The advances made in vascular biology in the last 25 years have considerably changed the perception that one could have of the endothelial cells. Once considered as a diffusion barrier preventing the access of the blood cells to the vascular matrix, the endothelium is now recognized as playing a major role in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation, and vascular tone, but also in immunology, inflammation, angiogenesis, and for serving as a metabolizing and an endocrine organ.
-- from the preface
Cardiovascular diseases, so prevalent in the Western world during the twentieth century, could well become the scourge of the twenty-first century in emerging countries as well as the West. Endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or release of contracting and relaxing factors is often evoked to explain the initiation of the cardiovascular pathology or its development and perpetuation. Two decades ago, when nitric oxide was demonstrated to mediate endothelium-dependent relaxations, the vascular world seemed convinced that nitric oxide was the ultimate and sole explanation for such relaxations. However not everyone agreed.
EDHF: The Complete Story is the work of two leading researchers who did not accept that simple conclusion, but instead continued to search, along with others, for a deeper understanding of the ways in which endothelial cells communicate with the underlying smooth muscle to signal it to hyperpolarize. Now with most, if not all, of those ways, uncovered, the authors offer this summary as way of bringing closure to the quest.
This monograph reports on the work of many researchers. It summarizes the significant recent discoveries concerning endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizations, which are likely to play a much more important role in cardiovascular physiology and pathology than was originally foreseen
Extensively illustrated with original diagrams and schematics that summarize the different steps of endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization, the text is designed for vascular biologists, and cardiologists, as well as graduate students looking to gain an understanding of the intimate functioning of the blood vessel wall.

This book is a synopsis of the key facts and concepts of human development. It is intended for students who are taking a human embryology course. The book includes the underlying mechanisms involved in clinically important congenital anomalies that will prove useful to medical and nursing.

For one-semester courses in anatomy & physiology. Celebrated for its precise illustrations, emphasis on integration, and engaging clinical content, Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology is crafted especially for students with no prior knowledge of anatomy & physiology and little science background. The 8th Edition guides students through tough A&P topics, helping them retain challenging content in the fast-paced one-semester A&P course. The new edition draws on the outstanding art and hallmark features from the text to create interactives and digital assets that walk students through complicated art and help them to understand difficult concepts. NEW Build Your Knowledge Interactives focus on how the body systems work together to maintain homeostasis.

Edited by physiology instructors who are also active clinicians, Integrated Physiology and Pathophysiology is a one-stop guide to key information you need for early clinical and medical training and practice. This unique, integrated textbook unites these two essential disciplines and focuses on the most relevant aspects for clinical application. A concise, review-like format, tables and diagrams, spaced repetition for effective learning, and self-assessment features help you gain and retain a firm understanding of basic physiology and pathophysiology. Integrated Physiology and Pathophysiology works equally well as a great starting point in your studies and as a review for boards. Shares the knowledge and expertise of an outstanding editorial team consisting of two practicing clinicians who also teach physiology and pathophysiology at Harvard Medical School, plus a top Harvard medical student. Provides an integrated approach to physiology and pathophysiology in a concise, bulleted format. Chapters are short and focus on clinically relevant, foundational concepts in clear, simple language. Employs focused repetition of key points, helping you quickly recall core concepts such as pressure-flow-resistance relationships, ion gradients and action potentials, and mass balance. You'll revisit these concepts in a variety of meaningful clinical contexts in different chapters; this "spaced learning" method of reinforcement promotes deeper and more flexible understanding and application. Includes Fast Facts boxes that emphasize take-home messages or definitions. Contains Integration boxes that link physiology and pathophysiology to pharmacology, genetics, and other related sciences. Presents clinical cases and with signs and symptoms, history, and laboratory data that bring pathophysiology to life. Features end-of-chapter board-type questions, complete with clear explanations of the answers, to help prepare you for standardized exams. 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.

Investigations involving incisive mechanistic dissection of various types of synaptic plasticity have revealed that it plays key roles in neural development, sensory information processing, cortical remapping following brain injury, perception, and behavioral learning and memory. Disruptions of synaptic plasticity may underlie neurological and behavioral disorders such as Alzheimer disease, Fragile-X syndrome, autism, and drug addiction. Multidisciplinary Tools for Investigating Synaptic Plasticity, therefore, assembles expert contributions that highlight techniques and strategies used in probing the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the nervous systems of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Divided into three sections, this meticulous volume describes biochemical and genetic strategies for studying synaptic plasticity, behavior, neural development, and synaptogenesis, and also includes cellular electrophysiological and optical methods for interrogating a diverse array of mechanistic issues. As part of the Neuromethods series, this book contains the kind of detail and key implementation advice that maximizes successful results. Authoritative and invaluable, Multidisciplinary Tools for Investigating Synaptic Plasticity serves as an ideal primer for introducing researchers to specific techniques that will enhance their success at addressing novel questions in synaptic plasticity at the lab bench.

No matter when you make changes in your life, you can still reap the benefits of bolstering your gut, reinvigorating its digestive and immune capabilities, and boosting your overall health.

Anatomy and physiology presented in a clear and accessible manner for the midwifery student. Well illustrated with numerous line diagrams, Anatomy & Physiology in Maternity Care takes a system-approach to the physiological changes that occur throughout the childbearing year. Varied case studies reflecting the latest research findings ensure that theory is firmly rooted in midwifery practice. This is an excellent first textbook for those students needing to understand the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy and childbirth An introductory text covering anatomy and physiology relevant to midwifery students Simple, accessible language ensures complete understanding of complex theory Case studies relate anatomy and physiology to midwifery practice Covers physiological changes throughout the childbearing year Updated references New case studies reflecting latest research findings

Brain Hypoxia and Ischemia explores the various aspects of cell death and survival that are crucial for understanding the basic mechanisms underlying brain hypoxia and ischemia. Chapters focus on a panorama of issues including the role of ion channels/transporters, mitochondria and apoptotic mechanisms, the roles of glutamate/NMDA, mechanisms in penumbral cells and the importance of intermittent hypoxia and gene regulation under these stressful conditions. The volume explores findings from both mammalian and invertebrate model systems and their applicability to human systems and diseases. Careful consideration is also given to differences in hypoxia and ischemia across development.

This volume aims to increase the understanding of these mechanisms and to stimulate research on better diagnosis and treatment of diseases that afflict the brain and potentially other organs when O2 levels are dysregulated. Brain Hypoxia and Ischemia is designed for neuroscientists, clinicians and medical/graduate students for use in both basic research and clinical practice.

Instant Notes in Sport and Exercise Physiology looks at the key topics in exercise physiology and examines how each of the physiological systems responds to acute and chronic exercise. As well as reviewing special topics such as nutrition, altitude, temperature, and ergogenic acids, it assesses the importance of exercise to health and quality of life and considers the importance of exercise to adults, children and the elderly.

Understanding the function of skeletal muscle requires knowledge of its structure from the level of gross anatomy down to that of molecular organization. This book is mainly concerned with skeletal muscle physiology sand biochemistry and covers from embryonic development, muscle organization, energy metabolism, structure of the muscle fibre to mechanisms of fatigue. The text is fully illustrated with appropriate photographs of fibres and drawings/graphs to illustrate biochemistry. Outstanding number of photographs, illustrations and graphs assist the reader in understanding with great visual aids. Its thorough coverage offers the most in-depth information available on the various topics important to the field.

Not just another book on circulatory system physiology, this book includes 10 "lectures" that are presented in a light, entertaining style, with each lecture building on the previous one--making it easy for the reader to comprehend the vastly complicated functions of the circulatory system.

The author succeeds in telling a clear, interesting story. The length of the story has intentionally been kept short; it is neither exhaustively complete nor over-simplified. The story is enriched by details about basic biologic mechanisms and clever ways nature has solved a problem or achieved a result.

This book will be a tremendous resource for the student of health science to help him or her understand and organize the topic; the established professional will appreciate the clarity and simplicity of the basic information that is sometimes dimmed by a plethora of details; and the general reader will satisfy his or her curiosity about the circulatory system and how it sustains life.

Molecular Basis of Human Nutrition focuses mainly on human nutrition and emphasises its metabolic basis to reflect the increasing knowledge and research in these fields. It explains the biochemical functions of the essential nutrients and the physiological consequences of deficient and excessive intakes. These are described within the context of normal human diets and requirements for health. Although this book is about human nutrition, in some instances there are comparisons with and examples of other mammalian species to facilitate understanding of the principles being explained.
Molecular Basis of Human Nutrition is the only book to cover this particular subject and will prove very popular with both students and lecturers alike.

Orthopaedic procedures in elderly patients are challenging and costly. As the population ages these costs will continue to escalate. ORTHOPAEDIC ISSUES IN OSTEOPOROSIS weaves together theory and applications to provide the first reference available on the orthopaedic aspects of osteoporosis.

The focus on the management of patients who have had a fracture sets this book apart. Featuring extensive coverage of surgical management of osteoporotic fractures, it highlights the challenges of internal repair in osteoporotic bone. The chapters combine the basic and clinical essentials of osteoporosis with the latest orthopaedic findings in applied research and surgical treatment.

Fractures associated with osteoporosis account for the majority of the money spent on this condition. However, the orthpaedic treatment of osteoporotic bone is a formidable surgical problem, and one not covered explicitly in any book - until now. With over 300 tables, line drawings, equations, and macro or X-ray photographs, ORTHOPAEDIC ISSUES IN OSTEOPOROSIS is a long overdue resource.

About the Editor: Yuehuei H. (Huey) An, MD, graduated from the Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Northeast China in 1983 and was trained in orthopaedic surgery at the Beijing Ji Shui Tan Hospital (Residency), and in hand surgery at Sydney Hospital (Clinical Fellow), Australia. In 1991, Dr. An joined with Dr. Richard J. Friedman in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina to establish the MUSC Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, which is now a multifunctional orthopaedic research center. Dr. An has published more than 100 scientific papers and book chapters and more than 100 abstracts and edited 6 books, including Animal Models in Orthopaedic Research (CRC Press 1999) and Mechanical Testing of Bone and the Bone-Implant Interface (CRC Press 2000). He is an active member of eight academic societies in the fields of orthopaedics, biomaterials, biomechanics, and tissue engineering.

Skeletal Muscle Mechanics: From Mechanisms to Function summarises the variety of approaches used by today’s scientist to understand muscle function and the mechanisms of contraction. This book contains research by leading scientists from numerous fields using many different scientific techniques. Topics covered include:

• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of skeletal muscle contraction
• Historical perspective of muscle research
• The newest developments in techniques for the determination of the mechanical properties of single cross-bridges
• Theoretical modelling of muscle contraction and force production
• Multifaceted approaches to determine the in vivo function of skeletal muscle

"I expect this book to be excellent and timely." Professor R. McNeill Alexander FRS, School of Biology, University of Leeds, UK

Traumatic injuries of the spinal cord continue to be the most common cause of permanent paralysis in young adults in the United States. New information has emerged on the response of spinal neurons to injury of either the spinal cord or peripheral nerves demonstrating that dendrites of injured motoneurons take on characteristics of axons. These and other new developments have helped to promote an exciting new era in the study of spinal cord neurobiology.

Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord provides a description of the recent conceptual and technical advances in the field. It provides a description of the new experimental tools available for investigating the neuronal properties that allow populations of spinal cord neurons to control muscles responsible for limb movements and posture. It covers topics ranging from genetics to kinematics and examines cells, tissues, or whole animals in species ranging from fish to humans that are normal, injured, or diseased.

By integrating data derived from many new approaches, you'll learn about how spinal cord circuits operate under a variety conditions and about new and exciting inroads being made in motor neurobiology of the spinal cord. Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord elucidates concepts and principles relevant to function and structure throughout the nervous system and presents information about changes induced by injury and disease.

Richard P. McCall's fascinating book explains how basic concepts of physics apply to the fundamental activities and responses of the human body, a veritable physics laboratory.

Blood pumping through our veins is a vital example of Poiseuille flow; the act of running requires friction to propel the runner forward; and the quality of our eyesight demonstrates how properties of light enable us to correct near- and far-sightedness.

Each chapter discusses a fundamental physics concept and relates it to the anatomy and physiology of applicable parts of the body. Topics include motion, fluids and pressure, temperature and heat, speech and hearing, electrical behaviors, optics, biological effects of radiation, and drug concentrations. Clear and compelling, with a limited amount of math, McCall's descriptions allow readers of all levels to appreciate the physics of the human physique.

"Physics of the Human Body" will help curious high school students, undergraduates with medical aspirations, and practicing medical professionals understand more about the underlying physics principles of the human body.

Mitochondria produce the chemical energy necessary for eukaryotic cell functions; hence mitochondria are an essential component of health, playing roles in both disease and aging. More than 80 human diseases and syndromes are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction; this book focuses upon diseases linked to these ubiquitous organelles. Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage results in mitochondrial dysfunction through two main pathways. Mutation in mitochondrial DNA causes diseases such as Kearns-Sayre syndrome and Pearson syndrome. Mutation in chromosomal DNA causes diseases such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. These and many other diseases are reviewed in this book. Key Features Presents the detailed structure of mitochondria, mitochondrial function, roles of oxidants and antioxidants in mitochondrial dysfunction. Includes summary of both causes and effects of these diseases. Discusses current and potential future therapies for mitochondrial dysfunction diseases Explores a wide variety of diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondria.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury will improve readers' understanding of the complexities of diagnosis and management of traumatic brain injuries. Featuring chapters on drug delivery, different treatments, and rehabilitation, this volume discusses in detail the impact early diagnosis and effective management has on the long-term prognosis of these injuries and the lives of those affected. This book will be relevant for neuroscientists, neurologists, clinicians, and anyone working to better understand these injuries. Traumatic brain injury has complex etiology and may arise as a consequence of physical abuse, violence, war, vehicle collisions, working in the construction industry, and sports. Cellular, Molecular, Physiological, and Behavioral Aspects of Traumatic Brain Injury will improve readers' understanding of the detailed processes arising from traumatic brain injury. Featuring chapters on neuroinflammation, metabolism, and psychology, this volume discusses the impact of these injuries on neurological and body systems to better understand underlying pathways. This book will be relevant for neuroscientists, neurologists, clinicians, and anyone working to better understand traumatic brain injury.

Contents:
1. Cell Membranes, Epithelial Barriers and Drug Absorption 2. Parenteral Drug Delivery 3. Drug Delivery to the Oral Cavity or Mouth 4. Oesophageal Transit 5. The Stomach 6. Drug Absorption from the Small Intestine 7. Drug Delivery to the Large Intestine and Rectum 8. Transdermal Drug Delivery 9. Nasal Drug Delivery 10. Pulmonary Drug Delivery 11. Ocular Drug Delivery 12. Vaginal and Intrauterine Drug Delivery.

The importance of measurements for the proper assessment of human locomotion is increasingly being recognized. The fields of application encompass both healthy and pathological locomotion as encountered in rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, kinesiology, sports medicine, and the like.
Measurement of Human Locomotion provides an up-to-date description of the instrument systems used for measurement of: kinematics of human movement; kinetic quantities experienced by the human body in contact with the ground; and, myoelectric changes associated with locomotor activity.

Physical principles behind the operation of various measurement systems are emphasized, as well as signal processing issues that must be addressed in order to obtain and use quantitative measurement variables in biomechanics. The book explains how measurement data are acquired, processed and presented to the user in the environment of a modern, computer-based laboratory. The ultimate aim is to contribute to the processes of the diagnosis and treatment of locomotion disorders.

The purpose of Measurement of Human Locomotion is to provide a concise but comprehensive presentation of the systems used for the measurement of human locomotion, with a view to the assessment and diagnosis of the phenomenon.

Bone is a complex biological material that consists of both an inorganic and organic phase, which undergoes continuous dynamic biological processes within the body. This complex structure and the need to acquire accurate data have resulted in a wide variety of methods applied in the physical analysis of bone in vivo and in vitro. Each method has its own strengths and applications depending on the information sought by the clinician or researcher. The Physical Measurement of Bone provides a detailed description of all the major methods of bone analysis, including brief comments on clinical evaluation. The physics of each method are introduced as well as a summary of practical procedures. The book is essential reading for practicing medical physicists and technicians who need to know about the many methods of bone analysis open to them, and, more importantly, the wide coverage provides a good introductory framework for students of medical physics and biomedical engineering.

The Visible Human Project is a critical investigation of the spectacular, three-dimensional recordings of real human bodies - dissected, photographed and converted into visual data files - made by the US National Library of Medicine in Baltimore. Catherine Waldby uses new ideas from cultural studies, science studies and social studies of the computer to situate the Visible Human Project in its historical and cultural context, and to consider the meanings such an object has within a computerised culture.
In this fascinating and important book, Catherine Waldby explores how advances in medical technologies have changed the way we view and study the human body, and places the VHP within the history of technologies such as the X-ray and CT-scan, which allow us to view the human interior.
Bringing together medical conceptions of the human body with theories of visual culture from Foucault to Donna Haraway, Waldby links the VHP to a range of other biomedical projects, such as the Human Genome Project and cloning, which approach living bodies as data sources. She argues that the VHP is an example of the increasingly blurred distinction between `living' and 'dead' human bodies, as the bodies it uses are digitally preserved as a resource for living bodies, and considers how computer-based biotechnologies affect both medical and non-medical meanings of the body's life and death, its location and its limits.

The Visible Human Project is a critical investigation of the spectacular, three-dimensional recordings of real human bodies - dissected, photographed and converted into visual data files - made by the US National Library of Medicine in Baltimore. Catherine Waldby uses new ideas from cultural studies, science studies and social studies of the computer to situate the Visible Human Project in its historical and cultural context, and to consider the meanings such an object has within a computerised culture.
In this fascinating and important book, Catherine Waldby explores how advances in medical technologies have changed the way we view and study the human body, and places the VHP within the history of technologies such as the X-ray and CT-scan, which allow us to view the human interior.
Bringing together medical conceptions of the human body with theories of visual culture from Foucault to Donna Haraway, Waldby links the VHP to a range of other biomedical projects, such as the Human Genome Project and cloning, which approach living bodies as data sources. She argues that the VHP is an example of the increasingly blurred distinction between `living' and 'dead' human bodies, as the bodies it uses are digitally preserved as a resource for living bodies, and considers how computer-based biotechnologies affect both medical and non-medical meanings of the body's life and death, its location and its limits.

eBook available with sample pages: HB:0415174058

From a biomedical engineering perspective, this book takes an analytic, quantitative approach to describing the basic components of physiological regulators and control systems (PRCs). In Endogenous and Exogenous Regulation and Control of Physiological Systems, the author provides grounding in the classical methods of designing linear and nonlinear systems. He also offers state-of-the-art material on the potential of PRCs to treat immune system ailments, most notably AIDS and cancer.

The book focuses on certain "wet" physiological regulators, such as those using endocrine hormones as parametric control substances. Endogenous and Exogenous Regulation and Control of Physiological Systems includes simulations that illustrate model validations and the putative control of cancer and HIV proliferation. It explores novel, untried immunotherapies on the cutting-edge of PRC treatment and explores the latest technologies.