Bücher veröffentlicht von IntechOpen

Photomedicine is one of the most inspiring and interdisciplinary fields in medicine that involves the research and application of photobiology with respect to health and disease. Photomedicine has contributed to the clinical practice of a variety of medical fields, including dermatology, surgery, radiology, diagnostics, cardiology, and anticancer therapy. Furthermore, expansion of its scope and contribution can be expected. This book covers a wide range of aspects and issues related to photomedicine, which brings together researchers from many countries. These include the basic science of photodynamic therapy, clinical applications in various kinds of medical fields, photochemotherapy, laser therapy for musculoskeletal pain, intense pulsed light therapy for photorejuvenation, biological function of low-level laser therapy, and photobiology for skin rejuvenation. Not only will this be beneficial for readers, but it will also contribute to scientists making further breakthroughs in photomedicine.

In recent years, scientific investigations and technological developments have resulted in many new results. Direct applications of quantum mechanical laws to system with length scales lower than 100 nm (nano) had opened a way to construction of new equipment in the field f.e. of nano- and optoelectronics. This book fits into this trend summarizing the results related to discoveries and technological applications of nanolayer in different fields of material science and even life science. The chapters are organized into three subfields:1) Preparation and fabrications of nanolayers with different methods.2) Description of recent achievements related to very important III-V heterostructures.3) Descriptions of mechanical, thermal, optoelectronic, photocatalytic, and tribological properties of nanolayered structures.Some environmentally friendly applications are also treated in this book.The presented book provides a description of specific and original results obtained by authors. We hope that the volume will be of interest for a wide range of readers working in the field of material science.

Graphene is, basically, a single atomic layer of graphite, an abundant mineral that is an allotrope of carbon that is made up of very tightly bonded carbon atoms organized into a hexagonal lattice. What makes graphene so special is its sp2 hybridization and very thin atomic thickness (of 0.345 Nm). These properties are what enable graphene to break so many records in terms of strength, electricity, and heat conduction (as well as many others). This book gathers valuable information about the surface chemistry of graphene, some of its properties (electrical, mechanical, etc.), and many of its modifications that can be taken into account.

Graphene is, basically, a single atomic layer of graphite, an abundant mineral that is an allotrope of carbon that is made up of very tightly bonded carbon atoms organized into a hexagonal lattice. What makes graphene so special is its sp2 hybridization and very thin atomic thickness (of 0.345 Nm). These properties are what enable graphene to break so many records in terms of strength, electricity, and heat conduction (as well as many others). This book gathers valuable information about many advanced applications of graphene (electrical, optical, environmental, cells, capacitors, etc).

Lactation is a fascinating process. Research over the last decade has provided new insights into the regulation of mammary gland development and involution. Lactation is the last step in reproduction, and therefore it is linked to reproduction strategy. Photoperiod species such as sheep, or pseudo-ovulatory (at mid-gestation) species as the rodent Lagostomus maximus, are interesting and unique models to study mammary gland physiology. This book also offers updated insights into the mechanisms that control postlactational involution, therefore also providing information to better understand breast cancer. Small noncoding RNA has opened new understanding in gene regulation. In this regard, our knowledge of mammary gland development and milk secretion has increased extremely. This book provides current scientific information on all these interesting topics. It will certainly be of great benefit to those interested in biomedical sciences.

Lagrangian mechanics is widely used in several areas of research and technology. It is simply a reformulation of the classical mechanics by the mathematician and astronomer Joseph-Louis Lagrange in 1788. Since then, this approach has been applied to various fields. In this book, the section authors provide state-of-the-art research studies on Lagrangian mechanics. Hopefully, the researchers will benefit from the book in conducting their studies.

The book "New Insights into Cell Culture Technology" focuses on many advanced methods and techniques concerned with cell culture. The contributing authors have discussed various developments in cell culture methods, the application of insect cells for the efficient production of heterologous proteins, the expansion of human mesenchymal stromal cells for different clinical applications, the remote sensing of cell culture experiments and concepts for the development of cell culture bioprocess, continuous production of retroviral pseudotype vectors, and the production of oncolytic measles virus vectors for cancer therapy. This book is an original contribution of experts from different parts of the globe, and the in-depth information will be a significant resource for students, scientists, and physicians who are directly dealing with cells.["Culture" is essential for human life and also the life of a cell. - Sivakumar Gowder]

The goal of any novel drug delivery system is to provide therapeutic benefits to the patients by increasing duration of drug action, reducing dosing frequency, and controlling drug release rate at the target site, thereby reducing unwanted side effects. Advanced Technology for Delivering Therapeutics is a reference book that covers recent developments in the field of drug delivery science and technology. The purpose of this book is to bring together descriptions of some selective technologies including new and promising nanotechnology currently being investigated for drug delivery applications. This book is a useful source of information for graduate and post-graduate students of pharmacy and biomedical science; pharmaceutical

Myelomonocytes are the multipotent cells in the stage of blood cell differentiation, which mainly comprise blood monocytes, tissue macrophages and subset of dendritic cells. Actually, their position and ability of judgement of the health of tissue or organ environment are the key initiators of tissue-specific immune response in a local and global fashion. Interestingly, the morpho-functional aspects of this group of cells vary to a wide range with their positional diversity. Their ability to communicate or represent the tissue microenvironment to the peripheral immune system and efficiency to engage the system to effector activation hold the key for a successful immune endeavour. The present volume shows some glimpses of such an extensive area of current immunology research.

The assessment of the pancreas is a challenging problem because it has a profound location and it often presents difficulties in diagnosis and treatment. Despite many efforts in dealing with pancreatic diseases, the pathogenesis is not completely understood, the symptoms and imaging methods are unspecific, and the treatment possibilities are sometimes very limited. The major purpose of this book is to offer the reader a better understanding of the challenging aspects in pancreatic pathology, starting with anatomy and following with different pancreatic pathology. More space is allotted to pancreatic cancer, including surgical procedures, and to the management of the cystic lesions of the pancreas. This book is meant to provide a thorough guide for the best approaches in some of the difficult problems in pancreatology.

Licorice extracts are used as additive to many Kampo medicines to alleviate pain and inflammation. With rapid progress of analytical methodology, its action mechanism is being elucidated. This book is composed of three sections. Section 1 introduces licorice as alternative medicine, its application in the industry, and the trading/market prospects between Japan and China. Section 2 summarizes the purification/identification steps of licorice ingredients and their antioxidant, antimicrobial, PPAR-? ligand-binding, antitumor, antiviral, and in vitro fertilization activities. Section 3 proposes the possible molecular mechanism by which licorice ingredients induce anti-inflammatory, antifibrosis, antihepatitis, and antileishmanial activity. All chapters are written by experts of natural sciences and economics and will surely give new insights into alternative medicines to students, clinicians, teachers, and researchers.

Physical therapy services may be provided alongside or in conjunction with other medical services. They are performed by physical therapists (known as physiotherapists in many countries) with the help of other medical professionals. This book consists of 12 chapters written by several professionals from different parts of the world. The book covers different subjects, such as the effects of physical therapy, motor imagery, neuroscience-based rehabilitation for neurological patients, and applications of robotics for stroke and cerebral palsy. We hope that this book will open up new directions for physical therapists in the field of neurological physical therapy.

This is another attempt of InTechOpen to continue the dissemination of international knowledge and experience in the field of immunology. The present book includes a number of modern concepts of specialists and experts in the field of immunotherapy, covering the major topics and analyzing the history, current stage, and future ideas of application of modern immunomodulation. It is always a benefit, but also a compliment, to gather a team of internationally distinguished authors and to motivate them to reveal their expertise for the benefit of medical science and health practice. On behalf of all readers, immunologists, immunogeneticists, biologists, oncologists, microbiologists, virologists, hematologists, chemotherapists, health-care experts, as well as students and medical specialists, also on my personal behalf, I would like to extend my gratitude and highest appreciation to InTechOpen for giving me the unique chance to be the editor of this exclusive book.

Chlorophyll presents an authoritative and comprehensive overview of the biology, biochemistry and chemistry of chlorophylls in photosynthetic organisms. Divided into seven discreet parts, the book covers topics on basic science and applied technology of chlorophyll molecules. Chlorophyll provides an insight into future developments in each field and extensive bibliography. It will be an essential resource for researchers and academic and industry professionals in the natural pigment field.

In recent years, statistical techniques and methods for data analysis have advanced significantly in a wide range of research areas. These developments enable researchers to analyze increasingly large datasets with more flexibility and also more accurately estimate and evaluate the phenomena they study. We recognize the value of recent advances in data analysis techniques in many different research fields. However, we also note that awareness of these different statistical and probabilistic approaches may vary, owing to differences in the datasets typical of different research fields. This book provides a cross-disciplinary forum for exploring the variety of new data analysis techniques emerging from different fields.

This textbook contains the latest advances and scientific knowledge from the leading experts in hair biology, hair disorders, and clinical trichology. The book consists of ten sections in which hair biology, hair genetics, hair diagnostics, hair loss types, pathogenesis, treatment options, and restoration techniques are discussed. This book also emphasizes on various genetic and nongenetic alopecia types, differential diagnosis, and the measurement of hair loss. One chapter of the book is devoted to natural products for hair care and treatment. We believe that this textbook will serve as a comprehensive guide to many physicians dealing with hair disorders in their clinical practice.

Metamaterials have become one of the most important emerging technologies in the scientific community due to its unusual electromagnetic properties. Consequently, during the last years, a huge deal of efforts has been concentrated in order to design functional components and devices based on metamaterials for many potential applications. The main objective of this book is to present in-depth analysis of the theory, properties, and realizations of novel devices that could be integrated within modern and future communication systems. The book contains 11 chapters written by acknowledged experts, researchers, academics, and microwave engineers, providing comprehensive information and covering a wide range of topics on several aspects of microwaves and optics, including polarization conversion, asymmetric transmission, transmission lines, filters, plasmonic lenses, tunable metamaterials, light manipulation, absorbers, and antennas, among others. This book is suitable for scholars from large scientific domain and therefore given to engineers, scientists, graduates, and other interested professionals as a reference on these artificial materials of tomorrow.

Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, also called as "sunshine vitamin" is derived mostly from sun exposure and food, and for normal activation, it has to undergo two hydroxylation reactions. Vitamin D affects more than 2000 genes in the body. Serum level of 25(OH) D is an ideal indicator of vitamin D status in our body. Vitamin D deficiency leads to various diseases. On a therapeutic point of view, vitamin D helps to treat many diseases. The book "A Critical Evaluation of Vitamin D - Clinical Overview" targets the principles, mechanisms, and clinical significance of vitamin D. This book covers four sections: "Vitamin D in Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases", "Vitamin D in Age and Neurological Diseases", "Vitamin D and Cancer" and "Therapeutic Measurements of Vitamin D". Each of these sections is interwoven with the theoretical aspects and experimental techniques of basic and clinical sciences. This book will be a significant source to students, scientists, physicians, healthcare professionals and also other members of this society who are interested in exploring the role of vitamin D in human life.[Vitamin D can be considered as vitamin of "defense" since it cures several diseases. - Sivakumar Gowder]

This book is dedicated to forest ecology and conservation on ecological and conservation aspects of forest. The book is divided into two sections: the first section "Forest Ecology" with four chapters deals with forest ecological aspects, while the second section "Forest Conservation" with two chapters looks into new techniques for conserving the forests. This book will bridge the gaps in the knowledge about some new emerging issues on forest ecology and conservation. It will be an interesting and helpful resource to all those in the field of forestry working for its sustainable use and conservation.

The book "A Critical Evaluation of Vitamin D - Basic Overview" targets the physiological, biochemical and immunological aspects of vitamin D, including principles, mechanisms and clinical significance. This book covers four sections: 'Vitamin D on Physical and Physiological Activities', 'Vitamin D on Biochemical and Immunological Activities', 'Vitamin D on Musculoskeletal and Neurological System' and 'Vitamin D on Reproductive System'. Each of these sections is interwoven with the theoretical aspects and experimental techniques of basic and clinical sciences. This book will be a significant source to students, scientists, physicians, healthcare professionals and also other members of this society who are interested in exploring the role of vitamin D in human life.[We derive vitamin D from the sunshine, and hence it can also be considered as 'day' vitamin. - Sivakumar Gowder]

Bladder cancer is one of the most exciting urological cancers. It exists in two forms - non-muscle-invasive (NMI) and muscle-invasive (MI) disease. The difference in the clinical picture has been the focus of significant research in defining the molecular characteristics of urothelial cancer (UC) of the bladder. This book provides an overview of the most hotly debated areas in bladder cancer. Authors have focused on the emerging role of markers for NMI UC and various ways of improving the efficacy of current chemotherapy in the first section. The second section has focused on the surgical aspects of MI UC. Two major areas of debate - the role of pelvic lymph node dissection and genital sparing surgery - are discussed in this section.

This book opens with a discussion of neurodiversity and an elaboration of the diagnosis of autism. It then examines factors correlating with autism, including sex bias, month of birth, migration and impact of infant feeding. The next section is on the impact of autism. The neurobiology and genetic section deals with epigenetics and intracellular pathways associated with etiology. The development and behaviour section deals with proprioceptive profiles and joint attention in autism. The final section focuses on interventions including mindfulness, animal assisted activity, social/cultural perspective on autism intervention and physical activity. The book is relevant to all professionals and researchers working with persons with autism, including psychiatrists/psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, teachers, nurses and care workers.

The book Thin Film Processes - Artifacts on Surface Phenomena and Technological Facets presents topics on global advancements in theoretical and experimental facts, instrumentation and practical applications of thin-film material perspectives and its applications. The aspect of this book is associated with the thin-film physics, the methods of deposition, optimization parameters and its wide technological applications. This book is divided into three main sections: Thin Film Deposition Methods: A Synthesis Perspective; Optimization Parameters in the Thin Film Science and Application of Thin Films: A Synergistic Outlook. Collected chapters provide applicable knowledge for a wide range of readers: common men, students and researchers. It was constructed by experts in diverse fields of thin-film science and technology from over 15 research institutes across the globe.

This book is an attempt to compile different aspects of citrus pathology to provide an overall knowledge to those who are interested in it, so that they may identify the bottlenecks to improve it further. The book chapters detail about citrus diseases, metabolic changes in citrus plants against various stresses, quorum sensing and its role in symptom development, preharvest and postharvest disease management, and application of citrus and its compounds. The goal of this book is to provide the most up-to-date review on information available on pathological aspects of citrus. Therefore, this book will equip academia and industry people with adequate basic knowledge of citrus diseases and management options.

Sleep medicine is developing rapidly with more than 100 sleep disorders discovered till now. Despite that, sleep specialty is in neonatal stage especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. Sleep medicine is still evolving with ongoing worldwide clinical research, training programs, and changes in the insurance policy disseminating more awareness in physicians and patients. Sleep apnea is one of the most common sleep disorders, found in around 5-7 % of the general population with high prevalence in the obese, elderly individuals but largely unrecognized and hence undiagnosed with untreated and life-threatening consequences. In the last decade, new complex sleep disorders and their pathophysiology have been discovered, new treatment options (pharmacological and nonpharmacological) are available, and hence we planned a book on the recent developments on the most common sleep disorder, sleep apnea. We have incorporated chapters from the eminent clinicians and authors around the globe to produce a state-of-the-art book with the target audience from internal medicine, pulmonary, sleep medicine, neurology, ENT, and psychiatry discipline.

Over the recent years, medicinal chemistry has become responsible for explaining interactions of chemical molecule processes such that many scientists in the life sciences from agronomy to medicine are engaged in medicinal research. This book contains an overview focusing on the research area of enzyme inhibitor and activator, enzyme-catalyzed biotransformation, usage of microbial enzymes, enzymes associated with programmed cell death, natural products as potential enzyme inhibitors, protease inhibitors from plants in insect pest management, peptidases, and renin-angiotensin system. The book provides an overview on basic issues and some of the recent developments in medicinal science and technology. Especially, emphasis is devoted to both experimental and theoretical aspect of modern medicine. The primary target audience for the book includes students, researchers, chemists, molecular biologists, medical doctors, pharmacologists, and professionals who are interested in associated areas. The textbook is written by international scientists with expertise in biochemistry, enzymology, molecular biology, and genetics, many of which are active in biochemical and pharmacological research. I would like to acknowledge the authors for their contribution to the book. We hope that the textbook will enhance the knowledge of scientists in the complexities of some medical approaches; it will stimulate both professionals and students to dedicate part of their future research in understanding relevant mechanisms and applications of pharmacology.

Biological treatment of wastewater is a low-cost solution for remediation of wastewater. This book focuses on the bioremediation of wastewater, its management, monitoring, role of biofilms on wastewater treatment and energy recovery. It emphasizes on organic, inorganic and micropollutants entering into the environment after conventional wastewater treatment facilities of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastewaters. The occurrence of persistent pollutants poses deleterious effects on human and environmental health. Simple solution for recovery of energy as well as water during biological treatment of wastewater is a viable option. This book provides necessary knowledge and experimental studies on emerging bioremediation processes for reducing water, air and soil pollution.

Huntington's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain. It is one of the quite devastating and currently incurable human conditions. Degeneration of specific types of neurons in the brain results in a triad of clinical features: serious behavioral disturbances, uncontrolled movements of body parts, and deterioration of intellectual capabilities. The underlying complex mechanisms and molecular players of the cellular cascades still need to be deciphered in detail despite considerable advances. Once solved, the related molecular mechanisms will not only enlighten the HD story but will also shed light on other polyglutamine diseases and similar brain disorders. This book, Huntington's Disease-Molecular Pathogenesis and Current Models, is planned to cover recent scientific achievements in understanding the cellular mechanisms of HD. The chapters provide comprehensive description of the key issues in HD research. In this regard, this book will serve as a source for clinicians and researchers in the field and also for life science readers in increasing their understanding and awareness of the clinical correlates, genetic aspects, neuropathological findings, and potential therapeutic interventions related to HD.

Advances in Clinical Audiology is an excursus on the latest findings in clinical audiology with a strong emphasis in new emerging technologies which facilitate and optimize a better assessment of the human patient. The book has been edited with a strong educational perspective (all chapters include an extensive introduction to their corresponding topic and an extensive glossary of terms). The book contains material suitable for graduate students in audiology, ENT, hearing science, and neuroscience.

Cardiomyopathies are the most featured cardiac pathologies in the twenty-first century, that threaten public health and burden healthcare budgets. This book is composed of the main topics on pathophysiology, general forms and specific types of cardiomyopathies and it also introduces new research in the field. Specific forms with or without genetic inheritance are discussed separately to attract the readers' attention on these topics. Well-known medical follow-up strategies occur ineffective at the end-stage heart failure, however, new surgical approaches can be an alternative for these patients to get a chance at the last crossroad and to improve their life quality and survival and also to gain or prolong time until possible heart transplantation.