4种中药提取物对尘肺结核患者感染的耐多药结核分枝杆菌感染小鼠细胞免疫的影响

目的 探讨猫爪草、苦参、夏枯草及狼毒4种中药提取物对尘肺结核患者感染的耐多药结核分枝杆菌(multiple drugs resistant bacillus tuberculosis,MDR-TB)感染小鼠免疫功能的调节作用.方法 采用MDR-TB菌液灌胃制备小鼠MDR-TB感染模型,将60只健康雄性小鼠随机分为6组,每组10只.正常组标准饲料喂养,模型组灌服生理盐水,其他4组分别灌服4种中药提取物,采用ELISA法检测小鼠血清中与结核免疫密切相关的细胞因子IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10和IL-12含量的变化,同时分离出外周血单个核细胞( PBMC),抽提全部RNA,采用RT-PCR法检测PBMC中IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-10、IL-12及颗粒裂解肽(GLS)的mRNA变化.结果 猫爪草、苦参、夏枯草及狼毒4组小鼠血清中的IFN-γ含量依次为(2.01 ±0.73) pg/ml、(1.92±0.56) pg/ml、(1.98±0.67) pg/ml和(1.94±0.59) pg/ml,IL-4为(6.01±1.46) pg/ml、(6.12±1.35) pg/ml、( 6.47± 1.46) pg/ml和(6.15±1.44)pg/ml,IL-10为(12.09±3.07) pg/ml、( 12.45±4.01) pg/ml、(12.13±3.43) pg/ml和(12.54±3.78)pg/ml,IL-12为(2.99±0.89) pg/ml、(2.75±0.84) pg/ml、(3.02±0.86) pg/ml和(2.89±0.75) pg/ml.与模型组比较,IFN-γ、IL-12含量明显升高,IL-4、IL-10含量明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),尤其以猫爪草提取物的调节作用最为显著;在mRNA表达水平上,4种中药提取物组小鼠PBMC中IFN-γ、IL-12、GLS表达明显升高,IL-4、IL-10 mRNA表达明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P＜O.05或P＜0.01).结论 4种中药提取物均可明显增强小鼠的细胞免疫功能,其对免疫的调节作用是在基因转录水平上发挥作用的,从而为临床应用治疗尘肺结核提供了理论依据.     

毛细支气管炎患儿血清IL-4,IgE测定及与哮喘的相关性研究

目的观察毛细支气管炎患儿血清IL-4,IgE的变化.方法测定36例支气管哮喘发作期,42例毛细支气管炎,36例支气管肺炎患儿血清IL-4,IgE水平.结果毛细支气管炎患儿血清IL-4,IgE水平(分别为141.67±44.97pg/ml,124.76±50.45IU/ml)介于哮喘组(分别为19I.64±38.87pg/ml,199.87±65.63IU/ml)与肺炎组(分别为55.44±27.96pg/ml,79.01±69.28IU/ml)之间,有显著性差异(P均＜0.01).结论毛细支气管炎和哮喘可能存在着相同或相似的免疫学发病机制.     

安脑片对aGVHD小鼠Th1/Th2细胞的调节作用

目的:观察中药安脑片对aGVHD小鼠的Th1/Th2细胞的调节作用。方法:清洁级BALB/c雄性小鼠作为供鼠,以清洁级C57BL/6雌性小鼠为受鼠,建立aGVHD模型;C57BL/6小鼠在移植前进行60Co全身照射,剂量为9.0 Gy,照射后4小时内尾静脉输注BALB/c雄性小鼠的骨髓细胞8×107个/只+脾细胞8×107个/只。造模成功后,随机分为安脑片组和空白组。移植后第30天杀鼠取材,取眶静脉血并制备肝脏标本,ELISA法检测小鼠血清IFN-γ及IL-10水平,免疫组化法检测肝脏组织IFN-γ及IL-10的阳性表达。结果:安脑片组小鼠血清IFN-γ的表达治疗前为(9.67±0.88)pg/ml,治疗后降至(4.81±0.87)pg/ml,IL-10的表达在治疗前为(3.81±0.55)pg/ml,治疗后升至(8.16±0.92)pg/ml。免疫组化的结果也显示小鼠肝脏组织IFN-γ及IL-10的表达改善明显,治疗后小鼠IFN-γ的表达评分降为1.27±0.46,IL-10的表达评分升至3.73±0.46,与治疗前相比差异显著(P=0.000)。结论:安脑片可有效改善小鼠aGVHD效应并调节Th1/Th2细胞因子的平衡。     

发酵乳杆菌干预对牛乳β-乳球蛋白过敏小鼠模型的免疫调节作用

目的观察活的/热致死发酵乳杆菌对牛乳β-乳球蛋白(BLG)致敏小鼠Th1/Th2细胞平衡、血清抗体水平及T淋巴细胞亚群数量的影响,探讨其缓解过敏反应的作用。方法用牛乳BLG和弗氏佐剂的混合液腹腔注射诱发Balb/c小鼠致敏,建立动物过敏模型。将实验动物随机分为空白组、致敏组、活的与热致死发酵乳杆菌组。采用ELISA法测定各组小鼠血清总IgE和BLG特异性IgE含量。体外分离培养各组小鼠脾淋巴细胞,采用ELISA法检测细胞上清液中Thl型细胞因子(IL-12、IFN-γ)和Th2型细胞因子(IL-4)的水平,采用流式细胞术检测脾淋巴细胞中CD3+、CD4+和CD8+的百分含量。结果与致敏组相比,活的/热致死发酵乳杆菌组小鼠的IFN-γ/IL-4比值(代表Thl/Th2细胞平衡)显著增高(P<0.05);血清总IgE和BLG特异性IgE水平显著降低(P<0.05);脾淋巴细胞中的CD4+细胞比例升高,CD4+/CD8+比值得到优化。特别是热致死的发酵乳杆菌组抑制IL-4分泌的效果显著优于活菌组(P>0.05),且该组的抗体水平和CD4+/CD8+比值与空白组相比无差异(P>0.05)。结论发酵乳杆菌干预可改善小鼠的BLG过敏症状,其作用可能与促进Thl占优势的Thl/Th2细胞平衡,阻断IgE分泌及平衡T淋巴细胞亚群数量相关。     

热致死发酵乳杆菌对牛乳β-乳球蛋白过敏小鼠的免疫调节作用

目的:观察热致死的发酵乳杆菌对牛乳β-乳球蛋白(BLG)致敏小鼠Th1/Th2细胞平衡、血清抗体水平及T细胞亚群数量的影响,探讨其缓解过敏反应的作用。方法:用牛乳BLG和弗氏佐剂的混合液腹腔注射诱发BALB/c小鼠致敏,建立动物过敏模型。将实验动物随机分为空白组、致敏组和不同剂量的热致死发酵乳杆菌组。采用ELISA法测定各组小鼠血清总IgE、BLG特异性IgE和总IgG含量。体外分离培养各组小鼠脾细胞,采用ELISA法检测细胞上清液中Th1型细胞因子(IL-12、IFN-γ)和Th2型细胞因子(IL-4)水平,采用流式细胞术检测脾淋巴细胞中CD3+、CD4+和CD8+T百分含量。结果:发酵乳杆菌组小鼠脾细胞培养上清液中IFN-γ/IL-4比值为13.53,显著高于致敏组的3.34(P<0.05);血清总IgE、BLG特异性IgE和总IgG水平显著降低(P<0.05);脾细胞中CD3+和CD4+T细胞比例升高,CD4+/CD8+比值趋近正常组。特别是高剂量的热致死发酵乳杆菌组小鼠脾细胞培养上清液中抑制IL-4分泌的效果显著优于致敏组(P>0.05),且该组小鼠血清的抗体水平和CD4+/CD8+比值与空白组相比无差异(P>0.05)。结论:热致死的发酵乳杆菌干预可改善小鼠的BLG过敏症状,其作用可能与促进Th1占优势的Th1/Th2细胞平衡,阻断IgE、IgG分泌及平衡T细胞亚群数量相关。     

D-半乳糖致衰老小鼠脾脏T细胞亚群的改变及其意义

目的:探讨D-半乳糖所致亚急性衰老小鼠脾脏T细胞亚群的改变及其意义。方法:运用100 g/L D-半乳糖溶液建立小鼠亚急性衰老模型,并对此衰老模型进行生物学鉴定。ELISA检测模型小鼠血清中IFN-γ和IL-4的含量;流式细胞术检测模型小鼠脾脏中初始、活化及调节性T细胞相关分子的改变。结果:模型组小鼠血清中IFN-γ和IL-4含量分别为(82.93±2.74)pg/mL和(125.41±3.16)pg/mL,与对照组[(125.41±3.16)pg/mL和(8.28±2.47)pg/mL]相比含量降低(P<0.01)。脾脏中初始T细胞相关分子CD45RA表达下降[模型组:(4.46±1.21)%,对照组:(7.38±1.03)%,P<0.01];活化T细胞相关分子CD25表达下降[模型组:(6.74±0.81)%,对照组:(5.14±1.25)%,P<0.05];Foxp3在CD4+CD25+T细胞中表达上升[模型组:(18.32±1.44)%,对照组:(10.14±1.52)%,P<0.05]。结论:机体衰老时脾脏中初始和活化T细胞减少,CD4+CD25+Foxp3+调节性T细胞(Tr)增多,T细胞活化及免疫调节能力下降。     

普通小麦对OVA诱导小鼠过敏反应的抑制作用及机制北大核心CSCD

目的 旨在探讨普通小麦（TA）对卵清蛋白（OVA）致敏小鼠过敏反应的作用及其机制.方法 将25只BALB/c雌鼠随机分为对照组、OVA组、TA 100 mg/kg组、TA 200 mg/kg组和地塞米松（dexamethasone,DEX）组,每组5只.将OVA 20μg与氢氧化铝1 mg溶解于100μl PBS溶液中,并向每只实验组小鼠腹腔内注射以致敏小鼠,而对照组小鼠腹腔内则注射100μl 0.9％生理盐水,饮用水饲养.首次致敏后2周,重复上述操作,并将不同浓度药物稀释于1％CMC溶液中继续饲养,饲养过程中记录每只小鼠的过敏症状与行为评分.首次致敏后12 d对照组、实验组小鼠外耳皮下分别注射20μl 0.9％生理盐水与OVA溶液,6 h、24 h测量每只小鼠外耳厚度,24 h后剪取各组小鼠外耳组织经苏木精-伊红（HE）染色后观察过敏症状.首次致敏后6周,颈椎脱臼法处死小鼠,经腹主动脉采集的血液经离心、取上清后,通过ELISA试剂盒检测IgE、IgG1、TNF-α、IL-4及抗OVA IgE、IgG1了解各炎性细胞因子的分泌情况;取出的脾脏组织提取其淋巴细胞后接种于培养皿,以不同的药物刺激后利用ELISA检测Th1细胞因子（IFN-γ、IL-12）及Th2细胞因子（IL-4、IL-5、IL-13）,利用RT-PCR检测脾淋巴细胞中IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-5、IL-12及IL-13的表达情况.结果 OVA组小鼠的过敏症状行为评分与外耳厚度均显著高于对照组及其他实验组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,实验组中其与TA呈剂量依赖性降低,组织病理学结果也证实了上述结果.ELISA结果显示,实验组小鼠血浆中IgE、IgG1、IL-4及TNF-α水平与对照组比较显著升高,其水平与TA呈剂量依赖性降低,尤其是IgE、TNF-α在TA高浓度组显示出与DEX组相似的抑制效果.RT-PCR结果显示,实验组较对照组Th1细胞因子（IFN-γ、IL-12）的含量显著增加,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,其水平与TA未显示出剂量依赖性效应,而DEX组显示出明显的抑制作用.实验组Th2细胞因子（IL-4、IL-5及IL-13）的表达显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,TA组的IL-4、IL-5、IL-13表达均较OVA组有不同程度的降低,尤其在TA 100μg/ml组中其表达较OVA组分别降低了约60％、18％与20％,显示出了明显的抑制作用.结论 TA可能通过选择性抑制Th2细胞因子（IL-4、IL-5、IL-13）及IgE、IgG,而未抑制Th1细胞因子（IFN-γ、IL-12）,在保持体内免疫平衡的基础上有效降低过敏相关免疫应答,从而发挥抗过敏作用.本研究为新型抗过敏治疗药物（TA）的开发提供理论基础和实验依据.     

恶性淋巴瘤患者TH 1/TH 2细胞因子表达水平的研究

目的 探讨恶性淋巴瘤患者血清中TH1/TH2细胞因子变化及其临床意义,为肿瘤的免疫治疗提供实验依据.方法 用流式细胞小球微阵列术(cytometric bead array,CBA)检测92例恶性淋巴瘤患者及70例健康人群血清中γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、肿瘤坏死因子-α仪(TNF-α)、白细胞介素(IL-2、IL-4、IL-5、IL-10)表达水平.结果 92例恶性淋巴瘤患者血清中TH1型细胞因子的水平分别为:IFN-γ(34.26±33.4g)pg/ml、TNF-α(8.17±10.09)pg/ml、IL-2(3.74 4±1.72)pg/ml;TH2型细胞因子的水平分别为:IL-10(6.28±8.56)pg/ml、IL-5(3.53±3.20)pg/ml、IL-4(6.22±7.13)pg/ml.除TNF-α表达水平降低外,其余5项均明显高于健康体检组,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).TH1细胞因子IL-2与TH2细胞因子IL-4的比值明显下降(0.78±O.44),与健康体检组(1.09±0.45)比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).IL-10与疾病的进展相关,Ⅲ/Ⅳ期恶性淋巴瘤患者的表达水平为(9.58±13.96)pg/ml,Ⅰ/Ⅱ期的表达水平为(4.77±3.50)pg/ml,二者比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).IFN-γ在大于60岁的恶性淋巴瘤患者中表达水平明显降低,与其他年龄段恶性淋巴瘤患者比较差异有统计学意义(P ＜0.05).结论 恶性淋巴瘤患者血清中TH1/TH2细胞因子平衡失调,检测TH1/TH2细胞因子可作为评价淋巴瘤临床进展及预后指标.TH1/TH2平衡向TH2方向漂移,这可能是肿瘤细胞发生免疫逃逸,从而导致肿瘤的发生或者转移的原因之一.     

屋尘螨过敏性哮喘患者白介素-2和白介素-4血清水平及基因多态性

目的:检测分析屋尘螨过敏性哮喘患者白介素-2(IL-2)、IL-4血清水平及基因多态性。方法:首次诊断为屋尘螨过敏性哮喘患者73例(过敏性哮喘组),按其临床表现再分为急性发作期组(n=25)、慢性持续期组(n=23)和临床缓解期组(n=25),另选体检健康人群作为对照组(n=81)。采用ELISA检测各组血清IL-2、IL-4和屋尘螨特异性IgE(SIgE)水平,采用等位基因特异性PCR检测各组IL-2基因rs6534349和IL-4基因rs2227284的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)位点基因多态性。结果:血清IL-2水平在急性发作期组(170.58±29.08pg/ml)及慢性发作期组(179.45±45.34pg/m)均较对照组(227.45±43.34pg/ml)明显降低(P0.01);两组血清IL-4水平分别为98.45±28.85pg/ml和89.34±39.21pg/ml,均较对照组(68.41±30.01pg/ml)明显升高(P0.05);临床缓解期组血清IL-2和IL-4水平与对照组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。血清SIgE水平在急性发作期组(21.27±2.96pg/ml)、慢性持续期组(19.45±10.38pg/ml)和临床缓解期组(18.34±4.21pg/ml)均明显高于对照组(8.90±4.00pg/ml)(P0.01)。SIgE水平变化与IL-2变化呈负相关(r=-0.421,P0.01),与IL-4变化呈正相关(r=0.522,P0.01)。基因多态性分析显示,过敏性哮喘组患者IL-2rs6534349中GG型明显低于对照组(P0.01),而IL-4rs2227284CC型明显高于对照组(P0.01)。结论:屋尘螨过敏性哮喘与其血清IL-2、IL-4水平及基因多态性具有一定关系。     

当归及其多糖对隐孢子虫感染小鼠的免疫调节作用

目的 探讨当归及当归多糖对隐孢子虫感染小鼠的免疫调节作用.方法 连续8 d灌服给小鼠醋酸地赛米松后,于第9 d经口接种1×10^6个隐孢子虫卵囊1次,建立隐孢子虫感染模型,再经当归水煎剂及当归多糖灌胃治疗10 d,计数粪便隐孢子虫卵囊,观察肠组织病理学改变,检测T细胞亚群和血清IL-2、IL-4、IFN-γ水平.并设正常对照、模型对照和西药对照组.结果 与模型组比较,西药组、当归水煎剂组和当归多糖组小鼠卵囊排除数量减少（第4天分别为300个、50个、238个和230个）,肠组织病理学改变较轻,免疫学检测发现CD4^＋T细胞[分别为（38.85±8.16）%、（47.98±11.90）%、（55.85±6.63）%、（51.43±8.42）%]CD4^＋/CD8^＋[分别为1.98±0.47、2.25±0.53、2.51±0.55、2.42±0.23）]及IL-2的水平[分别为（28.75 4±1.93）pg/ml、（69.02±10.47）ps/ml、（42.91±4.48）pg/ml、（40.90±0.79）pg/ml]IL-4的水平[分别为（42.00±6.79）pg/ml、（64.26±6.07）pg/ml、（58.31±9.13）ps/ml、（54.95±8.99）pg/ml]和IFN-γ的水平[分别为（28.73±8.71）ps/ml、（45.40±6.11）pg/ml、（84.40±7.63）pg/ml、（78.40±6.32）pg/ml]明显升高（F值分别为13.58、19.37、24.22、54.36和35.74 P值均小于0.05）.结论 当归水煎剂和当归多糖通过增强机体免疫功能促进隐孢子虫感染的免疫抑制小鼠的恢复.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

'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.