Immunosuppression involves an act that reduces the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Some portions of the immune system itself have immuno-suppressive effects on other parts of the immune system, and immunosuppression may occur as an adverse reaction to treatment of other conditions. Deliberately induced immunosuppression is generally done to prevent the body from rejecting an organ transplant, treating graft-versus-host disease after a bone marrow transplant, or for the treatment of auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease. This is typically done using drugs, but may involve surgery (splenectomy), plasmapharesis, or radiation. A person who is undergoing immunosuppression, or whose immune system is weak for other reasons (for example, chemotherapy and HIV patients) is said to be immunocompromised. When an organ is transplanted, the immune system of the recipient will most likely recognise it as foreign tissue and attack it. The destruction of the organ will, if untreated, end in the death of the recipient. In the past, radiation therapy was used to decrease the strength of the immune system, but now immunosuppressant drugs are used to inhibit the reaction of the immune system. The downside is that with such a deactivated immune system, the body is very vulnerable to opportunistic infections, even those usually considered harmless. Also, prolonged use of immunosuppressants increases the risk of cancer. This book presents the latest research in the field.

Macrophages are an important part of the immune response and are characterized by their ability to phagocytose foreign matter. However the difficulties involved in macrophage isolation mean they are some of the body's least explored cells. Macrophage Methodology describes how to isolate moderate to high yields of viable cells from a variety of specific tissue sites under both normal and pathological conditions and then goes on to give protocols for macrophage purification. A variety of broad techniques have been brought together in one affordable volume to make Macrophage Methodology an essential buy for anyone studying macrophages.

Parasites and infectious diseases are everywhere and represent some of the most potent forces shaping the natural world. They affect almost every aspect imaginable in the life of their hosts, even as far as the structure of entire ecosystems. Hosts, in turn, have evolved complex defences, with immune systems being among the most sophisticated processes known in nature. In response, parasites have again found ways to manipulate and exploit their hosts. Ever since life began, hosts and parasites have taken part in this relentless co-evolutionary struggle with far-reaching consequences for us all. Today, concepts borrowed from evolution, ecology, parasitology, and immunology have formed a new synthesis for the study of host-parasite interactions. Evolutionary parasitology builds on these established fields of scientific enquiry but also includes some of the most successful inter-disciplinary areas of modern biology such as evolutionary epidemiology and ecological immunology. The first edition of this innovative text quickly became the standard reference text for this new discipline. Since then, the field has progressed rapidly and an update is now required. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to provide a state-of-the-art overview, from the molecular bases to adaptive strategies and their ecological and evolutionary consequences. It includes completely new material on topics such as microbiota, evolutionary genomics, phylodynamics, within-host evolution, epidemiology, disease spaces, and emergent diseases. Evolutionary Parasitology is suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate level students, and interdisciplinary researchers from a variety of fields including immunology, genetics, sexual selection, population ecology, behavioural ecology, epidemiology, and evolutionary biology. Those studying and working in adjacent fields such as conservation biology, virology, medicine, and public health will also find it an invaluable resource for connecting to the bases of their science.

Advances in Immunology presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.

Advances in Immunology presents current developments as well as comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, including molecular and cellular activation mechanisms, phylogeny and molecular evolution, and clinical modalities. Edited and authored by the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.

This work on recent advances in immunology covers topics which include: molecular and cellular events in early thymocyte development; regulation of ig light chain isotype expression; and the role of immuno-receptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) in signal transuction.

This volume comprises the cumulative subject index for volumes 37 to 65 of the Advances in Immunology series.

KEY TOPICS:
Ig A Deficiency
The Role of Cellular Immunity in Protection against HIV Infection
Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus: Immunological Interplays between Virus and Host
The Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing
NF-kB in cytokine gene expression
NF-kB as a target for immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory molecules

Key Features
* A Deficiency
* The Role of Cellular Immunity in Protection against HIV Infection
* Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus: Immunological Interplays between Virus and Host
* The Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing
* NF-kB in cytokine gene expression
* NF-kB as a target for immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory molecules

Immunoassay procedures (isotopic and non-isotopic) have become one of the single most important techniques in present-day diagnostic medicine. This book is designed as an introductory test for the staff of clinical research laboratories who conduct or intend to conduct such techniques, and will be of great value to the clinicians who make use of such services. The volume takes a three-pronged approach in it's in-depth presentation: explanation of the basic principles and applications of radioimmunoassays and non-isotopic immunoassays; practical illustrations of the various steps involved in immunoassays; discussion of the problems and pitfalls in immunoassays and how to avoid them. This fifth revised edition is a worthy successor to it's predecessors in this famous "Laboratory Techniques" series.

This book serves as a comprehensive overview of the current scientific knowledge on the health effects of dietary and supplemental antioxidants (such as vitamins C and E). Chapters integrate information from basic research and animal studies, epidemiologic studies, and clinical intervention trials.
The popular media has taken great interest in antioxidants, with numerous articles emphasizing their role in preventing disease and the possible slowing of the aging process. These antioxidant vitamins may be important in preventing not only acute deficiency symptoms, but also chronic disorders such as heart disease and certain types of cancer. This book, therefore, is not only for scientists and doctors, but also for health writers, journalists, and informed lay people.
The text focuses on several human conditions for which there is now good scientific evidence that oxidation is an important etiological component. Specifically, antioxidants may prevent or slow down the progression of: Cancer, Cardiovascular disease, Immune system disorders, Cataracts, Neurological disorders, Degeneration due to the aging process.

Evaluates risks to human health and the environment posed by the production and use of tri-n-butyl phosphate. Tri-n-butyl phosphate is widely used worldwide as a solvent for cellulose esters, lacquers, and natural gums, as a primary plasticizer in the manufacture of plastics and vinyl resins, in the formulation of fire-resistant aircraft hydraulic fluids, and as an antifoaming agent, mainly in paper manufacturing plants.

'A big-picture forecast of how medicine stands on the threshold of a revolution that will radically change all of our lives' The Times Welcome to a revolution in the science of you! This landmark new book from award-winning scientist Daniel M. Davis explores the future of the human body. Imagine taking drugs to help you acquire new skills, or knowing years in advance the precise likelihood of developing specific cancers, or following a diet and health regime tailored to your microbiome, or even having continuous monitoring of your body's workings and well-being. Written by an award-winning scientist, this landmark book shows how these radical and disconcerting possibilities have been made real. It is at once a gripping drama of scientific ingenuity, discovery and collaboration, and a vision of the human body of dizzying complexity and wonder. 'The startling new discoveries...are radically altering our understanding of how we function and what our future holds' BRIAN COX 'Thrilling' BILL BRYSON 'Brilliant' TIM SPECTOR 'Extraordinary' ALICE ROBERTS

This book examines the latest research developments in the study of the production, types and roles in disease of granulocytes. Topics include the regulation of granulocyte differentiation by microRNA and transcription factors; chemotactic assay of human neutrophils and eosinophils; basophilic granulocytes; and the role of granulocytes on the onset of tissue-destructive diseases.

Since the identification of the first cases of the coronavirus in December 2019, there has been a significant amount of confusion regarding the origin and spread of the so-called 'coronavirus', SARS-CoV-2, and the cause of the disease COVID-19. Conflicting messages from the media and officials across different countries and organizations, the abundance of disparate sources of information, unfounded conspiracy theories on the origins of the virus, unproven therapies, and inconsistent public health measures, have all served to increase anxiety in the population. Where did the virus come from? How is it transmitted? How does it cause disease? Is it like flu? What is a pandemic? In this concise and accessible introduction, a leading expert provides answers to these commonly asked questions. This revised and updated edition now also covers how the virus mutates, how important these mutations are, how vaccines work, and what we can expect in the near and long-term future.

Lanthanides Series Determination by Various Analytical Methods describes the different spectroscopic and electrochemical methods used for the determination and measurement of lanthanides. Numerous examples of determination methods used in real sample analysis are gathered and explained, and the importance of lanthanides as applied in chemical industry, agriculture, clinical and pharmaceutical industry, and biology is discussed, with many applications and recent advantages given.

The field of peptide based cancer vaccines has evolved tremendously in the last decade of this century. The exploration on how to apply the peptide knowledge for vaccination purposes began when it was demonstrated that these peptides after being mixed into adjuvants actually induced T cell responses that could prevent virus infections and tumor growth in experimental animal models. The results of animal models are currently translated into clinical applications with all their associated difficulties and heterogeneity. Initial promising data do appear, warranting further research in this area. This book pays tribute to key researchers in the field.

This groundbreaking book describes the emerging field of theoretical immunology, in particular the use of mathematical models to describe the spread of infectious diseases within patients. It reveals fascinating insights into the dynamics of viral and other infections, and the interactions between infectious agents and immune responses. Structured around the examples of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B, Nowak and May show how mathematical models can help researchers to understand the detailed dynamics of infection and the effects of antiviral therapy. Models are developed to describe the dynamics of drug resistance, immune responses, viral evolution and mutation, and to optimise the design of therapy and vaccines.

Pregnancy tests, HIV tests, and tests to confirm heart attacks and many other clinical diagnostic tests are all immunoassays. Without immunoassays a huge variety of biologically important molecules could not be easily detected or quantified. Immunoassays is the first practical volume designed to help any biologist develop an immunoassay of any common format for any suitable analyte. The basic principles are described and the choices of assay types and formats listed.

A brief treatment of immunobiology for second year undergraduates with little previous knowledge of the topic. The author illustrates molecular, biochemical and cellular phenomena with reference to all areas of zoology, including invertebrates, to draw out common themes and principles.

The book is a collection of up-to-date reviews by major researchers in the field of the fast-moving area of modern immunology. Its wide scope, depth of coverage, well-illustrated text, and the eminence of the authorship make it unique in its field. Over 1900 literature reference are cited. So much has happened in immunology since publication of the first edition of this popular book seven years ago that the second edition is a major new work. The chapters on mechanism and control of immunoglobulin genes by Fred Alt and his colleagues, T-cell antigen receptor genes by Mark Davis and Yeuh-hsui Chien, T lymphocyte signal transduction by Cox Terhorst et al, and the complement system by Ken Reid are all major updates and extensions of their first edition contributions. In addition, the second edition contains new chapters by David Jewell and Ian Wilson on the structure and function on MHC class I and class II antigens, by John Monaco on molecular mechanisms of antigen processing. By Gerry Klaus on B cell activation, and by Martine Verhoeyen and John Windust in recent advances by antibody engineering.

The role of the cytokine, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), in the immune response and in the immunopathogenesis of different inflammatory, autoimmune, and infectious disorders is now well established. The aim of this handbook is to provide an authoritative volume covering all aspects of MIF, from basic molecular biology to structure-function relationships, pathophysiology, genetics, and drug development. Recent studies continue to broaden considerably the role of MIF in both normal physiology and pathology, which range from such diverse areas as oncogenesis, cardiac physiology, and neurodevelopment. MIF's molecular mechanism of action in these contexts is becoming increasingly understood and the role of variant MIF alleles in different conditions continues to be defined. Unique structural features of the protein, such as an intrinsic catalytic activity, and the continuing elucidation of its receptor-dependent mechanism of action offer attractive opportunities for therapeutic intervention. This volume will provide a comprehensive synthesis of the state of the art of MIF science.

In recent years, researchers have identified a pivotal, upstream role for macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the innate immune response. This pioneering book describes this renaissance of knowledge in the biology of MIF. Topics covered include MIF's molecular mechanism of action, its counterregulatory action on the immunosuppressive properties of glucocorticoids, its role in the production of proinflammatory mediators as shown in cell-based and animal studies; and its central role in human inflammation. Human genetic studies have identified allelic forms of the MIF gene, and high-expression alleles have been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, asthma severity, sarcoidosis, atopy, inflammatory bowel disease, and other inflammatory and infectious maladies. The book also discusses the role of MIF as a therapeutic target. Unique structural features of the protein, such as an intrinsic catalytic activity and the recent discovery of its cell surface receptor, offer attractive opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Such approaches are presently in clinical development.

Now for the first time, one comprehensive book summarizes and analyzes the numerous scientific papers and reviews covering selected aspects of the structure, biological activities, and clinical effects of immune interferon, also known as interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma). Immune Interferon: Properties and Clinical Applications is essential reading for anyone working with interferons.

Having developed their own brand of interferon-gamma, the authors have become well known for their research and significant contributions in the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and interferon-gamma. They bring together the extensive findings from years of research since the discovery of the drug. Focusing on the drug itself and not particular brands, the book presents data on the properties of interferon-gamma, experimental data on its effects in cell cultures in vitro and on animals in vivo, the role that IFN-gamma plays in different diseases, and the results of its clinical applications.

As interest in this versatile drug continues to grow, new avenues for its clinical use will continue to arise. Within a single source, Immune Interferon: Properties and Clinical Applications provides you with thorough information on all facets of interferon-gamma, from biological properties, to pharmaceutical processing, to clinical application.

In recent decades immunology has been one of the most exciting--and successful--fields of biomedical research. Over the past thirty years immunologists have acquired a detailed understanding of the immune system's unique recognition mechanism and of the cellular and chemical means used to destroy or neutralize invading organisms. This understanding has been formulated in terms of the clonal selection theory, the dominant explanation of immune behavior. That story is the subject of "The Generation of Diversity,"

A major problem for immunologists had long been to determine how cells of the immune system could produce millions of distinct antibodies--and produce them on demand. The clonal selection theory explains that cells with genetic instructions to produce each antibody exist in the body in small numbers until exposure to the right molecule--the antigen--triggers the selective cloning that will reproduce exactly the cell needed. But how can so many different antibody-producing cells be generated from such limited genetic material? The solution to this question came from new applications of molecular biology, and, as the authors argue, the impact of the new techniques changed both the methods and the concepts of immunology.

"The Generation of Diversity" is an intellectual history of the major theoretical problem in immunology and its resolution in the post-World War II period. It will provide for immunologists essential background for understanding the conceptual conflicts occurring in the field today.

Monoclonal antibodies have had their impact on biomedical research for more than a decade. Beside their exuberant use as reagents, quite a number of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches have been followed and an impressive number of technological improvements, e.g., humanization, recombinant miniantibodies, have been elaborated to strengthen the principle. With respect to clinical applications, the first generation of antibody 'drugs' is yielding promising results while second and third generation antibody constructs are already underway. The book reviews the status of technological development and brings this into the perspective of clinical results. A rapidly growing amount of clinical data is collected in an expanding number of indications. Hence, the review of clinical study results has been grouped according to the fields of oncology and of chronic and acute inflammation. This book will be of interest to scientists working in the fields of oncology, immunology, internal medicine and clinical chemistry.