Volume 47 in the internationally acclaimed Advances in Clinical Chemistry contains chapters submitted from leading experts from academia and clinical laboratory science. Authors are from a diverse field of clinical chemistry disciplines and diagnostics ranging from basic biochemical exploration to cutting-edge microarray technology.
Leading experts from academia and clinical laboratory science
Volume emphasizes novel laboratory advances with application to clinical laboratory diagnostics and practical basic science studies

Pursuing a career in biomedical research can be daunting, considering the stiffer competition and uncertain career prospects in academia. This book summarizes career advice gathered during in-depth interviews with 106 biomedical scientists who lead their own laboratories. The participating principal investigators are from 44 research institutions in 11 countries. This book is unique in that it provides a glimpse into the mindset of principal investigators. Here, the reader will learn about common thought patterns and values, as well as the range of opinions and ways of thinking to be found among a large group of active principal investigators - without having to read more than a hundred individual autobiographies. The book will benefit all PhD students who want to learn more about their supervisor's mindset in order to successfully complete their projects. It can help freshly graduated PhDs planning to pursue an academic career, and MDs contemplating a career in research, to decide whether they truly want to embark on this path. Lastly, it can offer young principal investigators a source of inspiration on how to succeed and achieve their goals.

Reviewing exhaustively the current state of the art of tissue engineering strategies for regenerating bones and joints through the use of biomaterials, growth factors and stem cells, along with an investigation of the interactions between biomaterials, bone cells, growth factors and added stem cells and how together skeletal tissues can be optimised, this book serves to highlight the importance of biomaterials composition, surface topography, architectural and mechanical properties in providing support for tissue regeneration. Maximizing reader insights into the importance of the interplay of these attributes with bone cells (osteoblasts, osteocytes and osteoclasts) and cartilage cells (chondrocytes), this book also provides a detailed reference as to how key signalling pathways are activated. The contribution of growth factors to drive tissue regeneration and stem cell recruitment is discussed along with a review the potential and challenges of adult or embryonic mesenchymal stem cells to further enhance the formation of new bone and cartilage tissues. This book serves to demonstrate the interconnectedness of biomaterials, bone/cartilage cells, growth factors and stem cells in determining the regenerative process and thus the clinical outcome.

Struggling to do a project or dissertation, evaluate published research or conduct your own research? Help is at hand with this 5th edition of Research Methods for Clinical Therapists, which explains, in a clear and simple manner, how to evaluate existing research and how to conduct your own research. Aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as the practising health care professional, the focus of the text is the design and analysis of experimental studies. These are vital to the effectiveness studies that are central to the work of the healthcare professional. Specific examples from different areas of healthcare are used to explain the core research concepts and relate them to clinical situations. Statistical theory and jargon are kept to a minimum. 'Key concept' boxes to explain technical research terms Activities and exercises (with answers provided in an appendix) to reinforce learning Sample critique of a published research article Comprehensive coverage of the key components of a robust research study Explanation of basic mathematical concepts Extended section on calculating sample sizes Guidelines on the preparation of posters Calculation of Inter-rater reliability measures, including Cohen's Kappa, ICC (interclass correlation) and Bland-Altman graphs of inter-rater agreement Introduction to Receiver Operating Characteristics, for use in screening and diagnostic testing against gold-standards The Thurstone Paired Comparison Technique, valuable in capturing the user voice on a variety of service planning, design and development issues Undertaking Systematic Reviews Relevant further reading for each chapter to support readers in their work.

Two sigma receptor subtypes have been proposed, sigma1 and 2. Much of our understanding of this system is based on biochemical and pharmacological characterization of the cloned sigma1 receptor subtype (Sigma1). It has become clear that sigma receptors are not canonical receptors. Sigma1 is highly conserved among mammalian species, however, it does not share significant homology with any other mammalian protein. Although a range of structurally diverse small molecules bind Sigma1 with high affinity, and it has been associated with a broad range of signaling systems, Sigma1 itself has no known signaling or enzymatic activity. The evolution of this field over nearly four decades has more recently led to a fundamental shift in the concept of "sigma receptors" to what may more accurately and generally be called sigma proteins. Largely based on traditional pharmacologic approaches, the Sigma1 protein has been associated with a broad range of signaling systems, including G-protein coupled receptors, NMDA receptors, and ion channels. Sigma proteins have been linked to a range of physiological processes, including intracellular calcium signaling, neuroprotection, learning, memory, and cognition. Emerging genetic, clinical, and mechanism focused molecular pharmacology data demonstrate the involvement of proteins in a range of pathophysiologies and disorders including neurodegenerative disease, pain, addiction, psychomotor stimulant abuse, and cancer. However, an understanding of the physiological role of sigma proteins has remained elusive. Emerging data associate Sigma1 with chaperone-like activities or molecular scaffold functions. This book aims to provide an updated perspective on this rapidly evolving field undergoing changes in fundamental concepts of key importance to the discipline of pharmacology. It focusses on the reported roles of sigma proteins in pathophysiology and on emergent therapeutic initiatives.

Approximately three percent of newborn humans have congenital anomalies with significant cosmetic and/or functional consequences. Much of our ability to understand what has gone awry in these birth defects rests with development of animal models for them; the mouse has emerged as the model organism of choice for these studies. This volume reviews mouse models of specific developmental genetic diseases, including neural tube defects; cleft lip and/or palate; congenital heart disease; ciliopathies; hereditary deafness and others to provide conceptual insight into congenital anomalies generally. The interplay between clinical observation and murine model systems is expected to yield deep insight into mammalian developmental processes and the emergence of effective preventive and/or therapeutic strategies.
* Provides busy clinical and basic science researchers a one-stop overview and synthesis of the latest research findings and contemporary thought in the area
* Allows researchers to compare and contrast disease models and also to learn about what models have been developed for large-scale distribution
* Allows researchers to evaluate basic differences in mouse and human biology and propose alternate pathways and possible gene interactions of the disease

The combination of faster, more advanced computers and more quantitatively oriented biomedical researchers has recently yielded new and more precise methods for the analysis of biomedical data. These better analyses have enhanced the conclusions that can be drawn from biomedical data, and they have changed the way that experiments are designed and performed.
This volume, along with previous and forthcoming 'Computer Methods' volumes for the Methods in Enzymology serial, aims to inform biomedical researchers about recent applications of modern data analysis and simulation methods as applied to biomedical research.

The second edition of this book serves both as an introductory and reference book focusing on the field of metastatic bone disease. Featuring contributions from experts in the field, this volume describes the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the formation of bone metastases, presents the newer advances made in the understanding of the clinical picture and symptoms of patients, analyses the role of bone markers in research and clinical practice and deals with all aspects of imaging modalities applied for the detection and evaluation of bone metastases. Moreover, the use of all available treatment methods, such as radiotherapy, surgery and systemic treatments for the management of patients with metastatic bone disease is discussed in detail. Overall this volume presents a thorough overview of all aspects of metastatic bone disease and provides a comprehensive and concise information resource for researchers, oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons and clinicians dealing with patients with metastatic bone disease.

Volume forty six in the internationally acclaimed Advances in Clinical Chemistry, contains chapters submitted from leading experts from academia and clinical laboratory science. Authors are from a diverse field of clinical chemistry disciplines and diagnostics ranging from basic biochemical exploration to cutting edge microarray technology.
* Leading experts from academia and clinical laboratory science
* Volume emphasizes novel laboratory advances with application not only to both clinical laboratory diagnostics, but as well as practical basic science studies

This book addresses electron spin-qubit based quantum computing and quantum information processing with a strong focus on the background and applications to EPR/ESR technique and spectroscopy. It explores a broad spectrum of topics including quantum computing, information processing, quantum effects in electron-nuclear coupled molecular spin systems, adiabatic quantum computing, heat bath algorithmic cooling with spins, and gateway schemes of quantum control for spin networks to NMR quantum information. The organization of the book places emphasis on relevant molecular qubit spectroscopy. These revolutionary concepts have never before been included in a comprehensive volume that covers theory, physical basis, technological basis, applications, and new advances in this emerging field. Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Based Quantum Computing, co-edited by leading and renowned researchers Takeji Takui, Graeme Hanson and Lawrence J Berliner, is an ideal resource for students and researchers in the fields of EPR/ESR, NMR and quantum computing. This book also * Explores methods of harnessing quantum effects in electron-nuclear coupled molecular spin systems * Expertly discusses applications of optimal control theory in quantum computing * Broadens the readers' understanding of NMR quantum information processing

Micro and Nano Flow Systems for Bioanalysis addresses the latest developments in biomedical engineering at very small scales. It shows how organic systems require multi-scale understanding in the broadest sensewhether the approach is experimental or mathematical, and whether the physiological state is healthy or diseased. Micro-and nano-fluidics represent key areas of translational research in which state-of-the-art engineering processes and devices are applied to bedside monitoring and treatment. By applying conventional micro- and nano-engineering to complex organic solids, fluids, and their interactions, leading researchers from throughout the world describe methods and techniques with great potential for use in medicine and clinical practice. Coverage includes the seeming plethora of new, fine-scale optical methods for measuring blood flow as well as endothelial activation and interaction with tissue. Generic areas of modeling and bioelectronics are also considered. In keeping with the recurring theme of medicine and clinical practice, approximately half of the chapters focus on the specific application of micro- and nano- flow systems to the understanding and treatment of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. This book developed from an Expert Overview Session on "Micro & Nano Flows in Medicine: the way ahead" at the 3rd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2011) held in Thessaloniki, Greece. Additional chapters were included to enhance the international, state-of-the-art coverage.

Gene function annotation has been a central question in molecular biology. The importance of computational function prediction is increasing because more and more large scale biological data, including genome sequences, protein structures, protein-protein interaction data, microarray expression data, and mass spectrometry data, are awaiting biological interpretation. Traditionally when a genome is sequenced, function annotation of genes is done by homology search methods, such as BLAST or FASTA. However, since these methods are developed before the genomics era, conventional use of them is not necessarily most suitable for analyzing a large scale data. Therefore we observe emerging development of computational gene function prediction methods, which are targeted to analyze large scale data, and also those which use such omics data as additional source of function prediction. In this book, we overview this emerging exciting field. The authors have been selected from 1) those who develop novel purely computational methods 2) those who develop function prediction methods which use omics data 3) those who maintain and update data base of function annotation of particular model organisms (E. coli), which are frequently referred

This book presents a collection of articles on various aspects of current research on aging. These include model systems, cellular, biochemical and molecular aspects of experimental aging research, as well as selected intervention studies on age-related diseases. Aging is a global challenge to human society. Children are always in a hurry to become adults, while adults produce offspring and add to the gene pool. However, after adulthood or the attainment of reproductive maturity, all physiological parameters of the living organism start to undergo the aging process. Old age sets in slowly but surely, and usually continues for a prolonged period. If vigor and vitality are the main advantages of adulthood, old age offers the rewards of experience and maturity. Biologists ask questions such as: Why do we age? How do we become old? Is it possible to slow down, postpone or even prevent aging? In turn, medical experts ask: What are the diseases associated with old age? Are there medicines that can help affected elderly patients? In fact both groups are asking themselves how can we add more health to old age. Healthy aging is the dream of every individual. But to achieve this, it is fundamental that we first understand the cellular, biochemical and molecular basis of the aging process in mammalian cells, tissues and intact living organisms, which can serve as experimental model systems in Biomedical Gerontology. Once the biology of aging is understood at the genetic and molecular levels, interventional approaches to aging and its associated diseases may be easier to plan and implement at the preclinical level.

In this volume, the editors have collected the knowledgeable insights of a number of leaders in this field - researchers who have achieved success in addressing the difficult problem of inhibiting protein-protein interactions. These researchers describe their unique approaches, and share experiences, results, thoughts, and opinions. The content of the articles is rich, and in terms of scope ranges from generalized approaches to specific case studies. There are various focal points, including methodologies and the molecules themselves. Ultimately, there are numerous lessons to be taken away from this collection, and the editors hope that this snapshot of the current state of the art in developing protein-protein inhibitors not only pays tribute to the past successes, but also generates excitement about the future potential of this field

While the basic principles of personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics have been covered by numerous texts, there are none to date that focus on the specific tests themselves that are in current clinical practice and those that are being proposed for implementation in the near future. Pharmacogenomic Testing in Current Clinical Practice: Implementation in the Clinical Laboratory focuses almost entirely on the specifics of each test that is needed to implement these tests into a clinical laboratory. This volume presents the first compilation of the tests currently in routine clinical use. The chapter authors of this unique and invaluable title comprise a range of renowned authorities and investigators who have conducted the essential clinical trials necessary to justify pharmacogenomic testing today. The book is divided into four parts: Basic Concepts, Specific Pharmacogenomic Targets, Drugs that Cause Delayed Hypersensitivity, and Miscellaneous Drugs. Each author provides a pharmacologic background on the target drug, the need for pharmacogenomic testing, and how results can be translated into clinical decisions. Where appropriate, case studies are given to illustrate typical clinical scenarios. An extensive bibliography is provided so that the reader can refer to the original studies. This well-designed resource will appeal to clinical laboratory directors who are contemplating or assigned the task of establishing a pharmacogenomics laboratory and a wide range of clinicians who must interpret results of testing. Focused and immensely useful, Pharmacogenomic Testing in Current Clinical Practice: Implementation in the Clinical Laboratory is a timely and outstanding contribution to the literature and will be instrumental in defining this rapidly growing field.

This updated volume explores a wide variety of clinical applications of PCR such as detecting DNA methylation, detection of viruses and protozoa in infectious diseases, estimation of gene copy number aberrations, primer extension coupled with mass spectroscopy, and high throughput NGS techniques. The application of PCR has shown incredible value in the study of genomics and transcriptomics, not only for discovery but also for routine clinical applications, and it forms the cornerstone of personalized medicine. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include brief 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. Thorough and authoritative, Clinical Applications of PCR, Third Edition serves as an ideal guide for researchers aiming to understand the principles behind each application and for their implementation in the laboratory.

This book provides an overview of new mathematical models, computational simulations and experimental tests in the field of biomedical technology, and covers a wide range of current research and challenges. The first part focuses on the virtual environment used to study biological systems at different scales and under multiphysics conditions. In turn, the second part is devoted to modeling and computational approaches in the field of cardiovascular medicine, e.g. simulation of turbulence in cardiovascular flow, modeling of artificial textile-reinforced heart valves, and new strategies for reducing the computational cost in the fluid-structure interaction modeling of hemodynamics. The book's last three parts address experimental observations, numerical tests, computational simulations, and multiscale modeling approaches to dentistry, orthopedics and otology. Written by leading experts, the book reflects the remarkable advances that have been made in the field of medicine, the life sciences, engineering and computational mechanics over the past decade, and summarizes essential tools and methods (such as virtual prototyping of medical devices, advances in medical imaging, high-performance computing and new experimental test devices) to enhance medical decision-making processes and refine implant design. The contents build upon the International Conference on Biomedical Technology 2015 (ICTB 2015), the second ECCOMAS thematic conference on Biomedical Engineering, held in Hannover, Germany in October 2015.

This book is the first major work that addressesa core question in biomedical research: the question of acceptable risk. The acceptable level of risks is regulated by the requirement of proportionality in biomedical research law, which state that the risk and burden to the participant must be in proportion to potential benefits to the participant, society or science.

This investigation addresses research on healthy volunteers, children, vulnerable subjects, and includes placebo controlled clinical trials.It represents a major contribution towards clarifying the most central, but also the most controversial and complex issue in biomedical research law and bioethics. The EU Clinical Trial Directive, the Council of Europe's Oviedo Convention (and its Additional Protocol), and national regulation in member states are covered.Itis a relevant work for lawyers andethicists, and thepractical approach makesa valuable tool for researchers and members of research ethics committees supervising biomedical research."

Although cell fusion is an omnipresent process in life, to date considerably less is still known about the mechanisms and the molecules being involved in this biological phenomenon in higher organisms. In Cell Fusion in Health and Disease Vol 1 & Vol 2 leading experts will present up-to-date overviews about cell fusion in physiological and patho-physiological processes, which further covers the current knowledge about cell fusion-mediating molecules. Volume 1 deals with Cell Fusion in Health and will cover aspects of cell fusion in fertilization, placentation, in C. elegans, in skeletal muscle development and tissue repair, and the use of cell fusion for cellular reprogramming and cancer vaccine development. Volume 2 focuses on Cell Fusion in Disease with a particular emphasis on the role of cell fusion in cancer development and progression. Thus, Cell Fusion in Health and Disease Vol 1 & Vol 2 represents a state-of-the-art work for researchers, physicians or professionals being interested in the biological phenomenon of cell fusion and beyond.

Healthcare sectors often deal with a large amount of data related to patients' care and hospital workforce management. Mistakes occur, and the impending results are disastrous for individuals' personal identity information. However, an innovative and reliable way to safeguard the identity of individuals and provide protection of medical records from criminals is already in effect. Design and Implementation of Healthcare Biometric Systems provides innovative insights into medical identity theft and the benefits behind biometrics technologies that could be offered to protect medical records from hackers and malicious users. The content within this publication represents the work of ASD screening systems, healthcare management, and patient rehabilitation. It is designed for educators, researchers, faculty members, industry practitioners, graduate students, and professionals working with healthcare services and covers topics centered on understanding the practical essence of next-generation healthcare biometrics systems and future research directions.

Interest in the therapeutic value of embryonic, fetal and adult stem cell types is rapidly expanding throughout the scientific community. The first half of this century should see an explosion of therapeutic applications of stem cells which will grow from the cells and techniques described in this book. Stem Cell Culture provides a comprehensive resource for researchers in the fields of embryonic, fetal and adult stem cell biology to find methods for the purification, culture, and differentiation of these cell types, with the main emphasis on the maintenance of the stem cell phenotype in vitro. This volume will be the first to broadly cover multiple types of stem cell culture from different ages, organs and species. Chapters focus on the practical do's and don'ts of isolating and culturing these cell types, and use illustrative data or diagrams that allow the reader to confidently apply techniques and make this a standard reference.
*Compares and contrasts a broad range of species and stem cell types.
*Describes techniques in stem cell research, and goes beyond just protocols by presenting methods within perspective of recent literature reviews.
*Delineates critical steps and potential pitfalls for each method, provided by at-the-bench authors for expert information.
*Covers specific procedures in dealing with Human Embryonic Stem Cells, but also emphasizes other sources of potentially therapeutic stem cells such as amniotic fluid, adult muscle and adipose tissue, and umbilical cord.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been regarded as a role model for the implementation of cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), and is being closely watched by health care policy makers across the globe. This book examines Britain 's highly acclaimed approach to CEA and its international potential. It dissects the robustness of the agency 's technology appraisal processes as NICE evaluates innovative methods for diagnosis and intervention. Coverage provides a step-by-step explanation of the NICE appraisal process and examines its successes and limitations.

The "Advances in Cancer Research" series provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volume presents outstanding and original reviews on a variety of topics including RUNX Genes in Development and Cancer; The RNA Continent; The c-myc Promoter; Designer Self-Assembling Peptide Nanofiber Scaffolds for Study of 3-D Cell Biology and Beyond; and Dendritic Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy.

The book focuses on the understanding of molecular pathways by which normal cell progress to the definable stage of cancer. The chapters explore microbiota and chronic inflammation, multiple myeloma chemoprevention, microRNAs, cancer regulation, liquid biopsies, and angiogenesis. Recent advances of molecular risk assessment, tumor microenvironment, microneoplasia, malignant gene expressions are highlighted to provide a means and design of future cancer prevention strategies and challenges thereupon. The volume also explores various receptor drugs that are in development process with the emphasis of inhibitors used to prevent malignant gene expression. The book bridges the gap between basic science and clinical application of current knowledge of cancer and emphasizes that tumor progression and cancer metastasis are not random - treatments and cure are logical and eventual. Expertly authored and drawing from a wealth of international perspectives, Molecular Targets and Strategies in Cancer Prevention is invaluable reading for clinicians and researchers in the fields of oncology and molecular biology.