Blockade of large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK) channels by the bulky quaternary ammonium compound, N-(4-[benzoyl]benzyl)-N,N,N-tributylammonium (bbTBA), exhibits features consistent with blockade of both closed and open states. Here, we examine block of closed BK channels by bbTBA and how it may differ from block of open channels. Although our observations generally confirm earlier re...

A series of water-soluble cationic chitosan derivatives were prepared by chemoselective functionalization at the amino group of five different parent chitosans having varying degrees of acetylation and molecular weight. The quaternary moieties were introduced at different alkyl spacer lengths from the polymer backbone (C-0, C-2 and C-6) with the aid of 3,6-di-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl protectio...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate disinfectants for domestic use for the presence of bacteria, identify them, and determine their tolerance level to benzalkonium chloride. METHODS Fifty-two samples of commercially available disinfectants for domestic use were acquired at random in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil, and analyzed to detect the presence of bacterial contaminants. The isolated organ...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of a putative small multidrug resistance transporter, annotated in Enterococcus faecalis V583 genome as EFA0010 (we will refer to this gene as qacZ), in decreased susceptibility to biocides. METHODS A derivative strain of V583, susceptible to erythromycin (V583ErmS), was complemented with pORI23 carrying the qacZ gene (strain EF-SAVE1). MICs of benzalkonium ...

Some aliphatic long-chain quaternary ammonium compounds and choline derivatives have been examined for their ability to induce pseudopodia from Amoeba proteus. The reaction involved in pseudopodium induction is believed to be between the quaternary nitrogen cations and polysaccharides on the cell surface. Not all of the carboxyl groups of the polysaccharide are involved in this reaction. The me...

The effects of a quaternary ammonium compound, ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (DTDMAC), on natural populations of bacteria and phytoplankton from the lower River Rhine were examined to estimate their sensitivity to the discharges of cationic surfactants in the river basin. In short-term experiments, significant decreases in the growth rate of bacterioplankton and in the photosynthetic rate o...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of a topically applied emulsion of an analgesic ammonium solution for the temporary treatment of pain associated with arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis. DESIGN 100 subjects in a single center, presenting with chronic pain associated with arthritis, tendinitis, or bursitis trialed against placebo in a double-blind cross-over protocol. MAIN OUTCOME ...

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric assay for quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) based on Dragendorff's reagent is described. Although not specific for a particular QAC, the assay allows for rapid survey of tissue for QAC content. A separation method for QACs in halophyte tissue containing high levels of cations was developed using ion exchange resins and ninhydrin to remove the amino a...

Exposure to some nonallergenic compounds has been shown to increase the risk of atopic sensitization and asthmatic symptoms. In order to gain more insight into the largely unknown aetiology of respiratory symptoms in pig farmers, we studied the role of nonallergic exposure. We evaluated associations between chronic respiratory symptoms, specific and total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, us...

The qac genes of Staphylococcus species encode multidrug efflux pumps: membrane proteins that export toxic molecules and thus increase tolerance to a variety of compounds such as disinfecting agents, including quaternary ammonium compounds (for which they are named), intercalating dyes and some antibiotics. In Stapylococcus species, six different plasmid-encoded Qac efflux pumps have been descr...