Following many reports that were published in the last two decades on correlations of multiphase structures of the surface of materials with their antithrombogenicity or biocompatibility a research project ''Design of Multiphase Biomedical Materials'' was carried out in Japan between 1982 and 1986. The objective of this research project was to elucidate various aspects of biomedical behaviour of multiphase systems at the interface with living bodies at the molecular, cellular and tissue levels. Multiphase materials studied cover polymers having microphase-separated structures, hydrogels, immobilized enzymes (or cells), ceramics and metallic materials.
The research project was carried out by the following subgroups:
-- Multiphase biomedical materials with microdomain structures
-- Multiphase biomedical materials containing liquid components
-- Hybrid-type multiphase biomedical materials with biological components
-- Inorganic and metallic multiphase biomedical materials
-- Methods for analysis and evaluation of multiphase biomedical materials
This book contains the results of the research project in an edited form and aims to provoke a better understanding about various aspects of cell--material interactions in which the multiphase systems play a crucial role.

This pioneering handbook serves as an essential tool for any biobanking entity to create, implement and continuously improve their Quality Management System (QMS). Written in a concise and highly readable manner all biobanking related QMS aspects, ranging from legal aspects to safety matters, are addressed according to the best knowledge in compliance with the dedicated Biobanks ISO standards. Following a practical approach by making use of FAQ and common practice sections this book guides the readers through this complex field in an easy-to understand way.The guidelines are convergent not only with ISO 20387:2018 Biotechnology - Biobanking - General requirements for biobanking but also with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 19011:2018, ISO 27000:2014, and ISO 27002:2013. Furthermore, they are compatible, among others with the recommendations of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), IARC, and ISBER Best Practices. Aimed at both biobank employees and other stakeholders (e.g. public bodies, political bodies, hospitals, pharmaceutical industry, funders) at any level of experience the book serves as valuable source for self-education and teaching. The manual complies to the principles of responsibility, openness, and transparency and can be used by any biobanking unit regardless of the biological material the biobank operates with and independent of their associated biobank network. On behalf of a group of specialists and experts in the area of biobanking, regarding Quality Management Systems (QMS), Ethical, Legal and Societal Issues (ELSI) and IT solutions, the authors present with this book a significant achievement based on activities within the project, European Research Infrastructure BBMRI-ERIC "Quality Standards for Polish Biobanks" Handbook (QSPB).

This volume provides a state-of-the-art update on Fc Receptors (FcRs). It is divided into five parts. Part I, Old and New FcRs, deals with the long-sought-after FcR and the recently discovered FCRL family and TRIM21. Part II, FcR Signaling, presents a computational model of Fc RI signaling, novel calcium channels, and the lipid phosphatase SHIP1. Part III, FcR Biology, addresses major physiological functions of FcRs, their glycosylation, how they induce and regulate both adaptive immune responses and inflammation, especially in vivo, FcR humanized mice, and the multifaceted properties of FcRn. Part IV, FcRs and Disease, discusses FcR polymorphism, FcRs in rheumatoid arthritis and whether their FcRs make macaques good models for studying HIV infection. In Part V, FcRs and Therapeutic Antibodies, the roles of various FcRs, including Fc RIIB and Fc RI, in the immunotherapy of cancer and autoimmune diseases using monoclonal antibodies and IVIg are highlighted. All 18 chapters were written by respected experts in their fields, offering an invaluable reference source for scientists and clinicians interested in FcRs and how to better master antibodies for therapeutic purposes.

Much research has focused on the basic cellular and molecular biological aspects of stem cells. Much of this research has been fueled by their potential for use in regenerative medicine applications, which has in turn spurred growing numbers of translational and clinical studies. However, more work is needed if the potential is to be realized for improvement of the lives and well-being of patients with numerous diseases and conditions.This book series 'Cell Biology and Translational Medicine (CBTMED)' as part of Springer Nature's longstanding and very successful Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology book series, has the goal to accelerate advances by timely information exchange. Emerging areas of regenerative medicine and translational aspects of stem cells are covered in each volume. Outstanding researchers are recruited to highlight developments and remaining challenges in both the basic research and clinical arenas. This current book is the 15th volume of a continuing series.

A comprehensive overview of the effects of trichloroethylene toxicity caused by real-life exposure levels highlighting how exposure to trichloroethylene may contribute to the etiology of several idiopathic human diseases. Discussion will focus on different kinds of modeling and how they may be used to predict functional consequences and to dissect the contribution of different mechanistic pathways, including potential mechanisms of action for trichloroethylene toxicity in different organ systems. It will explore the role of epigenetic alterations in trichloroethylene toxicity, this provides important mechanistic information and may also provide the basis for intervention therapy. Chapters will also explain how the risks from trichloroethylene exposure may be greater in certain populations based on genetic predisposition, age of exposure and co-exposure to other chemicals With contributions from international experts in the field, Trichloroethylene: Toxicity and Health Risks is an essential resource for researchers and clinicians in toxicology, immunology, medicine and public health as well as industry and government regulatory scientists involved in safety and health protection and epidemiologists, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary cooperation in solving issues of environmental toxicity.

* Reviews recent developments in bacterial cysteine proteases * Focuses on protozoan parasites of medical importance * Covers cysteine proteases from helminths of medical and veterinary importance Cysteine proteases expressed by pathogenic organisms play key roles in virulence including host entry, feeding and suppression of host immune responses. This book gives comprehensive coverage to all aspects of pathogen cysteine proteases and brings together numerous scientific advances which have been made over many years. Thus, the biochemistry, molecular biology and structure-function relationships of these important pathogen enzymes are covered in detail. Written by leading researchers from Europe, Australia and North America, this book is essential reading for students and professionals interested in human medicine and infectious disease research.

Colorectal cancer has for more than two decades served as the paradigm for the multi-step concept of cancer initiation and progression. Perhaps more than any other organ site, cancer of the colon is extensively characterized at the molecular level. We are now entering a time when molecular classification, rather than histologic classification, of cancer subtypes is driving the development of clinical trials with emerging targeted therapies. The book will focus on the progression from the identification of mutations that drive colorectal cancer initiation and progression to the search for novel therapies to treat the disease.

This detailed volume introduces the reader to current methods in glaucoma research, in particular those that make use of animal disease models. Given that the retinal ganglion cells damaged and destroyed by glaucoma do not regenerate after lowering the intraocular pressure, new therapeutic approaches that protect ganglion cells directly is a vital research goal that this volume's contents aim to aid scientists in developing. 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. Authoritative and practical, Glaucoma: Methods and Protocols serves as a useful guide for both ophthalmologists in clinical practice and researchers in the field.

Low Power Analog CMOS for Cardiac Pacemakers proposes new techniques for the reduction of power consumption in analog integrated circuits. Our main example is the pacemaker sense channel, which is representative of a broader class of biomedical circuits aimed at qualitatively detecting biological signals.
The first and second chapters are a tutorial presentation on implantable medical devices and pacemakers from the circuit designer point of view. This is illustrated by the requirements and solutions applied in our implementation of an industrial IC for pacemakers. There from, the book discusses the means for reduction of power consumption at three levels: base technology, power-oriented analytical synthesis procedures and circuit architecture.

The novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a serious global pandemic in just one year. Nearly every country and territory in the world has been affected by the virus. The virulence and infection rate of the virus are profound, and has required extreme social distancing measures across the globe in order to prevent overwhelming the healthcare services and hospitals. COVID-19 appears to have the greatest effects on elderly individuals and those who have co-morbid diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. As the cases and death rate remain high, there are justified fears of this virus remaining for several months or years to come. To address this, a rapid and unprecedented worldwide mobilization effort has begun to identify effective treatments and develop vaccines. As these begin to be deployed and administered across the globe, many now feel the virus will be brought under control and lives will eventually return to normal. This new volume will increase readers' understanding of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic through a series of chapters that address these concerns. Leading experts will discuss new treatment approaches, vaccine development, mental health aspects of the pandemic, and convey the results of survey studies. The book will be an excellent resource for researchers studying virology, metabolic diseases, respiratory disorders, and clinical scientists, physicians, drug companies, and healthcare services and workers.

The development of new CNS drugs is notoriously difficult. Drugs must reach CNS target sites for action and these sites are protected by a number of barriers, the most important being the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Many factors are therefore critical to consider for CNS drug delivery, e.g. active/passive transport across the BBB, intra-brain distribution, and central/systemic pharmacokinetics, to name a few. Neurological disease and trauma conditions add further complexity because CNS barriers, drug distribution and pharmacokinetics are dynamic and often changed by disease/trauma. Knowledge of all these factors and their interplay in different conditions is of utmost importance for proper CNS drug development and disease treatment. In recent years much information has become available for a better understanding of the many factors important for CNS drug delivery and how they interact to affect drug action. This book describes small and large drug delivery to the brain with an emphasis on the physiology of the BBB and the principles and concepts for drug delivery across the BBB and distribution within the brain. It contains methods descriptions for studying drug delivery, routes and approaches of administering drugs into the brain, the influence of disease, drug industry perspectives, and a primer on neuroanatomy and physiological considerations written specifically for drug delivery scientists. Therewith, it contributes to an in-depth understanding of the interplay between brain (patho)-physiology and drug characteristics. Furthermore, the content is designed to be both cutting-edge and educational, so that the book can be used in high-level training of academic and industry scientists with full references to original publications.

The role of free radicals and oxidative stress in neurological disorders has only recently been recognized, leaving clinical neurologists to seek in vain for information on the subject even in major textbooks. What published information there is may consist of brief reminders of the possible association of superoxidase dismutase with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and nitrous oxide with migraine. With luck they may also find information on the purported role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of traumatic brain injury. Oxidative Stress and Free Radical Damage in Neurology sets the record straight, focusing on clinical and research issues regarding the interplay of free radicals and the human nervous system. Crucially, the chapters cover numerous antioxidants and their possible therapeutic role in neurological disorders. Key illnesses such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's are analyzed, and chapters also examine more general issues such as the link between free radicals and inflammation of the central nervous system. Clinicians and laboratory researchers alike will find that this book augments their understanding not only of the widespread involvement of free radicals in the central nervous system but also of some uncertainties surrounding whether free radical damage in neurology plays a primary or secondary role.

Pervasive healthcare is the conceptual system of providing healthcare to anyone, at anytime, and anywhere by removing restraints of time and location while increasing both the coverage and the quality of healthcare. Pervasive Healthcare Monitoring is at the forefront of this research, and presents the ways in which mobile and wireless technologies can be used to implement the vision of pervasive healthcare.

This vision includes prevention, healthcare maintenance and checkups; short-term monitoring (home healthcare monitoring), long-term monitoring (nursing home), and personalized healthcare monitoring; and incidence detection and management, emergency intervention, and transportation and treatment. The pervasive healthcare applications include pervasive health monitoring, intelligent emergency management system, pervasive healthcare data access, and ubiquitous mobile telemedicine.

Pervasive Healthcare Monitoring fills the need for a research-oriented book on the wide array of emerging healthcare applications and services, including the treatment of several new wireless technologies and the ways in which they will implement the vision of pervasive healthcare. This book is written primarily for university faculty and graduate students in the field of healthcare technologies, and industry professionals involved in healthcare IT research, design, and development.

This text is a review of molecular immunohematology (MI). It draws from analyses and case studies around the world and details many techniques used in many labs. It is aimed at anyone interested in how MI is changing blood bank and transfusion medicine.

Many aspects of modern life have become personalized, yet healthcare practices have been lagging behind in this trend. It is now becoming more common to use big data analysis to improve current healthcare and medicinal systems, and offer better health services to all citizens. Applying Big Data Analytics in Bioinformatics and Medicine is a comprehensive reference source that overviews the current state of medical treatments and systems and offers emerging solutions for a more personalized approach to the healthcare field. Featuring coverage on relevant topics that include smart data, proteomics, medical data storage, and drug design, this publication is an ideal resource for medical professionals, healthcare practitioners, academicians, and researchers interested in the latest trends and techniques in personalized medicine.

The book "STEM CELL THERAPY FOR ORGAN FAILURES" edited by Dr. S. Indumathi demonstrates the In Vitro and In vivo therapeutic strategies and applications of pre- and post-natal stem cells for treating the failures of various organ systems of our body in a wide perspective. It explores the past, present and the futuristic approach of the exciting field of stem cells and its intriguing properties involved in tissue repair and regeneration. The prime focus of this volume is to unravel the basic, advanced, therapeutic and translational approaches put-forth so far in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine at research, pre-clinical and clinical levels. Stem cells has ushered in widespread interest and exciting possibilities for cell based therapies, albeit failures do prevail and small uncontrolled phase I/II studies are only signals generating, rather than definite proof of concept thereby limiting its applicability in curative therapeutics. Despite certain initiatives and meticulous untiring efforts, bringing this basic bench side research into advanced transitional bedside remained a challenge. Thus, this book embarked upon the expanding researches in these areas that seem decisive in improvising regenerative medical therapeutics, thereby leading to further path-breaking studies that cure all health challenges facing mankind. Overall, this book reveals the imperativeness of various stem cell sources and its utility in curative therapeutics.

This open-access textbook provides a comprehensive, up-to-date guide for students and practitioners wishing to access in a single volume the key disciplines and principles of wheat breeding. Wheat is a cornerstone of food security: it is the most widely grown of any crop and provides 20% of all human calories and protein. The authorship of this book includes world class researchers and breeders whose expertise spans cutting-edge academic science all the way to impacts in farmers' fields. The book's themes and authors were selected to provide a didactic work that considers the background to wheat improvement, current mainstream breeding approaches, and translational research and avant garde technologies that enable new breakthroughs in science to impact productivity. While the volume provides an overview for professionals interested in wheat, many of the ideas and methods presented are equally relevant to small grain cereals and crop improvement in general. The book is affordable, and because it is open access, can be readily shared and translated -- in whole or in part -- to university classes, members of breeding teams (from directors to technicians), conference participants, extension agents and farmers. Given the challenges currently faced by academia, industry and national wheat programs to produce higher crop yields --- often with less inputs and under increasingly harsher climates -- this volume is a timely addition to their toolkit.

This edited book explores the use of technology to enable us to visualise the life sciences in a more meaningful and engaging way. It will enable those interested in visualisation techniques to gain a better understanding of the applications that can be used in visualisation, imaging and analysis, education, engagement and training. The reader will also be able to learn about the use of visualisation techniques and technologies for the historical and forensic settings. The chapters presented in this volume cover such a diverse range of topics, with something for everyone. We present here chapters on 3D visualising novel stent grafts to aid treatment of aortic aneuryms; confocal microscopy constructed vascular models in patient education; 3D patient specific virtual reconstructions in surgery; virtual reality in upper limb rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis and virtual clinical wards. In addition, we present chapters in artificial intelligence in ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia; carpal tunnel release visualisation techniques; visualising for embryology education and artificial intelligence data on bone mechanics. Finally we conclude with chapters on visualising patient communication in a general practice setting; digital facial depictions of people from the past; instructor made cadaveric videos, novel cadaveric techniques for enhancing visualisation of the human body and finally interactive educational videos and screencasts. This book explores the use of technologies from a range of fields to provide engaging and meaningful visual representations of the biomedical sciences. It is therefore an interesting read for researchers, developers and educators who want to learn how visualisation techniques can be used successfully for a variety of purposes, such as educating students or training staff, interacting with patients and biomedical procedures in general.

Embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells are the two major types of stem cells that have been used for experimental and clinical studies. Embryonic stem cells are totipotent cells that have the capability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. In Cellular Cardiomyoplasty: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods which are now commonly used to study cellular cardiomyoplasty. Methods and techniques described in this volume use only adult stem cells or adult progenitor cells.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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and Practical, Cellular Cardiomyoplasty: Methods and Protocols will benefit the cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeons, biologist (cell, molecular, or structural), biochemist, and physiologist who are interested in understanding and treating damaged myocardium and failing heart.

This volume provides an overview on the influence of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) on tumor progression. It covers topics such as signaling induced by structural ECM proteins including collagen and fibronectin, the control of ECM deposition and the turnover in tumors. Also discussed are the migration of cells through basement membranes and the function of proteoglycans including lumican and veriscan in tumor progression. Biomaterial-based in-vitro models as well as C. elegans models of the tumor microenvironment are used to show how these models can lead to a greater understanding of the disease mechanisms that promote cancer progression. The book addresses researchers working on cancer biology or ECM, and oncologists alike.

Chronic diseases are the leading cause of deaths worldwide and according to the World Economics Council and the Harvard School of Public Health, the cost of chronic diseases is expected to reach a staggering 48% of global gross domestic product by the year 2030. The urgency of the issue was demonstrated in 2011 when for only the second time in its existence, the U.N. General Assembly brought a health issue to the floor for consideration: chronic diseases.

To date, most considerations of the issue have approached the topic from the vantage point that chronic diseases are a myriad of largely unconnected diseases and conditions arising in diverse tissues, organs and physiological systems. This book, "Immunotoxicity, Immune Dysfuction, and Chronic Disease," deviates from that prior model. It considers the interconnectivity of chronic diseases with both environmental insult of the immune system and subsequent immune dysfunction and inflammatory dysregulation as the underlying basis for many, if not most, chronic diseases.

This change in the perception of environment-immune linkages to chronic disease is significant and has immediate implications both for the prevention of disease as well as for the development of more effective therapeutic approaches. Rather than considering environmental factors and types of reported immune alterations ("e.g., " depressed humoral immunity) as is common in books involving immunotoxicity, the present book approaches the environment-immune-disease triad from the standpoint of the disease. Each chapter emphasizes one or more specific immune dysfunction-based chronic disease(s) or condition(s) ("e.g., " asthma, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis, lupus) and describes: 1) the suggested environmental risk factors, 2) the underlying immune dysfunction(s) associated with the disease and 3) the overall health consequences of the disease.

This book is an early entry for a new Toxicology book series for Springer titled: Molecular and Integrative Toxicology (MaIT). The series will feature detailed research information, but in the context of a more integrative or holistic framework. As part of this framework, the chapters will contain a section on Key Points as well as Recommendations where appropriate. The goal is to cover the most timely, state-of-the-art issues in toxicology as well as to ensure that the information is maximally accessible for research scientists, teachers, physicians and students. We are particularly grateful to the numerous chapter authors for providing comprehensive and expert disease-oriented contributions. We are also appreciative of their willingness to consider their material not as disparate pieces of what has become a major health crisis, but rather as key pieces in a network of apparently interconnected health challenges."

This detailed volume explores the field of bacterial virulence and the effort to understand how microbial interaction with a host results in the pathology of a specific disease. This collection of selected protocols includes advanced molecular biology and bioinformatics methods, cell culture and organoid models of infection, as well as in vivo infection models that are useful to study the interaction of pathogens with plants, insects, avian, and mammalian hosts. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and beneficial, Bacterial Virulence: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for researchers seeking to promote and further develop the exciting and continuously evolving field of bacterial virulence. Chapter 19 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This volume details protocols on rationale design of therapeutic siRNA molecules and its encapsulation with smart vehicles to overcome the barriers to an effective administration in vivo. 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. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Design and Delivery of SiRNA Therapeutics aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

This book focuses on biomaterials of different forms used for medical implants. The authors introduce the characteristics and properties of biomaterials and then dedicate special chapters to metallic, ceramic, polymeric and composite biomaterials. Case studies on sterilization methods by biomaterials are also presented. Finally, the authors describe the degradation and effects of biomaterials in living tissue.

This book will enable the production of reliable, accurate, reproducible (best possible care) results that satisfies the customer's requirements obtained from an accredited, process oriented, health and safety conscious laboratory that is cost effectively run (value for money) by qualified, certified and highly motivated biomedical staff (Joy and pride at work) using well maintained, validated and quality controlled equipments and appropriately stored reagents on the right sample drawn from the right patient that is appropriately communicated in a timely fashion to the requesting clinician to enable them render the best possible evidenced- based medical care to their patients.