The Natural Anti-Gal Antibody as Foe Turned Friend in Medicine provides a comprehensive review of the natural anti-Gal antibody, which is the most abundant antibody in humans constituting ~1% of immunoglobulins and the carbohydrate antigen it recognizes, the a-gal epitope. It discusses the discovery of this antigen/antibody system, its evolution in mammals, the pathological effects of this antibody, and its possible use in various therapies in humans. Most significantly, the book discusses microbial and regenerative therapies in which an antibody present in all humans may be harnessed as an in vivo pharmaceutical agent that enables a wide variety of therapies. Some of these therapies are described as experimental studies that are compiled in this book, other already studied therapies in the area of cancer immunotherapy are also included in this book.

This book covers both the molecular basics of fungal stress response strategies as well as biotechnological applications thereof. The complex regulatory mechanisms of stress response pathways are presented in a concise and well-readable manner. Also, light will be shed on the interconnection of pathways responding to different types of stress. Profound knowledge of stress responses in yeast and filamentous fungi is crucial for further optimization of industrial processes. Applications are manifold, for example in fungicide development, for improving the resistance of crop plants to fungal pathogens, but also in medicine to help curing fungal infections. The book targets researchers from academia and industry, as well as graduate students interested in microbiology, mycology and biomedicine.

Tumor-Induced Immune Suppression - Prospects and Progress in Mechanisms and Therapeutic Reversal presents a comprehensive overview of large number of different mechanisms of immune dysfunction in cancer and therapeutic approaches to their correction. This includes the number of novel mechanisms that has never before been discussed in previous monographs. The last decades were characterized by substantial progress in the understanding of the role of the immune system in tumor progression. Researchers have learned how to manipulate the immune system to generate tumor specific immune response, which raises high expectations for immunotherapy to provide breakthroughs in cancer treatment. It is increasingly clear that tumor-induced abnormalities in the immune system not only hampers natural tumor immune surveillance, but also limits the effect of cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, it is critically important to understand the mechanisms of tumor-induced immune suppression to make any progress in the field and this monograph provides these important insights.

This volume is composed of chapters that review important fundamental aspects of HCV biology and disease pathogenesis including, for example, the discovery and identification of the HCV genome, early virus-cell interactions including identification of various cellular receptors, HCV gene expression studied using the HCV replicon system, identification and characterization of HCV structural- and non-structural HCV proteins, HCV replication in cultured cells, and host factors involved in viral replication. This volume also contains chapters dealing with immunity to HCV infection and pathogenesis. This is particularly important in understanding hepatitis C because HCV infection alone is not cell lytic. Mechanisms underlying the persistent nature of HCV infection are also discussed in these chapters. Many of the authors published articles that were listed among the "top 10 papers" published in the 24 years since HCV was discovered in 1989. Their citations are above 1,000 (Web of Science). The authors describe the background and significance of their contributions to the field in the context of findings from other research groups.

Applications of High Resolution Mass Spectrometry: Food Safety and Pesticide Residue Analysis is the first book to offer complete coverage of all aspects of high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) used for the analysis of pesticide residue in food. Aimed at researchers and graduate students in food safety, toxicology, and analytical chemistry, the book equips readers with foundational knowledge of HRMS, including established and state-of-the-art principles and analysis strategies. Additionally, it provides a roadmap for implementation, including discussions of the latest instrumentation and software available. Detailed coverage is given to the application of HRMS coupled to ultra high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-HRMS) in the analysis of pesticide residue in fruits and vegetables and food from animal origin. The book also discusses extraction procedures and the challenges of sample preparation, gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry, flow injection-HRMS, ambient ionization, and identification of pesticide transformation products in food. Responding to the fast development and application of these new procedures, this book is an essential resource in the food safety field.

Echinococcus and Echinococcosis, Part B, Volume 96 presents a complete synthesis on what is known about the parasitic cestode echinococcus and the disease it causes, echinococcosis (Hydatid Disease), demonstrating that, in addition to its medical, veterinary, and economic significance, it is also an intriguing biological phenomenon. Both parts build on the success of a previous volume-Echinococcus and Hydatid Disease, edited by R.C.A. Thompson and A.J. Lymbery, and published by CAB International-that details the major advances that have taken place since its release. The book remains the only comprehensive account embracing virtually all aspects of echinococcus and the disease it causes. The links between laboratory knowledge and field applications are emphasized throughout the volumes. Consequently, research workers, teachers, students of parasitology, clinicians, and field workers will find this work an indispensable source of information.

Ebola's Curse: 2013-2016 Outbreak in West Africa is about hemorrhagic fever viruses, especially Ebola, its initial origin in central Africa 1976, its unprecedented appearance in West Africa in 2013. The book records in sequence and detective style how the initial outbreak of Ebola from the index case in rural Guinea traveled to Sierra Leone, the work and fate of those working in the Kenema Government Hospital (KGH) isolation ward in Sierra Leone. The book provides vignettes of the three main players involved with Ebola at KGH, Sheik Khan, Pardis Sabeti, and Robert Garry. Khan was the head of the unit, declared a national hero by his Sierra Leone government. He died fighting Ebola and was/is recognized in the USA by American societies by awards created for his historic work and death. Pardis Sabeti, a geneticist from Harvard and Broad MIT Institute, who was honored as a "Scientist of the Year" by Time Magazine and the Smithsonian Institute. Robert Garry, head of the operation to fight hemorrhagic fevers and Ebola, shuttled between Tulane University, KGH, and The White House to make aware through the press and others the dilemma and tragedy that was unfolding, and the need to obtain additional medical and health care support and supplies. Sabeti and Garry currently work with Oldstone on Ebola at KGH and thus personal communication and knowledge was/is available to the author for the book.

This book discusses recent advances in our understanding of the role of oxidants in microbial pathophysiology, providing valuable insights into the complex role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in host-microbial interactions. The various chapters take readers through the function of ROS in infections ranging from viral to bacterial, and describe how microorganisms have developed complex strategies to not only avoid contact with phagocyte-derived oxidants, but also protect themselves from injury when oxidants are encountered. Featuring the latest research in the field of microbial diseases, this timely book is a ready reference for scientists looking to develop new anti-microbial drugs.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a human gamma herpes virus that is best known for being the causative agent of infectious mononucleosis in man. A fascinating feature of this virus is its ability to persist in the host, and it is estimated that more than 95% of adults are carriers of the virus. Importantly, EBV can transform latently infected primary cells from healthy individuals into cancerous ones, thereby causing important human cancers such as B-cell neoplasms (e.g. Burkitt's lymphoma and Post-transplant lymphomas), certain forms of T-cell lymphoma, and some epithelial tumors (e.g. gastric carcinomas). Understanding viral latency, what triggers viral reactivation and the mechanism of transformation of normal host cells into malignant cells are critical for the development of strategies for the prevention and control of this intriguing virus and related cancers. In this book, expert EBV virologists comprehensively review this important subject from a genetic, biochemical, immunological, and cell biological perspective. Topics include: latent infections, EBV leader protein, EBNA-1 in viral DNA replication and persistence, EBNA-2 in transcription activation of viral and cellular genes, the nuclear antigen family 3 in regulation of cellular processes, molecular profiles of EBV latently infected cells, latent membrane protein 1 oncoprotein, regulation of latency by LMP2A, role of noncoding RNAs in EBV-induced cell growth and transformation, and the regulation of EBV latency by viral lytic proteins. This book is essential reading for all EBV virologists, as well as clinical and basic scientists working on oncogenic viruses.

This book offers a unique perspective on the invisible organ, a body part that has been visualized only recently. It guides the readers into the world of the microbial constituents that make humans the way they are. The vitamins they produce, the smell they generate, the signals they create, and the molecular guards they elaborate are some of the benefits they bestow on humans. After introducing the notion as to why microbes are an integral component in the development of humans, the book examines the genesis of the microbiome and describes how the resident bacteria work in partnership with the skin, digestive tract, sexual organs, mouth and lungs to execute vital physiological functions. It then discusses the diseases that are triggered by the disruption of the harmonious relationships amongst these diverse systems and provides microbial cures to ailments such as obesity and digestive complications. Finally, the book focuses on the future when the workings of the human microbes will be fully unravelled. Societal changes in health education, the establishment of the microbiome bank, the fight against hunger, space travel, designer traits and enhanced security are explained. Each chapter is accompanied by captivating illustrations and ends with a visual summary. Dr. Appanna has been researching for over 30 years on various aspects of microbial and human cellular systems. He is a professor of biochemistry and has also served as Department Chair and Dean of the Faculty at Laurentian University, Sudbury, Canada. The book is aimed at readers enrolled in medical, chiropractic, nursing, pharmacy, and health science programs. Practicing health-care professionals and continuing education learners will also find the content beneficial.

This books brings together multi-disciplinary expertise to provide comprehensive information about molecular imaging of infectious diseases. Also described are the development of new imaging technologies for infectious disease and their translation to the clinic. The overall goal of Imaging Infections: From Bench to Bedside is to spur interest and innovation in this emerging field. We anticipate that these technologies will not only allow unique insights into understanding pathogenesis of infections but also expedite bench-to-bedside translation of new therapeutics. While molecular imaging is already in common use in the clinic, this book demonstrates how it could also become a valuable tool for clinical studies, patient care, public health, and for enabling precision medicine for infectious diseases.

Caliciviruses are positive-sense, single stranded RNA viruses containing four recognized genera: Norovirus, Sapovirus, Lagovirus, and Vesivirus. They are ubiquitous in the environment and are a major cause of disease in humans as well as many animals. Examples include Norwalk virus - a norovirus, thought to be responsible for roughly 90% of epidemic, non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis in humans around the world. The lack of a suitable cell culture system for human caliciviruses has limited studies in previous decades, however the recent application of modern genomic technologies has revolutionized the field, leading to an explosion in calicivirus publications. In this book, a panel of experts distil the most important up-to-date research findings in their respective calicivirus field of study, producing timely and comprehensive reviews. Each chapter gives the reader a brief introduction to the topic, followed by a descriptive discussion of the past and present research areas. Topics include: norovirus epidemiology * calicivirus contamination of the environment * genome organization and recombination, proteolytic cleavage, and viral proteins * viral protein structures * virus-host interactions * calicivirus reverse genetics and replicon systems * feline calicivirus * swine calicivirus * murine norovirus pathogenesis and immunity * murine norovirus translation, replication, and reverse genetics * and lagoviruses. This book will be essential reading for all virologists working on caliciviruses and related viruses and is recommended for all virology, immunology, and molecular biology laboratories.

A fully comprehensive and up-to-date edition covering all aspects of Acanthamoeba biology. Following the success of the first edition of this book, the author has extensively revised and expanded the text to produce a new volume that includes all the latest research and information on every aspect of this organism. There is a particular emphasis on the Acanthamoeba genome sequence and the novel insights gained from the application of molecular methods to Acanthamoeba developmental and cellular biology in terms of metabolism and morphogenesis, classification, ecology and role in the ecosystem, host-pathogen interactions, virulence factors and immunological basis of pathogenesis, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment, new target development and drug resistance and its interactions with other microbes in the environment. This new edition is an essential reference text for parasitologists, microbiologists, immunologists, and physicians in the field of basic and medical microbiology, as well as an invaluable reference for new and experienced researchers who wish to understand this organism better. This book is the definitive guide to current research on this increasingly important organism.

This issue of the Surgical Pathology Clinics entitled "Molecular Pathology: Predictive, Prognostic, and Diagnostic Markers in Tumors" is being edited by Dr. Lynette Sholl and will cover molecular pathology in a wide array of anatomic locations including, salivary gland, lung, bladder, glioma, endometrium, colon, pancreaticobiliary tract, sarcoma, myeloid neoplasams, and lymphomas.

Michael Sand gives the reader an overview of current techniques in expression profiling of miRNAs and their maturation machinery in the skin. This book is a postdoctoral thesis on miRNAs in cutaneous malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer with a focus on the miRNA processing machinery and miRNA expression profiling. The research presented in this book was performed in the Dermatologic Surgery Section at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany and gives the reader an overview of current techniques in expression profiling of miRNAs and their maturation machinery in the skin.

Childhood acute leukemias are one of the main causes of death in children aged 1 to 14 years in some countries; and unfortunately, we have been unable to prevent it. Certainly, a good parcel of it is due to the poor understanding about its etiology. This book aims to describe the most important theories and hypothesis regarding childhood acute leukemia. Written by the most outstanding researchers in the field, this book intends to contribute to a greater understanding of the etiology of this disease. It goes beyond the simple and common analysis of risk factors, which hardly allows us to draw definite conclusions. By addressing the etiology of the disease, discussing from molecular biology until epidemiology and clinical manifestations, this book will guide present and future approaches, contributing for a better clinical management of leukemia in children. The knowledge regarding etiology is a crucial step for a better evaluation, prevention and treatment of a disease. Thus, this book finally intends to provide such knowledge, allowing physicians and practitioners to a better manage of childhood acute leukemias.

Dr. George Fedoriw leads the second issue presented in the Surgical Pathology Clinics on Hematopathology. Topics in this issue include: Evidence-based, high-value hematopathology; The expanding spectrum of follicular lymphoma; Lymphoid proliferations in the immunocompromised host; Reporting clinically relevant biomarkers of intermediate/high grade B-cell lymphomas; Transformation of lymphomas; T-cell lymphoproliferations: distinguishing benign from malignant; Lymphoma microenvironment and immunotherapy; Differentiating low grade lymphomas with non-specific immunophenotype; Molecular markers of myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes; Update of myeloproliferative neoplasms; Mimics of myeloid neoplasms; Therapy effect: impact on bone marrow morphology. Each topic is written by a leader in pathology with expertise in hematopathology. The focus on these articles, as all in the series, is on Differential Diagnosis, with histologic images and tips for working with the most challenging aspects of these pathologies.

Anaerobic parasitic protozoa cause medically and economically important diseases - such as dysentery, sexually transmitted infections, and gastroenteritis - that annually affect millions of people worldwide. Recently, the genomes of the three key anaerobic protozoa - Trichomonas, Giardia, and Entamoeba - have been determined. The availability of these genomic data and the use of post-genomic analyses have provided fascinating new insights into the biology of these important parasites. They will be important for the design of novel anti-protozoan drugs and the development of effective vaccines. In this book, internationally acclaimed researchers critically review the most important aspects of research on anaerobic parasitic protozoa, providing the first coherent picture of their genomics and molecular biology since the publication of the genomes. Chapters are written from a molecular and genomic perspective and contain speculative models upon which future research efforts can be based. Topics include: the genomes of Entamoeba histolytica, Trichomonas vaginalis, Giardia, and other diplomonads; the cytoskeletons of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Trichomonas vaginalis; genomic analyses and manipulation of gene expression in Entamoeba histolytica; nuclear and chromosomal structure and replication in Giardia; and the mitochondrion-like organelles of a fourth anaerobe, Blastocystis. The book is essential reading for all researchers working with these protozoa and related organisms and with eukaryotic model organisms. It is recommended for all parasitology laboratories.

This issue of Surgical Pathology Clinics is devoted to Soft Tissue Tumors, the first in this series was presented in 2011. This issue addresses the most difficult diagnostic challenges and focuses on differential diagnosis in soft tissue tumors. Each presentation is accompanied by abundant histologic slides to display the diagnostic differences. Additionally, authors selected two to five diagnoses they find can be particularly difficult, with an emphasis on how to approach such lesions on biopsy samples where relevant and the role of ancillary studies. Topics include coverage of diagnostically challenging: Vascular lesions; Retroperitoneal "Fatty" tumors of adults; Smooth muscle neoplasms; Chondro-osseous lesions of soft tissue; Pediatric tumors; Epithelioid tumors; Spindle cell neoplasms of the retroperitoneum; and Peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Also presented are: Non-mesenchymal mimics of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors; Soft tissue tumors with overlapping molecular findings; Recently characterized soft tissue tumors; Benign mimics of sarcoma; Advances in molecular methods in the analysis of soft tissue tumors and therapeutic implications; and Myoepithelial tumors: an update. Leona Doyle and Karen Fritchie lead this issue of experts in soft tissue pathology.

Neuropathology of Drug Addictions and Substance Misuse, Volume 2: Stimulants, Club and Dissociative Drugs, Hallucinogens, Steroids, Inhalants and International Aspects is the second of three volumes in this informative series and offers a comprehensive examination of the adverse consequences of the most common drugs of abuse. Each volume serves to update the reader's knowledge on the broader field of addiction as well as to deepen understanding of specific addictive substances. Volume 2 addresses stimulants, club and dissociative drugs, hallucinogens, and inhalants and solvents. Each section provides data on the general, molecular and cellular, and structural and functional neurological aspects of a given substance, with a focus on the adverse consequences of addictions. Research shows that the neuropathological features of one addiction are often applicable to those of others, and understanding these commonalties provides a platform for studying specific addictions in more depth and may ultimately lead researchers toward new modes of understanding, causation, prevention, and treatment. However, marshalling data on the complex relationships between addictions is difficult due to the myriad material and substances.