This work, Lung Cancer, Volume 2: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Methods and Reviews, in the Methods in Molecular Medicine series presents an overview of the current status of those methods useful in the diagnosis and tre- ment of lung cancer--both as it exists in the clinic and as it is being revoluti- ized in the laboratory. The book is intended to serve as a resource for researchers wishing to increase their knowledge of current and cutting edge technologies, in order that their investigations into neoplasms of the lung may benefit from this enriched diversity of techniques and approaches....

Rubor (redness), tumor (swelling), calor (heat), and dolor (pain) are the classical signs of inflammation. These features are obvious in the skin, where injury or disease causes flare, wheal, and painful burning sensations. Vasodi- tation underlies the flare and heat, plasma exudation the swelling, and acti- tion of sensory nerves relays pain. In chronic conditions, skin biopsies show inflammatory cell infiltrate. Inflammation is not unique to the skin and contr- utes to disease and repair processes in other organ systems in the body. From the viewpoint of this volume, lung inflammation is...

Internationally recognized investigators review the latest developments in, and novel approaches to, understanding the prion protein and prion diseases at the molecular level. Utilizing a variety of cutting-edge techniques, these distinguished scientists seek to define the normal function of a prion protein, to detect and measure the early immune response to prion disease, and to discover possible therapeutic targets. They also use transgenic mice and new electrophysiological investigations to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in prion diseases. State-of-the-art and richly...

In HaemophilusiInfluenzae Protocols, leading research scientists and infectious disease specialists detail in a readily reproducible format the major molecular and immunological techniques for exploring the pathogenicity of H. influenzae. Described with step-by-instructions to ensure robust and successful experimental results, the techniques cover plasmid analysis, proteomics, genomics, DNA array technology, gene expression, mutagenesis (transposon and nontransposon), and structural analysis. These methods illuminate how the bacterium causes disease, as well as how best to develop novel...

This completely revised and updated second edition to integrates the many new technologies and insights now available for the diagnosis of genetic diseases. The authors use such methodologies as PCR optimization dosage analysis, mutation scanning, and quantitative fluorescent PCR for aneuploidy analysis, Neurofibromatosis type 1, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. These largely generic methodologies may be adapted to most genetic conditions for which a molecular diagnosis is relevant, no matter how frequent or rare their incidence. Molecular Diagnosis of Genetic Diseases, Second Edition offers...

The study of the pathogenesis of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections encompasses many different disciplines, including clinical microbiology, diagnostics, animal ecology, and food safety, as well as the cellular microbiology of both bacterial pathogenesis and the mechanisms of toxin action. E. coli: Shiga Toxin Methods and Protocols aims to bring together a number of experts from each of these varied fields in order to o- line some of the basic protocols for the diagnosis and study of STEC pat- genesis. We hope that our book will prove a valuable resource for the clinical...

Hemoglobin and Hemoglobinologists This volume, Hemoglobin Disorders: Molecular Methods and Protocols, will be introduced with a review of the great milestones in the field, and the scientists responsible for those achievements. The history of hemoglobin can be divided into three periods: the Classical period, the Modern period, and the Post-Modern period. I am inclined to include as the four major members of the classical period Francis Roughton, Quentin Gibson, Jeffries Wyman, and Linus Pauling, not only because of their achievements, but also because of the superb scientists they trained...

We are in an exciting era in the war against cancer, with real prospects for novel anticancer drugs that are cancer cell-specific without the toxicities that have been the hallmark of conventional cytotoxic cancer chemotherapy. Advances in cancer cell biology fueled by the molecular biology revolution have resulted in the uncovering of many novel potential molecular targets for cancer therapy. New anticancer drug discovery and development is now largely focused on exploiting these new molecular targets, which encompass oncogenes, tumor s- pressor genes, and their gene products, as well as...

Prostate cancer is the second leading cancer in men in Western society. A major concern, and an area of intensive research, involves understanding why certain prostate cancers remain localized or indolent, whereas others become aggressive and metastasize. The differences between these cancer types have profound implications for patients and physicians. Indolent d- ease, which grows very slowly, generally does not cause any problems to the patient, whereas aggressive disease requires immediate treatment, the earlier the better. At present, there are no markers that discriminate between these...

The Methods in Molecular Medicine series is intended as a resource for both novice and experienced investigators attempting to diversify their tech- logical base in research. Lung Cancer: Volume 1: Molecular Pathology Me- ods and Reviews presents an overview of the current status of assays employed to detect and characterize the multitude of pathologies that contribute to the development of this deadly disease. As with all volumes in the Methods in Molecular Medicine series, the reader should find that each methods-based chapter provides clear instructions for the performance of various...