Correlations between genetic variance and adiposity measures,and gene × gene interactions for obesity in postmenopausal Vietnamese women

Although environmental factors are important, there is considerable evidence that genes also have a significant role in the pathogenesis of obesity. We conducted a population-based study to investigate the relationship between candidate genes for obesity (UCP1, UCP2, ADRA2B, ADRB3, LEPR, VDR and ESR1) and adiposity measures (body mass index, body fat percentage, weight, waist circumference and waist–hip ratio) in terms of individual gene and gene × gene interaction in models unadjusted and adjusted for covariates (age, years since menopause, educational level and total energy intake). Postmenopausal women with TC genotype of ESR1 gene had higher body fat percentage than those with TT genotype in the models unadjusted and adjusted for the covariates (P = 0.006 in adjusted model). In multiple logistic regression analysis, BsmI and ApaI SNPs of VDR genes were significantly associated with overweight and obesity. The UCP2–VDR ApaI interaction to susceptibility of overweight and obesity was first observed from logistic regression analysis, and then confirmed in the multifactor dimensionality reduction method unadjusted and adjusted for the covariates. This interaction had 69.09% prediction accuracy for overweight and obesity (P = 0.001, sign test). In conclusion, the study suggests the significant association of ESR1 and VDR genes with adiposity measures and the UCP2–VDR ApaI interaction to susceptibility to being overweight and obesity in postmenopausal Vietnamese women.     

Cross‐species amplification of 105 Lolium perenne SSR loci in 23 species within the Poaceae

Amplification of 105 Lolium perenne SSR markers was studied in 23 grass species representing seven tribes from three subfamilies of Poaceae. Twelve of the SSR markers are published for the first time. Between 2% and 96% of the SSR markers could be amplified within a given species. A subset of eight SSR markers was evaluated for polymorphism across nine of the 23 grass species. Four to seven of the markers were polymorphic within each species, with an average detection of 2.4 alleles per species.     

Experimental disturbance by walkers affects behaviour and territory density of nesting Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa

In Europe, the number of areas supporting breeding Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa has halved over the last 30 years. Although the decline has been primarily attributed to habitat deterioration, human disturbance has also been implicated. We undertook a controlled experimental study at the Danish Special Protection Area (SPA) reserve at Tipperne, comparing bird behaviour and breeding densities from two baseline years with those in 3 years with two experimental levels of disturbance. Black-tailed Godwits flushed and showed mobbing behaviour significantly more often when disturbed. The duration of simultaneous flights by breeding pairs was greater when disturbed, leaving nests susceptible to predation. Behavioural observations suggested birds were highly sensitive to human disturbance and unlikely to habituate. Disturbance levels of seven walkers/day affected territory densities up to 500 m from routes taken by walkers, causing effective habitat loss to breeding Black-tailed Godwits. The species' sensitivity to disturbance may help explain why it has disappeared from many areas. Effective conservation of important breeding areas and maintenance of high densities of Black-tailed Godwit and other meadow birds necessitates control of public disturbance to breeding areas.     

Competence of Genetic Transformation correlated with the Occurrence of Fimbriae in Three Bacterial Species

THE involvement of bacterial fimbriae (pili) in some cases of phage infection and in bacterial conjugation has been known or presumed for some years¹. Studies in our laboratories show that fimbriae are also associated with genetic transformation in several bacterial species.     

Changes in Ion Content in Heat-Treated Tetrahymena Cells

SYNOPSIS Changes in the amounts of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ were determined in the supernates of homogenized samples of Tetrahymena cells which were exposed to 7 heat shocks. The amounts of the same ions were also determined in the pH 4.5-soluble fractions after dialysis. During the last shock, i.e., 6.5 hr after the start of heat treatment, there was a change in the ion balance characterized by a gain in Na⁺, Ca²⁺ and non-dialyzable Mg²⁺ and a loss of K⁺. The change was not in phase with the synchronous cell division.     

Mobilization of metals from uranium mine waste: the role of pyoverdines produced by Pseudomonas fluorescens

Microorganisms produce chelating agents, such as siderophores and other ligands, which allow them to mobilize and scavenge essential elements from the environment when bioavailability is low. To better understand the effects of biologically mediated leaching of metals from mine waste, Pseudomonas fluorescens was cultivated in the presence of processed ore from the former uranium mine in Ranstad, southern Sweden. Light conditions, the concentration of the mineral source and oxygen availability were varied. The presence of ore in the culture flasks enhanced bacterial growth and raised the pH of the culture medium. Increasing the amount of ore or enhancing aeration of the medium further encouraged cell growth and pH rise. Bacteria mobilized Fe, Ni and Co from the ore. Fe‐siderophore complexes were detected and estimated to be present at approximately 9 μm . In the presence of bacteria and light, dissolved Fe and U concentrations were higher compared to dark conditions. Increasing the amount of ore resulted in higher dissolved Ni concentrations but lower dissolved Fe, most likely due to precipitate formation. Data from this study support siderophore production by bacteria that allowed mobilization of essential nutrients from the processed ore. However, the availability of potentially toxic metals like Ni and U may also be enhanced. Microbial‐promoted mobilization could contribute to leaching of toxic metals in current and historic mining areas. This process should be considered during design and implementation of remediation projects where trace metals are of environmental concern.     

What future for British red squirrels?

The geographic range of red squirrels contracted sharply in Britain during the 1940s arid 1950s, as increasingly large areas were colonized by the congeneric North American grey squirrel. Red squirrels remain common only on offshore islands, and in the large conifer forests of northern England and Scotland. The initial replacement of red squirrels was in arras dominated by oak woodland, probably because acorn crops are exploited less efficiently by red squirrels than by grey squirrels. Dirt studies have shown that acorns are digested less efficiently by the red squirrel, which occurs in conifers through most of its Eurasian range, than by the introduced grey squirrel, which is primarily a native of deciduous woodland. The red squirrel will probably be replaced in deciduous and mixed woodland throughout mainland Britain, and may eventually persist only in large areas of conifers which arc far from oak trees. The conservation of red squirrels on islands is therefore particularly important for their survival, perhaps making it worthwhile to create new island populations where they do not at present exist.