The rapidity of scientific progress over the last few years guarantees the utility of a new collection of state-of-the-art reviews on the immunology of ageing. The aim of this authoritative book is to summarize current knowledge on the cellular and molecular aspects of the ageing immune system and their clinical relevance. The book is a result of extensive collaboration of more than sixty of the greatest thinkers and scholars in the field, in cooperation with a number of junior colleagues. Immunology of Aging presents the most up-to-date information on the scientific issues addressed by research into ageing of the immune system, providing insights into the effects of this process on susceptibilities to those diseases which are most common among elders. The retrieval strategies used to slow down the decline in the immune system in the elderly are another subject detailed extensively. By providing a broad overview of immunosenescence and its consequences, as well as their potential modulation, this book will fill a gap in a timely manner. It will be of value to all immunologists, whether novice or experienced, as well as geriatricians and epidemiologists.

This book contains a collection of critical reviews on the expression of biologically functional proteins in" Leishmania" and "Trypanosoma," which was written by renowned researchers on this field. Species belonging to these trypanosomatids genera are etiological agents of leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and sleeping sickness that are extremely debilitating human infection diseases, which remain a major health problem especially in countries from Latin America, Africa and Middle East. Substantiating the problem, the currently accepted drugs for these diseases are quiet unsatisfying due to their low efficacy and high toxicity. In order to solve these real problems, several research groups around the world have become involved in the study and identification of novel potential targets in the trypanosomatid cell. Since proteins are key macromolecules involved in crucial metabolic processes of all living cells, studies have focused on the expression of specific proteins produced by "Leishmania "and "Trypanosoma" by means of different biochemical, molecular and proteomic approaches in order to explore them as targets for understanding the parasite life cycle and developing new strategies against trypanosomiasis. With these proposals in mind, the book Proteins and Proteomics of "Leishmania "and "Trypanosoma" encompasses (i) an integrated view about the biochemistry of parasites belonging to the "Leishmania" and "Trypanosoma "genera; (ii) an updated review on the expression of biologically relevant proteins by human pathogenic trypanosomatids and their possible role in the interaction with host cells/molecules as well as a target for development of both alternative chemotherapies and vaccine; and (iii) several pictures, diagrams and tables that can be used to illustrate both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as scientific lectures, being a useful resource for students and researchers."

This new volume on Cryptosporidium and Cryptosporidiosis discusses all relevant aspects of the biology, molecular biology, host-parasite interaction, epidemiology as well as diagnosis and treatment of these widespread parasites. It represents a useful guide for physicians, microbiologists, veterinarians and water professionals seeking advanced knowledge and guidance about these important parasitic pathogens. A section on practical lab procedures discusses step-by-step guidelines for sample preparation and lab procedures. The new book may further serve as a reference work for graduate students in medical and veterinary microbiology.

One Health is an emerging concept that aims to bring together human, animal, and environmental health. Achieving harmonized approaches for disease detection and prevention is difficult because traditional boundaries of medical and veterinary practice must be crossed. In the 19th and early 20th centuries this was not the case then researchers like Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch and physicians like William Osler and Rudolph Virchow crossed the boundaries between animal and human health. More recently Calvin Schwabe revised the concept of One Medicine. This was critical for the advancement of the field of epidemiology, especially as applied to zoonotic diseases. The future of One Health is at a crossroads with a need to more clearly define its boundaries and demonstrate its benefits. Interestingly the greatest acceptance of One Health is seen in the developing world where it is having significant impacts on control of infectious diseases. "

Federico Gomez de las Heras: Overview of Neglected Tropical Diseases Gwendolyn A. Marriner Amit Nayyar, Eugene Uh, Sharon Y. Wong, Tathagata Mukherjee, Laura E. Via , Matthew Carroll, Rachel L. Edwards, Todd D. Gruber, Inhee Choi, Jinwoo Lee, Kriti Arora, Kathleen D. England, Helena I.M. Boshoff, Clifton E. Barry III: The Medicinal Chemistry of Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Jeremy N. Burrows, David Waterson: Discovering New Medicines to Control and Eradicate Malaria Tomas von Geldern, Michael Oscar Harhay, Ivan Scandale, Robert Don: Kinetoplastid Parasites Pei-Yong Shi,, Zheng Yin, Shahul Nilar, Thomas H. Keller: Dengue Drug Discovery Dan Marquess: Recent Advances in Discovery and Development of Medicines for the Treatment of Secretory Diarrhea in the Developing World

The inflammasome was first described in 2002 as a molecular complex activating proinflammatory caspases and therefore regulating the maturation and biological activities of cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-18. This finding was substantiated by the identification of several mutations in the cias1 gene, encoding the human NLRP3 protein, responsible for several autoinflammatory disorders such as the Muckle Wells syndrome. Since, the interest for this complex has constantly increased and several inflammasome complexes with different specificities have been described. These inflammasomes sense a wide variety of pathogens and danger signals and are key players in the inflammatory response. With the contributions of leading international experts in the field, this book provides an extensive overview of the current knowledge of inflammasome biology and their role in health and disease.

Though great advances in public health are witnessed world over in recent years, infectious diseases, besides insect vector-borne infectious diseases remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Control of the epidemics caused by the non-vector borne diseases such as tuberculosis, avian influenza (H5N1) and cryptococcus gattii, have left a very little hope in the past. The advancement of research in science and technology has paved way for the development of new tools and methodologies to fight against these diseases. In particular, intelligent technology and machine-learning based methodologies have rendered useful in developing more accurate predictive tools for the early diagnosis of these diseases. In all these endeavors the main focus is the understanding that the process of transmission of an infectious disease is nonlinear (not necessarily linear) and dynamical in character. This concept compels the appropriate quantification of the vital parameters that govern these dynamics. This book is ideal for a general science and engineering audience requiring an in-depth exposure to current issues, ideas, methods, and models. The topics discussed serve as a useful reference to clinical experts, health scientists, public health administrators, medical practioners, and senior undergraduate and graduate students in applied mathematics, biology, bioinformatics, and epidemiology, medicine and health sciences.

A central goal of current biology is to decode the mechanisms that underlie the processes of morphogenesis and pattern formation. Concerned with the analysis of those phenomena, this book covers a broad range of research fields, including developmental biology, molecular biology, plant morphogenesis, ecology, epidemiology, medicine, paleontology, evolutionary biology, mathematical biology, and computational biology. In Morphogenesis and Pattern Formation in Biological Systems: Experiments and Models, experimental and theoretical aspects of biology are integrated for the construction and investigation of models of complex processes. This collection of articles on the latest advances by leading researchers not only brings together work from a wide spectrum of disciplines, but also provides a stepping-stone to the creation of new areas of discovery.

Traditionally only those physicians with many years of experience in a particular speciality chose to commit their accumulated knowledge to print for general consumption. Although of relatively tender years I can remember and sympathize with the problems of learning the 'Infectious Disease Trade' as a medical student and later as a junior hospital doctor. This book is an attempt to journey through and remedy my ignorance-in retrospect. I have thus attempted to provide an unashamedly clinical intro duction to Infectious Diseases which is of particular interest and use to medical students and junior hospital staff, especially those about to enter General Practice. I hope I have succeeded. Suggested further reading Christie, A. B. (1974). Infectious Diseases: Epidemiology and Clinical Practice. (Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone) Hoeprich, P. D. (1977). Infectious Diseases. (London: Harper and Row) Ramsay, A. M. and Emond, R. T. D. (1978). Infectious Diseases. (London: Heinemann Medical Books) Youmans, G. P., Paterson, P. Y. and Sommers, H. M. (1975). The Biologic and Clinical Basis of Infectious Disease. (W. B. Saunders Company) 1 1 Infection and infectious diseases: basic principles INTRODUCTION Infection may be defined as an abnormal state caused by multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in or on the body of a host: this may cause disease, have no observable effect, or may even be of benefit to an infected host."

Due to the highly collaborative nature of investigators working in the field, we have rapidly advanced our understanding of "Staphylococcus epidermidis "and other staphylococci in the last two decades. The chapters in "Staphylococcus Epidermidis: Methods and Protocols" are designed to give the new investigator a series of tools so they can ask novel and exciting questions related to the biology of this opportunistic pathogen, as many exciting and unexplored questions such as defining the interaction of "S. epidermidis "and other normal flora remain to be discovered. Written in the successful "Methods in Molecular Biology" series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and easily accessible, "Staphylococcus Epidermidis: Methods and Protocols" seeks to serve both professionals and novices with its well-honed methodologies.

Legionnaires disease, a potentially fatal type of pneumonia primarily affecting elderly and immuno-compromised persons, is caused by the ubiquitous environmental bacterium "Legionella pneumophila." This book offers authoritative reviews of different facets of its virulence, focusing on comparative phagocyte infection, virulence gene regulation, biochemical functions of effector proteins and cellular pathogen-host interactions, as well as host responses and immunity to "L. pneumophila." Taken together, the contributions in this compilation provide a state-of-the-art overview of current insights into the molecular pathogenesis of the opportunistic and potentially fatal pathogen "L. pneumophila.""

This volume presents a collection of reviews derived from work presented at the Aegean Conference: "3rd Crossroads between innate and adaptive immunity" which occurred during September 27 - October 2, 2009 at the Minoa Palace Conference Center in Chania, Crete, Greece. This meeting was the third in a series, and assembled a team of scientists working on mechanisms by which the innate immune system of the host senses pathogens, the cellular and signaling networks that orchestrate the innate response and antigen presentation and adaptive immunity. The various facets of the innate response, including dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, NK cells, NK-T cells and the complement cascade during the host response to pathogens and tumors is only now starting to be elucidated. The respective fields that focus on these immune cells and molecules have tended to be relatively compartmentalized, and yet emerging evidence points to the interconnectedness of these facets in coordinating the innate response, and its subsequent impact on the adaptive response. The goal of this conference was to initiate cross-talk between these diverse immunological fields, and promote and facilitate discussion on the interactions between the innate immune response and the adaptive immune response and ultimately facilitate collaboration between these areas of study. Following on the footsteps of the outstanding success of its precursors, the "3rd Crossroads between Innate and Adaptive Immunity" Aegean Conference was highly successful in bringing together and connecting scientists and experts from around the world to address critical areas of Innate and Adaptive immunity.

Mounting evidence in the past decade indicates that innate immunity mediates functions above and beyond first-line defense against infection. It is now appreciated that innate immune mechanisms are critically involved in the development of adaptive immunity and, moreover, the regulation of diverse physiological and homeostatic processes. The latter explains why deregulation of innate immunity may lead to pathological disorders that are not necessarily or directly related to host defense. This Volume compiles the latest advances in this rapidly evolving field as presented by eminent scientists at the 7th International Aegean Conference on Innate Immunity in Rhodes, Greece. It includes topics related to the biology and function of Toll-like and other pattern-recognition receptors, complement and its crosstalk with other physiological systems, inflammatory mechanisms and diseases, natural killer cells, and the cooperative interplay between innate and adaptive immune cells. This book is an excellent source of information for researchers and clinicians with interests in immunology, host-microbe interactions, and infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Reports on the emergence and prevalence of resistant bacterial infections in hospitals and communities raise concerns that we may soon no longer be able to rely on antibiotics as a way to control infectious diseases. Effective medical care would require the constant introduction of novel antibiotics to keep up in the "arms race" with resistant pathogens. This book closely examines the latest developments in the field of antibacterial research and development. It starts with an overview of the growing prevalence of resistant Gram-positive and Gram- negative pathogens, including their various resistance mechanisms, prevalence, risk factors and therapeutic options. The focus then shifts to a comprehensive description of all major chemical classes with antibacterial properties, their chemistry, mode of action, and the generation of analogs; information that provides the basis for the design of improved molecules to defeat microbial infections and combat the emerging resistances. In closing, recently developed compounds already in clinical use, those in preclinical or first clinical studies, and a number of promising targets to be exploited in the discovery stage are discussed.

This new volume written by experts in the field of trypanosome research covers every aspect of trypanosome-vector-host biology. It is a must read for basic researchers working with trypanosomes and related organisms, infection and drug development as well as parasitology in a broader sense.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are common. There is increasing appreciation of the importance of the immune system in the pathogenesis of a number of these diseases. This book covers basic aspects of innate and adaptive immunity in the gastrointestinal tract, oral tolerance, and cellular and molecular mechanisms of acute and chronic inflammation. Specific disease covered include bacterial infections, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, coeliac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Other topics include mucosal immunisation and intestinal transplantation immunology. The readership of this book includes clinicians, scientists, and students interested in the gastrointestinal tract.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a major cause of human mortality and morbidity worldwide. Classical risk factors for atherosclerosis fail to account fully for the wide variations in CHD prevalence and/or severity between differing populations. The search for hitherto unrecognised risk factors has recently focused on the potential role of chronic inflammation and common infections. Chronic Infection, Chlamydia and Coronary Heart Disease is the first book to review the wealth of evidence linking various infective agents with CHD, focusing particularly on the proposed pathogenetic role of the main candidate microorganism, Chlamydia pneumoniae. Written by two leading investigators in the field, the book provides a concise, clearly written and up-to-date account of the diverse lines of evidence - seroepidemiological, pathological, animal and in vitro data and clinical antibiotic trials. The possibility of an infective basis to atherosclerosis and CHD has already attracted much scientific interest. Chronic Infection, Chlamydia and Coronary Heart Disease highlights the key published works on the topic, and concludes with information on existing, ongoing, and future lines of enquiry.

The book gives a comprehensive overview on the knowledge of virus infection relevant for humans and animals. For each virus family the molecular details of the virus particle and the viral replication cycle are described. In the case of virus types with relevance for human and/or animal health the data on molecular biology, genetics and virus-cell interaction are combined with those concerning, pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinics, prevention and therapy.

The book studies the impact of COVID-19 on the Chinese economy and the country's response to policies. It examines various aspects of national macroeconomic operations, industrial shocks, changes in financial markets, regional economic order, public governance challenges. It also analyzes changes in the world economy while integrating economic, financial, industrial, and environmental disciplines.At the macro level, the book emphasizes counter-cyclical responses, with an emphasis on comprehensive measures and precise efforts. It highlights differentiated development strategies for industries and promotes structural adjustment and supply-side reform. At the micro-level, the book emphasizes enterprises' resumption of work and production and supply chain management. The book promotes the concept of integration, stressing that China's economy was and is sufficiently resilient and the importance of maintaining and improving public confidence. At the same time, it attaches importance to prescribing the correct remedies for shortcomings, strengthening weaknesses, confronting the obstacles and difficulties in economic development, and restoring social order. The studies are not restricted to the facts but also focus on transforming and upgrading a modernized socialist economy and governance in the long term.

Principles and Practice of Cancer Infectious Diseases is a comprehensive and insightful work dedicated to elucidating the problem of infections in cancer patients. This essential volume reviews common and less often encountered infections, while establishing the difficulties behind preventing, diagnosing, and treating infectious diseases in cancer patients. Key sections are devoted to the presentation of clinical symptoms and the identification of major etiologic agents. A cadre of leading clinicians provide a detailed assessment of the risk factors for various infections, critical strategies in preventing and managing infections, and study of the interactions between the pathogen and host's immune function and inflammatory response. With its in-depth knowledge and concise treatment of the distinct facets of infections in cancer patients, this volume is an indispensible tool for all infectious disease specialists and clinical oncologists.

By 1977 it was clear that the thermophilic campylobacters were a major cause of acute bacterial enteritis. In response to that observation an international workshop was convened in Reading, England, and attracted over 130 participants. Many of these individuals resolutely returned for the eighth in the series of biennial international workshops, this time held in Win chester, England, in July 1995. All were surprised at the continued, and even expanding, re search effort in this narrow microbiological field. Such a lasting interest is undoubtedly a reflection of a consistent rise in the incidence of infection, the growing number of closely re lated organisms and disease associations, and an ever-increasing awareness by the public and government agencies of public health and food safety issues. The second workshop in Brussels in 1983 was a forum that demonstrated the growing awareness in the campylobacter community of the existence of campylobacter-like organisms and provided the platform for presentations describing the association of these organisms, now classified in the genus Helicobacter. with gastroduodenal disease. The clinical aspects of the research into helicobacters is now thoroughly covered in several other meetings, and the remit of the international workshop has been expanded to provide a forum for the presentation of the basic microbiological research carried out on these bacteria. In a continuation of this ap proach the remit of the workshop has been further extended to other related organisms, reflect ing that there are many other campylobacter-like organisms still to identify and characterize."

This comprehensive treatise on the reticuloendothelial system is a project jointly shared by individual members of the Reticuloendothelial (RE) Society and bio- medical scientists in general who are interested in the intricate system of ceHs and molecular moieties derived from those ceHs which constitute the RES. It may now be more fashionable in some quarters to consider these ceHs as part of what is caHed the mononuclear phagocytic system or the lymphoreticular system. Nev- ertheless, because of historical developments and current interest in the subject by investigators from many diverse areas, it seems advantageous to present in one comprehensive treatise current information and knowledge concerning basic aspects of the RES, such as morphology, biochemistry, phylogeny and ontogeny, physiology, and pharmacology as weIl as clinical areas including immu- nopathology, cancer, infectious diseases, allergy, and hypersensitivity. It is antic- ipated that by presenting information concerning these apparently hetero- geneous topics under the unifying umbreHa of the RES attention will be focused on the similarities as weIl as interactions among the ceH types constituting the RES from the viewpoint of various disciplines. The treatise editors and their editorial board, consisting predominantly of the editors of individual volumes, are extremely grateful for the enthusiastic cooperation and enormous task under- taken by members of the biomedical community in general and especially by members of the American as weIl as European and Japanese Reticuloendotheli~l Societies.

In the last fifteen years, substantial progress has been made in identifying why some people are particularly susceptible to specific infectious diseases. Extensive evidence has accumulated that host genes are important determinants of the outcome of infection for many common pathogens. This book summarises advances that have been made in understanding the complexity of host genetic susceptibility. The diseases covered include those of great public health importance such as malaria and HIV, and those of topical interest such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Many different techniques have been used to identify host genes involved in infectious disease susceptibility. Each chapter describes how these discoveries were made and the book is therefore useful to anyone planning genetic studies on a multi-factorial disease, regardless of whether it has an infectious etiology.

Although antiviral drugs have been successfully developed for some viral diseases, there remains a clear, unmet medical need to develop novel antiviral agents for the control and management of many viruses that currently have no or limited treatment options as well as a need to overcome the limitations associated with the existing antiviral drugs, such as adverse effects and emergence of drug-resistant mutations. The second edition of Antiviral Methods and Protocols features: All chapters are new and written by experts in the field, reflecting the major recent technical advances in antiviral research and discovery. This edition focuses on many important human viruses, such as human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), hepatitis viruses (hepatitis B and C viruses), herpes viruses, human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza virus, while also featuring some important emerging viruses, such as dengue virus, West Nile virus, and chikungunya virus. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Antiviral Methods and Protocols, Second Edition will serve as an excellent laboratory reference for pharmaceutical and academic biologists, medicinal chemists, and pharmacologists as well as for virologists in the field of antiviral research and drug discovery.

This book is about the adhesion of bacteria to their human hosts. Although adhesion is essential for maintaining members of the normal microflora in/on their host, it is also the crucial first stage in any infectious disease. It is important, therefore, to fully understand the mechanisms underlying bacterial adhesion so that we may be able to develop methods of maintaining our normal (protective) microflora, and of preventing pathogenic bacteria from initiating an infectious process. These topics are increasingly important because of the growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and, consequently, the need to develop alternative approaches for the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. This book describes the bacterial structures responsible for adhesion and the molecular mechanisms underlying the adhesion process. It also deals with the consequences of adhesion for both the adherent bacterium and the host cell/tissue to which it has adhered.