This study investigates the link between adaptation to biocides and antibiotics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. An enrichment continuous culture of P. aeruginosa NCIMB 10421 (MIC 25 mg BKC l(-1)) was operated (D=0.04 h(-1), 792 h) with added benzalkonium chloride (BKC). A derivative, PA-29 (696 h), demonstrated a >12-fold decrease in sensitivity to the biocide (MIC >350 mg BKC l(-1)). The variant de...

BACKGROUND Large-conductance calcium- and voltage-activated potassium channels (BKC a channels) play important roles in the maintenance of vascular tone, and their dysregulation is associated with abnormal vascular relaxation and contraction. We tested the changes in BKC a channel properties in patients at different ages to assess the effects of hypertension and aging on the functional changes ...

Orai1, a specific nonvoltage-gated Ca(2+) channel, has been found to be one of key molecules involved in store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE). Orai1 may associate with other proteins to form a signaling complex, which is essential for regulating a variety of physiological functions. In this study, we studied the possible interaction between Orai1 and large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium c...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the current literature on pediatric blepharokeratoconjunctivitis (BKC) to enhance the understanding on the incidence, clinical course, and treatment options. RECENT FINDINGS Pediatric BKC is a disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Therapies target both the infectious and inflammatory components of this disorder. SUMMARY Pediatric BK...

BACKGROUND Nasal saline spray (NSS) used in the treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis often contains the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BKC). Previous studies have shown that corticosteroid nasal sprays and topical decongestants containing BKC damage respiratory mucosa, decrease mucociliary activity, and inhibit neutrophil functions in vitro. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of NSS with B...

Introduction Ponseti method has become the main treatment modality for the management of clubfoot producing good long-term results. However, variation in cast application post tenotomy has not been evaluated. Methods A prospective cohort study involving 40 patients with 67 clubfeet were randomized into two groups: 32 above knee cast (AKC) and 35 below knee cast (BKC) after percutaneous tenoto...

Removal of benzalkonium chloride (BKC) from aqueous streams by polymeric resins XAD-7 and XAD-16 was investigated. Adsorption equilibrium isotherms of BKC from water were measured in a batch adsorber at different temperatures and ionic strengths of the external phase. In addition, the influence of an organic solvent (ethanol) on the phase equilibrium was studied. The experimental data was corre...

Keratinocytes mount immune responses through the secretion of a variety of inflammatory cytokines, soluble proteins and reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the role of ROS in keratinocytes in response to allergens and irritants has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the (i) ROS production; (ii) potential sites of ROS production; (iii) expression of cell surface molecule...

BACKGROUND Delayed cerebral vasospasm is the most common cause of mortality and severe neurological impairment in patients who survive subarachnoid hemorrhage. Despite improvements in the field of diagnostic imaging, options for prevention and medical treatment-primarily with the calcium channel antagonist nimodipine or hemodynamic manipulations-are insufficient. Previous studies have suggested...

Stabilization by static output feedback (SOF) is a long-standing open problem in control: given an n by n matrix A and rectangular matrices B and C, find a p by q matrix K such that A + BKC is stable. Low-order controller design is a practically important problem that can be cast in the same framework, with (p+k)(q+k) design parameters instead of pq, where k is the order of the controller, and ...