In humans, the perception of odours adds a fourth dimension to life, from the scent of flowers, the aroma of foods, and all the subtle smells in the environment. But how many types of odours can we distinguish? Why do we like the food we like? Which are the most powerful odorants, and how well does the human sense of smell perform compared with that of a dog or a butterfly? The sense of smell is highly complex, and such complexity discouraged scientists for a long time, leaving the world of smell in an atmosphere of mystery. Only recently, thanks to the new tools furnished by molecular biology and neuroscience, are we beginning to answer these questions, uncovering the hidden secrets of our sense of smell, and decoding the language used by most animals to communicate. In this book, Paolo Pelosi, one of the leading figures in the development of the science of olfaction, recounts how the chemical alphabet behind smell has been pieced together over the past three decades. Drawing on anecdotes from his own scientific career, and celebrating the rich variety of smells from herbs to flowers to roast coffee and freshly baked bread, he weaves together an engaging and remarkable account of the science behind the most elusive of our senses.

Respiratory system and artificial ventilation are key topics when considering the main aspects of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine: assisted ventilation techniques are essential to preserve the patient s life, but just as any other treatments they can be also extremely pernicious.

Scientific research and clinical evidences are equally fundamental in investigating the best methods to provide effective support and increase positive outcomes. It is obviously desirable that this knowledge and know-how are widely shared among scientists and practitioners.

With this purpose, the book includes contributions by an international panel of authors and gathers their varied and valuable expertise up to illustrate principles, study results and case experiences on respiratory physiopathology, respiratory mechanics, respiratory functions monitoring, artificial ventilation and diagnostic radiology in respiratory dysfunction failure.

We trust it can represent a precious reference for professionals in their ongoing self-improvement process to increase skilfulness. Furthermore, we hope that this book can serve as a useful learning tool for medical students and can contribute to the education of future anaesthesiologists and intensivists."

This new volume of Methods in Enzymology continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field.

Respiratory critical care is essential to modern critical care medicine. To successfully support critically ill patients, an understanding of specific lung conditions and syndromes, their pathophysiological basis, and evidence-based management strategies is of vital importance. The Oxford Textbook of Respiratory Critical Care provides an authoritative account of respiratory critical care medicine with a clear focus on how to manage respiratory disease in the critically ill. The fundamentals of pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment, for respiratory diseases and conditions are outlined with a specific focus on management in the critical care setting. Across 66 chapters, common and unusual respiratory conditions are included as well as those aspects of pulmonary disease in which the management in critical illness is unique. The text equips the reader with up-to-date knowledge of clinical practice for the respiratory system, lung diseases within critical care medicine and the impact of critical illness on lung biology. Each chapter highlights advances in the field as well as emphasising the importance of getting the basics right. Key messages, controversies, and directions to further research points allow both focused reading and deeper engagement. A dedicated chapter to COVID-19, and sections throughout explore the impact of this novel virus in specific areas of respiratory critical care. Edited and written by an international group of recognized experts from many disciplines, this essential textbook is relevant to medics globally. This is an indispensable guide for clinicians, researchers and nurses working in Critical Care, Anaesthesia, Respiratory Medicine, Acute Medicine, and Emergency Medicine.

This book provides healthcare professionals in Critical Care setting an easy consultation guide to fight against COVID-19. The book is divided into sections: Fundamentals of COVID-19, Pneumological critical care, Neurological manifestations, Cardiovascular manifestations, Renal manifestations, Haemostasis and coagulation, Other multi-organs involvement, Principles of therapy. Each section includes: * brief pathophysiology of COVID-19 (ventilation, neurological, cardiovascular, etc.); * principles of management (enriched with flowcharts and figures); * principles of therapy; * tips and key messages. Readers can find the most updated advices on how to face the ongoing pandemic: from principles of conventional oxygen therapy, assisted and invasive mechanical ventilation in critically ill COVID-19 patients to the complications sometimes underestimated. Tables and flowcharts provided are based on current knowledge in COVID-19 to help the clinician managing COVID-19 patients by a multiple-organs prospective. Written by international key opinion leaders of each field, the book represents a point of reference for all professionals involved in the management of COVID-19 pandemic.