This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, guest edited by Dr. A. Zara Herskovits, will cover Laboratory Testing for Neurologic Disorders. This issue is one of four selected each year by our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Milenko Jovan Tanasijevic. Topics discussed in this issue will include: molecular approach to diagnostic testing for children with developmental delay and congenital anomalies, proteopathic and seeding assays (such as RT-QUIC), genetic testing for ALS and FTD, Diagnostic and prognostic testing for Alzheimer's disease, confounds in the interpretation of paraneoplastic antibody panels, Review of neurologic disease sendout testing at an academic medical center, development of new diagnostic tests for neurologic disorders, assuring quality in laboratory testing for sendout reference tests, diagnostic testing for patients with spinal muscular atrophy, among others.

The revolutionary discovery of Helicobacter pylori started a new era in the understanding and management of gastroduodenal diseases. H. pylori is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, MALT lymphoma, the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and several extra-gastric diseases. The organism displays an enormous genetic diversity and some strains harbor numerous virulence factors. No vaccines are available yet and increased antibiotic resistance of the bacteria is of growing concern. Many questions about H. pylori pathogenesis, epidemiology, prophylaxis, and treatment remain to be answered. In addition, the role of non-pylori Helicobacter species is becoming a topic of considerable medical interest. This book highlights recent research and provides an up-to-date summary of current knowledge for microbiologists, clinicians, and advanced students working with Helicobacter. The contributors offer an outstanding collection of reviews on many aspects of Helicobacter research, including: microbiology * virulence factors * immunology * vaccine research * epidemiology * diseases associated with the infection * antibiotic resistance * treatment (including the use of non-antibiotic agents). As a major reference volume on Helicobacter pylori and how it impacts on public health worldwide, the book is essential reading for those with an interest in the microbiology of H. pylori and is recommended for all microbiology libraries.

Dengue Virus Disease: From Origin to Outbreak provides a detailed accounting of one of the world's fastest growing infections. According to the World Health Organization, Dengue virus incidence has increased 30-fold over the past 50 years, with up to 50 to 100 million infections occurring annually in over 100 endemic countries. This estimate puts nearly half the world's population at risk. This book reviews the history, clinical and diagnostic aspects of dengue virus, also presenting our current knowledge on the pathophysiology of severe dengue and addressing the importance of dengue virus infections in those traveling to parts of the world where it is endemic.

Interferons (IFNs) play pivotal roles in shaping the immune responses in mammals and are particularly important for the control of viral infections, cell growth, and immune regulation. These proteins rapidly induce an anti-viral state in cells that surround infected cells. In order to survive, viruses have evolved with multiple strategies to evade the anti-viral effects of IFNs. Elucidating the molecular and cellular biology of the virus-interferon interaction is key to understanding issues, such as viral pathogenesis, latency, and the development of novel antivirals. In this book, international experts review current research topics, producing a timely overview of this exciting field. The book opens with a chapter that comprehensively reviews the antiviral effects of extracellular double-stranded RNA - the viral toxin. This is followed by chapters that review the properties of type I and type III interferons, and the role of interferon-stimulated genes. Additional chapters are devoted to understanding the diverse strategies used by clinically-relevant human viruses to subvert host interferon responses. The book closes with an interesting overview of the clinical application of interferons as antiviral and anticancer agents. It will be essential reading for every scientist involved in interferon or antiviral research and will be a recommended text for all virology laboratories.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics, Guest Edited by Dr. Justine A. Barletta, will focus on Endocrine Pathology. Topics include, but are not limited to, Pitfalls in Thyroid Cytology, Prognostic Parameters in Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas, Thyroid Tumors You Don't Want to Miss, Molecular Alterations in Thyroid Carcinomas, Treatment of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinomas, Treatment of Aggressive Thyroid Carcinomas, A Guide to Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas, A Diagnostic Approach to Adrenocortical Tumors, Treatment of Adrenocortical Carcinoma and Pheochromocytomas, Parathyroid Pathology, Neuroendocrine Tumors of the GI Tract and Pancreas, Treatment of GI Neuroendocrine Tumors, and Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a significant public health problem of international importance. HCV is capable of establishing chronic infections resulting in progressive liver damage and other problems. Current drug therapies are ineffective, highlighting the need for better antiviral drugs. Recent research in HCV genetics and molecular biology have led to significant advances in our understanding of the life cycle of this important pathogen and may ultimately lead to better antiviral strategies. The editors of this book have recruited experts from around the world to produce a timely and well-compiled review of current HCV research, with an emphasis on antiviral drug development. The chapters provide in-depth reviews of the most critical areas of research. Topics include: the HCV life cycle * HCV assays * HCV resources * HCV databases * HCV infection systems * models of hepatitis C infections * overview of the drug pipeline * clinical trial design * clinical virology and drug development * NS3 protease inhibitors * NS3-NS4A complex inhibitors * NS3 helicase inhibitors * NS4B targets and inhibitors * NS5A inhibitors * nucleoside inhibitors * NS5B polymerase inhibitors * glycoprotein-dependent entry * host cell targets and inhibitors * innate immunity for HCV antiviral therapy.

In recent years, advanced molecular techniques in diagnostic microbiology have been revolutionizing the practice of clinical microbiology in the hospital setting. Molecular diagnostic testing in general and nucleic acid-based amplification methods in particular have been heralded as diagnostic tools for the new millennium. This third edition covers not only the most recent updates and advances, but details newly invented omic techniques, such as next generation sequencing. It is divided into two distinct volumes, with Volume 1 describing the techniques, and Volume 2 addressing their applications in the field. In addition, both volumes focus more so on the clinical relevance of the test results generated by these techniques than previous editions.

This issue of Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, guest edited by Dr. Vinay Subhash Mahajan, will focus on Immunology Laboratory Testing. Topics include, but are not limited to, Analysis of proteins and immunoglobulins in the clinical immunology laboratory; Antinuclear antibody tests; Serological diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis; ANCA; Anti-phospholipid antibodies; Diagnostic pitfalls in autoantibody testing; Analysis of the complement pathway; Flow cytometric analysis of immune cell subsets; Testing of cellular immune function in immunodeficiencies; Food allergy testing; Evaluation of the immune response in transplantation; Laboratory testing in the context of biologics and cellular therapies; Testing immune-related adverse-events in cancer immunotherapy; Molecular diagnosis of inherited immune disorders; and Future of immunology lab testing.

This book performs a distinct introduction to the pathology of the placenta and its membranes, abortion material included, with the aim to facilitate and protect the quality of the morphological placental diagnostics by the pathologists. Seven chapters with coloured figures illustrating gross anatomy, development and maturation of the placenta explain the functional morphology in its clinical correlation of single and multiple findings for the pathologists, obstetricians and neonatologists. Moreover, the book contributes to a better understanding of pre- and perinatal investigations, maternal diseases, fetal outcomes and follow up of the newborns, as well as to the prevention of worse outcome in further pregnancies. The atlas intends to stimulate the interest for perinatal pathology and to contribute to a better interdisciplinary understanding of pathologists and clinicians, midwives and nurses.

Vaccines have long been used to combat infectious diseases, however the last decade has witnessed a revolution in the approach to vaccine design and development. No longer is there a need to rely on the laborious classical methods, such as attenuation or killing the pathogen. Now, sophisticated technologies - such as genomics, proteomics, functional genomics, and synthetic chemistry - can be used for the rational identification of antigens, the synthesis of complex glycans, the generation of engineered carrier proteins, and much more. Never has research in this area been more exciting. In this book, expert international contributors critically review the current cutting-edge research in vaccine design and development. Particular emphasis is given to new approaches and technologies. The book has been divided into two parts. The first part reviews the technologies and approaches used to identify, generate, and test new vaccines. Topics include new strategies to identify protective antigens, generation of improved adjuvants, use of alternative immunization routes, improving vaccine safety, and finding and establishing the correlates of protection. The second part of the book focuses on the development of new vaccines to replace or complement currently available products or for diseases against which prophylactic strategies are missing. Examples include vaccines against nosocomial infections, streptococci, emerging viral diseases, P. aeruginosa, and bovine mastitis.

Agrios' Plant Pathology, Sixth Edition is the ultimate reference in the field. Here, Dr. Richard Oliver provides a fully updated table of contents with revised and new chapters and invited contributors from around the globe. Building on his legacy, this new edition is an essential read for students, faculty and researchers interested in plant pathology. Sections outline how to recognize, treat and prevent plant diseases and provide extensive coverage on abiotic, fungal, viral, bacterial, nematode and other plant diseases and their associated epidemiology. A large range of case studies take a deep dive into the genetics and modern management of several plant species.

Parasiticide Discovery: In Vitro and In Vivo Tests with Relevant Parasite Rearing and Host Infection/Infestation Methods, Volume Two presents valuable screening methods that have led to the discovery of the majority of parasiticides commercialized in the animal health industry. As much of the knowledge of parasiticide discovery methods is being lost in the animal health industry as seasoned parasitologists retire, this book serves to preserve valuable methods that have led to the discovery of the majority of parasiticides commercialized in animal health, also giving insights into the in vitro and in vivo methods used to identify the parasiticide activity of compounds.

Alphaherpesviruses are a fascinating group of DNA viruses that include important human pathogens, such as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), HSV-2, and varicella-zoster virus (VZV) - the causative agents of cold sores, genital ulcerous disease, and chickenpox/shingles, respectively. A key attribute of these viruses is their ability to establish lifelong latent infection in the peripheral nervous system of the host. Such persistence requires subversion of the host's immune system and intrinsic antiviral defense mechanisms. Understanding the mechanisms of the immune evasion and what triggers viral reactivation is a major challenge for today's researchers. This has prompted enormous research efforts into understanding the molecular and cellular biology of these viruses. This up-to-date and comprehensive study distills the most important research in this area, providing a timely overview of the field. Topics include: transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, translational control, virus entry and capsid assembly, the role of microRNAs in infection, and oncolytic vectors for cancer therapy. In addition, there is coverage of virus-host interactions, including apoptosis, subversion of host protein quality control and DNA damage response pathways, autophagy, establishment and reactivation from latency, interferon responses, immunity, and vaccine development. This is essential reading for everyone working with alphaherpesviruses and will be of interest to all virologists working on latent infections.

Parasiticide Discovery: In Vitro and In Vivo Tests with Relevant Parasite Rearing and Host Infection/Infestation Methods, Volume One presents valuable screening methods that have led to the discovery of the majority of parasiticides commercialized in the animal health industry. As much of the knowledge of parasiticide discovery methods is being lost in the animal health industry as seasoned parasitologists retire, this book serves to preserve valuable methods that have led to the discovery of the majority of parasiticides commercialized in animal health, also giving insights into the in vitro and in vivo methods used to identify the parasiticide activity of compounds.