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Biomedical subjects

R M Carter

Publications and source records attributed to R M Carter.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Quartz crystal microbalance detection of Vibrio cholerae O139 serotype.

A piezoelectric (PZ) quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) biosensor for the rapid detection of Vibrio cholerae serotype O139 has been developed. The antibody to this serotype was immobilized on the gold transducer surface of a 10 MHz AT cut PZ crystal. Solutions containing known antigen concentrations were then incubated for 1 h on the antibody-bound transducer. The biosensor was able to detect 10(5) cells per ml of O139 versus a background of O1 (Ogawa) serotype.

Antigen-Antibody Reactions↗
PubMed1994

The evaluation and diagnosis of the dizzy patient.

In conclusion, the assessment of the dizzy patient is indeed complex and far-reaching. The expertise of family practitioners, internist, neurologists, otolaryngologists, and neurosurgeons at times is essential and one should not feel inhibited about referring the patient for further evaluation to our colleagues so that the patient may best be served and resolution of the patient's complaints may result.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1992

Mechanisms of neutrophil damage to human alveolar extracellular matrix: the role of serine and metalloproteases.

Many syndromes of lung injury are associated with accumulation of neutrophils within the pulmonary parenchyma. These neutrophils have the capacity to produce lung injury by products including proteases and reactive oxygen species (ROS). We examined the ability of activated neutrophils to solubilize human alveolar extracellular matrix (ECM), and by use of scavengers and inhibitors, evaluated the role of ROS and proteases in this process. Supernatants of phorbol myristate acetate-activated neutrophils routinely solubilized 10.2% +/- 0.8% (n = 30) of collagen in human alveolar ECM, as measured by hydroxyproline release. Scavengers of ROS had no significant effect on ECM solubilization. Inhibitors of metalloproteases partially inhibited ECM solubilization (38.5% +/- 4.6% inhibition by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [n = 6], and 37.0% +/- 14.7% by 1,10-phenanthroline [n = 6]; p less than 0.05). Inhibitors of the neutrophil serine proteases, elastase and cathepsin G, markedly inhibited ECM solubilization (100.9% +/- 3.7% by alpha 1-protease inhibitor [alpha 1-PI] [n = 6] and 81.9% +/- 0.1% by soybean trypsin inhibitor [n = 6]; p less than 0.01). Since alpha 1-PI completely inhibited solubilization, metalloprotease activity appeared to be related to serine protease activity. This finding was confirmed by the observation that addition of a metalloenzyme activator, p-aminophenylmercuric acetate, in the presence of alpha 1-PI, restored solubilization to the same level as that inhibited by metal chelators. We conclude that human neutrophil metalloproteases and serine proteases directly solubilize human alveolar ECM. Furthermore, neutrophil serine proteases activate latent metalloproteases. However, ROS were not demonstrated to play a major role in ECM solubilization in our system.

Basement Membrane↗
PubMed1992

A new generation of U.S. Army flight helmets.

Head injuries are the most common cause of fatal injury in helicopter crashes. For over 80 years, the U.S. Army has used crash investigation studies to redesign flight helmets. This paper describes the evolution of the new fielded U.S. Army helmet, the Sound Protection Helmet No. 4B (SPH-4B), and compares its protective features to its predecessors, especially the SPH-4. A major contribution to the helmet design process was made by the Aviation Life Support Equipment Retrieval Program (ALSERP), a functional program at the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory (USAARL). ALSERP has analyzed more than 500 helmets involved in crash events since 1972. Based on these studies of critical safety factors, the Army has developed and deployed the SPH-4B, a new helmet with improved energy absorption, retention, and stability.

Craniocerebral Trauma↗
PubMed1991

Evidence for extralysosomal hydrolysis of high-density lipoprotein cholesteryl esters in rat hepatoma cells (Fu5AH): a model for delivery of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Rat hepatoma cells (Fu5AH) were studied as a model for the net delivery of apoE-free high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol to a cell. Incubating cells with HDL results in 1) a decrease in both media-free cholesterol and cholesteryl ester concentration; 2) decreased cell sterol synthesis; and 3) increased cell cholesteryl ester synthesis. HDL cholesteryl ester uptake is increased when cells are incubated for 18 hr in cholesterol poor media. Coincubation of 3H-cholesteryl ester-labeled low-density lipoprotein (LDL) with 50 microM chloroquine or 25 microM monensin results in a decrease in the cellular free cholesterol/cholesteryl ester (FC/CE) isotope ratio, indicating an inhibition in the conversion of cholesteryl ester to free cholesterol. In contrast, chloroquine and monensin do not alter the cellular FC/CE isotope ratio for 3H-CE HDL. This evidence indicates that acidic lysosomal cholesteryl ester hydrolase does not account for the hydrolysis of HDL-CE. Free cholesterol generated from 3H-cholesteryl ester of both LDL and HDL is reesterified intracellularly. At higher HDL concentrations (above 50 micrograms/ml) HDL cholesteryl ester hydrolysis is sensitive to chloroquine. We propose that an extralysosomal pathway is operating in the metabolism of HDL cholesterol and that at higher HDL concentrations a lysosomal pathway may be functioning in addition to an extralysosomal pathway.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Vitamin D independence of small calcium-binding proteins in nonclassical target tissues.

The presence and regulation of Ca-binding proteins (CaBPs) were investigated in newly identified 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] target tissues. 45Ca(2+)-blot analysis of proteins in normal rats yielded a 45Ca2+ band comigrating with authentic calmodulin. Additionally, a parvalbumin-like band (mol mass = 15.4 +/- 0.3 kDa) was prominent in prostate, and a strong unidentified 45Ca2+ band was always evident in the testis (mol mass = 23.5 +/- 0.7 kDa). Lung, bladder, and especially prostate demonstrated 45Ca2+ bands comigrating with the intestinal vitamin D-related CaBP (CaBP-D9K; mol mass = 10.9 +/- 0.5 kDa). Most tissues (including testis, heart, and lung) exhibited low levels of a 45Ca2+ band comigrating with the renal CaBP-D28K (mol mass = 28.3 +/- 0.4 kDa). Importantly, 45Ca2+ binding to all detectable CaBPs was unchanged in these four tissues in vitamin D-deficient rats, despite substantial downregulation of the intestinal CaBP-D9K and renal CaBP-D28K. Neither immunoblot analysis (rabbit anti-rat renal CaBP-D28K) nor Northern analysis (rat brain CaBP-D28K cDNA) provided evidence for coidentity of the 28-kDa 45Ca2+ band with the CaBP-D28K. Conversely, immunoblot analysis of lung, but not prostate, cytosol provided evidence for specific immunocross-reactivity to rabbit anti-rat intestinal CaBP-D9K. Immunoblot analysis of the 9-kDa CaBP in lung further confirmed its vitamin D independence. In conclusion, the vitamin D independence of the CaBPs in these putative new 1,25(OH)2D3 targets suggests the absence of an obligatory relationship between 1,25(OH)2D3 effects and CaBP induction therein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1985

A clinical, psychophysical, and electroretinographic survey of patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

We have surveyed 104 patients (44 families) with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. The range of the survey includes clinical history, ocular examination, documentation of genetic history, Goldmann kinetic perimetry with IV/4 and I/4 white targets, two-colour static perimetry, and scotopic and photopic electroretinography. Comparison of interfamilial and intrafamilial patterns in the static perimetry data strongly suggests there may be at least two genetic subgroups within the disease characterised by the pattern of loss of rod function: in subgroup D (13 patients, 4 families) this is diffuse and severe, while in subgroup R (28 patients, 13 families) it is regional. In both D and R loss of cone function is regional, and in R it coincides with loss of rod function. In D patients the rod electroretinogram is absent; in all but two R cases it is present and usually substantial. All D patients were aware of night blindness before the age of 10, but most R patients not until after the age of 20. Many of the patients could not be classified because their disease was so advanced. The effect of disease duration on visual acuity and visual field area is described for all patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Electrophysiological responses after vitrectomy and intraocular tamponade.

Earlier reports of changes in the electroretinogram (ERG) following intravitreal liquid silicone in animal eyes have been conflicting. There is little information on the effects of vitrectomy and intravitreal tamponade by gas or liquid silicone on retinal function in humans. The effects on retinal function of intraocular tamponade by liquid silicone (1,000 cs) or SF6 gas (20 per cent)/mixture were studied in a series of consecutive patients undergoing vitrectomy for recent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Patients without retinal detachment requiring vitrectomy served as controls. Serial electroretinography was performed immediately preoperatively, postoperatively and subsequently over a period of 6 months. In the early postoperative period there was a reduction of both a- and b-waves through these recovered progressively in all the patients. The recovery of the ERG was accelerated by the absorption of the gas or by the removal of the liquid silicone. The results of our study indicate that the initial depression of the ERG is due to vitrectomy and subsequent recovery occurs even in the presence of intraocular gas or liquid silicone. It is suggested that the relative reduction of the amplitude of a- and b-waves in the study patients is due to the insulating effect of the tamponading agent and that neither intraocular gas nor liquid silicone adversely affects retinal function.

Electroretinography↗
PubMed1984

Pattern and Ganzfeld electroretinograms in macular disease.

The pattern electroretinogram has been found to be abnormal in all except three cases of maculopathy. This is in contrast to other electrophysiological tests, which are frequently unaffected. The degree of reduction is related to the loss of visual acuity. The response to focal flashes is less affected than the response to pattern.

Electrooculography↗
PubMed1983

Rod and cone activity in patients with dominantly inherited retinitis pigmentosa: comparisons between psychophysical and electroretinographic measurements.

Extended electroretinographic (ERG) testing has been carried out in a series of patients with retinitis pigmentosa, dominantly inherited. In 36 of 57 cases only cone b waves were evoked. In 20 of these, psychophysical tests showed only cones mediated vision (Massof class I), while in 16 statis scotopic perimetry demonstrated residual rod function (class II). In the remaining cases, where rod ERGs were seen, the light intensities required to evoke responses were not greatly elevated. A computer model was constructed to relate psychophysical threshold measurements to ERG data. This analysis of the results suggests that in one subgroup of patients the scotopic ERG is smaller than expected from the losses of visual field and that in another the psychophysical elevation of rod visual threshold is greater than expected from ERG measurements.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

A modified ERG technique and the results obtained in X-linked retinitis pigmentosa.

An electroretinographic (ERG) technique is described in which the relationship between scotopic b wave amplitude and stimulus light intensity is determined. The relative amplitude of scotopic to photopic responses is assessed by means of red light and flicker. The method is applied to the detection of ERG abnormalities in heterozygotes for X-linked retinitis pigmentosa. These have been found in only a proportion of cases. The ERG results can be used to suggest the nature of the retinal abnormality.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Contrast sensitivity gratings in glaucoma family screening.

Contrast sensitivity was measured in the eyes of 200 consecutive patients attending the glaucoma family screening unit. One-third of the patients screened had an abnormal contrast sensitivity. Positive correlation (p less than 0.01) existed between this abnormal contrast sensitivity and cup : disc ratio, visual field loss, and age. No such correlation existed between contrast sensitivity and intraocular pressure.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1980

Pattern ERGs are abnormal in many amblyopes.

We have used a pattern-reversing chequerboard (1 degree squares, or smaller: 84 per cent contrast, or less: 2 to 16 reversals/sec: field size 22 degrees x 16 degrees: mean luminance 50 cd/m2) to evoke responses from the eyes of young adults and children. ERGs were recorded with gold foil electrodes, which did not interfere with the normal optics. All patients were affected accurately. The fixation point was adjusted so that squinters received the stimulus on corresponding areas of each retina. The normal ERG obtained is 1.5 to 3 mu V in amplitude, and in thirteen normal subjects right and left eyes gave equal responses. The extreme asymmetry detected was c. 10 per cent. In all amblyopes, including children of 6 years old and upwards, satisfactory recordings were obtained. In most amblyopes, the response from the affected eye was 50 per cent or less of the response from the fellow eye. In all cases of failure to respond to treatment, the asymmetry was highly significant. In adults, occluding the screen area corresponding to the area of amblyopic suppression, reduces the ERG in the fellow eye, but does not reduce the ERG in the amblyopic eye. We conclude that amblyopic retina produces very little electrical activity that we can record. The timing, response to frequency of stimulation, and other parameters in the pattern ERG are dissimilar from those in the ERG produced by small changes of luminance. We have little evidence about the class of cell generating the response we observe, but evidently there is peripheral abnormality in the visual system even of amblyopic children.

Adolescent↗