"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.

More than two decades into the global HIV epidemic, many HIV positive patients who have access to antiretroviral medications are graying. These patients and their clinicians now face another set of complex health issues related to aging. HIV and Aging examines the known effects of HIV and HIV medications on older patients and on their immune systems. The book explores the coalescence of aging and HIV on neurologic, psychiatric, cardiovascular, endocrine, renal, and pulmonary systems and oncology. Written by some of today's top experts, HIV and Aging answers questions like: * What are the similarities with immune system changes that occur with aging and those associated with HIV? * What effects do HIV and HIV medications have on cardiovascular health? * What do we know about drug interactions between antiretrovirals and medicines used to treat diseases of aging?

The Guide to AIDS is succinct review of HIV/AIDS from a human-interest perspective. Chapters focus on some of the common patterns and prevention of HIV transmission and debunks misconceptions about HIV and AIDS. Brief descriptions the human immune system and epidemiology of HIV are included. The cultural component of disease, treatment and living with AIDS is central to much of this guide intended to synthesize, explain and de-mystify HIV and AIDS. key selling featurws: Provides a simplified brief review of HIV and the disease it causes - AIDS Debunks myths associated with HIV transmision such as through mosquito bites Identifies simple and low cost ways to prevent the transmission and spread of HIV Illustrates the crucial role that culture plays in the prevention of HIV spread and AIDS treatment Puts a human face on the problem of diagnosing and living with AIDS

Use the GPU Successfully in Your Radiotherapy Practice With its high processing power, cost-effectiveness, and easy deployment, access, and maintenance, the graphics processing unit (GPU) has increasingly been used to tackle problems in the medical physics field, ranging from computed tomography reconstruction to Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation. Graphics Processing Unit-Based High Performance Computing in Radiation Therapy collects state-of-the-art research on GPU computing and its applications to medical physics problems in radiation therapy. Tackle Problems in Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy The book first offers an introduction to the GPU technology and its current applications in radiotherapy. Most of the remaining chapters discuss a specific application of a GPU in a key radiotherapy problem. These chapters summarize advances and present technical details and insightful discussions on the use of GPU in addressing the problems. The book also examines two real systems developed with GPU as a core component to accomplish important clinical tasks in modern radiotherapy. Translate Research Developments to Clinical Practice Written by a team of international experts in radiation oncology, biomedical imaging, computing, and physics, this book gets clinical and research physicists, graduate students, and other scientists up to date on the latest in GPU computing for radiotherapy. It encourages you to bring this novel technology to routine clinical radiotherapy practice.

This book examines the science, management and practice of the control of infection. The early part of the book is concerned with the science of infection control, providing the underpinning knowledge base as well as information regarding the laboratory services which will be of practical help to the reader. The book then discusses the role of the Infection Control Team, outbreak control and policy issues that are required in order to maintain a safe environment.

The second half of the book concentrates on the practical application of the previously described principles to the reduction of infection risks and management of known infections in a range of clinical and social situations. The book reflects the current dynamics in health care provision and will equip the reader with the knowledge base to develop their skills in the control of infection in a variety of healthcare settings.

Approximately eight to twelve million individuals in the United States are affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Thus this disease is common and well represented in nearly all adult medical practices. Peripheral arterial diseases include diverse clinical entities that encompass atherosclerotic, aneurysmal, vasospastic, and inflammatory disorders that affect the arteries. The Peripheral Arterial Disease Handbook presents a unique compendium of evidenced-based and expert approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial diseases, written for all practitioners who care for adults with these disorders. This comprehensive, easy-to-use book presents both epidemiological and pathophysiological data in succinct form, along with a practical clinical review of the diagnosis and treatment of the most important areas of peripheral arterial disease care.

Recent advances in immunology and biology have opened new horizons in cancer therapy, included in the expanding array of cancer treatment options, which are immunotherapies, or cancer vaccines, for both solid and blood borne cancers. Cancer Vaccines: From Research to Clinical Practice is the first text in the field to bring immunotherapy treatments from the laboratory trial to the bedside for the practicing oncologist. Cancer Vaccines: From Research to Clinical Practice: Analyzes the most promising classes of investigational immunotherapies, integrating their scientific rationale and clinical potential Discusses "theranostics" as pertaining to immunotherapy, i.e., using molecular diagnostics to identify patients that would most likely benefit from a therapy Presents the new paradigm of biomarker guided R&D and clinical development in immunotherapy of cancer Reviews bottlenecks in translational process of immunotherapies and offers strategies to resolve them

First published in 1998, this book covers a variety of health issues in the contemporary Middle east. Its thirteen chapters, contributed by a total of 23 authors and co-authors, reflect several different disciplines relevant for health studies, including epidemiology, economics and anthropology. In the field of reproductive health, there are chapters on maternal health indicators, fertility, infertility and the utilization of family planning services. In the field of infectious disease there are chapters on schistosomiasis, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and Rift Valley Fever. Several different parts of the Middle East and North Africa are covered, including Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. Problems of reproductive health and infectious disease in the region are seen to be more serious than generally recognised. There are significant cultural and political obstacles in both areas. A particular need is for greater empowerment of women as both clients and providers within the health care systems.

This book represents the most current, comprehensive, and authoritative study of integrins on the market today. It provides an overview of the diverse biological functions of integrins, including: The structure and functions of integrin cytoplasmic domains, the role of b2 integrins in leukocyte adhesion, the role of platelet membrane fibrinogen receptor glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (aIIbb3) in thrombosis and hemostasis, the functions of aV integrin family, the role of integrins in signal transduction, the role of integrins in carcinoma cells, the role of integrins in internalization of microbial pathogens through the binding of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis invasin protein, the role of integrins in the skin, the integrin function in early vertebrate development using amphibian embryos.

A step-by-step guide to commonly used procedures, Methods in Cellular Immunology addresses both human and murine models, in addition to such topics as PCR and apoptosis. The basic format of the original version has been maintained, and the goal remains the same: to make it a useful and easy-to-use tool for investigators employing cellular immunological techniques in their research, regardless of whether or not immunology is their main area of expertise. It provides information about manufacturers and commercial sources of chemicals and reagents and a comprehensive list of references, allowing readers to refer back to the original information and/or techniques.

A real-life thriller about a nation in crisis, and the controversial decisions its leaders made during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, the government instituted no restrictions. Then, it didn't order the wearing of face masks. While the rest of the world looked on with incredulity, condemnation, admiration, and even envy, a small country in Northern Europe stood alone. As COVID-19 spread across the globe rapidly, the world shut down. But Sweden remained open. The Swedish COVID-19 strategy was alternately lauded and held up as a cautionary tale by international governments and journalists alike - with all eyes on what has been dubbed 'The Swedish Experiment'. But what made Sweden take such a different path? In The Herd, journalist Johan Anderberg narrates the improbable story of a small nation that took a startlingly different approach to fighting the virus, guiding the reader through the history of epidemiology and the ticking-clock decisions that pandemic decision-makers were faced with on a daily basis.

Traumatic injuries of the spinal cord continue to be the most common cause of permanent paralysis in young adults in the United States. New information has emerged on the response of spinal neurons to injury of either the spinal cord or peripheral nerves demonstrating that dendrites of injured motoneurons take on characteristics of axons. These and other new developments have helped to promote an exciting new era in the study of spinal cord neurobiology.

Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord provides a description of the recent conceptual and technical advances in the field. It provides a description of the new experimental tools available for investigating the neuronal properties that allow populations of spinal cord neurons to control muscles responsible for limb movements and posture. It covers topics ranging from genetics to kinematics and examines cells, tissues, or whole animals in species ranging from fish to humans that are normal, injured, or diseased.

By integrating data derived from many new approaches, you'll learn about how spinal cord circuits operate under a variety conditions and about new and exciting inroads being made in motor neurobiology of the spinal cord. Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord elucidates concepts and principles relevant to function and structure throughout the nervous system and presents information about changes induced by injury and disease.

Molecular Genetics of Cancer, Second Edition provides an authoritative and up to date review of the key genes known to be critical in the development or progression of cancer. Throughout the book, scientific advances and their clinical relevance are covered in detail, particularly in the light of findings concerning the inheritance of genes predisposing to tumorigenesis. The book is therefore a valuable source of reference for clinicians and genetic counsellors as well as researchers.

Brazil has occupied a central role in the access to medicines movement, especially with respect to drugs used to treat those with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). How and why Brazil succeeded in overcoming powerful political and economic interests, both at home and abroad, to roll-out and sustain treatment represents an intellectual puzzle. In this book, Matthew Flynn traces the numerous challenges Brazil faced in its efforts to provide essential medicines to all of its citizens. Using dependency theory, state theory, and moral underpinnings of markets, Flynn delves deeper into the salient factors contributing to Brazil's successes and weaknesses, including control over technology, creation of political alliances, and instrumental use of normative frameworks and effectively explains the ability of countries to fulfill the prescription drug needs of its population versus the interests and operations of the global pharmaceutical industry Pharmaceutical Autonomy and Public Health in Latin America is one of the only books to provide an in-depth account of the challenges that a developing country, like Brazil, faces to fulfill public health objectives amidst increasing global economic integration and new international trade agreements. Scholars interested in public health issues, HIV/AIDS, and human rights, but also to social scientists interested in Latin America and international political economy will find this an original and thought provoking read.

Clinical conformal radiotherapy is the holy grail of radiation treatment and is now becoming a reality through the combined efforts of physical scientists and engineers, who have improved the physical basis of radiotherapy, and the interest and concern of imaginative radiotherapists and radiographers. Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy describes in detail the physics germane to the development of a particular form of clinical conformal radiotherapy called intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). IMRT has become a topic of tremendous importance in recent years and is now being seriously investigated for its potential to improve the outcome of radiation therapy. The book collates the state-of-the-art literature together with the author's personal research experience and that of colleagues in the field to produce a text suitable for new research workers, Ph.D. students, and practicing radiation physicists that require a thorough introduction to IMRT. Fully illustrated, indexed, and referenced, the book has been prepared in a form suitable for supporting a teaching course.

Genetic Steroid Disorders, Second Edition targets adult and pediatric endocrinologists, clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, reproductive endocrinologists, neonatologists, urologists, and psychoendocrinologists. It is designed to assist these specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of steroid disorders. This revision includes a new chapter on "Gonadotropins, Obesity and Bone" and new research on non-invasive prenatal diagnosis with cell-free DNA. Chapters are thoroughly updated covering steroid disorders, the genetic bases for the disorder and case presentations, This definitive reference belongs in every medical library!

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the most enigmatic medical disorders of our time, striking adults most often in their most productive years. With the controversial debate over cause and treatment of the illness in mind, the authors seek to unravel many of the questions surrounding the disorder and its features and characteristics.
Integrating an overview of the latest research with patients' personal experiences, they look at CFS in relation to:
* clinical features
* personal and economic implications
* biological and psychosocial factors
* experiencing symptoms
* coping with the illness.
This book will provide hope for people with chronic fatigue syndrome and will assist health professionals in working with people with CFS to improve their quality of life.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Cancer presents an eight-week course for MBCT which has been tried and tested over ten years of clinical use, and is targeted specifically for people with cancer. * There is growing evidence of mindfulness as a successful and cost-effective intervention for reducing the negative psychological impact of cancer and treatment * Draws upon the author s experience of working with people with cancer, and her own recent experience of using mindfulness with cancer diagnosis and treatment * Stories from cancer patients illustrate the learning and key themes of the course * Includes new short practices and group processes developed by the author

The latest in the crucial series documenting scientific discoveries at the forefront of HIV and AIDS research
This volume updates the most important and controversial issues facing physicians, nurses, microbiologists, pharmacists, and epidemiologists who deal directly with patients suffering from HIV and AIDS, focusing on specific areas in which important new advances have occurred in diagnosis, therapy, and prevention of infection and related complications.
Outlines new disease management strategies being tested in prospective clinical trials and observational studies
Combining elements of virology, epidemiology, immunology, oncology, endocrinology, neurology, psychiatry, and the behavioral sciences, AIDS Clinical Review 2000/2001
clarifies substantive advancements in vaccine development, realistically assessing potential efficacy and limitations
explores short-term antiretroviral therapy for dramatically reducing the rate of vertical transmission from mother to child
evaluates the efficacy of antiretroviral prophylaxis for workers who experience high-risk exposure to HIV-infected blood
discusses preservation of HIV specific immunity when antiretroviral therapy is initiated early in the course of acute infection
considers complex drug interactions that occur when drugs are used in combination
highlights cytokine and other immune-based therapies
suggests chronic hepatitis may ultimately be more fatal than HIV for coinfected patients
and more
Including results recently presented at scientific meetings but not yet published in peer-reviewed journals, AIDS Clinical Review 2000/2001 is essential reading for infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, virologists, immunologists, pharmacologists, microbiologists, hematologists, hepatologists, oncologists, neurologists, medical students in these disciplines, and all medical professionals involved in both AIDS research and clinical practice.

Joining the ranks of modern myth busters, Dr. Sharon Moalem turns our current understanding of illness on its head and challenges us to fundamentally change the way we think about our bodies, our health, and our relationship to just about every other living thing on earth. Through a fresh and engaging examination of our evolutionary history, Dr. Moalem reveals how many of the conditions that are diseases today actually gave our ancestors a leg up in the survival sweepstakes. But Survival of the Sickest doesn't stop there. It goes on to demonstrate just how little modern medicine really understands about human health, and offers a new way of thinking that can help all of us live longer, healthier lives.

This next volume in Research in the Sociology of Health Care covers a variety of important social factors and their relationship to health and health care inequities both in the United States and the rest of the world. The authors of this volume explore issues related to infectious diseases and various chronic health problems. One section focuses on Covid 19 and issues of kidney disease, face masks and social values, pandemic experiences in rural parts of the United States, and in urban India. Other topics that are discussed focus on issues outside the United States such as in Nepal, Ecuador, and broader cross-national comparisons. Several papers focus on health care system issues within the United States including micro hospitals in Texas, evidence-based medicine, and trends in health disparities in the Latina population in the United States. Written from a sociological and broader social science approach, the papers provide important information both about broad trends in the US and other countries and some specific considerations of issues from a social perspective as linked to Covid 19.

Evidence shows that nutritional supports can help maintain health in the HIV-infected patient by replacing lost nutrients, compensating for nutritional damage done by the retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency, and stimulating the remaining immune system and cells for better host defenses.

This new edition of Nutrition and AIDS is a timely look at what dietary materials, supplements, and foods may benefit or treat AIDS, as well as nutritional deficiencies that can accelerate progression to AIDS and death. It offers a variety of alternative dietary and herbal remedies, including some that have been tested in animals and humans to stimulate immune defense or compensate for changes induced by HIV infection. In addition, it surveys items that may accelerate nutritional depletion in AIDS patients, such as cocaine, alcohol, and tobacco use. It includes data from animal studies modeling AIDS and nutrition, studies not yet done in humans but applicable to them.

Including updated reviews on topics from the author's earlier publications on the subject, with a focus on how to use this nutritional information to treat or retard development of AIDS, Nutrition and AIDS brings to the forefront the most recent advances in understanding the nutritional deficiencies of AIDS and HIV-positive patients.

Global Health Disputes and Disparities explores inequalities in health around the world, looking particularly at the opportunity for, and limitations of, international law to promote population health by examining its intersection with human rights, trade, and epidemiology, and the controversial issues of legal process, religion, access to care, and the social context of illness. Using a theoretical framework rooted in international law, this volume draws on a wide range of rich empirical data to assess the challenges facing the field, including international legal treaty interpretation, and specific issues related to the application of law in resolving pressing issues in gender, access to care, and social determinants of health. In doing so, it illustrates the challenges for implementing rights-based approaches to address health disparities, with profound implications for future regulations and policymaking. It includes both interviews with leading scholars, as well as a variety of case studies from prominent international forums, including formal claims brought before the Human Rights Council and the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, as well as regional and national experiences, drawn from disputes in India, Indonesia, South Africa and the USA. This volume is an innovative contribution to the burgeoning fields of global health and human rights, and will be of interest to students and researchers in public health, global health, law and sociology interested in the social determinants of health and social justice from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Reflecting the past 20 years of intense research in radioimmunotherapy, this timely reference surveys an expansive breadth of topics on the evolving developments in radiation therapy. Placed in the context of advances in cancer treatment, chapters progress systematically from basic principles and properties of radionuclides to detailed summaries of current cancer therapies. Up to date, clearly organized, and thorough-sure to become a standard in the field! Providing comprehensive treatment on radiolabeled antibody therapy, Radioimmunotherapy of Cancer -reviews dosimetric principles and clinical dosimetry of radioimmunotherapy in the targeting and delivery of radiation -describes tumor architectures and outlines novel constructs for radionuclide delivery -analyzes a variety of improved targeting approaches, including pretargeting contextual analysis of extracorporeal techniques in radioimmunotherapy -details studies from the radiotherapy of lymphoma, solid tumors, and ovarian cancer and the targeted radiotherapy of neuroblastoma and squamous head and neck cancer -and much more! With contributions from nearly 50 international experts and containing over 1300 literature references, drawings, photographs, tables, and equations, Radioimmunotherapy of Cancer is an invaluable and indispensable reference for physicians in nuclear medicine and medical physicists; oncologists, radiologists, radiochemists, and radiopharmacists; immunologists, pulmonologists, and cancer researchers; pharmacologists and drug delivery pharmaceutical chemists; and upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students in these disciplines.