Membrane processes today play a signifi cant role in the replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure diseases. Current extracorporeal blood purifi cation and oxygenation devices employ membranes acting as selective barriers for the removal of endogeneous and exogeneous toxins and for gas exchange, respectively. Additionally, membrane technology offers new interesting opportunities for the design of bioartificial livers, pancreas, kidneys, lungs etc. This book reviews the latest developments in membrane systems for bioartificial organs and regenerative medicine, investigates how membrane technology can improve the quality and efficiency of biomedical devices, and highlights the design procedures for membrane materials covering the preparation, characterization, and sterilization steps as well as transport phenomena. The different strategies pursued for the development of membrane bioartifi cial organs, including crucial issues related to blood/cell-membrane interactions are described with the aim of opening new and exciting frontiers in the coming decades. The book is a valuable tool for tissue engineers, clinicians, biomaterials scientists, membranologists as well as biologists and biotechnologists. It is also a source of reference for students, academic and industrial researchers in the topic of biotechnology, biomedical engineering, materials science and medicine.

Breast cancer research has never been in such an exciting and hopeful phase as today. From a clinical perspective, the discovery of genetic markers of risk in a proportion of familial breast cancer cases has opened up new vistas for understanding and ultimately preventing this disease. On the other hand, aggressive - even daring - therapies are being proven to be effective against advanced breast cancer. For the breast cancer experimentalist, this is also a time of great advance. Although animal and cell culture breast cancer models have proven to be of great use, there are now increasing opportunities to test the concepts developed in these models in actual clinical samples and cases. It is gratifying to see how well these concepts "translate" into the clinical setting. A very active area of research that is linking the laboratory to the clinic is the dissection of the biology and elucidation of the significance of proliferate breast disease and the identification of true, "high risk" or "preneoplastic" legions within the previously ill-defined spectrum of fibrocystic or benign breast disease. One anticipates that discoveries made here will also lead to earlier detection, intervention and prevention of life-threatening cancer.
Even, however, as we look with optimism to the eventual eradication of breast cancer, we are once again forced to face the reality that we have not yet achieved our goal. Thus, we are saddened by the much too premature death of Dr. Helene Smith from breast cancer. Helena's work was at the forefront of efforts to understand the biology of human breast cancer at the molecular level. Her insight, open-mindedness, and refusal to sacrifice relevance for convenience will continue to set the standard for all breast cancer researchers. This volume is dedicated to her memory.

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.

Biochemistry for Medical Professionals contains pivotal advances in the biochemistry field and provides a resource for professionals across medicine, dentistry, pharmaceutical sciences and health professions who need a concise, topical biochemistry reference. Relevant, well-illustrated coverage begins with the composition of the human body and then goes into the technical detail of the metabolism of the human body and biochemistry of internal organs before featuring a biotechnology study inclusive of numerous methods and applications. The work is written at a consistently high level, with technical notes added to aid comprehension for complex topics.

Biocidal polymers are designed to inhibit or kill microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and protozoans. This book summarizes recent findings in the synthesis, modification and characterization of various antimicrobial polymers ranging from plastics and elastomers to biomimetic and biodegradable polymers. Modifications with different antimicrobial agents as well as antimicrobial testing methods are described in a comprehensive manner.

The Case Studies in Medical Devices Design series consists of practical, applied case studies relating to medical device design in industry. These titles complement Ogrodnik's Medical Device Design and will assist engineers with applying the theory in practice. The case studies presented directly relate to Class I, Class IIa, Class IIb and Class III medical devices. Designers and companies who wish to extend their knowledge in a specific discipline related to their respective class of operation will find any or all of these titles a great addition to their library. Class 1 Devices is a companion text to Medical Devices Design: Innovation from Concept to Market. The intention of this book, and its sister books in the series, is to support the concepts presented in Medical Devices Design through case studies. In the context of this book the case studies consider Class I (EU) and 510(k) exempt (FDA) . This book covers classifications, the conceptual and embodiment phase, plus design from idea to PDS.

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.

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.

Modern neuroscience research is inherently multidisciplinary, with a wide variety of cutting edge new techniques to explore multiple levels of investigation. This Third Edition of Guide to Research Techniques in Neuroscience provides a comprehensive overview of classical and cutting edge methods including their utility, limitations, and how data are presented in the literature. This book can be used as an introduction to neuroscience techniques for anyone new to the field or as a reference for any neuroscientist while reading papers or attending talks.

Evolutionary Medicine is based upon the view that many contemporary social, psychological, and physical illnesses are related to an incompatability between current human lifestyles and environments and the conditions under which human biology developed. This book, featuring contributions from many of the leading workers in this devloping area, provides a good introduction and overview to this emerging field.