Biologia molecolare

Recent advances in the fields of medicine and technology have led to the development of stem cell therapy. A stem cell is a cell that has the potential to develop into many different types of cell in the body. It has the ability to divide and copy itself and at least one other specialized type of cell. Stem Cells was written to provide information about the development of stem cell therapy, which can be used in the fields of research and medicine. The main goal of the book is to provide readers with an overview of the scientific facts about stem cells and its promising effects on the human body, as well as on the creation of new drugs and medicines. The book also highlights the ongoing clinical research into stem cells and lists the therapies whose effectiveness is being investigated. Many scientists argue that stem cell therapy will be of great help to patients and society if it is proven to be safe and effective. * Explains in straightforward, non-specialist language the basic biology of stem cells and their applications in modern medicine and future therapy * Includes extensive coverage of adult and embryonic stem cells both historically and in contemporary practice * Richly illustrated to assist in understanding how research is done and the current hurdles to clinical practice

Antibodies are an essential part of the immune system in vertebrates. Their generation involves a random mutation and rearrangement process and they can be in principle directed against any biological compound. In the last years biotechnological processes have been developed allowing for the selection of any antibody with a specific target and the subsequent large scale production of this antibody. This most comprehensive reference source for the development, production and therapeutic application of antibodies is now available as a paperback edition. It includes general chapters presenting established technologies and clinical applications, chapters on emerging technologies, new therapeutic concepts, and clinical studies and detailed and specific information about currently approved therapeutic antibodies, including clinical data. This is a must-have resource for academic researchers and decision makers in the industry, as well as healthcare professionals in the clinic.

The definitive guide to PACS -- now with more clinically applicable material In recent years, the field of picture archiving and communications systems--PACS--and image informatics has advanced due to both conceptual and technological advancements. This edition of PACS and Imaging Informatics: Basic Principles and Applications addresses the latest in this exciting field. In contrast to the previous edition, this updated text uses the framework of image informatics, not physics or engineering principles, to explain PACS. It is the only resource that thoroughly covers the critical issues of hardware/software design and implementation in a systematic and easily comprehensible manner. To strengthen and update the book, the author: Emphasizes clinical applications of PACS and integrates clinical examples throughout the text Reflects the many changes in the field, with new chapters on Web-based PACS, security, integrating the healthcare enterprise, clinical management systems, and the electronic patient record Uses the framework of imaging informatics to explain PACS, making the book accessible to those without advanced knowledge of physics, engineering, math, or information technology Explains how PACS can improve workflow, therapy, and treatment With the most systematic and thorough coverage of practical applications available, this text is the complete guide for all those involved in designing, implementing, and using PACS. Professionals in medical and allied health imaging informatics; radiologists and their technical staff; surgeons and oncologists and their teams; medical and electronic engineers; medical informaticians; and fellows, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates will all benefit from this valuable resource. "An excellent book for people involved in the design, implementation, or simply the operations of PACS and an appropriate textbook." -- From a review of the previous edition in IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology "The strength of the book lies in the vast experience of the author, who has implemented PACS at numerous institutions in the United States and abroad." -- From a review of the previous edition in Radiology

In recent years, remarkable discoveries have been made concerning the underlying mechanisms of aging. In "Life-Span Extension: Single-Cell Organisms to Man", the editors bring together a range of illuminating perspectives from researchers investigating the aging process in a variety of species. This novel work addresses the aging process in species ranging from yeast to man and, among other subjects, features detailed discussions of the naked mole-rat, an exceptionally long-lived rodent; the relationship between dietary factors/food restriction and aging; and an evolutionary view of the human aging process. Single mutations that extend life span have been identified in yeast, worms, flies, and mice, whereas studies in humans have identified potentially important markers for successful aging. At the same time, it has been discovered that the genes and pathways identified in these studies involve a surprisingly small set of conserved functions, most of which have been the focus of aging research for some time. For example, the mTOR pathway, a regulator of translation and protein synthesis, has been identified as a common longevity pathway in yeast and Caenorhabditis elegans. In mammals, this pathway intersects with neuroendocrine pathways and with the insulin/insulin-like growth factor pathways, which have been identified as major modulators of life span and aging in both invertebrates and mice. Novel, emerging technologies and the increasingly wide variety of systems that are now used to study aging and the mechanisms of aging provide enormous opportunities for the identification of common pathways that modulate longevity. It is these common pathways that are the focus of this important volume.