The genus Thymus consists of about 350 species of perennial, aromatic herbs and subshrubs native to Europe and North Africa. Various types of thyme are used all over the globe as condiments, ornamentals and sources of essential oil. Thyme oil (distilled from its leaves) is among the world's top ten essential oils, displaying antibacterial, antimyco
The Janeway's Immunobiology CD-ROM, Immunobiology Interactive, is included with each book, and can be purchased separately. It contains animations and videos with voiceover narration, as well as the figures from the text for presentation purposes.
The thymus is a gland that over the last two centuries has generated great awareness not only from the anatomical perspective but also for the physiological and pat- logical roles it plays in many disease processes. Prior to the early studies on its th anatomy and physiology in the 18 century, the thymus was believed to perform - usual and curious functions such as purification of the nervous system, providing a protective cushion for the vasculature of the superior mediastinum, fetal nouri- ment, or more spiritual roles such as being the seat of the soul, among others. D- th ing the 19 century important anatomical/physiological studies took place focusing on the role of the thymus in pathological conditions. However, it was not until the th middle of the 19 century that a more comprehensive analysis of the role of the thymic gland and its role in pathogenesis began to emerge. Currently, while the knowledge gained on the diverse aspects of the thymic gland has furthered our understanding of its role in a gamut of processes, more knowledge is still being sought, and by no means is a full understanding of the gland’s physi- ogy and pathology complete. Different aspects, including its purported endocrine function, its association with other autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus erythematosus, among others, are under evaluation and research.
Until the middle of the present century, the morphology and function of the thymus were primarily of interest to those working in the fields of pathologic anatomy, endo crinology, and pediatrics. However, during recent decades careful and refined histo logic studies of the organ have expanded our knowledge. It now seems certain that the thymus plays a central role in the immune system, and some of the substances pro duced by this organ are considered together under the collective term of "thymic hor mones". In clinical medicine (in particular endocrinology and pediatrics, as well as surgery and radiologic oncology), the startling advances that have taken place in radiologic diagnostics with the advent of new imaging procedures such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have provided fresh impetus in the search for effec tive treatments for hyperplasia, tumors, and tumor-like changes of the thymus. Normal variants of the thymus, which lies concealed within the anterior superior mediastinum, have been recorded, and pathologic changes such as primary or secondary tumors can now be analyzed and correctly diagnosed.
T cells play a vital role mediating adaptive immunity, a specific acquired resistance to an infectious agent produced by the introduction of an antigen. There are a variety of T cell types with different functions. They are called T cells, because they are derived from the thymus gland. This volume discusses how T cells are regulated through the operation of signaling mechanisms. Topics covered include positive and negative selection, early events in T cell receptor engagement, and various T cell subsets.
WHO Classification of Tumours of the Lung, Pleura, Thymus and Heart is the seventh volume in the Fourth Edition of the WHO series on histological and genetic typing of human tumors. This authoritative, concise reference book provides an international standard for oncologists and pathologists and will serve as an indispensable guide for use in the design of studies monitoring response to therapy and clinical outcome.
This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.
This important new text covers a wide area of thymology in both the theoretical and practical aspects. In view of current information, a crucial role of endocrine thymus is presented in the creation, maintenance, and senescence of neuro-endocrine-immune homeostasis. In particular, mechanisms are described (which are basically responsible for the T cell maturation and selection) for the hierarchic organization of the immune system and its thymic dependent immune competence in terms of tolerance and immunity. A detailed presentation of the structure and biological properties of a number of well-defined thymic hormones is included. Their clinical applications and results obtained in inherited or acquired immunodeficiencies and in neoplasmic diseases are also reviewed on the grounds of numerous representative clinical trials. A perspective and potential scope of immunorestorative therapy and prevention with thymic hormones and other thymomimetic drugs are outlined. Researchers, practitioners, and students will find this book to be a useful and essential source of information.
This book, written by selected experts who outline the surgical procedure, provides an up-to-date and concise review of the thymus gland for both the surgeon and the physician. The critical role of the thymus in the immune system is becoming increasingly well understood. Much of this knowledge is widely dispersed throughout the literature. Although thymectomy is well established as a surgical procedure, these advances need to be made available to the surgeon. This book offers neurologists and physicians a better understanding of the surgical aspects of the thymus.