HLA-DRB1*07与慢性乙肝患者Th1/Th2因子表达水平的相关性

目的 :探讨广东地区汉族慢性乙型肝炎患者HLA DRB1 0 7与Th1 Th2因子表达水平的相关性。方法 :收集 12 0例广东地区汉族慢性乙肝患者新鲜抗凝血各 8ml,通过序列特异性引物套式PCR(PCR SSP)方法进行HLA DRB1 0 7检测 ,并同时用双抗体夹心法检测患者治疗前后外周血CD4 +T细胞分泌IFN γ、IL 2、IL 10和IL 4的水平。结果 :12 0例慢性乙肝患者HLA DRB1 0 7携带者 31例 ,携带率为 2 5 8% ,明显高于广东地区汉族人群的平均携带率 7 84 % ;HLA DRB1 0 7阳性患者IFN γ平均表达水平为 (1132 0 4± 75 36 )pg ml,IL 2平均表达水平为 (1184 0 6± 81 4 2 )pg ml,IL 4平均表达水平为 (876 79± 4 7 5 3)pg ml,IL 10平均表达水平为 (817 4 8± 2 4 4 0 )pg ml ;HLA DRB1 0 7阴性患者IFN γ平均表达水平为 (12 32 10± 198 13)pg ml,IL 2平均表达水平为 (12 0 8 17± 116 12 )pg ml,IL 4平均表达水平为 (6 81 99± 6 1 5 9)pg ml,IL 10平均表达水平为 (6 38 84± 76 17)pg ml。HLA DRB1 0 7阳性患者IL 4、IL 10表达水平高于阴性患者 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而IFN γ、IL 2表达水平与阴性患者差异无统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 )。结论 :HLA DRB1 0 7(+)慢性乙肝患者Th2因子表达水平高于HLA DRB1 0 7(- )慢性乙肝患者。     

血清甘露聚糖凝集素水平及与反复呼吸道感染关系的初步研究

目的　建立儿童血清甘露聚糖凝集素 (MBL)水平正常值参考范围 ,了解血清MBL低水平与反复呼吸道感染的关系。方法　用ELISA方法检测重庆地区 91例新生婴儿脐血MBL水平 ,2 6 3例学龄前儿童、1 6例成人血清MBL水平 ,并对学龄前各年龄组血清低MBL水平的儿童进行反复呼吸道感染的病史回顾。结果　新生儿脐血MBL水平为 ( 1 .71± 1 .6 0 ) μg/ml,成人外周血 ( 2 .2 6± 1 .56 ) μg/ml,两组比较差异无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5) ,学龄前各年龄组MBL水平分别为 ( 3.1 6±2 .0 0 ) μg/ml、( 3.1 9± 1 .88) μg/ml、( 3.30± 2 .0 5) μg/ml、( 3.6 9± 2 .2 2 ) μg/ml、( 2 .80± 1 .38) μg/ml,与新生儿比较明显增高 (P <0 .0 0 5) ,但学龄前期各组间比较差异无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5) ;1 6例血清低MBL水平儿童中 7例在 3岁前出现反复呼吸道感染 ( 4 3.7% ) ,主要感染方式为上呼吸道感染 ,血清MBL水平低于 1 0 0ng/ml组与血清MBL水平在 1 0 0～ 2 0 0ng/ml的儿童比较反复呼吸道感染频率有增多趋势。结论　新生儿期MBL水平可达成人水平 ,但明显低于学龄前各年龄组儿童 ,学龄前儿童组间比较没有显著差异 ;低血清MBL水平儿童在免疫脆弱阶段存在反复呼吸道感染的易患倾向 ,血清MBL水平下降时 ,呼吸道感染频率有增     

CD40L单克隆抗体对HSP患儿PBMC及单核细胞株THP-1产生炎症因子的影响

目的　观察CD4 0配体单克隆抗体 (CD4 0LMcAb)对HSP(亨诺 许兰紫癜 )患儿PBMC及单核细胞株THP 1产生炎症因子的影响。方法　采用细胞培养、流式细胞技术及ELISA法分别检测正常对照、过敏性紫癜患儿的PBMC及单核细胞株THP 1表达膜蛋白分子CD4 0L、CD4 0的阳性率、产生炎症因子IL 1、TNF α、IL 6水平以及CD4 0LMcAb加入细胞培养体系后上述指标的变化。结果　与正常比较 ,HSP患儿的PBMC表达CD4 0L[(8.2 6± 4 .15 ) % ,对照 (0 .5 4± 0 .5 8) % ]显著增高、CD4 0表达无差异 ;PBMC培养上清中炎症因子IL 1[(10 0 0 .4± 5 74 .5 )pg ml,对照 (2 4 6 .8± 2 0 7.1)pg ml]、TNF α[(978.7± 2 0 5 .8)pg ml,对照 (45 2 .4± 2 4 8.5 )pg ml]的水平也显著高于对照 ,CD4 0LMcAb可使增高的IL 1[(16 4 .7± 12 7.9)pg ml]、TNF α[(6 74 .7± 2 6 9.2 )pg ml]降至正常水平。THP 1自发表达CD4 0 ,低浓度产生IL 1、TNF α。与正常比较 ,HSP患儿的PBMC培养上清诱导其表达CD4 0 ,产生IL 1,TNF α增高 ,CD4 0LMcAb同样具有抑制THP 1表达CD4 0、分泌IL 1、TNF α的作用。结论　CD4 0LMcAb能抑制炎症因子的产生。     

类风关滑膜浸润T细胞特性与致病机制研究

为研究类风湿关节炎时关节滑膜浸润性T细胞生物学特性与致病机制 ,对 10例RA患者滑膜液中淋巴细胞的免疫表型、细胞因子分泌格局与趋化因子受体表达进行了分析。用双色荧光标记法分别测定滑膜液中和外周血淋巴细胞表型与趋化因子受体表达。用ELISA方法检测滑膜液与外周血中IFN γ、IL 10、IL 4与IL 12的含量。结果是滑膜液中的CD4 + T淋巴细胞为 4 0 0 %± 11% ,CD8+ T细胞为 34 0 %± 6 % ,CD4 + 与CD8+ T细胞的比值为 1 2 ,显著低于外周血中CD4 /CD8的比值。滑膜液中CD3和CD2 5双阳性的活化T细胞占 16 %± 6 0 %。趋化因子受体CCR5表达较低 ,与外周血无明显差异。但CX CR3表达水平较高 ,为 16 %± 4 0 % ,远远高于外周血 (仅为 0 5 %± 0 3% )。IFN γ在滑膜液中含量很高 ,达 (36 6 7± 4 3 2 )pg/ml,而外周血中含量仅为 (2 0 1± 3 2 )pg/ml。IL 4含量未能测得 (<15pg/ml ) ,与外周血相似。IL 12含量为 (4 19 9±89 2 )pg/ml,远高于外周血中的含量 (6 5 32± 34 2 )pg/ml。IL 10含量为 (187 7± 34 5 )pg/ml,高于外周血中的含量 (85±12 7)pg/ml。在所测细胞因子中 ,关节滑膜液中IFN γ和IL 12的含量与外周血相比具有显著的统计学差异。表明RA关节滑膜液中有相当数量的T细胞浸润。这些T细胞     

骨关节炎与免疫关联性初探

为了探讨免疫因素是否介导骨关节炎的发病 ,应用直接免疫荧光法检测了 6例晚期骨关节炎患者滑膜液中浸润淋巴细胞分化抗原的表达 ,同时用微量酶联免疫技术测定了这些患者滑膜液中IL 10、IL 12和sFasL的含量。结果显示关节滑膜液中的淋巴细胞以CD8+ 细胞为主 (6 7 0 %± 14 6 %) ,远远高于CD4+ 细胞 (15 0 %± 12 8%) ,两者相差显著 (P <0 0 1)。CD4+ /CD8+ 比值 <1。进一步分析表明其T细胞受体主要为αβ型TCR (6 4 0 %± 12 6 %)。滑膜液中IL 12含量 (2 0 3 84±49 2 )pg/ml高于IL 10 (37 8± 14 5 )pg/ml,有明显统计学差异 (P <0 0 1)。外周血中IL 10和IL 12的含量分别为 (4 3 37±14 2 )pg/ml和 (4 5 5 8± 10 6 )pg/ml。血清中sFasL含量较高 (15 3 90± 5 6 )pg/ml,而滑膜液中则很低 (<5pg/ml,P <0 0 1)。提示在骨关节炎的晚期CD8+ 淋巴细胞和IL 12增高可能参与了关节的免疫损伤。     

Smoothelin在氯化镉致16HBE细胞损伤中的作用

目的 研究氯化镉致16HBE细胞损伤后smoothelin基因mRNA表达变化,探讨SMTN在镉致细胞损伤中的作用.方法 分别用10、20、30、40 μmol/L CdCl2 处理16HBE细胞24 h,用30 μmol/L CdCl2处理16HBE细胞12、24、48和72 h,利用MTT法检测细胞存活率,qRT-PCR法检测细胞SMTN基因表达变化.结果 与CdCl2浓度为0 μmol/L对照组相比,10、20、30、40 μmol/L组细胞存活率分别为(84.2±9.7) %、(54.6±6.0) %、(30.2±2.9)%、(10.9±2.1) %,皆有显著性差异(P<0.01);而20、30、40 μmol/L组细胞SMTN mRNA相对表达分别2.943±0.212,10.602±1.330,43.782±4.571,与CdCl2浓度为0 μmol/L对照组比较有显著性差异(P<0.01),且随着CdCl2染毒剂量的上升,SMTN表达逐渐升高.与CdCl2浓度为0 μmol/L对照组比较,30 μmol/L CdCl2处理16HBE细胞12、24、48和72 h,细胞生存率分别为(76.3±7.2) %,(35.2±4.0) %,(18.8±2.1) %,(7.0±0.9) %,有显著性差异(P<0.01),12、24、48和72 h处理细胞SMTN mRNA相对表达分别为11.419±1.441,12.030±1.402,10.420±1.114,8.953±0.987,有显著性差异(P<0.01).结论 SMTN mRNA在氯化镉处理细胞中表达明显升高,有明显的剂量-反应关系,可能在镉致细胞死亡或凋亡中发挥作用.     

急性髓系白血病血管内皮生长因子表达与预后的研究

目的 :观察人白血病细胞系血管内皮生长因子 (VEGF)表达水平 ,研究急性髓系白血病 (AML)患者血清VEGF表达水平与预后的关系。方法 :采用酶联免疫吸附法 (ELISA)对 4 9例初治、10例复发AML患者血清及人白血病细胞系U937、K5 6 2、HL - 6 0、TF - 1和NB4培养上清液 (4 8小时 )VEGF表达水平进行检测。结果 :五种人白血病细胞系培养上清液中均测到VEGF高表达。 4 9例初治、10例复发AML患者的血清VEGF表达水平分别为 2 0 1 17± 110 93pg ml和 2 32 5 9± 118 6 2pg ml,均明显高于正常对照组 (12 5 6 2± 4 5 4 3pg ml;p <0 0 5 )。初治AML患者中VEGF高表达组 (>2 0 1 17pg ml)完全缓解 (CR)率为 4 8% ,低表达组 (<2 0 1 17pg ml)CR率为 77% ,两者比较差异显著 (p<0 0 5 )。结论 :血管内皮生长因子在刺激白血病细胞增殖、迁移中发挥重要作用。AML患者血清VEGF水平与预后具相关性     

狼疮性肾炎患者外周血IL-18水平及其基因表达

为了探讨白细胞介素 18(IL 18)在狼疮性肾炎 (LN )发生、发展中的作用。我们采用逆转录多聚酶链反应 (RT PCR )及酶联免疫吸附 (ELISA )法测定 16例正常人及 18例LN患者外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC )IL 18mRNA表达量及其血浆水平。结果提示LN患者PBMCIL 18mRNA表达量及血浆IL 18水平均较正常对照组显著增高 [IL 18mRNA表达量为 :1 2 6 2± 0 189vs0 84 4± 0 15 5 ,P <0 0 0 1;IL 18血浆水平为 :(82 2 0 9± 5 32 77)pg/mlvs (2 39 5 7± 75 0 6 )pg/ml,P <0 0 0 1]。且WHOIV型LN增高较非IV型LN更为显著 [IL 18mRNA表达量为 :1 32 9± 0 2 1vs 1 138± 0 15 2 3,P <0 0 5 ;IL 18血浆水平为 :(1135 5 4± 5 15 34)pg/mlvs (5 0 8 6 5± 341 36 )pg/ml,P <0 0 1]。另外 ,血浆IL 18水平与肾组织活动指数 ,肾小管间质损害程度呈等级相关 (r分别为 :0 6 10和 0 4 99,P均 <0 0 5 ) ,也与血清肌酐 (Scr) ,血清内生肌酐清除率 (Ccr)及 2 4h尿蛋白排泄量 (2 4hUPQ )呈直线相关 (r分别为 :0 898、 0 6 2 8和 0 5 37,P均 <0 0 5 )。本研究认为循环IL 18表达和分泌增高可能参与LN的免疫发病过程 ,并与狼疮活动有一定的关系     

IL-2的真核表达载体对乙肝病毒基因疫苗的免疫佐剂效应

单以乙肝病毒S区基因疫苗 (pCR3 1 S)或联合IL 2真核表达载体 (pDOR IL 2 )注射BALB/c小鼠 (H 2 d)股四头肌 ,ELISA法检测小鼠血清抗HBs,4h51Cr释放法检测小鼠脾细胞CTL活性。免疫 8周后 ,单注射pCR3 1 S及共注射IL 2真核表达载体的小鼠血清 45 0nmA值分别为 1 2 4± 0 1及 1 98± 0 17。CTL细胞杀伤活性分别为 (5 0 5± 6 4) %、 (6 1 9± 7 1) % ,两组均有明显差异 (P <0 0 1)。脾细胞悬液经抗CD4+ 单克隆抗体处理后CTL细胞杀伤活性分别为 (4 8 3± 5 9) %、 (5 6 2±6 1) % ,抗CD8+ 单克隆抗体处理后分别为 (10 6± 1 4) %、 (13 6± 1 3) %。结果表明 ,IL 2的真核表达载体能够提高小鼠对DNA疫苗的免疫应答 ,CTL细胞杀伤活性主要由CD8+ 执行。基因疫苗可能用于预防及治疗HBV感染。     

SARS病人外周血T淋巴细胞的动态变化及其在发病进程和发病机理中的意义

目的 :通过研究严重急性呼吸综合征 (SevereAcuteRespiratorySyndrome,SARS)患者外周血免疫细胞的动态变化 ,探讨外周血免疫细胞在SARS发病进程中的意义 ,初步探讨SARS的发病机理 ,并为SARS的诊断和治疗提供有力的实验室依据。方法 :回顾性动态观察我院收治的已治愈SARS病例和SARS死亡病例外周血CD4 + 和CD8+ T淋巴细胞 ,评估外周血免疫细胞在SARS发病进程及预后中的作用。实验方法为流式细胞术检测和分析免疫细胞表面特异性荧光抗体标记 ,T细胞表面标志组合为CD3 CD8 CD4 5 CD4。结果 :所有治愈的SARS病人的CD4 + 和CD8+ T淋巴细胞都有不同程度的可逆性下降 ,而所有的死亡病例有不可逆性显著下降 ,直至死亡。T细胞下降程度和维持的时间与病情密切相关。普通型SARS病例最低CD4 + T淋巴细胞数为 30 5± 15 0cells μl(P <0 .0 0 1)、重型为 139± 6 9cells μl(P <0 .0 0 1) ,普通型SARS病例最低CD8+ T淋巴细胞数为 2 2 3± 89cells μl(P <0 .0 0 1)、重型为 171± 92cells μl(P <0 .0 0 1)。所有普通型病例和大部分重型病例T淋巴细胞恢复正常 ,个别重型病例低于正常或接近正常 ,恢复后普通型平均为 991± 2 86cells μl,重型平均为 5 4 5± 2 2 5cells μl。恢复时间有所不同 ,普通型平均为 17± 5天     

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.     

'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.     

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.     

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.