This volume focuses on the role of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its analogs in the induced sequestration of lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs or in the microenvironment of tissues involved in infection or autoimmune disease. Initial chapters define the pathways to understand S1P signaling. They cover the organization of signaling systems, the structural biology of the S1P1 receptor, and the chemical and genetic tools that are available and useful to explore this area of research and therapeutics. The later chapters highlight S1P and endothelial integrity, lymphocyte migration in the spleen, and S1P agonist in controlling immunopathologic manifestations of acute respiratory influenza virus infection (in the lung), and its accompanying cytokine storm as well as immunopathologic disease of the central nervous system, including the beginning of treatments in multiple sclerosis. One chapter reveals the possible involvement of other lipid molecules, their use for better understanding lipid signaling, and their potential in the modulation of immune responses.

The human microbiome is the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cover our skin, line our intestines, and flourish in our body cavities. Work on the human microbiome is new, but it is quickly becoming a leading area of biomedical research. What scientists are learning about humans and our microbiomes could change medical practice by introducing new treatment modalities. This new knowledge redefines us as superorganisms comprised of the human body and the collection of microbes that inhabit it and reveals how much we are a part of our environment. The understanding that microbes are not only beneficial but sometimes necessary for survival recasts our interaction with microbes from adversarial to neighborly. This volume explores some of the science that makes human microbiome research possible. It then considers ethical, legal, and social concerns raised by microbiome research. Chapters explore issues related to personal identity, property rights, and privacy. The authors reflect on how human microbiome research challenges reigning views on public health and research ethics. They also address the need for thoughtful policies and procedures to guide the use of the biobanked human samples required for advancing this new domain of research. In the course of these explorations, they introduce examples from the history of biomedical science and recent legal cases that shed light on the issues and inform the policy recommendations they offer at the end of each topic's discussion. This volume is the product of an NIH Human Microbiome Project grant. It represents three years of conversations focused on consensus formation by the twenty-seven members of the interdisciplinary Microbiome Working Group. "The microbiome is a relatively new area of medical attention. Ethical issues related to the microbiome have barely been identified, much less carefully analyzed. This volume is an excellent start toward that ethical analysis. Many of the arguments are persuasive and provocative. In particular, some contributors challenge the ethical need for anonymizing microbiome specimens as well as the need for individual informed consent for specific uses of these specimens. I highly recommend this volume for all those interested in the microbiome and in new frontiers in medical ethics." -Leonard M. Fleck, Michigan State University

This volume is a collection of chapters from the leading experts in the relatively new and burgeoning field of persister cell studies. Persisters play a leading role in the recalcitrance of chronic infections, and enable the development of classical antibiotic resistance. The focus of the book is on studies that provide an understanding of the mechanisms of persister formation, antibiotic tolerance and role in disease, at the molecular level.

The huge potential for gene therapy to cure a wide range of diseases has led to high expectations and a great increase in research efforts in this area, particularly in the study of delivery via viral vectors, widely considered to be more efficient than DNA transfection. In Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field present a collection of their knowledge and experience featuring methodologies that involve virus production, transferring protocols, and evaluating the efficacy of gene products. While thoroughly covering the most popular viral vector systems of adenovirus, retrovirus, and adeno-associated virus, this detailed volume also explores less common viral vector systems such as baculovirus, herpes virus, and measles virus, the growing interest in which is creating a considerable demand for large scale manufacturing and purification procedures. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, many chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and vital tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and practical, Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy: Methods and Protocols provides basic principles accessible to scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds for the development of gene therapy viral products that are safe and effective.

This book provides an introductory and general overview of advances in polymers towards their employment as antimicrobial materials. The author describes current approaches for avoiding microbial contamination, toward macro-molecular antibiotics, and prevention of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by use of polymers. He establishes the remaining issues and analyzes existing methodologies for treating bacterial infections and for preparing antimicrobial materials.

Reflecting the development of powerful new tools and high-throughput methods to analyze adenoviral particles and their interactions with host cells, the third edition of Adenovirus Methods and Protocols calls upon experts in the field to convey advances in molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, imaging, and bioinformatics. Beginning with cryo-electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and mass spectrometry for a high resolution image and characterization of the virion, this detailed book then continues with capsid modifications and viral-like particles as promising alternatives to classical adenovirus vectors, and the study of adenovirus in host interactions in vitro at the cellular level as well as in vivo in animal models. Finally, the volume concludes with an extensive update of the most efficient protocols to generate, amplify, and/or purify, at small and large scale, standard human Ad5 as well as non-human, chimeric, and helper-dependent adenovirus vectors. Written in the greatly 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 laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Adenovirus Methods and Protocols, Third Edition serves as an ideal guide for scientists continuing to research this highly valuable viral tool.

KEY TOPICS:
Ig A Deficiency
The Role of Cellular Immunity in Protection against HIV Infection
Mouse Mammary Tumour Virus: Immunological Interplays between Virus and Host
The Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing
NF-kB in cytokine gene expression
NF-kB as a target for immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory molecules

Key Features
* A Deficiency
* The Role of Cellular Immunity in Protection against HIV Infection
* Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus: Immunological Interplays between Virus and Host
* The Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing
* NF-kB in cytokine gene expression
* NF-kB as a target for immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory molecules

This volume gathers the latest exciting findings on ADP-ribosylation from renowned experts in the field. It includes ten chapters, organized into the following three thematic sections: * Evolution and detection of endogenous ADP-ribosylation * ADP-ribosylation by the ARTC family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (R-S-E ARTs) * ADP-ribosylation by the ARTD family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (H-Y-E ARTs) The book will provide readers a better understanding of ADP-ribosylating toxins and their endogenous relatives. This provides a basis for developing novel toxin-neutralizing drugs and drugs targeting endogenous ADP-ribosyltransferase relatives.

This volume of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) series covers the most prevalent NTDs in Europe and Central Asia. This book discusses in detail the pathology, diagnostics and control approaches of the most important neglected pathogens occurring in these geographical regions. Each chapter focuses on one specific disease or group of related diseases, and provides the reader with in-depth insights into the topic. This volume addresses researchers in Microbiology and Biomedicine as well as clinicians and public health officials working in affected regions.

Insect-transmitted rickettsiales diseases are significant sources of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Their incidence has been increasing in recent years in large part due to climate change and the movement of animals carrying the insect vectors. Currently there are no effective vaccines against diseases caused by members of the order Rickettsiales. Rickettsiales diseases are often misdiagnosed; this book is intended to serve as a tool for their understanding and diagnosis. Rickettsiales covers the seven main genera: Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Midichloria, Neorickettsia, Orientia, Rickettsia and Wolbachia. Discussion of each genus includes immunology and molecular biology of host-pathogen interactions, epidemiology and diagnosis, and vaccination strategies and therapies.

Rhinoviruses: Methods and Protocols highlights the numerous molecular, cellular and in vivo tools now available to conduct human rhinovirus (HRV) research in an effort to increase understanding of the clinical disease caused by HRVs as well as the functions of its individual proteins and its replication. Human rhinoviruses are the major cause of common colds as well as being more recently recognized as the major viral cause of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations. The huge advancements in technical applications of biophysics and improvements in high-end imaging techniques have also had implications for HRV research among other infectious diseases. 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, Rhinoviruses: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve both professionals and novices with the latest technical advances in HRV research to ultimately enable the development of therapeutic approaches to combat HRV, and most importantly, its pathogenic effects in asthma exacerbation.

This book is a comprehensive source for technical information regarding ultra- oletgermicidalirradiation(UVGI)anditsapplicationtoairandsurfacedisinf- tion for the control of pathogens and allergens. The primary focus is on airborne microbesandsurfacecontaminationapplications.Water-basedapplicationsarenot addressedhereexceptincidentallyastheyrelatetoairandsurfacemicrobes,since manyadequatetextsonwater-basedUVdisinfectionareavailable.Allaspectsof UVGIsystems,includingdesignmethods,modeling,safety,installation,guidelines, anddisinfectiontheoryareaddressedinsuf?cientdetailthatnoadditionalsources needbeconsulted.Itishopedbytheauthorthatprovidingthisinformationinone singlevolumewillsimplifythedesignandinstallationofUVGIsystems,helpgu- anteeeffectiveperformanceofnewsystems,andfacilitatetheiruseonawidescale forthepurposeofimprovinghumanhealthandcontrollingepidemicdisease.This book is organized to provide systematic coverage of all essential issues and will serveequallywellasbothatextbookandahandbookforgeneralreference. Any readers who ?nd technical errors or omissions in this book may to send themtomeatdrkowalski@aerobiologicalengineering.com.Erratawillbepostedat http://www.aerobiologicalengineering. com/UVGI/errata.htm. All other corresp- [email protected]. vii Acknowledgements I gratefully acknowledge all those who assisted me in the research, preparation, andreviewofthechaptersinthisbook,includingWilliamBahn?eth,SteveMartin, Chuck Dunn, Jim Freihaut, Dave Witham, Ed Nardell, Richard Vincent, Mark Hernandez, Ana Nedeljkovic-Davidovic, Clive Beggs, Renzhou Chen, Normand Brais, Katja Auer, Warren Lynn, Mike Sasges, Bill Carey, Tatiana Koutchma, Forrest Fencl, Russ Briggs, Josephine Lau, Carlos Gomes, Fahmi Yigit, Herbert Silderhuis, Joe Ritorto, Merrill Ritter, Brad Hollander, Scott Prahl, Karl Linden, WilliamBalch,AtanuSengupta,M.D.Lechner,KetanSharma,DonaldMilton,and especially Mary Clancy all the members of the IUVA Air Treatment Group who supported the UV Guidelines project, and also Linda Gowman, Jim Bolton and everyone in the International Ultraviolet Association who sponsored the UV Air TreatmentGroup.AspecialthanksgoestoAliDemirciandRaymondSchaeferfor theircontributionstothechapteronPulsedUVSystems.Iespeciallythankmyp- ents,StanleyJ.KowalskiandMarylaKowalski,andmysisterVictoriaChorpenning fortheirunwavering supportandencouragement duringthesepastfewyearsasI recoveredmyhealthandreturnedtoresearch.

Development of new-generation vaccines is now more challenging than ever, as identifying, purifying and evaluating vaccine antigens is a complex undertaking. Most importantly, once the relevant antigens have been identified, key focus then shifts to the development of suitable delivery systems and formulations to achieve maximum in vivo potency with minimum potential side effects. These novel formulations-many of which will be nanoparticulates-can deliver the antigens to the desired site, to the relevant antigen presenting cells, and prevent systemic exposure of the immune potentiators. The proposed book will outline all the critical steps that need to be considered for successful development of various types of nanoparticulate delivery systems for vaccine antigens. These contributions from leading experts in the area of vaccine formulation and delivery systems will tie in what is the most current status, including clinical evaluations with these novel vaccine technologies.

This new volume in the series Emerging Infectious Diseases of the 21st Century is a novel book on the role of microbes in the pathogenesis of common and disabling non-infectious diseases. New insights have emerged over the past several years suggesting that our commensal microflora of the gut is extremely important in regulating physiological and immune functions of the body. Covered are the perturbations of the normal composition of our endogenous microbiota, influenced by diet and genetic predispositions, as well as the mechanisms to produce common disorders such as obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cancer and atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Also explored is the evidence suggesting that predisposition to increasingly common afflictions such as asthma and multiple sclerosis is influenced, in combination with our genetic composition, by early life exposure to environmental microbes and the time of onset of common viral infections. Chapters provide the most recent information on these disorders with regards to epidemiology, current concepts on pathogenesis and mechanisms of their biology, recent research and data on the role of microbes, analysis of their validity and conclusive remarks and areas for future research. The Role of Microbes in Common Non-Infectious Diseases is an excellent resource for both physicians and investigators from a broad range of disciplines that will help to stimulate new concepts of disease pathogenesis and lead to the unraveling of their mechanisms of diseases and to novel treatments.

The collection of articles in this volume include Animal Circoviruses; Evolutions, Epidemiology and Dispersal of Flaviviruses; Hantavirus Infections in Europe; Forest Insect Pests; and Whiteflies: Vectors and Victims of Geminivirus.

Bacterial infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. These infections always remained enigmatic due to initial reluctance of cancer researchers in understanding their etiologic potential. Etiological association of bacteria with cancer gained credibility after discovery of carcinogenic potential of Helicobacter pylori. Moreover, other suspected associations including Salmonella typhi and gallbladder cancer, Streptococcus bovis and colon cancer, Chlamydia psittaci and ocular adnexal lymphoma and Chlamydia pneumoniae with lung cancer, etc. are looking for a legitimate appraisal to unravel their etiologic potential without prejudice. In contrary, bacteria also show protective role in certain types of cancer. Certain agents derived from bacteria are successfully in practice for the management of cancer. The integrate association of bacteria and cancer is evident in both positive and negative aspects. The role of bacteria in cancer etiology and treatment is vigorously studied since last few years. Present book tries to provide current status of research undergoing in above direction, with the glimpses of future possibility for using microbiological knowledge in the management of this deadly killer. This book will interest specialists dealing with cancer associated infectious complications, researchers working in the field of cancer biology, teachers and scientists in the field of microbiology, biotechnology, medicine and oncology. The unique coverage of bacteriology and cancer association in both positive and negative way can usher into development of novel thrust area for microbiology students and experts.

Upon infection the host needs to mount vigorous immune response against pathogen in order to successfully control its replication. However, once the infectious agent is controlled or eliminated, host cells need to signal the immune system to slow or cease its activities. While vast knowledge has been accumulated through the years on the mechanisms involved in the initiation and effector phases of the immune responses, the pathways triggered in order to modulate or end innate and acquired immunity are becoming more evident as evidence for its relevance comes to surface. Due to its biological power, evidence has surfaced indicating that eventually pathogens may take advantage of such regulatory pathways in order to escape effector mechanisms and progress to persistence. This book will discuss several cellular pathways involved in controlling immune response in the context of infectious diseases, their biological consequences and potential "hijack" of these pathways for the benefit of pathogen leading towards pathogen persistence as opposed to clearance.

This volume is the first in a planned series of thematic volumes for Advances in Virus Research. It covers the etiology, pathogenetic mechanisms, and clincial consequences of human neurotropic viruses. Buchmeier is a virologist, Campbell an immunologist, and both are extremely well known in their fields.
Numerous illustrations including colour
Knowledgeable discussion of the potential role of viral infections in teratogenic and developmental disorders.
Frank discussion of the role of stress in disease
Behavioural consequences of chronic CNS infection

The volume provides a forum for original peer-reviewed short communications, full-length research and review articles on new research findings and developments on the topic of genetic targets on cancer therapies. As the field is highly important it requires co-operation between research communities from all over the world to share their knowledge and experience in order to move the field forward. Each chapter includes a discussion of the impact of the tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells and cover current knowledge in this area as it pertains to the disease, including emerging therapy targeting the microenvironment and/or cancer stem cells.

Advances in Applied Microbiology, Volume 109, continues the comprehensive reach of this widely read and authoritative review source in microbiology. Users will find invaluable references and information on a variety of areas relating to the topic.

This book will contain a series of solicited chapters that concern with the molecular machines required by viruses to perform various essential functions of virus life cycle. The first three chapters (Introduction, Molecular Machines and Virus Architecture) introduce the reader to the best known molecular machines and to the structure of viruses. The remainder of the book will examine in detail various stages of the viral life cycle. Beginning with the viral entry into a host cell, the book takes the reader through replication of the genome, synthesis and assembly of viral structural components, genome packaging and maturation into an infectious virion. Each chapter will describe the components of the respective machine in molecular or atomic detail, genetic and biochemical analyses, and mechanism. Topics are carefully selected so that the reader is exposed to systems where there is a substantial infusion of new knowledge in recent years, which greatly elevated the fundamental mechanistic understanding of the respective molecular machine. The authors will be encouraged to simplify the detailed knowledge to basic concepts, include provocative new ideas, as well as design colorful graphics, thus making the cutting-edge information accessible to broad audience.

This thoroughly revised second edition complied in 2 books is an up-to-date overview of the current clinical advances in sarcoma and osteosarcoma. The new edition features detailed, in-depth discussions of microRNAs in osteosarcoma, historical perspectives of chemotherapy in the treatment of the disease, tumor targeted IL12 therapy and HER2 targeted therapy, the role of enhancer elements in regulating the prometastatic transcriptional program and more. Further, these essential volumes also includes new insights on Wnt signaling in osteosarcoma, the role of genomics, genetically modified T-cell therapy, liquid biopsy, oncolytic viruses, immunophenotyping, receptor tyrosine kinases and epigenetic-focused approaches for treatment of osteosarcoma metastases, as well as thoughts on the current standard of treatment for patients suffering from these cancers. In the years since the previous edition, there have been numerous new developments in this rapidly changing field; this new edition is both timely and urgently needed. When taken together these companion volumes, Current Clinical (Book 1) and Scientific (Book 2) Advances in Osteosarcoma, are a timely and urgently needed guide for laboratory investigators and clinical oncologists focused in sarcoma.

Extensively revised and updated, the new edition of AIDS and Other Manifestations of HIV Infection is an essential reference resource providing a comprehensive overview of the biological properties of this etiologic viral agent, its clinicopathological manifestations, the epidemiology of its infection, and present and future therapeutic options.
New to this Edition:
* Expanded section on clinical manifestations includes new chapters on cardiovascular, renal and dermatologic manifestations of HIV infection
* Additional chapters on molecular diagnostic techniques, the role of host genetic variation in HIV infection and its manifestations, the discovery and development of new HIV medicines, analysis of HIV dynamics using mathematical models, toxicities of antiretroviral therapy, HIV drug susceptibility testing, practical therapeutics and the global impact of HIV and AIDS

This book examines aspects of paediatric infectious diseases written by leading authorities in the field. It is based on a lecture given at the seventh Infection and Immunity in Children (IIC) course held at the end of June 2009 at Keble College, Oxford.

The discovery that most of the chronic infections in humans, including the oral, lung, vaginal and foreign body-associated infections, are biofilm-based, has prompted the need to design new and properly focused preventive and therapeutic strategies for these diseases. Microbial Biofilms: Methods and Protocols provides a detailed description of the currently available methods and protocols to investigate bacterial and fungal biofilms, exhaustively illustrated and critically annotated in 25 chapters written by authors well known for their experience in the respective fields. The book has joined together microbiologists and specialists in infectious diseases, hygiene and public health involved in exploring different aspects of microbial biofilms as well as in designing new methods and/or developing innovative laboratory protocols. 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, Microbial Biofilms: Methods and Protocols presents readers with the most established and validated experimental procedures to investigate microbial biofilms.