The obesity-associated FTO gene encodes a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent nucleic acid demethylase

Variants in the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene are associated with increased body mass index in humans. Here, we show by bioinformatics analysis that FTO shares sequence motifs with Fe(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases. We find that recombinant murine Fto catalyzes the Fe(II)- and 2OG-dependent demethylation of 3-methylthymine in single-stranded DNA, with concomitant production of succinate, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide. Consistent with a potential role in nucleic acid demethylation, Fto localizes to the nucleus in transfected cells. Studies of wild-type mice indicate that Fto messenger RNA (mRNA) is most abundant in the brain, particularly in hypothalamic nuclei governing energy balance, and that Fto mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus are regulated by feeding and fasting. Studies can now be directed toward determining the physiologically relevant FTO substrate and how nucleic acid methylation status is linked to increased fat mass.     

硅钙复混肥对玉米抗倒性及产量的影响

据报道 ,水稻施用硅肥后 ,能提高植株体内ＳｉＯ2 含量 ,提高细胞壁的强度 ,进而株形挺拔、抗倒伏。小麦试验亦表明 ,施硅增加冬小麦表皮细胞壁厚度和硅化细胞数量 ,提高茎秆刚性。但到目前为止 ,关于施硅钙肥对玉米抗倒性能及产量影响的报导甚少。为此 ,我们探讨了在正常密度条件下 ,施用硅钙复混肥对玉米抗倒伏及其产量的影响 ,为科学施用硅钙肥提供理论依据。1　材料与方法本项目于 1 996年布置在辽宁省农业科学院土肥所试验地上 ,土壤为壤质草甸土 ,其理化性质为有机质 2 8.45ｇ/ｋｇ ,全氮 0 .0 93%,全磷 0 .8ｇ/ｋｇ ,全钾 2 8.1 5ｇ/…     

免疫调节剂与抗球虫药联合应用的抗球虫效果

为探讨免疫调节剂对鸡球虫病的免疫反应调节作用,设计并进行了免疫调节剂与抗球虫药合用的效果的研究。试验结果以抗球虫指数的测定来判定抗球虫药与免疫调节剂合用的效果。结果表明,免疫调节剂与抗球虫药合用状态下,抗球虫指数检测显示免疫调节剂卡介苗和黄芪多糖可明显提高抗球虫指数、改善球虫感染鸡的临床症、提高增重速度等,为控制球虫病提供了新的途径。     

Transition-State Spectroscopy of Cyclooctatetraene

The 351-nanometer photoelectron spectrum of the planar cyclooctatetraene radical anion (COT·-) shows transitions to two electronic states of cyclooctatetraene (COT). These states correspond to the D4h 1A1g state, which is the transition state for COT ring inversion, and the D8h 3A2u state. The electron binding energy of the 1A1g transition state is 1.099 ± 0.010 electron volts, which is lower by 12.1 ± 0.3 kilocalories per mole than that of the 3A2u state. The photoelectron spectrum shows that the singlet lies well below the triplet in D8h COT and confirms ab initio predictions that the molecule violates Hund's rule. Vibrational structure is observed for both features and is readily assigned by use of a simple potential energy surface.     

Investigating the catch returns and growth rate of wels catfish, Silurus glanis, using mark–recapture

Abstract In January 2004, 46 wels catfish, Silurus glanis L., between 51 and 135 cm total length were tagged and released into a 0.4 ha recreational, catch and release, lake fishery in the UK, and their recapture by anglers monitored throughout the year. Of the 46 tagged fish, 16 were recaptured by anglers during 170 capture events. Some individual fish were captured up to 26 times. Catfish <75 cm appeared to be the least susceptible to capture and fish >100 cm most susceptible. Frequency of captures increased with temperatures >10 °C and peaked between June and August. Selected recapture weight data were used to produce a mass specific growth equation and revealed specific growth rate was a decreasing function of body mass over the size range of the recaptured fish. Their growth was slower than fish from elsewhere in their distribution range.