This uniquely accessible volume challenges professionals to understand-and help correct-health disparities, both at the patient level and in their larger social contexts. Dedicated to eradicating this ongoing injustice, contributors focus on marginalized populations, the role of healthcare systems in perpetuating inequities, the need for deeper engagement and listening by professionals, and the need for advocacy within professional education and the political/policy arena. The compelling case narratives at the core of the book illustrate the interrelated biopsychosocial components of patients' health problems and the gradations of learning needed for practitioners to address them effectively. The book's tools for developing a health disparities curriculum include a selection of workshop exercises, facilitator resources, and a brief guide to writing effective case narratives. A sampling of the narratives: "Finding the Person in Patient-Centered Health Care" (race/ethnicity/culture). "The Annual Big Girl / Big Boy Exchange" (gender). "Just Give Me Narcan and Let Me Go" (poverty/addiction). "Everyone Called Him Crazy" (immigration). "Adrift in the System" (disability). "Aging out of Pediatrics" (mental illness and stigma). "Time to Leave" (LGBT) A work of profound compassion, Health Disparities will be of considerable interest to researchers and practitioners interested in public health, population health, health disparities, and related fields such as sociology, social work, and narrative medicine. Its wealth of educational features also makes it a quality training text. "I was impressed when I read Health Disparities: Weaving a New Understanding through Case Narratives. As a patient who has experienced unpleasant situations in health care, I was moved to see that it was emotional and personal for the writers. The book confirms for me that the time is now for change to take place in our health care systems. I see this book as a light that can shine bright in the darkest places of health care. The editors have assembled a powerful book that provides all health professionals with specific steps they can take towards addressing and then eventually eliminating health disparities. A few steps that I really connected with were improving critical awareness, delivering quality care, listening and empathizing with patients and families, and advocating for changes. I recommend that anyone interested in working to improve health care obtain a copy of this book-it's filled with useful information that every medical professional should know. The book reminds me of a quote by Wayne Dyer, 'When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.'" -Delores Collins, Founder and Executive Director, A Vision of Change Incorporated, Certified Community Health Worker. Founder of The Greater Cleveland Community Health Workers Association.

Animal cells present an extreme variability in their shapes in relation to their physiological properties. For instance, fibroblastic cells are tightly attached to the extra-cellular matrix and display a flattened, spindle-shaped morphology. Neuronal cells self-organize as a network through a complex branching of dendrites and a long axonal extension. Resting peripheral blood lymphocytes are poorly adhesive and maintain a spherical, smooth shape, while macroph- ages produce many pseudopodal extensions involved in the recognition of foreign molecules. In addition to the variability of the morphology of the cells that constitute different organs, many cell types also modify dynamically their morphology in response to environmental changes, leading to differential cell motility, migration, adhesion, polarity or intercellular contacts. This wide plasticity of cell morphology is promoted and maintained by the cytoskeleton, which is composed of the three interconnected actin micro filaments, tubulin microtubules and intermediate filaments networks, all capable of assembly and disassembly. Over the past few years, the Rho family of Ras-like GTPases emerged as key proteins that mediate extracellular signalling pathways leading to the forma- tion of polymerized actin-containing structures such as ruffles, lamellipodia and filopodia. Since the discovery of the first member RhoA in 1985, 13 mem- bers have so far been characterized in human cells. Most of Rho proteins are highly conserved between species as distant as yeast, slime mold, insects and mammals, which points to their fundamental role in cellular physiology.

This 8-volume set provides a systematic description on 8,350 active marine natural products from 3,025 various kinds of marine organisms. The diversity of structures, biological resources and pharmacological activities are discussed in detail. Molecular structural classification system with 264 structural types are developed. The 4th volume continuously illustrates the molecular formula and structures of alkaloids.

This volume is intended to complete the Cell Chemistry and physiology module. It is about how the traditional boundaries of cell chemistry and physiology are being erased by molecular biology. We do not think it necessary to elaborate on this theme, particularly since the body of core knowledge found in this volume brings us a stage closer to answering the question, "what makes cell biology into a new discipline?"
The first part of the volume deals with the chemistry of actin and myosin and is followed by chapters on cell motility, ATP synthesis in muscle, and contraction in smooth and skeletal muscle. Here the reader is immediately made aware of the contributions molecular biology is making to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle contraction. It is perhaps enough to point out that Huxley's concept of the cross-bridge cycle and generation of force can now be explained in molecular terms. Topics such as muscle fatigue and muscle disorders, as well as malignant hyperthermia are bound to arouse active learning in the student and set the stage for problem-based learning.
Most medical students look askance at thermobiology. We think this is a mistake; hence, we have included a section dealing with this subject. This brings us to the chapter on the heat shock response, which at the very outset makes clear that many stressors besides heat are known to result in heat shock gene expression. Many of the heat shock proteins occur in unstressed cells and some of them behave as chaperones. These proteins also reach high levels in a wide range of diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. Whether certain diseases are the result of mutations in the heat shock genes is not yet known. As will be appreciated, much of the work done in this field involved the use of cultured cells. Animal cells in culture are the subject of the last chapter.

Expert researchers who have developed and applied significant new assays describe in step-by-step detail a variety of methods for measuring a broad variety of hormones, related peptides, and synthetic steroids in various biological fluids. The hormones measured range from glucocorticoids in biological fluids, urinary steroids, aldosterone in blood, and plasma renin activity, to gut hormones in plasma, melatonin, prolactin, 6-sulfatoxymelatonin, and androgens in blood, saliva, and hair. The emphasis is on noncommercial assays so that investigators can set up novel methods suited to their special needs. Commercial assays are also described for comparative purposes. Tutorials on radioimmunoassay, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, high-performance liquid chromatography, and PCR techniques help the reader to choose the best method for his or her purpose.

This book provides a comprehensive, state-of-the art review of intestinal polyposis syndromes. The book reviews the most up-to-date clinical, management, and genetic information regarding the continually evolving colorectal condition that manifests as a polyposis condition. It provides a reference for clinicians and researchers in understanding the complexity of intestinal polyposis and the importance of utilizing multiple modalities for the diagnosis, management and control of these conditions. It also provides an overview of what should alert a care provider to the possibility of a polyposis syndrome. Written by experts in their fields, Intestinal Polyposis Syndromes: Diagnosis and Management is a valuable resource for physicians and researchers who deal with the challenges of diagnosing and managing colorectal cancer and intestinal polyposis syndromes.

The discovery of ribozymes nearly 30 years ago triggered a huge interest in the chemistry and biology of RNAs. Much of the recently made progress focusing on metal ions is addressed in MILS 9. This book, written by 28 internationally recognized experts from 8 nations, provides a most up-to-date view and is thus of special relevance for colleagues teaching courses in biological inorganic chemistry and for researchers dealing, e.g., with nucleic acids, gene expression, and enzymology, but also for those in analytical and bioinorganic chemistry or biophysics. Structural and Catalytic Roles of Metal Ions in RNA describes in an authoritative and timely manner in 12 stimulating chapters, supported by nearly 1600 references, 13 tables, and 75 illustrations, mostly in color, metal ion-binding motifs, methods to detect and characterize metal ion-binding sites, and the role of metal ions in folding and catalysis. It deals with diffuse metal ion binding, RNA quadruplexes, the regulation of riboswitches, metal ions and ribozymes, including artificial ribozymes. The spliceosome, the ribosome, ribozymes involving redox cofactors as well as the binding of kinetically inert metal ions to RNA are also covered.

Volume 8, solely devoted to the toxicology of metals and metalloids as well as their compounds, focuses on human health. Not surprisingly, all related research areas are rapidly developing due to the role of metals and metalloids in the environment, for the work place, for food and water supply, etc. Written by 40 internationally recognized experts, the 14 stimulating chapters provide an authoritative and timely resource for scientists working in the wide range from analytical, physical, inorganic, and environmental biochemistry all the way through to toxicology, physiology, and medicine. Volume 8 highlights, supported by nearly 1900 references, in a comprehensive and timely manner the principles of risk assessment regarding the effects of metals on human health. It examines how metal ions and their compounds affect the pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal (including liver), hematological, immune, and neurological systems, the kidney, skin and eyes, as well as human reproduction and development. MILS-8 terminates with the role of metal ions as endocrine disrupters, in genotoxicity, and cancer risk.

The occurrence of a wide variety of metal-carbon bonds in living organisms, ranging from bacteria to humans, is only recently recognized. Of course, the historical examples are the B12 coenzymes containing cobalt-carbon bonds, but now such bonds are also known for nickel, iron, copper, and other transition metal ions. There is no other comparable book; MILS-6, written by 17 experts, summarizes the most recent insights into this fascinating topic.

Providing real-life clinical experiences and context to medical students is an essential part of today's medical education, and the partnerships between medical schools and health systems are an integral part of this approach. Value-Added Roles for Medical Students, the second volume in the American Medical Association's MedEd Innovation Series, is a first-of-its-kind, instructor-focused field book that inspires educators to transform the relationship between medical schools and health systems with authentic workplace roles for medical students, adding relevance to medical education and patient care. Gives instructors the tools needed to create roles for medical students in the health system that benefit the student's growth, empathy, and understanding of patient needs; develop a working knowledge of the health system itself; and provide true value to both the health system and patient experience. Contains both theoretical and practical material for instructors and administrators, including guidance on how to implement value-added roles for medical students in today's institutions. Explains how to apply a framework to implement value-added clinical systems learning roles for students, develop meaningful medical school-health system partnerships, and train a generation of future physicians prepared to lead health systems change. Provides numerous examples from schools with successful implementation of value-added medical student roles such as patient navigators, community-based health care programs involving medical students, and more. Describes real-world strategies for building mutually beneficial medical school-health system partnerships, including developing a shared vision and strategy and identifying learning goals and objectives; empowering broad-based action and overcoming barriers in implementation; and generating short-term wins in implementation. Helps medical school faculty and instructors address gaps in physician training and prepare new doctors to practice effectively in 21st century health care systems. One of the American Medical Association Change MedEd initiatives and innovations, written and edited by members of the Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium - a unique, innovative collaborative that allows for the sharing and dissemination of groundbreaking ideas and projects. Enhanced eBook version included with purchase. Your enhanced eBook allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices.

Cancer is an incredibly diverse and difficult disease to treat, and even after decades of research there is no definitive cure. Therefore, it is highly crucial to search for novel and new organic molecules with high potency, low toxicity, and low mutagenicity with selective anticancer properties that are able to overcome frequently developed resistance to available drugs. Heterocyclic anticancer agents are an important class of drugs for cancer therapies. This book explores different heterocycles and their use as anticancer therapies. Topics covered include different heterocyclic derivatives, the impact of heterocycles on anticancer agent development, and naturally occurring heterocycles.

This volume illustrates the extent to which the traditional distinction between biochemical and physiological processes is being obliterated by molecular biology. It can hardly be doubted that the revolution in cell and molecular biology is leading to core knowledge that provides an outline of the integrative and reductionist approach. We view this as the beginning of a new era, that of the integration of learning.
As in the preceding volumes, the choice of topics has been deliberate not only because of the need to keep the volume within reasonable bounds but also because of the need to avoid information over-load. Several relevant topics are dealt with in other modules; for example, the role of G proteins in transmembrane signalling is covered in the Membranes and Cell Signalling module (i.e., Volume 7). Omissions are of course inevitable but they are minor. A case in point is the subject of phosphatases, the treatment of which does not take into account calcineurin. One of the key functions of this Ca2+ -activated protein phosphatase that is also regulated by calmodulin is to desphosphorylate voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. The mere recognition of such omissions before or after consulting textbooks and journals should be a spur to a more complete discussion by the student of the subject in a small group teaching setting.

Volumes in the Proven Synthetic Methods Series address the concerns many chemists have regarding irreproducibility of synthetic protocols, lack of identification and characterization data for new compounds, and inflated yields reported in chemical communications-trends that have recently become a serious problem. Exploring carbohydrate chemistry from both the academic and industrial points of view, this unique resource brings together useful information into one convenient reference. The series is unique among other synthetic literature in the carbohydrate field in that, to ensure reproducibility, an independent checker has verified the experimental parts involved by repeating the protocols or using the methods. Featuring contributions from world-renowned experts and overseen by a highly respected series editor, this latest volume compiles reliable protocols for the preparation of intermediates for carbohydrate synthesis or other uses in the glycosciences. Key Features: Explains reliable and tested protocols for the preparation of intermediates for carbohydrate synthesis Offers a unique resource in glycosciences, compiling useful information in one reference Presents protocols that are of wide use to a broad range of readers in the carbohydrate field and the life sciences, including undergraduates taking carbohydrate workshops Explores synthetic carbohydrate chemistry from both the academic and industrial points of view Guarantees the reader a good, clean, reproducible experiment

Membrane Receptors, Channels and Transporters in Pulmonary Circulation is a proceeding of the 2008 Grover Conference (Lost Valley Ranch and Conference Center, Sedalia, Colorado; September 3-7, 2008), which provided a forum for experts in the fields of those receptors, channels and transporters that have been identified as playing key roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of the pulmonary circulation. The book rigorously addresses: i) recent advances in our knowledge of receptors, channels and transporters and their role in regulation of pulmonary vascular function; ii) how modulation of expression and function of receptors, channels and transporters and their interrelationships contribute to the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular disease; and iii) the therapeutic opportunities that may be revealed by enhancing our understanding of this area. The overall goal was to explore the mechanisms by which specific receptors, channels and transporters contribute to pulmonary vascular function in both health and disease, and how this knowledge may lead to novel interventions in lung dysplasia, pulmonary edema, lung injury, and pulmonary and systemic hypertension to reduce and prevent death from lung disease. Membrane Receptors, Channels and Transporters in Pulmonary Circulation is divided into six parts. Part 1 (Ion Channels in the Pulmonary Vasculature: Basics and New Findings) is designated for basic knowledge and recent findings in the research field of ion channels in pulmonary circulation. There are five chapters in Part I discussing the function, expression, distribution and regulation of various ion channels present in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells and how these channels are integrated to regulate intracellular Ca2+ and cell functions. Part II (TRP Channels in the Pulmonary Vasculature: Basics and New Findings) is composed of five chapters that are exclusively designed to discuss the role of a recently identified family of cation channels, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone and arterial structure. Part III (Pathogenic Role of Ion Channels in Pulmonary Vascular Disease) includes four chapters that discuss how abnormal function and expression of various ion channels contribute to changes in cell functions and the development of pulmonary hypertension. Part IV (Receptors and Signaling Cascades in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension) consists of five chapters devoted to the role of bone morphogenetic protein receptors, Notch receptors, serotonin receptors, Rho kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptors in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Part V (Receptors and Transporters: Role in Cell Function and Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction) includes four chapters designed to illustrate the potential mechanisms involved in oxygen sensing and hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction and hypertension. Part VI (Targeting Ion Channels and Membrane Receptors in Developing Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Pulmonary Vascular Disease) consists five chapters which discuss the translational research involving on membrane receptors, channels and transporters, including their potential as novel drug targets. We hope that Membrane Receptors, Channels and Transporters in Pulmonary Circulation will allow readers to foster new concepts and new collaborations and cooperations among investigators so as to further understand the role of receptors, channels and transporters in lung pathophysiology. The ultimate goal is to identify new mechanisms of disease, as well as new therapeutic targets for pulmonary vascular diseases. An additional outcome should be enhanced understanding of the role of these entities in systemic vascular pathophysiology, since the conference will include researchers and clinicians with interests in both pulmonary and systemic circulations.

It is argued that a critical approach to health studies with an eye of social sciences, particularly benefited from the fields of economics, law, and politics, contributes to the literature on health studies. This edited book comprises seven parts which contain chapters on the field of health studies from the perspectives of economics, law, and politics in Turkey. In this said framework, chapters are organized under seven thematic parts as "economic and public policy perspective in the health sector", "the impact of Europeanization in health law and policy", "gender in health policies and law", "legal and public policy perspective to vaccination application", "reflections of covid-19 in law and economics", "current thematic discussions in health studies", and "noticeable issues in health law". The book contributes to the literature by illustrating discussions and cases from Turkey.

This is the first of a 4-volume module that is an introduction to the study of cell chemistry and physiology. It is not intended to be encyclopedic in nature but rather a general survey of the subject with an emphasis on those topics that are central to an understanding of cell biology and those that are certain to become of increasing importance in the teaching of modern medicine.
We have followed what appeared to as to be the logical divisions of the subject beginning with proteins. Allewell and her colleagues stress the point that proteins fold spontaneously to form complex three-dimensional structures and that some of them unfold with the help of proteins called chaperones. Michaelis-Menten kinetics are shown by Nelsestuen to describe the behaviour of enzymes in the test tube. The formalism is particularly useful in the search for agents of therapeutic value, as exemplified by methotrexate. Uptake by mammalian cells of substrates and their metabolic conversions are discussed by van der Vusse and Reneman. However, both Welch and Savageau expound the view that the cell is not simply a bagful of enzymes. The biologist is urged by Savageau to abandon Michaelis-Menten formalism and apply the Power Law. The biologist is also told that the approach to arriving at a theory of metabolic control would have to be one of successive approximations requiring the use of the computer. Information gained from comparative biochemistry is shown by Storey and Brooks to have shed new light on mechanisms of metabolic rate depression and freeze tolerance, and to be applicable to organ transplantation technology. We are reminded that enzyme adaptation is partly the result of the presence of a hydrating shell of vicinal water that stabilises conformation of the enzyme. Vicinal water, according to Drost-Hausen and Singleton, lies adjacent to most solids and protein interfaces. The kinks or breaks observed in the slope of the Arrhenius plot are attributed to structural changes in vicinal water. Regulation of cell volume is shown by Hempling to involve regulation of cell water. It could be that the osmo-receptor or volume detection system is a protein that links the cytoskeleton to specific K and C1 channels. Additionally, it is interesting that aquaporins, which are water channel-forming membrane proteins, are now known to exist in both renal and extra-renal tissues. One of the renal porins is affected by vasopressin.
We then pass on to protein synthesis (Rattan) and other important topics including protein glycosylation (Hounsell), methylation (Clarke), ADP-ribosylation (Pearson) and prenylation (Gelb). Among the four types of lipids attached to membrane proteins are the prenyl groups. Ford and Gross in their chapter on lipobiology drive home the point that there is an accumulation of acyl carnitine and lysophospholipids during myocardial infarction.

Physical oncology has the potential to revolutionize cancer research and treatment. The fundamental rationale behind this approach is that physical processes, such as transport mechanisms for drug molecules within tissue and forces exchanged by cancer cells with tissue, may play an equally important role as biological processes in influencing progression and treatment outcome. This book introduces the emerging field of physical oncology to a general audience, with a focus on recent breakthroughs that help in the design and discovery of more effective cancer treatments. It describes how novel mathematical models of physical transport processes incorporate patient tissue and imaging data routinely produced in the clinic to predict the efficacy of many cancer treatment approaches, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. By helping to identify which therapies would be most beneficial for an individual patient, and quantifying their effects prior to actual implementation in the clinic, physical oncology allows doctors to design treatment regimens customized to each patient's clinical needs, significantly altering the current clinical approach to cancer treatment and improving the outcomes for patients.

Developments in biochemistry have contributed immensely to the rate at which medical knowledge has expended in recent years. Following the GMC recommendations regarding undergraduate medical education, Biochemistry for Clinical Medicine integrates, in a single volume, all aspects of biochemistry required by a medical student, with a special focus on information specific to medicine as opposed to laboratory-based biochemistry. The first section of the book provides an understanding of basic cell biology and the critical concepts of membrane transport, cellular energetics, information storage, transmission and expression, as well as describing the essential chemistry and metabolism of cellular biomolecules and the clinical conditions that arise from disturbances in their metabolism. The second section adopts a systems-based approach to present clinical biochemistry in an easily readable and concise manner, using tables and clear diagrams to summarise important facts, as well as providing information on the biochemical basis of good nutrition.

The future of oncology seems to lie in Molecular Medicine (MM). MM is a new science based on three pillars. Two of them are evident in its very name and are well known: medical science and molecular biology. However, there is a general unawareness that MM is firmly based on a third, and equally important, pillar: Systems Biomedicine. Currently, this term denotes multilevel, hierarchical models integrating key factors at the molecular, cellular, tissue, through phenotype levels, analyzed to reveal the global behavior of the biological process under consideration. It becomes increasingly evident that the tools to construct such complex models include, not only bioinformatics and modern applied statistics, as is unanimously agreed, but also other interdisciplinary fields of science, notably, Mathematical Oncology, Systems Biology and Theoretical Biophysics.

Providing a broad overview of basic and clinical aspects of alpha 1-antitrypsin (a 1AT) deficiency, this up-to-date reference discusses the complex pathobiological processes underlying the pathogenesis of a1AT deficiency, describes the a1AT gene and its promoter, and details specific therapies to prevent the major clinical manifestations of the disorder.

Due to recent advancements in the development of numerical algorithms and computational hardware, computer simulations of biological membranes, often requiring use of substantial computational resources, are now reaching a mature stage. Since molecular processes in membranes occur on a multitude of spatial and time scales, molecular simulations of membranes can also serve as a testing ground for use of multi-scale simulation techniques. This book addresses some of the important issues related to understanding properties and behavior of model biological membranes and it Shows how simulations improve our understanding of biological membranes and makes connections with experimental results. Presents a careful discussion of the force fields used in the membrane simulations including detailed all-atom fields and coarse-grained fields. Presents a continuum description of membranes. Discusses a variety of issues such as influence of membrane surfaces on properties of water, interaction between membranes across water, nanoparticle permeation across the membrane, action of anesthetics and creation of inhomogeneous regions in membranes. Discusses important methodological issues when using simulations to examine phenomena such as pore creation and permeation across membranes. Discusses progress recently achieved in modeling bacterial membranes. It will be a valuable resource for graduate students, researchers and instructors in biochemistry, biophysics, pharmacology, physiology, and computational biology.

This book is a compilation of the recent applications of palladium catalysts in organic synthesis. The book demonstrates that it is a highly dynamic research field. This methodology has emerged as a powerful tool for the efficient and chemoselective synthesis of heterocyclic molecules. In the past few years, several strategies have been pointed out to pursue more efficient, sustainable, and environment friendly chemical processes. Among those strategies, catalysis and the design of new processes that avoid the use of toxic reagents have been the focus of intense research.