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This book represents a comprehensive, clinically oriented text covering all aspects of male osteoporosis, from the basic concepts of bone physiology and regulation of bone remodeling in men, the causes and pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the most frequent causes of osteoporosis, to diagnostic and screening protocols, as well as prevention and treatment approaches. It offers a broad overview of male osteoporosis by specialists involved in research and clinical practice and discusses the practical issues encountered. Filling a gap in the literature, this volume is a valuable resource for general practitioners, clinical endocrinologists, geriatricians and experts in osteoporosis.

This book gathers scientific contributions on comprehensive approaches to personalized medicine. In a systematic and clear manner, it provides extensive information on the methodological, technological, and clinical aspects of high-throughput analytics, nanotechnology approaches, microbiota/human interactions, in-vitro fertilization and preimplantation, and various diseases like cancer.Moreover, the book analyzes the social and legal aspects of social security systems, healthcare systems and EU law – e.g. the role of solidarity, regulatory possibilities and obstacles, justice and equality, privacy/disclosure of data, and the right to know – from an interdisciplinary perspective. Lastly, it explores the economical and ethical context in the fields of business models, intellectual property issues, the patient/physician relationship, and price discrimination.

This new edition includes the most up-to-date information about the pathophysiology and new therapeutic alternatives for osteoporosis of advanced age. It is written by investigators (clinicians and basic scientists) in the field of aging bone research.It was just recently that a new syndrome, osteoporosis of advanced age, was recognized as a new entity with its own pathophysiology and potential treatments. Unfortunately, and despite the fact that hip fractures are mostly a consequence of this process, and apart from the first edition of this book, there are few publications about this subject. The first edition of this book demonstrated that there is a need to understand the particular features of osteoporosis in older persons, which is the main aim of this book. The institutions where the authors are affiliated are highly recognized as the main centers in aging bone research. As an innovation, the second edition includes some aspects of muscle and bone interaction focusing of the impact of age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia) on the pathogenesis of falls and fractures in older persons. As in the previous edition, this book is expected to be the reference guide for geriatricians, gerontologists, and bone biologists as well as medical trainees in order to understand the mechanisms of senile osteoporosis with a practical approach to the treatment of its consequences.

In three Volumes this mini book series presents current knowledge and new perspectives on cartilage as a specialized yet versatile tissue. This first volume provides a comprehensive overview on the basic composition and development of cartilaginous tissues followed by the description of the major signaling pathways which regulate cartilage morphogenesis and function.This book addresses Professors, researchers and PhD students who are interested in musculoskeletal and cartilage biology.

In this Festschrift dedicated to the late Isaiah Shavitt (1925-2012), selected researchers in theoretical chemistry present research highlights on major developments in the field. Originally published in the journal Theoretical Chemistry Accounts, these outstanding contributions are now available in a hardcover print format, as well as a special electronic edition. This volume provides valuable content for all researchers in theoretical chemistry, and will especially benefit those research groups and libraries with limited access to the journal.

This book centers on gene therapy and gene transfer approaches to prevent or treat chronic virus infections. The main focus is on the Big Three: human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Ample anti-HIV drugs are currently available in the clinic and the development of an effective combination therapy has dramatically improved the lifespan and quality of life of infected individuals. A similar trend can already be recognized for HBV and HCV: the development of multiple (directly acting) antiviral drugs and plans to control or even cure the infection. However, approaches that help prevent infection, or which provide long-lasting treatment (such as a cure) remain important goals. Immunization through gene transfer vehicles encoding immunogenic viral proteins shows promise in preventing infections with complex, highly variable, viruses such as HIV-1 or HCV. Gene therapy applications for virus infections have been discussed since the early 1990's. Whereas a true cure seems difficult to achieve for HIV-1 due to its intrinsic property to deposit its genome into that of the host, such attempts may be within reach for HCV where spontaneous viral clearance occurs in a small percentage of the infected individuals. The prospect of original gene therapy approaches may provide alternative ways to reach the same endpoint by, for example, silencing of CCR5 expression post-transcriptionally. Many alternative antiviral strategies have been developed based on a variety of novel molecular methods: e.g. ribozymes. Some studies have progressed towards pre-clinical animal models and a few antiviral gene therapies have progressed towards clinical trials. This book provides an overview of this rapidly progressing field, while focusing on the interface of gene therapy and immunology/vaccinology.

The present volume is one of a series concerned with topics considered to be of growing interest to those whose ultimate aim is the understanding of the nutrition of man. Volumes on Sweetness, Calcium in Human Biology and Sucrose: Nutritional and Safety Aspects, have already been published, and another, on Dietary Starches and Sugars in Man: A Comparison, is in preparation. Written for workers in the nutritional and allied sciences rather than for the specialist, they aim to fill the gap between the textbook on the one hand and the many publications addressed to the expert on the other. The target readership spans medicine, nutrition and the biological sciences generally and includes those in the food, chemical and allied industries who need to take account of advances in these fields relevant to their products. Funded by industry but with an independent status, the Inter­ national Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) is a non-profit organization founded to deal objectively with the numerous health and safety issues that today concern industry internationally. ILSI sponsors scientific research, organizes conferences and publishes monographs relative to these problems. London Ian Macdonald March 1988 Series Editor Preface This volume has been prepared at a time when interest in both the biological roles of zinc and its nutritional significance is growing rapidly.

Cells in the developing embryo depend on signals from the extracellular environment to help guide their differentiation. An important mediator in this process is the extracellular matrix – secreted macromolecules that interact to form large protein networks outside the cell. During development, the extracellular matrix serves to separate adjacent cell groups, participates in establishing morphogenic gradients, and, through its ability to interact directly will cell-surface receptors, provides developmental clocks and positional information. This volume discusses how the extracellular matrix influences fundamental developmental processes and how model systems can be used to elucidate ECM function. The topics addressed range from how ECM influences early development as well as repair processes in the adult that recapitulate developmental pathways.

The recent interest in the pharmacology of the skin and the treatment of its diseases has come about for two reasons. The first is a realisation that many aspects of pharmacology can be studied as easily in human skin as in animal models, where they may be more relevant to human physiology and disease. Examples of this are the action of various vasoactive agents and the isolation of mediators of inflammation after UV irradiation and antigen-induced dermatitis. The second reason is the fortuitous realisation that a pharmacological approach to the treatment of skin disease need not always await the full elucidation of aetiology and mechanism. For example, whilst the argument continued un­ resolved as to whether the pilo-sebaceous infection which constitutes acne was due to a blocked duct or to a simple increase in sebum production, 13-cis retinoic acid, was found quite by chance totally to ablate the disease; again, whilst cyclosporin, fresh from its triumphs in organ transplantation, has been found able to suppress the rash of psoriasis, it has resuscitated the debate on aetiology. We are therefore entering a new era in which the pharmacology and clinical pharmacology of skin are being studied as a fascinating new way of exploring questions of human physiology and pharmacology as well as for the development and study of new drugs, use of which will improve disease control and at the same time help to define pathological mechanisms.

Principles of Bone Regeneration is a timely publication that addresses the modern aspects of bone healing and repair. This exciting new volume details the convergence of the different experimental and clinical approaches designed for the study and treatment of bone healing in its diverse forms and under varying conditions. Bone healing is affected by a multitude of genetic, environmental, mechanical, cellular and endocrine variables which eventually lead to changes in gene expression that enhance the guided action of osteoblasts (and chondroblasts) to lay down bone that restores, or even improves, the skeletal load bearing capacity. Recent breakthroughs in understanding the regulatory aspects of bone formation and resorption, in both research and clinical arenas offer new modalities to induce, enhances and guide repair processes in bone for the benefit of millions of patients with conditions such as nonunion fractures, critical size defects, orthodontic tooth movement, periodontal bone loss, intraosseous implants and deformed bones.

Why have another book in the bone-calcium field? When the idea was first raised that this important area of biomedical research should be given more attention in the review literature, we felt that comprehensive texts recently published and in press were directed at more general audiences and did not address in detail some of the important areas of current investigation. As this field has grown and matured, information has accumulated at such a rapid rate that it has become impossible to keep abreast of all areas by reading the original articles in the scientific literature. Accordingly, we believed there was a void which could be filled by a collection of essays on specific topics in which significant progress had recently been made. Thus, this book is meant to be an up-to-date account of specific topics by investi­ gators at the forefront of their areas of research. We have tried to review major areas of basic science in the field which have an impact on our understanding of the diseases of bone and mineral. We hope that you will agree that the authors have done an outstanding job, and will find the volume as stimulating to read as we have. San Antonio, TX, USA GREGORY R. MUNDY Melbourne, Australia T. JOHN MARTIN Spring 1993 Contents CHAPTER 1 Calcium Homeostasis A. M. PARFITI. With 12 Figures 1 A. Introduction and Scope..................................... 1 B. Concepts of Homeostasis................................... 3 C. Extracellular Fluid Free Calcium: The Controlled Variable......

This volume, the sixth in the series Topics in Bone Biology, presents the current knowledge of bone development, from growth to mineralization. Like previous volumes in this series, it embraces the important interaction between medical science and practice. Insights stemming from molecular and cellular events are applied to the clinical setting, providing a deeper understanding of bone development complications for the practicing clinician, whilst informing bone scientists of the advancements in their field and the wider applications of their research. Covering a diverse and current range of topics, including the genetic and epigenetic aspects of bone development, cell signaling in growth plate and bone development, evolution of bone proteins and the interrelationship between bone and other tissues, this volume provides a thorough look at bone development biology. The contributing authors to this volume are acknowledged authorities intheir fields. In addition, the extensive lists of references point the reader to further information on any of the topics covered. Clinicians and researchers involved in child development and therapy will find this book a valuable addition to their libraries.

Collagen: Structure and Mechanics provides a cohesive introduction to this biological macromolecule and its many applications in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in the fields of materials, (bio-)engineering, physics, chemistry and biology will gain an understanding of the structure and mechanical behavior of type I collagen and collagen-based tissues in vertebrates, across all length scales from the molecular (nano) to the organ (macro) level. Written in a clear and didactic manner, this volume includes current knowledge on the hierarchical structure, mechanical properties, in addition to a review of deformation and strengthening mechanisms. Collagen: Structure and Mechanics is an excellent reference for new researchers entering this area and serves as a basis for lecturing in the interdisciplinary field of biological materials science.

Bone Resorption, the second volume in the series Topics in Bone Biology, deals with the osteoclast, the bone-resorbing cell, its origins, its enzymes, the regulation of osteoclast activity, and structural aspects of bone resorption. Diseases involving osteoclast function are discussed from the genetic viewpoint in two chapters that span transgenic mouse models to human pathology. Another chapter treats diseases of osteoclast function. Because osteoporosis may be considered a disease in which the bone resorption rate exceeds formation, a separate chapter deals with current and potential therapeutic approaches to this widespread disease that affects both men and women. Bone metastases and an analysis of the central role of the osteoclast in this condition are treated in the concluding chapter. The reviews in the book are essential reading for clinicians, researchers and students in a variety of fields: skeletal biology and orthopedics, nutrition, rheumatology, endocrinology, nephrology, oncology, dentistry, nursing, and chiropractic medicine. Together with the earlier volume on Bone Formation, this volumes serves as a beacon to a field that has become a major topic for those who study the health concerns of the aged, the very young, athletes and those with cancer.