Why sex matters Among human and nonhuman animals, the prevalence and intensity of infection typically is higher in males than females and may reflect differences in exposure as well as susceptibility to pathogens. Elevated immunity among females is a double-edged sword in which it is beneficial against infectious diseases but is detrimental in terms of increased development of autoimmune diseases. The present book critically reviews the evolutionary origin and the functional mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in response to infection. It emphasizes the value of examining responses in both males and females to improve our understanding about host-pathogen interactions in both sexes. The contributors are experts in their specific disciplines which range from microbiology and immunology to genetics, pathology, and evolutionary biology. The book aims at bringing insight to the treatment and management of infectious diseases; it delineates areas where knowledge is lacking and highlights future avenues of research.

The 4th International Symposium on Women's Health and Menopause, organized by the Giovanni Lorenzini Medical Foundation (Milan, Italy and Houston, Texas) focused on the new strategies to improve the quality of life of post-menopausal women. This volume illustrates the findings of this conference and includes information on the age-related degenerative processes occurring after menopause including cardiovascular disease, cancer, fractures and dementia.

This fully revised and significantly expanded second edition examines sex and gender differences in the immune system's response to bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. The volume discusses both common and distinct molecular mechanisms that mediate these differences and illustrates how responses to vaccines may differ between the sexes and in pregnant individuals. Special emphasis is placed on the interplay between hormones and the immune system in the pathogenesis of HIV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, and amebiasis. This second edition includes completely rewritten chapters as well as all new contents. This book is intended for researchers in academia and industry as well as clinicians in the fields of microbiology, immunology, and pharmacology. By expanding knowledge in sex and gender medicine as a basis for developing personalized treatment strategies, the book contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (health and well-being) and 5 (gender equality).

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.

It's obvious why only men develop prostate cancer and why only women get ovarian cancer. But it is not obvious why women are more likely to recover language ability after a stroke than men or why women are more apt to develop autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Sex differences in health throughout the lifespan have been documented. Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health begins to snap the pieces of the puzzle into place so that this knowledge can be used to improve health for both sexes. From behavior and cognition to metabolism and response to chemicals and infectious organisms, this book explores the health impact of sex (being male or female, according to reproductive organs and chromosomes) and gender (one's sense of self as male or female in society). Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health discusses basic biochemical differences in the cells of males and females and health variability between the sexes from conception throughout life. The book identifies key research needs and opportunities and addresses barriers to research. Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health will be important to health policy makers, basic, applied, and clinical researchers, educators, providers, and journalists-while being very accessible to interested lay readers.

Dieses Fachbuch erläutert die molekularen Grundlagen von Entzündungen, spannt den Bogen zu Infektionskrankheiten und den Zusammenhang zwischen Entzündungen und chronischen Erkrankungen, behandelt abschließend den Heilungsprozess und zeigt Therapiemöglichkeiten.

Some investigators have hypothesized that estrogens and other hormonally active agents found in the environment might be involved in breast cancer increases and sperm count declines in humans as well as deformities and reproductive problems seen in wildlife. This book looks in detail at the science behind the ominous prospect of "estrogen mimics" threatening health and well-being, from the level of ecosystems and populations to individual people and animals. The committee identifies research needs and offers specific recommendations to decision-makers. This authoritative volume: Critically evaluates the literature on hormonally active agents in the environment and identifies known and suspected toxicologic mechanisms and effects of fish, wildlife, and humans. Examines whether and how exposure to hormonally active agents occursâ€"in diet, in pharmaceuticals, from industrial releases into the environmentâ€"and why the debate centers on estrogens. Identifies significant uncertainties, limitations of knowledge, and weaknesses in the scientific literature. The book presents a wealth of information and investigates a wide range of examples across the spectrum of life that might be related to these agents.

This comprehensive, authoritative treatise covers all aspects of mucosal vaccines including their development, mechanisms of action, molecular/cellular aspects, and practical applications. The contributing authors and editors of this one-of-a-kind book are very well known in their respective fields. Mucosal Vaccines is organized in a unique format in which basic, clinical, and practical aspects of the mucosal immune system for vaccine development are described and discussed. This project is endorsed by the Society for Mucosal Immunology. - Provides the latest views on mucosal vaccines - Applies basic principles to the development of new vaccines - Links basic, clinical, and practical aspects of mucosal vaccines to different infectious diseases - Unique and user-friendly organization

Every aspect of immune function and host defense is dependent upon a proper supply and balance of nutrients. Severe malnutrition can cause significant alteration in immune response, but even subclinical deficits may be associated with an impaired immune response, and an increased risk of infection. Infectious diseases have accounted for more off-duty days during major wars than combat wounds or nonbattle injuries. Combined stressors may reduce the normal ability of soldiers to resist pathogens, increase their susceptibility to biological warfare agents, and reduce the effectiveness of vaccines intended to protect them. There is also a concern with the inappropriate use of dietary supplements. This book, one of a series, examines the impact of various types of stressors and the role of specific dietary nutrients in maintaining immune function of military personnel in the field. It reviews the impact of compromised nutrition status on immune function; the interaction of health, exercise, and stress (both physical and psychological) in immune function; and the role of nutritional supplements and newer biotechnology methods reported to enhance immune function. The first part of the book contains the committee's workshop summary and evaluation of ongoing research by Army scientists on immune status in special forces troops, responses to the Army's questions, conclusions, and recommendations. The rest of the book contains papers contributed by workshop speakers, grouped under such broad topics as an introduction to what is known about immune function, the assessment of immune function, the effect of nutrition, and the relation between the many and varied stresses encountered by military personnel and their effect on health.

Immunoendocrinology is a rapidly developing field of research that seeks to understand the intersection of the immune and endocrine systems. Immunoendocrinology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects explores in detail the current knowledge of immunoendocrinology, namely endocrine disorders produced by disorders of immune function. Chapters cover both basic pathophysiology informed by studies of animal models as well as current understanding of multiple related clinical diseases—their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy. Immunoendocrinology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects captures the central role of immunoendocrinologic processes in the pathogenesis of not only type 1 diabetes but in a range of other autoimmune and endocrine disorders.