Immune system disorders

The neuropeptide Y (NPY) belongs to a family of peptides that includes peptide YY and pancreatic polypeptide, and it is associated with several diseases such as asthma, immune system disorders, inflammatory diseases, anxiety, depression and diabetes mellitus. NPY is found in the central and peripheral nervous system, and its biological functions are mediated by interactions with five receptor sub-types, i.e. Yl, Y2, Y4, Y5 and Y6. Several studies indicate that the feeding behavior is influenced by interactions between NPY and Yl and Y5. Deswal and Roy used Cerius descriptors and genetic function approximation QSAR to investigate the structural determinants for the inhibition potency of 24 compounds with the general structure 4 for the NPY Y5 receptor [31]. The best QSAR (H = 0.720,... 

Tlie first gene therapy took place, on a four-year-old girl with an immune-system disorder called ADA deficiency. The therapy appeared to work, but set off a fury of discussion of ethics both in academia and in the media. 

Cataracts and macular degeneration Diabetes mellitus Immune system disorders Neurodegenerative disorders Neuroendocrine disorders Nutritional deficiencies... 

Patients allegedly suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities complain of depression, excessive fatigue, sleep disorders, irritability, headaches, and symptoms, such as rhinitis, similar to those associated with allergies. Although immune system disorders are hypothesized as the most frequent underlying cause. 

Hormones of both synthetic and biological origin are known endocrine disruptors. The best known of these is diethylstilbesterol (DES), a synthetic estrogen that was prescribed by physicians to prevent spontaneous abortions in women from 1948 to 1971. Daughters of women who took DES have suffered a host of reproductive problems including a reduction in fertility, abnormal pregnancies, immune system disorders, periods of depression, and early onset of vaginal clear-cell adenocarcinomas and reproductive tract cancer. Known hormonal endocrine disruptors are listed in Table 4.5. 

Nuclear power generation emits gases that harm the ozone layer. Radioactive waste and gases produced by nuclear power plants have been blamed for cancer, birth defects and immune system disorders in surrounding communities. 

Hypersensitivity. Hypersensitivity reactions, considered to be vaccine-related based on the timing and specificity of the reactions, were reported to the United States Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) following vaccination for Lyme disease and subsequently evaluated (Burmester et al., 1995 Lathrop et al., 2002). Other reported immune system-related events to vaccines included rheumatoid arthritis, immune system disorders, detection of antinuclear antibodies, lupus syndrome, and lymphocytosis (Zhou et al., 2003). These were very rare events, with each condition comprising 0.2% or fewer of the total reports. Anaphylactic responses to vaccines were also rare and were estimated at less than one case per miUion administered vaccine doses (Bohlke et al., 2003). A number of studies evaluated anaphylactic responses to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, diphtheria or tetanus vaccines with similar findings (Dobson et al., 1995 D Souza et al., 2000 Patja et al, 2000 Pool et al., 2002). However, some of the vaccine-induced hypersensitivity reactions are attributed to components of the formulation, such as gelatin or egg, rather than the antigen itself (Patja et al., 2001 Pool et al., 2002). 

There are actually several types of blood tests that your doctor may perform, depending on your symptoms and what they are looking for. These include tests to look at your blood chemistry, the enzymes present in your blood, tests of how well your blood is able to form a clot, tests to assess risk for heart disease, or a complete blood count. A complete blood count can detect the presence of many diseases and immune system disorders by measuring the numbers of red and white blood cells, platelets (blood cell... 

Besides the many infectious diseases and traumatic injuries farmers risk on a regular basis, pesticide exposure often daily and in concentrated form presents a unique hazard [i]. It can lead to problems ranging from acute illness, such acute toxicity, irritant contact dermatitis, or bronchitis, to carcinogenesis and immune-system disorders [2]. Approximately 60% of all pesticides used in the United States are applied in the agricultural industry. 

The US rules from their EPA identify medical waste incineration as the third largest known source to the enviromnent of highly toxic dioxin, a known carcinogen thathas been linked to immune system disorders. Incineration is also responsible for about 10 percent of mercury emissions to the environment. Other pollutants from incineration include furans, acid gases, heavy metals and particulates. Given that alternatives to incineration are available, a complete phase-out of medical waste incineration is appropriate. ... 

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