This book aims at providing insights into the collagen superfamily and the remarkable diversity of collagen function within the extracellular matrix. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying collagen-related diseases such as dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, osteogenesis imperfecta, as well as collagen-related myopathies and neurological disorders are discussed. Collagens are the most abundant extracellular matrix proteins in organisms. Their primary function is to provide structural support and strength to cells and to maintain biomechanical integrity of tissues. However, collagens can no longer be considered just as structural proteins. They can act as extracellular modulators of signaling events and serve critical regulatory roles in various cell functions during embryonic development and adult homeostasis. Furthermore, collagens are associated with a broad spectrum of heritability-related diseases known as "collagenopathies" that affect a multitude of organs and tissues including sensorial organs. The book is a useful introduction to the field for junior scientists, interested in extracellular matrix research. It is also an interesting read for advanced scientists and clinicians working on collagens and collagenopathies, giving them a broader view of the field beyond their area of specialization.

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.

This book offers a summary and discussion of the advances of inflammation and infection in various cancers. The authors cover the classically known virus infections in cancer, novel roles of other pathogens (e.g. bacteria and fungi), as well as biomarkers for diagnosis and therapy. Further, the chapters highlight the progress of immune therapy, stem cells and the role of the microbiome in the pathophysiology of cancers. Readers will gain insights into complex microbial communities, that inhabit most external human surfaces and play a key role in health and disease. Perturbations of host-microbe interactions often lead to altered host responses that can promote cancer development. Thus, this book highlights emerging roles of the microbiome in pathogenesis of cancers and outcome of therapy. The focus is on mechanistic concepts that underlie the complex relationships between host and microbes. Approaches that can inhibit infection, suppress chronic inflammation and reverse the dysbiosis are discussed, as a means for restoring the balance between host and microbes. This comprehensive work will be beneficial to researchers and students interested in infectious diseases, microbiome, and cancer as well as clinicians and general physiologists.

This edited book focuses on the recent advances in our understanding of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), combining epidemiology and clinical diagnosis, with genetics and immunological aspects as well as the role of proteostasis and mitochondria before diving into new therapies including stem cell based approaches. AMD is a leading cause of largely incurable blindness worldwide and projected to double from 2.07 million to 5.44 million individuals by 2050 in the United States. Globally, 288 million individuals are projected to have AMD by 2040. The disease has enormous socioeconomic impact on the affected individuals, their families and the society. This book will bring together the state of the art basic science knowledge with clinically relevant findings and address the challenges for future research in AMD. The intersection of different disciplines will provide potential areas for further investigations to reduce the burden of blindness from AMD. This book offers an appealing and insightful resource for clinicians, scientists, students and fellows.

Respiratory diseases are leading causes of death and disability globally, with about 65 million people suffering from COPD, and 334 million from asthma, the most common chronic disease. Each year, tens of millions of people develop and can die from from respiratory infections such as pneumonia and TB. Systemic inflammation may induce and exacerbate local inflammatory diseases in the lungs, and local inflammation can in turn cause systemic inflammation. There is increasing evidence of the coexistence of systemic and local inflammation in patients suffering from asthma, COPD, and other lung diseases, and the co-morbidity of two or more local inflammatory diseases often occurs. For example, rheumatoid arthritis frequently occurs together with, and promotes the development of, pulmonary hypertension. This co-morbidity significantly impacts quality of life, and can result in death for those affected. Current treatment options for lung disease are neither effective, nor condition-specific; there is a desperate need for novel therapeutics in the field. Additionally, the molecular and physiological significance of most major lung diseases is not well understood, which further impedes development of new treatments, especially in the case of coexistent lung diseases with other inflammatory diseases. Great progress has been made in recent years in many areas of the field, particularly in understanding the molecular geneses, regulatory mechanisms, signalling pathways, and cellular processes within lung disease, as well as basic and clinical technology, drug discovery, diagnoses, treatment options, and predictive prognoses. This is the first text to aggregate these developments. In two comprehensive volumes, experts from all over the world present state-of-the-art advances in the study of lung inflammation in health and disease. Contributing authors cover well-known as well as emerging topics in basic, translational, and clinical research, with the aim of providing researchers, clinicians, professionals, and students with new perspectives and concepts. The editors hope these books will also help to direct future research in lung disease and other inflammatory diseases, and result in the development of novel therapeutics.

Taurine 8 represents the combined efforts of investigators on the roles of the amino acid taurine on human health and disease. The chapters covered in this book are directly derived from presentations of the contributors at the 18th International Taurine Meeting held in Marrakech, Morocco in April 2012. The purpose of this book is to disseminate current findings on taurine's contribution in several organ systems. This book covers the following topics: Taurine in the Nervous System, Taurine in the Immune System, Taurine and Diabetes, and Taurine and the Cardiovascular System. Dr. Abdeslem El Idrissi, College of Staten Island and Dr. William L'Amoreaux, College of Staten Island, were co-chairs of the Organizing Committee for the meeting. Data presented at this meeting provided compelling evidence that taurine is not only cytoprotective in cardiomyocytes, but also is a potent GABA agonist, whereby it can facilitate vasodilation of conducting arteries. Taurine conjugates, such as taurine chloramine, may protect cells from oxidative stress via increased HO-1 expression. In adult rodents, taurine has a potent effect on plasma glucose levels, likely through the release of insulin in pancreatic beta cells. As a potential neurotransmitter, taurine is known to work via the GABAergic system, but current research presented at this meeting suggest that taurine may interact with glutamate and serotonin receptors as well. Data are also presented to demonstrate the protective roles of taurine on neurons in neuroblastoma. Perhaps the most important and exciting presentation is the role of taurine and alcohol: the combination may be lethal. Data are also presented at this meeting of the potential role taurine may have as an adjuvant treatment with cisplatin in chemotherapy.

The main objective of Cardiac Remodeling: Molecular Mechanisms is to summarize the major research advances in molecular, biochemical and translational aspects of cardiac remodeling over the last 2 to 3 decades under one cover and touch on future directions. It provides a high profile and valuable publication resource on molecular mechanisms of cardiac remodeling for both the present and future generations of researchers, teachers, students and trainees. This book should stimulate future translational research targeted towards discovery and development for preventing, limiting and reversing bad remodeling over the next few decades, with the ultimate goal of preventing progression to systolic and/or diastolic heart failure. The chapters suggest potential novel strategies that should receive attention for translating basic research knowledge to application in patients at the bedside.

Medicinal plants and their derived products remain as an indispensable source of bioactive molecules that serve as either drug candidates or lead compounds for drug design and discovery. There are several advantages for plant-derived therapeutics including wide availability, diverse pharmacological actions and a generally good profile of safety and tolerability. Over the recent years, there have been numerous reports from clinical studies testifying to the efficacy and safety of medicinal plants and phytochemicals in ameliorating several human diseases. A plethora of basic studies has also unravelled molecular mechanisms underlying the health benefits of herbal medicines. Nevertheless, issues such as identification of bioactive ingredients, standardization of the products and drug interactions remain to be further studied. In this book, we aim to put together several chapters on the medicinal properties and pharmacological action of medicinal plants, plant species and phytochemicals. The goal is to present a comprehensive collection on most of the therapeutic aspects of plant-derived natural products and molecular mechanisms thereof.

This contributed volume provides a comprehensive assessment of the roles played by 5-HT2B receptors in humans. These receptors have been shown to play an important role is the cardiac, intestinal, and central nervous systems as well as in bone marrow formation and growth. In this book, expert researchers present their findings on molecular and physiological/pathological aspects of 5-HT2B receptors. The molecular section includes a discussion of the genetics of 5-HT2B receptors and impulse control. The physiological section covers their role in many biological systems including the nervous system, the heart, and the lungs.

This book describes control of ventilation during sleep in both health and disease states. The topics are presented in a fashion that can be easily comprehended with many figures to illustrate complex concepts. Thus, a wide range of topics, starting from the site of normal respiratory rhythm generation to chemoreceptor control of sleep apnea, description of the apneic threshold, pathophysiology of upper airway closure, novel techniques to measure control of breathing, effect of cerebral blood flow on breathing, effect of opioids on ventilation, effect of heart failure on ventilation, genetic aspects of breathing disorders, age and gender differences, and various therapies are discussed. Key Features * Helps to bridge the gap between straight forward physiology and clinical practice through a range of topics and use of case vignettes * Explores various aspects of clinical management and control which is beneficial to sleep clinicians, respiratory physiologists, intensivists, trainees, and researchers. * Distills complex concepts into understandable language and figures, providing helping resource to the clinicians, that transforms a dry topic vis a viz control of ventilation into an exciting understandable 'clinician' language.

This comprehensive Monograph examines all peripheral and central mechanisms of regulating the secretion of milk from the lactating breast. The author reviews the complete female breast development, starting with the early childhood, up to pregnancy and lactation. Structural and ultrastructural data on the alveolar-ductal system, together with details of breast innervation, are used to investigate the physiological process of lactation. Readers will appreciate the special focus on reflexes, both in the child and the mother, that help to regulate maternal milk production and secretion. Following this, the author sheds a light on the composition and dynamics of milk components during the different periods of lactation. The final section of this volume focusses on practical aspects of modern breastfeeding, like the use of breast pumps or galactogogues, to influence the productivity of milk production. These fundamental principles and structural details will be particularly useful for physiologists and clinicians working in gynecology and pediatrics.

Mental illness and the variety of conditions, disorders, and phobias associated with it impact not only the individual but also the family unit, the community, and society at large. Handbook of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Disorder: Case Studies and Application for Adults will better readers' understanding of a variety of these conditions in adults specifically and the applicability of CBT therapy as a treatment. Featuring chapters on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dysmorphia, depression, and anxiety, the book discusses in detail the use of cognitive behavioral therapies in the treatment of these issues in adults. With expert authors from the clinical field, the book has applicability for behavioral scientists, psychologists, cognitive and behavioral neuroscientists, and anyone working to better understand and treat using cognitive behavioral therapies.

In a normal physiological state, several bacteria are present in the human gut that is essential to maintain the normal to healthy gastrointestinal function. Disturbances in this "normal flora" lead to gut inflammation and infection. This volume explores the potential of probiotics, the healthy bacteria, to manage gut-related diseases including gastrointestinal cancers, ulcerative colitis, H. pylori infections, and diarrhea; vaginosis; oral health; airway inflammation; and atopic dermatitis. The concept of designer probiotics, edible vaccines and future scope of research in the field is also presented. The animal models used for studying the benefits of probiotics in gut inflammation are described for beginners.

This book provides an overview of the latest experimental work on sex-based differences in lung function and inflammation. Readers will learn how these differences relate to individual predispositions for the development of lung disease in men and women, and in different stages of their reproductive lives. Further, the book focuses on diseases that predominantly affect women or men, with an emphasis on the physiological mechanisms underlying their pathobiology. In turn, these findings are complemented by chapters on recent studies, which investigate how circulating sex hormone levels impact the lung's innate immune response to environmental agents and air pollution. The pathogeneses of asthma and viral respiratory infection are also major focus areas. As an outlook, the book also discusses current and future research directions aimed at developing sex-specific therapies for lung disease. To examine these anatomical and physiological differences in the male and female respiratory systems, the authors employ a broad range of methods from molecular and clinical biology. Accordingly, the book will be a fascinating read for physiologists and clinicians alike.

With detailed contributions from more than 40 leading authorities, this edition comprehensively explores the immunobiology, pathophysiology, and clinicial manifestations of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), offering sections revealing the most up-to-date research on immune activation and dysregulation, the pathophysiology of target organ damage, and GvHD prevention and treatment. 53 illustrations.

This new edition explores and provides an update on the biology and pathogenesis of human cytomegalovirus infection. Modern techniques that are currently being utilized to investigate the molecular aspects of viral infection, as well as how these new research studies are leading to new approaches to mitigate disease, are also provided. Given the key role the virus plays in significant acute and chronic human disease in all stages of life, from newborns to seniors, the need for clear methodologies to further explore the biology of HCMV infection and mitigation strategies is readily apparent. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Human Cytomegaloviruses: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition serves as an ideal scientific reference for basic and clinical scientists and medical personnel on the modern understanding of the pathobiology of the virus, and the approaches, techniques, and models to study human cytomegalovirus infection and disease.

This volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology presents the most relevant aspects of vascular mechanobiology along with many more facets of this fascinating, timely and clinically highly relevant field. Mechanotransduction, mechanosensing, fluid shear stress, hameodynamics and cell fate, are just a few topics to name. All important aspects of vascular mechanobiology in health and disease are reviewed by some of the top experts in the field. This volume, together with a second title on cardiac mechanobiology featured in this series, will be of high relevance to scientists and clinical researchers in the area of vascular biology, cardiology and biomedical engineering.

Applied Environmental Metabolomics: Community Insights and Guidance from the Field brings together contributions from global experts who have helped to define and develop the exciting and rapid advances that are taking place in the field of environmental metabolomics. This book is aimed at expert users, students, researchers, and academics in metabolomics and systems biology. It not only demonstrates the best practice in experimental design but also provides insight into state-of-the-art instrumentation and the depth of analysis one can expect to get by using various sampling, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Common experimental and technical pitfalls are also highlighted. This book provides a unique insight into the world of environmental metabolomics and will help the practicing scientist avoid repeating similar costly mistakes, steering them efficiently toward the generation of high-quality data and high-impact publications.

The groundbreaking science behind the surprising source of good health Stanford University's Justin and Erica Sonnenburg are pioneers in the most exciting and potentially transformative field of human health and wellness, the study of the relationship between our bodies and the trillions of organisms representing thousands of species to which our bodies play host, the microbes we call the microbiota. The Sonnenburgs argue that the microbiota determines in no small part whether we're sick or healthy, fit or obese, sunny or moody-and that the microbiota has always been with us, coevolving with humans and entwining its functions with ours. They show us that humans are really composite organisms with microbial and human parts. But now, because of changes to diet, antibiotic over-use, and over-sterilization, our gut microbiota is facing a "mass extinction event," which may explain the mysterious spike in some of our most troubling modern afflictions, from food allergies to autism, cancer to depression. It doesn't have to be this way. The Good Gut is a groundbreaking work that offers a new plan for health that focuses on how to nourish your microbiota, including recipes and a menu plan. The Sonnenburgs show how we can keep our microbiota off the endangered species list and strengthen the community that inhabits our gut and thereby improve our own health. In this important and timely investigation, they look at safe alternatives to antibiotics; dietary and lifestyle choices to encourage microbial health; the management of the aging microbiota; and the nourishment of your own individual microbiome. Caring for our gut microbes may be the most important health choice we can make.

The face circulates through most things of this world: anything that has presence, that presents itself, that has a front, a surface, an appearance, an aspect, a reputation, or honor - anything that confronts, opposes, or defies - has a face. And the face is a front: from the back it is just a head, a radically different entity. In this exciting new book - and sadly his last before his untimely death - distinguished philosopher Marty Roth pursues considerations of the human face in art, literature, philosophy, and other manifestations of human culture.

This second volume of Defining Physiology: Principles, Themes, Concepts. continues on the same format as the first.In this new release, a selection of 44 essential topics in each major organ system is defined, then major themes, concept and principles surrounding these words in their physiologic scenarios are elaborated. For each keyword, a question is posed at the end of the text to test for a better understanding of the associated physiology of nervous and gastrointestinal systems. This book presents an easy reference guide for those just starting out in the area of physiology and for those who are interested in clear and succinct definitions of key terms.

This book is designed with a purpose of solving all problems of examinees which arise specifically at the moment of practical and oral examination in the subject of physiology and pathology. The book contains a large number of laboratory investigations and a number of solved critical questions.

Pressure-related chronic wounds are an important health concern that affects millions of patients and accumulates billions in annual costs. These wounds may occur when soft tissues are mechanically compressed between bony prominences and a supporting surface. This book gives a complete and quantitative explanation of the mechanobiology which causes chronic wounds. The reviews give an overall picture on all length scales of the phenomenon, starting from musculoskeletal biomechanics to the modeling of soft tissues and their interaction with bones. At the microscopic levels, it thoroughly reviews experiments and modeling of cellular forces and molecular processes that occur during injury and healing, including the integrity of living cells subjected to sustained mechanical forces and deformations. The results allow a complete picture of the tolerance of human tissues to sustained loads, and an understanding of the risk for onset of chronic wounds. Hence, this book is also valuable for all professionals involved in the prevention and treatment of chronic wounds.

The volumes in this authoritative series present a multidisciplinary approach to modeling and simulation of flows in the cardiovascular and ventilatory systems, especially multiscale modeling and coupled simulations. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are tightly coupled, as their primary function is to supply oxygen to and remove carbon dioxide from the body's cells. Because physiological conduits have deformable and reactive walls, macroscopic flow behavior and prediction must be coupled to nano- and microscopic events in a corrector scheme of regulated mechanisms. Therefore, investigation of flows of blood and air in physiological conduits requires an understanding of the biology, chemistry, and physics of these systems together with the mathematical tools to describe their functioning.

Volumes1 and 2are devoted to cell organization and fate, as well as activities that are autoregulated and/or controlled by the cell environment.Volume 1examined cellular features that allow adaptation to environmental conditions.Volume 2begins with a survey of the cell types of the nervous and endocrine systems involved in the regulation of the vasculature and respiratory tract and growth factors. It then describes major cell events in the circulatory and ventilatory systems, such as cell growth, proliferation, migration, and death. Circadian cycles that drive rhythmic gene transcription are also covered."

This book illustrates the significance and relevance of immunotherapy in modern-day therapeutics. Focusing on the application of immunotherapy in oncology, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases, it discusses the drug delivery systems, and pre-clinical and clinical methodologies for immunotherapy-based drugs. It also comprehensively reviews various aspects of immunotherapy, such as regulatory affairs, quality control, safety, and pharmacovigilance. Further, the book discusses the in vitro validation of therapeutic strategies prior to patient application and management of immunotherapy-related side effects and presents case studies demonstrating the design and development (pre-clinical to clinical) of immunotherapy for various diseases. It also describes various design considerations and the scale-up synthesis of immunotherapeutics and screening methods. Lastly, it explores the important aspect of cost-effectiveness and rational immunotherapy strategies.