With contributions by numerous experts

Tissue Repair, Contraction and the Myofibroblast summarizes the latest findings concerning the biology of the myofibroblast, a cell involved in the evolution and contraction of granulation tissue and of fibrotic changes. Coverage shows that the myofibroblast is responsible for the development of hypertrophic scars, pulmonary and renal fibrosis and bronchial asthma. Reviews the cell biology and pathology of the myofibroblast as well as mechanisms of fibrosis evolution in many organs and tissues.

Wound Healing, and the Myofibroblast: A Historical and Biological Perspective is the fruit of an interdisciplinary and international collaboration involving a historian of medicine (Dr. Zampieri), a physician (Dr. Coen), and a researcher (Prof. Gabbiani, world-renowned for his discovery of the myofibroblast). This book aims to draw a concise yet complete description of the conceptual evolution of wound healing, fibrosis and fibrosis-related pathologies from antiquity to present time, as well as commenting on the role of the myofibroblast and the key cell type essential for tissue repair and fibrosis (from its identification in 1971 throughout its 50-years-old history). By viewing this complex and century-long history from different perspectives, the book's authors aim to draw an exhaustive overview, with the hope of inspiring new and fruitful basic and clinical research. Interdisciplinary collaboration: complementary views from medical historian, a physician and a researcher A concise but detailed history of fibrosis, readers can discover the major scientific breakthroughs along this history Includes the pathophysiology of various fibrotic diseases Explores the role of myofibroblast in fibrosis development

This text book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license. Written by a group of international experts in the field and the result of over ten years of collaboration, it allows students and readers to gain to gain a detailed understanding of scar and wound treatment – a topic still dispersed among various disciplines. The content is divided into three parts for easy reference. The first part focuses on the fundamentals of scar management, including assessment and evaluation procedures, classification, tools for accurate measurement of all scar-related elements (volume density, color, vascularization), descriptions of the different evaluation scales. It also features chapters on the best practices in electronic-file storage for clinical reevaluation and telemedicine procedures for safe remote evaluation. The second section offers a comprehensive review of treatment and evidence-based technologies, presenting a consensus of the various available guidelines (silicone, surgery, chemical injections, mechanical tools for scar stabilization, lasers). The third part evaluates the full range of emerging technologies offered to physicians as alternative or complementary solutions for wound healing (mechanical, chemical, anti-proliferation). Textbook on Scar Management will appeal to trainees, fellows, residents and physicians dealing with scar management in plastic surgery, dermatology, surgery and oncology, as well as to nurses and general practitioners

Stellate Cells in Health and Disease is a comprehensive reference providing the most up-to-date knowledge and perspectives on the function of stellate cells affecting the liver and other organs. The text presents comprehensive coverage of their already established role in hepatic fibrosis along with the newer emerging evidence for stellate cell participation in the liver cell (hepatocyte) survival and regeneration, hepatic immunobiology, transplant tolerance, and liver cancer. Chapters describe both animal and human research and the relevance of findings from animal research to human pathophysiology, and also contain sections on future directions which will be of special interest to basic and clinical researchers working on liver fibrosis, hepatic biology, and pathobiology. Presents coverage of the mechanisms of liver fibrosis with stellate cells as a target for therapy. Shows stellate cells as a major participant in hepatic immunobiology, including transplantation immunology. Key illustrations show the phenotypical changes in stellate cells in situ and tissue culture, their interactions with other cell types, signaling pathways and demonstrate the functions and roles of stellate cell in pathological processes.

'Provides comprehensive detail on the various aspects of particular molecules involved in the phases of injury and repair and the cellular movements and processes....This is an excellent reference book for libraries serving biology and health science clientele and for workers in this field of research.' -American Scientist, from a review of the First Edition All chapters of this second edition have been completely revised and expanded-especially the chapters on growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules. New chapters discuss provisional matrix proteins, extracellular matrix receptors, and scarring versus nonscarring wound healing.