肝细胞生长因子基因转染缺氧培养骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡相关蛋白的影响

背景：研究已证实肝细胞生长因子基因转染可提高骨髓间充质干细胞移植效果,但其具体机制尚未完全明确。目的：探讨肝细胞生长因子基因转染对缺氧、无血清培养骨髓间充质干细胞c-Met、Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3表达及细胞迁移的影响。方法：①贴壁法体外分离、扩增培养骨髓间充质干细胞。用x-gal染色法检测含肝细胞生长因子基因的重组腺病毒对骨髓间充质干细胞的感染率。②在缺氧、无血清条件下培养0,3,6,9,12 h,采用RT-PCR及Western blot测定骨髓间充质干细胞Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3的表达。③骨髓间充质干细胞缺氧、无血清培养6 h,采用RT-PCR及Western blot测定HGF、c-Met、Bax、Bcl-2、Caspase-3的表达。④细胞迁移划痕法观察缺氧、无血清培养6 h后肝细胞生长因子转染对骨髓间充质干细胞迁移的影响。结果与结论：①重组腺病毒对骨髓间充质干细胞的转染率与病毒感染复数具有量效关系,病毒感染复数为150时细胞的感染率达96.4%。②随着缺氧时间的延长骨髓间充质干细胞Bax、Bcl-2表达逐渐升高(P < 0.05),缺氧6 h时Bax/Bcl-2比值、Caspase-3蛋白达到最小(P < 0.05)。③缺氧及无血清培养6 h后,与对照组及空载体组相比,Ad-HGF组HGF、c-Met、Bcl-2表达增高,而Bax、Caspase-3表达下降(P < 0.05),对照组与空载体组差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。④Ad-HGF组骨髓间充质干细胞在缺氧培养6 h后,迁移率比对照组及空载体组高(P < 0.05)。结果表明肝细胞生长因子基因转染上调缺氧、无血清培养骨髓间充质干细胞c-Met、Bcl-2表达,下调Bax、Caspase-3表达,增强骨髓间充质干细胞迁移能力。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

携带肾上腺髓质素基因腺病毒体外转染骨髓间充质干细胞及其蛋白的表达

背景：肾上腺髓质素具有促进骨髓间充质干细胞增殖、生长及减少凋亡等作用。 目的：观察携带肾上腺髓质素基因的腺病毒体外转染骨髓间充质干细胞及其蛋白的表达。 方法：培养293A细胞,并扩增携带肾上腺髓质素基因的腺病毒(Ad-ADM),实验分为对照组、空载体组和Ad-ADM转染组,3组分别于细胞长满至50%~60%时加入等量的无血清L-DMEM、Ad-lacZ和Ad-ADM,噬斑法检测扩增后腺病毒的滴度;贴壁法体外分离、扩增培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞;Ad-GFP体外感染骨髓间充质干细胞后检测转染效率;RT-PCR检测Ad-ADM转染后肾上腺髓质素mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：病毒扩增后噬斑试验测定Ad-ADM的病毒滴度为1.1×10⁹ pfu/mL。Ad-ADM感染骨髓间充质干细胞后,肾上腺髓质素mRNA的表达明显增加,对照组、空载体组未见ADM mRNA表达;量化结果表明其表达量从第1天开始逐渐增加,第7天达高峰,在11 d时仍可检测其表达。提示腺病毒对骨髓间充质干细胞有较高的转染效率。感染Ad-ADM后,骨髓间充质干细胞可有效表达肾上腺髓质素。     

低氧增强骨髓间充质干细胞对缺氧诱导心肌细胞凋亡的可能性

背景：骨髓间充质干细胞移植入缺血心肌后存活率低,而低氧有可能增强骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖,促进其存活。 目的：体外模拟心肌细胞缺血微环境,探索低氧预处理后,骨髓间充质干细胞对持续缺氧诱导的心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用。 方法：取第4代SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞用于制备条件培养液。取胚胎大鼠心肌细胞株,随机分成4组：对照组：心肌细胞正常培养组;模型组：心肌细胞单纯缺氧;骨髓间充质干细胞组：心肌细胞与骨髓间充质干细胞条件培养液共缺氧;低氧组：心肌细胞与骨髓间充质干细胞低氧条件培养液共缺氧。MTT检测各组细胞活力变化,Annexin V-FITC双染标记心肌细胞凋亡,免疫组化检测各组Bax和Bcl-2蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：免疫组化显示,低氧组的Bcl-2表达较其他各组增强,而Bax的表达比模型组和骨髓间充质干细胞组减弱,Bcl-2/Bax比值最大。与对照组和骨髓间充质干细胞组相比,低氧组的细胞活力高(P < 0.05),凋亡率降低(P < 0.05)。提示低氧可能是通过增强旁分泌机制,从而对Bax和Bcl-2进行调节,对心肌细胞凋亡有保护效应。     

骨髓间充质干细胞体外调控肝星状细胞死亡受体5的表达

背景：肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体可以通过上调死亡受体5蛋白的表达诱导大鼠肝星状细胞凋亡。 目的：观察大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞对肝星状细胞死亡受体5和Caspase-3蛋白表达的影响,探讨骨髓间充质干细胞诱导肝星状细胞凋亡及其机制。 方法：贴壁筛选法培养、纯化SD大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,传至第3代使用;大鼠原代肝星状细胞和肝纤维原细胞系冻融后传代使用。应用6孔培养板,建立上下双层细胞共培养体系,常规培养。将细胞分为4组：①空白对照组：肝星状细胞和骨髓间充质干细胞分别单独培养。②阴性对照组：肝纤维原细胞与肝星状细胞共培养(模拟星状细胞体内生长环境)。③骨髓间充质干细胞与肝星状细胞共培养组。④实验组：1.5 mg/L TRAIL多克隆抗体与骨髓间充质干细胞作用6 h后,不换液,再与肝星状细胞共培养。 结果与结论：在共培养组中肝星状细胞的增殖降低,凋亡增加,且肝星状细胞死亡受体5、Caspase-3蛋白的表达均显著升高,并呈时间依赖性,且与其他组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.01)。实验组Caspase-3和死亡受体5蛋白的表达在共培养的各个时间段均低于共培养组,与共培养组比较差异有显著性意义(P < 0.01)。提示骨髓间充质干细胞与肝星状细胞共培养能抑制肝星状细胞的增殖,促进肝星状细胞的凋亡,其机制可能为骨髓间充质干细胞旁分泌肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体通过上调Caspase-3和死亡受体5蛋白的表达实现的。     

高压氧联合骨髓间充质干细胞移植修复缺氧缺血性脑损伤

背景：单纯骨髓间充质干细胞移植对脑梗死组织的修复作用并不理想,需要结合药物及生物工程材料等手段进行综合治疗。 目的：验证高压氧结合骨髓间充质干细胞移植修复大鼠缺氧缺血性脑损伤的效果。 方法：体外培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞。应用线栓法建立大脑中动脉阻塞大鼠模型,按随机区组法分为3组,即对照组、骨髓间充质干细胞移植组及高压氧+骨髓间充质干细胞移植组。静脉移植后24 h,3 d及伤后1,2 周行Longa行为学评分,检测神经功能的损伤情况。移植2周后,应用RT-PCR法测定生长相关蛋白43 mRNA的表达,并以BrdU免疫组化和苏木精-伊红染色行梗死处组织学检查以证实恢复程度。 结果与结论：移植后1周,高压氧+骨髓间充质干细胞移植组大鼠神经功能障碍评分低于骨髓间充质干细胞移植组,骨髓间充质干细胞移植组低于对照组(P  < 0.05)。2周后脑梗死周围组织生长相关蛋白43 mRNA的表达高压氧+骨髓间充质干细胞移植组高于骨髓间充质干细胞移植组,骨髓间充质干细胞移植组高于对照组(P < 0.05)。BrdU免疫组化和苏木精-伊红切片中的神经元数量高压氧+骨髓间充质干细胞移植组多于骨髓间充质干细胞移植组,骨髓间充质干细胞移植组多于对照组(P < 0.05)。提示高压氧联合骨髓间充质干细胞静脉移植治疗大鼠缺氧缺血性脑损伤可明显改善大鼠的神经功能,效果优于单纯骨髓间充质干细胞移植。     

基质细胞衍生因子1预处理抑制大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞的凋亡

背景：研究发现基质细胞衍生因子1除参与趋化干细胞定向迁移途径,还具有抗凋亡作用。 目的：观察基质细胞衍生因子1预处理后对骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡的影响。 方法：以不同浓度H₂O₂诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡,取最适宜浓度100 μmol/L用于实验。不同质量浓度基质细胞衍生因子1干预100 μmol/L H₂O₂诱导后的大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,选择0.2 mg/L最佳保护质量浓度用于实验。取第3代大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞,随机分组：正常对照组不进行任何处理;损伤组在培养液中加入H₂O₂作用24 h;基质细胞衍生因子1预处理组于H₂O₂损伤细胞前6 h加入基质细胞衍生因子1;基质细胞衍生因子1+AMD3100(基质细胞衍生因子1受体CXCR4的阻断剂)组于H₂O₂细胞损伤前6 h加入基质细胞衍生因子1与AMD3100共孵。 结果与结论：H2O2能体外模拟缺血缺氧环境诱导骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡,且作用呈剂量依赖性。与损伤组比较,加入基质细胞衍生因子1预处理后细胞凋亡明显减轻(P < 0.01),细胞E2F6基因表达增强(P < 0.05),E2F1基因表达减少(P < 0.05),线粒体细胞色素C转位减少(P < 0.05),Caspase-3活性降低(P < 0.05),AMD3100可阻断基质细胞衍生因子1对骨髓间充质干细胞的保护作用。提示基质细胞衍生因子1可能通过增强E2F6基因,负性调控E2F1基因抑制线粒体损伤导致的骨髓间充质干细胞凋亡。     

人参皂苷Rh2干预催产素诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞的转化

背景：课题组前期实验已证明了10 μmol/L催产素能诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞转化。 目的：观察人参皂苷Rh2在催产素诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞转化过程中的作用。 方法：采用贴壁法分离培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞。实验共分为5组,空白对照组细胞常规培养2周;催产素诱导组：10 μmol/L催产素连续诱导培养2周;人参皂苷Rh2低、中、高剂量组：分别加入0.5,1,2 μmol/L人参皂苷Rh2,培养24 h后加入10 μmol/L催产素,连续诱导培养2周。 结果与结论：光学显微镜下观察显示,与空白对照组相比,催产素诱导组的细胞部分细胞体积变大,部分细胞密集重叠生长,随人参皂苷Rh2剂量增大细胞密集重叠生长的范围增大。免疫组织化学染色和免疫印迹法结果显示,催产素诱导组和人参皂苷Rh2低、中、高剂量组中心肌肌钙蛋白T,连接蛋白43的蛋白表达均显著高于空白对照组(P < 0.05);人参皂苷Rh2剂量增大而阳性表达增强,并显著高于催产素诱导组(P < 0.05)。激光共聚焦检测结果显示,催产素诱导2周后,催产素诱导组骨髓间充质干细胞中游离钙的相对荧光强度显著升高(P < 0.05),而人参皂苷Rh2处理组的荧光强度高于催产素诱导组,与剂量呈正相关(P < 0.05)。结果证实,人参皂苷Rh2在体外可显著增强催产素诱导大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌细胞转化的作用。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程     

肾上腺髓质素基因转染改善缺氧培养骨髓间充质干细胞的抗凋亡能力

背景:基因转染可以提高骨髓间充质干细胞在移植区的存活,但目前对肾上腺髓质素基因转染骨髓间充质干细胞在缺氧条件下增殖、凋亡及分泌情况的研究很少。目的:观察肾上腺髓质素基因转染对骨髓间充质干细胞在缺氧及无血清培养条件下增殖、凋亡、分泌血管内皮生长因子的影响。方法:贴壁法体外分离、扩增培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞。用x-gal染色测含肾上腺髓质素基因的重组腺病毒Ad-ADM对骨髓间充质干细胞的感染率。骨髓间充质干细胞分为未转染组、空载体组、Ad-ADM转染组。在缺氧、无血清条件下进行骨髓间充质干细胞的培养,在缺氧0,3,6,9,12,16,20,24hCCK-8法检测细胞增殖情况,ELISA法检测检测细胞上清液肾上腺髓质素及血管内皮生长因子表达,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡情况。结果与结论:重组腺病毒对骨髓间充质干细胞的转染率与病毒感染复数具有量效关系,病毒感染复数为150时细胞的感染率达95.4%。缺氧、无血清培养条件下,3组骨髓间充质干细胞均出现生长抑制、凋亡增加,但是肾上腺髓质素基因转染组于0,3,6,9,12,16h细胞凋亡率显著低于其他两组(P﹤0.05)。缺氧9,12h,骨髓间充质干细胞分泌肾上腺髓质素及血管内皮生长因子达到高峰,且Ad-ADM转染组显著增高于其他两组(P﹤0.05)。提示在缺氧、无血清培养条件下(20h),肾上腺髓质素基因转染可增强骨髓间充质干细胞抗凋亡能力,这可能与肾上腺髓质素、血管内皮生长因子表达增加有关。     

重组人促红细胞生成素联合骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗脓毒症大鼠心肌损伤

背景：相关研究表明促红细胞生成素及骨髓间充质干细胞均对心肌凋亡有一定影响,但两者联合应用治疗脓毒症相关性心肌损伤少见报道。 目的：观察骨髓间充质干细胞移植联合腹腔内注射促红细胞生成素对脓毒症大鼠心肌细胞病理学改变及细胞凋亡的影响。 方法：选用SD大鼠50只,随机数字表法均分为5组(n=10),应用盲肠结扎穿孔术建立脓毒症大鼠模型。骨髓间充质干细胞组建模后即刻尾静脉输注异体间充质干细胞;促红细胞生成素组建模后即刻腹腔内注射促红细胞生成素;促红细胞生成素+细胞移植组两者联合应用;模型组行盲肠结扎穿孔术,对照组开腹后不做任何处理,均尾静脉输注相同容量的生理盐水。24 h后麻醉处死实验动物,取心肌标本,采用苏木精-伊红染色观察心肌组织形态;用Western blot方法检测心肌组织中凋亡蛋白Bax、Caspase-3,抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达量。 结果与结论：苏木精-伊红染色结果：对照组可见心肌细胞排列整齐,心肌细胞结构完整;模型组可见广泛心肌纤维断裂,排列紊乱,心肌细胞肿胀或皱缩,可见空泡变性;心肌间质血管充血、水肿,炎症细胞浸润;促红细胞生成素组与骨髓间充质干细胞组心肌组织相似,炎性细胞浸润情况较轻,期间散在分布正常心肌细胞;促红细胞生成素+细胞移植组心肌细胞损害较轻,间质充血不明显,少量炎症细胞浸润。Western blot结果：促红细胞生成素+细胞移植组Bcl-2蛋白表达显著高于促红细胞生成素组、模型组及对照组(P < 0.01),Bax及Caspase-3蛋白表达量均减低(P < 0.05)。结果显示,骨髓间充质干细胞移植联合给予促红细胞生成素在脓毒症相关性心肌损伤的治疗中可减轻心肌的病理学改变、抑制心肌细胞的凋亡,其机制可能是通过上调抗凋亡蛋白、下调凋亡蛋白的表达来实现的。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

沉默caspase-3基因影响骨髓间充质干细胞的增殖和凋亡

背景：缺血缺氧的心肌微环境导致植入的细胞存活率低。 目的：观察沉默caspase-3基因对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖和体外缺血缺氧环境下凋亡的影响。 方法：构建靶向caspase-3的shRNA重组慢病毒并转染骨髓间充质干细胞为转基因组,以正常细胞组和空载体组做对照,采用MTS法检测各组细胞增殖情况。建立缺血缺氧模型,real-time PCR和免疫组织化学分别检测缺血缺氧环境各组细胞的caspase-3 mRNA和蛋白表达水平,应用流式细胞术检测不同缺血缺氧时间点(0,6,12,24,48 h)各组细胞的凋亡率。 结果与结论：重组慢病毒成功转染骨髓间充质干细胞,且细胞增殖活性升高(P < 0.05)。缺血缺氧环境下,转基因组细胞caspase-3在mRNA和蛋白表达水平相比对照组下降(P < 0.05)。沉默caspase-3能显著降低骨髓间充质干细胞的凋亡率(P < 0.05),且随着缺血缺氧时间的延长凋亡率缓慢升高。结果提示,沉默caspase-3能加快骨髓间充质干细胞的生长速度和提高在体外缺血缺氧环境下的抗凋亡能力。     

Schizophrenia in a North Swedish geographical isolate, 1900–1977. Epidemiology, genetics and biochemistry

Over 200 schizophrenic patients belonging to three major and interrelated pedigree complexes have been investigated over the past 30 years in a North Swedish geographically isolated population, presently numbering about 6,000. An intensive investigation of a number of biochemical correlates and genetic markers in a few selected families belonging to one of the major pedigrees has indicated new strategies for the current research program.
Schizophrenia, as defined operationally, is significantly associated with decreased activities of two enzymes (1) blood platelet monoamine oxidase, (2) plasma dopamine-β-hydroxylase, and (3) with the genetic marker Gc² (group specific antigen). Both enzymes are subject to genetic variation. A positive score for linkage between schizophrenia and low plasma DBH activity has been calculated, but, so far, available data are insufficient for discrimination between linkage and partial contribution of genetically controlled low plasma DBH to the pathogenesis of the disease. Alternatively, both mechanisms could be involved.
As a model for continued research, schizophrenia is explained as based on a double dominant-recessive genotype (Aabb), representing a vulnerability which in about 50 % of cases develops into clinical schizophrenia. It is suggested that the dominant mutation (A) operates on or affects MAO activity, and that the recessive genotype (bb) is instrumental in low variates of DBH activity and very likely such variates within the normal range of physiological variation. Moreover, it is suggested that the combined effects of MAO- and DBH-reduced efficiency on the metabolism of e.g. dopamine could be an essential pathogenic mechanism for the schizophrenic illness which is segregating in this population.     

The universal muscular chain reaction,muscle spasm,Torsions, ruptures and extravasations. Chameleons of pathology and some manifestations of simple muscular disorders

Most bodily functions require the coordinated actions of complementary and supplementary paired muscle groups. Where this essential muscular cooperation is lacking, hollow organs may burst and others become literally screwed up, giving rise to many similar spastic diseases such as Torticollis, Twisted ovarian cyst, Torsion of the Testis, Volvulus of the intestines, Varicose Veins, Megacolon, Aortamegaly, Scoliosis, Erb's Palsy, Peyronie's Disease, Main-en-Griffe, Undescended Foot (Pes Cavus), Talipes, Strabismus. Spasm is “panenepidemic” and unclassified examples of Torsion Dystonia and Dyskinesia really are as common as debt and taxes.     

The dominant diseases of modernized societies as omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency syndrome: Substrate beriberi

About 1900, modern food selection and processing caused widespread $\text{epidemics}$ of the B vitamin deficiency diseases of beriberi and pellagra which, for genetic reasons, often expressed as different diseases ranging from bowel and heart disease to dermatoses and psychoses. But the B vitamins merely help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators and it now turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling and selection of w3-poor southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace Nordic EFA (w3) of special importance to primates and sole precursor of the PG3(4) series, even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFA. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a $\text{panh}$ypovitaminosis B, i.e., a mixture of $\text{substrate}$ beriberi and $\text{substrate}$ pellagra resembling vitamin beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse $\text{endemic}$ disease. This would consitute a second stage of the Modern Malnutrition and explain why some workers now hold the dominant diseases of modermized societies to be new, nutritionally based, pellagraform yet lipid-related and to range, once again, from heart disease to psychosis. It is an assumption that our dominant diseases are unrelated to each other or are merely revealed by our diagnostic acumen and therapeutic success; and that hydrogenating millions of tons of food oils annually, to destroy the rancidity producing w3-EFA, is safe for $\text{primates}$. Extensive beriberiform disease is reported here in 32 typical cases taken from medical practice which responds strikingly to linseed oil supplements (60% w3-EFA) in confirmation of identical results in Capuchins.     

Hypo- und Hypermagnesämie aus kardiologischer Sicht

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe pathologischer Zustände bedingen Magnesiummangel. Zustände mit Hypermagnesämie sind ebenfalls bekannt, doch wesentlich seltener. Für den Kardiologen beachtenswert ist, daß unter Therapie mit bestimmten Diuretica bei Herzinsuffizienz, bei Herzinfarkt, Kardiomyopathie, Digitalisintoxikation und bestimmten Herzrhythmusstörungen Hypomagnesämie beobachtet wurde. Leider kann in der klinischen Routine nur ein extracelluläres Magnesiumdefizit durch Serumbestimmungen gemessen werden; über Magnesiummangel einzelner Organe kann nichts ausgesagt werden. Hinweise für Magnesiummangel geben aber neben der Messung des Serumspiegels Anamnese, klinischer Befund, bestimmte EKG-Veränderungen wie auch evtl. Hypokalämie, ein Zustand, bei dem sich oft — besonders bei Aldosteronismus — parallele Veränderungen zeigten.Tierexperimente deuten darauf hin, daß infarktähnliche Läsionen unter Magnesiummangel entstehen, doch ob Herzinfarkt beim Menschen durch Magnesiummangel ausgelöst werden kann, ist noch ungeklärt. In Leichenherzen zeigte sich im Infarktgebiet neben Calciumakkumulation signifikanter Magnesiumverlust, wobei unklar blieb, ob sich Ursache oder Folge des Infarktes widerspiegelten. Falls ein ursächlicher Zusammenhang besteht, ist er im Myokardstoffwechsel selbst zu suchen, wie bei der Alkoholkardiomyopathie, wo myokardialer Magnesiummangel zumindest als pathogenetischer Teilfaktor anerkannt wird. Andererseits versucht man aber auch Beziehungen zwischen Atherosklerose, Blutgerinnung und Hypomagnesämie herzustellen, in der Meinung, daß Magnesiummangel auch über den coronaren Pathomechanismus des Herzinfarktes wirken könnte. Sicher scheint, daß gewisse EKG-Veränderungen und Herzrhythmusstörungen durch einen irritierten Magnesiumhaushalt bedingt sein können, da sie bei Gabe bzw. Entzug von Magnesium verschwinden. Daß Magnesiummangel die Glykosidtoleranz verringert, wird tierexperimentell bestätigt. Unter Hypomagnesämie bewirkt Acetylstrophanthidin eher und länger Rhythmusstörungen als ohne, außerdem lassen diese sich durch Magnesiumgaben eliminieren. Da in gewissen Fällen spontane und digitalisinduzierte Herzrythmusstörungen durch Magnesiuminjektionen beseitigt wurden, scheint Magnesium als Therapeuticum angebracht. Einsatz verschiedener Magnesiumsalze bei Angina pectoris, degenerativen Herzerkrankungen und Herzinsuffizienz ohne geprüften und offensichtlich gestörten Magnesiumhaushalt ist fragwürdig, weil keine eindeutigen klinischen Erfolgsbeweise vorliegen. Immerhin mag es aber larvierte, durch Serumbestimmungen nicht erfaßbare Mangelzustände geben. Allgemein erscheint es aus kardiologischer Sicht ratsam, den Magnesiumhaushalt zu überwachen und in entsprechenden Fällen auszugleichen, um möglichen Myokardläsionen oder fatalen Herzrhythmusstörungen entgegenzuwirken.     

Environmental risk factors and their role in the management of atopic dermatitis

Introduction: The etiology of atopic dermatitis (AD) is multifactorial with interaction between genetics, immune and environmental factors.

Areas covered: We review the role of prenatal exposures, irritants and pruritogens, pathogens, climate factors, including temperature, humidity, ultraviolet radiation, outdoor and indoor air pollutants, tobacco smoke exposure, water hardness, urban vs. rural living, diet, breastfeeding, probiotics and prebiotics on AD.

Expert commentary: The increased global prevalence of AD cannot be attributed to genetics alone, suggesting that evolving environmental exposures may trigger and/or flare disease in predisposed individuals. There is a complex interplay between different environmental factors, including individual use of personal care products and exposure to climate, pollution, food and other exogenous factors. Understanding these complex risk factors is crucial to developing targeted interventions to prevent the disease in millions. Moreover, patients require counseling on optimal regimens for minimization of exposure to irritants and pruritogens and other harmful exposures.     

HLA genes in Amerindians from Mexico San Vicente Tancuayalab Teenek/Huastecos

Huastecos or Teenek Amerindians are presently living at North East Mexico (San Luis Potosi State). They have probably one of the most ancient culture of Mexico and Central America together with Mayas and Olmec groups with which also show close relationships. Proximity to Atlantic Ocean/Mexican Gulf originated that Spaniards had very early contact with them at about 1519 CE or before. In the present paper we have aimed to study HLA gene profile which may be useful for HLA and disease epidemiology and transplant programs in Teeneks. HLA-DRB1*04:07, -DRB1*14:06 and -DRB1*04:11 have been found in high frequency like in other Amerindian groups. High frequency typical Amerindians HLA extended haplotypes have been found, such as A*02-B*35-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; A*68-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 and A*02-B*39-DRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02; also new haplotypes have been described, like A*02-B*52-DRB1*04:11-DQB1*03:02, A*68-B*35-DRB1*14:02-DQB1*03:01 and A*68-B*40-DRB1*16:02-DQB1*03:01. Genetic proximity is observed not only to linguistically close Mayans, but also to Mazatecans, Mixtecans and Zapotecans, who speak an altogether different languages; it shows once more that genes and languages do not correlate. This population was greatly diminished after European contact between 1500 and 1600 years CE; in fact, North and South America First Inhabitants population was brought from 80 down to 8 million people because of diseases (i.e.: measles, smallpox or influenza), slavery and war.     

'Very sore nights and days': the child's experience of illness in early modern England, c.1580-1720

Sick children were ubiquitous in early modern England, and yet they have received very little attention from historians. Taking the elusive perspective of the child, this article explores the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of illness in England between approximately 1580 and 1720. What was it like being ill and suffering pain? How did the young respond emotionally to the anticipation of death? It is argued that children’s experiences were characterised by profound ambivalence: illness could be terrifying and distressing, but also a source of emotional and spiritual fulfilment and joy. This interpretation challenges the common assumption amongst medical historians that the experiences of early modern patients were utterly miserable. It also sheds light on children’s emotional feelings for their parents, a subject often overlooked in the historiography of childhood. The primary sources used in this article include diaries, autobiographies, letters, the biographies of pious children, printed possession cases, doctors’ casebooks, and theological treatises concerning the afterlife.     

Guidelines for the Validation and Use of Immunoassays for Determination of Introduced Proteins in Biotechnology Enhanced Crops and Derived Food Ingredients

Recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology have created a need for analytical techniques to determine introduced proteins in crops enhanced through modern biotechnology techniques. These proteins are expressed in plant tissues and may be present in food ingredients. Immunoassays are ideally suited for protein detection and may be used as both quantitative and threshold methods. Microplate ELISA and lateral flow devices are two of the most commonly used immunoassay formats for agricultural biotechnology applications. This paper provides general background information and a discussion of criteria for the validation and application of immunochemical methods to the analysis of proteins introduced into plants and food ingredients using biotechnology methods. It is the result of a collaborative effort of members of the Analytical Environmental Immunochemical Consortium. This collaborative effort represents the combined expertise of several organizations to reach consensus on establishing guidelines for the validation and use of immunoassays. Further, the paper offers developers and users a consistent approach to adopting the technology as well as aid in producing accurate and meaningful results.     

Ultracryotomy: development and application (with examples from the yeast cytology) (author's transl)

The preparation steps usually necessary for obtaining ultrathin frozen sections of biological material (chemical prefixation, enclosing, cryoprotective treatment, freezing, sectioning, and post-staining the sections for transmission electron microscopy) are submitted to a critical analysis. The application of cryo-ultramicrotomy, in particularly for cytochemical purposes, is reviewed. Fundamental considerations of chemical prefixation and poststaining are supported by examples from yeast cytology. Furthermore, the efficiency of the cryo-ultramicrotomy (electron optical resolution of ultrastructural details) is demonstrated on yeast cells and protoplasts.