This volume, derived from Encyclopedia of Virology, provides an overview of the development of virology during the last ten years. Entries detail the nature, origin, phylogeny and evolution of viruses. It then moves into a summary of our understanding of the structure and assembly of virus particles and describes how this knowledge was obtained. Genetic material of viruses and the different mechanisms used by viruses to infect and replicate in their host cells are highlighted. The volume is rounded out with an overview of some major groups of viruses with particular attention being given to our current knowledge of their molecular biology.
The most comprehensive single-volume source providing an overview of virology to non-specialists
Bridges the gap between basic undergraduate texts and specialized reviews
Concise and general overviews of important topics within the field will help when preparing for lectures, writing reports, or drafting grant applications

This volume contains 82 chapters that provide detail and understanding to the fields of human and medical virology. The first section describes general features of common human viruses with specialized chapters related to HIV/AIDS. The volume goes on to describe exotic virus infections, including one now eradicated virus (smallpox) and some now controlled by vaccination such as yellow fever. Concepts of medical virology are further developed with entries on viruses associated with oncogenesis and selections of interest to medical virology.
The most comprehensive single-volume source providing an overview of virology issues related to human and medical applications
Bridges the gap between basic undergraduate texts and specialized reviews
Concise and general overviews of important topics within the field will help in preparation of lectures, writing reports, or drafting grant applications

The third and final installment of Daniel J. Klionsky's new three-volume treatment of autophagy, this volume focuses on monitoring autophagy with regard to disease connections, and presents methods that can be used to analyze autophagy in clinical samples. Edited by one of the leading authorities in the field, this volume and its companion volumes, Autophagy: Lower Eukaryotes and Autophagy in Mammalian Systems, provide a comprehensive overview of the techniques involved in studying autophagy in eukaryotes and simple animal systems, mammalian cells and non-human animals, and humans.
Particularly in times of stress, like starvation and disease, higher organisms have an internal mechanism in their cells for chewing up and recycling parts of themselves. The process of internal house cleaning in the cell is called autophagy - literally self-eating. In the future, research in this field will help to design clinical approaches that can turn on autophagy and halt tumor growth.
* Provides an overview of autophagy in regards to humans, specifically regarding disease connections and clinical samples.
* Includes methods to evaluate the role of autophagy in the drug-induced cell death of cancer cells in culture
*Presents reliable methods that, in this relatively new field, allow the reader to find appropriate techniques to identify, monitor, and quantify autophagic processes"

The Tropics are home to the greatest biodiversity in the world, but tropical species are at risk due to anthropogenic activities, mainly land use change, habitat loss, invasive species, and pathogens. Over the past 20 years, the avian malaria and related parasites (Order: Haemosporida) systems have received increased attention in the tropical regions from a diverse array of research perspectives. However, to date no attempts have been made to synthesize the available information and to propose new lines of research. This book provides such a synthesis by not only focusing on the antagonistic interactions, but also by providing conceptual chapters on topics going from avian haemosporidians life cycles and study techniques, to chapters addressing current concepts on ecology and evolution. For example, a chapter synthesizing basic biogeography and ecological niche model concepts is presented, followed by one on the island biogeography of avian haemosporidians. Accordingly, researchers and professionals interested in these antagonistic interaction systems will find both an overview of the field with special emphasis on the tropics, and access to the necessary conceptual framework for various topics in ecology, evolution and systematics. Given its conceptual perspective, the book will appeal not only to readers interested in avian haemosporidians, but also to those more generally interested in the ecology, evolution and systematics of host-parasite interactions.

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

This is the first English-language book dedicated to Brazilian sand flies and their medical importance. No other country has so many species of these haematophagous insects as Brazil and their diversity has reached an astonishing level. The book contains comprehensive chapters, written by Brazilian experts on their regional distribution, their ecology and their importance as vectors of pathogens and parasites. Methods for sampling, processing and preserving phlebotomines are reviewed as are perspectives on surveillance and leishmaniasis vector control. A novel classification is presented whose aim is to help investigators identify the species that they are working with more efficiently.

Malaria has defeated previous efforts at eradication and remains a massive global public health problem despite being readily preventable and treatable. It is a devastating disease that also extracts huge economic costs from the poorest countries in endemic regions. Starting with an overview of the disease and its current political, financial and technical context, this Milestones in Drug Therapy volume describes the history, chemistry, mechanisms of action and resistance, preclinical and clinical use, pharmacokinetics and safety and tolerability of the current range of antimalarial drugs. There is particular emphasis on artemisinins and related peroxides, as these drugs have now become the frontline treatment for malaria. Next generation antimalarials, molecular markers for detecting resistance, the importance of diagnostics and disease prevention are also covered in detail.

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

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

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

This book presents the latest information on canine parasites with zoonotic potential, to help avoid human infections. Compiled by international specialists, it covers protozoa, ectoparasites and helminth species of clinical importance in dogs, as well as the state of the art in diagnosis, preventive measures and potentially necessary treatment schemes. Dogs are commonly kept in families around the world and can predispose their human companions to disease. Updating and deepening insights from other specialist literature, the book is intended for practitioners and scientists alike. It also offers practical guidance for veterinary and human physicians and highlights unexplored research areas, making it a valuable resource for students and educated non-experts with an interest in parasitology, infectiology and zoonotic pet diseases.

While the basic principles of personalized medicine and pharmacogenomics have been covered by numerous texts, there are none to date that focus on the specific tests themselves that are in current clinical practice and those that are being proposed for implementation in the near future. Pharmacogenomic Testing in Current Clinical Practice: Implementation in the Clinical Laboratory focuses almost entirely on the specifics of each test that is needed to implement these tests into a clinical laboratory. This volume presents the first compilation of the tests currently in routine clinical use. The chapter authors of this unique and invaluable title comprise a range of renowned authorities and investigators who have conducted the essential clinical trials necessary to justify pharmacogenomic testing today. The book is divided into four parts: Basic Concepts, Specific Pharmacogenomic Targets, Drugs that Cause Delayed Hypersensitivity, and Miscellaneous Drugs. Each author provides a pharmacologic background on the target drug, the need for pharmacogenomic testing, and how results can be translated into clinical decisions. Where appropriate, case studies are given to illustrate typical clinical scenarios. An extensive bibliography is provided so that the reader can refer to the original studies. This well-designed resource will appeal to clinical laboratory directors who are contemplating or assigned the task of establishing a pharmacogenomics laboratory and a wide range of clinicians who must interpret results of testing. Focused and immensely useful, Pharmacogenomic Testing in Current Clinical Practice: Implementation in the Clinical Laboratory is a timely and outstanding contribution to the literature and will be instrumental in defining this rapidly growing field.

The aim of this book is to give an in-depth assessment of our current understanding of the Biology of the main fungal pathogens and how they interact with the host 's immune response. Each chapter focuses on a specific fungal pathogen or group of pathogens, and examines their biology and the factors that allow the fungus to colonize and disseminate within the host. The chapters are written by internationally recognized experts in the field.

Many diseases earlier considered to be incurable are now being treated with modern innovations involving fetal tissue transplants and stem cells derived from fetal tissues. Fetal tissues are the richest source of fetal stem cells as well as other varying states of differentiated cells and support or stromal cells. The activity of such stem cells is at their peak provided they are given the correct niche. Stem cells, as we know, are immortal cells with the capacity to regenerate into any kind of differentiated cell as per niche-guidance. As such, fetal tissues have the potential capacity to mend, regenerate and repair damaged cells or tissues in adults, when directly transplanted to the site of injury, or even when transplanted in some other site, because it may have a homing capacity to migrate to the site of the specific injured organ. This is a new area of translational research and needs to be highlighted because of its immense potential. This book will bring together the new work of prominent medical scientists and clinicians who are conducting pioneering research in human fetal tissue transplantation. This will include direct transplant of healthy fetal tissue into mature patients as well as in hosts with genetic diseases. Transplant techniques, donor-host interaction, cell and tissue storage, ethical and legal issues, are some of the many matters which the book will deal with.

This volume provides an overview of recent advances in our understanding of the biology of marburg- and ebolaviruses. It focuses on four essential areas: 1) ecology, outbreaks and clinical management, 2) disease, pathogenesis and protection, 3) virus replication inside the cell, and 4) molecular tools for virus study and taxonomy. For 50 years, these viruses have spilled over sporadically and without warning from their wildlife reservoirs, often causing major outbreaks and high fatalities. The consequences can be devastating, with a clear potential for global reach, as demonstrated by the 2013 West African outbreak of Ebola virus, which led to over 28,000 reported cases across three continents and more than 11,000 deaths. Given the international threat posed by these viruses, the pace and scope of basic research have also greatly intensified, ranging from studies of virus emergence, epidemiology, antiviral countermeasures and human disease to detailed mechanistic studies of virus entry, replication, virion assembly and protein structure. Written by internationally respected experts, this book will appeal to a wide audience and be a valuable resource for basic researchers, clinicians and advanced students alike.

As a result to the recent significant developments, both in the field of cutaneous pathology and clinical dermatology, many cutaneous neural tumors s are now being diagnosed by specialists like dermatopathologists, and treated by dermatologists or dermatologic surgeons. Cutaneous Neural Neoplasms provides an essential aid in diagnosis by discussing the cardinal clinico-pathologic features of cutaneous tumors relevant to these specialists. It covers detailed pathologic features, and their differential diagnosis. Applicable special diagnostic techniques are extensively illustrated. Whenever relevant, key therapeutic recommendations are provided. Unique topics covered include; Discussion of plexiform neural tumors and their imitators, with special relevance to neurofibromatosis Neoplasms with atypical microscopic features, but benign clinical behavior, which are often misdiagnosed as malignant tumors New developments in cutaneous neural tumor diagnosis and recently described neural tumors The authors approach each entity by presenting clinical and/or gross photographs when relevant with discussion of the clinical features, followed by the tabulated list of key pathologic features with corresponding histopathologic illustrations. Therapeutic recommendations are summarized. This book is intended to fill a major gap in the currently available resources for practicing physicians, and will provide them with an appropriate knowledge base to handle these challenging tumors in the most up-to-date fashion.

After the discovery of milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8) about two decades ago, a new era of delineating its potential beneficial role in several inflammatory diseases has begun to spout from the bench to translational research. In MFG-E8 and Inflammation, the editor and contributors have gathered a remarkable collection covering novel discoveries on the rapidly growing field of MFG-E8 and Inflammation which includes not only the findings from their individual lobotomies, but also from a host of pioneering researchers of this field. MFG-E8 and Inflammation starts by describing the origin, structure, expression, functions and regulation of MFG-E8, and then continues thoughtfully exploring its potentiality as a marker for apoptotic, stressed and activated cells. The topics cover the cellular and physiological function of MFG-E8, especially its role in efficient phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, intestinal barrier function, blood cell homeostasis and coagulation, and in the maintenance of the intact vascular system. The role of MFG-E8 in macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, platelets, as well as non-hematopoietic cells is adequately described in the book. The chapters also contain several lucid discussions on the recent discoveries of the roles of MFG-E8 in the autoimmune diseases, sepsis, tissue ischemia-reperfusion, hemorrhage, inflammatory bowel diseases, acute lung injury, asthma, lung fibrosis, stroke, prion diseases and Alzheimer's diseases with the potential focus on elucidating novel mechanistic pathways. MFG-E8 and Inflammation is an indispensable resource for scientists and clinical researchers working on fundamental or applied aspects of MFG-E8 pathobiology. This book explores, dissects and reviews several noteworthy findings and striking future perspectives which not only rewrite the disease pathophysiology, but also update our understanding towards attaining novel therapeutic potentials against various inflammatory diseases.

First published in 1963, " Advances in Parasitology" contains comprehensive and up-to-date reviews in all areas of interest in contemporary parasitology.
"Advances in Parasitology" includes medical studies on parasites of major influence, such as "Plasmodium falciparum" and trypanosomes. The series also contains reviews of more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy, and life history, which shape current thinking and applications.
Eclectic volumes are supplemented by thematic volumes on various topics including Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems in Epidemiology and The Evolution of Parasitism--A phylogenetic perspective.

From the first detailed clinical description of the disease in the Midwestern United States in 1918, to the isolation of the causative agent, the first of any influenza virus, in 1930to its role in the genesis of the 2009 human pandemic, swine have played a central role in the ecology of influenza. Although not considered the major natural reservoir for influenza A viruses, swine are host to a limited but dynamic assortment of viruses. A number of subtypes of influenza A viruses of human and avian origin, including H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H7, and H9, have been isolated from global swine populations. Most of these isolations have, however, been limited in number and it is only H1 and H3 influenza viruses that are known to have formed stable lineages in swine. In this respect, swine influenza viruses (SIV) are similar to their counterparts in humans where H1 and H3 viruses have also been maintained. The nature of these H1 and H3 viruses differ between the two host populations, however, and, as discussed throughout this book, are even different in swine populations in different geographic regions of the world due to multiple introductions of avian and human influenza viruses.

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This second edition updates the burgeoning field of regeneration in the Central Nervous System (CNS) from molecular, systems, and disease-based perspective. While the book covers numerous areas in detail, special emphasis is given to discussions of movement disorders such as Parkinson s disease, Alzheimer s disease, and spinal cord injury.
* Incorporates information gained from cutting-edge photomicroscopy techniques
* Includes current information on clinical trials
* Presents chapters on stem cells and other novel treatments for diseases of the CNS

This volume reviews the current understanding of the taxonomy, disease syndromes, genetics, biology, and pathogenic factors of Histophilus somni, as well as the host immune response to this pathogen. H. somni is one of the most important bacterial pathogens in cattle and other ruminants, and its virulence factors are highly conserved with Haemophilus influenzae and other members of the Pasteurellaceae. H. somni has been recognized as a major cause of thrombotic meningoencephalitis, respiratory disease syndromes, myocarditis, reproductive disease syndromes, polyarthritis, mastitis, ocular disease, and septicemia. The only known habitats of H. somni are the mucosal surfaces of ruminants, making this bacterium an opportunistic pathogen. Although it is capable of causing inflammation at systemic sites and is toxic to epithelial and phagocytic cells, the bacterium's wide array of virulence factors act primarily as a defense against, or to escape recognition from, host innate and adaptive immunity.

SARS was the ?rst new plague of the twenty-?rst century. Within months, it spread worldwide from its "birthplace" in Guangdong Province, China, affecting over 8,000 people in 25 countries and territories across ?ve continents. SARS exposed the vulnerability of our modern globalised world to the spread of a new emerging infection. SARS (or a similar new emerging disease) could neither have spread so rapidly nor had such a great global impact even 50 years ago, and arguably, it was itself a product of our global inter-connectedness. Increasing af?uence and a demand for wild-game as exotic food led to the development of large trade of live animal and game animal markets where many species of wild and domestic animals were co-housed, providing the ideal opportunities for inter-species tra- mission of viruses and other microbes. Once such a virus jumped species and attacked humans, the increased human mobility allowed the virus the opportunity for rapid spread. An infected patient from Guangdong who stayed for one day at a hotel in Hong Kong led to the transmission of the disease to 16 other guests who travelled on to seed outbreaks of the disease in Toronto, Singapore, and Vietnam, as well as within Hong Kong itself. The virus exploited the practices used in modern intensive care of patients with severe respiratory disease and the weakness in infection control practices within our health care systems to cause outbreaks within hospitals, further amplifying the spread of the disease. Health-care itself has become a two-edged sword.

Reports on the emergence and prevalence of resistant bacterial infections in hospitals and communities raise concerns that we may soon no longer be able to rely on antibiotics as a way to control infectious diseases. Effective medical care would require the constant introduction of novel antibiotics to keep up in the "arms race" with resistant pathogens. This book closely examines the latest developments in the field of antibacterial research and development. It starts with an overview of the growing prevalence of resistant Gram-positive and Gram- negative pathogens, including their various resistance mechanisms, prevalence, risk factors and therapeutic options. The focus then shifts to a comprehensive description of all major chemical classes with antibacterial properties, their chemistry, mode of action, and the generation of analogs; information that provides the basis for the design of improved molecules to defeat microbial infections and combat the emerging resistances. In closing, recently developed compounds already in clinical use, those in preclinical or first clinical studies, and a number of promising targets to be exploited in the discovery stage are discussed.