"BetaSys" uses the example of regulated exocytosis in pancreatic -cells, and its relevance to diabetes, to illustrate the major concepts of systems biology, its methods and applications.

The human brain contains more than a billion neurons which interconnect to form networks that process, store, and recall sensory information. These neuronal activities are supported by a group of accessory brain cells coll- tively known as neuroglia. Surprisingly, glial cells are ten times more - merous than neurons, and occupy more than half the brain volume (Hyden, 1961). Although long considered a passive, albeit necessary, component of the nervous system, many interesting and unusual functional properties of glial cells are only now being brought to light. As a result, the status of these cellular elements is approaching parity with nerve cells as a subject for experimental study. The term glia (or glue) seems today to be a misnomer in view of the diverse functions attributed to glial cells. Experimental studies in the last three decades have clearly established that the behavior of glial cells is far from passive, and that they are at least as complex as neurons with regard to their membrane properties. In addition, glial cells are of importance in signal processing, cellular metabolism, nervous system development, and the pathophysiology of neurological diseases. The Muller cell of the ver- brate retina provides a splendid example of an accessory cell that exhibits features illustrating every aspect of the complex behavior now associated with glial cells.

Experienced physicians concisely explain the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of endocrine disorders and survey all the latest laboratory diagnostics. Topics range widely from an overview of the diagnosis of diabetes and the long-term monitoring of its complications to the evaluation of menstrual dysfunction. Coverage is also given to the diagnosis of pituitary tumors, Cushing's syndrome, thyroid disease, and hypoglycemia; the evaluation of endocrine-induced hypertension; the assessment of dyslipidemia and obesity; and approaches to diagnosing hyper- and hypocalcemia. There are also discussions of osteoporosis, hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction, and hyperandrogenism in women. The authors each review the complex physiological basis of the relevant endocrine processes and provide richly instructive recommendations for followup and long-term management of patients.

Electrodermal activity is one of the most frequently used psychophysiological evaluations in psychology research. Based on the 1992 edition of this work Electrodermal Activity covers advances in the field since the first publication in 1992. The current volume includes updated information on brain imaging techniques such as PET and fMRI, which provide further insight into the brain mechanisms underlying EDA. In addition, this volume is able to describe more reliably hypotheses that have been successfully tested since the first publication.

Unique study of the human foot

Sole perspective on the human foot in the market

With the use of crack on the rise in American cities, there is more need than ever to understand the biological, environmental, and social factors behind cocaine addiction, as well as the pharmacological properties of cocaine that make it such an addictive drug. The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction helps clinicians and researchers analyze research findings and their relevance to the clinical treatment of cocaine dependency. To do this, it looks at the whole spectrum of cocaine use, from trends in cocaine-involved deaths, hospital emergencies, arrests, and treatment admissions to the specific impact the drug has on brain function. The book reports on important findings from positron emission tomography (PET) and a "binge" pattern cocaine administration mode. This will enable you to improve your understanding of how cocaine alters the pleasure/reward system of the brain and creates new instinctual needs that displace the inherent instinctual needs of hunger and sex.By reading The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction, you will sharpen your knowledge of the basic actions of cocaine, the factors related to daily cocaine use, the neurobiological basis of addictive diseases, and drug-induced alterations in normal physiology. You will also learn about: the coexistence of cocaine and heroin addiction cocaine's disruption of the endogenous opioid system QEEG and how it can play a potentially useful role in drug development and planning hypotheses of sensitization in the pathophysiology of cocaine dependence factors that predict daily cocaine use among patients in a methadone maintenance program abnormalities in brain function that persist for up to six months after last cocaine use patterns of cocaine use the importance of prospective data analysis and the limitations of a self-selective study groupClinicians, researchers, psychiatrists, and other professionals in chemical dependency and narcotics rehabilitation will turn the last page of The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction with a better understanding of cocaine's addictive qualities and the characteristics of the individuals who become addicted to it. You will see what headway has been made in research at some of the nation's top laboratories, but you will also see what remains to be done. Hopefully, you will find where you can make a contribution either at the practical level, the research level, or both.

A presentation of the most elementary form of pulsatile flow as an important prerequisite for the study of other flow applications in biological systems. The book provides in a single source a complete treatment of the fluid dynamics of flow with the required mathematics and emphasis on the basis mechanics. The style and level of this book make it accessible to students and researchers in biophysics, biology, medicine, bioengineering and applied mathematics working in theoretical and clinical work on the cardiovascular system, as well as in the design of new instrumentation, medical imaging systems, and artificial organs. With problems and exercises.

This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium No. 146 Gut-Liver Interactions: Basic and Clinical Concepts, held in Innsbruck, Austria, on March 11-12, 2005, brings together gastroenterologists and hepatologists both at a clinical and a basic scientific level. Topics have been structured in such a way to be of interest to both clinicians and basic scientists. The main focus of the book is to highlight the role of the immune system in gut and liver diseases and potential interactions of the gut and the liver respectively. Special emphasis is based on the importance of the gut flora in intestinal and also in liver diseases. The role of NOD2 is one of the very best examples demonstrating the importance, not only in inflammatory bowel diseases, but also diseases well beyond this barrier.

Such intense interactions between gastroenterologists and hepatologists, as shown through this book, might boost and stimulate scientific ideas and research in other unexpected areas.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an invaluable diagnostic tool in clinical neurology, not only in the evaluation of inflammatory, degenerative, and malignant diseases of the nervous system, but also in the diagnosis of all forms of cerebral and subarachnoidal bleedings. The CSF can be easily obtained by lumbar puncture and a set of basic analyses can be conducted using relatively simple laboratory methods. By combining different CSF parameters, a wide range of diagnostic entities can be identified. However, properly interpreting the test results requires a high level of expertise and cannot be achieved by just reporting on individual analytic values. This book covers essential aspects of cerebrospinal fluid analysis and its use in the diagnosis of common neurological diseases. The first part addresses preclinical aspects such as the history of CSF, as well as the anatomical, physiological, and biological background of this valuable fluid. In addition, CSF collection, its preanalytical and methodological implications, and the increasing number of disease-specific markers in CSF are discussed in detail. Lastly, CSF analyses are put into context with clinical syndromes, demonstrating their diagnostic value in neurological clinical practice. Cerebrospinal Fluid in Clinical Neurology helps readers understand the preanalytical and analytical aspects of CSF diagnostics and offers a valuable reference guide for interpreting CSF results during the clinical work-up for neurological patients.

The adipokines (also called adipocytokines), are a group of peptides secreted by adipose tissue. They have diverse roles, from the cell to the whole body. The book is designed for health scientists, doctors, physiologists, immunologists, biochemists, college and university teachers and lecturers, undergraduates and graduates. The chapters are written either by experts or specialists in their field.

DHEA and the Brain reviews a range of existing studies regarding DHEA administration to animals and humans. Chapter authors evaluate DHEA metabolism in tissues and organs, explore DHEA effects in the liver that may be of importance to the brain, and discuss recent findings regarding how DHEA is made in the brain. New perspectives about the neuroprotective effects of DHEA are presented, as well as insight related to DHEA metabolism in the brain. A number of health benefits have been associated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), including anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-diabetes, immuno-stimulating, and memory-enhancing effects. This has prompted millions of people to take this hormone as a daily nutritional supplement. However, there is some concern that prolonged self-administration may result in future health problems, as well as unease about potential side effects due to the production of steroid derivatives in the tissues. Featuring an esteemed panel of contributors, this volume provides an authoritative overview of the research concerning DHEA and the brain. It presents a variety of innovative approaches and ideas for future investigations into the physiological actions of this hormone.

With the use of crack on the rise in American cities, there is more need than ever to understand the biological, environmental, and social factors behind cocaine addiction, as well as the pharmacological properties of cocaine that make it such an addictive drug. The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction helps clinicians and researchers analyze research findings and their relevance to the clinical treatment of cocaine dependency. To do this, it looks at the whole spectrum of cocaine use, from trends in cocaine-involved deaths, hospital emergencies, arrests, and treatment admissions to the specific impact the drug has on brain function. The book reports on important findings from positron emission tomography (PET) and a "binge" pattern cocaine administration mode. This will enable you to improve your understanding of how cocaine alters the pleasure/reward system of the brain and creates new instinctual needs that displace the inherent instinctual needs of hunger and sex.By reading The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction, you will sharpen your knowledge of the basic actions of cocaine, the factors related to daily cocaine use, the neurobiological basis of addictive diseases, and drug-induced alterations in normal physiology. You will also learn about: the coexistence of cocaine and heroin addiction cocaine's disruption of the endogenous opioid system QEEG and how it can play a potentially useful role in drug development and planning hypotheses of sensitization in the pathophysiology of cocaine dependence factors that predict daily cocaine use among patients in a methadone maintenance program abnormalities in brain function that persist for up to six months after last cocaine use patterns of cocaine use the importance of prospective data analysis and the limitations of a self-selective study groupClinicians, researchers, psychiatrists, and other professionals in chemical dependency and narcotics rehabilitation will turn the last page of The Neurobiology of Cocaine Addiction with a better understanding of cocaine's addictive qualities and the characteristics of the individuals who become addicted to it. You will see what headway has been made in research at some of the nation's top laboratories, but you will also see what remains to be done. Hopefully, you will find where you can make a contribution either at the practical level, the research level, or both.

Because of developments in powerful computer technology, computational techniques, advances in a wide spectrum of diverse technologies, and other advances coupled with cross disciplinary pursuits between techno logy and its greatly significant applied implications in human body pr ocesses, the field of biomechanics is evolving as a broadly significan t area. Now in four volumes, Biomechanical Systems, Techniques, and Ap plications explores the many areas of significant advances, including dynamics of musculo-skeletal systems; mechanics of hard and soft tissu es, muscles, bone remodeling, hard and soft tissue interfaces, blood f low, air flow, flow-prosthesis interfaces, and impact; cardiovascular and respiratory biomechanics; and dynamics of many machine interaction s.

Systems Biology is a fast moving field. This accessible book uses the example of regulated exocytosis in pancreatic ss-cells, and its relevance to diabetes, to illustrate the major concepts of systems biology, its methods and applications.

The intention of the VIIth International Symposium on the Facial Nerve was to create a platform for an extensive exchange of knowledge and scientific infor mation between clinicians and basic research workers. This aim could only be realized on the basis of a common interest in the facial nerve, which unites the interdisciplinary scientific efforts of otologists, neurosurgeons, facial plastic surgeons, neurologists, neurophysiologists, and neuroanatomists. Therefore, a meeting of this kind remains in its aim to exchange ideas over scientific disciplines which do not come unique together normal conditions. The symposium has been held every four years since 1966. The VIIth sym posium was preceded by symposia in Stockholm (1966), Osaka (1970), ZUrich (1976), Los Angeles (1980), Bordeaux (1984) and Rio de Janeiro (1988), and marked an important milestone in the continuously developing knowledge about the facial nerve, its physiology, disorders, diagnostics and treatment. In contrast to the previous meetings this symposium extended in vitations to both clinicians and basic research workers. More than 350 scientists from 25 different nations met in Cologne, Germany, in June 1992 and their high-level presentations contributed to the overwhelming success of this international meeting. The symposium took place in the vicinity of the old cllthedral of Cologne, itself a vivid symbol of never-ending efforts to create something perfect and lasting."

Gastroenterologists require detailed knowledge regarding the anatomy of the GI system in order to understand the disturbances caused by diseases they diagnose and treat. Gastrointestinal Anatomy and Physiology will bring together the world s leading names to present a comprehensive overview of the anatomical and physiological features of the gastrointestinal tract. Full colour and with excellent anatomical and clinical figures throughout, it will provide succinct, authoritative and didactic anatomic and physiologic information on all the key areas, including GI motility, hepatic structure, GI hormones, gastric secretion and absorption of nutrients. GI trainees will enjoy the self-assessment MCQs, written to the level they will encounter during their Board exams, and the seasoned gastroenterologist will value it as a handy reference book and refresher for re-certification exams

Movement disorders affect a growing patient population, but providing comprehensive care is extremely difficult. Several of these conditions are progressive and incurable; the basal ganglia has a complex role in movement control, with many potential malfunctions. This book focuses on rehabilitation approaches that have been developed and utilized internationally in an attempt to minimize impairment and maximize participation amongst these patients. Each chapter is written by movement disorder experts, rehabilitation specialists and health care professionals, giving a broad overview of current interventions and emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary management, focussing on deliverable outcomes. Common conditions such as Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, dystonia and Huntington's disease are comprehensively covered. This book gives neurologists, geriatricians and rehabilitation specialists an up-to-date, theoretically-based approach to managing movement disorders related to basal ganglia malfunction. Also valuable for physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, nurses and social workers seeking to develop and plan appropriate interventions.

In his new book, Gordon M. Shepherd expands on the startling discovery that the brain creates the taste of wine. This approach to understanding wine's sensory experience draws on findings in neuroscience, biomechanics, human physiology, and traditional enology. Shepherd shows, just as he did in Neurogastronomy: How the Brain Creates Flavor and Why It Matters, that creating the taste of wine engages more of the brain than does any other human behavior. He clearly illustrates the scientific underpinnings of this process, along the way enhancing our enjoyment of wine. Neuroenology is the first book on wine tasting by a neuroscientist. It begins with the movements of wine through the mouth and then consults recent research to explain the function of retronasal smell and its extraordinary power in creating wine taste. Shepherd comprehensively explains how the specific sensory pathways in the cerebral cortex create the memory of wine and how language is used to identify and imprint wine characteristics. Intended for a broad audience of readers-from amateur wine drinkers to sommeliers, from casual foodies to seasoned chefs-Neuroenology shows how the emotion of pleasure is the final judge of the wine experience. It includes practical tips for a scientifically informed wine tasting and closes with a delightful account of Shepherd's experience tasting classic Bordeaux vintages with French winemaker Jean-Claude Berrouet of the Chateau Petrus and Dominus Estate.

Leading neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd embarks on a paradigm-shifting trip through the "human brain flavor system," laying the foundations for a new scientific field: neurogastronomy. Challenging the belief that the sense of smell diminished during human evolution, Shepherd argues that this sense, which constitutes the main component of flavor, is far more powerful and essential than previously believed. Shepherd begins Neurogastronomy with the mechanics of smell, particularly the way it stimulates the nose from the back of the mouth. As we eat, the brain conceptualizes smells as spatial patterns, and from these and the other senses it constructs the perception of flavor. Shepherd then considers the impact of the flavor system on contemporary social, behavioral, and medical issues. He analyzes flavor's engagement with the brain regions that control emotion, food preferences, and cravings, and he even devotes a section to food's role in drug addiction and, building on Marcel Proust's iconic tale of the madeleine, its ability to evoke deep memories. Shepherd connects his research to trends in nutrition, dieting, and obesity, especially the challenges that many face in eating healthily. He concludes with human perceptions of smell and flavor and their relationship to the neural basis of consciousness. Everyone from casual diners and ardent foodies to wine critics, chefs, scholars, and researchers will delight in Shepherd's fascinating, scientific-gastronomic adventures.

This book discusses the community of microbial species (the microbiota, microbiome), which inhabits the large bowel of humans. Written from the perspective of an academic who has been familiar with the topic for 40 years, it provides a long-term perspective of knowledge about this high profile and fast-moving topic. Building on general ecological principles, the book aims to help the reader to understand how the microbiota is formed, how it works, and what the consequences are to humans. Understanding the Gut Microbiota focuses on conceptual progress made from studies of the human bowel microbiota. Where appropriate, it draws on knowledge obtained from other animal species to provide conceptual enlightenment, but this is essentially a book about humans and their bowel microbes. Particular research approaches are recommended to fill knowledge gaps so that fundamental ecological theory and information about the microbiota can be translated into benefits for human health. The relationship between food for humans and resulting food for bowel bacteria emerges as an important topic for consideration. This concise scholarly treatise of the microbiota of the human bowel will be of great interest and use as a text and reference work for professionals, teachers and students across a wide range of disciplines, including the health sciences, general biology, and food science and technology. The provision of handy explanation of terms means that those with a general interest in science can also read the book with enjoyment.

Leading neuroscientist Gordon M. Shepherd embarks on a paradigm-shifting trip through the "human brain flavor system," laying the foundations for a new scientific field: neurogastronomy. Challenging the belief that the sense of smell diminished during human evolution, Shepherd argues that this sense, which constitutes the main component of flavor, is far more powerful and essential than previously believed.

Shepherd begins "Neurogastronomy" with the mechanics of smell, particularly the way it stimulates the nose from the back of the mouth. As we eat, the brain conceptualizes smells as spatial patterns, and from these and the other senses it constructs the perception of flavor. Shepherd then considers the impact of the flavor system on contemporary social, behavioral, and medical issues. He analyzes flavor's engagement with the brain regions that control emotion, food preferences, and cravings, and he even devotes a section to food's role in drug addiction and, building on Marcel Proust's iconic tale of the madeleine, its ability to evoke deep memories.

Shepherd connects his research to trends in nutrition, dieting, and obesity, especially the challenges that many face in eating healthily. He concludes with human perceptions of smell and flavor and their relationship to the neural basis of consciousness. Everyone from casual diners and ardent foodies to wine critics, chefs, scholars, and researchers will delight in Shepherd's fascinating, scientific-gastronomic adventures.

This book presents the human hand from an overall perspective from the first appearance of hand-like structures in the fins of big fishes living millions of years ago to todays and the future s mind-controlled artificial hands.

Much focus is given to the extremely well-developed sensation of the hand, its importance and its linkage to brain plasticity mechanisms. How can active hands rapidly expand their representational area in the brain? How can the sense of touch substitute for other deficient senses, such as in Braille reading where hand sensation substitutes for missing vision? How can the mere observation of active hands, belonging to others, activate the hand area in the observer s own brain and what is the importance of this phenomenon for learning by imitation and the understanding of other peoples actions, gestures and body language?Why are some of us left-handed and what are the consequences from cultural and physiological viewpoints? Why does phantom sensation and phantom pain occur after hand amputation, and what can we do about it? Why can salamanders regenerate new extremities while humans can not? Is it possible to transplant a hand from a diseased individual to an amputee? Can artificial robotic hands be controlled by our mind, and can they ever gain the role of a normal hand?What role did the hand and the brain play during evolutionin toolconstruction and development of language and cognitive functions? The hand has a high symbolic value in religion, literature and art and our hands have a key role in gestures and body language.

"The Hand and the Brain" is aimed at anybody with interest in life sciences, in the medical field especially hand surgeons, orthopaedic specialists, neurologists and general practitioners, and those working in rehabilitation medicine and pain treatment. The original Swedish version of "The Hand and the Brain "has also become very popular among physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and among a general population with an interest in science. "

Airway sensory nerve terminals are tailored to detect changes in the physical and chemical environment, thereby supplying local pulmonary information to the central nervous system. Since most intrapulmonary nerve terminals arise from fibres travelling in the vagal nerve, the classification of sensory airway receptors' is largely based on their action potential characteristics, electrophysiologically registered from the vagal nerve. However, the architecture of airways and lungs makes it nearly impossible to functionally locate the exact nerve terminals that are responsible for the transduction of a particular intrapulmonary stimulus. In this monograph we focus on three sensory receptor end organs in lungs that are currently morphologically well-characterised: smooth muscle-associated airway receptors (SMARs), neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) and visceral pleura receptors (VPRs). Unravelling the main functional morphological and neurochemical characteristics of these sensory receptors using advanced immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy has already allowed us to draw important conclusions about their potential function(s). The current development of ex vivo lung models for the selective identification of SMARs, NEBs and VPRs using vital staining will certainly facilitate direct physiological studies of these morphologically well-characterised airway receptors, since these models allow direct live studies of their functional properties.