This brief provides an insight into the present scenario of the role of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer at an early stage. Currently, lung cancer is the subject of major concern owing to the very high mortality rate throughout the world. Most of the conventional treatment methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, etc., fail to prolong life of the patients. Incidents of recurrence are also very common in case of lung cancer. Researchers have shown that nanoparticles may act as a powerful anti cancer tool, especially for lung cancer. Unique surface properties and easy surface functionalization of nanoparticles enable early detection, diagnosis, imaging and treatment of lung cancer. The authors have elaborately presented how various nanoparticles (natural, semi synthetic and synthetic) may help in the treatment of lung cancer. They have also detailed works of various scientists who succeeded in developing effective nanoparticles and enabled very specific lung cancer therapy without any undesirable side effects and minimized death.

Pharmaceutical companies are spending increasing amounts of money on drug discovery and development. Nevertheless, attrition rates in clinical development are still very high, and up to 90% of new compounds fail in clinical phase I - III trials, which is partially due to lack of clinical efficacy. This indicates a strong need for highly predictive in vitro and in vivo models. The "50th International Workshop of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation" focussed on "Animal Models of T Cell-Mediated Skin Diseases". Such animal models should have impact not only on inflammatory dermatoses but also on other inflammatory disorders due to their model character. The current volume summarises recent advances in animal research that are important for anti-inflammatory drug discovery.

Traditional research methodologies in the human respiratory system have always been challenging due to their invasive nature. Recent advances in medical imaging and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have accelerated this research. This book compiles and details recent advances in the modelling of the respiratory system for researchers, engineers, scientists, and health practitioners. It breaks down the complexities of this field and provides both students and scientists with an introduction and starting point to the physiology of the respiratory system, fluid dynamics and advanced CFD modeling tools. In addition to a brief introduction to the physics of the respiratory system and an overview of computational methods, the book contains best-practice guidelines for establishing high-quality computational models and simulations. Inspiration for new simulations can be gained through innovative case studies as well as hands-on practice using pre-made computational code. Last but not least, students and researchers are presented the latest biomedical research activities, and the computational visualizations will enhance their understanding of physiological functions of the respiratory system.

This book, with its 16 chapters, documents the present state of knowledge of the adenosine A receptor. It covers a wide range of information, including data from 3 studies of theoretical, molecular and cellular pharmacology, signal transduction, integrative physiology, new drug discoveries and clinical applications. It fills an important gap in the literature since no alternative source of such information is currently available. Although the A receptor is increasingly being recognized for 3 its increasing number of biological roles throughout the body and many A receptor 3 ligands have proven useful in elucidating peripheral and central pathologies, many issues remain unresolved. Moreover, research activity in this field continues to grow exponentially, resulting in a constant flow of new information. The chapters in this book cover both basic science and the relevant applications and provide an authoritative account of the current status of the field. They have enabled my goal as editor to make "A Adenosine Receptors from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and 3 Therapeutics" an up to date, scientifically excellent, reference source, attractive to basic and clinical scientists alike, a reality. Detailed understanding of the physico-chemical aspects and molecular biology of the A receptor provides a solid basis for its future development as a target for 3 adenosine-based pharmacotherapies (Chapters 2 and 3).

Over the last two decades, the increasing use of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has reduced the need for endotracheal ventilation, thus decreasing the rate of ventilation-induced complications. Thus, NIV has decreased both intubation rates and mortality rates in specific subsets of patients with acute respiratory failure (for example, patients with hypercapnia, cardiogenic pulmonary edema, immune deficiencies, or post-transplantation acute respiratory failure). Despite the increased use of NIV in clinical practice, there is still a need for more educational tools to improve clinicians knowledge of the indications and contraindications for NIV, the factors that predict failure or success, and also what should be considered when starting NIV. This book has the dual function of being a "classical" text where the major findings in the literature are discussed and highlighted, as well as a practical manual on the tricks and pitfalls to consider in NIV application by both beginners and experts. For example, setting the ventilatory parameters; choosing the interfaces, circuits, and humidification systems; monitoring; and the "right" environment for the "right" patient will be discussed to help clinicians in their choices."

The book includes recommendations for COPD from published guidelines (eg, the GOLD, ATS, and NICE guidelines) and presents them in the context of relevant clinical treatment issues. This is an in-depth guide on the management of COPD, concentrating on the impact of COPD on a patient as well as how healthcare professionals can intervene and educate the patient at an early stage and thereby slow the onset of severe symptoms.

From acute respiratory diseases to chronic lung conditions, pulmonology is a vital area of clinical medicine. Due to a wide array of respiratory diseases, clinical presentation of pulmonary conditions can be complex and oftentimes challenging. In addition to recognizing common characteristics of lung diseases, identifying unusual clinical presentation of pulmonary conditions remains an important educational experience. This concise and easy-to-read title provides that experience in practical context, using a case-based system of learning where a unique case is presented and discussed and questions are provided to challenge the learner and reinforce the transmission of knowledge. Challenging Cases in Pulmonology is not an exhaustive review but rather focuses on common and important problems, with emphasis on evaluation and treatment. The book offers 16 chapters consisting of two or more cases followed by five to ten multiple choice questions. A valuable resource for pulmonologists, allergists, primary care physicians, internal medicine, fellows in allergy and pulmonology, and residents in training, this practical title will also be of interest to nurses, physician assistants, and medical students studying pulmonology. Challenging Cases in Pulmonology complements two previously published case-based titles edited by Dr. Mahmoudi: Challenging Cases in Allergy and Immunology (Humana Press, 2009) and Challenging Cases in Allergic and Immunologic Diseases of the Skin (Springer, 2010).

Cancer is initiated by activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Mutations in the K-ras proto-oncogene are responsible for 10-30% of adenocarcinomas. Clinical Findings point to a wide variety of other cancers contributing to lung cancer incidence. Such a scenario makes identification of lung cancer difficult and thus identifying its mechanisms can contribute to the society. Identifying unique conserved patterns common to contributing proto-oncogenes may further be a boon to Pharmacogenomics and pharmacoinformatics. This calls for ab initio/de novo drug discovery that in turn will require a comprehensive in silico approach of Sequence, Domain, Phylogenetic and Structural analysis of the receptors, ligand screening and optimization and detailed Docking studies. This brief involves extensive role of the RAS subfamily that includes a set of proteins, which cause an over expression of cancer-causing genes like M-ras and initiate tumour formation in lungs. SNP Studies and Structure based drug discovery will also be undertaken.

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) usually represents the final step in the management of severe chronic respiratory diseases: a large proportion of patients suffering from these conditions is involved and the corresponding impact for the Health Institutions and the Society is dramatically increasing. Although LTOT is well known and widely used since long ago in most modern countries, it still represents a challenging topic due to the huge amount of variables which can affect both its efficacy and effectiveness. Unfortunately, patients, doctors, care-givers, together with health institutions and political decision makers frequently have different visions on LTOT, thus highly contributing to obtain uneven results and changing outcomes. The focus of this volume is on new insights and novel perspectives of LTOT. Starting from consolidated experiences, it's aim is also to emphasize the strategic value of developing technologies and innovative organizational models uniquely to find out even more opportunities and advantages for the management of chronic respiratory patients needing long-term oxygen treatment.

The extension of clinical, endoscopic, and bioptic lung examination proce- dures and function analyses has resulted in more detailed knowledge of the pathology and pathogenetic factors of numerous bronchopulmonary dis- eases. Morphometric, histochemical, ultrastructural, and immunologic ex- amination methods are now constituent parts oflung pathology. This volume, written by numerous experts treats the special subjects of bronchial system pathology, pulmonary circulation, inflammatory and fibrous lung tissue diseases, and borderline areas oflung tumors. With regard to the results, some of which have been obtained experimentally, great im- portance has been attached to the presentation of the applied morphometric, histochemical, immunologic, and ultrastructural investigation methods. The book is intended to improve and extend the discussion between clinicians and morphologists. For the majority of lung diseases, which are discussed in detail in chapters dedicated to the morphological aspects, definitive cat- egorization and assessment of the findings are only possible if clinical picture and disease progress are known. Furthermore, the fmdings documented here, which can be grasped morphologically, provide important indications for the evaluation and classification of syndromes and for prophylactic clinical measures. I would like to thank Professor Grundmann, who initiated this volume, and the contributing authors. Special appreciation and recognition are due the staff of Springer-Verlag for their cooperation and for the organization, printing, and perfect illustration of the contributions. Bochum K. -M. Milller Contents Methods and Results of Postmortem Studies of Airway Dynamics in Normal Lungs and Lungs with Minimal Obstruction. With 11 Figures W. Wierich ...

Intermittent hypoxia can cause significant structural and functional impact on the systemic, organic, cellular and molecular processes of human physiology and pathophysiology. This book focuses on the most updated scientific understanding of the adaptive (beneficial) and maladaptive (detrimental) responses to intermittent hypoxia and their potential pathogenetic or prophylactic roles in the development and progression of major human diseases. This is a comprehensive monograph for clinicians, research scientists, academic faculty, postgraduate and medical students, and allied health professionals who are interested in enhancing their up-to-date knowledge of intermittent hypoxia research and its translational applications in preventing and treating major human diseases.

Contents: The Use of Immunohistochemistry: Present and Future - The Expression of Vimentin in Epithelial Neoplasms - Morphologic Manifestations of Malignant Lymphomas in the Spleen. A Histologic and Immunohistochemical Study of 500 Biopsy Cases - Demonstration of Epstein-Barr Viral Genomes in Routine Paraffin Sections of Lymphoproliferative and Epithelial Lesions by in Situ Hybridization - Carcinoma of the Lung;Changing Sex Distribution and Histopathologic Cell Types - Pulmonary Pathology in Lung Transplant Patients - Bronchiolitis Obliterans with Organizing Pneumonia and Constrictive Bronchiolitis: Comparative Analysis ofTwo Distinct Entities - Lymphoid Interstitial Pneunomia in HIV Infected Individuals. Long-Term Clinicopathologic Observations in 52 Patients and Pathogenesis - Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections and Their Associations with Squamous Cell Cancer: Reappraisal of the Morphologic, Epidemiologic and DNA Data - Central and Peripheral Bronchial Carcinoids Possess Distinct Peptide Immunostaining Patterns - Diagnosis of Rhabdomyosarcomas with Particular Reference to Immunohistochemical Markers - Borderline Lesionsof the Gastric Epithelium: New Indicators of Cancer Risk and Clinical Implications - The Pathology of Secondary Human Yolk Sac in Spontaneous Abortion: Findings in 103 Cases

We proudly present the first book to integrate all aspects of purinergic signaling in the respiratory system. The first chapters introduce basic notions of purinergic pharmacology and metabolism, which allows readers from all scientific backgrounds to fully grasp the importance of these signaling networks for airway defenses, including mucociliary clearance and inflammatory responses. Then, chapters are devoted to the groundbreaking discovery that chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), present specific aberrances in purinergic signaling which essentially drive lung complications. The last chapters describe the animal models used to investigate purinergic signaling in respiratory diseases, and the therapeutic applications developed by the pharmaceutical industry based on receptor agonists/antagonists and metabolic correctors. This highly comprehensive manuscript constitutes an invaluable tool for beginners and experts to follow the rapidly evolving research field of purinergic signaling. Furthermore, the critical analysis of past clinical protocols should facilitate the identification of potent therapeutic targets, and provide a better understanding of the data acquired in current clinical trials.

The pace of new research and level of innovation repeatedly introduced into the field of drug delivery to the lung is surprising given its state of maturity since the introduction of the pressurized metered dose inhaler over a half a century ago. It is clear that our understanding of pulmonary drug delivery has now evolved to the point that inhalation aerosols can be controlled both spatially and temporally to optimize their biological effects. These abilities include controlling lung deposition, by adopting formulation strategies or device technologies, and controlling drug uptake and release through sophisticated particle technologies. The large number of contributions to the scientific literature and variety of excellent texts published in recent years is evidence for the continued interest in pulmonary drug delivery research. This reference text endeavors to bring together the fundamental theory and practice of controlled drug delivery to the airways that is unavailable elsewhere. Collating and synthesizing the material in this rapidly evolving field presented a challenge and ultimately a sense of achievement that is hopefully reflected in the content of the volume.

Breathlessness is increasingly recognised as a common, disabling symptom of many advanced diseases and one that is very difficult to treat. There is now an understanding that a multi-disciplinary approach to management can make a significant impact on the severity of the symptom improving both the patient s and their carers quality of life.

Breathlessness is one of the most difficult conditions that palliative care (and other clinicians who care for patients with advanced disease) have to treat. With the improvements in pain control, it is possibly now the most difficult symptom for clinicians to manage: many feel frustrated at not being able to give their patients better care. Many patients and families are enduring terrible suffering. There has been little progress in improving the symptom, in spite of an increase in the amount of research and interest in it over the last twenty years. The Cambridge Breathlessness Intervention Service (CBIS) has been established since 2004 and is a research-based service which has being evaluated since its inception: its model of caring has been shaped by the patients and families who use it and the clinicians who refer to it.CBIS has firm evidence of its effectiveness with patients with breathlessness with both malignant and non-malignant disease. This book will help others to manage breathlessness in their day-to-day clinical practice and, if so desired, set up their own breathlessness service. There is a well-established website which can be used in conjunction with the book. The book is written to give practical help in the clinical management of breathlessness and written so that the information is easy to access in clinic, ward or home."

Familiarity with nitric oxide is essential to a modern understanding of pathophysiologic mechanisms of infectious disease. Recent research has established nitric oxide and related reactive nitrogen intermediates to be important molecular mediators of diverse physiologic processes such as control of vascular tone, regulation of the immune system, and microbial and tumor cell growth. This book contains chapters by the leading researchers in the field and examines the biology and biochemistry of nitric oxide and its role in a variety of specific infections ranging from sepsis, tuberculosis and malaria to viral myocarditis, influenza, and AIDS.

The workshops that have been held over the past few years and the volumes published in their wake have proved highly successful and have prompted us to press on with our initial plans. Our basic aim was to tackle certain very important problems in respiratory rehabilitation and then discuss the various issues with people from all over the wodd engaged in the updating of experience and know ledge in this field. We therefore firmly believe that this ongoing effort is of fundamental importance. Hyperinflation, which is still a poody defined c1inical and physiopatho logical condition, is the focal point ofthis present study, which is aimed at discussing and weighing up the physiopathological mechanisms, c1inical consequences, and rehabilitation possibilities in a disease in which, until relatively recently, rehabilitation had seemed almost totally ineffective. The present contributions, however, show us how very important and versatile rehabilitation may be in its treatment. Perhaps, if we consider this branch of medicine as one which now no longer simply draws upon other sciences, but make an active contribution in its own right, we will have touched upon the most important aspect of this study. If I may, I would just like to add how very pleasing it is for me to acknow ledge how much this joint effort has contributed, in terms of true insights and above all VI results, to finding solutions to the problems addressed in reeent years.

This monograph comprises 17 papers written by prominent authors in the field, each of whom presents his most recent experiences. The papers were not specially selected so that this work is far from being a comprehensive textbook covering all aspects of right ventricular hypertrophy and failure in chronic lung disease. Perhaps some of the papers dealing with more strictly physiological problems and experimental models will be somewhat difficult to relate directly to former modes of thinking of both cardiologists and pneumologists. Nevertheless, we hope and expect that this book will provide the reader with, an in-depth appreciation of the situation of present research in different laboratories and countries. Occasionally contradictions between different papers may be noticed. We have not tried to remove these, since each contradiction reflects current areas of dispute or uncertainty in this developing field. We wish finally to acknowledge the continuing support of the Clinica del Lavoro Foundation for projects aimed at promoting education in all fields related to medical rehabilitation. Vlastimil Jdek Mario Morpurgo Roberto Tramarin Foreword This volume is the sixth issue in the Series "Current Topics in Rehabilitation", which was ftrst conceived in 1987 with the aim of offering updated indications as to functional comprehensive evaluation strategies and rehabilitation programmes.

Mycobacteria is divided into two volumes. The first volume deals with the basic biology of mycobacteria. With its emphasis on the state of the art outlook, this volume includes taxonomy and molecular biology of mycobacteria, modern approaches for detection of mycobacteria, and immunology and immunization against tuberculosis. The second volume covers drug trestments for mycobacteria anad tuberculosis. It outlines trends of discovery and development of chemotherapy, starting from the mid-50's to present day uses of chemotherapy in treating AIDS, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and other non-tuberculosis mycobacterial diseases.

These are the proceedings of the international symposium on "Experi- mental Respiratory Carcinogenesis and Bioassays", held from 23 to 26 June 1974 at the Battelle Seattle Research Center, Seattle, Wash., USA. Human lung cancer is already very common in industrialized countries, and its incidence is increasing. This increase involves mainly epi- dermoid and small-cell carcinoma. Evidence is accumulating that these tumors are associated with such exogenic factors as automobile exhaust, asbestos, chemicals, cigarette smoke, and radionuclides. These pro- ceedings are concerned with finding the most suitable experimental designs for investigating the genesis of these particular types of tumor, and with the development of specific bioassays to test sus- pected carcinogens. Spontaneous epidermoid and small-cell carcinomas are extremely rare in the respiratory organs of animals, and it has proved rather diffi- cult until recently to produce them experimentally. Epidermoid carci- nomas are now readily obtained by using methods of intratracheal in- stillation of carcinogens with particulate materials such as that described by SAFFIOTTI and co-workers, which is the technique most frequently mentioned in these proceedings. While the experimental production of small-cell carcinomas has remained difficult, it is described by two authors in this volume.

Written by world-renowned experts in COPD A refresher for GPs and hospital doctors with practical diagnostic and treatment advice Reviews clinical developments and guidelines, and places them into everyday clinical practice Stresses the importance of early intervention, therapies and patient education Managing COPD is an in-depth guide on the management of patients with COPD concentrating on the impact of COPD on a patient as well as how healthcare professionals can intervene and educate the patient at an early stage and thereby slow the onset of severe symptoms. This book has been designed to increase physician awareness of the pathological processes involved in the aetiology of COPD which underpins effective disease management.

This book covers all aspects of oxygen delivery to tissue, including blood flow and its regulation as well as oxygen metabolism. Special attention will be paid to methods of oxygen measurement in living tissue and application of these technologies to understanding physiological and biochemical basis for pathology related to tissue oxygenation. This book is multidisciplinary and designed to bring together experts and students from a range of research fields including biochemical engineering, physiology, microcirculation, and hematology.

The question about the function ofsleep remains one ofthe major challenges scientists are faced with. Wherein lies the fascination with sleep? I am convinced that it is the necessity for sleep. No one has failed to experience the overpowering urge to fall asleep after a disturbed night's sleep or after sleep was curtailed or deprived, especially when our daily activities impose restrictions on motor activity. The demand ofour body and brain to sleep challenges our understanding ofwhy this is the case, and which are the benefits ofa night ofprofound sleep. Also in animals prolongation of waking consistently increases their attempts to fall asleep. It has been stated that sleep is more necessary to animals than even food! The need for sleep and some insight into the consequences of the preceding daily waking activities on subsequent sleep was wonderfully formulated by Shakespeare in Othello: Not poppy nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups ofthe world, Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep Which thou owed'st yesterday It is interesting that the most powerful single intervention which invariably influences sleep in a positive and predictable manner is the prolongation of waking. The activities which people or animals engage in during the wakefulness episode are secondary in the magnitude oftheir effects on sleep.

Infectious Complications in Transplant Patients has been uniquely designed and formatted to address issues and trends pertaining to pathogens deemed important in critically ill transplant patients. The chapters have been carefully selected so as to direct the focus of the book towards current approaches to controversial, emerging or topical problems in these patients. Each chapter has been authored by a North American and a European specialist. This format serves to impart an added dimension reflective of the diversity of opinions and practices pertaining to unresolved or controversial issues. The authors are recognized experts in their respective fields.