The good acceptance of this textbook is an indication that it has served its purpose. The present edition has been prepared in order to cover the main progress achieved in the five years that have elapsed since the first edition. The structure of the book remains essentially the same but a con­ siderable amount of new material has been introduced, particularly in certain areas such as the genetics of immunoglobulins and T cell receptor, the regulation of the immune response, hypersensitivity reactions, and cellular immunology. Today, immunology is essential for biologists in general and in particular for physicians, veterinarians, and pathologists. The great progress and diversification that has taken place in the last few years is due to its enormous value both for the understanding of theoretical biology and for the practical resolution of biochemical, genetic, pathological, and biological problems. Greatly contributing to this progress have been relatively sophisticated techniques, such as immunofluorescence, radioimmune assay, transmission electron micro­ scopy, scanning electron microscopy, isoelectric focusing, quantitative cytofluorimetry, affinity chromatography, and techniques that allow separation of the different lymphocyte subpopulations.

The book continues by looking at the biochemical, genetic, and molecular elements and mechanisms underlying skeletal muscle health and disease.

This book offers a comprehensive review of allergy and immunology, specifically dedicated as a board review preparation. The book is a collective effort and participation of over 90 well known allergists, immunologists, and rheumatologist who are academician and or practitioners. Chapters are presented in a " Case-Based" format. Each chapter presents 2 cases; each case is followed by multiple choice questions/ answers and discussions. Each chapter also offers a list of specific references used in the text, that will enhance the readers' portfolio of resources.

This edited collection of 12 chapters by research workers from a wide range of disciplines resolves the confusion that currently surrounds the “hygiene hypothesis” by considering the human need for exposure to microorganisms from an evolutionary point of view.

Psychocutaneous Medicine offers an overview of diseases in psychosomatic dermatology and creates a bridge between cutaneous and emotional disorders using extraordinary illustrations and clinical images of psychosomatic dermatology. It covers both common and rare diseases and helps doctors and psychologists recognize and deal with psychosocial features in dermatology and venerology. This superbly illustrated clinical atlas with concise text passages follows the American diagnosis classification DSM-V and current evidence-based guidelines. It allows rapid recognition of masked emotional disorders and thus administration of the most effective and efficient treatment as early as possible.

This book covers different fields of inflammation that can be classified into acute or chronic in response to trauma, infection, and exposure to other noninfectious agents, including allergens and xenobiotics. The book will prove beneficial to researchers and scientists involved in inflammation research.

This book is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. Understanding your symptoms and signs and educating yourself about health conditions is important and can contribute to having the healthiest possible life. Authors offer this volume with detailed new information on RA pathogenesis and explains both approaches and treatment options: recent clinical research and traditional methods.

Urticaria is one of the most common diseases encountered in dermatology. The fleeting nature of wheals often makes a first diagnosis by both patients and physicians seem easy. The disease itself is of a highly complex nature, with a variety of clinical manifestations ranging from pinpoint sized wheals to extensive angioedema. Further complexities include the diversity of possible eliciting and aggravating factors, the many different clinical subtypes and the therapeutic responsiveness.