Visual evoked potentials (VEP), median nerve sensory conduction velocity (SNCV) as well as sensory evoked potentials (SEP), and brainstem acoustic evoked potentials (BAEP) were investigated on both sides in 40 patients with chronic alcoholism (mean age 37 years) without clinical signs of alcohol-induced central nervous system lesions. The results were compared to those obtained in 40 normal controls (mean age 32 years). In both groups, the parameters were analysed by means of both dependence and interdependence statistics. Dependence statistics (ANOVA) revealed significant differences between both groups. In 70% of the patients, at least one pathological parameter (greater than mean +/- 2.5 SD) was found; about 38% of the patients had two or more pathological values. Most pathological parameters were observed with BAEP testing (45% of patients) followed by SNCV (33%), median nerve SEP (30%), and VEP (10%). No significant clustering of pathological parameters was found in certain patients. By means of interdependence statistics, evidence is presented for a disturbance of sensory processing in the brainstem auditory pathways of the patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The secretory S complex in Bacillus subtilis is identified as pyruvate dehydrogenase.

We have cloned the operon for the Bacillus subtilis S complex, which has been suggested to be a component of the protein secretion machinery. The S-complex operon was found to encode 4 proteins, which were identified as subunits of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH). The Staphylococcus aureus membrane-bound ribosome protein (MBRP) complex has been considered to be a counterpart of the B. subtilis S complex. Here, we sequenced a fragment of the MBRP operon encoding the C-terminal part of E1 beta, the entire E2 and the N-terminal part of the E3 subunit of PDH, thus conclusively confirming the PDH identity of the MBRP complex as well. It appeared unlikely that PDH could be a primary component in protein secretion, thus disproving the previous hypothesis of the role of the S complex. However, attachment of the S complex (PDH) to the membrane and ribosomes may produce a biologically significant interaction.

Bacillus subtilis↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Role of asphyxia and feeding in a neonatal rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder affecting premature infants. To investigate critically the importance of the purported risk factors of NEC (formula feeding, asphyxia, bacteria, and prematurity), we developed a neonatal rat model that closely mimics the human disease. Full-term and premature newborn rats were stressed with formula feeding, asphyxia, and/or exogenous bacterial colonization and subsequently evaluated grossly and histologically for the development of intestinal injury. We found that most animals treated with asphyxia, formula feeding, and bacteria developed NEC (77%) and died (86%) by 96 h. All maternally fed animals treated with asphyxia and bacterial colonization survived and had normal intestinal histology. Furthermore, asphyxia was a critical instigating factor, because formula and bacterial exposure without asphyxia resulted in normal intestine and minimal mortality (12%). Enteral bacterial colonization was not a significant determinant of NEC in this model. We conclude that the neonatal rat model is an excellent test system for the study of NEC. As in the human disease, asphyxia and formula feeding play an important role in the pathophysiology of experimental NEC.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗