Electrophoretic variants of blood proteins in Japanese VI. Transferrin

A multiplicity of transferrin variants have been detected in the course of the biochemical aspect of the study of the genetic effects of atomic bombs. Variants obtained from the studies of 19,770 individuals in Hiroshima and Nagasaki were compared by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis using three kinds of buffer systems with different pH values and thin layer polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. The variants were compared on the basis of their relative mobilities and isoelectric points; seven types of fast-moving variant (B-variant) and nine types of slow-moving variant (D-variant) were detected, involving a total of 154 and 273 individuals, respectively. All the variants were identified as genetic variants by family studies. No variant differend inaallele frequency between the two cities. The variants detected in this study were compared with variants detected in residents of Mie district (another Japanese population), Caucasoids, American blacks, and Amerindians. Six additional types of B-variant and four additional types of D-variant, which had not been detected in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, were identified.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41593/1/10038_2005_Article_BF01876469.pd

Continuous Flow Atmospheric Pressure Laser Desorption/Ionization Using a 6–7-µm-Band Mid-Infrared Tunable Laser for Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry

A continuous flow atmospheric pressure laser desorption/ionization technique using a porous stainless steel probe and a 6–7-µm-band mid-infrared tunable laser was developed. This ion source is capable of direct ionization from a continuous flow with a high temporal stability. The 6–7-µm wavelength region corresponds to the characteristic absorption bands of various molecular vibration modes, including O–H, C=O, CH3 and C–N bonds. Consequently, many organic compounds and solvents, including water, have characteristic absorption peaks in this region. This ion source requires no additional matrix, and utilizes water or acetonitrile as the solvent matrix at several absorption peak wavelengths (6.05 and 7.27 µm, respectively). The distribution of multiply-charged peptide ions is extremely sensitive to the temperature of the heated capillary, which is the inlet of the mass spectrometer. This ionization technique has potential for the interface of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)

Efficient Artificial Fertilization and Ovulated Egg Preservation in Kawakawa <i>Euthynnus affinis</i>

Artificial fertilization of cultured fish is essential for seed production using breeding techniques. However, in tuna species, the success rate of artificial fertilization is tremendously low. In this study, it was reported that the adequate procedure for ovulated egg collection and storage for artificial fertilization in kawakawa Euthynnus affinis. The collection of ovulated eggs was attempted using new techniques that disrupt only spawning activity without discontinuing ovulation. The available time to use ovulated eggs was also examined by assessing the optimal preservation process and temperature. As a result, artificial fertilization was effectively executed by assessing spawning time and thoroughly extracting ovulated eggs immediately after ovulation, with a success rate of 70% and an ovulation rate of 51.7%. Ovulated eggs could be stored with small quantities of ovarian fluid to sustain fertility. However, fertility was better preserved with Hanks’ solution. Ovulated eggs with high productivity were achieved 3 h after egg extraction when maintained in Hanks’ solution at 20 °C, leading to a supply of one-cell stage embryo for microinjection treatment constantly by continuously executing artificial fertilization. This systematic procedure permitted selective breeding by 1:1 mating between top-quality parental fish and applying several developmental engineering techniques to kawakawa breeding

Efficient Artificial Fertilization and Ovulated Egg Preservation in Kawakawa Euthynnus affinis

Artificial fertilization of cultured fish is essential for seed production using breeding techniques. However, in tuna species, the success rate of artificial fertilization is tremendously low. In this study, it was reported that the adequate procedure for ovulated egg collection and storage for artificial fertilization in kawakawa Euthynnus affinis. The collection of ovulated eggs was attempted using new techniques that disrupt only spawning activity without discontinuing ovulation. The available time to use ovulated eggs was also examined by assessing the optimal preservation process and temperature. As a result, artificial fertilization was effectively executed by assessing spawning time and thoroughly extracting ovulated eggs immediately after ovulation, with a success rate of 70% and an ovulation rate of 51.7%. Ovulated eggs could be stored with small quantities of ovarian fluid to sustain fertility. However, fertility was better preserved with Hanks&rsquo; solution. Ovulated eggs with high productivity were achieved 3 h after egg extraction when maintained in Hanks&rsquo; solution at 20 &deg;C, leading to a supply of one-cell stage embryo for microinjection treatment constantly by continuously executing artificial fertilization. This systematic procedure permitted selective breeding by 1:1 mating between top-quality parental fish and applying several developmental engineering techniques to kawakawa breeding