Abstract
The paper relates that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves the insidious damage and eventual failure of multiple organs due to antibody-mediated attacks on tissues. The paper explains that the normal immune system possesses a low level of autoimmunity involving auto-antigen recognition by B- lymphocytes (Davidson & Diamond, 2001), while in SLE, the level of autoimmunity is perceptibly increased indirectly by the increased tolerance for abnormal B-lymphocytes that produce autoantibodies. The paper describes the most common manifestations that are joint pain (arthralgia), the distinctive malar "butterfly" or discoid rash, neuropsychiatric disturbances ranging from cognitive changes, neurologic deficits and seizures to psychosis, pleurisy, and other respiratory complaints (cough), among others (Lamont, Lai & Silber, 2006). The paper notes that the treatment of SLE is similar in principle to the treatment of other autoimmune diseases, which is a reflection of the large gap present in understanding of the immune system. The paper then addresses the main concern with Asian or Latin American immigrants that is the risk of gaps in health insurance coverage for immigrant families like the short- or long-term need for insurance by a child afflicted with SLE. The paper highlights how an integral part of comprehending cultural competence is accommodating the knowledge, attitudes and practices of minorities directly into practice.

From the Paper
"Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves the insidious damage and eventual failure of multiple organs due to antibody-mediated attacks on tissues. The normal immune system possesses a low level of autoimmunity involving auto-antigen recognition by B-lymphocytes (Davidson & Diamond, 2001). In SLE, the level of autoimmunity is perceptibly increased indirectly by the increased tolerance for abnormal B-lymphocytes that produce autoantibodies. The most common manifestations are joint pain (arthralgia), the distinctive malar "butterfly" or discoid rash, neuropsychiatric disturbances ranging from..."

Tags:systemic, lupus, erythematosus

Abstract
This paper explains that the immune system has the startling ability to differentiate between your body's own cells, which is self and non self (foreign cells). It claims that each cell lugs protein markers or antigens that recognize it as self or non self. Your body's immune system, it expands, couples with all cells that hold the self marker except with specific autoimmune diseases where the body could slip up and think that it is self for non self. Basically, anything that carries a non self marker prompts a response from the immune system, which may include bacteria and viruses.

From the Paper
"The body's immune system has the startling ability to differentiate between its own cells, between which are "self" and which are "non-self" (foreign cells). Each cell lugs protein markers or antigens that recognize the differences. The body's immune system couples with all cells that hold the "self" marker, except in cases of specific autoimmune diseases in which the body could slip up differentiating between the two. Any cell that carries a non-self marker prompts a response from the immune system, which may include bacteria and viruses. The immune system accumulates a large cache of cells. Some immune cells can destroy a myriad of foreign invaders, while others attack and destroy only specific targets. For the immune system to work succinctly, the immune cells must not only communicate but cooperate with each other."

Tags:cellsize, cellsurvival, salmon

Abstract
The paper explains that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where antibodies meant to protect the body against infection end up attacking body tissue. The paper discusses the roles of a proper diet and nutritional supplements, exercise and optimism in building a strong and healthy immune system to fight this disease. The paper points out that if RA is left untreated, it can do serious damage to the various organs of the body.

From the Paper
"Rheumatoid Arthitis (RA) is a disease that affects about 2.1 million Americans according to statistics from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Although associated with senior citizens, the disease affects people of all ages including younger people. There is a form of RA that is common among young people called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthitis. (JRA). JRA is believed to affect about 1 in 1000 children. RA affects women at higher rates than men and has been known to show up in certain families which leads scientists to believe it may be hereditary. RA is less common than ostheoarthristis which is caused by the wear in tear in the joints as people age. According to the book "Understanding Arthritis," by Stanton P. Newman, osthearthitis is found in the majority of people over the age of 75."

Tags:diet, exercise, optimism, inflammation, joints, antigens, immune, system

Abstract
Describes this autoimmune disease that affects mainly women. Etiology (genetic & environmental) and the activitation of B-cells. .Clinical manifestations and major concerns of the disease including tissue damage, organ damage ( kidneys), rashes, leisons Differential diagnosis. Treatments such as medication & emotional support. Prognosis.

From the Paper
"Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial, multi-systemic, autoimmune disease that tends to affect women (10:1) mostly in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life. The disease is more common in Blacks than in other races and symptomatic manifestations of the disease are brought about as a result of the deposition of antigen-antibody complexes in capillary networks and specific visceral organs (Tierney et al., 1998). The disease tends to produce a pattern of relapse and remission and though it is mostly associated with low mortality, it can in some cases be very aggressive resulting in a rapid deterioration of the patient, ending in death.

ETIOLOGY
The activation of B-cells both by genetically predetermined event ..."

Abstract
This paper begins by providing some basic information about the disease - that it is a multi-factorial, multi-systemic, autoimmune disease that tends to affect women (10:1) mostly in the 2nd and 3rd decades of life. It then looks at the disease's etiology and clinical manifestations. It then discusses the differential diagnosis of the disease and finally looks at the treatment available.

From the Paper
"The activation of B-cells both by genetically predetermined events and environmental triggers, which are currently unknown, leads to the loss of self recognition and is the main cause of morbidity in SLE. According to Kumar et al.(1997) The array of antibodies that are produced as a result of the overactive plasma cells tend to form complexes with corresponding antigens and directly lead to tissue damage by creating an exaggerated hypersensitive state. These antibodies tend to be destructive toward the skin, kidneys, serous membranes, joints and heart."

Tags:plasma, cell, antibody, membrane

Abstract
The paper describes ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a chronic and progressive form of degenerative arthritis. The paper explains the pathogenesis of AS, the symptoms and the treatments available. The writer relates her own personal encounter with AS through her husband who has suffered from it since his early teens.

From the Paper
"Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease which attacks the articular and para-articular structures and is classified as a chronic and progressive form of degenerative arthritis. The term is derived from the Greek work "ankylos", meaning stiffing joint and "spondylitis" which means vertebrae inflammation. Indeed Hippocrates first recognized this condition as a form of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the second century and although Egyptian mummies such as Rameses the great (1298-1232 BC) have been found with ankylosing spondylitis it was not until the late 19th century when physicians such as Vladimir Bekhterev and Pierre Marie gave descriptions so that diagnosis could be made. As to date medical regenerative research has not led to any effective therapies for this severely formed inflammatory disease of the spine and still remains a mystery as what concept causes it to develop."

Tags:arthritis, rheumatology, joints, inflammation, pain

Abstract
The paper discusses lupus, a group of diseases, the most common and serious being systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The paper discusses the history of SLE and relates that lupus can affect men, women and children of any age, but has shown to mostly affect women of childbearing age, 15 to 45. The paper notes the signs of lupus and the standard treatments involved.

From the Paper
"The history of SLE can be traced to three periods, namely, the classical, neoclassical and modern (Wikipedia 2006). In the classical period, the disease was first recognized in the Middle Ages, basically through its dermatological manifestations. The term "lupus" was first used in the 12th century by the physician Rogerius in describing the classic malar rash on the skin. In the neoclassical period, Moritz Kaposi first recognized the systemic manifestation of lupus in 1872. And in the modern period, which began in 1948, the LE cell was discovered."

Tags:chronic, inflammatory, disease

Abstract
In this paper the writer first looks at the blood vessels and their functions. Then the writer discusses the meaning of "immunization" and autoimmune diseases. The paper then studies how various diseases affect the lungs. Finally, the writer discusses the function of the nephron, the functional unit of the kidney.

From the Paper
"Arteries arterioles and capillaries carry oxygenated blood to the tissues of the body and capillaries venules and veins carry de-oxygenated blood back to the lungs for re-oxygenation. The only arteries which carry oxygen-poor blood are the pulmonary arteries which carry this blood from the right ventricle of the heart to the lungs for oxygenation. The only veins which carry oxygen-rich blood are the pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart. The pulmonary arteries ... "

Tags:lung cancer, pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, pulmonary embolism, homeostasis, nephrons, autoimmunity, immunization

Abstract
This paper explains that the common end goal for parties for and against immunization is the same; both parties want their children and the public to lead safe and healthy lives. The author points out that immunizations, which have eliminated numerous diseases that used to kill thousands of children, are the most cost-effective measure in all of medical science; children not immunized against measles have a 3500% higher risk of contracting measles than others. All children deserve the benefits of immunizations unless medically contraindicated. The paper relates that some people believe that vaccines are dangerous, that the government's power to deny individual rights is wrong, that vaccination does not constitute immunity, and that vaccines contain adjuvant substances known to amplify the body's response to the vaccine, which can sometimes cause allergic and autoimmune responses.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Those in Favor of Immunizations
Those Questioning Immunizations
Stakeholders
Interview of Health Care Providers
Parents Interviewed
Summary

From the Paper
"For those promoters of vaccinations, the general belief is that "vaccination is modern medicine's greatest achievement." The goal would be to have 100% compliance. This group believes that vaccinations are necessary to the basic welfare of every child. "Public health officials take the stance that they are legally and morally obligated to act out of concern for the well being of every individual child, and the reality is that any unvaccinated child remains vulnerable to serious, even life-threatening diseases." Non-medical exemptions from immunizations also lower the level of protection in the general public."

Tags:autoimmune, compliance, autoimmune, cost-effective, stakeholders

Abstract
This paper examines how Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, usually life-long, potentially fatal, autoimmune disease that can be difficult to diagnose. It looks at how, since the disease is estimated to afflict anywhere between 500,000 to 2 million Americans, it is important that the medical community take the necessary steps to ensure that it continuously educates its fraternity about the disease's symptoms, methods of diagnosis, types, and treatment. It researches lupus, its causes and symptoms, available treatment, and its impact on patients' lives.

From the Paper
"Unlike diseases such as Cancer, AIDS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, Lupus is a relatively unknown illness in common parlance. The fact that there is little awareness or knowledge about Lupus among the lay public is, in fact, surprising considering that it is now estimated that the disease afflicts anywhere between 500,000 and 1.5 million Americans. One reason for the lack of public awareness about Lupus could be that for most people, Lupus is a mild disease affecting only a few organs (Lahita, 2001). However, the more likely reason is perhaps the fact that, though considerable advances have been made in the last ten years in the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, the disease still remains something of a mystery (Whitaker, 2001)."

Tags:autoimmune, inflammatory.