Bücher veröffentlicht von Humana Press

Expert clinicians and researchers provide practicing primary health care providers the first clinically oriented, comprehensive textbook devoted to the evaluation and treatment of insomnia. Summarizing the latest findings published in a wide variety of medical journals, these experts concisely review the primary insomnias and those due to medical, neurological, and psychiatric problems, and to fully discuss the latest pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatments for insomnia. A simple algorithm for the differential diagnosis of insomnia is included.

Leading clinicians and researchers from around the world review the full scope of current developments, research, and scientific controversy regarding the principles and applications of cardiac CT. Richly illustrated with numerous black-and-white and color images, the book discusses the interpretation of CT images of the heart in a variety of clinical, physiological, and pathological applications. The authors emphasize current state-of-the-art uses of CT, but also examine developments at the horizon. They also review the technical basis of CT image acquisition, as well as tools for image visualization and analysis.

The study of germ cells has undergone enormous advances in recent years and has entered into an explosive phase of new discoveries with the introd- tion of transgenic technologies and nuclear cloning. Basic knowledge and te- niques developed for lower vertebrate and invertebrate systems have facilitated the study of higher vertebrates, including humans. Many experiments that have first been performed on lower vertebrates provided the tools and strategies that could later be applied to other less readily available mammalian systems. The discovery of centrosomes in ascidians and sea urchin eggs now benefits st- ies of fertility and infertility in mammals including humans. External in vitro fertilization, now a common technique in assisted fertilization has only been possible as a result of numerous studies in lower systems in which external fertilization is natural. Egg activation, first explored in sea urchin and asc- ian eggs, now benefits cloning efficiency in farm and domestic animals. Gene manipulations and molecular methods have added to the possibilities of p- ducing live offspring with enormous biomedical, ecological, and economic implications. All sexually reproducing organisms produce primordial germ cells, a small population of cells that differentiate into gametes of either sex that carry to- potency, an ability to develop into an entire new organism. The two volumes on germ cells combine techniques in a variety of different systems and have selected those systems that have provided landmarks in advancing our kno- edge on germ cells.

The Right Book at the Right Time The poxviruses comprise a family of complex DNA viruses that replicate in the cytoplasm of vertebrate or invertebrate cells. Of the eight recognized g- era of vertebrate poxviruses, those belonging to the orthopoxvirus genus have been most intensively studied. This group includes variola virus, the agent of smallpox, as well as cowpox virus and vaccinia virus. Jenner's original sma- pox vaccine, described in 1798, consisted of live cowpox virus, but vaccinia virus later replaced it (1). There has been speculation as to the origin of v- cinia virus; the most likely idea is that it is a separate species, possibly ori- nally isolated from a horse, and is now extinct or rare in nature (2). Recent genome sequencing studies confirm the distinctness of variola virus, cowpox virus, and vaccinia virus and also their very close genetic relationship, which accounts for the cross protection of smallpox vaccines. The novelty of the smallpox vaccine can be readily appreciated by the time it took, about 80 years, before the next live vaccine against rabies was developed, and another 50 years for the yellow fever vaccine. Moreover, the eradication of smallpox in 1977 stands as a unique medical achievement. Because of its historical role, sma- pox vaccination contributed greatly to present concepts of infectious disease, immunity, and pathogenesis. Less well known, however, are the many other "firsts" for vaccinia virus.

In The Diabetic Foot: Medical and Surgical Management, a distinguished panel of clinicians-many practicing at the famous Joslin-Beth Israel Deaconess Foot Center-illuminate the successful new multidisciplinary approach now clearly required for the successful treatment of this medical problem. Drawing on the experiences of diabetologists, podiatrists, vascular surgeons, infectious disease specialists, orthotists, plastic and orthopedic surgeons, the book clearly describes established techniques known to be effective. Also highlighted are the many emerging treatments that will affect diabetic foot care in the years ahead, including a new understanding of wound-healing pathophysiology and the recent introduction of growth factors and living skin equivalents.

Dr. Tom Moss assembles the new standard collection of cutting-edge techniques to identify key protein-DNA interactions and define their components, their manner of interaction, and their manner of function, both in the cell and in the test tube. The techniques span a wide range, from factor identification to atomic detail, and include multiple DNA footprinting analyses, including in vivo strategies, gel shift (EMSA) optimization, SELEX, surface plasmon resonance, site-specific DNA-protein crosslinking, and UV laser crosslinking. Comprehensive and broad ranging, DNA-Protein Interactions: Principles and Protocols, 2nd Edition, offers a stellar array of over 100 up-to-date and readily reproducible techniques that biochemists and molecular, cellular, and developmental biologists can use successfully today to understand DNA-protein interactions.

The last decade has seen a tremendous advance in our understanding of bone biology. The genes responsible for the majority of rare inherited bone disorders have been identified and much progress has been made in the identification of genes in polygenic disorders such as Paget's disease and complex multigene diseases such as osteoporosis. Transgenic technology has identified further genes, sometimes unexpectedly, with profound effects on bone. This wealth of new genetic information will undoubtedly lead to extensive cell biological studies to understand the mechanisms by which these gene products affect bone mass and bone strength. In Bone Research Protocols a catalogue of protocols has been assembled to perform such mechanistic studies. In the tradition of the Methods in Molecular Medicine series, the chapters are practical laboratory protocols that should enable the reader to carry out the techniques from scratch. To our knowledge this is the first time such a truly practical manual on well-established bone methods has been assembled, and this volume aims to be complementary to and follow on from the more theoretical Methods in Bone Biology, edited by Arnett and Henderson (1).

Ranging from the evolution of pathogenicity to oceanic carbon cycling, the many and varied roles that bacteriophages play in microbial ecology and evolution have inspired increased interest within the scientific community. Bacteriophages: Methods and Protocols pulls together the vast body of knowledge and expertise from top international bacteriophage researchers to provide both classical and state-of-the-art molecular techniques. With its well-organized modular design, Volume 2: Molecular and Applied Aspects examines a multitude of topics, including the bacteriophage genomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, along with applied bacteriophage biology. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology¿ series format, chapters consist of brief introductions to the subject, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and a Notes section which details tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.Thorough and cutting-edge, Bacteriophages: Methods and Protocols is a valuable reference for experienced bacteriophage researchers as well as an easily accessible introduction for newcomers to the subject.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) constitute a large superfamily of proteins that have been historically well represented as drug targets. As such, many of the volumes within The Receptors series have focused their attention on rec- tor subfamilies in the GPCR superfamily (e. g. , adrenergic, serotonergic, do- minergic). While chemokine receptors are relatively young, in terms of the knowledge that has accumulated regarding their roles in physiology and pat- logy, it is clear that this GPCR subfamily is dwar? ng all others with respect to the total number of receptors and their functional diversity. The breadth of the chemokine ? eld was not fully appreciated in the early days of chemokine d- covery, when the characterization of these molecules was largely a curiosity of a small set of biologists primarily interested in in? ammation. Presently, the ? eld of chemokinology is quite diverse, and it is nearly impossible to stay informed on all aspects of chemokine biology. Nonetheless, this book seeks to distill information regarding the molecular and cell biology, physiology, and pathology of chemokines and their receptors into a single volume, providing an excellent resource for those entering the ? eld or the most experienced c- mokinologist seeking new insights. In the chapters, leading authorities consider structural and cellular aspects of chemokines and chemokine receptors, and more notably, discuss the roles of these molecules in a variety of disease states that transcend their classically de? ned role(s) in in? ammation.

The Active Female: Health Issues Throughout the Lifespan investigates the growing and ever-changing health issues for girls and women who lead an active lifestyle and participate in sports and exercise. Easy to read, the volume provides an educational foundation for understanding how disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis can be interrelated while also looking at image disorders and reproductive health. Written by world leaders in the field, chapters detail effective nutrition and safe exercise techniques while also discussing female psychological and physiological characteristics.Informative and comprehensive, The Active Female: Health Issues Throughout the Lifespan is an essential, practical reference for the educated professional who seeks a basic understanding of some of the more common issues active females confront.

The Nutrition and Health(TM) series of books have, as an overriding mission, to provide health professionals with texts that are considered essential because each includes: (1) a synthesis of the state of the science, (2) timely, in-depth reviews by the leading researchers in their respective fields, (3) extensive, up-to-date fully annotated reference lists, (4) a detailed index, (5) relevant tables and figures, (6) identi- cation of paradigm shifts and the consequences, (7) virtually no overlap of information between chapters, but targeted, inter-chapter referrals, (8) suggestions of areas for future research, and (9) balanced, data-driven answers to patient /health professional questions that are based upon the totality of evidence rather than the findings of any single study. The series volumes are not the outcome of a symposium. Rather, each editor has the potential to examine a chosen area with a broad perspective, both in subject matter as well as in the choice of chapter authors. The international perspective, especially with regard to public health initiatives, is emphasized where appropriate. The editors, whose trainings are both research and practice oriented, have the opportunity to develop a primary objective for their book, define the scope and focus, and then invite the leading authorities from around the world to be part of their initiative. The authors are encouraged to provide an overview of the field, discuss their own research, and relate the research findings to potential human health consequences.