Under normal physiologic conditions, the entry of glucose into beta cells triggers the secretion of insulin (1) (Fig. 1). The released insulin is carried in the blood to peripheral tissues where it binds to insulin receptors, which are members of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. This initiates a cascade of transmembrane events resulting in the uptake of glucose by cells and its metabolism i...

Recurrent pregnancy loss associated with immunologic abnormalities has been termed immunologic abortion. Immunologic abortion occurs primarily in women over the age of 30 years and may affect either natural or in-vitro fertilization (IVF)-induced pregnancy. In this article, we review the humoral and cellular immunologic abnormalities that have been associated with this form of recurrent abortio...

background : since the introduction of silicone based medical devices in to clinical practice, several reports appeared in the medical literature regarding their adverse effects. however, there are few reports of immunologic reactions to these implants. case presentation : a case of systemic reaction to a breast implant inserted for immediate breast reconstruction in a breast cancer patient is ...

Plasma postheparin lipolytic activity (PHLA) was measured on 50 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Plasma PHLA was significantly decreased in SLE patients. This decrease was most striking in the acute phase of the disease. There was a close relationship between decreased PHLA and immunologic factors indicative of the acute phase of SLE. These immunologic factors included shaggy a...

conclusions subcutaneous nodules in the absence of a local reaction at the site of bcg vaccination may be the sole manifestation of disseminated bcg disease. case presentation we report on an 11-months-old boy with prolonged fever and diffuse hyperpigmented subcutaneous nodules. due to lymphopenia, oral thrush and severe adverse reaction to bcg vaccination, the possibility of primary immunodefi...

Pregnancy is associated with an increased production of pro-inflammatory factors and concomitant modifications in the gut microbiota composition. The persistence these pregnancy-associated immunologic profiles was assessed 43 women. In postpartum period composition remained relatively unchanged while concentrations proinflammatory cytokines continued to increase.

Cryptococcus gattii infections, especially including those with severe clinical manifestations, may be related to underlying host immunologic factors. We present 2 cases with autoantibodies to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a key cytokine in macrophage function. Immunologic evaluation for anti-GM-CSF antibodies may be important to inform management and counseling.