血清细胞因子与脑卒中后失眠的相关性研究

目的探讨血清细胞因子与脑卒中后失眠的相关性。方法选取我院2014年11月-2015年12月收治的70例脑卒中后失眠且中医辨证为心脾两虚型患者(观察组),同时选取同期脑卒中后非失眠患者70例(对照组)。比较两组患者血清肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)水平,并比较不同程度失眠患者血清TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平。结果观察组PSQI总评分(13.10±3.45)显著高于对照组的(4.23±2.35)(t=17.90,P0.05)。观察组患者IL-6、IL-1β水平均显著高于对照组,TNF-α显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(t=38.56,13.61,14.35,均P0.05)。不同程度睡眠障碍患者TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β水平比较,差异具有统计学意义(F=8.47,10.36,11.27,均P0.05),且随着睡眠障碍程度的增加,IL-6、IL-1β水平呈上升趋势,TNF-α水平呈下降的趋势。进一步相关性分析结果显示睡眠障碍程度与血清TNF-α水平呈负相关,r=-1.856(P0.05);IL-6、IL-1β水平呈正相关,r=0.720,0.745(均P0.05)。结论细胞因子TNF-α、IL-6、IL-1β与卒中后失眠有显著相关性,在临床工作中对有上述血清细胞因子异常的脑卒中患者给予必要的干预有重要的临床意义。     

结直肠癌患者手术前后血清TNF-α, NO, IL-1β、IL-6水平变化及临床意义

目的:探索结直肠癌患者术前术后肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)、白细胞介素-1β(Interleukin-1Beta,IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(interleukin-6,IL-6)表达水平的变化及其临床意义。方法:对本院75例结直肠癌患者分别采用硝酸还原法及双抗夹心ELISA法检测手术前后NO及TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6表达水平的变化,同时将其与43例健康体检者相比较。结果:结直肠癌患者手术前血清中TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6浓度(19.45±4.09,3.91±0.25,15.93±1.00)明显高于正常对照组(P0.05),而NO浓度(27.5±5.5)明显低于正常对照组(P0.05),手术治疗后7天,TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-6血清含量(12.31±3.89,1.41±0.33,9.30±2.11)明显降低(P0.05),而NO含量恢复正常水平。结论:血清中TNF-α、NO、IL-1β、IL-6浓度与结直肠癌密切相关,对TNF-α、NO、IL-1β、IL-6浓度进行联合诊断可作为结直肠癌早期诊断的参考指标。     

温肾固疏方对PMOP大鼠骨密度及细胞因子表达的影响

通过观察温肾固疏方对去卵巢骨质疏松(PMOP)大鼠的骨密度及对白细胞介素-1β、肿瘤坏死因子-α、白细胞介素-6的血清含量和转化生长因子-β骨组织表达的影响,探讨其治疗骨质疏松的可能作用机制。将48只SPF级雌性SD大鼠分为6组:假手术组、模型组、雌激素组、温肾固疏方高、中、低剂量组。造模4周后开始给药,连续给药12周,酶联免疫法(ELISA)检测外周血清白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)含量;q RT-PCR法检测骨组织转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)m RNA含量。与假手术组相比较,去势模型组大鼠骨密度(BMD)、TGF-β mRNA显著降低(p0.05),而IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6均显著升高(p0.01),符合绝经后骨质疏松症改变;干预治疗后,与模型组比较,温肾固疏方高、中剂量组椎骨BMD显著升高(p0.05),IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6显著减少(p0.05),温肾固疏方高剂量组TGF-β mRNA显著增加(p0.05)。温肾固疏方治疗骨质疏松的作用机制可能与其下调IL-1β、TNF-α、IL-6等促炎细胞因子的表达,抑制骨吸收;同时上调TGF-β等抑炎细胞因子的表达,促进骨形成有关。     

血清TGF-β1、BMP-7、IL-6及TNF-α与新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征的关系研究

目的:探讨新生儿呼吸窘迫综合征(NRDS)患儿血清中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、骨形态发生蛋白-7(BMP-7)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的变化及与病情严重程度的相关性。方法:选取2017年2月至2019年2月在本院出生的75名NRDS早产儿,根据出生后12 h内是否接受肺表面活性物质(PS)治疗分为PS组(n=37)和非PS组(n=38),同期选择36例非NRDS早产儿作为对照组。比较出生后不同时间点各组早产儿血清四种细胞因子水平,Spearman相关性分析四种细胞因子与病情严重程度的相关性。结果:PS组患儿出生后0、1、3 d血清四种细胞因子均呈先升高后降低趋势(P0.05),血清TGF-β1、BMP-7水平在出生后1d和3d高于对照组(P0.05),血清IL-6、TNF-α始终高于对照组(P0.05);非PS组患儿出生后0、1、3、7 d血清TGF-β1、BMP-7、IL-6、TNF-α均持续升高(P0.05),且始终高于对照组(P0.05),血清TGF-β1、BMP-7水平在出生后3 d和7 d高于PS组,血清IL-6、TNF-α在出生后7 d高于PS组(P0.05)。IL-6、TNF-α水平随NRDS早产儿病情分级的提高而升高(P0.05),Spearman相关性分析结果显示,血清TNF-α、IL-6水平与病情严重程度呈正相关(均P0.05)。结论:NRDS早产儿血清TGF-β1、BMP-7、IL-6、TNF-α水平明显升高,经PS治疗后,NRDS早产儿炎性因子水平明显降低,检测IL-6、TNF-α水平有助于评估NRDS早产儿的病情。     

弥漫性轴索损伤患者血清MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平的表达及临床意义

目的:探讨弥漫性轴索损伤(DAI)患者血清髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平的表达及临床意义。方法:选取2015年12月-2018年1月我院神经外科收治的DAI患者90例作为观察组,另选取在我院体检的健康志愿者30例作为对照组,并根据格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)将观察组患者分为重度组(42例)、中度组(30例)、轻度组(18例)。对比观察组和对照组血清MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平,比较观察组患者不同严重程度、伤后不同时间血清MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平。结果:观察组患者血清中的MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平显著高于对照组(P0.05)。重度组患者血清MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平显著高于中度组和轻度组,且中度组显著高于轻度组(P0.05)。伤后不同时间观察组患者血清MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平整体比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);其中MBP水平在伤后前期到伤后3d持续升高(P0.05);IL-1β、IL-8、TNF-α水平在伤后前期到伤后2d持续升高,在伤后3d呈下降趋势(P0.05)。结论:DAI患者血清MBP、IL-1β、IL-8及TNF-α水平偏高,临床通过检测这四种血清指标水平,有助于评估患者的病情。     

IL-6, IL-1β及TNF-α与大鼠骨质疏松形成的关系

目的:研究白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)及肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)与大鼠骨质疏松形成的关系,为研究细胞因子与骨质疏松之间的相关作用机制提供参考。方法:选择2015年1月至2015年11月我院采购的90只雌性大鼠作为研究对象,按照数字随机法将大鼠分成观察组(n=45)以及对照组(n=45)。观察组制成骨质疏松模型,对照组不作处理,对比两组局部骨密度,成骨细胞,骨小梁以及破骨细胞在视野面积中的比例,骨组织相关细胞因子水平,分析IL-6、IL-1β以及TNF-α水平与大鼠骨质疏松的相关性。结果:观察组椎体骨密度(BD)和椎间盘BD以及小关节BD均明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组骨小梁和成骨细胞在视野面积中的比例明显低于对照组,而破骨细胞在视野面积中的比例明显高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组IL-6和IL-1β以及TNF-α均明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。IL-6、IL-1β以及TNF-α水平与大鼠椎体BD、椎间盘BD以及小关节BD均呈明显负相关。结论:去卵巢大鼠的细胞因子与其骨质疏松具有紧密联系,表现在IL-6、IL-1β以及TNF-α水平与大鼠椎体BD、椎间盘BD以及小关节BD均呈明显负相关。     

排卵期生殖道局部细胞免疫与黄体功能不全患者不孕的关系研究

目的:探讨排卵期生殖道局部细胞免疫与黄体功能不全(LPD)患者不孕之间的关系,旨在为临床防治不孕不育提供依据及参考。方法:选择2014年10月~2015年10月本院确诊的LPD患者50例为观察组,同期筛选同期50例健康体检者为对照组,排卵后第4 d、6 d、8 d采用酶联免疫法检测两组排卵期血清孕酮(P)水平,采用放射免疫法(RIA)检测两组排卵期血清以及宫颈黏液中的肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)与白细胞介素1-β(IL-1β)的表达水平,对以上检测指标予以比较分析。结果:排卵后第4d、6d、8d观察组血清P明显低于对照组,比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。排卵期观察组血清TNF-α及IL-1β水平与对照组比较,差异不具有统计学意义(P0.05),但观察组宫颈黏液中TNF-α及IL-1β水平显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。排卵期观察组宫颈黏液中TNF-α、IL-1β水平与血清P存在负相关关系(r=-0.879,-0.886,P0.05),且宫颈黏液中TNF-α、IL-1β二者存在显著正相关关系(r=0.768,P0.05)。结论:排卵期生殖道局部细胞免疫激活,宫颈黏液中TNF-α及IL-1β水平升高,对黄体发育产生影响,并导致LPD的发生。     

电针干预高血脂合并脑缺血大鼠TNF-α、IL-1β含量的影响

目的:本试验以高血脂合并脑缺血大鼠为研究对象,观察电针对高血脂合并脑缺血大鼠的肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的影响,探讨针刺早期干预高血脂症在脑血管病中的重要作用,为临床预防高质血症减少脑卒中的发生提供实验室依据。方法:采用FeCl3化学诱导大脑中动脉血栓闭塞模型法,将高脂血症大鼠造成高血脂合并脑缺血模型,电针术前干预及脑缺血后全程治疗,通过双抗夹心ELISA法,测定脑匀浆中肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的含量。结果:与高血脂合并脑缺血模型组比较,高血脂合并脑缺血模型早期电针治疗组肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的下降均有显着性差异(P＜0．01,P＜0．05);高血脂合并脑缺血模型晚期电针治疗组肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)下降均有显著性差异(P＜0．01,P＜0．05)。与高血脂合并脑缺血模型晚期电针治疗组比较,高血脂合并脑缺血模型早期电针治疗组肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的下降有显著性差异(P＜0．05);白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)没有统计学意义(P＞0．05),但值有下降。结论:电针治疗对高血脂合并脑缺血损伤大鼠肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)的过度表达产生抑制作用,减轻脑缺血损伤后炎症反应,尤其早期治疗组明显优于晚期治疗组。     

银离子敷料对早期重度烧伤患儿疗效及血清炎性因子水平的影响

目的:探讨爱康肤银离子敷料在早期重度烧伤患儿中的应用及对炎性因子的影响。方法:98例早期重度烧伤患儿按抽签法分为对照组(n=49)与观察组(n=49),对照组采用磺胺嘧啶银治疗,观察组采用爱康肤银离子敷料治疗。观察并比较两组患者的临床疗效、创面愈合率及感染率,以及治疗前后血清白细胞介素-1(IL-1)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-8(IL-8)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平、活化部分凝血活酶时间(APTT)、凝血酶时间(TT)、凝血酶原时间(PT)、纤维蛋白原(Fg)及视觉模拟评分(VAS)的变化情况。结果:观察组有效率高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。观察组创面愈合率高于对照组,创面愈合时间早于对照组,创面感染率低于对照组(P0.05)。治疗后,观察组IL-1,IL-6,IL-8,TNF-α,APTT,TT及PT均低于对照组,而Fg高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:爱康肤银离子敷料治疗早期重度烧伤的临床疗效显著,能够降低患儿血清炎性因子水平。     

创伤性脑损伤后IL-1?茁在神经胶质细胞中经时定位表达的研究*

目的:探讨创伤性脑损伤(TBI)后白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)在神经胶质细胞中的经时定位表达情况。方法:选择72只SPF级雄性小鼠分为假手术组(sham组)、TBI 6h组、TBI 12h组、TBI 1d组、TBI 4d组与TBI 7d组,每组12只,分别在脑损伤后6h、12h、1d、4d、7d时获取血清和脑组织并且制作切片。ELISA检测损伤后炎症因子IL-1β、白细胞介素-6 (IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)的表达。Western blot检测钙离子结合蛋白-1(IBA-1)和胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)的表达。应用免疫荧光双重染色技术观察炎症因子IL-1β在小胶质细胞和星形胶质细胞中的定位表达情况。结果:TBI后6h-7d时炎症因子IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的表达量均高于sham组(P0.05)。Western blot结果显示,IBA-1的表达在损伤后6h-7d时高于sham组,GFAP的表达在损伤后1d-7d时高于sham组(P0.05)。免疫荧光双重染色技术显示,6h、12h时IL-1β主要表达在小胶质细胞中,IL-1β和IBA-1共表达细胞数量多于sham组(P0.05);1d、4d、7d时IL-1β主要表达在星形胶质细胞中,IL-1β和GFAP共表达细胞数量多于sham组(P0.05)。结论:TBI诱导了胶质细胞和炎症因子的表达,其表达随脑损伤的时间而变化,IL-1β早期定位表达于小胶质细胞,后期定位表达于星形胶质细胞中。     

Vermicomposting in the management of pig-waste in Hong Kong

The treatment and disposal of pig-waste in Hong Kong has received much attention in recent years but, following any of the presently used treatment processes, solids remain to be further stabilized. Vermicomposting is a waste stabilization technique which converts waste into potentially recyclable materials such as worm protein and worm casts. The earthworm, Pheretima asiatica, can stabilize most of the solids arising from the treatment of pig-waste, including raw pig manure, suggesting that vermicomposting has a high potential as a unit process in the management of pig-waste in Hong Kong.S.H. Wong is with the Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong; and D.A. Griffiths is with the Department of Botany, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.     

Removal of wastewater pathogen indicators in a constructed wetland in Leon, Spain

This paper studies the seasonal presence and removal of the pathogenous micro-organisms Escherichia coli, total coliforms (TC), Clostridium perfringens (Cp), faecal streptococci (FS), Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and helminth eggs, in a constructed wetland treatment system. The removal efficiency of this system with respect to the indicator micro-organisms achieved maximum values in spring and autumn at 99.9% for E. coli and TC, respectively, in winter at 97.0% for FS, in summer at 100% for Clostridium and throughout the year, also at 100%, in the case of Giardia cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts and helminth eggs. In general, very low protozoan and helminth egg counts were found, and the system demonstrated efficient reduction of the wastewater indicator pathogens.     

Biosynthesis of glycoconjugates in mitochondrial outer membranes

The results reported in this paper show two distinct ways for the incorporation ofN-acetylglucosamine into mitochondrial outer membranes. The first one is the glycosylation of dolichol acceptors, which is indicated by the inhibition of the synthesis of these products by the inhibitors of the dolichol intermediates (tunicamycin and GDP). The second one is the incorporation ofN-acetylglucosamine into protein acceptors directly from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine. This second way of glycosylation is only localized in mitochondria outer membranes.The existence of a direct route forN-glycoprotein biosynthesis has been based on the following evidence. First, the synthesis of theN-acetylglucosaminylated protein acceptors was not inhibited by tunicamycin or GDP. Second, the addition of exogenous dolichol-phosphate did not change the rate of biosynthesis of glycosylated protein material. Third, the sequential incorporation ofN-acetylglucosamine and mannose from their nucleotide derivatives in the presence of GDP and tunicamycin led to the synthesis of glycosylated protein material which entirely bound to Concanavalin A-Sepharose. The oligosaccharide moiety of the glycosylated protein material resulting from the direct transfer of sugars from their nucleotide derivatives to the protein acceptor is of theN-glycan type. On sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, this glycosylated material migrated as a marker protein with a molecular weight between 45 000 and 63 000. HPLC chromatofocusing analysis revealed that the fraction studied was anionic. The oligosaccharide moiety of the glycoprotein material can only be elongated by the incorporation ofN-acetylglucosamine and galactose from their nucleotide derivatives.     

Mycoflora of Argentinian corn harvested in the main production area in 1990

Corn (Zea mays) is the main cereal produced in and exported from Argentina. The risk of contamination by mycotoxins is related to the mycoflora associated with the corn kernels. This paper reports on the identification of internal and external mycoflora of corn kernels harvested in the main production area in Argentina in 1990. A mycological survey was carried out on 178 corn samples, from five locations in that area and the isolation frequency and relative density of the prevalent fungal genera compared. GenusFusarium was the most prevalent component of the internal seedborne mycoflora in the five locations.Penicillium was prevalent in all locations, taking into account the frequency. However, this genus was predominant only in two locations, when the relative density was considered. The predominantFusarium wasF. moniliforme and the most frequently isolated species ofAlternaria, Aspergillus andPenicillium wereA. alternata, A. flavus andP. decumbens, respectively.Diplodia species were not isolated from any of the samples.     

The role of natural enemies in controllingIcerya purchasi in South Australia

The obscure occurrence of the cottony-cushion scaleIcerya purchasi Maskell in its native country Australia is generally attributed to its natural enemies. Twelve natural-enemy-exclusion experiments were conducted at monthly intervals to confirm the role of natural enemies. Each experiment had uncaged, open-caged, and caged treatments. The natural enemies were active throughout the year. The percentage of scales surviving to adults in the cages was significantly higher than in the open-caged treatments, except the April (first) cohort. In both open-caged and uncaged treatments, the percentage of scales surviving to adults was similar and matched the changes in the numbers of natural enemies, thus confirming their importance in controllingI. purchasi in South Australia.      

Isolation of spore-forming bacilli from mosquitoes in natural breeding habitats in Iraq

New isolates of spore-forming bacilli from larvae and pupae of 3 species of mosquitoes are recorded in central Iraq.Bacillus sphaericus Meyer and Neide was isolated fromCulex pipiens (L.) larva.Bacillus carotarum Koch andBacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland were isolated fromTheobaldia longiareolata (Macquart) pupae.Bacillus laterosporus Laubach andBacillus thuringiensis (H 18) were isolated fromAedes caspius (Pallas) larvae. In addition, unidentifiedBacillus spp. were isolated fromCx. pipiens, T. longiareolata andAe. caspius larvae. Examination of soil samples collected from mosquito natural breeding habitats revealed isolates ofB. cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis H4a 4b; H 12 and H 16 and an unidentifiedBacillus sp.

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Résumé Des souches bactériennes sporogènes sont isolées de moustiques qui se trouvent dans la région centrale de l'Irak. Les résultats obtenus sont les suivants:Bacillus sphaericus Meyer & Neide [Culex pipiens (L.), larve],Bacillus carotarum Koch etBacillus cereus Frankland & Frankland [Theobaldia longiareolata (Macquart), nymphe],Bacillus laterosporus Laubach etBacillus thuringiensis (H 18) [Aedes caspius (Pallas), larvel]. L'examen des larves deCulex pipiens. T. longiareolata etAe. caspius, ainsi que l'analyse des échantillons du sol prélevés dans la région montrent la présence deBacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis H4a 4b; H12 plus H16 et d'autresBacillus non identifiés.

     

Analysis of twin of eyeless regulation during early embryogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster

The Drosophila Pax6 homolog twin of eyeless (toy) is so far the first zygotically expressed gene involved in eye morphogenesis in Drosophila. The study of its expression during embryogenesis is therefore informative of the initial events of eye development in Drosophila. We have analyzed how the initial expression domain of toy at cellular blastoderm is regulated. We show that the three maternal patterning systems active in the cephalic region (the anterior, terminal and dorsal-ventral systems) cooperate with zygotically activated gap genes to shape the initial expression domain of toy. Whereas Bicoid, Dorsal and Torso signaling synergistically act as activators, Hunchback, Knirps and Decapentaplegic act as repressors.     

Comparison of two methods for detection of Mollicutes (Mycoplasmatales and Acholeplasmatales) in cell cultures in The Netherlands

A total of 1949 cell cultures was tested for contamination with mollicutes by cultivation on and in mycoplasma media, 25.7% of the cell cultures was positive, 243 strains of Mycoplasma hyorhinis were isolated. Furthermore, mainly M. arginini and M. orale were detected, less often Acholeplasma laidlawii, M. fermentans and M. pneumoniae. Optimal conditions for isolation were discussed. About one third of 217 hybridoma cultures and two third of 57 myeloma cultures proved to be contaminated, all with M. hyorhinis. A DNA fluorochrome staining method (DAPI-test) was compared to cultivation for testing 1039 cell cultures. The efficiency of the DAPI-test could be estimated to be about 96% that of cultivation about 89%, but cultivation is more specific. The highest assurance is obtained when both methods are applied.     

Adaptive ecology of traditionally derived agroforestry in China

This research was designed to test the following hypothesis: Among traditional (nonliterate and minimally literate) people residing in their home environment, traditionally derived knowledge of specific cases of ecological processes can approximate scientifically derived knowledge of those same cases. After locating three minimally literate peasant family lineages in Lijiayang and Linfengkeng villages, Shouning County, Fujian Province, China, not applying science-based systems of agroforest management, a decision-tree model of an indigenous agroforest management system was constructed from extensive interviews. The system was centered around shamu (Cunninghamia lanceolata),an important timber species with a long history of management in China. A major part of the management system is agricultural intercropping with a wide variety of cereal, cash, medicinal, and oil-producing crops. Intercropping is practiced in the initial phases of afforestation; is an integral aspect of site preparation and the tending of the young stand; and contributes to tree establishment, growth, and survival. The cases presented demonstrate that local peasant knowledge of the effects of burning, site preparation, crop selection, crop tending, and intercropping duration on soil quality and the survival and development of shamu is strongly analogous to the knowledge derived through systematic scientific research. This process of deriving scientifically valid ecological knowledge through traditional means is called protoscience.     

Advances in cultivation of Gelidiales

Currently, Gelidium and Pterocladia (Gelidiales) are collected or harvested only from the sea. Despite several attempts to develop a cultivation technology for Gelidium, no successful methodology has yet been developed. Initial steps towards developmental efforts in Portugal, Spain, South Africa and Israel have been published. More developments have probably been performed but have not been published. Two different technological concepts have been tested for Gelidium cultivation: (1) the attachment of Gelidium fragments to concrete cylinders floating in the sea, and (2) free-floating pond cultivation technology. These vegetative cultivation technologies might be partially optimized by controlling physical, chemical and biological growth factors. The pond cultivation technology is the much more controllable option. The effects of all factors are discussed in detail in this review. It seems that the main difficulty with cultivation of Gelidium is its low growth rate. The claimed yields of the two technologies are far from being economically attractive at this stage of their development. It seems that in order to introduce Gelidium into commercial cultivation, major efforts in genetic improvement through selection or genetic engineering will be required. Only high yield strains will have the potential to compete economically with the present harvesting tradition. However, accumulated experience with genetic improvement of other useful seaweed species suggests that this is possible.