This book explores the different ways sleep medicine is practiced in the world by presenting information from multiple countries from all continents. The editors, all sleep medicine experts, dive into both clinical practice, and research keeping an eye on healthcare needs and disparities, before proposing solutions. The contributions also take into account the social, geographical and political situation of each country, along with demographic considerations such as income levels, adding a dimension of context to the contents. The book is meant to be a reference for sleep medicine practitioners who encounter diverse patients in their daily practice. It also serves as a good resource for anyone interested in the state of global health studies.

Recent Trends and the Future of Antimicrobial Agents provides a significantly expanded overview of the topic with updated research in a broader context on the development of alternative approaches against microbial infections. This part consists of ten chapters. The first five chapters describe naturally derived antimicrobial compounds such as plant-based antimicrobials (PBAs), enzymes-based and antibody-based antibacterial therapeutic and secondary metabolites from plant endophytes. The book proceeds to provide details about antimicrobials derived from marine microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and cyanobacteria) is included to inform readers about effective medications against MDR strains. Specific chapters describe the drug development against protozoans, with one chapter focusing on Plasmodium. Chapter contributors have postulated novel approaches for antimalarial therapeutics. The book also includes an explanation of host target identification and drug discovery with the purpose of informing the reader about the implications in viral biology and how they could be exploited for treating viral diseases. The contents cater to the information needs of professionals and learners in academia, industry and health services who aim to learn the most significant experimental and practical approaches towards finding alternatives to existing antimicrobial therapies.

Current Cancer Biomarkers is a comprehensive review on the status of biological markers for various types of cancer. It aims to update readers on current developments on the subject. The contents are divided into 5 sections covering a wide range of biomarkers and their diagnostic applications. The range of tumour biomarkers referenced here gives insights into molecular mechanisms behind cancer, including initiation, development, progression, prognosis, response to the therapeutic modalities, recurrence, and point-of-care application to detect cancer. Key features - Introduction of the basic features of cancer markers - Comprehensive and updated coverage of potential and effective biomarkers including genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, cellular and morphologic factors - Information on biomarkers in many types of cancers including breast cancer, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, leukemia, liver cancer and prostate cancer - Applications of biomarkers in cancer diagnosis - Structured contents with easy-to-understand sections and headings - References for advanced readers The updated information about different aspects of cancer markers in the experimental and clinical setting will enrich the reader's understanding of the disease. The information serves as a resource to help in better management of cancer patients and understanding cancer biology when planning medical research projects. The book is intended as a reference for a diverse audience: biomedical science students, medical students, academics, researchers, clinicians and multidisciplinary teams involved in cancer management and research.

The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on the public health care system continues to remain significant despite the remarkable progress made in HCV therapeutics in the recent past. There are now almost a dozen oral interferon-free direct-acting antivirals available for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Despite advances in the treatment of HCV, therapeutic gaps remain that are yet to be fully explored. Researchers and scientists still strive to understand virus-host interactions to map the disease's progression along with extrahepatic manifestations and virus invasion strategies impacting the host's immune system. This book briefly discusses the biology of HCV infection, virus-host interactions, molecular epidemiology of the infection, and the full spectrum of immune responses to hepatitis C. It also provides in-depth information about HCV, clinical diagnostics, and therapeutic knowledge to all stakeholders involved in HCV screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management. Topics covered in the chapters include 1) HCV-host interactions leading to asymptomatic acute infection, 2) the progression of acute HCV infection to chronic disease and subsequent extrahepatic comorbidities, 3) Innate and adaptive immune responses in HCV infections, 4) Consensus-based Approaches for Hepatitis C Screening and Diagnosis, 5) advances in hepatitis C therapy and global management of HCV, and 6) the outcomes of Oral Interferon-free Direct-acting Antivirals as Combination Therapies to Cure Hepatitis C. This book is a valuable addition to undergraduate and postgraduate hepatology students and physicians, clinicians, hepatologists, and health care officials involved in HCV clinical diagnosis and therapeutics.

Triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) are a biologically aggressive form of breast cancer and constitute approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer patients. Distant metastasis, lack of clinically targeted therapies and prognostic markers, makes the disease difficult to treat. Till now not much work has been carried out on this deadly disease. This book provides an overview of TNBC etiology, its treatment strategies and prognostic markers to identify the outcome of standard therapies. Signalling pathways namely cell proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis, apoptosis, autophagy and others involved in complicating the disease have been described in the chapters to convey an understanding about the disease mechanisms. All the possible drugs either in pre-clinical or clinical stages have also been mentioned with data that depicts their efficiency in targeting altered genes. The book also introduces the reader to herbal medicine exhibiting high potency to target TNBC, their synthetic analogs used during chemotherapy and their ability to fight against chemoresistance. The concept of phytonanotechnology has also been discussed. The book helps create awareness among a broad range of readers about TNBC. It points to prioritizing the upgradation of health care facilities and re-designing future treatment strategies to provide maximum benefit to breast cancer patients.

In this third year of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic responsible for COVD-19 and related diseases worldwide, the scientific studies and reviews focused on this virus and its variants are still crucial. The third volume of the Coronaviruses series brings together some essential data regarding the origin, pathology and chemotherapeutic drugs to treat coronavirus infections. Contributions are written by experienced researchers with the goal of updating medical researchers and clinicians dealing with COVID-19 patients. It presents seven chapters covering a range of topics: (1) bat coronaviruses in the world, (2) hospital challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, (3) the pro-inflammatory and thrombotic manifestations and the therapeutic options of Covid-19, (4) the common and rare dermatologic manifestations registered in COVID-19 patients, (5) the circulating biomarkers of cardiopulmonary disturbances in COVID-19, and (6) the aspects of pathology and pathogenesis of coronavirus infection

Scientific Philosophy and Principles in Medicine is an accessible treatise on the philosophy that guides medical practice. It lays the foundation of a multidisciplinary framework behind the development of the medical profession. The book presents 10 chapters that cover issues that are frequently encountered by medical professionals in their career: philosophical and linguistic principles of rational thought, scientific, crisp and fuzzy logic, diagnostic aspects, the history of medicine, epistemological concepts, approximate reasoning, principles of medical wisdom, numerical and graphical diagnostics, and the collaboration of researchers involved in the fields of engineering and medicine. The author of the book brings several years of teaching experience and medical practice into this reference with the goal of integrating principles of scientific philosophy and logic into medical education. Readers will understand the process of devising rational diagnostic and treatment approaches that support human health as a generative process that seeks to solve problems through creativity, rather than a classical process of following medical protocols. This book is intended as a basic reference for medical students, teachers, and general readers interested in the application of logic, philosophy and scientific principles in medicine.

This handbook provides an introduction to COVID-19 and herbal medications that boost the human immune system against SARS-CoV-2. The topics are covered in 7 chapters starting with an introduction to the disease, followed by notes on nutraceuticals and common herbal medicines that have therapeutic potential by enhancing the patient's immune response. Special topics such as COVID-19 risk factors and Indian traditional medicines are also included to supplement the contents. The editors have taken advantage of the vast body of knowledge accumulated since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Chapters are written in simple language with structured headings to facilitate a quick understanding of the subject. References are provided for scholars interested in further readings. The book is a quick guide on immune boosting medicines for a broad audience that includes general medical practitioners, nurses, caregivers, and public healthcare workers involved in clinics working in local communities.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction. No effective treatments are available for T2D, although there have been many developments in the therapeutic arena. Nitric oxide (NO) is an endocrine agent with multiple and important biological roles in most mammalian tissues. NO has emerged as a central regulator of energy metabolism and body composition. NO bioavailability is decreased in T2D. Several of the pharmaceuticals used in T2D affect the NO system and perhaps even more so by the drugs we use to treat diabetic cardiovascular complications. Experimental works in animal models of T2D show promising results with interventions aimed to increase NO signaling. However, translation into human studies has so far been less successful, but more large-scale prolonged studies are clearly needed to understand its role. This book is a collection of reviews that deal with the role of nitric oxide in type 2 diabetes, providing a unique overview of NO signaling, and pointing out key areas for more detailed research. The book includes contributions about the pathophysiology of T2D, a brief history of discovery and timeline of NO research, a comprehensive overview of impaired NO metabolism in T2D, precursors of NO (i.e., L-arginine, L-citrulline, nitrate, nitrites, and NO donors), NO and T2D from genetic points of view, NO and diabetic wound healing, NO and osteoporosis, NO and hyperuricemia, NO and Alzheimer's Disease, therapeutic applications of NO and NO donors in T2D. The compilation is of great value to anyone interested in the biochemistry of NO and its relationship to diabetes.

In recent years, we have witnessed significant advances in obstetric anesthesia, providing greater safety for the mother and the fetus, as well as an improvement in pain management procedures during labor. This volume presents updates in obstetrics and gynecology that are reflective of the changes in the demographics and associated clinical presentations of gynecological pathologies. It compiles state of the art information on the subject in 20 chapters contributed by more than 50 experts in obstetric anesthesia. The main objective of this volume is to inform and update readers about the different aspects essential to the practice of anesthesia and analgesia during pregnancy, labor, cesarean section and puerperium. The contents also include information about the management of pregnant women with different pathologies and high-risk pregnancies. The authors believe that it is essential for all anesthesiologists to be aware of the latest advances and well-contrasted scientific evidence that will allow them to carry out their usual clinical activity. The volume approaches the subject in a clear and didactic way for the benefit of all professionals involved in this field, including anesthesiologists, gynecologists, obstetricians, surgeons, clinicians and allied healthcare service providers.