A state-of-the-art consensus report on what is known about peroxisome proliferation, the mechanisms involved, and their relevance to carcinogenesis. Peroxisomes are single, membrane-limited, cytoplasmic organelles that are found in cells of animals, plants, fungi, and protozoa. Peroxisome proliferators include certain hypolipidaemic drugs, phthalate ester plasticizers, industrial solvents, herbicides, food flavours, leukotriene D4 antagonists, and hormones. Numerous studies in rats and mice have demonstrated the hepatocarcinogenic effects of peroxisome proliferators, and these compounds have been unequivocally established as carcinogens. Since humans are exposed to peroxisome proliferators to a significant extent, assessment of the adverse biological effects of this group of compounds, and particularly their potential carcinogenicity, has become an important issue. The report has two parts. The first records the consensus reached by a group of eleven experts, including several of the leading investigators in this field. Questions addressed include the mechanisms by which peroxisome proliferators exert their carcinogenic effects in rodents, the relevance of animal studies to the evaluation of carcinogenic risk in humans, and the potential use of peroxisome proliferation as a biological marker for liver cancer. The report concludes that compounds inducing peroxisome proliferation in rats and mice have little, if any, effect on human liver. The report also issues advice on the interpretation of peroxisome proliferation, demonstrated in animal studies, when evaluating the carcinogenic risk to humans. The second part consists of three background papers presented by members of the working group.

"The manual ... is intended as an introductory resource tool for health professionals around the world, and especially in developing countries, who aim to increase their knowledge and understanding of children and environmental health."--P. vii.

Providing a thorough biopsychosocial approach, Health Psychology is your ideal companion to studying this subject. Exploring bio-social, developmental and lifestyle factors and how these relate to physical and psychological disturbances, this lively and approachable guide takes you through this key topic for psychology, health sciences, nursing and education students. Using case studies and up to date research, the author brings to life the important practical applications in this area, helping you to understand the varied ways the biological, physiological and social factors affect psychology and how effective interventions can influence the health of a population.

While continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has been the standard peritoneal procedure since the seventies, different schedules of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) have emerged during the eighties. Today, APD is considered a valuable tool in the management of ESRD patients, together with CAPD and hemodialysis. However, despite its frequent use, APD has not yet been well assessed, and most pathophysiological and clinical studies on PD refer to CAPD. In this book, major experts in the field therefore discuss and evaluate the insights gained on APD up to now, presenting a comprehensive review of all experimental, technical and clinical aspects related to the various treatments grouped under the definition of APD. The recent developments presented are divided into four sections: membrane permeability, transport mechanisms and kinetic modeling applied to APD; prescription and adequacy of different APD treatment schedules; dialysis machines and solutions for APD, and, lastly, different clinical aspects such as the possibility to maintain APD program and residual renal function. Physicians involved in ESRD care, renal fellows and scientists both in the academic world and in the hospital setting will undoubtedly profit from this timely publication.