Humana Press Inc.

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.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Annually approximately 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease and most will die from it within five years. P- creatic ductal adenocarcinoma is unique because of its late onset in age, high mortality, small tumor samples infiltrated with normal cells, and a lack of both early detection and effective therapies. Some of these characteristics have made studying this disease a challenge. Pancreatic cancer develops as a result of the accumulation of genetic alterations in cancer-causing genes, such as the oncogenes and the tumor-s- pressor genes. In the last decade, major progress has been made in identifying important oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes for the disease. In Panc- atic Cancer: Methods and Protocols, we review the classical techniques that have contributed to the advances in pancreatic research and introduce new strategies that we hope will add to future breakthroughs in the field of cancer biology. Pancreatic Cancer: Methods and Protocols provides a broad range of protocols for molecular, cellular, pathological, and statistical analyses of s- radic and familial pancreatic cancer. It covers topics from in vitro cell c- tures to in vivo mouse models, DNA to protein manipulation, and mutation analyses to treatment development. We believe that our book will prove an invaluable source of proven protocols for those who are interested in either basic or translational research in pancreatic cancer.

Leading investigators and clinicians detail the different mechanisms used by tumors to escape and impair the immune system and then spell out possible clinical strategies to prevent or reverse tumor-induced immune dysfunction. The authors review the mechanisms of immune dysfunction and evasion mechanisms in histologically diverse human tumors, focusing on tumor-induced molecular defects in T cells and antigen-presenting cells (dendritic cells and tumors), that may serve as biomarkers for patient prognosis. They discuss the means by which these immune functions may be protected or restored in order to more effectively support the process of tumor rejection in situ. Cutting-edge techniques are outlined with the capacity to monitor the strength and quality of patients' immune responses using immunocytometry, MHC-peptide tetramers combined with apoptosis assay, ELISPOT assay, and detection of MHC-TAA peptide complexes on tumor cells.

This collection of review articles highlights the latest development of antithrombotics and provides proven experimental methods for the further development of new and improved anticoagulants. Among the cutting-edge developments reviewed are the novel usage of low molecular weight heparins, such antithrombin agents as the hirudin, and such antiplatelet drugs as the GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors and ADP receptor antagonists. Additional innovations discussed include aspirin and clopidogrel, the expanded use of polytherapeutic approaches, antiproteases (factors IIa, Xa, and VIIa), tissue factor targeting, platelet receptor targeting, and antithrombin III modulation.

An authoritative guide to clinical management of women with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Using an evidence-based approach, the authors apply the latest epidemiological findings and diagnostic tools to the evaluation of stable chest pain and acute ischemic syndromes in women, and detail the therapeutic effectiveness of various treatments in women, such as coronary revascularization, electrophysiology, exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation, and menopausal hormone therapy. Additional chapters examine the effects of gender bias in diagnosis and treatment, the role of gynecologists as primary care physicians for women, health technology assessment in an era of managed care, and the problems of analyzing cost-effectiveness in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease in women.

Expert researchers describe in detail their most productive and up-to-date methods for growing cancer cells in the laboratory. There are methods to characterize and authenticate cell lines, to isolate and develop specific types of cancer cells, and to develop new cell line models. Functional assays are provided to evaluate clonogenicity, cell proliferation, apoptosis, adhesion, migration, invasion, senescence, angiogenesis, and cell cycle parameters. Other methods permit the modification of cancer cells for transfection, development of drug resistance, immortalization, and transfer in vivo; the co-culture of different cell types; and the detection and treatment of contamination.

This concise practical guide to the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of individuals with Alzheimer's disease also illuminates the basic neurobiologybiology underlying the disease and emerging therapeutic and promising preventive possibilities. On the clinical side, the authors focus on such issues as early changes and preclinical conditions - including mild cognitive impairment and predementia AD, how the patient presents, the therapy, and the recent neuropsychiatric treatment and behavioral aspects of AD. On the practical side, guidance is offered to medical providers and caregivers on the deep feelings of isolation, loneliness, and despair that the illness can create, and on how to overcome the consequent breakdown in communication.

Much of the progress in the diagnosis, classification, and treatment of childhood hematological disorders has come from a partnership between clinicians and scientists. Indeed, access to molecular techniques is now an integral part of the practice of modern pediatric hematology. The aim of Pediatric Hematology: Methods and Protocols is to provide a collection of scientific protocols that cover the major aspects of the discipline. Most clinicians will be familiar with the difficulties inherent in establishing the underlying diagnosis in genetic marrow failure syndromes. A particular concern is failure to diagnose those associated with DNA repair defects. In Chapter 1, Dokal and colleagues present simple protocols for the molecular investigation of Fanconi anemia and dyskeratosis congenita. Molecular diagnosis is also important in children with congenital pure red cell aplasia, owing to the highly variable phenotype of this condition. In Chapter 2, Ball describes relevant protocols for the investigation of Diamond-Blackfan anemia. Hereditary hemoglobinopathy is a major cause of death and morbidity throughout the world. This area has seen great advances in screening and antenatal diagnosis. In Chapter 3, Old details protocols for the molecular diagnosis of most forms of hemoglobinopathy. High-quality, accurate molecular testing on small amounts of material has been fundamental to progress in antenatal diagnostics. The introduction to his comprehensive chapter includes a discussion of the general principles that underpin these studies. In contrast to hemoglobinopathy, severe hemophilia is uncommon.