稳定表达人乳头瘤病毒58型(HPV58)E6E7融合基因的人宫颈癌细胞株C33A的构建及验证

为构建稳定表达人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)58型E6E7融合基因的人宫颈癌C33A细胞系,将实验前期构建好并实现真核表达的重组慢病毒颗粒LV-HPV58E6E7转染入HPV(–)的人宫颈癌C33A细胞,经流式细胞仪分选出稳定转染的阳性克隆,利用四唑盐比色(MTT)法检测转染后细胞的生长情况以及流式细胞术检测细胞周期,并将稳定表达HPV58E6E7融合基因的C33A细胞LV-HPV58E6E7/C33A接种于裸鼠左腋下成瘤,用荧光定量PCR(q RT-PCR)、Western blot检测瘤组织中HPV58型E6E7融合基因的转录和表达。结果显示HPV58E6E7融合基因可促进C33A细胞的增殖;LV-HPV58E6E7/C33A细胞株能在裸鼠体内稳定转录及表达HPV58型E6E7融合基因。这表明我们成功建立了能稳定表达HPV58E6E7融合基因的人宫颈癌C33A细胞系LV-HPV58E6E7/C33A,为HPV58型治疗性疫苗的免疫效果检测提供了抗原细胞来源。     

过表达配对相关同源框1( PRRX1) 通过调控Wnt / β-catenin 通路抑制肝癌细胞体内致瘤性

目的:研究慢病毒介导的配对相关同源框1(PRRX1)过表达对肝癌细胞体内致瘤性的影响及相关机制。方法:构建PRRX1过表达的慢病毒载体pLV-PRRX1-IRES2-EGFP,转染HEK293T细胞,获得慢病毒颗粒后,感染肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721,采用Western blot检测感染后细胞株中PRRX1蛋白表达。皮下注射SMMC-7721细胞(对照组、空载体组、PRRX1过表达组及PRRX1过表达+Wnt/β-catenin通路抑制剂XAV939干预组)构建裸鼠肝癌移植瘤模型,其中干预组使用XAV939处理,观察处理后移植瘤体积大小并绘制肿瘤生长曲线;采用HE染色观察各组移植瘤组织病变情况;采用原位末端转移酶标记技术(TUNEL)检测移植瘤中细胞凋亡情况;采用免疫组化检测移植瘤中细胞增殖相关抗原Ki-67的表达;采用Western blot检测移植瘤中PRRX1以及Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白β-catenin、c-Myc的表达。结果:成功构建PRRX1过表达的慢病毒载体并成功感染肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721,感染后细胞中PRRX1蛋白水平明显升高;与空载体组比较,PRRX1过表达组裸鼠移植瘤生长缓慢,组织坏死加重,细胞凋亡及PRRX1蛋白表达增加,而Ki-67、β-catenin及c-Myc蛋白表达均受到抑制;与PRRX1过表达组比较,XAV939干预进一步促进PRRX1过表达对裸鼠移植瘤的作用效果,但不改变PRRX1的表达。结论:过表达PRRX1能显著降低肝癌细胞体内致瘤能力,其机制可能与抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路有关。     

KLF17对裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响及其在体调控靶基因的筛选和功能分析

目的:研究Krüppel样因子17(Krüppel-like factor 17,KLF17)在裸鼠移植瘤中的作用并分析KLF17在体调控的靶基因及其功能和参与的信号通路。方法:慢病毒转染技术稳定上调人肺腺癌A549细胞及下调人肺腺癌H322细胞中KLF17的表达。11只BLAB/c nu/nu裸鼠分为上调组5只和下调组6只,分别通过左、右侧躯体皮下注射KLF17上调和下调的相应细胞及其对照细胞,观察KLF17对裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响;Real-time PCR及免疫组织化学染色分析裸鼠移植瘤组织中KLF17 mRNA及蛋白的表达,转录组测序技术分析上调KLF17表达后裸鼠移植瘤中差异表达的基因,通过The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)数据库分析KLF17调控的差异基因的功能,Gene Ontology和KEGG PATHWAY富集分析差异基因的功能和可能参与的信号通路。结果 :上调A549细胞中KLF17的表达后,其裸鼠移植瘤生长速率显著低于空载体对照组(P0.05),下调H322细胞中KLF17表达后,其裸鼠移植瘤生长速率及移植瘤重量均显著高于空载体对照组(P0.01,P0.05)。在裸鼠移植瘤组织中,过表达组KLF17 mRNA及蛋白显著高于对照空载体组。转录组测序结果显示KLF17可能调控的基因有ras基因同源家族成员V(ras homolog family member V,RHOV)和冠蛋白1C(coronin 1C,CORO1C)等。TCGA数据库中肺腺癌患者10年累计生存时间在RHOV和CORO1C mRNA不同表达组明显不同,高表达RHOV及CORO1C的肺腺癌患者生存时间显著低于其低表达组。Gene Ontology和KEGG PATHWAY富集分析提示KLF17调控的靶基因(差异基因)可能与肿瘤细胞的刺激应答、生长及黏附有关,并且参与了细胞趋化性、黏附及细胞外基质受体相关的信号通路。结论:KLF17抑制裸鼠移植瘤的生长,并下调RHOV和CORO1C等癌基因,参与调控肿瘤黏附及生长相关信号通路。     

宫颈癌组织APOBEC3A蛋白的表达与高危型HPV感染的相关性研究

 目的： 探讨宫颈癌组织中载脂蛋白 B mRNA 编辑酶催化多肽样蛋白3A（APOBEC3A）表达与高危型人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）感染的关系。方法： 采用免疫组化法检测26例宫颈癌、27例宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN）I～III和22例正常宫颈组织APOBEC3A蛋白的表达,同时使用凯普分型检测试剂盒对3组样品分别进行高危HPV16/HPV18分型检测。以脂质体法转染APOBEC3A质粒进入HeLa细胞,RT-qPCR与Western blotting验证APOBEC3A对高危型HPV18 E6 mRNA以及蛋白表达的影响。结果：宫颈癌组织、CIN组织以及正常宫颈组织中APOBEC3A蛋白表达的阳性率分别为46.2%、92.6%和86.4%,宫颈癌组织中APOBEC3A蛋白表达较正常宫颈组织明显下降（P<0.01）。宫颈癌组织、CIN及正常宫颈组织中HPV16感染阳性率分别为92.3%、77.8%和54.5%; HPV18感染阳性率分别为80.8%、51.8%和68.2%;APOBEC3A蛋白表达与HPV18感染阳性率呈负相关(P<0.05)。增加HeLa细胞中APOBEC3A的表达明显降低了HPV18 E6 mRNA以及蛋白的表达。结论：在宫颈癌组织中APOBEC3A高表达可以对抗HPV18感染,并抑制HPV18 E6的转录和表达。     

五味子乙素通过激活Caspase-3影响三阴乳腺癌增殖和凋亡

目的观察中药五味子乙素对三阴乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231裸鼠成瘤能力的影响及机制。方法利用MTT实验验证五味子乙素对三阴乳腺癌细胞株MDA-MB-231的毒性作用;利用流式细胞术检测不同浓度的五味子乙素对MDA-MB-231细胞凋亡的影响;利用裸鼠移植瘤模型分析五味子乙素对乳腺癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响;利用蛋白免疫印迹方法检测各组移植瘤组织中Bax、Bcl-2和Caspase-3蛋白的表达水平。结果五味子乙素呈剂量依赖性显著抑制MDA-MB-231细胞的体外增殖能力,促进细胞的凋亡,较好地抑制乳腺癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长,明显缩小肿瘤体积。五味子乙素处理后肿瘤裸鼠模型的肿瘤组织中Bax、Caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高,Bcl-2蛋白表达水平降低,说明五味子乙素促进移植瘤细胞凋亡。结论五味子乙素抑制MDA-MB-231细胞增殖并促进凋亡,并抑制裸鼠移植瘤的生长。     

慢病毒载体介导Nanog小分子干扰核糖核酸抑制人胃癌裸鼠移植瘤的生长

目的构建对Nanog基因有干扰作用的慢病毒载体,探讨其在人胃癌细胞SGC-7901裸鼠移植瘤模型中的表达,检测其对裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响。方法将前期细胞实验验证有效的siRNA序列构建于慢病毒载体中,制备携带shRNA-Nanog的慢病毒,同时构建胃癌裸鼠移植瘤模型。以lentivirus-shRNA-Nanog感染的裸鼠作为实验组(目的组),以无关序列慢病毒感染的裸鼠(空载体组)及未感染的裸鼠(未感染组)作为对照组,测量肿瘤瘤体体积及质量的变化;活体荧光成像观察总荧光强度及转移情况,Western blot法检测移植瘤组织中Nanog蛋白的表达情况;TUNEL法观察其对皮下移植瘤细胞凋亡的影响。结果经基因测序鉴定,Nanog基因shRNA重组慢病毒表达载体构建成功。活体荧光成像显示感染27 d后,目的组小鼠肿瘤总荧光强度明显低于空载体组和未感染组,裸鼠移植瘤瘤体积及瘤质量小于未感染组及空载体组;Western blot法显示目的组Nanog蛋白表达较对照组明显降低;TUNEL结果显示目的组凋亡指数较对照组明显增大,而空载体组与未感染组比较,差异无统计学意义。结论成功构建了Nanog基因shRNA表达载体并包装成慢病毒颗粒,在体内感染能明显抑制肿瘤生长。     

RNAi沉默 N-cadherin 表达对 EC9706细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响

目的: 探讨RNAi沉默 N-cadherin 表达对人食管鳞状细胞癌EC9706细胞体内生物学行为的影响。方法: 通过逆转录病毒介导的RNAi技术将 N-cadherin 基因的RNA干扰载体pMSCVneo/N-cadherin质粒及对照质粒pEGFP-MSCVneo质粒分别转染至人食管癌细胞系EC9706,运用G418进行抗性克隆的筛选和扩增,进而得到稳定转染的人食管癌细胞系EC9706(分别命名为干扰载体组和空载体组),将正常对照组、空载体组和干扰载体组EC9706细胞通过皮下注射的方式接种于裸鼠背部肩胛区,比较各组裸鼠成瘤期、成瘤大小、瘤体终重量及终体积等情况。运用免疫组织化学方法和Western blotting方法检测3组裸鼠移植瘤组织中E-cadherin、N-cadherin和MMP-9蛋白的表达情况。TUNEL法检测3组裸鼠移植瘤组织中细胞的凋亡水平。结果: (1)与正常对照组和空载体组相比较,干扰载体组裸鼠移植瘤的生长速率、成瘤大小、瘤体终重量和终体积明显降低(P<0.05)。(2)与正常对照组和空载体组相比,干扰载体组裸鼠移植瘤组织中N-cadherin和MMP-9的蛋白表达均下调(P<0.05),而E-cadherin的蛋白表达则无明显变化(P>0.05)。(3)与正常对照组(51.55±4.68)和空载体组(54.17±5.26)相比,干扰载体组(106.81±6.47)裸鼠移植瘤组织中凋亡的阳性细胞数明显增加(P<0.05)。结论: RNAi沉默 N-cadherin 表达可明显抑制EC9706细胞裸鼠体内移植瘤的生长,其作用机制可能是通过下调MMP-9的表达,降低细胞对细胞外基质的降解能力,进而降低EC9706细胞的体内侵袭力。RNAi沉默 N-cadherin 表达具有体内抑制食管鳞状细胞癌细胞生长的作用。N-cadherin可望成为抗食管鳞状细胞癌治疗的潜在分子靶点。     

食管癌耐药皮下移植瘤裸鼠模型建立

 [摘要] 目的 建立食管癌耐药裸鼠模型及探讨食管癌耐药机制。方法 4周龄的BALB/c nu/nu裸小鼠36只随机分组分为6组,每组6只,左前肢肩胛下皮下分别接种食管癌细胞Eca109及食管癌耐药细胞Eca109/ABCG2,建立裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型。成瘤后腹腔注射阿霉素（Adriamycin, ADM）,1、4mg/kg,1次/3d 共注射7次,空白对照组使用生理盐水(normal saline, NS)代替ADM。RT-PCR方法检测移植瘤细胞中三磷酸腺苷结合转运蛋白G2（ATP-binding cassette transporter G2,ABCG2）mRNA 表达情况,流式细胞术(Flow cytometry, FCM)检测移植瘤细胞中ABCG2蛋白、凋亡及细胞中ADM含量。结果 成功建立裸鼠食管癌耐药细胞移植瘤模型,皮下接种细胞一周后成瘤,成瘤率100%。实验结束后,注射ADM药物的裸鼠,接种Eca109/ABCG2细胞的皮下移植瘤体积、重量和ABCG2 mRNA、蛋白表达量显著高于接种Eca109细胞移植瘤（P<0.05）,但细胞凋亡率及细胞内ADM含量显著降低（P<0.05）。结论 接种Eca109/ABCG2细胞的裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型是较好的食管癌耐药动物模型,具有ABCG2耐药表型,为研究ABCG2与食管癌耐药关系提供了较理想的动物模型。     

miR-222-3p对人乳头瘤病毒感染的宫颈癌细胞活性及糖酵解的作用及其机制

目的：探讨miR-222-3p对人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）感染阳性宫颈癌细胞活性及糖酵解的作用及其机制。方法：将Siha细胞分为宫颈癌组（未转染的HPV感染Siha细胞）、miR-222-3p-NC组（HPV感染Siha细胞转染miR-222-3p-NC）、miR-222-3p mimics组（HPV感染Siha细胞转染miR-222-3p mimics）及miR-222-3p siRNA组（HPV感染Siha细胞转染miR-222-3p siRNA）。qPCR检测各组Siha细胞miR-222-3p相对表达;CCK-8检测各组Siha细胞活性;流式细胞仪检测各组Siha细胞凋亡率;Transwell小室检测各组Siha细胞侵袭数目;划痕实验检测各组Siha细胞迁移距离;试剂盒检测各组Siha细胞葡萄糖及乳酸水平;免疫印迹检测各组丙酮酸激酶M2型（PKM2）、乳酸脱氢酶A(LDHA)、磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶（PI3K）、蛋白激酶B(AKT)蛋白表达;荧光素酶证实miR-222-3p对PI3K、AKT的调控作用。结果 ：宫颈癌组、miR-222-3p-NC组、miR-222-3p mimics...     

藤梨根提取物对食管癌细胞系EC109细胞裸鼠移植瘤的抑制作用

目的 研究藤梨根乙酸乙酯提取物对食管癌细胞系EC109细胞裸鼠移植瘤的生长抑制作用和凋亡诱导作用,并探讨其作用机制. 方法 建立食管癌EC109细胞裸鼠移植瘤模型,观察藤梨根乙酸乙酯提取物的作用.将裸鼠分为对照组、治疗组(低剂量组、高剂量组),每组6只.通过测量移植瘤体积变化绘制生长曲线,根据终末瘤重比较计算抑制率;采用TUNEL法检测移植瘤凋亡指数,采用免疫组织化学法检测移植瘤生存素(Survivin)蛋白表达和增殖指数;用RT-PCR法检测移植瘤Survivin mRNA变化. 结果 各治疗组经藤梨根乙酸乙酯提取物治疗后移植瘤生长缓慢,治疗结束时治疗组移植瘤重及瘤体积明显低于对照组,高、低剂量组的瘤重抑制率分别为64.57%和46.78%.各治疗组移植瘤组织凋亡指数则明显高于对照组,而Ki-67抗原、Survivin mRNA及蛋白表达较对照组明显减少,高剂量组尤其明显,各组间上述指标比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.01). 结论 藤梨根乙酸乙酯提取物对食管癌EC109细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长有抑制作用,其机制与抑制移植瘤细胞的增殖活性,降低其Survivin蛋白和mRNA表达及促进癌细胞凋亡有关.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

'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.