Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates belonging to katG gyrA group 2 are associated with clustered cases of tuberculosis in Italian patients.

Fifty-one consecutive isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, collected during a 2-year period in the north-east of Italy, were subjected to IS6110-RFLP analysis to detect the presence of clusters and assigned to one of the three genotypic groups delineated by single nucleotide polymorphisms in the genes katG and gyrA. All the isolates collected from the local population belonged to group 2 or 3, while group 1 isolates were found only in specimens collected from African immigrants. Clustered cases of tuberculosis, which are likely to be related to recently transmitted infection, were found to be significantly associated with katG gyrA group 2. In the local situation, strains belonging to this group may therefore present a higher risk of transmission.

In-vitro antimycobacterial activity of new synthetic amidrazone derivatives.

After preliminary in vitro screening of 15 newly synthesized compounds belonging to the chemical class of N1-(aryliden)-4-pyridinecarboxyamidrazones against Mycobacterium tuberculosis reference strain H37 Rv, we determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the six most promising chemicals against different species of Mycobacterium and different strains of M. tuberculosis. The agar dilution method was employed against M. gordonae, M. bovis, M. kansasi, M. avium, M. fortuitum and on eighteen different strains of M. tuberculosis, isolated from human bronchial aspirates. The results obtained confirmed that the newly synthesized chemicals possessed a very interesting antitubercular activity, their MICs ranging from 4 micrograms/ml to 16 micrograms/ml.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of some 4-pyridinecarboxyamidrazone derivatives.

A series of N1-aryliden-4-pyridinecarboxyamidrazone derivatives was prepared. Some of the synthesized compounds showed interesting in vitro antimycobacterial activity against some strains of Mycobacterium and clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of some 2-pyridinecarboxyamidrazone derivatives.

A series of N1-aryliden-2-pyridincarboxyamidrazone derivatives was prepared. Some of the synthesized compounds showed interesting in vitro antimycobacterial activity against some strains of Mycobacterium and clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Preliminary evaluation of in-vitro antimycobacterial properties of N1-(aryliden)-2-pyridinecarboxyamidrazones.

After preliminary in vitro screening of 17 newly synthesized compounds belonging to the chemical class of N1-(aryliden)-2-pyridinecarboxyamidrazones, active against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ten most promising agents against three clinical isolates were determined by agar dilution. Compounds 12 and 14 were the most active, each inhibiting strain H37Rv at concentrations of 8 microg/ml and having a MIC of 16 microg/ml against the human isolates. The results obtained in this preliminary study confirmed the interesting antitubercular properties of these newly synthesized compounds and allowed us to carry out our investigations over a large number of isolated clinical strains.

[Local synthesis of immunoglobulins in pleural effusions. II]. / Sintesi locale di immunoglobuline nei versamenti pleurici. Nota II.

A report is given about the synthesis of IgG immunoglobulins in the pleural infiltrations. The quantity of immunoglobulins locally yielded is estimated through the ratio IgG/Albumin in the blood and in the infiltration. Evidence is given that the mechanic and neoplastic transudates are easily detectable on account of the failed local synthesis of immunoglobulins of IgG type. A short account is given of the local synthesis of IgA.

[Contributions to the interpretation of the immunoglobulins's variations in the bronchial secretions (author's transl)]. / Contributi all'interpretazione delle variazioni delle immunoglobuline nell'espettorato

Study of the relationships between the variations of the connections between the components of the bronchial secretion and the viscosity of the sputum, with particular regard to the role of the IgA IIS and to the secretory piece.

[The secretory IgA. The local secretory immunitary system (author's transl)]. / Le IgA secretorie. Il sistema immunitario secretorio locale (S.I.S.L.)

The Authors take into examine the local secretory immunitary system (L.S.I.S.) starting from the presence of antibody-molecules in secretions: they study origin, characteristics, action and excitement procedures of this class of molecules, also compared with the immunitary central system.

[Introduction to a study of the hydrosoluble proteins of the sputum (author's transl)]. / Premessa per uno studio delle proteine idrosolubili dell'espettorato

Synthesis of a study of the proteins outline of the bronchial secretion with the qualitative and quantitative determination of six protein fractions (albumin, Alfa-antitrypsin, acid Alfa-glycoprotein, haptoglobin, transferrin); comparation of the concentration of these fractions of the expectoration with those of the serum of the patient himself.

5-Hydroxytryptamine-14C and dexamphetamine-14C uptake by fundal sarcolemma preparations: effect of thermal and chemical alterations as indirect approach to the problem of the common receptor.

By submitting a sarcolemma preparation from gastric fundus to thermal (47 degrees C) and chemical (2 M urea) alterations, a significant decrease of the binding of labelled serotonin and dexamphetamine, 40% and 30% respectively, is observed. This finding suggests that the receptors for these two drugs contain a protein moiety, which undergoes a structural and functional modification upon the thermal or chemical procedure employed. The strictly similar behaviour of the binding properties of serotonin and dexamphetamine, in our experimental conditions, gives a strong indirect support to the hypothesis of a common receptor for these two drugs.