Airway Remodeling


Book Description

This landmark volume discusses the characteristics and impact of the remodeling process on airway function and clinical disease expression within the airway in asthma, covering pharmacological therapies and possible future targets relevant to regulating the remodeling process. Emphasizes the importance of treating underlying airway inflammation and the relevance of structural alterations to the airway wall, including glandular increases, enhanced collagen deposition within the submucosa, increased vasculature, smooth hypertrophy, and hyperplasias! Tracing the development and maintenance of bronchial hyperresponsiveness, decline in lung function, and loss of reversibility evident in chronic asthma, Airway Remodelingdescribes the contribution of inflammatory cells in the development of airway structural changes examines how pharmaceutical agents act and whether existing treatments modify or prevent remodeling in chronically inflamed asthmatic airways considers whether neural pathways initiate as well as contribute to the airway inflammatory cascade that leads to remodeling reviews the action of cytokines and growth factors on ASM signaling outlines novel approaches to regulating smooth muscle growth clarifies whether permanent ventilatory incapacity in asthma is caused by the uncoupling of the airway and the role of the lung parenchyma details high-resolution computerized tomography scan to measure the internal size of the airway at baseline, during challenge, or after bronchodilatation and more!Improving lung function and quality of life by reducing the need for emergency care, hospital admissions, and systemic steroid administration, Airway Remodeling is a superb reference for pulmonologists and respiratory system specialists; physiologists; pneumologists; allergists; pharmacologists; molecular, cellular, and lung biologists; and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.




Asthma


Book Description

Asthma is a prevalent disease in all age groups that results from different pathogenic mechanisms, cells, and mediators engaged in innumerous clinical phenotypes and endotypes. This book exhaustively and didactically explores the biological expression of numerous cells and mediators involved in bronchial inflammation. The information provided aims at identifying the diversity and complexity of the interrelationships between the different players, drawing attention to critical mechanisms in asthma. It also highlights the requirement of new tools to identify strong biomarkers absolutely critical for managing asthma.




Asthma and COPD


Book Description

The Second Edition of Asthma and COPD: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Management continues to provide a unique and authoritative comparison of asthma and COPD. Written and edited by the world's leading experts, it continues to be a comprehensive review of the most recent understanding of the basic mechanisms of both conditions, specifically comparing their etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments. * Each chapter considers Asthma and COPD in side-by-side contrast and comparison – not in isolation - in the context of mechanism, triggers, assessments, therapies, and clinical management * Presents the latest and most comprehensive understandings of the mechanisms of inflammation in both Asthma and COPD * Most extensive reference to primary literature on both Asthma and COPD in one source. * Easy-to-read summaries of the latest advances alongside clear illustrations




Airway Smooth Muscle in Asthma and COPD


Book Description

In this book, leading researchers in medicine and molecular pharmacology explain the cellular mechanisms that control airway smooth muscle. The means by which these are disrupted in disease, and the pharmacologic strategies by which they may be modified are discussed and future therapeutic interventions are identified. Aimed at specialists in pulmonology, this volume provides the clinician with the most up to date information on one of the core physiological processes in airway disease, and offers insights into current and future approaches to management. Authoritative update on key mechanisms of airway constriction in Asthma and COPD Relates latest research to bronchodilator therapy Multi-contributed text, co-coordinated by two of the leading authorities in the field.




Disease Pathways


Book Description

Disease Pathways: An Atlas of Human Disease Signaling Pathways is designed to fill a void of illustrated reviews about the cellular mechanisms of human diseases. It covers 42 of the most common non-oncologic diseases and illustrates the connections between the molecular causes of the disease and its symptoms. This resource provides readers with detailed information about the disease molecular pathways, while keeping the presentation simple. Pathway models that aggregate the knowledge about protein–protein interactions have become indispensable tools in many areas of molecular biology, pharmacology, and medicine. In addition to disease pathways, the book includes a comprehensive overview of molecular signaling biology and application of pathway models in the analysis of big data for drug discovery and personalized medicine. This is a must-have reference for general biologists, biochemists, students, medical workers, and everyone interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human disease. - Over 145 full-color illustrations of the molecular and cellular cascades underlying the disease pathology. - Disease pathways are based on computational models from Elsevier's Disease Pathway Collection, published for the first time outside of Pathway Studio® commercial software. - Each relationship on the pathway models is supported by references to scientific articles and can be examined at freely available online resources.




Lung Inflammation in Health and Disease, Volume I


Book Description

Respiratory diseases are leading causes of death and disability globally, with about 65 million people suffering from COPD, and 334 million from asthma, the most common chronic disease. Each year, tens of millions of people develop and can die from from respiratory infections such as pneumonia and TB. Systemic inflammation may induce and exacerbate local inflammatory diseases in the lungs, and local inflammation can in turn cause systemic inflammation. There is increasing evidence of the coexistence of systemic and local inflammation in patients suffering from asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases, and the co-morbidity of two or more local inflammatory diseases often occurs. For example, rheumatoid arthritis frequently occurs together with, and promotes the development of, pulmonary hypertension. This co-morbidity significantly impacts quality of life, and can result in death for those affected. Current treatment options for lung disease are neither effective, nor condition-specific; there is a desperate need for novel therapeutics in the field. Additionally, the molecular and physiological significance of most major lung diseases is not well understood, which further impedes development of new treatments, especially in the case of coexistent lung diseases with other inflammatory diseases. Great progress has been made in recent years in many areas of the field, particularly in understanding the molecular geneses, regulatory mechanisms, signalling pathways, and cellular processes within lung disease, as well as basic and clinical technology, drug discovery, diagnoses, treatment options, and predictive prognoses. This is the first text to aggregate these developments. In two comprehensive volumes, experts from all over the world present state-of-the-art advances in the study of lung inflammation in health and disease. Contributing authors cover well-known as well as emerging topics in basic, translational, and clinical research, with the aim of providing researchers, clinicians, professionals, and students with new perspectives and concepts. The editors hope these books will also help to direct future research in lung disease and other inflammatory diseases, and result in the development of novel therapeutics.




The Endothelium


Book Description

The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ. Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II. An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Multiple Functions of the Endothelial Cells / Calcium Signaling in Vascular Cells and Cell-to-Cell Communications / Endothelium-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Tone / Conclusion / References




Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice E-Book


Book Description

This best-selling resource has a worldwide reputation as the leader in its field. Focusing on human immunology and biology, while also reporting on scientific experimentation and advancement, it provides comprehensive coverage of state-of-the-art basic science as well as authoritative guidance on the practical aspects of day-to-day diagnosis and management. This new edition includes 700 full-color illustrations and a new, more accessible format to make finding information a snap for the busy practitioner. And this Expert Consult Edition offers online access to the complete contents of the 2-volume set, fully searchable, and much more. Includes a glossary of allergy and immunology for quick and easy reference. Contains keypoints and clinical pearls highlighted to find important information quickly. links to useful online resources both for you and for your patients. Offers contributions from hundreds of international authorities for world-class expertise in overcoming any clinical challenge. Contains 400 new illustrations, 700 in all, to better illustrate complex immunology. Covers the very latest in the field, including hot topics such as food allergy and immunotherapy. Includes the latest guidelines from The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP). Utilizes a new, more user-friendly full-color format for easier reference. Includes online access to the entire contents of the book, fully searchable, with links to MEDLINE abstracts for all of the references.




Middleton's Allergy 2-Volume Set


Book Description

Boasting a worldwide reputation as the leading text in allergy and immunology, Middleton's Allergy continues its steadfast tradition of providing comprehensive coverage of state-of-the-art basic science, as well as authoritative guidance on the clinical concepts of day-to-day diagnosis and management of allergic disorders. Offering timely information that’s suited for clinicians and researchers alike, Middleton’s is a user-friendly and versatile source for the knowledge you need to provide optimal care to your patients! "A valuable source of reference and pre-sifted information ...the editors are to be commending in keeping the book up-to-date and clinically valuable." Reviewed by: Imnunology News, March 2015 Stay on top of continuous new developments in clinical allergy and immunology through online access to the Expert Consult site, which will feature regular updates as well as the fully searchable contents. Find all of the information you need quickly and easily with a glossary of allergy and immunology terms; highlighted key points for each chapter; hundreds of crystal-clear images with a full-color format, and access to relevant websites. Apply the latest scientific knowledge and clinical applications with new chapters on Innate and Adaptive Immunity, Immune Tolerance, Immunobiology of IgE and Its Receptors, Resolution of Allergic Inflammation, and Particulate and Allergen Interactions, plus sweeping updates throughout. Take full advantage of the major advances in asthma pathogenesis and management with significant updates on diagnosis, treatment, and special aspects of asthma. Obtain the best results from the newest therapeutics for allergic and immunologic diseases through an expanded discussion of immunotherapy that includes new chapters on Sublingual Immunotherapy, Biologics and Immunosuppressives in Asthma, and Alternative and Complementary Therapies.




Smooth Muscle Spontaneous Activity


Book Description

This book presents the commonality and heterogeneity of the mechanisms underlying smooth muscle spontaneous activity in various smooth muscle organs and in addition discusses their malfunctions in disease and their potential as novel therapeutic targets. To facilitate understanding, the volume is divided into five parts and covers 16 organs: airways, gastrointestinal tract (phasic muscle, tonic muscle), renal pelvis, ureter, urinary bladder, urethra, corporal tissue, prostate, uterus, oviducts, seminal vesicle, artery, vein, microvasculature, and lymphatic vessels. This structure will help readers to comprehend the most up-to-date information on the similarities and differences in the contractile mechanisms driving various smooth muscles as well as their potential manipulations in particular visceral organ pathologies. The vast advancements in gene, electrical recording, and imaging technologies in this field are also discussed, with review of past achievements and consideration of likely future developments. This book will be of worldwide interest to clinicians, students, and researchers alike.