Humana Press Inc.

Apoptosis and cancer; methods and protocols.

The failure of apoptosis — programmed cell death — has long been implicated in the onset of cancer, but recently it has also been associated more specifically with the acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy and immune effectors. Biological scientists, many describing instruments made by the companies they work for, detail contemporary techniques for studying the biology of apoptosis and its role in cancer and resistance. Among the aspects they discuss are the modulation of apoptosis to reverse chemo-resistance, assessing the expression of apoptotic markers using large cohort tissue microarrays, and caspase activity assays. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Avidin-biotin interactions; methods and applications.

Biomedical researchers in Europe and North America explain the application of laboratory methodology that exploits the powerful interaction between the protein avidin or its homolog, and the vitamin biotin and some of its homolog. They emphasize variations on the basic interaction, applications, and conditions that tend not to be accommodated by the popular kits that are available. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Biosolids treatment processes.

Edited by Wang, et al., this sixth volume of Humana Press's Handbook of Environmental Engineering series (a companion to Volume 7, Biosolids Engineering and Management) examines all physical, chemical and biological treatment processes in detail, preparing the reader to analyze the seriousness of the problem, whether technology exists to abate the pollution, and whether the chosen method's cost would be justified by its result. A wide range of detailed information is plainly structured in this volume, meant to serve as a textbook for undergraduate and graduate students, and as a reference for scientists, researchers, and designers of wastewater, biosolids and sludge treatments systems. Treatment process topics are clearly outlined, and illustrated with charts, graphs, tables and formulas. Each section ends with reference chapters such as nomenclature and appendices. A final appendix of conversion factors for environmental engineers includes constants and conversion factors; basic and supplementary units; derived units and quantities; physical contents; and properties of water. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Blood pressure monitoring in cardiovascular medicine and therapeutics, 2d ed.

White (U. of Connecticut School of Medicine) presents an updated version of a text devoted to the topic of circadian variation in cardiovascular disease, with a special emphasis on the evaluation and treatment of hypertension. The volume's 19 chapters describe the methodology of self and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in research and clinical practice; advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of the circadian biology of cardiovascular disease; issues of ambulatory blood pressure in special populations of patients with hypertension; and the effects of antihypertensive drug therapy on the circadian variation of blood pressure, heart rate, and myocardial ischemia. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Cancer proteomics; from bench to bedside.

Specific and general information on proteomic strategies in pharmaceutical cancer therapy and the challenges that may arise from it are provided by researchers at the US Food and Drug Administration and academic and capitalist laboratories in North America and Europe. Their topics include the proteomic profiling of tyrosine kinases as pharmacological endpoints, proteomics in lung cancer, and annotating the human proteome. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Diabetic neuropathy; clinical management, 2d ed.

The preface makes the statement that in the past ten years "all societies have seen an explosion in obesity and diabetes. As a result, there is also an explosion in long-term diabetes complications." Veves (Harvard Medical School) and Malik (Manchester Royal Infirmary and University of Manchester) present reports from an international group of experts on recent research on diabetic neuropathy, the deadening of nerve endings, which causes damage to all parts of the body. The work is intended for health care professionals. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Eliminating healthcare disparities in America; beyond the IOM report.

Williams (of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the U. of California in Los Angeles, the Minority Health Institute Inc., and the Institute for the Advancement of Multicultural and Minority Medicine) presents 18 papers examining healthcare disparities in the United States. Opening chapters discuss the underlying causes of health care disparities from historical, epidemiological, and cultural perspectives. Current issues are analyzed in chapters addressing race disparities, the lessons of the Institute of Medicine report Unequal Treatment, minority access to pharmaceuticals, and diversity among health professionals. Approaches to correcting the problem are offered, including state healthcare anti-discrimination laws, grass roots community initiatives, and performance incentive programs. Finally, case studies of success stories in reducing disparities are presented. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Endoscopic skull base surgery; a comprehensive guide with illustrative cases.

Shahinian, director of the Skull Base Institute, compiles the latest techniques for minimally invasive, endoscopic surgical techniques at the skull base. Step-by-step operating room procedures are illustrated with about 600 color photos and images. Material is in chapters on anesthetic considerations, neuroendocrine aspects of skull base surgery, interventional neuroradiology aspects, and instrumentation. The last five chapters detail the fully endoscopic endonasal approach, the fully endoscopic transglabellar approach, the fully endoscopic supraorbital approach, the fully endoscopic retrosigmoid approach, and the fully endoscopic subtemporal approach. These chapters on specific surgical approaches follow a standardized format, with material on indications, instrumentation, operating room setup, patient positioning, operative technique, illustrative cases, and potential complications. The book will serve as a reference for physicians and health practitioners in many medical specialties. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Energy metabolism and obesity; research and clinical applications.

Intended for clinicians and researchers working in the field of obesity, this volume of informative reviews provides a concise overview of the vast amount of information that has been made available in biomedical literature over the past decade. Editor Donohoue notes that the contributors are among the undisputed leaders in the field, writing about what has become one of the greatest public health priorities. Topics include the most important aspects of genetic background, neuropeptide secretion and action, neuronal pathways, adipokines, gut hormones, environmental influences (such as physical activity and surgical alteration of the gastrointestinal tract), and the interactions among them. Chapters conclude with extensive listings of references. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Female urology; a practical clinical guide.

Goldman and Vasvada, both affiliated with the Section of Female Urology and Voiding Dysfunction at The Glickman Urological Institute of The Cleveland Clinic, compile material on the management of challenging disorders of the female lower urinary tract. The first section of the book details the anatomy of pelvic support, the lower urinary tract, incontinence, and overactive bladder. The second section outlines treatments for stress urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, prolapse, and reconstruction. The third section includes case studies with expert comments from prominent urologists around the country, illustrating techniques for evaluation and treatment. Color and b&w surgical photos are included, along with b&w medical images. The book will be useful for clinicians in female urology. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Flow cytometry in hematopathology; a visual approach to data analysis and interpretation, 2d ed. (CD-ROM included)

With step-by-step instructions for flow cytometry (FCM) immunophenotyping of hematopoietic malignancies along with a comprehensive set of images and examples and completely updated materials on certain T-cell disorders and DNA dyes, this edition covers both simple and complex specimens focusing on visual pattern analysis. It gives a framework to use in approaching analysis of FCM, including pitfalls, general aspects of analysis and interpretation and an overview of immunologic markers currently in use in the FCM lab, practical aspects that can affect analysis and interpretation ranging from sample staining to fluorochrome conjugation and approach to DNA data, FCM analysis on early homogeneous samples (such as the influence of fluorescence dynamic range and aberrant beta-cell profiles) and on heterogeneous samples (such as abnormal plasma cells, increased cosinophils and coexisting malignancies), and FCM interpretation and reporting, covering a full range of findings. The accompanying CD-ROM includes 100 case studies. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Foodborne diseases.

This collection of monographs offers a broad overview of the microbiological pathogens and toxins associated with foodborne illness. It also discusses pathogenicity, clinical epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Chapters also address alternatives to antibiotics, risk assessment, irradiation and other sanitation procedures, and molecular techniques for detecting pathogens. The final chapter addresses future directions in food safety from the perspective of the interrelationship between food safety and public and animal health, municipal water quality, industrial processes, and other issues. The reference work is intended for infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, and food safety scientists in industrial and research settings. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Genomics in endocrinology; DNA microarray analysis in endocrine health and disease.

Consisting of 15 studies, this collection covers hormone action and molecular mechanisms, endocrine producing tissues and diseases of hormonal systems and includes an introduction to the use of DNA microarrays in endocrinology. Topics include gene expression profiles and transcription factors involved in parathyroid hormone signaling in osteoblastic cells, growth hormone effects on hepatic gene expression in hypophysectomized rats, gene expression profiling in leiomyoma, gene profiling analysis of androgen receptor mediated function, estrogen receptors in breast cancer, gene expression analysis of the adrenal cortex, DNA microarray analysis of human uterine decidualization, glucocorticoid receptor-mediated breast cancer cell survival pathways, gene transcript analysis in Type 2 diabetes, effects of agents (TSH, iodide, cytokines and therapeutic) on gene expression in cultures human thyroid follicles, polycystic ovary syndrome, alterations induced by obesity in white adipose tissue gene expression profiling, human clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas, and gene expression studies of prostate hyperplasia in prolactin transgenic mice. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Handbook of digital and multimedia forensic evidence.

This volume is intended as an overview of computer forensics for beginners and as a basis for students considering a career in the field. It also is intended as a resource for law enforcement personnel investigating cybercrimes and for prosecutors litigating cybercrime cases. Topics include training and education, accreditation and certification, networks and their security, digital crime scenes and their investigation, electronic evidence and digital forensics testimony in court, and other issues. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Handbook of drug monitoring methods; therapeutics and drugs of abuse.

Designed for professional use in the laboratory, this collection of 22 articles gives analytical techniques used in monitoring of therapeutic drugs, abused drugs and alcohol. Contributions include a survey of therapeutic drug monitoring and descriptions of free drug concentration monitoring, measurement of therapeutic drugs in biological fluids, the pre-analytic stage (collection to analysis), the effects of various factors (hemolysis, high bilirubin, lipemia, paraproteins and system factors), dogoxins, interference with measures of anticonvulsants and antidepressants, immunosuppressive drugs, drugs in HIV/AIDS, pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine, heterophilic and other antibodies, herbs and foods, toxic element testing, alcohol testing, urinary adulterants, alternate collection sites, designer drugs, amphetamines, and sources of clinical false-positive readings. Concludes with advice on providing expert witness for alcohol and drugs of abuse testing. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Hedgehog signaling protocols.

Editor Horabin (biomedical sciences, Florida State U.) notes that this volume is intended for molecular biologists, geneticists, and biochemists. Approximately 40 specialists have produced 16 chapters on aspects of research conducted on the Hedgehog (Hh) gene. Topics include methods of analysis of the Hh signaling pathway and bring together different lines of analysis in one comprehensive text. The topic is of utmost importance because the gene is responsible for regulating the development of body tissues and structures. Many diseases and cancers occur when that signaling pathway is improperly regulated. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Innate immunity.

This collection is a up-to-date reference for immunologists, histologists, geneticists, and molecular biologists. Editors Ewbank and Vivier (Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, U. de la Méditerranée) have compiled chapters dealing with isolation and functional characterization of cells involved in innate immunity in mouse and man, including natural killer cells, mast cells, and eosinophils. Additional topics include statistical methods, in vivo imaging, genome engineering, mutagenesis, and alternative models such as plants, worms, mosquitoes, and fish. Overall, the collection presents approaches and models being used to contribute to the development of strategies to help fight infection. Chapters begin with brief summaries and introductions and include step-by-step laboratory instructions. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Insulin resistance and polycystic ovarian syndrome; pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment.

Diamanti-Kandarakis (Athens University School of Medicine, Greece) collects work highlighting the recent transition of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) from an infertility disorder whose diagnosis was based on ovarian tissue histology, to a more complex clinical entity, namely, a metabolic disorder in which insulin resistance plays a central role. The editors strive to present a balanced overview of PCOS, paying special attention to the central role of insulin resistance in the syndrome's pathogenesis and in the management of its reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. Chapters are in sections on pathophysiology and genetics of insulin resistance in PCOS, evaluation of PCOS, long- term risks of PCOS, infertility and PCOS, chronic treatment of PCOS and its relationship to insulin resistance, and treatment of infertility in PCOS. The book will be of interest to endocrinologists, gynecologists, and internists. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Liver immunology; principles and practice.

This work assembles chapters on the current understanding of liver immunology. Chapters are in sections on bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections of the liver; autoimmune liver diseases; alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases; acute liver failure; hepatotoxicity of medications; and transplantation. The book also addresses key issues that have arisen in the field in recent years, such as the physiological roles of hepatocytes, sinusoidal lining cells, activated macrophages (Kupffer cells), cholangiocytes, and stellate cells, and their modulation of the T cells, natural killer cells, and NKT cells. The book is for clinicians, investigators, and students. Gershwin is affiliated with the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of California-Davis School of Medicine. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus and aureus (MRSA) protocols.

Researchers set out the step-by-step procedures for detecting and investigating resistant strains of a potentially fatal pathogen that has until recently been pretty well controlled by a common drug. They begin each account with an introduction to the method and its purpose, and usually include hints to help fellow laboratory workers avoid lengthy trouble-shooting. The descriptions might also inspire work with other pathogens and other drugs. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)

The metabolic syndrome and obesity.

Bray (Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System-Baton Rouge) presents a survey of the current scientific understanding of obesity and the metabolic syndrome, as well as an overview of the most significant changes to the field over the past 30 years. By first presenting a historical context for obesity, the book drives home the point that obesity is not a contemporary problem, and its continued existence means that we neither understand it nor have developed effective therapies. Part I examines the entire scope of the obesity epidemic, covering epidemiology, costs of treatment, pathology, clinical types, and risks. Part II describes treatment options including diet, behavior modification, exercise, pharmacological treatment, and surgery. Chapter key points are included. (Annotation ©2008 Book News Inc. Portland, OR)