骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球的制备及表征

背景:聚乳酸具有良好的生物相容性,是优良的药物缓释载体。目的:制备重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球,考察其理化特性。方法:采用复乳溶剂挥发法制备重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球,进行扫描电镜、激光粒度、Zeta电位、溶胀性能检测及采用ELISA试剂盒检测包封率、载药率及体外释药率。结果与结论:扫描电镜见重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球微球近似圆形,形态较规则,分散性较好,表面光滑。激光粒度分析重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球微平均粒径839.6 nm,Zeta电位(-32.93±3.74)mV,微球溶胀系数1.157±0.059,包封率及载药率分别为(88.943±2.878)%,(0.026±0.001)%;微球在第1天释药约10.199%,随后释药较恒定,至第19天累计释药率为54.643%。说明制备出的重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸缓释微球的粒径达到中华人民共和国药典第10版二部关于亚微球的定义标准及包封率不低于80%的要求,并且在体外具有很好的缓释功能。     

载牛血清蛋白的PLGA纳米粒制备工艺的优化及特性研究

目的制备载牛血清蛋白(BSA)的PLGA纳米粒(NPs),采用正交试验设计对工艺进行优化筛选,并研究其特性。方法以聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物[poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid),PLGA]为载体,二氯甲烷(DCM)和丙酮为有机溶剂,采用复乳化溶剂挥发法制备载BSA的PLGA载药纳米粒。扫描电镜观察纳米粒形态,纳米粒度分析仪测定平均粒径和粒径分布;BCA法测定纳米粒的包封率;同时考察其体外释放特性。结果优化条件下制备的纳米粒呈大小均匀的球形粒子,平均粒径为219nm,包封率为44.7%;体外释放分初期突释和后期缓释两阶段,其2～28d的释放曲线符合Higuchi方程,28d末的累积释放量为87.37%。结论以PLGA为载体的BSA纳米粒具有较小的粒径、较高包封率和明显的缓释性能。     

吲哚美辛微球的制备及其包封率和释放性能***

背景：吲哚美辛在眼内半衰期短,需要多次给药才能达到治疗作用。 目的：制备吲哚美辛微球,并分析其包封率及缓释性能。 方法：选择安全性好的聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物和聚丙烯酸树脂类两种共聚物作为载体材料,以乳化溶剂挥发法制备含吲哚美辛微球,分析不同有机溶剂(二氯甲烷、丙酮)、不同载体材料比例、不同pH值及不同渗透压因素对微球包封率和体外释放性能的影响。 结果与结论：微球表面光滑圆整,无孔,粒径分布表现出多分散性,粒径2.0~3.0 μm。制备过程中发现,有机溶剂使用二氯甲烷、载体材料聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物：聚丙烯酸树脂类的质量比例越小、水相中pH值越低、渗透压越低,载药微球的包封率越大。在聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物：聚丙烯酸树脂类的质量比为1∶3时,包封率最高,体外释放速率最慢。 关键词：吲哚美辛;聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物;聚丙烯酸树脂类;微球;乳化溶剂挥发法 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.12.028     

聚乙二醇对利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物缓释微球性能的影响

背景：聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物微球具有良好的生物相容性,是优良的药物缓释载体,但缓释微球的突释问题严重影响了其临床应用。 目的：观察聚乙二醇对利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物缓释微球特征、载药率、包封率、体外释放规律及突释的影响。 方法：以高分子材料聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物作为载体,采用复乳化-溶剂挥发法制备聚乙二醇-利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物微球(实验组)和利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物微球(对照组)。扫描电子显微镜观察两组聚合物缓释微球特征,高效液相色谱法检测两组微球在不同时段模拟体液中的利福平药物浓度及累计释放量,计算两组微球的载药量、包封率。 结果与结论：与对照组比较,实验组微球表面光滑、粒径减小、分散良好,包封率和载药量明显提高。实验组微球3 h内药物释放量最大,1 d左右药物释放趋于平稳稳定状态,1 d药物累计释放量小于20%;对照组微球3 h内药物释放量最大,约为实验组的1.5倍,1 d左右药物释放也趋于平稳状态。表明聚乙二醇可改善利福平-聚乳酸-羟基乙酸聚合物缓释微球的成球率,减小其粒径,增加其载药量和包封率,控制其突释现象。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

骨碎补总黄酮/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸微囊的制备

背景：微囊是目前靶向治疗给药体系的主要方向之一,其大小为数微米到数百微米,可用于口服、注射、动脉给药及局部靶器官治疗等多种治疗途径。目的：制备骨碎补总黄酮/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物微囊,并对微囊制备条件进行优化。方法：采用乳化溶剂挥发法制备骨碎补总黄酮/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物微囊,单因素分析聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物质量浓度(60,100,140,180 g/L)、搅拌速度(50,1 000,2 000,4 000 r/min)、初乳乳化时间(2,4,6,8 min)及水油比(1∶5、1∶10、1∶15、1∶20)对微囊大体形态、粒径分布宽度与微囊中总黄酮包封率的影响,筛选出微囊粒径较小、分散均匀、包封率较高的骨碎补总黄酮/聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物微囊。结果与结论：确定最佳工艺参数为：140 g/L 聚乳酸-羟基乙酸共聚物溶液,匀浆机2 000 r/min搅拌速度,初乳乳化时间6 min,水油比为1∶15。优化工艺下所制备的微囊分布均匀,平均粒径为(789.8±712.3) nm,粒径分布宽度较窄,基本小于5 μm;扫描电镜下观察所见微囊呈圆形,边缘较规则;微囊平均包封率为47.72%。  中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱;骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程     

载羟基喜树碱聚乳酸-羟基乙酸微球的制备及相关性能研究

目的制备一种载羟基喜树碱的聚乳酸-羟基乙酸(PLGA)缓释微球,并考察其相关性能。方法采用乳化-溶剂挥发法制备羟基喜树碱PLGA微球,用扫描电子显微镜观察载药微球表面形态,测定平均粒径及跨距,高效液相色谱检测包封率、载药率及体外释放情况,改良寇氏法计算小鼠半数致死量。结果制备的载药PLGA微球呈圆球形,表面光滑,无粘连,平均粒径30.8μm,跨距0.9,包封率为85.5%、载药率4.28%,在体外28 d累积释放药物81.4%。羟基喜树碱小鼠静脉注射的半数致死量为18.4 mg/kg,肌内注射半数致死量为71.3 mg/kg,而羟基喜树碱PLGA微球肌内注射的半数致死量为138.5 mg/kg。结论乳化-溶剂挥发法制备的羟基喜树碱PLGA微球粒径适宜,包封率、载药率高,缓释效果好,毒性低,具有潜在的临床应用价值。     

5-氟尿嘧啶缓释剂制备及体外释药性能比较*

背景：5-氟尿嘧啶-聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物缓释微球在青光眼滤过术后抑制滤过泡的瘢痕化具有潜在应用价值,但微球制备程序复杂,微球载药量一般较低,且药物突释现象明显。 目的：比较乳化溶剂挥发法制备的5-氟尿嘧啶-聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物微球和喷雾成膜法制备的5-氟尿嘧啶-聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物缓释膜两种缓释剂的形态、载药量、体外释放规律,以探讨获得缓释效果较佳的5-氟尿嘧啶缓释剂制备方法。 方法：以聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物为载体,采用乳化溶剂挥发法制备5-氟尿嘧啶-聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物微球;用喷雾成膜法制备5-氟尿嘧啶-聚乳酸-乙醇酸共聚物缓释膜。 结果与结论：用乳化溶剂挥发法制备的微球外观圆整,粒径为(4 447.4±359.8) nm,载药量(8.67±0.37)%,包封率为(86.68± 1.92)%;用喷雾成膜法制备的缓释膜表面光滑平整,质量为(13.76±0.26) mg ,直径为6 mm ,厚度为(0.24±0.005) mm,载药量(23.76±0.37)%,包封率为(95.04±1.36)%。缓释剂制备过程未影响5-氟尿嘧啶的药物性能。微球体外释放突释明显,缓释膜的体外释放平稳持久,释放曲线符合Higuchi方程。结果表明缓释膜制备方法更简单易行,且能明显提高缓释剂的载药量,降低突释现象,同时延长药物的缓释时间。 关键词：聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸;5-氟尿嘧啶;微球;缓释膜;体外释放 doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2012.08.022     

利福平/聚乳酸-聚羟基乙酸缓释微球的制备及特性

背景：虽然国内外有很多制备利福平/聚乳酸-聚羟基乙酸共聚物(poly lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer,PLGA)微球的报道,但这些微球粒径多在10 μm左右,不适合与磷酸钙骨水泥复合制备成具有良好降解性的抗结核修复材料。 目的：制备大粒径利福平/PLGA缓释微球,观察其理化特性和体外缓释特性。 方法：以PLGA为载体,将利福平分散于PLGA的有机溶剂中,采用复乳溶剂挥发法制备利福平/ PLGA缓释微球。光镜和扫描电镜下观察微球的形态特征,测定微球平均直径和跨距,高效液相色谱法测定载药量和包封率,以溶出法和高效液相色谱法观察其体外释药特性,并拟合药物体外释放曲线建立曲线方程。 结果与结论：利福平/PLGA微球电镜观察呈圆球形,分散性好,粘连少,粒径分布集中,平均粒径(80.0±9.4) μm。载药量、包封率分别为(33.18±1.36)%,(54.79±1.13)%。体外缓释试验显示突释期内微球释放度为(14.66±0.18)%,前3 d累计释放度(18.09±0.45)%,到42 d体外累积释放度达到(92.17±1.23)%。提示利福平/PLGA微球具有良好的缓释效果,是一种较为理想的抗结核药物的载体材料和释放系统;PLGA是良好的药物缓释载体,可以用来制备载药缓释微球。     

聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯载生长因子的缓释纳米微球

背景:骨形态发生蛋白2可增加软骨细胞和祖细胞基质的产生,可增强组织金属蛋白酶抑制因子1、sox9基因、Ⅱ型胶原以及聚集蛋白聚糖的表达,具有诱导间充质细胞迁徙、增殖、分化,最终促使软骨、骨形成的作用。目的:制备重组人骨形态发生蛋白2聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯纳米微球系统纳米微球缓释系统,观察微球生长因子形态和粒径分布、载药量、包封率、体外缓释时间及生物活性。方法:采用复乳-干燥法制备重组人骨形成蛋白2聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯纳米微球系统,体外分离培养猪软骨细胞。实验分为3组:第1组培养液不添加药物做为对照;第2组培养液中添加含20μg/L重组人骨形态发生蛋白2;第3组培养液中添加20μg/L重组人骨形态发生蛋白2聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯纳米微球系统纳米微球;其中在第2组和第3组又将重组人骨形态发生蛋白2和重组人骨形态发生蛋白2聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯纳米微球系统纳米微球分别设为55,100μg/L两种的有效浓度,采用MTT法检测微球对软骨细胞增殖的影响,模拟体内条件观察纳米微球的体外缓释性及生物活性。结果与结论:该纳米微球表面光滑圆整,球体大小均匀,粒径为231-415 nm,扫描电镜平均粒径323 nm。微球的包封率和载药量分别为(79.63±0.16)%和(1.92±0.16)%。根据15 d内对重组人骨形态发生蛋白2聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯纳米微球的体外释药的观察,保持持续释放重组人骨形态发生蛋白2,且释放的浓度呈增长水平。该微球缓释系统有生物活性,能显著促进猪软骨细胞的增殖,其效应高于单纯重组人骨形态发生蛋白2的效应。提示重组人骨形态发生蛋白2聚羟基丁酸-羟基辛酸共聚酯纳米微球缓释系统包封率、载药量、体外释药性以及生物活性符合纳米微球的一般规律,能够满足相应的软骨缺损修复要求。     

纤维蛋白胶复合重组人骨形态发生蛋白2微球对犬骨髓基质细胞增殖与分化的影响

背景：前期实验证实聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸微球/纤维蛋白胶能作为重组人骨形态发生蛋白2的良好可注射性缓释载体。 目的：观察可注射性骨形态发生蛋白缓释体系对犬骨髓基质细胞增殖与分化的影响。 方法：采用复乳-溶剂挥发法制备重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸共聚物载药微球,然后将微球与纤维蛋白胶复合制备出重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸共聚物/纤维蛋白胶复合材料,采用细胞培养及组织化学等方法观察微球对犬骨髓基质细胞的增殖与分化的影响。 结果与结论：重组人骨形态发生蛋白2/聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸共聚物/纤维蛋白胶微球对骨髓基质细胞的增殖无明显影响,但对细胞的分化功能有明显的促进作用。说明纤维蛋白胶复合重组人骨形态发生蛋白2微球能够提高骨髓基质细胞的体外成骨能力,可作为骨形态发生蛋白的良好载体。     

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.