The role of CXCR2 activity in the contact hypersensitivity response in mice

The recruitment of polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMN) into a challenge site, and their subsequent activation, are thought to play a role in the elicitation of the contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response. The present study investigated the role played by CXCR2 activity in tissue PMN infiltration and subsequent triggering of CHS. Our results show that the cutaneous infiltration by PMN, induced by hapten challenge was dramatically inhibited in sensitized, CXCR2-deficient (CXCR2(-/-)) mice. Inhibition of PMN recruitment into the hapten-challenged ears of CXCR2(-/-) mice was associated with a consistent reduction of the CHS response (ear swelling) in CXCR2(-/-) mice as compared with that observed in neutropenic, wild-type (CXCR2(+/+)) mice. Prevention of skin PMN infiltration and the ear swelling response by the absence of functional CXCR2 was observed regardless of the hapten used. These data clearly suggest that CXCR2 activity plays an essential role in mediating cutaneous recruitment and activation of PMN, and thus indirectly regulates recruitment of hapten-primed T cells into challenge sites, with the subsequent elicitation of the CHS response. The role played by CXCR2 activity in the CHS response provides the rationale for testing CXCR2 inhibitors as a new therapeutic approach to skin diseases.

[Sexuality and psychopathology: aspects of prevention. Cognitive investigation of the sexual information of high school students in Avezzano (AQ)]

Here are reported the final data to out of the analysis of the answers given in a questionnaire distributed to more than a thousand students of the secondary schools of Avezzano before the beginning of a course of sexual information. The questions covered general information (including an opinion on the idea and on the way of treating a course of sexual information at school) such as knowledge of contraceptive methods, the illnesses that are transmitted with sexual acts, the most important rules for the prevention of tumoral pathologies in women and the knowledge of the family's advisory bureau. With a very careful analysis of the answers we have been able to get out very important data about the knowledge that the young people have of sexual arguments (arguments that have guided the successive course of information), and interesting aspects of boys' and girls' psychology with regard to sexual arguments.

[Sexuality. Cultural, social and clinical aspects]

The deep changes in values, beliefs and behaviour, both individual and group, have been examined, referred to the sexuality, by various methods and prospects. Sexual differentiation, typical of the plast, has been rediscussed and modified. As a result of these changes we can talk about old myths, concerning the conception of sexuality in the past, and new myths that concern the present. In this work we have reviewed the different aspects of male and female roles: masturbation, the obsession abort performance, the orgasm and, not last, the sexuality in old age condition.

[Revival of convulsive therapy]

After a brief review of the history of convulsive therapy, the paper criticises the denigratory campaign which was directed against this form of therapy for many years in Italy and later abroad. It stresses that convulsive therapy is now used worldwide, in spite of a few justifiable restrictions, for these indications and that the risks involved in the therapy itself, which are minimum, have been reduced. The Authors complain that this revival, which is now spreading internationally, has been hardly felt in Italy, especially in university circles.

[Epidemiologic psychiatric investigation in the community health district of Avezzano]

The aim of the epidemiological psychiatric survey carried out among the users of the Mental Hygiene Centre of Avezzano local health district was to study the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of participants. Data for patients for the years 1979 and 1989 were collected and analysed by studying all clinical records registered during those periods. This choice reflected the need compare user characteristics and methods of using the service following the introduction of the reform decree no. 180/1978. The aim of this retrospective epidemiological survey was to obtain data and information which would serve to formulate answers which responded to the needs expressed by users. The results revealed a heterogenous territorial distribution of psychiatric cases and this provided some indication for the realisation of a complex network of psychiatric network in the Avezzano health district.

[Depression and environmental, cultural and psychosocial variables in aging: "the delusions and sweet sadness of the elderly"]

The need to distinguish, in the elderly, a condition that is strictly and exclusively psychological characterised by an attitude of "sweet sadness" from a frankly pathological situation typical of the clinical picture of depression is underlined.

[Psychology and psychopathology of women undergoing voluntary abortion]

When facing the abortion question the following are necessary: more complete information on the consequences of indiscriminate sexual relations; a wider spread knowledge of contraceptive practices; the institution of special aid to unmarried mothers so as to prevent abortion remaining the only possible solution for an unbearable situation and which hides a serious psychological risk.

[Hypothesis for a common intervention strategy against addictions]

To stem the tide of addiction in the world, stress is laid on the need for a common intervention strategy which cannot be separated from the application of identical legislation for all nations. This would at least make it possible to base discussion of the problem on common parameters.

[The rehabilitation of the mental patient cannot disregard his family's involvement]

Rehabilitation, or rather the recovery of the mentally sick, often runs into serious difficulties precisely at the time when the disease state seems to be over. The family is one of the essential aspects of this problem because it is the family is traumatised by the disease of one of its members. The life of the family is so upset that it unconsciously opposes his recovery. The patient's problems upon his return to the family are further exacerbated by the pretext of the impossibility of living with somebody "different". Hence the need, independently of the patient's condition, for the members of his family to be prepared for his return to the family so as to guarantee him living room and conditions required for a relatively independent life. This adaptation of the family environment must be pursued right from the beginning of the disease.