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.

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.

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 discusses the application of the concepts of fractals and chaos to biomedical phenomena. In particular, it argues against the outdated notion of homeostasis; using biomedical data sets and modern mathematical concepts, the author attempts to convince the reader that life is at least a homeodynamic process with multiple states - each being capable of survival. Although relying heavily on the new mathematical ideas, the author has attempted to make the book self-contained. The mathematics is developed in a biological context and mathematical formulation for its own sake is avoided. In this book, the phenomena to be explained motivate the mathematical development rather than the other way round.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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

This book discusses the application of the concepts of fractals and chaos to biomedical phenomena. In particular, it argues against the outdated notion of homeostasis; using biomedical data sets and modern mathematical concepts, the author attempts to convince the reader that life is at least a homeodynamic process with multiple states - each being capable of survival. Although relying heavily on the new mathematical ideas, the author has attempted to make the book self-contained. The mathematics is developed in a biological context and mathematical formulation for its own sake is avoided. In this book, the phenomena to be explained motivate the mathematical development rather than the other way round.

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."

Netter's Integrated Musculoskeletal System is an innovative new text that brings together basic science material from several domains, providing a solid foundation prior to delving into topics of increasing complexity and clinical importance -all highlighted by superb Netter illustrations throughout. Initial chapters give a general overview of the human body, while the remaining chapters examine all facets of the musculoskeletal system, the injuries that affect it at the macroscopic and microscopic levels, and the process of development. As the scientific content becomes more complex, the clinical correlations become more specific. This progressively constructed narrative guides readers efficiently and effectively through the intricacies of the musculoskeletal system in a way that is easy to understand and remember-all in a single, time-saving resource for busy students. Takes an integrated approach including gross anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, neuroscience, histology, and other relevant sciences to better help readers understand the musculoskeletal system. Presents essential content in an easy-to-understand manner, puts it in context, and then elaborates on it with more detail-making connections between content areas and reducing the need for multiple study resources. Features clinical correlations boxes throughout; includes an appendix of commonly-used eponyms to help readers communicate across disciplines and an appendix of Latin/Greek/Arabic roots for anatomical terms. Designed to be used effectively in longitudinally-designed, integrated curricula-for a wide range of health-science students-with carefully organized, concise reading assignments and discrete areas of study for each lesson. 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.

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...

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.

These new volumes of Methods in Enzymology (554 and 555) on Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling continue the legacy established by previous volumes on another gasotransmitter, nitric oxide (Methods in Enzymology volumes 359, 396, 440, and 441), with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field of hydrogen sulfide research. These volumes of Methods in Enzymology were designed as a compendium for hydrogen sulfide detection methods, the pharmacological activity of hydrogen sulfide donors, the redox biochemistry of hydrogen sulfide and its metabolism in mammalian tissues, the mechanisms inherent in hydrogen sulfide cell signaling and transcriptional pathways, and cell signaling in specific systems, such as cardiovascular and nervous system as well as its function in inflammatory responses. Two chapters are also devoted to hydrogen sulfide in plants and a newcomer, molecular hydrogen, its function as a novel antioxidant.

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.

In addition to its metabolic and endocrinologic effects, obesity and adipose tissue have now been shown to be associated with low grade inflammation resulting in cellular and humoral inflammatory factors of which the latter may act by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine mechanisms. These inflammatory mediators have increasingly been suggested as contributing to the obesity link to carcinogenesis and cancer promotion.

This volume of Energy Balance and Cancer will focus on recent developments and cutting edge research pointing to inflammation and inflammatory factors as key mediators of this linkage. The volume first provides information on inflammation as an important link between obesity and insulin resistance, which is in itself linked to promotion of cancer through hyperinsulinemia. The volume then covers some of the most important mechanisms by which obesity leads to inflammation, including the novel inflammasome concept, alterations in chromatin structure, circulating inflammatory factors, unique cellular interactions between adipocytes and macrophages and the direct link of dietary fat to inflammation and cancer.

Overall, this volume will provide important insight to help understand how inflammation may help modulate the linkage between obesity and cancer and serve as a platform for developing future research in this area.

After yet another decade of leaming, experimenting, and inves tigating since my first book, Arterial System Dynamics, the many new medical breakthroughs and technological advances have inspired me to write this book to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical applications. The application of physical principles and quantitative approaches to the understanding of the arterial circulation and its interactions with the heart in normal and diseased conditions form the basis of The Arterial Circulation. Knowledge of the physiology and rheology of arteries, as well as all of their structural-functional corre lates, is a necessary prerequisite to the proper hemodynamic interpretatiqn of pressure-flow relations and the pulsatile transmis sion characteristics in different arteries. The natural coupling and interactions of the heart, the coronary circulation, and the arterial system necessitate analysis of alterations to global functioning. Modeling provides a tool for isolating and predicting parameter changes and is employed throughout the book. Experimental data are provided for model validations, and also for more realistic interpretations. Techniques and new methods for clinical hemo dynamic measurement and diagnosis are included to help the reader un derstand the physical principles underlying such abnormal cardiovascular functions as hypertension, stenosis, and myocardial ischemia. The progressive changes in vascular properties during aging are also discussed. Modem approaches utilizing computer mode ling and allomery are presented with selected examples, such as combined hypertension and aortic valve stenosis, and ventricular hypertrophy."

Advances in methodologies and experimental models are pivotal to furthering our understanding of central nervous system (CNS) functions in mammals. "Isolated Central Nervous System Circuits" examines the application a variety of technologies to mostly active "in vitro" preparations from basically different CNS regions with a diversity of functions. From patch-clamp, multiphoton imaging, live fluorescent protein expression, or immunohistochemistry techniques to acute or 'organotypic' slices and "en bloc" preparations, this detailed volume features key protocols and examples for exciting results from the labs of renowned experts. Written for the popular "Neuromethods" series, chapters include the kind of thorough implementation advice that is vital for achieving successful results.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, "Isolated Central Nervous System Circuits" will greatly aid scientists to further improve models and to develop corresponding models of not yet intensively studied structures such as "nucleus ruber," "superior colliculus," or basal ganglia."

Following many years when a great deal of attention was directed towards the intracellular roles of purines, there is expanding interest in the field of extracellular purinergic signalling. In this book we focus on the actions of purines in cardiovascular biology, where it is clear that they play major roles in both normal and pathophysiological conditions. Activation of different purinoceptor subtypes by purines can regulate cardiac contractility and electrical activity, modulate catecholamine-mediated responses both pre- and post-junctionally, trigger and mediate ischaemic preconditioning, cause vasodilation and vasoconstriction and enhance endothelial proliferation and apoptosis as well as inhibit platelet and neutrophil function. This book covers the cardiovascular actions mediated by the major P1 and P2 subclasses of purinoceptors and emphasizes the interactions between these two signalling systems. Cardiovascular Biology of Purines covers topics ranging from molecular and cellular to systemic and clinical. It also aims to highlight how basic advances have led to the identification of novel targets for cardiovascular therapeutic developments. We hope that our book will prove to be timely and helpful.