Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) are a class of autoimmune diseases that invade multiple tissues, systems, and internal organs, with varying degrees of immune-inflammatory responses. Due to the poor blood circulation of the patient, the nutrients needed by the muscles or tissues cannot be transported through the blood circulation, resulting in the lack of nutrients in the muscles of the patients and accelerated aging and stiffness. In severe cases, the muscles and blood vessels of the patients will atrophy, and some patients may suffer from joint damage. Disability and visceral failure seriously affect normal function, have a high disability rate, and bring a heavy burden to the patient's family and society.

The prevalence of autoimmune diseases and rheumatic conditions is constantly increasing. Autoimmune diseases affect approximately 7-10% of the population of the United States, while more than 50,000,000 American adults suffer from some type of arthritis. The Heart in Rheumatic, Autoimmune and Inflammatory Diseases examines the complex mechanisms relating to cardiac diseases from a pathophysiological and clinical point of view. Autoimmune rheumatic diseases can affect the coronary vessels, myocardium, pericardium, heart valves and the conduction system. The diagnosis of these unique cardiac complications necessitates medical awareness and a high index of suspicion. Increased risk of advanced atherosclerosis plays a pivotal role in the development of cardiac diseases in systemic, rheumatic and autoimmune illnesses. Yet, other complex immune medicated mechanisms may contribute to the pathogenesis. Patients' optimal care requires coordination between the primary caregiver, the rheumatologist, immunologist and cardiologist. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors, recognition of high-risk patients and identification of subclinical cardiac conditions are of great importance. Moreover, regulation of inflammation, as well as abnormal immune responses and the initiation of early treatments should be the focus of patient management. A continuous attempt to identify novel therapeutic targets and change the natural history of the underlying disease and its cardiac manifestations is in progress. The book aims at providing the readers with a state of the art collection of up to date information regarding clinically important topics based on experts' perspectives. This book was a result of an extended coordinated collaboration of one-hundred and fifty-four distinguished scientists from thirty-one countries around the globe. - A review of common, as well as unusual (yet clinically significant) medical cardiac complications of prevalent rheumatic, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. - Focuses on aspects of pathophysiological processes, clinical presentations, screening tests, prognostic implications and novel therapeutic approaches. - Presents an up-to-date "level of evidence and "strengths of recommendations for suggested therapies and reviews all randomized clinical trials, meta-analyses and other supporting published clinical findings.

Once viewed solely as fat storage cells, adipocytes and their adipokines have now been proven to be central for human health. Understanding that overweight and obesity may increase the risk for various diseases requires detailed characterization of adipokine function. Weight gain, weight regain, and fasting affect adipocyte health and accordingly their secretome. Different adipose tissue deposits exist and they vary in cellular composition and function. The evidence is strong of a role of adipokines in cancer, reproductive function, neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases ,and rheumatoid arthritis. Adipokines are considered useful biomarkers for adipose tissue and metabolic health, and may be used as diagnostic tools in rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, or sepsis. This book contains 10 original articles and 9 review articles focusing on these bioactive peptides. Several articles deal with chemerin, an adipokine discovered more than 20 years ago. Data so far have resulted in promising insights related to its biological function. We are only beginning to understand the multiple roles of chemerin, the mechanisms regulating its activity, and the signaling pathways used by this chemokine. Adipokine receptor agonists and antagonists may result in the formulation of novel drugs and ultimately may lead to new therapeutic targets to be used in clinical practice.

COVID-19 is a recently emerged infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. The immune system has a primary role in pathogen elimination and a rapid and effective response can limit disease severity. In this context, T cells play the major role in cell mediated adaptive immune response. The protective role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells has been inferred from studies on patients who recovered from SARS and MERS and accumulating data are now showing their relevance in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Moreover, memory T cells induced by previous pathogens can shape the susceptibility to, and the clinical severity of other infections, but the complete picture has yet to be elucidated. If the virus is not rapidly eliminated, COVID-19 may progress towards a secondary inflammatory phase that is directly responsible for a worsening in clinical symptoms and immune system impairment. Besides marked lymphopenia, COVID-19 patients’ T cell compartment displays several alterations involving different subpopulations of T cells in terms of phenotype, metabolic profile and functionality.

The well respected textbook Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States has now been fully adapted for Canadian undergraduate nursing and health professions students. Like the original text, this Canadian edition includes a review of anatomy and physiology and treatment information for commonly occurring disease states. Pediatric, geriatric, and pregnancy deviations are integrated throughout and highlighted with icons for easy identification. Canadian content includes Canadian healthcare statistics regarding incidence; cultural variations, with a focus on native population and largest immigrant populations; Canadian research and researchers; Canadian treatment protocols and guidelines; and commonly occurring disease concerns based on Canadian statistics.