The kidneys are a vital organ present in humans and vertebrate animals. Various toxic chemicals, present in food and water adversely affect the kidneys. Plants and plant-derived compounds have been a major source for the treatment and cure of diseases since ancient times. Even today, almost 25% of the prescription drugs for renal problems are sourced from plants. An Introduction to Nephroprotective Plants gives an overview of nephrotoxicity and medicinal plants used for protecting the kidney and reducing the effect of kidney toxicity and managing renal diseases. This book is an answer to the current gaps in knowledge resources on nephroprotective plants. The reader is introduced to the basic physiology of the renal excretory system and its disorders. The introduction is followed by chapters which give information on medicinal plants used in traditional systems of medicine (both codified and noncodified). Information about plant parts used, method of use and dosage is provided along with references. <p> Key Features: <p> - Simple structured presentation in six chapters <p> - Includes an introduction to the urinary system and its diseases <p> - Includes information about codified and noncodified medicinal plants used for neuroprotection <p> - Covers phytochemicals extracted from medicinal plants which are screened and used in modern medicine for nephroprotection in detail. <p> - Covers ethnobotanical and polyherbal formulations <p> - References for further reading <p> An Introduction to Nephroprotective Plants serves as a convenient desk reference for all researchers (pharmacologists, medicinal chemists, ethnobotanists) and healthcare professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses and medical students) who require complete information on nephroprotective plants.

Kidney transplantation is worldwide considered the best replacement therapy in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, although impressive improvements in surgical techniques and in the management of immunosuppression, long-term results have not significantly changed over the last decades. The purpose of this book is not to be a comprehensive review on kidney transplantation, but it would overview the recent acquisitions in the field of kidney transplantation, by offering to clinicians the future directions and the possible fields of research to improve the long term outcome. The book is divided into 27 chapters. The first part of the book is devoted to the basic principles of immunity and organ transplantation and the clinical evaluation of potential recipient. Moreover, in this section are discussed the most recent strategies to increase the donor pool trying to offer a kidney transplantation to a growing number of patients. The second part of the book is devoted to the immunosuppression. In these two chapters, the authors present an overview on the immunosuppressive management of kidney transplant recipients, with particular emphasis on the minimization of immunosuppression. The third part of the book is devoted to the complications of immunosuppression and to the psychological aspects of transplantation. This section is particularly detailed, and offers a complete point of view on the consequences and benefits of kidney transplantation. Last section is devoted to the future. The clinical tolerance and xenotransplantation are not still the present, but the authors illustrate the fields of application of these fundamental aspects of organ transplantation. The authors and editors have tried to select an appropriate mix of citations, but it has not been possible to cite all the relevant articles. Apologies are due to those authors whose works we have failed to cite. Our goal was to provide the most recent acquisitions in a practical manner. We hope that we have succeeded. Special thanks to all the authors for their excellent and enthusiastic collaboration and special thanks to our patients to whom are dedicated all our efforts.

With an increase of the population of elderly people in modern society due to advances in medicine and healthcare facilities, there is also an increase in the incidence and duration of chronic illnesses. Similarly, advanced age is considered a significant determinant of depression and poor quality of life. Additionally, the provision of therapies relevant to chronic diseases addresses the issues beyond the concept of cure, bringing to the center the need for a dignified quality of life of patients. An increased interest in quality of life is observed in patients who suffer from chronic diseases, including those with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). End-stage kidney disease patients have a high burden of disease affecting their quality of life and dramatically shortening their life expectancy. Therefore, exploring quality of life issues among such patients becomes an essential task in the management of this population. This volume is written by researchers with a well-rounded understanding of the characteristics and impact of ESKD and provides a penetrating practical discussion to date of alternative approaches for comprehensively measuring the burden of end-stage kidney disease. Outcomes Assessment in End-Stage Kidney Disease focuses on the impact of this complex and exacting condition on patients and those that care for them. It also examines the economic impact of ESKD and the healthcare policy implications of this disease. It also brings comprehensive and thoughtful insights into the issues confronted by patients with ESKD to readers interested in nursing or medical caregiving, geriatrics and health psychology.

This E-book provides the reader with a detailed up-to-date review of diagnostic technologies and their role in clinical practice. Chapters are dedicated specifically to describe the role of current technologies in the management of the leading causes of visual impairment such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, vitreo-retinal disorders, cornea and anterior segment diseases. This E-book will help clinicians to understand and interpret diagnostic tests and critically appraise their performance and limitations. This book is intended for general ophthalmologists and clinicians with a special interest in retinal diseases, glaucoma, anterior segment and cornea. It will also be of interest and value to ophthalmologists in training, scientists, ophthalmic photographers and optometrists.

This 3 volume set offers a comprehensive compilation which presents detailed information about ophthalmic (retinal, vitreous and macular) diseases. Key features of this set include: - Emphasis on practical features of clinical diagnosis - Concise and didactic presentation of key manifestations of diseases designed for rapid reference and target recall - A vast selection of illustrations to sharpen clinical problem-solving skills - Step by step treatment approaches to enhance the reader’s ability to handle medical cases - Citations or relevant research articles in each chapter for further reading The first volume of this set brings information about retinal vascular diseases, choroidal neovascularization related diseases, vitreomacular interface, and other macular disorders. Written by a group of retina specialists, this book is an excellent resource for knowledge about retinal disorders. The streamlined format and evidence based medicine presented in the volume make this book the perfect reference for medical students, residents, general ophthalmologists and retina specialists.

This 3 volume set offers a comprehensive compilation which presents detailed information about ophthalmic (retinal, vitreous and macular) diseases. Key features of this set include: o Emphasis on practical features of clinical diagnosis o Concise and didactic presentation of key manifestations of diseases designed for rapid reference and target recall o A vast selection of illustrations to sharpen clinical problem-solving skills o Step by step treatment approaches to enhance the reader&rsquo;s ability to handle medical cases o Citations or relevant research articles in each chapter for further reading The second volume of this set covers several choroid and retinal disorders including, commotio retinae, choroidal rupture and macular trauma, retinal breaks and detachment, and a variety of congenital / genetic eye diseases such as Best&rsquo;s disease and Stargardt disease. Written by a group of retina specialists, this book is an excellent resource for knowledge about retinal disorders. The streamlined format and evidence based medicine presented in the volume make this book the perfect reference for medical students, residents, general ophthalmologists and retina specialists.

This 3 volume set offers a comprehensive compilation which presents detailed information about ophthalmic (retinal, vitreous and macular) diseases. Key features of this set include: o Emphasis on practical features of clinical diagnosis o Concise and didactic presentation of key manifestations of diseases designed for rapid reference and target recall o A vast selection of illustrations to sharpen clinical problem-solving skills o Step by step treatment approaches to enhance the reader&rsquo;s ability to handle medical cases o Citations or relevant research articles in each chapter for further reading The third volume of this set covers eye infections (bacterial and viral), inflammatory disorders and neoplasms. Written by a group of retina specialists, this book is an excellent resource for knowledge about retinal disorders. The streamlined format and evidence based medicine presented in the volume make this book the perfect reference for medical students, residents, general ophthalmologists and retina specialists.

Contemporary Scleral Lenses: Theory and Application, provides comprehensive information about scleral lenses. Chapters of this volume have been contributed by renowned scleral lens experts and cover a variety of interesting topics. These topics include the history and evolution of scleral lenses, basic scleral lens structure, optics and customizable features of scleral lenses, analysis of ocular surface shape, ocular surface topography and advances in optometry technology. These topics give readers an explanation of how to utilize diagnostic equipment in optometry practice and enables practitioners to employ a scientific and objective approach to scleral lens fitting. Key features of this volume include: - A straightforward approach to ophthalmic examination flow, evaluation and documentation - A review of Scleral lens care and handling - Descriptions of a variety of complex medical and ocular indications for scleral lenses - Strategic tips to promote your own scleral lens practice - A unique perspective of esteemed corneal specialists regarding the collaborative care of the patient This textbook is a suitable reference for ophthalmology students and practitioners. This text will assist practitioners in enhancing their scleral lens practice by providing them useful information for improving patient vision, ocular surface rehabilitation and quality of life.

This monograph expands on the ultrasound exploration of the ocular globe (or, in other words, the human eye) with a review of the current knowledge about ocular ultrasound techniques and its indications in ophthalmic pathology. Ocular echography has only been recently studied in greater detail by ophthalmologists thanks to new imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography [OCT] and scanning lasers, which have become the preference in ocular exploration, relegating ultrasound to cases with poor fundus visualization. New ultrasound equipment with multi-frequency linear probes between 15 to 18 MHz, also permits technicians to observe ocular structures with greater detail. A key aspect of ultrasound is its dynamic capability, which allows assessing the displacement of intraocular structures and their relation to the different eye layers. This is crucial in diagnosing retina pathologies that can affect the outcome of cataract surgery. Ocular echography is also an excellent option to determine retinal lesions in cases of ocular tumors (choroid melanoma) as it is also a differential diagnosis for other tumors (metastasic tumors or hemangiomas). The book also includes a chapter on the use of Color-Doppler ocular examinations in the diagnosis of ocular vasculopathies (arterial or venous occlusions). Echography in Ocular Pathology empowers readers &amp;ndash; ophthalmologists and clinical technicians &amp;ndash; with the knowledge to diagnose different eye pathologies and thus ameliorate ophthalmic patient management.

This book focuses on the physiology and molecular biology of the front and back regions of the eye. Specifically, the chapters of this book cover topics that explain currently less understood aspects of retinal health as well as the use of zebrafish models to understand the molecular pathogenesis of associated diseases. This includes retinitis pigmentosa, diabetic retinopathy ciliopathies in the eye, rhodopsin trafficking and associated disorders, and the biochemistry of cone defects. This book serves as a useful reference for scientists and graduate students seeking to understand protein trafficking mechanisms and metabolic control in retinal diseases.