Although the mechanisms and triggers that stimulate and are responsible for the natural history ofasthma are steadily being more clearly defined, uncertainties still surround both the genetic basis and the etiologyofone of the most common syndromes in the world. In fact, it is ofconsider- able concern and interest that the incidence of asthma today appears to be rising. These statistical increments may only reflect an increasing awareness of the disease, or its earlier and more sophisticated diagnosis. More important, however, asthma mortality appears to be increasing. This increase has occurred despite the continuing expansion of a diag- nostic and management information base, and the developmentofnovel andevermoreeffective therapeutic modalities. Severalexplanations have been offered for this increase in mortality, including that it may result from a statistical artifact [based on a change in the coding criteria for asthma from the International ClassificationofDiseases Version 8(ICD- 8) to ICD-9], worsened pollution, delays in seeking medical help, behav- ioral changes, deficits in the asthma education of both patients and primary careproviders, toxicity ofbeta-agonists, and noncompliance with instructions for the proper use of medications. It should also be empha- sized that the increases in both incidence and mortality may be a reflec- tion of accumulating body burdens of environmental toxicants and of increased oxidativedamage. There has clearly beenadegradation ofenvi- ronmental quality. And although considerableattention has been focused on this possibility in both the scientific and lay press, more research in this area is definitely needed.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH: Volume III: Intramural Research contains a broad overview of the research activity of the NIAID intramural scientists working in the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), both in the Bethesda campus, and the Rocky Mountains Research Laboratories. Each of these laboratories employs scientists internationally recognized as leaders in their fields of biomedical research.

This volume focuses on individual research contributions by internationally known scientists doing research in the NIAID laboratories.

Practical Patch Testing and Chemical Allergens in Contact Dermatitis covers the most relevant allergens in a concise and algorithmic fashion, with practical tips for patch testing. This book assists practitioners and trainees with educating patients on how to avoid their irritants and allergens to effectively manage contact dermatitis. Clinical pearls for patch testing of certain allergens are clearly outlined in this book to help providers avoid common pitfalls and reduce the risk of incorrect diagnoses, making it an essential reference for all involved in the treatment of contact dermatitis.

Modern society is altering the lifestyle and longevity of its members much more quickly than evolutionary adaptation to these changes can take place. The problem of calcium deficiency in the population is compounded by the growing percentage of aged individuals with relatively fragile, less massive skeletons. Current-day civilizations are much more effective in prolonging human life in a state of relative debility than even a few decades ago. This reality is unlikely to change and mandates that we develop strategies to prevent aging-related diseases like osteoporosis before they become manifest. Osteoporosis: Genetics, Prevention and Treatment places emphasis on the (1) genetic predisposition, (2) early recognition and (3) prevention of osteoporosis. The intent is not to move the practitioner's attention away from intervention therapy of osteoporosis, but rather to expand their view of this disease as one beginning at birth and one in which susceptibility is manifest at the conclusion of adolescence, not at menopause. The book concludes with an informed view of the future in terms of the recognition, prevention and management of osteoporosis.

Rapid progress in analytical methods, within the past few decades, has led to the widespread applications of newer immunological and radioimmunoassay techniques to the diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders. Major advances were made to meet the multiple challenges of improving precision, accuracy, and availability of various measurements. These advances have been paralleled by the discoveries of a close relationship between biological activities and the absolute concentration of proteins that were measured by immunological techniques. This, in turn, assured the significance and usefulness of immunological methods in the management of patients. Numerous variants of immunological tests now are available, which allow us to both determine with precision minute quantities of antigenic proteins in serum and other biological fluids and differentiate the native protein from its genetically altered or degraded forms. Methods also have been designed to immunologically evaluate some serine proteases that are in complex with proteolytic inhibitors. Due to rapid progress in this field, different laboratories unavoidably become experts in one or the other approach. In the welter of possible choices, the non-expert usually is left to follow either the most recent but as yet to be confirmed method or his own anecdotal experience. This manual not only brought together various methods in current use, but it also set certain standardized criteria for the assessment of various deficiencies and abnormalities in hemostasis.

In the scientific aspects of immunology, the pace of advance has been almost overwhelming, but with some notable exceptions, clinical benefits have been slow. For those who are interested in allergy, the situation has been somewhat different. Here, the scientific aspects have lagged sadly behind other branches of immunology. There has, however, been a recent explosion of knowledge, which began with the discovery of immunoglobulin E, and a curious situation has come to light. The speculations of the older allergists, which had often been derided as mere inventions, now appear to be largely true. A number of 'preposterous' hypotheses have acquired the respectability that comes with scientific proof and the entire field is now full of excitement and challenge. It is no longer doubted that 'reaginic' antibody can sensitize cells that reside beneath the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. Skin prick tests with 'hair of the tail of the dog' have been legitimized by correlating them with the carefully validated results of radioallergosorbent tests. It has furthermore been shown beyond doubt that immunotherapy with increasing amounts of bee venom really can 'hyposensitize' patients who have previously suffered anaphylactic reactions to bee stings. This book has been published in the hope that, in the field of allergy, it will bridge the gap between basic science and the clinical application.

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 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.

A series of international symposia on viral hepatitis and liver disease has been held triannially, and called the "Olympics" of this research field. Our book presents the results of the eighth of these "Olympiads" which for the first time, was held in Asia (May 1993, Tokyo). Due to the rapid progress in research on both basic and clinical aspects of viral hepatitis and liver disease, the state of the art in this field is continually being updated, and our book provides a broad and in-depth survey of current work. The major topics in our book include molecular biology of the five known hepatitis viruses (HAV, HBV, HCV, HDV, and HEV), clinical implications of genetic variants of HBV and HCV, interferon treatment of HCV-related liver disease, and worldwide epidemiology and control of viral hepatitis. New subjects not seen in previous books, such as genotypes of HCV, are also covered. Expanding knowledge about the heterogeneity of the HCV genome has revealed a great variety of genotypes as well as their association with host pathogenesis and their varying responsiveness to interferon therapy. The first promising results of efforts to develop a hepatitis C vaccine are also presented. Finally, compared with its predecessors, our book contains many more papers from Asian countries, where the prevalence of viral hepatitis and liver disease is the highest in the world.

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.

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 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."

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.

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.

People all over the world suffer from histamine intolerance without being aware of it. We itch, sneeze, suffer from joint pain, inflammation, sleep disorders, irritability, anxiety, bowel disease, diarrhea, flatulence, stomach pain, heartburn and acid reflux, nausea, bloating and other digestive problems, eczema, psoriasis, tissue swelling, urticaria (hives), itching skin, itching scalp, sinusitis, runny nose, puffy eyes, hay fever, asthma, and breathing difficulties, or endure tension headaches, migraines, fuzzy thinking, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, painful periods (women), sudden drops in blood pressure, faintness or flushing, immediately after the consumption of histamine-rich foods, or many hours afterwards. Histamine is colorless, odorless and tasteless - invisible and undetectable except by scientific analysis, and yet crucial to our well-being. Individual histamine tolerance thresholds vary greatly. A range of circumstances including our genes, our environment, our diet and stress, cause our bodies' histamine levels to rise. If they rise faster than our bodies can break them down, we experience the excessive inflammation brought on by histamine intolerance, or HIT. The good news is, if we can understand what is happening and why, we can treat or prevent this widely unrecognized condition. By far the best way to treat histamine intolerance is with diet. All foods with the potential to raise histamine levels should be avoided until symptoms improve. This book discusses HIT in depth, including causes, symptoms and therapies, backed by scientific research. Along with a list of foods to help HIT sufferers, it includes a wide range of recipes for everything from entrees to desserts.

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