Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disease of young adults. More than 2.3 million people are affected by MS worldwide. Symptoms can vary widely, depending on the localization and amount of the damage induced by combined inflammatory, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative processes. Although a cure for MS does not currently exist, therapies can help treat MS attacks, attenuate disease activity, reduce progress of the disease, and manage symptoms. Translational Neuroimmunology in Multiple Sclerosis provides an overview of recent findings and knowledge of the neuroimmunology of multiple sclerosis, from experimental models and the human disease to the translation of this research to immunotherapeutic strategies. Chapters describe genetic and environmental factors underlying the disease pathogenesis of MS as a basis for development of immunotherapies, immunological markers of disease activity, pharmacogenetics, and responses to therapy. Immunomodulatory therapies currently in practice and future therapeutic strategies on the horizon-such as neuroprotective strategies, stem cells, and repair promotion-are discussed. Contributed by renowned leaders in the field, this cross-disciplinary volume is a great resource for basic scientists and clinical practitioners in neuroscience, neurology, immunology, pharmacology, and in-drug development.

CRC Handbook of Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Excipients provides a comprehensive summary of toxicological issues regarding inactive ingredients in pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, and food additives. Background information on regulations and labeling requirements for each type of product is provided, and 77 articles critically review human and animal data pertinent to a variety of agents and makes judgments regarding the clinical relevance. The book also identifies at-risk populations, such as neonates, patients with renal failure, and atopic patients. Inactive common pharmaceutical agents and/or foods containing certain ingredients are listed to help physicians counsel hypersensitive patients who must avoid products containing these excipients.

Leading researchers synthesize scattered experimental data to help develop an intimate understanding of how cytokines and chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. The many chapters offer critical reviews the basic mechanisms controlling cytokine induction and regulation, as well as the resulting production of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, the former of which induces organ-specific autoimmune diseases. From the vantage of these insights, they address the role of cytokines in a wide variety of autoimmune diseases, uvetis, encephalomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, human type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and myasthenia gravis. Authoritative and state-of-the-art, Cytokines and Autoimmune Disease highlights the enormous therapeutic potential of cytokine modulation in the treatment of autoimmune disease.

Immunochemistry of Solid-Phase Immunoassay fills a niche in the field of immunoassay and immunology. Although solid-phase immunoassay constitutes a major technology in biology and medicine, there is no comprehensive source devoted to the immunochemical principles involved. As a result, this book will benefit students, technicians, and researchers who use this technology, as well as immunodiagnostic and biotech companies who develop the technology. The book is not a methods manual; instead, it incorporates the concepts, data, and opinions of more than 25 investigators working in this field. Topics discussed include: the chemistry of solid-phases, the behavior or antibodies and antigens on solid phases, membrane solid-phases, reaction kinetics, antigen quantitation, enzyme systems, photophysics, immunochemical considerations in data analyses, multianalyte assays and occupancy concepts, antibody quantitation, streptavidin, a review of data analysis software, and solid-phase peptide immunoassay.

Immunology: A Short Course provides an overview of the physiology of the immune system and the pathophysiology of a broad range of immune-mediated diseases, offering accessible and comprehensive guidance to the basic concepts and clinical approaches in the discipline. Now in its eighth edition, this bestselling textbook has been fully updated to reflect our expanded knowledge of how the immune system develops and functions, and the ways in which these physiological phenomena can fail or be compromised. New chapters examine cells and organs of the immune system, organization and expression of lymphocyte antigen receptor genes, experimental systems and methods, and B- and T-cell development activation. Helping students gain an integrated understanding of immunology, this textbook: Offers substantial new and revised material, expanded clinical coverage, enhanced pedagogical features, and updated figures, tables, and references Features recent research advances and therapeutic successes in the field of immunology Includes a companion website containing multiple choice questions, electronic flashcards, downloadable figures, PowerPoint slides, and sample cases Can be supplemented with the Clinical Cases in Immunology companion book The eighth edition of Immunology: A Short Course is an ideal resource for life and health science students, dental and nursing students seeking a short course text, and basic scientists and clinical researchers looking to refresh their knowledge in the subject.

Cytokines and Mental Health explores the relationship between cytokines, neural circuitry and mental health. It is interdisciplinary and "translational," bringing together information that spans the spectrum from the molecular and cellular levels to the patient and the clinic. Content includes chapters that discuss cytokine pathways in the brain, the neurochemical and neuroendocrine effects of cytokines, and the behavioral effects of cytokines including sickness behavior. These chapters in basic research are followed by a more clinical section that discusses the role of cytokines in neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depression, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The book offers different things to different people. It should be of great interest to neuroscientists and immunologists working in the field of psychoneuroimmunology. It would also greatly benefit mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists and clinicians of diverse background who are interested in mind-body medicine.

Vaccination programmes are of vital importance to public health and are present in virtually every country in the world. By promoting an understanding of the diverse effects of vaccination programmes, this textbook discusses how epidemiologic methods can be used to study, in real life, their impacts, benefits and risks. Written by expert practitioners in an accessible and concise style, this book is interspersed with practical examples which allow readers to acquire understanding through real-life data and problems. Part I provides an overview of basic concepts in vaccinology, immunology, vaccination programmes, infectious disease transmission dynamics, the various impacts of vaccination programmes and their societal context. Part II covers the main field tools used for the epidemiological evaluation of vaccination programmes: monitoring coverage and attitudes towards vaccination, surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases and pathogens, seroepidemiological studies, methods to assess impact and outbreak investigation. Part III is dedicated to vaccine effectiveness and its assessment. Part IV includes an overview of the potential risks of vaccination and how to study these. Lastly, Part V deals with methods for an integrated assessment of benefits and risks of vaccination programmes. Suitable for professionals working in public health, epidemiology, biology and those working in health economics and vaccine development, Vaccination Programmes also serves as a textbook for postgraduate students in public health, epidemiology and infectious diseases. The book is aimed at all those involved in the many aspects of vaccination programmes, including public health professionals and epidemiologists. Its primary target audiences are master and doctoral students in infectious disease epidemiology and public health, post-doctoral participants of field epidemiology training programmes and public health professionals working in the post-implementation epidemiological evaluation of vaccines and vaccination programmes.

Stem Cell Biology in Health and Disease presents an up-to-date overview about the dual role of stem cells in health and disease. The Editors have drawn together an international team of experts providing chapters which, in this fully-illustrated volume, discuss:

- the controversial debate on the great expectations concerning stem cell based regeneration therapies raised by the pluripotency of various stem cells.
- the advantages and concerns about embryonic stem cells (ES cells), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) and adult stem cells, such as bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMDCs).
- the type of stem cells, which has become of interest in the past decade, namely so-called cancer stem cells (CSCs). CSCs are now in the focus of cancer research since the eradication of tumour initiating cells would raise the changes of definitely cure cancer.

Professor Dittmar and Professor Zanker have edited a must-read book for researchers and professionals working in the field of regenerative medicine and/or cancer."

This volume of the Handbook of Systemic Autoimmune Diseases series represents a medical collaboration focusing primarily on female aspects of rheumatic diseases. This collaboration recognizes the need to understand and optimally manage the care of women with autoimmune conditions that may affect their reproduction and hormonal status. This handbook will prove useful to clinicians and researchers alike. It covers practical points, ranging from which anti-rheumatic medications are safe in pregnancy to how to counsel women with scleroderma contemplating pregnancy.
* Authors share an academic interest in the unique relationship between being a woman and having an autoimmune disease
* Touches on controversial topics, such as the mechanism of antiphospholipid-related fetal loss and whether or not non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents should be used in pregnancy
* Includes critical and balanced reviews of the controversial association between autoimmune disease and female infertility

Allergy, Immunity and Tolerance in Early Childhood: The First Steps of the Atopic March provides valuable insights on the atopic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies, which have developed into major health problems in most parts of the world. As the natural history of these chronic diseases has been extensively studied, including their major genetic, environmental, and lifestyle determinants and potential protective factors, the book presents tactics on how pediatric allergists can provide early intervention. In addition, the book unites key, global experts in the field who summarize their collective, and current, knowledge of the early stage of the "Atopic March", along with novel ideas for potential options of prevention.

Osteoimmunology: Interactions of the Immune and Skeletal Systems, Second Edition, explores the advancements that have been made in the field during the last 40 years, including valuable information on our understanding of the interactions between hematopoietic, immune, and bone cells, now known as the field of osteoimmunology. This comprehensive work offers the most extensive summaries of research trends in the field and their translation into new therapeutics. Early chapters deal with the development of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, hematopoietic stem cells, T and B-lymphocytes, and communications between these cellular elements, while later sections contain discussions of the signaling pathways by which RANKL influences osteoclast development and function. Subsequent chapters explore the effects that estrogen has on bone and the immune system, the development of pathologic conditions, and the growing research around osteoporosis, Paget's disease, the genetics of bone disease, and bone cancer metastasis.

The aim of this volume is to provide a comprehensive description of methods and protocols useful for the further study of T-helper cells. Chapters guide readers through T-helper cell recovery, molecular study, signal transduction pathways, T-cell manipulation and, last but not least, "omic" approaches. 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, T- Helper Cells: Methods and Protocols aims to be a useful practical guide to researches to help further their study in this field.

Testing the immunogenicity, protective efficacy and safety in animal models is a crucial step in vaccine development. Pigs raised in germ-free environments, called gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs, are one of the most useful animal models for testing vaccines. The Gn pig model is a widely accepted model for studying pathogenesis and immunity and an ideal model for pre-clinical testing for the safety and efficacy of enteric viral vaccines. Through these studies and others, the Gn pig model has been established as the most reliable animal model for pre-clinical evaluation of human rotavirus and norovirus vaccines. This book provides detailed information on establishing Gn pig models, determining a proper virus inoculum pool and challenge dose, measuring protection and calculating efficacy, and delineating intestinal and systemic immune responses associated with the protection. Key Features Provides a natural history of human rotavirus and norovirus infection in Gn pigs Establishes the optimal virus challenge doses in Gn pigs for vaccine evaluation Evaluates various candidate rotavirus and norovirus vaccines Discusses human gut microbiota transplanted Gn pig models Documents the role of probiotics and rice bran as prophylactics and vaccine adjuvants

Testing the immunogenicity, protective efficacy and safety in animal models is a crucial step in vaccine development. Pigs raised in germ-free environments, called gnotobiotic (Gn) pigs, are one of the most useful animal models for testing vaccines. The Gn pig model is a widely accepted model for studying pathogenesis and immunity and an ideal model for pre-clinical testing for the safety and efficacy of enteric viral vaccines. Through these studies and others, the Gn pig model has been established as the most reliable animal model for pre-clinical evaluation of human rotavirus and norovirus vaccines. This book provides detailed information on establishing Gn pig models, determining a proper virus inoculum pool and challenge dose, measuring protection and calculating efficacy, and delineating intestinal and systemic immune responses associated with the protection. Key Features Provides a natural history of human rotavirus and norovirus infection in Gn pigs Establishes the optimal virus challenge doses in Gn pigs for vaccine evaluation Evaluates various candidate rotavirus and norovirus vaccines Discusses human gut microbiota transplanted Gn pig models Documents the role of probiotics and rice bran as prophylactics and vaccine adjuvants

The first book to explore food allergies in the United States from the perspective of disability and race Are food allergies disabilities? What structures and systems ensure the survival of some with food allergies and not others? Allergic Intimacies is a groundbreaking critical engagement with food allergies in their cultural representations, advocacy, law, and stories about personal experiences from a disability studies perspective. Author Michael Gill questions the predominantly individualized medical approaches to food allergies, pointing out that these approaches are particularly problematic where allergy testing and treatments are expensive, inconsistent, and inaccessible for many people of color. This thought-provoking book explores the multiple meanings of food allergies and eating in the United States, demonstrating how much more is at stake than we realize, at a critical time when food allergies are on the rise: An estimated 32 million Americans, including one in thirteen children, have food allergies. Diagnoses of food allergies in children have increased by 50 percent since 1997. Yet as the author makes clear, the whiteness of the food allergy community and single-identity disability theory is inherently limiting and insufficient to address the complex choices that those with food allergies make. Gill argues that racism and ableism create unique precarity for disabled people of color that food allergic communities are only beginning to address. There is a huge disparity in access to testing and treatment, with African American and Latinx children having higher risk of adverse outcomes than white children, including more rates of anaphylaxis. Food allergy professionals have a responsibility to move beyond individualized approaches to more robust coalitional efforts grounded in disability and racial justice to undo these patterns of exclusion. Allergic Intimacies celebrates the various creative ways food allergic communities are challenging historical and current practice of exclusion, while identifying the depth of work that still needs to be done to shift focus from a white allergic experience toward a more representative understanding of the racial, ethnic, religious, and economic diversity of those in the United States. Gill's book is a discerning and vital exploration of the key debates about risks, dangers, safety, representations, and political concerns affecting the lives of individuals with food allergies.

Chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and others typically stimulate a systemic response of the entire body. This response has a uniform character in many diseases because common pathways are switched on. The uniform response regulates systemic energy and water provision. However, long-term application of this program leads to typical disease sequelae such as fatigue / depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, anorexia, malnutrition, muscle wasting - cachexia, cachectic obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, alterations of steroid hormone axes, disturbances of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, elevated sympathetic tone, hypertension, volume expansion, decreased parasympathetic tone, inflammation-related anemia, bone loss, hypercoagulability, circadian rhythms of symptoms, and disease exacerbation by stress . The Origin of Chronic Inflammatory Systemic Diseases and Their Sequelae demonstrates concepts of neuroendocrine immunology, energy and water regulation, and evolutionary medicine in order to show that the uniform response that regulates systemic energy and water provision, has been positively selected for acute physiological responses and short-lived disease states, but is a misguided program in chronic inflammatory diseases and aging.

This fourth volume in an exciting and detailed series on contact allergens and drug allergy provides monographs of all 507 systemic drugs which have caused delayed-type cutaneous drug hypersensitivity reactions and/or occupational allergic contact dermatitis. The monographs present: Identification section; Occupational allergic contact dermatitis; and Cutaneous adverse drug reactions from systemic drugs caused by type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity, as shown by positive patch tests (e.g. maculopapular eruption, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis [AGEP], symmetrical drug-related intertriginous and flexural exanthema [SDRIFE], fixed drug eruption, drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms [DRESS], and photosensitivity). Separate chapters present an overview of the spectrum of allergic cutaneous drug reactions, diagnostic tests, immediate contact reactions (contact urticaria), and systemic drugs that have acquired delayed-type hypersensitivity only by cross-reactivity. Key Features: Presents monographs of all known systemic drugs which have caused delayed allergic cutaneous drug reactions and/or occupational allergic contact dermatitis Provides an extensive literature review of relevant topics of allergenic systemic drugs, part of which is hard or impossible to find in database searches Identifies IUPAC names, synonyms, CAS and EC numbers, structural and chemical formulas, Merck Index monographs, and advises on patch testing Presents immediate contact reactions (contact urticaria) from systemics drugs and delayed-type hypersensitivity in drugs caused only by cross-reactivity Covers an extensive amount of information to benefit dermatologists, allergists, and all others interested in drug allergy

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. The study of the intestinal ecosystem of bacteria in the human gut-the gut microbiome-is a new field that is rapidly evolving. This book serves as an introduction to some of the new and exciting research that is being done in this field. Included are chapters that examine the following: * Gut microbiome's roles in the pathogenesis of obesity and autoimmune disease * The effect of nutrition on the richness of the microbial community * The stability of the microbiome to various stressors * Emerging ways to diagnose diseases using the microbiome * Exciting prospects for using these microbes to cure disease This easily accessible reference volume offers a comprehensive guide to this relatively new field of study. Edited by a researcher from Yale University, Health and the Gut: The Emerging Role of Intestinal Microbiota in Disease and Therapeutics is an authoritative and easy-to-use reference, ideal for both researchers in the field and those who wish to gain more information about the impact of gut microbiota on human health.

The number of children with allergies is astounding-nearly one child in six is said to suffer from some sort of allergy. The problems of these allergic children can be as mild as occasional attacks of hay fever or as severe as disfiguring eczema and life-threatening bronchial asthma. In addition to the obvious health problems associated with having allergies, affected children may experience recurring colds, painful ear infections, and other allergy linked conditions, all of which cause frequent school absences. Childhood allergies affect school performance adversely; they may be instrumental in reducing attention span, and they are certainly a major social, psychologi cal, and financial burden for children and their parents. This book is a complete guide to childhood allergies presented in simple jargon-free language. It provides parents with comprehensive, up-to-date, and practical information and advice on how to help their allergic children. It identifies the many allergic symptoms, tells what they look like, how prevalent they are, what causes them, and what to do about them. It outlines steps parents can take to help their children understand, manage, and control their allergies. Its goal is to help parents and children cope effectively with a major childhood problem."

Biotechnology in the Modern Medicinal System: Advances in Gene Therapy, Immunotherapy, and Targeted Drug Delivery presents an informative picture of the state-of-the-art research and development of actionable knowledge in medical biotechnology, specifically involving gene therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug delivery systems. The book includes novel approaches for therapy of various ailments and the real-world challenges and complexities of the current drug delivery methodologies and techniques. The volume helps to bridge the gap between academic research and real-time clinical applications and the needs of medical biotechnology methods. This edited book also provides a detailed application of medical biotechnology in drug discovery and the treatment of various deadly diseases. Chapters discuss targeted drug delivery to specific sites to avoid possible entry to non-targeted sites, minimizing adverse effects. The volume provides information about the roles of alternative routes of drug targeting, like intranasal and transdermal, resulting in improving patient compliance. Targeted drug delivery is explored for several health issues, such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, malaria, and hemoglobin disorders. Also considered is the role of genes in various genetic diseases and gene therapy, and immunogene therapy as alternative approaches to conventional cancer therapy. Finally, the book investigates the important role of computers in biotechnology to accelerate research and development in the modern medicinal field for better and optimum results. Studies show that significant improvement has been observed in the development of a faster and less invasive diagnostic system for the treatment of diseases by utilizing both artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology. This valuable volume provides a wealth of information that will be valuable to scientists and researchers, faculty, and students.

The pace and sophistication of advances in medicine in the past two decades have necessitated a growing need for a comprehensive reference that highlights current issues in medicine. Each volume in the Current Issues in Medicine series is a stand-alone text that provides a broad survey of various critical topics-all accomplished in a user-friendly yet interconnected format. The series not only highlights current advances but also explores related topics such as translational medicine, regulatory science, neglected diseases, global pandemics, patent law, immunotoxicology, theranostics, big data, artificial intelligence, novel imaging tools, combination drug products, and novel therapies. While bridging the gap between basic research and clinical medicine, this series provides a thorough understanding of medicine's potential to address health problems from both the patient's and the provider's perspectives in a healthcare setting. The range of topics covered and the expertise of the contributing authors accurately reflect the rapidly evolving areas within medicine-from basic medical sciences to clinical specialties. Each volume is essential reading for physicians, medical students, nurses, fellows, residents, undergraduate and graduate students, educators, policymakers, and biomedical researchers. The multidisciplinary approach of the series makes it a valuable reference resource for the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and governments. However, unlike other series on medicine or medical textbooks, this series focuses on current trends, perspectives, and issues in medicine that are central to healthcare delivery in the 21st century. Volume 2 focuses on the current issues in basic medical sciences, subjects that are fundamental to the practice of medicine. Specifically, it discusses clinical immunology, medical microbiology, COVID-19, and big data. These subjects, traditionally taught in the first two years of medical school that precede clinical instruction, provide a core of basic knowledge critical to the success in clinical medicine during rotations, training, and medical practice.

Immunoendocrinology is a rapidly developing field of research that seeks to understand the intersection of the immune and endocrine systems. Immunoendocrinology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects explores in detail the current knowledge of immunoendocrinology, namely endocrine disorders produced by disorders of immune function. Chapters cover both basic pathophysiology informed by studies of animal models as well as current understanding of multiple related clinical diseases-their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy. Immunoendocrinology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects captures the central role of immunoendocrinologic processes in the pathogenesis of not only type 1 diabetes but in a range of other autoimmune and endocrine disorders.

This edited volume provides insights about the molecular virology, pathoenesis of infection and host responses to varicella-zoster virus, which is a medically important human herpesvirus. The chapters not only discuss genetics and molecular evolution of the virus, but also new structure-based knowledge on the functions of viral glycoproteins. Further, the authors illustrate how mechanisms from the virus are used to take over and remodel host cells during pathogeneis. These mechanisms also enable viral modulation of host cells and evasion of the host immune response. Part of these evasion and survival strategies, is the reaction to triggered host cell responses like autophagy, the stress response, modulation of apoptosis and other cell death pathways. This hands-on knowledge is crucial for students and clinicians in Virology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases. Chapter "Common features between stroke following varicella in children and stroke following herpes zoster in adults" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via Springerlink.com.

This issue of Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America, guest edited by Drs. Robert Wood, Pamela Guerrerio, and Corinne Keet, is devoted to Pediatric Allergy. Articles in this issue include: Role of the Environment in the Development of Allergic Disease; Genetics of Allergic Diseases; Optimizing the Diagnosis of Allergic Disorders; Anaphylaxis and Urticaria; Food Allergy: Epidemiology and Natural History; Inner City Asthma; Potential Treatments for Food Allergy; Eosinophilic Esophagitis; Atopic Dermatitis; Pediatric Asthma - Guidelines-based Care; Asthma - The Interplay Between Viral Infections and Allergic Diseases; Allergic Rhinitis; and Drug and Vaccine Allergy.

"Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" is a comprehensive reference to how B cells are generated, selected, activated and engaged in antibody production.All of these developmental and stimulatory processes are described in molecular, immunological, and genetic terms to give a clear understanding of complex phenotypes.

"Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" offers an integrated view of all aspects of B cells to produce a normal immune response as a constant, and the molecular basis of numerous diseases due to B cell abnormality. The new edition continues its success with updated research on microRNAs in B cell development and immunity, new developments in understanding lymphoma biology, and therapeutic targeting of B cells for clinical application. With updated research and continued comprehensive coverage of all aspects of B cell biology, "Molecular Biology of B Cells, Second Edition" is the definitive resource, vital for researchers across molecular biology, immunology and genetics.
Covers signaling mechanisms regulating B cell differentiationProvides information on the development of therapeutics using monoclonal antibodies and clinical application of AbContains studies on B cell tumors from various stages of B lymphocytesOffers an integrated view of all aspects of B cells to produce a normal immune response"