In this Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology on "High Density Lipoproteins - from biological understanding to clinical exploitation" contributing authors (members of COST Action BM0904/HDLnet) summarize in more than 20 chapters our current knowledge on the structure, function, metabolism and regulation of HDL in health and several diseases as well as the status of past and ongoing attempts of therapeutic exploitation. The book is of interest to researchers in academia and industry focusing on lipoprotein metabolism, cardiovascular diseases and immunology as well as clinical pharmacologists, cardiologists, diabetologists, nephrologists and other clinicians interested in metabolic or inflammatory diseases.

In this book is found the information essential to diagnosing, managing and treating the lung complications of connective tissue diseases. This is a notoriously difficult area, which continues to puzzle clinicians, despite the fact that these disorders are increasingly frequent (as a result of longer survival in connective tissue disease).
In separate chapters, the major connective tissue diseases are reviewed, with detailed discussion of a variety of lung abnormalities, including pleural disease, parenchymal lung disease and pulmonary vascular disease. There are also invaluable overviews of lung histological and CT appearances in these disorders, and a deeply insightful chapter on drug-induced lung disease in connective tissue disease. The emphasis in this book is on accuracy of evaluation and the construction of a logical management plan, based on disease severity and intrinsic progressiveness.

Every day many people suffer from intestinal diseases. These disorders can result from pathogens like bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses, but the causes of non-infectious intestinal disorders and colorectal cancers remain to be elucidated. Disturbances to the normal gut flora (the microbiota) are central to the development of many, if not all, of these disorders.

Disturbed gut microbiota is a prelude to public health issues like traveller's-, antibiotic- and "Clostridium difficile"-associated diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancers. This book discusses the way intestinal disorders affect the microbiota, how the disturbed microbiotal balance leads to enteric disorders and the ways to prevent these disorders.

Further his book explores the potential ofprobiotics (live microorganisms that when ingested bring a health benefit) in treating enteric disorders by analysing the probiotic genome through proteomics, metabolomics and functional assays. Discussed is how the ingestion of specific microorganisms repairs the disturbed microbiota and subsequently ameliorates enteric disorders. Finally this book addresses how genetic engineering and biotechnology will contribute to the development of effective and safe designer probiotics. "

When I entered the field of allergy in the early 1970s, the standard textbook was a few hundred pages, and the specialty was so compact that texts were often authored entirely by a single individual and were never larger than one volume. Compare this with Allergy Frontiers: Epigenetics, Allergens, and Risk Factors, the present s- volume text with well over 150 contributors from throughout the world. This book captures the explosive growth of our specialty since the single-author textbooks referred to above. The unprecedented format of this work lies in its meticulous attention to detail yet comprehensive scope. For example, great detail is seen in manuscripts dealing with topics such as "Exosomes, naturally occurring minimal antigen presenting units" and "Neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1), an asthma susceptibility gene." The scope is exemplified by the unique approach to disease entities normally dealt with in a single chapter in most texts. For example, anaphylaxis, a topic usually confined to one chapter in most textbooks, is given five chapters in Allergy Frontiers. This approach allows the text to employ multiple contributors for a single topic, giving the reader the advantage of being introduced to more than one vi- point regarding a single disease.

Immunosenescence is a unique, multi-disciplinary approach to the understanding of immune aging. It addresses the topic from the biological, as well as the psychological, social and behavioral perspectives. It is, thus, a valuable and timely addition to the literature in this area. Contributors include experts in the field, reviewing the state of the art in research.

Is There a Link between the Nature of Agents That Trigger Mast Cells and the Induction of Immunoglobulin (IG)E Synthesis?.- Immunogenetic Aspects of IgE-Mediated Responses.- Structure and Function of the Low Affinity IgE Receptor.- Characterization of the Human IgE Fc-Fce RIa Interaction.- The Analysis of Mast Cell Function in Vivo Using Mast Cell-Deficient Mice.- The Immunogenetic Basis of Collagen Induced Arthritis in Mice: An Experimental Model for the Rational Design of Immunomodulatory Treatments of Rheumatoid Arthritis.- Suppression of Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis by Epitope-Specific Neonatal Tolerance.- T Cell Reactivity to Self and Allogeneic MHC-Peptides.- Antiribosomal Antibodies in SLE, Infection, and Following Deliberate Immunization.- Cross-Reactions of Anti-Immunoglobulin Sera with Synthetic T-Cell Receptor ? Peptides: Mapping on a 3-Dimension Model.- Stress Proteins in Autoimmunity.- Polyclonal B Cell Activation and B Cell Cross-Reactivity During Autoantibody Production in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.- Autoantibody Activity and V Gene Usage by B-Cell Malignancies.- Naturally Occurring Human Autoantibodies to Defend T-Cell Receptor and Light Chain Peptides.- Natural Autoantibodies.- Regulatory Autoantibody and Cellular Aging and Removal.- B-Cell Origin of Cold Agglutinins.- Initiation of Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes and Molecular Cloning of a Gene Encoding for Islet Cell-Specific 37KD Autoantigen.- Mapping of the Polypeptide Chain Organization of the Main Extracellular Domain of the ?-Subunit in Membrane-Bound Acetylcholine Receptor by Anti-Peptide Antibodies Spanning the Entire Domain.

This book will contain a series of solicited chapters that concern with the molecular machines required by viruses to perform various essential functions of virus life cycle. The first three chapters (Introduction, Molecular Machines and Virus Architecture) introduce the reader to the best known molecular machines and to the structure of viruses. The remainder of the book will examine in detail various stages of the viral life cycle. Beginning with the viral entry into a host cell, the book takes the reader through replication of the genome, synthesis and assembly of viral structural components, genome packaging and maturation into an infectious virion. Each chapter will describe the components of the respective machine in molecular or atomic detail, genetic and biochemical analyses, and mechanism. Topics are carefully selected so that the reader is exposed to systems where there is a substantial infusion of new knowledge in recent years, which greatly elevated the fundamental mechanistic understanding of the respective molecular machine. The authors will be encouraged to simplify the detailed knowledge to basic concepts, include provocative new ideas, as well as design colorful graphics, thus making the cutting-edge information accessible to broad audience.

T-Cell/Macrophage Activation and HIV Infection.- 1. CD4+ and CD8+ T Lymphocyte Activation in HIV Infection: Implications for Immune Pathogenesis and Therapy.- 2. Markers of Immune Cell Activation and Disease Progression: Cell Activation in HIV Disease.- 3. The Role of the Cell Cycle in HIV-1 Infection.- 4. Molecular Basis of Cell Cycle Dependent HIV-1 Replication: Implications for Control of Virus Burden.- 5. Regulation of Macrophage Activation and HIV Replication.- 6. Investigations on Autologous T-Cells for Adoptive Immunotherapy of AIDS.- 7. Rational Problems Associated with the Development of Cellular Approaches in Controlling HIV Spread.- Apoptosis and Viropathogenesis of HIV Disease.- 8. The Role of Surface CD4 in HIV-Induced Apoptosis.- 9. Mechanism of Apoptosis in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of HIV-Infected Patients.- 10. Programmed Death of T Cells in the Course of HIV Infection.- 11. T Cell Apoptosis as a Consequence of Chronic Activation of the Immune System in HIV Infection.- 12. Apoptosis during HIV Infection: A Cytopathic Effect of HIV or an Important Host-Defense Mechanism against Viruses in General?.- Apoptosis and Immunopathogenesis of HIV Disease.- 13. From Cell Activation to Cell Depletion: The Programmed Cell Death Hypothesis of AIDS Pathogenesis.- 14. Immunosuppression by a Noncytolytic Virus Via T Cell Mediated Immunopathology: Implication for AIDS.- 15. Clonal Expansion of T Cells and HIV Genotypes in Microdissected Splenic White Pulps Indicates Viral Replication in Situ and Infiltration of HIV-Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes.- 16. Autoimmunity, Apoptosis Defects, and Retroviruses.- 17. AIDS as Immune System Activation: Key Questions that Remain.- Mediators of T-Cell Activation/Apoptosis and Therapeutic Applications.- 18. Inhibition of T Lymphocyte Activation and Apoptotic Cell Death by Cyclosporin A and Tacrolimus (FK506): Its Relevance to Therapy of HIV Infection.- 19. Cyclophilin and Gag in HIV-1 Replication and Pathogenesis.- 20. Long-Term Follow-up of HIV Positive Asymptomatic Patients Having Received Cyclosporin A.- 21. Prospective Views of HIV Pathology: Clues for Therapeutic Strategies.

Malaria has defeated previous efforts at eradication and remains a massive global public health problem despite being readily preventable and treatable. It is a devastating disease that also extracts huge economic costs from the poorest countries in endemic regions. Starting with an overview of the disease and its current political, financial and technical context, this Milestones in Drug Therapy volume describes the history, chemistry, mechanisms of action and resistance, preclinical and clinical use, pharmacokinetics and safety and tolerability of the current range of antimalarial drugs. There is particular emphasis on artemisinins and related peroxides, as these drugs have now become the frontline treatment for malaria. Next generation antimalarials, molecular markers for detecting resistance, the importance of diagnostics and disease prevention are also covered in detail.

This volume provides comprehensive explanations and detailed examples of different antibody libraries, along with novel approaches for antibody discovery. The chapters in this book are divided into four sections: 1) construction of antibody libraries; 2) selection strategies for antibodies; 3) complementary approaches for antibody selection; and 4) phage display for epitope mapping and biomarker identification. The chapters also provide a list of antibody phage display technologies and applications. 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. Cutting-edge and practical, Phage Display: Methods and Protocols will provide technical assistance to new start-ups venturing into the field of antibody phage display. This volume will also aid in stirring interest and ideas among researchers in this ever-expanding subject.

Ecology and Epidemiology of P. Aeruginosa; K. Botzenhart, G. Doering. Attachment and Colonization of P. Aeruginosa; R.T. Irvin. Phenazine Pigments in P. Aeruginosa Infection; R.U. Sorensen, F. Joseph, Jr.. Regulation of Toxin A Synthesis in P. Aeruginosa; C.M. Shumard, et al. Role of Exotoxins in the Pathogenesis of P. Aeruginosa Infections; D.R. Galloway. Genetic Regulation and Expression of Elastase in P. Aeruginosa; J. Hector, et al. Genetic Regulation of the Murine Corneal Response to P. Aeruginosa; R.S. Berk. Effects of P. Aeruginosa on Immune Functions; M. Campa, et al. Local and Disseminated Diseases Caused by P. Aeruginosa; A.W. Artenstein, A.S. Cross. P. Aeruginosa Burn Infections; I.A. Holder. Acquired Resistance to P. Aeruginosa; G.B. Pier. Immunochemical Prophylaxis against P. Aeruginosa; M.S. Collins. 7 additional articles. Index.

Clinical Manifestations and Treatment: Clinical Manifestations of Lyme Borreliosis in an Italian Endemic Region; G. Bianchi. Lyme Borreliosis in Children; H.J. Christen, F. Hanefield. Ecology and Epidemiology: Lyme Borreliosis in Australia; R.D. Barry, et al. Geographic Diversity of Lyme Borreliosis; G. Bianchi. Role of Host Density in the Ecology of Lyme Disease; T.E. Awerbuch, A. Spielman. Biology of Immunopathogenesis: Expression of Public Idiotypes in Patients with Lyme Arthritis; J.S. Axford, et al. Lyme Disease in an Experimental Model; M.D. Gibson, et al. Chemotaxonomy of Borrelia; M.A. Livesley, P.A. Nuttall. Diagnosis: Detection of Lyme Disease Spirochaete DNA in Clinical Samples; K.J. Cann, et al. Clinical and Serological Study of Lyme Borreliosis in a Population of Neurological Patients; E. Capello. Pitfalls in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis; S.J. Cutler. 36 additional articles. Index.

This book examines aspects of paediatric infectious diseases written by leading authorities in the field. It is based on a lecture given at the seventh Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) course held at the end of June 2009 at Keble College, Oxford.

This volume summarizes the state-of-the-art in the fast growing research area of modeling the influence of information-driven human behavior on the spread and control of infectious diseases. In particular, it features the two main and inter-related "core" topics: behavioral changes in response to global threats, for example, pandemic influenza, and the pseudo-rational opposition to vaccines. In order to make realistic predictions, modelers need to go beyond classical mathematical epidemiology to take these dynamic effects into account. With contributions from experts in this field, the book fills a void in the literature. It goes beyond classical texts, yet preserves the rationale of many of them by sticking to the underlying biology without compromising on scientific rigor. Epidemiologists, theoretical biologists, biophysicists, applied mathematicians, and PhD students will benefit from this book. However, it is also written for Public Health professionals interested in understanding models, and to advanced undergraduate students, since it only requires a working knowledge of mathematical epidemiology.

This book analyzes the internal and external causes of acquired and familiar venous thrombosis and proposes the origins and onset of venous thrombus diseases and their triggering factors. It discusses venous and arterial thrombus in two parts, each starting from the genomics and the findings of immunocytological research conducted in a variety of clinical groups and on different experimental models and revealing the mechanisms behind the development of thrombotic diseases and the pathogenesis processes. Further, the book describes the clinical manifestation and the nature of the diseases. The book offers valuable insights important in the prevention and treatment of thrombotic disease.

This book contains twelve chapters contributed by prestigious international experts who are at the forefront of B cell research, and aims to provide a cutting-edge and comprehensive overview of all aspects of B cells, including B cell development, maturation and activation, germinal center reaction, memory and plasma cell differentiation, and antibody-mediated positive and negative regulation of humoral immune responses. There are also three chapters describing human diseases caused by B cell abnormalities, including primary antibody deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, and B cell malignancies. We hope that this book will become a standard and routine reference for both basic researchers and clinicians.

Inflammation has invaded the field of psychiatry. The finding that cytokines are elevated in various affective and psychotic disorders brings to the forefront the necessity of identifying the precise research domain criteria (RDoCs) that inflammation is responsible for. This task is certainly the most advanced in major depressive disorders. The reason is that a dearth of clinical and preclinical studies has demonstrated that inflammation can cause symptoms of depression and conversely, cytokine antagonists can attenuate symptoms of depression in medical and psychiatric patients with chronic low grade inflammation. Important knowledge has been gained on the symptom dimensions that inflammation is driving and the mechanisms of action of cytokines in the brain, providing new targets for drug research and development. The aim of the book "Inflammation-Associated Depression" is to present this field of research and its implications in a didactic and comprehensive manner to basic and clinical scientists, psychiatrists, physicians, and students at the graduate level.

The new edition of this manual is a practical guide to the diagnosis and management of paediatric allergy. Beginning with discussion on the epidemiology and pathophysiology of allergy, the next chapters cover diagnostic techniques. The following sections cover the numerous types of allergy including dermatitis, food allergy, ocular allergy and drug allergy. Several chapters are dedicated to asthma. The final sections present the advantages and disadvantages of common drugs used for the management of allergy and asthma, selected lab values in allergy and immunology, and devices for treating allergy and asthma. The second edition has been fully revised to provide clinicians with the latest advances in the field. Five new topics have been included in this edition - InVitro Testing for Specific IgE, Contact Dermatitis, Clinical importance of Standardisation of Allergens, Rheumatology in Allergy Practice, and Role of Probiotics in Allergic Diseases. Key points Practical guide to diagnosis and treatment of paediatric allergy Fully revised, second edition with new topics added Highly illustrated with clinical photographs and diagrams Previous edition (9789350904985) published in 2013

Cancer still remains a most important killer and even though synthetic chemotherapeutic agents are currently used, they are cost-intensive and do not always meet the expectations.

In parallel, there is increasing evidence for the potential of nature-derived compounds on the inhibition of different steps of cancer initiation, promotion and progression.

We believe that all diseases can be found in Nature but that Nature also provides the efficient cures as said the Prophet of Allah: Allah did not create any illness without also creating the remedy .

The content of this book gives a multi-disciplinary approach into the anti-cancer research field related to natural products and dietary compounds. Mainly, it covers the area of antitumor activity through an in-depth description of the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in cancer, inflammatory and cardio-vascular diseases. The cell death inducing mechanisms (apoptosis, anti-proliferative activity, angiogenesis, cell cycle control, cytostatic property and autophagy) give an overview of how natural products are able to target cancer cells.

We believe that all diseases can be found in Nature but that Nature also provides the efficient cures as said the Prophet of Allah: Allah did not create any illness without also creating the remedy .

The content of this book gives a multi-disciplinary approach into the anti-cancer research field related to natural products and dietary compounds. Mainly, it covers the area of antitumor activity through an in-depth description of the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties in cancer, inflammatory and cardio-vascular diseases. The cell death inducing mechanisms (apoptosis, anti-proliferative activity, angiogenesis, cell cycle control, cytostatic property and autophagy) give an overview of how natural products are able to target cancer cells."

This book deals with many recent advances made in uncovering the molecular and cellular basis of phagocytosis of apoptotic and necrotic dying cells as well as with the methods used for studying their clearance. There are important practical and clinical reasons for attempting to understand the molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of dying cells, because inadequate clearance of dying cells may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus), as well as atherosclerosis and chronic lung diseases (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and cystic fibrosis). Furthermore, in this book we examine the possibility of using apoptotic cells in the prevention and treatment of graft rejection and in the rational design of immunotherapy and vaccines for cancer treatment. The role of environmental factors in phagocytosis of dying cells is also addressed.

This comprehensive volume integrates the most innovative and current findings from several related disciplines of scientific research, including pathology, immunology, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology. It is divided into two sections: "Molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of dying cells" and "Impairment of phagocytosis of dying cells and its role in the development of diseases." No other recent books devoted to this subject are available.

All of the contributors are experts working at the forefront of scientific discovery, and the reviews they present systematically examine the most exciting and innovative aspects of their particular areas of expertise. Both researchers and physicians will find this volume of major benefit because it covers the immunological and molecular biological aspects of phagocytosis of dying cells as well as its clinical relevance.

This book focuses on the multitude of functions bacterial membrane vesicles perform in bacterial ecology and pathogenesis as well as in emerging medical and biotechnological applications. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria produce membrane-bound nanostructures, known as membrane vesicles, which have a range of functions that include serving as delivery vehicles, providing a means of communication over both spatial and temporal scales, and contributing to bacterial survival and evolution. Topics covered in this book range from the biogenesis and composition of bacterial membrane vesicles to their abundance and biological roles in microbial ecosystems, such as marine environments. In the individual chapters, the involvement of bacterial membrane vesicles in host-pathogen interactions, promoting virulence and in facilitating the establishment of infection is explained. In addition, current knowledge regarding membrane vesicles produced by commensal bacteria and their role in the maturation of the host immune system, as well as the therapeutic potential of bacterial membrane vesicles as delivery systems and innovative nanotechnology-based therapeutics are discussed. This work appeals to a wide readership of students and researchers interested in microbial ecology, mechanism underlying pathogenesis and new avenues in applied microbiology and nanotechnology.

From the first detailed clinical description of the disease in the Midwestern United States in 1918, to the isolation of the causative agent, the first of any influenza virus, in 1930to its role in the genesis of the 2009 human pandemic, swine have played a central role in the ecology of influenza. Although not considered the major natural reservoir for influenza A viruses, swine are host to a limited but dynamic assortment of viruses. A number of subtypes of influenza A viruses of human and avian origin, including H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H7, and H9, have been isolated from global swine populations. Most of these isolations have, however, been limited in number and it is only H1 and H3 influenza viruses that are known to have formed stable lineages in swine. In this respect, swine influenza viruses (SIV) are similar to their counterparts in humans where H1 and H3 viruses have also been maintained. The nature of these H1 and H3 viruses differ between the two host populations, however, and, as discussed throughout this book, are even different in swine populations in different geographic regions of the world due to multiple introductions of avian and human influenza viruses.

"

More than ever, antibodies are being recognized as a major drug modality in a variety of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, or even neurodegenerative disorders. Over 30 therapeutic antibodies have been approved and novel molecules are entering clinical trials at an average rate of 50 per year and that is predicted to continue well into the future. Notwithstanding the many achievements already made in the field, there is still a lot of room for improvements for these molecules in terms of activity, and a plethora of approaches have been attempted to optimize these molecules. Antibody Engineering: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition was compiled to give complete and easy access to a variety of antibody engineering techniques, starting from the creation of antibody repertoires and efficient ways to select binders from these repertoires, to their production in various hosts, their detailed characterization using various well established techniques, and to the modification and optimization of these lead molecules in terms of binding activity, specificity, size, shape, and more. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Antibody Engineering: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an invaluable resource for both experts and those new to the field, and most of all as a source of inspiration for the creation of the antibodies of tomorrow.

This book provides readers an extensive overview of recent progress in basic and clinical research on cancer immunotherapy. Thanks to rapid advances in molecular biology and immunology, it has become increasingly evident that cancer growth is influenced by host immune responses. With the success of a number of clinical trials, immunotherapy has become a promising treatment modality of cancer. This book covers five major topics, including monoclonal antibodies, biological response modifiers, cancer vaccines, adoptive cellular therapy and oncolytic viruses. It also examines the combination of different immune strategies as well as the combination of immunotherapy with other treatments to increase anti-tumor effects. Through the comprehensive discussion of the topic, the book sheds valuable new light on the treatment of tumors.