Parasites have been argued to influence clutch size evolution, but past work and theory has largely focused on within-species optimization solutions rather than clearly addressing among-species variation. The effects of parasites on clutch size variation among species can be complex, however, because different parasites can induce age-specific differences in mortality that can cause clutch size...

varicella-zoster viruses complications involving the cns are estimated to occur rarely, transverse myelitis after varicella-zoster virus in most patients is characterized by an abrupt onset of progressive weakness and sensory disturbance in the lower extremities , like other viruses. we describe the case of 17 year-old boy who experienced cervical transverse myelitis after chickenpox with inabi...

introduction cryptococcosis is an opportunistic fungal infection mostly in immunocompromised patients. here we present the immunocompetent case with crypotoccosis. case presentation a 60-year-old man without any history of immunodeficiency or major risk factor of fungal infection, referred to the emergency department with systemic symptoms and low back pain. the patient’s condition gradually de...

The ubiquitous trade-off between survival and costly reproduction is one of the most fundamental constraints governing life-history evolution. In numerous animals, gonadotropic hormones antagonistically suppressing immunocompetence cause this trade-off. The queens of many social insects defy the reproduction-survival trade-off, achieving both an extraordinarily long life and high reproductive o...

The relations between genetic change in domestic livestock and infectious disease (including both its epidemiology and the animal's reaction to it) are examined. The overall picture is confusing because there are different, and seemingly unrelated, ways of considering the issue. An attempt is made to put these together into a more general framework. Four processes of particular interest are dis...

The prognostic value of age, sex, symptoms, histopathology, lymphocyte count, skin tests, immunocompetence (lymphocyte response profile to a spectrum of PHA concentrations), and stage was evaluated in 35 previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease by multiple linear regression and logistic analysis. Immunocompetence exhibited the highest correlation (R = 0.537) with survival status and...

Adequacy or deficiency in the micronutrient status of an individual deeply affects its immunocompetence. Among the different micronutrients, antioxidative vitamins and f3-carotene are particularly effective in modulating immune functions and host defense against microorganisms or other invasive processes. This involves antigen-specific humoral or cellmediated reactions ofthe immune system as we...