This book introduces nanoparticles as a powerful platform for vaccine design. Current challenges in vaccine development are discussed and the unique advantages nanoparticles provide in overcoming these challenges are explored. The authors offer fascinating insights into the immunological assets of using nanoparticles as delivery vehicles or adjuvants and present different materials that are being used in nanoparticle-based vaccine development, covering peptides, proteins, polymers, virus-like particles, and liposomes. Its contemporary research insights and practical examples for applications make this volume an inspiring read for researchers and clinicians in vaccinology and immunology. Chapter "Liposome Formulations as Adjuvants for Vaccines" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book discusses unique ion channels and transporters that are located within epithelial tissues of various organs including the kidney, intestine, pancreas and respiratory tract. As the authors show, these channels and transporters play crucial roles in transepithelial ion and fluid transport across epithelia and their contribution to maintaining homeostasis. Readers will be introduced to the fundamentals of ion transport in terms of function, modelling, regulation, structure and pharmacology. This is the first of three volumes highlighting the importance of epithelial ion channels and transporters in basic physiology and pathophysiology of human diseases. This volume focuses on basic fundamentals of epithelial transport physiology. There is a range of chapters dedicated to specific aspects of epithelial ion transport and cell function. Accordingly, the authors discuss techniques used to determine epithelial function, principles of epithelia transport, polarization of epithelial cells, mathematical modelling of epithelial ion transport, protein folding of ion channels, degradation epithelial ion channels, fundamentals of epithelial sodium, potassium and chloride transport, fundamentals of bicarbonate secretion, volume regulation, and microRNA regulation of epithelial channels and transporters. Given its scope, Volume 1 offers a valuable resource for physiology students, scientists and clinicians alike.

Behavioral and Neural Genetics of Zebrafish assembles the state-of-the-art methodologies and current concepts pertinent to their neurobehavioral genetics. Discussing their natural behavior, motor function, learning and memory, this book focuses on the fry and adult zebrafish, featuring a comprehensive account of modern genetic and neural methods adapted to, or specifically developed for, Danio rerio. Numerous examples of how these behavioral methods may be utilized for disease models using the zebrafish are presented, as is a section on bioinformatics and "big-data" related questions.

100 years of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: Reviews and New Perspectives is a collection of articles written by some of the world's leading experts on the pregnancy hormone and cancer marker hCG. In 2019 it is difficult to ignore the effect that our understanding of hCG has had on the lives of millions of people worldwide. The hCG immunoassay, in one form or another, is now one of the most common medical tests conducted and is often the first indication that a mother-to-be is pregnant. Not only a marker of pregnancy, hCG is utilized in the diagnosis and monitoring in oncology and presents a potential target for novel cancer therapeutics. 100 years ago, in 1919, Hirose was demonstrating gonadotropic functions which resulted from a chorionic factor. Over the last century this factor has become defined as hCG and more recently explored as not one molecule but a group of molecules with variable structure and variable functions in both pregnancy and cancer. hCG is a multi-faceted molecule that has clinical and therapeutic implications but can be a challenging topic for researchers and physicians alike. This text covers the different structures and functions of hCG exploring the genes and evolution of the molecule, the different protein and glycosylation structures which can exist and their effect on structure, detection and quantification. 100 Years of hCG is not an attempt to recount the history of every publication on hCG, but rather a collection of reviews and new perspectives by "hCG-ologists", the term used by Hussa to describe biochemists working on HCG in the first book written on the topic over 30 years ago. Some of the authors have been around a while, some not so long, but others are just beginning their journey with a most beguiling molecule.

This volume is designed to provide an understanding of current and potential therapies for osteoporosis. The opening chapter introduces the cells of bone and their interactions. Several following chapters describe factors affecting bone including systemic hormones with significant effects on bone, and local mediators including growth factors, prostaglandins, cytokines and chemokines. Topics that have commanded particular attention recently are calcium, FGF-23, nervous system bone interactions. Drugs that cause bone loss provide important information on mechanism as well as therapeutic considerations. An overview of the genetics of bone disorders and a discussion of the pathophysiology of osteoporosis establish the clinical context. The final chapters discuss current and potential osteoporosis treatments.

The Neuromodulation Casebook is a case-based volume for practical, hands-on decision-making using realistic case examples from the field of neuromodulation. It encompasses a variety of techniques and therapies, ranging from deep brain stimulation for a multitude of disorders, to spinal cord stimulation, peripheral nerve stimulation, cortical stimulation and cranial nerve stimulation, as well as non-invasive therapies and other implanted types of devices that interface with the nervous system. Allowing readers to better learn via case-based examples, this practical volume depicts real examples of decisions neuroscientists and neurosurgeons need to make every day from leaders in the field. This book serves as a companion text to the editor's previous titles Essential Neuromodulation and Innovative Neuromodulation for neuroscience, neural engineering and biomedical engineering courses.

This book provides an up-to-date review of the fundamentals of lipid metabolism and its role in cardiovascular diseases. Focusing on lipid transfer proteins in the circulation and cells, the role of important lipid transporters, the effect of recently discovered lipid binding proteins, and the link between lipid metabolism disorders and cardiovascular diseases, it covers phospholipid transfer protein, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, ABC binding cassette members, and more. The book offers graduate students and researchers a coherent overview of lipid transfer and transport, as well as the limitations of current research in the field, and promotes further studies on cardiovascular diseases, as well as pharmaceutical research on drug discovery based on lipid transfer, transport, and binding.

The heart is invested with a complex, intertwining network of blood and lymphatic vessels which, respectively, provide the cardiac tissue with oxygen and nutrients and eliminate excess fluid from the interstitium. The coronary blood vessels have been the focus of much investigation in the past few decades. On the other hand, the literature regarding the cardiac lymphatic vessels remains sparse, despite their important role in maintaining normal heart function. With this in mind, a better understanding of the cardiac lymphatic network and its ability to regulate fluid homeostasis within the heart could give us insight into developing therapies for the alleviation of several cardiac pathological conditions.

This book aims to introduce the latest research in gut microbiota by systematically summarizing how it modulates the pathogenesis of organ injury including alimentary tract injury, liver injury, lung injury, brain injury, renal injury, heart and vascular injury, endocrine disorders, immune responses and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) during sepsis. Gut microbiota which is recognized as a new "organ" in the body has been demonstrated to be able to regulate the homeostasis of many organs. The key role played by gut microbiota is the hotspot in biomedical research nowadays. This book provides a state-of-the-art report on recent discoveries regarding the novel insight into the mechanisms of human diseases progression. It will also offer the overall picture of the pathophysiologic roles of gut microbiota. This book is helpful for graduate students and professional researchers to get the knowledge of frontiers in both gut microbiota and organ injury.

Lymphatic Structure and Function in Health and Disease serves as a resource book on what has been learned about lymphatic structure, function and anatomy within different organ systems. This is the first book to bring together lymphatic medicine as a whole, with in-depth analysis of specific aspects of lymphatics in different vascular pathologies. This book is a useful tool for scientists, practicing clinicians and residents, in particular, those in vascular biology, neurology, cardiology and general medicine. Chapters discuss topics such as ontogeny and phylogeny of lymphatics, lymphatic pumping, CNS lymphatics, lymphatics in transplant and lymphatic reconstruction.

Theory of Endobiogeny, Volume 3: Advanced Concepts for Treatment of Complex Clinical Conditions explains complex and multi-factorial disorders and diseases using the theory of endobiogeny. It provides detailed applications of biological modeling, in-depth assessment into common disorders, an endobiogenic analysis, guidance on using biological modeling tools, and suggestions for treatment using standard of care treatments that also take into account diet, lifestyle and medicinal plants. This approach is an evolution in thinking from reductionism to holism, offering advice for symptomatic treatments that can be used in conjunction with a new way of thinking about diseases and disease management.

Now in its second edition, this comprehensive handbook provides a state-of-the-art overview of recent advances in drug and non-drug therapies for obesity and diabetes. It also addresses major comorbidities, covering topics such as, cardiovascular diseases, renal and neuropsychiatric disorders, appetite control and micro RNAs. Special attention is also devoted to pediatric care, including the latest recommendations for therapy and prevention. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are among the top global health-care budget concerns worldwide and impact professional practice at all levels: in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices alike. They prominently feature in headlines, and virtually no family, community or country is exempt from their protean, deleterious consequences. Furthermore, given the multiple intersections in their pathways, they often go hand in hand. The good news is that scientific advances in all fields, including genomics, metabolomics, lipidomics and microbiomics, are increasing our understanding of these two disease areas. At the same time, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile health and advanced implantable and external devices are rendering prevention and management more available, safe and cost-effective. In addition, bariatric and metabolic surgery has evolved from a niche specialty to an officially endorsed option for several modalities of obesity and diabetes. This book presents the latest lifestyle, pharmacological, surgical and non-surgical treatment options, including endoscopic intervention and cell therapy. Objectively reviewing natural and artificial sweeteners and critically examining issues such as public health initiatives, government mandated taxes for unhealthy foods and environmental planning, no stone is left unturned in gathering the latest practical information. As such, the book will appeal to seasoned specialists, as well as students and healthcare professionals in training.

Saliva as a unique sample for health assessment is gaining attention among researchers of different fields in the last 20 years; being reflected in an impressive increase in the number of papers published studying saliva from different biological aspects in human and veterinary species. Once deemed merely a digestive juice is now considered a biological fluid capable of communicating information about physiopathological processes occurring in organisms, since saliva has been shown to contain molecular and bacterial compounds that can change in response to local and systemic pathologies. Furthermore, the interest of saliva as a diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring biofluid is forced by its non-invasive nature being of easy and inexpensive sampling, involving only minimal discomfort and allowing the collection of multiple/repeated specimens at anytime, anywhere and without need for specialized staff. In this contributed volume, the authors bring together, summarize and reflect the generated knowledge about saliva as a source of biomarkers for health and welfare evaluation in humans and animal models. This volume also highlights the importance of confounding factors, such as sampling methods, flow, total protein content, contamination, or storage. This book will serve as a manual for graduates, practitioners and researchers by providing general ideas about the possibilities and utilities of saliva in clinical practice or investigation, and indicating the main cautions each should have in mind before saliva usage.

This book focuses on advances in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of brain iron uptake, iron homeostasis and iron metabolism in the pathophysiology and pharmacology of CNS disease models. Dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis can lead to severe pathological changes in the neural system. Iron deficiency can slow down the development of the neural system and cause language and motion disorders, while iron overload is closely related to neurodegenerative diseases. Although some current books include chapters on iron metabolism and certain neurodegenerative diseases, this is the first systematic summary of the latest discoveries regarding brain iron metabolism and CNS diseases. By providing novel and thought-provoking insights into the mechanisms and physiological significance of brain iron metabolism and related diseases, the book stimulates further new research directions. It helps graduate students and researchers gain an overall picture of brain iron metabolism and the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, and also offers pharmaceutical companies inspiration for new treatment strategies for CNS diseases.

The Theory of Endobiogeny Volume 1: Global Systems Thinking and Biological Modeling for Clinical Medicine offers researchers and clinicians a detailed introduction to the theory of Endobiogeny. The book presents a new approach to medicine that is at once scientific and humanistic, quantitative, and qualitative. The philosophical and experimental basis of a global complex systems approach to physiology is presented along with a mathematical approach to modeling the dynamism of the terrain. The importance of the history and physical examination are renewed as a source of "big data" readily available to clinicians for greater insight into the patient's state. Expansion of the therapeutic compendium is proposed based on a rational, clinical approach correlated to mathematical indicators of the physiologic state. What is proposed in this work is a fundamental shift in scientific thinking with a resulting expansion of the boundaries of clinical medicine for the 21st century and beyond.

Handbook of Nutrition, Diet, and the Eye, Second Edition, thoroughly addresses common features and etiological factors on how dietary and nutritional factors affect the eye. The ocular system is perhaps one of the least studied organs in diet and nutrition, yet the consequences of vision loss are devastating. There are a range of ocular defects that have either their origin in nutritional deficiencies/excess or have been shown to respond favorably to nutritional components. Featuring a new section on animal model studies where both the ocular problem and dietary remedies can be varied, there are also new chapters on dietary supplements.