"Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection represents one of the biggest challenges of current years. However, scientists and physicians still do not have an efficient therapy for preventing or eradicating the virus. The selection of drug-resistant stra"

We are delighted to present the inaugural Frontiers in Immunology “Women in Cytokines and Soluble Mediators in Immunity” series of article collections. At present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are discouraging girls and women away from science-related fields, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research in particular. Science and gender equality are, however, essential to ensure sustainable development as highlighted by UNESCO. In order to change traditional mindsets, gender equality must be promoted, stereotypes defeated, and girls and women should be encouraged to pursue STEM careers.

This is the first comprehensive book on human/animal gene responses to RNA viral infections, including prevalent, emerging and re-emerging RNA viruses such as HIV, SARS-CoV, West Nile virus, influenza virus and many others. Human gene responses are reviewed by leading virologists worldwide in the following aspects: (i) the altered gene expression profiles at the transcriptional and translational levels detected with cutting-edge technologies such as cDNA microarray and proteomics; (ii) host innate and adapted immune responses to viral replication in target organs; (iii) virus-activated signal transduction pathways in cell survival, apoptosis and autophagosomal pathways; and (iv) the small interfering RNA/microRNA-mediated gene silencing pathway, a recently characterized new host defense mechanism against viral infection.Organized into 27 highly accessible and well-illustrated chapters, this volume explores state-of-the-art knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of RNA virus infection and host-virus interactions. This comprehensive compilation of the altered gene expression profiles and signal transduction pathways in host cells in response to the majority of human/animal RNA viruses opens new directions for basic and clinical research on viral pathogenesis, and also provides valuable biomarkers for researchers to select gene targets in the development of diagnostic tests and antiviral therapeutics for a number of infectious diseases.

The Neurology of AIDS is a compilation of works addressing six major aspects of nervous system disease that commonly follows HIV-1 infection. This includes basic science; clinical science; neuropathology; therapy; neuropsychiatric and prospectives of disease provided by patients.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of modern methodology, diagnostic methods and techniques of HIV/AIDS imaging. It starts with a general review of HIV/AIDS imaging and evidence based medicine (EBM). In the following chapters, authors introduce 13 of most common types of AIDS/HIV-associated diseases separately. High-quality examples combined with computed tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gross anatomy and pathology images are clearly illustrated. Moreover, the use of functional imaging in HIV/AIDS diagnosis and differential diagnosis is an essential part that diagnostic doctors will find to be useful.

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH: Volume 2: Impact on Global Health covers the scientific aspects of the entire portfolio of NIAID, including microbiology and infectious disease, HIV/AIDS, and immunology and vaccines. All major diseases and the relevant immunology and vaccine development are described in detail. In addition, all major NIAID programs, initiatives, and clinical trials are discussed and illustrate the global involvement of NIAID in biomedical research and its impact on public health worldwide. By providing this information, the global scientific community will be able to access and benefit from these programs and initiatives.

In an effort to go beyond immune-based therapies, researchers are now considering the implications of apoptosis dysregulation during HIV-induced immunodeficiency. This work provides the first comprehensive compendium of the progress made in understanding the process of cell death related to HIV and the potential breakthroughs in treatment that offer much promise. Combining the work of more than two-dozen top researchers, this seminal volume provides clinicians and researchers with an excellent reference, while also serving as an incubator to stimulate future research. It explains the fundamental biology involved with apoptosis, explains its clinical impact in HIV, and examines the newest therapeutic approaches.

Given rapid research progress and advance of the techniques in studying HIV interactions with host cells and factors, there is a critical need for a book on HIV interactions with DCs. The proposed book will aim for a broad readership to facilitate HIV/AIDS research and provide a practical tool for HIV researchers to continuously address novel questions. Specifically, the editors will summarize the literature in this field and provide critical analysis and future directions. International researchers will be invited as contributors of the book, highlighting authors who have contributed significantly to the field from different angles and aspects of virology, cell biology and immunology, etc.

Over the last several years the field of humanized mice has matured and developed into an essential component of translational research for HIV/AIDS. Humanized mice serve both as vehicles for discovery and as highly sophisticated platforms for biomedical research. In addition, humanized mice have demonstrated outstanding potential for the investigation of critical aspects of the infection and pathogenesis of the hepatitis and herpes viruses, as well as highly relevant microbial infections such as tuberculosis and malaria. Humanized Mice for HIV Research provides a comprehensive presentation of the history, evolution, applications, and current state of the art of this unique animal model. An expansion of twelve review articles that were published in Humanized Mice by Springer in 2008 (Eds: Nomura T, Watanabe T, Habu S), this book expertly captures the outstanding progress that has been made in the development, improvement, implementation, and validation of humanized mouse models. The first two parts of this book cover the basics of human-to-mouse xenotransplantation biology, and provide critical information about human immune cell development and function based on individual models created from different immunodeficient strains of mice. The third and fourth parts investigate HIV-1 biology, including different routes of transmission, prevention, treatment, pathogenesis, and the development of adaptive immunity in humanized mice. The fifth part shows the broad applicability of humanized mice for therapeutic development, from long-acting antiretroviral combinations to genetic manipulations with human cells and cell-based approaches. The sixth part includes liver tissue engineering and the expansion of humanized mice for many other human cell-tropic pathogens.