Role of formic acid in transformation of acetic and succinic acids in animal tissues

Acetic and succinate acids KoA acyl derivatives interacting with formate were displayed to produce alpha-ketoacids--pyruvate and alpha-ketoglutarate. These acids also interact with formate and make pyruvic and malate acids, while alpha-ketoglutarate, evidently, tricarboxy acids. Interaction of formate with acetic and succinate acids inspite of occurring out of the tricarbone cycle increases the latter metabolic functions.     

Provision of nestboxes raises the breeding density of Great Tits Parus major equally in coniferous and deciduous woodland

Nestbox provision is a technique used to increase nest-site availability for secondary cavity-nesting birds. However, little is known about the demographic consequences of nestbox provision in different habitat types. To assess how nestbox provision affects the density of hole-nesting birds simultaneously in two contrasting habitats, we compared the breeding density of Great Tits along transects without nestboxes with that in transects where nestboxes were provided. Although the initial density of breeders was considerably higher in the deciduous habitat than in the coniferous habitat, provision of nestboxes increased density by a similar number of additional pairs in each habitat type. Thus, the provision of nestboxes in managed coniferous forests may be as effective in increasing the breeding opportunities of cavity nesters as in deciduous stands. Moreover, previous research showed that pairs in deciduous habitat with nestboxes have consistently lower breeding success than those in coniferous habitat with nestboxes. It is possible that the addition of nestboxes in the preferred habitat increased density to such an extent that density-dependent effects became apparent.     

The European Renal Genome Project: An Integrated Approach Towards Understanding the Genetics of Kidney Development and Disease

Rapid progress in genome research creates a wealth of information on the functional annotation of mammalian genome sequences. However, as we accumulate large amounts of scientific information we are facing problems of how to integrate and relate the data produced by various genomic approaches. Here, we propose the novel concept of an organ atlas where diverse data from expression maps to histological findings to mutant phenotypes can be queried, compared and visualized in the context of a three-dimensional reconstruction of the organ. We will seek proof of concept for the organ atlas by elucidating genetic pathways involved in development and pathophysiology of the kidney. Such a kidney atlas may provide a paradigm for a new systems-biology approach in functional genome research aimed at understanding the genetic bases of organ development, physiology and disease.Key Words: EuReGene, kidney, genome, development, pathophysiology, genetics     

Modifying effect of low-molecular metabolities on the state of extracellular matrix of connective tissue of animals

On the basis of complex approach to bone and haematopoetic tissue interaction the authors studied the influence of low weight metabolites on stromal fibroblasts and components of extacellular matrix of bone and skin (collagen and glycosaminoglycans). Specificity of different metabolites action on physico-chemical abilities of type I collagen, amino acid composition changes, surface charge, ratio of alpha- and beta-compounds, BrCN-fragments of alpha-1 component cross-links was shown. The dose dependence of formiate effect on processes of proteins glycosilation, cross-linking in bone and cartilage connective tissue and serum glycoproteins was established. The results obtained showed sensitivity of the bone tissue exstacellular matrix to influence of low-weight metabolites action at the level of post-synthetic modification of its components, their intermolecular interaction and process of osteogenesis.