Ground-breaking, evidence-based book asks how many lives were lost because of Chinas negligence about lab-leaked SARS-CoV-2. In a disturbing reconstruction of events by two of the most reputable scientists in the world, a new book reveals for the first time how Chinese authorities and elite Wuhan scientists knew about SARS-CoV-2s menacing biological features from the start but remain silent to this day. In The Origin of the Virus (Clinical Press) Dr Steven Quay and Prof Angus Dalgleish, working with Italian reporter Paolo Barnard, show how China engaged in lies, omissions and obfuscations to cover up the laboratory origin of the virus. Had they immediately alerted the international community and policymakers of the extremely pathogenic molecular machinery present in SARS-CoV-2's genome, very large numbers of lives may have been spared, argue Quay, Dalgleish and Barnard. The authors provide a shocking account of the extreme experiments that led to the outbreak of the worst pandemic since the 1918 Spanish influenza. They broaden the censure to explain why some American and British scientists thwarted a proper investigation of the origin of COVID-19. Despite its impeccable scientific grounding the book is both a readable and gripping account that, for the first time, allows the public to partake in what lies at the heart of the many scandals surrounding the birth of the most deadly virus in modern times.

Immunopathology, Volume 107 in the Advances in Virus Research series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors. Viral Immunopathology will cover how the immune system, innate or adaptive, is often at the root of viral pathogenesis. This is true in diverse host systems including vertebrates, plants and insects. This volume will present the latest findings in this interesting and important area of research, and will include human, plant, fish, and insect viruses. Different kingdoms have evolved very diverse immune responses to virus infection but the common theme - namely, that effects of viruses on host immune systems can condition the induction of viral disease - will unify this concept across kingdoms.

Volume Immunodeficiency Diseases in Springer's gold-standard reference work on medical immunology focuses on infectious diseases. In tandem with its three counterpart volumes it offers the most wide-ranging and authoritative repository of knowledge on infectious diseases, with readily accessed contributions by the world's leading authorities on the subject. The encyclopedia covers the material from all angles, with more than 1000 pages of essays on the genetics, physiology, metabolism, pathogenesis and applied microbiology of all known infectious diseases, and includes access to an e-reference work that will include ongoing updates reflecting the latest advances in the field. An outstanding new resource of immense value to a wide range of medical researchers and practitioners, the encyclopedia features a user-friendly subdivision of diseases according to their affective locus in the human body. The sections cover integumentary, skeletal, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive transmissible pathogens. This high-profile encyclopedia will be an essential addition to academic libraries worldwide.

Food Safety and Quality Systems in Developing Countries: Volume III: Technical and Market Considerations is a practical resource for companies seeking to supply food products from developing countries to developed country markets or to transnational business located in developing countries. It explores practical approaches to complying with food safety and quality systems requirements, backed by the science-based approaches used in the major markets applied in a developing country context. It explores the topic from the perspective of agribusiness value chains and includes deconstructions of regulatory and market channel-specific technical requirements in North America, Europe, and other major markets. Volume III builds on the platforms laid by the previous two volumes, providing guidance from industry-leading experts on addressing regulatory and market-specific microbiological, chemical, packaging and labelling, supply chain, and systems-related food safety and quality compliance requirements. This book addresses technical and market-determined standards that value chain participants in developing countries face supplying developed country markets or transnational firms, including hotels, major multiples, and quick serve restaurant brands.

The interactions of cells with their surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role in driving normal cell behavior, from development to tissue differentiation and function. At the cellular level, organ homeostasis depends on a productive communication between cells and ECM, which eventually leads to the normal phenotypic repertoire that characterize each cell type in the organism. A failure to establish these normal interactions and to interpret the cues emanating from the ECM is one of the major causes in abnormal development and the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. To recognize and act upon the biophysical signals that are generated by the cross talk between cells and ECM, the cells developed specific receptors, among them a unique set of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), known as the Discoidin Domain Receptors (DDRs). The DDRs are the only RTKs that specifically bind to and are activated by collagen, a major protein component of the ECM. Hence, the DDRs are part of the signaling networks that translate information from the ECM, and thus they are key regulators of cell-matrix interactions. Under physiological conditions, DDRs control cell and tissue homeostasis by acting on collagen sensors; transducing signals that regulate cell polarity, tissue morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and collagen deposition. DDRs play a key role in diseases that are characterized by dysfunction of the stromal component, which lead to abnormal collagen deposition and the resulting fibrotic response that disrupt normal organ function in disease of the cardiovascular system, lungs and kidneys, just to mention a few. In cancer, DDRs are hijacked by tumor and stromal cells to disrupt normal cell-collagen communication and initiate pro-oncogenic programs. Importantly, several cancer types exhibit DDR mutations, which are thought to alter receptor function, and contribute to cancer progression. Therefore, the strong causative association between altered RTK function and disease it is been translated today in the development of specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting DDRs for various disease conditions. In spite of the accumulating evidence highlighting the importance of DDRs in health and diseases, there is still much to learn about these unique RTKs, as of today there is a lack in the medical literature of a book dedicated solely to DDRs. This is the first comprehensive volume dedicated to DDRs, which will fill a gap in the field and serve those interested in the scientific community to learn more about these important receptors in health and disease.

This title highlights the current and topical areas of research in this rapidly growing field. Expert authors from around the world provide the latest insights into the mechanisms these fascinating organisms use to survive.

Extensively revised and updated, the new edition of this valuable reference work provides a comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of the current knowledge and new research in Bacillus molecular and cellular biology.

For courses in Microbiology Lab and Nursing and Allied Health Microbiology Lab A Flexible Approach to the Modern Microbiology Lab Easy to adapt for almost any microbiology lab course, this versatile, comprehensive, and clearly written manual is competitively priced and can be paired with any undergraduate microbiology text. Known for its thorough coverage, straightforward procedures, and minimal equipment requirements, the Eleventh Edition incorporates current safety protocols from governing bodies such as the EPA, ASM, and AOAC. The new edition also includes alternate organisms for experiments for easy customisation in Biosafety Level 1 and 2 labs. New lab exercises have been added on Food Safety and revised experiments, and include options for alternate media, making the experiments affordable and accessible to all lab programs. Ample introductory material, engaging clinical applications, and laboratory safety instructions are provided for each experiment along with easy-to-follow procedures and flexible lab reports with review and critical thinking questions.

This research volume examines the available alternative, complementary, pharmaceutical and vaccine methods for treating, mitigating, or preventing COVID-19. Coverage includes traditional Chinese medicine, herbal remedies, nutraceutical/dietary options, and drug/vaccine therapies. All the methods discussed will be critically examined to provide readers with a full, unbiased overview that includes pros/cons of each method. While the nature of COVID-19 is still being studied, and new research and theories are being published daily, this book endeavors to provide readers with a comprehensive summary of current research on alternative and mainstream treatment and prevention methods.

The Diverse Faces of Bacillus cereus elucidates all characteristics of this microorganism, from its environmental and ecologic relevance, to its veterinary involvement, its clinical settings, most common B. cereus associated food poisoning episodes, and the newest airway disease pictures mimicking the inhalation of anthrax. Due to its environmental distribution, B. cereus may cause serious, even fatal human diseases. The organism shows many diverse faces, as it is not only a veterinary pathogen, but also used as a biocontrol agent to control vegetable decay due to its natural antimicrobial properties. Once considered as a mere colonizer or contaminant, Bacillus cereus is nowadays acquiring increasing importance as an agent of nosocomial infections. The book's target audience is familiar with this opportunistic pathogen and will benefit from this clear compendium on the classical and molecular techniques and procedures that may be adopted or followed to correctly identify this intriguing multi-faceted microorganism.

Flaviviruses are a diverse group of small RNA enveloped viruses, many of which are important human and animal pathogens. The best known include dengue virus, yellow fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus. These viruses are endemic in many tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Dengue virus alone infects over 100 million people annually. In recent years, research on flaviviruses has progressed at a remarkable rate, leading to significant advances in our understanding of virus biology. This should ultimately lead to the development of better vaccine and antiviral strategies. This up-to-date and cutting-edge anthology contains contributions from the leading experts in the flavivirus field. Chapters are balanced by contributions from established investigators who have dedicated their careers to flavivirus research with those from newcomers who have recently made significant contributions to the flavivirus field. The book is divided into two sections: Molecular Virology and Virus Prevention. The first section on Molecular Virology covers: virion structure * virus replication * the NS1 glycoprotein * the NS3 protein * the NS5 protein * innate immunity and flavivirus infection * host responses to flavivirus infection * flavivirus fitness and transmission. The Virus Prevention section includes: vaccines * antibody therapy * small molecule antiviral development * flavivirus diagnostics * vector-virus interactions * vector control. The book represents an important update of flavivirus research and will serve as a reference to flavivirus researchers at the graduate level and beyond. It is a recommended text for all virology libraries.

One of the greatest public health achievements during the 20th century was the dramatic reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases due to the development of improved hygiene, vaccines, and antimicrobial agents. However, new infectious diseases are emerging and bacteria-induced illnesses - such as tuberculosis, whooping cough, and typhoid fever - are still a major cause of global mortality. In recent decades, the development of molecular biology and genetic tools has led to extensive studies on the molecular and cellular aspects of the virulence properties of pathogenic bacteria. In this book, a group of distinguished scientists from eight different countries and three continents, under the expert guidance of the editors Camille Locht and Michel Simonet, overview the molecular and cellular mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. The 15 chapters are organized into five sections: a) approaches to the study of bacterial pathogenesis; b) bacterial adhesion to the cell surface and extracellular matrix of host tissues; c) poisoning the host by toxins; d) cellular invasion by bacterial pathogens; and e) bacterial evasion of host defenses. The book comprehensively describe the most relevant and up-to-date information on pathogenic features across the bacterial world. Aimed at the entire scientific community from students to senior scientists and physicians, Bacterial Pathogenesis is relevant to a broad range of people interested in the mechanisms of bacterial infectious diseases and is a recommended text for all microbiology laboratories.