This second edition of Clinical Use of Anti-Infective Agents provides a comprehensive overview of current approaches to using drugs to treat infections, including historical perspectives, definitions, and discussion of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and their uses. It includes a detailed explanation of different classes of drugs, outlining their spectrum, pharmacokinetics, side effects, and dosing in clinical settings. This book has been designed as a reference tool for pharmacists, clinicians, nurse practitioners, and clinical microbiologists, as well as a teaching vehicle for students studying infection and patient treatment. Each section includes references allowing for in-depth study of specific agents, Q&As, and illustrative case studies accompanied by commentary on how to approach patients and organisms, optimal methods of making a diagnosis, and prescribing treatment.

This book provides researchers the opportunity to investigate type-2-associated diseases in their laboratories. Beginning with chapters describing various models of type-2 immunity, the volume then continues by detailing cellular protocols designed to identify, characterize, and assess the function of key adaptive and innate immune cells involved in type-2 inflammation; approaches to isolate and evaluate specific cellular subsets at the genetic, epigenetic, and molecular level; protocols to assess type-2 immunity and its relationship to organismal and metabolic systems (ex. Microbiome). This book concludes with a section that explores the use of primary human cells in evaluating relevance to the clinic. 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. Vital and authoritative, Type 2 Immunity: Methods and Protocols aims to provide a broad network of methods that can be used to develop a hypothesis and investigate its potential from bench to beside.

This detailed volume describes a series of techniques that are essential for evaluating the efficacy of new checkpoint blockade therapies as well as understanding the mechanisms behind the therapies that have already been approved. Beginning with a section on describing the tumor microenvironment and evaluating the immune system at a systemic level, the book continues by covering functional assays that provide answers to questions that may be raised after studying the immune system and its responses to immunotherapies, as well as the use of animal models in this research. 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, Immune Checkpoint Blockade: Methods and Protocols serves to aid researchers in furthering our understanding of checkpoint blockage as well as the study of tumor immunology and the development of new immunotherapies.

The immunology of mucosal surfaces is one of the most exciting and relevant areas of medical veterinary and dental research since it applies basic research to tissues in volved in everyday defence against microbes and against environmental and food antigens. This book is based on the contributions presented at the International Con gress of Mucosal Immunology, held in London in July 1989 and organised by the Mu cosal Immunology Affinity Group of the British Society for Immunology. The meet ing was attended by over 500 delegates from 27 countries, including virtually all of the leading investigators in the field. The contents give comprehensive and up-to date information on such topics as antigen presentation and processing in the gut, mucosal vaccines in man and animals, HIV infection in the gut, the role of yo T cells in the gut epithelium, recent advances in inflammatory bowel disease and coeliac dis ease, the role of cytokines in the regulation of the IgA response, mucosal mast cells and cell migration. The contributions reflect the rapid pace of research in mucosal immunology, and the great strides which are taking place in the understanding of the immunology, molecular biology and biochemistry of host response at mucosal sur faces."

Various "omics" methods have recently revolutionized molecular diagnostics. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) makes it possible to sequence a human genome in just one day. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) greatly improves the ability to investigate the outbreaks of numerous pathogens. Metagenomics helps to analyze the microbiome, which aids greatly in identifying the pathogenesis of infectious diseases. Proteomic-based methods, namely matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), have a promising role in identifying myctobacteria and fungi, and predicting antimicrobial resistance. While there are numerous scientific publications on "omics" applications for microbiology, there are relatively few books that review this topic from a clinical diagnostics perspective. This book looks at this field from a holistic viewpoint, instead of limiting by type of "omics" technology, in order to cover the body of knowledge needed for practitioners and academics interested in clinical and public health microbiology. Additionally, it addresses the management, economical, regulatory and operational aspects of integrating these technologies into routine diagnostics.

Several years ago, two of us published a full-length textbook entitled Nutrition and Immunology: Principles and Practice. The book was aca demically successful and well received by our peers. Our colleagues commented that while the book was eminently suitable for a library, there was still an intellectual need for a more concise volume on nutrition and immunology for health care providers and scientists working at the inter face of delivering therapeutic and/or preventive health care. We agreed and decided that a book focused on issues relevant to laboratory workers and to developing countries would be valuable. We invited well-known experts in their fields to contribute a chapter each and asked that they err on the short rather than the long side and update cited review articles rather than original papers wherever possible. The Handbook of Nutrition and Immunity is the culmination of that process. Our intention is that the book will grow over time and new editions will fill identified voids that meet the changing needs of health care providers and scientists interested in the practical aspects related to evaluating nutrition and immunology in the field. The Handbook of Nutrition and Immunity is for those people working in both adult and child nutrition throughout the world. It is also of relevance to those in the pharmaceutical and the food industry who are interested in developing ways to evaluate both the efficacy and effective ness of their products."

In recent years increased scientific attention has been given to immediate defense mechanisms based on non-clonal recognition of microbial components. These mechanisms constitute the innate immunity arm of the body s defense. Identification of pathogens by these mechanisms involves primarily receptors recognizing sugar moieties of various microorganisms. Innate immunity based mechanisms are essential for the existence of multicellular organisms. They are evolutionarily conserved and designed to provide immediate protection against microbial pathogens to eradicate infection. Activation of innate immunity is crucial for transition to specific immunity and for its orientation, and to assist the specific immune response in the recognition of pathogens and their destruction. Innate immunity is regularly involved in the arrest of bacterial, mycotic, viral and parasitic infections, giving the specific immune response time to become effective. It becomes critically essential in immunocompromised patients who fail to mount specific immune responses due to congenital or acquired immunodeficiencies as a result of chemotherapy, dialysis, immunosuppressive drugs, or HIV infection. The Innate Immunity arsenal constitutes polymorphonuclear and mononuclear phagocytes, mast cells, the complement system, Natural Killer cells, antimicrobial peptides, and presumably a subset of T lymphocytes with TCRl receptors.

Advances in Immunology in China - Part A, Volume 144, 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 book updates in detail the microbial pathogenesis of various important pathogens, including HIV-1, MERS, SARS-CoV-2, Mycobacterium and Plasmodium. There is also a general discussion of the innate and adaptive immune responses against primary and opportunistic infections. The overall purpose of the book is to aid in the development of anti-viral and anti-microbial targets.

Vaccination is one of the most efficient and cost effective methods of promoting human health and has been in clinical use for at least 200 years. Nevertheless, infectious diseases continue to constitute a constant threat to the well being of humanity. Common pathogens, once believed to be under control, acquire increased virulence and resistance to drugs, while exotic microorganisms emerged from hidden reservoirs to cause yet incurable diseases in humans. These changes, together with epidemic outbreaks related to political and socio-economic instabilities, increase the needs for the development of new, advanced vaccines. In this volume, devoted to the proceedings of the 39th OHOLO Conference, we present some of the recent strategies for the design and production of novel vaccines. The advent of recombinant DNA technology has stimulated the production of several subunit vaccines. In spite of the obvious advantages to this approach, the limited immuno genicity of many subunit candidates has hindered their development. Strategies to enhance the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines is therefore critical. Several approaches toward this goal, including design of novel adjuvants and delivery systems as well as design of advantageous carriers, are presented here. Among the carriers evaluated here are polypep tides (flagellin, HBV core antigen, J3-galactosidase), attenuated virions (Vaccinia, Sindbis), and nonpathogenic licensed bacteria (Salmonella)."

Antimicrobial resistance will become a global health threat since antimicrobial treatments continue at the forefront of the defense against microbial infections. To respond to the issue, this detailed book explores vital methodologies currently in use to advance our understanding of antibiotic issues and answer the worldwide demand for novel antibiotics therapies. Beginning with a review chapter that guides the reader through the worldwide demand for novel antibiotics therapies, the volume continues with sections covering new screening procedures and environmental sources, advances in analytical, microbiological, and biotechnological methodologies, antibiotic production and antibiotic resistances, as well as considerations of drug trials and clinical concerns regarding multi-resistant patients. 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, Antimicrobial Therapies: Methods and Protocols provides a reference source for health, laboratory, and industrial professionals, as well as for graduate students in a number of bio-sanitary disciplines, including medicine, nursery, biotechnology, veterinary, microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, nutrition, farming, and more. Chapter "14" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This volume provides inflammasome instructions and tips to study different aspects of inflammasome biology. Chapters guide readers through how to assess canonical and non-canonical inflammasome activation, in vitro immune and non-immune cells, whole blood, biochemical assays to evaluate ASC oligomerization, gasdermin D cleavage, and mapping phosphorylated residues of NLRP3. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, The Inflammasome: Methods and Protocols aims to provide protocols that will serve as tools for current and aspiring researchers interested in studying inflammasomes.

Chemokines represent a family of over 40 small proteins that, for the most part, are secreted into the environment and function by binding to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that are expressed on numerous different cell types. When initially identified close to 30 years ago, these molecules were associated with various human inflammatory diseases and it was recognized that expression may be integral in leukocyte recruitment to inflamed tissue. Within a relatively short period of time, early participants within the field determined that these proteins displayed distinct and conserved structural features and exerted potent chemotactic effects on defined lymphocyte subsets. There are now four sub-families of chemokines identified based on defined structural criteria relating to the positional location of conserved cysteine residues within the amino-terminus of the protein. Chemokines are now recognized as important in numerous biological processes ranging from maintaining the organizational integrity of secondary lymphoid tissue to participating in various aspects of both innate and adaptive immune responses following microbial infection.

The host response to viral infection represents a well-orchestrated ballet consisting of numerous participants with diverse roles in defense but with the ultimate goal of generating virus-specific lymphocytes whose job is to control and eliminate the invading viral pathogen from infected tissues. Over the years, an emerging picture has developed that indicates that chemokines and their receptors are intimately involved in development of effective host responses to viral pathogens. Chemokine expression is now associated with all facets of defense against viral infection including linking innate and adaptive immune responses.

This book highlights the current state of the art in single cell analysis, an area that involves many fields of science - from clinical hematology, functional analysis and drug screening, to platelet and microparticle analysis, marine biology and fundamental cancer research. This book brings together an eclectic group of current applications, all of which have a significant impact on our current state of knowledge. The authors of these chapters are all pioneering researchers in the field of single cell analysis. The book will not only appeal to those readers more focused on clinical applications, but also those interested in highly technical aspects of the technologies. All of the technologies identified utilize unique applications of photon detection systems.

This book systematically reviews the most important findings on cancer immune checkpoints, sharing essential insights into this rapidly evolving yet largely unexplored research topic. The past decade has seen major advances in cancer immune checkpoint therapy, which has demonstrated impressive clinical benefits. The family of checkpoints for mediating cancer immune evasion now includes CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, CD27/CD70, FGL-1/LAG-3, Siglec-15, VISTA (PD-1L)/VSIG3, CD47/SIRPA, APOE/LILRB4, TIGIT, and many others. Despite these strides, most patients do not show lasting remission, and some cancers have been completely resistant to the therapy. The potentially lethal adverse effects of checkpoint blockade represent another major challenge, the mechanisms of which remain poorly understood. Compared to the cancer signaling pathways, such as p53 and Ras, mechanistic studies on immune checkpoint pathways are still in their infancy. To improve the responses to checkpoint blockade therapy and limit the adverse effects, it is essential to understand the molecular regulation of checkpoint molecules in both malignant and healthy cells/tissues. This book begins with an introduction to immune checkpoint therapy and its challenges, and subsequently describes the regulation of checkpoints at different levels. In closing, it discusses recent therapeutic developments based on mechanistic findings, and outlines goals for future translational studies. The book offers a valuable resource for researchers in the cancer immunotherapy field, helping to form a roadmap for checkpoint regulation and develop safer and more effective immunotherapies.

A follow-up to Emerging Issues and Controversies in Infectious Diseases, this volume provides a comprehensive review of topical issues in infectious diseases, highlighting the controversies related to the newest findings and recommendations. Coverage includes trends and debates in HIV research, community-acquired pneumonia, H. pylori, progress in Hepatitis C treatment paired with the lack of progress on Hepatitis B, and the effects of climate change on infectious disease epidemiology, among others. This is an essential resource for practicing and academic physicians, investigators, residents, and fellows focused on infectious diseases, infection control, public health, and global health.

This book highlights the potential advantages of using marine invertebrates like tunicates, echinoderms, sponges and cephalopods as models in both biological and medical research. Bioactive compounds found in marine organisms possess antibacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, and can affect the immune and nervous systems. Despite substantial research on the medicinal attributes of various marine invertebrates, they are still very much underrepresented in scientific literature: the majority of cell, developmental and evolutionary scientific journals only publish research conducted on a few well-known model systems like Drosophila melanogaster or Xenopus laevis. Addressing that gap, this book introduces readers to new model organisms like starfish or nemertera. By showing their benefits with regard to regeneration, stem cell research and Evo-Devo, the authors provide a cross-sectional view encompassing various disciplines of biological research. As such, this book will not only appeal to scientists currently working on marine organisms, but will also inspire future generations to pursue research of their own.

Clinical Neurimmunology is the major reference text in the field, providing broad and comprehensive coverage of the interaction between the nervous and immune systems in both normal and diseased states. Understanding this interaction is fundamental to developing therapeutic approaches to disease and injury of the nervous system that are currently only marginally amenable to therapy. Neuroimmunology is a well-recognised and growing specialty world wide, both at the basic science and clinical level. It is a fast moving field and this is the most up to date text available. Chapters are dedicated to the role of the immune system in disorders affecting both the central and peripheral nervous systems, including important neurodegenerative diseases (such as multiple sclerosis and HIV-related neural degeneration) which cause life-long disability. Extensive coverage is given to a whole array of immune-directed therapies. The book has a strong international team of well respected, high profile editors and authors. The first edition published to extensive and positive reviews and has established itself as the principal reference source in the field. This second edition summarizes recent advances in clinical neuroimmunology in a comprehensive and unbiased way.

This edited volume discusses the application of very diverse human organotypic models in major areas of biomedical research. The authors lay a main focus on infectious diseases, cancer, allergies, as well as drug/vaccine discovery and toxicology studies. Representing a valid alternative to laboratory animals, these models are relevant for most areas of translational research. As the contemporary research shows, many human tissues can today be cultivated in vitro and used for several research objectives. This book provides an unprecedented overview of recent developments in an exciting field of research methodology. It is a reference guide for scientists in both academia and industry. Readers can update their knowledge and get hands-on recommendations on how to set up an organotypic model in their lab. Chapters 'Progress on Reconstructed Human Skin Models for Allergy Research and Identifying Contact Sensitizers' and 'Human Organotypic Models for Anti-infective Research' of this book are available open access under a CC BY 4.0 license at link.springer.com.

This volume details the most updated concepts and experimental protocols developed by leading researchers in the field. Chapters guide readers through methods on bioinformatics tools, hepatitis c virus(HCV) cloning, culture, and purification, HCV life cycle, host immune responses, and small animal models. 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, Hepatitis C Virus Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

The main aim of this book is to collect a series of research articles and reviews from a diverse group of scientists to share their research work on the role of free radical research and environmental toxicity. This book presents various state-of-the-art chapters of recent progress in the field of cellular toxicology and clinical manifestations of various disorders. Topics include cell signaling, various risk factors, the pathophysiology of disease instigation and distribution, mechanistic insights into metal and nanoparticle toxicity, neural toxicity, nongenotoxic carcinogenicity, immune and idiosyncratic toxicity, prevention, biomarkers related to disease progression and therapeutic strategies. In particular, this book provides valuable insight for researchers, pathologists, and clinicians with an interest in toxicological research and cellular impairments with special emphasis on therapeutic advancement.

This volume contains up-to-date contributions written by leading experts in the role played by various microorganisms in psychiatric and neurological illness. The initial chapters present an evolutionary framework for the impact of microorganisms on behavior. This is followed by historical and epidemiological perspectives of the role of viruses in psychiatric illness. Subsequent chapters focus on different classes of microorganisms and psychiatric illnesses and emphasize diverse research approaches ranging from preclinical models to therapeutic interventions.

Volume Immunodeficiency Diseases in Springer's gold-standard reference work on medical immunology focuses on infectious diseases. In tandem with its three counterpart volumes it offers the most wide-ranging and authoritative repository of knowledge on infectious diseases, with readily accessed contributions by the world's leading authorities on the subject. The encyclopedia covers the material from all angles, with more than 1000 pages of essays on the genetics, physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis and applied microbiology of all known infectious diseases, and includes access to an e-reference work that will include ongoing updates reflecting the latest advances in the field. An outstanding new resource of immense value to a wide range of medical researchers and practitioners, the encyclopedia features a user-friendly subdivision of diseases according to their affective locus in the human body. The sections cover integumentary, skeletal, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive transmissible pathogens. This high-profile encyclopedia will be an essential addition to academic libraries worldwide.

This book reviews the development, characterization and applications of aptamers in different areas of biotechnology ranging from therapeutics to diagnostics and protein purification. Hailed as chemical antibodies, these single-stranded nucleic acid receptors were predicted to supersede antibodies in traditional assays, such as ELISA, within a short time. While this has yet to happen, readers will find in this book a deep insight into the progress of aptamer technology and a critical discussion about the limitations that need to be overcome in order to find wider acceptance and use outside of the still relatively small aptamer-community. This book covers all aspects of aptamer generation and application for the aptamer-experienced reader and curious novice alike, with the addition of an industry perspective on the future of aptamer-use in biotechnology.

This book provides the description of the granulomatous diseases of otorhinolaryngology, head and neck with their characteristic features, investigations and management. It includes wide variety of infective, idiopathic, neoplastic, hereditary, reactive and various other types of chronic granulomatous reaction in the ear, nose, throat and head neck region. Further, the description is supported with various illustrations including clinical photographs, radiological pictures of CT scan, MRI scan etc. Histopathological and microbiological images which show characteristics and differentiating features are also included to aid in the diagnosis of the diseases. Histopathological colored images with high magnification and immunohistochemistry images are provided for better illustrations. This book also elaborates the important medical and surgical management of the granulomatous diseases. Every chapter ends with the 'Essential features' of that particular granulomatous disease, and this will certainly help the post-grad students and clinicians to differentiate the diseases, early diagnosis and management of the patients with chronic granulomatous diseases.