During the last two decades, there has been an explosion of research pertaining to the molecular mechanisms that allow for organisms to detect different stimuli that is an essential feature for their survival. Among these mechanisms, living beings need to be able to respond to different temperatures as well as chemical and physical stimuli. Thermally activated ion channels were proposed to be present in sensory neurons in the 1980s, but it was not until 1997 that a heat- and capsaicin- activated ion channel, TRPV1, was cloned and its function described in detail. This groundbreaking discovery led to the identification and characterization of several more proteins of the family of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) ion channels. Intensive research has provided us with the atomic structures of some of these proteins, as well as understanding of their physiological roles, both in normal and pathological conditions. With chapters contributed by renowned experts in the field, Neurobiology of TRP Channels contains a state- of- the- art overview of our knowledge of TRP channels, ranging from structure to their functions in organismal physiology. Features: * Contains chapters on the roles of several TRP ion channels with a diversity of physiological functions, providing a complete picture of the widespread importance of these proteins. * Presents an overview of the structure of TRP channels, including the roles of these proteins in different physiological processes. * Discusses the roles of TRP channels in pathophysiological processes, further highlighting their importance. * Features several full color illustrations to allow the reader better comprehension of TRP channels. A volume in the Frontiers in Neuroscience series

Over recent decades, decentralization has emerged as a key Public Sector Reform strategy in a wide variety of international contexts. Yet, despite its emergence as a ubiquitous activity that cuts across disciplinary lines in international development, decentralization is understood and applied in many different ways by parties acting from contrary perspectives. This book offers a fascinating insight into theory and practice surrounding decentralization activities in the Public Sectors of developing and transitional countries. In drawing on the expertise of established scholars, the book explores the contexts, achievements, progress and challenges of decentralization and local governance. Notably, the contributions contained in this book are genuinely international in nature; the chapters explore aspects of decentralization and local governance in contexts as diverse as Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Tanzania, Uganda, and Viet Nam. In summary, by examining the subject of decentralization with reference to specific developing and transitional Public Sector contexts in which it has been practiced, this book offers an excellent contribution towards a better understanding of the theory and practice of decentralization and local governance in international settings. This book was published as a special double issue of the International Journal of Public Administration.

Utilizing the flood of new information derived from the Human Genome Project and corresponding efforts to elucidate the mouse genome, Genetic Influences on Neural and Behavioral Functions provides a scholarly catalog, organized logically, of relations between the expression of specific genes, nerve cell biology and behavior, normal and abnormal, in animals AND humans.
Sample topics include genes in relation to schiziphrenia, panic disorder, epilepsy, alcoholism, sleep, eating disorders, and more.

Provides a multidisciplinary approach to the study of energetics of secretion responses by combining the knowledge and expertise of leading authorities from various fields.

Mechanobiology-the study of the effects of mechanical environments on the biological processes of cells-has evolved from traditional biomechanics via the incorporation of strong elements of molecular and cell biology. Currently, a broad range of organ systems are being studied by surgeons, physicians, basic scientists, and engineers. These mechanobiologists aim to create new therapies and further biological understanding by quantifying the mechanical environment of cells and the molecular mechanisms of mechanically induced pathological conditions. To achieve these goals, investigators must be familiar with both the basic concepts of mechanics and the modern tools of cellular/molecular biology. Unfortunately, current literature contains numerous studies that misuse standard mechanical estimations and terminology, or fail to implement appropriate molecular analyses. Therefore, the Mechanobiology Handbook not only presents cutting-edge research findings across various fields and organ systems, but also provides the elementary chapters on mechanics and molecular analysis techniques to encourage cross-field understanding and appropriate planning. Aided by the continuous advancement of research tools in both mechanics and biology, more sophisticated experiments and analyses are possible-thus fueling the growth of the field of mechanobiology. Considering the complexity of the mechanics and the biology of the human body, most of the world of biomechanics remains to be studied. Since the field is still developing, the Mechanobiology Handbook does not force one unified theory, but brings out many different viewpoints and approaches to stimulate further research questions.

Despite a decline in developed countries, cancer has consistently maintained its status as one of the top killers since time immemorial. Exploring cancer management and treatment at the molecular level, Biology of Oral Cancer: Key Apoptotic Regulators presents a key molecular event-apoptosis-in relation to genesis and progression of oral cancer. The book uses oral cancers as the specific means to demonstrate the use of apoptotic regulators for controlling cancers. The book comprehensively deals with the different aspects of oral cancer. The authors discuss strategies to leverage apoptotic regulatory mechanisms for better management along with state-of-the-art medical options available for management and treatment. Using an informal writing style that makes the information accessible to a wider audience, each chapter begins with a prologue followed by detailed discussion and concludes with a glimpse into future approaches and challenges. The book examines detection techniques that leverage molecular events associated with oral carcinogenesis to effectively detect oral cancer. A thorough examination of the internal (genetics) and external (carcinogens, radiation, and smoking) factors that cause cancer, the book provides an enhanced understanding of why oral cancer has consistently ranked among the top ten causes of cancer-related mortalities worldwide. It furthers the effective identification of the causal factors and their modulation that can restore cells' normal state and be used to develop increasingly effective modalities.

The rapid growth of the study of apoptosis-mechanism-driven, regulated cell death-has created an urgent need for reliable documentation of t he different approaches to and methods of studying the various aspects of the field. Apoptosis in Neurobiology is an important resource for researchers in this emerging frontier of biomedical study. This volume allows the uninitiated neuroscientist intellectual and practical acce ss to the study of apoptosis, with special consideration to the nervou s system. The first section concentrates on conceptual approaches to t he study of apoptosis in neurobiology and its significance to the nerv ous system. The second section provides a user-friendly approach to me thods and techniques in the study of apoptosis as applied to neurobiol ogy.

A Guide to Cancer: Origins and Revelations unfolds the complex and fascinating topic of cancer in two ways: firstly, no specialist knowledge is assumed on the part of the reader, and secondly, despite the serious nature of the topics, the book aims to stimulate interest, provoke thought, and paradoxically entertain. It takes an array of complex topics and breaks them down in clear, concise terms, so that anyone with a basic knowledge of science can understand. The book is aimed at the general public as well as students of biological subjects, first and second year university students, and researchers in the nascent field of cancer genomics.

A Guide to Cancer: Origins and Revelations unfolds the complex and fascinating topic of cancer in two ways: firstly, no specialist knowledge is assumed on the part of the reader, and secondly, despite the serious nature of the topics, the book aims to stimulate interest, provoke thought, and paradoxically entertain. It takes an array of complex topics and breaks them down in clear, concise terms, so that anyone with a basic knowledge of science can understand. The book is aimed at the general public as well as students of biological subjects, first and second year university students, and researchers in the nascent field of cancer genomics.

The adipokines (also called adipocytokines), are a group of peptides secreted by adipose tissue. They have diverse roles, from the cell to the whole body. The book is designed for health scientists, doctors, physiologists, immunologists, biochemists, college and university teachers and lecturers, undergraduates and graduates. The chapters are written either by experts or specialists in their field.

For more than 30 years, the majority of researchers has assumed quiescence to be the default state of all cells and so have provided cells in culture with 'growth factors' to stimulate them to proliferate. During this time, many putative growth factors have been identified and ever more complex mechanisms through which they could interact and stimulate cells have been proposed. However, quiescence as the default state does not make evolutionary sense and many sets of data do not support this hypothesis. In The Society of Cells, an alternative explanation for these results is proposed by applying the premise that the default state must be proliferation, with multiplication being a 'built in' property of all forms of life. The authors begin by reviewing the concepts and theories that guide research on the control of cell proliferation and cancer, and asking the question 'what is the nature of the default state of all cells - quiescence or proliferation?'. Later chapters concern cancer, where control of cell proliferation and the tissue organisation are defective. Despite decades of work and financial support to explore the somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis, we appear no nearer to explaining how cancer arises. This requires researchers to take stock and consider new hypotheses and alternative approaches to the study of control of cell proliferation, and cancer in particular. The Society of Cells is intended to encourage such a revaluation and proposes the adoption of new premises to explore these important subjects.

"Analyzes the role of peptides in promoting or suppressing inflammation. Thoroughly examines the therapeutic potential of key peptides, analogs, agonists, and antagonists that influence cell injury and repair."

Lipid Second Messengers provides detailed methodology for analysis of various lipid signaling pathways. Authoritative contributors explain the factors that regulate lipid second messenger production by agonist-activated enzymes and examine their products. Topics discussed include procedures used to measure lipid-derived mediators such as lysophospholipids, arachidonic acid, eicosanoids, anandamide, and ceramides, and the enzymes responsible for generating these messengers, such as phospholipases, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthases, and sphingomyelinase.

This major reference work is a one-shot knowledge base on electroporation and the use of pulsed electric fields of high intensity and their use in biology, medicine, biotechnology, and food and environmental technologies. The Handbook offers a widespread and well-structured compilation of 156 chapters ranging from the foundations to applications in industry and hospital. It is edited and written by most prominent researchers in the field. With regular updates and growing in its volume it is suitable for academic readers and researchers regardless of their disciplinary expertise, and will also be accessible to students and serious general readers. The Handbook's 276 authors have established scholarly credentials and come from a wide range of disciplines. This is crucially important in a highly interdisciplinary field of electroporation and the use of pulsed electric fields of high intensity and its applications in different fields from medicine, biology, food processing, agriculture, process engineering, energy and environment. An Editorial Board of distinguished scholars from across the world has selected and reviewed the various chapters to ensure the highest quality of this Handbook. The book was edited by an international team of Section Editors: P. Thomas Vernier, Boris Rubinsky, Juergen Kolb, Damijan Miklavcic, Marie-Pierre Rols, Javier Raso, Richard Heller, Gregor Sersa, Dietrich Knorr, and Eugene Vorobiev.

This book provides a comprehensive review of laboratory methods for membrane study, with an emphasis on isolating membranes, analysing their composition and architecture, and investigating membrane function. Membrane Analysis describes the principles unde

This edition provides the reader with an introduction to this subject. During the past five years there has been a virtual explosion of information on the different phases of fertilization.This book should be of interest to advanced undergraduates and graduate students in developmental biology, zoology and cell biology; researchers entering the field.

Despite substantial evidence showing the feasibility of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to identify cells with altered elastic and adhesive properties, the use of this technique as a complementary diagnostic method remains controversial. This book is designed to be a practical textbook that teaches how to assess the mechanical characteristics of living, individual cells by AFM. Following a step-by-step approach, it introduces the methodology of measurements in the case of both determination of elastic properties and quantification of adhesive properties.

Cellular Signal Processing offers a unifying view of cell signaling based on the concept that protein interactions act as sophisticated data processing networks that govern intracellular and extracellular communication. It is intended for use in signal transduction courses for undergraduate and graduate students working in biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, and pharmacology, as well as medical students. The text is organized by three key topics central to signal transduction: the protein network, its energy supply, and its evolution. It covers all important aspects of cell signaling, ranging from prokaryotic signal transduction to neuronal signaling, and also highlights the clinical aspects of cell signaling in health and disease. This new edition includes expanded coverage of prokaryotes, as well as content on new developments in systems biology, epigenetics, redox signaling, and small, non-coding RNA signaling.

This work present practical, biotechnological applications of flow cytometry techniques for the study of animal, plant and microbial cells, explaining methodologies for sample preparation, staining and analysis. It discusses cell variability in cell culture processes and shows how the quantitative analysis of heterogeneous populations aids in the biotechnological exploitation of cells.

This introductory text covers all the major groups of microbes with most emphasis being placed on the bacteria and the fungi. The principles and practice of culture techniques are described, including isolation from the natural environment, methods for the safe handling of microbes in the laboratory and dealing with culture obtained from collections.

This book examines stealth liposomes from a multidisciplinary approach, which includes theoretical polymer physics, organic synthesis, colloid science, and biology. Discussions include theory, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, preclinical studies in model systems, and medical applications in humans.

This unique book presents an approach to viewing trauma. It examines the cellular consequences of trauma at a molecular level and provides new insights into the treatment of traumatic injury, based on cellular responses. The current of trauma research is reviewed, previously unpublished information on the topic is presented, and research directions are included.

This unique, single-source reference offers a detailed introduction to the fundamental phenomena that govern cell adhesion and describes bioengineering processes that employ cell adhesion, focusing on both biochemical and biomedical applications. Examines all industrially relevant issues of cell adhesion-from basic concepts, quantitative experiments, and mathematical models to applications in bioreactors and other process equipment

This book presents a summary of the application and instrumentation of cell electrophoresis. The method of making cell purification and characterization possible according to the cellular negative surface charge density is discussed, and ideas for future developments are explained. The negative electrostatic forces at cell surfaces provide information about cell-cell interaction, blood vessel sealing, cytokine actions, cell transformation, ion transport phenomena, and other biological phenomena. Recalculations of the physical principles of cell electrophoresis reveal possibilities for removing disruptive factors caused by electrical current, heat, and sedimentation. The introduction of computer technology, the performance of simultaneous two-parameter measurements, and the application of cell-friendly but current-inert buffer systems render the method more reliable and efficient.

Body fluid regulation is pivotal to human health and is served by extensive clinical and pre-clinical science. By combining modern advances with previous findings in the field, this book presents a comprehensive treatment of major experiments, theories, and new advances in the field of body fluid regulation, thirst, and drinking. It features the main integrative brain mechanisms for fluid regulation, the development of such systems, fluid balance during heat and exercise, aging and clinical disorders, and comparative aspects of fluid regulation. The volume focuses on mammalian thirst or drinking behaviour alongside relevant aspects of the physiology of fluid balance. The principal fluid compartments and their regulation by both intakes and losses are highlighted, using both human and animal studies to illustrate the main concepts.