This detailed volume presents protocols for advancing the utility of nanotechnology in cancer research toward improving our understanding of cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. There are continuous new discoveries in the field of nanotechnology, thus creating new imaging systems or therapies, and this book focuses on how to employ certain discoveries for studying cancer by presenting principles along with techniques to allow for the transformation of any new discoveries in the field into cancer-studying tools with the hope of bringing in the involvement of biomedical scientists who can enhance the speed of discoveries toward cancer diagnosis and therapy. 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 motivating, Cancer Nanotechnology: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal resource for biomedical scientists interested in the potential of this field as well as for physical scientists and engineers interested in employing nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis and therapy.

The notion that contaminated environments in hospital settings significantly contribute to the risk of an individual acquiring an infection while hospitalized is continuously gaining recognition by the medical community. There is a clear correlation between the environmental bioburden present in a clinical setting and the risk of patients acquiring an infection. Thus using self-disinfecting surfaces can be a very important adjunct in the fight against nosocomial pathogens.

This book reviews the increasing evidence that contaminated non-intrusive soft and hard surfaces located in the clinical surroundings are a source of nosocomial pathogens and focuses on the utility of copper containing materials in reducing bioburden and fighting hospital acquired infections. It also reviews other biocidal surface alternatives and the economics of using biocidal surfaces in a hospital environment. Finally, it discusses the pros and cons of existent disinfection modalities other than biocidal surfaces.

In recent years, the need to develop acceptable alternatives to conventional animal testing for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity has been increasingly recognized, and much effort is being directed toward the development of alternative models, utilizing mostly mammalian cells in culture but also non-mammalian model systems. "In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Methods and Protocols" presents a series of cellular, biochemical, and molecular methodological protocols in the area of in vitro neurotoxicology, with an emphasis on mammalian cell culture systems. Opening with a section on methodologies for preparing several cellular systems of variable complexity, amenable for in vitro neurotoxicological studies, the thorough volume continues with coverage of methods to measure cellular death and major mechanisms, methods for assessing mechanisms of nervous system cell toxicity related to impairment of cell signaling, while a final section illustrates additional methods for assessing important nervous system processes such as cell proliferation, neuritogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, "In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Methods and Protocols" serves researchers with an interest in assessing or characterizing the potential neurotoxicity of environmental contaminants, drugs, or other chemicals."

Implications of Resource-Ratio Theory for Microbial Ecology; V.H. Smith. 13C Tracer Methodology in Microbial Ecology with Special Reference to Primary Production Processes in Aquatic Environments; T. Hama, et al. Sex in Ciliates; F. Dini, D. Nyberg. Microbial Ecology in Lake Ciso; C. PedroAlio, R. Guerrero. Biological Activities of Symbiotic and Parasitic Protists in Low Oxygen Environments; A.G. Williams, D. Lloyd. Polymorphism in Bacteria; P.B. Rainey, et al. Decomposition of Shoots of a Saltmarsh Grass; S.Y. Newell. Dynamics of Autotrophic Picoplankton in Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems; T. Weisse. Bacterial Growth Rates and Production As Determined by [3HMethyl]thymidine? R.D. Robarts, T. Zohary. Index.

Mast cells are versatile, tissue-homing secretory cells, which were first described by Paul Ehrlich in 1878. Mast cells have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic reactions and certain protective responses to parasites. Their functional role, however, has been discovered to be increasingly complex and multifarious. Mast cells have been implicated in various cell-mediated immune reactions, being found in tissues from multiple disease sites, and as a component of the host reaction to bacteria, parasite, and even virus infections. They have also been shown to participate to angiogenic and tissue repair processes after injury. The importance of a possible functional link between chronic inflammation and cancer has long been recognized. As most tumours contain inflammatory cell infiltrates, which often include plentiful mast cells, the question as to the possible contribution of mast cells to tumour development has progressively been emerged. In this book, the general biology of these cells, their development, anatomical distribution and phenotype as well as their secretory products will first be discussed. The biology of tumour cells, their structural and molecular characteristics, the specificity of the tumour microenvironment and the development of a vascular network in the tumour context will be analyzed. The involvement of mast cells in tumour biology and tumour fate will then be considered, with particular emphasis on the capacity of these cells to stimulate tumour growth by promoting angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The last chapter suggest that mast cells may serve as a novel therapeutic target for cancer treatment.

The currently available means of combating fungal infections are weak and clumsy. The application of fungal genomics offers an unparalleled opportunity to develop novel antifungal drugs. Interestingly, several novel antifungal drug targets have already been identified and validated. However, it is premature to expect a novel antifungal agent in clinical setting as drug discovery programs are still in their infancy. In addition to classical and genomic approaches to drug discovery, treasure trove based on natural products and phytomedicine can provide a multitude of alternative modes of combating fungal infection. This book incisively addresses essential topics on various aspects pertaining to fungal diseases in human and animals, their reservoir, fungal pathogenesis, their management and recent advances in their treatment. Issues of antifungal drug toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity, are also discussed. The development of resistance in fungal pathogens, including multidrug resistance and its mechanism, is dealt with in two chapters. Diverse diagnostic approaches to fungal infections are also reviewed. The combinational drug strategies used in combating invasive fungal infections are addressed in detail. The management of pulmonary mycoses in stem cell transplantation is also given special focus. Novel antifungal drugs (synthetic and herbal), fungal vaccines, and metabolic pathways as drug targets are discussed in detail in three different chapters. Subsequently the roles of innate immunity, cytokine therapy and immunomodulators in the treatment of fungal infections are elaborated upon. As novel drug delivery systems have a great potential for modifying the pharmacokinetics of medications, the last chapter takes this fact into consideration in its examination of state-of-the-art delivery systems in controlling fungal infections.

Presenting contributions by 66 experts representing 13 countries, Volume 10 of the series Stem Cells and Cancer Stem Cells synthesizes current understanding of the causes, diagnosis, and therapy of major human diseases and debilitating tissue and organ injuries, using cell-based treatment. This volume presents contemporary research into generation, preservation, and uses of stem cells in fighting disease and tissue/organ injuries.

The contents of the volume are organized into five sections. Mesenchymal Stem Cells section includes chapters on the use of stem cells in bone regeneration, studies and trials of stem cells in autoimmune diseases, and differences between adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells as regulators of immune response. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells section offers chapters on drug discovery using human IPSC-based disease models, and on generation of antigen-specific lymphocytes from IPSCs. Neural Cells and Neural Stem Cells section discusses use of bacterial artificial chromosomes in the genetic identification of stem cell-derived neural cell types, and use of moderate low temperature to preserve the stemness of neural stem cells. The section, Role of Stem Cells in Disease, discusses stem cell support in high-dose chemotherapy of Non-Hodgkin s Lymphomas; potential targets for drug resistant leukemic stem cells, bone marrow stem cell therapies for diabetes mellitus. This section also discusses the use of stem cells in treating thyroid, breast and bone cancers, hempophilia and Parkinson s Disease. The section, Stem Cell Transplantation, includes chapters on reducing fungal infection in allogenic stem cell transplantation patients, use of Bulsufan/Fludarabine for conditioning in haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and interleukin-7 receptor alpha polymorphisms in allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

The editor, M.A. Hayat, is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Biological, Sciences at Kean University, Union, New Jersey, USA.

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The study of viruses necessarily involves dissecting the intimate details of cellular pathways. Viruses have often been employed as tools in studying cellular pathways, as was done by early retrovirologists such as Peyton Rous in attempting to understand the mechanism of cellular transformation and oncogenesis. On the other side of the coin, virologists seek to de?ne those cellular elements interacting intimatelywiththeir virus ofinterestinorder to better understand viral replication itself, and in some cases to develop antiviral strategies. It is in the intersection of virology and cell biology that many of us ?nd the most rewarding aspects of our research. When a new discovery yields insights into basic cellular mechanisms and presents new targets for int- vention to ?ght a serious pathogen, the impact can be high and the excitement intense. HIV has been no exception to the rule that viruses reveal many basic aspects of cellular biology. In recent years, in part because of the importance of HIV as a major cause of human suffering, numerous cellular processes have been elucidated through work on processes or proteins of this human retrovirus. The excitement in this ?eld is especially well illustrated by the discovery of new innate means of resisting viral replication, such as the work on APOBEC3G, TRIM5a, and BST-2/ tetherin presented in this volume.

This two-volume work covers the molecular and cell biology, genetics and evolution of influenza viruses, the pathogenesis of infection, resultant host innate and adaptive immune response, prevention of infection through vaccination and approaches to the therapeutic control of infection.. Experts at the forefront of these areas provide critical assessments with regard to influenza virology, immunology, cell and molecular biology, and pathogenesis. Volume I provides overviews of the latest findings on molecular determinants of viral pathogenicity, virus entry and cell tropism, pandemic risk assessment, transmission and pathogenesis in animal species, viral evolution, ecology and antigenic variation, while Volume II focuses on the role of innate and adaptive immunity in pathogenesis, development of vaccines and antivirals.

Recent studies have shown that cells from adipose tissue are capable of trafficking to tumors, thus enabling paracrine action of adipokines from within the tumor microenvironment. Increased tumor vascularization, immune system suppression and direct effects on malignant cell survival and proliferation have been investigated as mechanisms regulated by adipokines. The goal of this book is to discuss data pointing to the role of adipose tissue in cancer and to dissect individual mechanisms through which adipose tissue excess or restriction could influence cancer progression.

Since their discovery in the 1960s, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains continue to present unique challenges to clinicians, microbiologists, and molecular biologists around the world. These organisms are typically resistant to several other antimicrobial agents, including aminoglycosides, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, fluoroquinolones and macrolides and are susceptible only to vancomycin. In fact there is increasing evidence that this susceptibility will soon disappear. In this book, internationally renowned authors comprehensively review all aspects of MRSA research. Topics covered include strategies for the detection and typing of MRSA strains, epidemiological characterisation, molecular evolution of MRSA, vancoymcin resistant S. aureus, mechanisms of methicillin resistance, virulence mechanisms in MRSA pathogenesis, recommended treatment of MRSA infections, and options for the prevention and control of MRSA infections.

Giardia duodenalis (=G. lamblia), Entamoeba histolytica, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis are more than just a mouthful for most who might encounter them. These protozoan parasitic agents contribute significantly to the staggering caseload of diarrheal disease morbidity encountered in developing world nations. Compounding the issue of their mere presence is the fact that standard ova and parasite exams frequently do not detect these infections. Detectable stages may be shed intermittently or require specialized staining procedures. Added to this is the often large number of asymptomatic carriers who serve as reservoirs for infecting others. These parasites are also not strangers to more developed nations, having responsibility for both small and large-scale disease outbreaks. In such settings they may be even more difficult to detect simply because they are frequently overlooked in the grand scheme of disease causing possibilities. They share common features; all are Protozoa, all possess trophic stages that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract, all have the ability to produce disease and in some instances death, and all produce environmentally stable cysts or oocysts, which ensure their transmissibility. In other ways, these organisms are profoundly different. Giardia is a flagellate that inhabits the gut lumen in close association with enterocytes. Entamoeba is an amoeba that preferentially inhabits the mucosal region of the gut lumen, but which may, under certain circumstances, become invasive. Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora are obligate intracellular coccidians, each taking up a unique niche within their respective host enterocytes.

New experimental observations often require fresh concepts for their interpretation, and at times even changes of paradigms. This is the situation with the recent realization that circulating endothelial progenitor cells may have an important contribution to the maintenance and formation of new endothelium in adult organisms, in a surprisingly wide variety of situations. The classical paradigm of angiogenesis, centered on the notion of "sprouting" can hardly accommodate them. It was previously realized that it needs to be "stretched out" to include alternative mechanisms of microvascular development, such as intussusception and capillary fusion. However, a major debate where to reconsider the sprouting mechanism, and to promote alternative views, did not take place yet. The number of publications in this field increased exponentially in the last years. Nevertheless, the concepts and notions so much needed to describe and to explain the new observations are still scarce, and heterogeneous. Within the larger community dedicated to the study of angiogenesis, the researchers involved in investigation of circulating precursor endothelial cells biology represent a subgroup with specific preoccupations and opinions. Many of them did not meet each other so far, and no major scientific events have been dedicated before exclusively to their interests. For the above reasons, the idea to organize a symposium addressing the new developments in angiogenesis research was received with enthusiasm by all those involved in its preparation.

Nanotechnology is a collective term describing a broad range of relatively novel topics. Scale is the main unifying theme, with nanotechnology being concerned with matter on the nanometer scale. A quintessential tenet of nanotechnology is the precise self-assembly of nanometer-sized components into ordered devices. Nanotechnology seeks to mimic what nature has achieved, with precision at the nanometer level down to the atomic level. Nanobiotechnology, a division of nanotechnology, involves the exploitation of biomaterials, devices or methodologies in the nanoscale. In recent years a set of b- molecules has been studied and utilized. Virus particles are natural nanomaterials and have recently received attention for their tremendous potential in this field. The extensive study of viruses as pathogens has yielded detailed knowledge about their biological, genetic, and physical properties. Bacterial viruses (bacte- ophages), plant and animal eukaryotic viruses, and viruses of archaea have all been characterized in this manner. The knowledge of their replicative cycles allows manipulation and tailoring of particles, relying on the principles of self-assembly in infected hosts to build the base materials. The atomic resolution of the virion structure reveals ways in which to tailor particles for higher-order functions and assemblies.

Sendai virus (SeV) is not just a mouse pathogen but is evolving into a cutting-edge component of biotechnology. SeV reverse genetics originating from a pure academic need to settle long-held questions in the biology and pathogenicity of nonsegmented negative strand RNA viruses (Mononegavirales) is about to bear the impressive fruit of multipurpose cytoplasmic (non-integrating) RNA vectors. This book brings together in one source the SeV biology revealed by conventional approaches and reverse genetics, the methods to construct the first-generation SeV vector and to generate safer versions, and the applications in medical settings that have left or are about to leave the laboratory bench. The applications, which already are diverse and have high medical impact, include use as vaccine vectors against AIDS and respiratory virus infections, creation of BioKnife to resect malignant tumors, induction of "footprint (transgene) free" pluripotent stem cells, and gene therapy for peripheral arterial disease. These achievements-which are just a few of many examples-were attainable only after rigorously incorporating the rich knowledge of SeV biology that has accumulated during the several decades since the discovery of the virus. Application of SeV vector is certain to expand greatly because of its extremely high performance in transgene expression and its remarkable target cell breadth.

This comprehensive, interdisciplinary book covers different aspects of relevant human pathogens and commensals. The ongoing development of (meta-)genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and bioinformatic analyses of pathogenic and commensal microorganisms and their host interaction provides a comprehensive introduction to the microbiological analysis of host-microbe interplay and its consequences for infection or commensalism.

Echinostomes are medically- and veterinary-important parasitic flatworms that invade humans, domestic animals and wildlife and also parasitize in their larval stages numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts. The interest in echinostomes in parasitology and general biology comes from several areas: (1) Human infections; (2) Experimental models; (3) Animal infections; (4) Systematics. The application of novel techniques is moving the echinostomes to the frontline of parasitology in fields such as systematics, immunobiology in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and proteomics among others. The Biology of Echinostomes demonstrates the application of new techniques to a group of trematodes that may serve to obtain information of great value in parasitology and general biology. The book includes basic topics, such as biology and systematics, as well as more novel topics, such as immunobiology, proteomics, and genomics of echinostomes. The authors of each chapter emphasize their content with: (i) the most novel information obtained; (ii) analysis of this information in a more general context (i.e. general parasitology); and (iii) future perspectives in view of the information presented. The subjects are analyzed from a modern point of view, considering aspects such as applications of novel techniques and an analysis of host-parasite interactions.

TASER (R) Conducted Electrical Weapons are rapidly replacing the club for law-enforcement control of violent subjects within many countries around the globe. A TASER CEW is a hand-held device that delivers a 400-volt pulse with a duration tuned to control the skeletal muscles without affecting the heart at a distance of up to 6.5 meters over tiny wires. If necessary, it begins with an arcing voltage of 50,000 V to penetrate thick clothing; the 50,000 V is never delivered to the body itself. Due to the widespread usage of these devices and the widespread misconceptions surrounding their operation, this book will have significant utility. This volume is written for cardiologists, emergency physicians, pathologists, law enforcement management, corrections personnel, and attorneys.

John Walker and Ralph Rapley have collected a wide-ranging group of molecular and biochemical techniques that are the most frequently used in medical and clinical research, especially diagnostics. The authors-well-established investigators who run their own research programs and use the methods on a regular basis-outline the practical procedures for using them and describe a variety of pertinent applications. Among the technologies presented are southern and western blotting, electrophoresis, PCR, cDNA and protein microarrays, liquid chromatography, in situ hybridization, karyotyping, flow cytometry, bioinformatics, genomics, and ribotyping. The applications include assays for mutation detection, mRNA analysis, chromosome translocations, inborn errors of metabolism, protein therapeutics, and gene therapy.

Multiple demographic or economic parameters contribute to the origin of emerging infections, for example: poverty, urbanization, climate change, conflicts and population migrations. All these factors are a challenge to assess the impact (present and future) of parasitic diseases on public health. The intestine is a major target of these infections; it is a nutrient-rich environment harbouring a complex and dynamic population of 100 trillion microbes: the microbiome. Most researches on the microbiome focus on bacteria, which share the gut ecosystem with a population of uni- and multi cellular eukaryotic organisms that may prey on them. Our interest focuses on the families of eukaryotic microbes inhabiting the intestine, called "intestinal eukaryome", that include fungi, protists and helminths. Knowledge on the reciprocal influence between the microbiome and the eukaryome, and on their combined impact on homeostasis and intestinal diseases is scanty and can be considered as an important emerging field. Furthermore, the factors that differentiate pathogenic eukaryotes from commensals are still unknown. This book presents an overview of the science presented and discussed in the First Eukaryome Congress held from October 16th to 18th, 2019 at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. This book covers the following topics: Phylogenetic, prevalence, and diversity of intestinal eukaryotic microbes; and their (still enigmatic) historical evolution and potential contributions to mucosal immune homeostasis. Integrative biology to study the molecular cell biology of parasite-host interactions and the multiple parameters underlining the infectious process. The exploitation of tissue engineering and microfluidics to establish three-dimensional (3D) systems that help to understand homeostasis and pathological processes in the human intestine.

This book is a collection of articles written by prominent scientists who gathered in the city of Recife, Brazil, 23-27 October 2010, celebrating the 10th International Symposium on Yersinia. The event is held every four years in a different country and for the Yersinia 2010, an interesting and updated program covering advances in research in Yersiniae was organized. The major advances achieved over the past four years since the last symposium held in Lexington, USA in 2006 were divided into eight chapters: Epidemiology, Clinical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic aspects; Ecology and Modeling; Genomic/Transcriptomics and Large Scale Population; Immune Response and Vaccine; Pathogenesis and Pathogenicity Factors; Cellular Yersiniology; Bacterial Structure and Metabolism: Roles in Pathogenesis and Bacterial Life Style. The purpose of the book is to extend cutting edge knowledge on Yersinia discussed during the 10th International Symposium.

This new volume written by experts in the field of trypanosome research covers every aspect of trypanosome-vector-host biology. It is a must read for basic researchers working with trypanosomes and related organisms, infection and drug development as well as parasitology in a broader sense.

This book provides clinical practitioners and the research community with detailed information on the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, taking into account the significant growth in knowledge including multiple therapeutic advances that have been achieved over the past 5-10 years. The work is subdivided into epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, imaging, and therapy of the non-Hodgkin lymphomas. The full range of therapeutic options are examined according to the major subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and the most up-to-date information is provided on current standard treatment options, including stem cell transplantation as well as new cutting-edge therapeutics.