"Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science" provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas in molecular biology and translational science. It contains contributions from leaders in their fields and abundant references. This volume focuses on translational control in health and disease.

* Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts * Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

This work provides a state-of-the art overview on the most relevant aspects of cell polarity. Volume 1 addresses cell polarity and cell migration (front-rear polarity), cell polarity and barrier formation (apico-basal polarity) and neuronal polarity. It particularly focuses on cell polarity at the molecular level and the underlying molecular mechanisms. It also elaborates the common principles and mechanisms that regulate cellular polarization in different cell types and contexts. Both volumes are intended for professors, group leaders and researchers in cell biology as well as medical professionals in the fields of anatomy, cell biology, physiology, pathology and tumor biology.

Contents

Philip C. Sharpe, Rosemary S. Harrison, and David P. Fairlie: Amyloid Peptides and Proteins in Review. - Marilena Kampa, Artemissia-Phoebe Nifli, George Notas, Elias Castanas: Polyphenols and Cancer Cell Growth. - Michal Janitz: Assigning Functions to Genes The Main Challenge of the Post-Genomic Era. - Brigittte M. Jockusch, Kai Murk and Martin Rothkegel: The Profile of Profilins.

Angiogenesis is the growth of new blood vessels and is an important natural process in the body. A healthy body maintains a perfect balance of angiogenesis modulators. In many serious disease states, however, the body loses control over angiogenesis. Diseases that are angiogenesis-dependent result when blood vessels either grow excessively or insufficiently. Understanding how angiogenesis "works" and how to control it, will have massive implications on the management, treatments, and ultimately the prevention of many common (and not so common) diseases.
Angiogenesis cuts across virtually every discipline. The Angiogenesis Foundation identified angiogenesis as a "common denominator" in our most serious diseases. Excessive angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as cancer, diabetic blindness, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and many other conditions. Insufficient angiogenesis occurs in diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, and delayed wound healing.

* Tried-and-tested techniques written by researchers that developed them, used them, and brought them to fruition.
* Provides the "builder's manual" for essential techniques. This is a one-stop shop that eliminates needless searching among untested techniques.
* Includes step-by-step methods for understanding the cell and molecular basis of wound healing, vascular integrin signaling, mechanical signaling in blood vessels, and vascular proteomics

The Textbook of Nephro-Endocrinology is the definitive translational reference in the field of nephro-endocrinology, investigating both the endocrine functions of the kidneys and how the kidney acts as a target for hormones from other organ systems. It offers both researchers and clinicians expert, gold-standard analysis of nephro-endocrine research and translation into the treatment of diseases such as anemia, chronic kidney disease (CKD), rickets, osteoprosis, and, hypoparathyroidism.
* Investigates both the endocrine functions of the kidneys and how the kidney acts as a target for hormones from other organ systems.
* Presents a uniquely comprehensive and cross-disciplinary look at all aspects of nephro-endocrine disorders in one reference work.
* Clear translational presentations by the top endocrinologists and nephrologists in each specific hormone or functional/systems field.

DESCRIPTION:
Current Topics in Membranes provides a systematic, comprehensive, and rigorous approach to specific topics relevant to the study of cellular membranes. Each volume is a guest edited compendium of membrane biology. Articles in this volume discuss ion transport;
ocular aquaporins and aqueous humor dynamics;
the role of Ggap junction channels in the ciliary body secretory epithelium; regional dependence of inflow; functional modulators linking Iinflow with outflow of aqueous humor; aqueous humor outflow resistance; aqueous humor dynamics; the effects of circulatory events on
aqueous humor inflow and intraocular pressure; retinal ganglion cells and glaucoma; what functional genomics is teaching us about intraocular pressure regulation and glaucoma;
molecular approaches to glaucoma; outflow signaling mechanisms and new therapeutic strategies for the control of intraocular pressure.
*Guest edited by cell membrane experts
*Dynamic and thorough coverage of all aspects of the aqueous humor from inflow to outflow
*Provides the latest teachings on genomics and glaucoma
*Highlights new therapeutic strategies for the control of intraocular pressure

This volume surveys the recent advances and provide an integrative view of molecular, cellular, and systems level mechanisms underlying cognitive processes in both animals and humans. Current state of the art and future avenues are discussed by distinguished scientists who provide not only an overview of the underlying neurobiology of cognitive processes from a basic science standpoint, but who also focus on clinical and therapeutic aspects surrounding impairments associated with disorders that affect cognition.

Written by an eminent cardiovascular physiologist with a strong track record in dealing with issues related to exercise and environmental physiology, this text covers cardiovascular function from the exercise and human physiologist's viewpoint. It provides a solid foundation of knowledge of how the cardiovascular system responds and adapts to the challenges of exercise and environmental change, and analyses the practicalities of measuring cardiovascular parameters in normal human subjects. Case studies in exercise physiology throughout text. Open-ended questions at end of each chapter encourage students to explore common situations facing exercise and human physiologists. Bibliography at end of each chapter directs students to further reading resources. Summaries at start of each chapter and multiple choice questions with explanatory answers at end of book aid revision and help students test their knowledge.

This book deals with many recent advances made in uncovering the molecular and cellular basis of phagocytosis of apoptotic and necrotic dying cells as well as with the methods used for studying their clearance. There are important practical and clinical reasons for attempting to understand the molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of dying cells, because inadequate clearance of dying cells may contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus), as well as atherosclerosis and chronic lung diseases (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and cystic fibrosis). Furthermore, in this book we examine the possibility of using apoptotic cells in the prevention and treatment of graft rejection and in the rational design of immunotherapy and vaccines for cancer treatment. The role of environmental factors in phagocytosis of dying cells is also addressed.

This comprehensive volume integrates the most innovative and current findings from several related disciplines of scientific research, including pathology, immunology, genetics, and cellular and molecular biology. It is divided into two sections: "Molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of dying cells" and "Impairment of phagocytosis of dying cells and its role in the development of diseases." No other recent books devoted to this subject are available.

All of the contributors are experts working at the forefront of scientific discovery, and the reviews they present systematically examine the most exciting and innovative aspects of their particular areas of expertise. Both researchers and physicians will find this volume of major benefit because it covers the immunological and molecular biological aspects of phagocytosis of dying cells as well as its clinical relevance.

Physiological Bases of Human Performance during Work and Exercise is a high-level physiology text for advanced students, researchers and practitioners in the fields of human physiology, exercise science and applied physiology. Eighty internationally recognised scientists from sixteen countries have written chapters within six areas: Physiological performance limits and human adaptation; The physiological bases of gender differences in performance; Age and human performance; Performance under environmental extremes; Exercise and health interactions; and Optimising performance through supplementation. Each section contains state-of-the-art reviews of the scientific literature. To stimulate critical thinking, there are thirteen debates and discussions that focus on some of the controversial topics that exist across these disciplines.

"Vascular Morphogenesis: Methods and Protocols" provides a range of techniques for studying vascular morphogenesis in vivo and in vitro, reflecting advances in the field. Endothelial cell signaling is currently believed to promote fundamental cues for cell fate specification, embryo patterning, organ differentiation and postnatal tissue remodeling. Understanding the concept of vascular bed specificity represents a major challenge for future investigations. Indeed, one of the most interesting theoretical perspectives and practical applications of endothelial cell signaling is the possibility for these cells to maintain their inductive potential during adult life. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology" series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Practical and authoritative, "Vascular Morphogenesis: Methods and Protocols" will serve as a instructive and useful reference for cell biologists, anatomists, pathologists and physiologists, as well as all those interested in this area of biological study.

This book covers topics on mechanosensing, mechanotransduction, and actin cytoskeletal dynamics in cell motility. It will contribute to a better understanding of how cells functionally adapt to their mechanical environment as well as highlighting fundamental concepts for designing material niches for cell manipulation. With topics from multidisciplinary fields of the life sciences, medicine and engineering, the book is the first of its kind, providing comprehensive, integrated coverage of innovative approaches to cell biomechanics. It provides a valuable resource for seniors and graduate students studying cell biomechanics and is also suitable for researchers interested in the application of methods and strategies in connection with the innovative approaches discussed. Each section of the book has been supplemented with concrete examples and illustrations to facilitate understanding even for readers unfamiliar with cell biomechanics.

Exercise Physiology in Special Populations covers the prevalent health conditions that are either linked to an inactive lifestyle or whose effects can be ameliorated by increasing physical activity and physical fitness. The book explores physiological aspects of obesity and diabetes before moving on to cardiac disease, lung disease, arthritis and back pain, ageing and older people, bone health, the female participant, neurological and neuromuscular disorders, and spinal chord injury. The author team includes many of the UK's leading researchers and exercise science and rehabilitation practitioners that specialise in each of the topic areas. New to the popular Advances in Sport and Exercise Science series, this book covers key aspects of exercise physiology including: .Coronary Heart Disease & Cardiac Dysfunction .Neurological disorders (Strokes, Parkinson's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Head Injury) .Spinal cord injuries .Obesity & Diabetes .Amputees .Downs syndrome .Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease .Musculo-rheumatological disorders and pain .Bone Health .Older People .HIV/Aids .The female exercise participant * Structured in an easy accessible way for students and lecturers* Well referenced, including a further reading list with each chapter..* Written by a group of highly experienced experts.

Angiogenesis is a multi-stage process that drives the generation of new blood and lymphatic vessels from pre-existing ones. It is highly active during embryogenesis, largely inactive during adulthood but reactivated during wound healing and under a number of pathological conditions including cancer and ocular diseases. In addition to endothelial cells, which line the walls of the vessels, several other cell types (pericytes, macrophages, progenitor cells ) also contribute to angiogenesis. A number of signaling pathways are activated and very finely tune the delicate morphogenetic events that ultimately lead to the formation of stable blood proof neovessels.

This book reviews recent advances in our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of angiogenesis, with a focus on how to integrate these observations into the context of developmental, post-natal and pathological neovascularization.

The book was published under the auspices of the French Angiogenesis Society. Most contributors are prominent members of this Society or international researchers who have actively contributed to the Annual Meetings of the Society."

Prospective Isolation and Characterization of Human Bone Marrow-Derived MSCs, by A. Harichandan, K. Sivasubramaniyan, H.-J. Buhring Urine as a Source of Stem Cells, by Christina Benda, Ting Zhou, Xianming Wang, Weihua Tian, Johannes Grillari, Hung-Fat Tse, Regina Grillari-Voglauer, Duanqing Pei, Miguel A. Esteban Expansion of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells under Xenogenic-Free Culture Conditions, by Sven Kinzebach, Karen Bieback Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Biology and Potential Applications, by Danielle Minteer, Kacey G Marra, J Peter Rubin Potential for Osteogenic and Chondrogenic Differentiation of MSC, by Antonina Lavrentieva, Tim Hatlapatka, Anne Neumann, Birgit Weyand, Cornelia Kasper Potential for Neural Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, by Letizia Ferroni, Chiara Gardin, Ilaria Tocco, Roberta Epis, Alessandro Casadei, Vincenzo Vindigni, Giuseppe Mucci, Barbara Zavan Migratory Properties of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, by Thomas Dittmar, Frank Entschladen Dissecting Paracrine Effectors for Mesenchymal Stem Cells, by Stefania Bruno, Federica Collino, Ciro Tetta, Giovanni Camussi Proteomics Approaches in the Identification of Molecular Signatures of Mesenchymal Stem Cells, by Yin Xiao, Jiezhong Chen Does the Adult Stroma Contain Stem Cells?, by Richard Schafer

Obesity is currently regarded as one of the major health challenges of the developed world. Excess body weight is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, musculoskeletal disorders and even psychiatric problems and is estimated to cause nearly 3 million deaths per year worldwide. Obesity is not necessarily associated with comorbidities: there are indeed metabolically healthy obese individuals. Thus, we need to consider individuals presenting simple with obesity separately from those at risk of developing or who have already developed complex clinical states potentially leading to disability. Comorbidities can tip the balance of independence in patients who already have functional limitations mainly due to the excess of mass itself or who develop conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, where an abnormal metabolism of adipose tissue prevails. Morbid obesity with comorbidities leading to disability represents a real social and economic burden for National Health Systems worldwide. The presence of multiple and associated comorbidities often represents an obstacle to being admitted to hospitals for the treatment of metabolic diseases. On the other hand, clinical units with optimal standards for the treatment of pathological conditions in normal-weight patients are often structurally and technologically inadequate for the care of patients with extreme obesity. The aim of this book is to focus on the pathophysiological and rehabilitative aspects of disabling obesity, highlighting multidisciplinary rehabilitation interventions as key to counteracting the disabling aspects of complicated obesity.