Viral Superantigens


Book Description

Since the discovery of viral superantigens in 1991, immunologists have made a number of new discoveries. The discoveries, especially those relating to the interplay between the immune system and viruses producing superantigens, have had a great impact on immunology and virology, as it appears that some diseases are triggered or exacerbated by viral superantigens. Viral Superantigens presents a complete review of this new area of study. Edited by a leading researcher and authored by a distinguished team of contributors, this comprehensive analysis covers every aspect of viral superantigens and related subjects, including critical topics such as effects on the T cell repertoire and viral superantigen-mediated diseases. Immunologists and virologists, clinical practitioners, and graduate students will find this book an invaluable resource to encourage further advances in research.




Janeway's Immunobiology


Book Description

The Janeway's Immunobiology CD-ROM, Immunobiology Interactive, is included with each book, and can be purchased separately. It contains animations and videos with voiceover narration, as well as the figures from the text for presentation purposes.




Adverse Effects of Vaccines


Book Description

In 1900, for every 1,000 babies born in the United States, 100 would die before their first birthday, often due to infectious diseases. Today, vaccines exist for many viral and bacterial diseases. The National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, passed in 1986, was intended to bolster vaccine research and development through the federal coordination of vaccine initiatives and to provide relief to vaccine manufacturers facing financial burdens. The legislation also intended to address concerns about the safety of vaccines by instituting a compensation program, setting up a passive surveillance system for vaccine adverse events, and by providing information to consumers. A key component of the legislation required the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to collaborate with the Institute of Medicine to assess concerns about the safety of vaccines and potential adverse events, especially in children. Adverse Effects of Vaccines reviews the epidemiological, clinical, and biological evidence regarding adverse health events associated with specific vaccines covered by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP), including the varicella zoster vaccine, influenza vaccines, the hepatitis B vaccine, and the human papillomavirus vaccine, among others. For each possible adverse event, the report reviews peer-reviewed primary studies, summarizes their findings, and evaluates the epidemiological, clinical, and biological evidence. It finds that while no vaccine is 100 percent safe, very few adverse events are shown to be caused by vaccines. In addition, the evidence shows that vaccines do not cause several conditions. For example, the MMR vaccine is not associated with autism or childhood diabetes. Also, the DTaP vaccine is not associated with diabetes and the influenza vaccine given as a shot does not exacerbate asthma. Adverse Effects of Vaccines will be of special interest to the National Vaccine Program Office, the VICP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, vaccine safety researchers and manufacturers, parents, caregivers, and health professionals in the private and public sectors.




The Comprehensive Sourcebook of Bacterial Protein Toxins


Book Description

This book describes the major achievements and discoveries relevant to bacterial protein toxins since the turn of the new century illustrated by the discovery of more than fifty novel toxins (many of them identified through genome screening). The establishment of the three-dimensional crystal structure of more than 20 toxins during the same period offers deeper knowledge of structure-activity relationships and provides a framework to understand how toxins recognize receptors, penetrate membranes and interact with and modify intracellular substrates. - Edited by two of the most highly regarded experts in the field from the Institut Pasteur, France - 14 brand new chapters dedicated to coverage of historical and general aspects of toxinology - Includes the major toxins of both basic and clinical interest are described in depth - Details applied aspects of toxins such as therapy, vaccinology, and toolkits in cell biology - Evolutionary and functional aspects of bacterial toxins evaluated and summarized - Toxin applications in cell biology presented - Therapy (cancer therapy, dystonias) discussed - Vaccines (native and genetically engineered vaccines) featured - Toxins discussed as biological weapons, comprising chapters on anthrax, diphtheria, ricin etc.




Encyclopedic Reference of Immunotoxicology


Book Description

This work provides rapid access to focused information on topics of Immunotoxicology not only for scientists and those dealing with laboratory aspects but also for lecturers and advanced students. Over 200 contributing authors – including many of the world’s top specialists – have contributed full essays on all relevant topics, supplemented by keyword definitions of related terms. Full essays are structured uniformly to provide reader-friendly information on all aspects of Immunotoxicology, including methods of testing and analysis, characteristics of substances, the regulatory environment and the relevance of these to humans. The single A–Z format of both types of entry makes this reference book very easy to use. The Encyclopedic Reference of Immunotoxicology is intended to be a comprehensive work of reference which will provide easy access to relevant information in the fast-growing field of Immunotoxicology.




Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field


Book Description

Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.




Superantigens and Superallergens


Book Description

Superantigens constitute a growing family of bacterial and viral proteins that share the capacity of inducing massive activation of the immune system. This volume contains contributions from leaders in the field of classical T cell superantigens and sheds light on relevant B cell superantigens at the molecular and biochemical levels. This is the first volume to put together basic and clinical aspects of the classical T cell superantigens, B cell superantigens and superallergens. It will therefore be indispensable reading to basic and clinical immunologists, microbiologists, virologists and specialists in allergic and immune disorders.




Superantigens


Book Description

This up-to-date sourcebook covers viral and bacterial superantigens (SAgs) from molecular structure and immunological processes to pathology and treatment of superantigen-mediated human diseases. Discusses diseases beyond Toxic Shock Syndrome, such as autoimmune and inflammatory skin conditions, as well as the role of superantigens in other infectious diseases. Illustrated with molecular structures of superantigens.




Elsevier's Integrated Review Immunology and Microbiology E-Book


Book Description

Effectively merge basic science and clinical skills with Elsevier’s Integrated Review of Immunology and Microbiology, by Jeffrey K. Actor, PhD. This concise, high-yield title in the popular Integrated Review Series focuses on the core knowledge in immunology and microbiology while linking that information to related concepts from other basic science disciplines. Case-based questions at the end of each chapter enable you to gauge your mastery of the material, and a color-coded format allows you to quickly find the specific guidance you need. . This concise and user-friendly reference provides crucial guidance for the early years of medical training and USMLE preparation. This title includes additional digital media when purchased in print format. For this digital book edition, media content is not included. Spend more time reviewing and less time searching thanks to an extremely focused, "high-yield" presentation. Gauge your mastery of the material and build confidence with case-based and USMLE-style questions that provide effective chapter review and quick practice for your exams. This title includes additional digital media when purchased in print format. For this digital book edition, media content is not included. Grasp and retain vital concepts more easily thanks to a color-coded format, succinct text, key concept boxes, and dynamic illustrations that facilitate learning in a highly visual approach. Effectively review for problem-based courses with the help of text boxes that help you clearly see the clinical relevance of the material.