Lipids are functionally versatile molecules. They have evolved from relatively simple hydrocarbons that serve as depot storages of metabolites and barriers to the permeation of solutes into complex compounds that perform a variety of signalling functions in higher organisms. This volume is devoted to the polar lipids and their constituents. We have omitted the neutral lipids like fats and oils because their function is generally to act as deposits of metabolizable substrates. The sterols are also outside the scope of the present volume and the reader is referred to volume 28 of this series which is the subject of cholesterol. The polar lipids are comprised of fatty acids attached to either glycerol or sphingosine. The fatty acids themselves constitute an important reservoir of substrates for conversion into families of signalling and modulating molecules including the eicosanoids amongst which are the prostaglandins, thromboxanes and leucotrienes. The way fatty acid metabolism is regulated in the liver and how fatty acids are desaturated are subjects considered in the first part of this volume. This section also deals with the modulation of protein function and inflammation by unsaturated fatty acids and their derivatives. New insights into the role of fatty acid synthesis and eicosenoid function in tumour progression and metastasis are presented.

This book reviews current understanding of normal muscle tone and how it differs in spastic, thixotropic and hypotonic patients. The book contains practical advice on measuring the postural system and will be of interest to paediatricians and also to physiologists involved in investigating muscle tone.

This book covers the latest developments in the therapeutic implications of angiogenesis, ranging from angiogenesis in the brain, angiogenesis in cancer, angiogenesis' role in atherosclerosis and heart disease as well as metabolic disorders and peripheral vascular disease. The book is comprehensive in its coverage of angiogenesis in a diverse set of diseases and examines the role of cellular and subcellular structures during the development of angiogenesis. Well-organized and thorough, this is an ideal book for researchers and biomedical engineers working in the field of therapeutic implications of angiogenesis. This book also: Covers the basics of the physiology of angiogenesis, including VEGF pathways in angiogenesis, integr ins in angiogenesis, angiogenesis and exercise physiology, and more Details the role of angiogenesis in atherosclerosis and heart disease, including vascular endothelial growth factor and atherosclerotic plaque progression as well as angiogenesis and heart failure Illustrates in detail brain angiogenesis after stroke and the relationship between angiogenesis and Alzheimer's disease

Divided into two convenient sections, Protein Kinase Technologies collects contributions from experts in the field examining recent methodologies and techniques generally applicable to protein kinase research as well as to individual protein kinases which require special attention in neuroscience. These chapters will not only be practical instructions useful for readers' daily work in setting up and performing research but also thought-provoking and enjoyable reviews of recent advancements of individual protein kinases in neuroscience. Written for the highly successful Neuromethods series, this work contains the kind of detailed description and implementation advice that is crucial for getting optimal results. Authoritative and accessible, Protein Kinase Technologies seeks to foster cross-talk among investigators who study different protein kinases, and will also be beneficial for the entry of new investigators into this pivotal field.

This book will cover the cutting-edge developments in molecular and cellular mechanobiology to date. Readers will have a clear understanding of mechanobiology at the molecular and cellular levels, encompassing the mechanosensors, transducers, and transcription. An integrative approach across different scales from molecular sensing to mechanotransduction and gene modulation for physiological regulation of cellular functions will be explored, as well as applications to pathophysiological states in disease. A comprehensive understanding of the roles of physicochemical microenvironment and intracellular responses in determining cellular function in health and disease will also be discussed.

This book covers aspects of new developments in the field of basic electrophysiology, cardiac pacing, implantable defibrillators and addresses socioeconomic aspects related to thse topics. The section on electrophysiology provides a comprehensive overview of basic hardware equipment, sudden death, heart rate variability, signal averaged ECG, RF catheter ablation and clinical decision making. The section on pacing includes overviews on new lead developments, pacing in cardiomyopathy, as well as VVIR & DDIR pacing and automatic mode switching. Finally the section on implantable defibrillator provides a detailed view of clinical and technical aspects of third generation devices. All chapters have been written by world experts in their fields and each chapter is fully illustrated with tables, ECG recordings and black and white photographs. The book should be of use to nurses, technicians, bioengineers, cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, health authorities and for all who are involved in the field of pacing and electrophysiology.

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main neurotransmitter regulating sleep. The majority of drugs presently in use for the treatment of sleep disorders act by enhancing GABAergic neuronal inhibition. The GABA system is, therefore, of prime clinical relevance for the therapy of insomnia.

The focus of this volume is on the neuropsychopharmacology and the clinical impact of the GABA system in regulating sleep and wakefulness. It presents molecular, neuropharmacological, systems-biological and clinical approaches to the understanding of the mechanism of action of GABA and GABAergic drugs. It also explores the role of GABA in the basic drives that affect sleep, and the influences that adapt sleep and wakefulness to external events.

Integrating Population Outcomes, Biological Mechanisms and Research Methods in the Study of Human Milk and Lactation is the product of the 10th Conference of the International Society for Research on Human Milk and Lactation, held on September 15-19, 2000, in Tucson, Arizona. The presented sessions at the meeting are as diverse as the volume itself. These sessions include the impact of micronutrient deficiencies during lactation on maternal and infant health, the premature infant, developmental immunology, breastfeeding in the industrialized world, and viral transmission in milk. Whenever possible, the sessions were organized to include human population research, research showing the biological underpinnings of the effects on human health, and important methodological issues. This volume is a contemporary and influential tool for human milk biologists, breastfeeding epidemiologists, biochemists, immunologists, clinical specialists, and all professionals and researchers in the field.

The auditory system presents many features of a complex computational environment, as well as providing numerous opportunities for computational analysis. This volume represents an overview of computational approaches to understanding auditory system function. The chapters share the common perspective that complex information processing must be understood at multiple levels; that disciplines such as neurobiology, psychophysics, and computer science make vital contributions; and that the end product of computational analysis should be the development of formal models.

This book provides a clear link between the application of sports science principles and theory to practice. The book allows practitioners to go off and design and defend their own evidence-based training programmes Provides the reader with an appropriate background in physiology, biomechanics and psychology to aid in the development of the training process

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields.

sCongenital heart disease is the leading cause of infant death and affects approximately one in every 100 babies born in the United States. The study of cardiovascular development has acquired new momentum in last twenty years due to the advancement of modern molecular biology and new available equipments and techniques. In Cardiovascular Development: Methods and Protocols expert researchers in the field in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used in the field of cardiovascular development research. These include methods and technique for using different organisms for cardiovascular developmental research, using cell and molecular biology methods to study cardiovascular development, as well as other available techniques for cardiovascular development research. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Cardiovascular Development: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid scientists in understanding new state-of-the-art techniques in the field of cardiovascular development research including in vivo imaging and Bioinformatics.

New and exciting biological functions are still being discovered for vitamin A derivatives, including the vast number of physiological activities of retinoids. In Retinoids: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field present the most recent technical tools with diverse techniques for both in vitro and in vivo studies. Combining biochemical, biophysical, and cell biological techniques, the book addresses topics such as the detection and quantitation of retinoids using HPLC, mass spectrometry, and fluorescence, fluorescence anisotropy of retinol binding protein, cell culture models for studying retinoid transport and the role of retinol in embryonic stem cell culture, as well as many other detailed procedures. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology(TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes highlighting tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Retinoids: Methods and Protocols seeks to aid beginning and experienced researchers from widely varied fields in the search to uncover even more vital aspects of vitamin A's impact on the human body.

This monograph is dedicated to the lives and scientific achievements of the physiology pioneers Warren and Margaret Lewis. Their story spans the first half of the 20th century, from their respective educations through early, independent research to joint research from 1910 to 1955. Among the numerous developments they initiated, were the discovery of pinocytosis, the beginnings of video microscopy and the development of the first mammalian tissue cultures. Their research expanded the theoretical knowledge of cell structure and function. On a more practical level, they advanced many laboratory methods, like the first recipes for culture media. The text is beautifully enriched with personal anecdotes about their lives. This is the story of two scientific pioneers in the context of early 20th century biology and physiology. It is an inspiration for senior and aspiring researchers.

Induced pluripotent stem cells in cardiovascular research.- TRPs in the brain.-The channel physiology of the skin."

Cardiovascular diseases are the most important causes of death in the world today. In adults, the most frequent heart disease is acute myocardial infarction, which can lead to sudden death. To prevent these diseases we need to fight against their main risk factors, which include smoking, lipid disorders, hypertension, diabetes and a sedentary life-style, among others. It has been demonstrated that physical exercise or sports at any age provide notable benefits and can help to decrease other risk factors and reduce the incidence of cardio vascular diseases. Exercise can be simply walking or cycling. Aerobic exercise con tributes to weight loss and also helps to control blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. It therefore plays an important role in prevention of heart diseases. Sports for young people are of great value and advisable not only because they con tribute to physical fitness but also because they help in psychological well-being. Young people should be encouraged to include general exercise, and particularly sports, into their daily activities. The following points however, should be kept in mind: I. Although winning at a sport is important, this is only so if it is achieved in natural physical conditions and with the correct training. Therefore, it is advisable to keep well away from any type of activity which artificially increases physical performance, that is, drug taking."

This volume is unique to the existing literature in the Peptide Nucleic Acid field, in that it focuses on comparing and contrasting PNA with other available oligonucleotide homologues and considers areas in which these biomolecules could be profitably applied to clinical and diagnostic applications. Part I of the book addresses comparative strengths and weaknesses of various nucleoside homologues. Part II of the book addresses specific translational or clinical applications for PNA and related antisense biomolecules. The editors have succeeded in presenting a balanced yet broad view of the methods available for gene targeting and modification.

The Stressed Heart is truly unique in concept and will provide an eXCItmg adventure to the reader no matter what his or her field of expertise and interest. The title, although quite appropriate, does not adequately indicate the range of topics considered or the rational interrelationships among them. Indeed, perhaps the most important point to be learned from the book is that a serious consideration of the response of the heart to mechanical overload, ischemia, or excessive humoral stimuli must include evaluation of each of the topics in the table of contents. The heart responds to stress through alterations in both structure and function. How these changes are brought about is the subject of the initial chapters. These consider first the normal regulation of gene expression in the heart, the rapid response to mechanical overload that leads to both quantitative and qualitative changes in the contractile proteins, and our current understand ing of the signals that might be elicited by stress and alter gene expression. One chapter emphasizes the fact that, regardless of the nature of the stress, the common denominator is a discrepancy between energy requirements and expenditure. The central role of cellular acidosis in initiating the sequence of responses to stress and the possible roles of peptide regulators of transcription and protein regulators of translation are considered in detail."

This book presents a timely collection of reviews by experts in periconception and fertilization. The book provides a good introduction for those new to the field as well as those who have worked in this field for some time, but not have been able to keep up-to-date with recent advances on the topic. The book reviews the current knowledge in this field, then focuses its attention on short-term and long-term effects of the periconception period, both from a physiological and medical perspective. Finally the volume covers the examination of the potential mechanisms involved in controlling periconception period. From the early days of discovery about the basics of the fertilization process, scientists have known that early events happening during conception play a major part in the creation of new offspring. However, until nearly a decade ago we thought these events were just concerned with the conception and nothing to do with lifelong health and welfare, or wellbeing of the offspring. Early indications from IVF in sheep and cattle suggested that the embryo culture conditions employed in the laboratory could result in unusually large and unhealthy offspring. These observations sounded alarm bells and stimulated research into the impacts of in vivo and in vitro conditions on the health of embryos and offspring. This book provides a summary of the state-of-the-art research being done to more fully understand the importance of the periconception environment.

This book covers the tremendous progress in the current understanding of the molecular physiology of voltage-gated calcium channels. This book includes unparalleled insights into structural features of calcium channels due to X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM, which in turn yielded critical information into how these channels function under normal and pathophysiological conditions, and how they interact with calcium channel therapeutics. The chapters investigate how, with the advent of high throughput genome sequencing, numerous mutations in various calcium channel genes have been identified in patients with neurological, cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric and other disorders. This is further complemented through a much larger in vivo toolkit such as knock-out and knock-in mice. The chapters further discuss the increased complexity of calcium channel physiology that arises from mRNA editing and splicing. Finally, the book also provides an overview of the updated research on calcium channel inhibitors that can be used both in vivo and in vitro, and which may serve as a spring board for new calcium channel therapeutics for human disease. Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels is useful for academic researchers at all levels in neuroscience, biophysics, cell biology and drug discovery.

Bilateral Communication Between the Endocrine and Immune Systems, "Volume 7" in the Springer-Verlag "Endocrinology and " "Metabolism" Series, offers the most current information and recent advances in the area of communication and regulation between the Immune and Endocrine Systems. Immune-Endocrine Interactions are reported to play pivotal roles in both activation and down-regulation of immune responses and this volume provides the most up-to-date research and findings on the immune-endocrine relationship. The contributing authors are internationally recognized experts in this area and have written chapters on such diverse topics as Interactions between the Pituitary and Immune Systems, Effects of Estrogens and Androgens on Immune Response, The Role of Sex Steroids in Immune System Regulation, and Neuroendocrine and Thymus Interactions During Development and Aging. This volume is a must for all endocrinologists and endocrinology residents.

This volume describes the current state of our knowledge on the neurobiology of muscle fatigue, with consideration also given to selected integrative cardiorespiratory mechanisms. Our charge to the authors of the various chapters was twofold: to provide a systematic review of the topic that could serve as a balanced reference text for practicing health-care professionals, teaching faculty, and pre-and postdoctoral trainees in the biomedi cal sciences; and to stimulate further experimental and theoretical work on neurobiology. Key issues are addressed in nine interrelated areas: fatigue of single muscle fibers, fatigue at the neuromuscular junction, fatigue of single motor units, metabolic fatigue studied with nuclear magnetic resonance, fatigue of the segmental motor system, fatigue involving suprasegmental mechanisms, the task dependency of fatigue mechanisms, integrative (largely cardiorespiratory) systems issues, and fatigue of adapted systems (due to aging, under-and overuse, and pathophysiology). The product is a volume that provides compre of processes that operate from the forebrain to the contractile proteins."

Eric Neil: An Appreciation.- International Meetings on Chemoreceptors: Historical Perspectives.- Oxygen Sensing in the Carotid Body: Ideas and Models.- Ionic Channels in Type I Carotid Body Cells.- Role of Intracellular pH and [Ca2]]iin Acid Chemoreception in Type I Cells of the Carotid Body.- Neurotransmitters in the Carotid Body.- Reflexes Arising from the Arterial Chemoreceptors.- Central Integration of Chemoreceptor Afferent Activity.- Chemoreceptor Function in the Fetus and Neonate.- The Role of Arterial Chemoreceptors in Ventilatory Acclimatization to Hypoxia.- Chemosensitivity from the Lungs of Vertebrates.- Heymans' Visit to Dublin to Review "Buffer" Nerve Experiments.- A Belated Centennial Tribute to Corneille Heymans.- Glomera that are not Chemosensitive.- Electrotonic Coupling Between Carotid Body Glomus Cells.- CO-binding Chromophores in Oxygen Chemoreception in the Carotid Body.- Actions of Nicotinic Agonists on Isolated Type I Cells of the Neonatal Rat Carotid Body.- Ca2+-Activated K+-Channels from Isolated Type I Carotid Body Cells of the Neonatal Rat.- Culturing Carotid Body Cells of Adult Cats.- Plasticity in Cultured Arterial Chemoreceptors: Effects of Chronic Hypoxia and Cyclic AMP Analogs.- Carotid Body Chemoreception: Role of Extracellular Ca2+.- Cytosolic Calcium in Isolated Type I Cells of The Adult Rabbit Carotid Body: Effects of Hypoxia, Cyanide and Changes in Intracellular pH.- Characterization of Membrane Currents in Pulmonary Neuroepithelial Bodies: Hypoxia-Sensitive Airway Chemoreceptors.- Ionic Currents on Endothelial Cells of Rat Brain Capillaries.- Urokinase and its Receptor: Markers of Malignancy?.- Electrochemical Measurement of Rapid Dopamine Release in Perfused Cat Carotid Body during Onset of Hypoxia.- Hypoxia-Induced Catecholamine Release from Rat Carotid Body, In Vitro, during Maturation and following Chronic Hypoxia.- Assessment of Na+ Channel Involvement in the Release of Catecholamines from Chemoreceptor Cells of the Carotid Body.- Activation of GTP-binding Proteins by Aluminum Fluoride Modulates Catecholamine Release in the Rabbit Carotid Body.- Catecholamines in the Rabbit Carotid Body: Content And Secretion.- Cholinergic Aspects of Carotid Body Chemotransduction.- Low PO2 Dependency of Neutral Endopeptidase and Acetylcholinesterase Activities of the Rat Carotid Body.- Nitric Oxide Synthase Occurs in Neurons and Nerve Fibers of the Carotid Body.- NO Mimics O2 in the Carotid Body Chemoreception.- Mechanisms of Carotid Body Inhibition.- Proportional Sensitivity of Arterial Chemoreceptors to CO2.- Effects of Expiratory Duration on Chemoreceptor Oscillations.- Effects of Intravenous Infusions of KCl and Lactic Acid On Chemoreceptor Discharge In Anaesthetized Cats.- The Effect of Intravenous Infusion of Lactic Acid on Carotid Chemoreceptor Discharge in Anaesthetized Cats Ventilated with Room Air or 100% O2.- The Carotid Bodies as Thermosensors: Experiments in vitro and in situ, and Importance for Ventilatory Regulation.- Inhibition of Ventilation by Carotid Body Hypocapnia during Sleep.- Metabolic Acid-Base Status and the Role of Carotid Chemoreceptors in Hyperoxic Breathing.- Ventilatory Responses to Histotoxic Chemostimulation in Hypoxia Adapted Rats.- Chemoreflex Sensitization Augments Sympathetic Vasomotor Outflow in Awake Humans.- Carotid Chemoreceptor Control of Vascular Resistance in Resting and Contracting Skeletal Muscle.- Substance P Inhibits Ventilation in the Goat.- Central Glutamate and Substance-P in the Hypoxic Ventilatory Response.- Carotid Chemoreceptor Activity and Heart Rate Responsiveness to Hypoxia after Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase.- Effects of Endothelins on Respiration and Arterial Chemoreceptor Activity in Anaesthetised Rats.- Changes in Blood Glucose Concentration in the Carotid Body Modify Brain Glucose Retention.- Is the Second Carotid Body Redundant?.- Activity of Cardiac Vagal Preganglionic Neurones during the Pulmonary Chemoreflex in the Anaestheti...