This book covers the wide set of well-regulated virulence factors and defense mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa focusing on stress responses and the evolution of this opportunistic human pathogen. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is responsible for one out of ten hospital infections. Additionally, this Gram-negative bacterium is accountable for persistent infections in immunocompromised individuals and the leading cause of chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. This book provides insight on the metabolic versatility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and its mechanisms for biofilm formation that make this organism highly efficient in causing infections. The book invites the readers to learn more about the intrinsic ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to resist a wide variety of antimicrobial agents due to the concerted action of multidrug efflux pumps, antibiotic-degrading enzymes, and the low permeability of bacterial cellular envelopes. Particular focus is put on the evolutionary role of different types of protein-secretion systems in pathogenesis, flagella and their role in chemotaxis and surface sensing, and host-pathogen interactions. This book is a useful introduction to the field for junior scientists interested in the biology and pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is also an interesting read for advanced scientists and medical specialists working within this field, providing a broader view of the topic beyond their specific area of specialization.

Currently, hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are leading candidates as red blood cell substitutes. In addition, HBOCs are also potential oxygen therapeutics for treatment of patients with critical ischemic conditions due to atherosclerosis, diabetes and other conditions. This book will provide readers a comprehensive review of topics involved in the HBOC development. It focusses on current products and clinical applications as well as on emerging technologies and future prospects.

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) has gained tremendous popularity in recent years as a treatment option for specialties including Orthopedics, Dentistry, Sports Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Urology, Vascular, Cardiothoracic and Maxillofacial Surgery, and Veterinarian Medicine. Nowadays, PRP and Stem Cell Science have added an exciting dimension to tissue repair.

This book begins by giving the reader a broad overview of current progress as well as a discussion of the technical aspects of preparation and therapeutic use of autologous PRP. It is followed by a review of platelet structure, function and major growth factors in PRP (PDGF and TGF ).The third chapter outlines the basic principles of biochemical cellular metabolism that increases the efficacy of PRP. Analogous to the preparation of soil for a garden, restoring cellular health should be the first consideration in Regenerative Medicine. Standardization of PRP preparation to clinical use still remains a challenging prospect. In this sense, a feasible strategy for studying PRP preparation is illustrated, which also allows to modulate and tailor the quality of PRP for further clinical applications.

The science behind PRP and stem cells, on tissue regeneration, cell proliferation and mesenchyme stem-cells are emphasized and reviewed. Various specific uses of PRP are described with detailed illustrations of various personal experiences mainly in orthopedic injuries, ligament and tendon repair, degenerative diseases, sports medicine, chronic wound healing as well as rehabilitation aspects in tendinopathy.

Expertly written by leading scientists in the field, this book provides for beginners and experienced readers scientific fundamentals, the state of art of PRP, specific uses and personal experiences with a practical approach and reference for current trends in use. Finally, this book paves the way for future developments."

Progress in Drug Research is a prestigious book series (founded in 1959) which provides extensive expert-written reviews on a wide spectrum of highly topical areas in current pharmaceutical and pharmalogical research. Each volume contains fully cross-referencing indexes which link the volumes together, forming a virtually encyclopaedic work. The series thus serves as an important, time-saving source of information for researchers concerned with drug research and all those who need to keep abreast of the many recent developments in the quest for new and better medicines.

Volume 50 in the series includes:

P.N. Kaul: Drug discovery: Past, present and future

M. Rohmer: Isoprenoid biosynthesis via the mevalonate -- independent route, a novel target for antibacterial drugs

G. Edwards and A.H. Weston: Endothelium, -derived hyperpolarizing factor -- a critical appraisal

R.W. Rockhold: Glutamatic involvement in psychomotor stimulant action

J.M. Colacino and K.A. Staschke: The identification and development of antiviral agents for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection

T.D. Johnson: Polyamines and cerebral ischemia

Sample Sizes for Clinical Trials, Second Edition is a practical book that assists researchers in their estimation of the sample size for clinical trials. Throughout the book there are detailed worked examples to illustrate both how to do the calculations and how to present them to colleagues or in protocols. The book also highlights some of the pitfalls in calculations as well as the key steps that lead to the final sample size calculation. Features: Comprehensive coverage of sample size calculations, including Normal, binary, ordinal, and survival outcome data Covers superiority, equivalence, non-inferiority, bioequivalence and precision objectives for both parallel group and crossover designs Highlights how trial objectives impact the study design with respect to both the derivation of sample formulae and the size of the study Motivated with examples of real-life clinical trials showing how the calculations can be applied New edition is extended with all chapters revised, some substantially, and four completely new chapters on multiplicity, cluster trials, pilot studies, and single arm trials The book is primarily aimed at researchers and practitioners of clinical trials and biostatistics, and could be used to teach a course on sample size calculations. The importance of a sample size calculation when designing a clinical trial is highlighted in the book. It enables readers to quickly find an appropriate sample size formula, with an associated worked example, complemented by tables to assist in the calculations.

The neurotransmitter dopamine has just celebrated its 50th birthday. The discovery of dopamine as a neuronal entity in the late 1950's and the notion that it serves in neurotransmission has been a milestone in the field of neuroscience research. This milestone marked the beginning of an era that explored the brain as an integrated collection of neuronal systems that one could distinguish on basis of neurotransmitter identities, and importantly, in which one started to be able to pinpoint the seat of brain disease. The mesodiencephalic dopaminergic (mdDA) system, previously designated as midbrain dopaminergic system, has received much attention since its discovery. The initial identification of dopamine as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) and its relevance to psychiatric and neurological disorders have stimulated a plethora of neurochemical, pharmacological and genetic studies into the function of dopamine neurons and their projections. In the last decade, studies on gene expression and development have further increased the knowledge of this neuronal population and have unmasked a new level of complexity. The start of the molecular dissection of the mdDA system has been marked by the cloning and characterization of Nurr1 and Pitx3. These transcription factors were shown to have a critical function during mdDA development. These initial studies have been followed by the identification of many other proteins that have a crucial function in the creation of a dopamine neuron permissive region, induction of precursors, induction of terminal differentiation and finally maintenance of the mdDA neuronal pool. In addition, work showing that the historically distinguished regions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA ) harbor molecularly distinct sets of neuronal groups with specific connectivity patterns has added a new layer of complexity to how mdDA neurons are generated and function in the

Serious congenital malformations are a major contributor to the infant death rate worldwide. Their nonhereditary causes are multiple and complex, and include infectious and metabolic dangers, disease medication, nutritional inadequacy, medicinal products, environmental agents and pollutants, among them. The cause of many however is still unknown. The wide range of these causes makes the defects of interest to those of a wide range of medical and investigatory backgrounds, especialy clinicians, fundamental scientists, and environmentalists.

Digital Transformation in Healthcare in Post-Covid19 Times discusses recent advances in patient care and offers critical comparative insights into their application across multiple domains in healthcare. By showcasing key problems, best practices and emerging challenges, the book offers a state-of-art review of opportunities and prospects in the process of delivering smart sustainable healthcare services. Topics discussed include healthcare challenges in the post-COVID-19 era, enabling technologies for digital transformation, value driven approaches to the delivery of patient centric top-quality health services, and analytics and enhanced decision making. In addition, the book updates knowledge on best practices for training towards digital transformation and sustainable health. This is a valuable resource for healthcare professionals, medical doctors, researchers, graduate students and members of the biomedical field who are interested in learning more about the use of emerging technologies in healthcare.

This book presents the latest findings in the field of cardiac mechanobiology in health and disease. Cardiac mechanobiology provides knowledge of all aspects of mechanobiology of the heart. Cardiomyogenesis is discussed as well as the mechanobiology of cardiac remodeling and regeneration. The molecular mechanisms of mechanoperception and mechanotransduction in cardiomyocytes are explained, as well as stretch induced differentiation of cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells. This volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology complements the volume Vascular Mechanobiology in Physiology and Disease (volume 8) published in this series. The book is aimed at clinicians as well as researchers in cardiovascular biology, bioengineering and biophysics, and also represents an educational resource for young researchers and students in these fields.

Smart Healthcare for Disease Diagnosis and Prevention focuses on the advancement in healthcare technology to improve human health at all levels using smart technologies. It covers all necessary topics from basic concepts (such as signal and image processing) to advanced knowledge on topics such as tissue engineering, virtual and intelligent instrumentation (or VLSI) and Embedded Systems. This book can be used to guide students and young researchers, providing basic knowledge on signal/image processing and smart technologies. Users will find a perfect blend of the interdisciplinary approach to biomedical engineering. The book considers many technical concepts, emerging technologies, real-world healthcare applications, and many other technical, multidisciplinary notions in the same content. Finally, it systemically introduces the technologies and devices for healthcare objects and targets disease diagnosis and prevention in different views.

One of the most challenging issues for clinical trial investigators, sponsors, and regulatory officials is the interpretation of experimental results that are composed of the results of multiple statistical analyses. These analyses may include the effect of therapy on multiple endpoints, the assessment of a subgroup analysis, and the evaluation of a dose-response relationship in complex mixtures. Multiple Analyses in Clinical Trials: Fundamentals for Clinical Investigators is an essentially nonmathematical discussion of the problems posed by the execution of multiple analyses in clinical trials. It concentrates on the rationale for the analyses, the difficulties posed by their interpretation, easily understood solutions, and useful problem sets. This text will help clinical investigators understand multiple analysis procedures and the key issues when designing their own work or reviewing the research of others. This book is written for advanced medical students, clinical investigators at all levels, research groups within the pharmaceutical industry, regulators at the local, state, and federal level, and biostatisticians. Only a basic background in health care and introductory statistics is required. Dr. Lemuel A. Moyé, M.D., Ph.D. is a physician and Professor of Biometry at the University of Texas School of Public Health. He has been Co-Principal Investigator of two multinational clinical trials examining the role of innovative therapy in post myocardial infarction survival (SAVE) and the use of cholesterol reducing agents in post myocardial infarction survival in patients with normal cholesterol levels (CARE). He has authored over one hundred articles in journals such as the Journal of the American Medical Association, the New England Journal of Medicine, Statistics in Medicine, and Controlled Clinical Trials.

Septic shock remains a serious medical condition with high mortality. Despite many advances in intensive care medicine and antibiotic devel- ment, this has not changed appreciably in the last 20 years. Frustratingly, over the same period of time, enormous advances have been made in understa- ing the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of this condition. This has resulted in the development of several novel therapies for septic shock, which, despite excellent theoretical grounds for their efficacy, have failed in altering mort- ity attributable to sepsis. The reasons for these failures are multiple, but it is clear that further research is required aimed at increasing our understanding of the basic pat- physiological processes that occur following infection. Research into septic shock draws upon a number of different disciplines, ranging from molecular and cellular biology to physiological measurements on whole animals. Septic Shock Methods and Protocols is an attempt to draw together into one volume a number of protocols that are of use in the investigation of the mechanisms of septic shock. I have divided the book into five sections. The first deals with endotoxin, the lipopolysaccharide component of the Gram-negative cell m- brane that can mimic many of the features of septic shock. Gram-positive organisms are found increasingly as causes of septic shock, and several - pects of toxins produced from these bacteria are considered in the second s- tion.

This remarkable text raises the analysis of data in health sciences and policy to new heights of refinement and applicability by introducing cutting-edge meta-analysis strategies while reviewing more commonly used techniques. Each chapter builds on sound principles, develops methodologies to solve statistical problems, and presents concrete applications used by experienced medical practitioners and health policymakers. Written by more than 30 celebrated international experts, Meta-Analysis in Medicine and Health Policy employs copious examples and pictorial presentations to teach and reinforce biostatistical techniques more effectively and poses numerous open questions of medical and health policy research.

Given the vital importance of immune system research, the gathering of clear, consistent, and informative protocols involving the study of dendritic cells is paramount. Bringing the popular first edition fully up to date, Dendritic Cell Protocols, Second Edition presents protocols from experts in the field that cover the basics and more complex forays into the exploration of DC development and function, both in mice and humans. The first section of the volume involving humans explores topics such as the isolation of blood DC subtypes, primary skin Langerhans cells, and the generation of gene-manipulated human DCs with the inclusion of more clinically relevant methods as well, while the second section involving rodent models delves into DC and precursor generation in vitro, isolation ex vivo, disease models, as well as DC functions and properties. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biologya" series style, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Dendritic Cell Protocols, Second Edition aims to become a bench-side handbook for both beginners and experts in the field of DC research and a long-term reference for some of the most popular methods put forward by those who lead the field.

The bright colour of haemoglobin has, from the very beginning, played a significant role in both the investigation of this compound as well as in the study of blood oxygen transport. Numerous optical methods have been developed for measuring haemoglobin concentration, oxygen saturation, and the principal dyshaemoglobins in vitro as well as in vivo. Modern applications include pulse oximeters, fibre optic oximeters, multiwavelength haemoglobin photometers ('co-oximeters') and instruments for near infrared spectroscopy in vivo. Knowledge of the light absorption spectra of the common haemoglobin derivatives is a prerequisite for the development and understanding of these techniques.
In the 1960s a reference method based on the absorptivity of a single derivative (haemiglobincyanide; HiCN) at a single wavelength (540 nm) was established for measuring the total haemoglobin concentration. Thus an anchor value was provided on which the absorptivity spectra of all other haemoglobin derivatives could be based.
This monograph presents absorption spectra and absorptivity data in the wavelength range of 480 to 1000 nm of the major haemoglobin derivatives for human adult and foetal haemoglobin and for haemoglobin of several animals (cow, dog, horse, pig, rat, and adult and foetal sheep). A detailed description of the methods used to acquire these data has been included to allow future investigators to reproduce and expand on the data.
The second part of the monograph includes chapters on the principles and development, in historical perspective, of the principal methods for measuring total haemoglobin concentration for two, three, and multi-component analysis of haemoglobin derivatives, and for blood oxygen saturation measurement. Accurate quantitative data pertaining to haemoglobin in human blood are presented, together with a description of methods for measuring haemoglobin oxygen capacity and oxygen affinity. These chapters have been written with a view to foster knowledge and insight concerning the principles, purposes, and limitations of the various methods of all who use these methods in research and patient care.

Analysis of multidirectional immunological responses at the tumor site allows forming a new concept of The Tumor Immunoenvironment, which is introduced and discussed in the present book with a particular focus on the role of immune cells in controlling the tumor microenvironment at different stages of cancer development. The main goal of this publication is to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the complex and unique role of the immune system, tumor-associated inflammation and tumor-mediated immunomodulation in cancer progression in a way that allows understanding the logistics of cellular and molecular interactions in the tumor lesions.

This book focuses on leadership and management strategies including project management, budget planning and management, governance, building a team, and developing a strategy for successful recruitment. Many creative arts therapy researchers lack training and experience in designing and implementing large scale high impact clinical trials. This book is the first in the creative arts therapies that provides guidance on clinical trial implementation. Data management, monitoring, and intervention fidelity and development of a statistical analysis plan are outlined. Finally, the text explores development of a dissemination plan as well as how to commercialise research.

This detailed volume explores the application of multiplex biomarker methods in the critical area of COVID-19 research through state-of-the-art technologies in the fields of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and imaging. The book features a series of protocols from labs across the globe employing multiplex molecular approaches, which can be applied to accelerate progress in the research of SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious illnesses. 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 essential, Multiplex Biomarker Techniques: Methods and Applications for COVID-19 Disease Diagnosis and Risk Stratification serves as a vital resource for researchers in the areas of virology, metabolic diseases, respiratory disorders, as well as to clinical scientists, physicians, pharmacologists, and the healthcare services.

Hormone measurement is necessary for the diagnosis of a wide range of clinical conditions and is essential for monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. As the number of hormone requests in the clinical field rises exponentially, it has become imperative to create hormone assays accessible to researchers with a varied range of equipment. Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition reviews common techniques used to measure hormones as well as relatively new methods such as tandem mass spectrometry. Additionally, subsequent chapters detail methods for a broad range of hormones; Techniques and principles covered are transferable to a wide range of substances across species. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Hormone Assays in Biological Fluids, Second Edition will serve students, technologists, laboratory scientists, and researchers looking to apply, or attain a greater understanding of, methods for measuring hormones.

Consumer Satisfaction in Medical Practice will equip physicians and other decision makers in health care with the necessary tools to meet the growing demand for customers'satisfaction in medical practices. Addressing the deliverance of accurate and affective medical services, this intelligent guide provides you with proven techniques in order to provide competitive prices, convenience, accessibility, and quality outcomes to customers. Consumer Satisfaction in Medical Practice turns the delivery of health care toward the patient. Each recommendation will enable you to provide long-term and cost-effective benefits for customers and your company. Exposing common myths about medical practice, this knowledgeable book offers you a patient s perspective on the services they need and request to help you offer your customers the appropriate services. From Consumer Satisfaction in Medical Practice, you will be able to give customers the medical services they want with the help of proven methods and suggestions which include: remembering that office budgets, profits for practitioners, and financial strengths of progressive hospitals and physician service organizations exist to help offer better health services to customers creating a consumers'bill of rights that ensures patients that they are receiving the best possible care for their money, that every patient has a right to their own medical information, and that every patient has a right to express grievances sending out newsletters and announcements of staff changes and changes to office hours to improve physician services to patients incorporating consumer satisfaction in employee and physician performance evaluations and setting standards for consumer satisfaction measuring physician staff and employee satisfaction along with that of the patient and payer to improve provider conditions and consumer satisfaction increasing physician satisfaction by recognition through awards and an incentive systemFeaturing several charts, tables, and suggestion boxes, this guide contains effective steps that you can institute in order to offer excellent care to your customers. Consumer Satisfaction in Medical Practice allows you to expand and improve customer satisfaction for the benefit of your customers and your business.

Recent Advances in Prolactin Research summarizes the current knowledge of prolactin (PRL), PRL receptor, PRL-dependent signaling pathways, the role of PRL in oncogenesis and PRL crosstalk with other oncogenic factors. The chapters are written by experts in these fields and focus on identifying and reviewing timely experimental findings that provide new insights into the expanding role of PRL in the pathophysiology associated with a variety of human conditions. Prolactin is a peptide hormone that is best known for its role in lactation. Prolactin also has an influence on hematopoiesis and angiogenesis, and is involved in the regulation of blood clotting through several pathways. Although PRL was discovered more than 80 years ago, the understanding of PRL signaling and its relationship to various pathologies is still very incomplete. PRL is not only a pituitary hormone with an important role in reproduction, but PRL also acts as a cytokine, modulating a wide variety of physiological processes. For example, data gathered during the last decade have demonstrated that locally produced PRL acts as the autocrine/paracrine factor and plays a contributory role during breast oncogenesis. In fact, the scientific and clinical communities have suggested that the manipulation of the PRL axis may lead to the successful treatment of breast cancer. However, recent work has demonstrated that the role of the PRL axis is much more complex than first envisaged.

Biosimulation is an approach to biomedical research and the treatment of patients in which computer modeling goes hand in hand with experimental and clinical work. The models are used to interprete the experimental results and to accumulate information from experiment to experiment. The book explains the concepts used in the modeling of biological phenomena and goes on to present a series of well-documented models of the regulation of various genetic, cellular and physiological processes. We discuss how the use of computer models makes it possible to optimize the treatment of cancer for individual patients and explains how models of interacting nerve cells can be used to design new treatments for patients with Parkinson's disease. We discuss how use of models in industry will allow existing knowledge to be effectively applied, and the book ends with a presentation of the views of the regulatory agencies.

A highly practical guide to public health intervention development. This book has been developed to assist anyone involved with effective health promotion project design. It cuts through the complex theories and technical frameworks to provide a 6 step formula for creating effective and sustainable interventions. Key features Adopts a pragmatic approach that addresses barriers and challenges to project delivery Utilises the Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development framework - a unique model designed specifically to improve intervention planning Combines the theory and concepts behind intervention development with practical methods of delivery on the ground Includes detailed case studies that provide examples of how the six steps can be used for successful intervention design As the health needs of an increasingly globalised world continue to evolve and shift, effective planning and intervention work will only become more important. Written by leading researchers and experts who draw on a wealth of experience in the field, this book will be essential reading for any student, practitioner or policy maker requiring an understanding of practical intervention design.

Contains papers presented at the Third International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering (1997), which provide evidence that computer-based models, and in particular numerical methods, are becoming essential tools for the solution of many problems encountered in the field of biomedical engineering. The range of subject areas presented include the modeling of hip and knee joint replacements, assessment of fatigue damage in cemented hip prostheses, nonlinear analysis of hard and soft tissue, methods for the simulation of bone adaptation, bone reconstruction using implants, and computational techniques to model human impact. Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering also details the application of numerical techniques applied to orthodontic treatment together with introducing new methods for modeling and assessing the behavior of dental implants, adhesives, and restorations.
For more information, visit the "http: //www.uwcm.ac.uk/biorome/international symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering/home page, or "http: //www.gbhap.com/Computer_Methods_Biomechanic s_Biome dical_Engineering/" the home page for the journal.

This collection explores state-of-the-art methods and protocols for research on photodynamic therapy (PDT) and its use in a wide range of medical applications, from antiviral to anticancer. Beginning with an extensive section on in vitro and in vivo models, the volume continues with chapters on oxygen-independent photosensitizers, next-generation photosensitization strategies, contemporary insights into the immunomodulatory effects of PDT, antimicrobial effects of PDT, as well as a variety of general biochemical and molecular biological techniques. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include the kind of detailed implementation advice that ensures successful results in the lab. Thorough and authoritative, Photodynamic Therapy: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal source of inspiration for both new and established PDT scientists and a guide for designing innovative research programs in this continuously advancing and multidisciplinary field.