Utility of fear survey schedule with Australian samples of anxiety disorder patients.

The Fear Survey Schedule (FSS) has been widely used in clinical settings for the assessment of anxiety disorders yet its reliability and validity is still in doubt. This paper reports the factor structure and the validity of the FSS using 130 agoraphobics with panic attacks, 98 phobics and 108 non-patient controls. The results show that a clear 6-factor solution can be derived from the FSS and this accounts for 46% of the variance.

Production of polyclonal antibodies against the 40 kDa form of human 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase.

A 17-aminoacid peptide corresponding to the C terminal of the smaller form of human 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase was coupled to keyole lymphet haemocyanin (KLH) and used as immunogen in rabbits. After a cycle of four immunizations two animals produced immunoglobulins able to recognize the 17-aminoacid peptide as evaluated in ELISA assays. The specific Ig were purified by an immunoadsorbent with the peptide immobilized on Sepharose CL-4B and used in Western blot employing either protein A iodinated or conjugated with peroxidase as indicator system.

Activation of protein kinase C down-regulates IFN-gamma receptors.

Treatment of mouse EL-4 cells with intracellular activators of protein kinase C, namely 4-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and diacylglycerol, resulted in 90% reduction in cell surface interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) receptors as judged by iodinated-IFN-gamma binding. This did not seem to be due to a decreased in the receptor affinity, since that of the remaining surface receptors appeared to be significantly increased as shown in Scatchard plot analysis. Kinetics experiments revealed that a PMA treatment as short as 15 min was sufficient to induce a decrease of 30% of IFN-gamma receptors, whereas the highest levels of down-regulation were observed after 60-90 min.

Inhibition of BK virus haemagglutination by gangliosides.

The effect of gangliosides extracted from human group O Rh+ erythrocytes on haemagglutination by BK virus was investigated. Experiments were performed on both ganglioside mixtures and isolated fractions separated by column chromatography and characterized by thin-layer chromatography. These results were compared with those obtained with standard preparations of gangliosides, and the inhibiting activity was shown to be confined mainly to gangliosides with a RF lower than GM1.

[Cefonicid toxicity. I. Effects on the reactivity of the specific immune system].

The degree of toxicity of the antibiotic Cefonicid on the cellular reactivity of the immune system was evaluated. The effects on some lymphokine (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) production and the degree of proliferation of splenic lymphocytes following mitogen stimulation have been considered. Our results show that Cefonicid does not impair the immune response, except at very high doses (500 micrograms/ml).

[The development of immunology in a century of research].

Immunology started in 1880 with the observation of Pasteur upon attenuated strains of Pasteurella aviseptica and evolved in nearly one century until the actual situation. Havig discussed the immunology topics, this review ends by stressing some of the recent landmarks in immunology.

[Vaginal microbial flora and infectious pathology].

Qualitative and quantitative studies in humans as well as animal models studies have confirmed that the vaginal flora is a dynamic and interrelated system. Factors influencing and changing vaginal ecology are considered. The disturbances in the vaginal flora may have impact on many infectious affections.

Methadone vs morphine: comparison of their effect on phagocytic functions.

A comparison of the effects of methadone and morphine on phagocytic physiology was carried out in mice, using a number of tests, to estimate the risk of using methadone in maintenance protocols for opiates addicts. Results indicate that methadone, like morphine, reduces (a) R.E.

Interferon-gamma inhibits cell replication, but not pp60src activity of RSV-transformed fibroblasts.

The present study analyzes the effect of murine IFN-gamma on DNA synthesis, ornithine decarboxylase activity and phosphorylation of pp60src of Rouse sarcoma virus transformed cells. When natural or recombinant IFN-gamma was added to quiescent SR-BALB or L1210 cells, stimulated with fetal calf serum, only the highest IFN-gamma concentrations (2000 U/ml) inhibited DNA synthesis of both tumor lines. By contrast, lower IFN-concentrations (20-200 U/ml) inhibited the DNA synthesis of L1210 but not of SR-BALB tumor cells.

In vitro antimicrobial activity in comparison with tonsillar tissue penetration of mezlocillin.

The aim of this study was to determine the role of mezlocillin, a new acylureidopenicillin, in otorhinolaryngology. One hundred and forty-four bacterial strains were isolated from 100 patients suffering from infections of the oropharyngeal tract. Among the isolates only 10 (6.

[Retroviruses: current classification system].

Based on the various viral properties, the recent Retrovirus classifications are reported. After describing the HIV characteristics with the transactivation capability, the authors include the HIV among the Lentivirinae.

[Teicoplanin in otorhinolaryngology].

In this study the clinical microbiologic efficacy of a new antibiotic, Teicoplanin, has been reported. Teicoplanin was given to both male and female patients (200 or 400 mg/die doses) suffering from ORL infections. The microbial flora of the inflammatory focus was checked before and after antibiotic administration.

[Modulation of the action of interferon-gamma by protein G].

These studies were designed to investigate the characteristics of the intracellular second messengers induced by interferons (IFN-alpha/beta and IFN-gamma) after receptor binding. Pretreatment of target cells with V. cholerae toxin, which is Known to activate the GTP-binding stimulatory protein (Gs), potentiated the action of IFN-gamma, but not of IFN-alpha/beta.

Binding of murine 125I-labelled natural interferon-gamma to murine cell receptors.

Natural murine interferon-gamma (naMuIFN-gamma) produced by T-lymphoma cells (L12-R4) stimulated with phorbol myristic acetate was purified by use of an anti-MuIFN-gamma immunoadsorbent and was labelled with 125I to study its binding to murine cell receptors. All the cell lines examined bound naMuIFN-gamma, although the binding affinity varied considerably. By adding increasing concentrations of unlabelled naMuIFN-gamma in competition binding assays we determined dissociation constants (KD) of 8.

Supraceliac aorta-to-lower extremity arterial bypass.

From 1979 to 1986, ten patients had a revascularization procedure using the supraceliac portion of the aorta. Six patients had aortofemoral or aortoiliac bypasses and four others had additional procedures for revascularization of the lower extremities or of the visceral arteries. The latter included four renal, three superior mesenteric and three hepatic artery revascularizations.

[In vitro comparative activity of norfloxacin in the comparison of pathogenic bacteria of the urinary tract].

In this study 411 bacterial isolates from clinical urinary tract infections against some quinolones, azthreonam and trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole combination were tested. Bactericidal kinetics of norfloxacin , cinoxacin and azthreonam against E. coli ATCC 25922 was determined.

[Use of ofloxacin in otorhinolaryngologic infections].

Ofloxacin, a new fluoroquinolonic synthetic compound with broad antibacterial spectrum, was used in per os therapy of 15 ear, nose and throat infected patients. The antibiotic was then compared with other eight antimicrobial agents against the Gram-positive and Gram-negative isolates. Either in vitro than in vivo the god antibacterial activity and tolerance of ofloxacin, particularly against Gram-positive infections, was demonstrated.

[Diet and immunity].

Diet modulates the immune system and cell reactivity in particular since it may induce an early aging. A survey of published data on diet-immune system relationship is presented. Studies performed at the Institute of Microbiology, University of Turin, are discussed more in detail.

Production of polyclonal antibodies against the cellular IFN-gamma receptor.

In this work we consider the possibility to produce a polyclonal antibody against murine interferon gamma receptors by immunizing rabbits with the complex receptor-IFN-gamma immunoprecipitated by a monoclonal antibody (AN-18) recognising the ligand bound to the receptor. Using the Western Blotting technique it has been found a polyclonal serum directed against a protein (90 kDa) that could represent the murine IFN-gamma membrane receptor.