The obesity epidemic has generated immense interest in recent years due to the wide-ranging and significant adverse health and economic consequences that surround the problem. Much attention has been focused on behaviors that lead to obesity, in particular to over consumption of energy-dense food and to sedentary lifestyle. However, obesity is an extremely complex condition with poorly defined pathogenesis. Thanks to greatly enhanced research in the area, the discovery of pathways in the brain and peripheral organs that mediate energy homeostasis has provided a framework for understanding the biological basis of obesity. Metabolic Basis of Obesity adds an important new dimension to the growing literature on obesity by offering a comprehensive review of specifically how metabolic imbalance culminates in obesity. Developed by a team of expert authors, this important title discusses the principles of energy balance, genetics of body weight regulation, hormones and adipokines, and metabolic pathways in the brain, liver, muscle and fat, to name just several of the areas covered. The book also examines the connection between obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other complications. Current and future diagnostic and treatment strategies are also reviewed. Comprehensive and timely, Metabolic Basis of Obesity is an essential reference for understanding the burgeoning problem of obesity.

From an expert in pulmonary medicine, the story of our extraordinary lungs, the organ that both explains our origins and holds the keys to our future as a species We take an average of 7.5 million breaths a year and some 600 million in our lifetime, and what goes on in our body each time oxygen is taken in and carbon dioxide expelled is nothing short of miraculous. "Our lungs are the lynchpin between our bodies and the outside world," writes Dr. Michael Stephen. And yet, we take our lungs for granted until we're incapacitated and suddenly confronted with their vital importance. In Breath Taking, pulmonologist Michael Stephen takes us on a journey to shed original and much-needed light on our neglected and extraordinary lungs, at a most critical societal moment. He relates the history of oxygen on Earth and the evolutionary origins of breathing, and explores the healing power of breath and its spiritual potential. He explains in lay terms the links our lungs have with our immune system and with society at large. And he offers illuminating chronicles of pulmonary research and discovery--from Galen in the ancient world to pioneers of lung transplant--and poignant human stories of resilience and recovery--from the frantic attempts to engage his own son's lungs at birth to patients he treats for cystic fibrosis today. Despite great advances in science, our lungs are ever more threatened. Asthma is more prevalent than ever; rising stress levels make our lungs vulnerable to disease; and COVID-19 has revealed that vulnerability in historic ways. In this time, Breath Taking offers inspiration and hope to millions whose lungs are affected and vital perspective to us all.

This book offers a survey of the state of the art in the field of motion sickness. It begins by describing the historical background and the current definition of motion sickness, then discusses the prevalence among individuals, along with the physiological and psychological concomitants of the disorder. It reviews the incidence of motion sickness in numerous provocative motion environments and discusses various personal factors that appear to influence this aspect. Various characteristics of provocative motion stimuli are also described, together with the results of studies conducted in the laboratory, on motion simulators and at sea. Laboratory tests that could potentially be used to assess an individual's susceptibility to motion sickness and his or her ability to adapt to motion environments are presented in detail, together with the ways in which individuals might be trained to prevent motion sickness or more effectively cope with motion environments. In closing, the book reports on the cognitive-behavioral approach developed by the author (Dobie, 1963) as well as the various desensitization programs employed in military settings, and discusses the relative effectiveness of these methods in comparison to cognitive-behavioral counseling.

Diabetes and Fundus OCT brings together a stellar cast of authors who review the computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) systems developed to diagnose non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in an automated fashion using Fundus and OCTA images. Academic researchers, bioengineers, new investigators and students interested in diabetes and retinopathy need an authoritative reference to bring this multidisciplinary field together to help reduce the amount of time spent on source-searching and instead focus on actual research and the clinical application. This reference depicts the current clinical understanding of diabetic retinopathy, along with the many scientific advances in understanding this condition. As the role of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in the assessment and management of diabetic retinopathy has become significant in understanding the vireo retinal relationships and the internal architecture of the retina, this information is more critical than ever.

Ion channels are intimately involved in the everyday physiological functions that enable us to live a full and varied life. When disease strikes, malfunction of ion channels or their dependent is often involved, either as the cause or the effect of the illness. Thus, billions of dollars have been, and still are being, invested in research to understand the physiological and pathophysiological functions of ion channels in an attempt to develop novel therapeutic treatments for a wide range of diseases.
This book provides a comprehensive overview of ion channel structure and function. It comprises two major parts. Part one is an introductory overview of the ion channel superfamily and the generic aspects of ion channel function. This part also reviews the methodologies by which ion channel function can be studied from the perspective of performing detailed biophysical characterization through to the deployment of high throughput approaches for identifying novel ion channel ligands.
Part two of the book provides an in-depth review of the individual ion channel subfamilies and, as such, is subdivided into four broad sections: Voltage-Gated Ion Channels, Extracellular Ligand-Gated Ion Channels, Intracellular Ligand-Gated Ion Channels, and Polymodal-Gated Ion Channels, with each chapter focused on specific family members. These chapters have been written by world leading experts and provide a detailed overview of the structure, biophysics, localization, pharmacology, physiology, and disease relevance of each particular ion channel subfamily.
Reviewing both the basic principles of ion channel function and providing a detailed up-to-date review of the phsyiological and pharmacological aspects of individual ion channel sub-families, this book constitutes both an excellent introduction to the field for non-specialists, as well as a highly valuable reference text for experienced researchers already working in the ion channel area.

This comprehensive Monograph examines all peripheral and central mechanisms of regulating the secretion of milk from the lactating breast. The author reviews the complete female breast development, starting with the early childhood, up to pregnancy and lactation. Structural and ultrastructural data on the alveolar-ductal system, together with details of breast innervation, are used to investigate the physiological process of lactation. Readers will appreciate the special focus on reflexes, both in the child and the mother, that help to regulate maternal milk production and secretion. Following this, the author sheds a light on the composition and dynamics of milk components during the different periods of lactation. The final section of this volume focusses on practical aspects of modern breastfeeding, like the use of breast pumps or galactogogues, to influence the productivity of milk production. These fundamental principles and structural details will be particularly useful for physiologists and clinicians working in gynecology and pediatrics.

This book consists of 3 volumes: Basic Science (Volume 1), Clinical Science (Volume 2) and Technology and Methodology (Volume 3). Volume 2 focuses on the clinical aspects of autophagy research, discussing the role of autophagy in neuropsychiatric disorders, the cardiovascular, immune, digestive and endocrine systems, as well as tumors, infection, the kidney, and the respiratory and hematological systems. It also addresses autophagy-related drug development. Written and edited by a team of 90 experts, and presenting the state of the art in autophagy research, this book is a valuable reference resource for researchers and clinicians alike. It can also be used as supplementary material for graduate students majoring in biology and medicine

The principal objective of this book is to provide information needed to define human thermal behavior quantitatively. Human thermal physiology is defined using mathematical methods routinely employed by physicists and engineers, but seldom used by physiologists. Major sections of the book are devoted to blood flow, sweating, shivering, heat transfer within the body, and heat and mass transfer from skin and clothing to the environment. Simple algebraic models based on experimental data from a century of physiological investigation are developed for bodily processes. The book offers an invaluable source of information for physiologists and physical scientists interested in quantitative approaches to the fascinating field of human thermoregulation.

Diabetes: Oxidative Stress and Dietary Antioxidants, Second Edition, builds on the success of the first edition, covering updated research on the science of oxidative stress in diabetes and the potentially therapeutic usage of natural antioxidants in the diet and food matrix. The processes within the science of oxidative stress are not described in isolation, but rather in concert with other processes, such as apoptosis, cell signaling and receptor mediated responses. This approach recognizes that diseases are often multifactorial and oxidative stress is a single component of this. Since the publication of the first edition, the science of oxidative stress and free radical biology continues to rapidly advance with thousands of the research articles on the topic. New sections in this update cover the role of dietary advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in causing OS in diabetes, oxidative stress and diabetes-induced bone metabolism, and oxidative stress and diabetic foot ulcer.

This book presents original articles that report on new approaches and developments involving pulmonary disorders. Pulmonary health attracts public concern as lungs are the first line of defense of the organism against various contagions and are directly influenced by all too often unhealthy constituents of ambient air, which make them vulnerable to diseases. The articles deal with the pathogenic background and most relevant practical aspects of the widespread pulmonary disorders. Topics include the mechanisms and treatment options of sleep apnea syndrome, occupational exposure to carbon dioxide, and the research on prognostic factors in lung cancer. Another theme tackles quality of life in chronic pathologies and the psychosocial factors, often underestimated, having influence on lung function already in adolescence, and thus liable to shape adult pulmonary morbidity. Reports on the course of recent influenza outbreaks and a rather dismal state of anti-influenza measures top off the content. The volume is addressed to clinicians and researchers, pulmonary doctors, and other professionals engaged in patient care and therapy.

Provides the most comprehensive, authoritative reference on the study of bone biology and related diseases. It is the essential resource for anyone involved in the study of bone biology. It is the most comprehensive, complete, up-to-date source of information on all aspects of bones and bone biology in one convenient source. It takes the reader from the basic elements of fundamental research to the most sophisticated concepts in therapeutics. Bone research in recent years has generated enormous attention, mainly because of the broad public health implications of osteoporosis and related bone disorders.
*Provides a "one-stop" shop. There is no need to search through many research journals or books to glean the information one wants...it is all in one source written by the experts in the field.
*THE essential resource for anyone involved in the study of bones and bone diseases.
*Takes the reader from the basic elements of fundamental research to the most sophisticated concepts in therapeutics.
*Readers can easily search and locate information quickly as it will be online with this new edition.

Cancer Morbidity and mortality result from invasive and metastatic spread. Currently, no therapies are aimed at the underlying mechanisms that enable this progression due to only nascent recognition of the distinct biology which occurs only during tumor dissemination. Recent advances have highlighted the central role of cell motility during the dynamic and transient process of tumor invasion and metastasis. This book includes state-of-the-art updates by international leaders in these studies. Chapters first present the novel model systems that enable new investigations and insights. Chapters then describe in depth the key processes and molecules that may be therapeutically targeted. Finally, the role of cell motility and its signals is explored in a number of key tumor types. This compilation should be useful to researchers in basic and translational oncology as well as those developing novel agents to prevent tumor invasion and metastasis.

This volume of the series Cardiac and Vascular Biology presents the most relevant aspects of vascular mechanobiology along with many more facets of this fascinating, timely and clinically highly relevant field. Mechanotransduction, mechanosensing, fluid shear stress, hameodynamics and cell fate, are just a few topics to name. All important aspects of vascular mechanobiology in health and disease are reviewed by some of the top experts in the field. This volume, together with a second title on cardiac mechanobiology featured in this series, will be of high relevance to scientists and clinical researchers in the area of vascular biology, cardiology and biomedical engineering.

This book explores how lighting systems based on LED sources have the ability to positively influence the human circadian system, with benefits for health and well-being. The opening chapters examine the functioning of the human circadian system, its response to artificial lighting, potential health impacts of different types of light exposure, and current researches in circadian photometry. A first case study analyzes the natural lighting available in an urban interior, concluding that it is unable to activate the human circadian system over the entire year. Important original research is then described in which systems suitable for artificial circadian lighting in residential interiors and offices were developed after testing of new design paradigms based on LED sources. Readers will also find a detailed analysis of the LED products available or under development globally that may contribute to optimal artificial circadian lighting, as well as the environmental sensors, control interfaces, and monitoring systems suitable for integration with new LED lighting systems. Finally, guidelines for circadian lighting design are proposed, with identification of key requirements.

A superb collection of time-tested, key techniques for investigating nervous system function, as well as the actions of drugs on the nervous system. The methods range from authoritative treatment of such well-established techniques as recording electrical activity in the brain, to practical coverage of state-of-the-art methods, including neural transplantation and antisense technology. The techniques described are particularly suitable for studying the mechanisms of action of psychotropic drugs and drugs of abuse, as well as the etiology and pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Several of the methods detailed are highly useful in screening potential drugs for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Major advancements in the field of in situ molecular pathology have occurred since publication of the first edition. In Situ Molecular Pathology and Co-expression Analyses, Second Edition, continues to teach both the molecular basis for the improvements and the actual protocols. This is the unique feature that separates it from the pack of other "cook-book" type approaches. The fields of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry have expanded rapidly where computer-based analyses systems have greatly expanded the power of these methods. Further, knowledge of the marked improvements in the reagents themselves since the first edition can make the difference of excellent versus misleading data. The automated platforms require that researchers and diagnostic biomedical investigators have a good understanding of the basics of in situ based tests, protocols, and biochemistry for troubleshooting in order to maximize the use of these platforms. This second edition focuses attention on straightforward protocols used to simultaneously detect two or more proteins/nucleic acids within intact tissue by doing co-expression analyses. Practicing molecular pathologists, diagnostic pathologists, laboratory directors, and toxicologists, as well as clinicians and researchers in training, will benefit from this clear presentation of protocols and theoretical framework. Data derived from in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common respiratory disorder of adults in the developed world and is the fourth main cause of death in the USA. It is also associated with high morbidity, and poses an enormous burden of suffering and expense. Despite this, the disease has received little attention compared with other respiratory conditions such as asthma and lung cancer.
Current treatment can offer some marginal symptomatic relief but does not address the underlying disease process. Indeed, smoking cessation is the only intervention known to alter the rate of disease progression. There is clearly great need, and potential, for the development of superior therapies for symptomatic relief and disease modification. This book brings together leading researchers and physicians to discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of COPD, and draws together basic and clinical aspects relevant to the topic. Coverage includes the basic pathology, current and potential therapies, and detailed consideration of the major theories for the pathogenesis of COPD.

This text is an updated and expanded technical summary of all the electrodiagnostic techniques available in the clinical neurophysiology laboratory. It includes descriptions of the nerve to be studied, the stimulation procedure, technical comments and results of previous studies. The book also includes nearly 40 new drawings and new sections on evoked responses, motor unit potential studies and other tests. This comprehensive reference should be of use to every laboratory and physician who performs electrodiagnosis or refers patients. This book is intended for neurologists, rehabilitation medicine specialists, neurophysiologists.

The book is a compendium of the aforementioned subclass of models of Basal Ganglia, which presents some the key existent theories of Basal Ganglia function. The book presents computational models of basal ganglia-related disorders, including Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and addiction. Importantly, it highlights the applications of understanding the role of the basal ganglia to treat neurological and psychiatric disorders. The purpose of the present book is to amend and expand on James Houk's book (MIT press; ASIN: B010BF4U9K) by providing a comprehensive overview on computational models of the basal ganglia. This book caters to researchers and academics from the area of computational cognitive neuroscience.

Taurine, or 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid, has long been known to be the major organic product formed from the breakdown of the sulfur-containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine. It is excreted as such in the urine or as bile acid conjugates in the bile. Research over the last 25 years, however, has uncovered an amazing variety of phenomena involving taurine. Despite the fact that the mechanism of action of taurine in some of these phenomena remains to be elucidated, it is clear that taurine is of far more physiological relevance than being the mere metabolic debris of sulfur amino acid catabolism. It also has numerous pharmacological actions that are beginning to be developed, as exemplified by some of the studies reported in this volume. This volume reports the proceedings of the latest of a series of international symposia, continuing on from the initial meeting held in Tucson, Arizona, in 1975. The latest symposium was the first to be held in Germany, in Cologne from August 29 through September 1, 1993. It continued the multidisciplinary approach that has been the norm for taurine symposia. We hope the publication of the proceedings will stimulate further investigations on this simple but fascinating compound.