This book collects and reviews, for the first time, a wide range of advances in the area of human aging biomarkers. This accumulated data allows researchers to assess the rate of aging processes in various organs and systems, and to individually monitor the effectiveness of therapies intended to slow aging. In an introductory chapter, the editor defines biomarkers of aging as molecular, cellular and physiological parameters that demonstrate reproducible changes - quantitative or qualitative - with age. The introduction recounts a study which aimed to create a universal model of biological age, whose most predictive parameters were albumin and alkaline phosphatase (indication liver function), glucose (metabolic syndrome), erythrocytes (respiratory function) and urea (renal function). The book goes on to describe DNA methylation, known as the "epigenetic clock," as currently the most comprehensive predictor of total mortality. It is also useful for predicting mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and for analyzing the effects of lifestyle factors including diet, exercise, and education. Individual contributions draw additional insight from research on genetics and epigenetic aging markers, and immunosenescence and inflammaging markers. A concluding chapter outlines the challenge of integrating of biological and clinical markers of aging. Biomarkers of Human Aging is written for professionals and practitioners engaged in the study of aging, and will be useful to both advanced students and researchers.

Methods and Techniques: Swine Research Breeds, Methods and Biomedical Models (M.P. Murtaugh et al.). The Pig as a Model for Cutaneous Pharmacology and Toxicology Research (N.A. MonteiroRivere, J. Riviere). An in vitro Pig Skin Model for Predicting Human Skin Penetration and Irritation Potential (W.G. Reifenrath et al.). Swine Liver Usage in Extracorporeal Detoxification (V.E. Ryabinin). Pig Behavior and Biomedical Research: Suitable Subjects as Experimental Models (H.W. Gonyou). Current Status of in vitro Production of Porcine Embryos (H. Funahashi, B.N. Day). Nutrition: Pigs as Models for Nutrient Functional Interaction (P.J. Reeds et al.). A Piglet Model for Neonatal Amino Acid Metabolism During Total Parenteral Nutrition (R.O. Ball et al.). The Neonatal Piglet as a Model to Study Insulinlike Growth Factor Mediated Intestinal Growth and Function (S.M. Donovan et al.). The Perinatal Pig in Pediatric Gastroenterology (P.T. Sangild et al.). Prenatal and Perinatal Development of Intestinal Transport and Brush Border Hydrolases in Pigs (R.K. Buddington et al.). Intestinal Structure and Functions, and the Resident Microflora before, during and after Secretory Diarrhea (G. Chandra et al.). 25 additional articles. Index.

This book highlights the latest research presented at the International Conference on Translational Medicine and Imaging (ICTMI) 2017. This event brought together the world's leading scientists, engineers and clinicians from a wide range of disciplines in the field of medical imaging. Bioimaging has continued to evolve across a wide spectrum of applications from diagnostics and personalized therapy to the mechanistic understanding of biological processes, and as a result there is ever-increasing demand for more robust methods and their integration with clinical and molecular data. This book presents a number of these methods.

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

This book provides systematic knowledge of basic principles in the design of fluorescence sensing and imaging techniques together with critical analysis of recent developments. Fluorescence is the most popular technique in chemical and biological sensing because of its ultimate sensitivity, high temporal and spatial resolution and versatility that enables imaging within the living cells. It develops rapidly in the directions of constructing new molecular recognition units, new fluorescence reporters and in improving sensitivity of response up to detection of single molecules. Its application areas range from control of industrial processes to environment monitoring and clinical diagnostics. Being a guide for students and young researchers, it also addresses professionals involved in active basic and applied research. Making a strong link between education, research and product development, this book discusses prospects for future progress.

Mitochondrial diseases comprise a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of rare disorders that may affect virtually any system of the body at any age. Due to their complexity, understanding and diagnosing these diseases requires a multidisciplinary approach. This book provides an update on the major features of human mitochondrial diseases: genetic bases, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment, and of the new technologies involved in the diagnosis and on the characterization of patients. The 11 chapters examine the unique complex interactions between the mitochondrial and the nuclear genomes involved in the biogenesis and the regulation of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and their relevance to human disease. We discuss the traditional biochemical and genetic approaches, as well as the new omic technologies, and the cellular and animal models used in mitochondrial research. The last chapter is dedicated to the current treatment options. Authors are worldwide experts in these fields and integrate expertise in both basic science and clinical research. This book is particularly important for both scientists and clinicians interested in the diagnosis and treatment of these diseases.

This volume provides key methods and protocols from laboratories engaged in germinal centers (GC) research with the expectation of stimulating further research, and to aid scientists in the study of GC biology and pathology. 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, Germinal Centers: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Biomedical Texture Analysis: Fundamentals, Applications, Tools and Challenges describes the fundamentals and applications of biomedical texture analysis (BTA) for precision medicine. It defines what biomedical textures (BTs) are and why they require specific image analysis design approaches when compared to more classical computer vision applications. The fundamental properties of BTs are given to highlight key aspects of texture operator design, providing a foundation for biomedical engineers to build the next generation of biomedical texture operators. Examples of novel texture operators are described and their ability to characterize BTs are demonstrated in a variety of applications in radiology and digital histopathology. Recent open-source software frameworks which enable the extraction, exploration and analysis of 2D and 3D texture-based imaging biomarkers are also presented. This book provides a thorough background on texture analysis for graduate students and biomedical engineers from both industry and academia who have basic image processing knowledge. Medical doctors and biologists with no background in image processing will also find available methods and software tools for analyzing textures in medical images.

In the last decade, the literature on molecular mechanisms and activated pathways in the different lymphoma categories increased exponentially, which was followed by a more diffuse and successful use of targeted therapies. In this book, expert authors revisit the most relevant aspects of these therapies, with special emphasis on molecular mechanisms and clinical effects of resistance. The knowledge of the underlying mechanisms involved in tumor resistance to target therapies is of paramount importance because they will result in a better selection of patients with sensitive disease and the establishment of suitable combinations of drugs that target different molecules and could overcome the established resistance.

Advances in Clinical Chemistry, Volume 81, the latest installment in this internationally acclaimed series, contains chapters authored by world-renowned clinical laboratory scientists, physicians and research scientists. New to this latest release are chapters that cover Microparticles in Chronic Heart Failure, Peptide Antibodies in Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Measurement and Clinical Utility of ssCTX in Serum and Plasma, Human Papillomavirus and its Testing Assays, Cervical Cancer Screening, and Vaccination, and Physical Exercise and DNA Injury: Good or Evil? The serial presents the latest technologies related to the field of clinical chemistry, and is the benchmark for novel analytical approaches in the clinical laboratory.

Novel molecular motifs named Immunoreceptor Tyrosine-based Inhibition Motifs (ITIMs) have recently been recognized in the intracytoplasmic domains of a still-increasing number of receptors which control cell activation and proliferation. Research on ITIM-bearing molecules has developed exponentially during the last three years, generating new concepts with important consequences in basic research and with exciting potential clinical applications. The present volume contains 15 reviews written by authors who all made significant contributions to the identification of ITIM-bearing molecules and the study of their biological properties. It constitutes the first synthesis ever published that is specifically devoted to this emerging topic.

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

This groundbreaking resource explores core issues in participatory health research (PHR) and traces its global emergence as a force for improving health and well-being, healthcare services, and quality of life. The PHR approach is defined as including community members, health practitioners, and decision-makers as co-researchers, using local knowledge to reduce disparities in care, advocate for responsive health policy, and accelerate positive change in society as a whole. The book's first half surveys themes essential to the development of the field, including evaluating PHR projects, training professionals in conducting PHR, and the ambitious work of the International Collaboration for Participatory Health Research. International perspectives showcase the varied roles of PHR in addressing urgent local health problems in their specific public health and sociocultural contexts. Among the topics covered: Demonstrating impact in participatory health research Reviewing the effectiveness of participatory health research: challenges and possible solutions Kids in Action-participatory health research with children Participatory health research: an Indian perspective Participatory health research in Latin America: scientific production on chronic diseases Participatory health research in North America: from community engagement to evidence-informed practice Participatory Health Research benefits those teaching and learning about participatory health research at institutions of higher education and in community settings, addressing diverse fields including health promotion and disease prevention, medicine and public health, quality of life, social work, and community development.

This volume will outline how to recreate the tumor microenvironment, to culture primary tumors without the need for developmental priming factors, and to deliver targeted therapeutics in a manner that recapitulates pharmacokinetics in vivo. Much of what may be learned from this volume will aid in understanding many aspects of the enhanced study of tumor cell biology in a physiologic context, open new avenues for drug screening and biomarker development, and accelerate the preclinical evaluation of novel personalized medicine strategies for patients in real time.

The book covers all important topics in the area of Survival Analysis. Each topic has been covered by one or more chapters written by internationally renowned experts. Each chapter provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the topic. Several new illustrative examples have been used to demonstrate the methodologies developed. The book also includes an exhaustive list of important references in the area of Survival Analysis.
.Includes up-to-date reviews on many important topics.
.Chapters written by many internationally renowned experts.
.Some Chapters provide completely new methodologies and analyses.
.Includes some new data and methods of analyzing them.

Music recommendation systems are becoming more and more popular. The increasing amount of personal data left by users on social media contributes to more accurate inference of the user's musical preferences and the same to quality of personalized systems. Health recommendation systems have become indispensable tools in decision making processes in the healthcare sector. Their main objective is to ensure the availability of valuable information at the right time by ensuring information quality, trustworthiness, authentication, and privacy concerns. Medical doctors deal with various kinds of diseases in which the music therapy helps to improve symptoms. Listening to music may improve heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure in people with heart disease. Sound healing therapy uses aspects of music to improve physical and emotional health and well-being. The book presents a variety of approaches useful to create recommendation systems in healthcare, music, and in music therapy.

This book explores international biomedical research and development on the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. It offers timely, multidisciplinary reflections on the social and ethical issues raised by promises of early diagnostics and asks under which conditions emerging diagnostic technologies can be considered a responsible innovation. The initial chapters in this edited volume provide an overview and a critical discussion of recent developments in biomedical research on Alzheimer's disease. Subsequent contributions explore the values at stake in current practices of dealing with Alzheimer's disease and dementia, both within and outside the biomedical domain. Novel diagnostic technologies for Alzheimer's disease emerge in a complex and shifting field, full of controversies. Innovating with care requires a precise mapping of how concepts, values and responsibilities are filled in through the confrontation of practices. In doing so, the volume offers a practice-based approach of responsible innovation that is also applicable to other fields of innovation.

A thought-provoking series that chronicles the discussions, disputes, and debates that have divided scientists and advanced science through the ages. The origins of humanity? The causes of homosexuality? Experimentation on humans and animals? In both theory and practice, science is riven by controversy. Always has been, always will be. Controversies in Science reveals the history of humanity's disputatious pursuit of truth-the passions, the polemics, and the partisanship. ABC-CLIO's Controversies in Science series examines some of the greatest debates in the history of science's quest for truth. Edited by top scientists, philosophers, and historians, the titles explore fields as diverse as cosmology, genetics, evolution, psychiatry, and the fascinating and speculative study of extraterrestrial biology. Who are we? Where do we come from? And what limits should we place on the pursuit of answers to these questions? The truth is out there. But what routes have we taken? What routes should we take? Controversies in Science offers a road map.

This second edition provides an update on technology and an accelerated tutorial to assist, students, entrepreneurs, new investigators, and established investigators who want to quickly become versed in, and immersed in, the entire process from discovery to clinical trial validation and commercial public benefit. Chapters aim to cover the full spectrum of molecular profiling from tumor staging and grading through biomarker discovery, to commercialization. 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, Molecular Profiling: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition aims to be a useful guide on molecular profiling.

Now in its third edition, this textbook serves to frame understandings of health, health-related behavior, and health care in light of social and health inequality as well as structural violence. It also examines how the exercise of power in the health arena and in society overall impacts human health and well-being. Medical Anthropology and the World System: Critical Perspectives, Third Edition includes updated and expanded information on medical anthropology, resulting in an even more comprehensive resource for undergraduate students, graduate students, and researchers worldwide. As in the previous versions of this text, the authors provide insights from the perspective of critical medical anthropology, a well-established theoretical viewpoint from which faculty, researchers, and students study medical anthropology. It addresses the nature and scope of medical anthropology; the biosocial and political ecological origins of disease, health inequities, and social suffering; and the nature of medical systems in indigenous and pre-capitalist state societies and modern societies. The third edition also includes new material on the relationship between climate change and health. Finally, this textbook explores health praxis and the struggle for a healthy world.

This book focuses on the basic aspects of dental stem cells (DSCs) as well as their clinical applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. It opens with a discussion of classification, protocols, and properties of DSCs and proceeds to explore DSCs within the contexts of cryopreservation; epigenetics; pulp, periodontal, tooth, bone, and corneal stroma regeneration; neuronal properties, mesenchymal stem cells and biomaterials; and as sources of hepatocytes for liver disease treatment. The fifteen expertly authored chapters comprehensively examine possible applications of DSCs and provide invaluable insights into mechanisms of growth and differentiation. Dental Stem Cells: Regenerative Potential draws from a wealth of international perspectives and is an essential addition to the developing literature on dental stem cells. This installment of Springer's Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine series is indispensable for biomedical researchers interested in bioengineering, dentistry, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, cell biology and oncology.