The large number of molecular protocols available creates a dilemma for those attempting to adopt the most appropriate for streamlined identification and detection of fungal pathogens of interest. Molecular Detection of Human Fungal Pathogens provides a reliable and comprehensive resource relating the molecular detection and identification of major human fungal pathogens. This volume contains expert contributions from international mycologists involved in fungal pathogen research and diagnosis. Following a similar format throughout, each chapter comprises: A brief review of the classification, epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of one or a group of related fungal species An outline of clinical sample collection and preparation procedures A selection of representative stepwise molecular detection protocols A discussion on further research requirements for improving the diagnosis The book offers an indispensable tool for medical, veterinary, and industrial laboratory scientists working in the area of fungal determination. It also constitutes a convenient textbook for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in microbiology and is an essential guide for upcoming and experienced laboratory scientists wishing to acquire and polish their skills in molecular diagnosis of fungal diseases.

This stunningly illustrated book provides a rare window into the amazing, varied, and often beautiful world of viruses. Contrary to popular belief, not all viruses are bad for you. In fact, several are beneficial to their hosts, and many are crucial to the health of our planet. Virus offers an unprecedented look at 101 incredible microbes that infect all branches of life on Earth--from humans and other animals to insects, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Featuring hundreds of breathtaking color images throughout, this guide begins with a lively and informative introduction to virology. Here readers can learn about the history of this unique science, how viruses are named, how their genes work, how they copy and package themselves, how they interact with their hosts, how immune systems counteract viruses, and how viruses travel from host to host. The concise entries that follow highlight important or interesting facts about each virus. Learn about the geographic origins of dengue and why old tires and unused pots help the virus to spread. Read about Ebola, Zika, West Nile, Frog virus 3, the Tulip breaking virus, and many others--how they were discovered, what their hosts are, how they are transmitted, whether or not there is a vaccine, and much more. Each entry is easy to read and includes a graphic of the virus, and nearly every entry features a colorized image of the virus as seen through the microscope. Written by a leading authority, this handsomely illustrated guide reveals the unseen wonders of the microbial world. It will give you an entirely new appreciation for viruses.

Quality refers to the amount of the unpriced attributes contained in each unit of the priced attribute. Leffler, 1982 Quality is neither mind nor matter, but a third entity independent of the two, even though Quality cannot be defined, you know what it is. Pirsig, 2000 The continuous formulation of good practices and procedures across fields reflects the importance of the recognition and maintenance of "quality" for nearly every profession. The widespread introduction of point-of-care testing, centralization of activities in large core laboratories, and the increase in number and complexity of diagnostic testing worldwide has driven changes in the organization of laboratory diagnostics over the past decades. As such, laboratory diagnostics, continuously catching up to updated techniques and complex procedures, need to stay vigilant about safety and good practices adjustments. Although widely defined and quantified, the concept of quality is an intrinsic feature of the human psyche and decision making. Written to improve laboratory work, Quality Assurance in the Pathology Laboratory examines: Quality assurance of quantifiable methods applied in laboratory medicine and toxicology Quality aspects of emerging disciplines including personalized therapy and virtopsy Regulatory and logistic instrumentation that ensure quality in laboratory methods Professional education at the graduate and postgraduate levels Laboratory diagnostics substantially contributes to clinical decision making by providing valuable information for the screening, diagnosis, therapeutic monitoring, and follow-up of most-if not all-human disorders. Providing general insights into the quality assurance aspects of pathology and laboratory medicine, this book aids in improving laboratory work and, at the same time, shows the possibilities and limits of all logistic and legal tools related to quality issues.

Key features: Succinct case studies presented in an easy-to-read format, listing patient history, examination and investigations Questions at the end of each case prompt readers to consider their options for diagnosis, investigation and management Answer pages then guide readers through the clinician's sequence of thoughts and actions Subsections include histopathology, laboratory medicine (chemical pathology and immunology), haematology and microbiology Illustrations, information boxes and key points summaries reinforce learning, ideal during exam revision A broad range of common conditions is covered, from acidosis to urinary tract infection, together with more unusual cases

Building the Future of Food Safety Technology: Blockchain and Beyond focuses on evaluating, developing, testing and predicting Blockchain's impact on the food industry, the types of regulatory compliance needed, and other topics important pertaining to consumers. Blockchain is a technology that can be used to record transactions from multiple entities across a complex network. A record on a blockchain cannot be altered retroactively without the alteration of all preceding blocks and the consensus of the network. Blockchain is often associated with cryptocurrency, but it is being looked at more and more as a solution to food-supply problems.

The 8th volume in the Proteases in Biology and Disease series focuses on the role of proteases in virus function and their potential as anti-viral targets. Viral infections are still difficult to threat and some remained life-threatening diseases in spite of antiviral drug research over decades. Proteases are still regarded as an Achilles heel of the pathogens and, thus, protease inhibitors may help to handle the known and the emerging viral threads. The book discusses viral proteases of the most important pathogenic viruses, responsible for severe diseases: AIDS, SARS, Hepatitis, Cytomegalovirus, T-cell lymphotropic virus, Picornavirus. This book focuses specifically on the viral proteases, crucial prerequisites for viral entry into cells and viral replication. Viral proteases represent an important pharmaceutical target. The current stage of protease inhibitor development and therapy are summarised and discussed by experts in the field. This volume represents a timely and valuable continuation of the Proteases in Biology and Disease series. The reader will learn the potential for proteases as targets for effective anti-virals. This book will be a valuable source of information on viral proteases and provoke further research in this important field."

This comprehensive and authoritative reference covers all aspects of the group of disorders collectively known as the lymphoid neoplasms. The reader is taken through a description of its normal cellular origins and the molecular genetic abnormalities that can lead to this group of conditions, a section of the book that has been considerably strengthened for this third edition, to the environmental factors that may be relevant to disease development, and, finally, to the pragmatic aspects of disease management. The authors synthesise for the reader apsects of current knowledge and likely future developments, and direct them to the appropriate resources should they wish to pursue particular avenues of scientific or literature research.

This expert volume in the Diagnostic Pathology series is an excellent point-of-care resource for practitioners at all levels of experience and training. Covering all areas of bone pathology, it incorporates the most recent clinical, pathological, and molecular knowledge in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of all key issues relevant to today's practice. Richly illustrated and easy to use, Diagnostic Pathology: Bone is a one-stop reference for accurate, complete surgical pathology reports, ideal as a day-to-day reference or as a reliable training resource. Includes a wide range of nonneoplastic and neoplastic entities in bone pathology that enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide the biological basis for optimal treatment of patients with bone tumors and nonneoplastic conditions Reflects updates from the 5th Edition of the WHO Classification of Tumors of Soft Tissue and Bone Brings you fully up to date with recent advances in nonneoplastic orthopaedic specimens, including osteoarthrosis, osteonecrosis, pathology of intervertebral discs and menisci, non-infectious inflammatory arthritis, crystal deposition diseases, and common metabolic disorders Features new chapters covering growth and development, radiologic approach to bone tumors, and synovial tumors Contains thousands of extensively annotated images, including gross pathology photographs, histopathology photomicrographs, immunohistochemistry, FISH, correlative radiologic imaging, and full-color illustrations Features a templated, highly formatted design; concise, bulleted text; diagnostic pearls, key facts in each chapter; and an extensive index for easy reference Provides an excellent resource at the point of care for physicians in pathology, radiology, and orthopaedics, as well as medical and radiation oncologists who treat bone tumors Includes the enhanced eBook version, which allows you to search all text, figures, and references on a variety of devices

The autopsy is a central component of postgraduate training in pathology and remains an important part of medical practice today. Pathologists are now expected to possess a higher level of knowledge and understanding of the autopsy, the law surrounding it, and its clinical value, in an increasingly scrutinized and legislated environment. Autopsy practice can no longer be viewed in the absence of external contextual issues: it is vital that pathologists have solid grounding not only in standard technique, but also in such matters as personal health and safety to obtaining informed family consent, before undertaking an autopsy procedure. This new and revised edition of The Hospital Autopsy presents a clear and systematic approach to safe and effective modern autopsy practice. Like the extremely popular second edition, it begins by discussing issues of consent and mortuary design before going on to comprehensively cover external examination, evisceration, dissection of internal organs, and report writing. In this edition, new chapters have been added on the radiological autopsy, religious attitudes to autopsy, and the implications of high-risk infections for autopsy practice. Specialist techniques are covered in depth, and chapters are devoted to complex issues including perinatal autopsies, maternal deaths, and neuropathological examinations. The Hospital Autopsy, Third Edition, is sure to be an indispensable resource for pathologists in training, as well as a useful refresher for practicing pathologists and autopsy technicians.

Stillbirth remains a sufficiently frequent outcome of pregnancy to pose great problems for clinicians, who have to treat extremely distressed patients. This concise but comprehensive book from an international team of contributors sets out clear guidelines for clinical procedures and patient management for the obstetrician, as well as the gynecologist and the gynecologic pathologist.

This book aims to present updated knowledge on various aspects of the natural history, biology, and impact of triatomines to all interested readers. Each chapter will be written by authorities in the respective field, covering topics such as behavior, neurophysiology, immunology, ecology, and evolution. The contents will consider scientific, as well as innovative perspectives, on the problems related to the role of triatomine bugs as parasite vectors affecting millions in the Latin American region.

Microbiologists, medical mycologists, immunologists, and biochemists are increasingly working together to focus on the processes involved in the progression and treatment of fungal disease. Host-Fungus Interactions: Methods and Protocols is designed for research scientists who are involved in this work and interested in undertaking new or comparative studies of interactions between the mammalian host and clinically important fungal pathogens. Aiming to combine approaches for reverse genetics in pathogenic fungi with methods for their application in in vitro and in vivo models of disease, the book includes methods for the culture and genetic manipulation of the primary fungal pathogens and the opportunistic pathogens, as well as methods for investigating host-fungus interactions in model systems. 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, Host-Fungus Interactions: Methods and Protocols describes available molecular methods and fungal infection models in great detail in order to encourage researchers to try new approaches to investigating host-fungus interactions with added levels of confidence.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality, both in developed industrial countries as well as in the developing world. Human immunodeficiency virus infections and the ensuing opportunistic infections are a major drain on the human and financial resources of many countries in the developing world and even with the availability of effective treatment the epidemic is not yet contained. Screening in developing worlds is difficult and there is a need for simple reliable cheap diagnostic methods that can be performed at the point of care, on the same day and by staff with limited training. Molecular biological methods are very attractive for the diagnosis of STI since a well defined range of pathogens is responsible for the infection. Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Methods and Protocols strives to cover the full range of molecular testing for STI. Chapters cover a variety of topics such as aspects of DNA extraction from small volume samples or difficult tissues, simple, nested or multiplex PCR, use of duplex primers or other modifications of primers and PCR conditions, sequence analysis for genotyping, denaturing gel analysis, microarrays using liquid beads or microspheres and silicon nanoparticle-enhanced microcantilever detection of DNA. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Diagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Methods and Protocols will be a valuable reference for the scientist looking to establish molecular methodologies for the diagnosis of STI tests in their own lab.

Once the existence of free radicals was proven, an avalanche of studies on free radical-mediated biological processes ensued. The study of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) is center stage in biological free radical investigations. Written by a biochemist, Signaling Mechanisms of Oxygen and Nitrogen Free Radicals discusses the regulatory functions of ROS and RNS in physiological and pathophysiological states. An exploration of the main questions of signaling mechanisms of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in enzymatic processes, this book draws attention to the chemical mechanisms of these reactions. It elucidates the differences between signaling functions and damaging effects of ROS and RNS in biological systems. The text also covers free radical signaling processes catalyzed by enzymes, producers of superoxide and nitric oxide that are able to use produced ROS and RNS as signaling species in their own catalytic processes. It then examines ROS and RNS signaling produced by mitochondrial enzymes. The author explores signaling functions of ROS and RNS in enzymatic heterolytic reactions, supplying important data on ROS and RNS signaling in the catalysis by the enzymes which do not produce free radicals by themselves. He provides information on signaling by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in apoptosis and aging/senescence and concludes with coverage of mechanisms of free radical signaling in enzymatic processes. The book provides new understanding of signaling functions in living organisms related to cardiovascular processes, cancer, inflammation, hereditary diseases, and their regulation of physiological functions such as development, aging, and senescence. This information can support the development of new drugs and novel treatment methods.

This volume provides a critical response to the COVID-19 pandemic showcasing the full range of issues and perspectives that the discipline of geography can expose and bring to the table, not only to this specific event, but to others like it that might occur in future. Comprised of almost 60 short (2500 word) easy to read chapters, the collection provides numerous theoretical, empirical and methodological entry points to understanding the ways in which space, place and other geographical phenomenon are implicated in the crisis. Although falling under a health geography book series, the book explores the centrality and importance of a full range of biological, material, social, cultural, economic, urban, rural and other geographies. Hence the book bridges fields of study and sub-disciplines that are often regarded as separate worlds, demonstrating the potential for future collaboration and cross-disciplinary inquiry. Indeed book articulates a diverse but ultimately fulsome and multiscalar geographical approach to the major health challenge of our time, bringing different types of scholarship together with common purpose. The intended audience ranges from senior undergraduate students and graduate students to professional academics in geography and a host of related disciplines. These scholars might be interested in COVID-19 specifically or in the book's broad disciplinary approach to infectious disease more generally. The book will also be helpful to policy-makers at various levels in formulating responses, and to general readers interested in learning about the COVID-19 crisis.

Of the 758 species of hard ticks (family Ixodidae) currently known to science, 137 (18%) are found in the Neotropical Zoogeographic Region, an area that extends from the eastern and western flanks of the Mexican Plateau southward to southern Argentina and Chile and that also includes the Greater and Lesser Antilles and the Galapagos Islands. This vast and biotically rich region has long attracted natural scientists, with the result that the literature on Neotropical ticks, which are second only to mosquitoes as vectors of human disease and are of paramount veterinary importance, is enormous, diffuse, and often inaccessible to non-specialists. In this book, three leading authorities on the Ixodidae have combined their talents to produce a summary of essential information for every Neotropical tick species. Under each species name, readers will find an account of the original taxonomic description and subsequent redescriptions, followed by an overview of its geographic distribution and host relationships, including a discussion of human parasitism. Additional sections provide detailed analyses of tick distribution by country and zoogeographic subregion (the Caribbean, southern Mexico and Central America, South America, and the Galapagos Islands), together with a review of the phenomenon of invasive tick species and examination of the many valid and invalid names that have appeared in the Neotropical tick literature. The text concludes with an unprecedented tabulation of all known hosts of Neotropical Ixodidae, including the tick life history stages collected from each host. This book is an invaluable reference for biologists and biomedical personnel seeking to familiarize themselves with the Neotropical tick fauna.

Leading experts in enzyme manipulation describe in detail their cutting-edge techniques for the screening, evolution, production, immobilization, and application of enzymes. These readily reproducible methods can be used to improve enzyme function by directed evolution, to covalently immobilize enzymes, to microencapsulate enzymes and cells, and to manufacture enzymes for human health, nutrition, and environmental protection. Overview chapters on microorganisms as a source of metabolic and enzymatic diversity, and on the fast-moving field of enzyme biosensors are presented. Microbial Enzymes and Biotransformations offers laboratory and industrial scientists a wealth of proven enzymatic protocols that show clearly how to go from laboratory results to successful industrial applications.

In recent years, the field of pharmaceutical microbiology has experienced numerous technological advances, accompanied by the publication of new and harmonized compendial methods. It is therefore imperative for those who are responsible for monitoring the microbial quality of pharmaceutical/biopharmaceutical products to keep abreast of the latest changes. Microbial Limit and Bioburden Tests: Validation Approaches and Global Requirements guides readers through the various microbiological methods listed in the compendia with easy-to-follow diagrams and approaches to validations of such test methodologies. Includes New and Updated Material Now in its second edition, this work is the culmination of research and discussions with technical experts, as well as USP and FDA representatives on various topics of interest to the pharmaceutical microbiologist and those responsible for the microbial quality of products, materials, equipment, and manufacturing facilities. New in this edition is an entire chapter dedicated to the topic of biofilms and their impact on pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical operations. The subject of rapid methods in microbiology has been expanded and includes a discussion on the validation of alternative microbiological methods and a case study on microbial identification in support of a product contamination investigation. Substantially updated and revised, this book assists readers in understanding the fundamental issues associated with pharmaceutical microbiology and provides them with tools to create effective microbial contamination control and microbial testing programs for the areas under their responsibility.

Once students have learned the principles behind basic pathology and the mechanisms of disease, they must then consolidate their knowledge by putting those principles into clinical practice. Providing a practical learning experience, this volume presents fifty structured clinical scenarios. Each case is based on a clinical situation that pulls together the key pathological, radiological, and clinical aspects of a condition. Questions and answers highlight diagnostic avenues and provide an effective way of testing assimilation of the material. Students can set their own level of challenge and build their clinical understanding by delving into a cluster of cases covering related topics, or instead emphasize one of the five main themes: symptoms, signs, investigations, treatment, and overall management. Ample illustrations supplement the text, which blends typical clinical case presentations with narrative-style and imaging-based cases.

"Practical Ultrasound in Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management" is a stand alone comprehensive reference that covers every aspect of ultrasound for the practicing anesthesiologist. Beginning with a background on the physics of equipment and practical applications, this text walks the specialist through subjects like needle visualization, teaching, training, accreditation, and getting the best out of your ultrasound equipment.

With high resolution ultrasound photographs "Practical Ultrasound in Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Management "covers topics that explore: vascular access nerve blockades echocardiography transesophageal echocardiography - evaluation of the valves basic echo doppler transesophageal doppler trans-cranial doppler the respiratory system

Also included is a fully developed CD that includes high resolution video clips of actual ultrasound examples, organized in an easy cross reference fashion for the busy clinician.

Since the first edition of Identification of Pathogenic Fungi, there has been incredible progress in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of fungal diseases: new methods of diagnosis have been introduced, and new antifungal agents have been licensed for use. However, these developments have been offset by the emergence of resistance to several classes of drugs, and an increase in infections caused by fungi with innate resistance to one or more classes. Identification of Pathogenic Fungi, Second Edition, assists in the identification of over 100 of the most significant organisms of medical importance. Each chapter is arranged so that the descriptions for similar organisms may be found on adjacent pages. Differential diagnosis details are given for each organism on the basis of both colonial appearance and microscopic characteristics for the organisms described. In this fully updated second edition, a new chapter on the identification of fungi in histopathological sections and smears has been added, while colour illustrations of cultures and microscopic structures have been included, and high quality, four colour digital images are incorporated throughout.

Offering an example for transnational cooperation and successful reduction of a neglected tropical disease, this volume shows how Chinese scientists and local physicians controlled schistosomiasis in Zanzibar. Over a four-year study, local medical specialists and the population of Zanzibar were taught how to diagnose the parasitosis caused by flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. Furthermore, methods to eliminate the disease and prevent new infections were established. The developed control system will avoid repeated increase of human schistosomiasis, which is still prevalent in the tropics and subtropics. Rural populations and poor communities lacking access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation are most affected. This book is a blueprint of activities urgently needed to combat schistosomiasis in countries with low medical impact. The strategies outlined are particularly relevant to parasitologists and professionals in public health, physicians, medical personnel and also governmental, healthcare and pharmaceutical institutions.

Until recently, innate immunity was regarded as a relatively nonspecific system designed to engulf and destroy pathogens. However, new studies show that the innate immune system is highly developed in its ability to discriminate between self and foreign entities. Understanding this mechanism can lead to therapeutic strategies based on manipulation of this previously unexploited branch of the immune system.
Drawing on the research of leading experts, Nucleic Acids in Innate Immunity provides insight in this new area of immunology. The book begins by explaining the roles of nucleic acids in immunity, describing the mechanism of discrimination based on pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), Nod-like receptors (NLR), and RIG-I-like receptors (RLR). Chapters discuss how these PRRs recognize and respond to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by activating specific signaling pathways.
The second section focuses on the therapeutic applicationsof immunomodulatory DNA by manipulating released pathogenic nucleic acids as immune system stimulants. The book introduces novel therapeutics developed to prevent or treat infectious diseases, allergic disorders, and cancer, as well as clearing unnecessary or abnormal host molecules.
The final section addresses how the immune system discriminates self and non-self RNA. Recent findings that host (self) nucleic acids are not inert in the immune system beg the question of exactly what elements within DNA or RNA are recognized by the innate immune system. Contributions review recent advances to understand innate immune recognition of nucleic acids and describe the resulting immune modulation.
Providing a comprehensive review of nucleic acid recognition and regulation by the innate immune system, this seminal work reveals new directions for future research in immune modulation.

Glycosylation is a common and extremely important modification in biological molecules, particularly of proteins. "HIV Glycans in Infection and Immunity"provides an overview of the roles of glycans in the transmission/infection, antigenicity, and immunogenicity of HIV and the HIV envelope glycoprotein. It explores recent advances in the understanding of the impact of HIV glycans in infection and their promise for immunological and therapeutic intervention.

Novel collaborations between glycobiologists and immunologists in recent years have led to key advances in the understanding of HIV glycans. These cross-disciplinary endeavors, their achievements and their impact on the field are all addressed, herein."