意外滑动过程中人体下肢关节与肌群的自主平衡调节作用研究

针对受扰条件下的步态失稳现象,国内外学者已做了一定的研究工作,但有关失稳过程中自主平衡行为与表面肌电信号及步态参数之间的表征关系却鲜有涉及。本文将步态分析与肌电信号分析相结合,研究在水平步道行走时,足跟着地后发生意外滑动的情况下,人体下肢关节和肌群的自主平衡调节机制。本文募集10位健康受试者,统一着鞋,采集分析了在干燥步道和油面步道两种不同行走条件下的下肢关节力矩、关节角度和主要参与肌群表面肌电信号等参数的变化规律。研究表明:发生意外滑动时人体通过增大踝关节背屈力矩、髋关节和膝关节伸直力矩与膝关节伸直角度,并及时调整相关肌肉激活延迟时间(依次激活胫骨前肌→股直肌→腓肠肌→股二头肌)来调节身体重心位置以维持平衡、避免滑倒。本文的研究结果可为防止滑跌损伤、康复训练以及下肢助行装置的研发等领域开拓新的思路并提供一定参考价值。     

幼儿不同跑步着地方式的生物力学特征

文题释义：跑：跑是双脚交替接触地面的周期性运动，但跑有一个双脚都离开地面的腾空期。幼儿在 1 岁多开始学习跑步，最初是走跑结合的移动方式，由于身体发育不完善，下肢力量弱，平衡能力差，容易摔倒；到 2.5岁，幼儿跑步的腾空阶段明显；到 6岁，早期跑步的特点基本消失。 着地方式：指的是人体在跑步着地阶段足部接触地面的方式，一般分为3种方式：分别为足跟着地(fore foot strike)，跟骨先接触地面；全足着地(mid foot strike)，全脚掌着地，即足跟与前足同时接触地面；前足着地(rear foot strike)：前足部首先接触地面。 背景：成年人跑步着地方式一直是国内外学者研究的重点，而幼儿跑步的着地方式也是不容忽视的内容。 目的：运用生物力学方法探究幼儿在跑步过程中，不同着地方式下的运动学和动力学指标的差异，为幼儿正确的跑步着地方式提供科学依据。 方法：在北京市海淀区某公立幼儿园中随机抽取幼儿74名，按年龄分为3岁组、4岁组、5岁组，采用BTS红外动作捕捉系统、Kistler三维测力台和VIXTA录像解析系统同步采集幼儿跑步过程中不同着地方式下的运动学、动力学数据；运用Anybody 5.2仿真建模软件计算下肢肌肉力量指标。试验前向受试者父母详细解释并签署知情同意书，试验方案符合北京师范大学的相关伦理要求。 结果与结论：①3岁组全足着地的比例最高，足跟着地的比例最低，5岁组全足着地的比例最低，足跟着地的比例最高；前足着地者的蹬伸时间大于足跟着地(P < 0.01)和全足着地(P < 0.05)；②着地时刻，踝屈曲角度足跟着地者大于前足着地(P < 0.01)和全足着地者(P < 0.05)，全足着地者大于前足着地(P < 0.05)；前足着地者髋内收-外展角度、最大髋内收-外展角、髋内-收外展的关节变化量及最大膝内收-外展角速度大于足跟着地(P < 0.01)和全足着地者(P < 0.05)；前足着地者的踝屈伸最小值大于足跟着地者(P < 0.05)，而最大髋内收-外展角速度小于足跟着地者(P < 0.05)；③足跟着地和全足着地者的腓骨短肌、腓骨长肌、第三腓骨肌的肌力大于前足着地者(P < 0.05)，前足着地者的股中间肌、股外侧肌下束、股外侧肌上束、股内侧肌下束、股内侧肌上束、股内侧肌中束肌力均大于足跟着地(P < 0.01)和全足着地者(P < 0.05)；④结果提示：在3-6岁阶段，幼儿多采用足跟或全足着地模式进行奔跑，以满足自己在跑步过程的稳定性，随着年龄的增长，逐渐出现前足着地方式的跑步模式；前足着地能够动用更多髋关节和膝关节额状面的运动来维持人体运动中的稳定，足跟着地和全足着地能够动用更多的小腿前侧和后侧的肌力，而前足着地动用更多的大腿前侧肌力。 ORCID: 0000-0002-8337-3931(赵盼超) 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建；骨细胞；软骨细胞；细胞培养；成纤维细胞；血管内皮细胞；骨质疏松；组织工程     

远红外陶瓷微珠干预后肌肉物理3种特性指标的变化

文题释义：肌肉伸展性：是指肌肉放松状态下的机械张力,描述肌肉处在动作和放松状态之间的恢复反复状况。伸展性高于正常值将会扰乱肌肉中的血流状况,因为肌肉中的血管越是收缩血液就越少回流到达肌肉,肌肉伸展性升高将导致疼痛、运动能力下降、过载和其他现象,但较低的伸展性又显示较低的运动能力和肌肉疲软无力,故此维持正常的肌肉伸展性意义重大。 肌肉弹性：是指肌肉工作后产生收缩形变回复到初始状态的能力,表现肌肉血流在运动中供给状况及所能提高运动速度的能力。运动中骨骼肌的血流供给是否充分表现在其外形在2次收缩的间隙能否迅速恢复到原来的初始状态,即骨骼肌必须具备良好的弹性才能保证良好的血流供给,弹性下降会明显加速肌肉疲劳,并且如果骨骼肌弹性有问题其运动速度必定也会受到制约。 背景：远红外光波治疗可促进血液快速流动、强化各组织间物质能量交换和促进骨骼肌微损伤快速恢复等能力,其中远红外陶瓷微珠为近年来运动理疗、康复领域一种崭新的功能康复材料。 目的：以远红外陶瓷微珠为干预手段,验证其对骨骼肌损伤后肌肉伸展性、肌肉硬度和肌肉弹性物理3特性指标的影响。 方法：选择年龄18-21岁各体育专业确诊为股后肌群损伤的男性在校学生为试验对象,通过筛选最终纳入20名受试者,随机数字表法分为2组,分别进行普通远红外治疗仪(对照组)与远红外陶瓷微珠干预治疗(试验组),每组10名受试者,连续干预2周。利用无创肌肉检测系统采集治疗前与治疗后第3,7,14天的股后肌肉伸展性、肌肉硬度和肌肉弹性数据。 结果与结论：①试验组治疗后3,7,14 d的肌肉伸展性大于治疗前(P < 0.05,P < 0.01),且治疗后14 d已恢复至健侧水平(P > 0.05);对照组仅治疗后14 d的肌肉伸展性大于治疗前(P < 0.05),但仍低于健侧(P < 0.05);试验组治疗后不同时间点的肌肉伸展性大于对照组(P < 0.05,P < 0.01);②试验组治疗后3,7,14 d的肌肉硬度大于治疗前(P < 0.05,P < 0.01),且治疗后14 d已恢复至健侧水平(P > 0.05);对照组仅治疗后14 d的肌肉硬度大于治疗前(P < 0.05),但仍低于健侧(P < 0.05);试验组治疗后不同时间点的肌肉硬度大于对照组(P < 0.05,P < 0.01);③试验组治疗后3,7,14 d的肌肉弹性大于治疗前(P < 0.05,P < 0.01),且治疗后14 d已恢复至健侧水平(P > 0.05);对照组仅治疗后14 d的肌肉弹性大于治疗前(P < 0.05),但仍低于健侧(P < 0.05);试验组治疗后不同时间点的肌肉弹性大于对照组(P < 0.05,P < 0.01);④结果表明,远红外陶瓷微珠干预可提高肌肉的伸展性、弹性,降低肌肉硬度,促进损伤肌肉的恢复。 ORCID: 0000-0002-9375-1940(何建伟) 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     

基于AnyBody仿真和肌电测试分析不同体质量指数男性青年球类运动中的生物力学特征

文题释义： Anybody仿真：使用数学建模技术模拟人体肌肉骨骼在不同载荷中的情况,计算各块肌肉和关节的受力、变形、肌腱的弹性能、拮抗肌肉运动和其他对于工作中的人体有用的特性,以计量方式计算出人体对于环境的反应,兼与人机工程学和生物力学分析,为人体运动建模、人机工程学产品性能改进和生物医学工程研究提供平台。 均方根振幅：是将振幅平方的平均值开平方,把振幅值平均然后开方,最原始的是针对正弦波推导出来的,但实际上对所有的波形都适用,均方根值(RMS)也称作为效值,表示在一段周期内,参加肌肉活动的肌肉瞬间肌电图振幅均方根值,是一定时间内肌电位值平方和的平方根。 背景：Anybody肌肉骨骼建模系统,使用数学建模技术模拟人体骨骼、肌肉和环境的关系,可对人体的逆向动力学进行研究,得出下肢三关节最大肌肉力等指标。 目的：研究24名不同体质量指数男大学生在坐瑞士球一个动作周期的下肢肌肉力值,及受试者在坐瑞士球与平凳的均方根肌电平均值对比情况。 方法：将24名男大学生按体质量指数分为正常组、超重组、肥胖组,用BTS三维红外动作捕捉系统、Kistler 三维测力台、BTS表面肌电测试系统,同步记录动力学和肌电参数,以单因素方差分析定性比较不同组间肌力和肌电参数差异,用定量差异分析法对比均值差异。 结果与结论：①肌肉力量方面,由坐到站过程中,正常组与肥胖组相比,股直肌、半膜肌、股二头肌长头、腘肌、比目鱼肌、胫骨前肌差异显著(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80),股方肌与耻骨肌的两组肌肉力差异极其显著(P < 0.01,QD≥0.80);超重组与肥胖组肌肉力相比,股方肌具有显著性差异(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80),由站到坐过程中,正常组与肥胖组相比,缝匠肌、拇长伸肌、腓肠肌肌肉力差异显著(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80);②均方根肌电值方面,坐平凳状态下,由坐到站过程中,正常组与肥胖组相比,股二头肌和腓肠肌差异显著(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80),由站到坐过程中,正常组与肥胖组相比,股直肌差异显著(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80);坐瑞士球状态下,由坐到站过程中,正常组与肥胖组相比,胫骨前肌、股二头肌差异显著(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80);由站到坐过程中,正常组与肥胖组相比,腓肠肌、右竖脊肌肌电值差异显著(P < 0.05,0.47≤QD<0.80)。提示：①各组由坐到站过程中主导发力肌肉是臀中肌、股外侧肌、股二头肌长头、股直肌、腓肠肌、胫骨前肌、比目鱼肌,由站到坐过程中下肢臀中肌、股外侧肌和股二头肌长头、腓肠肌、胫骨前肌、比目鱼肌主导发力;②与坐平凳相比,受试者在坐瑞士球时胫骨前肌、股直肌、股二头肌、腓肠肌均方根肌电值高。ORCID: 0000-0003-0520-5606(庞博) 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     

有跌倒史老年人坐立运动过程中的肌肉协同分析

目的 探讨有跌倒史的老年人坐立运动中肌肉募集机制是否发生变化。方法 招募17名健康年轻人、17名健康老年人及9名有跌倒史的老年人,采集右下肢16块肌肉的表面肌电信号(sEMG)和足底压力中心(COP)轨迹,使用Falls Efficacy Scale-International(FES-I)评估跌倒风险,通过非负矩阵分解(NNMF)提取肌肉协同。结果 3组在肌肉协同数量上无显著差异。有跌倒史老年人坐立运动初期,提前激活腘绳肌和踝关节跖屈肌,在运动的后期,这种提前激活转变为额外的肌肉活动,与健康组形成对比。此外,COP偏移量和FES-I评分显著增加,指示运动稳定性不足。结论 坐立运动中有跌倒史老年人腘绳肌和踝关节跖屈肌的异常激活可能影响下肢稳定和肌肉募集策略的改变。     

基于表面肌电的步态分析

背景：步态分析在人体运动系统和神经系统疾病的病因分析,诊断,功能、疗效与残疾评定中是重要的评价手段,其中肌肉活动是影响步行动力的基础因素。 目的：分析人体自然行走过程中下肢前后肌群的表面肌电变化,分析对应于步态周期不同时相前后肌群的表面肌电特征和机制。 方法：采用德国zebris FDM 步态分析系统(6 m)配套的同步肌电仪采集7例健康人正常步态过程中下肢胫骨前肌和腓肠肌外侧表面肌电信号,利用Matlab软件进行消噪和归一化,得到完整步态周期不同时相对应的表面肌电信号图,观察其峰值变化。采用芬兰ME6000肌电仪测试15 m自由行走人体左右侧下肢胫骨前肌和腓肠肌外侧表面肌电信号,提取时域和频域特征参数。 结果与结论：下肢胫骨前肌和腓肠肌外侧表面肌电信号在一个完整步态周期中呈特征性变化,即胫骨前肌表面肌电的峰值发生在后跟着地处,而腓肠肌外侧其峰值发生在中后支撑相处。进一步分析发现,人体在自由行走时其下肢肌肉优势侧与非优势侧差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05),且不同肌肉其差异趋势不同。     

体质量指数对全髋关节置换后早期髋关节功能恢复影响的三维步态分析

文题释义：三维步态分析系统：通过对利用摄像机得到的人体运动图像进行图像处理，来进行步态分析的技术及装置。以获取人体在各体态和运动下的生理、病理的力学和数学参数，进行人体各部位和机能检测，所检测的数据经进一步分析计算后可获得人体各部位(特别是关节)的受力状态，以及机械功、代谢能量消耗的情况。 体质量指数：是一个计算值，当需要比较及分析一个人的体质量对于不同高度的人所带来的健康影响时，体质量指数值是一个中立而可靠的指标。 背景：肥胖对全髋关节置换的影响已有学者进行讨论，但目前尚缺乏对不同体质量指数患者使用三维步态分析技术进行随访的研究。 目的：通过三维步态分析系统定量分析体质量指数对全髋关节置换后早期髋关节功能恢复的影响。 方法：选择大连大学附属中山医院关节外科2017年1月至2018年6月收治的全髋关节置换患者60例，根据入院时体质量指数分为超重组(体质量指数≥25 kg/m²)与正常组(体质量指数< 25 kg/m²)，每组30例。所有患者对检测方案均知情同意，且得到医院伦理委员会批准。收集患者的手术部位、年龄、性别、身高、体质量、手术时间等临床基本资料；术后6个月时使用三维步态分析技术采集时间-距离参数(步幅、步频、平均步速)、动力学参数及运动学参数对髋关节功能进行评价。 结果与结论：①2组在手术部位、性别比例及年龄方面差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)；但超重组手术时间明显长于正常组，差异有显著性意义(P=0.000)；②时间-距离参数方面，2组在步幅、步频及平均步速上差异虽无显著性意义，但超重组步幅(1.08±0.18) m小于正常组(1.35±1.45) m；③运动学参数中，超重组在髋关节各个面的活动范围均小于正常组，差异有显著性意义(P < 0.05)；④动力学参数方面，屈髋力矩峰值超重组小于正常组，差异有显著性意义(P=0.011)；伸髋力矩峰值2组差异无显著性意义(P=1.000)；⑤提示肥胖对全髋关节置换后早期功能恢复存在一定影响。 ORCID: 0000-0003-1824-687X(陈浩鹏) 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     

太极拳转体动作中下肢关节活动顺序性和肌肉力表现及肌肉激活特征

目的 分析太极拳转体与弓步动作中下肢关节活动顺序性、肌肉力表现和肌肉激活程度的差异,揭示太极拳转体动作的特征。 方法 募集 20 名练习时长超过 3 年的健康太极拳练习者,采用三维运动捕捉系统、测力台和表面肌电同步采集转体与弓步两种动作运动学、动力学和肌肉激活信息,并通过 OpenSim 仿真软件获取下肢肌力。结果 与弓步相比,转体动作髋、踝关节外旋幅度显著增大;膝关节外展和外旋力矩显著增大,股二头肌、半腱肌和内外侧腓肠肌峰值肌力显著增强,股二头肌、内外侧腓肠肌峰值肌力时刻显著提前,而股内外侧肌和胫骨前肌峰值肌力显著减小,胫骨前肌肌力最早达到峰值;股二头肌、股内外侧肌和内侧腓肠肌的平均激活水平和激活时间显著增加。 结论 太极拳转体动作由踝、髋关节依次转动组成,肌肉力表现的独特性在于重心两次转移致使支撑腿内外侧肌力曲线呈双峰型,因为全足着地延迟方式引发了腓肠肌与股四头肌激活顺序和肌肉平均激活水平改变。研究结果提示全足着地延迟方式具有调节肌肉激活顺序的作用,合理利用有助于提升临床康复效果。     

膝关节最大和次最大等速运动至疲劳过程中主动肌与拮抗肌肌电特征分析

背景：人体关节力量输出主要取决于关节周围主动肌与拮抗肌的激活效果,而拮抗肌通过共激活形式参与肢体活动,从而协助维持关节稳定性。但是肌肉不同收缩模式下拮抗肌共激活的不同中枢策略的报道较少。目的：观察健康受试者膝关节伸肌在最大和次最大等速运动至疲劳过程中主动肌与拮抗肌表面肌电信号的特征与差别。方法：对16名在校学生使用Biodex等速训练仪诱发下肢右侧膝关节伸肌等速屈伸运动直至疲劳,同时使用表面肌电仪采集单侧股内侧肌、股外侧肌以及股二头肌的表面肌电信号。分析时域指标均方根振幅百分比以及频域指标平均频率的变化规律。结果与结论：在膝关节最大等速屈伸运动中峰值力矩下降了40.3%(P < 0.05),主动肌活动先增加后下降(P < 0.05),而拮抗肌电活动保持不变。在次最大等速运动中峰值力矩平均下降了40.0%(P < 0.05),主动肌肌电活动逐渐增加(P < 0.05),而拮抗肌电活动先增加随后又降低。在指定的交互收缩屈伸运动中作为拮抗肌的股内和股外侧肌的均方根振幅和平均频率没有显著变化(P > 0.05)。结果提示,在不同强度的等速疲劳运动中中枢神经系统对主动肌和拮抗肌采取了不同神经支配策略。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程     

冲击载荷作用下运动员下肢动态响应的逆向动力学仿真

目的分析冲击载荷作用下羽毛球运动员下肢关节肌肉的动态响应变化。方法基于Any Body Modeling System软件建立人体肌骨模型,采用实测表面肌电信号进行验证,以运动捕捉系统和测力台测量数据进行模型驱动,对羽毛球右前场蹬跨步上网过程中下肢肌肉肌力、关节力和关节力矩进行逆向动力学仿真与分析。结果所建人体下肢肌骨模型经肌电信号验证有效。羽毛球蹬跨步上网过程中,髋、踝关节Z方向内力峰值显著高于X和Y方向内力峰值,而膝关节X方向内力峰值显著高于Y和Z方向内力峰值;缓冲期,髋关节X、Y、Z方向依次表现为内收力矩、伸髋力矩和内旋力矩,膝关节X、Y、Z方向依次表现为外展力矩、屈膝力矩、外旋力矩,踝关节X、Y方向依次表现为内翻力矩、跖屈力矩,且髋、膝、踝关节X方向力矩峰值显著高于Y和Z方向;股外侧肌、股二头肌、胫骨前肌、腓肠肌内侧在对抗地面冲击载荷时的肌力发挥较大,股直肌、半膜肌、比目鱼肌发挥的作用相对较小。结论建立的下肢肌骨模型可为冲击载荷作用下运动员下肢生物力学特性分析提供技术平台。为避免运动损伤,类似羽毛球前场蹬跨步上网冲击动作中尤其要重视触地瞬间地面反作用力载荷对髋、膝、踝关节前后及内外侧方向生物力学性质的影响,同时在对羽毛球运动员进行专项训练时切勿忽视对股外侧肌、股二头肌、胫骨前肌的专项力量发展。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

'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 in North Colombia Chimila Amerindians

HLA-A,-B,-C,-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles have been studied in Chimila Amerindians from Sabana de San Angel (North Colombian Coast) by using high resolution molecular typing. A frequent extended haplotype was found:HLA-A*24:02-B*51:10-C*15:02-BRB1*04:07-DQB1*03:02 (28.7%) which has also been described in Amerinndian Mayos Mexican population (Mexico, California Gulf, Pacific Ocean). Other haplotypes had already been found in Amerindians from Mexico (Pacific and Atlantic Coast), Peru (highlands and Amazon Basin), Bolivia and North USA. A geographic pattern according to HLA allele or haplotype frequencies is lacking in Amerindians, as already known. Also, five new extended haplotypes were found in Chimila Amerindians. Their HLA-A*24:02 high frequencies characteristic is shared with aboriginal populations of Taiwan; also, HLA-C*01:02 high frequencies are found in New Zealand Maoris, New Caledonians and Kimberly Aborigines from Australia. Finally, this study may show a model of evolutionary factors acting and rising one HLA allele frequency (-A*24:02), but not in others that belong to the same or different HLA loci.     

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.     

The universal muscular chamber. A basic unit of the genitourinary, cardiovascular, gastro-intestinal, skeletal, cutaneous, respiratory and other systems, endocameral hypertension; and spasm, the key to their idiopathic diseases and arthropathies

Starting with the integument, we see many organs are contractile sacs or multiples thereof, which tubes or bags constitute the major part of the entire body. Recognition of this basic unit and its characteristics sheds new light, individually and collectively, on many disorders previously considered unrelated. Muscular tears and perforations develop in the walls of these chambers, being no way peculiar to those organs, wherein, hydrochloric acid occurs. So, it is not necessary to explain the absence of excessive acid from patients who exhibit holes in the gastric, uterine, aortic, duodenal, rectal, pulmonary, retina, and other walls. Muscle, not acid is the great common factor relating idiopathic disorders in the gastrointestinal tract to each other and to similar diseases in other systems. When the units are linked together, the lesions tend to appear as arthropathies, i.e. at the joints. Rephrasing common-place observations, frees us from conventional, conceptual cul-de-sacs. An observation is only as good as its interpretation, so all possibilities must be considered, otherwise, we will remain blinded by our misconceptions.     

Der Einfluß von Nahrungsmitteln und Rauchen auf die klinisch-chemische Diagnostik von Phäochromozytom,Neuroblastom und Karzinoid-Syndrom

Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß von verschiedenen Nahrungsmitteln auf Methoden zur Bestimmung von Adrenalin (AD), Noradrenalin (NA), Vanillinmandelsäure (VMS), Metanephrinen (MN), Homovanillinsäure (HVS) und 5-Hydroxyindolessigsäure (5-HIE) im 24 h-Harn zur Diagnose des Phäochromozytoms bzw. Karzinoid-Syndroms wurde untersucht. Die in die Untersuchung einbezogenen Nahrungsmittel waren: Tee, Kaffee, Mandeln, Ananas, Käse, Walnüsse, Vanillepudding, Bananen, Tomaten und Milchschokolade. Außerdem wurde der Einfluß des Zigarettenrauchens auf die Bestimmung von AD, NA, VMS und MN untersucht.Walnüsse führten zu einer starken Erhöhung der 5-HIE-Ausscheidung. Bananen erhöhten die Ausscheidung von AD, NA, VMS, MN und 5-HIE. Kaffee und Ananas bewirkten eine geringe Zunahme der MN-Werte. Rauchen von 20–30 Zigaretten/Tag beeinflußte keine der vier Variablen.Wenn die beschriebenen Methoden benutzt werden, sollte lediglich auf den Verzehr von Bananen und Walnüssen vor und während der Harnsammelperioden verzichtet werden, da die oberen Normgrenzen im Harn überschritten werden könnten. Ein Verzicht auf Kaffee und Ananas in normalen Mengen ist nicht erforderlich. Es besteht kein Anlaß, weiterhin die bisherigen umfangreichen Restriktionen der übrigen Nahrungsmittel beizubehalten.