This Second Edition expands and amplifies the research and new information on Beta Glucan and how it can assist the body's immune system. It highlights 20 years of research by Vaclav Vetvicka, Ph.D of Louisville, Ky.B-D-glucans belong to a group of physiologically active compounds called "biological response modifiers" and represent highly conserved structural components of cell walls in yeast, fungi, and seaweed. Glucans stimulate the immune system, but do not overstimulate it to the point where it becomes overactive, and so may be highly effective in such auto-imune illness such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthrisis, allergies, and yeast infections.
Despite of the efforts of pharmaceutical researchers to find new medicaments, nature offers many substances with healing properties—beta-glucans belong to this group of compounds. The second volume of the e-book series, Biology and Chemistry of Beta-Glucan, provides new knowledge about these important polysaccharides. In order to understand the role of beta-glucans, it is necessary to control the purity and to determine their composition and structure. This volume presents modern chemical and separation methods which are applied in structural analysis of glucans. As a result of structural analyses, it can be concluded that beta-glucans of different origin vary in chain length, number and types of branching. The book further discusses the biological effects of tailored oligomers and synthetic beta-glucans, including innovative use of enzymatic processes in the synthesis of these compounds. This volume also discusses a hypothesis of beta-glucans’ increasing impact on the photodynamic therapy. In spite of many scientific papers describing the positive role of beta-glucans in protection against diseases, certain epidemiological data suggest that specific illnesses can be related to beta-glucan exposure. The fact of whether or not beta-glucan is an accompanying substance of these biologically active agents is also questioned. Biology and Chemistry of Beta-Glucan: Volume 2 focuses on the strictly scientific basis on the effects of beta-glucan on human health as well as other possibilities of beta-glucan application, such as protection of aquaculture against diseases.
At present, we do not fully understand at what stage of the evolution of living matter the first traces of defense reactions occurred. We even do not fully understand how and why immune systems reached their contem porary state in advanced vertebrates and man. It may be expected that in the near future these questions will be answered by comparative and develop mental biology. Together with an extraordinary explosion of our knowledge about immunity of mammals including man, an increase in the interests concerning origin and development of immune mechanisms at lower stages of the phylogeny can be observed. The search for simple types of immune mechanisms in less complex but still evolutionary successful animals is promising and may contribute to better understanding of highly complex immune adaptive responses in mammals. It is important to note that comparative and evolutionary immunology differs greatly from other branches of biomedical science. Apart from immunology and molecular biology, a specialist in this discipline has to be familiar with every detail of taxonomy, comparative anatomy, physiology, embryology, and even with the phyletic relationships of animals. Probably no monography could deal with the entire animal kingdom, because, in many cases, the insights into questions about immune mecha nisms of many animal groupings or phyla, and their possible evolutionary implications, are unknown or just now beginning to take shape. For the moment, our knowledge on such matters relies upon reconstructions of ideas that we have deduced from studies on members of relative taxa.
A step-by-step guide to commonly used procedures, Methods in Cellular Immunology addresses both human and murine models, in addition to such topics as PCR and apoptosis. The basic format of the original version has been maintained, and the goal remains the same: to make it a useful and easy-to-use tool for investigators employing cellular immunolog
This book on phylogeny and immunity reconstructs the history and evolutionary pathways of immunity among the various forms of life. The authors argue that the immunity could have evolved different adequately successful patterns in the animal sub-regnum which are strictly determined by the morpho-physiological possibilities of the animals. They state that the vertebrate type of immunity evolved only in the chordate branch. The publication devotes special attention to the arthropods and molluscs, as they have attracted more investigative efforts than any other invertebrate taxa. The authors selected Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes from the vertebrate taxa in order to show where and how the morphofunctional basis of the truly adapative immunity of the endothermic tetrapods gradually evolved. Each chapter gives the description of the origin and interrelationships of the representatives of the taxon in question. Also given are the main biological, morphological, non-morphological and immune attributes. Emphasized throughout the book is the central idea that immunological reactions are a part of the overall biological phenomena and should be studied only from this aspect. The authors express that the fields of comparative and evolutionary immunology will provide inspiration for further investigations in biomedicine in the near future.
Published in 1995: Aspartic Proteinases: Physiology and Pathology focuses on the advantages and limitations of the use of proteinases and their inhibitors in human pathology. A virus-specific aspartic proteinase enzyme is required for the maturation of a virus. If the enzyme can be eliminated, so can the maturation of the virus. This book reviews the wealth of recently published information sparked by the renewed interest in these enzymes.
Immunological Disorders in Mice focuses on immunological reactions and diseases based on models provided through studies on genetically based immunological disorders in inbred strains of mice. The book discusses various defects affecting all levels of immunological response, featuring new data on "classical" mutations, as well as information regarding lesser known immune defects. New areas presented include genetic manipulation, ontogenetic aspects, clinical implications, the effect of drugs on immunodefective strains, and neuroendocrine regulation. A critical evaluation of the data presented through these studies on immune disorders in mice will facilitate the understanding of immunological processes and have significant application in clinical practice. Theoretical immunologists, animal breeding companies, and clinical immunologists will find this text invaluable.
Immunologists as well investigators in other disciplines may often use protocols involving the isolation, cultures and characterization of different types of leukocytes. Advanced Methods in Cellular Immunology is a collection of techniques in an easy-to-use format. Each chapter provides readers with related program information, a step-by-step description of the methodology, alternative techniques, pertinent references, and information about commercial sources for materials and regents. In addition to leukocytes, the authors guide readers through the processes of cell culture as well as inflammation and autoimmunity in a variety of animal models. Covering topics such as PCR and Apoptosis, this book will serve a guide to commonly used procedures in cellular immunology while utilizing both human and murine models.
A step-by-step guide to commonly used procedures, Methods in Cellular Immunology addresses both human and murine models, in addition to such topics as PCR and apoptosis. The basic format of the original version has been maintained, and the goal remains the same: to make it a useful and easy-to-use tool for investigators employing cellular immunological techniques in their research, regardless of whether or not immunology is their main area of expertise. It provides information about manufacturers and commercial sources of chemicals and reagents and a comprehensive list of references, allowing readers to refer back to the original information and/or techniques.
A step-by-step guide to commonly used procedures, Methods in Cellular Immunology addresses both human and murine models, in addition to such topics as PCR and apoptosis. The basic format of the original version has been maintained, and the goal remains the same: to make it a useful and easy-to-use tool for investigators employing cellular immunolog
Immunological Disorders in Mice focuses on immunological reactions and diseases based on models provided through studies on genetically based immunological disorders in inbred strains of mice. The book discusses various defects affecting all levels of immunological response, featuring new data on "classical" mutations, as well as information regarding lesser known immune defects. New areas presented include genetic manipulation, ontogenetic aspects, clinical implications, the effect of drugs on immunodefective strains, and neuroendocrine regulation. A critical evaluation of the data presented through these studies on immune disorders in mice will facilitate the understanding of immunological processes and have significant application in clinical practice. Theoretical immunologists, animal breeding companies, and clinical immunologists will find this text invaluable.
Published in 1995: Aspartic Proteinases: Physiology and Pathology focuses on the advantages and limitations of the use of proteinases and their inhibitors in human pathology. A virus-specific aspartic proteinase enzyme is required for the maturation of a virus. If the enzyme can be eliminated, so can the maturation of the virus. This book reviews the wealth of recently published information sparked by the renewed interest in these enzymes.
Immunologists as well investigators in other disciplines may often use protocols involving the isolation, cultures and characterization of different types of leukocytes. Advanced Methods in Cellular Immunology is a collection of techniques in an easy-to-use format. Each chapter provides readers with related program information, a step-by-step de
This book on phylogeny and immunity reconstructs the history and evolutionary pathways of immunity among the various forms of life. The authors argue that the immunity could have evolved different adequately successful patterns in the animal sub-regnum which are strictly determined by the morpho-physiological possibilities of the animals. They state that the vertebrate type of immunity evolved only in the chordate branch. The publication devotes special attention to the arthropods and molluscs, as they have attracted more investigative efforts than any other invertebrate taxa. The authors selected Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, and Osteichthyes from the vertebrate taxa in order to show where and how the morphofunctional basis of the truly adapative immunity of the endothermic tetrapods gradually evolved. Each chapter gives the description of the origin and interrelationships of the representatives of the taxon in question. Also given are the main biological, morphological, non-morphological and immune attributes. Emphasized throughout the book is the central idea that immunological reactions are a part of the overall biological phenomena and should be studied only from this aspect. The authors express that the fields of comparative and evolutionary immunology will provide inspiration for further investigations in biomedicine in the near future.
Immune System Accessory Cells provides a comprehensive survey of all types of antigen-presenting and accessory cells. Macrophages are emphasized through descriptions of different types of endocytosis, other major properties, and all basic and new information concerning macrophages as antigen-presenting cells. Other topics covered include the impact of the immunodeficient state on accessory functions, the evolutionary emergence of accessory functions, and the role of various cell types in defense reactions in major assemblages of Metazoa. The book also presents a chapter describing the phylogenetic aspects of accessory functions, which traces the first accessory cells during the evolution of living matter. Immune System Accessory Cells is an excellent reference for immunologists, cell biologists, and others interested in developing an understanding of the roles of accessory cells in all facets of immune reactions.
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