Regulation of energy economy in raccoon dogs and blue foxes: a process of dynamic interactions

1. Seasonal regulation of energy economy was studied in farm-raised blue foxes (Alopex lagopus) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides; Gray, 1834). 2. Both species exhibited marked seasonal changes in body weight, body energy content, food intake and locomotor activity. Seasonal changes in food efficiency were also evident. 3. The results emphasize the important role of both energy intake and energy expenditure in the regulation process. 4. It can be concluded that regulation of seasonal energy balance is a dynamic process with various interactions between different factors.     

Arginine auxotrophs of Candida albicans deficient in argininosuccinate lyase

Auxotrophic mutants of Candida albicans FC18 were induced by a combination of treatments with nitrous acid and UV irradiation. Arginine (Arg-), histidine (His-) and methionine/cysteine (MetA-) auxotrophs were recovered by this means. The Arg- auxotrophs lacked active argininosuccinate lyase (EC 4.3.2.1), the enzyme catalysing the final step in arginine biosynthesis. Thus the locus may be designated arg-4. The mutant strains bearing this mutation did not form germ tubes unless the germination medium contained arginine.     

Structural transformations of arabinogalactan from the Siberian larch during mechanochemical processing and the biological properties of the products

It has been found by gel-penetrating chromatography and quantitative ¹³C NMR spectroscopy that mechanochemical processing of arabinogalactan isolated from the wood of the Siberian larch changes the molecular mass distribution, monosaccharide composition, and the degree of branching of its macromolecules. This is due to the partial destruction of polysaccharide macromolecules and subsequent recombination of resulting fragments. The intensity of these processes depends on the conditions of mechanochemical processing. Based on the data of IR and ¹³C NMR spectra, the conclusion has been drawn that no functionalization of arabinogalactan macromolecules occurs under these conditions. The toxicopharmacological properties of mechanically processed arabinogalactan have been studied. Its acute toxicity is >5000 mg/kg.     

Protein metal-binding sites.

Metal ions have a role in a variety of important functions in proteins including protein folding, assembly, stability, conformational change, and catalysis. The presence or absence of a given metal ion is crucial to the conformation or activity of over one third of all proteins. Recent developments have been made in the understanding and design of metal-binding sites in proteins, an important and rapidly advancing area of protein engineering.     

Interrelation of the changes in the blood rheological properties and the microcirculatory disorders in the early and late stages of experimental hyperlipoproteinemia

Experiments were made on rabbit fed an atherogenic diet (0.5 g/kg cholesterol) singly for 15 and 24 h and repeatedly for 3, 9 and 30 days. At early stages of lipid metabolism distress the interrelationship was established between blood rheological disorders and microcirculatory abnormalities. The dependence of the initial reaction of some rheological characteristics on their initial level was marked.     

Changes in the ultrastructure of the adrenal medulla and cortex during endotoxic shock

Electron microscopy of the adrenal medulla and cortex during the intermediate period of endotoxin shock has revealed severe destructive changes in parenchymal cells. These changes are the reason for synthetic, secretory and trophic disturbances of glandular functions. Ultrastructural lesions indicate that stress exposure exceeds the adaptive capacity of cells, the majority of which are exhausted and killed.