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D Carrier

Publications and source records attributed to D Carrier.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Polymorphic phases of galactocerebrosides: spectroscopic evidence of lamellar crystalline structures.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was applied to study the structural and thermal properties of bovine brain galactocerebroside (GalCer) containing amide linked non-hydroxylated or alpha-hydroxy fatty acids (NFA- and HFA-GalCer, respectively). Over the temperature range 0-90 degrees C, both GalCer displayed complex thermal transitions, characteristic of polymorphic phase behavior. Upon heating, aqueous dispersions of NFA- and HFA-GalCer exhibited high order-disorder transition temperatures near 80 and 72 degrees C, respectively. En route to the chain melting transition, the patterns of the amide I band of NFA-GalCer were indicative of two different lamellar crystalline phases, whereas those of HFA-GalCer were suggestive of lamellar gel and crystalline bilayers. Cooling from the liquid-crystalline phase resulted in the formation of another crystalline phase of NFA-GalCer and a gel phase of HFA-GalCer, with a phase transition near 62 and 66 degrees C, respectively. Prolonged incubation of GalCer bilayers at 38 degrees C revealed conversions among lamellar crystalline phases (NFA-GalCer) or between lamellar gel and crystalline bilayer structures (HFA-GalCer). Spectral changes indicated that the temperature and/or time induced formation of the lamellar crystalline structures of NFA- and HFA-GalCer was accompanied by partial dehydration and by rearrangements of the hydrogen bonding network and bilayer packing mode of GalCer.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

FTIR study of the monosialoganglioside GM1 in perdeuterated dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine (DMPCd54) multilamellar bilayers: spectroscopic evidence of a significant interaction between Ca2+ ions and the sialic acid moiety of GM1.

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to study bovine brain GM1 and perdeuterated dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine (DMPCd54) multilamellar dispersions (mole fractions of GM1 in DMPCd54: 0.12, 0.15, 0.19, 0.26, 0.34, 0.41, and 0.58), in the absence and presence of 10 mM CaCl2. GM1 micelles did not display a thermal phase transition in the temperature range 5-60 degrees C. Moreover, the ceramide moiety of GM1 inserted into the hydrophobic core of DMPCd54 bilayers and was capable of undergoing a single, cooperative phase transition (Tm = 22-28 degrees C, depending on GM1 content) in a bilayer system. This suggested that the mixed bilayers consisted of a homogeneous mixture and that GM1 was uniformly dispersed in the bilayer plane rather than segregated into regions of relative enrichment. The coexistence of GM1 and DMPCd54 in a bilayer environment induced a rearrangement of the interfacial hydrogen bonding network of the amide I and ester C=O groups, relative to GM1 micelles and DMPCd54 bilayers, respectively. The modifications induced by GM1 might ultimately modulate surface events such as lipid-lipid and/or lipid-protein interactions. The spectroscopic results also suggested that the glycolipid's headgroup surface location and conformation in bilayers allow GM1 to act as a receptor for Ca2+ via its sialic acid moiety.

Amides↗
PubMed2000

A Fourier-transform infrared study of the interaction between germ-cell specific sulfogalactosylglycerolipid and dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine.

In this study, we investigated structural and dynamic changes of sulfogalactosylglycerolipid (SGG) and dimyristoylglycerophosphocholine (DMPC) in a liposomal system (SGG+DMPC, molar ratio 2:3) by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Cooling of the preheated SGG liposomes (5-65 degrees C) revealed that the liquid crystalline-to-gel phase transition was centered at 45 degrees C. SGG+DMPC liposomes showed a single phase transition at 28 degrees C. Spectral changes of the ester C&z. dbnd6;O groups of SGG and DMPC in the mixed liposomes indicated a decrease in their interfacial hydrogen bonding intermolecularly and with water. Analysis of SGG's symmetric and antisymmetric CH(2) stretching bands revealed that the insertion of DMPC into SGG bilayers increased the number of gauche conformers in SGG's hydrocarbon chains. Overall, the SGG+DMPC liposomes were homogeneous, with reduced interfacial hydrogen bonding and increased orientational and conformational disorder of SGG's hydrocarbon chains.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

[Quality and improvement propositions for the Annecy emergency medical services].

Emergency visits are one of the most common ways patients are admitted to hospitals. This study aims to characterise emergency visits in the Annecy District, in order to identify future actions for better management. Four studies were implemented: telephone surveys among 600 households and 130 physicians; and two observational studies of emergency visits to 80 physicians and to hospital emergency services. We observed that the hospital emergency service offers patients a good service, and therefore attracts many minor pathologies not requiring a hospital visit. Implementation of alternative structures, outside the hospital, to offer similar service must be considered. Co-operation among the different actors must be improved, and can benefit from new communication technology.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1998

Modulation of phospholipase A2 activity by aminoglycosides and daptomycin: a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study.

The antibiotics known as aminoglycosides are commonly used to treat severe infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Unfortunately, they often lead to acute renal failure after their accumulation in the lysosomes of renal cells, where an inhibition of the phospholipid catabolism is observed. The lipopeptidic antibiotic daptomycin has been shown to reduce the nephrotoxicity of aminoglycosides, but the exact mechanism of this protection is still unknown. In the present study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been used to monitor the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine by phospholipase A2 (PLA2) from Naja mocambique mocambique venom in the presence of various aminoglycosides and/or daptomycin. Gentamicin and amikacin inhibited the reaction in its early stage. Kanamycin A, tobramycin, and especially kanamycin B enhanced the initial enzyme activity by reducing the lag time. After the initiation period, the reaction proceeded at a much slower rate in the presence of gentamicin. On the other hand, daptomycin led to dramatic alterations of the hydrolysis profile: the initial latency period was eliminated, and the maximal extent of hydrolysis was reduced. When both daptomycin and any of the aminoglycosides were present, the latency period also disappeared, and the phospholipase activity was higher than with the lipopeptide alone. The most drastic change occurred with gentamicin, which was the most inhibitory aminoglycoside when used alone but worked synergistically with daptomycin to yield the most dramatic activation of PLA2.

Aminoglycosides↗
PubMed1998

Interaction between sulfogalactosylceramide and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine increases the orientational fluctuation of their lipid hydrocarbon chains.

The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction between sulfogalactosylceramide (SGC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) in a mixed model liposomal system (molar ratio SGC:DMPC, 2:3). Structural and dynamic changes of the liposome components were monitored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermotropic FTIR analysis of the mixed liposomes showed a single gel/liquid crystalline phase transition, centered at approximately 42 degrees C. Spectral changes of the amide and ester C = O bands arising from functional groups at the interfacial region indicated a reduced hydrogen bonding of these groups in the mixed liposomes. Pressure-tuning FTIR of mixed liposomes showed that the methylene chains of SGC and DMPC were more orientationally disordered than those of the individual lipid SGC liposomes or DMPC liposomes. These results suggest that the mixed liposomes (molar ratio SGC:DMPC, 2:3) consisted of a homogeneous mixture of SGC and DMPC molecules in which mutual shielding reduced hydrogen bonding in the interfacial region, with a concurrent increase in the orientational disorder of the hydrocarbon chains of both SGC and DMPC.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Comparison of the effects of amikacin and kanamycins A and B on dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol bilayers. An infrared spectroscopic investigation.

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are very effective against severe Gram-negative infections, but their clinical use is associated with nephrotoxic side-effects. The cascade of events leading to acute renal failure involves an impairment of lysosomal phospholipase activity, which is thought to result from the direct interaction of the drugs with the head group of negative phospholipids. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to study the effects of three aminoglycosides from the kanamycin family (amikacin and kanamycins A and B) on dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) bilayers at lysosomal pH. The results obtained were consistent with a tightening of the lipidic network caused by the neutralization of the negative head groups of DMPG by the positive charges of the aminoglycosides. These antibiotics induced an increase of the transition temperature of DMPG, a decrease of both the frequency and relative intensity of the hydrogen-bonded carbonyl component, and a decrease of the phosphate antisymmetric band frequency. Kanamycin B, which is known to be the most nephrotoxic drug of the three, exhibited the greatest effects on the transition temperature and on the carbonyl stretching band. A comparison of the nature and extent of the spectral changes led us to conclude that amikacin lies flat on the bilayer surface, whereas kanamycin B is located between the lipidic head groups and quite close to some of the carbonyl groups. Finally, a possible correlation between the importance of bilayers perturbation and the respective inhibitory potency against phospholipases was examined.

Amikacin↗
PubMed1997

Choristomas of the seventh and eighth cranial nerves.

Choristomas, masses of normal tissues in aberrant locations, contain smooth muscle fibers and fibrous tissues. We describe the MR imaging features of two choristomas located in the internal auditory canals and arising from the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves. Both lesions enhanced with contrast material. In one case, enhancement was seen in the geniculate ganglion and greater superficial petrosal nerve. In the other, a medial component enhanced less than the lateral component did.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Seasonal mood disturbances in collegiate hockey players.

OBJECTIVE: THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER IS TO: 1) describe the seasonal affective disorder syndrome using a case illustration, 2) provide a simple and reliable method for identifying seasonal affective disorder, and 3) provide data as to the prevalence of the syndrome in a subset of collegiate hockey players. DESIGN AND SETTING: Collegiate hockey players were selected, because their practices begin in the fall and play is completed in the spring. The teams selected for participation were from the far Northwest and the upper Midwest regions. SUBJECTS: Sixty-eight Division I hockey players volunteered for the study. The three teams from which the subjects were chosen were located above latitude 42 degrees /45' north. Subjects were from the northern latitudes. MEASUREMENTS: The Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire was used to screen for seasonality. A sample of the athletes was also examined using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression together with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed) criteria for Seasonal Pattern Specifier. RESULTS: Thirty-three (51%) were asymptomatic, 7 (11%) met the criteria for seasonal affective disorder, and 25 (39%) hockey players scored in the range that could classify them as candidates for subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of seasonal affective disorder among our sample approximated the national norm for the northern latitudes. However, the prevalence of subsyndromal seasonal affective disorder in our population was 25% compared to 13% reported nationally. Light therapy has been shown to reverse the effects of the disorders; however, further research needs to be conducted to determine its acceptance and effectiveness by the athletic population.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

MRI and clinical decisions in cochlear implantation.

High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is the standard imaging technique used in cochlear implantation. However, cochlear and retrocochlear soft-tissue abnormalities may not be detected with HRCT alone. To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides clinically significant information in addition to HRCT in the evaluation of candidates for cochlear implants, we performed a prospective study of 13 consecutive patients with cochlear implant patients receiving preoperative, high-resolution fast spin-echo T2-weighted MRI scans of the temporal bone. MRI identified unanticipated cochlear fibrosis in one patient, vestibular schwannoma in one patient, patency in the second turn of the cochlea in a patient with labyrinthitis ossificans, and disproved cochlear fibrosis suspected on HRCT imaging in one patient. These findings were significant for clinical decisions regarding candidacy for surgery, side selection for surgery, and surgical technique in cochlear implantation. Our experience suggests a high-resolution T2-weighted MRI of the temporal bone should be used preoperatively in addition to HRCT before cochlear implantation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Molecular basis of the inhibition of gentamicin nephrotoxicity by daptomycin; an infrared spectroscopic investigation.

The lipopeptide daptomycin has been reported to reduce in vivo the nephrotoxicity of aminoglycoside antibiotics (Wood et al. (1989) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 33, 1280-1285; Beauchamp et al. (1990) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 34, 139-147). A recent dialysis study confirmed the existence of an electrostatic interaction between daptomycin and tobramycin (Couture et al. (1994) Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 38, 742-749). The interaction of gentamicin with daptomycin and phosphatidylinositol (PI) dispersions was investigated by FTIR spectroscopy. We found no evidence of a direct interaction involving the neutralization of the aspartate groups of daptomycin by gentamicin and the amide I band of daptomycin did not reveal significant conformational changes of its peptidic moiety. On the other hand, daptomycin readily inserts within bilayers of PI, dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, as judged from its influence on the fluidity of these bilayers. The incorporation of daptomycin into PI bilayers has no significant effect on the lipopeptide amide I band. Gentamicin also binds to PI bilayers and the associated modifications of the lipid bands are consistent with a tightening of the lipid network resulting from head group neutralization by gentamicin. The affinity of the aminoglycoside for PI is slightly increased in the presence of daptomycin, in agreement with the results of the dialysis study mentioned above. The lipid features indicate that its head group is still affected by gentamicin charges, but the thermotropic behavior of the hydrophobic portion becomes similar to that of the pure lipid. It is proposed that the contribution of daptomycin to the membrane charge density and its effect on the lipid packing both combine to counteract the inhibition of phospholipase activity due to aminoglycosides. Further work will attempt to determine how the peptide rings and gentamicin molecules are organized at the bilayer surface, how specific these interactions are and to confirm the influence of daptomycin on the phospholipid catabolism.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

False-positive magnetic resonance imaging of small internal auditory canal tumors: a clinical, radiologic, and pathologic correlation study.

Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium facilitates the early diagnosis of internal auditory canal tumors at a small enough stage to permit increasing application of hearing preservation surgical techniques. Surgeons report successful removal of tumors as small as 3 mm, which are diagnosed with enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. A retrospective study was performed to determine the risk of false-positive "tumor" diagnosis with enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. We reviewed the imaging records, office notes, and surgical records of 112 consecutive "tumors" involving the internal auditory canal treated by the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center Neurotology Service between July 1991 and July 1994. Two categories of false-positive magnetic resonance imaging were identified: (1) surgically confirmed absence of internal auditory canal neoplasm and (2) spontaneous resolution of the internal auditory canal lesions on subsequent, enhanced magnetic resonance images. Overall, eight false-positive scans were identified. Three were surgically confirmed as false-positive, and five resolved on subsequent imaging studies. All cases were smaller than 6 mm and involved the distal internal auditory canal (fundus). The surgically confirmed cases were approached through a middle fossa technique with successful hearing preservation. The overall rate of surgical false-positive results was 3.5% (3 cases in 86 surgeries). However, the overall false-positive rate for intracanalicular "tumors" was 32% (8 cases in 25 intracanalicular lesions). Although hearing preservation is more likely in small lesions, the surgeon must consider the possibility that an internal auditory canal lesion smaller than 6 mm may actually represent a nonneoplastic process. Enhancing lesions limited to the internal auditory canal fundus may be treated by reimaging the patient in 6 months after the first image rather than by prompt surgical exploration.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Daptomycin may attenuate experimental tobramycin nephrotoxicity by electrostatic complexation to tobramycin.

The lipopeptidic antibiotic daptomycin is reported to reduce experimental tobramycin nephrotoxicity (D. Beauchamp, M. Pellerin, P. Gourde, M. Pettigrew and M. G. Bergeron, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 34:139-147, 1990; C. A. Wood, H. C. Finkbeiner, S. J. Kohlhepp, P. W. Kohnen, and D. C. Gilbert, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 33:1280-1285, 1989). In an attempt to explain these results, the in vivo and in vitro interactions between daptomycin and tobramycin were studied. Tobramycin alone and preincubated with negatively charged phospholipid bilayers (liposomes) was dialyzed against increasing concentrations of daptomycin in buffer at pH 5.4. A significant drop in the concentration of tobramycin was observed when daptomycin was added to the opposite half cells. Furthermore, daptomycin induced a concentration-dependent release of lipid-bound tobramycin. Gold labeling experiments showed that daptomycin could be incorporated into phospholipid layers. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with daptomycin alone, with tobramycin alone, or with the combination over 2 to 10 days. Levels of daptomycin and tobramycin in serum were similar in all groups. The levels of tobramycin in the renal cortex increased significantly with time and, on day 10, reached values of 654 +/- 122 and 844 +/- 298 micrograms/g of tissue (mean +/- standard deviation; not significant) in animals treated with tobramycin and the combination of daptomycin-tobramycin, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the levels of tobramycin in the kidneys between animals treated with tobramycin or the daptomycin-tobramycin combination at any time. By contrast, daptomycin levels were significantly higher in the renal cortexes of animals treated with daptomycin-tobramycin in comparison with those in the renal cortexes of animals treated with daptomycin alone on days 6,8, and 10 (P < 0.01). For immunogold labeling studies, animals were killed 4 h after a single injection of daptomycin alone or daptomycin in combination with tobramycin. Daptomycin was found throughout the matrixes of the lysosomes of proximal tubular cells of animals treated with daptomycin alone. In animals treated with the combination of daptomycin and tobramycin, daptomycin was associated with intralysosomal myeloid bodies. Our results suggest that daptomycin might attenuate experimental aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity by interacting with the aminoglycoside, perhaps electrostatically, and thereby protecting intracellular targets of toxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Interactions of aminoglycoside antibiotics with phospholipids. A deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance study.

The effect of several aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotics on aqueous multilamellar dispersions of mixtures of phosphatidylinositol (PI) and deuterated phosphatidylcholine (PC) has been studied by deuterium (2H) NMR. Isepamicin and amikacin gave rise to no significant changes in 2H-NMR lineshape relative to that of the lipid mixture without antibiotic. Both kanamycin A and B, which have a greater affinity for PI than the other two antibiotics examined in this study, induced temperature-dependent changes in 2H-NMR lineshapes and associated spectral moments. The results are consistent with an antibiotic-induced lateral phase separation giving rise to PC-enriched domains free of drug and PI-AG domains. These effects are correlated with the inhibitory potency of aminoglycosides towards PC degradation.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed1992

Efficacy of moxidectin against naturally acquired nematode infections in cattle.

The efficacy of moxidectin, a new endectocide against natural nematode infections, was evaluated. Twenty-five calves were divided into two groups of eight calves each and a third group of nine calves. Moxidectin was administered s.c. to two groups (I, 0.2 mg kg-1 body weight (BW); II, 0.3 mg kg-1 BW) and the third group (III) received the vehicle (placebo) s.c. Two pre-treatment and one post-treatment faecal nematode egg count determinations were made from all calves, and they were necropsied 2 weeks after treatment for the identification and enumeration of nematode parasites. Group III calves, which received the drug-free vehicle, harboured eight species of nematodes (Ostertagia ostertagi, Trichostrongylus axei, Cooperia oncophora, Cooperia punctata, Nematodirus helvetianus, Trichuris discolor, Oesophagostomum radiatum and Dictyocaulus viviparus). The mean total worm burden for this group was 8935. There was a significant reduction in the numbers of many species of nematodes (Ostertagia, Trichostrongylus, Cooperia and Nematodirus) in both treated groups. Cooperia oncophora was reduced by 94% in Group I and by 96% in Group II, while all other nematode species were reduced by 99%. Immature stages of Ostertagia and Nematodirus were significantly reduced in the two treated groups. Two weeks after treatment, the mean faecal egg counts of both treated groups were reduced by more than 98%. There was no significant difference in mean total worm burdens or egg counts between the two treated groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Apamin, a highly potent blocker of the TTX- and Mn2(+)-insensitive fast transient Na+ current in young embryonic heart.

The whole-cell current clamp and voltage clamp techniques were used to record the slow Na+ action potentials (APs) and the inward current in cultured single ventricular cells isolated from young (3 day-old) embryonic chicks. The slow Na+ APs had a +Vmax of 21.5 +/- 7.5 V/s (in 10 different single cells) and the macroscopic inward current responsible for the rising phase of these APs was a fast transient (ft) current. The ft inward current was sensitive to changes in [Na]o but not to changes in [Ca]o. This channel was found to be permeable to Li+ and Ba2+. Analysis of Na+ current decay suggests a second-order process of current decay. The slow Na+ APs and the ft inward current were insensitive to tetrodotoxin (TTX) and Mn2+. This current was also insensitive to the inorganic Ca2+ blockers, Ni2+, Cd2+ and La3+. At low concentration (10(-9)-10(-6) M) the organic Ca2+ blockers, (-)D888 and nifedipine had no effect on the TTX- and Mn2(+)-insensitive INa. However, at a high concentration (10(-5) M), the Ca2+ blockers, (-)D888 and nifedipine, completely blocked the slow Na+ APs and the TTX- and Mn2(+)-insensitive ft inward Na+ current responsible for the rising phase of the APs. High concentration of verapamil (10(-5) M) and D-600 (10(-5) M) had little depressant effects due to their frequency dependence. Apamin, a toxin in the bee venom, that was previously reported by our group to block the slow Ca2+ APs (Bkaily et al., 1985) and the slow Ca2+ current (Bkaily et al., 1988b), greatly decreased the TTX- and Mn2(+)-insensitive ft INa at 10(-10) M. Thus, the inward current responsible for the rising phase of the slow Na+ APs in 3 day-old embryonic chick heart shows fast transient activation and is TTX- and Mn2(+)-insensitive. This channel is highly sensitive to apamin and shares few characteristics with the Ca2+ channel and the TTX-sensitive fast Na+ channel.

Action Potentials↗
PubMed1990

Pressure effects on sarcoplasmic reticulum: a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study.

The Ca2(+)-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum is irreversibly inactivated by exposure to 1.5-2.0 kbar pressure for 30-60 min in a Ca2(+)-free medium; mono- or decavanadate (5 mM) or to a lesser extent Ca2+ (2-20 mM) protect against inactivation (Varga et al. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 13943-13956). The structural basis of these effects was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy of sarcoplasmic reticulum in 2H2O medium. The inactivation of the Ca2(+)-ATPase at 1.5-2.0 kbar pressure in a Ca2(+)-free medium was accompanied by changes in the Amide II region of the spectrum (1550 cm-1), that are consistent with increased hydrogen-deuterium (H-2H) exchange, and by the enhancement of a band at 1630 cm-1 in the Amide I region, that is attributed to an increase in beta sheet. The frequency of the peak of the Amide I band shifted from about 1648 cm-1 at atmospheric pressure to 1642 cm-1 at approximately equal to 12.5 kbar pressure, suggesting a decrease in alpha helix, and an increase in beta and/or random coil structures. Upon releasing the pressure, the shift of the Amide I band was partially reversed. Vanadate (5 mM), and to a lesser extent Ca2+ (2-20 mM), protected the Ca2(+)-ATPase against pressure-induced changes both in the Amide I and Amide II regions of the spectrum, together with protection of ATPase activity. These observations establish a correlation between the conformation of the Ca2(+)-ATPase and its sensitivity to pressure. The involvement of the ATP binding domain of the Ca2(+)-ATPase in the pressure-induced structural changes is suggested by the decreased polarization of fluorescence of fluorescein 5'-isothiocyanate covalently attached to the enzyme.

Animals↗