Abstract This paper discusses how nonadherence to treatment regimens due to depression is the most well-documented mechanism by which depression produces adverse outcomes in coronary artery disease. The paper then explains what is meant by congestive heart failure (CHF). Next, the paper sites research into cytokines in terms of understanding disease and brain-body integration and interaction in depression and heart failure.
From the Paper "It is reported that cytokines impact upon the nervous and endocrine system effectively shut the circuit between the immune system and brain giving rise to the indication that neural-immune interactions are bidirectional. IL-1 and IL-6 exert potent enhancing effects on the HPA axis by stimulating hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which is capable of activating the neuroendocrine cascade, resulting in increased pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone and glucocorticoid release."
A discussion of current developments in organ transplantation and the importance of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in causing transplant rejection.
Abstract This paper examines the role of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), B and T cell receptors, cytokines and current developments in the field of transplantation, as well as alternative approaches being tried to induce immunological tolerance. The writer describes MHC and its genes, and its function in presenting an antigenic determinant to the T-cells. The writer explains that cytokines help to mediate immunity, but how their signaling pathways are activated and how they control cell division is not yet clear. Some experimental treatments to prevent rejection of organ transplants, such as pretransplant exposure to donor MHC antigens, are also described. The paper concludes that a better understanding of the mechanisms of rejection and tolerance, and the use of gene therapy, donor bone marrow administration and pretransplant blood transfusion techniques, TLI, and ALG may allow transplantation tolerance in the future.
Outline:
Introduction
Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)
T-Cell Receptor (TCR) Molecules
B-cell Antigen Receptor
Cytokine Receptors
MHC in Transplantation
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) comprises a set of molecules present on cell surfaces. This complex is responsible for lymphocyte recognition and antigen presentation. By the recognition of "self" and "non-self", MHC molecules control the immune response, and are therefore, involved in transplantation rejection. Two classes of the MHC are recognized, Class I and Class II MHC molecules, which belong to the Immunoglobulin Supergene Family. T-cell receptors, immunoglobulins, CD4, CD8, and others also belong to this family."
Abstract This paper examines how atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries that causes it to 'harden' and affects both medium and large arteries. It looks at how it is the principal cause of heart attacks and strokes and how it is responsible for over 50% of all deaths in the western world.
Outline
Introduction
Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis
Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis
Proliferation of Smooth Muscle Cells
Recruitment of Immune Cells to the Vessel Wall
Adhesion Molecules
Oxidised LDL (oxLDL)
Role of Monocytes/Macrophages
Role of Cytokines, Chemokines and Growth Factors
Foam Cell Formation
Lesions of Atherosclerosis
From the Paper "There are several factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis but the prominent risk factor is considered to be hypercholesterolaemia that could be due to genetic defects and/or diet. In relation to the former, it has seen that mutations in the ABCA1 gene are responsible for two genetic disorders, tangier disease and familial hypoalphalipoproteinaemia (FHA) (Medh, 2000). Tangier disease causes cholesterol deposition in macrophages throughout the body due to impairment of cellular efflux and the absence of HDL (Asztalos and Schaefer, 2003). FHA results in decreased cellular cholesterol efflux and degradation of HDL (Brooks-Wilson et al. 1999). Another genetic disorder familial hypercholesterolaemia is a condition that leads to high lipid levels in the plasma due to impaired removal of lipids."
Abstract This paper briefly summarizes and then reviews an article on a potential cancer therapy entitled "Exploiting T cell Receptor Genes for Cancer Immunotherapy." The paper explains that the article reviewed discussed various cancer treatment options with T cell receptor immunotherapy and then goes on to discuss the results and conclusions found in the article. The paper concludes that the article was well-written and informative.
From the Paper "Adoptive antigen-specific immunotherapy is a potential cancer therapy because immunocompetence is not required and lymphocyte specificity can be targeted against tumour-associated antigens. T cell receptor (TCR) genes isolated from antigen-specific T cells may be therapeutically used for antigen-specific immunotherapy. TCR gene therapy may provide an appealing strategy to develop antigen-specific immunotherapy. Examples of this type of therapy include retroviral TCR gene transfer, TCR gene modified lymphocytes, and TCR gene expression."
Tags: monoclonal, generic, reagents, surface, helper, functions, cytotoxicity, cytokine, production
Abstract IL-7 and KL are stroma-derived cytokines, both of which are necessary for the proliferation, survival and differentiation of thymocytes. This paper show that the loss of intrathymic IL-7 production may underlie various forms of acquired immunodeficiencies, such as those occurring after BMT, HIV infection or during aging. The paper concludes that data indicates that the CD45- HLA-DRdim TEC are the only intrathymic source of IL-7 and KL in the human thymus. These cells are present in both the cortex and medulla of the thymus and direct infection of the TEC is not a mechanism for impaired thymopoiesis in active HIV infection.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Study Design
FACS Analyses
RT-PCR
Immunostaining
HIV Challenge and Analysis
Results and Discussion
Acknowledgments
References
From the Paper "KL exists in both membrane-bound and secreted isoforms, which result from differential splicing. Inclusion of the 6th exon results in a transcript encoding the transmembrane domain of the membrane-bound form.
RT-PCR primers designed to detect each KL isoform as different sized products demonstrated the presence of both transcripts in the CD45- HLA-DRdim populations, but no other sorted populations of thymic cells.11 Since thymocytes express both the IL-7 receptor and c-kit, the expression of both IL-7 and KL by the same TEC infers that the thymocytes are stimulated simultaneously through the IL-7R and c-kit interaction."
Abstract This paper examines the disorder of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It particularly emphasizes disease management. The paper reviews the disorder, symptoms and prognosis. It then provides a more detailed examination of the problematic aspects in managing day-to-day activities, such as work, family and social obligations, due to the illness. The paper looks at how patient lifestyle modifications and adaptive measures can influence the outcome of CFS.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Managing the Disorder
From the Paper "CFS is a complex and demanding disorder that significantly alters one's lifestyle and affects more than just the patient. Comprehensive understanding of the disorder and how each patient is affected are essential in order to help the patient manage their disorder effectively and avoid further depressive, frustration and anger based emotional complications that normally plague an individual with a chronic disorder. For the patient with CFS, such a reaction creates a negative cyclical spiral. A positive approach and helping the patient to accept their situation, focusing on what they can do rather than on their limitations will promote a sense of well-being rather than disability."
