Medical Biosensors for Point of Care (POC) Applications discusses advances in this important and emerging field which has the potential to transform patient diagnosis and care. Part 1 covers the fundamentals of medical biosensors for point-of-care applications. Chapters in part 2 go on to look at materials and fabrication of medical biosensors while the next part looks at different technologies and operational techniques. The final set of chapters provide an overview of the current applications of this technology. Traditionally medical diagnostics have been dependent on sophisticated technologies which only trained professionals were able to operate. Recent research has focused on creating point-of-care diagnostic tools. These biosensors are miniaturised, portable, and are designed to be used at the point-of-care by untrained individuals, providing real-time and remote health monitoring.

Circulating cell-free DNA is poised to transform cancer diagnosis and care; however, it carries technical challenges such as low abundance, fragmentation and sensitivity to biospecimen handling. Development of clinically useful assays hinges on understanding the unique technical aspects of working with cell-free DNA as a substrate. This book provides an in-depth summary of the technical issues impacting cell-free DNA purification from blood plasma and analysis in a cancer context, including design of PCR assays, sequencing library preparation and methylation analysis. Emerging fields such as extracellular vesicles and blood nucleases are also covered, as well as basic biology and considerations pertinent to biobanking.

Epigenetic Biomarkers and Diagnostics comprises 31 chapters contributed by leading active researchers in basic and clinical epigenetics. The book begins with the basis of epigenetic mechanisms and descriptions of epigenetic biomarkers that can be used in clinical diagnostics and prognostics. It goes on to discuss classical methods and next generation sequencing-based technologies to discover and analyze epigenetic biomarkers. The book concludes with an account of DNA methylation, post-translational modifications and noncoding RNAs as the most promising biomarkers for cancer (i.e. breast, lung, colon, etc.), metabolic disorders (i.e. diabetes and obesity), autoimmune diseases, infertility, allergy, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders. The book describes the challenging aspects of research in epigenetics, and current findings regarding new epigenetic elements and modifiers, providing guidance for researchers interested in the most advanced technologies and tested biomarkers to be used in the clinical diagnosis or prognosis of disease.

Continuing a legacy of excellence that spans nearly five decades, Bates' Nursing Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, 3rd Edition, adapts the proven techniques and vibrant visuals of Bates' gold-standard assessment text specifically for the needs of today's nursing students. Thoroughly updated, evidence-based coverage emphasizes the healthy patient and clearly details common findings and diseases to help students develop and practice key skills in physical examination and history taking. Content is logically organized by Foundations, Body Systems, and Special Lifespan Considerations, incorporating essential review of anatomy and physiology, as well as critical practice in health history review, recording findings, and health promotion. Reflecting the latest research in the field, including emerging issues such as vaping, the opioid crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, the 3rd Edition combines trusted approaches with current clinical perspectives to equip your students for success throughout their nursing careers.

Developmental cancer products (oncodevelopmental markers, ODM) not only serve as diagnostic and prognostic indicators but also may be used to study the nature of the carcinogenic process and the biology of tumors. For many years oncologists have searched for markers of cancer cells that would permit unequivocal recognition of cancer in contrast to noncancerous tissue. The earliest and still most widely used method of identification of cancer tissue or cells is the structural resemblance of cancer tissue to fetal or immature tissue. Pathologists not only recognize cancer by its morphologic similarity to fetal tissues, but also in many instances can relate the behavior of a given tumor to the degree of tissue differentiation. Thus, poorly differentiated tumors that resemble fetal tissue generally grow more rapidly and metastasize earlier than do well-differentiated tumors that more closely resemble adult tissue. In recent years the commonality of fetal and cancer tissue has been extended to products of tumor cells that, can be analyzed by biochemical, immunological, or physiological techniques. Increas ingly, products of cancer cells similar to fetal products are being identified and studied. These products range from cell-surface markers (fetal or differentiation antigens), placental proteins, hormones, and isoenzymes to a multitude of products, such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alphafetoprotein (AFP), lymphocyte markers, and nucleic acids, such as tRNA, that are produced in small amounts by v vi PREFACE continually differentiating cells in the adult but in much greater amounts by tumors."

Physical Examination Procedures for Advanced Practitioners and Non-Medical Prescribers provides readers with the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct successful physical examinations of adult patients. This evidence-based book, organized by anatomical system, features tables that list physical examination procedures along with potential pathologies. Quick reference summaries for performing each examination are also included. In addition, the book features a chapter on mental health with a checklist covering the main criteria for a thorough mental health examination. Readers can test their skills by answering case study questions at the end of each chapter. Reflective stories are also included to demonstrate the difficulties encountered in everyday practice and to remind readers of the important professional and ethical issues surrounding their work. This book is designed as an aide-memoire for use in practice or revision for exams but can also be a useful resource for medical students, teachers of physical examination skills and other qualified health professionals.

The purpose of this monograph is both to introduce and review developed tomograhic methods for discovering 2D and 3D structures of the ionosphere and to discuss the experimental implementation of these methods. The theoretical part deals with the solution of the inverse problem of diffraction tomography for a wide range of properties of ionospheric media. Examples are given to illustrate the experimental reconstruction of electron-density distributions in ionospheric sections. In addition to addressing the specialist researcher, the detailed derivations and explanations make this book an excellent starting point for nonspecialists and graduate students who wish to enter this exciting new field to which the authors have made pioneering contributions.

Disruptive Trends in Computer Aided Diagnosis collates novel techniques and methodologies in the domain of content based image classification and deep learning/machine learning techniques to design efficient computer aided diagnosis architecture. It is aimed to highlight new challenges and probable solutions in the domain of computer aided diagnosis to leverage balancing of sustainable ecology. The volume focuses on designing efficient algorithms for proposing CAD systems to mitigate the challenges of critical illnesses at an early stage. State-of-the-art novel methods are explored for envisaging automated diagnosis systems thereby overriding the limitations due to lack of training data, sample annotation, region of interest identification, proper segmentation and so on. The assorted techniques addresses the challenges encountered in existing systems thereby facilitating accurate patient healthcare and diagnosis. Features: An integrated interdisciplinary approach to address complex computer aided diagnosis problems and limitations. Elucidates a rich summary of the state-of-the-art tools and techniques related to automated detection and diagnosis of life threatening diseases including pandemics. Machine learning and deep learning methodologies on evolving accurate and precise early detection and medical diagnosis systems. Information presented in an accessible way for students, researchers and medical practitioners. The volume would come to the benefit of both post-graduate students and aspiring researchers in the field of medical informatics, computer science and electronics and communication engineering. In addition, the volume is also intended to serve as a guiding factor for the medical practitioners and radiologists in accurate diagnosis of diseases.

There is an urgent need to develop and integrate new statistical, mathematical, visualization, and computational models with the ability to analyze Big Data in order to retrieve useful information to aid clinicians in accurately diagnosing and treating patients. The main focus of this book is to review and summarize state-of-the-art big data and deep learning approaches to analyze and integrate multiple data types for the creation of a decision matrix to aid clinicians in the early diagnosis and identification of high risk patients for human diseases and disorders. Leading researchers will contribute original research book chapters analyzing efforts to solve these important problems.

This detailed volume for the first time explores techniques and protocols involving quantitative imaging flow cytometry (IFC), which has revolutionized our ability to analyze cells, cellular clusters, and populations in a remarkable fashion. Beginning with an introduction to technology, the book continues with sections addressing protocols for studies on the cell nucleus, nucleic acids, and FISH techniques using an IFC instrument, immune response analysis and drug screening, IFC protocols for apoptosis and cell death analysis, as well as morphological analysis and the identification of rare cells. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Imaging Flow Cytometry: Methods and Protocols will be a critical source for all laboratories seeking to implement IFC in their research studies.

Of the thousands of biomarkers that are currently being discovered, relatively few are being validated for further applications, and the potential of a biomarker can be quite difficult to evaluate. To aid in this imperative research, Dr. Kewal K. Jain's Handbook of Biomarkers thoroughly describes many different types of biomarkers and their discovery using various "-omics" technologies, such as proteomics and metabolomics, along with the background information needed for the evaluation of biomarkers as well as the essential procedures for their validation and use in clinical trials. With biomarkers described first according to technologies and then according to various diseases, this detailed book features the key correlations between diseases and classifications of biomarkers, which provides the reader with a guide to sort out current and future biomarkers.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, The Handbook of Biomarkers serves as a vital guide to furthering our understanding of biomarkers, which, by facilitating the combination of therapeutics with diagnostics, promise to play an important role in the development of personalized medicine, one of the most important emerging trends in healthcare today.

Pain is an unfortunate daily experience for many individuals. Chronic pain -- lasting six or more months -- is suffered by approximately 30% of the population in the United States. These individuals wake up, function during the day and go to sleep, trying to keep pain at a minimum while, at the same time, maintaining some quality of life. They may make frequent visits to the doctor and the pharmacy. When they find relief, it is usually short-lived and comes at a cost such as dependence on narcotic medications or complete limitation of activity. Pain often becomes the central point of their existence. This practice guide describes an approach to psychological evaluation of the chronic pain patient who is being considered for surgery. A large body of research is accumulating which demonstrates that the outcome of surgical procedures aimed at chronic pain relief can be strongly influenced by psychological and emotional factors. This approach, termed "presurgical psychological screening" (PPS) uses interview and testing techniques to identify emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial difficulties which have been demonstrated to negatively impact surgical outcome. Studies show that even patients with clearly identifiable pathophysiology may respond poorly to surgery, due to issues such as pain sensitivity, medication dependence, rewards for pain behavior and personality style. Thus, some insurance carriers, rehabilitation nurses and state worker's compensation systems are encouraging, or even requiring, presurgical psychological screening in cases of surgery designed to relieve chronic pain. The first to present a comprehensive, unified approach to PPS in chronic pain syndromes, this text is designed to provide the behavioral health practitioner, as well as the trainee, with all the tools and information necessary to conduct PPS evaluations. It identifies a multitude of risk factors for poor surgical outcome and reviews research associated with each risk factor. Hands-on techniques for eliciting information from the patient about risk factors is also detailed. Toward this end, the practice guide also contains a number of forms and session outlines which can be directly utilized, or which can be altered to fit readers' needs. Models for weighing and combining surgical outcome risk factors are also provided. Thus, practitioners are able to reach valid and reliable predictions of surgical results. Finally, the text provides outlines of psychological interventions which can facilitate surgical outcome as well as surgical treatment alternatives. Upon completion of this practice guide, readers should be able to begin providing PPS evaluations which are scientifically valid, clinically sound, and which result in significant overall improvement in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes.

Drs. Leonard Scinto and Kirk Daffner provide a comprehensive survey of new diagnostic approaches to Alzheimer's disease. The authoritative contributors critically survey the most promising current research on early diagnostic markers for Alzheimer's disease, including the elucidation of changes in the brain revealed by structural and functional neuroimaging, as well as the characteristic patterns of cognitive decline that are documented by sensitive neuropsychological tests, various genetic markers, and biological assays. Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease illuminates the complex issues surrounding the search for early markers of this increasingly widespread disease. It will establish a new standard reference guide for all those working with Alzheimer's patients.

There are individual and professional factors that have the greatest impact on the preservation of work ability for people of advanced age, and people with chronic health issues and disabilities. This text examines the demographic trends in the population and shows that proper functioning in their lives is only possible if people are provided with appropriate psychosocial and physical working conditions. This publication discusses physiological changes that occur with age and influence work performance. It presents the concept of applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) in order to assess the work ability of people with disabilities. It shows, using examples and case studies, that practical activities aimed at appropriate working conditions for people of advanced age, and people with health issues and disabilities, will have excellent work ability. Features Presents a comprehensive approach to workplace tolerance for people with health issues Offers an innovated in-depth evaluation of the Work Ability Index (WAI) Presents applying the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to access the work ability of people with disabilities Outlines actions that should be taken to maintain work ability for people of advanced age or with disabilities Provides real case studies and analysis. "Demographic changes, especially those related to aging, belong to the main changes occurring in the contemporary working environment. Thus, preserving work ability in the older population as well as [populations with] health concerns are among the most important challenges of today. Accordingly, the monograph fits into the most recent issues of [this] public health area, focusing on work ability in populations at risk of social exclusion, also occupational exclusion. These are older people, persons with chronic diseases and those with different types of disabilities. In my opinion, highlighting the problem of work ability in the context of aging by the authors, in such a broad understanding, is extremely valuable and useful and the presented research outcome is an authentic and very much expected contribution to the discussion on this issue. The topic has been thoroughly presented, which undoubtedly results from the interdisciplinarity of the group of authors including specialists in work physiology, physicians and physiotherapists. The monograph provides a very measurable and reliable knowledge in this field. Combining the theory with the presentation of the authors' research outcomes is an unquestionable advantage of the monograph...". -Jolanta Walusiak-Skorupa, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland

Real-life primary care case studies* from more than 50 primary care providers, including physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians! 101 Primary Care Case Studies offers real-life patient scenarios and critical thinking exercises to help you work through a patient's chief complaint. Through narrative case studies, you will determine how best to diagnose, treat, and manage your patient based on the history of present illness, review of systems, relevant history, and physical examination findings. This workbook will ask probing questions to help you determine differential and most likely diagnoses, diagnostic tests to order, and appropriate patient management strategies using relevant and timely references to support your decisions. The organization of each case study simulates the patient care journey from chief complaint to outcome. Serving as a virtual clinical preceptor, this workbook can be used independently or in a classroom setting. It is accompanied by a robust online student supplement that provides answers to all questions, real outcomes of the cases, and valuable personal insights from the authors on how the patient was successfully managed. Not only will this workbook help you work through patient cases clinically, it will also share important, but often overlooked, bedside manner skills needed to successfully communicate with and care for your patients. Covering conditions across all organ systems and across the lifespan, this workbook is organized by chief complaint, providing an authentic perspective on what to expect in the patient care environment. It even includes information on pathophysiology and how to use ICD-10 and CPT (E/M) codes in your documentation. The book uniquely weaves together both the science and art of medicine by including personal insights into quality and compassionate care. Key Features Provides real-life patient cases from an interprofessional author team of physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and physicians Uses a templated case study design and critical thinking exercises to help you methodically work through various patient scenarios Teaches clinical and bedside manner skills imperative for delivering quality patient care Covers patients across the lifespan, including pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric populations Offers additional insight on patient education, medical and legal concerns, and interprofessional collaboration Includes a robust online student supplement with valuable insights from the authors on how they successfully managed the cases Provides instructors with a table of contents that is filterable by chief complaint, diagnosis, patient population, and organ system

With a step-by-step method for accurate interpretation of the ECG, this third edition of Rapid ECG Interpretation describes a systematic approach consistent with the changes in cardiology practice over the past decade. All diagnostic ECG criteria are given with relevant and instructive ECGs, providing a quick review or refresher for proficiency tests and for physicians preparing for the ECG section of the Cardiovascular Diseases Board Examination. This edition contains over 320 ECGs and instructive illustrations, including 81 new ECG tracings. Clear and concise 11-step methods are set out in a user-friendly synopsis format.

Sensor technologies and applications are evolving rapidly driven by the demand for new sensors for monitoring and diagnostic purposes to enable improvements in human health and safety. Simultaneously, sensors are required to consume less power, be autonomous, cost less, and be connected by the Internet of Things. New sensor technologies are being developed to fulfill these needs. This book reviews the latest developments in sensor technology and gives the reader an overview of the state-of-the-art in key areas, such as sensors for diagnostics and monitoring. Features Provides an overview of sensor technologies for monitoring and diagnostics applications. Presents state-of-the-art developments in selected topics for sensors that can be used for monitoring and diagnostics in future healthcare, structural monitoring, and smart environment applications. Features contributions from leading international experts in both industry and academia. Explores application areas that include medical diagnostics and screening, health monitoring, smart textiles, and structural monitoring.

For every physician that interprets ECGs, there is great need to understand a vast amount of information regarding the technique. That the basics of the technique have changed little over the last 100 years means that there is a huge amount of subtle detail that must be learnt to enable its effective use as a diagnostic test. The ECG technique is critical for deciding upon further diagnostic procedures and therapeutic interventions (notably coronary angiography, PTCA, stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting, pacemaker insertion, ablation, electroconversion etc). Without attaining the skills to practice the ECG procedure and knowledge of its diagnostic value - skills often overlooked during medical training - physicians will be unlikely to use it to the benefit of their patients.

The only case-based guide to electromyography-back in a fully revised and updated New Edition! This practical resource examines how to approach, diagnose, and manage the most commonly encoun-tered disorders in the EMG laboratory. Based on actual cases, it correlates patient history, physical exam, EMG findings, relevant anatomy, treatment, and follow-up to help readers sharpen their clinical problem-solving skills. New cases have been added, and every case includes the latest advances in knowledge and technique. Features study questions, answers, and clinical discussions of how experts manage cases to help readers work through the problems presented. Summarizes the results of nerve conduction studies and EMG data with standardized tables. Includes more than 200 relevant imaging studies and anatomic figures. Makes information easy to find with a uniform chapter organization. Offers a consistent approach to electromyography based on Dr. Katirji's broad knowledge and clinical experience. 7 new case studies, including Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy, Ischemic Monomelic Neuropathy, and Myotonic Dystrophy. Three new chapters on Nerve Conduction Studies, Needle EMG Examination, and Specialized Procedures. Many new and revised figures that clarify complex information.

In 1994 I coedited a book, Molecular Pathology: Ap- efforts. It should be evident that molecular pathology and proaches to Diagnosing Human Disease in the Clinical diagnostics impact almost every conceivable subspecialty Laboratory, that coined the phrase "molecular pathology" in laboratory medicine and, particularly in the case of to refer to applications of molecular biology in the tradi- pharmacogenomics, have led to the development of new tional areas of laboratory medicine. That compilation of areas of investigation. clinical molecular techniques included 11 chapters and an What is less evident is the burden placed upon the epilogue on "New Directions for the Clinical Laboratory. " laboratorians directing these efforts. Issues regarding Chapter headings included: automation, neoplasia, heri- training, certification, continuing education, and re- table diseases, and infectious diseases. bursement (just to name a few) have demanded enormous Three years later, in 1997, Bill Coleman and Greg Tson- time and effort from professional organizations and g- galis edited Molecular Diagnostics: For the Clinical ernmental agencies. In addition, because conventional Laboratorian, which contained 18 chapters and introduced approaches cannot always be applied to molecular di- the new areas of RT-PCR and In Situ PCR, and included nostics, unique solutions for quality assurance and quality a section on gene therapy. Now, ten years after the intro- control must be developed. These challenges have eng- duction of molecular pathology, we are looking at the dered committees, subcommittees, taskforces, and second edition of Bill Coleman and Greg Tsongalis' text.

This book disseminates information on paper-based diagnostics devices and describes novel paper materials, fabrication techniques, and Basic Paper-based microfluidics/electronics theory. The section on sample preparation, paper-based electronics/sensors for developing paper-based point-of-care (POC) systems also contains detailed descriptions. In the application sections this book covers sensing technique for DNA/RNA, bacteria/virus and integration of lateral flow assay. The book provides deep understanding and knowledge of paper-based diagnostic device development in terms of concept, materials, fabrication and applications.

In recent years, imaging has rapidly become a tremendously valuable approach in nearly every field of biological research. Finding the right method and optimizing it for data collection can be a daunting process, even for an established imaging laboratory. Imaging: A Laboratory Manual is the cornerstone of a new laboratory manual series, designed as an essential guide for investigators who need these visualization techniques. This first volume is meant as a general reference for all fields, and describes the theory and practice of a wide array of imaging methods. From the basic chapters on optics, equipment and labeling to detailed explanations of advanced, cutting-edge methods like PALM, STORM, light sheet and high speed microscopy, Imaging: A Laboratory Manual is a vital resource for the modern biology laboratory.

This text atlas, now in its second edition, presents in simplest form the basic diagnostic criteria used by the electron microscopist in studying neoplasms and other diseases encountered in the routine practice of pathology. Every field of electron microscopy is covered and low magnification plates are juxtaposed with higher magnifications to illustrate diagnostic features.The largest section of the book is devoted to neoplasms as this is the area in which most diagnostic problems occur. Renal glomerular disease is another important category in which ultrastructural study may be critical in diagnosis; infectious diseases, especially those of viral, protozoan, and unusual bacterial etiologies, are a third area in which electron microscopy may be used to establish or susbstantiate a diagnosis. All of these areas are comprehensively covered with concise, readable text and more than 800 first-quality images. This book is the preeminent reference for pathologists needing current information on the role of ultrastructure in diagnostic pathology.

From probe design to applications in clinical settings, this book provides a diverse set of instructive examples, guided by experts in the field who offer easy-to-follow experimentals. The book first offers an introduction to the basic principles of fluorescence and then describes applications of fluorogenic probes in real-time PCR, which currently is the gold standard for quantitative DNA and RNA analysis. Coverage extends the potential of realtime as well as advocates simplifications of the probe technologies. It also presents a new simplified molecular beacon design, EasyBeacons, and demonstrates the utility in DNA methylation profiling.