Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms In Multifactorial Conditions

The literature on cytokine genetics is vast, so vast that it is now practically beyond the time or logistical constraints of most scientists to successfully keep pace with it. A compilation of the latest research, Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Multifactorial Conditions brings together, reviews, and structures up-to-date information on polymorphisms in cytokine genes. It discusses haplotype structures and linkage disequilibrium patterns in cytokine gene loci; functional biological effects of polymorphisms; and genetic associations with disease. The book documents polymorphisms in the most important cytokine genes, or gene clusters, and their biological and genetic effects in a multitude of distinct multifactorial conditions. Unique to this book are the "disease-centered" chapters examining the role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in a multitude of multifactorial conditions. The conditions include autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, and longevity. "This section is a real tour de force" (Grant Gallagher and Michael F. Seldin, March 2006). Broadening the understanding of the effect of genetic variations on human immune responses, the organization, scope, and content of this book make it a valuable and easily accessible resource. The book integrates genetic, immunological, and clinical information and will serve as a reference for novice and expert geneticists, immunologists, cell biologists and clinicians. It is a must for everyone involved in, or planning, cytokine genetics or immunogenetics studies.

The literature on cytokine genetics is vast, so vast that it is now practically beyond the time or logistical constraints of most scientists to successfully keep pace with it. A compilation of the latest research, Cytokine Gene Polymorphisms in Multifactorial Conditions brings together, reviews, and structures up-to-date information on polymorphisms in cytokine genes. It discusses haplotype structures and linkage disequilibrium patterns in cytokine gene loci; functional biological effects of polymorphisms; and genetic associations with disease. The book documents polymorphisms in the most important cytokine genes, or gene clusters, and their biological and genetic effects in a multitude of distinct multifactorial conditions. Unique to this book are the "disease-centered" chapters examining the role of cytokine gene polymorphisms in a multitude of multifactorial conditions. The conditions include autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, and longevity. "This section is a real tour de force" (Grant Gallagher and Michael F. Seldin, March 2006). Broadening the understanding of the effect of genetic variations on human immune responses, the organization, scope, and content of this book make it a valuable and easily accessible resource. The book integrates genetic, immunological, and clinical information and will serve as a reference for novice and expert geneticists, immunologists, cell biologists and clinicians. It is a must for everyone involved in, or planning, cytokine genetics or immunogenetics studies.

Sepsis is a very complex clinical condition that can be considered the central point of the infectious process: the arrival point in the evolution of a localized septic outbreak that has caused a systemic inflammatory reaction. In the clinical setting two important questions regarding the transition from local inflammation, with beneficial effect, to systemic inflammatory disease, with deleterious results, remain unanswered. First, why does the transition from local to systemic disease only occur in some subjects? Second, how long does this transition take? This book attempts to answer these questions. Chapters cover such topics as surgical infections, microbiota therapy in sepsis, cytokines for host immune response, and the role of serum amyloid A in the acute phase of sepsis.

Cytokines are a group of peptides secreted by cells of the immune system such as macrophages, lymphocytes, and T cells. They can be divided into functional families and have-wide ranging impacts that affect cells and molecular pathways to the whole individual. Written by distinguished scholars and experts, this book is a holistic reference to enable scientists and doctors to understand cytokines in specific or broad detail. The book is divided into sections that cover general and cellular aspects, lifestyle factors, immunology and infections, cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, and organs and tissue systems.

This authoritative handbook covers all aspects of immunosenescence, with contributions from experts in the research and clinical areas. It examines methods and models for studying immunosenescence; genetics; mechanisms including receptors and signal transduction; clinical relevance in disease states including infections, autoimmunity, cancer, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, frailty and osteoporosis; and much more.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant source of death and permanent disability, contributing to nearly one-third of all injury related deaths in the United States and exacting a profound personal and economic toll. Despite the increased resources that have recently been brought to bear to improve our understanding of TBI, the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches has been disappointingly slow. Translational Research in Traumatic Brain Injury attempts to integrate expertise from across specialties to address knowledge gaps in the field of TBI. Its chapters cover a wide scope of TBI research in five broad areas: Epidemiology Pathophysiology Diagnosis Current treatment strategies and sequelae Future therapies Specific topics discussed include the societal impact of TBI in both the civilian and military populations, neurobiology and molecular mechanisms of axonal and neuronal injury, biomarkers of traumatic brain injury and their relationship to pathology, neuroplasticity after TBI, neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapy, advanced neuroimaging of mild TBI, neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms following mild TBI, sports-related TBI, epilepsy and PTSD following TBI, and more. The book integrates the perspectives of experts across disciplines to assist in the translation of new ideas to clinical practice and ultimately to improve the care of the brain injured patient.

Human immunosenescence contributes to morbidity and mortality in later life. Understanding the reasons for age-associated alterations to protective immunity in the elderly would ultimately improve and extend healthspan. The majority of the papers collected in this remarkable and timely volume address the mechanisms responsible for immune ageing in humans. They also consider what might be accomplished to redress the erosion of immune competence with age.

This textbook focuses on the nascent field of Immunoepidemiology that addresses how differences in immune responses among individuals affect the epidemiology of infectious diseases, cancer, hypersensitivity, and autoimmunity. The idea for the book originated from a course entitled “Immunology for Epidemiologists“ at the Yale School of Public Health. While many fine textbooks are available that address the immunological responses of individuals to pathogens, these provided very little information regarding how immunological variation among populations affects the epidemiology of disease. And yet, it has long been recognized that there is great immunologic diversity among people, which can have a profound effect on the epidemiology of disease. Careful review of the immunologic and epidemiologic literature revealed that there have been relatively few publications concerning immunoepidemiology and that no textbook is available on the subject. This textbook therefore aims to fill this void by providing a much-needed tool to comprehensively and efficiently teach immunoepidemiology. The book includes a section on the basic principles of immunology, and then applies them to particular examples of disease in human populations. The target audience for this text book are Masters of Public Health students. Others who should also find it of interest include PhD students in epidemiology, immunology, medical students, generalists, and specialists in immunology, infectious diseases, cancer, and rheumatology.