Along with Why I Am Not a Christian, this essay must rank as the most articulate example of Russell's famed atheism. It is also one of the most notorious. Used as evidence in a 1940 court case in which Russell was declared unfit to teach college-level philosophy, What I Believe was to become one of his most defining works. The ideas contained within were and are controversial, contentious and - to the religious - downright blasphemous. A remarkable work, it remains the best concise introduction to Russell's thought.

The thymus is an evolutionarily ancient primary lymphoid organ common to all vertebrates in which T cell development takes place. Failing thymus function is associated with immunodeficiency and/or autoimmunity. In this volume, leading experts provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in thymopoiesis research. The chapters cover the development of the thymic epithelial microenvironment, address the formation of a diverse and self-tolerant repertoire of T cell receptors as the basis for cellular immunity, discuss the mechanisms by which progenitor cells colonize the thymus and detail the molecular basis for T lineage decisions. The reviews illustrate the important role of the multifaceted process of thymopoiesis for adaptive immunity.

Advances in Immunology, Volume 146, the latest release in a long-established and highly respected publication, presents current developments and comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, with this release focusing on The design of vaccine strategies to elicit HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies, T cells in latent viral infections, Preserving Immune Homeostasis with A20, Transcriptional control in the context of innate and adaptive lymphoid development, RAG and AID structural biology and the important insights it has generated for the V(D)J recombination and CSR/SHM fields, and more.

This book contains two personal reminiscences of historical importance to research on stress and infectious disease. It deals with perspectives on immunity, aging, and disease and the prospects for immunorestoration in the treatment of immunodeficiency arising from aging and stress.

Immunology has made significant progress in the past decade, driven forward by rapidly advancing technology and a renewed interest in the vast realm of innate immunity. The receptors that mediate these functions are at the front lines of both protective and regulative roles of the immune system. In "Immune Receptors: Methods and Protocols," expert researchers present a variety of experimental approaches to the characterization of immune receptors and the cell biology that mediates their functions. These include imaging techniques that aim to understand receptor localization and trafficking, techniques to measure receptor-ligand interactions, strategies to identify novel ligands and methods to analyze downstream receptor signaling, as well as strategies for genomic and proteomic characterization of receptor repertoires. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and practical, "Immune Receptors: Methods and Protocols" offers technical descriptions and protocols that will be useful both to investigators who are interested in carrying out these procedures and to those who seek a deeper understanding of the bench science that lies behind the immunology literature."

Advances in Immunology in China - Part B, Volume 145, the latest release in the Advances in Immunology series, presents the latest release in a long-established and highly respected publication. The book includes current developments and comprehensive reviews in immunology. Articles address the wide range of topics that comprise immunology, with this release focusing on advances in immunology in China.

This volume contains chapters dealing with the isolation and functional characterization of cells involved in innate immunity in mouse and man, including mast cells and eosinophils, and with several chapters focusing on natural killer cells. These approaches and models are being used to dissect the complex interplay between hosts and pathogens, and contribute to developing strategies to help fight infection.

In light of the discovery of Autoimmune Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants, or ASIA, Vaccines and Autoimmunity explores the role of adjuvants specifically aluminum in different vaccines and how they can induce diverse autoimmune clinical manifestations in genetically prone individuals. Vaccines and Autoimmunity is divided into three sections; the first contextualizes the role of adjuvants in the framework of autoimmunity, covering the mechanism of action of adjuvants, experimental models of adjuvant induced autoimmune diseases, infections as adjuvants, the Gulf War Syndrome, sick-building syndrome (SBS), safe vaccines, toll-like receptors, TLRS in vaccines, pesticides as adjuvants, oil as adjuvant, mercury, aluminum and autoimmunity. The following section reviews literature on vaccines that have induced autoimmune conditions such as MMR and HBV, among others. The final section covers diseases in which vaccines were known to be the solicitor for instance, systemic lupus erythematosus and whether it can be induced by vaccines for MMR, HBV, HCV, and others. Edited by leaders in the field, Vaccines and Autoimmunity is an invaluable resource for advanced students and researchers working in pathogenic and epidemiological studies.

This is the second edition of the popular textbook Immunology for Life Scientists. Thoroughly updated to reflect the changes both within the subject itself as well as in the curriculum, this is the textbook for anyone studying immunology as past of another degree course. No previous instruction in the subject is assumed, rather a broad and basic knowledge is slowly built up and a sound understanding of the fundamentals of the discipline introduced in a step-by-step logical manner. Readers are encouraged to develop their own learning by reading the recommended review articles and attempting the self-assessment available in the book.

• clearly written chapters
• covers all key aspects of basic immunology
• keywords and concepts highlighted and summarised
• self-assessment multiple choice questions

In this concise book, an international panel of experts provide a succinct, up-to-date, evidence-based reference to the neurological consequences of infectious diseases and immunodeficiency syndromes in children in one readily accessible volume. Within each of its conveniently structured chapters, readers will find a general description of the disease or disorder. Finally a volume for pediatricians, neurologists, infectious disease specialists and all who care for children.

Great advances have taken place in basic research and the clinical usefulness of dendritic cells (DCs). It has now been clearly established, for instance, that these cells play a crucial role in immune responses against infectious diseases and cancers. Antigen-presenting DCs are widely distributed in the body and regulate both immunity and immune tolerance. Experimental studies have provided important insights into DCs and how they can be used for treating animal models of various diseases that occur in humans. The role of these cells in pathogenesis and the treatment of human diseases is elaborately set forth in this valuable book. Researchers in the field are optimistic that DCs, already in use for treating patients with cancers, soon can be used therapeutically for patients with chronic infections, autoimmune diseases, and allergic manifestations. This volume provides a working definition of DCs and also explains the phenotypes and functions of DCs so that these can be readily understood not only by clinicians but by immunologists, researchers, and students as well.

A cutting-edge collection of readily reproducible techniques for the isolation, culture, and study of activation and signaling in human mast cells. These methods take advantage of the latest advances in molecular biology, technology, and information science. They include methods for the identification of mast cells, the development of mast cells in vitro, the study of mast cell signaling and gene expression, and the measurement of mast cell expression of inflammatory mediators. Additional chapters cover methods for studying mast cell interactions with other cell types (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and B cells), the roles of mast cells in host defense, and mast cell apoptosis.

"Development of novel vaccines" gives an overview of the tasks in basic research leading to the final product -- the vaccine and its applications, belonging to the most complex biologics in the pharmaceutical field. Distinct from most textbooks in the vaccine arena, the current issue focuses on the translational aspect, namely, how research results can be transformed into life-saving medical interventions. Each chapter of the book deals with one important paradigm for the development of novel vaccines, along the value chain towards the final vaccine, and furthermore, with the inevitable tools required for this process. Contributions are prepared by teams of scientists, all of whom are experts in the field, most of them anchored in biomedical organizations devoted to translational culture, thereby lighting the certain topics from different views. This volume is a must read for researchers engaged in vaccine development and who really want to see their research results to become a product.

Monoclonal Antibodies: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition expands upon the previous edition with current, detailed modern approaches to isolate and characterize monoclonal antibodies against carefully selected epitopes. This edition includes new chapters covering the key steps to generate high quality monoclonals via different methods, from antigen generation to epitope mapping and quality control of the purified IgG. Chapters are divided into four parts corresponding to four distinct objectives. Part I covers monoclonal antibody generation, Part II deals with monoclonal antibody expression and purification, Part III presents methods for monoclonal antibody characterization and modification, and Part IV describes selected applications of monoclonal antibodies. Written in the highly 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 laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Monoclonal Antibodies: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition provides crucial initial steps of monoclonal antibody generation and characterization with state-of-the art protocols.

Kingship and Masculinity in Late Medieval England explores the dynamic between kingship and masculinity in fifteenth century England, with a particular focus on Henry V and Henry VI. The role of gender in the rhetoric and practice of medieval kingship is still largely unexplored by medieval historians. Discourses of masculinity informed much of the contemporary comment on fifteenth century kings, for a variety of purposes: to praise and eulogise but also to explain shortcomings and provide justification for deposition. Katherine J. Lewis examines discourses of masculinity in relation to contemporary understandings of the nature and acquisition of manhood in the period and considers the extent to which judgements of a king's performance were informed by his ability to embody the right balance of manly qualities. This book's primary concern is with how these two kings were presented, represented and perceived by those around them, but it also asks how far Henry V and Henry VI can be said to have understood the importance of personifying a particular brand of masculinity in their performance of kingship and of meeting the expectations of their subjects in this respect. It explores the extent to which their established reputations as inherently 'manly' and 'unmanly' kings were the product of their handling of political circumstances, but owed something to factors beyond their immediate control as well. Consideration is also given to Margaret of Anjou's manipulation of ideologies of kingship and manhood in response to her husband's incapacity, and the ramifications of this for perceptions of the relational gender identities which she and Henry VI embodied together. Kingship and Masculinity in Late Medieval England is an essential resource for students of gender and medieval history.

Despite major efforts by the scientific community over the years, our understanding of the pathogenesis or the mechanisms of injury of multiple sclerosis is still limited. Consequently, the current strategies for treatment and management of patients are limited in their efficacy. The mechanisms of tissue protection and repair are probably even less understood. One reason for these limitations is the enormous complexity of the disease and every facet of its pathogenesis, the mechanisms of tissue injury, the diagnostic procedures and finally the efficacy of treatments and their side effects. The aim of this book is to review the most recent advances made in this highly complex field.

2012 PROSE Award, Clinical Medicine: Honorable Mention The vast majority of medically important pathogens infect their host across a body surface such as the skin, or across a mucosal tissue such as the respiratory tract or intestines, as these sites are the ones exposed to the external environment. By focusing on immunity at mucosal and body surfaces this book presents a fresh, new approach to the teaching of immunology. After an introduction to the basic structure of the immune system, the book looks at two important families of signalling molecules: cytokines and chemokines, before covering the workings of the mucosal immune system. It continues by examining immunity against the four major groups of pathogens - viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, and concludes by looking at disorders of the immune system, mucosal tumour immunology and the process of vaccination. * A fresh, new approach to the subject focusing on mucosal and body surfaces. * Describes the mucosal immune systems of the gastrointestinal, respiratory and urogenital tracts, as well as the skin. * Details the important roles of cytokines and chemokines in an immune response. * Separate chapters devoted to immunity against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. * Includes chapter summaries, boxes with topics of special interest and an extensive glossary. * Clearly written and well- illustrated in full colour throughout. Students across a range of disciplines, including biology, biochemistry, biomedicine, medicine and veterinary sciences, will find this book invaluable, both as an introduction to basic immunology and as a guide to mucosal immune defence mechanisms.

This volume covers methods for determination of autoantibodies in rheumatic connective tissue diseases and organ-specific diseases. Written in the highly 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 laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Autoantibodies: Methods and Protocols aims to be helpful for all persons working with research and development of autoimmune laboratory diagnostics and for clinicians using autoantibody tests in daily work with patients.

Combinatorial chemistry in conjunction with High Throughput Screening (HTS) is revolutionizing the drug discovery process. Yet, we have much to learn about the integration of these powerful techniques with information from genomics, proteomics, computation and pharmacokinetics before dramatic increases in the drug discovery/development processes can be achieved. The chapters in this book represent the state of the art regarding the integration of combinatorial chemistry and HTS in connection with anti-inflammatory targets. Obviously, there is much work to be done beyond what is described in this text, nevertheless, it should set the stage for creative thinking among scientists of many disciplines for the accomplishment of our ultimate goals in treating inflammatory diseases.

It has only recently been appreciated that the immune and skeletal systems have major interactions. It is now well documented that osteoclasts, which are important cellular mediators of skeletal homeostasis, are derived from hematopoietic precursors that also give rise to immune cells. In addition, numerous cytokines that were first shown to regulate immune cell function have also been demonstrated to regulate bone cells and influence skeletal health. Conversely, products of bone cells appear critical for the engraftment of marrow in bone, the normal development of the hematopoietic and immune systems and provide niche for long-term memory B and T cells.

In the past scientists involved in immune and bone cell investigations have rarely interacted in a significant way as these disciplines have developed independently and, for the most part, remain separate. The conference will bring together leading international scientists from both fields to interact so that new collaboration can develop and more rapid progress in understanding the relationships between these fields can be achieved. Short talks will be selected from abstracts from the international community. This conference will have a format to provide an environment of maximum interaction and interchange through lectures, posters, and open discussion.

A search for a missing son... and a toxic mystery that threatens the globe.

'Did a 1981 Dean Koontz thriller predict the coronavirus outbreak?' Daily Mail
'Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler' The Times

From bestselling phenomenon Dean Koontz, The Eyes of Darkness is a gripping thriller following a mother's search for her son - a journey that unlocks the deadliest of secrets.

It's a year since Tina Evans lost her little boy Danny in a tragic accident.
Then a shattering message appears on the blackboard in Danny's old room: NOT DEAD.
Is it someone's idea of a grim joke? Or something far more sinister?

The search for an answer drives Tina through the neon clamour of Las Vegas nightlife.
The sun-scorched desert. The frozen mountains of the High Sierra.

People face a dreadful danger as a buried truth struggles to surface.
A truth so frightening that its secret must be kept at the price of any life - any man, any woman...any child.

A Primer of Neuroimmunological Disease is a significant new resource for anyone interested in conditions such as multiple sclerosis(MS), myasthenia gravis, and neurological infections. It is a practical and balanced guide to the diagnosis and treatment of neuroimmunological disease. A Primer of Neuroimmunological Disease distinguishes itself by providing a range of features not generally included in texts on neuroimmunology. These include broad presentation of information in the form of figures and tables; strong cohesion among topics by focusing on a few prototypic neuroimmunological diseases, which serve as a foundation from which to explore other neuroimmunological diseases; a single author perspective, with references across chapters; and a focus on the overlap between neuroimmunological and neuroinfectious diseases. Neurologists, immunologists, infectious disease specialists, neuroscientists and others interested in neuroimmunological diseases such as MS will find A Primer of Neuroimmunological to be a state-of-the-art resource.

The 8th volume in the Proteases in Biology and Disease series focuses on the role of proteases in virus function and their potential as anti-viral targets. Viral infections are still difficult to threat and some remained life-threatening diseases in spite of antiviral drug research over decades. Proteases are still regarded as an Achilles heel of the pathogens and, thus, protease inhibitors may help to handle the known and the emerging viral threads. The book discusses viral proteases of the most important pathogenic viruses, responsible for severe diseases: AIDS, SARS, Hepatitis, Cytomegalovirus, T-cell lymphotropic virus, Picornavirus. This book focuses specifically on the viral proteases, crucial prerequisites for viral entry into cells and viral replication. Viral proteases represent an important pharmaceutical target. The current stage of protease inhibitor development and therapy are summarised and discussed by experts in the field. This volume represents a timely and valuable continuation of the Proteases in Biology and Disease series. The reader will learn the potential for proteases as targets for effective anti-virals. This book will be a valuable source of information on viral proteases and provoke further research in this important field."