Cytogenetic Analysis in Domestic Cats

The present study comprised of 25 blood samples from domestic cats were  cultured in duplicates for comparing efficacy of two mitogens i.e. Concanvalin A and Lectin.  Concanvalin A was found to be significantly superior to Lectin. GTG- banding was used for preparation of domestic cat karyograms. Diploid number of chromosomes in domestic cats were found to 2n = 38 consisting of 18 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes. The 18 pairs of autosomes were classified into 5 groups as A,B,C,D,E, and F consisting of autosome pairs as Large submetacentric 3 pairs, Large subtelocentrics 4 pairs, Large metacentrics 2 pairs, Small submetacentric and subtelocentrics 4 pairs, Small metacentrics2 pairs and Telocentric or acrocentric 2 pairs, respectively. Whereas ‘X’ chromosome was found to be medium sized subtelomeric and ‘Y’ chromosome was small areocentric.  No major significant abnormalities were reported in the present investigation

Spontaneous electrification of fluoropolymer-water interfaces probed by electrowetting

Fluoropolymers are widely used as coatings for their robustness, water-repellence, and chemical inertness. In contact with water, they are known to assume a negative surface charge, which is commonly attributed to adsorbed hydroxyl ions. Here, we demonstrate that a small fraction of these ions permanently sticks to surfaces of Teflon AF and Cytop, two of the most common fluoropolymer materials, upon prolonged exposure to water. Electrowetting measurements carried out after aging in water are used to quantify the density of ‘trapped’ charge. Values up to −0.07 and −0.2 mC m−2 are found for Teflon AF and for Cytop, respectively, at elevated pH. A similar charge trapping process is also observed upon aging in various non-aqueous polar liquids and in humid air. A careful analysis highlights the complementary nature of electrowetting and streaming potential measurements in quantifying interfacial energy and charge density. We discuss the possible mechanism of charge trapping and highlight the relevance of molecular scale processes for the long term stability and performance of fluoropolymer materials for applications in electrowetting and elsewhere