This book presents an overview of a new group of progenitor stem cells. Their origins were originally detected in light- and electron microscopical sections of plastic embedded human embryonal and fetal organs.The distribution of these cells can result in a large quantity of ectopic stem cells. The observation of these ectopic stem cells leads us to postulate the existence of a basic wave of stem cell progenitors. This process proceeds earlier and independently from germ cell migra...

During pubertal development of the testes, germ cells pass initially through the complete succession of spermatogenic differentiation. Using the golden hamster as a model, this volume presents a comprehensive analysis of that establishing period of mammalian spermatogenesis. Detailed morphological and cell kinetic data of the pubertal seminiferous epithelium reveal a level of cellular organization and synchronization coming near to the adult situation. Characteristic, temporarily occurring...

Tendon Regeneration: Understanding Tissue Physiology and Development to Engineer Functional Substitutes is the first book to highlight the multi-disciplinary nature of this specialized field and the importance of collaboration between medical and engineering laboratories in the development of tissue-oriented products for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies. Beginning with a foundation in developmental biology, the book explores physiology, pathology, and surgical...

Glial Physiology and Pathophysiology provides a comprehensive, advanced text on the biology and pathology of glial cells.Coverae includes:the morphology and interrelationships between glial cells and neurones in different parts of the nervous systemsthe cellular physiology of the different kinds of glial cellsthe mechanisms of intra- and inter-cellular signalling in glial networksthe mechanisms of glial-neuronal communica...

The Physiology of Synapses covers the considerable advances in understanding the complex physiology of synapses. This book is divided into 16 chapters that emphasize the mechanism of synaptic transmission. The first chapters describe the structural and physiological features of chemically transmitting synapses. The subsequent chapters deal with the excitatory postsynaptic responses to presynaptic impulse and the release of transmitter by presynaptic impulses. These topics are followed by d...

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the human central nervous system (CNS) in the context of its many developmental disorders due to genetic, environmental, and hypoxic/ischemic causes. The introductory chapters give an overview of the development of the human brain and the spinal cord, the mechanisms of development as obtained in experimental studies of various invertebrates and vertebrates, and the causes of congenital malformations. In the main part, the de...

This book presents the current state of research on the basic scientific aspects of root canal biofilm biology within a clinically applicable context. Root canal biofilms are complex polymicrobial structures adhering to the root canal surface that are formed by microorganisms invading the pulpal space of teeth, and are associated with persistent root canal infections. Concerted efforts to study root canal biofilms have been made in the past decade, resulting in the publication of observati...

The analysis of the protein content of the Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is a central tool in the diagnosis of a number of diseases, including Multiple Sclerosis and Encephalitis. Proteins of the Cerebrospinal Fluid is a complete revision of the first edition published 16 years ago and reflects the advances in the field in that period. Containing the most comprehensive reference list available today with over 1300 references cross-indexed according to topics, it also includes many classical wo...

This book provides the ophthalmologist with the most recently available data on the macular dystrophies, a group of many different inherited or sporadic eye conditions linked by a problem with photoreceptors or other structures of the central retina. Internationally recognized experts in the field present the latest evidence and discuss their own personal experiences with regard to each of the principal dystrophies as well as some very rare entities. Topics covered include molecular biolog...

Handbook of Clinical Neurology: Spinal Cord Injury summarizes advances in the clinical diagnosis, monitoring, prognostication, treatment, and management of spinal cord injuries. More specifically, it looks at new and important developments in areas such as high-resolution noninvasive neuroimaging, surgery, and electrical stimulation of motor, respiratory, bladder, bowel, and sexual functions. It also reviews the latest insights into spontaneous regeneration and recovery of function followi...

This book provides a detailed update on our knowledge of dental pulp and regenerative approaches to therapy. It is divided into three parts. The pulp components are first described, covering pulp cells, extracellular matrix, vascularization and innervation as well as pulp development and aging. The second part is devoted to pulp pathology and includes descriptions of the differences between reactionary and reparative dentin, the genetic alterations leading to dentinogenesis imperfecta and ...

Since the pioneering studies of Ramon y Cajal the inability of lesioned adult CNS axons to regenerate has been well established. During the past years advancements in molecular, cellular and biochemical knowledge have provided new insights into the extrinsic mechanims underlying regeneration failure. The rapid progress in this field has already led to the development of new concepts for therapeutic manipulations. This book provides a comprehensive overview of structural and molecular chang...