tests of cerebral lateralization. 1  sodium amytal test: anesthetize one hemisphere and check for language function. 2  dichotic listening test: report more digits heard by dominant half. 3  functional brain imaging: fMRI or PET used to see which half is active when performing a language test.
one of a large group of low-molecular-weight proteins secreted by various cell types and involved in cell-to-cell communication, coordinating antibody and T cell immune interactions, and amplifying immune reactivity. Cytokines include colony-stimulating factors, interferons, interleukins, and lymphokines, which are secreted by lymphocytes.
The binding of IgE to the allergen (pollen, food, metal, insect venom, or whatever else is causing it) stimulates mast cells into releasing histamines (hence the class of drugs, 'antihistamines'). This mast cell activation elicits further immune response, e.g. increased white blood cell proliferation.