The book blends basic and clinical research on respiratory carcinogensis. The contributions tackle a variety of respiratory-related cancers, notably non-small cell lung carcinoma, pleural mesothelioma, mediastinal tumors, or larynx cancer. The focus is on the search for novel molecular markers, derived from easily accessible tissues in clinical settings, such as the serum or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which could help diagnose cancer at an early stage and have a prognostic therapeutic value. The transcriptional mechanisms which endow cells with the capacity for unlimited proliferation are...

The respiratory tract is a frequent target of infections caused by a wide range of organisms. The book provides reader-friendly information on aspects of pulmonary infections, including comprehensive accounts of bacterial and viral diseases, therapeutic approaches, molecular and classical culture-related techniques of diagnosis and explaining the basic cell biological mechanism. The role of oxidative stress, both helpful in fighting invading pathogens and detrimental in yielding to infection is detailed as it is often undervalued and needs focus. The chapters encompass latest developments and...

The impairment of lung function caused by environmental exposure to pollutants and toxicants is a rising health problem, particularly in highly industrialized parts of the world.

This volume provides a modern look on the age-old influenza infection and the preventive role of anti-influenza shots. The chapters cover vaccination strategies in various age-groups of people and provide the extensive amount of knowledge on the immune response to influenza vaccination in a spectrum of disease conditions.

A host of neurotransmitters and neuroactive substances underlies respiratory regulation in health and disease. It is now clear that a complex interaction among various neuroactive substances, rather than a single one, forms the basis of respiratory changes.

Respiratory allergy is constantly encountered and is sharply on the rise, particularly in the two most vulnerable age-groups: young children and seniors.

The research sheds new light on the immune cells expressing the activation markers HLA-DR and regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the cells expressing Siglec receptors as being key players in the immune system responsiveness to antigens and thus in lung tissue damage of chronic inflammation.

The dynamics of body metabolism are changed in the disease process and interact with physical activity. The alteration of metabolism and its consequences raise the need for simple and reliable methods for assessment of body composition. The chapters aim to investigate various interacting components converging on metabolic changes in lung and muscle tissues taking into consideration the drug effects. The effects of exercise and nutritional status are dealt with at a great extent.

Cardiorespiratory function is prominently affected by oxidative stress. Alterations in inflammatory cytokines and proteins as well as degradation of muscle proteins due to smoking, by far unrecognized, caused by oxidative stress also are presented.

Lung cancer and autoimmune diseases are complex entities in that they involve gene disturbance, gene polymorphism, and impaired gene repair mechanisms. The volume focuses on altered gene expression in tumor processes and in chronic autoimmune disorders.