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Role of the chlC gene in formation of the formate-nitrate reductase pathway in Escherichia coli.

Five temperature-sensitive chlC mutants were isolated from Escherichia coli by the technique of localized mutagenesis. All of the mutants produced severely reduced levels of both nitrate reductase and formate dehydrogenase when grown at 43 degrees C. In three of the mutants, the nitrate reductase activity produced at the permissive temperature was shown to be thermolabile compared with the activity produced by the parent wild-type strain, both in membrane preparations and in preparations released from the membrane by deoxycholate. In each case, formate dehydrogenase activity was similar to the wild-type activity in its stability to heat. It is concluded that the chlC gene codes for at least one of the polypeptide chains of nitrate reductase and that the chlC mutations affect indirectly the formation of formate dehydrogenase.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗

Evidence for formation of superoxide and formate radicals in Methanobacterium formicicum.

Using spin labeling and spin trapping techniques in combination with electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry, we have detected the formation of superoxide by whole cells of Methanobacterium formicicum under aerobic conditions in the presence and absence of sodium formate. Rates of superoxide generation have been estimated. The formation of additional free radical species, including formate, was observed. Production of these and other free radicals resulted in lipid peroxidation and concomitant cell damage.

Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy↗

[Raman spectroscopy studies on the aqueous solutions of sodium formate and lithium formate].

The structures of the aqueous solutions of sodium formate and lithium formate are studied according to the growth conditions of the crystals under different supersaturations and temperatures by Raman spectroscopy. The effects of temperature, concentration, supersaturation and cation on the structures of solutions and the structure difference between lithium formate solution and lithium formate monohydrate crystal are analyzed. The result shows that the concentration, temperature and supersaturation effect the structures of the solutions slightly and the cation effects the frequency of the bands greatly.

Crystallization↗

Escherichia coli formate-hydrogen lyase. Purification and properties of the selenium-dependent formate dehydrogenase component.

The formate-hydrogen lyase complex of Escherichia coli decomposes formic acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide under anaerobic conditions in the absence of exogenous electron acceptors. The complex consists of two separable enzymatic activities: a formate dehydrogenase and a hydrogenase. The formate dehydrogenase component (FDHH) of the formate-hydrogen lyase complex was purified to near homogeneity in two column chromatographic steps. The purified enzyme was composed of a single polypeptide of molecular weight 80,000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Metal analysis showed each mole of enzyme contained 3.3 g atoms of iron. Denaturation of FDHH released a compound which, when oxidized, displayed a fluorescence spectrum similar to that of the molybdopterin cofactor found in certain other enzymes. The enzyme contained selenium in the form of selenocysteine as determined by radioactive labeling of the enzyme with 75Se and amino acid analysis. FDHH activity was maximal between pH 7.5 and 8.5; however, the enzyme was maximally stable at pH 5.3-6.4 and highly unstable above pH 7.5. Nitrate and nitrite salts caused a drastic reduction in activity. Although azide inhibited FDHH activity, it also protected the enzyme from inactivation by oxygen.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reconstitution of a formate-NADP+ oxidoreductase from formate dehydrogenase and a 5-deazaflavin-linked NADP+ reductase isolated from Methanococcus vannielii.

The formate-dependent reduction of NADP+ by extracts of Methanococcus vannielii is catalyzed by a coupled system consisting of formate dehydrogenase, a 5-deazaflavin cofactor, and 5-deazaflavin-dependent NADP+ reductase. All three components were purified from crude extracts of M. vannielii. Recombination of these components reconstituted the formate-NADP+ oxidoreductase system. The formate dehydrogenase also can utilize FAD, FMN, and a number of artificial dyes as electron acceptors, but these do not replace the 5-deazaflavin cofactor in the coupled enzyme system. The reduced form of 5-deazaflavin binds readily to the NADP+ reductase apoprotein and is not dissociated by ammonium sulfate treatment at neutral pH under anaerobic conditions. This electron transfer cofactor from M. vannielii is identical in many of its properties to the 5-deazaflavin isolated from other methane-producing bacteria.

Aldehyde Oxidoreductases↗

Lumen formation during angiogenesis in vitro involves phagocytic activity, formation and secretion of vacuoles, cell death, and capillary tube remodelling by different populations of endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: We have utilised an in vitro model of angiogenesis to investigate the morphological changes which occur during the formation of a lumen in capillary tubes. METHODS AND RESULTS: On collagen 1 gel in the presence of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and anti-alpha 2 beta 1 antibody, cell aggregation and alignment takes place within two hours of plating. The initial apparently homogeneous population of endothelial cells (EC) actually display at least three distinct phenotypes. One population, characterised by a phagocytic phenotype, migrated through the gel creating channels and defines the extent of the capillary network. These are later enveloped by a second population of cells characterised by intracellular vacuoles. The ultimate fate of these vacuoles is fusion with the plasma membrane. By 12 hours the original phagocytic cell population undergoes cell death, which morphologically appears apoptotic in nature. A consequence of the secretion of vacuoles and programmed cell death is the extensive remodelling of the capillary tubes, resulting in expansion of the intercellular space into a lumen. The remodelling results in 45% of the EC membrane contacting the lumenal surface at the expense of EC-EC and EC-matrix contact. A third population of cells implant between the EC involved in lumen formation and thus expand the size of the capillary tube. CONCLUSION: Thus, in the formation of a mature multicellular lumen we have identified a number of key events. First, cell-cell contact is essential in order to define the intercellular space. Second, at least three morphologically distinct subpopulations of ECs are involved. Third, vacuole formation and programmed cell death are required for expansion of the intercellular space which ultimately becomes the lumen.

Antibodies↗

Anteroposterior axis formation in Xenopus limb bud recombinants: a model of pattern formation during limb regeneration.

We previously showed that recombinant limb buds with dissociated and reaggregated mesenchyme develop more than 30 digits in Xenopus laevis, which exhibits different capacities for limb regeneration at different developmental stages (Yokoyama et al. [1998] Dev Biol 196:1-10). Cell-cell contact among anterior- and posterior-derived mesenchymal cells is required for anteroposterior (AP) axis formation of recombinant limbs in an intercalary manner. However, whether one-way induction from posterior cells to anterior cells as proposed by the polarizing zone model or interactions between anterior and posterior cells evoke the AP axis formation in recombinant limbs remains unclear. In this study, we found, by a combination of X-ray irradiation and a recombinant limb technique, that not one-way induction but interactions between anterior and posterior cells accompanied by cell contribution are indispensable for AP axis formation in recombinant limbs. Shh was expressed in posterior-derived not anterior-derived cells. We propose that the recombinant limb is an excellent model for examining the axis formation mechanism in regenerating limbs because, as in recombinant limbs, cell-cell contact among cells derived from different positions of an amputation plane occurs in the blastema of regenerating limbs.

Animals↗

Abnormal down-regulation of PKC is responsible for giant granule formation in fibroblasts from CHS (beige) mice--a thiol proteinase inhibitor, E-64-d, prevents giant granule formation in beige fibroblasts.

We have previously reported that the abnormally rapid down-regulation of protein kinase C (PKC) activity is responsible for the cellular dysfunction in natural killer (NK) cells and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) from Chediak-Higashi syndrome (beige) mice. In this report, we examined whether the down-regulation of PKC is associated with giant granule formation in fibroblasts from beige mice. In cultured beige fibroblasts, the membrane-bound PKC activity declined significantly after phorbol ester stimulation. We found that E-64-d, which is a thiol proteinase inhibitor and protects PKC from calpain-mediated proteolysis, reversed the declined PKC activity and prevented giant granule formation in beige fibroblasts. Moreover, E-64-d corrected the reduced lysosomal elastase and cathepsin G activity in beige fibroblasts. In contrast, specific PKC inhibitors, chelerythrin and calphostin C, promoted giant granule formation in normal fibroblasts. We also demonstrate that ceramide production is enhanced in beige fibroblasts and is involved in the rapid down-regulation of PKC. These results suggest that the accelerated breakdown of PKC observed in beige fibroblasts is caused by enhanced ceramide production and is also responsible for giant granule formation.

Animals↗

Particle formation by infrared laser ablation of glycerol: implications for ion formation.

The quantity and size distribution of micrometer-sized particles ejected from thin films of glycerol were measured using light scattering particle sizing. Thin glycerol films were irradiated at atmospheric pressure with an infrared optical parametric oscillator at wavelengths between 2.95 and 3.1 microm. Particulate material resulting from the ablation was sampled directly into a particle-sizing instrument and particles with diameters greater than 500 nm were detected and sized by light scattering. The fluence threshold for particle formation was between 2000 and 3000 J/m2 for all laser wavelengths. At threshold, fewer than 100 particles/cm3 were detected and this value increased to several thousand particles/cm3 at twice the threshold fluence. The average size of the coarse particles ranged from 900 nm to 1.6 microm at threshold and decreased by 10-20% at twice the threshold fluence. The coarse particle formation observations were compared with ion formation behavior in matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization and interpreted in terms of a photomechanical mechanism for material ablation and ion formation.

Atmospheric Pressure↗

An alpha 2 beta 1 integrin-dependent pinocytic mechanism involving intracellular vacuole formation and coalescence regulates capillary lumen and tube formation in three-dimensional collagen matrix.

Human endothelial cells, when suspended within three-dimensional collagen matrices, develop intracellular vacuoles that coalesce to form capillary lumens and tubes. Vacuole and lumen formation are completely dependent on the collagen-binding integrin alpha 2 beta 1, while other endothelial cell integrins had no apparent influence. Vacuole formation occurs by a pinocytic process with internalization of plasma membrane and molecules from the extracellular space, such as fluorescent tracers. By immunofluorescence, vacuole membranes were found to contain associated cell surface proteins, proteins involved in endosomal trafficking (i.e., caveolin and annexin II), and F-actin. Furthermore, some vacuole compartments contained von Willebrand factor. Integrin-regulated vacuole formation and coalescence are major mechanisms controlling capillary lumen and tube formation within a three-dimensional extracellular matrix.

Capillaries↗

Molecular mechanisms of deletion formation in Escherichia coli plasmids. I. Deletion formation mediated by long direct repeats.

Derivatives of plasmid pBR327 with the tet gene interrupted by 165 pb or 401 bp direct repeats were constructed. In cells harboring these plasmids, deletions which restored the wild-type tet gene gave rise to tetracycline-resistant colonies, thereby allowing a simple phenotypic test for deletion formation. The frequencies of deletions in these plasmids were measured in Escherichia coli strains proficient or deficient in general recombination. The structure of plasmid DNA isolated from tetracycline-resistant transformants was analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis, restriction mapping and sequencing. The data presented here demonstrate that deletion formation is always associated with dimerization of plasmid DNA. Dimeric plasmids were of two types. Those which carried both a deletion and a compensating duplication were the major type in a Rec+ background and were rare in recA, recF, recJ and recO backgrounds. Dimers of the second type contained deletions, but no compensating duplications, and their formation was RecA-independent. The data presented demonstrate that deletion formation mediated by long direct repeats is mainly the result of unequal crossing-over between two plasmid molecules.

Chromosome Mapping↗

The level of pyruvate-formate lyase controls the shift from homolactic to mixed-acid product formation in Lactococcus lactis.

Regulation of pyruvate-formate lyase (PFL) activity in vivo plays a central role in the shift from homolactic to mixed-acid product formation observed during the growth of Lactococcus lactis on glucose and galactose, respectively. Characterisation of L. lactis MG1363 in anaerobic batch cultures showed that the specific in vivo activity (flux) of PFL was 4-fold higher in L. lactis cells grown with galactose, compared with cells grown with glucose. The change in the PFL flux correlated with the observed variation in the PFL enzyme level, i.e. the PFL enzyme level was 3.4-fold higher in L. lactis cells grown on galactose than in those grown on glucose. To investigate whether a variation in the level of PFL was responsible for the shift in pyruvate metabolism, L. lactis strains with altered expression of pfl were constructed. The pfl gene was expressed under the control of different constitutive promoters in L. lactis MG1363 and in the PFL-deficient strain CRM40. Strains with five different PFL levels were obtained. Variation in the PFL level markedly affected the resulting end-product formation in these strains. During growth on galactose, the flux towards mixed-acid products was to a great extent controlled by the PFL level. This demonstrates that a regulated PFL level plays a predominant role in the regulation of the metabolic shift from homolactic to mixed-acid product formation in L. lactis.

Acetyltransferases↗

The receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU11248 impedes endothelial cell migration, tubule formation, and blood vessel formation in vivo, but has little effect on existing tumor vessels.

Antiangiogenic agents produce regression in few tumors in clinical trials, but are effective in preventing recurrences. To determine whether the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor is a molecular target to prevent metastatic disease, we utilized a non-specific inhibitor of the VEGF receptor, SU11248. This receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor prevented migration of endothelial cells and markedly attenuated capillary-like tubule formation in endothelial cells in culture. Similarly, this agent prevented blood vessel formation in the tumor vascular window model. VEGF RTK inhibition produced minimal effects on established blood vessels in the tumor vascular window model and little effect on blood flow studied by power Doppler analysis. To determine whether these agents attenuate the development of metastases, Lewis lung carcinoma tumors were resected from the dorsal skin and lung metastases were quantified with and without treatment with SU11248. The RTK inhibitor attenuated the formation of lung metastases following resection of the hind limb tumor. In contrast, these agents did not induce regression of primaries but slowed the progression of tumor growth. These findings suggest that the greatest role for VEGF antagonists may be to prevent the formation of new blood vessels, during and after conventional therapy is given to existing neoplastic disease.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors↗

PAF stimulates cAMP formation in P388D1 macrophage-like cells via the formation and secretion of prostaglandin E2 in an autocrine fashion.

The role of cAMP in the formation of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was investigated in bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed P388D1 macrophage-like cells stimulated with platelet activating factor (PAF). cAMP levels and PGE2 secretion were correlated with stimulation by PAF or ionomycin. Indomethacin inhibited cAMP formation induced by PAF, but not PGE2-stimulated cAMP production. Inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate levels were strongly reduced by exogenous PGE2 and increased by H-89, an inhibitor of PKA. However, exogenous PGE2 did not affect PAF-stimulated PGE2 formation. These results suggest that cAMP levels in P388D1 cells are regulated by PGE2 in an autocrine fashion. Evidence is presented that this feedback mechanism regulates inositol (1,4,5)-triphosphate levels in these cells, while PGE2 formation is not affected.

Animals↗

The reaction of flavanols with nitrous acid protects against N-nitrosamine formation and leads to the formation of nitroso derivatives which inhibit cancer cell growth.

Studies have suggested that diets rich in polyphenols such as flavonoids may lead to a reduced risk of gastrointestinal cancers. We demonstrate the ability of monomeric and dimeric flavanols to scavenge reactive nitrogen species derived from nitrous acid. Both epicatechin and dimer B2 (epicatechin dimer) inhibited nitrous acid-induced formation of 3-nitrotyrosine and the formation of the carcinogenic N-nitrosamine, N-nitrosodimethylamine. The reaction of monomeric and dimeric epicatechin with nitrous acid led to the formation of mono- and di-nitroso flavanols, whereas the reaction with hesperetin resulted primarily in the formation of nitrated products. Although, epicatechin was transferred across the jejunum of the small intestine yielding metabolites, its nitroso form was not absorbed. Dimer B2 but not epicatechin monomer inhibited the proliferation of, and triggered apoptosis in, Caco-2 cells. The latter was accompanied by caspase-3 activation and reductions in Akt phosphorylation, suggesting activation of apoptosis via inhibition of prosurvival signaling. Furthermore, the dinitroso derivative of dimer B2, and to a lesser extent the dinitroso-epicatechin, also induced significant toxic effects in Caco-2 cells. The inhibitory effects on cellular proliferation were paralleled by early inhibition of ERK 1/2 phosphorylation and later reductions in cyclin D1 levels, indicating modulation of cell cycle regulation in Caco-2 cells. These effects highlight multiple routes in which dietary derived flavanols may exert beneficial effects in the gastrointestinal tract.

Absorption↗

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor in basal adhesion formation and in carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery in transgenic mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PlGF) in adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Academic research center. ANIMAL(S): Female wild-type mice and transgenic mice (n = 110), expressing exclusively VEGF-A(164) (VEGF-A(164/164)) or deficient for VEGF-B (VEGF-B(-/-)) or for PlGF (PlGF(-/-)). INTERVENTION(S): Adhesions were induced during laparoscopy. To evaluate "basal adhesions" and "CO(2) pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions," the pneumoperitoneum was maintained for a minimum (10 minutes) or prolonged (60 minutes) period. The role of PlGF was also evaluated by administration of antibodies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Adhesions were blindly scored after 7 days. RESULT(S): In all wild-type mice, CO(2) pneumoperitoneum enhanced adhesion formation. In comparison with wild-type mice, basal adhesions were higher in VEGF-A(164/164) mice and similar in VEGF-B(-/-) and PlGF(-/-) mice. Pneumoperitoneum did not enhance adhesions in any of these transgenic mice. The effects observed in PlGF(-/-) mice were confirmed in PlGF antibody-treated mice. CONCLUSION(S): The data demonstrate that the VEGF family plays a role in adhesion formation and confirm that CO(2) pneumoperitoneum enhances adhesions. VEGF-A(164) has a direct role in basal adhesions. Absence of pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions in VEGF-A(164/164), VEGF-B(-/-), and PlGF(-/-) mice indicates up-regulation of VEGF-A(164), VEGF-B, and PlGF by CO(2) pneumoperitoneum as a mechanism for pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesion formation.

Animals↗

Role of hypoxia inducible factors 1alpha and 2alpha in basal adhesion formation and in carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery in transgenic mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) 1alpha and 2alpha in adhesion formation after laparoscopic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized study. SETTING: Academic research center. ANIMAL(S): Forty Swiss/129SvJ wild-type mice and transgenic mice partially deficient for the genes encoding for HIF-1alpha (HIF-1alpha(+/-)) or HIF-2alpha (HIF-2alpha(+/-)). INTERVENTION(S): Adhesions were induced by standardized lesions during laparoscopy. To evaluate "basal adhesions" and "pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions," the pneumoperitoneum was maintained for a minimum (10 minutes) or prolonged (60 minutes) period, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Adhesions were blindly scored after 7 days. RESULT(S): In both HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha wild-type mice, pneumoperitoneum enhanced adhesion formation. In comparison with wild-type mice, basal adhesions were lower in HIF-1alpha(+/-) and similar in HIF-2alpha(+/-) mice. Pneumoperitoneum did not enhance adhesion formation in HIF-1alpha(+/-) or in HIF-2alpha(+/-) mice. Therefore, in comparison with the correspondent wild-type mice, pneumoperitoneum-enhanced adhesions were lower in HIF-1alpha(+/-) and HIF-2alpha(+/-) mice. CONCLUSION(S): These data confirm that CO(2) pneumoperitoneum enhances adhesion formation and indicate that this effect is mediated, at least in part, by an up-regulation of HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha.

Animals↗

Criterion and content validity of a novel structured haggling contingent valuation question format versus the bidding game and binary with follow-up format.

Contingent valuation question formats that will be used to elicit willingness to pay for goods and services need to be relevant to the area they will be used in order for responses to be valid. A novel contingent valuation question format called the "structured haggling technique" (SH) that resembles the bargaining system in Nigerian markets was designed and its criterion and content validity compared with those of the bidding game (BG) and binary-with-follow-up (BWFU) technique. This was achieved by determining the willingness to pay (WTP) for insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in Southeast Nigeria. Content validity was determined through observation of actual trading of untreated nets together with interviews with sellers and consumers. Criterion validity was determined by comparing stated and actual WTP. Stated WTP was determined using a questionnaire administered to 810 household heads and actual WTP was determined by offering the nets for sale to all respondents one month later. The phi (correlation) coefficient was used to compare criterion validity across question formats. The phi coefficients were SH (0.60: 95% C.I. 0.50-0.71), BG (0.42: 95% C.I. 0.29-0.54) and the BWFU (0.32: 95% C.I. 0.20-0.44), implying that the BG and SH had similar levels of criterion-validity while the BWFU was the least criterion-valid. However, the SH was the most content-valid. It is necessary to validate the findings in other areas where haggling is common. Future studies should establish the content validity of question formats in the contexts in which they will be used before administering questionnaires.

Attitude to Health↗