Search results for "Unity"

Bacteria and Complement — A Historical Review

1985

In the second half of the nineteenth century, shortly after it became clear from the work of Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) and Robert Koch (1843–1910) that microorganisms cause infectious diseases, extensive studies were untertaken to elucidate the mechanisms of protection from and resistance to infections. This early history of the investigation of immunity is characterized by the dispute between two opposing schools, the protagonists of the “cellular” and the “humoral” theories. Eli Metchnikoff (1845–1919) was the first to recognize the general significance of the phenomenon of phagocytosis in animal tissues. In 1883, he published his first papers in the presentation of the theory of phagocyt…

Biosynthesis of the Collagen-like C1q Molecule and its Receptor Functions for Fc and Polyanionic Molecules on Macrophages

1983

At the beginning of the nineteenth century, knowledge of immunity was limited to a few practical methods based on empirical observations, e.g., the observation by Jenner in 1798 that inoculation with cowpox material induced an immunity to smallpox. The discoveries by Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch that microorganisms caused fermentations and were responsible for a number of infectious diseases, greatly advanced the concepts of susceptibility and immunity in a limited number of diseases. In the late nineteenth century, the complement system was discovered by Fodor(1887), Nuttall(1888), and Buchner (1889a, b) through studying the bactericidal action of blood serum. It was recognized that killi…

Evolution and Immune Function of Fish Lectins

2016

Abstract Lectins are sugar-binding proteins widely distributed among animals, plants, and microbial taxon, involved in diverse biological processes. In both invertebrates and vertebrates, they play key roles in nonself recognition and immune responses, such as nonself recognition, inflammatory processes, and immunomodulation. In fish, many lectin families have been identified, and their tissue-specific expression and localization of the various lectin repertoires and their ligands are consistent with their distinct biological roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we discuss the involvement of F-type lectins, rhamnose-binding lectins, galectins, and C-type lectins in pathogen recognit…

Cutaneous Leishmania infection: progress in pathogenesis research and experimental therapy.

2007

Studies in murine experimental Leishmania major infection have helped to understand the requirements for efficient development of T helper (Th)1/cytotoxic T (Tc)1-mediated protection against the parasite. As such they have revealed that Fc gamma receptor (Fc gamma R)I and Fc gamma RIII-mediated uptake of L. major amastigotes by dendritic cells (DC) is an important prerequisite for Th1 development. In addition, DC-derived cytokines contribute to adequate T-cell education. DC-based vaccines may thus provide an important tool for both the development of a prophylactic vaccine against leishmaniasis and - together with leishmanicidal drugs - for eliciting immune-deviating functions towards prote…

Saproxylic beetle assemblages in the Mediterranean region:Impact of forest management on richness and structure

2010

Forests cover almost 30% of the Mediterranean region today, yet forest management activities have influenced structure and composition of both natural and planted forests. To date no study has been conducted to evaluate the impact of forest management on saproxylic beetle assemblages, although it is known that the Mediterranean is a biodiversity hotspot with a long-lasting human pressure on natural habitats. We provide an overview of saproxylic beetle assemblages of three forest types (mature Pinus halepensis forests, mature Pinus brutia forests, young Quercus calliprinos forests) in the East Mediterranean region using a one-year sample from 12 forest plots located in the north of Israel. T…

Global warming affect Collembola community: A long-term study

2006

Summary Long-term (1992–2002) effects of climate changes on soil Collembola in Scots pine Pinus sylvestris forests in North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve (northern Latvia) are investigated. The study was carried out in three forest stands of different age, young (30–40 years), middle aged (50–70 years), and old (150–200 years). One hundred soil samples were collected within each sampling site once a year in autumn over a period of 11 years. In total, 66 species of Collembola were found. Species richness varied between 47 and 56 and density of Collembola from 7300 to 8300 ind m−2. A statistically significant increase in the sums of positive air temperatures (⩾4 °C) was recorded during the period…

Anti-HCV, anti-GOR, and autoimmunity

1992

Other Types of Chaperonopathies

2013

A mechanism causing a chaperonopathy that is introduced in this chapter consists of the absence of a chaperone from the place where it is needed (i.e., chaperonopathies by misplacement). Also in this chapter are discussed the unfolded-protein response (UPR), chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), and illustrative examples of chaperonopathies by mistake, or collaborationism. In these conditions, one or more chaperones, apparently normal in structure, perform functions that favor disease rather than the contrary, hence the name of chaperonopathy by mistake or collaborationism (a molecule that ought to protect the cell and the organism promotes pathogenesis instead). Many examples of chaperonopat…

The experimental antiphospholipid syndrome: an invaluable tool to study autoimmunity-induced neurodegeneration

2014

cells and its activation inhibits their differentiation and remyelination. These suggest a possible role of CNS TLR2 in progressive autoimmune demyelination. Methods: We examined the effects of intra-cerebro-ventricular (ICV) injection of Zymozan, a TLR2 agonist, on the clinical and pathological course of EAE. The survival and clinical scores were monitored; demyelination and axonal loss were quantified by gold-black and Bielschowsky stains, and the nature of neuro-inflammatory response was characterized by TLR2, IBA-1 and CD3 stainings and PCR for immune cytokines. Immune cells were isolated from EAE brain tissue and their proliferative response to the autoantigen (PLP peptide) or Concaval…

SARS-CoV-2 RNA and antibody detection in human milk from a prospective multicenter study in Spain

2021

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, breastfeeding in women positive for SARS-CoV-2 was compromised due to contradictory data regarding potential viral transmission. However, growing evidence confirms the relevant role of breast milk in providing passive immunity by generating and transmitting specific antibodies against the virus. Thus, our study aimed to develop and validate a specific protocol to detect SARS-CoV-2 in breast milk matrix as well as to determine the impact of maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on presence, concentration, and persistence of specific SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Study design/Methods A prospective multicenter longitudinal study in Spain was carried out from A…