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 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.

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.

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."

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.

This detailed volume provides an updated overview of current uses of peptide microarray technology, showcasing consolidated applications while highlighting some of the most intriguing novelties and emerging fields of use. The methodologies within this collection are of considerable value for both advanced users and new-comers in the peptide microarray arena, as the renowned contributors describe full coverage of the aspects related to their workflows, from microchip manufacturing to advanced analytical applications. 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 and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Peptide Microarrays: Methods and Protocols, Third Edition aims to make the use of peptide microarrays more and more accessible while stimulating further developments to sustain exciting discoveries in the biochemistry and medicine realms.

Symposium Presentations.- Chemotactic and Inflammatory Cytokines: CXC and CC Proteins.- Induction of Chemotactic Cytokines by Minimally Oxidized LDL.- The Immunopathology of Chemotactic Cytokines.- Receptor/ligand Interactions in the C-C Chemokine Family.- Adhesion Molecules in Acute and Chronic Lung Inflammation.- Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1 (MCP-1): Signal Transduction and Involvement in the Regulation of Macrophage Traffic in Normal and Neoplastic Tissues.- Secretion of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) by Human Mononuclear Phagocytes.- L-arginine/nitric Oxide Pathway: A Possible Signal Transduction Mechanism for the Regulation of the Chemokine IL-8 in Human Mesangial Cells.- Some Aspects of NAP-1/IL-8 Pathophysiology II: Chemokine Secretion by Exocrine Glands.- Molecular Mechanisms of Interleukin-8 Gene Expression.- Basophil Activation by Members of the Chemokine Superfamily.- Monocyte Chemotactic Proteins Related to Human MCP-1.- Platelets Secrete an Eosinophil-chemotactic Cytokine which is a Member of the CC Chemokine Family.- Neutrophil-activating Peptide ENA-78.- The Effects of Human Recombinant MIP-1?, MIP-1? and RANTES on the Chemotaxis and Adhesion of T Cell Subsets.- Promiscuity of Ligand Binding in the Human Chemokine Beta Receptor Family.- Structural and Functional Characterization of the Interleukin-8 Receptors.- Elucidation of Structure Function Relationships in the IL-8 Family by X-ray Crystallography.- Overview of Chemokines.- Abstracts.- Regulation of Cytokine Secretion by Poxvirus Encoded Proteins.- Interleukin-8 Expression in Gastric Cancer.- Synergistic IL-8 Synthesis by Human Peritoneal Mesothelial Cells (HPMC) Following IL-1? and TNF? Treatment.- Detection of a Potent Chemotactic Activity in Supernatants from Human Monocytes Stimulated with Endothelin-1.- Glioblastoma Secrete MCP-1, a Monocyte Chemotactic Factor.- Neutrophil Chemotactic Activity in the Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Asthmatics.- The Chemoattractant Properties of Interleukin-4.- IL-8 Induced Chemotaxis of Peripheral Neutrophils in Children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).- Unusual Properties in Vitro and in Vivo of 198, an Antibody that Recognizes Rabbit CD11b.- Effect of Monocyte Chemotactic Cytokine Gene Transfer on Macrophage Infiltration, Growth and Metastatic Behaviour of a Murine Melanoma.- Expression of Monocyte Protein 1 (MCP-1) by Monocytes and Endothelial Cells Exposed to Thrombin.- IL-8 Production During Urinary Tract Infections.- NAP-1/IL-8 Receptor Expression on Human Neutrophils.- Macrophage-derived Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor (MNCF) Induces Neutrophil Migration Through Lectin-like Activity.- Interleukin-8 Release from Human PMN is Modified by Airborne Particulated Matter.- Interleukin-8 Induces the Expression of HLA-DR Antigen on Human Keratinocytes.- Cloning, Sequencing and Expression of Ovine Neutrophil-attractant Protein-1/IL-8 and Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1.- Inhibition of LPS-mediated Responses in Human Whole Blood by Recombinant Bactericidal/Permeability Increasing Protein.- The Activity of IL-8 in Combination with GMCSF and TNF?.- Induction of IL-8 in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.- Elevated Circulating and Tissue IL-8 in Alcoholic Hepatitis.- Expression of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 in Basal Keratinocytes of Psoriatic Lesions.- IL-8 Concentration in ?-Thalassaemia and after Bone Marrow Transplantation.- Cytokine Production in Felty's Syndrome.- The Lymphocyte Attractant Effects of Interleukins la and 8 Are Not Due to the Release of a Secondary Chemoattractant Factor.- Serial Changes in Circulating Interleukin-8 and Neutrophil Elastase After Major Surgery.- Role of Interleukin-8 in the Pathogenesis of Neutrophil-mediated Acute Lung Injury.- Interleukin-8 in Severe Meningococcal Infections: Correlation with Severity of Disease.- IL-6 and IL-8 Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Plasma Interleukin 8 Levels in Patients with Septic Shock.- Inhibitory Effect of Protease-inhibitor for P...

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)."

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.

In this issue, guest editors bring their considerable expertise to this important topic. Provides in-depth reviews on the latest updates in the field, providing actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize

Hundreds of eponyms are used within the field of immunology-Petri dish, Crohn's disease, Bence Jones protein, Kupffer cells, Freund's adjuvant, Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, to name just a few-but most of us don't know much about the individuals who gave their names to these terms. Where were they born and educated, what other accomplishments are they credited with, why has history chosen to remember them, or not? This book presents the first comprehensive collection of immunologic eponyms, and through them tells the story of this fascinating field, from its earliest beginnings to present day. Organized by surname and meticulously cross-referenced and indexed, this book offers historical anecdotes and little-known facts which scientists, clinicians, students, and general readers will find captivating and memorable. A one-of-a-kind introduction to immunology that serves as both a history lesson and current reference on the diseases, treatments, and individuals who have been crucial to this field.

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.

Meningitis and Encephalitis are associated with high rates of mortality and neurological sequelae. The differential diagnosis includes a wide spectrum of infectious and non-infectious etiologies, some requiring urgent therapy for survival. The current management challenges in patients with meningitis and encephalitis include a low sensitivity of meningeal signs, overutilization of unnecessary screening cranial imaging, delays in diagnosis of urgent treatable causes, a large proportion of unknown etiologies, low sensitivity of current microbiological techniques especially in the setting of previous antibiotic therapy, underutilization of available molecular diagnostic tests, and empiric antibiotic therapy and hospitalization for viral meningitis cases. Even though there are published guidelines, compliance with them is not optimal and physicians do not follow standardized algorithms in their empirical approach. As meningitis and encephalitis is associated with high rates of adverse clinical outcomes, prevention, when feasible is of upmost importance. Adherence to protocols to prevent health-care associated meningitis and ventriculitis are effective but compliance with them is not uniformly performed. This book seeks to improve outcomes for meningitis and encephalitis cases handled by physicians who may or may not be thoroughly trained for these challenges. The text introduces the current guidelines but also discusses the gaps that leave clinicians struggling to implement the most appropriate approaches for these particular neurological infections. Each chapter delivers the tools necessary to identify and adhere to the most appropriate diagnostic technique, management protocols, and prevention approach for each situation. All chapters conclude with discourse on future directions in research and quality improvement. Written by experts in infectious diseases, the book covers topics that are the most devastating, including healthcare-acquired infections, autoimmune encephalitis, and infections as they present in HIV patients. Meningitis and Encephalitis is a well-rounded resource for all medical professionals encountering these neurological syndromes, including infectious disease specialists, neurologists, primary care physicians, and immunologists.

In Silico Approach Towards Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia in Cancer Treatment: Modeling and Simulation presents mathematical modeling and simulation approaches contrary to costly and time consuming in-vivo and in-vitro studies. Finite element method-based models of all hyperthermia processes of liver, brain and breast tumors are simulated on COMSOL Multiphysics software. Problems of constant versus variable heat sources, the backflow problem, the enhanced permeation and retention effect, the flow around Happel's sphere in cells model structure, the deformation effect in poroelastic brain tumor, 3D flow through porous tissue, the reacting nanofluid flows, and optimization of parameters have been simulated for quantitative analysis. This important reference aids in hyperthermia treatment planning in clinical applications and provides an important compendium for practitioners as well as non-medical practicing scientists and engineers and is resource for both research and medical practice in hyperthermia treatment planning in clinical applications.

Mass vaccination campaigns are political projects that presume to protect individuals, communities, and societies. Like other pervasive expressions of state power - taxing, policing, conscripting - mass vaccination arouses anxiety in some people but sentiments of civic duty and shared solidarity in others. This collection of essays gives a comparative overview of vaccination at different times, in widely different places and under different types of political regime. Core themes in the chapters include immunisation as an element of state formation; citizens' articulation of seeing (or not seeing) their needs incorporated into public health practice; allegations that donors of development aid have too much influence on third-world health policies; and an ideological shift that regards vaccines more as profitable commodities than as essential tools of public health. -- .

The Comprehensive Guide to Hepatitis Advances provides the most up-to-date information on all types of hepatitis in one resource. Coverage spans hepatitis in all forms (viral, alcoholic, metabolic, drug, autoimmune, etc.), showing the implications of current research in clinical practice and discussing future research directions. Discussions focus on the scientific advancements in understanding the disease process and in the treatment of different groups of hepatitis. This reference is perfect for basic science researchers in the field of hepatology; practicing gastroenterologists and hepatologists as well as primary care physicians attending to liver disease; and medical residents undergoing specialist training in gastroenterology and hepatology.

Apoptosis is a regulated, energy-dependent process by which a cell se- destructs. This mechanism of programmed cell death plays an important role in normal development and control of cell numbers in mature a- mals. Apoptosis was initially defined by morphological criteria to describe the distinctive appearance of dying cells that developed nuclear conden- tion, cell shrinkage, and cytoplasmic blebbing. Initiation of the apoptotic process can come from external or internal stimuli and is highly regulated both by molecules that facilitate and by molecules that inhibit the process. Common features of apoptosis include activation of proteases and - cleases, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, chromatin disruption, and translocation of phosphatidylserine from the inner to the outer s- face of the plasma membrane. Apoptotic cells attract phagocytes that - gulf the apoptotic bodies and prevent tissue damage in the region. Intense investigation of the cell death process has defined many molecular features of the pathway by which regulation and execution can be exploited by pathogens.

This volume presents protocols that analyze and explore hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFV). This book is divided into 5 parts: Part I begins with an overview on predicting viral pandemics and then covers methods for surveillance, diagnosis, and classification of HFV. This includes an antibody capture method using Lassa virus antigens. Part II discusses structural studies and reverse genetics of HFV. The chapters in this part describe envelope glycoprotein membrane fusion studies, arenavirus nucleocapsid protein, and the use of virus-like-particles to study viral egress. Part III explores in vivo models of HFV infections, and contains chapters on murine, guinea pig, and primate models for HFV, and methods to obtain a subset of primary human liver cells that can be cultured long-term. Part IV looks into immune assays and vaccine production for HFV. The chapters in this section cover the attenuated vaccine for Argentine HFV, detecting virus-antibody immune complexes in secondary dengue infections, and DNA vaccination. Part V discusses host responses to viral hemorrhagic fever, and contains chapters on identifying host restrictions to Junin or Dengue infection, and a cell-culture method to assess coagulation after HFV infection. 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. Thorough and cutting-edge, Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for scientists and researchers who want to bridge the gap between virus recognition in surveillance and understanding host responses to infection.

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields.

This volume provides a compilation of methods that will aid researchers studying virology, immunology, and vaccinology of this devastating disease of swine. 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, African Swine Fever Virus: Methods and Protocols aims to be a foundation for future studies and to be a source of inspiration for new investigations in the field.

In 2020, an invisible germ-a virus-wholly upended our lives. We're most familiar with the viruses that give us colds or Covid-19. But viruses also cause a vast range of other diseases, including one disorder that makes people sprout branch-like growths as if they were trees. Viruses have been a part of our lives for so long that we are actually part virus: the human genome contains more DNA from viruses than our own genes. Meanwhile, scientists are discovering viruses everywhere they look: in the soil, in the ocean, even in deep caves miles underground. Fully revised and updated, with new illustrations and a new chapter about coronaviruses and the spread of Covid-19, this third edition of Carl Zimmer's A Planet of Viruses pulls back the veil on this hidden world. It presents the latest research on how viruses hold sway over our lives and our biosphere, how viruses helped give rise to the first life-forms, how viruses are producing new diseases, how we can harness viruses for our own ends, and how viruses will continue to control our fate as long as life endures

Devastating epidemics of untreatable smallpox caused not only deaths but dire disfigurements of face and body as well as one third of all blindness. In the 20th century mortality was estimated at 300 million up to 1978, the year it was proclaimed to be eradicated. Historically, the fact has been overlooked, often forgotten, that the preventative practice of variolation for smallpox was widely adopted internationally during the 18th century and was the precursor to refinement as cowpox vaccination. Never previously traced was the extensive global adoption of the technique or the impetus for this transmission and how, in these countries of its adoption, variolation was the prime mover for a national concept of public health with the establishment of free institutions. The global adoption of the first invasive medical prophylaxis for any disease, the origin of immunity, deserves its place in history.

This book provides the latest information on fish lectins from the perspective of inflammation and presents new ideas on the complicated mechanisms of lectin biochemistry and associated interactions. Key features include discussion of mechanisms recently identified to be involving lectin family types, presentation of the latest evidence regarding the molecular approaches in fish lectins, and thorough explanation of the concept of antimicrobial and immunological roles and current understanding of the significance of its disease resistance related studies. Gene expression studies is another important element of the book, and it is proposed that gene editing technology provides gaining attention in the biological role of fish lectin research. Examples of the many lastest molecular approaches, applications and future perspectives in fish lectin specific topics covered in this book include the information right from the basics to the advancements in this area. The book will be a valuable update and resource for both experienced and younger researchers working in the field of lectins and immunology.