The understanding of hemostasis physiology has been considerably advanced by models of kinetics and by the complicated interplay of cells and soluble coagulation factors. How this physiology is currently, or will eventually, be reflected in clinical laboratory testing is the subject of this monograph; this information is key for laboratorians to implement physiologic concepts into practical data and for clinicians to understand the basis of and therefore correctly treat hemostatic disease. Many thousands of patients present with bleeding disorders or bleeding complications of other diseases, and millions of individuals suffer the morbidity and mortality of thromboembolic complications. How laboratory testing confronts the challenge of predicting different hemostatic risks and guiding therapy is the critical subtext of the chapters in this monograph. New developments in hemostasis physiology have identified thrombin as an important, if not central, coordinator of hemostatic function and thus a target for measurement to assess hemostatic function and risk. Whether such measurements as endogenous thrombin potential or thromboelastography will accurately predict and/or quantitate global hemostatic function is an important question. Modeling the clinical risks of bleeding or thromboembolism currently uses the laboratory presence or absence of particular risk factors, but our clinical understanding of risk appears to more closely approximate a dynamic model, even within individual patients. Therefore, testing for platelet dysfunction or comprehending the functional implications of a lupus anticoagulant may rely on our evolving comprehension of hemostasis phyisology and perhaps require more sophisticated interpretation of clinical predictors of hemostatic risk. This monograph aims to shed some light in these areas and promote investigation of such key hemostasis issues.

Managing infections that complicate care of neutropenic patients with leukemia and hematopoietic stem cell recipients has become a distinct specialty. In Managing Infections in Patients with Hematological Malignancies, the authors and editor draw on their extensive expertise while providing a roadmap for hematologists to efficiently manage the complex infections within their patients. The first section of the text reviews viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens, and provides brief descriptions of the microbes and diseases they cause in patients with hematological malignancies. The second section is devoted to management of infections in patients with the different underlying hematological malignancies, while the third addresses several important topics that are often ignored in most books about infections and hematological malignancies. Managing Infections in Hematological Malignancies is a useful tool for all clinicians and practicing hematologists who treat individual patients and aspire to build stronger infectious diseases programs within their respective cancer centers.

Many diseases earlier considered to be incurable are now being treated with modern innovations involving fetal tissue transplants and stem cells derived from fetal tissues. Fetal tissues are the richest source of fetal stem cells as well as other varying states of differentiated cells and support or stromal cells. The activity of such stem cells is at their peak provided they are given the correct niche. Stem cells, as we know, are immortal cells with the capacity to regenerate into any kind of differentiated cell as per niche-guidance. As such, fetal tissues have the potential capacity to mend, regenerate and repair damaged cells or tissues in adults, when directly transplanted to the site of injury, or even when transplanted in some other site, because it may have a homing capacity to migrate to the site of the specific injured organ. This is a new area of translational research and needs to be highlighted because of its immense potential. This book will bring together the new work of prominent medical scientists and clinicians who are conducting pioneering research in human fetal tissue transplantation. This will include direct transplant of healthy fetal tissue into mature patients as well as in hosts with genetic diseases. Transplant techniques, donor-host interaction, cell and tissue storage, ethical and legal issues, are some of the many matters which the book will deal with.

The mature T and NK cell lymphomas are rare, comprising approximately 10% of all malignant lymphomas. The incidence of T- cell lymphoma is variable around the world, with a higher incidence compared to B-cell lymphomas in the Asian basin. While the overall incidence of B-cell lymphomas has begun to decline in the United States, the incidence of T-cell lymphomas continues to rise. Over the last decade, a number of novel agents have been developed which target T-cell lymphomas and studies have identified novel genes and pathways associated with lymphomagenesis in T-cells. This comprehensive volume examines the clinical and biological aspects of the T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders in adults and children. The book includes an overview of both the cutaneous and the systemic T-cell malignancies and addresses the classification of T-cell lymphomas, the clinical features of each subtype, and the relevant molecular and genetic studies. Clinical outcomes and treatment strategies are discussed with an emphasis on the development of novel biological and targeted therapies. An outstanding resource for hematologists and oncologists, this book gathers insights from experts in the field and provides the most up-to-date information on all of the T-cell lymphoma subgroups and current and emerging therapies.

This book will be a comprehensive study of the lymphatic system and its immunological role. It will begin with lymphatic capillaries, their origin and development. It will treat lymph circulation, in general, with a special emphasis on lymph circulation in parenchymal organs. The next section will address lymph nodes, subcortical circulation and the conduit system. It will discuss organs with no lymphatic system, such as the brain. Finally, it will cover lymph composition and cells in the lymph. While primarily basic research, the volume will touch upon elements of the clinical, as well, broadening its scope and appeal.

This book provides a concise set of protocols for assessing basic neutrophil functions, investigating specialized areas in neutrophil research, and completing step-by-step diagnostic assays of common neutrophil disorders. Each of the protocols is written by leading researchers in the field and includes hints for success, as well as guidance for troubleshooting. Scientists and clinicians will find this collection an invaluable aid.

This book provides a state-of-the-art approach to the molecular basis of hematologic diseases and its translation into improved diagnostics and novel therapeutic strategies. Several representative hemato-oncologic malignancies are analyzed in detail: acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, B-cell Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, multiple myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms. Experts in the field describe the molecular methods applied for modern diagnostics and therapies, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, donor recipient matching, banking of biological material, analyses of post-transplant chimerism, and minimal residual disease monitoring. The volume concludes with an extensive section comprising thorough step-by-step protocols of molecular techniques in hematology, all of them validated in the authors own laboratories.

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This unique book focuses on the non-myeloma plasma cell dyscrasias. A key resource for this group of diseases, the book features the latest in emerging knowledge and therapeutic developments, including novel therapies. Each disease-specific chapter discusses biology, disease course, and appropriate therapeutic interventions, covering plasma cell leukemia, plasmacytoma, POEMS Syndrome and Castleman's Disease, Waldenstroem macroglobulinemia, immunoglobin deposition disease, and cryoglobulinemic syndromes, among others. The only book dedicated to this intriguing family of diseases, Biology and Management of Unusual Plasma Cell Dyscrasias will be a long-lasting reference for clinicians and scientists alike.

While a pattern approach to diagnosis is taught and practiced with almost every other tissue or organ in the body, the lymph node remains a mystery to most residents starting out in pathology and those pathologists with limited experience in the area. A Pattern Approach to Lymph Node Diagnosis demonstrates that a systematic approach to lymph node examination can be achieved through recognition of morphological patterns produced by different disease processes. It presents a combination of knowledge-based assessment and pattern recognition for diagnosis covering the major primary neoplastic and non neoplastic diseases and metastatic tumors in lymph nodes. This volume demonstrates that lymph node compartments can be recognized histologically especially with the aid of immunohistological markers and how this knowledge can be employed effectively to localize and identify pathological changes in the different compartments in order to facilitate histological diagnosis. It also defines histological features that, because of their pathological occurrence in lymph nodes, are useful pointers to specific diagnoses or disease processes. The volume is organized in accordance with the primary pattern of presentation of each diagnostic entity. Differential diagnosis is discussed and each diagnostic entity is accompanied by color illustrations that highlight the diagnostic features. Immunohistochemistry, clinical aspects, relevant cytogenetics and molecular information of each entity is provided by authors who are experts in lymphoproliferative diseases. An algorithmic approach to diagnosis is adopted at the end of each section by listing a set of questions that help to consider diagnostic entities that can present with the morphological features observed. A Pattern Approach to Lymph Node Diagnosis will be of great utility to residents and fellows in pathology and general pathologists making first hand lymph node diagnoses as well as to hematologists and physicians who treat patients with lymphoprolifeative diseases.

Therapeutic options for patients with myeloma have dramatically changed over the past 10 years. Beginning with the advances in therapy resulting from the use of high-dose therapy and autologous bone marrow or stem cell tra- plant, we have more than doubled the median survival for patients as a whole, and have now have a wealth of different biology -based treatment approaches for our patients in all disease stages. This book represents state-of-the-art information from many of the leaders in the plasma cell disorders world. Sections focusing on disease pathogenesis and biology, chemotherapy-based approaches, immune -based therapies, currently approved novel agents, developing targets, supportive care, and other plasma cell disorders provides a comprehensive collection and an excellent resource in this time of rapid change in clinical and preclinical disease knowledge. It is important to realize that these changes did not occur in a vacuum. Partnerships between academic institutions, the pharmaceutical industry, patient advocacy groups, the National Cancer Institute, community onco- gists, and ultimately our patients worked closely together to realize these advances, and to effect the radical changes in therapy we have witnessed over the past few years. This book would not have been possible without contri- tions from each of the gifted scientists and clinicians who worked tirelessly to prepare their individual chapters all the while maintaining commitment to the scientific and clinical mission of advancing care.

During the past few decades, technical and conceptual breakthroughs have led to a virtual revolution in developmental biology. In part through cross-species compa- sons and multidisciplinary approaches (combining, for example, classical embry- ogy, genetics, molecular biology, and systems biology), major questions have often been redefined and examined from new angles and with innovative tools. Analyses using such model systems as Drosophila, Xenopus, zebrafish, chick, human, and mouse have underscored the remarkable extent to which molecular and genetic pa- ways are conserved across species and throughout embryonic, fetal, and adult dev- opment. What we learn from the embryo, then, is not only of fundamental interest, but may well have future practical applications in the clinic. A number of excellent volumes, including several in this series (e. g. , Hema- poietic Stem Cell Protocols, Klug and Jordan, eds. , 2002), have surveyed methods used in the study of hematopoiesis-the processes by which the multiple lineages of the blood form from stem and progenitor cells during ontogeny and throughout the entire life of the animal. These collections of protocols have focused largely on the postnatal cells of mouse and human. Our understanding of hematopoietic devel- ment, however, has benefitted enormously from investigations in a variety of org- isms at different stages of ontogeny.

A comprehensive collection of classic and innovative methodologies used in many laboratories for the investigation of multiple myeloma. These readily reproducible techniques range from the standard Plasma Cell Labeling Index methodology to a final chapter on making sense of microarrays, and include the full spectrum of cytogenetic and molecular diagnostic methods. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Medicine (TM) series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. These proven techniques are ideal for studying the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and identifying new therapeutic targets.

From the world renowned Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, this book is written for all physicians who treat patients with acute or chronic leukemias or myelodysplasia. It is designed to answer questions about treatment approaches that commonly arise in day-to-day practice. In keeping with the Center's groundbreaking research in bone marrow transplantation, the book provides exceptional coverage of the role of allogeneic transplant in treatment. It also addresses the important issues of supportive care and long-term complications of successful treatment. *Edited and written by experts at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center *Clinically focused and comprehensive coverage of treatment approaches *Allogeneic transplant addressed in detail *Separate chapters on supportive care and long-term complications

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by complex heterogenous cytogenetic abnormalities that accounts for 1.4% of all cancers, and approximately 10% of hematologic malignancies. The clinical manifestations of multiple myeloma include lytic bone lesions, cytopenia, hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, hyperviscosity of the blood, immunodeficiency, and peripheral neuropathy. Based on the clinical and genetic data, probably all cases of multiple myeloma arise from an asymptomatic monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance. The exact mechanism of the transition from MGUS to overt multiple myeloma is still not well understood. Recent oncogenomic studies have further advanced our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of multiple myeloma. This book will give a comprehensive overview of the genetic and molecular epidemiology of multiple myeloma in order to get a more refined and conclusive understanding of this disease.

This book provides clinical practitioners and the research community with detailed information on the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, taking into account the significant growth in knowledge including multiple therapeutic advances that have been achieved over the past 5-10 years. The work is subdivided into epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, imaging, and therapy of the non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The full range of therapeutic options are examined according to the major subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the most up-to-date information is provided on current standard treatment options, including stem cell transplantation as well as new cutting-edge therapeutics.

Increased knowledge on the pathogenesis of hematologic diseases has been translated into diagnostic and prognostic applications. Hematopathology and laboratory hematology were among the first disciplines to embrace molecular diagnostics. Hematological Malignancies:Methods and Protocols, explores molecular-based assays frequently used in the routine diagnostic hematopathology and laboratory hematology. Many of these protocols were initially developed as research applications and were further refined as they transitioned to the diagnostic laboratory. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Hematological Malignancies: Methods and Protocols aids scientist in the continuing study of tests essential for contemporary laboratory diagnostics of hematological neoplasms.

Soon after the first description of monoclonal antibodies in 1976, there was enormous interest in the clinical application of antibodies, especially in the context of cancer. Antibodies appeared to offer the "magic bullet" that would allow the specific destruction of neoplastic cells. H- ever, many years' effort resulted in very few cases of successful immu- therapy with antibodies. As a result there was a major backlash against antibody therapy, and the field lost a considerable amount of popularity. Fashion, in science as well as in other things, tends to be cyclical. Antibody-based therapy is once again attracting scientists and clinicians. There are several reasons for the renewed optimism; certainly the expe- ence of the last two decades has provided a wealth of information about problems associated with antibody therapy, and possible solutions to these problems. Recombinant antibody engineering has rejuvenated the field, allowing both the modification of antibodies to improve their in vivo pr- erties and the isolation of novel antibody molecules by such techniques as phage display. The results of recent clinical trials have demonstrated unequivocally the benefit of antibody therapy in a number of settings, and, finally, more careful consideration has been taken of the types of disease best treated using this approach.

This book is the only published literature that comprehensively discusses all aspects of transfusion of transmissible diseases, the facts and the fiction. It is of paramount importance to all involved in the vein to vein chain of transfusion medicine.

Session I addresses the basic blood safety aspects including the need for quality management, rational donor screening and the risks of blood transfusion for prenatal developmental toxicity.

Session II addresses the gamma of transmissible infectious agents from bacteria through parasites and tick-borne agents to prions and the risks associated with xeno-transplantation and xenozoonoses

Session III sheds new light on NAT technology for detection of viral DNA and RNA, the cost-effectiveness of the alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion. To what extent are genetic defects in stem cell genomic structures transmissible through transplantation and does questioning potential donors make any sense?

Session IV addresses the preventive aspects on the future of transfusion medicine. Quantitative real-time PCR for Parvo B19 and advances in bacterial detection technology. The advancement from theory to practice of pathogen inactivation technology based on destruction of nucleic acids in cellular structures. Finally, a plea is made for co-operation and collaboration on a global scale, changing the pars pro toto phenomenon (the ships that pass in the night) for a totum pro parte, a true joining of forces to create a global network for blood safety and structured blood supply systems.

Transmissible Diseases and Blood Transfusion is an important reference for all hematologists and researchers involved in transfusion medicine.

This essential methods manual for immunohematologists (or hematologists and immunohematologists) provides information on genes that encode antigens on red blood cells, platelets and neutrophils. The book begins by covering general concepts in molecular biology and specific protocols such as DNA preparation, PCR-RFLP and allele-specific PCR. Information on the erythrocyte, platelet and neutrophil antigen systems and the molecular basis of polymorphisms are presented clearly in a gene facts sheet format. Database accession numbers and useful adjuncts such as Request forms, worksheets for PCR/enzyme digests also serve to benefit the user. The information is clearly presented and easily accessible and is complemented by the excellent diagrams and tabular material. This book is invaluable for both new and experienced researchers in the field and other related disciplines.
Key Features
* Essential for hematologists and those involoved in tissue typing and the study of human genetic polymorphisms
* Presents clearly and concisely the information on a particular variant and the technique used to detect it
* Organized by antigen and provides sequences of polymorphisms and primers
* Details the general concepts and critical information on genes, their products, and sources of relevant nucleic acids
* Includes protocols that allow investigators to set up assays with minimal effort (protocols include primers, reagents, reaction conditions, sizes of amplified products, restriction fragment digests, and the relevant safety information)
* Provides information that helps interpret results in clinical settings
* Contains additional sources of information (e.g., key references, web site addresses, glossary, Database accession numbers, request
forms, and worksheets for PCR/enzyme digests)