The Immunology of Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Pathology


Book Description

Cardiovascular immunology is a newly emerging research area, investigating the crosstalk between the cardiovascular and the immune system. This crosstalk is evident through (1) crucial immunological capacities and functions of cardiovascular cell types, including cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes and cardiac resident macrophages, (2) the impact of aberrant immune function on the development of cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis, direct and indirect immune-mediated heart disease and vasculitis, and (3) the crucial role of the immune system in cardiac repair and regeneration. The Immunology of Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Pathology covers all these aspects of cardiovascular immunology, starting with homeostatic immunological functions of traditional cardiovascular cell types, and moving then to the role of the immune system in cardiovascular pathology and to recent research into targeting the immune system to boost cardiac healing and regeneration.




How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease


Book Description

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.




Anatomy and Physiology


Book Description




Calcific Aortic Valve Disease


Book Description

Due to population aging, calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) has become the most common heart valve disease in Western countries. No therapies exist to slow this disease progression, and surgical valve replacement is the only effective treatment. Calcific Aortic Valve Disease covers the contemporary understanding of basic valve biology and the mechanisms of CAVD, provides novel insights into the genetics, proteomics, and metabolomics of CAVD, depicts new strategies in heart valve tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and explores current treatment approaches. As we are on the verge of understanding the mechanisms of CAVD, we hope that this book will enable readers to comprehend our current knowledge and focus on the possibility of preventing disease progression in the future.




Nitric Oxide


Book Description

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas that transmits signals in an organism. Signal transmission by a gas that is produced by one cell and which penetrates through membranes and regulates the function of another cell represents an entirely new principle for signaling in biological systems. NO is a signal molecule of key importance for the cardiovascular system acting as a regulator of blood pressure and as a gatekeeper of blood flow to different organs. NO also exerts a series of other functions, such as acting a signal molecule in the nervous system and as a weapon against infections. NO is present in most living creatures and made by many different types of cells. NO research has led to new treatments for treating heart as well as lung diseases, shock, and impotence. Scientists are currently testing whether NO can be used to stop the growth of cancerous tumors, since the gas can induce programmed cell death, apoptosis. This book is the first comprehensive text on nitric oxide to cover all aspects--basic biology, chemistry, pathobiology, effects on various disease states, and therapeutic implications. - Edited by Nobel Laureate Louis J. Ignarro, editor of the Academic Press journal, Nitric Oxide - Authored by world experts on nitric oxide - Includes an overview of basic principles of biology and chemical biology - Covers principles of pathobiology, including the nervous system, cardiovascular function, pulmonary function, and immune defense




Fundamentals of Toxicologic Pathology


Book Description

Toxicologic pathology integrates toxicology and the disciplines within it (such as biochemistry, pharmacodynamics and risk assessment) to pathology and its related disciplines (such as physiology, microbiology, immunology, and molecular biology). Fundamentals of Toxicologic Pathology Second Edition updates the information presented in the first edition, including five entirely new chapters addressing basic concepts in toxicologic pathology, along with color photomicrographs that show examples of specific toxicant-induced diseases in animals. The current edition also includes comparative information that will prove a valuable resource to practitioners, including diagnostic pathologists and toxicologists. - 25% brand new information, fully revised throughout - New chapters: Veterinary Diagnostic Toxicologic Pathology; Clinical Pathology; Nomenclature: Terminology for Morphologic Alterations; Techniques in Toxicologic Pathology - New color photomicrographs detailing specific toxicant-induced diseases in animals - Mechanistic information integrated from both toxicology and pathology discussing basic mechanisms of toxic injury and morphologic expression at the subcellular, cellular, and tissue levels




Cardiac Regeneration


Book Description

This Volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology offers a comprehensive and exciting, state-of-the-art work on the current options and potentials of cardiac regeneration and repair. Several techniques and approaches have been developed for heart failure repair: direct injection of cells, programming of scar tissue into functional myocardium, and tissue-engineered heart muscle support. The book introduces the rationale for these different approaches in cell-based heart regeneration and discusses the most important considerations for clinical translation. Expert authors discuss when, why, and how heart muscle can be salvaged. The book represents a valuable resource for stem cell researchers, cardiologists, bioengineers, and biomedical scientists studying cardiac function and regeneration.




Immune Cells, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Diseases


Book Description

Inflammation, once considered a physiological response to foreign pathogens, is now recognized as a crucial pathological player in the initiation and progression of several chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and many others. Considering that cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide, the identification of critical inflammatory processes is of utmost importance to devising new immune-based therapeutics that can be added to existing regimens. This book provides detailed information on aspects of inflammation and the manner in which immune activation pathways affect the progression of cardiovascular diseases and the repair/regeneration mechanisms of underlying diseased tissues. Key Features Outlines the role that inflammation plays in cardiovascular diseases Describes a paradox – neutralization of cytokines that contribute to cardiovascular disease does not show benefit Summarizes research on a variety of processes and mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular pathology Contributions from an international team of leading cardiologists and cardiovascular immunologists Related Titles Roy, S., et al., eds. Chronic Inflammation: Molecular Pathophysiology, Nutritional and Therapeutic Interventions (ISBN 978-1-138-19955-2) Kong, A-N. T., ed. Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Cancer: Dietary Approaches for Cancer Prevention (ISBN 978-1-138-19984-2) Dick, A., et al. Practical Manual of Intraocular Inflammation (ISBN 978-0-367-38720-4)




Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Live Variola Virus


Book Description

In 1980, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared that smallpox had been eradicated. In 1986, WHO's international Ad Hoc Committee on Orthopox Virus Infections unanimously recommended destruction of the two remaining official stocks of variola virus, one at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the other at the VECTOR laboratory in Siberia. In June 1999, WHO decided to delay the destruction of these stocks. Informing that decision was Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Variola Virus, which examines: Whether the sequenced variola genome, vaccinia, and monkey pox virus are adequate for future research or whether the live variola virus itself is needed to assist in the development of antiviral therapies. What further benefits, if any, would likely be gained through the use of variola in research and development efforts related to agent detection, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. What unique potential benefits, if any, the study of variola would have in increasing our fundamental understanding of the biology, host-agent interactions, pathogenesis, and immune mechanisms of viral diseases.




Homeostatic Control of Brain Function


Book Description

Homeostatic Control of Brain Function offers a broad view of brain health and diverse perspectives for potential treatments, targeting key areas such as mitochondria, the immune system, epigenetic changes, and regulatory molecules such as ions, neuropeptides, and neuromodulators. Loss of homeostasis becomes expressed as a diverse array of neurological disorders. Each disorder has multiple comorbidities - with some crossing over several conditions - and often disease-specific treatments remain elusive. When current pharmacological therapies result in ineffective and inadequate outcomes, therapies to restore and maintain homeostatic functions can help improve brain health, no matter the diagnosis. Employing homeostatic therapies may lead to future cures or treatments that address multiple comorbidities. In an age where brain diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are ever present, the incorporation of homeostatic techniques could successfully promote better overall brain health. Key Features include · A focus on the homeostatic controls that significantly depend on the way one lives, eats, and drinks. · Highlights from emerging research in non-pharmaceutical therapies including botanical medications, meditation, diet, and exercise. · Incorporation of homeostatic therapies into existing basic and clinical research paradigms. · Extensive scientific basic and clinical research ranging from molecules to disorders. · Emerging practical information for improving homeostasis. · Examples of homeostatic therapies in preventing and delaying dysfunction. Both editors, Detlev Boison and Susan Masino, bring their unique expertise in homeostatic research to the overall scope of this work. This book is accessible to all with an interest in brain health; scientist, clinician, student, and lay reader alike.