Author: Michael R. McGinnis
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 146123624X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
This latest volume in the Current Topics in Medical Mycology series brings together internationally recognized researchers to summarize current topics of interest to medical mycologists and other scientists who are working in microbiology and immunology. A blend of contemporary, authoritative reviews and summaries of new advancements and future directions, Volume 3 aims to promote the interdisciplinary use of medically important fungi in pathogenesis, epidemiology, mycotoxins, taxonomy, and other areas where basic, applied, and clinical science are used.
Bacterial Biofilms
Author: Tony Romeo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540754180
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 302
Book Description
Throughout the biological world, bacteria thrive predominantly in surface-attached, matrix-enclosed, multicellular communities or biofilms, as opposed to isolated planktonic cells. This choice of lifestyle is not trivial, as it involves major shifts in the use of genetic information and cellular energy, and has profound consequences for bacterial physiology and survival. Growth within a biofilm can thwart immune function and antibiotic therapy and thereby complicate the treatment of infectious diseases, especially chronic and foreign device-associated infections. Modern studies of many important biofilms have advanced well beyond the descriptive stage, and have begun to provide molecular details of the structural, biochemical, and genetic processes that drive biofilm formation and its dispersion. There is much diversity in the details of biofilm development among various species, but there are also commonalities. In most species, environmental and nutritional conditions greatly influence biofilm development. Similar kinds of adhesive molecules often promote biofilm formation in diverse species. Signaling and regulatory processes that drive biofilm development are often conserved, especially among related bacteria. Knowledge of such processes holds great promise for efforts to control biofilm growth and combat biofilm-associated infections. This volume focuses on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease, although it is by no means comprehensive. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental, and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540754180
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 302
Book Description
Throughout the biological world, bacteria thrive predominantly in surface-attached, matrix-enclosed, multicellular communities or biofilms, as opposed to isolated planktonic cells. This choice of lifestyle is not trivial, as it involves major shifts in the use of genetic information and cellular energy, and has profound consequences for bacterial physiology and survival. Growth within a biofilm can thwart immune function and antibiotic therapy and thereby complicate the treatment of infectious diseases, especially chronic and foreign device-associated infections. Modern studies of many important biofilms have advanced well beyond the descriptive stage, and have begun to provide molecular details of the structural, biochemical, and genetic processes that drive biofilm formation and its dispersion. There is much diversity in the details of biofilm development among various species, but there are also commonalities. In most species, environmental and nutritional conditions greatly influence biofilm development. Similar kinds of adhesive molecules often promote biofilm formation in diverse species. Signaling and regulatory processes that drive biofilm development are often conserved, especially among related bacteria. Knowledge of such processes holds great promise for efforts to control biofilm growth and combat biofilm-associated infections. This volume focuses on the biology of biofilms that affect human disease, although it is by no means comprehensive. It opens with chapters that provide the reader with current perspectives on biofilm development, physiology, environmental, and regulatory effects, the role of quorum sensing, and resistance/phenotypic persistence to antimicrobial agents during biofilm growth.
Viruses and Nanotechnology
Author: Marianne Manchester
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540693793
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 152
Book Description
Nanotechnology is a collective term describing a broad range of relatively novel topics. Scale is the main unifying theme, with nanotechnology being concerned with matter on the nanometer scale. A quintessential tenet of nanotechnology is the precise self-assembly of nanometer-sized components into ordered devices. Nanotechnology seeks to mimic what nature has achieved, with precision at the nanometer level down to the atomic level. Nanobiotechnology, a division of nanotechnology, involves the exploitation of biomaterials, devices or methodologies in the nanoscale. In recent years a set of b- molecules has been studied and utilized. Virus particles are natural nanomaterials and have recently received attention for their tremendous potential in this field. The extensive study of viruses as pathogens has yielded detailed knowledge about their biological, genetic, and physical properties. Bacterial viruses (bacte- ophages), plant and animal eukaryotic viruses, and viruses of archaea have all been characterized in this manner. The knowledge of their replicative cycles allows manipulation and tailoring of particles, relying on the principles of self-assembly in infected hosts to build the base materials. The atomic resolution of the virion structure reveals ways in which to tailor particles for higher-order functions and assemblies.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540693793
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 152
Book Description
Nanotechnology is a collective term describing a broad range of relatively novel topics. Scale is the main unifying theme, with nanotechnology being concerned with matter on the nanometer scale. A quintessential tenet of nanotechnology is the precise self-assembly of nanometer-sized components into ordered devices. Nanotechnology seeks to mimic what nature has achieved, with precision at the nanometer level down to the atomic level. Nanobiotechnology, a division of nanotechnology, involves the exploitation of biomaterials, devices or methodologies in the nanoscale. In recent years a set of b- molecules has been studied and utilized. Virus particles are natural nanomaterials and have recently received attention for their tremendous potential in this field. The extensive study of viruses as pathogens has yielded detailed knowledge about their biological, genetic, and physical properties. Bacterial viruses (bacte- ophages), plant and animal eukaryotic viruses, and viruses of archaea have all been characterized in this manner. The knowledge of their replicative cycles allows manipulation and tailoring of particles, relying on the principles of self-assembly in infected hosts to build the base materials. The atomic resolution of the virion structure reveals ways in which to tailor particles for higher-order functions and assemblies.
Origin and Evolution of the Vertebrate Immune System
Author: L. Du Pasquier
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642596746
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
The comparative approach to immunology can be traced to the era of Pasteur and Metchnikov in which observations regarding foreign recognition in invertebrates was a factor in the develop ment of the principal concepts that created the foundation of what now is the broad field of immunology. With each major experimental and conceptual breakthrough, the classical, albeit essential, question has been asked "are the immune systems of phylogenetically primitive vertebrates and invertebrates similar to that of mammals?" Somewhat surprisingly for the jawed verte brates, the general answer has been a qualified form of "yes", whereas for agnathans and invertebrate phyla it has been "no" so far. The apparent abruptness in the appearance of the immune system of vertebrates is linked to the introduction of the somatic generation of the diversity of its antigen specific receptors. Therefore the questions regarding the origin and evolution of the specific immune system revolve around this phenomenon. With respect to the origin of the system (aside from the or igin of the rearranging machinery itself, the study of which is still in its infancy) one can ask questions about the cellular and mo lecular contexts in which the mechanism was introduced.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642596746
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 324
Book Description
The comparative approach to immunology can be traced to the era of Pasteur and Metchnikov in which observations regarding foreign recognition in invertebrates was a factor in the develop ment of the principal concepts that created the foundation of what now is the broad field of immunology. With each major experimental and conceptual breakthrough, the classical, albeit essential, question has been asked "are the immune systems of phylogenetically primitive vertebrates and invertebrates similar to that of mammals?" Somewhat surprisingly for the jawed verte brates, the general answer has been a qualified form of "yes", whereas for agnathans and invertebrate phyla it has been "no" so far. The apparent abruptness in the appearance of the immune system of vertebrates is linked to the introduction of the somatic generation of the diversity of its antigen specific receptors. Therefore the questions regarding the origin and evolution of the specific immune system revolve around this phenomenon. With respect to the origin of the system (aside from the or igin of the rearranging machinery itself, the study of which is still in its infancy) one can ask questions about the cellular and mo lecular contexts in which the mechanism was introduced.
Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy
Author: Glenn Dranoff
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642141366
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 313
Book Description
The interplay between tumors and their immunologic microenvironment is complex, difficult to decipher, but its understanding is of seminal importance for the development of novel prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies. The present review discusses tumor-immune interactions in several human cancers that illustrate various aspects of this complexity and proposes an integrated scheme of the impact of local immune reactions on clinical outcome. Current active immunotherapy trials have shown durable tumor regressions in a fraction of patients. However, clinical efficacy of current vaccines is limited, possibly because tumors skew the immune system by means of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, inflammatory type 2 T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), all of which prevent the generation of effector cells. To improve the clinical efficacy of cancer vaccines in patients with metastatic disease, we need to design novel and improved strategies that can boost adaptive immunity to cancer, help overcome Tregs and allow the breakdown of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642141366
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 313
Book Description
The interplay between tumors and their immunologic microenvironment is complex, difficult to decipher, but its understanding is of seminal importance for the development of novel prognostic markers and therapeutic strategies. The present review discusses tumor-immune interactions in several human cancers that illustrate various aspects of this complexity and proposes an integrated scheme of the impact of local immune reactions on clinical outcome. Current active immunotherapy trials have shown durable tumor regressions in a fraction of patients. However, clinical efficacy of current vaccines is limited, possibly because tumors skew the immune system by means of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, inflammatory type 2 T cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), all of which prevent the generation of effector cells. To improve the clinical efficacy of cancer vaccines in patients with metastatic disease, we need to design novel and improved strategies that can boost adaptive immunity to cancer, help overcome Tregs and allow the breakdown of the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
Plant-produced Microbial Vaccines
Author: Alexander V. Karasev
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540708685
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 126
Book Description
In recent years, plants have been increasingly explored for production of biomedicines and vaccine components. The two main advantages of plant systems are low cost and a greater potential for scalability as compared to microbial or animal systems. An additional advantage from the public health point of view is high safety compared to animal systems, which is important for vaccine production: there are no known plant pathogens capable of replicating in animals, and in humans in particular. A particular antigen or a protein has to be expressed in a plant using one of many available platforms; this antigen/protein subsequently needs to be purified or processed, and later formulated into a vaccine or a therapeutic; these need to be delivered to a human or animal body via an appropriate route. Naturally, all these vaccines and therapeutics must be subjected to regulatory approvals prior to their use. Thus, the challenge is to adapt plant-based platforms for production of cost-efficient biomedicals that can be approved by FDA for use as vaccine components or therapeutics which will be competitive against existing vaccines and drugs. This volume attempts to address the entire spectrum of challenges facing the nascent field of plant-based biomedicals, from the selection of an appropriate production platform to specific methods of downstream processing and regulatory approval issues.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540708685
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 126
Book Description
In recent years, plants have been increasingly explored for production of biomedicines and vaccine components. The two main advantages of plant systems are low cost and a greater potential for scalability as compared to microbial or animal systems. An additional advantage from the public health point of view is high safety compared to animal systems, which is important for vaccine production: there are no known plant pathogens capable of replicating in animals, and in humans in particular. A particular antigen or a protein has to be expressed in a plant using one of many available platforms; this antigen/protein subsequently needs to be purified or processed, and later formulated into a vaccine or a therapeutic; these need to be delivered to a human or animal body via an appropriate route. Naturally, all these vaccines and therapeutics must be subjected to regulatory approvals prior to their use. Thus, the challenge is to adapt plant-based platforms for production of cost-efficient biomedicals that can be approved by FDA for use as vaccine components or therapeutics which will be competitive against existing vaccines and drugs. This volume attempts to address the entire spectrum of challenges facing the nascent field of plant-based biomedicals, from the selection of an appropriate production platform to specific methods of downstream processing and regulatory approval issues.
Malaria: Drugs, Disease and Post-genomic Biology
Author: David Sullivan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540290885
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 447
Book Description
Despite rapid increases in knowledge, malaria continues to kill more than a million people each year and causes symptomatic disease in a further 300 million individuals. This volume brings some of the world's best investigators to describe recent advances in both the scientific and clinical aspects of malaria, and bridges between the two.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540290885
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 447
Book Description
Despite rapid increases in knowledge, malaria continues to kill more than a million people each year and causes symptomatic disease in a further 300 million individuals. This volume brings some of the world's best investigators to describe recent advances in both the scientific and clinical aspects of malaria, and bridges between the two.
Quasispecies: Concept and Implications for Virology
Author: Esteban Domingo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540263977
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 413
Book Description
Continuous genetic variation and selection of virus subpopulations in the course of RNA virus replications are intimately related to viral disease mechanisms. The central topics of this volume are the origins of the quasispecies concept, and the implications of quasispecies dynamics for viral populations.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3540263977
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 413
Book Description
Continuous genetic variation and selection of virus subpopulations in the course of RNA virus replications are intimately related to viral disease mechanisms. The central topics of this volume are the origins of the quasispecies concept, and the implications of quasispecies dynamics for viral populations.
Varicella-zoster Virus
Author: Allison Abendroth
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642127282
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 382
Book Description
This book offers a comprehensive review of basic and clinical research on Varicella-zoster Virus, the only human herpesvirus for which vaccines to prevent both primary and recurrent infection are approved.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642127282
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 382
Book Description
This book offers a comprehensive review of basic and clinical research on Varicella-zoster Virus, the only human herpesvirus for which vaccines to prevent both primary and recurrent infection are approved.
Current Topics in Medical Mycology
Author: Michael R. McGinnis
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 146123624X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
This latest volume in the Current Topics in Medical Mycology series brings together internationally recognized researchers to summarize current topics of interest to medical mycologists and other scientists who are working in microbiology and immunology. A blend of contemporary, authoritative reviews and summaries of new advancements and future directions, Volume 3 aims to promote the interdisciplinary use of medically important fungi in pathogenesis, epidemiology, mycotoxins, taxonomy, and other areas where basic, applied, and clinical science are used.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 146123624X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
This latest volume in the Current Topics in Medical Mycology series brings together internationally recognized researchers to summarize current topics of interest to medical mycologists and other scientists who are working in microbiology and immunology. A blend of contemporary, authoritative reviews and summaries of new advancements and future directions, Volume 3 aims to promote the interdisciplinary use of medically important fungi in pathogenesis, epidemiology, mycotoxins, taxonomy, and other areas where basic, applied, and clinical science are used.
Intradermal Immunization
Author: Marcel B.M. Teunissen
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642236901
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 262
Book Description
This volume of Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology covers diverse topics related to intradermal immunization. The chapters highlight the effectiveness of intradermal immunization in experimental animal models or in clinical practice, all supporting the view that intradermal immunization is at least as good as other immunization routes. Keeping in mind that current vaccines are not specially designed for intradermal immunization, but show comparable efficiency even at reduced dosages, this underlines the great potential for the skin as a vaccination site. Hopefully, the overview in this volume will encourage vaccine designers to focus on this promising immunization route, and in addition, to inspire them to develop vaccines that are especially optimized for intradermal immunization.
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 3642236901
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 262
Book Description
This volume of Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology covers diverse topics related to intradermal immunization. The chapters highlight the effectiveness of intradermal immunization in experimental animal models or in clinical practice, all supporting the view that intradermal immunization is at least as good as other immunization routes. Keeping in mind that current vaccines are not specially designed for intradermal immunization, but show comparable efficiency even at reduced dosages, this underlines the great potential for the skin as a vaccination site. Hopefully, the overview in this volume will encourage vaccine designers to focus on this promising immunization route, and in addition, to inspire them to develop vaccines that are especially optimized for intradermal immunization.