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Immunology basics

2008-01-28T18:21:11Z

141.153.207.47: /* Histological examination of the immune system */

'''Immunology''' is a broad branch of [[biomedical science|biomedical]] [[science]] that covers the study of all aspects of the [[immune system]] in all [[organism]]s. It deals with, among other things, the [[physiology|physiological]] functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ([[autoimmune diseases]], [[hypersensitivity|hypersensitivities]], [[immune deficiency]], [[transplant|allograft]] rejection); the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the immune system [[in vitro]], [[in situ]], and [[in vivo]]. Immunology has various applications in several disciplines of science, and as such is further divided.

==Histological examination of the immune system==
Giant penis Even before the concept of [[immunity (medical)|immunity]] (from ''immunis'', Latin for "exempt") was developed, numerous early physicians characterised organs that would later prove to be part of the immune system. The key primary lymphoid organs of the immune system are [[thymus]] and [[bone marrow]], and secondary lymphatic tissues such as [[spleen]], [[tonsil]]s, [[lymphatic system|lymph vessels]], [[lymph node]]s, [[adenoid]]s, and [[skin]]. When health conditions warrant, immune system organs including the thymus, spleen, portions of bone marrow, lymph nodes and secondary lymphatic tissues can be [[surgery|surgically]] excised for examination while patients are still alive.

Many components of the immune system are actually [[cell (biology)|cell]]ular in nature and not associated with any specific organ but rather are embedded or circulating in various [[tissue (anatomy)|tissues]] located throughout the body.

==Classical immunology==

Classical immunology ties in with the fields of [[epidemiology]] and [[medicine]]. It studies the relationship between the body systems, [[pathogen]]s, and immunity. The earliest written mention of immunity can be traced back to the [[Pandemic|plague]] of [[Athens]] in [[430 BCE]]. [[Thucydides]] noted that people who had recovered from a previous bout of the disease could [[nurse]] the sick without contracting the illness a second time. Many other ancient societies have references to this phenomenon, but it was not until the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|20th centuries]] before the concept developed into scientific theory.

The study of the molecular and cellular components that comprise the immune system, including their function and interaction, is the central science of immunology. The immune system has been divided into a more primitive [[innate immunity|innate immune system]], and [[adaptive immunity|acquired or adaptive immune system]] of vertebrates, the latter of which is further divided into [[humoral immunity|humoral]] and [[cell-mediated immunity|cellular components]].

The humoral (antibody) response is defined as the interaction between [[antibody|antibodies]] and [[antigen]]s. Antibodies are specific proteins released from a certain class of immune cells (B lymphocytes). Antigens are defined as anything that elicits generation of antibodies, hence they are '''Anti'''body '''Gen'''erators. Immunology itself rests on an understanding of the properties of these two biological entities. However, equally important is the cellular response, which can not only kill infected cells in its own right, but is also crucial in controlling the antibody response. Put simply, both systems are highly interdependent.

In the [[21st century]], immunology has broadened its horizons with much research being performed in the more specialized niches of immunology. This includes the immunological function of cells, organs and systems not normally associated with the immune system, as well as the function of the immune system outside classical models of immunity.

==Clinical immunology== 
Clinical immunology is the study of [[disease]]s caused by disorders of the immune system (failure, aberrant action, and malignant growth of the cellular elements of the system). It also involves diseases of other systems, where immune reactions play a part in the pathology and clinical features.

The diseases caused by disorders of the immune system fall into two broad categories: [[immunodeficiency]], in which parts of the immune system fail to provide an adequate response (examples include [[chronic granulomatous disease]]), and [[autoimmunity]], in which the immune system attacks its own host's body (examples include [[systemic lupus erythematosus]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], [[Hashimoto's disease]] and [[myasthenia gravis]]). Other immune system disorders include different [[hypersensitivity|hypersensitivities]], in which the system responds inappropriately to harmless compounds ([[asthma]] and other [[allergy|allergies]]) or responds too intensely.

The most well-known disease that affects the immune system itself is [[Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome|AIDS]], caused by [[HIV]]. AIDS is an immunodeficiency characterized by the lack of CD4+ ("helper") [[T cells]] and [[macrophages]], which are destroyed by HIV.

Clinical immunologists also study ways to prevent [[transplant rejection]], in which the immune system attempts to destroy [[allograft]]s or [[xenograft]]s.

==Immunotherapy==
:''See main article [[Immunotherapy]]''

The use of immune system components to treat a disease or disorder is known as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is most commonly used in the context of the treatment of [[cancer]]s together with [[chemotherapy]] ([[Medication|drug]]s) and [[radiotherapy]] ([[electromagnetic radiation|radiation]]). However, immunotherapy is also often used in the immunosuppressed (such as [[HIV]] patients) and people suffering from other immune deficiencies or autoimmune diseases.

==Diagnostic immunology==
:''See main article [[Diagnostic immunology]]''
The specificity of the bond between antibody and antigen has made it an excellent tool in the detection of substances in a variety of diagnostic techniques. Antibodies specific for a desired [[antigen]] can be conjugated with a radiolabel, fluorescent label, or color-forming enzyme and are used as a "probe" to detect it.

==Evolutionary immunology==
Study of the immune system in extant and [[extinction|extinct]] species is capable of giving us a key understanding of the [[evolution]] of species and the immune system.

A development of complexity of the immune system can be seen from simple phagocytotic protection of single celled organisms, to circulating antimicrobial peptides in insects to lymphoid organs in vertebrates. Of course, like much of evolutionary observation, these physical properties are often seen from the [[anthropocentric]] aspect. It should be recognized, that every organism living today has an immune system absolutely capable of protecting it from most forms of harm; those organisms that did not adapt their immune systems to external threats are no longer around to be observed.

[[Insect]]s and other [[arthropod]]s, while not possessing true adaptive immunity, show highly evolved systems of innate immunity, and are additionally protected from external injury (and exposure to pathogens) by their [[chitin]]ous shells.

==See also==
* [[Immune system]]
* [[Autoimmunity]]
* [[List of immunologists]]
* [[History of immunology]]
* [[Serology]]
* [[Immunodeficiency]]
* [[Medical technologist]]

==References==
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Immunology Wikibooks Immunology Textbook]
* Goldsby RA, Kindt TK, Osborne BA and Kuby J (2003) '''Immunology''', 5th Edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, New York, ISBN 0-7167-4947-5

==External links==
{{WVD}}
*[http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcimmunol/ BMC: Immunology]- [[BioMed Central]]:Immunology is an [[open access journal]] publishing original peer-reviewed research articles.
*[[Nature Reviews Immunology]] ([http://www.nature.com/nri/index.html journal home])
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=imm.TOC&depth=2 Janeway's Immunobiology textbook] Searchable free online version at the [[National Center for Biotechnology Information]]
* [http://www.lib.mcg.edu/edu/esimmuno/progmenu.htm Overview] at [[Medical College of Georgia]]
* [http://www.mugen-noe.org/ MUGEN NoE] murine models for immunological disease
* [http://medweb2.unige.ch/immunologie/ Transplantation Immunology] Interesting web site made by the faculty of medicine of the University of Geneva dealing with the immunological issues linked with the transplantation of materials genetically different between donor and recipient (hematopoietical stem cells, organs or the transfusion of blood).

{{Medicine}}
{{Immune system}}
[[Category:Immunology| ]]
[[Category:Subjects taught in medical school]]

{{Link FA|de}}

[[ar:علم المناعة]]
[[ca:Immunologia]]
[[cs:Imunologie]]
[[da:Immunologi]]
[[de:Immunologie]]
[[et:Immunoloogia]]
[[es:Inmunología]]
[[eo:Imunologio]]
[[eu:Immunologia]]
[[fa:ایمونولوژی]]
[[fr:Immunologie]]
[[gl:Inmunoloxía]]
[[ko:면역학]]
[[hr:Imunologija]]
[[id:Imunologi]]
[[it:Immunologia]]
[[he:אימונולוגיה]]
[[lb:Immunologie]]
[[lt:Imunologija]]
[[hu:Immunológia]]
[[ms:Immunologi]]
[[nl:Immunologie]]
[[ja:免疫学]]
[[no:Immunologi]]
[[pl:Immunologia]]
[[pt:Imunologia]]
[[ro:Imunologie]]
[[ru:Иммунология]]
[[sq:Imunologjia]]
[[simple:Immunology]]
[[sk:Imunológia]]
[[sl:Imunologija]]
[[sr:Имунологија]]
[[sh:Imunologija]]
[[fi:Immunologia]]
[[sv:Immunologi]]
[[th:วิทยาภูมิคุ้มกัน]]
[[vi:Miễn dịch học]]
[[tr:İmmünoloji]]
[[uk:Імунологія]]
[[zh:免疫学]]

Immunology basics

2008-01-28T18:20:06Z

141.153.207.47: /* Histological examination of the immune system */

'''Immunology''' is a broad branch of [[biomedical science|biomedical]] [[science]] that covers the study of all aspects of the [[immune system]] in all [[organism]]s. It deals with, among other things, the [[physiology|physiological]] functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders ([[autoimmune diseases]], [[hypersensitivity|hypersensitivities]], [[immune deficiency]], [[transplant|allograft]] rejection); the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the immune system [[in vitro]], [[in situ]], and [[in vivo]]. Immunology has various applications in several disciplines of science, and as such is further divided.

==Histological examination of the immune system==
Giant penis, Latin for "exempt") was developed, numerous early physicians characterised organs that would later prove to be part of the immune system. The key primary lymphoid organs of the immune system are [[thymus]] and [[bone marrow]], and secondary lymphatic tissues such as [[spleen]], [[tonsil]]s, [[lymphatic system|lymph vessels]], [[lymph node]]s, [[adenoid]]s, and [[skin]]. When health conditions warrant, immune system organs including the thymus, spleen, portions of bone marrow, lymph nodes and secondary lymphatic tissues can be [[surgery|surgically]] excised for examination while patients are still alive.

Many components of the immune system are actually [[cell (biology)|cell]]ular in nature and not associated with any specific organ but rather are embedded or circulating in various [[tissue (anatomy)|tissues]] located throughout the body.

==Classical immunology==

Classical immunology ties in with the fields of [[epidemiology]] and [[medicine]]. It studies the relationship between the body systems, [[pathogen]]s, and immunity. The earliest written mention of immunity can be traced back to the [[Pandemic|plague]] of [[Athens]] in [[430 BCE]]. [[Thucydides]] noted that people who had recovered from a previous bout of the disease could [[nurse]] the sick without contracting the illness a second time. Many other ancient societies have references to this phenomenon, but it was not until the [[19th century|19th]] and [[20th century|20th centuries]] before the concept developed into scientific theory.

The study of the molecular and cellular components that comprise the immune system, including their function and interaction, is the central science of immunology. The immune system has been divided into a more primitive [[innate immunity|innate immune system]], and [[adaptive immunity|acquired or adaptive immune system]] of vertebrates, the latter of which is further divided into [[humoral immunity|humoral]] and [[cell-mediated immunity|cellular components]].

The humoral (antibody) response is defined as the interaction between [[antibody|antibodies]] and [[antigen]]s. Antibodies are specific proteins released from a certain class of immune cells (B lymphocytes). Antigens are defined as anything that elicits generation of antibodies, hence they are '''Anti'''body '''Gen'''erators. Immunology itself rests on an understanding of the properties of these two biological entities. However, equally important is the cellular response, which can not only kill infected cells in its own right, but is also crucial in controlling the antibody response. Put simply, both systems are highly interdependent.

In the [[21st century]], immunology has broadened its horizons with much research being performed in the more specialized niches of immunology. This includes the immunological function of cells, organs and systems not normally associated with the immune system, as well as the function of the immune system outside classical models of immunity.

==Clinical immunology== 
Clinical immunology is the study of [[disease]]s caused by disorders of the immune system (failure, aberrant action, and malignant growth of the cellular elements of the system). It also involves diseases of other systems, where immune reactions play a part in the pathology and clinical features.

The diseases caused by disorders of the immune system fall into two broad categories: [[immunodeficiency]], in which parts of the immune system fail to provide an adequate response (examples include [[chronic granulomatous disease]]), and [[autoimmunity]], in which the immune system attacks its own host's body (examples include [[systemic lupus erythematosus]], [[rheumatoid arthritis]], [[Hashimoto's disease]] and [[myasthenia gravis]]). Other immune system disorders include different [[hypersensitivity|hypersensitivities]], in which the system responds inappropriately to harmless compounds ([[asthma]] and other [[allergy|allergies]]) or responds too intensely.

The most well-known disease that affects the immune system itself is [[Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome|AIDS]], caused by [[HIV]]. AIDS is an immunodeficiency characterized by the lack of CD4+ ("helper") [[T cells]] and [[macrophages]], which are destroyed by HIV.

Clinical immunologists also study ways to prevent [[transplant rejection]], in which the immune system attempts to destroy [[allograft]]s or [[xenograft]]s.

==Immunotherapy==
:''See main article [[Immunotherapy]]''

The use of immune system components to treat a disease or disorder is known as immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is most commonly used in the context of the treatment of [[cancer]]s together with [[chemotherapy]] ([[Medication|drug]]s) and [[radiotherapy]] ([[electromagnetic radiation|radiation]]). However, immunotherapy is also often used in the immunosuppressed (such as [[HIV]] patients) and people suffering from other immune deficiencies or autoimmune diseases.

==Diagnostic immunology==
:''See main article [[Diagnostic immunology]]''
The specificity of the bond between antibody and antigen has made it an excellent tool in the detection of substances in a variety of diagnostic techniques. Antibodies specific for a desired [[antigen]] can be conjugated with a radiolabel, fluorescent label, or color-forming enzyme and are used as a "probe" to detect it.

==Evolutionary immunology==
Study of the immune system in extant and [[extinction|extinct]] species is capable of giving us a key understanding of the [[evolution]] of species and the immune system.

A development of complexity of the immune system can be seen from simple phagocytotic protection of single celled organisms, to circulating antimicrobial peptides in insects to lymphoid organs in vertebrates. Of course, like much of evolutionary observation, these physical properties are often seen from the [[anthropocentric]] aspect. It should be recognized, that every organism living today has an immune system absolutely capable of protecting it from most forms of harm; those organisms that did not adapt their immune systems to external threats are no longer around to be observed.

[[Insect]]s and other [[arthropod]]s, while not possessing true adaptive immunity, show highly evolved systems of innate immunity, and are additionally protected from external injury (and exposure to pathogens) by their [[chitin]]ous shells.

==See also==
* [[Immune system]]
* [[Autoimmunity]]
* [[List of immunologists]]
* [[History of immunology]]
* [[Serology]]
* [[Immunodeficiency]]
* [[Medical technologist]]

==References==
* [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Immunology Wikibooks Immunology Textbook]
* Goldsby RA, Kindt TK, Osborne BA and Kuby J (2003) '''Immunology''', 5th Edition, W.H. Freeman and Company, New York, New York, ISBN 0-7167-4947-5

==External links==
{{WVD}}
*[http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcimmunol/ BMC: Immunology]- [[BioMed Central]]:Immunology is an [[open access journal]] publishing original peer-reviewed research articles.
*[[Nature Reviews Immunology]] ([http://www.nature.com/nri/index.html journal home])
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?rid=imm.TOC&depth=2 Janeway's Immunobiology textbook] Searchable free online version at the [[National Center for Biotechnology Information]]
* [http://www.lib.mcg.edu/edu/esimmuno/progmenu.htm Overview] at [[Medical College of Georgia]]
* [http://www.mugen-noe.org/ MUGEN NoE] murine models for immunological disease
* [http://medweb2.unige.ch/immunologie/ Transplantation Immunology] Interesting web site made by the faculty of medicine of the University of Geneva dealing with the immunological issues linked with the transplantation of materials genetically different between donor and recipient (hematopoietical stem cells, organs or the transfusion of blood).

{{Medicine}}
{{Immune system}}
[[Category:Immunology| ]]
[[Category:Subjects taught in medical school]]

{{Link FA|de}}

[[ar:علم المناعة]]
[[ca:Immunologia]]
[[cs:Imunologie]]
[[da:Immunologi]]
[[de:Immunologie]]
[[et:Immunoloogia]]
[[es:Inmunología]]
[[eo:Imunologio]]
[[eu:Immunologia]]
[[fa:ایمونولوژی]]
[[fr:Immunologie]]
[[gl:Inmunoloxía]]
[[ko:면역학]]
[[hr:Imunologija]]
[[id:Imunologi]]
[[it:Immunologia]]
[[he:אימונולוגיה]]
[[lb:Immunologie]]
[[lt:Imunologija]]
[[hu:Immunológia]]
[[ms:Immunologi]]
[[nl:Immunologie]]
[[ja:免疫学]]
[[no:Immunologi]]
[[pl:Immunologia]]
[[pt:Imunologia]]
[[ro:Imunologie]]
[[ru:Иммунология]]
[[sq:Imunologjia]]
[[simple:Immunology]]
[[sk:Imunológia]]
[[sl:Imunologija]]
[[sr:Имунологија]]
[[sh:Imunologija]]
[[fi:Immunologia]]
[[sv:Immunologi]]
[[th:วิทยาภูมิคุ้มกัน]]
[[vi:Miễn dịch học]]
[[tr:İmmünoloji]]
[[uk:Імунологія]]
[[zh:免疫学]]

Archive:Digiview Entertainment

2007-01-27T23:05:06Z

141.153.173.168:

'''Digiview Entertainment''' is a United States based Home Entertainment Company established in 2003.

The company manufactures value-priced DVDs & CDs for the mainstream market (i.e. DVDs of television programs, movies, animated cartoons, horror film/horror, science fiction film/science fiction), but has recently moved into the licensed home entertainment business (i.e. BKN Entertainment.)

Digiview Entertainment has its own proprietary line of DVD releases, such as "Cartoon Craze", and "Toon Factory." The company also has classic television programs, such as "Flash Gordon", "The Lone Ranger", "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet", and "Captain Nemo." Digiview Entertainment owns rarely seen films, such as "Row Your Boat", and "Who Killed Doc Robin?" The company also features "anime" titles such as "Protectors of Universe", "Beauty and Warrior" and "Space Transfomers."

Many of the company's titles can be found at Wal-Mart and other value-priced retailers such as Family Dollar, Dollar General, and Dollar Tree Stores, some (though not all) costing only a dollar. Recently, the company began to channel market its product offerings to drug store chains, supermarket chains and convenience store chains throughout the United States.

Digiview Entertainment also produces, markets and distributes a comprehensive line of inspirational, relaxation, romantic and tranquility CDs. The company is best known for its "Children's Classic Nursery Songs", "Children's Classic Sing-A-Longs", and popular "Songs 4 Kids."

*[[http://www.digiviewus.com Digiview Entertainment's official web site]]

[[Category: Home Entertainment Companies of the United States]]

Archive:Fanboy

2004-07-09T22:08:48Z

141.153.241.238:

'''Fanboy''' is a derogatory term used to describe someone who is utterly devoted to a [[hobby]] or a subject, to the point where it becomes an [[obsession]]. Fanboys are often experts on minor details regarding their hobbies, and they take these details extremely seriously. The stereotypical image often associated with ''[[Star Trek]]'' fans (or [[Trekkie]]s) can be used to describe a fanboy: a person (usually white) with little or no social life outside the circle of [[fandom|fan]]s he or she associates with.

An alternate, more recent example of the fanboy is someone whose enthusiasms are shallow but broad, being directed at a whole art-form, activity, or [[genre]] (e.g. [[science fiction]] films and television shows) rather than one particular exemplar (e.g. ''Star Trek''). These sorts of fanboys stereotypically show an almost [[sycophant]]ic devotion to the creators and principles behind a work they are currently entralled by, but will quickly move their attention elsewhere once something better or just newer comes along. A good example of this is Harry Knowles and his associates at [[Ain't It Cool News]], whose particular focus is on [[film|movies]] in the [[action movie|action]], [[fantasy]], adventure and [[superhero]] genres.

In video games, especially in fighting games, a fanboy is someone who appreciates a certain game almost exclusively because of its story and would tend to support those things that would improve the story, even at the expense of good gameplay.

Because of its negative connotations, the term ''fanboy'' is generally seen as insulting to those who are familiar with its usage, even within the [[subculture]] of [[fandom]].

The female equivalent is sometimes called a ''fangirl'', but they tend to have less of a negative connotation attached due to the (perceived) tendency of women, especially younger women, to be more socially aware and concerned with their appearance than males, especially teenagers. In addition the energetic devotion of younger fangirls is sometimes seen as a normal attitude of a teenage girl.

See also: [[addiction]]; [[otaku]]; [[anorak]].

----

The letter sequence "FANBOYS" is also a [[mnemonic]] for the words ''for'', ''and'', ''nor'', ''but'', ''or'', ''yet'', and ''so''. These words are [[coordinating conjuction]]s, which are used to join two [[independent clause]]s. It is customary to place a [[comma (punctuation)|comma]] after the first clause. Some [[prescriptive]] grammarians say that one should not start a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. But others don't. (See [[English grammar]].)

== External link ==

* Explanation of the use of coordinating conjunctions from the [[New Mexico State University|NMSU]] Writing Center: http://www.nmsu.edu/~english/wc/wccocunj.html