The regenerative capacity of the liver cell is almost unlimited. Therefore after acute liver damage, be it viral, toxic, hypoxic, or surgical in origin, restitutio ad integrum is the usual outcome. In two forms of liver disease, however, this is not the case: in fulmi nant hepatic failure, liver regeneration often is not fast enough to keep the organism alive; in end-stage cirrhosis, regeneration is dis turbed by a hypertrophic architecture of fibrotic tissue. For these extreme forms of liver disease and for critical situations before and after liver surgery, artificial liver support is needed. This book contains the latest results in this area of research pre sented by scientists from allover the world at an international symposium held in Celle, Germany, June 2-4, 1980. Exciting new methods like continuous membrane plasma sepa ration and liver cell transplantation into the spleen have been de veloped. The older methods of hemoperfusion and dialysis have been improved. Enzymological methods and liver transplantation have made good progress. We hope that this volume will help the clinician in his decision-making and stimulate ingenious new re search for the benefit of our liver patients.

This book introduces the clinical application of artificial liver system (ALS) in hepatic failure. It has been widely used in clinics aiming to provide temporary support of liver function while maintaining extra-hepatic function in patients with liver failure. This work comprehensively summarizes the progress of livers and artificial liver, for example, the principle and implementation of Li-ALS, cell transplantation and the combined application of artificial liver and liver transplantation. It will be helpful for clinicians to implement artificial liver treatment to save the lives of patients with hepatic failure.

There is a rapid increase in interest related to novel approaches in artificial kidneys, artificial liver, and detoxifi cation. Recent research has included the successful clinical appli cations of the principle of artificial cells for adsorbent hemo perfusion. Since it is 20 years ago at McGill that the first report on "Artificial Cells" was presented, I thought it might be useful to get together a small group of speakers and participants for a day before the ASAIO meeting to discuss some recent advances in the area of the clinical applications of artificial kidney, artificial liver and artificial cells with emphasis on adsorbent hemoperfusion. However, the enthusiastic supports of distinguished speakers, session chairmen and participants were such that the original pro jection of 100 participants had expanded to a preregistration total of 250, from Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Scotland, Sweden and U. S. A. The program also expanded to include a review section on hemodialysis, dialysate regeneration, hemofiltration, resin hemoperfusion and oxystarch given by their respective originators. The remaining of the symposium emphasizes the status of the art on different encap sulated adsorbent hemoperfusion approaches. I would like to apolo gize to those who we could not accommodate beca~se of space limita tions. It is hoped that this symposium volume may be useful for them and for others who are interested in this area. Special thanks are due to Ms Joanne Toms for her excellent secretarial assistance for the conference and Mrs.

Animal cell technology has undergone a rapid transformation over the last decade from a research tool and highly specialised technology to a central resource for innovation in pharmaceutical research and development. These proceedings of the 14th Meeting of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology (Vilamoura, Portugal, May 1996) bring up to date the historical perspective of animal cell technology for the benefit of society, `From Vaccines to Genetic Medicine', and will charter this vital technology for the years to come. Strong contributions are grouped in the traditional ESACT areas of 'Cell and Physiology Engineering' dealing with cell state, including genetics, and its environment, and 'Animal Cell Process Engineering' covering integration of bioreaction with bioseparation coupled with on-line monitoring to improve protein production and consistency. Extensive coverage of metabolic engineering on synthesis, folding, assembly, transiting and secretion is dealt with in the session on 'Recombinant Proteins: Biosynthesis and Bioprocessing'. Two traditional but expanding areas of animal cell technology relevance are highlighted in the broad sessions of 'Animal Cells as Tools for Discovery and Testing' and 'Animal Cell Vaccines: Present and Future'. Two sessions finally cover the more recent domains of animal cell technology work - 'Tissue Engineering and Biomedical Devices' and 'Cells and Vectors for Genetic Medicine' - where one can foresee a very bright future.

Hemodialysis (HD) is the commonest form of kidney replacement therapy worldwide with a prevalence rate close to 90%. Despite significant improvements in HD techniques and related devices and solutions, the cardiovascular and all-cause mortality of HD patients remains unacceptably elevated. More recently, there have been significant improvements in the creation and maintenance of vascular access as well as the knowledge of types, classification, and monitoring of uremic toxins and their relationship with inflammation, atherosclerosis and vascular classification, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. More interesting is the innovation in dialysis membranes/dialyzers, which resulted in the creation of the medium cut-off membrane, which enables the safe, simple, and effective removal of middle- and large-sized uremic toxins. This type of HD treatment is called expanded hemodialysis (HDx) therapy, which so far has resulted in significant improvement in the quality of life of HD patients as well as reductions in hospitalization, medications, and non-fatal cardiovascular events. Updates on Hemodialysis discusses these innovations and how they can be used to improve daily practice and achieve the best possible medical outcomes in HD patients.

An important resource that puts the focus on the chemical engineering aspects of biomedical engineering In the past 50 years remarkable achievements have been advanced in the fields of biomedical and chemical engineering. With contributions from leading chemical engineers, Biomedical Engineering Challenges reviews the recent research and discovery that sits at the interface of engineering and biology. The authors explore the principles and practices that are applied to the ever-expanding array of such new areas as gene-therapy delivery, biosensor design, and the development of improved therapeutic compounds, imaging agents, and drug delivery vehicles. Filled with illustrative case studies, this important resource examines such important work as methods of growing human cells and tissues outside the body in order to repair or replace damaged tissues. In addition, the text covers a range of topics including the challenges faced with developing artificial lungs, kidneys, and livers; advances in 3D cell culture systems; and chemical reaction methodologies for biomedical imagining analysis. This vital resource: Covers interdisciplinary research at the interface between chemical engineering, biology, and chemistry Provides a series of valuable case studies describing current themes in biomedical engineering Explores chemical engineering principles such as mass transfer, bioreactor technologies as applied to problems such as cell culture, tissue engineering, and biomedical imaging Written from the point of view of chemical engineers, this authoritative guide offers a broad-ranging but concise overview of research at the interface of chemical engineering and biology.

Published in 1984: For this volume the publishers at CRC Press have chosen to present information on just one important area, namely the biomedical field, where much progress in the application of microencapsulation has been made in recent years.

This 1997 text is a guide to acute liver failure aetiology, pathology and treatment.

With all the complex issues of acceptance or rejection of a transplanted organ, immunology is a key subject for all transplantation clinicians. During recent years, there has been an explosion of research and knowledge in this area. Produced in association with the American Society of Transplantation, and written by experts within the field, Transplant Immunology provides a comprehensive overview of the topic in relation to clinical transplantation. Starting with the basic functionality of the immune system, it then moves on to cover the very latest developments in immunosuppressive drugs and protocols, as well as a look at all emerging technologies in the field. Key chapters include: Transplant-related complications Immune responses to transplants Emerging issues in transplantation Biomarkers of Allograft rejection and tolerance T cells and the principles of immune responses In full colour throughout, over 100 outstanding diagrams support the text, all figures being fully downloadable via the book's companion website. The result is an essential tool for all those responsible for managing patients awaiting and undergoing organ transplantation, including transplant surgeons and clinicians, immunologists and researchers.

For more than 60 years, Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract has served as the cornerstone reference in this fast-moving field. With comprehensive coverage of all aspects of GI surgery, the 8th Edition, by Drs. Charles J. Yeo, Steven R. DeMeester, David W. McFadden, Jeffrey B. Matthews, and James W. Fleshman, offers lavishly illustrated, authoritative guidance on endoscopic, robotic, and minimally invasive procedures, as well as current medical therapies. Each section is edited by a premier authority in GI surgery; chapters reflect key topics and are written by a "who's who" of international experts in the field. It's your one-stop resource for proven, systematic approaches to all relevant adult and pediatric GI disorders and operations - Features an abundance of beautifully detailed intraoperative and laparoscopic photographs, as well as radiographs and line drawings, to enhance and clarify the text. - Presents essential information, such as lists of differential diagnoses, in tabular format for quick reference. - Discusses recent, major advances in minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery, personalized therapy based on genomics and proteomics, and new pharmacologic treatments of various GI diseases. - Includes all-new information on laparoscopy for rectal cancer, sacral nerve stimulation for incontinence and constipation, management of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, advances in immunosuppression for transplant patients, and new therapies for inflammatory bowel disease. - Expert ConsultTM eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices.