放线菌素D/TNF-α诱导大鼠肝干细胞凋亡及HGF的拮抗作用

目的 研究TNF-α、肝细胞生长因子(HGF)在肝干细胞的增殖、分化调控及凋亡中的作用。方法 用大鼠肝干细胞系WB F-344细胞进行实验，用MTT法检测细胞毒作用；用DNA凝胶电泳及流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡；用Western blot方法检测磷酸化MAPK及PI3K蛋白的表达。结果 发现TNF-α单独对WB F-344细胞无明显作用；而TNF-α对放线菌素D(ActD)致敏的WB F-344细胞有明显细胞毒作用。进一步，发现TNF-α能够诱导ActD致敏的WB F-344细胞发生凋亡，在作用9h即出现细胞凋亡(13．60％)，48h达高峰(51％)，并且这种凋亡呈剂量效应关系。我们还发现，HGF可以明显拮抗ActD／TNF-α诱导的WB F-344细胞凋亡，并且呈剂量效应关系。Western blot结果显示，HGF刺激后，磷酸化MAPK蛋白高表达，表明HGF激活了MAPK途径。我们进一步用PI3K特异的抑制剂WT阻断PI3K途径，发现HGF的抗凋亡作用被阻断；然而，用MAPK特异抑制剂U0126阻断MAPK途径后，却并不影响HGF的抗凋亡作用。结论 TNF-α能诱导ActD致敏的肝干细胞发生凋亡，而HGF则对这种细胞凋亡有明显的拮抗作用；虽然HGF能够激活PI3K及MAPK 2条途径，但其抗凋亡作用是由PI3K途径传导的。     

肝细胞生长因子拮抗放线菌素D诱导的肝细胞凋亡及机制探讨

目的： 探讨肝细胞生长因子（HGF）对放线菌素D (ActD)诱导HL7702肝细胞凋亡的拮抗作用及可能机制。 方法： 本实验采用HL7702正常人肝细胞株，MTT法检测ActD对肝细胞存活力的影响；Hoechst33342进行凋亡形态学染色；DNA凝胶电泳及流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡数量；Western blotting方法检测细胞总Akt及磷酸化Akt蛋白的表达。 结果： ActD可以诱导HL7702肝细胞凋亡，其浓度在0.25-8 mg/L范围内呈现剂量效应关系；PI3K特异性抑制剂wortmannin能够增强ActD诱导的肝细胞凋亡作用；肝细胞生长因子(HGF)对ActD诱导的肝细胞凋亡有拮抗作用，在一定剂量范围内呈现剂量效应关系；并且HGF能够激活PI3K/Akt信号转导途径；进一步用wortmannin阻断PI3K/Akt信号途径后，HGF的拮抗凋亡作用被抑制。 结论： 一定剂量的ActD可以诱导肝细胞凋亡；wortmannin能够增强ActD诱导肝细胞凋亡的作用；HGF对ActD诱导的这种细胞凋亡有明显的拮抗作用，并且HGF的抗凋亡作用与其激活细胞内PI3K/Akt信号转导通路有关。     

重组人促红细胞生成素与骨髓间充质干细胞的迁移及黏附

背景：促红细胞生成素可促进内皮祖细胞的增殖分化并增强其黏附性。 目的：观察重组人促红细胞生成素干预对人骨髓间充质干细胞迁移和黏附能力及相关细胞信号传导通路的影响。 方法：体外培养人骨髓间充质干细胞,使用重组人促红细胞生成素干预第6代人骨髓间充质干细胞。分别用PI3K/Akt通路特异抑制剂Ly294002或p38MAPK通路特异激动剂anisomycin或ERK1/2通路特异抑制剂U0126预处理。 结果与结论：重组人促红细胞生成素可使人骨髓间充质干细胞的PI3K/Akt通路磷酸化水平升高,抑制p38MAPK通路磷酸化水平,对人骨髓间充质干细胞的ERK通路和总Akt、总p38MAPK水平无明显影响。重组人促红细胞生成素作用组中迁移细胞数目显著高于对照组(P < 0.01),黏附细胞数亦明显增加(P < 0.01),PI3K/AKT通路特异抑制剂Ly294002预处理后重组人促红细胞生成素对迁移能力的作用消失,p38MAPK通路特异激动剂anisomycin预处理对两种作用影响均不明显。提示重组人促红细胞生成素具有增强人骨髓间充质干细胞迁移和黏附能力的作用,其增强迁移能力的作用与激活人骨髓间充质干细胞的PI3K/Akt通路有关,但是它对黏附能力的作用与PI3K/Akt和p38MAPK通路均无关。     

MAPK和caspase-3在异基因CD8+T淋巴细胞诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡中的作用

目的： 探讨MAPK和caspase-3在异基因CD8+T细胞诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：免疫磁珠阳性分选异基因CD8+T细胞,AnnexinⅤ/FITC试剂盒检测异基因CD8+T细胞诱导的HUVECs和HDMECs凋亡率,Western blotting检测血管内皮细胞内caspase-3、MAPK表达。观察SB203580 (p38MAPK抑制剂)、SP600125 (JNK抑制剂)、PD98059（ERK抑制剂）、Z-DEVD-FMK（caspase-3抑制剂）对内皮细胞凋亡的影响。结果：异基因CD8+T细胞作用24 h和48 h后,HUVECs凋亡率分别为41.7％±10.1％和29.4％±8.3％,HDMECs凋亡率分别为28.9％±7.2％和15.2％±4.8％,与对照组相比均具有显著差异（P<0.01）。异基因CD8+T细胞作用后,HUVECs和HDMECs内磷酸化p38MAPK表达、caspase-3裂解增强,而磷酸化JNK、ERK无明显变化。Z-DEVD-FMK和SB203580可显著抑制异基因CD8+T细胞诱导的HUVECs和HEMEC凋亡,并降低内皮细胞caspase-3表达。结论：p38MAPK和caspase-3介导了异基因CD8+T细胞诱导的血管内皮细胞凋亡。     

肺癌细胞A549中FAK通过下游PI3K/AKT途径抗失巢凋亡

目的 研究FAK调节肺癌细胞A549抗失巢凋亡的功能和信号通路。方法 应用光镜观察，Hoechst33342染核、电镜、Western Blot、RNA干涉技术、PI3K的抑制剂，对FAK调节肺癌细胞A549抗失巢凋亡的功能和信号通路进行研究。结果 发现肺癌细胞A549具有抗失巢凋亡的能力；A549细胞悬浮培养时，FAKtyr-397/861/925的活性随时间的延长逐渐增加又降低，磷酸化的PI 3K和AKT表现出与其一致的活性变化；通过RNA干涉实验发现干涉组比对照组细胞出现明显的凋亡现象，同时PI3K/AKT的磷酸化水平下降；PI3K的抑制剂组比对照组出现更多的凋亡细胞。结论 FAK在肺癌细胞A549抗失巢凋亡中发挥了重要作用，其抗失巢凋亡的机制是通过激活下游PI3K/AKT通路来实现的。     

p38 MAPK- Pim-3通路可能介导预处理对抗心肌细胞缺氧/复氧损伤

目的： 研究MAPK通路在原癌基因Pim-3抗心肌急性缺氧复氧损伤中的作用。方法：采用原代培养新生大鼠的心肌细胞,随机分为4组：正常对照组（control）、缺氧复氧组(A/R)、缺氧预适应组(APC+A/R)、阻断剂组。在缺氧预处理前分别用终浓度为10 μmol/L SB203850(p38 MAPK阻断剂)、U0126（ERK1/2阻断剂）、SP600125（SAPK/JNK阻断剂）与细胞孵育30 min。实验结束后测定MAPKs通路中ERK1/2、JNK、p38 MAPK 磷酸化蛋白表达水平及Pim-3蛋白的表达水平,同时检测培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH) 活性、四唑盐（MTT）比色试验测定细胞存活率、TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡。结果： SB203850、U0126、SP600125能分别取消由APC或A/R所诱导ERK1/2、JNK、p38 MAPK的磷酸化水平的升高;由APC所诱导的Pim-3表达的升高在p38 MAPK通路被阻断后明显下调(P<0.01),并且心肌细胞LDH值升高,细胞存活率则下降,心肌细胞的凋亡指数升高。结论： p38 MAPK的激活可上调原癌基因Pim-3的表达,从而可能对心肌细胞起到保护作用。     

MAPK/AKT在三氧化二砷诱导Jurkat淋巴瘤凋亡中的表达及意义

目的探讨MAPK/AKT在三氧化二砷(arsenic trioxide,As_2O_3)诱导Jurkat淋巴瘤凋亡中的表达及意义。方法 Jurkat淋巴瘤给予10μmol/L As_2O_3培养24 h、48 h和72 h后,细胞计数CCK-8法检测Jurkat淋巴瘤细胞的存活率;Caspase-3活性检测试剂盒检测细胞凋亡蛋白Caspase-3活性;Real-Time PCR法和Western blot法检测Jurkat淋巴瘤中p38、JNK、ERK和AKT的基因和磷酸化蛋白表达水平。结果与对照组相比,三氧化二砷治疗组中Jurket淋巴瘤细胞存活率显著降低,而Caspase-3活性显著增加,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组相比,三氧化二砷治疗组中p38和JNK mRNA水平和磷酸化蛋白表达含量均明显增加,ERK mRNA水平和磷酸化蛋白表达无明显变化,而AKT mRNA水平和磷酸化蛋白的表达含量均明显下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论三氧化二砷可以显著抑制Jurkat淋巴瘤细胞生长,诱导细胞凋亡的发生,且MAPK/AKT信号通路在此过程中起到重要作用。     

丙酮酸通过抑制p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)磷酸化减轻低氧对PC12细胞的损伤北大核心CSCD

目的观察丙酮酸对低氧诱导神经细胞损伤的保护作用及机制。方法采用丙酮酸处理PC12细胞,10 m L/L O2的低氧环境暴露12、24、48 h。MTT法观察细胞增殖情况,检测胱天蛋白酶3(caspase-3)活性观察细胞凋亡情况,ELISA检测白细胞介素1β(IL-1β)、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的水平,Western blot法检测p38丝裂原激活蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)、磷酸化的p38MAPK(p-p38MAPK)蛋白水平。结果低氧暴露24、48 h,抑制PC12细胞增殖,caspase-3活性增强,IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和p-p38MAPK水平增高;丙酮酸处理可显著增加PC12细胞增殖,减少细胞凋亡,降低IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α水平,抑制p38MAPK的磷酸化水平。结论丙酮酸通过抑制p38MAPK的磷酸化而抑制低氧暴露引起PC12细胞炎症因子的表达,对低氧暴露导致的神经元损伤起保护作用。     

p38及PI3K在结核杆菌抗原再刺激诱导人γδT细胞凋亡信号转导中的作用

目的：建立结核杆菌抗原（Mtb-Ag）再刺激活化的人γδT细胞凋亡模型；应用信号分子阻断剂观察p38及PI3K信号传导途径在Mtb-Ag再刺激诱导γδT细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：用3种浓度Mtb-Ag分别再刺激培养15～25天的Mtb-Ag激活的人T细胞（MtbAT）24小时后，应用Annexin-V-FITC／PI染色流式细胞术（FCM）检测γδT细胞凋亡；用Mtb-Ag（10．0μg／ml）分别再刺激MtbAT3、6、12和24小时后，观察γδT细胞凋亡情况；预先用SB203580（p38途径抑制剂）及LY294002（PI3K途径抑制剂）分别处理MtbAT60分钟，观察Mtb-Ag（10．0μg／m1）再刺激3小时后γδT细胞凋亡情况。结果：与对照组相比，10．0和20．0μg／ml MtbAg均显著诱导γδT细胞凋亡（P〈0．01），凋亡细胞比例分别增加35．63％及38．83％，且此二种浓度MtbAg在诱导γδT细胞凋亡方面无显著性差异（P〉0．05）；与对照组相比，10．0μg/ml Mtb-Ag再刺激MtbAT3、6、12和24小时均可显著诱导γδT细胞凋亡（P〈0．01），凋亡细胞比例在44．21％～51．76％之间；且Mtb-Ag再刺激MtbAT3小时实验组与再刺激MtbAT 24小时实验组相比，在诱导γδT细胞凋亡方面无显著性差异（P〉0．05），后者的凋亡细胞比例仅比前者增加7．55％；Mtb-Ag再刺激诱导γδT细胞凋亡可被SB203580（80．0μmol／L）及LY294002（10．0μmol／L）抑制，凋亡抑制率分别为91．6％及43．1％。结论：采用Mtb-Ag（10．0μg／m1）再刺激活化的γδT细胞3小时的方法，可建立Mtb-Ag再刺激活化的人γδT细胞凋亡模型；信号分子阻断剂的实验证明，p38途径及PI3K途径均参与了Mtb-Ag再刺激已活化γδT细胞凋亡过程。     

PI3K和MAPK信号通路对A549细胞FOXO1蛋白表达及其亚细胞定位的调节

目的探讨非小细胞肺癌中磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶(PI3K)/AKT和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶MAPK/ERK信号通路对Forkhead转录因子(Fox蛋白家族)FOXO1活性的影响及分子机制。方法体外培养人非小细胞肺癌系A549,分别选用PI3K/AKT信号通路特异性抑制剂LY294002和MAPK/ERK信号通路特异性抑制剂UO126及两种抑制剂联合处理细胞之后,MTT比色法检测其对细胞增殖的影响;Western blot检测蛋白FOXO1、p-FOXO1及信号下游蛋白Bim表达的变化;免疫荧光法检测FOXO1蛋白在A549细胞中亚细胞的定位的变化。结果与对照组相比,LY294002和UO126都能明显地抑制A549细胞的增殖,且具有时间依赖性。Western blot结果显示,FOXO1的蛋白水平未见显著性变化,而FOXO1的磷酸化水平明显下降,Bim的表达相应增加。免疫荧光结果显示,FOXO1在A549细胞中的核转位增多。LY294002和UO126联合处理A549细胞时,较药物单独作用效果明显增加。结论 PI3K/AKT和MAPK/ERK信号通路能调节FOXO1磷酸化水平,且具有协同作用,抑制其转录活性。FOXO1通过激活Bim蛋白,促进细胞凋亡,抑制细胞的增殖。     

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.