Mass Vaccination : Global Aspects - Progress and Obstacles
Mass immunization is the blitzkrieg of vaccination practice. It serves to rapidly protect populations, both because of the high coverage achieved and because of the herd immunity thereby induced. However, as in war, mass immunization campaigns must be conducted intelligently, with careful strategy and strong attention to logistics of supply and deployment. If conducted badly, mass immunization may fail or even be counter-productive. In this volume, some of the most successful practitioners of mass im- nization tell us about its art and science. David Heymann and Bruce Aylward of WHO begin the book with a theoretical and practical overview of mass immunization. Michael Lane, who participated in the successful effort to eradicate smallpox relates how this was done using mass vaccination and other strategies. Application of mass immunization by the US military is c- ered by John Grabenstein and Remington Nevin, who have a large experience in these matters. Karen Noakes and David Salisbury recount the striking s- cesses of mass immunization in the United Kingdom. The global control of the clostridia that produce diphtheria toxin is described by Charles Vitek. Hepa- tis A is decreasing dramatically under the impact of large-scale vaccination, as Francis André illustrates. The French experience with Hepatitis B vac- nation has been mixed, and François Denis and Daniel Levy-Bruhl explain the circumstances. In?uenza vaccination is an annual example of large-scale campaigns, the complexity of which is recounted by Benjamin Schwartz and Pascale Wortley.
Marine, Freshwater, and Wetlands Biodiversity
Marine, coastal and wetland habitats are threatened, not only through exploitation, but also by the prospect of climate change – as ocean currents change course, sea levels rise, and rainfall patterns change. Even the once-common cod is now under threat from the combined effects of over-fishing and a dramatic change-induced decrease in the plankton that cod larvae feed on. Meanwhile, coral reefs remain especially vulnerable to rapid sea-level changes exacerbated by the effects of tourism and disease. This book gathers together a wide range of papers reporting on key research into the biodiversity conservation of these critical and increasingly threatened habitats. Collectively these papers provide a snap-shot of the types of problems they are experiencing, and offer a wealth of topical examples which render this volume especially valuable to teachers of courses in marine, freshwater and wetlands ecology, biological conservation and ecological restoration.
Marine Anthropogenic Litter
This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats.
Liver Immunology : Principles and Practice
parasitic and viral infections of the liver, autoimmune liver disease, alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, and transplantation in an easy-to-read and thorough format. Authors also address the key issues that have arisen in this field in recent years, including physiological roles of hepatocytes, sinusoidal lining cells, activated macrophages (Kupffer cells), cholangiocytes and stellate cells, and their modulation of T cells, natural killer (NK) cells and NKT cells.
Les douleurs abdominales en questions : Rôle physiopathologique de la sensibilité viscérale = Abdominal pain in question : The pathophysiological role of visceral sensitivity
The gut-brain axis refers to the network of nerve pathways that connect the myenteric plexus, the veritable "gut brain," to the central nervous system. Nearly 80% of these neurons are sensory neurons, and the afferent pathways that transmit information from the digestive tract to the central nervous system play a crucial role in the physiological regulation of digestive functions, as well as in certain pathological conditions. A large majority of these sensations remain unconscious and give rise to reflex responses. Only those requiring a conscious response reach the level of awareness in a normal state (hunger, thirst, the urge to defecate). In pathological situations, the same is true for painful sensations of digestive origin. Functional bowel disorders are a frequent reason for consultation. Their pathophysiology is now based on a model integrating the various etiological factors around the brain-gut axis. These patients frequently present with visceral hypersensitivity, which manifests as an increased perception of digestive sensations, notably the onset of pain in response to stimuli that are not painful in normal subjects. Recognizing the role of visceral hypersensitivity has made it possible to explain the mechanism of action of medications used to treat functional bowel disorders and paves the way for the development of new molecules acting on digestive afferents. In this book, we will describe the anatomical and physiological basis for understanding the concept of visceral sensitivity and the role of digestive afferents in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic abdominal pain, particularly irritable bowel syndrome.
Legionella Pneumophila : Pathogenesis and Immunity
Legionella pneumophila is an emerging human pathogen that resides in natural environments as a parasite of freshwater. The volume brings together all of the lastest research on this pathogen, the interest in which is rapidly growing.
Left-right asymmetry in vertebrate development
A host of studies has unravelled the involvement of many genes in the left right patterning pathway. Based on this knowledge the genetic basis of human laterality defects are beginning to be revealed. It is a major challenge now to understand how all these genes control left right development as well as the complex set of interactions established between them.
Lake Taihu, China : Dynamics and Environmental Change
There are many shallow lakes in the world. Many of them play an important socio-economic role as contributors to the drinking water supply, in flood attenuation, fisheries and recreation activities. Because of the current anthropogenic changes in the environment, such lakes rapidly respond to eutrophication and swamping. It is often hard to address these issues because many changes in the ecosystems of shallow lakes are associated with little studied physical processes. This interaction between the aquatic biota and the physical and chemical environment increases the complexity of shallow lake ecosystems. Lake Taihu, located in the delta of Yangtze River, is a typical large, shallow eutrophic lake with area of 2338 km2 and maximum depth of less than 3m . This book provides basic data on various aspects of this lake and summarizes research work on the interaction between its ecology and physical limnology. It will be a reference for teachers and students of freshwater ecology and biology, the aquatic environment in general, and, most strikingly, for all those interested in physical limnology.
Kaposi Sarcoma Herpesvirus : New Perspectives
Since the identificationof two sequences fromKSHV,wehave learnedmuch about this pathogen as reflected in this book. As it turned out, KSHV itself encodes for a number of cytokines, and induces cellular cytokine secretion, contributing to tumour growth. Moreover, KSHV vFLIP targets the IKKNFκB axis to encourage the inflammatory microenvironment observed by Gallo and his colleagues. KSHV continues to elucidate both mechanisms of viral oncogenesis, and cellular and immune pathways involved in non-viral driven neoplasia.
Complement and Kidney Disease
It is evident that a defective or deregulated complement system results in kidney diseases. An important role of complement effector and regulatory proteins in pathological settings of the kidney has been demonstrated. A large panel of distinct human kidney diseases is caused by defective complement control. Genetic analyses have identified mutations in complement regulators that are associated with these diseases. Mutations have been identified in the fluid phase alternative pathway regulator Factor H and the membrane regulator Membrane Cofactor Protein MCP (CD46). The functional characterization of the mutant proteins allows to define the pathophysiological events on a molecular level. These new concepts and data on disease mechanisms allowed establishing new diagnostic and promising therapeutic approaches for several human kidney diseases. Molecular biology, clinics and therapy are discussed in this volume.
Comparative Placentation : Structures, Functions and Evolution
Science produces fascinating puzzles: why is there such a range of placental structures when other mammalian organs are so structurally uniform ? Why and how did the different placental structures evolve ? Comparative placental studies can facilitate the identification of the common factors in placental growth, differentiation and function and their relevance to possible evolutionary pathways. Comparative Placentation is the only book presenting up-to-date data illustrating the great variety of structure but uniform function of vertebrate placentas from fish to man. This information is essential for selection of suitable models to investigate particular practical problems of impaired or anomalous growth in human and animal placentation. The unique collection of the best light and electron micrographs from the last thirtyfive years which precisely illustrate the structural range in each taxon, make the book the most authoritative publication in this field and a vital source of information for anyone interested on reproductive physiology, anatomy and medicine.
Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology : A Practical Guide
Clinical Neuro-Ophthalmology is a challenge for residents and experienced clinicians alike. This book covers all relevant techniques of diagnosis as well as interpretations of clinical signs. All information is highly structured, highlighting ‘definition’, ‘note’ and ‘pearl’, so that it can also be used by the physician during the patient encounter. The included flow chart posters remind the physician of the most important information.
Clinical metabolomics applications in genetic diseases
Helps readers discover the forefront of personalized medicine on clinical metabolomics and its applications in genetic diseases. This comprehensive guide offers a functional relationship map between cell components and genetic variations in various diseases, providing insights that can be applied to personalized medicine. Covers the latest developments in metabolomics for health, with practical guidance for clinical experts looking to advance their laboratory techniques and career. The metabolomics profile is a powerful tool that has revolutionized our understanding of the relationship between genetics, clinical readouts, and disease outcomes. By integrating metabolomics with genomics and clinical phenotypes, the authors have developed diagnostic and prediction models that have vastly improved patient outcomes and deepened the understanding of disease mechanisms.
Chromosomal alterations : Methods, results and importance in human health
Cytogenetics is a very important research tool in basic and applied research. The uses of cytogenetics in human-population monitoring, in biological dosimetry in radiation accidents and in astronauts and as a predictive measure of cancer are topics discussed in this book. The book will help the reader to better understand cytogenetics and the intricacies of the methodology. The different methods of fluorescence in situ hybridization are discussed and the results achieved are presented. The book provides a comprehensive review of basic and applied aspects of cytogenetics and therefore will be of interest to all who are interested in chromosomes and their alterations by different types of mutagens, including chemical mutagens and ionizing and nonionizing radiation, with special reference to electromagnetic fields.
Chemical Leasing Goes Global : Selling Services Instead of Barrels : A Win-Win Business Model for Environment and Industry
Chemical Leasing is an innovative business model within the sustainable management of chemicals. The economic benefit is achieved by selling chemicals services instead of increasing the sales volume. This book contains detailed descriptions and evaluations based on existing projects in Austria, Egypt, Russia and Mexico where in a broard range of sectors and companies the application of Chemical leasing was assisted. The book also contains political and scientific interpretations and analyses.
Cell cycle control : Methods and protocols
Collects techniques to study the highly regulated cell cycle process. Beginning with chapters investigating these processes and assessing how cells respond when these complicated pathways are simplified by using synthetic biology and in vitro reconstitutions, the book continues by exploring how cells sense and respond to environmental conditions, different model systems and cellular types used to visualize cellular architecture during cell division, as well as innovative single cell microscopy techniques to highlight the heterogeneity of the cell population with respect to cell cycle progression. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
CD137 Pathway : Immunology and Diseases
This comprehensive volume, written by experts in the field, covers nearly all aspects of ongoing research related to the CD137 pathway. Recent research has shown that the manipulation of CD137 pathway molecules is very promising in the treatment of cancer, viral infection, transplantation rejection and autoimmune diseases in experimental animal models. The volume includes research related to the identification and understanding of functional consequences of CD137 receptor and ligand molecules which represents a major effort in the field of immunology. CD137 Pathway: Immunology and Diseases is an ideal book for immunologists, microbiologists, cancer researchers, molecular biologists, biochemists, and pharmaceutical and biotechnology company scientists.
Cancer Stem Cells : Novel Concepts and Prospects for Tumor Therapy
This book describes the recent developments in the emerging field of cancer stem cells. Their possible impact for the identification of novel treatment paradigms for cancer are discussed. The book will mainly be of interest to scientists and clinicians involved in cancer research, or to students wishing to enter into this area.
Cancer in the Arab World
Over the past few decades, the Arab world has witnessed a swift evolution in healthcare provision. Nonetheless, Arab countries have considerable variability in economic capabilities, resource allocation, and intellectual talent that inevitably reflect on access to modern cancer care and prevention. This book is authored by experts from the Arab world who provide vital information on cancer statistics and risk factors, available clinical care pathways and infrastructure, and prevention programs in their individual countries. The chapters also address specific challenges in each country and insights into future directions to achieve optimal care with conventional and novel diagnostics and therapies to keep up with the era of precision medicine.
Brain and Heart Dynamics
Despite the increasing awareness that neural mechanisms are the primary cause of cardiac disease and its progression, therapy continues to focus on end-organ protection and does not approach the neural core of the problem. Growing public health problems such as heart failure are still treated with autonomic drugs that are 30-40 years old and simply act on cardiac receptors. However, it has now been shown that the progression of ischemic heart disease to heart failure is mainly due to abnormal central responses to incipient cardiac disease, with neural activation the primary cause rather than the consequence of cardiac remodeling.



















