This is the most comprehensive review of the idiotypic network available. All the current knowledge of idiotypes of the various antibodies is incorporated in this volume. The pathogenic role of idiotypes in autoimmunity and cancer is reviewed in depth. The therapeutic part focusses on harnessing anti-idiotypes for treating autoimmunological disorders, and on the employment of idiotypes for vaccines in cancer and infectious diseases, as well as explaining the manipulation of the idiotypic network in autoimmunity and cancer idiotypes and vaccines.

In light of the discovery of Autoimmune Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants, or ASIA, Vaccines and Autoimmunity explores the role of adjuvants specifically aluminum in different vaccines and how they can induce diverse autoimmune clinical manifestations in genetically prone individuals. Vaccines and Autoimmunity is divided into three sections; the first contextualizes the role of adjuvants in the framework of autoimmunity, covering the mechanism of action of adjuvants, experimental models of adjuvant induced autoimmune diseases, infections as adjuvants, the Gulf War Syndrome, sick-building syndrome (SBS), safe vaccines, toll-like receptors, TLRS in vaccines, pesticides as adjuvants, oil as adjuvant, mercury, aluminum and autoimmunity. The following section reviews literature on vaccines that have induced autoimmune conditions such as MMR and HBV, among others. The final section covers diseases in which vaccines were known to be the solicitor for instance, systemic lupus erythematosus and whether it can be induced by vaccines for MMR, HBV, HCV, and others. Edited by leaders in the field, Vaccines and Autoimmunity is an invaluable resource for advanced students and researchers working in pathogenic and epidemiological studies.

Only in very recent times have therapies been developed that are specific to a particular manifestation of autoimmune disease, and these have begun to replace the all-purpose remedies of the past 30 years. This volume, which draws on the principles of immunology presented in Volume 1050 ("Autoimmunity: Concepts and Diagnosis at the Cutting Edge"), extends these concepts to the realm of clinical findings and current therapy for many autoimmune and connective tissue disorders.

Both organ-specific and organ-nonspecific diseases are covered, and one section is entirely focused on treatment. Treatments using cytokines, chemokines, cognate receptors, and genetic interactions are particularly prominent in these reports, and attention is also paid to the increasing use of intravenous imunoglobulins and both monoclonal and imunosuppressive agents. A therapeutic void remains, but the work reported on here contributes considerably to the effort to fill that void.

"NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit" "www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas".""

"ACADEMY MEMBERS Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (""www.nyas.org""). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http: //www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member."

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the Antiphospholipid syndrome. One of the most important advances in rheumatology and connective tissue diseases of the last decade. It provides an explanation for many previously undefined conditions with no clear pathogenesis encompassing all subspeculations in internal medicine as well as obstetrics. Clotting problems leading to strokes and myocardial infarctions (in younger people) as well as a large variety of other syndromes such as chorea, hyproadrenalism, pulmonary problems are now being understood.

Of the two disciplines in parallel development for two decades, tumor immunology and transplantation immunology, the latter has thrived and has led to some of the most critical discoveries in immunobiology. The former continues to thwart both scientists and clinicians alike.
The goal of immunologists in modern day research is to develop a simple and effective means to manipulate cancer "in vivo, " possibly encompassing several venues: identifying a phenotypic marker and the use of either active or passive immunization; include the use of passive reagents carrying "warheads" to selectively destroy cancer cells; or altering the basic process of cell survival.
This excellent multidiscipline-authored volume presents a theme which has not been well described before. The papers include both basic and clinical science and range from sophisticated molecular biology to little more than phenomenology (e.g. the increased association of cancer in some autoimmune diseases and increased presentation of autoimmune phenomena in malignant condition). This, however, is state-of-the-art.
This collection of themes will be of use not only to bench scientists, but also to clinicians who treat patients. The book represents progress at the cutting edge of this discipline, and points the way to further developments in the "black box" of immunology.

This book is a direct result of 10 years of the well-known "Autoimmunity Days" in Israel, which are increasingly becoming an international focal point for autoimmunity scientists. Top researchers provide coverage of the most important knowledge generated during the last decade. The volume can therefore be seen almost as a textbook on autoimmunity, projecting from the last decade to the next millennium.
A variety of different subjects in autoimmunity, from etiology to pathogenesis, from postulated mechanisms to innovative therapeutic modalities, is handled by noted contributors, while additional authors contribute top papers which significantly enhance a better understanding of autoimmunity.
An excellent treatise on the subject, and a worthwhile addition to both clinical and research libraries.

The incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing worldwide, and the search for better management of these diseases and even for a cure is being pursued by scientists from many disciplines. Tools from the areas of genetics, neuroscience, cell biology, virology, and infectious disease are being applied to the problem and are yielding useful results.

This is the fourth and final volume of a series on autoimmunity, and findings related to particular clinical manifestations are presented, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies, and infections and autoantibodies.

Part A presents new principles in autoimmunity and new diagnostic tools; Part B focuses on genetics and advances in treatment; and Part C begins the focus on the clinical venue.

"NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit ""www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas,"" "

"ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (""www.nyas.org""). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit ""www.nyas.org/membership/main.asp"" for more information about becoming a member.
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