Natural killer (NK) cells have been at the forefront of immunology for two decades. During that time, a great amount of information about these cells has been obtained. They are important in antiinfectious and antitumoral defense and shape the adaptive immune response. In addition, they can act as immunoregulatory cells. In recent years, the therapeutic potential of NK cells in cancer immunotherapy has become increasingly evident. This book describes in detail current knowledge about NK cells and covers a broad range of NK cell-related topics, including those that are not frequently reviewed, e.g. NK cells and allergy or NK cells and skin diseases.

This book offers an overview of the statistical methods used in clinical and observational vaccine studies. Pursuing a practical rather than theoretical approach, it presents a range of real-world examples with SAS codes, making the application of the methods straightforward. This revised edition has been significantly expanded to reflect the current interest in this area. It opens with two introductory chapters on the immunology of vaccines to provide readers with the necessary background knowledge. It then continues with an in-depth exploration of the analysis of immunogenicity data. Discussed are, amongst others, maximum likelihood estimation for censored antibody titers, ANCOVA for antibody values, analysis of data of equivalence, and non-inferiority immunogenicity studies. Other topics covered include fitting protection curves to data from vaccine efficacy studies, and the analysis of vaccine safety data. In addition, the book features four new chapters on vaccine field studies: an introductory one, one on randomized vaccine efficacy studies, one on observational vaccine effectiveness studies, and one on the meta-analysis of vaccine efficacy studies. The book offers useful insights for statisticians and epidemiologists working in the pharmaceutical industry or at vaccines institutes, as well as graduate students interested in pharmaceutical statistics.

This book comprehensively describes the association between metabolic syndrome and pancreatic cancer progression, and the mechanism of action and target definition with a view to drug discovery. Metabolic syndrome, which includes adnominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, has recently been shown to play an important role in the etiology and progression of various cancers. Further, obesity and diabetes have been associated with an increased incidence of gastric cancers. The book reviews the key biological mechanisms underlying the association between metabolic dysregulation, including obesity-associated enhancement of growth factor signaling, inflammation, and perturbation in pancreatic cancer cell growth and metastasis. It also illustrates the role of the inflammatory signaling pathway in metabolic diseases as well as tumor growth and explores the potential of these pathways as the rational targets for pancreatic cancer therapy. Lastly, the book offers a comprehensive description of the challenges associated with diabetes and pancreatic cancer therapy.

This volume reviews the unique and common features of rhabdoviruses, which have a very wide host range and are associated with human diseases and also infect domestic livestock and agricultural plants, causing enormous economic loss.

This detailed book serves as a systematic examination of the analytical methods to study the transcription factor NF- B in physiology and disease. It provides an up-to-date guidebook to navigate both conventional and highly specialized methods to detect and analyze the different signaling pathways of NF- B activation and contextualize them within organismal physiology and disease pathogenesis, using genetic and biochemical techniques and some of the most advanced computational and systems biology methods. Additionally, the volume includes several examples of approaches utilized by leading experts in the NF- B field to analyze and modulate NF- B signaling in specific physiological and disease contexts, along with some of the most promising approaches to pharmacologically target the NF- B pathway in human disease. Written for 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. Authoritative and practical, NF- B Transcription Factors: Methods and Protocols is an up-to-date guide intended for both basic and translational scientists who are working in the dynamic NF- B field.

This book reviews the relationship between receptors, carbohydrate moieties, and pathogenic surfaces and lectins' pathophysiology of immune responses and examines the mechanisms of action of the molecules for the treatment potentials. Increasing evidence has suggested that lectin-carbohydrate interactions perform important roles in various regulations of immune responses, but much remains to be learned about these crucial properties and their interplay with other molecules. In addition, a better understanding of the structural and functional properties of lectin and the activated immune response will be of critical importance for the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. These key areas are the focus of this book, which documents the latest research findings in the field. Evidence is provided for the various lectin types from animal and plant as well as microbial or marine lectins, and this wide range of molecular knowledge directs us to various diseases, including infectious diseases and cancer. In presenting state-of-the-art knowledge on the interactions between lectin and its interactions,the book will help to pave the way for the development of novel targets for the prevention and treatment of many disorders.

This detailed book provides a broad collection of methodologies for natural killer (NK) cell research. Beginning with an assortment of methods for the isolation of NK cells and NK cell differentiation, the volume continues with methodologies for functional tests, such as cytotoxicity, viral infection, and metabolism assays, as well as clinical applications of NK cells. Written for 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. Authoritative and practical, Natural Killer (NK) Cells: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers looking to contribute to the further development of basic and clinical NK cell research.

This book introduces nanoparticles as a powerful platform for vaccine design. Current challenges in vaccine development are discussed and the unique advantages nanoparticles provide in overcoming these challenges are explored. The authors offer fascinating insights into the immunological assets of using nanoparticles as delivery vehicles or adjuvants and present different materials that are being used in nanoparticle-based vaccine development, covering peptides, proteins, polymers, virus-like particles, and liposomes. Its contemporary research insights and practical examples for applications make this volume an inspiring read for researchers and clinicians in vaccinology and immunology. Chapter "Liposome Formulations as Adjuvants for Vaccines" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book discusses prospective alternative approaches to fight bacterial infections to minimize the indiscriminate use of conventional antibiotics. It offers the current knowledge on research and development of alternative antibacterial agents such as probiotics, nanobiotics etc. while it also discusses newly emerging trends such as phage therapy, antibody therapy etc. The book highlights on the phytochemicals with potent antibacterial activities as alternatives to conventional antibiotics. Chemical modification to develop next generation antibiotics with enhanced efficacy has also been included. Such modifications are reported to overcome the inherent resistance of the parent antibiotics. Phage therapy and targeted antibodies are considered as potential alternative approaches to treat bacterial ailments and represent areas of cutting-edge research and have therefore been discussed with sufficient care. Mainly, the book highlights various approaches other than conventional antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. The scientific advancements in these areas will strengthen the 'One Health' approach benefiting human beings, animals and environment as well. This book is a comprehensive resource to cater researchers, biological scientists, herbalists and clinical practitioners with up-to-date information on antibacterials other than antibiotics.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health challenge as the third leading cause for cancer related mortalities worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic strategies, the five-year survival rate for CRC patients has remained the same over time due to the fact that patients are often diagnosed in advanced metastatic stages. Drug resistance is another common reason for poor prognosis. Researchers are now developing advanced therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination nanotechnology for drug delivery. In addition, the identification of new biomarkers will potentiate early stage diagnosis. This book is the first of three volumes on recent developments in colorectal diagnosis and therapy. Each volume can be read on its own, or together. Each volume focuses on different novel therapeutic advances, biomarkers, and identifies therapeutic targets for treatment. Written by leading international experts in the field, coverage also addresses the role of diet habits and lifestyle in reducing gastrointestinal disorders and incidence of CRC. Chapters discuss current and future diagnostic and therapeutic options for colorectal cancer patients, focusing on immunotherapeutic, nanomedicine, biomarkers, and dietary factors for the effective management of colon cancer.

Both nutrition deficiency and overnutrition can have a significant effect on the risk of infection. Nutrition, Immunity, and Infection focuses on the influence of diet on the immune system and how altering one's diet helps prevent and treat infections and chronic diseases. This book reviews basic immunology and discusses changes in immune function throughout the life course. It features comprehensive chapters on obesity and the role of immune cells in adipose tissue; undernutrition and malnutrition; infant immune maturation; pre- and probiotics; mechanisms of immune regulation by various vitamins and minerals; nutrition and the aging immune system; nutrition interactions with environmental stress; and immunity in the global health arena. Nutrition, Immunity, and Infection describes the various roles of nutrients and other food constituents on immune function, host defense, and resistance to infection. It describes the impact of infection on nutritional status through a translational approach. Chapters bring together molecular, cellular, and experimental studies alongside human trials so that readers can assess both the evidence for the effects of the food component being discussed and the mechanisms underlying those effects. The impact of specific conditions including obesity, anorexia nervosa, and HIV infection is also considered. Chapter authors are experts in nutrition, immunity, and infection from all around the globe, including Europe, Australia, Brazil, India, and the United States. This book is a valuable resource for nutrition scientists, food scientists, dietitians, health practitioners, and students interested in nutrition and immunity.

This detailed volume focuses on the development of mycosis vaccines via the most common etiological agents of mycoses, such as Aspergillus and Candida species, followed by Cryptococcus, dimorphic fungi, and members of Mucoraceae family of fungi. The book is sectioned into five parts that describe experimental approaches for vaccine candidate discovery, improved vaccine design and delivery, assessment of critical endpoints, analysis of mechanisms of mycosis vaccine protection, and key methods for clinical translation. Written for 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 known pitfalls. Practical and authoritative, Vaccines for Invasive Fungal Infections: Methods and Protocols provides a standard reference for vaccine researchers, including those who aspire to strengthen their knowledge or desire to acquire a particular technique.

This book provides a detailed overview of B-cell directed therapies in patients with rheumatic and systemic autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjoegren syndrome, ANCA-associated vasculitis and cryoglobulinemia. Organ-specific autoimmune diseases are discussed with respect to the use of B-cell directed therapies in neurological autoimmune diseases and autoimmune cytopenias. Situations in which B-cell targeted therapy may be indicated are identified, thereby offering comprehensive support for therapeutic decisions on the basis of the latest published evidence. The book also offers a valuable reference tool for rheumatologists, internists, nephrologists, immunologists, and all specialists involved in the multidisciplinary care of patients with rheumatic and systemic autoimmune diseases.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health challenge as the third leading cause for cancer related mortalities worldwide. Despite advances in therapeutic strategies, the five-year survival rate for CRC patients has remained the same over time due to the fact that patients are often diagnosed in advanced metastatic stages. Drug resistance is another common reason for poor prognosis. Researchers are now developing advanced therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination nanotechnology for drug delivery. In addition, the identification of new biomarkers will potentiate early stage diagnosis. This book is the second of three volumes on recent developments in colorectal diagnosis and therapy. Each volume can be read on its own, or together. Each volume focuses on different novel therapeutic advances, biomarkers, and identifies therapeutic targets for treatment. Written by leading international experts in the field, coverage addresses the role of diet habits and lifestyle in reducing gastrointestinal disorders and incidence of CRC. Chapters discuss current and future diagnostic and therapeutic options for colorectal cancer patients, focusing on immunotherapeutics, nanomedicine, biomarkers, and dietary factors for the effective management of colon cancer.

The present volume focuses on microbial invasion strategies of pathogen uptake. An accompanying volume (Vol. 5) in the series presents the phagocytic process from the viewpiont of the host cell.
This field of study is growing rapidly after a somewhat slow start over recent decades. This collection of invited chapters attempts to reflect current research and brings together cell biologists, microbiologists, and immunologists wiht disthemes, hopefully like a symphony rather than a boring catalogue. It will be evident that editorial bias favors intracellular parasitism and medically important organisms. The neutrophil is far more than a supporting player to the macrophage and some attempt is made to remind the reader of some of its unique skills. To retain a manageable size, the emphasis is on relatively early events such as mutual recognition, cell entry, and response, rather than on longterm changes in gene expression by either host cell or pahtogen. Viruses are excluded not because of lack of importance but because of somewhat different research approaches, although it is becoming increasingly clear that large viruses (e.g. "Vaccinia") and "Listeria monocytogenes," share common strategies in invasion and intercellular spread.

The third edition of this volume is aimed at providing both beginners and more experienced researchers a choice of methods to isolate and analyze dendritic cells(DC). An introductory review provides an overview of recent advances in the characterization of DC subsets in mouse and human. While additional chapters provide methods to culture human and mouse dendritic cells, protocols for the isolation of dendritic cells, the isolation of dendritic cell progenitors from mouse, and the purification of dendritic cells from human blood. 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, Dendritic Cell Protocols, Third Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

About 7 million people worldwide are suffering from various inherited neuromuscular diseases. Gene therapy brings the hope of treating these diseases at their genetic roots. Muscle Gene Therapy is the only book dedicated to this topic. The first edition was published in 2010 when the field was just about to enter its prime time. The progress made since then has been unprecedented. The number of diseases that have been targeted by gene therapy has increased tremendously. The gene therapy toolbox is expanded greatly with many creative novel strategies (such as genome editing and therapy with disease-modifying genes). Most importantly, clinical benefits have begun to emerge in human patients. To reflect rapid advances in the field, we have compiled the second edition of Muscle Gene Therapy with contributions from experts that have conducted gene therapy studies either in animal models and/or in human patients. The new edition offers a much needed, up-to-date overview and perspective on the foundation and current status of neuromuscular disease gene therapy. It provides a framework to the development and regulatory approval of muscle gene therapy drugs in the upcoming years. This book is a must-have for anyone who is interested in neuromuscular disease gene therapy including those in the research arena (established investigators and trainees in the fields of clinical practice, veterinary medicine and basic biomedical sciences), funding and regulatory agencies, and patient community.

This volume aims at presenting the latest international research and discoveries in the neurocognitive aspects and complications in HIV/AIDS, and how this understanding can shape and inform how we think about clinical practice and patient care in HIV/AIDS as well as lead to a better understanding of the underlying neuropathogenesis. The chapter, "Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiovascular Disease Impacts on the Pathophysiology and Phenotype of HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders", of this book is available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com

M. BENcovA Slovak Foundation Education in Immunogenetics Kopanice 25, 821 04 Bratislava Slovak Republic Short History of Slovakia After the end of the 5th century, the major part of Central Europe was dominated by Slavs (Slovaks). They had already in the 7th century settle ments in the vicinity of towns Bratislava, Devin, Nitra to create the Slovak's state formation with the name "The Empire of Sam," territory of which corresponded to that of Slovakia of present. The Empire of Sam was also the first state formation in the Central Europe (as present states Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia etc. ) Very important town of this state was Nitra, with the biggest Castle in the Central Europe with his Duke Pribina. The first Church of the Central Europe was built here in the year 830, and it is now considered to be the "Slovak Bethlehem." In the year 880, Nitra also became the first Office of Bishops. Later, the Slovak Duke Pribina and Moravian Duke Mojmir (Moravia corresponded to eastern part of the present Czech Republic) joined their formations to common state "Greate Moravian Empire." The strongest King of the Great Moravian Empire was Svatopluk (864 A. D. ), who spread his empire over Czech Republic, Hungary and part of Poland, Ukraine and eastern Germany of present, which at that time still did not exist as state formations."

Until recently, the contribution of immunological knowledge to the under standingand management ofENTdisorders was slight, being largely confined to the appreciation that many rhinitic patients were allergic. Happily, this situation is rapidly changing: the immunological basis of many disorders of the ears, nose and throat is becoming recognized and the mechanisms of the reactions involved are being elucidated. From this, rational therapy should evolve. This book aims to highlight some of the areas in which immunological mechanisms are involved in otorhinolaryngology. It is written by experts in their respective fields of immunology and allergy, otology, rhinology and pathology. It opens with an overview ofthe pathways ofthe immune response and the cells and molecules involved, leading to an appreciation of the normal defence mechanisms of the upper respiratory tract and possible areas offailure. There is then a chapter on HIV infection and how this may present to otorhinolaryngologists. The normal function of the tonsil and the immunological effects oftonsillectomy are then considered. The varying roles of fungi in ENT disorders ranging from commensal through allergen to invasive organisms is assessed by Professor R. J. Hay. Perhaps the most obvious immunological contribution to management thus far lies in the immunocytochemical diagnosis of pathological conditions of the ears, nose and throat and this is covered in a chapter by Professor Leslie Michaels."

Xenotransplantation could have an impact on at least three aspects of medicine. The first is as a means of overcoming a severe shortage of human donor organs for the treatment of organ failure. The second aspect relates to the possibility that a xenogeneic organ would not be susceptible to infection by a "human" virus and thus the xenograft might resist injury caused by such viruses. The third and, as of yet, unexplored aspect relates to a means of delivering genes for therapeutic purposes thus overcoming some of the limitations of "conventional" gene therapy.     

Corepressors are newly discovered assemblies of proteins that play essential roles in eukaryotic gene regulation. Recent discoveries about corepressors have provided new insights into the molecular basis of gene regulation, and have established surprising connections between the mechanisms of action of a wide variety of transcriptional regulators. The reviews in this volume critically discuss the nature, mechanisms of action, and physiological roles of corepressors in a diverse assortment of biological systems. Both basic and clinical investigators will be able to find relevant information. The comprehensive nature of the compilation, and the breadth of the reviews, are intended to provide the reader with an excellent introduction to the newly emergent and rapidly-growing field of corepressor research. A valuable and detailed reference guide.

Receptor Tyrosine Kinases, Volume 147 in the Advances in Cancer Research series, provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research in the area of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases (RTKs) in the context of major basic science and translational advances, their importance in the development of a large number of anti-cancer drugs over the decades, and a peek into postulated advances in the coming decades for a number of RTK. Chapters in this new release are contributed by a group of International leading scientists who have a rich history in this field.

This book systemically presents the latest research on lectins, covering all the major topics in the field, including the heterocomplex of lectins and Toll-like receptors, protective versus pathogenic functions in connection with microbial infections, and novel strategies for enhancing host immunity against infectious diseases caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Lectins are a large group of glycan-binding proteins that recognize diverse glycan and non-glycan structures expressed on prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and are vital to cell-cell interactions, the attachment of microbes to host cells, and the recognition and activation of immune responses to exogenous and endogenous danger signals. The composition and structure of microbes are complex and include numerous 'pathogen-associated molecular patterns' or 'damage-associated molecular patterns'. As such, microbes' interactions with immune cells activate multiple innate immunity receptors and produce distinct inflammatory reactions, which can be protective to contain microbial invasion, or pathogenic to cause tissue damage and shock syndrome in the host. The book shares lessons learned from state-of-the art research in this field, highlights the latest discoveries, and provides insightful discussions on lectin-mediated inflammatory reactions, while also outlining future research directions.