The basic science of the cellular and molecular responses of the brain to injury is a rapidly expanding area of research that provides evidence of growing opportunities for pharmacological intervention in the clinic. CNS Injuries: Cellular Responses and Pharmacological Strategies is an up-to-date examination of new developments in our understanding of the cellular and trophic responses to CNS injuries and the potential treatment. This text collates reviews of the most important areas of study regarding injury response including
inflammatory and immune reactions
scarring
neuron death
demyelination and remyelination
axonal regeneration
re-establishment of neuronal connectivity
Providing a record of recent advances that will help point the way to future developments, this enlightening reference is sure to benefit researchers and practitioners in a broad range of disciplines, including: neurology, pharmacology, pathology, toxicology, immunology, and many others.

This book is based on the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Mesenchymal-Epithelial Interactions in Neural Development" which was held in Berlin during March 1986. The idea that it may be the time for this workshop arose from a discussion among the organizers who met at a conference in Innsbruck. During the twenties, Spemann demonstrated that, in vertebrates, the formation of neuroepithelium depends on the induction by specific mesodermal derivatives. This was about the first time that mesenchymal-epithelial interactions had been recognized as an important mechanism in the development of an epithelial organ. Since then two things had become clear: 1) The identity and role of molecules, elaborated at mesenchymal-neuroepithelial interfaces had been partially elucidated in spinal cord and peripheral nerve ontogeny but, until recently, had been ignored in studies on the development of the brain. 2) In many-non-neural epithelia, the surrounding mesenchyme regulates such fundamental developmental steps as, for example, cell proliferation, morphogenesis and cell differentia tion, and there is no reason to exclude similar influences and interactions from brain development. It seemed to us that the importance and implications of many of these findings had not been appreciated by many developmental neurobiologists and that an attempt should be made to initiate discussions and exchange of ideas among different groups of scientists involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) research. This turned out to be a formidable task because of the great diversity of disciplines contributing findings to this active field."

Melina and her friend Lisa cannot understand why they have developed magical powers - until they are whisked away from their homes in the middle of the night by the Gamlyns, a race of small, green people from another world and another time. The Gamlyns derive special powers from an extraordinary sapphire crystal hidden deep inside a cave. It seems that one of their race has learned to use its powers for her own wicked purposes, and her quest for power is threatening both the Gamlyns' world and our own. Melina and Lisa learn that they have a vital - and dangerous - part to play in helping the Gamlyns to save both worlds from destruction. An enthralling, magical fantasy story for 9-12 year olds.