And immune system

Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Human immunodeficiency vims (HIV) causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), which has no cure. HIV infects the cells of the human immune system, such as T-lymphocytes, monocytes, and macrophages. After a long period of latency and persistent infection, it results in the progressive decline of the immune system, and leads to full-blown AIDS, resulting in death. 

Stauffer [stauff92] reports that the concentration of cells in this system quickly saturates. For low initial concentrations po, the viral population wins over the population of cells of the immune system and the system can be said to develop Aids. For larger po, the population of helper T cells becomes greater than that of the virus and the immune system wins. 

Major advances made in our understanding of the immune system and disease pathogenesis have... 

Cole et al. (1995) reported on knock-out mice with a germ line deletion of GR. They demonstrated that lack of GR leads to perinatal death, atelectasis of the lung, and lack of adrenalin synthesis. To circumvent perinatal lethality, Tranche et al. (1999) and Brewer et al. (2003) generated tissue-specific somatic deletions of GR. This allowed to characterize GR function in the CNS, the immune system, and the liver in more detail. In particular, these approaches revealed novel aspects of organ-specific glucocorticoid physiology such as anxiety-like behavior, growth control, and polyclonal T cell activation. 

Humoral immunity depends on soluble, noncellular effector mechanisms of the immune system. These include defensins and complement components (proteins of the innate immune system) and antibodies (products of the adaptive immune system). They are capable of reacting with foreign substances (e.g., bacteria and viruses) to produce detoxification and elimination. 

Tuberculosis is a major health problem throughout the world, infecting more than 8 million individuals each year. It is die world s leading cause of death from infectious disease Individuals living in crowded conditions, those widi compromised immune systems, and individuals widi debilitative conditions are especially susceptible to tuberculosis. 

Catalase is an important enzyme in cells because hydrogen peroxide is a by-product of metabolism and can poison the cell unless it is decomposed quickly. Hydrogen peroxide is also produced by cells in the immune system, and catalase removes the excess. 

Maddon PJ, Dalgleish AG, McDougal IS, Clapham PR, Weiss RA, Axel R (1986) The T4 gene encodes the AIDS virus receptor and is expressed in the immune system and the brain. Cell 47 333-348... 

IFNs are natural glycoproteins produced by the cells of most vertebrates in response to the challenge by foreign agents, such as infectious organisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites), and by tumor cells. IFNs can be produced by cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems and by non-immune cells such as fibroblasts and epithelial cells. 

Globally, undernutrition is widespread, leading to impaired growth, defective immune systems, and reduced work capacity. By contrast, in developed countries, there is often excessive food consumption (especially of fat), leading to obesity and to the development of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and iodine pose major health concerns in many countries, and deficiencies of other vitamins and minerals are a major cause of iU health. In developed countries, nutrient deficiency is rare, though there are vulnerable sections of the population at risk. Intakes of minerals and vitamins that are adequate to prevent deficiency may be inadequate to promote optimum health and longevity. 

Lores P, Boucher V, Mackay C, Pla M, Von Boehmer H, Jami J, Barre-Sinoussi E, Weill JC (1992) Expression of human CD4 in transgenic mice does not confer sensitivity to human immunodeficiency virus infection. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 8 2063-2071 Maddon PJ, Dalgleish AG, McDougal JS, Clapham PR, Weiss RA, Axel R (1986) The T4 gene encodes the AIDS virus receptor and is expressed in the immune system and the brain. Cell 47 333-348... 

Not all antigen-antibody reactions are of benefit to the body, as sometimes the complexes (or their subsequent interaction with body tissues) may result in tissue damage. This must be regarded as a malfunction of the immune system and is known as a hypersensitive reaction. These reactions can be categorized into five main types. The first three involve the interaction between antigen and humoral antibody, and as the onset of the reaction is rapid, the condition is termed immediate hypersensitivity. The fourth type (delayed hypersensitivity) involves T cells and the symptoms of the reaction appear after 24 hours. The fifth type is where antibody stimulates cell function. 

It is suggested that altered cells which could be potentially malignant are recognized by the immune system and eliminated. This must mean that cancer cells possess new antigens on their cell surface. These antigens have been identified and can be categorized into three groups. 

Health benefits — Research reports indicate that natural (3-carotene possesses numerous benefits for the human body and consistently supports the use of (3-carotene as part of the human diet. The human body converts (3-carotene to vitamin A via body tissues as opposed to the liver, hence avoiding a build-up of toxins in the liver. Vitamin A is essential for the human body in that it assists the immune system and helps battle eye diseases such as cataracts and night blindness, various skin ailments such as acne, signs of aging, and various forms of cancer. 

Polychloro-benzenes, polybromo-benzenes, and dioxins (TCDD) are among these compounds. They were discovered when the analysis techniques improved. Especially the development of GC-MS has contributed to the knowledge of the distribution of these compounds. Effects on humans are the development of chloracne, suppression of the immune system, and some compounds are probably carcinogens (Shaw 1993). As a consequence of the ubiquitous nature of PCBs, humans are exposed via many sources. 

Iwamura and Ueda [386] described compound (611) as a CB2 selective inverse agonist in a patent application. The potential therapeutic roles of CB2 antagonists are not clearly defined at the moment, although roles in regulation of the immune system and inflammation have been widely proposed. This patent application describes that activity of compound (611) in a mouse model of asthma, in which the compound suppressed immediate and late-phase asthmatic response and airway hyper-responsiveness. 

Sinusitis symptoms typically last 7 to 1 0 days after a viral infection and are caused by activation of the immune system and parasympathetic nervous system. 

Cytokines Regulatory proteins, such as interleukins and lympho-kines, that are released by cells of the immune system and act as intercellular mediators in the generation of an immune response. 

In some surgical procedures, such as organ transplantation, the success of that procedure will be only as great as the course of pharmacotherapy that follows. Organ transplant recipients are required to continue drug therapy for the balance of their lives for control of their immune systems and to prevent organ rejection. 

Newborns are especially vulnerable to pesticides effects, since they do not have a fully developed immune system and adaptation mechanisms, or detoxification systems for foreign chemicals. A direct correlation between overall pesticide exposure in a given territory and primary illness in newborns [A101] was traced into even those territories of the Ukraine where the volumes of pesticides used were not extreme. The clearest expression of the pesticide exposure - primary newborn illness correlation is seen with pesticides of the second risk class (by toxicity), while the correlation is less clear for pesticides of the third and fourth categories. The most dangerous pesticides of all types for newborns are OCPs, with OPPs a close second [A101]. 

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