Man has moved rapidly from the hunter-gatherer environment to the living conditions of the rich industrialised countries. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that the resulting changed and reduced pattern of exposure to micro-organisms has led to disordered regulation of the immune system, and hence to increases in certain chronic inflammatory disorders. The concept began with the allergic disorders, but there are now good reasons for extending it to autoimmunity, inflammatory bowel disease, atherosclerosis, depression associated with raised inflammatory cytokines, some cancers and perhaps neuroinflammatory disorders such as Alzheimer s and Parkinson s. This book discusses the evidence for and against in the context of Darwinian medicine, which uses knowledge of evolution to cast light on human diseases. It is the first book to consider the broader implications of the hygiene hypothesis in areas of medicine where it has not previously been applied. The approach is interdisciplinary, looking at man s microbiological history, at the biology of the effects of microorganisms on the immune system, and at the implications for chronic inflammatory disorders in multiple organ systems. Finally, the authors describe progress in the exploitation of microorganisms or their components as novel prophylactics and treatments in several branches of medicine."

Selected as CHOICE magazine's Outstanding Academic Title, January 2017.The book is a narrative of the unfolding of the Ebola virus disease outbreak from a scientific view point. The author provides an analysis of the scientific basis of public health policies that have influenced the public's, and the medical community's, abilities to understand the virus and the disease. This is done in the context of providing insights into the biology of the virus, and exploring open questions, including its likely modes of transmission. The author has included citations from the scientific literature and the press, as well as quotes from expert interviews. The book will help sort out the fact from fiction, given the confusion that arose after the virus arrived in the US. The author used his objective research skills and knowledge of evolutionary genetics and molecular biology to find out what was known, and what questions remained unanswered, and even what questions remained unasked.Written in an accessible style, it is intended for the educated general public, scientists, policy makers, health care workers, and politicians. It delves into the problems of trying to derive a logic-based understanding of a highly lethal emerging disease in 2014, when research funding cuts have gutted research institutions, and when public health institutions really were woefully unprepared. It is a highly distinct narrative analysis that is sure to stimulate new research and thinking in public policy. It will inform thousands of people of the nature of the virus, how it works, in terms they are likely to be able to understand. It will allow others to rapidly catch up with the story of Ebola.

Selected as CHOICE magazine's Outstanding Academic Title, January 2017.The book is a narrative of the unfolding of the Ebola virus disease outbreak from a scientific view point. The author provides an analysis of the scientific basis of public health policies that have influenced the public's, and the medical community's, abilities to understand the virus and the disease. This is done in the context of providing insights into the biology of the virus, and exploring open questions, including its likely modes of transmission. The author has included citations from the scientific literature and the press, as well as quotes from expert interviews. The book will help sort out the fact from fiction, given the confusion that arose after the virus arrived in the US. The author used his objective research skills and knowledge of evolutionary genetics and molecular biology to find out what was known, and what questions remained unanswered, and even what questions remained unasked.Written in an accessible style, it is intended for the educated general public, scientists, policy makers, health care workers, and politicians. It delves into the problems of trying to derive a logic-based understanding of a highly lethal emerging disease in 2014, when research funding cuts have gutted research institutions, and when public health institutions really were woefully unprepared. It is a highly distinct narrative analysis that is sure to stimulate new research and thinking in public policy. It will inform thousands of people of the nature of the virus, how it works, in terms they are likely to be able to understand. It will allow others to rapidly catch up with the story of Ebola.

The interest of investigators across a broad spectrum of scientific dis- plines has been steadily stimulated by the field of bacterial toxin research, an area that makes use of a large variety of biological, chemical, physicochemical, and medically oriented approaches. Researchers studying bacterial toxins need to be acquainted with all these disciplines in order to work effectively in the field. To date, there has been no published collection offering detailed descr- tions of the techniques and methods needed by researchers operating across the field'sdiverse areas. The present volume Bacterial Toxins: Methods and Pro- cols, is intended to fill this gap. Bacterial Toxins: Methods and Protocols consists of two sections: one on protein toxins (15 chapters) and one on endotoxins (5 chapters). Each s- tion is introduced by an overview article (Chapters 1 and 16). The protocols collected represent state-of-the-art techniques that each have high impact on future bacterial toxin research. All methods are described by authors who have regularly been using the protocol in their own laboratories. Included in each chapter is a brief introduction to the method being described.

Human adenoviruses play a central role in human diseases and as vectors for vaccines and gene delivery. This monograph describes the underlying principles of adenovirus molecular and structural biology, pathogenesis, antiviral measures and vector development. Much of the history of this virus and the many contributions made by its study are embedded in these discussions. Topics and questions that require further investigation are also considered.Although current virology textbooks cover topics related to adenoviruses, this book provides a comprehensive description of the virus and its interactions with the host. Students and researchers with a particular interest in adenoviruses, gene therapists, and virologists interested in viral pathogenesis will benefit from this book, which presents a unique integration of the basics with applied research in the field.

Volume Allergic Diseases is a comprehensive, multi-authored reference work, offering a broad appeal to microbiologists, immunologists, and infectious disease specialists. The volume explores all aspects of allergic diseases, body systems and vaccines. Emphasis is placed on genetics, physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis, and applied microbiology. Under the leadership of some of the most world renowned names in the field, the encyclopedia brings together an outstanding collection of contributions by top scientists in a variety of fields. The entries are listed alphabetically and provide full references. The volume covers the following topics: * Food Allergy and gastrointestinal Allergic Diseases * Insect Allergy * Allergy Diagnosis and Testing * Allergy Treatment: Pharmacotherapy * Asthma and Other Allergic Lower Respiratory Disease * Biology of IgE, Mast Cells and Eosinophils * Specific Allergens Causing Human Disease * Atopic Dermatitis, Urticaria and Dermatologic Allergy * Allergy Treatment: Immunotherapy, Immunomodulator Therapy and Allergen Avoidance

This book explores a new challenge in virology: to understand how physical properties of virus particles (virions) and viruses (infected cells) affect the course of an infection. Insights from the emerging field of physical virology will contribute to understanding of the physical nature of viruses and cells, and will open new ways for anti-viral interference. Nine chapters and an editorial written by physicists, chemists, biologists and computational experts describe how virions serve as trail blazers in uncharted territory of cells. The authors outline how particles change in composition as they interact with host cells. Such virus dynamics are crucial for virus entry into cells and infection. It influences the modern concepts of virus-host interactions, viral lineages and evolution. The volume gives numerous up-to-date examples of modern virology and provides a fascinating read for researchers, clinicians and students in the field of infectious diseases.

Systems biology is the study of the dynamic interactions of more than one component in a biological system in order to understand and predict the behavior of the system as a whole. Systems biology is a rapidly expanding discipline fuelled by the 'omics' era and new technological advances that have increased the precision of data. A focus on simple single cell organisms, such as bacteria, aids tractability and means that systems microbiology is a rapidly maturing science. Recommended for all microbiology laboratories, this book contains cutting-edge reviews by world-leading experts on the systems biology of microorganisms. As well as covering theoretical approaches and mathematical modeling, the book includes case studies on single microbial species of bacteria and archaea, and it explores the systems analysis of microbial phenomena, such as chemotaxis and phagocytosis. The topics covered include: the mathematical models for systems biology * systems biology of Escherichia coli metabolism * bacterial chemotaxis * systems biology of infection * host-microbe interactions * phagocytosis * system-level study of metabolism in Mycobacterium tuberculosis * systems biology of Sulfolobus.

This volume provides a collection of contemporary perspectives on using activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) for biological discoveries in protein science, microbiology, and immunology. A common theme throughout is the special utility of ABPP to interrogate protein function and small-molecule interactions on a global scale in native biological systems. Each chapter showcases distinct advantages of ABPP applied to diverse protein classes and biological systems. As such, the book offers readers valuable insights into the basic principles of ABPP technology and how to apply this approach to biological questions ranging from the study of post-translational modifications to targeting bacterial effectors in host-pathogen interactions.

This book helps scientists, clinicians and other interested individuals understand recent clinical advances and challenges for the future. It covers many basic aspects of the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C, HCV infections in particular populations, approaches to therapy, and prevention and control of HCV Infection. The book provides a succinct review of the large amount of data generated by multiple groups over the past two decades that has revealed the natural history of HCV infection. Similarly, it summarizes current understanding of the origins of HCV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and hepatic fibrosis. Extra-hepatic manifestation and metabolic disorders related to HCV infection are described. In this volume, these clinically important aspects of HCV infection are comprehensively described. Highlights are description of newly developed direct- acting antivirals. The authors represent a worldwide distribution of leaders in the field reflecting the global nature of HCV infection. Based on recent data concerning the genetic- and geographical diversity of HCV, and increased global disease burden of HCV infection, challenges for global control of HCV infections are described.

Papillomaviruses are oncogenic DNA tumor viruses that infect humans and animals. Human papillomavirus is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted infection in the world and can also cause cancer. Papillomavirus research has been revolutionized in recent years with the advent of new technologies such as organotypic raft cultures, virus-like particles, and transgenic mice. New facets of virion structure, life cycle, immunology, and oncogenicity have recently emerged. In this timely book, leading scientists review current aspect of papillomavirus research providing a fascinating insight into papillomavirus molecular biology, interactions with the host, immunology, and vaccine development. Topics covered include epidemiology and taxonomy, phylogenetic analysis, gene expression, regulation of DNA replication, transcription factor proteins, organotypic raft cultures, virus-like particles, and much more. Essential reading for scientists and researchers working on papillomavirus a

Fish lymphocystis disease virus (FLDV) has been tentatively classified as a separate genus of the iridovirus family. Iridoviruses were previously called icosahedral cytoplasmic deoxyriboviruses (ICDV). The Iridoviridae family contains four genera including lymphocystis disease virus (proposed name Lymphocystivirus, Willis, 1989 (1". FLDV is a causative agent of lymphocystis disease (LD) which frequently appears in Pleuronectidae (flatfish) such as Pleuronectes platessa (plaice), Platichtys flesus (flounder), Limanda limanda (dab), and Trigla gurnardus (gurnard). Fish lymphocystis disease is characterized by papilloma-like lesions, which can be induced experimentally in Lepomis macrochirus (bluegill) (2) and by subdermal injection of plaice and flounder (3). The mechanisms of this nonmalignant tumor induction are unknown. Since the discovery of LD in 1874 by Lowe (4), attempts have been made to isolate and propagate FLDV in vitro with limited success (5-7). As a first step towards understanding of the underlying mechanisms of this infectious disease the structure and properties of the causal virus must be eluciated. These basical molecular biological studies provide new facilities for investigation of virus host interactions which is necessary for understanding the molecular mechanisms of the viral pathogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 fish with LD lesions caught near the Doggerbank areas were analyzed individually, including 20 flounders, six dabs, and four plaice. Virions of FLDV from LD lesions of each species of fish were isolated, purified, and examined by electron microscopy as 205 described previously (8). Fig.

This volume offers an overview of the various aspects involved in the ability of fungi to damage host cells, and discusses cutting-edge approaches to the study of fungal pathogenesis. The first chapter illustrate the key roles of glycans and pigments, the most abundant surface components in fungal cells, in their interactions with host cells. The connections between cellular physiology and fungal pathogenesis are then discussed in the following chapters. Physiology-related processes affecting pathogenesis include fungal secretion, morphological transitions, and response to light. In turn, the book illustrates mechanisms of damage to host cells using the Histoplasma capsulatum model of infection, and reviews the use of transcriptomic approaches to understand the mechanisms of interaction between fungal cells and host tissues. After a discussion of the immunological mechanisms underlying host susceptibility to fungal infections, the book's closing contribution reviews the mechanisms of interaction between fungi and other microbes, and the impact of this association on fungal pathogenesis. Given its scope, the book will appeal to scientists in the fields of mycology, microbiology, infectious diseases, biology and medicine.

This book intends to report the new progress of pseudotyped viruses, including the construction of pseudotyped viruses with different strategies or vectors for most important viruses. Especially for emerging viruses, optimization of the condition and parameters for assay development based on the pseudotyped viruses and widely application as surrogate of authentic virus to study the biological functions of virus, detection of neutralizing antibody, screening viral entry inhibiters, and others. It includes most pseudotyped viruses that have the protein of the target virus on the surface of the parent virus with incomplete genome. The book is likely to be of interest to all researchers in the field of virology, vaccine, and anti-viral drug development and evaluation.

Freshwater Fishes of the Eastern Himalayas provides a guide to describe the internationally accepted methods used in the accurate identification of fishes, morphometry, i.e., body proportions, meristics, i.e., counts of countable characters, viz., scales, fin rays, pores, vertebrae etc., characters of bones wherever necessary, special characters, viz., serrations of fin spines, axillary lobes, lobes, color patterns, etc. All the available taxa of the region are covered, making this an essential reference that provides the original description of genera and species. Diagnostic characters in the book can be easily examined by an unaided eye or by a binocular dissecting microscope with transmitted light.

"Human Retroviruses: Methods and Protocols" collects key experimental protocols that have provided the basis of the major discoveries of the field. Split into five sections, this detailed volume covers mapping of the HIV life cycle, isolation, co-receptor use, and cell tropism of HIV-1, in vivo quantification of HIV-1, biological aspects of HIV-1, as well as HTLVs. Some articles explore assay and function of accessory genes, largely involving the interface between retroviral and host factors, the extracellular role of Tat and Tax, resembling the function of cytokines, and the biotechnological exploitation of HIV as lentiviral vector to carry foreign genes with therapeutic value. 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.

Comprehensive and authoritative, "Human Retroviruses: Methods and Protocols" provides state-of-art methodological protocols from world leaders in human retrovirology, essential for any lab working this vital field."

This book contains a series of review chapters from the world's leaders in herpesvirus research. It is designed as a tribute to the famous virologist Prof Bernard Roizman. Former trainees of Prof Roizman were invited to contribute to this volume. The chapters cover all eight of the human herpesviruses, and the topics discussed span the past six decades of this exciting research field.

As stated many times before the purpose of Orchid Biology, Reviews and Perspectives (OB) is to present reviews on all aspects of orchids. The aim is not to balance every volume, but to make a balanced and wide ranging presentation of orchids in the series as a whole. The chapters in this, the last volume of the series, range over a number of topics which were not covered before. Singapore is justly famed for its orchids. They can be seen on arrival (or dep- ture) in its modern, highly efficient and comfortable Changi Airport and on the way from it to town. Vanda Miss Joaquim, the first hybrid to come from Singapore became its National Flower. This natural hybrid can be seen on its currency, stamps, and public and private decorations. Many excellent breeders, starting with Prof. Eric Holttum who bred the first man made hybrid (Spathoglottis Primrose), produced numerous magnificent hybrids and won countless awards in Singapore and elsewhere. These hybrids served to enrich the country's orchid mystique. In the opening chapter of this volume Dr. Teoh Eng Soon (Western style: Eng Soon Teoh), himself a prize winning orchid breeder, grower and author writes about some of the breeders who contributed to the Singapore orchid fame. Prof. Hans Fitting was one of the best known plant physiologists of his time. As a young man he studied the effects of pollen on orchid flowers.

This book focuses on immune reactions and interactions of humans with Helicobacter pylori - a human pathogen connected to gastritis, peptic ulcers and even gastric cancer. With nearly half of the world's population colonized, it has been characterized as one of the most successful pathogens for more than 100,000 years of co-evolution with its host. The respective chapters discuss not only how H. pylori infection is considered a paradigm for persistent bacterial infection and chronic inflammation, but also how the infection might be connected to host protection against gastro-esophageal diseases, asthma, and other allergic disease manifestations. Readers will gain essential insights into the roles of specific factors in the immune response and learn about the impact of genetic polymorphisms on the risk of gastric carcinogenesis. In addition, the book discusses the strategies used by this bacterium, which allow it to colonize specific sites in the stomach, interact with the microbiome, evade immune surveillance and undermine the resolution of inflammation during persistent infection. This volume presents a concise summary of recent advances in the areas of induction, resolution and escape of inflammation, innate and adaptive immunity, gastric disease development, as well as treatment and vaccination against H. pylori. Accordingly, it offers a valuable asset for scientists and clinicians alike.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of recent novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection, their biology and associated challenges for their treatment and prevention of novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Discussing various aspects of COVID-19 infection, including global epidemiology, genome organization, immunopathogenesis, transmission cycle, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control strategies, it highlights host-pathogen interactions, host immune response, and pathogen immune invasion strategies toward developing an immune intervention or preventive vaccine for COVID-19. An understanding of the topics covered in the book is imperative in the context of designing strategies to protect the human race from further losses and harm due to SARS-CoV-2 infection causing COVID-19.

This book gives a detailed yet clear insight into the current state of the art of the therapeutic application of bacteriophages in different conditions. The authors bring in their practical expertise within their respective fields of expertise and provide an excellent overview of the potential and actual use of phage therapy. Topics like economic feasibility compared to traditional antibiotics and also regulatory issues are discussed in far detail. This new volume is therefore a valuable resource for individuals engaged in the medical application of novel phage therapies.

There has been emergence of multidrug resistance problem all over the world due to overuse or underuse of antibiotics. Most microbes including bacteria, fungi, protozoans and others have developed resistance to antibiotics, and therefore, this problem is now recognized to be of global concern. Ubiquitous occurrence of multidrug-resistant bacteria decreases effectiveness of current treatment, which results in thousands of deaths all over the world. Hence, investigations for new alternatives and novel strategies are urgently needed to address the problem of multidrug resistance. The antimicrobial potential of essential oils and metallic nanoparticles represent an effective solution for microbial resistance. Moreover, the use of essential oils in combination with metallic nanoparticles may exert synergistic antimicrobial effects and would be a novel approach. Essential oils (EOs) are volatile, natural, aromatic oily liquids that can be obtained from several parts of plants especially the aerial ones such as leaves and flowers. They are derived from complex metabolic pathways in order to protect plants from diverse pathogenic microorganisms. In fact, the bioactivity of EOs have been confirmed by several studies which have demonstrated their antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic, and antioxidant properties. Nanotechnology is one of the most important and emerging technologies, which has brought about a technological revolution in the world. It has enormous applications in the field of medicine. Nanoparticles are very important tools in curing different diseases in general and microbial diseases in particular due to their significantly novel and improved chemical, physical and biological properties and high surface area-to-volume ratio. Among these, metal nanoparticles are known to play pivotal role in various biomedical applications. In this context, nanoparticles such as silver have shown their potential and could emerge as the new generation of antimicrobials. Silver nanoparticles have broad-spectrum biological activities and hence are used in many biomedical applications. The various biomedical applications of silver nanoparticles include treatment of wounds, burns, in water-disinfecting systems, in nanobased bone implantations, in dentistry for the development of dental materials and as antibacterial, antivirals, anti-protozoals, anti-arthropods and anticancerous agents. Apart from silver, noble metal nanoparticles like gold and platinum and other nanoparticles copper, oxides of different metals, etc. have been also the materials of choice for many scientists for their biological applications. The book will be of interest to chemists, microbiologists, biotechnologist, food technologists, nanotechnologists, pharmacologists, clinicians and those interested in nature cure. Students will find this book useful and reader friendly.

The emergence of bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics has become a serious threat to public health and is considered one of the greatest challenges for contemporary medicine. Phage therapy - the use of bacteriophages as anti-bacterial agents - may offer an alternative treatment for bacterial infections. Phages have many potential applications in human medicine, as well as in dentistry, veterinary science, agriculture, and food protection. Written by internationally recognized experts from leading centers involved in phage research and phage therapy, this book provides comprehensive coverage of the topic with a focus on current research and emerging applications. The book opens with chapters covering the general characteristics of bacteriophages and the basic concepts of phage therapy. Further topics include: the pharmacology of phage therapy * bacterial resistance * non-bactericidal effects of phages * main applications of bacteriophages in clinical medicine * plant pathosystems * animal production * food protection * biofilm control * regulatory and intellectual property aspects of phage therapy. Although the book focuses on applications of virulent bacteriophages, it also discusses genetically-engineered phages, phages as delivery vehicles for other antimicrobials, as well as phage lysins. It will be an essential reference for anyone interested in phage therapy, antibacterial resistance, antimicrobial development, bacteriophage research, biocontrol, and biodetection.

Based on the proceedings of the third international symposium on "Molecular Immunology of Complex Carbohydrates," this text is the latest in a series dedicated to glycotopes, structures and functions of complex carbohydrates, recognition factors of lectins, biomolecular interactions and other glycosciences. Section I of the book pays tribute to three pioneers in the field--Walter T.J. Morgan, Elvin A. Kabat and especially Winifred M. Watkins; it presents advanced concepts concerning the structure and functions of Blood group ABH/Le-related antigens, offering a comprehensive review on human blood group ABH/Ii, Lea, b, x, y and siayl Lea, x glycotopes of human ovarian cyst glycoproteins. Section II covers the interactions of plant, bacterial and animal lectins with carbohydrates and proteins. Section III describes the structures and functions of gangliosides and microbial glycolipids. Section IV covers the physiological roles of other clycocunjugates in humans, animals, sponges and bacteria as well as aging-related alterations of glycosylation profile in humans. Section V discusses the role of carbohydrates as antigens and regulators of the immune response. Section VI addresses some aspects of the glycobiology of cancer. And section VII details new methodologies in glycol-synthesis and lectin-carbohydrate binding assays and strategies for treatment as crucial applications.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide, remains a very difficult disease to treat and cure despite intensive investigation into molecular etiologies and tumor progression pathways. Due to public health efforts encouraging smoking cessation, the overall incidence of HNSCC has decreased in recent years in many countries. In contrast, the incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has increased significantly, and this subtype of HNSCC is commonly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Moreover, individuals with HPV-positive OPSCC are generally younger and are frequently non-smokers, suggesting that HPV-associated OPSCC represents a distinct biologic entity. This volume summarizes the spectrum of current HPV-associated OPSCC research from the fundamental basic science to translational surgery and treatment approaches. Chapters are contributed by authoritative leaders in the fields of research and clinical care. Initial chapters address epidemiology, behavioral correlates of HPV infection, and racial disparities in oropharyngeal cancer. This is followed by chapters detailing HPV virology with focus on viral transformation, viral replication, and host response to viral infection. The molecular biology of HPV-associated OPSCC is investigated in chapters detailing alterations in signaling networks and unique mutational profiles of human tumors. Clinical presentation, surgical perspectives, and treatment paradigms specific to HPV-associated OPSCC conclude the volume. This comprehensive volume provides an up-to-date overview of both scientific discovery and clinical management of this emerging public health problem.