Superantigens And Superallergens

Superantigens constitute a growing family of bacterial and viral proteins that share the capacity of inducing massive activation of the immune system. This volume contains contributions from leaders in the field of classical T cell superantigens and sheds light on relevant B cell superantigens at the molecular and biochemical levels. This is the first volume to put together basic and clinical aspects of the classical T cell superantigens, B cell superantigens and superallergens. It will therefore be indispensable reading to basic and clinical immunologists, microbiologists, virologists and specialists in allergic and immune disorders.

When I entered the field of allergy in the early 1970s, the standard textbook was a few hundred pages, and the specialty was so compact that texts were often authored entirely by a single individual and were never larger than one volume. Compare this with Allergy Frontiers: Epigenetics, Allergens, and Risk Factors, the present s- volume text with well over 150 contributors from throughout the world. This book captures the explosive growth of our specialty since the single-author textbooks referred to above. The unprecedented format of this work lies in its meticulous attention to detail yet comprehensive scope. For example, great detail is seen in manuscripts dealing with topics such as “Exosomes, naturally occurring minimal antigen presenting units” and “Neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1), an asthma susceptibility gene.” The scope is exemplified by the unique approach to disease entities normally dealt with in a single chapter in most texts. For example, anaphylaxis, a topic u- ally confined to one chapter in most textbooks, is given five chapters in Allergy Frontiers. This approach allows the text to employ multiple contributors for a single topic, giving the reader the advantage of being introduced to more than one vi- point regarding a single disease.

This book focuses on respiratory proteins, the broad hemoglobin family, as well as the molluscan and arachnid hemocyanins (and their multifunctional roles). Featuring 20 chapters addressing invertebrate and vertebrate respiratory proteins, lipoproteins and other body fluid proteins, and drawing on the editors’ extensive research in the field, it is a valuable addition to the Subcellular Biochemistry book series. The book covers a wide range of topics, including lipoprotein structure and lipid transport; diverse annelid, crustacean and insect defense proteins; and insect and vertebrate immune complexes. It also discusses a number of other proteins, such as the hemerythrins; serum albumin; serum amyloid A; von Willebrand factor and its interaction with factor VIII; and C-reactive protein. Given its scope, the book appeals to biologists, biomedical scientists and clinicians, as well as advanced undergraduates and postgraduates in these disciplines. Available as a printed book and also as an e-book and e-chapters, the fascinating material included is easily accessible.

Reserve your copy now This two volume book is an outstanding reference source on allaspects of allergy and allergic diseases. Covering virtually everyallergic condition, from the immunological and molecular basis ofthe allergic response to future trends in allergic diseaseprevention, this new international editorial team (A.B.Kay, JeanBousquet, Pat Holt and Allen Kaplan) have completely revised andupdated the text, from both a scientific and clinical perspective.References will continue to be added to the text until it goes topress making this the most up-to-date book available in thefield. This second edition consists of more than 1,800 pages containedwithin 98 chapters. The price includes a fully searchable companion CD ROM with thecomplete text and over 300 images from the book in full colour.

As a spectroscopic method, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has seen spectacular growth, both as a technique and in its applications. Today's applications of NMR span a wide range of scientific disciplines, from physics to biology to medicine. Each volume of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance comprises a combination of annual and biennial reports which together provide comprehensive coverage of the literature on this topic. This Specialist Periodical Report reflects the growing volume of published work involving NMR techniques and applications, in particular NMR of natural macromolecules, which is covered in two reports: NMR of Proteins and Nucleic Acids and NMR of Carbohydrates, Lipids and Membranes. In his foreword to the first volume, the then editor, Professor Robin Harris announced that the series would be a discussion on the phenomena of NMR and that articles will be critical surveys of the literature. This has certainly remained the case throughout the series, and in line with its predecessors, Volume 40 aims to provide a comprehensive coverage of the relevant NMR literature. For the current volume this relates to publications appearing between June 2009 and May 2010 (the nominal period of coverage in volume 1 was July 1970 to June 1971). Compared to the previous volume there are some new members of the reporting team. Theoretical Aspects of Spin-Spin Couplings are covered by J. Jazwinski, while E. Swiezewska and J.W3⁄4jcik provide an account of NMR of Carbohydrates, Lipids and Membranes.

This book provides ample knowledge and better understanding of Streptococcus pyogenes and their superantigens. Many illustrations make this a highly informative book. This book elucidates briefly Streptococcus pyogenes as a strict human pathogen possessing an array of virulence factors. These help in evading host immune responses such as by the activation of non-specific T-cell subpopulations by producing superantigens. This book mainly focuses on streptococcal superantigens and explains how they are different from conventional antigens. Moreover, it elaborates those diseases in which superantigens are actively involved. Useful aspects of superantigens and different therapeutic interventions to eradicate superantigens induced diseased are also discussed.

Allergy and allergic diseases have increased in prevalence worldwide during the last decade. Relevant determinants influencing the development of allergic inflammation come from the environment and are either enhancing (e.g. environmental pollutants both indoors and outdoors) or protective (e.g. parasite infestations causing early stimulation of the immune system). In spite of considerable progress in experimental allergology and immunology, there is still a great discrepancy between theoretical knowledge and practical performance in the routine treatment of patients with allergies. The development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies for the future management of allergy is dependent on a better understanding of the pathomechanisms and molecular pathways involved. Based on an international symposium, this volume summarizes the latest findings in epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical aspects of allergic diseases such as asthma, food allergy, and, especially, atopic eczema. Risk factors for the development of allergies and novel treatment strategies are carefully evaluated. This update is essential reading for anyone interested in allergy: doctors working in the clinical fields of dermatology, pneumology, internal medicine, pediatrics, ENT, epidemiology and public health, as well as researchers in molecular genetics, immunobiology, food and nutrition sciences, and pharmacology.

Foodborne Diseases: Case Studies of Outbreaks in the Agri-Food Industries defines the context of foodborne disease across a range of food sectors. It provides insight into the causes and management of outbreaks along with practical lessons about foodborne disease prevention strategies relevant to stakeholders throughout the food supply chain. Individual chapters capture the epidemiological and traceback investigations of foodborne disease outbreaks in a wide range of food sectors that include fresh produce, dairy and eggs, and meat products, to complex food ingredients and products within the food manufacturing and food service sectors. Under each food category, case studies of real outbreaks are presented, along with lessons learned in the way they were managed for future control of foodborne disease outbreaks. The authors look at management of outbreaks across borders and consider how both local and international authorities dealt with the issues in each case. They focus on real-life microbiological/chemical-associated outbreaks and provide insights on how the outbreaks occurred and, if possible, how they were traced to the source of contamination. Each outbreak is unique, and readers are given the distinctive circumstances associated with different hazards, challenges faced during epidemiological and environmental investigations, risk communication to the general public, and insights into outbreak management. The authors cover the entire food supply chain, including a chapter on animal feed safety. A chapter on fraud and foodborne outbreaks considers scenarios where food industries, food services, and other stakeholders commit food adulteration, which ultimately leads to foodborne illnesses. Outbreak management and prevention strategies are key parts of each case study.