Recently, artificial intelligence technology has achieved much success in multiple fields, such as healthcare, security, precision agriculture, smart city, and autonomous driving. AI provides many benefits for social development, economic growth, wellbeing management, and human healthcare. Various intelligent healthcare applications have been created in order to assist in patient healthcare. The book discusses the advances of AI applications in healthcare such as disease diagnosis, diet proposal, drug prescription and trucking, and physical and psychological assistance. It also examines the applications of AI tools in healthcare such as machine learning, deep learning, soft computing, evolutionary computing techniques in the design, and implementation of healthcare solutions. This book is ideal for healthcare administrators, radiologists, medical imaging and signal specialists, diagnosticians, medical professionals, data analysts, computer science professionals, IT consultants, researchers, academicians, and students.

Basic research on osteoarthritis has been carried out mainly from the his tological and biochemical aspects of the degenerating chondrocytes, collagen fibers, and matrix proteoglycans. Undue mechanical stress has been shown to be the principal factor in the initiation of osteoarthritis. Although the exact process by which mechanical stress leads to the total destruction of cartilage tissue remains unclear, several new research methods have enabled us to gain a deeper understanding of the process of degeneration. In October 1997, we organized an international symposium titled "Ad vances in Osteoarthritis" in Kobe, with the main topics being updated re search, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoarthritis. The proceedings of the symposium are presented here in five sections: (1) Mechanical stress and reactions of chondrocytes, such as intracellular ion changes, changes in the cytoskeleton, intracellular messenger systems, release of gas mediators, and changes in electromechanical properties of cartilage; (2) Functional diagnosis of osteoarthritis by MR imaging, and using calpain and collagenase III as new cartilage markers; (3) Treatment with a promising simple washout technique and IL-1RA and MMP antagonists; (4) Cartilage repair by new grafting tech niques; and (5) Problems following total joint replacement. We sincerely hope that the advanced knowledge provided in this volume of proceedings will be valuable to our readers.

1) Mechanism of Fe(II) Oxidation and Core Formation in Ferritin.- 2) Chemico-Physical and Functional Differences Between H and L Chains of Human Ferritin.- 3) Iron Oxidation in Sheep, Horse and Recombinant Human Apoferritins.- 4) The Transferrin Receptor and the Release of Iron from Transferrin.- 5) The Roles of Secondary Binding Sites for Transferrin in the Liver and on Macrophages.- 6) Optimized Separation and Quantitation of Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid Transferrin Subfractions Defined by Differences in Iron Saturation or Glycan Composition.- 7) Mechanism of Production of the Serum Transferrin Receptor.- 8) Iron Absorption and Cellular Uptake of Iron.- 9) Ferric Iron Reduction and Iron Uptake in Eucaryotes: Studies with the Yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.- 10) Cellular Responses to Iron and Iron Compounds.- 11) The Structure and Function of Iron Regulatory Factor.- 12) Structure and Function of IREs, the Noncoding mRNA Sequences Regulating Synthesis of Ferritin, Transferrin Receptor and (Erythroid) 5-Aminolevulinate Synthase.- 13) Translational Control by Iron-Responsive Elements.- 14) The Role of Cytokines in the Regulation of Ferritin Expression.- 15) Stimulation of IRE-BP Activity of IREF by Tetrahydrobiopterin and Cytokine Dependent Induction of Nitric Oxide Synthase.- 16) Reciprocal Modulation of Aconitase Activity and RNA-binding Activity of Iron Regulatory Factor by Nitric Oxide.- 17) A New Look at Ferritin Metabolism.- 18) Bacterioferritin: A Hemoprotein Member of the Ferritin Family.- 19) Intracellular Iron.- 20) Distinct Features of Iron Metabolism in Erythroid Cells: Implications for Heme Synthesis Regulation.- 21) Cellular Ferritin Uptake: A Highly Regulated Pathway for Iron Assimilation in Human Erythroid Precursor Cells.- 22) Differential Effects of Iron and Iron Carrier on Hematopoietic Cell Differentiation and Human ADA Gene Transfer.- 23) A Hemin-Inducible Enhancer Lies 4. 5 Kb Upstream of the Mouse Ferritin H Subunit Gene.- 24) Iron Deficiency: The Global Perspective.- 25) Iron Regulation in the Brain at the Cell and Molecular Level.- 26) Pathophysiology of Iron Toxicity.- 27) Morphologic Observations in Iron Overload: An Update.- 28) Identification of Thiolic Sarcolemmal Proteins as a Primary Target of Iron Toxicity in Cultured Heart Cells.- 29) Iron Overload and the Biliary Route.- 30) Changing Concepts of Haemochromatosis.- 31) Epidemiology, Clinical Spectrum and Prognosis of Hemochromatosis.- 32) The Morbidity of Hemochromatosis Among Clinically Unselected Homozygotes: Preliminary Report.- 33) Genetics of Haemochromatosis.- 34) Localization of Seven New Genes Around the HLA-A Locus.- 35) Searching for the Hemochromatosis Grail.- 36) Iron Chelator Design.- 37) Results from a Phase I Clinical Trial of HBED.- 38) Lessons from Preclinical and Clinical Studies with 1,2-Diethyl-3-Hydroxypyridin-4-One, CP94 and Related Compounds.- 39) Iron Chelation Therapy for Malaria.- 40) The Biochemical Basis for the Selective Antimalarial Action of Iron Chelators on Plasmodium Falciparum Parasitized Cells.

Phosphoinositides (PIs) are minor components of cellular membranes that play critical regulatory roles in several intracellular functions. This book describes the main enzymes regulating the turnover of each of the seven PIs in mammalian cells, some of their intracellular functions and some evidence of their involvement in human diseases. Due to the complex inter-relation between the distinct PIs and the plethora of functions that they can regulate inside a cell, this book is not meant to be a comprehensive coverage of all aspects of PIs signalling but rather an overview on the current state of the field and where it could go from here. Phosphoinositide and inositol phosphates interact with and modulate the recruitment and activation of key regulatory proteins and in doing so control diverse functions including cell growth and proliferation, apoptosis, cytoskeletal dynamics, insulin action, vesicle trafficking and nuclear function. Initially, inositide signaling was limited to the PLC pathway; however, it is now clear that all the seven phosphoinositides and more than 30 different inositol phosphates likely have specific signaling functions. Moreover there is a growing list of proteins that are regulated by inositol signaling. This has raised the question as to how inositol signaling can control diverse processes and yet maintain signaling specificity. Controlling the levels of inositol signaling molecules and their subcellular compartmentalisation is likely to be critical. This meeting will bring together scientists from different backgrounds to discuss how understanding inositol signaling may be used to target complex human diseases that manifest themselves when inositol signaling is deregulated.

This book was stimulated by the enthusiasm shown by attendees at the meetings in Saxon River, VT, sponsored by the Federation ofAmerican Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), on the subject of the intestinal processing of lipids. When these meetings were first started in 1990, the original organizers, two of whom are editors ofthis volume (CMM and PT), had two major goals. The first was to bring together a diverse group ofinvestiga tors who had the common goal of gaining a better understanding of how the intestine ab sorbs lipids. The second was to stimulate the interest of younger individuals whom we wished to recruit into what we believed was an exciting and fruitful area ofresearch. Since that time, the field has opened up considerably with new questions being asked and new an swers obtained, suggesting that our original goals for the meetings were being met. In the same spirit, it occurred to us that there has not been a recentbook that draws to gethermuch ofthe informationavailableconcerninghow the intestineprocesses lipids. This book is intended to reach investigators with an interest in this area and their pre- and post doctoral students. The chapters are written by individuals who have a long-term interest in the areas about which they write, and many have been speakers at the subsequent FASEB conferences that have followed on the first."

Fifty-nine-year-old Robert LaPlante gave up cigarettes in his twenties, was never overweight, practiced good health habits, and had run marathons and many other foot races. He lived his life in a way he believed would ward off terrible things like cancer. But in November 2008, LaPlante received the devastating diagnosis of signet ring cell adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that begins in the appendix.

In "Cancer No Chemo," LaPlante documents his three-year battle with cancer-from the initial diagnosis, to surgery to remove ten inches of colon and twenty-two lymph nodes, to winning the fight. Through journal entries, he shares his innermost thoughts during his treatment and recovery, including the fearful decision to forgo chemotherapy in favor of holistic healing methods that are gaining a place in the battle against cancer.

In this memoir, he shares how he believes a positive attitude is the most important tool that inspires positive action. "Cancer No Chemo" provides an inspiring look at how one man battled a foreboding cancer diagnosis and won.

Neoplasias (tumors) are uncontrolled and progressive new growths of tissue. Frequently physicians caring for patients with neoplastic diseases are confronted with kidney or fluid and electrolyte complications that occur as a direct consequence of the neoplastic process or its treatments. The nine expert essays in this practical and clinically-oriented volume address the origins and treatment of most of these complications. Includes references to recent and classic studies.

Physiology and Metabolism: Genetic Influences on Urinary Calcium Excretion (R.P. Holmes et al.). Oxalate Metabolism and Transport: Vectorial Oxalate Transport across a Monolayer of Renal Epithelial Cells (H. Koul et al.). Physicochemistry, Promoters and Inhibitors: Crystal Growth and Nucleation Rates for Calcium Oxalate in 92% Fresh Urine in a Continuous Crystalliser (J.P. Kavanagh et al.). Crystallization and Proteins: Possible Role of Stone Matrix in Calcium Oxalate Stone Formation (S. Yamaguchi et al.). Stone Composition, Matrix and Membranes: Role of Organic Matrix in Formation and Growth of Calcium Oxalate Urinary Stones (S.R. Khan, R.L. Hackett). Risk Factors and Diet: Urinary Silicate in Calculous Patients (W.C. Thomas). Epidemiology and Infection: Urinary Enzymes (C.H. van Aswegen et al.). ESWL and Lithotropsy: Ultrasound Velocity-A Measure of Stone Strength? (N.P. Cohen et al.). Investigation, Medical and Surgery Management: A New Therapeutic Agent for Cystinuria (T. Koide et al.). 276 additional articles. Index.

Oxidative stress and inflammation underpin most diseases; their mechanisms are inextricably linked. For example, chronic inflammation is associated with oxidation, anti-inflammatory cascades are linked to decreased oxidation, increased oxidative stress triggers inflammation and redox balance inhibits the inflammatory cellular response. Whether or not oxidative stress and inflammation represent the causes or the consequences of cellular pathology, they contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of non-communicable diseases. The incidence of obesity and other related metabolic disturbances are rising, as are age-related diseases due to progressively aging populations. Interrelations between the mechanisms of oxidative stress and of inflammatory signaling and metabolism are, in the broad sense of energy transformation, being increasingly recognized as part of the problem in non-communicable diseases.

The book "Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Non-communicable Diseases: Molecular Mechanisms and Perspectives in Therapeutics "is an update on the latest research on the molecular basis of non-communicable diseases and the search for possible therapeutic alternatives. The authors of this monograph are experts in their fieldand the book as a whole, provides an overview of the biochemical alterations underlying diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, renal disease, neurological diseases and diabetes, emphasizing those aspects that they share in common. We hope that this book will be useful for researchers in biomedicine and also for physicians interested in finding the root causes of the disease, as well as for post-graduate students in biochemistry, molecular biology, nutrition or medicine."

Top Investigators Explore the Complexities of Angiogenesis Cancer Research The targeting of tumor angiogenesis has evolved into one of the most widely pursued therapeutic strategies. However, as of yet, no antiangiogenic agent used as a monotherapy has demonstrated a survival benefit in a randomized Phase III trial. The combination of bevacizumab, the first FDA approved angiogenesis inhibitor, with cytotoxic regimens has led to survival benefits in cancer patients. This has raised important questions about the complexities inherent in the clinical application of angiogenesis inhibitors. Compiles the results of four decades of progress Integrating fundamental concepts with therapeutic strategies, Anti-Angiogenic Cancer Therapy promotes the idea that an understanding of the molecular and cellular regulation of angiogenesis leads to optimal therapeutic strategies and positive clinical results. It brings together contributions from leading researchers to provide the most authoritative and encyclopedic volume available on this subject. Examines the role of angiogenesis in cancer, including strategies to prolong the nonangiogenic dormant state of human tumors, molecular mechanisms and cellular regulation of angiogenesis in solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, and the regulation of angiogenesis by the tumor microenvironment. Covers specific molecular targets for inhibiting angiogenesis in cancer therapy. Discusses clinical trial design and translational research approaches essential for identifying and developing effective angiogenesis inhibitors. Outlines current understanding of the molecular biology of each cancer type followed by discussions that examine strategies for targeting angiogenesis in specific cancers. This volume celebrates progress made in four decades, and more importantly, it provi

As we approach the end of this millennium, enteric diseases remain impor tant public health problems. In many parts of the world, sanitary measures have advanced little over the last century, although some of the governments in those areas are striving to improve facilities for sanitation and to educate their people in proper handling of food, water, sewage, and other modes of transmission of pathogenic microbes. Even in highly developed countries, outbreaks of diarrheal diseases occur today. Globally, the annual morbidity from enteric infections is estimated at several billion and deaths at several million per year. In this volume, descriptions of some of these diseases, of immunity that results from them, of clinical studies that promote under standing of individual and community immunity, of molecular factors of pathogenesis, and/or of advances in vaccine development have been pro vided by leading researchers. At present, the application of molecular methods is enhancing the identification of protective antigens of many microorganisms. In addition, new methods for design and delivery of vac cines are being devised. Perhaps then more effective tools for reducing at least some of these diseases will be available within the next decade. Lois J. Paradise Herman Friedman Mauro Bendinelli vii Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv LOIS J. PARADISE 1. Indigenous Microorganisms as a Host Defense 1 KENNETH H. WILSON 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. Composition of Intestinal Biota. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3. Molecular Approaches to Determine Composition of the Biota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 4. Role of the Host in Determining the Composition of the Biota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

It is my great pleasure to publish New Frontiers in Lifestyle-Related Dis eases, the proceedings of the Showa University International Symposium for Life Sciences, 3rd Annual Meeting, held at Showa University on Sep tember 13, 2006. This symposium was supported, in part, by Grants for the Promotion of the Advancement of Education and Research in Graduate Schools and Ordinary Expenses for Private Schools from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan. On behalf of Showa University, I would like to express my deepest thanks to all the authors and editors for their great contribution to the publication of this memorable book that accelerates research activity in lifestyle-related diseases. Akiyoshi Hosoyamada, M.D., Ph.D. President, Showa University Tokyo, Japan September 2007 v Preface The leading cause of death in Western countries and some developing countries is atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Among them, acute myocardial infarction is the most common type of fatal disease, caused by the progression of atherosclerosis characterized by accumulation of choles terol in vascular walls. Development of atherosclerosis is greatly enhanced by major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, hyperlip idemia, diabetes (hyperglycemia), and hypertension. Among those, obesity frequently initiates a metabolic change that subsequently induces hyperlip idemia, diabetes, hypertension, and eventually atherosclerotic cardiovascu lar diseases. Because obesity and its related disorders largely depend on lifestyle factors such as high calorie intake and low physical activity, a series of disorders are termed lifestyle-related diseases.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of senile dementia. Since the discovery in 1984 of the amyloid ?-peptide (A?) as the core protein of the senile plaques present in the brains of Alzheimer's disease sufferers, an immense amount of research has gone into mapping out the molecular basis of this debilitating disease. The aim of Alzheimer's Disease: Methods and Protocols is to bring together the main biochemical, cell biological, and molecular biological techniques and approaches that are being used to investigate the molecular basis of Alzheimer's disease. This volume begins with chapters of an introductory/ review nature. Chapter 1 provides a historical introduction to Alzheimer's d- ease with particular emphasis on the central role played by A? and its re- tion to tau. Chapter 2 examines the genetics underlying this neurodegenerative disease, covering the amyloid precursor protein, apolipoprotein E, and the presenilins. Chapter 3 presents an overview of currently available therapeutic agents and prospects for drugs of the future.

Since 1982, Ras proteins have been the subject of intense research investigation by the biomedical research community. The wide interest in Ras has been stimulated for three key reasons. This book features chapters contributed by leading investigators in the field that highlight the current state-of-the art in Ras biochemistry, structure and biology. This book is an excellent reference for students in the biomedical sciences and for investigators in the field.

Just a few decades ago, children born with significant congenital anomalies or genetic and metabolic diseases perished at an early age and very few survived into their teens and even less into adulthood. Congenital heart disease, major errors in metabolism, cancer, cystic fibrosis and many other major diseases were fatal. Because of that many physicians in adult primary care did not have the opportunity to see patients with these problems and thus unable to learn how to care for them. In this book, we have recruited highly qualified and experienced physicians to compile what is to the best of our knowledge, the first book dealing entirely with the issue of children's diseases in adults. Our goal is to provide a resource for all health care providers in order to help with caring for such adult patients. We believe that it will be valuable to all health care providers who provide care to adults with children's diseases. To our knowledge, there is no such resource available for practitioners which will make this book desirable.

Screening for disease has become a widely accepted concept in health care. Screening in Disease Prevention takes a critical look at the practice of screening throughout the various stages of life. The book highlights three current challenges: the increasing consumer, media and commercial focus on health in general and screening in particular; providing accurate and understandable information; and tackling the continuing variation in the uptake of screening between different areas of the country and different socio-economic groups. Screening in Disease Prevention is important reading for public health professionals, particularly those involved in screening programmes. Policy makers and shapers, medical researchers, pressure groups and support organisations for people with screenable conditions will also find it a valuable reference.

This volume describes state-of-the-art protocols that serve as "recipes" for scientists concentrating on fibrosis research. This book is divided into four sections. Part I focuses on animal models of fibrosis and covers topics such as mimicking fibrosis in the lungs, skin, liver and heart, and generating transgenic mouse models. Part II discusses cell culture systems, where the chapters explore cell types important for the development of fibrosis. Part III looks at the purification, quantification, and analysis of the ECM proteins, and Part IV describes computer-assisted methods such as quantifying fibrillar collagen alignment and exploring the nano-surface of collagen with atomic force microscopy (AFM). Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series 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. Cutting-edge and practical, Fibrosis: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource aimed at outstanding quality and repeatability of research experiments in the fibrosis field.

This book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium 100, Gut and the Liver', held in Freiburg, Germany, 29-31 May 1997, comprehensively reviews the physiological and pathophysiological interactions between the intestine and the liver as well as between intestinal and hepatic diseases. Apart from the basic aspects of the intestinal microflora and the immune system of the gut, gastrointestinal permeability and translocation as well as the contribution of the intestine and the intestinal bacteria to the metabolism of bile acids, amino acids and drugs are discussed. In addition, experimental as well as clinical data demonstrating the significance of gut-derived bacterial toxins for the development of liver diseases and the effect of liver diseases on gastrointestinal functions are discussed. The major aim of this book, therefore, is to highlight the interactions between gut and liver at the molecular level as well as in clinical disease.

The only book to deal specifically with constipation for specialists has been updated to include all the new advances since the first edition (1995). These advances include biofeedback, surgery for constipation, sacral nerve stimulation, the use of laparoscopy for rectal prolapse, treament and our understanding of some of the psychological problems of these patients. Innovations also include Professor Norman Williams Malone Procedure and the newer pharmacologic treatments such as nitric oxide and botulinum toxin injections.