甲功五项联合TPOAb、TRAb检测在妊娠期妇女中的应用价值

目的 探究甲功五项联合甲状腺过氧化物酶抗体(TPOAb)、促甲状腺素受体抗体(TRAb)检测在妊娠期妇女中的应用价值.方法 选择2019年7月至2021年2月于我院孕检并分娩的104例孕妇,均进行甲状腺功能筛查,检测甲功五项血清三碘甲状腺氨酸(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、游离T3(FT3)、游离T4(FT4)、促甲状腺素(TSH)和TPOAb、TRAb水平,分析检测结果及孕妇妊娠结局.结果 104例孕妇存在甲状腺功能异常的发生率为17.31％,TPOAb阳性率和TRAb阳性分别为15.38％、2.88％,妊娠早期、中期、晚期甲状腺功能异常发生率分别为11.54％、5.77％和0.00％,且妊娠早期甲状腺功能异常以TPOAb阳性、临床亚甲减和低T4血症为主,妊娠中期以TPOAb阳性、临床亚甲减为主;妊娠早期,TPOAb阳性、TRAb阳性孕妇TSH异常率均高于对应的阴性孕妇(P<0.05);妊娠中期TSH异常率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);甲状腺功能异常孕妇的妊娠高血压、妊娠期糖尿病、妊娠期贫血、剖宫产、产后出血、胎盘早剥、胎膜早破、流产的概率及其娩出新生儿出现早产、新生儿窒息、胎儿窘迫、低体重、畸胎的概率均显著高于甲状腺功能正常孕妇(P<0.05).结论 妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能异常对其妊娠结局及新生儿结局均存在不良影响,临床联合检测甲功五项及TPOAb、TRAb水平评价妊娠期妇女甲状腺功能状态对母婴健康具有重要意义.     

川南地区各孕期甲状腺激素变化及参考范围

目的 通过研究本地区正常妊娠妇女早、中、晚期的甲状腺激素水平变化,建立适合于本地区正常妊娠各期的甲状腺激素参考范围.方法 选取2012年1月至2016年4月在本地区单胎妊娠的健康孕妇1113例,健康非妊娠妇女493例作为对照组,采用日本东曹AIA2000电化学发光分析仪测定甲状腺素水平,进行统计学分析.结果 妊娠妇女各期甲状腺激素水平均低于正常非妊娠妇女,妊娠妇女各期甲状腺激素水平均呈偏态分布,以中位数(M)及双侧限值(P2.5～ P97.5)表示甲状腺激素妊娠各期的参考范围.非妊娠妇女与各孕期组比较,FT3、FT4、TSH差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),不同孕期间,FT3、FT4、TSH两两比较,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),厂家提供的参考范围与不同孕期妇女参考范围差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)结论 正常妊娠妇女的甲状腺激素水平与非妊娠妇女明显不同,且不同孕期之间存在差异,建立本适合地区正常孕妇妊娠各期甲状腺激素参考范围将有助于妊娠期甲状腺功能紊乱的临床诊疗.     

妊娠中期妇女甲状腺功能筛查结果分析

目的 探讨妊娠中期妇女甲状腺功能筛查的重要性,为妊娠中期妇女甲状腺疾病的诊疗提供依据.方法 选择277例妊娠中期妇女为妊娠组,162位非妊娠育龄妇女为对照组.采用放射免疫法(RIA)检测FT3、FT4,采用免疫放射法(IRMA)检测TSH.结果 ①妊娠组甲状腺疾病总患病率为14.08％ (39/277),对照组甲状腺疾病总患病率为8.02％(13/162),两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).②妊娠组中甲亢(包含亚临床甲亢)患病率为1.44％(4/277),和甲减(包含亚临床甲减)患病率为12.64％(35/277)比较,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).对照组甲亢(包含亚临床甲亢)患病率为1.23％(2/162),和甲减(包含亚临床甲减)患病率为6.79％(11/162),差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).妊娠组甲减(包含亚临床甲减)患病率较对照组升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).③两组FT3、FT4、TSH结果比较,妊娠组FT4水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);妊娠组TSH水平低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.05);FT3水平无显著差异(P＞0.05).结论 妊娠中期妇女甲状腺疾病患病率增高,以甲减(包含亚临床甲减)居多,对妊娠中期妇女甲状腺功能进行筛查具有重要意义,妊娠期特异性甲状腺激素参考值范围有待明确.     

左甲状腺素钠片治疗妊娠期甲状腺功能减退症的临床疗效观察

目的 研究左甲状腺素钠片治疗妊娠期甲状腺功能减退症的临床效果。方法 选取2014年1月~2017年12月在我院就诊的妊娠期甲状腺功能减退症患者80例,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组40例。对照组常规使用甲状腺素片治疗,观察组采用左甲状腺素钠片治疗,对比两组患者治疗前后TSH、FT3、FT4的变化,治疗后妊娠并发症（妊高症、产后出血、贫血、流产、早产）情况,以及围产儿不良结局（胎儿宫内窘迫、胎儿畸形、死胎、低体质量）发生率情况。结果 观察组治疗后TSH、FT3、FT4的改善均优于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。观察组妊高症、产后出血、贫血、早产发生率低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;观察组治疗后妊娠并发症总发生率为15.00%,低于对照组的55.00%,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。观察组胎儿宫内窘迫、低体质量发生率低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;观察组围产儿不良结局总发生率为5.00%,低于对照组的27.50%,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 采用左甲状腺素钠片治疗妊娠期甲状腺功能减退症,可改善血清TSH、FT3、FT4指标,降低妊娠并发症和围产儿不良结局发生率,有利于改善妊娠结局。     

早期治疗妊娠期甲状腺功能亢进对母婴的身体健康影响分析

目的 探讨妊娠期甲状腺功能亢进妇女早期治疗对母婴健康的影响.方法 回顾性分析我院2011年至2013年收治的88例妊娠期合并轻中度甲亢患者的临床资料,根据患者治疗方案分为甲硫咪唑组(28例)、丙硫氧嘧啶组(28例)和对照组(32例),比较三组妊娠妇女妊娠期间的疾病变化情况及母婴情况.结果 ①治疗后三组患者FT3、FT4、TSH水平差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),并且甲硫咪唑治疗组和丙硫氧嘧啶治疗组患者的FT3、FT4、TSH水平差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);②三组新生儿FT3、FT4、TSH水平差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),并且甲硫咪唑治疗组和丙硫氧嘧啶治疗组新生儿FT3、FT4、TSH水平差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);③两治疗组患者妊高症发生率、早产发生率和平均分娩孕周与对照组比较差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),并且甲硫咪唑治疗组和丙硫氧嘧啶治疗组患者的平均分娩孕周差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05);④甲硫咪唑治疗组和丙硫氧嘧啶治疗组新生儿低体重出生率、胎儿窘迫率和出生体重与对照组比较差异也具有统计学意义(P＜0.05),甲硫咪唑治疗组和丙硫氧嘧啶治疗组新生儿出生体重差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 早期采取甲硫咪唑或丙硫氧嘧啶对妊娠期甲状腺功能亢进妇女进行治疗对母婴健康、提高新生儿出生质量均有积极作用,并且甲硫咪唑作用更佳,可作为妊娠期甲状腺功能亢进的首选治疗.     

孕期甲状腺功能相关检测参考范围研究

目的 建立北京地区健康妊娠妇女不同妊娠时期的血清甲状腺激素水平的正常参考范围,为正确评价孕期甲状腺功能和诊断甲状腺疾病提供了依据.方法 按照美国国家临床生化研究院(NACB)的标准,随机选择20 ～ 35岁健康妊娠期妇女360名作为研究组,并按孕周分为妊娠早、中、晚期,同时随机选取符合标准的非妊娠健康妇女135名作为对照组,检测比较三碘甲状腺素(T3)、甲状腺素(T4)、游离三碘甲状腺素(FT3)、游离甲状腺素(FT4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)的水平.结果 妊娠期妇女甲状腺激素水平与非妊娠期妇女多组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).非妊娠期妇女血清各项检测指标的参考范围分别为:TT3:1.26～2.07nmol/L,TT4:83.34 ～ 136.21 nmol/L,FT3:4.27～6.29pmol/L,FT4:9.35～15.23pmol/L,TSH:0.60 ～5.99μIU/mL.妊娠期妇女血清TT3水平在妊娠早、中、晚期的参考范围分别为:1.54～2.91nmol/L、1.48～2.85nmol/L、1.48～2.65nmol/L;血清TT4水平在妊娠早、中、晚期的参考范围分别为:96.74～178.53nmol/L、84.44～ 172.07nmol/L、84.60 ～ 151.29 nmol/L;血清FT3水平在妊娠早、中、晚期的参考范围分别为:3.86～5.81 pmol/L、3.57～ 5.54pmol/L、3.47 ～ 5.13pmol/L;血清FT4水平在妊娠早、中、晚期的参考范围分别为:6.87～14.42pmol/L、6.27 ～ 10.86pmol/L、6.63～11.05pmol/L;血清TSH在妊娠早、中、晚期参考范围分别为:0.60 ～3.98 μIU/mL、0.22～4.69μIU/mL、0.44～ 5.02μIU/mL.结论 妊娠期妇女血清甲状腺激素水平与非妊娠期妇女存在明显差异,且妊娠各期之间亦存在明显差异.因此,目前临床上通常应用非孕期甲状腺检测的参考范围评价孕期甲状腺功能是不正确的,建立北京地区妊娠期妇女甲状腺激素参考范围具有重要意义.     

北京西南地区238例妊娠妇女甲状腺功能检测及评价

检测490例北京西南地区中、晚期妊娠组(238例)和非妊娠妇女的甲状腺激素及自身抗体水平.用微粒子捕获化学发光免疫分析技术(CMIA)测定血清TT4、TT3、FT4、FT3、TSH、TGAb、TPOAb水平及血糖、总胆固醇、甘油三酯水平.结果表明,妊娠组的FT3、FT4水平低于非妊娠组,TT3、TT4水平高于非妊娠组,均有显著性差异(P＜0.01);两组TSH水平无显著性差异(P＞0.05);妊娠组TGAb阳性率为13.1%,TPOAb阳性率11.0%;非妊娠组TGAb阳性率为13.5%、TPOAb阳性率9.5%,两组阳性率无显著性差异(P＞0.05),但均高于文献报导.妊娠组TPOAb与TSH呈显著正相关(P＜0.01),血糖低于非妊娠组,血总胆固醇和甘油三酯水平高于非妊娠组,并均有显著性差异(P＜0.01).在10例FT4水平降低的妊娠妇女中,其中有5例合并自身抗体增高;在9例TSH水平异常的妊娠妇女中,1例合并自身抗体增高.在妊娠期间甲状腺功能减退的发生率高于非妊娠期,并且T3/T4增高,表明在中、后期妊娠妇女有碘缺乏的迹象.     

妊娠合并甲状腺疾病对妊娠结局和新生儿的影响

目的分析妊娠合并甲状腺疾病对妊娠结局和新生儿的影响。方法选取本院2017年4月至2018年11月收治的96例孕妇作为研究对象,根据甲状腺功能筛查情况分为甲状腺功能正常组、甲状腺功能亢进组及甲状腺功能减退组。记录三组孕妇早产、引产、自然分娩等妊娠结局及Apgar评分;比较三组胎儿宫内生长受限、胎儿宫内窘迫、低出生体质量儿、孕妇妊娠期糖尿病及妊娠期高血压疾病等不良反应发生情况。结果甲减组孕妇血清促甲状腺素(TSH)水平明显高于正常组和甲亢组,血清游离甲状腺素(FT4)与血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸(FT3)水平明显低于正常组和甲亢组(P0.05);甲亢组孕妇FT_4与FT_3水平明显高于甲减组和正常组,TSH水平明显低于正常组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);正常组剖宫产率、自然分娩率、新生儿Apgar评分明显高于甲减组和甲亢组,早产率、自然流产率、引产率明显低于甲减组和甲亢组(P0.05);正常组发生胎儿宫内生长受限、胎儿宫内窘迫、低出生体质量儿、孕妇妊娠期糖尿病及妊娠期高血压疾病的发生率明显低于甲减组和甲亢组(P0.05),但甲减组与甲亢组不良反应发生率比较无差异(P0.05)。结论妊娠合并甲状腺疾病对妊娠结局和新生儿均会产生一定的不良影响,临床上需引起重视,早期诊断积极控制病情,有利于保障母婴安全以及改善预后。     

正常孕妇早中晚孕期甲状腺激素参考值范围的研究

目的 建立正常孕妇孕早中晚期参考值范围.方法 用化学发光免疫测定方法测定健康妊娠妇女及年龄匹配的非妊娠妇女甲状腺激素水平,其中孕早期(T1)204例,孕中期(T2)238例,孕晚期(T3) 172例,非妊娠妇女193例,分别建立甲状腺激素参考值范围.结果 以中位数(M)及双侧限值P2.5％ ～ P97.5％区间的方式表示,T1、T2及T3期的T3、T4、FT4、FT3及T1、T2期的TSH不同于非妊娠妇女(P＜0.05).T3期的TSH与对照组比较没有统计学意义(P＞0.05).①TSH值在不同孕期间两两比较差异显著(P＜0.01),T1期最低,随着孕周的增加,TSH水平逐渐回升,至孕晚期达到最高;②FT3值在不同孕期间两两比较差异显著(P＜0.05),T1最高,随着孕周的增加,FT3水平逐渐降低,至T3达到最低,T1高于非妊娠妇女,T2、T3期低于非妊娠妇女(P＜0.05);③FT4值在不同孕期间两两比较差异显著(P＜0.05),T1期最高,随着孕周的增加,FT4水平逐渐降低,至T3期达到最低,T1、T2高于非妊娠妇女,T3期低于非妊娠妇女(P＜0.05);④T3、T4值在不同孕期间两两比较差异不显著(P＞0.05),不同孕期均高于非妊娠妇女(P＜0.05).结论 妊娠期血清甲状腺激素随不同孕期有明显的变化,与正常非妊娠妇女不同,建立孕期甲状腺激素参考范围有助于临床及时、准确判断孕期甲状腺疾病.     

某院医务人员甲状腺功能检测结果分析

目的 调查我院医务人员甲状腺功能情况。方法 选取2016年1月~2018年12月在我院进行甲状腺功能检测的医务人员168名,采用化学发光分析仪检测促甲状腺素（TSH）、血清三碘甲状腺原氨酸（T3）、血清甲状腺素（T4）、血清游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）及血清游离四碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT4）,并根据性别、岗位及年龄进行分类,比较不同性别、年龄及岗位医务人员的甲状腺功能状况。结果 168例受检者中,甲状腺功能异常34例（20.23%）,其中亚甲减所占比例最高;男性甲状腺功能异常检出率为8.06%（5/62）,女性甲状腺功能异常检出率为27.36%（29/106）,女性高于男性,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;医生甲状腺功能异常检出率为11.70%（11/94）,护士甲状腺功能异常检出率为31.08%（23/74）,护士高于医生,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;≥35岁男性的TSH水平为（2.94±1.90）μIU/ml,高于＜35岁男性的 (1.71±0.79) μIU/ml,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;＜35岁女性TSH水平为（3.08±2.75）μIU/ml,高于＜35岁男性的 (1.71±0.79) μIU/ml,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）;＜35岁女性FT3为（2.75±0.45）pg/ml,FT4为（12.78±1.96）pg/ml ,低于＜35岁男性的FT3（3.02±0.59）pg/ml、FT4（13.97±1.90）pg/ml,差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 我院医务人员甲状腺功能紊乱发病率较高,以亚甲减为主,其中女性发病率高于男性,护士发病率高于医生,年龄因素对甲状腺疾病有一定影响。     

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.