肝再生增强因子对大鼠脾单个核细胞增殖及IL-2产生能力的影响

目的：通过体外实验探讨rALR对脾脏单个核细胞是否具有直接的免疫调控作用和作用特点。方法：以3H-TdR掺入法检测脾脏单个核细胞在不同处理情况下的增殖状况：①不同剂量的rALR与5μg/ml ConA同时加入；②5μg/ml ConA预刺激脾脏单个核细胞10和32小时后，再加入30μg/ml rALR；③30μg/ml rALR预处理脾脏单个核细胞至30小时，再加5μg/ml ConA刺激。以环孢霉素A作为阳性对照，以转空质粒的酵母表达上清提取物作为阴性对照。以放免法检测培养上清中IL-2分泌情况。结果：不同剂量的rALR与ConA同时加入时，能以剂量依赖方式明显抑制ConA对脾脏单个核细胞的促增殖作用。ConA预刺激脾脏单个核细胞10、32小时后，再给予30μg/ml rALR仍可明显抑制脾脏单个核细胞的增殖，但用30μg/ml rALR预处理脾脏单个核细胞至30小时，并不影响脾脏单个核细胞对ConA刺激的反应能力。ConA＋rALR（30μg/ml）组的IL-2分泌在24小时明显低于ConA组。结论：rALR对ConA活化的脾脏单个核细胞增殖有明显的抑制作用，而对未活化的脾脏单个核细胞则无明显影响，提示未经抗原激活的免疫细胞可能不表达ALR受体。     

重组乙肝病毒核心基因DNA与表面抗原-抗体共免疫应答研究

目的:了解小鼠对乙肝病毒核心抗原(HBcAg)基因免疫及与乙肝表面抗原-抗体复合物(HBsAg-抗HBs)联合免疫的应答。方法:用表达乙肝病毒核心抗原N端144个氨基酸的重组质粒DNA(简称pHBc144)100μg及含1μgHBsAg的重组乙肝表面抗原-鼠抗体组建的复合物(简称sIC)免疫Balb/c小鼠。用ELISA法检测血清抗体IgG和IgG1、IgG2a亚类的效价。用半定量PCR法分别检测鼠脾细胞IFN-γ及IL-4的mRNA。结果:pHBc144及sIC联合免疫鼠的抗HBs IgG、IgG1、IgG2a效价均显著高于sIC组(P＜0．05)。同时小鼠还可产生抗HBc及由HBsAg、HBcAg特异诱生的IFN-γ及IL-4。但与sIC共免疫,小鼠对HBcAg诱生的IFN-γ mRNA有所降低。结论:可用HBcAg基因与sIC共免疫,以获得针对乙肝病毒2种结构蛋白的免疫应答。     

质粒DNA促进HBsAg-抗HBs复合型疫苗诱生的免疫应答的研究

目的　研究HBsAg 抗HBs 质粒DNA复合型疫苗的免疫原性及其诱生细胞免疫应答的类型。方法　分别以HBsAg、HBsAg 抗 HBs(IC)、pI/AmpHBs、IC pI/AmpHBs及IC pI/Amp免疫小鼠 ,检测抗 HBs的效价 ,分析抗 HBsIgG亚类 (ELISA) ;取免疫小鼠脾细胞 ,体外抗原刺激 ,用竞争性RT PCR方法检测IFN γ及IL 4mRNA转录水平。结果　IC pI/AmpHBs诱生的抗 HBs效价明显高于IC或pI/AmpHBs单独免疫组 ,其IgG2a/IgG1比值高于IC免疫组 ,而低于pI/AmpHBs免疫组。IC pI/AmpHBs免疫小鼠脾细胞在HBsAg刺激下 ,IFN γmRNA转录水平明显高于其他免疫组 ,其IFN γmRNA的T/C(目的片段Target/竞争片段Competitor)比值为IC免疫小鼠脾细胞的 10倍 ;IC pI/AmpHBs免疫小鼠脾细胞IL 4mRNA转录水平亦高于其他免疫组 ,其IL 4mRNA的T/C比值为IC免疫小鼠脾细胞的 2倍。结论　HBsAg 抗HBs 质粒DNA复合型疫苗在增强体液免疫应答的同时可诱导脾细胞IFN γ的表达水平增高。     

人工合成免疫刺激DNA联合HBsAg DNA疫苗在HBV转基因鼠的免疫应答研究

目的 :探讨免疫刺激DNA序列联合基因免疫在HBV转基因鼠的免疫应答。方法 :用人工合成硫代修饰的免疫刺激DNA寡核苷酸 (CpGODN)与HBVS区基因真核表达载体 (V HBs)联合免疫HBsAg转基因鼠 ,通过ELISA观察小鼠血清HBsAg及抗 HBs抗体水平 ,并用免疫组化 (SP法 )及病理HE染色观察小鼠肝组织HBsAg表达量的改变及肝组织炎症活动度。结果 :V HBs联合CpGODN组 6只免疫鼠中有 2只血清抗 HBs抗体阳性 ,其平均效价为 (5 6 2 1± 15 16 )mU ml,血清HBsAg浓度在免疫后第 8周时有 2只转阴 ,而单用V HBs组及V 10 12对照组小鼠血清抗 HBs抗体均阴性、HBsAg含量无明显降低。V HBs +CpGODN组肝组织HBsAg的表达量低于V HBs组及对照组 ,并可见大量炎细胞浸润 ,炎症组织活动度积分明显高于V HBs组及对照组。结论 :CpGODN联合V HBs可增强其免疫应答及抗病毒效应。     

大鼠抗—HBs的单克隆抗独特型抗体杂交瘤细胞系的建立

用纯化的小鼠单克隆抗—HBs和纯化的大鼠多克隆抗—HBs免疫LOU/C大鼠,取免疫大鼠脾细胞与IR983F骨髓瘤细胞融合,获得两株(TD_1、TD_2)持续分泌抗—HBs的单克隆抗独特型抗体(抗—Id,Ab_2)杂交瘤细胞系。对TD_2进行了较全面的鉴定,TD_2的Ig类型为IgG,亚类为IgG_(2?),核型分析结果染色体数为65条。通过ELISA竞争抑制和中和抑制试验表明,TD_2所分泌的Ab_2既能被不同来源的抗—HBs所中和。又能被HBsAg.所竞争,且都呈现剂量依赖关系。将纯化的TD_2IgG免疫同系大鼠,诱导出了具有抗—HBs活性的抗—抗—独特型抗体(Ab_3)。上述结果证实,TD_2所分泌的单克隆抗体(McAb)是带有HBsAg表位内影像,具有HBsAg免疫源性的抗—HBs的单克隆抗—Id。     

C3d对基因免疫诱导的HBV特异性体液免疫应答的调节作用

观察补体C3d对HBV基因免疫诱导的特异性体液免疫应答的调节作用 ,为增强HBV基因疫苗免疫效果寻求新途径。将HBV preS2 /S编码基因分别插入真核表达载体TR4 2 1和含有 3拷贝C3d编码基因的TR4 2 1 C3d3质粒 ,构建重组质粒TR4 2 1 preS2 /S和TR4 2 1 preS2 /S C3d3。采用肌肉注射法对BALB/c小鼠实施基因免疫 (10 0 μg/ 10 0 μl/只小鼠 ) ,以空质粒为对照 ,定期采集血清。ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清特异性抗 HBs IgG及其亚型 ,并采用NaSCN竞争ELISA法检测其亲合力。结果表明 ,TR4 2 1 preS2 /S C3d3重组质粒免疫组诱导的特异性抗 HBs IgG水平明显高于TR4 2 1 preS2 /S重组质粒免疫组 (P <0 0 5 ) ;而且TR4 2 1 preS2 /S C3d3重组质粒免疫组诱导的抗 HBs IgG抗体的亲合力 (ED50 :1 375 )显著高于TR4 2 1 preS2 /S重组质粒组 (ED50 :0 875 ) ,但C3d并不改变基因免疫诱导的特异性抗HBs IgG各亚型水平的格局 ,仍以IgG2b和IgG2a为主。提示C3d可增强基因免疫诱导的HBV特异性体液免疫应答 ,并促进特异性抗体亲和力的成熟 ,这为提高HBV基因疫苗的免疫效果提供了新的途径。     

Pre-S_2抗原在乙肝疫苗中的免疫作用的探讨

比较三种乙型肝炎血源疫苗和一种重组DNA(r-DNA)疫苗诱导Pre-S_2抗体阳性率与阻断乙型肝炎病毒母婴传播的有效率,其中rDNA疫苗不含有Pre-S_2蛋白,免疫后不产生Pre-S_2抗体,加热灭活疫苗按3μg与6μg两种剂量免疫后,半数以上对象均可产生Pre-S_2抗体,甲醛一步法灭活疫苗免疫后有30％婴儿产生Pre-S_2抗体。阻断母婴传播的有效率分别为:rDNA疫苗72.2％,甲醛一步法灭活疫苗70.1％,加热灭活疫苗3μg组35.6％,6μg组71.9％。疫苗免疫效果同HBsAg含量有关,似同Pre-S_2蛋白关系不明显。免疫后抗HBs阳性率与反映抗HBs含量的S/N值均同Pre-S_2抗体阳性率没有明显联系。Pre-S_2蛋白似非决定乙肝疫苗有效率的主要成分,而疫苗中的S蛋白含量对疫苗的免疫效果起十分重要作用。     

C3d-P28增强乙型肝炎病毒特异性基因免疫效果的研究

目的　观察补体C3d P2 8对基因免疫的调节作用及其不同拷贝数对调节作用的影响 ,为增强基因免疫效果寻求新方法。方法　PCR法获得补体C3d P2 8编码基因并以头尾串连方式将1～ 4拷贝C3d P2 8编码基因克隆至pVAON33,构建pVAON33 P2 8.[1～ 4 ]重组质粒 ,然后将HBV preS2 S编码基因分别插入pVAON33和pVAON33 P2 8.[1～ 4 ]质粒获得pVAON33 S2 S和pVAON33 S2 S P2 8.[1～ 4 ]重组质粒。肌肉注射各重组质粒DNA(每只 10 0 μg 10 0 μl)初次免疫小鼠 ,并以pVAON33为对照 ;12周后皮下注射HBsAg蛋白加强免疫各组小鼠 ,ELISA法检测免疫小鼠血清特异性抗 HBs IgG。结果　pVAON33 S2 S重组质粒免疫小鼠可诱导产生特异性抗 HBs IgG ,含不同拷贝C3d P2 8编码基因的重组质粒可诱导更高的特异性抗体 ,其中pVAON33 S2 S P2 8.4重组质粒诱导的抗体水平最高 (P <0 .0 1)。蛋白加强免疫后 ,含C3d P2 8编码基因重组质粒免疫组抗 HBs IgG迅速上升 ,并明显高于pVAON33 S2 S重组质粒免疫组 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,pVAON33 S2 S P2 8.4重组质粒诱导的抗体仍维持最高水平。结论　不同拷贝的C3d P2 8能不同程度地增强HBV preS2 S基因免疫诱导的特异性体液免疫及其蛋白加强后的回忆反应 ,其中 4拷贝C3d P2 8的增强作用较为显著。     

乙肝病毒核酸疫苗诱导H-2b小鼠特异性免疫反应的初步研究

目的：观察并证实adr和adw亚型NHBs核酸疫苗单独应用，或与HBc核酸疫苗联合免疫诱导H－2^b小鼠的特异性体液和细胞免疫反应，方法：C57BL／6（H－2^b)小鼠随机分为4组：pJW4303组（P组，5只），pJW4303/MHBs/adw组（W组，6只）；pJW4303/MHBs/adr组（R组，6只）;pJW4303/MHBs/adr pJW4303/HBc组（R＋C组，6只），免疫方法为各组小鼠每只每次注射相应的质粒DNA疫苗100μg(100μl)，免疫程序为0，2，4w，小鼠血清抗HBs和抗HBc水平以及小鼠脾淋巴细胞培养上清中的IFN－γ和IL－4浓度用ELISA法检测，小鼠淋巴细胞抗原特异性增殖试验采用3H－TdR掺入法，计算刺激指数（SI），结果：W，R，R＋C各免疫组在末次免疫后4w所有小鼠均产生抗－HBs，但各免疫组间无明显差异，抗－HBs以R＋C组最早出现，R＋C组小鼠在第1次免疫后2w抗－HBc即全部阳性，P组免疫后始终末出现抗－HBs和抗－HBc，核酸疫苗免疫的W，R，R＋C各组免疫小鼠HBsAg特异性脾淋巴细胞增殖指数（SI）均高于P组（P＜0．01－P＜0．001），R＋C（n=6)组小鼠脾淋巴细胞HBsAg特异性SI比R组显著升高（P＜0．05），R＋C免疫小鼠HBcAg特异性脾淋巴细胞增殖指数（SI）均≥2，与P组（其SI均＜2）相比差异非常显著（P＜0．001），W，R，R＋C各免疫组小鼠脾淋巴细胞与HBsAg共培养的上清中IFN－γ的浓度比P组显著升高（P＜0．001），而它们的IL－4 浓度比P组明显下降（P＜0．001），R＋C免疫组小鼠脾淋巴细胞与HBcAg共培养的上清中IFN－γ浓度也较P组明显升高（P＜0．05），但其IL－4浓度与P组无差别（P＞0．05），结论：adr亚型和adw亚型HBV外膜中蛋白（MHBs)核酸疫苗和HBcAg核酸疫苗能诱导H－2b小鼠产生特异性的体液和细胞免疫应答，具有良好的体液和细胞免疫原性，MHBs核酸疫苗与HBcAg核酸疫苗联合免疫能加强MHBs核酸疫苗诱导的体液和细胞免疫反应，所诱导出的辅助性T细胞免疫反应为Th1型。     

不同剂量乙肝疫苗与HBIG联合免疫阻断HBV母婴传播的效果对比

目的 探讨10 μg和20 μg乙肝疫苗与HBIG联合免疫阻断HBV母婴传播的效果.方法 124例HBsAg阳性孕妇所生的婴儿随机分为两组,即10 μg乙肝疫苗组和20 μg乙肝疫苗组.婴儿于出生6h内及30 d分别注射200 IU HBIG,同时分别于出生24 h内、1个月及6个月注射3次10 μg或20 μg重组酵母乙肝疫苗.检测婴儿出生时以及1岁时血清HBV标志物.结果 两组新生儿血清HBsAg、HBeAg及抗-HBe阳性率与滴度之间差别均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.所有新生儿血清HBV DNA水平均小于检测下限（500 U/ml）.出生12个月时,所有124例婴儿血清HBsAg和HBeAg检测结果均为阴性;血清HBV DNA水平均在检测下限以下;10 μg和20 μg乙肝疫苗组血清抗-HBs阳性率分别为90.3％和96.8％,差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;抗-HBs水平分别为325.5±342.2 mIU/ml和463.7±353.3 mIU/ml,后者显著高于前者（P=0.01）.而且,20 μg乙肝疫苗组产生高应答抗-HBs（＞ 100 mIU/ml）的比例显著高于10μg乙肝疫苗组（P =0.035）.结论 20 μg乙肝疫苗联合HBIG方案阻断HBV母婴传播的效果优于10 μg乙肝疫苗联合HBIG方案.     

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.     

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.     

'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.     

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.