Proteases are everywhere from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, from virus to bacteria and in all human tissues, playing a role in many biological functions. Among these functions, the inflammatory reaction is of particular interest. In inflamed tissues, proteases can have a microbial and/or host origin and are involved not only in tissue remodeling, but also in specific signaling to resident or inflammatory cells, thereby contributing to the innate immune response. This volume presents all advances in our knowledge of the role proteases and their inhibitors play in various diseases associated with inflammatory response. Mechanisms involved in protease signaling to cells are presented, and the different types of proteases that are present at inflammatory sites and their effects on the course of inflammation are discussed. Finally, the evidence for considering proteases and their receptors as potential molecular targets for therapeutic interventions in the treatment of inflammatory diseases is discussed in the context of specific organ inflammatory pathologies (the lung, gastrointestinal tract, skin, joints, etc.).

The leading reference on this topic of increasing medical relevance is unique in offering unparalleled coverage. The editors are among the most respected researchers in inflammation worldwide and here have put together a prestigious team of contributors. Starting with the molecular basis of inflammation, from cytokines via the innate immune system to the different kinds of inflammatory cells, they continue with the function of inflammation in infectious disease before devoting a large section to the relationship between inflammation and chronic diseases. The book concludes with wound and tissue healing and options for therapeutic interventions. A must have for clinicians and biomedical researchers alike.

Eosinophils in Health and Disease provides immunology researchers and students with a comprehensive overview of current thought and cutting-edge eosinophil research, providing chapters on basic science, disease-specific issues, therapeutics, models for study and areas of emerging importance.

Anaesthesia Science presents the scientific foundations uponwhich the clinical practice of anaesthesia and care of thecritically ill are based. Written on the basis that basic science underlies the practiceof anaesthesia Contributors include some of the world’s most eminentanaesthesiologists Provides coverage on less well appreciated aspects of thesubject, such as the microcirculation, multi-organ failure, and thetheory of pain Thoroughly integrates the clinical practice of anaesthesia withbasic sciences, providing all the information needed in oneconvenient source Based on the Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists(FRCA) syllabus and aimed at trainee anaesthetists preparing forthe FRCA, the European Diploma of Anaesthesiology and otherequivalent examinations.

The late Arthur Rook established the Textbook of Dermatologyas the most comprehensive work of reference available to thedermatologist and it enjoys instant name recognition. Eachsubsequent edition has been expanded as the subject has developedand the book remains the ultimate source of clinical informationfor the trainee and practising dermatologist alike. Rook's Textbook of Dermatology covers all aspects of skindisease from basic science through pathology and epidemiology toclinical practice. Long recognized for its unparalleled coverage ofdiagnosis, this clinical classic earned its reputation as adefinitive source of information. New features of this Seventh Edition include: Two new Editors, Neil Cox and Christopher Griffiths, join theteam Every chapter is updated and several are completely rewrittenfrom scratch Completely new chapter on AIDS and the Skin Traditional emphasis on diagnosis preserved More coverage of treatment in each of the disease-specificchapters

Using a multidisciplinary approach, this book describes the biochemical mechanisms associated with dysregulation of proteases and the resulting pathophysiological consequences. It highlights the role and regulation of different types of proteases as well as their synthetic and endogenous inhibitors. The role of proteases was initially thought to be limited to general metabolic digestion. However, we now know that the role of protein breakdown is much more complex, and proteases have multiple functions: they are coupled to turnover and can affect protein composition, function and synthesis. In addition to eliminating abnormal proteins, breakdown has many modulatory functions, including activating and inactivating enzymes, modulating membrane function, altering receptor channel properties, affecting transcription and cell cycles and forming active peptides. The ubiquity of proteases in nature makes them an important target for drug development. This in-depth, comprehensive is a valuable resource for researchers involved in identifying new targets for drug development. With its multidisciplinary scope, it bridges the gap between fundamental and translational research in the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, making it thought-provoking reading for scientists in the field.

This two-volume treatise, the collected effort of more than 50 authors, represents the first comprehensive survey of the chemistry and biology of the set of molecules known as peptide growth factors. Although there have been many symposia on this topic, and numerous publications of reviews dealing with selected subsets of growth factors, the entired field has never been covered in a single treatise. It is essential to do this at the present time, as the number of journal articles on peptide growth factors now makes it almost im anyone person to stay informed on this subject by reading the possible for At the same time it is becoming increasingly apparent that primary literature. these substances are of universal importance in biology and medicine and that the original classification of these molecules, based on the laboratory setting of their discovery, as "growth factors," "lymphokines," "cytokines," or "colony-stimulating factors," was quite artifactual; they are in fact the basis of a common language for intercellular communication. As a set they affect es sentially every cell in the body, and in this regard they provide the basis to develop a unified science of cell biology, germane to all of biomedical research.

Providing the necessary foundation for a critical understanding of this rapidly expanding area of biological science that underpins and explains the modern concepts of a wide range of diseases and conditions, this book gives a concise, readable, and up-to-date account of immunology in general and its translation into key areas of clinical practice.

Despite great advances in diagnosis and treatment that we witnessed in the last decades, over a billion people suffer from both respiratory and neurological diseases each year, which poses great threats to the public health and economic burden worldwide. In many instances, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms are still poorly understood, which significantly limits the efficacy of therapeutic methods. In this regard, lines of evidence pinpoint the important role of immunity and inflammation in both respiratory disorders (e.g., pulmonary hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, etc.) and neurological ones (e.g., neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, depression, etc.). The accumulation of inflammatory cells and an excess of cytokines and chemokines at the inflammatory site would result from the disturbance of the body's delicate balance between immunity and tolerance. Therefore, it gives rise to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity underlying the development of both lung and neurological diseases. Furthermore, the inflammation interaction between lung and brain has been identified, suggesting the existence and importance of the lung-brain axis in the regulation of immune responses in the lung and brain that contribute to the onset and progression of both respiratory and neurological diseases. Nevertheless, inflammatory or immunity related risk factors as well novel targets and therapies against inflammation or immunity help early diagnosis and treatment of respiratory and neurological diseases. At present, the full picture of the molecular mechanisms of how immuno-inflammatory activation and the immune cells orchestrate the tissue remodeling leading to respiratory and neurological diseases remains unclear. The identification of inflammatory molecules as therapeutic targets or biomarkers are worth further scrutiny to halt the disease progression and monitor the therapeutic interventions.

A trustworthy clinical companion, the textbook offers best practice and management strategies for these common joint diseases. Formerly published as Osteoarthritis, the extensively revised third edition of the Oxford Textbook of Osteoarthritis and Crystal Arthropathy provides up-to-date and evidence-based guidance on how to assess, diagnose, and manage patients. A prestigious and international author team ensure information is expert and relevant-this is a practical tool for clinicians managing people with osteoarthritis, gout, and other crystal-associated arthritis. Confidently consider and chose the right blend of treatment for your patient, whether physical, pharmacological, surgical, or supportive. The Oxford Textbook of Osteoarthritis and Crystal Arthropathy provides full coverage of joint failure, and includes detailed sections on epidemiology, risk factors, clinical assessment, and investigations. This edition also now includes new sections on gout and other crystal arthropathies. Clinically relevant and easily understandable overviews of basic science, including pathology and pain physiology, along with critical appraisal of current guidelines, make this a highly valuable resource. Significant coverage is also given to patient education and the involvement of the patient in management planning. Also highly illustrated, the textbook is a strong reference tool with summary boxes and key points at the end of chapters making it easy to find information quickly and help you deliver the optimum patient outcome. The textbook equips rheumatologists and musculoskeletal health professionals with the knowledge to provide best possible patient care.