丹酚酸B对高糖诱导的肾小球系膜细胞表型转化及细胞外基质分泌的影响

目的:研究丹酚酸对高糖诱导的肾小球系膜细胞表型转化及细胞外基质分泌的影响及其机制。方法:培养人肾小球系膜细胞(HGMCs),随机分为正常对照组、高糖组及高糖+丹酚酸B高、中、低剂量组,高糖组和丹酚酸B各组用含高浓度(33.3 mmol/L)葡萄糖的培养基培养72 h,丹酚酸B各组同时加人相应浓度丹酚酸B共同孵育。Western blot法检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达水平,ELISA法检测细胞Ⅰ型胶原(ColⅠ)、Ⅲ型胶原(ColⅢ)、纤维连接蛋白(FN)和层粘连蛋白(LN)的分泌水平,Western blot法检测转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)的表达及Smad2和p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)的磷酸化水平。结果:高糖孵育72 h后,肾小球系膜细胞α-SMA的蛋白表达水平明显升高,ColⅠ、ColⅢ、FN及LN蛋白的分泌水平显著增加(P 0.01),TGF-β1的表达及Smad2、p38 MAPK的磷酸化水平也明显升高(P 0.01);与丹酚酸B共同孵育可明显降低α-SMA蛋白的表达水平,ColⅠ、ColⅢ、FN和LN的分泌明显减少,TGF-β1的表达及Smad2、p38 MAPK的磷酸化水平显著下降(P 0.01或P 0.05)。结论:丹酚酸B可明显抑制高糖诱导的肾小球系膜细胞表型转化,减少ColⅠ和ColⅢ等细胞外基质分泌,其机制与抑制TGF-β1/Smad信号通路及p38 MAPK活化有关。     

高糖对肾小管上皮细胞系细胞因子表达的影响

目的观察高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)、平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、E-钙黏素(E-Cadherin)的改变及酪氨酸激酶(JAK)抑制剂AG490对其的影响。方法体外培养人肾近曲小管上皮细胞系(HKC),分别给予高糖和AG490干预,采用免疫沉淀和Western blot检测JAK2磷酸化的表达;Western blot检测α-SMA、E-cadherin及信号蛋白STAT1、STAT3等的水平;ELISA法测定细胞上清液中TGF-β1和Ⅰ型胶原的分泌;RT-PCR检测TGF-β1mRNA表达。结果与低糖组比较,高糖培养HKC中α-SMA、p-JAK2、p-STAT1和p-STAT3表达明显上调,E-Cadherin表达明显下调,TGF-β1mRNA表达增加;细胞上清液中TGF-β1、Ⅰ型胶原分泌增加。AG490明显抑制高糖刺激HKC中α-SMA表达的升高,减轻E-Cadherin表达下降程度,降低TGF-β1mRNA表达及TGF-β1、Ⅰ型胶原的分泌。结论JAK/STAT信号途径可能参与高糖诱导的HKC中TGF-β1和细胞外基质的分泌。     

血管紧张素-(1-7)对血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化的影响

目的:探讨血管紧张素-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)]对血管紧张素Ⅱ( AngⅡ)诱导的大鼠肾小管上皮细胞(NRK52E)表型转化及细胞外基质分泌的影响.方法:体外培养NRK52E细胞,经Ang-(1-7)和AntgⅡ(终浓度均为1×10-6 mol/L)干预24、48、72、96 h后,应用细胞免疫化学法检测E-cadherin,α-SMA的表达;应用ELISA法检测细胞上清液中Ⅰ型胶原(Col I)和纤维黏连蛋白(FN)的表达;采用实时荧光定量PCR( Real-timePCR)检测细胞中E-cadherin、α-SMA、Col I和FN mRNA表达水平的变化.结果:AngⅡ作用96h后,E-cadherin蛋白及mRNA表达显著减弱(P＜0.05),α-SMA、Col I、FN蛋白及mRNA表达显著增强(P＜0.05);同时加入Ang-(1-7)后,与AngⅡ组比较,E-cadherin蛋白及mRNA的表达增强(P＜0.05),α-SMA、Col I、FN蛋白及mRNA表达减弱(P＜0.05).结论:Ang-(1-7)能够抑制AngⅡ诱导的大鼠肾小管上皮细胞表型转化及细胞外基质的分泌.     

过表达THEM4抑制高糖诱导小鼠系膜细胞细胞外基质分泌

目的观察过表达硫酯酶超家族成员4(thioesterase superfamily member 4,THEM4)对高糖诱导的小鼠系膜细胞细胞外基质蛋白分泌的影响。方法体外培养小鼠系膜细胞,分别给予高糖(30 mmol/L)刺激0、6、12、24和48 h后收集细胞。提取RNA,RT-PCR技术检测THEM4 mRNA的表达;提取总蛋白,Western blot法检测THEM4、phospho-Akt(Ser 473)、TGF-β1、α-SMA的表达;ELISA法检测细胞上清液Ⅳ型胶原(collagenⅣ,ColⅣ)、纤维粘连蛋白(fibronectin,FN)的分泌情况。为进一步检测过表达THEM4对高糖诱导的细胞外基质沉积的影响及可能机制,将常规培养的系膜细胞随机分为正常对照组(5.5mmol/L)、高糖组(30 mmol/L)、高糖+p Yr-ads-4-THEM4质粒转染组(高糖+THEM4组)、高糖+p Yr-adshuttle-4空质粒对照组(高糖+V组)。后3组经高糖刺激48 h后终止培养并进行上述检测。结果随着高糖刺激时间的延长,小鼠系膜细胞THEM4表达呈下降趋势,phospho-Akt(Ser 473)、TGF-β1、α-SMA的表达增强,伴随细胞外基质蛋白(包括ColⅣ、FN)的分泌增加;过表达THEM4能逆转高糖刺激所导致小鼠系膜细胞Akt蛋白的活化,下调α-SMA、TGF-β1的表达,抑制细胞外基质蛋白(包括ColⅣ、FN)的分泌。结论过表达THEM4能降低高糖诱导的小鼠系膜细胞细胞外基质蛋白的分泌,可能是通过抑制Akt蛋白的活化,下调α-SMA、TGF-β1表达而实现。     

血管紧张素-(1-7)抑制低氧诱导的大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化

目的观察血管紧张素-(1-7)[Ang(1-7)]对氯化钴(Co)诱导的低氧状态下正常大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞(NRK52E)间质转分化的影响并探讨其可能机制。方法体外培养NRK52E细胞,分为对照组、Co组、Ang-(1-7)组、Co+Ang-(1-7)组,培养6 d。免疫细胞化学染色法检测NRK52E细胞低氧诱导因子-lα(HIF-lα)和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达情况;Western blot法、细胞免疫化学染色法检测p-ERK1/2蛋白表达水平;酶联免疫吸附法检测细胞上清液Ⅰ型胶原蛋白(Col-Ⅰ)的含量。结果 6 d后,与对照组比较,Co组与Co+Ang-(1-7)组细胞HIF-1α、α-SMA、ColⅠ及p-ERK1/2表达量显著增加(P<0.05);与Co组比较,Co+Ang-(1-7)组细胞HIF-1α、α-SMA、ColⅠ及p-ERK1/2表达量明显减少(P<0.05)。结论 Ang-(1-7)可抑制Co诱导的低氧状态下肾小管上皮细胞间质转分化,减少细胞外基质的生成,可能是通过p-ERK1/2信号通路实现的。     

miR-29c靶向FOS抑制心肌纤维化的分子机制研究

目的:分析miR-29c对小鼠心肌纤维化(MF)的影响及其作用机制。方法:小鼠心肌成纤维细胞经血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngiotensinⅡ,AngⅡ)处理24h,命名为AngⅡ组,取对数生长期的AngⅡ组细胞,以脂质体法转染各种质粒,分别命名为AngⅡ+miR-29c组(转染miR-29cmimics)、AngⅡ+miR-con组(未转染细胞)、AngⅡ+anti-con组(转染anti-con)、AngⅡ+anti-miR-29c组(转染anti-miR-29c)、AngⅡ+siFOS(转染siFOS)、AngⅡ+si-con组(转染si-con)、AngⅡ+miR-29c+Ctrl组(miR-29cmimics和pcDNA 3.1共转染)、AngⅡ+miR-29c+FOS组(miR-29c mimics和pcDNA 3.1-FOS共转染),以常规培养不作任何处理的心肌成纤维细胞为空白对照组(空白组);运用实时荧光定量反转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测心肌成纤维细胞中miR-29c的表达;Western blot检测各组细胞中FOS、人Ⅰ型胶原蛋白(Col Ⅰ)、人Ⅲ型胶原蛋白(Col Ⅲ )、人α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的蛋白表达;噻唑蓝(MTT)法检测各组细胞增殖;双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测各组细胞荧光活性。结果:与空白组相比,AngⅡ组miR-29c表达显著降低(P0.05);与AngⅡ+miR-con组或AngⅡ+si-con组相比,AngⅡ+miR-29c组或AngⅡ+siFOS组细胞活性和Col Ⅰ、Col Ⅲ 、α-SMA蛋白表达均显著降低(P0.05);FOS是miR-29c的靶基因。与AngⅡ+miR-29c+Ctrl组相比,AngⅡ+miR-29c+FOS组细胞活性和Col Ⅰ、Col Ⅲ 、α-SMA蛋白表达均显著升高(P0.05)。结论:miR-29c可抑制小鼠心肌成纤维细胞增殖和纤维化,其机制可能与靶向FOS有关,或可为心肌纤维化的预防和治疗提供新靶点。     

PAX6抑制血管紧张素Ⅱ诱导的心脏成纤维细胞转分化

目的:探讨配对盒因子6(PAX6)在血管紧张素Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ)诱导的心脏成纤维细胞(CFs)转分化中的作用及其机制。方法:培养原代成年小鼠CFs,用Ang Ⅱ(10-6mol/L)建立CFs转分化模型,利用小鼠PAX6腺病毒载体感染小鼠CFs;实验分为Ad-GFP+Ctrl组(感染对照腺病毒)、Ad-GFP+Ang Ⅱ组(感染对照腺病毒再给予Ang Ⅱ处理)、Ad-PAX6+Ctrl组(感染过表达PAX6腺病毒)和Ad-PAX6+Ang Ⅱ组(感染过表达PAX6腺病毒再给予Ang Ⅱ处理)。倒置荧光显微镜下观察CFs感染后荧光表达情况;采用Western blot检测CFs中PAX6、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、I型胶原(Col I)、纤连蛋白(FN)和转化生长因子β1(TGFβ1)的表达;固定细胞免疫荧光技术检测α-SMA、Col I和FN的表达与分布;qPCR检测PAX6和TGFβ1的mRNA表达。结果:(1)倒置荧光显微镜下观察腺病毒载体感染CFs成功,qPCR和Western blot证明CFs中PAX6过表达成功(P<0.01);(2)在Ang Ⅱ作用下,CFs中肌成纤维细胞标志物α-SMA显著升高,而过表达PAX6显著抑制Ang Ⅱ诱导的α-SMA表达(P<0.01);(3)过表达PAX6显著抑制CFs中Ang Ⅱ诱导的细胞外基质蛋白Col I和FN的表达与分泌(P<0.05);(4)在Ang Ⅱ处理后,TGFβ1的mRNA和蛋白表达显著升高,而过表达PAX6显著抑制Ang Ⅱ诱导的CFs中TGFβ1的mRNA和蛋白表达(P<0.05)。结论:PAX6通过抑制TGFβ1的表达从而抑制Ang Ⅱ诱导的CFs转分化及细胞外基质蛋白的表达与分泌。     

血管紧张素-(1-7)对醛固酮激活大鼠肾间质成纤维细胞的影响

目的:观察血管紧张素-(1-7)[Ang-(1-7)]对醛固酮(ALD)激活大鼠肾间质成纤维细胞(NRK-49F)及细胞外基质分泌的影响并初步探讨其机制。方法:体外培养大鼠肾间质成纤维细胞,分为对照组、Ang-(1-7)组、ALD组、ALD+Ang-(1-7)组。培养48 h后,运用免疫细胞化学染色法检测细胞激活标志物α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达;酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测上清液中Ⅰ型胶原(ColⅠ)的含量;按上述实验分组干预30 min后,运用Western blot法检测细胞裂解液中磷酸化ERK1/2(pERK1/2)及总ERK1/2(tERK1/2)的表达。结果:与对照组比较,ALD组及ALD+Ang-(1-7)组细胞α-SMA、ColⅠ及ERK1/2相对表达量则显著增加(P<0.05);与ALD组比较,ALD+Ang-(1-7)组细胞α-SMA、ColI及ERK1/2相对表达量明显减少(P<0.05)。结论:Ang-(1-7)可抑制ALD介导的肾间质成纤维细胞激活,减少细胞外基质成份ColⅠ的分泌,ERK1/2信号通路在这一过程中具有一定作用。     

雷帕霉素激活自噬改善嘌呤霉素氨基核苷诱导的足细胞损伤

目的:通过观察雷帕霉素对PAN 诱导的足细胞损伤及自噬相关蛋白表达的影响,探讨自噬在雷帕霉素保护PAN 诱导的足细胞损伤中的作用及可能机制。方法:构建PAN 诱导的足细胞损伤模型,将足细胞分成对照组(Control 组),PAN 组(加入50 μg/ ml PAN),雷帕霉素组(RAP 组:分别加入100、200、300 ng/ ml 雷帕霉素),PAN+雷帕霉素组(PAN+RAP组:细胞在用含PAN 的培养液培养前1 h,分别用100、200、300 ng/ ml 雷帕霉素进行预处理1 h)。采用Annexin V/ PI 双染法检测细胞凋亡,透射电镜观察自噬小体,Western blot 检测LC3、p62、4EBP1、P70S6K、mTOR 蛋白表达。结果:与对照组比较,PAN组足细胞凋亡增加,自噬体减少,LC3域蛋白表达下调,p62 上调,mTOR、4EBP1、P70S6K 磷酸化水平上调;与PAN 组比较,PAN+RAP 组足细胞凋亡率下降,自噬体增加,LC3域蛋白表达上调,p62 下调,mTOR、4EBP1、P70S6K 磷酸化水平下调。结论:PAN 可以抑制足细胞自噬,促进足细胞凋亡;雷帕霉素可通过激活自噬改善PAN 诱导的足细胞损伤,这种作用可能与雷帕霉素抑制mTOR/4EBP1、P70S6K 信号通路有关。     

莪术醇通过上调miR-214抑制TGF-β诱导的RL-95细胞生长及纤维化相关蛋白表达

目的:探讨莪术醇对转化生长因子β(TGF-β)诱导的子宫内膜癌RL-95细胞生长及纤维化相关蛋白表达的影响,并探讨其机制是否与调控微小RNA-214(miR-214)表达有关。方法:以TGF-β诱导RL-95细胞纤维化作为子宫内膜异位症细胞模型。设置对照(control)组、TGF-β组、TGF-β+低剂量莪术醇组、TGF-β+中剂量莪术醇组、TGF-β+高剂量莪术醇组、TGF-β+高剂量莪术醇+anti-miR-NC组和TGF-β+高剂量莪术醇+anti-miR-214组。运用CCK-8法、流式细胞术、RT-qPCR和Western blot检测细胞活力、细胞周期分布、miR-214表达以及α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和Ⅰ型胶原(Col I)蛋白表达。结果:与control组比较,TGF-β组RL-95细胞活力、S期细胞比例及α-SMA和Col I蛋白表达显著升高,G₀-G₁期细胞比例和miR-214表达显著降低(P<0.05)。与TGF-β组比较,TGF-β+中剂量莪术醇组和TGF-β+高剂量莪术醇组RL-95细胞活力、S期细胞比例及α-SMA和Col I蛋白表达显著降低,G₀-G₁期细胞比例和miR-214表达显著升高(P<0.05)。与TGF-β+高剂量莪术醇+anti-miR-NC组比较,TGF-β+高剂量莪术醇+anti-miR-214组RL-95细胞活力、S期细胞比例及α-SMA和Col I蛋白表达显著升高,G₀-G₁期细胞比例显著降低(P<0.05)。结论:莪术醇通过上调miR-214表达抑制TGF-β诱导的RL-95细胞生长和纤维化相关蛋白表达,进而对子宫内膜异位症纤维化具有潜在治疗作用。     

Renal dysplasia and asplenia in two sibs

A family is reported in which two sibs, one male and the other female, both died within 24 hours of birth with enlarged polycystic kidneys. Postmortem histology in the second child showed gross renal dysplasia. In both children the pancreas was enlarged, nodular and cystic but the liver appeared macroscopically normal. In the second child, histological examination confirmed pancreatic fibrosis with cystic dilation of ducts, but showed portal fibrosis with bile duct proliferation in the liver.
This combination of findings is very reminiscent of those in a girl and her brother reported by Ivemark et al. (1959). The children reported here also showed absence or hypoplasia of the spleen, cardiac anomalies and other features of the Ivemark syndrome (Ivemark 1955), a quite different, usually sporadic, congenital disorder. It is suggested that the children described here have a distinct lethal congenital disorder, probably inherited in an autosomal recessive manner.     

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.     

What will studies of Fulani individuals naturally exposed to malaria teach us about protective immunity to malaria?

There are an estimated over 200 million yearly cases of malaria worldwide. Despite concerted international effort to combat the disease, it still causes approximately half a million deaths every year, the majority of which are young children with Plasmodium falciparum infection in sub-Saharan Africa. Successes are largely attributed to malaria prevention strategies, such as insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor spraying, as well as improved access to existing treatments. One important hurdle to new approaches for the treatment and prevention of malaria is our limited understanding of the biology of Plasmodium infection and its complex interaction with the immune system of its human host. Therefore, the elimination of malaria in Africa not only relies on existing tools to reduce malaria burden, but also requires fundamental research to develop innovative approaches. Here, we summarize our discoveries from investigations of ethnic groups of West Africa who have different susceptibility to malaria.     

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.     

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.     

Class II HLA in Georgia Caucasus Tbilisi Georgians and their Mediterranean ancestry: The Usko Mediterranean languages

Georgia (or Sakartvelo in its own language) is a South Caucasus Mts. country with its easternmost part is enigmatically named Iberia, like the Iberian Peninsula, which may refer to rivers “Kura” and “Ebro” or their valleys respectively. Most of their inhabitants speak Georgian which is included within Dene-Caucasian group and Usko-Mediterranean subgroup of languages. The latter includes Basque, Berber, ancient Iberian-Tartessian, Etruscan, Hittite, Minoan Lineal A and others. In the present paper, HLA class II -DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles has been studied and extended haplotypes calculated. Most frequent haplotypes are also of Mediterranean origin (i. e.: (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*51)-DRB1*13:01-DQB1*06:03, or (A*24-B*35)-DRB1*01:01-DQB1*05:01) and DA genetic distances show that closest world populations to Georgians are Mediterraneans. Georgians also show common extended haplotypes ((A*02-B*51)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01, (A*02-B*13)-DRB1*07:01-DQB1*02:01 and (A*03-B*35)-DRB1*11:01-DQB1*03:01) with Svan people, a secluded population in North Georgia mountains. We can conclude that Georgians belong to a very old Mediterranean substratum according to both linguistics (Usko Mediterranean languages) and HLA genetics.     

'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.