Approximately 500,000 people in North America and Western Europe die from obesity-related diseases every year. This figure can only increase as efforts to stem this tide lag behind the rise of the overweight population. In the West especially, though by no means exclusively, the associated cost in human lives and suffering is accompanied by an increased strain on healthcare budgets. Partly for this reason, the biomedical community is looking beyond lifestyle changes to search for a drug or drugs that can tackle the problem. A number of potential candidates have come and gone, and still the current level of research into the pharmacotherapy of obesity is unprecedented. Pharmacotherapy of Obesity looks at the drugs currently available and those in development, exploring their mechanisms of action and their best use in the patient. However, this volume also looks at non-drug therapies, exercise regimes, surgery, behavioral treatment and alternative techniques such as acupuncture. The book closes with a look at the contribution that genomics is making to the search for new drugs, and looks ahead to what such drugs might be like. Produced by leading experts in the field, Pharmacotherapy of Obesity provides an essential, multi-disciplinary view of the treatment of obesity. It is ideal for anyone involved in obesity management, whether clinical or research-based, and for researchers in pharmacology, physiology, or the pharmaceutical industry.

The MMR controversy has been characterized by two one-sided discourses. In the medical world, the weight of opinion is overwhelmingly in favour of MMR. In the public world, the anti-MMR campaign has a much greater influence, centred on the fears of parents that the triple vaccine may cause autism in their children. Both professionals and parents struggle to cope with the anxieties this creates, but find it difficult to find a balanced account of the issues.
In MMR and Autism Michael Fitzpatrick, a general practitioner who is also the parent of an autistic child, explains why he believes the anti-MMR campaign is misguided in a way that will reassure parents considering vaccination and also relieve the anxieties of parents of autistic children. At the same time, this informative book provides health care professionals and health studies students with an accessible overview of a contemporary health issue with significant policy implications.

A solution-filled, inclusive reference on infections frequently complicating oncologic progression and treatment. Outlining the best means of infection management and assisting in earlier, more accurate identification of pathogens, this trailblazing volume pinpoints the precise nature of immunodeficiencies endemic to specific malignancies and phases of oncologic development-containing accessible reviews of the latest scientific research, reports from the forefront of clinical practice, and copious illustrations and tables to be of maximal benefit to the reader.

The first book to provide a social and cultural history of bacteriology in colonial India, situating it at the confluence of colonial medical practices, institutionalization, and social movements. During the nineteenth century, European scientists and physicians considered the tropics the natural home of pathogens. Hot and miasmic, the tropical world was the locus of disease, for Euopeans the great enemy of civilization. Inthe late nineteenth century when bacteriological laboratories and institutions were introduced to British India, they were therefore as much an imperial mission to cleanse and civilize a tropical colony as a medical one to eradicate disease. Bacteriology offered a panacea in colonial India, a way by which the multifarious political, social, environmental, and medical problems and anxieties, intrinsically linked to its diseases, could have a single resolution. Bacteriology in British India is the first book to provide a social and cultural history of bacteriology in colonial India, situating it within the confluence of advances in germ theory, Pastuerian vaccines, colonial medicine, laboratory science, and British imperialism. It recounts the genesis of bacteriology and laboratory medicine in India through a complex history of conflict and alignment between Pasteurism and British imperial medicine. By investigating an array of laboratory notes, medical literature, and literary sources, the volume links colonial medical research with issues of poverty, race, nationalism, and imperial attitudes toward tropical climate andwildlife, contributing to a wide field of scholarship like the history of science and medicine, sociology of science, and cultural history. Pratik Chakrabarti is Chair in History of Science and Medicine, University of Manchester.

This book is the result of a "State-of-the-Art-Conference" held at the University of Georgia dedicated to the evidence-based treatment of stuttering. An international group of prominent fluency researchers and clinicians were invited to present and discuss current data and issues related to the treatment of stuttering. The topic was defined to include evidence about stuttering, evidence about stuttering treatment, and discussions of how that evidence should guide the continuing research and practice. The explicit link between empirical evidence and suggestions for clinical practice is the goal of the book. The book begins by addressing the notion of "evidence-based practice" and considers its implications for stuttering treatment. Part II presents the intersection of the nature of stuttering; the theories of stuttering; and the implications of nature, theory, and other knowledge for stuttering treatment decisions. Part III provides two of the many measurement issues facing stuttering treatment followed by Part IV, which is devoted to the quality of treatment research evidence, for specific treatments and in terms of some more general methodological and professional issues. The final part summarizes the clinical recommendations made throughout the book and discusses evidence-based, outcomes-focused clinical decisions for stuttering. These chapters are intended to provide "state-of-the-art" information to researchers, clinicians, and students who are interested in developing, identifying, or using the best possible evidence-based treatments for stuttering.

The third edition of this widely used book has been substantially updated to take into account changes since the last edition. It covers a wide range of topics in medical microbiology and infectious diseases. Questions are accompanied by extended answers, making them ideal for both revision and self study. It will be particularly suitable for candidates for the MRCP, FRCS/MRCS, MRCOG and MRCGP examinations, as well as for medical undergraduates.

Read an exclusive interview with Dr. Jerry Battista here. A critical element of radiation treatment planning for cancer is the accurate prediction and delivery of a tailored radiation dose distribution inside the patient. Megavoltage x-ray beams are aimed at the tumour, while collateral damage to nearby healthy tissue and organs is minimized. The key to optimal treatment therefore lies in adopting a trustworthy three-dimensional (3D) dose computation algorithm, which simulates the passage of both primary and secondary radiation throughout the exposed tissue. Edited by an award-winning university educator and pioneer in the field of voxel-based radiation dose computation, this book explores the physics and mathematics that underlie algorithms encountered in contemporary radiation oncology. It is an invaluable reference for clinical physicists who commission, develop, or test treatment planning software. This book also covers a core topic in the syllabus for educating graduate students and residents entering the field of clinical physics. This book starts with a historical perspective gradually building up to the three most important algorithms used for today's clinical applications. These algorithms can solve the same general radiation transport problem from three vantages: firstly, applying convolution-superposition principles (i.e. Green's method); secondly, the stochastic simulation of radiation particle interactions with tissue atoms (i.e. the Monte Carlo method); and thirdly, the deterministic solution of the fundamental equations for radiation fields of x-rays and their secondary particles (i.e. the Boltzmann method). It contains clear, original illustrations of key concepts and quantities thoughout, supplemented by metaphors and analogies to facilitate comprehension and retention of knowledge. Features: Edited by an authority in the field, enhanced with chapter contributions from physicists with clinical experience in the fields of computational dosimetry and dose optimization Contains examples of test phantom results and clinical cases, illustrating pitfalls to avoid in clinical applications to radiation oncology Introduces four-dimensional (4D) dose computation, on-line dose reconstruction, and dose accumulation that accounts for tissue displacements and motion throughout a course of radiation therapy

Learn how a patient's behavior can factor into the prognosis of medically unexplainable illness! The Psychopathology of Functional Somatic Syndromes examines the link between mental illness and physical syndromes that lack organic disease explanations, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, premenstrual dysphoria, irritable bowel, and Gulf War illness. The author has evaluated the best research work of the past 20 years to determine the association between psychopathology and functional illness, the biological gradient between somatic and psychological symptoms, and the manifestations of dysfunctional coping. The Psychopathology of Functional Somatic Syndromes challenges recent conceptualizations of functional somatic syndromes as brain disorders connected to affective spectrum disorder, serotonin deficiency, cerebral hypoperfusion or abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function and highlights the importance of abnormal illness behavior, sexual victimization, and maladaptive coping for the production and maintenance of these disorders. The Psychopathology of Functional Somatic Syndromes explores observations on the neurobiology and the personality abnormalities of patients made from structured data collected over a period of several years. It describes modern perceptions of functional somatic syndromes and how they have evolved into a tightly knit family of self-standing syndromes with a common core. The book examines the correlation between the burden of psychopathology and the physical features of these illnesses; reviews advances made in the appraisal of the neuroanatomy, neuropsychology, and neurochemistry of functional syndromes; and focuses on the connection between measurable dimensions of personality, coping, and illness behavior and the prognosis of medically unexplainable illnesses. The Psychopathology of Functional Somatic Syndromes examines: psychiatric morbidity brain perfusion post-traumatic stress in Gulf War illness the spectrum of mood disorders the hypothalamatic-pituitary-adrenal axis the sexual victimization of patients and much more! The Psychopathology of Functional Somatic Syndromes is an essential resource for psychiatrists and psychologists working in outpatient practice.

Cancer is a very rare disease in children. There have been impressive gains in survival in recent years, and these have been achieved through the use of chemotherapy and national and international clinical trials. The diagnosis of cancer in a child imposes considerable stress on the whole family. In the immediate time after diagnosis, parents must learn about the disease and its treatment, explain what is happening to the child, and make arrangements for the care of other children in the family. For the child, treatment is associated with many side effects depending on the specific drugs used. In addition, the child is prone to infection and therefore is likely to miss a lot of school and other activities. For all these reasons, physicians and families have become aware that cancer has huge implications for the quality of the child's life. This book is an attempt to describe how quality of life is affected at different stages of the disease process. Comprehensive reviews are provided of the impact on the child's physical activity, social life, and school and educational achievements. Special consideration is given to children with leukemia (one of the more common cancers) and brain tumors. Cancer does not just affect the child but every member of the family. Consequently there is coverage of the effects on parents and also healthy brothers and sisters. To the extent that improvements in survival have been achieved by national and international collaboration between clinicians, it is concluded that efforts to improve the quality of these children's lives is dependent on collaboration between clinicians, nurses, and behavioral scientists at national and international levels. This book should provide an impetus for such collaboration.

**A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022** From the author of the prescient Spillover: Animal Infections and the Next Human Pandemic Breathless is the story of the scientific quest to decipher, control and fight Covid-19. Breathless traces SARS-CoV-2's fierce journey through the human population as seen by the scientists who study its origin, ever-changing nature and capacity to kill. It shows how strange viruses emerge as we disrupt wild ecosystems - sometimes causing global catastrophe - and suggests this coronavirus could be a 'forever virus' that's destined to bedevil us endlessly. Quammen also explains that experts saw this pandemic coming; that scientists warned 'the next big one' would be caused by a changeable new virus, but were ignored for political or economic reasons; and that while the origins of this virus may not be known for years, some suppositions are compelling and others can be dismissed. Breathless takes us inside the frantic international effort to control SARS-CoV-2 as if peering over the shoulders of the brilliant scientists who led the chase. Praise for Spillover: 'A frightening and fascinating masterpiece of science reporting' Walter Isaacson 'A real-life thriller with an outcome that affects us all' Elizabeth Kolbert

The ras Superfamily of GTPases presents the most comprehensive compilation of information available regarding aspects of the putative function of small ras-related GTPases. The book's chapters were written by the world's most prominent scientists in this field and cover such topics as the structure and properties of ras proteins, ras function, the ras superfamily in general, and the functional regulation of ras and ras-related GTPases. The book will benefit cell biologists, oncologists, neurobiologists, molecular biologists, and others interested in the topic.

This book provides a clear approach to establishing a user involvement system in a healthcare organisation and its potential impact on cancer services. Using a tool kit style approach drawing on examples of successful past projects and case studies to provide evidence of good practice it describes how to plan and implement different stages of user involvement enabling organisations to draw on user experience and expertise to evaluate develop and improve the quality of service that they provide. Members of regional cancer networks multidisciplinary cancer care teams and all those involved in the NHS cancer services will find this toolkit interesting reading.

When does a young girl's behaviour become a disease? In sixteenth-century Europe, the disease of virgins, or green sickness, was seen as a common disorder affecting young unmarried girls. Its symptoms included weakness, dietary disturbance, lack of menstruation and most significantly, a change in skin colour. Understanding of the condition turned puberty and virginity into medical problems, and proposed to cure them by bloodletting, diet, exercise, and marriage. Helen King examines the origins and history of the disease, from its roots in the classical tradition to its extraordinary survival into the 1920s, despite changes in how the mechanisms of puberty and menstruation were understood, and enormous shifts in medical theories and technologies. From menstrual disturbance to eating disorders, from liver disease to blood disorder, the disease of virgins has been adjusted throughout its history to fit medical fashions. However, little changed in the underlying ideas about the female body, and the need to regulate the sexuality of young women. This compelling study poses a number of questions about the nature of disease itself and the relationship between illness, body image and what

In this valuable new book, a consultant oncologist and a family practitioner have brought together their different and complementary experience of dealing with cancer to provide primary care physicians with all the information they need to meet the demands that will be placed upon them. With input from respected specialists in oncology; surgery and palliative care, it describes each of the major types of cancer in adults and children, with each chapter following an identical format. For each type of cancer, risk factors, epidemiology and demographic data are presented, with comment on diagnostic and screening issues; options for management are then discussed, and choices of therapy reviewed together with their prognostic implications. The concise text is supported by numerous tables, charts and diagrams, with key points summarised in highlighted panels. Each section concludes with up-to-date information on current research and on-going trials, and contact details of specific support groups for patients and their families. Additional chapters cover in more detail major topics such as pain management, terminal illness and provision of palliative care, and dealing with bereavement. Throughout the book, emphasis is placed on understanding the needs of the patient, and the importance of the doctor being able to communicate effectively, and objectively, the implications of the sometimes difficult choices that have to be made. This is a highly readable book packed with useful information and it should find a place in every doctor's office. Input from respected specialists in oncology, surgery and palliative care.

Survival rates in cases of uveal melanoma and retinoblastoma - the leading intraocular malignancies in adults and children - may be high, but means of earlier diagnosis and improved treatment options are needed to preserve vision and prevent metastasis. This reference deals principally with the molecular biology and genetic factors which trigger and promote the two most common ocular tumours.

A guide to state-of-the-art cancer immunotherapy in translational cancer research A volume in the Translational Oncology series, Immunotherapy in Translational Cancer Research explores the recent developments in the role that immunotherapy plays in the treatment of a wide range of cancers. The editors present key concepts, illustrative examples, and suggest alternative strategies in order to achieve individualized targeted therapy. Comprehensive in scope, Immunotherapy in Translational Cancer Research reviews the relevant history, current state, and the future of burgeoning cancer-fighting therapies. The book also includes critical information on drug development, clinical trials, and governmental resources and regulatory issues. Each chapter is created to feature: development of the immunotherapy; challenges that have been overcome in order to scale up and undertake clinical trials; and clinical experience and application of research. This authoritative volume is edited by a team of noted experts from MD Anderson Cancer Center, the world's foremost cancer research and care center and: Offers a comprehensive presentation of state-of-the-art cancer immunotherapy research that accelerates the pace of clinical cancer care Filled with the concepts, examples, and approaches for developing individualized therapy Explores the breath of treatments that reflect the complexity of the immune system itself Includes contributions from a panel international experts in the field of immunotherapy Designed for physicians, medical students, scientists, pharmaceutical executives, public health and public policy government leaders and community oncologists, this essential resource offers a guide to the bidirectional interaction between laboratory and clinic immunotherapy cancer research.

When Kristian Anderson received the diagnosis that every devoted husband and father fears, he refused to resign himself silently to fate. He began a brave and candid blog as he underwent treatment for cancer: sharing the joy of each small victory, the devastation in every setback, and the agonising realisation that he wouldn't always be able to protect and comfort his little boys when they were lonely or afraid, or grow old with his wife and soulmate. His posts full of hope, faith, and breathtaking honesty captured Australian hearts, then swept across the Pacific, gathering followers. A poignant video tribute for his wife Rachel became an internet phenomenon, attracting messages from well-wishers across the globe. After his death, their love inspired Rachel to bring together Kristian's blog entries combined with her own intimate reflections. Days Like These is a heartbreaking account of her husband's final battle, his strength and courage, but it is also a story about coming back from grief, and learning how to live again.

Social and Cultural Lives of Immune Systems introduces a provocative new hypothesis in medico-social theory - the theory that immunity and disease are in part socially constituted. It argues that immune systems function not just as biological entities but also as symbolic concepts charged with political significance. Bridging elements of psychology, sociology, body theory, immunology and medical anthropology, twelve papers from leading scholars explain some of the health-hazards of emotional and social pressure, whilst analysing the semiotic and social responses to the imagery of immunity.

If you or your loved one are one of the 18 million people worldwide diagnosed with cancer each year, you know exactly how overwhelming and scary the journey is. In this valuable patient and caregiver guide, Bill Potts - entrepreneur, business leader, IRONMAN triathlete, and five-time cancer survivor - tells you everything you need to know to take on this fight. With empathy and honesty, he explains exactly what to expect, and shares lessons and important tips you can put into action all the way: from diagnosis, to treatment, to remission, to cure - and how to face setbacks on your road to recovery. You'll learn how to advocate for yourself, how to pick and manage your care team, and how to care for yourself emotionally and mentally. You'll find out how to make your treatment days more comfortable, manage side effects, and understand test results. You'll also find important information on diet, exercise, wellness, and staying active, as well as insights on how treatment and disease affects your immune system. With special sections for people wanting to support a loved one with cancer, facing and making peace with death, and recalibrating your priorities to get the most out of the life you have now, you'll gain the knowledge and tools you need to manage this journey - from someone who is walking the path alongside you.

Social and Cultural Lives of Immune Systems introduces a provocative new hypothesis in medico-social theory - the theory that immunity and disease are in part socially constituted. It argues that immune systems function not just as biological entities but also as symbolic concepts charged with political significance. Bridging elements of psychology, sociology, body theory, immunology and medical anthropology, twelve papers from leading scholars explain some of the health-hazards of emotional and social pressure, whilst analysing the semiotic and social responses to the imagery of immunity.

Bone Cancer: Bone Sarcomas and Bone Metastases - From Bench to Bedside, Third Edition comprehensively investigates key discoveries in the field of bone biology. New aspects of bone cancer biology are treated in new chapters covering exosomes, autophagy, and metabolism. These have led to the development of entirely new areas for investigation, such as therapies which combine surgery and biological approaches. The Third Edition expands on the original overview of bone cancer development (physiology and pathophysiology), with 40% new material. Each chapter has been written by internationally recognized specialists on the bone cancer microenvironment, bone metastases, osteoclast biology in bone cancer, proteomics, bone niche, circulating tumor cells, and clinical trials. Given the global prevalence of breast and prostate cancers, knowledge of bone biology has become essential for everyone within the medical and cancer research communities. Bone Cancer: Bone Sarcomas and Bone Metastases - From Bench to Bedside continues to offer the only translational reference to cover all aspects of primary bone cancer and bone metastases. This revision opens the door to myeloma with two short chapters dedicated to this bone-associated disease.

Over the past few years, ever since the advent of HIV and AIDS, there has been increasing discussion of the concept of sexual health. This upsurge is especially noticeable not only in the field of health education and promotion but also in academic sources. The recent discourse on sexual health is paralleled by an upsurge in the debate on sexual rights. This book examines the social construction of sexual health in India through an analysis of HIV and AIDS messages. The broad objective of the chapters is to trace the growth and evolution of the concept of sexual health from a health communication perspective and to understand the role of the state in determining its form and structure. The methodology used includes comparative analysis of HIV and AIDS policies, document analysis on HIV and AIDS, poster and short films analysis, in depth and open-ended Interviews and case studies. The book shows that Sexual Health is constructed in various modes in India. The models that are elaborated are the Medical model that constructs HIV scientifically and in terms of a compromised immune system; the Epidemic model that identifies risk behaviours and transmission routes and the Moralistic model. Social constructions of AIDS as plague or punishment against society are advanced by moralists who equate HIV with taboo social and sexual behaviour and the political constructions highlights public health in the face of obstacles to treatment and the delivery of services to people living with HIV. Bringing together current research and discussions on the three areas of policy, practices and theoretical perspectives related to the use and social construction of sexual health through HIV and AIDS communication approaches with specific reference to India, this book will be of interest to academics in the field of health communication, HIV and AIDS, and South Asian Studies.

Restorative justice has developed rapidly from being a barely known term to occupying a central role in debates on the future of criminal justice. But as it has become part of the mainstream of debate, so new tensions and issues have emerged. One of the most crucial issues is to find an appropriate combination of restorative justice, based essentially on informal deliberation, and the law. The purpose of this book is to analyse the several dimensions to this issue. It explores the social and ethical foundations of restorative justice, seeks to position it in relation to both rehabilitation and punishment, and examines the possibility of developing and incorporating restorative justice as the mainstream response to crime in terms of the principles of constitutional democracy. Amongst the questions it addresses are the following: How are informal processes to be juxtaposed with formal procedures? What is the appropriate relationship between voluntarism and coercion? How can the procedures and practices of restorative justice be combined with legal standards, safeguards and precepts? How can one balance restorative responses with legally sanctioned punishment? In this book a distinguished team of contributors consider this crucial set of relationships between restorative justice and the law, building upon papers and discussions at the fifth international restorative justice conference in Leuven, Belgium, in September 2001. restorative justice has grown rapidly throughout the worldthis book addresses the central issue of relationship of restorative justice to existing law and legal systemschapters from world leading authorities

"Taken together, the body of information contained in this book provides readers with a bird's-eye view of different aspects of exciting work at the convergence of disciplines that will ultimately lead to a future where we understand how immunity is regulated, and how we can harness this knowledge toward practical ends that reduce human suffering. I commend the editors for putting this volume together." -Arup K. Chakraborty, Robert T. Haslam Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Professor of Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA New experimental techniques in immunology have produced large and complex data sets that require quantitative modeling for analysis. This book provides a complete overview of computational immunology, from basic concepts to mathematical modeling at the single molecule, cellular, organism, and population levels. It showcases modern mechanistic models and their use in making predictions, designing experiments, and elucidating underlying biochemical processes. It begins with an introduction to data analysis, approximations, and assumptions used in model building. Core chapters address models and methods for studying immune responses, with fundamental concepts clearly defined. Readers from immunology, quantitative biology, and applied physics will benefit from the following: Fundamental principles of computational immunology and modern quantitative methods for studying immune response at the single molecule, cellular, organism, and population levels. An overview of basic concepts in modeling and data analysis. Coverage of topics where mechanistic modeling has contributed substantially to current understanding. Discussion of genetic diversity of the immune system, cell signaling in the immune system, immune response at the cell population scale, and ecology of host-pathogen interactions.