This book summarizes highlights in the field of free radicals in medicine and biology, with a detailed analysis of the extensive recent literature.  It describes results from experimental research work on dust inhalation, hypoxia, and environmental toxicology using  morphologic methods such as electron microscopy, interference microscopy and time-lapse techniques in tissue cultures.  It also  discusses free radical reactions that are probably involved in the pathogenesis of both physical and chemical environmental hazards and provides a list of  radical scavengers that are useful prophylatic agents  in case of unavoidable exposure. A short history of dust diseases that have challenged mankind since prehistoric times serves as an introduction to this comprehensive treatise.  It is hoped that by covering this field in one monograph, adding light will be shed on the important role of both oxygen- and nitrogen-centered radicals in disease pathogenesis, a role that is receiving increasing recognition. The CD-ROM included  with this volume lists nearly 25,000 literature citations useful as a  reference source for  researches, clinicians and students.

History and Scientific Background

Protagonists of Industrial Medicine
Aetiopathogenesis of Pulmonary Fibrosis and Malignancy
Formulation of the Problems
Material and Methods
Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species
Respiratory System: Orthology and Pathology
Tracheo-bronchial Epithelium
Pneumocytes
Alveolar Macrophages
Interstice
Pulmonary Blood Vessels
Pulmonary Lymphatic Vessels
Pulmonary Nerves
Radical-Mediated Pulmonary Lesions
Extrapulmonary Targets
Radical Damage in Nonrespiratory Organ Systems
Ageing
Molecular Ageing
Ageing of Organs
Possible Strategies to Prevent and Reverse Manifestations of Ageing
Cancer
Carcinogenesis
Tumour Proliferation and Metastasis
Antitumour Drug Therapy.