this paper assumes the cell formation problem as a distributed decision network. it proposes an approach based on application and extension of information theory concepts, in order to analyze informational complexity in an agent- based system, due to interdependence between agents. based on this approach, new quantitative concepts and definitions are proposed in order to measure the amount of t...

background: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (fsgs) is a type of nephrotic syndrome which is diagnosed by renal biopsy. degree of the proteinuria, renal dysfunction, histologic findings and the response to therapy are some factors used for evaluating the prognosis of fsgs. objectives: in the present study, we attempted to discover some protein candidates for disease prognosis related to glome...

Francisella tularensis has developed a number of effective evasion strategies to counteract host immune defenses, not the least of which is its ability to interact with the complement system to its own advantage. Following exposure of the bacterium to fresh human serum, complement is activated and C3b and iC3b can be found covalently attached to the bacterial surface. However, the lipopolysacch...

Several lines of evidence implicate immunological/inflammatory factors in development of schizophrenia. Complement is a key driver of inflammation, and complement dysregulation causes pathology in many diseases. Here we explored whether complement dysregulation occurred in first episode psychosis (FEP) and whether this provides a source of biomarkers. Eleven complement analytes (C1q, C3, C4, C5...

The complement system has been considered for a long time as a simple lytic cascade, aimed to kill bacteria infecting the host organism. Nowadays, this vision has changed and it is well accepted that complement is a complex innate immune surveillance system, playing a key role in host homeostasis, inflammation, and in the defense against pathogens. This review discusses recent advances in the u...

Small vessel vasculitides associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) are severe systemic diseases that may affect any organ. Increasing clinical and experimental evidence indicates that ANCA are causally involved in disease pathogenesis mainly through activation of neutrophils resulting in endothelial cell injury. Recent studies suggest a previously unsuspected but crucia...

Poxviruses subvert the host immune response by producing immunomodulatory proteins, including a complement regulatory protein. Ectromelia virus provides a mouse model for smallpox where the virus and the host's immune response have co-evolved. Using this model, our study investigated the role of the complement system during a poxvirus infection. By multiple inoculation routes, ectromelia virus ...

The complement system is composed of a family of soluble and membrane-bound proteins that historically has been viewed as a key component of the innate immune system, with a primary role of providing a first-line defense against microorganisms. Although this role indeed is important, complement has many other physiological roles, including the following: (1) influencing appropriate immune respo...