Robert E. McCool

Acute postdisaster coping and adjustment

This study examines coping strategies and short-term adjustment in survivors of a tornado. Forty-two subjects were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule/Disaster Supplement (DIS/DS) within 1 month of the event. Rates of psychiatric disorder in survivors were low, and even rates of symptoms were not especially high. Subjects turned to family and friends for support as their most frequent coping method. While many utilized active coping techniques such as talking and reading about it, others dealt with their experience by avoidance, trying not to think about the tornado. Many also reported that religious and philosophical perspectives helped them. Few required medication to relieve their upset, and none depended on alcohol.

Interferon induction and augmentation of natural-killer activity by Staphylococcus protein A.

Abstract Protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (SpA)-induced interferon (IF) production and augmented natural-killer (NK) activity in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL). IF production was apparent 8 hr and peaked 24 hr after exposure to SpA. Augmentation of NK activity occurred within 10 hr of IF production with peak NK activity occurring 48 hr after exposure to SpA. SpA-induced augmentation of NK activity correlated directly with IF production ( r = 0.997; P

Production of macrophage activation factor by a T-cell hybridoma

Abstract A hybridoma, F133, that produces macrophage activation factor (MAF) after mitogen stimulation was developed by fusing the AKR-derived BW5147 thymoma with alloantigen-stimulated C3H/HeJ splenocytes. F133 supernatants were shown to contain MAF, migration inhibition factor, and a factor capable of suppressing the plaque-forming response to sheep erythrocytes but not lymphotoxin, interleukin II, or interferon. Both concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) induced MAF production by F133. Time course and dose-response experiments showed that maximal concentrations of MAF were present 48 hr after stimulation with either 1.5 μg/ml Con A or 6 μg/ml PHA. F133 and normal splenocyte MAF preparations shared physicochemical properties in that heating at 100 °C for 30 min abolished MAF activity while 56 °C for 30 min or 100 °C for 2 min had little effect. In addition, both MAF preparations were dependent on the presence of lipopolysaccharide for macrophage activation and each was inactivated by pH 4.0 or pH 10 treatment while pH 6.0 and pH 8.0 had little effect. Also, pretreatment of both MAF preparations with either trypsin or chymotrypsin inactivated MAF activity.

Effects of carrageenan on spontaneous and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity☆

Abstract We examined the effect of carrageenan on in vitro antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytolysis (ADCC) and spontaneous cell-mediated cytolysis (SCMC) in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL). Carrageenan, when present in the assay, nonspecifically reduced ADCC and SCMC against both Chang and chicken erythrocyte (CRBC) target cells. This reduction in cytotoxicity could not be attributed entirely to the macrophage toxic and complement-inhibitory properties of carrageenan because neither removal of complement nor macrophage depletion prevented the dose-dependent inhibition. In contrast, pretreatment of effector PBL, with carrageenan followed by removal of Carrageenan by washing did not alter ADCC or SCMC against Chang cells, which are mediated by nonphagocytic cells, but reduced both ADCC and SCMC activity against CRBC targets, which are mediated in part by macrophages. Thus, Carrageenan, when present in in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxicity assays, causes a nonspecific impairment of cytotoxicity that is independent of its anticomplement or macrophage-toxic properties.

Immunology of Genitourinary Tumors

In this presentation, we review some of the experimental evidence that bears on the relationship between urologic cancer and host immunity.

Current management of iatrogenic splenic injuries in children

Recent clinical observations indicate that children who have undergone splenectomy for trauma have a significantly increased incidence (about 2 per cent) of subsequent fata sepsis, particularly with pneumococcus organisms. Some protection against fatal sepsis may be afforded by immunization with the newly developed pneumococcal vaccine in children more than 2 years old or by the use of prophylactic penicillin. However, splenectomy should be avoided whenever possible. The vast majority of iatrogenic splenic injuries that occur during renal operations in children are usually minor capsular lacerations that can be managed conservatively, using suturing techniques and drainage, and do not require splenectomy.

Role of Antibody in Cytotoxicity by Lymphocytes Armed against 253J Bladder Cancer Line

[目的]观察灭幽汤对幽门螺杆菌（helicobacter pylori,Hp）相关性胃炎脾胃湿热证模型小鼠TLR4、NF-κB65的蛋白及mRNA、TNF-α、IL-8表达的影响,探讨灭幽汤治疗Hp相关性胃炎脾胃湿热证的机制.[方法]将70只BALB/c小鼠随机分为对照组、模型组、高浓度灭幽汤组（高灭组）、低浓度灭幽汤组（低灭组）、胃三联组（替硝唑＋克拉霉素＋枸橼酸铋钾颗粒）,每组14只;采用复合因素（肥甘食物＋湿热环境＋幽门螺杆菌）建立BALB/c小鼠Hp相关性胃炎脾胃湿热证模型;造模成功后连续给药14 d,而后分别采用免疫组化检测TLR4、NF-κB65蛋白,qPCR检测TLR4 mRNA、NF-κB65 mRNA的表达情况,采用ELISA检测血清TNF-α、IL-8的表达.[结果]模型组TLR4、NF-κB65的蛋白及mRNA、血清TNF-α、IL-8含量表达均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义;通过药物治疗后,低灭组、高灭组、胃三联组TLR4、NF-κB65的蛋白及mRNA、血清TNF-α、IL-8含量表达均低于模型组,差异有统计学意义;高灭组TLR4、NF-κB65的蛋白及mRNA、血清TNF-α、IL-8含量表达虽低于胃三联组,但差异无统计学意义.[结论]灭幽汤可能通过干预TLR4/NF-κB65信号通路,抑制TLR4、NF-κB65及下游因子的表达以达到治疗Hp相关性胃炎脾胃湿热证的目的.

Suppressive Effects of Regional Lymph Node Cells and Extracts on Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

Lymphocytes from regional lymph nodes that drain tumors and extracts of such lymphocytes suppress antibody-dependent cell-mediated target cell lysis by effector cells from cancer patients and controls. In contrast, lymph node cells from control patients are not suppressive. Control extracts from normal lymphocytes and 2 immunologically inert tissues, muscle and kidney, exhibit some suppressive activity but significantly less than extracts from lymph nodes that drain tumors.

Optimum conditions for the reproducible measurement of concanavalin A-activated suppressor cell activity

The reproducibility of the measurement of concanavalin A (Con A)-inducible suppressor cell activity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes was examined. Suppressor cells were activated for 24, 48, or 72 hr with 3, 6, and 12 μ of Con A (Con A in concentrations greater than 12 μ/ml was toxic to the lymphocytes) per ml and suppression of the proliferative response of autologous lymphocytes to varying concentrations of Con A (3, 6, and 12 μ/ml) was measured. No single set of conditions consistently produced optimal suppression. Assays performed concurrently using lymphocytes from the same subject produced comparable suppressor cell activity; however, considerable variability in suppressor cell activity was observed under all conditions tested when five normal subjects were examined on as many as four separate occasions. The variability was reduced but not eliminated by reporting the data for each assay in terms of a peak suppression value determined from multiple sets of conditions. The results suggest that small differences in suppressor cell activity between patient groups may be masked by the intrinsic variability of the assay system.