Cross-reactivity among five major pollen allergens.

We have studied the cross-reactivity between L. perenne, S. cereale, P.

Possible role of mast cells in the mechanism of action of intrauterine contraceptive devices.

The presence and number of mast cells and their relationship to other inflammatory cells were investigated in smears from intrauterine contraceptive devices. The results obtained suggest a possible role of mast cells in the mechanism of action of intrauterine contraceptive devices, on the basis of the peculiar known functions of mast cells.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia hand-mirror cells. Study of nine cases.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia with hand-mirror cells (HMC) was diagnosed in nine adult patients. Blast HMC were seen only in the bone marrow (12-57% range). Cytochemical studies revealed a positive reaction to tartrate-sensitive acid phosphatase in the tail portion of the cells in seven cases, with a strong, localized cytoplasmic reaction in four.

In vitro studies of anti-inflammatory activity of carprofen.

In vitro activity of carprofen on some cellular mechanisms of the inflammatory response has been investigated in comparison with hydrocortisone and ibuprofen. The drugs were studied in two ways: (a) by adding progressive concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1000 micrograms/ml to triplicate cell samples, for the determination of the dose/response curve, and (b) by using a fixed concentration to study the variations in the effect of the different drugs.

HBeAg/anti-HBe system and cell-mediated immunity in patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis.

Determinations of HBeAg, anti-HBe and cell-mediated immune response were carried out in 29 patients with HBsAg-positive chronic active hepatitis. Out of 29 patients with chronic active hepatitis B, 18 were found to be HBeAg positive, 7 anti-HBe positive, and 4 without detectable HBeAg/anti-HBe by radioimmunoassay. The presence of HBeAg in serum (n = 18) was associated with impaired lymphocyte response in 15 patients (83.

Adenosine deaminase activity in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: cytochemical, immunological and clinical correlations.

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity has been assessed in lymphoid cells of 23 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in order to attempt a further characterization of ALL cells in addition to the well known cytochemical and immunological T and B lymphoid cell markers. ADA activity did not show any correlation with the immunological characterization of the patients investigated; in fact a wide range of ADA activity was observed with levels ranging from 0 to 32 U in T-ALL patients and nearly similar values (from 1.8 to 36 U) in the group of non T--non B ALL cases.

An immunofluorescence mixed staining technique for the detection of IgG-rheumatoid factor and IgG-beta-1C complexes in tissues.

A mixed immunofluorescent staining method for the detection of immune complexes in the tissues is described. This method demonstrated the presence of IgG-rheumatoid factor and IgG-β complexes in synovial membrane from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia with anti-IgG activity: a series of five cases.

Clinical, serological and cellular studies were carried out in five cases of Waldenström's macroglobulinaemia with cryoglobulinaemia of the mixed IgM–IgG type and extremely high serum levels of rheumatoid factor activity. Clinically, no joint involvement or other distinctive features were found in these patients, as compared with other cases of primary macroglobulinaemia without anti-γ-globulin activity. The isolation of the monoclonal IgM immunoglobulins, as well as absorption studies with IgG and immunocytological investigations demonstrated that the whole of the rheumatoid activity was associated with the Waldenström-type paraproteins.

Immune complexes in rheumatoid synovitis: a mixed staining immunofluorescence study.

Complexes of IgG—rheumatoid factor (RF) and IgG—β were demonstrated in the synovial membrane obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by a mixed immunofluorescence method that shows simultaneously the two components of the complex. IgG—RF was found only in the synovia of cases with circulating RF, while IgG—β deposits could be detected in both seropositive and seronegative cases. These findings are discussed in connection with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid synovitis in the light of the immune complex pathogenetic mechanism.

Response to phytohaemagglutinin of lymphocytes from mice treated with anti-lymphocyte globulin.

Thymus, spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood lymphocytes taken from mice treated with anti-lymphocyte globulin (ALG) showed a greatly diminished response to PHA . Recovery of circulating lymphocyte levels preceded recovery of responsiveness to PHA. The latter could be prevented by reinjection of ALG or by thymectomy.