This monograph contains six chapters, each of which provides details about recent advancements in the field of medicine and biology. Chapter One describes the discovery of AZQ, a drug specifically designed to shut off genes that cause brain cancer. Chapter Two analyses the structure, stability, adaptation to extreme environments and the catalytic mechanism of I+/--helical membrane proteins. Chapter Three provides an up-to-date overview of artificial intelligence (AI) in assisted reproductive treatment (ART) clinics and explores how AI learns and develops a dataset to provide clinical guidance. Chapter Four consists of a study focused on the etiopathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma using laboratory mice. Chapter Five presents and comments on the current evidence regarding diagnostics in patients with metastatic breast cancer based on circulating tumour cells (CTCs). Lastly, Chapter Six reviews the pathogenetic and clinical features of inner ear involvement in congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), the most frequent non-genetic cause of permanent sensorineural hearing loss in childhood.

This edited volume contains seven chapters, each detailing recent advancements in medicine and biology. Chapter One presents an overview of drug-related problems in pediatrics. Chapter Two evaluates the role that Maytenus ilicifolia can play in the treatment of melanoma skin cancer. Chapter Three presents a review of biosensors for lipopolysaccharides and assays for studies of lipopolysaccharide binding interactions. Chapter Four presents a literature review of treatment options for carpal tunnel syndrome. Chapter Five describes the application of metabolomics, a science that quantifies and qualifies metabolites in an organism, in bio-medical research. Chapter Six presents the results of a systematic screening that was performed to identify macromolecules that are able to induce accumulation of ascitic fluid in rodents. Finally, Chapter Seven describes a study wherein the method of gravitational mass spectroscopy was used to study the long-range order in an ensemble of atomic nuclei clusters in chicken egg yolk before and after adsorption by beet sugar on the chromosomes.

This book includes five chapters, each representing a recent advancement in medicine and biology. Chapter One discusses future aspects of sports medicine and their applications. Chapter Two deals with clinical visual impairment in the elderly population resulting from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Chapter Three reviews recent promising alternatives to protamine, which is currently used as a heparin antagonist but can cause dangerous side effects. Chapter Four describes the factors responsible for the development of diseases such as SARS, MERS, and Ebola. Finally, Chapter Five discusses the future applications of Drosophila melanogaster in neurobehavioral studies.

The chapters in this volume present the latest research in medical research. Included are chapters that examine the vascular supply to the skin - the largest organ in the body and thus a major barrier to microorganisms to prevent infection; an analysis of the Pregnancy Prevention Programme according to healthcare professional surveys; new approaches to the diagnosis, treatment and clinical challenges of onychomycosis - the most common nail disease which affects approximately 5% of the population worldwide; platelet-associated regulatory system (PARS); an examination of the production of certain isoprostanes, which notably increases in different cardiovascular pathological conditions or endocrine-metabolic disorders related to endothelial dysfunction; the measles epidemic, its prevalence in Europe and Japan and the importance and impact of providing vaccinations; phospholipase D, a major player in pathophysiological diseases; and finally, an analysis of the the Brazilian Human Milk Banks Network that was established to promote the health of women and children.

This edited monograph includes eight chapters, each discussing recent advancements in the fields of medicine and biology. Chapter One provides information on the mechanisms of polyurethane degradation. Chapter Two reviews the inhibitory effect of chlorogenic acid on metabolic syndrome-related vascular endothelial cell damage, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Chapter Three investigates the development of fatigue of rat skeletal muscle under the action of water-soluble pristine C60 fullerenes as powerful antioxidants. Chapter Four discusses advances in the generation of immune cells from pluripotent stem cells and the potential of chimeric antigen receptor cells in cancer treatment. Chapter Five describes the targeted delivery of immunosuppressants. Chapter Six focuses on the in vitro degradation of biopolymers using enzymes and microorganisms. Chapter Seven reviews the risk factors for hearing loss in infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and the management of such patients detected with hearing loss. Finally, Chapter Eight describes recently developed methods and tools used in physiological studies of human sensory neurons induced from human pluripotent stem cells.

In the first chapter, the authors intend to carry on a critical review of the different methods and approaches to determine the biomechanical output of joint stiffness, designated as dynamic joint stiffness by the authors. The second chapter summarizes several preceding articles on invasive procedures applied with questionable clinical indications in the former Soviet Union. The aim of the third chapter is to give information about how to use tacrolimus, in which type of glomerulonephritis and what are the treatment results, especially remission and relapse rates. In the fourth chapter, a ten-week experiment was conducted to assess the effect of supplementing Synechococcus sp. and Synechocystis sp. on the growth performance, haematology, serology and disease resistance in Oreochromis mossambicus. In the final chapter, discussions of the special properties of endothelial cells and their ability to generate the thrombotic microangiopathic syndrome and ARDS are undertaken based upon current knowledge of the capillary endothelial cells. Attempts are made to address the current pathophysiology of non-idiopathic thrombotic microangiopathy.

Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 164 begins by proposing that first-line chemotherapy of metastatic colorectal cancer consensus molecular subtypes appears to be a prognostic factor that is able to provide information about growth rate. The authors go on to review the current and future applications of bioartificial grafts and conduits in the bridging of peripheral nerve defects. Ginsenoside Rb1 and phosphoramidon are studied in the zebrafish model of diabetic retinopathy, a progressive proliferative and non-proliferative disorder of retina with alterations of the blood-retinal barrier. Basic knowledge on the events from follicle development to implantation crucial to achieve successful conception as well as contraception is presented, describing the mechanism of contraceptive action of Chhaya. Hydroxydaunorubicin, also known as doxorubicin, a metabolite of Streptomyces peucetius and a prominent family member of anthracycline antibiotics is studied. The authors also review the possible mechanisms by which doxorubicin provokes concomitant side effects and clinical disorders, as well as the damage-assaying biochemical markers and the metabolites in these conditions. Updated data with a systematic search through the largest medical information databases is used to assess the therapeutic and preventive role in urinary incontinence of pelvic floor rehabilitation in pregnancy and postpartum. In closing, recent studies on the host and lactic acid bacteria as well as probiotic interactions in terms of molecular and cellular mechanisms of action via signaling pathways, apoptosis, and heat shock proteins are reviewed.

Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 163 begins by discussing lipidomics, a newly emerging field of biomedical research that uses a mass spectrometry-based tool for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of complex lipids in the biological system. Following this, the authors analyze basic aspects of the cellular processes involved in olfactory signal transduction, focusing on the neurogenic processes of neuronal stem cells from the olfactory neuroepithelium. Recent information from several experimental studies is presented highlighting the application of CCl4 as an inducer of pathophysiological changes in key organs of the body. The preparation, advantages and multi-functionality of nano emulsions is reviewed in the context of their potential applications in targeted drug delivery. The existing preclinical and clinical studies carried out with sacubitril-valsartan (and other drugs with similar pharmacological mechanisms) in heart failure and hypertensive patients are described. The authors go on to explore monoclonal antibodies targeting multiple myeloma, a plasma cell neoplasia accounting for 10% of hemopoietic neoplasias. The closing study examines the various approaches for mitral valve surgery, comparing and contrasting the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 156 first defines endovascular aortic aneurysm repair as the treating of an abdominal aortic aneurysm by placing a stent graft device over guide wires inside the aneurysmal aorta, with the aim of achieving secure fixation and sealing at non-diseased proximal and distal landing zones. Abdominal aortic aneurysm has an atherosclerotic origin; however, rare cases are immune-related, such as those from IgG4 or infections. Among the infectious agents, the authors discuss tuberculosis bacillus, the Salmonella typhi, but also Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Treponema pallidum. Next, the authors discuss fentanyl, a piperidine derivative opioid analgesic agent that has clinical uses worldwide, originally developed by Janssen and his collegues (Janssen 1959, 309). The systematic name is N-(1-(2-phenethyl)-4-piperidinyl-N-phenylpropanamide. Since its discovery in the heroin supply in 1979, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs have been linked with epidemics of accidental overdose and death. More recently, the increased contamination of heroin with fentanyl and fentanyl analogs has been associated with accelerated national opioid overdose death rates in the United States. Following this, an overview of the systemic and topical corticosteroids used in dermatology is provided, and new classification methods to improve efficacy and minimize side effects are discussed. The authors go on to discuss prostatitis, an infectious disease caused by several bacteria. Approximately 8.2% of men have been affected by prostatitis which damages the ejaculatory ducts, causing infertility. The silver tree, Abies alba Mill. is a monoecious tree from the Pinaceae family. The fir has several uses in food and cosmetic industry, as well as in phototherapy and traditional medicine. As such, the antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of Abies species against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and yeasts are explored. The penultimate chapter focuses on arthrosis or osteoarthritis of the knee, a local disease of the knee joint, and presents a clinical manifestation of degenerative changes in affected joints. The authors explore how procedures of physical therapy and rehabilitation alone or in combination with pharmacologic treatment can relieve pain and improve function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The concluding chapter describes current concepts regarding the correlation between tinnitus and cochlear implants. Possible physiopathological mechanisms of tinnitus reduction after cochlear implant may involve several aspects, such as habituation, acoustic masking, direct electrical nerve stimulation and cortical reorganization.

This compilation opens with a review of the structure and life cycle of neuraminidase in influenza A, and also discusses the method of developing neuraminidase inhibitors derived from natural products and peptides. Following this, the authors describe the different uses of chlorhexidine in the medical field, focusing on dental use. Particularly, the authors discuss its: properties, chemistry, forms of presentation, substantivity and cytotoxicity; uses in dentistry: cariology, periodontology, oral surgery and endodontics. Additionally, the authors discuss rufinamide, a novel triazole derivative which differs from commercial antiepileptic drugs. It is used as an adjunctive medicine in children, adults and the elder population, and administered orally. One study discusses antiviral treatment for the avian influenza A virus using neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir and zanamivir. Although both inhibitors show therapeutic and prophylactic activities against the H5N1 strains, it is proposed that treatment should be further developed in order to increase the efficiency of the inhibitors against the strains. Angiogenesis or neovascularization is a global term which indicates the physiological process involving the sprouting of new blood vessels from the pre-existing ones. The development of new blood vessels from differentiating endothelial cells is called vasculogenesis. This collection addresses how these processes are vital for tissue development and wound healing in damaged tissues. The spectrum of spondyloarthritides with inflammatory bowel disease and enteropathic arthritis is examined in an effort to give the reader an insight into the risk factors, treatment and prognosis of this clinically challenging rheumatic disease. Later, the principles of optical coherence tomography-guided femtosecond laser cataract surgery are explored. The combination of femtosecond laser surgery and optical coherence tomography imaging simultaneously guides the development of next-generation femtosecond surgical lasers in cataract surgery and explores femtosecond-laser surgical strategies. The authors present a novel colorimetric method for the assay of XI using a reducing monosaccharide determination. The test solution was mixed with 20-fold volume of the 50 mM Na2SiO3, 600 mM Na2MoO4, and 0.95 M HCl aqueous solution (pH 4.5), in which a yellow molybdosilicate species was formed. The penultimate chapter introduces the origin, preparation, applications of Taiyi Shenzhen (Taiyi Moxa Stick Moxibustion), and reviews the relevant research in the past ten years. The concluding study focuses on the daily foraging of honeybees, which is one of the most well-organized social behaviors that exist among social insects. Honeybees are extensively used model animals in behavioral studies for understanding the time-space learning, landmark use and concept of learning.

Volume 154 first compares the scleral buckle procedure to pneumatic retinopexy and vitrectomy for the repair of primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment to evaluate patient outcomes, single surgery reattachment rate, and complications. Following this, the authors review recent advances in liver organoids differentiated from pluripotent stem cells and discuss the future directions of organoid technology. Additionally, the authors compare the efficacy of low-level red and infrared laser irradiation for the correction of adverse side effects in the oral mucosa in patients receiving (chemo)radiotherapy for oral and pharyngeal cancer. In vivo oral mucosa state monitoring is carried out in patients during the course of oral and pharyngeal cancer radiation/chemoradiation therapy using multimodal optical coherence tomography. An overview of the current methods used for diagnosing, classification of fractures, treatment, and prevention of periprosthetic femur fractures following total hip arthroplasty is provided. This collection also investigates the presence of kyphosis in adolescents and the association between the incidence of kyphosis and age, the average duration of the sports training, body mass index, weight, height and pulse in adolescents who have participated in karate, swimming and handball. The authors attempt to describe advancements in the electrochemistry of cytochrome P450 enzymes and study molecular aspects and catalytic behavior of enzymatic electrocatalysis. Moreover, a comprehensive overview of major causes of liver fibrosis, medicinal plants and the role of medicinal plants in combatting liver fibrosis is provided. Lastly, this compilation recapitulates the history of artificial intelligence in Chinese medicine, focusing on the way Chinese medicine is being revolutionized by this state-of-the-art technology, and how healthcare in China is influenced by various artificial intelligence systems.

Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 155 reviews whether the non-surgical and non-pharmacological interventions commonly used for knee osteoarthritis patients are effective and, if effective, which ones are the most effective. For this, randomized controlled trials were identified through electronic databases. Following this, the authors discuss how the early identification of target subjects who are at high cardiometabolic risk is important for critical lifestyle interventions and pharmacological management strategies. Additionally, they discuss the diversity, biotechnological applications and sustainable bioproduction of chitinases enzyme from Streptomyces origin, as well as their properties, production and potential applications in the industrial and biotechnological spheres. New strategies such as the use of atomic force microscopy, the isolation of cardiomyocytes, primary culturing in different types of substrates as well as transcriptomic studies are enabling the understanding of how these cells can be affected by different pathologies. As such, in this compilation these issues are updated by analyzing how new approaches to basic aspects of the structure and physiology of cardiomyocytes can be of clinical relevance. This collection also discusses chitotriosidase and acidic mammalian chitinase belonging to the chitinase family. This family includes 18 chitinases united by the features of their molecular structure. Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common, multifactorial process also associated with aging, which frequently causes central canal stenosis. Several types of interbody fusion procedures that may treat of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis are examined, particularly lateral lumbar interbody fusion. The final chapter explores the role surgical intervention plays in the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma.

This collection begins by discussing bendamustine, a nitrogen mustard derivative that consists of a meclorethamine group, butyric acid and a benzimidazole ring. Bendamustine has been synthesized in 1963, but in recent years it has been shown to be effective in treating lymphoproliferative diseases and solid tumors. Additionally, the authors present the efficacy of structure variation of bendamustine for the enhancement of the lipid membrane partitioning and tissue penetration, as well as drug-likeness. A total of 10 novel compounds are presented, wherein seven have higher Log P values and three have lower Log P values than that of bendamustine. Advances in Medicine and Biology. Volume 149 also discusses metabolic syndrome, a growing major clinical challenge for global health resultant from over-consumption of energy and obesity. Following this, the authors address the importance of antimicrobial resistance in human and veterinary medicine, focusing on antimicrobial peptides such as nisin as therapeutic alternatives. A study is presented wherein it is concluded that oligodendrocyte dysfunction in multiple system atrophy significantly affects subcortical anatomical pathways. Moreover, the spatial patterns of the glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy contrast with those reported for filamentous neuronal inclusions in other neurodegenerative diseases. Next, the authors summarize the recent discoveries expounding how I(2)-cell identity and heterogeneity evolve in diabetes mellitus, discussing a new perspective of I(2)-cell function salvage in diabetes mellitus development. Yeast cell cycle arrest and its consequences are analyzed in the subsequent chapter. Cell cycle arrest results in programmed cell death, such as apoptosis, wherein cells are made to commit suicide. The penultimate study evaluates the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive and neurophysiological functions in patients with moderate cognitive impairment. Lastly, to investigate the role of CD44 in the development of allergic respiratory inflammation, a mouse model of airway allergic inflammation induced by transnasal administration of helminthic and mite allergens is used to analyze bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and airway hyper responsiveness.

In this compilation, the authors first describe the combined negatively-biased and unbiased cocaine conditioning procedure, aiming to study the potential influence of the initial spontaneous exploratory bias on subsequent cocaine conditioning. Next, the authors perform a critical review about the efficacy of mirtazapine in the treatment of substance dependence and anxiety and related disorders in order to help clinicians, pharmacists and other healthcare workers. Transurethral drug delivery is reviewed, as well as and the application of ketorolac as an intravesical therapy. Ketorolac tromethamine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and a potent analgesic. The authors go on to discuss current trends in re-innervating functional muscle transfers and the neurophysiological basis for these various techniques. Later, the microglial response to the process of motoneuronal cell death is analysed by using ionised Ca2+ binding adapter molecule-1 and cFms as microglial markers. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrates that the number of anti-Iba1 antibody-staining cells increased in the axotomised facial nucleus during 3-5 days post-insult. In the penultimate chapter, a detailed examination was performed of facial muscle innervation by the terminal branches of the facial nerve, in particular the microanatomical distribution to the orbicularis oculi muscle and orbicularis oris muscle. The final study discusses the advantages and concerns related to the use of biofilm reactors for the production of high-value products, and the current challenges to establish E. coli biofilms as a valuable platform to produce recombinant proteins.

In Volume 146, the authors begin by exploring the mammalian eye lens, a unique transparent organ, with a distinctive cellular architecture and polarity. For more than a century, it has been used as a model to study mechanisms of induction, morphogenesis, differentiation and disease. Following this, the authors discuss guanylate-binding protein-1 (GBP-1), an interferon-inducible large GTPase involved in the epithelial barrier and cell proliferation. Induction of GBP-1 by proinflammatory cytokines is regulated via various signaling pathways and is a reliable marker of interferon-y-activated cells in various diseases. This compilation also examines remifentanil, a synthetic fentanyl derivative and ultra-short acting, selective -opioid receptor agonist. Its chemical structure includes a methyl-ester ring that allows its hydrolysis by non-specific plasma and tissue esterases. The authors suggest that the role of sevoflurane in preventing oxidative damage and inflammatory response to ventilator injury-induced lung injury requires further investigation. Sevoflurane is a halogenated anaesthetic developed in the early 1970s which preserves the hypoxic vasoconstriction reflex, doesn't irritate the airways, and maintains self-regulation of the district circles. Additionally, the current knowledge on immune-checkpoint inhibitors, immune mediated hepatitis and pancreatitis is summarised. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors continue to revolutionise cancer therapy and are expected to be utilized in an increasing number of malignancies in the coming years. The closing chapter discusses vitamin E, a collective term including compounds which are either naturally occurring or synthetic analogues exhibiting the biological activity of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a micronutrient and fat-soluble vitamin which has an important role in human beings, particularly children.

Volume 151 begins with a focus on one of the rapidly growing mycobacteria groups, Mycobacterium smegmatis, used to understand the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis because of the disadvantages in the direct study of tubercle bacilli. The authors propose that a perspective group in the current research and development of novel chemotherapeutic agents with a broad spectrum of activities may be functionalised phenolic derivatives and their metal complexes. The authors also discuss Aeromonadaceae, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria which are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, but they have been also isolated from different types of both fresh and processed foods. Aeromonas species are considered opportunistic pathogens of both aquatic and terrestrial animals. Following this, the role of mannans within Candida biofilms is examined, and the role of Candida biofilms in fungal structure, pathogenesis, and resistance is also addressed. To optimise the application of ss-mannanase in practical animal nutrition, factors affecting its effectiveness have to be carefully considered. As such, the authors explore the impact of these factors on efficacy of ss-mannanase in the penultimate chapter. The concluding chapter focuses on postoperative nausea and vomiting, common and distressing side effects following surgery and anaesthesia. Despite modern antiemetic agents, short-acting anesthetics and minimally invasive surgery, postoperative nausea and vomiting still affects around 30% of surgical patients, with certain high-risk patients experiencing postoperative nausea and vomiting up to 80%.

The first chapter reviews actions on bone longitudinal growth, muscle, kidney, calcium, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, body composition, carbohydrate metabolism, insulin, lipids, protein actions, coagulation and fibrinolysis, adipokines, cardiovascular effects, and retina. Next, the authors discuss the values and boundaries of various surgical approaches to achieve interbody fusion, and introduce a novel fusion technique named extraforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Each indirect decompression procedure for the intervertebral foramen is introduced in detail, and their influence on intervertebral foramen parameters is discussed, including foraminal height and foraminal area. This provides detailed information on the quantitative decompression index, thus proving helpful for surgeons. Following this, prodrugs are examined, having been extensively studied in the field of drug development. Continuous research in developing prodrugs/drug conjugates has resulted in an improvement of the lipophilicy, aqueous solubility, oral bioavailability, chemical stability, prolongation of action, reduced toxicity and site specific drug delivery of parent drugs. The susceptibility of germline stem cells to genetic damage induced by oxaliplatin and its mechanism of action is also discussed. Germ cells are responsible for the transmission of genetic information from males to their progeny. The authors evaluate parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease and how it encompasses a variety of diseases ranging from steatosis to fibrosis and cirrhosis. A systematic review of the literature is executed to pool data from all individually documented patients to evaluate the safety and efficacy of combined liver and inferior vena cava resection in patients with colorrectal liver metastases involving inferior vena cava. Research in subsequent chapter examines how the development of purkinje cells in the postnatal period in rats is accompanied by significant structural and metabolic changes, this being the basis for their growth, maturation, differentiation and functions. The authors evaluate the in vitro leishmanicidal activity of the Vanillosmopsis arborea essential oil and its major compoundd"-bisabolol against Leishmania amazonensis in an effort to evaluate its role to treat diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, and protozoa, such as leishmaniasis. Since there are still only few data available for the understanding of cellular and molecular functions of Neurensin genes in spite of the expected critical roles in human brain function, the authors present studies which will contribute to elucidating the mechanism of brain disorders at the molecular level. The concluding chapter focuses on the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of emtricitabine, dosing recommendations, and monitoring in the oral antiretroviral preexposure prophylaxis population.

The opening chapter summarises the generation of amniotic fluid, role and its clinical significance of protecting the fetus from external trauma. Next, the role of in silico and in vitro methods are used for the prediction of cytotoxicity which is measured in terms of Selectivity Index or Therapeutic Index, which is defined as the ratio of CC50 and EC50. Additionally the authors discuss the principles of aptamer selection and in vitro applications for bench scientists in molecular imaging, including aptahistochemistry, tissue imaging, enzyme-linked aptamer assay, aptablot, aptamer-mediated flow cytometry and mass cytometry, and super-resolution microscopy. In order for natural rubber latex nanoparticles to be employed in tissue engineering, they need to have designed biological interaction with cells as well as favorable mechanical properties. Cells can delicately sense and respond to external nanoscale features in intricate living systems. With this in mind, chapter four demonstrates an in-depth understanding of how cell differentiation may bring a new perspective to tissue engineering including new bone regeneration and cartilage therapy. In the penultimate chapter, a study of the relationship between the adipokine signaling dysregulation and the androgen status is proposed as necessary to develop new adipokines-based approaches to restore the steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in male in the metabolic and endocrine diseases. In recent stress research, coping flexibility, which is defined as an individual's ability to modify their coping strategies effectively according to the demands of different stressful situations, has received considerable attention. The author of the closing chapter presents two cross-sectional studies in order to examine the relationship between insomnia and coping flexibility for daily stress.

The authors of the opening chapter of provide recommendations and tips to assist medical oncologists, hematologists and clinicians in investigating and managing early catheter malfunction. The aim of the following chapter is to ease prompt recognition and management of central venous catheter-related infectious outbreaks, as they may severely jeopardise the outcome of infected patients Next, the placement and maintenance of central venous access devices in the neonatal patient population, with particular regard to umbilical catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters is examined. The authors go on to investigate whether low trabecular bone score during adolescence is predictive of increased fracture risk during adulthood, as well as whether recovery may result in correction of compromised microarchitecture. A summary of the involvement of miRNAs in different beta-thalassemia variants, their association in expression of various globin types, (especially gamma-globin) and their implications as prognostic and therapeutic markers in beta-thalassemia are presented. Additionally, an account is provided on various commonly used monoclonal antibodies targeting the transferrin receptor. The authors also discuss the mechanisms through which monoclonal antibodies targeting the transferrin receptor have been employed to deliver drugs, enzymes, toxins and cytokines to treat various neurological cancers, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, lysosomal storage diseases and cerebral ischemia. This compilation assesses the use of clarithromycin in the long-term treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps after endoscopic sinus surgery, showing that a low-dose clarithromycin use for a period of one month can improve patient complaints. The role of aromatase inhibitors for the treatment of endometriosis is subsequently described Numerous surgical procedures have been reported in patients with situs inversus. The penultimate chapter provides insight regarding laparoscopic surgeries for various indications in patients with situs inversus, along methods to address them. The final chapter improves upon the current knowledge of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, which is a gram-negative rod and typical soil inhabitant bacteria.

The opening chapter examines the role of different reported oviduct factors in modulating gamete function, fertilisation and early embryo development. The guidelines of occupational post-exposure prophylaxis are reviewed in order to help guide clinicians in managing occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus. Next, the authors discuss how the detection of bacterial genes in the genome of eukaryotic cells has provided evidence for gene exchange between bacteria and eukaryotic cells, mainly from bacteria to fungi. The important structural information for potent and selective HDAC3, a zinc-dependent histone deacetylases isoform, inhibitors along with the structure-activity relationships of a handful of molecules may enrich the knowledge of academics and industry personnel. As such, this compilation provides a deep insight into HDAC3 and related inhibitors. In the penultimate chapter, the authors assess the algorithm of cell dead mechanism in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and how the impact of intraperitoneal celecoxib treatment can increase the survival of neural stem cells. The concluding chapter focuses on how foreign protein accumulation in vacuoles proves to be a fruitful production strategy for for biological and industrial enzymes.

Volume 143 discusses the main indications of prophylactic oophorectomy, as well as its risks, benefits and impacts on women's quality of life. Additionally, the authors examine PEGylation, a chemical reaction that allows for the conjugation of a polyethylene-glycol group to another compound. Since the commercial release of adagen, the first approved PEGylated drug, PEGylation has proven to be a successful strategy for the generation of efficient drugs. Following this, this compilation analyses the morphological and functional disorders that may be induced by oxaliplatin. The authors present the possible side effects of this drug upon several organs, as well as the mechanisms that are activated by the nominated drug. The authors also summarise the processes that might be occurring in Werner syndrome cells during DNA replication that then lead to the genomic instability and replication stress and, ultimately, a p38a-induced premature senescence. The results of the authors' studies combining the granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and enteral sorption therapy are presented in the closing chapter to ameliorate common side effects of such potent and toxic anti-cancer alkylating agents, such as melphalan.

In the opening chapter the authors describe the importance of the response of photon counting detectors, as well as taking into consideration the detectors response when analyzing objects using a multi-pixel-type photon counting detector for medical X-ray imaging. Following this, the authors discuss how the image quality of radionuclide tomography strongly depends on the method of reconstruction, which can be broadly classified into two types: filtered back projection and iterative reconstruction. Vitamin E function, metabolism, nutritional recommendation and the role of biofortification is also addressed. The authors discuss poly(methyl methacrylate), an artificial polymer resin that can be produced through distinct processes, including solution, suspension and emulsion polymerizations. Particularly, poly(methyl methacrylate) is completely amorphous, but presents high tensile strength and excellent dimensional stability due to its rigid polymer chains. Next, the authors highlight the taxonomy, description and characterization tests of carbapenem resistant bacteria in the environment, as well as epidemiology updates and clinical aspects of infections caused by these microorganisms. Nutrient conditions affect the reproductive potential and life span of many organisms through the insulin signaling pathway. Although this is well characterised in female oogenesis, it has been shown that male reproductive organ also acts as a nutrient sensor to optimize fecundity. The closing chapter discusses the Drosophila male accessory gland, as it has functions similar to those of the mammalian prostate gland and the seminal vesicle, and secretes accessory gland proteins into the seminal fluid.

Myocardial fibers from diseased human atria have elevated resting membrane potential, depressed maximal amplitude of the action potential, and decreased upstroke velocity. Sinus node dysfunction may be due to an alteration in the generation of impulses within the sinus node and/or a disturbance of the conduction of impulses from the sinus node to the atrial myocardium. In this chapter, investigations based on the recording of abnormally prolonged and fractionated atrial local electrograms during sinus rhythm atrial catheter mapping in patients with sinus node dysfunction have provided important knowledge about the electrophysiological properties of the pathological atrium. In chapter two, the effects of caffeic acid and its related compounds on 7-carboxyheptyl radical formation were examined in the reaction mixtures of (z)-9-octadecenoic acid. Carboxyheptyl radical formation was inhibited by caffeic acid, catechol, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, noradrenalin, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. However, quinic acid, benzoic acid and p-anisic acid had no effect on radical formation. These results suggested that the phenol moiety is essential for tradical inhibition. The authors discuss how, in general, biomolecules [DNA, proteins (A -amyloid, -synuclein, Tau protein, etc)], antioxidant molecules [beta-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, sulforafane etc] and molecules bearing regions of high electron densities, [conjugated double bonds, polyene chains, lone pairs of electrons in O, N, S atoms of various molecules etc.] can accommodate them in the empty * orbital of singlet oxygen, provided that their geometry and energy suits the * orbitals geometry and energy. This collection explores high intensity exercise between 10 to 240 seconds duration results in an excess of hydrogen ions and acute, transient reductions in blood and muscle pH. Sodium bicarbonate ingestion is a strategy employed by many athletes to increase the buffering capacity for such hydrogen ions in an attempt to offset acidosis and improve or maintain performance. This commentary will overview conventional ingestion strategies, and consider a complimentary approach to ingestion dosage in relation to a range of body masses. The next study examined the effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion upon sprint performance using a novel repeated sprint protocol. More specifically, this protocol assessed sprint performance to a given level of induced fatigue. The purpose of the following chapter is to review the history of the PSQI and evaluate its uses. Additionally, research findings through its use will also be discussed. Within one study, the most recent theoretical techniques that determine the one-dimensional coordinate-dependent D(Q) are reviewed and new results of D(Q) calculations applied in proteins are presented. It is shown that a proper characterization of D(Q) is sufficient to construct the free-energy landscape and folding rates. The diffusive approach can be augmented to other relevant biological systems in order to characterize the underlying kinetic and thermodynamic processes. The closing chapter discusses firing rate asymmetry of the left and right crayfish caudal photoreceptors (CPR-L and CPR-R, respectively) caused by light pulses. The CPR is a single bilateral non-visual neuron that responds directly to light.