Tail Length Ratio Research Articles

A proteomic view of isoproterenol induced cardiac hypertrophy: Prohibitin identified as a potential biomarker in rats

BackgroundThe present study aimed at using a proteomics based approach to: a) analyze and contrast the proteome of the healthy and isoproterenol induced hypertrophied hearts and b) identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis of cardiac hypertrophy.MethodsMale Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were administered isoproterenol (ISO, 5 mg/kg, sc, once daily) for 14 days to induce cardiac hypertrophy. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase (~ 55%) in the heart weight to tail length ratio after 14 days of treatment and cardiac hypertrophy was evidenced by significant increase of β-MHC and ANP, two indicative markers of cardiac hypertrophy, in the treated heart compared to that of control. Following confirmation of hypertrophy, 2DE of the tissue samples was done followed by MS/MS analysis of the protein spots to obtain a proteomic view for identification of novel biomarkers.ResultsSeveral important proteins were identified by proteomics analysis. They belong to the major functional categories such as cholesterol and protein metabolism, muscle contraction and development, transport, TCAcycle, ATP-biosynthesis, chaperone, signal transduction, DNA synthesis and ubiquitinisation. Careful examination of these protein spots by image analysis led to the successful identification of 7 differentially expressed proteins in the diseased sample. Further extension of this work for validation of differential expression of these proteins was also achieved by RTPCR and western blotting.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate characteristic protein expression profile in control and hypertrophy condition in SD rats and also expand the existing knowledge on differentially expressed proteins in hypertrophy. The study signifies the importance of reduced expression of a novel protein such as Prohibitin (PHB) which may be associated with the cardiomyocytes growth and cardiac hypertrophy. However, further work is necessary to confirm the role of PHB in human heart and its potential role in diagnostic and therapeutic intervention in the clinic.

Identification and genetic characterization of Anisakis larvae from marine fishes in the South China Sea using an electrophoretic‐guided approach

From 35 species of marine fishes (n = 327) from the South China Sea, 237 nematode larvae were collected and identified morphologically as Anisakis. Genomic DNA was isolated from each larva and subjected to PCR-based RFLP and targeted sequencing of a nuclear ribosomal DNA region between the 3'-end of the small subunit and 5'-end of the large subunit of the rRNA genes (= internal transcribed spacers, ITS+). Four different RFLP profile combinations (sets) were detected for all restriction endonucleases (HinfI, HhaI, and TaqI), of which three were characteristic of Anisakis typica, A. pegreffii, and A. physeteris, respectively. One profile set (for sample CA-2012) was linked to an ITS+ sequence that was identical to a previously published sequence of Anisakis sp. (sample HC-2005; originating from the African shelf) and another sequence (PH-2010; Madeira, Portugal). Phylogenetic analysis was carried out using the ITS+ sequence data from this study and reference sequences from the GenBank database. Neighbor joining and maximum parsimony trees displayed three clades. Clades I and II included nine described species of Anisakis, including all type I and type II larvae; clade III represented some undescribed species of Anisakis. Morphological comparison showed that Anisakis sp. CA-2012 was distinct from type I and type II larvae based on its tail shape and ratio of tail length to body length. The phylogenetic analysis and morphological characters suggest that Anisakis sp. CA-2012 represents a new record, now called Anisakis type III larvae.

REVIEW OF TAXONOMY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE Eirenis medus GROUP (CHERNOV, 1940) (OPHIDIA: COLUBRIDAE) WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF THE GENUS Eirenis FROM KERMAN PROVINCE, SOUTHEASTERN IRAN

Specimens of three populations of the Eirenis medus group from Hamedan province in western, Esfahan province in central and Kerman province in southeastern Iran have been examined morphologically and compared with typical Eirenis medus in Turkmenistan and northeastern Iran. Based on morphological data, specimens of Kerman province differ from known populations of Eirenis medus in morphometric and meristic characters and should be regarded as a different taxon. As a result Eirenis kermanensis sp. nov. is described based on the examination of a couple of specimens from Sarduieh region, Kerman Province, southeastern Iran. Compared with Eirenis medus , Eirenis kermanensis sp. nov. has a higher number of subcaudals and a higher ratio of tail length on total length. Also in Eirenis kermanensis , the loreal scale is deeper than long while in Eirenis medus the loreal is longer than deep. Further studies are necessary to determine the taxonomy of Hamedan and Isfahan province specimens and this study could only show that they belong to the Eirenis medus-kermanensis species group.

Taxonomy, distribution and geographic variation of Eirenis punctatolineatus (Boettger, 1892) (Reptilia: Colubridae)

Distribution and geographic variation in Eirenis punctatolineatus are studied in the whole distribution range of the species. The results show that the species is distributed from eastern central Turkey in the west to east up to northern Khorasan mountains in Iran and from central Armenia in the north to the south up to the adjacency of the seashores of the Persian Gulf. An univariate analysis shows that there is possibly a clinal variation in two morphometric and one meristic characters through the latitudes. Percent ratio of tail length on total length and number of Subcaudal scales increase from north to south and conversely, percent ratio of head length to total length decrease. A subsequent multivariate analysis revealed that populations of Turkey, Transcaucasia and northwestern Iran, referred to as northern populations of Eirenis punctatolineatus, and populations of the southern Zagros Mountains and adjacent areas, referred to as southern populations of Eirenis punctatolineatus are clearly different morphologically, but intermix in an intermediate area. A subspecific subdivision is suggested for the northern and southern populations. As a new combination, Eirenis punctatolineatus condoni (Boulenger, 1920), is proposed for the southern populations.

Determination of maturity in male hawksbill turtle Eretmochelys imbricata in captivity based on tail elongation and plasma testosterone level

To determine the sexual maturity of fourteen male wild-caught hawksbill turtles [straight carapace length (SCL) range 63–79 cm] held in captivity, we investigated their hormone levels in blood and morphological characteristics. Male turtles were divided into two groups: five individuals showing mating behavior (group A) and nine individuals not showing mating behavior (group B). Then, seasonal changes of plasma testosterone of both groups were studied. We also tried to determine male maturity based on tail elongation (TE) index, i.e., the ratio of tail length (TL) to SCL. Plasma testosterone level of group A gradually increased during premating and then sharply declined to low levels between mating and postmating seasons. In contrast, that of group B remained low during the experimental periods. The distinct seasonal changes of plasma testosterone levels of groups A and B correlated with their maturity. Furthermore, males were clearly divided into mature and immature based on TE values >0.35 and <0.33, respectively, corresponding to results based on plasma testosterone levels. Our results indicate that TE can be used more conveniently and accurately to determine maturity of male hawksbill turtles in captivity.

Thermal characterization of turbulent tube flows over diamond-shaped elements in tandem

Abstract Experiments have been conducted to investigate the heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of the fully developed turbulent airflow through a uniform heat flux tube fitted with diamond-shaped turbulators in tandem arrangements. In the experiments, strong turbulence and recirculation flow is expected by using tandem diamond-shaped turbulators (D-shape turbulator) connected to each other by a small rod and placed inside the test tube. The parameters for this study are consisted of Reynolds number (Re) from 3500 to 16,500, the included cone angle (θ = 15°, 30° and 45°), and the tail length ratio (TR = lt/lh = 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0) defined as the ratio of the tail length (lt) to the head length of turbulator (lh). The variation of Nusselt number and friction factor with Reynolds number under the effect of those parameters are determined and presented. The experimental result reveals that the heat transfer rate increases with increasing Reynolds number and the included cone angle (θ) but decreases with the rise of the tail length ratio (TR). This is because of the mixing of the fluid in the boundary layer thereby enhancing the convective heat transfer and increasing pressure loss. For the tube with the turbulator of θ = 45°, the heat transfer enhancement is found to be 67%, 57% and 46% for tail length ratio, TR = 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, respectively. Correlations of the Nusselt number (Nu) and friction factor (f) are developed for the evaluation of interactive effects of using the turbulators on the heat transfer and pressure loss. The good agreement between the experimental and the correlated results is obtained within 5–7% deviation. In addition, the heat transfer enhancement efficiency determined under constant pumping power is also provided.

Effects of dietary protein and calcium on thymus apoptosis induced by fluoride in female rats (Wistar rats)

Our previous studies showed that excessive fluoride (F) ingestion seriously damaged the nonspecific immune function in rabbits. However, the underlying mechanisms of the F-induced damage to the immune system are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether F induces thymus apoptosis in female rats and its underlying mechanisms by monitoring ultrastructural changes and DNA fragmentation. The results showed that excessive F induced ultrastructural changes and significantly increased the tail length and tailing ratio in thymus lymphocytes. Protein (Pr) supplementation markedly decreased the tailing ratio in thymus lymphocytes in the case of malnutrition. Furthermore, molecular analysis showed that excessive F ingestion significantly up-regulated the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA, whereas Pr and calcium (Ca) supplementation down-regulated the expression levels induced by excessive F in the case of malnutrition. In conclusion, these results indicate that excessive F up-regulates the expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA and induces thymus apoptosis in female rats. Pr and Ca play key roles in process of F-induced thymus apoptosis in malnourished female rats.

Adaptive Offspring Sex Ratio Depends on Male Tail Length in the Guppy

AbstractA biased sex ratio in a brood is considered to be an adaptive strategy under certain circumstances. For example, if the expected reproductive success of one sex is greater than that of the other, parents should produce more offspring of the former sex than the latter. A previous study has documented that in the guppy, Poecilia reticulata, the female offspring of males possessing proportionally longer tails exhibit smaller body sizes and show decreased reproductive outputs than those of males having shorter tails. On the other hand, the total lengths of the male offspring of the long‐tailed males are larger because of their longer tails; consequently, they exhibit greater sexual attractiveness to females. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that this asymmetry in the expected reproductive success between the male and female offspring of long‐tailed males may result in a biased sex ratio that is dependent on the tail lengths of their fathers. This hypothesis was tested in the present study. The results showed that the females that mated with long‐tailed males produced more male offspring than those that mated with short‐tailed males. Logistic regression analysis showed that the ratio of tail length to the standard length of the fathers is a determinant factor of the sex of their offspring. These results suggest that the manipulation of the offspring sex ratios by parents enhances the overall fitness of the offspring.

Comet 분석을 통한 방사선처리 고추세포의 핵 DNA 손상평가

방사선에 노출된 고추유묘의 잎으로부터 세포핵을 분리하여 단세포전기영동방법인 comet 분석을 통하여 핵 DNA의 손상정도를 조사하였다. Comet 분석에서 꼬리부분의 길이 (T)와 머리부분의 길이 (H)를 측정하여 T/H 비율을 조사하였다. 무처리세포는 T/H 비율이 1.28이었으나 50 및 100 Gy의 방사선을 처리한 세포는 각각 3.54 및 3.39로 방사선처리에 의해 상당량의 핵 DNA가 손상을 입은 것으로 나타났다. Comet의 head-DNA량은 무처리가 76.8%였으나 50 및 100 Gy를 처리한 세포는 각각 55.9% 및 59.5%를 보였다. 고선량의 방사선을 처리하기 전에 미리 20 Gy 이하의 저선량 방사선을 종자에 전처리하였을 경우 종자의 발아 및 생장에 대한 영향은 없었지만, 후속 고선량에 대한 핵 DNA의 손상은 경감되는 경향을 보였다. We employed single cell gel electrophoresis method (comet assay) to analyze the degree of nucleus-DNA damage in the leaves of red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) seedlings exposed to <TEX>$^{60}$</TEX> CO v-radiation stress. Nucleus-DNA damage was measured as the ratio of tail length (T) to head length (H) in individual comet image isolated from pepper leaf cell. The T/H ratio of control-cells and treated-cells at 50 or 100 Gy were 1.28 and 3.54 or 3.39, respectively, suggesting that nuclei of pepper cells were severely damaged in the integrity of DNA strand by the treatment of enhanced v-radiation. The percentage of head-DNA in control-cells was 76.8%, whereas those of 50 and 100 Gy treated-cells were 55.9% and 59.9%, respectively. Pretreatment of low dose (4 to 20 Gy) radiation to seeds decreased DNA-damage in the leaves of seedlings treated with high dose radiation at 50 or 100 Gy. In this experiment, we developed a sensitive, reliable and rapid method for evaluating genotoxic effect in the nuclei of plant cells by employing comet assay.

Hyperglycaemia potentiates the teratogenicity of retinoic acid in diabetic pregnancy in mice.

We recently showed in mice that maternal diabetes increases embryonic susceptibility to caudal regression induced by vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid. Here we tested whether in the maternal diabetic milieu hyperglycaemia is the critical factor responsible for mediating this increased susceptibility. Non-diabetic pregnant mice were made hyperglycaemic by subcutaneous injections of glucose at regular intervals. Conversely, diabetic pregnant mice were treated with phlorizin to induce renal glucosuria and thus reduce blood glucose concentrations. Pregnant mice were treated with retinoic acid and the extent of caudal regression in mouse embryos, measured in terms of the ratio of tail length to crown-rump length was assessed. Embryos were also examined for Wnt-3a expression and cell death. Embryos of mice treated with glucose had a greater extent of caudal regression induced by retinoic acid than saline-treated controls, with enhanced down-regulation of Wnt-3a expression and exacerbated cell death specifically at the caudal end of the embryo. Embryos of diabetic mice treated with phlorizin had a similar extent of caudal regression to embryos of non-diabetic mice after treatment with retinoic acid. Hyperglycaemia increases embryonic susceptibility to caudal regression induced by retinoic acid, with the underlying cellular and molecular changes closely mimicking those that occur in maternal diabetes. Reduction of blood glucose concentrations in diabetic mice completely abolishes this increased susceptibility to retinoic acid. These results suggest that in maternal diabetes hyperglycaemia is the critical factor responsible for potentiating the teratogenic effect of retinoic acid.

Bat airframe design: flight performance, stability and control in relation to foraging ecology

We tested the airframes of a community of microbats in terms of flight performance, stability and control, and present the first systematic classification of bat flight manoeuvres. The tail, ears and main-wing all contributed to these airframe functions. In combination, six airframe ratios (aspect ratio, wing loading, tail area ratio, ear area ratio, tail length ratio and ear length ratio) provided robust predictions of species’ foraging microhabitats and foraging strategies (including agility and speed).

Long alkyl chain dimethylammonioalkoxydicyanoethenolates as new zwitterionic thermotropic liquid crystals

The liquidcrystalline thermotropic behaviour of a series of long alkyl chain dimethylammonioalkoxydicyanoethenolates of the type CH3-(CH2)n-1-N+(CH3)2-(CH2)p-O-CO-C-(CN)2 (n=10-18, even values only, with p=2, 3; p=4 for n=16) was analysed through differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and polarizing optical microscopy. Smectic A, columnar and cubic mesophases were observed in addition to a crystalline phase. The crystalline structure corresponds to a single layered lamellar arrangement of molecules characterized by a tilt angle of the paraffin chains of about 50 degrees and 56 degrees for p=2 and 3, respectively. Above the melting point (70-100 degrees C), all amphiphiles n-p, except 10-2 and 12-3 which became immediately isotropic, display one or more mesophases: smectic A for 14-2, 16-2, 16-3, 18-2 and 18-3 (zwitterionic bilayers with a thickness of about 12A), a hexagonal columnar phase for 12-2, 14-3 and 16-4 (monotropic for 12-2, zwitterionic cylinders of radius of about 12A), and an inverted bicontinuous cubic phase (Ia3dspace group) for 14-2, 16-3 and 18-3 (rod-like elements of radius of about 10A). For 14-2 and 18-3, the cubic mesophase tends to form slowly from the smectic A phases both on heating and cooling. The amphiphiles displaying the columnar mesophase possess the lowest and an identical ratio of alkyl tail length to zwitterion length. The temperature range of mesophase stability is a strongly increasing function of n and a decreasing function of p. For the longest alkyl tail, mesophases extend over more than 130 degrees C up to the degradation temperatures (T 210 degrees C). Strong dipolar interactions between the zwitterionic groups in their stretched conformation (mu>25 D) within the liquid apolar and incompatible paraffin matrix are the driving force for the thermotropic behaviour of these new amphiphiles.

Blood parasites of migrating Willow Warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) at a stopover site

Populations are often difficult to separate on the basis of morphometric data. However, since blood parasites have shown significantly different prevalences and parasitaemias in natural host populations, such discrepancies may provide an opportunity of studying population differences in migrating birds. We obtained blood samples from 312 Willow Warblers (Phylloscopus trochilus) at the Tauvo Bird Observatory, Gulf of Bothnia, Finland. Approximately one-fifth of the birds were parasitized by at least one out of four different haematozoans. Most of these birds (88%) were infected with either Haemoproteus belopolskyi (Hb) or Leucocytozoon phylloscopus (Lp). These parasite species were predominant in the samples at different times, Hb earlier and Lp later. Based on tail and wing lengths, body mass, and wing length - tail length ratio, Hb-infected juvenile males were significantly larger than Lp-infected birds. Different dipteran vectors transmit these haematozoa, and in conjunction with morphological evidence, the observed difference in time of main occurrence of these two parasites may indicate that the birds had become infected in different areas. Thus, our samples may include different (sub)populations of Willow Warblers. In general, blood parasites may provide a means of differentiating among individuals originating from different areas.

Differences in growth, morphometric traits, and male sexual maturity among Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, from different commercial hatcheries

Postlarvae of Penaeus vannamei from four commercial hatcheries (lots) were divided between two laboratory sites. Body length, body weight, condition factor, male sexual maturity, and ratios of the tail length and carapace width to body length, were monitored at days 50, 80, 110, 170, 200, 230 and 270. There were small differences in body size between sexes within each lot at all age groups. Consistent differences were observed between sexes in the proportional variables for all age groups and sites. Males had a larger average tail length ratio than females, while females had a larger average carapace width ratio and higher average condition factor than males. Average tail length ratio of younger age groups was smaller and the average condition factor was lower than those of the older groups. Significant differences in all of the morphometric traits were found between sites, indicating that the environmental differences affected not only the growth but also the shape of the shrimp. Rank order of the lots for all of the morphometric traits varied among age groups and between sites. However, certain lots consistently exhibited significantly smaller values for the proportional variables than other lots, independent of age and site. Percent of maturing males was significantly different among lots, and the rank order was consistent for ages and sites. These results suggest the presence of genetic differences for morphometric traits and male sexual maturity among the shrimp hatchery lots, although the traits are largely affected by environmental variance.

Behavioural differences between locally recruiting and dispersing gray squirrels, Sciurus carolinensis

We tested the hypothesis that recruitment into a resident population involved the selection of an independently defined behavioural type of animal. Gray squirrels were captured in or shortly after leaving their nests, held in the laboratory in a similar manner, and their behavioural profiles and other properties were determined. The following spring, they were released into the area where most were captured and which we virtually emptied of residents prior to the release. Sixty days following the release, 64% (18/28) of the squirrels had dispersed, most before 10 days, and the remainder recruited and became residents. From the laboratory tests, local recruits compared with dispersers were on average more aggressive. There were no clear differences between the two types in mass, tail length, and sex ratio. All were sexually immature. Recruits were more active than dispersers in December, and activity of both appeared to decline from November to April. Proportionately more of the pepper morph recruited than of the black and gray morphs. There appear to be genetic behavioural and colour morph differences among squirrels that affect or are linked to their local recruitment or dispersal and population regulation.

An Intergradient Population Connecting Anniella pulchra pulchra and Anniella pulchra nigra

THE Monterey Peninsula, on the coast of Monterey County, California, is the source of most typical specimens of Anniella pulchra nigra. These limbless lizards range over the entire peninsula, but are more common in the coastal sand dunes. Coastal sand dunes extend north from the city of Monterey along the shore of Monterey Bay to within one mile of Capitola on the northern arm of the bay (see Fig. 1), the limbless lizards range north in these dunes to Watsonville. An intergradient population occurs in the dunes near the mouth of the Salinas River north of the Monterey Peninsula. The relationship between this population and those of true A. p. pulchra and A. p. nigra is herein analyzed on the basis of the composite dorsal coloration of living lizards, the ratio of tail length to total length, and the degree of anomalous fusion of head plates. I wish to express my appreciation to Dr. Alden H. Miller of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology for suggestions and criticisms and for the use of specimens in the Museum, and to Mr. Joseph R. Slevin for the use of the collections of the California Academy of Sciences. The live lizards used in color determinations were collected by the author and are now in the collection of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. The color determinations were made by a window with a north light on a clear day; colors in Ridgway's nomenclature are distinguished by capitalization. J. G. Fischer (1885: 9) described Anniella nigra from a black individual that was sent to him by J. Behrens. Accompanying the black lizard was a specimen of Anniella pulchra. Both lizards were said to have been collected in Diego, California. Anniella pulchra pulchra is common at San Diego, but this locality is approximately 300 miles south of the present known range of A. p. nigra. The black lizard was probably mislabeled, as the only locality known where black individuals have been taken is the Monterey Peninsula. Specimens of the limbless lizard taken at Morro and at Pismo Beach, San Luis Obispo County, are regarded as intergrades between A. p. pulchra and A. p. nigra (Grinnell and Camp, 1917: 170; Klauber, 1940: 16); they show longitudinal lines like the younger individuals from Monterey. Fischer does not mention longitudinal lines in his description, which contains an excellent account of the coloration. The dorsal color of Anniella p. nigra varies from silvery drab in the young lizards through silver brown (Hair Brown), light brown (Chaetura Drab), and dark brown (Chaetura Black) to black in the large adults. The ventral surface varies from Wood Brown in the young individuals, through Pinkish Olive and Olive Lake, to Pyrite Yellow and Sulphine Yellow of young adults, to yellower than Lemon Chrome in old adults. The young have two or three lateral stripes on each side of the body and one fairly well defined dorsal stripe along the middorsal line. As the lizards become older, the dorsal stripe becomes less distinct. It is completely lost