diet without carotenoids; PO diet with 4.0 g/kg paprika oleoresin, HP diet with 2.0 g/kg Haematococcus pluvialis, PR diet with 2.0 g/kg Phaffia rhodozyma, AS diet with 0.4 g/kg synthetic astaxanthin, CA diet with 1.0 g/kg β-carotene and POL diet with 2.0 g/kg paprika oleoresin + 3.0 g/kg lutein. Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of fish to visual satiation twice per day for 8 weeks. The results showed that AS diet turn fish body red higher and sooner, followed by PR diet and HP diet, successively (P < 0.05). PO and CA had no significant effect on improving body color, but POL diet can turn fish color yellow effectively (P < 0.05). Astaxanthin concentration in diet is positively correlated with redness a*, but negatively with lightness L*. Diet lutein is positive linear correlation with yellowness b*. All carotenoids can significantly reduce plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lipid peroxide (LPO) level, but increase total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC). The present results suggest that dietary inclusion of 0.4 g/kg synthetic astaxanthin can improve body color effectively and quickly, and all test carotenoid source can increase antioxidant activities of blood parrot.

GROWTH AND COLOUR PERFORMANCE OF THE CROSSBREED MARBLE STRAIN Betta splendens AND Betta imbellis

Betta ornamental fish of marble strain is a strain which is prefered by the hobbyists, because of its unique color, expensive price, and difficult to obtain the fish color strains. Therefore strain marble betta fish is still dominant for export quality for national and international contests. The aim of this study was to observe the growth and color performance of the crossedbreed marble strains of wild betta, Betta imbellis crossed with Betta splendens. The hybrids of B. imbellis (f) x B. splendens (m) (D) had a specific length and weight rate, (1,113 ± 0.04%/day; 2,531 ± 0.14%/day; 26.61 ± 2.02 mm) which was better than that of the hybrids B. imbellis (m) x B. splendens (f) (C) (1,099 ± 0.02%/day; 2,244 ± 0.13%/day; 25.97 ± 1.33 mm; and 0.0027 ± 0.0003 mm). However, the survival rate of the C hybrids (42.19 ± 11.42%) was higher than those of D (33.67%-17.08%). Based on the obtained results of the color identification the hybrids had as many as 15 characters of color, homozygous strains of marble which became the target of as much as 1%.

Myeloid Malignancies with Isolated 7q Deletion Can be Further Characterized By Their Accompanying Molecular Mutations

Background: 7q deletions (del(7q)) are recurrent cytogenetic abnormalities. They occur either as the sole abnormality or accompanied by additional chromosome aberrations in AML, MDS, MDS/MPN and MPN. Cases with del(7q) as the sole abnormality are rare and poorly characterized.Aim: In patients with myeloid malignancies and del(7q) as the sole abnormality we determined 1. Type and size of the del(7q) 2. Spectrum of accompanying molecular mutations and their impact on the phenotype.Patients and Methods: 81 cases with myeloid malignancies and del(7q) as the sole abnormality were included in this study. Of these 38 had AML (27 de novo, 7 secondary, 4 therapy-related), 17 MDS (14 de novo, 3 therapy-related), 10 MDS/MPN (9 CMML, 1 MDS/MPN unclassifiable) and 16 MPN. The median age was 72 years (range: 29-89 years). All cases were investigated by array CGH (Agilent, Waldbronn, Germany) and for mutations in ASXL1, CALR, CBL, DNMT3A, ETV6, EZH2, JAK2, KRAS, MPL, NPM1, NRAS, RUNX1, SF3B1, SRSF2, TET2, and TP53.Results: Array CGH revealed an interstitial del(7q) in 67 cases, while 14 cases showed terminal del(7q). Further characterization of these deletions using 24 color FISH revealed unbalanced translocations in 10 of the 14 cases with terminal deletion. Partner chromosomes were X, 8, 9, 12, 13, 17 (n=2), 19 (n=2), and 22. The breakpoints on chromosome 7 were diverse ranging from 7q11 to 7q32. In two cases the breakpoint was within the CDK6 gene. In two cases with terminal del(7q) the complete loss of 7q was due to an idic(7)(q11.21). In the remaining two cases the terminal deletion could not be further resolved. In the 67 cases with interstitial del(7q) the size of the del(7q) varied between 1.8 and 158.9 Mb (median: 52.6 Mb). No commonly deleted region could be identified for all cases. However, in 57 cases the deleted region encompassed genomic position 101,912.442 (7q22.1) to 119,608.824 (7q31.31) including 111 genes. The size of the 7q deletion was smaller in cases with interstitial deletion as compared to terminal deletion (57.7 MB vs 70.9 MB, p=0.04) and in MPN as compared to all other entities (48.7 MB vs 62.8 MB, p<0.001). The mutation analyses revealed mutations in TET2 37% (25/67), ASXL1 35% (27/78), RUNX1 26% (18/69), DNMT3A 21% (14/68), SRSF2 18% (13/73), JAK2 V617F 14% (11/79), CBL 9% (7/75), NRAS 9% (7/77), MLL -PTD 5% (4/80), KRAS 5% (3/66), EZH2 4% (3/72), TP53 4% (3/74), SF3B1 4% (3/75), ETV6 3% (2/73), NPM1 3% (2/77), CALR 1% (1/77), MPL 1% (1/76). ASXL1 and TET2 were frequently co-mutated as 56% of ASXL1 mutated cases also harbored a TET2 mutation (p=0.02). 39 cases were analysed for all 16 molecular mutations. The majority of patients (n=27, 69%) had more than one mutation (range: 2-4), 9 patients (23%) had one mutation and in 3 patients (8%) no mutation was detected. The number of mutations per patient was lower in patients <70 years as compared to patients ≥70 years (0, 1,2,3,4 mutations detected in: 23%, 15%, 15%, 46%, and 0% vs 0%, 27%, 27%, 31%, and 15%, p=0.05). CBL mutations were most frequent in CMML (44%) but rare in all other subtypes (5%, p=0.003), while RUNX1 mutations were most frequent in AML (43% vs 9%; p=0.002) and JAK2 V617F mutations most frequent in MPN (50% vs 5%, p<0.001). DNMT3A mutations and MLL -PTD were significantly more frequent in de novo AML than in all other entities (43% vs 11%, p=0.007; 15% vs 0%, p=0.009), while no significant differences in frequency were observed between the different entities for any of the other mutations or the number of mutations per case. In CMML CBL mutations were associated with del(7q) (44%) as CBL mutations were present in only 17% of non del(7q) CMML (n=101, p=0.07). The frequency of RUNX1 mutations was significantly higher in AML with del(7q) as the sole abnormality (43%) as compared to all other AML (n=2273, 21%; p=0.001). Median overall survival (OS) for the total cohort was 25 months and did not differ significantly between AML, MDS, MDS/MPN and MPN (26, 27, not reached, 15 months, respectively).Conclusions: 1. Sizes and localisations of the del(7q) largely overlapped between AML, MDS, MDS/MPN and MPN. 2. 92% of all patients with 7q deletion harbored at least 1 molecular mutation. 3. TET2 and ASXL1 were the most frequently mutated genes and were present at comparable frequencies in all subtypes. 4. AML with del(7q) is closely associated with RUNX1 mutations while CMML with del(7q) frequently harbored CBL mutations suggesting a cooperative leukemogenic potential in these entities. DisclosuresHaferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Fasan:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Meggendorfer:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Zenger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Schnittger:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Kern:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership.

Effects of Protein Content in Selected Fish Towards the Production of Lactic Acid Bacteria (lactobacillus spp.) during the Production of Pekasam

Pekasam is one of Malaysia s famous fermented product. Pekasam fish is usually made from freshwater fish with ground roasted fragrant rice as the main ingredient as the fermentation substrate. Fermented food, especially from fish or seafood requires lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. to aid the fermentation process. Samples were fermented for 30 days based on natural fermentation of pekasam. Protein has a significant effect on the taste, flavor, color and shelf life of the pekasam fish. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of protein content on selected fish in relation to the production of lactic acid bacteria. It showed that the increment of Lactobacillus spp. associated with the higher amount of protein in the fish during the fermentation process. Patin fish showed the highest protein content (27.5%) with the highest increment in Lactobacillus spp. This suggests possible use of Patin fish as a potential source to improve the overall quality of fermented fish product.