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Discover a comprehensive and up-to-date reference resource for bone marrow pathology, complete with an extensive list of references The diagnosis and treatment of bone marrow pathologies is one of the most critical areas of medical research and care. For years, Bone Marrow Pathology has served as the essential reference and teaching tool in the field of haematology, with an authoritative treatment of the subject written by acknowledged leaders in the field. Now fully updated to reflect urgent new changes to the theory and practice of haematology, it promises to serve a new generation of practitioners. In the book, the characteristics and function of normal bone marrow are extensively discussed. Bone marrow pathology, including both aspirate films and trephine biopsy sections, is examined in a clinical context. The content is augmented by discussion of the peripheral blood findings and supplementary bone marrow tests. Readers of the sixth edition of Bone Marrow Pathology will also find: Lavish illustrations with high-quality images of bone marrow and other associated imagesIncorporation of new classifications including the WHO and International Consensus classifications, as well as new and expanded research areasEmphasis on practical tools including differential diagnosis and common problems and pitfallsA practical, integrated approach to diagnosis Perfect for trainee and consultant haematologists and haematopathologists, Bone Marrow Pathology will also prove itself invaluable for cytogeneticists, molecular geneticists and anyone working in immunophenotyping.

In the third edition of the book, The digital pathology, whole slide scanning, and artificial neural network are described in details in Chapter 19. Furthermore, there are several significant changes in different techniques, such as the polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing, immunocytochemistry, and flow cytometry. In addition, the molecular pathology and immunocytochemistry of various tumors are highlighted in each chapter. Updated classification of the World Health Organization and International Academy of Cytologists in the urinary cytology, lung, breast, salivary gland, and lymph node have also been discussed.

Bone Marrow Pathology has been extensively revised to reflect the significant advances which have occurred in the application of cytogenetics and in particular, molecular genetics in the diagnosis, classification and understanding of haematological disorders. This comprehensive book not only provides information on all common disease entities, but also covers rare disorders in which bone marrow examination is useful. It is designed as a practical resource with'problems and pitfalls'highlighted throughout to aid laboratory diagnosis.

At the time of the first edition of Principles of Cancer Biotherapy in 1987, this book represented the first comprehensive textbook on biological therapy. In 1991, when the second edition was published, there was still some doubt on the part of many oncologists and cancer researchers as to the therapeutic value of these new approaches. By 2003 and the fourth edition, it was generally agreed that biopharmaceuticals were producing major opportunities for new cancer therapies. Cancer biotherapy has now truly matured into the fourth modality of cancer treatment. This fifth revised edition describes the tremendous progress that has been made in recent years using biologicals in cancer treatment. This book summarizes an evolving science and a rapidly changing medical practice in biotherapy. In this new millennium, it is now possible to envision a much more diversified system of cancer research and treatment that will afford greater opportunities for a patient's personalized cancer treatment. This was first envisioned in the 1987 initial edition of this textbook and is now a'new'and popular approach to cancer treatment. Some forms of cancer biotherapy use the strategy of tumor stabilization and control though continued biological therapy, akin to the use of insulin in the treatment of diabetes. This textbook illustrates new methods of thinking and new strategies for control of cancer. It is always difficult to move from past dogma to future opportunity, but this fifth edition of Principles of Cancer Biotherapy illustrates why it is so important to the patients for researchers and clinicians to explore and quickly apply these new opportunities in cancer biotherapy.

This timely volume highlights current knowledge concerning the role of fibronectin in human biology and medicine. It is intended to stimulate further investigation in this area. Emphasized are the importance of fibronectin in the interaction between the cell and its environment; and the role of the fibronectin in the determination of cell behavior in normal physiologic processes, in malignant behavior of cells, and in inflammatory disease. This book is valuable to those in the biomedical community interested in fibronectin, the microenvironment and extracellular matrix. It is also important to those interested in the pathobiochemistry of malignant disease and inflammatory disorders.

This book provides detailed information on basic and advanced laboratory techniques in histopathology and cytology. It discusses the principles of and offers clear guidance on all routine and special laboratory techniques. In addition, it covers various advanced laboratory techniques, such as immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, liquid based cytology, polymerase chain reaction, tissue microarray, and molecular technology. Further, the book includes numerous color illustrations, tables and boxes to familiarize the reader with the work of a pathology laboratory.The book is mainly intended for postgraduate students and fellows in pathology as well as practicing pathologists. The book is also relevant for all the laboratory technicians and students of laboratory technology.

The new edition of this book provides a comprehensive review of the basic tests available in gastroenterology. Chapters examine widely-used modern techniques such as ultrasonography for Crohn's disease, capsule endoscopy, elastography and video proctosigmoidoscopy among others. Fully updated to reflect the recent advances in the field in the last 20 years, this volume evaluates investigations for their current clinical usefulness in the management of patients. The reader will benefit from a critical analysis describing those older tests which have proved their worth alongside the newer procedures which have been introduced. Emphasis is placed on those techniques of which the authors have personal experience. The book is designed for trainees and clinicians without special expertise in gastroenterology, as well as being a shelf manual for the gastroenterologist and the staff of gastroenterology investigation units.

In an increasingly global community, the rapid adaptation of microorganisms has facilitated the return of old communicable diseases and the emergence of new ones. Tropical Dermatology, 2nd Edition, provides a practical, highly illustrated approach to the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of tropical skin diseases. In a concise and user-friendly format, it offers authoritative coverage of epidemiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, pathology, laboratory tests, management, and prevention for both common and rare conditions. - Examines the full range of tropical skin diseases in an easy-to-reference format, with consistently organized, templated chapters. - Structures clinical guidance by disease rather than by microbe or'bug.'- Covers the key issues for travelers, important considerations for people working in the tropics, and non-infectious conditions. - Provides authoritative guidance for dermatologists, infectious disease specialists, and travel medicine physicians. - Includes new chapters on Tungiasis, Ebola and Zika virus. - Features updates on emerging diseases and new therapies throughout. - Includes brand-new,'hard-to-find'clinical images, for a total of more than 650 full-color illustrations throughout. - Integrates the knowledge and experience of new international contributors, including recognized experts in dermatology from the United States, Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia. - Expert Consult eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, images, and references from the book on a variety of devices.

In rural and sparsely populated countries, telemedicine can be a vital and life-saving link to health care, and in those regions where demands on hospitals are ever increasing, it can provide a safe and comfortable alternative to hospital-based therapy. The second edition of this introductory guide to telemedicine and telecare services is invaluable to new practitioners in this growing field of medicine. The book describes the benefits of telemedicine and highlights the potential problems. The authors provide numerous examples of how telemedicine is used in the United States, Australia, and Scandinavia.

Science in the Study of Ancient Egypt takes an innovative and integrated approach to the use of scientific techniques and methodologies within the study of ancient Egypt. Accessibly demonstrating how to integrate scientific methodologies into Egyptology broadly, and in Egyptian archaeology in particular, this volume will help to maximise the amount of information that can be obtained within a study of ancient Egypt, be it in the field, museum, or laboratory.Using a range of case studies which exemplify best practice within Egyptian archaeological science, Science in the Study of Ancient Egypt presents both the scientific methods of analysis available and their potential applications to Egyptologists. Although Egyptology has mainly shown a marked lack of engagement with recent archaeological science, the authors illustrate the inclusive but varied nature of the scientific archaeology which is now being undertaken, demonstrating how new analytical techniques can develop greater understanding of Egyptian data.

The prodrug approach is a promising and well established strategy for the development of new entities that possess superior efficacy, selectivity and reduced toxicity. Hence an optimized therapeutic outcome can be accomplished using this approach. Prodrug design is becoming more elaborate in the development of efficient and selective drug delivery systems. The targeted prodrug approach, in combination with gene delivery and controlled expression of enzymes and carrier proteins, is a promising strategy for precise and efficient drug delivery and enhancement of the therapeutic effect. This book describes in details all prodrug approaches and examples of prodrugs that succeeded to enter the market. There are two major prodrug design approaches that are considered as widely used among all other approaches: the targeted drug design approach by which prodrugs can be designed to target specific enzymes or carriers by considering enzyme-substrate specificity or carrier-substrate specificity in order to overcome various undesirable drug properties. Examples for such approach is the antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT), gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT), virus-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (VDEPT) and GDEPT. In addition, this book describes in details a novel prodrug chemical approach which is based on intramolecular reactions that were utilized to understand how enzymes exert their high catalysis. The information gained from the experimental and theoretical calculations on these enzyme models was used to design efficient chemical moieties to be utilized as prodrug linkers with the potential to release the corresponding parent drugs in a slow or fast release manner. Several prodrugs for commonly used drugs suffer from low bioavailability or/and bitter sensation were designed using quantum mechanics methods (DFT and ab initio) and recently a large number among these prodrugs were synthesized. Examples of such prodrugs are presented in the different chapters of the book.

The book Protocols in Livestock Genome Analysis Presents the Fundamental principle and detailed protocols of laboratory techniques with an adequate amount of thought been applied towards making it simplistic and effective. The book has been structured into seventeen chapters. It begins with Chapter 1, givingreaders some basic safety and precautions while working in molecular genetics laboratory that is exposed to hazardous agents. Chapter 2, 3 and 4 explains the most basic and fundamental procedures in molecular genetics laboratory i.e. isolation of genomic DNA, plasmid DNA, total RNA which are prerequisite for researchers conducting downstream genetics research like gene amplification or expression. Chapter 5 deals with quantification of DNA and RNA with specific examples. Chapter 6 deals with technique of polymerase chain reaction for amplification of a specific DNA sequences while Chapter 7 focuses on various variants of polymerase chain reaction that have been developed over the years for specific applications. Chapter 8 discusses the reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction which is important prerequisite for gene expression studies and genetic characterization. Chapter 9 describes at length, agarose gel electrophoresis for the separation of nucleic acids and their analysis. Chapter 10describes single strand conformation polymorphism, a technique that is capable of identifying most sequence variations in a single strand of DNA. Chapter 11 details the restriction digestion of DNA molecules by restriction endonucleases. Chapter 12 describes real-time PCR that can detect their accumulation and quantify the number of substrate DNA molecules present in starting sample. Chapter 13 discusses the method of chromatin immunoprecipitation, a very important technique for elucidating the transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Chapter 14 deals with detailed analysis of microsatellite repeat sequences along with statistical tools for data analysis. Chapter 15 explains the very important procedures of DNA ligation, competent cells preparation and transformation involved in cloning of any desired DNA sequence. Chapter 16 describes the set of steps for retrieving QTL & SNP information from online Animal QTL databases. Chapter 17 provides a simple understanding of DNA microarrays. Chapter 18 details the in situ hybridization method for localization of genetic material. Chapter 19 provides the recipe for preparation of buffers and solutions required for conducting various procedures outlined in previous chapters.

Thoroughly and systematically presents the state-of-the-art in the diagnostic uses of radiologic imaging and nuclear medicine in the diagnosis and management of infectious and inflammatory diseases Although our understanding of microorganisms has advanced significantly and antimicrobial therapy has become increasingly available, infection remains a major cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Imaging of infection and inflammation provides a classic example of radiology and nuclear medicine's strengths as well as weaknesses in the discovery and diagnosis of disease. Fortunately, the weaknesses are subsiding as new studies and techniques point to better planning and precision in the use of single and combined imaging modalities. Diagnostic Imaging of Infections and Inflammatory Diseases: A Multidisciplinary Approach deals with the very latest developments in the use of radiologic techniques and modalities in the management of patients with a host of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Tremendously timely and useful, this innovative, multidisciplinary book covers a wide range of topics in three parts: PART 1: Infections and Host Response Epidemiology of Infections in the New Century Bacterial Osteomyelitis: the Clinician Point of View PART 2: Radiological Imaging Radiological Imaging of Osteomyelitis Radiological Imaging of Spine Infection Radiological Imaging of Soft Tissue Infections Radiological Imaging of Abdominal Infections and Inflammatory Disease Radiological Imaging of Vascular Graft Infection Radiological Imaging of TB and HIV PART 3: Nuclear Medicine Imaging Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Infections: Techniques, Acquisition Protocols, and Interpretation Criteria Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Osteomyelitis: WBC, Monoclonal Antibody, or Bacterial Imaging? Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Spondylodiscitis: The Emerging Role of PET Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Soft Tissue Infections Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Infections and Inflammatory Diseases of the Abdomen Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Vascular Graft Infections: The Added Role of Hybrid Imaging Nuclear Medicine Imaging of TB and HIV Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Fever of Unknown Origin Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Inflammatory Diseases Along with carefully developed clinical cases describing the management of patients with inflammation and infection, Diagnostic Imaging of Infections and Inflammatory Diseases is an ideal guide for radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians as well as clinical specialists from many other fields.

Twenty years have passed since I became a professor in the First Department of Pathology, Hiroshima University School of Medicine. It is my great pleas­ ure that Molecular Pathology o[ Gastroenterological Cancer-Application to Clinical Practice has been published by Springer-Verlag Tokyo to commemo­ rate the 20th anniversary of my professorship. Seeing the academic achievements of our department during these 20 years, I am confident that we could establish a department of oncology to research the pathogenesis of human cancer through systemic application of a variety of molecular techniques. We have demonstrated that the develop­ me nt and progression of esophageal, gastric, and colon cancer require mul­ tiple alterations affecting DNA mismatch repair genes, oncogenes, and tumorsuppressor genes, and that common and uncommon genetic changes exist for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal carcinomas. In addition to these genetic changes, the majority of gastrointestinal cancers express telomerase activity, with overexpression of telomerase RNA, indicating a powerful addi­ tional tool for early detection of gastrointestinal cancer. By transferring these basic observations to the clinic, we now are able to make accurate cancer diagnoses, thus determing the grade of malignancy and patient prognosis. We also can identify patients at high risk for developing cancer and create new therapeutic approaches. In fact, we have routinely implemented a new molecular diagnosis strategy at the Hiroshima City Medi­ cal Association Clinical Laboratory since August 1993.

Alcohol abuse is this culture's most important drug problem. Statistics indicate that it is exacting a great and relentlessly increasing toll of human suffering. It is clear that the problem is not being dealt with in any effective manner. At the invitation of the. Canadian Hepatic Foundation, many of the world's experts gathered in Toronto, May 14-15 1976, to focus attention on one of the most important aspects of the alcohol problem -alcohol induced liver damage. The epidemiology of alcohol induced liver disease was discussed and current views on the pathogenesis of the problem were reviewed. New insight into the pathological alterations of the liver was presented and some of our current therapeutic capabilities were discussed. Dr. Hans Popper summarized the Symposium and presented some of his views on those aspects of the problem which will require early attention by the research community. The Symposium achieved its immediate objective -that of bringing together the committed experts of various disciplines for an updating of our understanding of alcohol and the liver and for a discussion of new approaches to the problem. As a backdrop to the Symposium, however, was large writing on the wall to the effect that we are expending our research talents and efforts on a totally unnecessary problem. Right now we probably know enough and have sufficient resources at our disposal to solve the problem.

The textbook is designed to provide an interdisciplinary and integrated perspective of modern vascular cure. Written by experts the text proceeds from fundamental principles quickly to advanced concepts thus allowing an easy access to the junior practitioner as well as to the seasoned expert in the field.

Portal hypertension is the abnormal pathophysiologic state that develops in liver cirrhosis and certain other disorders with characteristic clinical and hemodynamic features. There has been great progress in our under­ standing and management of portal hypertension, particularly in the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The so-called Banti's syndrome, a disorder whose existence had long been questioned, is now a well-defined portal hypertensive disease. The recently introduced Doppler ftowmetry is currently yielding new information on portal hemodynamics. Endoscopic sclerotherapy and beta-blockers have come to be widely used in the man­ agement and prevention of variceal bleeding. In spite of all these advances, a number of unsolved questions remain, such as whether sclerotherapy, pharmacotherapy or surgery is warranted for prevention of bleeding, which is more effective as an elective treatment, the surgical or endoscopic approach, and whether surgical portacaval shunt should be totally replaced by selective shunt operations. These new developments and problems are clearly and comprehensively described and discussed by the foremost authorities in 44 chapters, which are divided into five sections: 1) Patho­ physiology, 2) Hemodynamic Investigations, 3) Imaging Investigations, 4) Clinical and Pathological Features, and 5) Esophageal and Gastrointestinal Bleeding. The primary goal of this monograph, to provide a framework of patho­ physiology of portal hypertension with authoritative descriptions of the clinical and laboratory manifestations of various portal hypertensive dis­ orders, has clearly been achieved by these excellent contributions.

In recent years, there have been major advances in the treatment of patients with gynecologic malignancies. Perhaps the biggest advances have been in the area of ovarian cancer. Gynecologic Oncology focuses primarily upon this malignancy. This volume discusses cytoreductive surgery; screening for ovarian cancer; chemotherapy; new chemotherapeutic drugs; the controversy regarding the role of high-dose chemotherapy in gynecologic cancers; the hereditary basis for gynecologic malignancies; molecular genetics; molecular biology and new biologic therapies. Other topics covered are the treatment of all stages of cervical cancer, including radiotherapy. In addition, a chapter on advances in the pathology of gynecologic cancers is included. The advances made in the treatment of gynecologic malignancies are due, in part, to the clinical studies performed by many of the contributors to this volume. Clinical advances have been the result of multidisciplinary approaches which involve molecular biologists, pathologists, radiation therapists, surgeons and chemotherapists. Future advances will continue to rely upon collaborative interaction among these different disciplines.

Patients with advanced breast or prostate cancers usually develop bone metastases. The principal complications resulting from metastatic bone disease are pain, spinal cord compression, pathologic fractures and bone marrow suppression. Improving the management of bone metastases is crucial to quality of life for patients with breast and prostate cancer. Advances in understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of bone metastasis are driving the development of new therapeutic strategies.

It has been recognized that viruses can induce neuronal damage by a variety of mechanisms. This volume summarizes, for the first time, the various ways that neurons can degenerate under the influence of viral infection, ranging from acute necrosis and virus-induced apoptosis to chronic damage in persistent infections. The mechanisms of neuronal latency are dealt with as well. The volume also includes chapters that review the chronic damage caused by viral proteins that interfere with differentiated functions of the neuron, including signaling by neurotransmitters and signal transduction by trophic factors. Other chapters deal with the controversial role of cellular immune reactions, which may be helpful in controlling infection, but may also be detrimental to the host nervous system. The specific mechanisms of damage involved in retroviral infections and in prion diseases of the nervous system are reviewed, and finally how autoimmune diseases can lead to neuronal damage.

A new presentation of physiological regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic applications is given in this book. It represents a collection of the most up-to-date information in cholecystokinin (CCK) research, especially focusing on the development and characterization of CCK antagonists. The book contains chapters on the synthesis, biochemical and pharmacological characterization of potent and selective CCK antagonists as well as physiological applications of these compounds. The last section of the book is devoted to the involvement of CCK in pathological states and potential clinical applications of CCK antagonists.

Der Remmele wurde bereits mit der ersten Auflage zum deutschsprachigen Standardwerk für Pathologen und ist heute unverzichtbar für die wissenschaftliche Arbeit, Ausbildung und Praxis in der Pathologie. In den zehn Jahren seit Erscheinen der ersten Auflage hat sich die Pathologie entscheidend weiterentwickelt. Von vier auf acht Bände erweitert bietet die zweite Auflage eine völlig überarbeitete, aktualisierte und ergänzte'Pathologie'.

The Third International \~orkshop on'The in Vitro Effects of Mineral Dusts'was held on October 1 - 4, 1984 in Schluchsee, Black Forest, Federal Republic of Germany. In six sessions, 93 participants from 14 countries (USA 32, France 17, United Kingdom 12, FRG 11, Canada 9, Belgium 3, Hungary 1, Italy 2, India 1, Nether­ lands 1, Norway 1, Poland 1, Portugal 1, Turkey 1) treated and discussed the following subjects: - Significance of the physico-chemical properties of inhalable mineral dusts (mine dusts, asbestos, Man-Made Mineral Fibres - MMMF). - Cellular effects of inhalable mineral dusts with special regard to target ce 11 s. - Immune response and immune toxicity. - Carcinogenicity and interrelated genotoxic and non-genotoxic effects. - Effect of cell metabolism in combination with inflammation and fibrogenesis. - Significance and credibility of in vitro test systems. For the pathogenesis of biological effects and diseases caused by inhalable mineral dusts a number of factors may be significant such as: - Type of dust - Dose of dust - Size and shape of dust particles, and especially - Surface properties of dust particles, which inter alia determine the - sorption properties, e.g. for environmental substances.

Die jährlich erscheinende Reihe HNO-Praxis heute bietet praxisbezogene Fort- und Weiterbildung speziell für den niedergelassenen Arzt und den Klinikassistenten. Die Themen werden so gewählt, daß in regelmäßigem Turnus alle für die HNO-Praxis wichtigen Bereiche je nach Aktualität abgehandelt werden. Die zweifarbige Gestaltung sowie ein gut strukturiertes Innenlayout ermöglichen dem Leser ein schnelles Erfassen der Inhalte. Der HNO-Arzt kann sich mit dieser Reihe eine komprimierte und ständig aktuelle Bibliothek der praktischen HNO-Heilkunde aufbauen, die ihm modernes Fachwissen und das nötige'Know-how'vermittelt.

Die Gelenkpathologie ist das Ergebnis einer mehr als 25-jährigen Beschäftigung mit Krankheiten des passiven Bewegungsapparates und Bindegewebes. Einer einleitenden allgemeinen Morphologie unter Einschluß der Biochemie folgt eine ausführliche allgemeine Pathologie, in der die Pathogenese der verschiedenen Krankheiten gemeinsamen strukturellen Veränderungen dargestellt wird. In der speziellen Pathologie ist die überwiegende Anzahl der Leiden gegliedert in kurze Epidemiologie und Pathogenese. Die mikroskopischen Befunde sind oft unter Berücksichtigung der Makroskopie oder auch des Röntgenbildes zu synoptischen Tableaus zusammengefaßt. Das Buch soll Pathologen bei der Interpretation Ihrer Befunde helfen und soll Orthopäden und Rheumatologen Einblick in Entwicklung und Folgen der therapierten Krankheiten geben.

Peroxisomal disorders constitute a major research front in clinical genetics, paediatrics and cell biology. Since 1983, the metabolic defect in some 20 different peroxisomal disorders has been described. The best known conditions include Zellweger syndrome, rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata and X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy and, in the most recent edition of The Metabolic and Molecular Basis Inherited Disease, edited by Scriver and colleagues, more than 100 pages are now devoted to the subject. Progress in our understanding of these conditions, and their diagnosis, results from the application of a variety of laboratory investigations. These include microscopic studies, analysis of metabolites (very long-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and plasmalogens), enzyme studies (peroxisomal beta-oxidation pathway and dihydroxyacetone phosphate acyltransferase), immunodetection of peroxisomal (membrane) proteins and molecular analysis of mutant DNA. In order to encourage a greater awareness in this field and the diagnostic protocols required, an international course was organised in Gent, Belgium, in May 1994, on the clinical and biochemical diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders. A number of international experts in the field who provided intensive hands-on experience over 3.5 days, have now collected their course work and reviews together in this Handbook. The volume is introduced by Sidney Goldfischer, who in 1973 was the first to recognise the absence of peroxisomes in Zellweger syndrome, but whose observations were not fully appreciated for a further decade. This handbook provides the most comprehensive and detailed account of laboratory methods for the diagnosis of peroxisomal disorders. The methods are clearly presented and well illustrated, and should allow laboratories to introduce these methods into their repertoire. Audience: Paediatricians, neurologists, clinical biochemists, pathologists, genetic counsellors, obstetricians, and GPs interested in the recognition, diagnosis and prenatal prevention of peroxisomal disorders.

Upon contemplating an updated version of the 1974 edition of this book and envisioning its possible organization, it immediately became evident that the new version could no longer be written by one, two, or even three authors. The field has experienced an explosive expansion in various directions, and the wealth of newer data which has been accumulated over the last decade can hardly be presented by a single author in a critical and coherent manner. On the other hand, it appears worthwhile not to abandon the attempt to come foreward with a review which describes as comprehensively as possible the progress and the state of knowledge. It is the aim of this volume to present a general and comprehensive review on complement. It is intended not only for individuals working in this area, but also for those who are less familiar with the field. Several chapters in the book describe state-of-the-art experimental methods which are helpful to critically evaluate the experimental data. Simultaneously, they may provide the necessary technical tools for those who wish to enter this highly provocative and exciting field.

Experimental gerontological research is necessary to obtain optimal information and thus ensure proper drug therapy for the elderly. Most older persons acquire multiple diseases, first of all chronic diseases. They involve complex problems of a physical, social, and psychological nature. The multimorbidity of the elderly raises many questions in drug therapy. By contrast with our extensive knowledge of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in younger age groups, few facts are available in respect of the elderly. A variety of factors may influence drug therapy. Physiological and pathological age-related changes of molecules, cells, organs, and the total organism may interact to enhance or inhibit drug therapy in higher age groups. It is well known that elderly patients are overmedicated and therefore the incidence of adverse drug reactions increases with age. Elderly patients with multimorbidity often have a diminished body clearance of drugs; age-related changes of the kidney seems to be one of the most important factors in this regard. Far less important than the elimination of drugs through the kidney is their excretion in the bile. So far results have disclosed that oxidative steps in drug clearance are more likely to be disturbed than phase II reactions. Furthermore; changes in distribution volume and age-related alterations in receptor sensitivity also influence the clearance of drugs in the elderly.

Rapid Cycle Real-Time PCR is a powerful analytical tool with broad application for the basic and applied life sciences. Compared with conventional PCR technology, Rapid Cycle Real-Time PCR is faster, has greater specificity, and is more easily adaptable for a variety of diagnostic tests, including qualitative, quantitative and mutation detection assays. This book provides general overviews of this technology for use in the clinical microbiology laboratory as well as specific diagnostic protocols for the detection of viral, bacterial and fungal pathogens and genetically modified organisms in human specimens and foodstuffs. All of these protocols have been developed, verified, and validated by experts in the field and should be of great interest for clinical microbiologists, pathologists, laboratory technologists as well as practicing physicians.

New techniques and updated protocols for the detection and analysis of biomolecules - proteins, glycoproteins and nucleic acids - are presented in the second edition of this successful laboratory manual. Highly sensitive systems which are widely used in molecular biological and biomedical laboratories, such as colorimetric, luminescence, fluorescence measuring using antibody/antigen binding or hybridisation, as well as PCR amplification are described in detail. The clearly structured step-by-step protocols with practical hints and a troubleshooting guide are complemented by chapters on the theoretical background and the application of the techniques. Thus the manual will enable scientists to plan, design and conduct the appropriate procedures which fulfill their particular requirements.

Hepatology has come of age in the last decades. Biology of the liver has flour­ ished long before. As the largest homogeneous organ of the body the liver served as useful model in the development of biochemistry and related discip­ lines. Only gradually were these biological investigations applied to the clinical study of liver disease. This was particularly stimulated by the recognition that in the greater part of the world, the developing countries and what we now call the Third World, liver disease represents a major threat to overall public health. It leads to morbidity and mortality of persons in their productive years from liver cancer, cirrhosis and parasitic disease, particularly, schistosomiasis. Moreover, the growing emphasis on the social impact of diseases focused on disorders of the liver because malnutrition, poverty, and drug addiction contrib­ ute greatly to their spread. This is compounded by the increase of alcohol abuse, recently on the rise even in the developing countries. Concern with envi­ ronmental pollution has also raised the interest in liver diseases, in part because the liver acts as a guardian against polluting chemicals and in part because it is considered, possibly to an exaggerated degree, a vulnerable target of such chemicals.

In situ hybridization has developed as a means of localizing specific DNA and RNA sequences within tissues. The great strength of this approach is the ability to relate the distribution of specific nucleic acids with cell structures and the protein products of the target gene by means of immunohistochemistry. Complementary DNA, RNA or oligonucleotide probes, suitably labelled, are hybridized to specific DNA or RNA targets within tissues. The spatial information thus obtained has contributed greatly to our understanding of such diverse areas of research as gene mapping, viral infection, cytogenetics, protein synthesis, prenatal diagnosis and tissue grafting. This book is not intended as another recipe book, although it does describe theoretical and practical aspects of the technology. Rather, the authors critically describe the contribution made by in situ hybridization to specific areas of medical research.

Connective tissue diseases demand study because of their frequency, morbidity and mortality. They present intriguing challenges in the fields of diagnosis, management and research. Their range has now expanded enormously so that no individual can master the whole subject, particularly as this relates to their immunological basis. Immunology of Connective Tissue Diseases has been written by experts who are either clinical or basic scientists. The book presents up-to-date reviews of the immunological basis of connective tissue diseases as it impacts on diagnosis, pathogenetic concepts, disease monitoring and management. The book is aimed at physicians interested in understanding the immunological basis of these diseases, and at immunologists who are either entering this field for the first time and would like to have a convenient state-of-the-art account of its status, or who are researching in one area and would like to acquaint themselves with the developments which have taken place in others.

At the time of the first edition of Principles of Cancer Biotherapy, this book represented the first comprehensive textbook on biological therapy. Whereas in 1991, when the second edition was published, there was still some doubt on the part of many oncologists and cancer researchers as to the therapeutic value of these new approaches, it is now generally agreed that biopharmaceuticals are producing major opportunities for new cancer therapies. Cancer biotherapy has truly matured into the fourth modality of cancer treatment. The third edition is now needed as a result of the tremendous progress that has been made in recent years using biologicals in cancer treatment. The book summarizes an evolving science and a rapidly changing medical practice. As we near the millennium, it now becomes possible to envision a much more diversified system of cancer research and treatment that will afford greater opportunities for patients. Some forms of cancer biotherapy use the strategy of tumour stabilization and control through continued biological therapy, akin to the use of insulin in the treatment of diabetes. This textbook illustrates new methods of thinking and new strategies for control of cancer. It is always difficult to move from past dogma to future opportunity, but this third edition of Principles of Cancer Biotherapy illustrates why it is so important to the patients, for researchers and clinicians to explore and apply these new opportunities in cancer biotherapy.

Since the pioneering studies of Ramon y Cajal the inability of lesioned adult CNS axons to regenerate has been well established. During the past years advancements in molecular, cellular and biochemical knowledge have provided new insights into the extrinsic mechanims underlying regeneration failure. The rapid progress in this field has already led to the development of new concepts for therapeutic manipulations. This book provides a comprehensive overview of structural and molecular changes induced by an invasive CNS lesion and their involvements in regeneration processes. Moreover, it demonstrates the strong growth-promoting actitivies of implanted glial cells. The data is discussed in relation to current knowledge on the mechanisms of axonal degeneration and regeneration and in terms of their relevance for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Rapid developments of new investigative techniques and diagnostic modalities such as CT and MRI have revolutionized modern diagnostic imaging. Dr. Sperber and her contributors expertly facilitate understanding of the fundamentals of pulmonary disorders and promote a realistic and appropriate use of the exciting new diagnostic modalities. Methodologies of choosing techniques are also discussed. The first section of the book reviews the applications of the various radiographic modalities. The second part is organized by disease - emphasizing the radiographic manifestations and indicating appropriate imaging techniques most useful for diagnosis.

Mankind in the second half of the twentieth century has encountered a number of social and economic problems, which, as never before, determine its future. Among the main problems facing medicine, meriting distinction is organization of the struggle against the increase of cardiovascular and oncological diseases which, with the birthrate, are the main demographic indices of our planet. According to the World Health-Organization, the deathrate from diseases of the cardiovascular system has risen by 60% in recent years, and there has been a sharp increase of myocardial infarctions and cases of sudden death in young people aged 25-30. The'geography'of heart and blood vessel diseases has changed: a dramatic increase of morbidity has been recorded in rural regions, and in districts where 10-20 years ago the native population was practically unaffected by atherosclerosis. Diseases of the cardiovascular system have become widespread among women as well as men. Cardiovascular diseases tax the national economy: they are responsible for over half the mortality among people at the prime of their productive life. More than 50% of temporary disability is also accounted for by ischemic heart disease, hypertension, stroke, etc.

Here is the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of the clinical, pathological, and research aspects of motor neuron disease (MND). The text contains all essential features of the anatomy, physiology, pharmacology and toxicology of the motor system, a full description of MND and its variants, as well as historical developments and a review of the current concepts and controversies. This book comes at a time of increasing interest in neurodegenerative disorders and MND in particular. It will prove a key reference book with an integrated overview of the field, and will be indispensable to practicing neurologists, researchers, and all those with an interest in MND.

This volume represents the Proceedings of the Symposium on AIDS, Drugs of Abuse and the Neuroimmune Axis. This meeting was held in San Diego, California, November 11-13, 1995. As in the previous symposia in this series, productive studies were reviewed concerning the relationship between the nervous and the immune systems in regards to the relationship between drugs of abuse and infections, especially infections by the immunode­ ficiency virus that causes AIDS. In recent years, various investigators have begun to describe the role of illicit drugs and their endogenous counterparts on the brain-immune axis. It is widely recognized that the neuroendocrine system is intimately involved in the effects and manifestations of the interactions of drugs of abuse and the immune system. The meeting on which the chapters in this book are based brought together many biological scientists from an array of various scientific disciplines whose work is focused on the effects of drugs of abuse on the neuroendocrine-immune axis and its relationships to immunodeficiency caused by the AIDS virus. As in the past, the symposium was unique in focusing on the. brain-immune axis from the viewpoint of drugs of abuse rather than from the viewpoint of immunity or the brain itself.

Leading researchers present contemporary treatment of in situ hybridization applied to current issues in animal virus pathogenesis. The most recent methods are given for locating viral genes in whole animal section and for defining the number and type of cells surrounded by viruses. The genetic programs played out in these cells and the newer methods of hybridization at the electron microscopic level provide valuable insight into the complexities of virus-host interaction.

Different cancer types can result from a multiplicity of genetic and environmental factors. In recent years a number of genes have been identified as strong determinants for particular forms of cancer (particularly colon and breast cancer). The incomplete penetrance often evinced by the mutations of these genes has raised the possibility that additional endogenous or exogenous determinants contribute to cancer development or suppression. The major aim of this book is to present an integrated view of the various environmental, epidemiological and genetic determinants that contribute to a disease syndrome collectively known as'cancer'.

Alcohol abuse ranks among the most common and also the most severe environmental hazards to human health. Its significance is heightened by the possibility of prevention by elimination of the habit, however, rarely exerted. The incidence of deleterious effects on human health has relentlessly risen in the past years for a variety of factors. They include migration of populations and, particularly, increased urbanization. Thus, in some parts of the world, population groups previously spared have become involved, which is also re­ flected in the increasing number of breweries and distilleries in the developing countries. Social, religious, and gender-related barriers to alcohol consumption are loosening, and the financial improvement of some segments of populations now enable them to buy alcoholic beverages. Thus the greatest percentage rise in the United States has recently been in black women. Adolescents and young people drink more alcoholic beverages than ever, and growing alcohol abuse by pregnant women has let to an increase of the incidence of the fetal alcohol syndrome. While the social and behavioral, including psychiatric, consequences of alcoholism are staggering, the gastrointestinal and, particularly, hepatic manifestations are the most widespread somatic effects, and chronic hepatic disease in alcoholics appears to cause the greatest cost to society. Indeed, mortality from liver cirrhosis is considered a reliable index of alcohol consumption in a country.

In the rapidly evolving field of Helicobacter infection new data on pathogenetic and pathophysiological mechanism have appeared. New methods which will be more sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of the infection are being developed and in this proceedings the first attempt using PCR technology is published. From the clinical point of view, a challenging aspect that needs clarification, is the observation which suggests an appearance of a correlation between the presence of the bacteria and abdominal pain and other symptoms in children whereas in old age no such correlation is evident. The relationship of H. pylori and gastric cancer is studied with histopathological data and epidemiological approaches. On the treatment side schemes using short courses and new antibiotic combinations are being investigated and preliminary data are reported.