Our understanding of the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying scoliosis is rapidly evolving, this timely second edition of The Genetics and Development of Scoliosis is to provide researchers, clinicians, and students with the most current views in this field. This volume brings together leaders in understanding congenital and idiopathic scoliosis to present the current state of research, and to compare the genetic etiology of these conditions, in order to identify potential shared developmental mechanisms. This book will summarize the recent advances in studies of spinal development and how disruptions during embryogenesis in embryonic segmentation can lead to congenital vertebral defects. In addition, recent reports of genetic loci predisposing patients to develop juvenile and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis will be presented, and key clinical features are reviewed. Finally, there will be discussion of how genetic heterogeneity and gene-environment interactions may contribute to congenital scoliosis and isolated vertebral malformations.

Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway in multicellular organisms that regulates cell-fate determination during development and in stem cells. This volume, which is part of the Current Topics in Developmental Biology series, covers topics such as Notch signaling in cardiac development and disease and Notch in stem cells. International authors provide researchers with an overview and synthesis of the latest research findings and contemporary thought in the area.
Covers topics such as Notch signaling in cardiac development and disease, and Notch in stem cellsInternational authors provide researchers with an overview and synthesis of the latest research findings and contemporary thought in the area

Human footprints provide some of the most emotive and tangible evidence of our ancestors. They provide evidence of stature, presence, behaviour and in the case of early hominin footprints, evidence with respect to the evolution of human gait and foot anatomy. While human footprint sites are rare in the geological record the number of sites around the World has increased in recent years, along with the analytical tools available for their study. The aim of this book is to provide a definitive review of these recent developments with specific reference to the increased availability of three-dimensional digital elevation models of human tracks at many key sites. The book is divided into eight chapters. Following an introduction the second chapter reviews modern field methods in human ichnology focusing on the development of new analytical tools. The third chapter then reviews the major footprint sites around the World including details on several unpublished examples. Chapters then follow on the role of geology in the formation and preservation of tracks, on the inferences that can be made from human tracks and the final chapter explores the application of this work to forensic science. Audience: This volume will be of interest to researchers and students across a wide range of disciplines - sedimentology, archaeology, forensics and palaeoanthropology.

First published in 1943, "Vitamins and Hormones" is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms.
Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, "Vitamins and Hormones" continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.
This volume focuses on insulin and IGFs.
*Longest running series published by Academic Press
*Contributions by leading international authorities

3D Multiscale Physiological Human aims to promote scientific exchange by bringing together overviews and examples of recent scientific and technological advancements across a wide range of research disciplines. As a result, the variety in methodologies and knowledge paradigms are contrasted, revealing potential gaps and opportunities for integration. Chapters have been contributed by selected authors in the relevant domains of tissue engineering, medical image acquisition and processing, visualization, modeling, computer aided diagnosis and knowledge management. The multi-scale and multi-disciplinary research aspects of articulations in humans are highlighted, with a particular emphasis on medical diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and related disorders. The need for multi-scale modalities and multi-disciplinary research is an emerging paradigm in the search for a better biological and medical understanding of the human musculoskeletal system. This is particularly motivated by the increasing socio-economic burden of disability and musculoskeletal diseases, especially in the increasing population of elderly people. Human movement is generated through a complex web of interactions between embedded physiological systems on different spatiotemporal scales, ranging from the molecular to the organ level. Much research is dedicated to the understanding of each of these systems, using methods and modalities tailored for each scale. Nevertheless, combining knowledge from different perspectives opens new venues of scientific thinking and stimulates innovation. Integration of this mosaic of multifaceted data across multiple scales and modalities requires further exploration of methods in simulations and visualization to obtain a comprehensive synthesis. However, this integrative approach cannot be achieved without a broad appreciation for the multiple research disciplines involved.

This timely volume provides an overview to the causes, effects on systems and clinical approaches of metabolic acidosis. Beginning with a basic understanding of the physiology, pathophysiology and development of this disease, subsequent chapters cover the characteristics and context of the processes that can cause it and a thorough presentation of management strategies. Recommended treatments include those carried out by the health care provider as well as the individual patient, such as dietary management. Clinicians and healthcare professionals will find the tools needed to recognize, work up and manage patients with metabolic acidosis in this practical and concise resource.

Subjects in the monograph "Biophysics of the Failing Heart" include state of the art chapters considering major biophysical mechanisms for why hearts responding to acquired or inherited stressors enter into maladaptive processes eventually leading to an inability of the heart to respond efficiently to hemodynamic loads especially during exercise. The chapters describe biophysical techniques that have been applied to determine the triggers for the heart failure process as well as the mechanisms for sustaining the disorders. These techniques include measurements of active and passive mechanical properties and hemodynamics at levels of organization ranging from molecules to hearts beating in situ. Biophysical concepts and approaches are also applied to determination of signaling and signal transduction, energetics, ionic currents, transport processes, electro-chemical and chemo-mechanical coupling. By its emphasis on biophysical aspects of a prevalent clinical condition, the monograph is unique in its perspective and focus. The breadth of information in the chapters all in one place will be of value to clinicians and researchers at all levels. Modern research approaches and clinical understanding of heart failure demands integration of multiple aspects of the disorders. In most cases, combinations of clinician scientists and researchers author the chapters. A main benefit of the book is couched in its didactic approach together with its emphasis on how biophysical concepts and techniques aid in diagnosis and development of new therapies.

Signal transduction comprises the intracellular biochemical signals which induce the appropriate cell response to an external stimulus. The players in signal transduction are diverse, from small molecules as first messengers, to proteins, receptors, transcription factors, among many others. The different signaling pathways and the crosstalk between them originates the unique signaling profile of every cell type in the human body. The cell signaling specificity depends on several aspects including protein composition, subcellular localization and complexes and gene promoters. This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the specific signaling pathways on a variety of human tissues. This information can be of great value for health science researchers, professionals and students to understand key pathways for tissue-specific functions in the plethora of signals, signals receptors, transducers and effectors. Chapter 3 and 15 are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Foreword by Walter J. Freeman.

The induction of unconsciousness using anesthetic agents demonstrates that the cerebral cortex can operate in two very different behavioral modes: alert and responsive vs. unaware and quiescent. But the states of wakefulness and sleep are not single-neuron properties---they emerge as bulk properties of cooperating populations of neurons, with the switchover between states being similar to the physical change of phase observed when water freezes or ice melts. Some brain-state transitions, such as sleep cycling, anesthetic induction, epileptic seizure, are obvious and detected readily with a few EEG electrodes; others, such as the emergence of gamma rhythms during cognition, or the ultra-slow BOLD rhythms of relaxed free-association, are much more subtle. The unifying theme of this book is the notion that all of these bulk changes in brain behavior can be treated as phase transitions between distinct brain states.

Modeling Phase Transitions in the Brain contains chapter contributions from leading researchers who apply state-space methods, network models, and biophysically-motivated continuum approaches to investigate a range of neuroscientifically relevant problems that include analysis of nonstationary EEG time-series; network topologies that limit epileptic spreading; saddle--node bifurcations for anesthesia, sleep-cycling, and the wake--sleep switch; prediction of dynamical and noise-induced spatiotemporal instabilities underlying BOLD, alpha-, and gamma-band Hopf oscillations, gap-junction-moderated Turing structures, and Hopf-Turing interactions leading to cortical waves.

This volume, along with its companion (volume 475), presents methods and protocols dealing with thiol oxidation-reduction reactions and their implications as they relate tocell signaling. This firstinstallment of Cadenas and Packer's two-volume treatment specifically deals with glutathionylation and dethiolation, and peroxide removal by peroxiredoxins/thioredoxins and glutathione peroxidases. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for40 years, "Methods in Enzymology" is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike.Over 450volumes have been published to date, and much of the material is relevant even today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.
*Along with companion volume, provides a full overview of techniques necessary to the study of thiol redox in relation to cell signaling
* Gathers tried and tested techniques from global labs, offering both new and tried-and-true methods
* Relevant background and reference information given for procedures can be used as a guide to developing protocols in a number of disciplines"

This book highlights the importance of the choroid plexus, which forms the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and is the site of the major production of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The authors show that this barrier is crucial for maintaining important compositional differences between the blood plasma and the CSF. The choroid plexus epithelial cells also prevent the spread of infectious agents and other blood-borne entities to the brain tissue. Chapter topics range from the production of CSF by electrolyte regulation in the choroid plexus, to details on the selectively transporting nature of this barrier. Further, the authors elaborate on the important roles of CSF in sustaining brain health by providing hydration, solutes, and nutrients to the brain tissue. Readers will also learn how CSF circulates signaling molecules within the compartments of the brain and removes waste products from the brain tissue. Elucidating the regulation of these processes in the choroid plexus is not only important for the readers' understanding of normal brain development and function, but is also crucial for resolving a variety of cerebral challenges that lead to brain edema, as well as developing treatments for diseases. The book discusses disease models like hydrocephalus, sleep disorders, and age-related dementia. Its comprehensive coverage makes this volume a valuable resource for researchers in cell and neurophysiology, as well as graduate students of the neurosciences.

Molecular Signalling: Ca2+-Signaling in Cardiac Myocytes: Evidence from Evolutionary and Transgenic Models; M. Morad, Y.J. Suzuki. Diastolic Viscoelastic Properties of Rat Cardiac Muscle; Involvement of Ca2+; B.D.M.Y. Stuyvers, et al. The Contractile Mechanism and Energetics: Molecular Control of Myocardial Mechanics and Energetics: The Chemo-Mechanical Conversion; A. Landesberg. Myocardial Cell Energetics; H. Kammermeier. Cardiac Mechanics and Flow Dynamics: How Cardiac Contraction Affects the Coronary Vasculature; N. Westerhof, et al. Dynamic Interaction between Myocardial Contracton and Coronary Flow; R. Beyar, S. Sideman. Vascular Structure and Remodeling: Endothelial Gene Regulation by Laminar Shear Stress; N. Resnick, et al. Myocardial Structure and Function. Tissue Remodeling with Micro-Structurally Based Material Laws; P. Hunter, T. Arts. Electrical Activation and Propagation: Cardiac Excitation: An Interactive Process of Ion Channels and Gap Junctions; Y. Rudy, R.M. Shaw. The Cardionome: Concepts in Modeling: Design and Strategy for the Cardionome Project; J.B. Bassingthwaighte. 20 Additional Chapters. Index.

First published in 1943, "Vitamins and Hormones" is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms.
Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, "Vitamins and Hormones" continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.
This volume focuses on hormones of the limbic system.
*Longest running series published by Academic Press
*Contributions by leading international authorities

This timely volume explores the impact of autophagy in various human diseases, emphasizing the cell biological aspects and focusing on therapeutic approaches to these diseases. The chapters cover autophagy and its potential applications on diseases ranging from obesity, osteoarthritis, pulmonary fibrosis, and inflammation, through ALS, Parkinson's, retinal degeneration, breast cancer, alcoholic liver disease and more. The final chapters round out the book with a discussion of autophagy in drug discovery and 'bench to bedside'. Chapters are contributed by leading authorities and describe the general concepts of autophagy in health and disease, marrying cell biology and pharmacology and covering: studies derived from preclinical experiments, manufacturing considerations,and regulatory requirements pertaining to drug discovery and manufacturing and production. This volume will be useful for basic scientists as well as already practicing clinicians and advanced graduate students.

The book comprehensively reviews and provides detailed insight into the cellular and molecular signalling mechanisms involved in pathophysiology of various respiratory diseases, towards developing effective therapeutic strategies in the management and treatment of lung disease. It also covers promising advances in the field of therapeutics that could lead to novel clinical therapies capable of preventing or reversing the disease features including novel strategies for targeting chronic lung diseases using advanced drug delivery systems. Importantly, the book examines the significance and relevance of the plant extracts and their constituents with therapeutic efficiencies against lung diseases. As such, the book offers a blend of translational, biological, chemical, and drug delivery aspects relevant to respiratory diseases, thus, offering a valuable resource for pulmonologists and translational researchers working in the field of pulmonary biology and respiratory medicine.

Recent work has begun to elucidate at the molecular level how albumin is handled by the kidney and how albuminuria develops in various proteinuric diseases including minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the renal handling of albumin - from basic mechanisms to the pathophysiology of proteinuric diseases. In describing the basic mechanisms of albuminuria, a particular highlight will be the focus on advanced imaging techniques such as intravital microscopy that have allowed a detailed "window" into albumin transit through the kidney. The volume will cover the epidemiological studies which show that albuminuria is a strong and independent marker of kidney disease progression and cardiovascular events, the molecular details of albumin handling in the kidney at the level of the glomerulus and the proximal tubule and the pathophysiology of proteinuric diseases including minimal change disease, membranous nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy.

What happened along the evolutionary trail that made humans so unique? In his accessible style, Michael Gazzaniga pinpoints the change that made us thinking, sentient humans different from our predecessors. He explores what makes human brains special, the importance of language and art in defining the human condition, the nature of human consciousness, and even artificial intelligence.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce signals from a diverse array of endogenous ligands, including ions, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, peptides, and large glycoprotein hormones. They are also responsible for our sensing of exogenous stimuli, including photons and odorants. GPCRs regulate almost every aspect of our physiological functions. It is estimated that 40% to 50% of currently used therapeutic drugs target GPCRs directly or indirectly. Because the current drugs target only a small portion of the GPCRs, opportunities for targeting the remaining GPCRs is enormous. This volume reviews the latest developments in this rapidly advancing field.

* This series provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas * Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts * Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

This volume provides researchers with recent information on bioactivation reactions of drugs and toxicants. It also provides examples of how molecular and genomic biology, proteomics, mass spectrometry, and computational modeling are used in bioactivation research. In other sections, focus is on recent applications of bioactivation research in pharmacology, toxicology, and environmental health sciences, where contributors demonstrate the integration of bioactivation research.

"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 2 discusses the physiological and pathophysiological relevance of cell polarity. It especially focuses on pathophysiological conditions in which one or several aspects of cell polarity are impaired, and in which a loss of cell polarity possibly contributes to disease (e.g. epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cancer, role of polarity proteins in cancer). Both volumes are intended for professors, group leaders and researchers in cell biology as well as for medical professionals working in anatomy, cell biology, physiology, pathology and tumor biology.