In today's world, three great classes of non-infectious diseases - the metabolic syndromes (such as type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis), the cancers, and the neurodegenerative disorders - have risen to the fore. These diseases, all associated with increasing age of an individual, have proven to be remarkably complex and difficult to treat. This is because, in large measure, when the cellular signaling pathways responsible for maintaining homeostasis and health of the body become dysregulated, they generate equally stable disease states. As a result the body may respond positively to a drug, but only for a while and then revert back to the disease state. Cellular Signaling in Health and Disease summarizes our current understanding of these regulatory networks in the healthy and diseased states, showing which molecular components might be prime targets for drug interventions. This is accomplished by presenting models that explain in mechanistic, molecular detail how a particular part of the cellular signaling web operates properly in health and improperly in disease.

The stability of the health- and disease-associated states is dynamic and supported by multiple feedback loops acting positively and negatively along with linkages between pathways. During the past few years an ongoing series of important discoveries have been made that advance our understanding of how the body works and may guide us on how to better deal with these diseases. These include the discovery of chronic inflammation as a causal factor in all of these disease classes, the appearance of reactive oxygen species as a messenger molecule that can act both positively and negatively, the propensity of proteins to misfold into aggregation- and disease-prone forms, and the rise of epigenetics including the emergence of small non-coding RNA with important regulatory functions out of the so-called junk RNA. Chapters are devoted to each of these classes of findings with additional details integrated into the chapters dealing directly with the diseases. The connections responsible for maintaining stability are explored in depth.

RNA technologies are the driving forces of modern medicine and biotechnology. They combine the fields of biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physics, nanotechnology and bioinformatics. The combination of these topics is set to revolutionize the medicine of tomorrow. After more than 15 years of extensive research in the field of RNA technologies, the first therapeutics are ready to reach the first patients. Thus we are witnessing the birth of a very exciting time in the development of molecular medicine, which will be based on the methods of RNA technologies. This volume is the first of a series. It covers various aspects of RNA interference and microRNAs, although antisense RNA applications, hammerhead ribozyme structure and function as well as non-coding RNAs are also discussed. The authors are internationally highly respected experts in the field of RNA technologies.

Detection of Change: Event-Related Potential and fMRI Findings presents the first systematic overview of how event-related brain potential (ERP), cognitive electroencephalography (EEG), and functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) measures reflect the mental events arising from changes in sensory stimulation. Reviews by leading experts provide clarifying introductory background material that is well integrated with the cogently collated findings. Topics include the empirical and theoretical analysis of mismatch negativity, P300, human lesion studies, and stimulus binding. These areas provide the backdrop for summaries of auditory/visual ERP interactions, the conjoint use of fMRI methods, and neuroelectric processing models of attention and memory. The contents are fresh, the literature distillations highly informative, and the range of topics extremely useful. This book fills a major need by making contemporary results highly assessable to cognitive neuroscientists, psychologists, and researchers interested in the neural underpinnings of how the brain responds to stimulus change.

From the 40th annual conference of the International Society on Oxygen Transport to Tissue (ISOTT), held in Bruges, Belgium in August 2012, this volume covers aspects of clinical applications, muscle oxygenation, cancer, measurement technologies, oxygen transport modelling and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), cell metabolism and brain oxygenation. Each topic was presented by one or two invited speakers, and a series of contributed talks.

Over the past decades, the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases have been benefited significantly from intensive research activities. In order to provide a comprehensive "manual" in a field that has become as broad and deep as cardiovascular medicine, this volume of "Methods in Molecular Medicine" covers a wide spectrum of in vivo and in vitro techniques encompassing biochemical, pharmacological and molecular biology disciplines which are currently used to assess vascular disease progression. Each chapter included in this volume focuses on a specific vascular biology technique and describes various applications as well as caveats of these techniques. The protocols included here are described in detail, allowing beginners with little experience in the field of vascular biology to embark on new research projects.

Store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) serves to control essential functions throughout the human body and represents a novel and attractive target for therapeutic intervention. This book provides an extensive overview of the role of SOCE pathways in Molecular Physiology and Cell Biology, as well as their clinical significance. (Patho)physiological principles and emerging therapeutic strategies are delineated in a way that is valuable both for the education of graduate students in advanced Cell Biology/Molecular Physiology and for the promotion of innovative research and developments in the clinical/therapeutic fields. A comprehensive, clear and elaborate representation of current concepts is provided, including a pathophysiological section arranged in a tissue/organ/system-oriented manner. The book is intended for basic researchers specializing in cell signaling, ion transport, or pharmacology, as well as biomedical scientists and clinicians with a focus on immunology, neurology or cardiology.

This edition of the companion volumes Muscle Pain: Understanding the Mech- isms and Muscle Pain: Diagnosis and Treatment is essential reading for those interested in clinical approaches to acute and chronic pain conditions involving muscle tissues and in the mechanisms underlying these conditions. The volumes cover a very important topic in pain medicine, since muscle pain is very common and can often be dif?cult to diagnose and treat effectively. Furthermore, chronic pain involving muscle and other components of the musculoskeletal system increases with age, such that it is a common complaint of those of us who are middle-aged or older. Indeed, as changing population demographics in "west- nized" countries result in higher proportions of the population living longer and being middle-aged and elderly, chronic muscle pain will likely become even more of a health problem. In the case of acute muscle pain, this can often be very intense, and in the short term can limit or modify the use of components of the musculoskeletal system associated with the sensitive muscle. Chronic muscle pain can also be intense, as well as unpleasant and disabling, and it is in many cases the over-riding symptom of most musculoskeletal disorders that are associated with long-term deleterious changes in musculoskeletal function.

Dr. Elisabeth Bock (Photo Keenpress) This book contains review articles that produce a snapshot of recent developments in the field of the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM. The chapters are grouped into sections reflecting various aspects of NCAM structure and function. The themes cover the structural basis of cell adhesion mediated by NCAM and NCAM interaction partners, NCAM-mediated signaling determinants of NCAM function under physiological conditions and in disease, and the therapeutic potential of NCAM mimetics. Section 1, "Structure and Ligands of NCAM," introduces the reader to the str- tural basis of NCAM-mediated cell adhesion, discussing the current knowledge of extracellular and intracellular NCAM ligands and the structural basis of NCAM int- actions with the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor. Section 2, "NCAM and Polysialic Acid," focuses on NCAM polysialylation, discussing the structural and functional aspects of the most important posttranslational modifications of NCAM by the addition of a long linear homopolymer of sialic acid to the fifth Ig-like NCAM module. Section 3, "NCAM-mediated Signal Transduction," is devoted to signal v BookID 187530_ChapID FM1_Proof# 1 - 01/03/2011 BookID 187530_ChapID FM1_Proof# 1 - 01/03/2011 vi Preface transduction mechanisms associated with NCAM-mediated adhesion, with a focus on signaling pathways involved in NCAM-mediated neurite outgrowth, the role of growth-associated proteins, signaling through lipid microdomains, and signaling crosstalk with the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. Section 4, "NCAM Metabolism," focuses on current knowledge about NCAM biosynthesis and the g- eration and role of soluble NCAM.

Natural Killer (NK) cells are large granular lymphocytes of the innate immune system. They are widespread throughout the body, being present in both lymphoid organs and non-lymphoid peripheral tissues. NK cells are involved in direct innate immune reactions against viruses, bacteria, parasites and other triggers of pathology, such as malignant transformation, all of which cause stress in affected cells. Importantly, NK cells also link the innate and adaptive immune responses, contributing to the initiation of adaptive immune responses and executing adaptive responses using the CD16 FcgRIIIA immunoglobulin Fc receptor. Such responses are mediated through two major effector functions, the direct cytolysis of target cells and the production of cytokines and chemokines. The authors focus here on the nature of recognition events by NK cells and address how these events are integrated to trigger these distinct and graded effector functions.

This book provides a conceptual and computational framework to study how the nervous system exploits the anatomical properties of limbs to produce mechanical function. The study of the neural control of limbs has historically emphasized the use of optimization to find solutions to the muscle redundancy problem. That is, how does the nervous system select a specific muscle coordination pattern when the many muscles of a limb allow for multiple solutions? I revisit this problem from the emerging perspective of neuromechanics that emphasizes finding and implementing families of feasible solutions, instead of a single and unique optimal solution. Those families of feasible solutions emerge naturally from the interactions among the feasible neural commands, anatomy of the limb, and constraints of the task. Such alternative perspective to the neural control of limb function is not only biologically plausible, but sheds light on the most central tenets and debates in the fields of neural control, robotics, rehabilitation, and brain-body co-evolutionary adaptations. This perspective developed from courses I taught to engineers and life scientists at Cornell University and the University of Southern California, and is made possible by combining fundamental concepts from mechanics, anatomy, mathematics, robotics and neuroscience with advances in the field of computational geometry. Fundamentals of Neuromechanics is intended for neuroscientists, roboticists, engineers, physicians, evolutionary biologists, athletes, and physical and occupational therapists seeking to advance their understanding of neuromechanics. Therefore, the tone is decidedly pedagogical, engaging, integrative, and practical to make it accessible to people coming from a broad spectrum of disciplines. I attempt to tread the line between making the mathematical exposition accessible to life scientists, and convey the wonder and complexity of neuroscience to engineers and computational scientists. While no one approach can hope to definitively resolve the important questions in these related fields, I hope to provide you with the fundamental background and tools to allow you to contribute to the emerging field of neuromechanics.

The dynamics of body metabolism are changed in the disease process and interact with physical activity. The alteration of metabolism and its consequences raise the need for simple and reliable methods for assessment of body composition. The chapters aim to investigate various interacting components converging on metabolic changes in lung and muscle tissues taking into consideration the drug effects. The effects of exercise and nutritional status are dealt with at a great extent.

Dendritic cells are vital to induce potent anti-viral immune responses. It will become clear to the reader that dendritic cells often play a dual role during viral infections. On the one hand they are able to mount potent antiviral immune responses, and on the other hand several viruses, including HIV-1, use DC as a vector to be transferred from the periphery to the lymph nodes where they infect their prime target.

The essentials of medical terminology for the short, self-paced, or online course Medical Terminology Express + Medical Language Lab work together to create an immersive, multimedia experience for students and complete teaching materials for instructors that are perfect for a short course in the classroom or online. The text leads students to proficiency through proven word-building and competency-based techniques, while the online program, Medical Language Lab, tracks student progress until they've mastered the language of medicine. An access code inside new, printed texts unlocks the ebook and Medical Language Lab for students. Digital access can be purchased directly on FADavis.com. Instructors. Want to learn more? Request preview access to explore Medical Language Lab. See what students are saying online about the previous edition... Five Stars. "Just the book I needed for class with the Medical Language Lab online that I needed." - Josh, Online Reviewer Fantastic. " ...really easy to understand. I love the color coding, simple language, repetition, and regular practice questions. The online component of the book is also really helpful and well done, highly recommend using it." - Sam, Online Reviewer TextNow in its 3rd Edition, Medical Terminology Express adapts Barbara Gylys's proven word-building techniques for the short-course. Organized by body system, this text demonstrates the connection between anatomical structures and associated medial word roots. Medical Language Lab Online. Interactive. Progressive. Medical Language Lab guides students step by step from basic through advanced levels of proficiency to become confident medical language speakers. A wealth of audio case studies, progressive exercises, lecture videos, and a pronunciation guide and activities, plus an integrated e-book version of the text, offer multiple paths to learning success. This immersive, multimedia experience guides students and tracks their progress as they apply word-building concepts for practice and application.

This volume describes our current understanding of the biological role of the delta-opioid receptor (DOR) system, focusing on its unique mechanisms of receptor trafficking and signaling in disease states. Part 1 covers the endogenous ligands that regulate the DOR system as well as novel compounds and therapies used to modulate the DOR system. Part 2 describes new insights into the localization and trafficking of the DOR and how ligand-directed signaling alters the fate of the receptor. Part 3 concentrates on the potential role of the DOR system in disease states, such as pain, mood, addiction, and Parkinson's disease. Throughout the book, the DOR system as a target for drug development will be discussed.

Cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions are of fundamental importance for the development and the maintenance of tissues and organs in multicellular organisms. Adhesive processes are mediated and controlled by an increasingly large and complex number of cell adhesion molecules that are anchored to the cell surface membrane by transmembrane domains. According to their structural and functional features, cell adhesion molecules have been classified into at least four major families: the integrins, selectins, cadherins and members of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Apart from linking cells to each other or to components of the extracellular matrix, cell adhesion molecules function also as receptors that interact via their cytoplasmic domain with numerous signalling molecules including protein kinases and phosphatases, G-proteins, or proteins of the beta-catenin/armadillo family. Cell adhesion molecules can activate various signalling pathways and as a consequence play a crucial role in the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. During the last decade it has been recognized that acquired as well as inherited defects of cell adhesion molecules and adhesion-linked signalling molecules are the molecular basis of various types of disease including cancer, infectious and inflammatory disease, connective tissue disorders or blistering disease.
This book is the proceedings of a Falk Workshop held in Berlin, Germany, on January 23-24, 2003, which brought together experts in different fields of research to stimulate the transfer of findings from basic research to clinical application. Section I focuses on cell adhesion molecules of the liver and their role inhepatocarcinogenesis and inflammatory liver disease. Section II deals with infection and fibrosis and with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Morphogenesis, cell migration and inflammation are the subject of Section III with a focus on the role of integrins in blood cell-endothelial interactions. In Section IV the importance of cell adhesion molecules for cancer and their role as potential target for cancer therapy will be discussed.

Focusing on assessment through therapist-driven protocols, this valuable tool provides an overview of the assessment process and fundamentals needed for success. It offers discussion of the top five treatment protocols: oxygen, hyperinflation , bronchial hygiene and bronchodilator therapies, as well as mechanical ventilation. Using a case study approach, students learn to manage an entire case from beginning to end. Each time they assess the patient, they use the SOAP format: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan reasoning, giving them practice in documenting history and developing care plans.

This book reports the text of the lectures of the 6th International Conference on Sodium Calcium Exchange held in Lacco Ameno in the Island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, Italy, from October 1 to October 5, 2011. The present book uncovers the most striking new findings on NCX that emerged since the previous Conference on Sodium Calcium Exchange, such as the structural dissection of the molecular determinants of Ca2+ sensitivity of the exchanger, the epigenetic regulation of ncx1 gene, the molecular identification of the mitochondrial Sodium Calcium Exchanger, and the discovery of NCX in unexpected anatomical locations such as the female reproductive tract. The book is organized into 11 parts covering NCX structural aspects, genetic and epigenetic regulation, regulatory mechanisms, subcellular localization in mitochondria, involvement in neurodegenerative diseases and in immune regulation, and the role of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, as well as diabetes in physiology and pathophysiology. Selected chapters of the book are also devoted to the interaction of NCKX and other ion channels and transporters with NCX, like ASICs, TRPM, and NHE.

This book is written to help and enable students in how to observe biological specimens in terms of viscosity, mass, elasticity and work producing elements. The observations are related to underlying chemical reactions by means of strain (fractional length change) sensitivity of the reactions, and a theory is developed how to connect these. Their mathematical derivation is complex when three or more states are involved, but a method is presented here to demonstrate how to simplify this complex problem. Basic mathematical solutions that are useful for this book, are presented (Fourier and Laplace transforms, differential equations, matrix operations) together with Fortran programs in the Appendix.

Regulated turnover of extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of tissue homeostasis. In recent years, the enzymes that participate in, and control ECM turnover have been the focus of research that touches on development, tissue remodeling, inflammation and disease. This volume in the Biology of Extracellular Matrix series provides a review of the known classes of proteases that degrade ECM both outside and inside the cell. The specific EMC proteases that are discussed include cathepsins, bacterial collagenases, matrix metalloproteinases, meprins, serine proteases, and elastases. The volume also discusses the domains responsible for specific biochemical characteristics of the proteases and the physical interactions that occur when the protease interacts with substrate. The topics covered in this volume provide an important context for understanding the role that matrix-degrading proteases play in normal tissue remodeling and in diseases such as cancer and lung disease. The series Biology of Extracellular Matrix is published in collaboration with the American Society for Matrix Biology.

From humble beginnings over 25 years ago as a lipid kinase activity associated with certain oncoproteins, PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) has been catapulted to the forefront of drug development in cancer, immunity and thrombosis, with the first clinical trials of PI3K pathway inhibitors now in progress. Here we give a brief overview of some key discoveries in the PI3K area and their impact, and include thoughts on the current state of the field, and where it could go from here

This unique and authoritative book presents an up-to-date overview of the many aspects of energy balance and its relationships to disease processes resulting from excess energy consumption and storage. It provides a comprehensive treatment of important research and clinical aspects of energy metabolism and obesity. It will be a valuable resource for endocrinologists, diabetes specialists, internists and family practitioners.

This volume summarizes recent advances in research on mesenchymal cell populations in the bone marrow. It explores how mesenchymal cells create niches for immune cells in extramedullary organs and it discusses new concepts of lympho-hematopoietic microenvironments. Readers are introduced to the fundamentals of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) differentiation to all types of blood cells, including immune cells, in the bone marrow. The book highlights how this process is supported and regulated by the individual microenvironments of stem cells, termed niches. The identity of HSC niches has been subject to longstanding debates. Recent studies identified the population of mesenchymal stem cells as the major cellular component of niches, for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) and their candidate developmental origin. Furthermore, candidate cellular niches for immune cells in lymph nodes and adipose and connective tissues were identified. The authors of this volume focus on shared features between those and HSPC niche cells in the bone marrow. Covering latest research results, this book serves as fascinating read for researchers and clinicians in hematology and immunology.