单核细胞影响NK细胞抗K562细胞活性的实验研究

目的探讨单核细胞(MO)呼吸爆发过程中产生的反应性氮代谢物(RNM)、反应性氧代谢物(ROM)的情况及其对NK细胞抗K562细胞活性的影响。方法在NK+K562混合细胞培养体系中,观察加入MO或/和IL-2/PHA前后RNM、ROM产量、KIR及TNF-β、IFN-γ产量的相应变化。再观察加入二氢氯组胺、硫普罗宁后上述各指标的变化情况。结果①在NK+K562混合培养体系中,加入IL-2/PHA后,KIR逐渐升高;当按E/MO=10/2、10/5、10/10比例加入MO后,RNM、ROM产量随着MO数量的增加而增加,而TNF-β、IFN-γ的产量和KIR反而降低。对K562细胞数量作偏相关分析,RNM与KIR的负相关系数大于ROM。②加入药物后,ROM产量明显下降,KIR和TNF-β、IFN-γ产量明显升高,硫普罗宁还降低RNM的产量,但二氢氯组胺无效。结论①MO可通过产生ROM、RNM降低NK细胞的活性,抑制NK细胞抗K562细胞效应;②RNM对NK细胞的影响可能比ROM更强。③硫普罗宁通过清除ROM、RNM,可逆转MO对NK细胞的抑制作用。     

两种不同HLA-B分子对NK细胞表面受体表达的研究

目的：探讨两种HLA-B分子(HLA-B51和HLA—B39)对NK细胞表面活化性受体CDl6和抑制性受体KIR3DL1表达的调节。方法：采用流式细胞仪检测NK细胞分别与转染HLA-BSl和HLA-B39分子的K562细胞相互作用后，CD16和KIR3DL1的表达情况。结果：外周血淋巴细胞与K562细胞作用24小时后，CD56 CD16 细胞数、KIR3DL1 细胞数均明显增加。与表达HLA-B39的K562细胞相比，表达HLA-B51的K562细胞与外周血淋巴细胞作用后，CD56 CD16 细胞数、KIR3DL1 细胞数均明显下降。结论：NK细胞杀伤靶细胞时，活化性受体CD16表达上调后会伴有抑制性受体KIR3DL1的上调；HLA-B51分子表达在K562细胞后，表达外源性HLA-B51分子的K562细胞与NK细胞作用，NK细胞表面受体KIR3DL1的表达可下调，同时伴有CD16的表达下调。     

云芝多糖增强人NK细胞杀伤功能的体外研究

目的探讨云芝多糖(PSK)对体外培养的人自然杀伤(NK)细胞杀伤功能的影响。方法采集健康成年人外周血,分离单个核细胞(PBMC),加入含白细胞介素(IL)-2的NK细胞培养液。培养第10天时加入不同质量浓度(100、75、50、25、10、5μg/m L)的PSK诱导NK细胞48 h,收集细胞检测。用CCK-8法检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞仪检测诱导前后NK细胞穿孔素、颗粒酶B、CD107a及NKG2D受体表达(PSK诱导为实验组,同时设不加药物及无细胞的空白对照孔为对照组)。通过CCK-8法检测对红白血病细胞株K562细胞的杀伤活性:取质量浓度25μg/m L PSK诱导48 h后NK细胞,调整细胞浓度至1×10~9/L作为效应细胞;调整红白血病肿瘤细胞株K562细胞浓度至5×10~7/L,按效靶比为5∶1、10∶1、20∶1、40∶1、80∶1的比例混合培养于96孔板内,同时设单独效应细胞孔、单独靶细胞孔(实验组)和空白孔(对照组)。结果培养10 d后NK细胞纯度达到78.70%左右。经PSK诱导48 h后,NK细胞的增殖及功能具有一定浓度依赖性,PSK质量浓度在25μg/m L对NK细胞的增殖率(51.62%±3.20%)最为明显(P0.01),之后逐渐下降。在质量浓度0~100μg/m L可以促进NK细胞的生长和增加NK细胞表面穿孔素、颗粒酶B、CD107a和NKG2D受体表达,以及增强对红白血病细胞株K562细胞的杀伤活性;尤其是当PSK质量浓度为25μg/m L时,颗粒酶B、穿孔素、NKG2D和CD107a表达为55.42%±2.34%、70.49%±1.87%、83.45%±1.77%和85.00%±2.02%,显著高于对照组(25.83%±1.31%、40.79%±1.59%、70.66%±2.39%和72.79%±2.31%)(P0.01)。在效靶比80∶1时,实验组杀伤活性为57.63%±3.42%,高于对照组(24.78%±2.47%)(P0.01)。结论 PSK在一定质量浓度下能促进NK细胞的生长,且增强NK细胞的杀伤功能。     

二氢青蒿素对K562细胞BCR/ABL融合基因表达的影响及意义

目的 探讨二氢青蒿素( dihydroartemisinin,DHA)对白血病细胞K562 BCR/ABL融合基因表达的影响及意义.方法 采用噻唑蓝比色方法检测不同浓度的DHA对于K562细胞的增殖抑制作用,并计算不同培养时间点的抑制率.用逆转录PCR检测K562细胞处理前后BCR/ABL融合基因的表达变化,流式细胞仪检测K562细胞的凋亡情况.结果 DHA(10～160 μmol/L)能抑制K562细胞的增殖,随着浓度增加抑制作用明显增强,培养24 h后抑制率从52.76％增加到94.65％;用浓度为20μmol/L的DHA对K562细胞作用12～48 h后,逆转录PCR检测BCR/ABL融合基因表达,△Ct值为4.45±0.25和5.23±0.21.与对照组(4.23±0.21)相比,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 DHA可通过影响BCR/ABL融合基因的表达抑制K562细胞的增殖.这可能是导致K562细胞凋亡的原因之一.     

小干扰RNA下调白血病细胞X连锁凋亡抑制蛋白的表达及其对化疗药物敏感性的影响

目的 探讨小干扰RNA(siRNA)下调白血病MOLT-4、HL-60、K562细胞的白血病细胞X连锁凋亡抑制蛋白(XIAP)的表达对化疗药物敏感性的影响.方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western免疫印迹检测MOLT-4、HL-60、K562细胞及健康人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)XIAP mRNA和XIAP蛋白表达水平.用NucleofectorTM核酸转染仪对高表达XIAP的K562细胞转染XIAP siRNA(实验组),同时以转染无同源性siRNA作阴性对照组,未转染任何siRNA的K562细胞作空白对照组,并检测3组细胞XIAP mRNA和XIAP蛋白表达水平.同时将实验组、阴性及空白对照组细胞暴露于不同浓度的依托泊苷(vp-16,0.01、0.1、1、10、100mg/L)及阿糖胞苷(Ara-c,0.1、1、10、100、1000、10 000mg/L),用CCK-8法检测细胞抑制率变化.结果 与健康人PBMC比较,MOLT-4、HL-60、K562细胞XIAPmRNA及蛋白表达均增高(均P＜0.05),其中K562细胞XIAPmRNA及蛋白表达水平最高,与MOLT-4、HL-60细胞比较差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05).K562细胞转染XIAP siRNA48 h后,与阴性对照组、空白对照组比较,实验组细胞XIAP mRNA及蛋白表达水平均明显下降(mRNA:0.37±0.10比1.41±0.13比1.00±0.12,蛋白:0.37±0.03比0.99±0.08比0.98±0.07,均P＜0.05).在给予1 mg/L vp-16、10及100 mg/L的Ara-c后,实验组细胞抑制率与阴性对照组、空白对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05);在给予其他浓度vp-16和Ara-c后,3组细胞抑制率差异均无统计学意义(均P＞0.05).结论 XIAP siRNA能特异性下调K562细胞XIAPmRNA和蛋白质水平的表达,增强K562细胞对化疗药物依托泊苷、阿糖胞苷的敏感性.     

索拉非尼联合柔红霉素对白血病K562细胞的抑制作用

目的:探讨小分子Raf激酶抑制剂索拉非尼(sorafenib)联合柔红霉素(DNR)对白血病细胞K562及U937的抑制作用及可能的分子机制。方法:MTT法测定索拉非尼和柔红霉素单独作用于K562和U937细胞的抑制率及DNR IC10联合不同浓度索拉非尼作用于K562及U937的联合抑制率;流式细胞AnnexinⅤ/PI法测定单药及联合用药后K562细胞的凋亡率以及Hoechst33258染色法观察单药及联合作用后细胞凋亡形态的改变;West-ern blotting法测定索拉非尼、DNR及U0126对K562及U937p-ERK1/2的影响;根据金氏方程证明2种药物联合抑制率及凋亡是否有协同作用。结果:MTT法测定索拉非尼联合DNR对K562及U937均有协同抑制作用(q1.15,P0.01);流式细胞AnnexinⅤ/PI和Hoechst33258染色法,均证明索拉非尼联合柔红霉素能联合诱导K562细胞凋亡(q1.15,P0.05),两者有明显的一致性;K562细胞的基础pERK1/2蛋白水平明显高于U937细胞(P0.01),索拉非尼和U0126都能够显著抑制K562细胞p-ERK1/2水平;U0126联合DNR存在协同抑制K562细胞的作用。结论:索拉非尼联合DNR作用于白血病细胞K562、U937存在协同抑制及凋亡诱导作用;DNR对U937的抑制作用明显高于K562;索拉非尼对K562的敏感性高于U937细胞;索拉非尼可能通过下调p-ERK1/2水平增加柔红霉素抗白血病细胞的效应。     

MSCs分泌的肝细胞生长因子对人髓系白血病细胞系K562及其耐药株K562/G01增殖及药物敏感性的影响

目的研究骨髓造血微环境中间充质干细胞(MSCs)分泌的肝细胞生长因子(HGF)对人白血病细胞K562及其耐药珠K562/G01细胞增殖及药物敏感性的影响。方法采用细胞贴壁法获取MSCs,选用人慢性髓系白血病急性红白血病变细胞系K562及其耐药系K562/G01。K562、K562/G01细胞分别与白血病患儿MSCs黏附共培养,实验组为加HGF抗体组,对照组加入等量培养液,通过显微镜观察白血病细胞在MSCs层上的黏附情况并计算黏附率,MTT法检测白血病细胞增殖情况,流式细胞仪测定白血病细胞周期。在共培养各组中加入伊马替尼孵育48 h后,流式细胞仪检测白血病细胞凋亡率。结果实验组中MSCs对K562和K562/G01细胞的黏附率分别为32. 4%±3. 2%和38. 1%±4. 8%,均分别低于对照组的51. 6%±3. 6%和62. 2%±4. 9%(P0. 05)。实验组中K652和K562/G01细胞的A值分别为(0. 310 2±0. 039 0)和(0. 324 6±0. 035 8),均分别低于对照组的(0. 521 6±0. 046 7)和(0. 590 8±0. 003 4)(P0. 05)。实验组中K652及K562/G01细胞处于G0/G1期的细胞比例均高于对照组,而处于S期的细胞比例低于对照组(P0. 05)。加入伊马替尼孵育48 h后白血病细胞凋亡情况:实验组中存活细胞比例低于对照组中存活细胞比例(P0. 05)。结论 HGF可通过影响细胞黏附及细胞周期促进K562及K562/G01细胞存活与增殖,并降低伊马替尼对白血病细胞的杀伤作用。     

低浓度丰加霉素对人白血病K562细胞集落形成抑制作用的机制研究

目的 初步探讨低浓度丰加霉素对人白血病K562细胞集落形成抑制作用的机制.方法 甲基纤维素集落形成实验检测低浓度丰加霉素对人白血病K562细胞集落形成能力的影响;CCK-8法检测低浓度丰加霉素对K562细胞的生长抑制率;AnnexinV/PI双染流式细胞仪检测低浓度丰加霉素作用下的K562细胞凋亡率;PI 单染流式细胞仪检测药物作用后细胞的周期分布改变;Western免疫印迹和实时定量PCR检测周期相关分子表达水平变化.结果 低浓度丰加霉素对人白血病K562细胞具有较强的集落形成抑制作用;可明显抑制K562细胞的生长,呈时间-剂量依赖性;尽管短时间(48 h)的药物处理仅出现轻度的细胞凋亡和周期阻滞,但10 nmol/L和30 nmol/L的丰加霉素长时间(7 d)作用后,K562细胞G0/G1期比例分别是(62.3±1.7)%和(76.9±0.7)%,与对照组(38.9±1.1)%相比差异具有高度统计学意义(P＜0.01);低浓度丰加霉素长时间作用后诱导K562细胞周期相关分子P16蛋白水平和转录水平的高表达.结论 丰加霉素在低浓度,长时间作用于人白血病K562细胞后,具有较强的集落形成抑制和生长抑制作用,此作用可能与诱导细胞周期相关分子p16高表达,导致细胞G0/G1期阻滞有关.     

K652重组表达IL-6基因对NK细胞表型和功能的影响

目的:为了研究表达IL-6的重组K562细胞对自然杀伤细胞(NK)细胞的扩增数量、表型和功能的影响。方法:根据人类IL-6 c DNA的5'端序列,设计PCR引物以K562细胞c DNA文库的DNA为模板进行扩增,表达,转染,在K562细胞上表达IL-6基因,构建重组的K562工程细胞作为刺激细胞,以人外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)为扩增培养对象,使NK细胞在体外培养条件下得到大量的扩增。流式细胞仪分析NK细胞表型。将NK细胞作用到K562细胞,对其杀伤性进行功能分析,51Cr释放实验检测NK细胞对K562细胞杀伤水平的影响。结果:成功构建了表达IL-6的重组K562细胞,和PBMC共同孵育后,培养体系经过21 d的刺激后,IL-6重组K562细胞诱导PBMC扩增,CD56+CD16+CD3-细胞数量比诱导前扩增了(760±18)倍,CD56+CD16+CD3-细胞的纯度从培养前占PBMC的6%±0.4%,扩增后第3组结果比未扩增的多了91%±2%。细胞毒实验表明,在NK效应细胞∶K562靶细胞为5∶1时,扩增的NK细胞的杀伤率达到了92%±2%。结论:本方法以重组K562为刺激细胞,能够实现NK细胞体外的大规模制备,建立了优化的NK细胞体外扩增方法,且扩增的细胞杀伤K562细胞的活性较好。对于NK的大量扩增和应用于临床具有重要的指导意义。     

同种异体NK细胞对不同肿瘤细胞的体外杀伤活性及其机制的初步探讨

为了观察同种异体NK细胞对不同肿瘤细胞的体外杀伤活性,并初步探讨其分子机制。以K562细胞为对照,应用LDH释放法检测不同效靶比时同种异体NK细胞杀伤CNE2、KG1a和U251细胞的活性。应用RT-PCR和流式细胞仪分别检测4种细胞MHCI类链相关分子(MICA/B)和人巨细胞病毒糖蛋白UL16结合蛋白(ULBP1~3)基因和分子的表达情况。效靶比20∶1时用AMO-1、BMO-1、M295、M310和M551单抗分别阻断肿瘤细胞表面MICA、MICB、ULBP1、ULBP2和ULBP3分子,观察NK细胞对其杀伤活性的变化。结果:NK细胞对K562、CNE2和KG1a细胞均有杀伤活性,对U251细胞无杀伤活性。在mRNA水平4种细胞均表达MICA/B和ULBP1~3基因。K562细胞表达MICA/B和ULBP1~3全部分子;KG1a和U251细胞均不表达5种分子;CNE2细胞表达MICA/B和ULBP2,不表达ULBP1和ULBP3。CNE2、KG1a和U251细胞均高表达HLAI分子,而K562细胞不表达。用单抗分别阻断靶细胞表面相应的NKG2D配体分子,NK细胞对KG1a和U251细胞的杀伤活性无变化。NK细胞对K562和CNE2细胞的杀伤活性可部分被封闭。同种异体NK细胞在体外对不同肿瘤细胞的杀伤活性不同,其杀伤机制也不完全相同。     

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.