Epidemiology of Brain and Spinal Tumors provides a single volume resource on imaging methods and neuroepidemiology of both brain and spinal tumors. The book covers a variety of imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), MRI, positron emission tomography (PET), and other laboratory tests used in diagnosis and treatment. Detailed epidemiology, various imaging methods, and clinical considerations of tumors of the CNS make this an ideal reference for users who will also find diverse information about structures and functions, cytology, epidemiology (including molecular epidemiology), diagnosis and treatment. This book is appropriate for neuroscience researchers, medical professionals and anyone interested in a complete guide to visualizing and understanding CNS tumors.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of Alexander disease, a rare and devastating neurological disorder that often affects the white matter of the brain and spinal cord. Its distinctive neuropathology consists of abundant Rosenthal fibers within astrocytes (one of the four major cell types of the central nervous system). Nearly all cases are caused by variants in the gene encoding the intermediate filament protein GFAP, but how these changes in GFAP lead to the widespread manifestations of disease is poorly understood. Astrocytes, while discovered over a century ago, are themselves still much of a mystery. They exhibit considerable diversity, defy precise definition, and yet actively regulate many aspects of nervous system functioning. We also have incomplete understanding of Rosenthal fibers, odd structures that contain GFAP as just one of many components. Whether they are toxic or protective is unknown. Moreover, Rosenthal fibers are not absolutely unique to Alexander disease, and are seen sporadically in a wide variety of other conditions, including brain tumors and multiple sclerosis. GFAP is the third unknown. It is an ancient protein, arising early in the evolution of vertebrates, but its role in normal biology is still a matter of debate. Yet Alexander disease shows, without a doubt, that changing just a single of its 432 amino acids can lead to catastrophe, not just in the astrocytes where GFAP is produced but also in the other cells with which astrocytes interact. Despite all of the unknowns, much has been learned in the past 20 years, and it is time to share this knowledge. This book is intended for recently diagnosed patients and families, as well as non-specialist researchers interested in this neurological disease. It covers historical origins, the state of current knowledge, and prospects for what lies ahead, with citations to the primary literature given throughout.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics, guest edited by Dr. Jessica Davis, is devoted to Challenges & Updates in Pediatric Pathology. Articles in this issue include: Advances and Pitfalls in the Diagnosis of Hirschsprungs Disease, Updates in Pediatric Enteropathies: Differential Diagnosis, Testing, and Genetics, Pediatric Liver Tumors: Updates in Classification, New Prognostic Indicators in Pediatric Adrenal Tumors: Neuroblastoma & Adrenal Cortical Tumors, Pediatric Cystic Lung Lesions, Strategies for the Neonatal Lung Biopsy: Histology to Genetics, Wilm's Tumor: Challenges and Newcomers in Prognosis, Pediatric Renal Tumors: Updates in the Molecular Era, Newcomers in Vascular Anomalies, Spindle Cell Rhabdomyosarcoma: Further Subcategorization, Pediatric & Infantile Fibroblastic/myofibroblastic Tumors in the Molecular Era, Round Cell Sarcomas: Newcomers and Diagnostic Approaches, CNS Embryonal Tumors: Testing Strategies for Integrated Diagnosis, Updates in Pediatric Gliomas, and more.

Agrios' Plant Pathology, Sixth Edition is the ultimate reference in the field. Here, Dr. Richard Oliver provides a fully updated table of contents with revised and new chapters and invited contributors from around the globe. Building on his legacy, this new edition is an essential read for students, faculty and researchers interested in plant pathology. Sections outline how to recognize, treat and prevent plant diseases and provide extensive coverage on abiotic, fungal, viral, bacterial, nematode and other plant diseases and their associated epidemiology. A large range of case studies take a deep dive into the genetics and modern management of several plant species.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics, Guest Edited by Dr. Justine A. Barletta, will focus on Endocrine Pathology. Topics include, but are not limited to, Pitfalls in Thyroid Cytology, Prognostic Parameters in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas, Thyroid Tumors You Don't Want to Miss, Molecular Alterations in Thyroid Carcinomas, Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas, Treatment of Aggressive Thyroid Carcinomas, A Guide to Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas, A Diagnostic Approach to Adrenocortical Tumors, Treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma and Pheochromocytomas, Parathyroid Pathology, Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GI Tract and Pancreas, Treatment of GI Neuroendocrine Tumors, and Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung.

This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, guest edited by Dr. Vinay Subhash Mahajan, will focus on Immunology Laboratory Testing. Topics include, but are not limited to, Analysis of proteins and immunoglobulins in the clinical immunology laboratory; Antinuclear antibody tests; Serological diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis; ANCA; Anti-phospholipid antibodies; Diagnostic pitfalls in autoantibody testing; Analysis of the complement pathway; Flow cytometric analysis of immune cell subsets; Testing of cellular immune function in immunodeficiencies; Food allergy testing; Evaluation of the immune response in transplantation; Laboratory testing in the context of biologics and cellular therapies; Testing immune-related adverse-events in cancer immunotherapy; Molecular diagnosis of inherited immune disorders; and Future of immunology lab testing.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics, Guest Edited by Dr. Brooke Howitt, will focus on practical issues and updates around Gynecologic Pathology. This issue is one of four selected each year by the series Consulting Editor, Jason L. Hornick. Topics include, but are not limited to, Non-HPV associated squamous neoplasia of the vulva and vagina; HPV-associated squamous neoplasia of the lower female genital tract; Cervical glandular neoplasia: classification and staging; Preinvasive lesions of the endometrium; Endometrial carcinoma: Grossing, frozen section evaluation, staging, and senitnel lymph node evaluation; High grade endometrial carcinomas: Classification with molecular insights; Uterine mesenchymal tumors: Classification, staging, and updates in molecular testing; Smooth muscle neoplasia of the female genital tract; Germ cell tumors of the female genital tract; Fallopian tube neoplasia and mimics; Low grade serous neoplasia of the female genital tract; Ovarian high grade serous carcinoma: Staging, assessing site of origin and the post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy setting; Ovarian mucinous tumors; Endometrioid and clear cell tumors of the ovary; and Ovarian sex cord stromal tumors.

Postmortem Toxicology addresses the various aspects of the practice of forensic postmortem toxicology from a viewpoint of elements which must be taken into consideration for proper interpretation of the toxicological result, not in a vacuum but in a more holistic and global sense. The volume examines pre-analytical factors, storage containers/conditions, prior medical interventions and therapy, along with information from the scene investigation and anatomical findings. This reference also provides explanation of the complicating conditions for the interpretation of the toxicological results due to postmortem decomposition, embalming artifacts and the postmortem redistribution of drugs. Tolerance is also discussed as an aid to interpreting results from a habitual/chronic user of medications and/or drugs of abuse. The book is geared towards the current practitioner; however, it is written to be used as a valuable reference for a graduate or post-graduate level courses in forensic toxicology or forensic pathology.

This book describes human hereditary ion channel diseases of voltage- and ligand-gated ion channels covering the diverse fields of medicine myology, neurology, cardiology, and nephrology requiring a wide and interdisciplinary readership. Interesting parallels in pathogenetic mechanisms of disease are especially emphasized to interest even highly specialized readers in entities outside of their fields. Each author has written an objective overview of his or her particular subject in a way that should allow the reader within a short period of time to obtain a comprehensive picture of the present state of art.

Childhood acute leukemias are one of the main causes of death in children aged 1 to 14 years in some countries; and unfortunately, we have been unable to prevent it. Certainly, a good parcel of it is due to the poor understanding about its etiology. This book aims to describe the most important theories and hypothesis regarding childhood acute leukemia. Written by the most outstanding researchers in the field, this book intends to contribute to a greater understanding of the etiology of this disease. It goes beyond the simple and common analysis of risk factors, which hardly allows us to draw definite conclusions. By addressing the etiology of the disease, discussing from molecular biology until epidemiology and clinical manifestations, this book will guide present and future approaches, contributing for a better clinical management of leukemia in children. The knowledge regarding etiology is a crucial step for a better evaluation, prevention and treatment of a disease. Thus, this book finally intends to provide such knowledge, allowing physicians and practitioners to a better manage of childhood acute leukemias.

Dr. George Fedoriw leads the second issue presented in the Surgical Pathology Clinics on Hematopathology. Topics in this issue include: Evidence-based, high-value hematopathology; The expanding spectrum of follicular lymphoma; Lymphoid proliferations in the immunocompromised host; Reporting clinically relevant biomarkers of intermediate/high grade B-cell lymphomas; Transformation of lymphomas; T-cell lymphoproliferations: distinguishing benign from malignant; Lymphoma microenvironment and immunotherapy; Differentiating low grade lymphomas with non-specific immunophenotype; Molecular markers of myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes; Update of myeloproliferative neoplasms; Mimics of myeloid neoplasms; Therapy effect: impact on bone marrow morphology. Each topic is written by a leader in pathology with expertise in hematopathology. The focus on these articles, as all in the series, is on Differential Diagnosis, with histologic images and tips for working with the most challenging aspects of these pathologies.

This issue of the Surgical Pathology Clinics entitled "Molecular Pathology: Predictive, Prognostic, and Diagnostic Markers in Tumors" is being edited by Dr. Lynette Sholl and will cover molecular pathology in a wide array of anatomic locations including, salivary gland, lung, bladder, glioma, endometrium, colon, pancreaticobiliary tract, sarcoma, myeloid neoplasams, and lymphomas.

Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse, Volume 3: General Processes and Mechanisms, Prescription Medications, Caffeine and Areca, Polydrug Misuse, Emerging Addictions and Non-Drug Addictions is the third of three volumes in this informative series and offers a comprehensive examination of the adverse consequences of the most common drugs of abuse. Each volume serves to update the reader's knowledge on the broader field of addiction as well as to deepen understanding of specific addictive substances. Volume 3 addresses prescription medications, caffeine, polydrug misuse, and non-drug addictions. Each section provides data on the general, molecular, cellular, structural, and functional neurological aspects of a given substance, with a focus on the adverse consequences of addictions. Research shows that the neuropathological features of one addiction are often applicable to those of others, and understanding these commonalties provides a platform for studying specific addictions in more depth and may ultimately lead researchers toward new modes of understanding, causation, prevention and treatment. However, marshalling data on the complex relationships between addictions is difficult due to the myriad of material and substances.

Michael Sand gives the reader an overview of current techniques in expression profiling of miRNAs and their maturation machinery in the skin. This book is a postdoctoral thesis on miRNAs in cutaneous malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer with a focus on the miRNA processing machinery and miRNA expression profiling. The research presented in this book was performed in the Dermatologic Surgery Section at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany and gives the reader an overview of current techniques in expression profiling of miRNAs and their maturation machinery in the skin.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics is devoted to Soft Tissue Tumors, the first in this series was presented in 2011. This issue addresses the most difficult diagnostic challenges and focuses on differential diagnosis in soft tissue tumors. Each presentation is accompanied by abundant histologic slides to display the diagnostic differences. Additionally, authors selected two to five diagnoses they find can be particularly difficult, with an emphasis on how to approach such lesions on biopsy samples where relevant and the role of ancillary studies. Topics include coverage of diagnostically challenging: Vascular lesions; Retroperitoneal "Fatty" tumors of adults; Smooth muscle neoplasms; Chondro-osseous lesions of soft tissue; Pediatric tumors; Epithelioid tumors; Spindle cell neoplasms of the retroperitoneum; and Peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Also presented are: Non-mesenchymal mimics of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors; Soft tissue tumors with overlapping molecular findings; Recently characterized soft tissue tumors; Benign mimics of sarcoma; Advances in molecular methods in the analysis of soft tissue tumors and therapeutic implications; and Myoepithelial tumors: an update. Leona Doyle and Karen Fritchie lead this issue of experts in soft tissue pathology.

Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse, Volume 2: Stimulants, Club and Dissociative Drugs, Hallucinogens, Steroids, Inhalants and International Aspects is the second of three volumes in this informative series and offers a comprehensive examination of the adverse consequences of the most common drugs of abuse. Each volume serves to update the reader's knowledge on the broader field of addiction as well as to deepen understanding of specific addictive substances. Volume 2 addresses stimulants, club and dissociative drugs, hallucinogens, and inhalants and solvents. Each section provides data on the general, molecular and cellular, and structural and functional neurological aspects of a given substance, with a focus on the adverse consequences of addictions. Research shows that the neuropathological features of one addiction are often applicable to those of others, and understanding these commonalties provides a platform for studying specific addictions in more depth and may ultimately lead researchers toward new modes of understanding, causation, prevention, and treatment. However, marshalling data on the complex relationships between addictions is difficult due to the myriad material and substances.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics takes a departure from its presentation of Differential Diagnosis, Histopathology, Staging, and Prognosis of tumors in different anatomic sites. This special issue is devoted to topics in pathology informatics as they relate to the practice of surgical pathology. Topics include: Basics of Information Systems (Hardware, Software); Networks, Interfaces and Communications; Databases; Data Representation, Coding and Communication Standards; Laboratory Information Systems; Enhancing and Customizing Laboratory Information Systems to Improve/Enhance Pathologist Workflow; Laboratory Management and Operations; Specialized Laboratory Information Systems; Middleware and Laboratory Automation; Synoptic Reporting in Anatomical Pathology; Bar Coding and Tracking; Molecular Pathology Informatics; Informatics and Autopsy Pathology; Pathology Informatics and Project Management; Digital Imaging Basics; Use of Digital Images in Clinical Practice; Whole Slide Imaging; Telepathology; Mobile Technologies for the Surgical Pathologist; Image Analysis; Advanced Imaging Techniques; Healthcare Information Systems; Data Security and Reliability; Role of Informatics in Patient Safety and Quality Assurance; Role of Pathology Informatics in IT Leadership; Selection and Implementation of New Information Systems; Biomedical Informatics and Research Informatics; Training in Pathology Informatics; and Building Tools for the Surgical Pathologist: Next Generation Pathologist. Editor of this issue, Dr Anil Parwani, is Professor of Pathology and Biomedical Informatics and Director of Division of Pathology Informatics. Dr. Parwani is well known as expert in the area of Anatomical Pathology Informatics, which includes design of quality assurance tools, tissue banking informatics, clinical and research data integration and mining, synoptic reporting in anatomical pathology, clinical applications of whole slide imaging, digital imaging, telepathology, image analysis and lab automation and workflow processes, such as barcoding and voice recognition.

This innovative text explores the cellular transport of organic cations, from functional and structural properties to pharmacological implications and psychiatric developments. The authoritative chapters introduce organic cation transporters and then proceed to discuss their mechanisms such as binding of substrates and inhibitors; their drug dispositions and toxicity; their relationships to genetic and pathophysiological variability; and their roles in endocrine, metabolic, and neurological systems. The final chapters delve into the use of animal models for the study of organic cation transporter function and their possible use in environmental cycling of pharmaceutical residues. This comprehensive volume unites integrative transporter physiology with structural and molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology and pathophysiology, offering a holistic approach to utilizing this novel technique in physiological contexts. It will prove invaluable reading for researchers and students in various areas of integrative, organ, cell and molecular physiology as well as pharmacologists and neurologists.