This fully revised new edition explores advances in the prevention and treatment of oral diseases. Beyond the updated chapters, the book delves into regenerative biology, gene editing and the use of CRISPR in oral biology, as well as histone acetylation and deacetylation methods, further reflecting advances in the application of molecular techniques to oral biology. 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 and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Oral Biology: Molecular Techniques and Applications, Third Edition serves as an ideal basic resource not only for new researchers but also for experienced scientists wishing to expand their research platform into new areas of this vital field.

This edited volume focuses on the interplay between sleep and circadian rhythms with health, aging and longevity. Sleep is absolutely important for human health and survival, as insufficient sleep is associated with a plethora of conditions, including the poor quality of life, onset of several diseases, and premature death. The sleep-wake cycle is an evolutionary conserved neurobiological phenomenon, and is a prominent manifestation of the biological clocks localised in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Understanding bidirectional relationship between sleep and circadian rhythms is of utmost importance and urgency, especially in the context of modern lifestyle where sleep is often out of phase with the internal body clocks, social jetlag, artificial lights and so on. The 25 chapters by leading researchers and experts from 11 countries are arranged into seven sections: understanding sleep and clock interlink in health and longevity; sleep, aging and longevity; clock, aging and longevity; melatonin, sleep and clock; genetic regulation of sleep and clock; therapeutic interventions in sleep disorders and clock misalignment; and experimental models to study sleep and clocks in aging and longevity. This book is useful for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and researchers, educators, and other biomedical professionals.

When we worked on Down Syndrome brain in the past we have been focus ing on adult brain. This was a major step forwards as most work on Down Syndrome was carried out on fibroblasts or other tissues and, moreover, we introduced proteomics to identify and quantify brain protein expression. We considered evaluation of brain protein expression in Down Syndrome brain by and by more important than gene hunting at the nucleic acid level realiz ing the long unpredictable way from RNA to protein. The availability of fetal samples along with the proteomic appproach stimulated and reinforced studies on Down Syndrome brain. And indeed, it was found out that some observations on aberrant protein expression in adult Down Syndrome brain could not be verified in the fetal samples indi cating that neurodegeneration in adult Down Syndrome brain may have been responsible rather than trisomy 21. Using brains from the early second trimester of gestation led to the generation of a series of clues for the under standing of aberrant wiring of the brain in Down Syndrome and enabled the determination of altered key functions in early life; e. g. undetectably low drebrin was observed in Down Syndrome cortex, an integral constituent and marker for dendritic spines, main effectors of cross-talk between neurons. In addition, evaluation of the nature of the neuronal deficits in terms of neuro transmission markers could be established as well as neuronal density in fetal Down Syndrome cortex."

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.

This book focuses on the envelope of Gram-positive bacteria including its composition, the latest discoveries in the mechanisms behind its assembly, and its role in pathogenesis. Furthermore, new applications in biotechnology and vaccine development involving these bacteria are discussed in detail. This concise volume consists of eleven chapters by prominent experts in the field, which review the latest findings and current state of knowledge on a range of diverse yet interlinked aspects. This book is written for all researchers, clinicians and technicians engaged in basic or applied science projects on Gram-positive bacteria.

This monograph, written by well renowned breast cancer expect, Dr. Jose Russo, provides new insight on the pathobiology of breast cancer from the most current advances in the field, translational research, initiation and progression of the disease, the mechanism of invasion and metastasis and the concept of stem cells in treatment and drug resistance. The role of personalized medicine and genomic testing are also explored, which will provide a window to the future progress of cancer care.

A significant improvement in the safety of modern vaccines has been the development of subunit vaccines, as these are composed of very well-defined and highly pure components, often recombinant proteins. However, since protein-based antigens in general are weakly immunogenic by themselves, co-administration of adjuvants is required to induce potent and persistent specific immune responses. In recent years, there has been substantial progress in the discovery of new efficient adjuvants for subunit vaccines that are often classified into delivery systems and immunopotentiating compounds that constitute pathogen-associated molecular patterns, such as the toll-like receptor ligands. The combination of delivery systems and immunopotentiators has appeared to represent extraordinarily good adjuvants due to concomitant enhanced antigen delivery and potent stimulation of innate immunity. Many of these adjuvants are of a particulate nature and mimic the structure and/or composition of microbes in a reductionist fashion. Examples are liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, emulsions and virus-like particles. However, there are a substantial number of pharmaceutical challenges associated with the subunit vaccine development process due to the complex nature of the antigen-adjuvant combinations. These challenges will be presented and discussed in this book. The objective of the book is to compile the concepts essential for the understanding of the pharmaceutical science and technology associated with the delivery of subunit vaccines. The books goal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific and regulatory challenges facing scientists who research and develop subunit vaccines. The scope of the book is wide. It is written in a manner that will enlighten newcomers to the field (e.g., PhD students or experienced scientist switching fields) yet provide an in-depth knowledge that would benefit a skilled worker in the field. "

This detailed volume presents timely and authoritative content offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in fungal diagnostics. Moreover, it addresses on-going developments expected to provide a basis for targeted treatment strategies resulting in improved outcome of invasive mycoses. The knowledge of host-related predisposing factors and stratified treatment options facilitating timely onset of adequate antifungal therapy are critical for successful clinical management and outcome of invasive fungal disease (IFD), requiring not only rapid diagnosis of a fungal infection and identification of the causative species, but also assessment of pathogen/host factors related to pathogenicity, susceptibility, and response to treatment. 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 protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Human Fungal Pathogen Identification: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal reference for researchers investigating the ever-growing worldwide healthcare problems involving fungal infections.

Do you find research challenging to read? Do you struggle to get to grips with a research paper? Understanding, critiquing and using research is a key requirement of students studying nursing and healthcare. This bookwill equip you with the skills you need to understand research and use it in your practice and academic assignments. The approach used in this book is unique: each chapter focuses on a published research paper - one you might be asked to read for a seminar or include in your academic work. In clear, straightforward language, the authors take you through each paper step by step, using it as a basis for exploring the underpinning research method or design, and how it has been reported. Key features: * Each chapter focuses on a different research method by working through a relevant research paper * Identifies the main skills you need for your course: understanding research methods and critiquing articles * Written specifically for nursing and healthcare students by experienced nursing and health care lecturers * Develops your confidence in understanding research by helping you to apply your knowledge to real research papers.

Atherosclerosis is a degenerative process affecting blood vessels, which determines narrowing of the lumen, plaque growth, and hardening of the walls. It is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The focus of this book is on the management of the atherosclerotic disease. The coverage of this book spans from histological presentation of the various stages of atherosclerotic lesions to the earliest studies in atherosclerosis therapy, from advanced clinical diagnosis to monitoring, follow-up, and home-care of the atherosclerotic patient. The book shows well-established diagnostic techniques covering several medical imaging modalities such as Ultrasounds, IVUS, MRI, Computer Tomography, along with new trends in early and advanced atherosclerosis diagnosis (innovative drugs and tissue characterization procedures). Surgical standards will be presented along with innovative experimental trials for the treatment of the atherosclerotic patient. The book will also cover emerging techniques based on molecular imaging and vibro-acoustics.

In addition to its metabolic and endocrinologic effects, obesity and adipose tissue have now been shown to be associated with low grade inflammation resulting in cellular and humoral inflammatory factors of which the latter may act by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. These inflammatory mediators have increasingly been suggested as contributing to the obesity link to carcinogenesis and cancer promotion.

This volume of Energy Balance and Cancer will focus on recent developments and cutting edge research pointing to inflammation and inflammatory factors as key mediators of this linkage. The volume first provides information on inflammation as an important link between obesity and insulin resistance, which is in itself linked to promotion of cancer through hyperinsulinemia. The volume then covers some of the most important mechanisms by which obesity leads to inflammation, including the novel inflammasome concept, alterations in chromatin structure, circulating inflammatory factors, unique cellular interactions between adipocytes and macrophages and the direct link of dietary fat to inflammation and cancer.

Overall, this volume will provide important insight to help understand how inflammation may help modulate the linkage between obesity and cancer and serve as a platform for developing future research in this area.

This volume explores the application of Quality by Design (QbD) to biopharmaceutical drug product development. Twenty-eight comprehensive chapters cover dosage forms, liquid and lyophilized drug products. The introductory chapters of this book define key elements of QbD and examine how these elements are integrated into drug product development. These chapters also discuss lessons learned from the FDA Office of Biotechnology Products pilot program. Following chapters demonstrate how QbD is used for formulation development ranging from screening of formulations to developability assessment to development of lyophilized and liquid formats. The next few chapters study the use of small-scale and surrogate models as well as QbD application to drug product processes such as drug substance freezing and thawing, mixing, sterile filtration, filling, lyophilization, inspection and shipping and handling. Later chapters describe more specialized applications of QbD in the drug product realm. This includes the use of QbD in primary containers, devices and combination product development. The volume also explores QbD applied to vaccine development, automation, mathematical modeling and monitoring, and controlling processes and defining control strategies. It concludes with a discussion on the application of QbD to drug product technology transfer as well as overall regulatory considerations and lifecycle management. Quality by Design for Biopharmaceutical Drug Product Development is an authoritative resource for scientists and researchers interested in expanding their knowledge on QbD principles and uses in creating better drugs.

The Zebrafish in Biomedical Research: Biology, Husbandry, Diseases, and Research Applications is a comprehensive work that fulfills a critical need for a thorough compilation of information on this species. The text provides significant updates for working vivarium professionals maintaining zebrafish colonies, veterinarians responsible for their care and well-being, zoologists and ethologists studying the species, and investigators using the species to gain critical insights into human physiology and disease. As the zebrafish has become an important model organism for the study of vertebrate development and disease, organ function, behavior, toxicology, cancer, and drug discovery, this book presents an important resource for future research.

Expert laboratory and clinical researchers from around the world review how to design and evaluate studies of tumor markers and examine their use in breast cancer patients. The authors cover both the major advances in sophisticated molecular methods and the state-of-the-art in conventional prognostic and predictive indicators. Among the topics discussed are the relevance of rigorous study design and guidelines for the validation studies of new biomarkers, gene expression profiling by tissue microarrays, adjuvant systemic therapy, and the use of estrogen, progesterone, and epidermal growth factor receptors as both prognostic and predictive indicators. Highlights include the evaluation of HER2 and EGFR family members, of p53, and of UPA/PAI-1; the detection of rare cells in blood and marrow; and the detection and analysis of soluble, circulating markers.

Qualitative researchers have traditionally been cautious about claiming that their work was scientific. The "right-on" schools have exaggerated this caution into an outright rejection of science as a model for their work. Science is, for them, outmoded; "an archaic form of consciousness surviving for a while yet in a degraded form" ("Tyler 1986:200"). Scientists' assertions that they are in pursuit of truth simply camouflage their own lust for power. There is no essential difference between truth and propaganda. The authors acknowledge that the boundary between science and propaganda has often been breached and some distrust of scientific claims may be healthy. They also question the claim that science creates disinterested and objective knowledge of an observer-independent world without concluding that science is impossible. The skeptics' reservations about qualitative research are based on the deep-rooted assumption among natural scientists, and some social scientists, that there is a world "out there," prior to, and independent of, their observations. This world can be known objectively in the sense that all observers will, if identically placed, see it in exactly the same way. If a suitable language were available, they would also all produce identical descriptions. From these observations they can work out the laws governing the world's operations. The authors try to resolve these contrary claims by asserting that science is a "procedural" commitment. It consists of openness to refutation, a conscientious and systematic search for contradictory evidence, and a readiness to subject one's preconceptions to critical examination. The devotion to truth as a regulative ideal is an essential difference between science and propaganda. This work is a unique and innovative defense of scientific method. "Elizabeth Murphy" is reader in sociology and social policy at the University of Nottingham, UK. "Robert Dingwall" is professor and director of the Institute for the Study of Genetics, Biorisks, and Society at the University of Nottingham, UK.

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.

This book highlights the recent advances in the field of microbial engineering and its application in human healthcare. It underscores the systemic and synthetic biology approaches for engineering microbes and discusses novel treatments for inflammatory bowel diseases based on engineered probiotics. The book also reviews the different options and methods for engineering microbes, ranging from recombinant DNA technology to designing microbes for targeting specific sites and delivering therapeutics. Further, it discusses genetically engineered microorganisms for smart diagnostics and describes current approaches in microbial gene editing using CRISPR-Cas9-based tools. Lastly, it summarizes the potential applications of human microbiome engineering in improving human health and explores potential strategies for scaling-up the production of engineered microbial strains for commercial purposes, as well as the challenges. Given its scope, this book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, academics and entrepreneurs interested in understanding microbial engineering for the production of commercial products.

Achieving good clinical outcomes with implanted biomaterials depends upon achieving optimal function, both mechanical and biological, which in turn depends upon integrating advances realized in biological science, material science, and tissue engineering. As these advances push back the frontiers of biomaterial medicine , the control and patterning of bio-implant interface reactions will have a tremendous impact on future design and prospects of implant treatments.

Bio-Implant Interface: Improving Biomaterials and Tissue Reactions brings together a remarkable panel of scientists to present the state of the art in our understanding of interactions at the interface between biomaterials and living tissue. Much of the focus is on the importance of the implant surface's topography and chemistry to its interaction with the biological environment. Biomineralization along with the biological content of the interface and its role in directing cellular response along desired pathways also receive particular attention.

The pursuit of new and better designs for improved biocompatibility and patient response to implants continues to challenge clinicians and scientists alike. This book offers a unique opportunity to bring yourself up to date on recent advances in the field and new strategies for controlling the bio-implant interface.

This second edition expands upon the previous volume with new and updated chapters. Auditory and Vestibular Research: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition guides readers through protocols on cell culture, tissue engineering, nanotechnology, high-throughput screening, and physiology. Chapters on physiology cover techniques that include optical coherence tomography, patch clamping, and photostimulation of caged neurotransmitters. Written in the highly 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Auditory and Vestibular Research: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This book contains original essays that look at contagious/infectious disease pandemics and the ethical public policy and administration these have entailed. In particular, the pandemics of the 1918 flu pandemic, HIV in the 1990s, SARS in 2003, Ebola from 2014-2016 and the novel COVID-19 in 2020 are highlighted. The contributions in this work offer the reader insights in these and several other recent pandemics that present differently-either via contagion or mortality rate-and how each should be addressed by countries of various sorts. This book is a must for the ongoing debate on how we should treat public health crises, such as the one we have all just encountered in the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

F. Macfarlane Burnet I have been an interested onlooker for many years at research on the biology of trace elements, particularly in its bearing on the pas toral and agricultural importance of copper, zinc, cobalt, and mo lybdenum deficiencies in the soil of various parts of Australia. More recently I have developed a rather more specific interest in the role of zinc, particularly in relation to the dominance of zinc metalloenzymes in the processes of DNA replication and repair, and its possible significance for human pathology. One area of special significance is the striking effect of zinc deficiency in the mother in producing congenital abnormalities in the fetus. The fact that several chapters in the present work are concerned with this and other aspects of zinc deficiency is, I fancy, the editors jus tification for inviting me to write this foreword. In reading several of the chpaters before publication, my main impression was of the great potential importance of the topic of trace metal biology in both its negative and positive aspects-the effects of deficiency of essential elements and the toxicity of such pollutants of the modern world as lead or mercury mainly as or ganic compounds."

Despite the many milestones in cystic fibrosis (CF) research, progress toward curing the disease has been slow, and it is increasingly difficult to grasp and use the already wide and still growing range of diverse methods currently employed to study CF so as to understand it in its multidisciplinary nature. Cystic Fibrosis: Diagnosis and Protocols aims to provide the CF research community and related researchers with a very wide range of high-quality experimental tools, as an easy way to grasp and use classical and novel methods applied to cystic fibrosis. Volume II: Methods and Resources to Understand Cystic Fibrosis focuses on pathophysiology, Omics approaches, and a variety of key resources recently made available for CF research. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) 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 practical, Cystic Fibrosis: Diagnosis and Protocols will provide readers with optimal working tools to address pressing questions in the best technical way, while helping all of us, as a research and clinical community, to move faster hand-in-hand toward unravelling the secrets of this challenging disorder and cure it.

As individuals age, their ability to respond to andclear pathogens and to control unwanted immune reactions declines, leading to a greater incidence of certain infectious diseases, autoimmunity and general immune dysfunctions. Most remarkably, the efficacy of vaccines is frequently decreased in elderly persons. Therefore, age-associated dysfunctions of the humoral and cellular immune responses have a strong clinical impact. Improving our understanding of the aged immune system is crucial in developing effective prevention and treatment programs that will facilitate healthy aging and improve the quality of life of the elderly population.

The aim of this volume is to summarize current knowledge on the cellular and molecular aspects of the aging immune system, with an emphasis on infectious diseases and new therapeutic approaches.

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In anticipation of the opening of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research lnstitut on the campus of the University of South Florida, an international symposium, "The First Annual H. Lee Moffitt Symposium on Cancer Biology and Therapeutics" was held in Tampa, Florida on January 20-22, 1986. In this first symposium we decided to present a broad-based series of topics dealing with the major issues in the field of cancer. These topics ranged from the biochemistry of the cancer cell to the design of antineoplastic agents, through tumor cell heterogeneity, treatment of ltuman neoplasms to immunological aspects of cancer biology and tr atment. The speakers chosen represented individuals of international acclaim who are very active in the area of cancer research and treatment. The symposium brought together scien tists/physicians from six nations including Austria, Canada, France, Hungary, West Germany, and of course, the United States. The congeniality of the participants promoted the friendly exchange of knowledge which, it is hoped, will greatly hasten the time when successful management of human cancer will become routine. Future symposia in this series will be highly focused and will deal with a single facet of this vast field of cancer research and treatment. Joseph G. Cory, Editor Andor Szentivanyi, Editor University of South Florida, 1986 V ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This volume presents the Proceedings of the H. Lee Moffitt International Syn osium on Cancer Biology and Therapeutics which was held in Tampa, Florida on January 20, 21, and 22, 1986."

Improving our insights into the genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease is one of the most important challenges in our field in the next millennium, not only to unravel the cause of disease but also to improve the selection of patients for particular treatments. Nowadays, for example, subjects with a cholesterol above a particular plasma level are exposed to a cholesterol lowering regime based upon the beneficial outcome of epidemiological studies which include subjects not prone to the disease, despite a plasma cholesterol above the accepted level. Identification of the patients who are genetically predisposed to the consequences of this disorder will reduce the number of subjects unnecessarily treated and, hence, the costs of health care. Because in most cardiovascular diseases the genetic component is a consequence of more than one gene defect, only limited progress has as yet been made in identifying subjects genetically at risk. For example, in hypertension only in less than 10% of the patients the genetic defect has been identified. It has been known for quite some time that in heart and blood vessels fetal genes are as high blood pressure and upregulated or induced when they are exposed to such disorders ischemia. Little is known about the function of these genes in the cardiac and vascular adaptation to these disorders; only guesses can be made.