The discovery of C-reactive protein in the laboratory of O. T. Avery at Rockefeller University in 1929-30 was the first specific obser- vation of the acute phase plasma protein response (Tillett and Francis 1930). This was one of three contributions of fundamental importance which emerged from that laboratory, the other two being the recognition that polysaccharides could act as antigens and that DNA transmits genetic information. In the course of charac- terization of pneumococcal carbohydrate antigens, a somatic poly- saccharide common to all Rand S forms of pneumococci was identified and designated Fraction "C" (Tillet et al. 1930). Testing of sera from patients with pneumococcal infection revealed the presence of material which precipitated with the C-polysaccharide but which differed from antibody in that calcium was required for the reaction. Furthermore, the amount of reactive material was greatest when patients were acutely ill and decreased in the convalescent phase, the precise opposite of specific anti-pneumo- coccal antibodies. Subsequently, the C-reactive material was shown to be a protein and to be present in the sera of individuals who were acutely ill with other, non-pneumococcal infections and tissue damaging conditions, hence Avery coined the term "acute phase" and called the protein "acute phase protein" (Abernethy and Avery 1941; MacLeod and Avery 1941). At that time methods were too insensitive to detect C-reative protein (CRP) in sera of healthy subjects and it was considered to be a pathological product.

Based on a symposium covering latest research, this volume contains contributions by international experts. They investigate the role that viruses play in certain diseases, and include discussions of animal models and human trials. Some of the chapters cover specifically: streptococci and rheumatic heart disease, Epstein-Barr infection and cancer, and molecular mimicry and autoimmune disease.

With this book we* want to address young graduate students, clini cians involved in transplantation, and technicians in transplantation immunology laboratories. The volume should give a comprehensive but basic, up to date introduction to the structure, function, and clinical importance of the HLA system. We believe that there is a need for such a survey, and think that the present level of our knowledge is an optimal occasion for publication. A significant number of ques tions have now been resolved, and our knowledge has reached a level of sophistication that provides the basis for additional questions and answers. Although the emphasis of this book is on the role of HLA anti gens in clinical transplantation, their involvement in other clinical contexts is also discussed. The main focus is on the human MHC an tigenic system, but MHC systems in other species are described as they contribute to our understanding of the structural and functional characteristics of HLA antigens. Some important issues related to laboratory techniques are also covered. The contributors have a close affiliation to the field of transplan tation immunology. A majority have even been playing important roles in unraveling the HLA system and its functions. We believe this has contributed significantly to the quality and clinical and practical relevance of the book. As editors, we drew up the principal guidelines and took care that the chapters can be read as separate entities, although this invariably results in some overlapping.

Scientists may feel that there are too many meetings these days, and we tend to agree on this until it comes to our own field of interest. In our own areas we would like to hear about other people's achievements and learn whatever may be helpful in the search for answers to our own pet questions. Exchange of ideas, discussions, and critical evaluations are almost as essential to progress as the actual laboratory work. These were the major motives which initiated our own efforts, with the support of Dr. Earle H. Spaulding, the Chairman of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Temple University School of Medicine, to bring to gether for the first time specialists from various disciplines who are attempt ing to achieve the same thing, i. e., the clarification of the chemical and immunological nature of different cellular antigens. Instead of publishing the proceedings of the conference, it was decided that we would attempt to review achievements in the different subjects as well as report the latest developments from our own laboratories. Thus we hope to give scientists involved in this explosively growing field not only an up-to-date report, but also a useful source of relevant references. Despite these efforts and aspirations, we realize that this book is not a complete survey of all known cellular antigens. We tried to present major representations of the most important cell types."

When I entered the field of allergy in the early 1970s, the standard textbook was a few hundred pages, and the specialty was so compact that texts were often authored entirely by a single individual and were never larger than one volume. Compare this with Allergy Frontiers: Epigenetics, Allergens, and Risk Factors, the present s- volume text with well over 150 contributors from throughout the world. This book captures the explosive growth of our specialty since the single-author textbooks referred to above. The unprecedented format of this work lies in its meticulous attention to detail yet comprehensive scope. For example, great detail is seen in manuscripts dealing with topics such as "Exosomes, naturally occurring minimal antigen presenting units" and "Neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1), an asthma susceptibility gene." The scope is exemplified by the unique approach to disease entities normally dealt with in a single chapter in most texts. For example, anaphylaxis, a topic usually confined to one chapter in most textbooks, is given five chapters in Allergy Frontiers. This approach allows the text to employ multiple contributors for a single topic, giving the reader the advantage of being introduced to more than one vi- point regarding a single disease.

When I entered the field of allergy in the early 1970s, the standard textbook was a few hundred pages, and the specialty was so compact that texts were often authored entirely by a single individual and were never larger than one volume. Compare this with Allergy Frontiers: Epigenetics, Allergens, and Risk Factors, the present s- volume text with well over 150 contributors from throughout the world. This book captures the explosive growth of our specialty since the single-author textbooks referred to above. The unprecedented format of this work lies in its meticulous attention to detail yet comprehensive scope. For example, great detail is seen in manuscripts dealing with topics such as "Exosomes, naturally occurring minimal antigen presenting units" and "Neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1), an asthma susceptibility gene." The scope is exemplified by the unique approach to disease entities normally dealt with in a single chapter in most texts. For example, anaphylaxis, a topic usually confined to one chapter in most textbooks, is given five chapters in Allergy Frontiers. This approach allows the text to employ multiple contributors for a single topic, giving the reader the advantage of being introduced to more than one vi- point regarding a single disease.

The number of children with allergies is astounding-nearly one child in six is said to suffer from some sort of allergy. The problems of these allergic children can be as mild as occasional attacks of hay fever or as severe as disfiguring eczema and life-threatening bronchial asthma. In addition to the obvious health problems associated with having allergies, affected children may experience recurring colds, painful ear infections, and other allergy linked conditions, all of which cause frequent school absences. Childhood allergies affect school performance adversely; they may be instrumental in reducing attention span, and they are certainly a major social, psychologi cal, and financial burden for children and their parents. This book is a complete guide to childhood allergies presented in simple jargon-free language. It provides parents with comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical information and advice on how to help their allergic children. It identifies the many allergic symptoms, tells what they look like, how prevalent they are, what causes them, and what to do about them. It outlines steps parents can take to help their children understand, manage, and control their allergies. Its goal is to help parents and children cope effectively with a major childhood problem."

Allergy and Allergic Diseases has been organized to provide an up-to-date, clinically relevant compilation of one of the most exciting areas of investigation in medicine today-allergic disease, especially as it pertains to the skin, airways, and bowel. With the dramatic rise in the incidence of various allergic disorders worldwide, and the coming of age of the discipline of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, the interface between basic and clinical science in this arena demands highlighting in this comprehensive new syn thesis.1t is with the hope of filling this evident need that Allergy and Allergic Diseases: The New Mechanisms and Therapeutics has been put together. The book's content is divided into both basic and clinical sections, with emphasis on various components of the immune and inflammatory response as they relate to the development of allergic disease. Topics span the range from molecular biology to clinical symptomatology, with an effort to make this of interest to as broad a constituency as possible. This book will therefore be of substantial interest to specialists in Clinical Immunology and Allergy, scientists studying the cellular and molecular biology of in flammation and immunity, as well as internists, teachers, developers of medical school curricula, and members of industry focused on drug discovery and therapeutics. Indeed, a separate section has been added to deal with some specific issues in this latter field."

The international workshop on "Specificity and Function of Clonally Developing T Cells" was held at SchloG Rei- sensburg (near UIm, West Germany) on March 17-20, 1985. The meeting brought together immunologists study- ing clonal T-cell development in man and mouse in various in vitro systems at the cellular as well as molecular level. It was an attempt to provide an overview of the current research interests of groups working on (a) the developmen- tal potential of in vitro expanding primary T-cell clones (investigated using limiting dilution analysis) and cloned T -cell lines established in long-term culture; (b) the signals required for the expression of particular patterns of (func- tional and antigen receptor) phenotypes by T cells which are either freshly explanted in vitro, or maintained in vitro as cloned long-term lines; and (c) the generation of an MHC-restricted T-cell repertoire. In the study of thymocytes emphasis has shifted towards the presumably immature adult/embryonic subset(s) which is (are) devoid of subset-specific differentiation markers (L3T4, Lyt-2). Neither the signal requirement(s) for clonal expansion in vitro of these cells, nor their precursor role for any functional T -cell lineage are as yet unambiguously established. The multiple modes of human T-cell activation (e.g., via Tp44, T11, T3/Ti molecular complexes) were em- phasized by a number of presentations and raised the ques- tion of whether these different modes of activation induce different functional activities in individual T-cell clones.

Let Rebecca Wilson, the mum behind @whatmummymakes, show you how to cook a week's worth of simple, healthy, and tasty meals to wean your baby from 6 months while feeding the rest of the family, too. Rebecca's recipes are fresh, accessible, nutritious, and made with the whole family in mind; you can cook just one meal for everyone, adults and children alike. Now, with this family meal planner, Rebecca aims to help mealtimes become even easier and take the stress out of feeding your family. There are 28 healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as snacks and puds, plus space to record your baby's first 100 foods, the whole family's names, and favorite meals. The book also includes sections that make organizing shopping lists stress free. Follow the What Mummy Makes method and you'll find weaning can be a delicious breeze for the whole family.

Gluten free recipes are based on a gluten-free diet, which is a diet that does not allow protein called gluten. You can find gluten in wheat, rye, barley and triticale which is a grain that is a cross between rye and wheat grain. The reason for excluding gluten is that this protein is known to cause inflammation in the small intestine which is seen in people with celiac disease. This diet is thus recommended for people suffering from celiac disease and those with sensitive digestive systems.

The leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases due to infection caused by parasitic protozoans belonging to the Leishmania genus, which find hosts in various wild and domestic animals and can be occasionally transmitted to humans by insect vectors. In this book, the authors discuss the symptoms, treatment and potential complications of leishmaniasis. Topics include immunity against leishmaniasis; the clinical haematology, epidemiology and aetiology of leishmaniasis; the role of neutrophils in visceral leishmaniasis; atypical manifestations of canine visceral leishmaniasis; and the parasitological and serological diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis.

The peanut is an important crop grown on over 21 million hectares worldwide. Although peanuts have had an adverse image due to their content in saturated fatty acids, it is important to mention they also are an excellent source of protein, vitamins, and minerals for human nutrition. In addition, peanuts contain relevant bioactive constituents that can provide a wide range of health benefits. Unfortunately, peanuts are also one, if not, the most allergenic vegetables and the most common food-related cause of IgE-mediated allergic reactions, mainly in westernised countries. This book will present an up-to-date overview regarding peanut composition, physical characteristics and bioactive properties. The second part will cover peanut and legume allergen characteristics, together with their prevalence. In addition, the therapeutic strategies to treat peanut allergy and the problem regarding the cross-reactivity of peanut and other allergens will be discussed.

Malaria is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases worldwide. Severe malaria leads to the death of close to two million individuals every year. Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of the most severe form of malaria is becoming increasingly resistant to current drugs, including artemisinin. This book presents current advances and comprehensive material in the biology of the parasite responsible for the most enduring and devastating disease of mankind. This book addresses P. falciparum infection and severe malaria, the role of heat shock proteins in the development and pathogenicity of the parasite, the biosynthesis of isoprenoid, specifically the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway in the erythrocytic stages of the parasite is described.

Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. The immune system mistakes some part of the body as a pathogen and attacks it. The treatment of autoimmune diseases is typically with immunosuppression -- medication which decreases the immune response. This book presents and reviews important data gathered on autoimmune diseases and related topics such as: systemic lupus erythematosus and nephritis, their diagnosis and management; emerging methods in Type 1 diabetes immunomodulation; blockage of hyperproduced cytokines as a new approach for the treatment of autoimmune conditions; bone marrow transplantation methods for autoimmune/stem cell disorders; the autoimmune attack on myelin proteins which initiate Multiple Sclerosis; and others.

The immune-response perspective in cognitive development is intended to explore how certain environmental proteins and genetic factors affect neuro-cognitive development and mental health thereafter. Specifically, naturally occurring proteins are known to cause severe and pervasive immune responses. More specifically, environmental antigenic/allergenic proteins may trigger IgE mediated reaction antibodies that influence cross-react immune responses to homologous exogenous/endogenous proteins. Repeated exposure to antigenic/allergenic proteins has been shown to cause an increased incidence of sensitisation, adverse allergic reactions, and even death through anaphylactic shock.

Food allergy is an adverse reaction resulting from an inappropriate immunological response to a food antigen. It usually presents itself as a multi-system involvement. Definitive treatment of food allergy is strict elimination of the offending food from the diet. Symptomatic reactivity to food allergens is generally very specific, and patients rarely react to more than one food in a botanical or animal species. If elimination diets are prescribed, care must be taken to ensure that they are palatable and nutritionally adequate. Patients must have a good knowledge of foods containing the allergen and must be taught to scrutinize the labels of all packaged food carefully. This book examines the effects of food allergies, as well as the various treatments that are available for this condition.

First published in 1993, this book provides a concise, critical account of the mental health aspects of HIV infection as it affected patients, their partners and families, health professionals and other carers in the early 1990s. The author, whose research, teaching and practice were conducted in an academic department of psychiatry, offers a considered and objective overview of the information on psychological and behavioural aspects of AIDS and HIV, challenging a number of ill-founded attitudes and opinions. Prefaced by clear explanations of the biological and neurological effects of infection, the particular and often very complex problems encountered by patients and health workers are explored in this volume. The author provides an informed assessment of reports and studies from around the world, including, where available, data from developing countries. He also contributes case histories, insights and practical advice for a wide readership in the mental health field and beyond.

A food allergy is an exaggerated immune response triggered by eggs, peanuts, milk, or some other specific food. Normally, your body's immune system defends against potentially harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, and toxins. In some people, an immune response is triggered by a substance that is generally harmless, such as a specific food. The cause of food allergies is not fully understood. A food allergy frequently starts in childhood, but it can begin at any age. Fortunately, many children will outgrow their allergy to milk, egg, wheat, and soy by the time they are 5 years old if they avoid the offending foods when they are young. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish tend to be lifelong. This book presents recent significant research in this field.

Histamine is an important mediator of allergic diseases, but knowledge of histamine as a cause of numerous non-allergic symptoms and signs is limited. This book offers wide-ranging coverage of histamine intolerance. There is extensive background discussion of the origin of histamine, its content in food and alcoholic beverages and intolerance to red wine. Diagnosis of histamine intolerance is explained and the various symptoms of histamine intolerance are clearly described. Subsequent chapters cover the relation of histamine to a wide variety of conditions, including drug intolerance, atopic dermatitis, seasickness and osteoporosis. This book will prove of value in clinical practice by facilitating differential diagnosis, which is by no means straightforward given the multiplicity of symptoms of histamine intolerance and by assisting in the selection of therapeutic measures.

Anaphylaxis is an immediate-type allergic reaction involving the whole organism. It is the most life-threatening allergic condition. Although there are few exact epidemiological data regarding prevalence, estimates regarding insect sting anaphylaxis range from 1-3 0n the general population, but much higher values have been reported by some authors for food and drug-induced anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is the main acute killer of allergic individuals.

Although anaphylaxis was discovered at the beginning of the 20th century, there are still many unresolved issues. These include non-IgE-mediated anaphylactoid reactions, non-immunologically mediated anaphylactoid (pseudo-allergic) reactions, pathophysiological events at the microcirculatory level, appropriate therapy for the acute reaction, strategies for prevention, public education about the problem and new approaches to prevention and therapy at the IgE level. All these subjects are discussed in this book.

Since anaphylaxis occurs acutely and is unforeseen, it is very difficult to organize controlled studies regarding therapy and prevention. The spectrum of symptomatology covers many clinical areas (skin, respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system), therefore inter-disciplinary approaches are necessary for progress in the field. There is widespread uncertainty among physicians about therapy, especially concerning self-administered treatment.

In this important book, an multidisciplinary group of experts explore the pathophysiology of different types of anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions. Evidence is presented on the epidemiology of these conditions while problems relating to diagnosis, therapy and prevention areexamined in detail. This thorough and up-to-date coverage of the subject will be of great interest to all clinical immunologists, researchers and physicians who deal with this life-threatening condition.

"Related Novartis Foundation symposia: " 252 Generation and effector functions of regulatory lymphocytes

Chair: Jean-Francois Bach

Immunoinformatics: bioinformatic strategies for better understanding of immune function

Chair: Hans-Georg Rammensee

Cancer and inflammation

Chair: Siamon Gordon

With the advent of transgenic technology, which allows the identification of specific gene activities in developing mammalian organisms, the house mouse has once again taken a very important place in experimental research as one of the genetically best understood mammals. More than ever, molecular biologists are in need of a detailed, standardized description of the anatomy of the developing mouse embryo. In this classic compendium, now brought up to date and corrected, the author presents each stage of mouse development in photographs and micrographs using hybrids of two inbred strains as a standard. Organ systems are systematically reconstructed from fertilization until after birth. Molecular biologists tracing the effects of genetic manipulations, as well as students and researchers of developmental biology, will appreciate the renewed availability of this standard reference work for its unparalleled accuracy, its attention to anatomical detail, and the extent of its documentation.

More than 140 years ago, lupus erythematosus (LE) was recognized as a disease entity by clinicians working in the field of dermatology, which had only recently become an independent medical discipline. Soon after cutaneous lupus was first reported, it was realized that, apart from the skin, the disease could involve other organs and thus be systemic in nature. The latter observations were first made by MORITZ KApOSI [1], whose work has attracted renewed attention re cently and who succeeded FERDINAND VON HEBRA to the chair of dermatology at the Medical Faculty in Vienna. The early description of lupus erythematosus in both its cutaneous and systemic manifes tations was thus intimately associated with Vienna and its Medical School. The next phase in the study of lupus was characterized by an in crease in knowledge of the type and extent of organ involvement. The work by OSLER [2], LIBMANN and SACKS [3], and KLEMPERER [4] best represents these advances. The increase in clinical knowledge of LE finally led to DUBOIS' famous monograph [5], which was pub lished at a time of renewed interest in SLE, elicited by the descrip tion by HARGRAVES et al. [6] of the LE-cell phenomenon. A more detailed analysis of this finding revealed that the disease was charac terized by an abnormal immune response, although its pathogenetic implications were still unclear.