Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 163 begins by discussing lipidomics, a newly emerging field of biomedical research that uses a mass spectrometry-based tool for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of complex lipids in the biological system. Following this, the authors analyze basic aspects of the cellular processes involved in olfactory signal transduction, focusing on the neurogenic processes of neuronal stem cells from the olfactory neuroepithelium. Recent information from several experimental studies is presented highlighting the application of CCl4 as an inducer of pathophysiological changes in key organs of the body. The preparation, advantages and multi-functionality of nano emulsions is reviewed in the context of their potential applications in targeted drug delivery. The existing preclinical and clinical studies carried out with sacubitril-valsartan (and other drugs with similar pharmacological mechanisms) in heart failure and hypertensive patients are described. The authors go on to explore monoclonal antibodies targeting multiple myeloma, a plasma cell neoplasia accounting for 10% of hemopoietic neoplasias. The closing study examines the various approaches for mitral valve surgery, comparing and contrasting the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Volume 140 opens by discussing vascular endothelial growth factor, an attractive target for antiangiogenic therapy for glioblastoma. Although bevacizumab, a humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody, improves the progression-free survival of patients with glioblastoma, prolonged overall survival has been attained only in few patients with a proneural type of glioblastoma. As such, bevacizumab is increasingly used to treat newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma. Bevacizumab selectively inhibits glioblastoma growth by targeting membrane-bound vascular endothelial growth factor, inhibiting angiogenesis and thus halting tumor growth. Vascular endothelial growth factor plays a major role in wound healing, with upregulation starting on day three and levels remaining high up to 24 weeks after wound creation. The authors discuss how, to avoid postoperative wound complications following neurosurgical procedures, perioperative management is indispensable. As perioperative preparation, shaving or minimal hair removal should be avoided to prevent minor trauma to the scalp and surgical-site infection. Excess electrocautery coagulation and metal skin clips are efficacious during skin incision for preventing blood loss, but might cause skin edge necrosis and alopecia. Next, the authors briefly summarize the actions of melatonin in a broad range of effects with a significant regulatory influence over many of the protection processes against Fe overload effects. Melatonin is a ubiquitous compound present in bacteria and eukaryotes, which in vertebrates, is released at night from the pineal gland to induce sleep. Quantitative foundations of continuous non-invasive prenatal screening are explored in the following chapter. The mosaicism interval and the interval-based estimate of the degree ofmosaicism are introduced, and the uncertainty of the estimation of the degree of mosaicismcan be quantified by the width of the mosaicism interval. Continuing, the authors emphasize the implication of SRY-related box factors in male sex determination and differentiation, leading to fertility. The production of spermatozoa in adulthood requires a coordination in the regulation of gene expression by a multitude of SRY-related box transcription factors within the testis. The authors perform an overview of the mechanisms of action of SRY-related box transcription factors throughout male development contributing to fertility. The objective of the penultimate study is to evaluate, in vitro, the coagulating, cytotoxic, oxidizing and antioxidant effects caused by the Bothrops jararacussu and B. moojeni crude venoms. The crude venoms protein profiles are characterized, and the biological effects are evaluated and compared between the species. Among the activities triggered by Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom, coagulation is both intriguing and contradictory since the venom contains in its composition both coagulant and anticoagulant precursor proteins. The concluding work describes the in vitro effects of crude venom and purified proteins from Crotalus durissus terrificus snake venom as they affect coagulation factors of the extrinsic, intrinsic, and common clotting pathways in citrated human plasma.

The eyes are highly diversified photosensitive structures. In all vertebrates, eyes resemble in molecular composition and are predominantly composed of extracellular matrix (ECM). Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 134 explores the dual role of ECM in ocular homeostasis and diseases and discusses how this duality can be used to treat such diseases. The view on ECM biology offered by this work is translational and adress concepts of basic science and clinical-surgical issues.Following this, the authors aim to provide information about the mechanisms of oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis, to provide updates for previous studies update and some of the current paradigms discussed and to provide a basis for future studies. This review highlights the elementary value of apoptosis, including its effect on tissue homeostasis and cellular stress.The aim of the subsequent study was to investigate microcirculation peculiarities of the covering tissues of the limbs and body in patients with orthopedic pathology and in track-and-field athletes having reached high sport mastership.Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are a clinical entity in which CSF rhinorrhea occurs in the absence of any inciting event. Spontaneous CSF leaks are associated with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) or underlying idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The authors report on a cohort of patients who have undergone nasal endoscopic repair for spontaneous CSF leaks.Wound healing is a widespread feature of multicellular organisms. Evidence illustrates that apoptosis has very important roles in the various phases of the wound healing process. As such, the authors maintain the importance of keeping up-to-date with studies on apoptosis and its associated mechanisms highlighted in the wound healing process, providing a systematic analysis of recent molecular research in wound healing applications.Despite enormous improvements in supportive and standard care, septic shock and liver failure remain major causes of morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Plasma separation via centrifugation is a common method for therapeutic plasma exchange in patients with liver failure and septic shock. The authors suggest that the use of a centrifugal approach rather than regular plasma filtration enables the transfer of larger particles into the resulting plasma fraction. The possible advantages of using centrifugation in comparison to hemofiltration in blood cleaning techniques are currently hypothetical.The most commonly used staging classification of the classical form of Kaposis sarcoma was presented by Brambilla et al. in 2003. The authors distinguished four stages of the disease based on the morphology of the cutaneous lesions, location of the skin changes, presence of complications and internal organ involvement. The clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of classical Kaposis sarcoma will be discussed in the closing chapter.

The management of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is complex and early intervention is needed to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. The severity of PsA and response to medication should guide the proper treatment modality, as per the recent EULAR and GRAPPA recommendations. In this collection, the authors begin by examining conventional treatment options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Next, the authors examine parasitic nematodes which cause substantial production losses in grazing animals and suffering in humans. Farmers treat animals with anthelmintics, often in an unplanned way. Frequent whole flock and herd treatments have encouraged the development of resistance as all worms in the animals are exposed to anthelmintic. The single largest problem with anthelmintic resistance is persuading farmers to adopt strategies that slow the development and spread of resistance. The authors go on to discuss the role of green fluorescent protein (GFP) in animal diagnostic technologies, molecular tracking techniques using GFP as fusion tags in studying proteinprotein interactions and real time monitoring of host pathogen interactions, as reporter tags in animal viral studies, in in-vitro and in-vivo imaging of transgenic animals for genetic screening and in animal marker vaccines and cancer studies. Following this, the authors provide their understanding of pathogenesis in spinal cord injury (SCI), the current therapeutic efforts and their limitations, and the emerging roles of retinoids in neuroprotection and functional recovery in SCI. Retinoids use retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) in the cells for modulation of expression of genes that eventually provide neuroprotection in SC. Pap smears detect cytologic abnormalities that indicate the possible presence of a pre-malignant lesion. The cytologic suspicion of a high grade lesion presents the risk of hiding a more severe dysplasia, which has a high risk of progression to invasive neoplastic lesion. Thus, the authors propose that adequate treatment and follow-up should be offered, such as cytology repeat, HPV testing, colposcopy, colposcopy-directed biopsy, or excision of the transformation zone. The subsequent chapter deals with the criteria that can be leant upon to prescribe retinoids for the off-label treatment of dermatological diseases. Exemplary clinical cases are illustrated. The author hopes to inspire creative physicians, and revamp classical, time-honored therapeutic methodologies as well. This book also discusses methods to study bacterial heterogeneity and its influence on phenotypic drug resistance include flow cytometry based approaches, RNA sequencing techniques, microfluidic technology time-lapse microscopy and mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches. These technological advances are powerful tools that enable us to explore and interrogate mechanisms of bacterial heterogeneity in pathogen populations. Lastly, the authors review the effects of how reproductive toxic exposures induce apoptosis of male germ cells by affecting the spermatogenic cells of the developing testis and investigate several possible mechanisms underlying alkylating agent-induced reproductive toxicity. Furthermore, an understanding of how cells cope with DNA damage caused by alkylating agents is valuable in clinical medicine.

Biofilms are complex and dynamic communities of surface-attached microorganisms held together by a self-produced extracellular polymeric matrix, forming a highly hydrated structure. It is known that there is considerable heterogeneity within biofilms with respect to local environments, which may result in spatial and temporal patterns of gene expression. Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 132 begins by discussing the use of GFP to explore these microbial communities, presenting the most recent developments associated with GFP variants and novel applications of this molecule in biofilm research. Next, the authors discuss the fibrinolytic and its important role in reproduction. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is one of the primary regulators of the fibrinolytic system and is expressed in various cells including ovarian granulosa and theca cells, endometrial cells and trophoblasts. This overview provides the current knowledge on the role of PAI-1 and PAI-1 gene mutations in reproduction. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a bio-luminous fluorescent phosphoprotein which was originally isolated from the luminous organ of the jellyfish Aequorea Victoria. At the molecular level, it is composed of 238 amino acids with an approximate molecular weight of about 27 kDa. The authors discuss the role of GFP in animal diagnostic technologies, molecular tracking techniques using GFP as fusion tags in studying proteinprotein interactions and real time monitoring of host pathogen interactions. In the authors Immunoallergology Department, a recent study of 64 CSU patients treated with omalizumab provided pertinent information. Overall, the patients had a reduction of the UAS7 score of 5.82% per omalizumab administration (pOa) and of the DLQI score of 6.69% pOa (data not published). However, when patients were divided according to their baseline serum total IgE levels (STIgE), patients with higher STIgE had a much faster response to omalizumab. The results of this study are discussed in detail. The subsequent chapter aims to explore the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) that arise from the small bowel in both metastatic and non-metastatic disease. GISTs account for two per cent of all neoplasia of the gastrointestinal tract. They represent the most common GI mesenchymal tumour with a worldwide incidence of 11-15 per million and a median age of presentation of 55-60 years. Diabetes insipidus (DI) is examined as one of the major clinical syndromes characterized by the excretion of copious volumes of diluted urine (polyuria) together with persistent intake of abnormally large volumes of fluid (polydipsia). Investigation of the chronological changes of hyper intensity (HI) distribution over the pituitary stalk and the posterior lobe after transsphenoidal surgery on MR images might enable to predict how frequently postoperative diabetes insipidus occurs and how long it persists, and to elucidate an underlying mechanism for the appearance of the HI in the pituitary stalk. In the following chapter, the authors discuss salient aspects of central nervous system effects of methionine and methionine metabolites in relation to behavioural, neurochemical and possible structural alterations. The possibility of the evolution of conventionally-approved clinical applications of oral methionine, and the potential limitations to its utilisation in such capacity are also considered. Later, this collection considers the functions of Gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) in pharmacology and diseases. The authors aim to address what GABA is, how GABA reacts, and what GABA-related diseases and agents exist. GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter of the vertebrate central nervous system, acting at inhibitory synapses in the brain. In the concluding chapter, the authors address how gabapentin, a synthetic analog of GABA, may be an effective analgesic used to treat different types of neuropathic pain syndromes, including diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, painful neuropathy resulting from HIV infection, cancer pain, fibromyalgia, pain after burn injury, and complex regional pain syndrome.

What useful changes has feminism brought to science? Feminists have enjoyed success in their efforts to open many fields to women as participants. But the effects of feminism have not been restricted to altering employment and professional opportunities for women. The essays in this volume explore how feminist theory has had a direct impact on research in the biological and social sciences, in medicine, and in technology, often providing the impetus for fundamentally changing the theoretical underpinnings and practices of such research. In archaeology, evidence of women's hunting activities suggested by spears found in women's graves is no longer dismissed; computer scientists have used feminist epistemologies for rethinking the human-interface problems of our growing reliance on computers. Attention to women's movements often tends to reinforce a presumption that feminism changes institutions through critique-from-without. This volume reveals the potent but not always visible transformations feminism has brought to science, technology, and medicine from within. Contributors: Ruth Schwartz Cowan Linda Marie Fedigan Scott Gilbert Evelynn M. Hammonds Evelyn Fox Keller Pamela E. Mack Michael S. Mahoney Emily Martin Ruth Oldenziel Nelly Oudshoorn Carroll Pursell Karen Rader Alison Wylie

In Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 128, the authors provide evidence that several families of GPCRs dynamically modulate microglial phenotypes and provide evidence that aberrations in G-protein coupled receptors-mediated signaling are prime contributors to a loss of homeostatic microglia states. A comprehensive landscape on the physiological conditions already known to be important for dendritic cell (DC) differentiation is included. Specifically: presenting stages of development of bone marrow stem cells; comparing the ontogeny of DCs in mice and humans; debating the differences between conventional DCs versus plasmacytoid DCs; highlighting that Langerhans cells (LCs) have different origins; discussing factors that may modulate the development of DC subsets; and emphasizing ontogenetic properties of DCs that make them different from monocytes and macrophages. Next, the authors review ex vivo and in vitro studies about the effects of human soluble fibrinogen molecule on blood components behavior and its effects at physiological and pathophysiological conditions, as well as in vitro studies conducted in experimental animal models. The tacrolimus (TAC) metabolism is reviewed in a separate study which proposes the TAC metabolism rate (C/D ratio) as a novel tool to assist physicians in risk stratification to individualize therapy in patients after (renal) transplantation. Continuing, the book postulates that modulation of nitric oxide (NO) concentrations at the maternal-fetal interface is relevant for maintaining early gestation due to failures in vascular adaptations. NO regulates vascular tone, angiogenesis, and cellular aggregation and adhesion, which are important functions in establishing and maintaining normal pregnancy. This book also presents the research and development of a collaborative, social-networked approach to train elementary and middle-school students so that the students can be aware of their bad sitting posture and timely improve it. Results show that the proposed approach and the developed posture training tools were very effective in improving teens posture.

This book offers a quick and memorable introduction to setting multiple choice questions. It explains the requirements which a good MC questions must fulfil and why MC questions have their place in the clinical phase.

The diagnostic investigation of menstrual dysfunction and sterility is a routine part of gynecological practice. Hysteroscopy can expand the spectrum of diagnostic possibilities. The 2nd revised edition of this handbook aims to familiarise the gynecologist with diagnostical hysteroscopy.About 100colour plates facilitate the acquisition of this technique as well as the correct assessment of findings. The book is conceived for newcomers to hysteroscopy and should contribute to the further establishment of this method.

The chapters in this volume present the latest developments in medicine and biology. Chapter One highlights the potential and limitations of the zebrafish model for studying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and endotoxin tolerance (ET). Chapter Two evaluates the health benefits and risks of shellfish consumption. Chapter Three provides an overview of Chiari malformations (CMI), discusses the diagnosis and surgical treatment options, and shares the authors' institutional experience with the treatments of CMI. Chapter Four provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art on the effects of PolyChlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) exposure during embryonic development and the potential long term effects on resulting offspring. Chapter Five examines the tissue reaction to acellular implants in acute spinal cord injury. Chapter Six reviews plantar fibromatosis. The last chapter discusses the optimal breathing technique for relaxation.

"Creative Arts in Humane Medicine" is a book for medical educators, practitioners, students and those in the allied health professions who wish to learn how the arts can contribute toward a more caring and empathic approach to medicine. Topical research and inspiring real-life accounts from international innovators in the field of humanistic medicine show how the creative arts in varied forms can contribute toward greater learning and understanding in medicine, as well as improved health and quality of life for patients and practitioners.

Although most communities of disabled people have moved to the social model, in which society needs to be "cured," much research about disability has stayed well within the bounds of the medical model, in which the disability must be "cured." This collection of 12 essays varies in its approach between both, covering classification of the condition of elders, running assessments of people for assistive technology, taking a community-based approach in research about health and disability, peer mentoring (whether to enforce the medical model or not), alternative and complementary medicine among the disabled, the training of parents of children with chronic conditions, self-management of long-term health conditions, stress in family caregivers of people with cancer, experiences of Germans with myasthenia gravis, and socio-psychological aspects of obesity in children and adolescents. Readers should verify data independently and check for more timely references.

Proceedings of the International Symposium on Integrative and Cellular Aspects of Autonomic Functions Held in Bad Nauheim (Germany) on 29-30 July 1993.

Tons of HESI A2 practice in an easy-to-use format-now featuring a 20-question Diagnostic Quiz Practice makes perfect, and with 500 HESI A2 Questions to Know by Test Day, Second Edition, you'll get a ton of practice-with hundreds of questions, a comprehensive answer key, and a 20-question Diagnostic Quiz to help you track your progress. It's the perfect way to sharpen your skills and build your confidence for test day. Organized by subject with detailed answers to every question, 500 HESI A2 Questions to Know by Test Day, Second Edition provides excellent practice to help you make the most of your review time. With small bits of information presented for quick and easy reference and smart strategies for test day, this essential study guide is helpful for all types of students, whether you're looking for a thorough refresh of topics or need extra help understanding specific topics or question types. Features: 500 HESI A2 questions and answers organized by subject NEW! 20 Question Diagnostic Quiz to test your knowledge Written to parallel the topic and format of the exam, accompanied by answers with comprehensive explanations Rigorous practice to help build the skills you need

' Once you are in medical school you will need to apply for Foundation training; once in Foundation training you will need to apply for core or specialty training; if you go through core training, you will need to apply for specialty training; and once in specialty training, you will need to apply for consultancy posts. Knowing about this allows you to prepare for the next application, and enables you to show yourself in the best light in the application process...The majority of medical careers are becoming increasingly competitive, with many specialties subject to competition ratios of over 10 applicants for each place...' David McGowan and Helen Sims ' This book provides an excellent and easy-to-read path to making the most of your medical career starting as a student...and a ready source of really useful hints and tips that will help anyone reading this book maximise their personal and professional development.' From the Foreword by Dr Inam Haq Want to optimise your chances of success? Take a fresh look at the clinical world. Medical careers have changed and learning how to play the game is as important as being the best in your field. This inspirational new guide considers your medical career from a wide-ranging perspective, encouraging a positive, early outlook. On a highly practical note, it acts as a comprehensive information source, covering all aspects of job applications and medical careers. On a personal note the book fosters a complete reassessment of the way you view your working life. It offers fresh ideas to help identify important opportunities to improve your CV - taking opportunities when you can whilst making the most of what you have. Easy to read and conversational in tone, it details invaluable ideas on developing your portfolio and innovative methods to successfully market yourself, alongside sound approaches to the challenges and intricacies of the modern medical career.