Endocrine Immunology
Endocrine Immunology

Author: W. Savino

Publisher: Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers

Published: 2017-02-28

Total Pages: 190

ISBN-13: 3318060143

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In the last decades, several in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed the existence of a very complex network between the neuroendocrine and immune system. Important molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions, in both physiological and pathological conditions, have also been described. Indeed, hormones play a pivotal role in the development and functional regulation of the immune system – both innate and acquired responses. Immune system cells present specific hormone receptors and themselves produce some hormones, thus influencing hormone secretion. More recently, the modulation of hormone secretion has been attempted for treating associated autoimmune disorders, further supporting the strong interplay between the endocrine and immune system. Distinguished experts, who have published extensively in their fields, have contributed comprehensive chapters to this volume. The focus is on the various aspects of endocrine-neuro-immune connections, providing an updated panorama - from basics to clinical applications - of current knowledge and still debated issues.

Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field
Military Strategies for Sustainment of Nutrition and Immune Function in the Field

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 1999-05-13

Total Pages: 722

ISBN-13: 0309173183

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Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.

Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Author: Institute of Medicine

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2015-03-16

Total Pages: 251

ISBN-13: 0309316928

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Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are serious, debilitating conditions that affect millions of people in the United States and around the world. ME/CFS can cause significant impairment and disability. Despite substantial efforts by researchers to better understand ME/CFS, there is no known cause or effective treatment. Diagnosing the disease remains a challenge, and patients often struggle with their illness for years before an identification is made. Some health care providers have been skeptical about the serious physiological - rather than psychological - nature of the illness. Once diagnosed, patients often complain of receiving hostility from their health care provider as well as being subjected to treatment strategies that exacerbate their symptoms. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome proposes new diagnostic clinical criteria for ME/CFS and a new term for the illness - systemic exertion intolerance disease(SEID). According to this report, the term myalgic encephalomyelitis does not accurately describe this illness, and the term chronic fatigue syndrome can result in trivialization and stigmatization for patients afflicted with this illness. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome stresses that SEID is a medical - not a psychiatric or psychological - illness. This report lists the major symptoms of SEID and recommends a diagnostic process.One of the report's most important conclusions is that a thorough history, physical examination, and targeted work-up are necessary and often sufficient for diagnosis. The new criteria will allow a large percentage of undiagnosed patients to receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care. Beyond Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome will be a valuable resource to promote the prompt diagnosis of patients with this complex, multisystem, and often devastating disorder; enhance public understanding; and provide a firm foundation for future improvements in diagnosis and treatment.

Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury

Author: Physical Medicine Research Foundation. International Symposium

Publisher: Psychology Press

Published: 1995

Total Pages: 206

ISBN-13: 9781560247449

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Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury provides a summary of information from a conference on chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia syndrome (FS), and related disorders. Many of the contributors are known for being actively involved in the study of the target disorders and represent countries around the world. In addition to health professionals, the contributors represent the legal profession and the insurance industry of Canada. The unique feature of this volume is its emphasis on disability and compensation. In Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury readers will find concise summaries of the formal presentations given at the Vancouver Conference in July 1994. The underlying tenor in the chapters is on viewing affective (psychological) pathology as a contributor to the underlying processes of these disorders. Readers are encouraged to follow closely the logic of each author's academic exercise. They will find that in many cases, the authors provoke more answers than they are able to answer, in the hope of promoting continued research toward finding concrete answers. The conference was designed to address etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, treatment, disability, medico-legal issues and cost containment. The program agenda was issue driven rather than condition based. The papers were presented in a manner which allowed delegates and speakers to see the overlap and differences between these conditions. The purpose of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Repetitive Strain Injury is to provide education for primary care physicians, specialist physicians, other health care disciplines, patients, and the public. A second purpose is to enable investigators in the three topic areas to get new information from specialists around the world to develop new ideas, which will inform future research and consensus.

Neuroendocrine-immune Interactions
Neuroendocrine-immune Interactions

Author: Rolf C. Gaillard

Publisher: Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 3805572824

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Interactions between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems seldom appear as main issues in the neurosciences and in immunology. So far this was most likely due to the need to focus on the molecular and cellular bases of single neural, endocrine and immune processes. But hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can also influence more subtle mechanisms underlying immune cell activity. The contents of this volume aim at listing some aspects which show that not only the bases for neuroendocrine control of more refined mechanisms related to the organization and functioning of the immune systems to exist, but also that the immune system can actively communicate with neuroendocrine structures. The evidence is divided into three categories: - Anatomical, cellular and molecular bases for the exchange of information between immune, endocrine and neural cells, - reciprocal effects between immune and neuroendocrine mechanisms, and - immune-neuroendocrine regulatory circuits. Immunologically triggered neuroendocrine responses can be either beneficial or deleterious for the host. A systematic approach would imply the simultaneous evaluation of neuroendocrine and immune parameters and thus provide the basis for therapeutic interventions based on antagonizing or blocking undesirable effects.

Magnesium in the Central Nervous System
Magnesium in the Central Nervous System

Author: Robert Vink

Publisher: University of Adelaide Press

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 0987073052

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The brain is the most complex organ in our body. Indeed, it is perhaps the most complex structure we have ever encountered in nature. Both structurally and functionally, there are many peculiarities that differentiate the brain from all other organs. The brain is our connection to the world around us and by governing nervous system and higher function, any disturbance induces severe neurological and psychiatric disorders that can have a devastating effect on quality of life. Our understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the brain has improved dramatically in the last two decades. In particular, the critical role of cations, including magnesium, has become evident, even if incompletely understood at a mechanistic level. The exact role and regulation of magnesium, in particular, remains elusive, largely because intracellular levels are so difficult to routinely quantify. Nonetheless, the importance of magnesium to normal central nervous system activity is self-evident given the complicated homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the concentration of this cation within strict limits essential for normal physiology and metabolism. There is also considerable accumulating evidence to suggest alterations to some brain functions in both normal and pathological conditions may be linked to alterations in local magnesium concentration. This book, containing chapters written by some of the foremost experts in the field of magnesium research, brings together the latest in experimental and clinical magnesium research as it relates to the central nervous system. It offers a complete and updated view of magnesiums involvement in central nervous system function and in so doing, brings together two main pillars of contemporary neuroscience research, namely providing an explanation for the molecular mechanisms involved in brain function, and emphasizing the connections between the molecular changes and behavior. It is the untiring efforts of those magnesium researchers who have dedicated their lives to unraveling the mysteries of magnesiums role in biological systems that has inspired the collation of this volume of work.

Endometriosis
Endometriosis

Author: Christopher Sutton

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 2004-05-01

Total Pages: 105

ISBN-13: 1107783224

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Endometriosis affects a huge number of women throughout the world. It has been estimated that between 1% and 15% of women who are examined for pelvic pain and infertility may have endometriosis; the true prevalence is unknown because diagnosis can only be made with any accuracy by laparoscopic examination of the pelvis. This book provides clinicians with all the information they need in a succinct and clear text, with colour illustrations. Chapters cover: epidemiology and aetiology; diagnosis; investigation; medical treatment; and surgical treatment.

The Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis
The Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

Author:

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2008-09-12

Total Pages: 413

ISBN-13: 0080559360

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The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis controls reactions to stress and regulates various body processes such as digestion, the immune system, mood and sexuality, and energy usage. This volume focuses on the role it plays in the immune system and provides substantive experimental and clinical data to support current understanding in the field, and potential applications of this knowledge in the treatment of disease. - Evidence presented in this book suggests that the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems form the Neuroendoimmune Supersystem, which integrates all the biological functions of higher organisms both in health and disease for their entire life cycle - Contributors include both the scientists who initiated the work on the HPA axis and on the autonomic nervous system, and those who joined the field later