Böcker utgivna av IntechOpen

Since their discovery in 1973 by Zanvil Cohn and Ralph Steinman (Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine, 2011), dendritic cells (DCs) continue to intrigue research scientists as their new markers, subpopulations and properties are being detected and the relevant literature is being doubled each year. This book combines the most comprehensive reviews of several critical aspects of DC biology and function written by a group of international experts in the field. The first section briefly discusses recent advances in DC subtypes, phenotypes, and functions in different diseases. The following sections look closely at DC phenotyping, DC-NK cell interplay, and roles of DC in bone loss and repair and parasitic infections. The final section on DC and cancer includes perspectives on DC vaccination based on modifications and therapeutic applications.

Occupational therapy is a health care specialty with a deep focus on client-centered and holistic rehabilitation to improve the individual's occupational performance, quality of life and well-being through participation in meaningful and purposeful activities. This new book presents the importance of the therapeutic and creative use of activity in different populations, which is one of the core components of occupational therapy. Rehabilitation, rehabilitation delivery and outcomes are affected by recent changes in the meaning of health and social values. This resulted in an increasing necessity for therapeutic therapy, as well as creative use of activity in occupational therapy. This book focuses on recent advances in occupational therapy and reviews current practical guidelines. It introduces updated knowledge and skills for children, adults and the communities, including physical, mental, social, sensory, behavioral, environmental and community-based interventions to prevent, promote and improve activity use. The book will be relevant to occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physical therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and all the members of interdisciplinary rehabilitation team care workers.

The coastal environment is deteriorating at an alarming rate and is currently a great societal concern. This book provides a selected collection of papers on coastal environmental change, coastal disasters, and coastal infrastructure due to global warming, with a focus on the coasts of the rapidly developing country China. What makes the book distinctly different from others is its diversity, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of coastal problems. With contributions from over 30 authors, the book is a comprehensive account of diverse topics, such as coastal upwelling, estuarine processes, coastal pollution, sea level rise, meteorological and atmospheric problems, urbanization and the heat island effect, and coastal infrastructure, to name just a few, from theoretical study and phenomenological description, to methodological development. This book is expected to serve as a relatively comprehensive reference for coastal researchers, graduate students, as well as policymakers and coastal resource managers.

Classical magnesium alloys are a combination of aluminium, magnesium, manganese and zinc. Magnesium combined with lithium forms ultralight alloys that have many uses. Since it is a reasonable material, it offers great possibilities and is constantly tested at various angles of applications and properties. Magnesium, previously used for military purposes, seems to fit perfectly to the requirements of the currently prevailing technology. Low density with appropriate mechanical properties (strength, high operating temperature), good foundry properties (high castability and low shrinkage), vibration damping ability and cost-effectiveness of recycling seem to be an ideal response to market needs. All things considered, magnesium alloys are the perfect material used in various industries starting from the automotive industry, through sport, electronics up to the space industry and defence. This book is written by experts in various areas of magnesium science and technology. It gives a general idea of modern advancements in theory and practical purposes of magnesium alloys. The book reports fundamental aspects of corrosion types and details about magnesium alloys designed to work in elevated temperatures and superplastic behaviour. Fundamentals, broad experience, theory as well as complex technological aspects make this work helpful for engineers and scientists from all over the world.

Phytochemicals provides original research work and reviews on the sources of phytochemicals, and their roles in disease prevention, supplementation, and accumulation in fruits and vegetables. The roles of anthocyanin, flavonoids, carotenoids, and taxol are presented in separate chapters. Antioxidative and free radicle scavenging activity of phytochemicals is also discussed. The medicinal properties of Opuntia, soybean, sea buckthorn, and gooseberry are presented in a number of chapters. Supplementation of plant extract with phytochemical properties in broiler meals is discussed in one chapter. The final two chapters include the impact of agricultural practices and novel processing technologies on the accumulation of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables. This book mainly focuses on medicinal plants and the disease-preventing properties of phytochemicals, which will be a useful resource to the reader.

This book on organic Rankine cycle technology presents nine chapters on research activities covering the wide range of current issues on the organic Rankine cycle. The first section deals with working fluid selection and component design. The second section is related to dynamic modeling, starting from internal combustion engines to industrial power plants. The third section discusses industrial applications of waste heat recovery, including internal combustion engines, LNG, and waste water. A comprehensive analysis of the technology and application of organic Rankine cycle systems is beyond the aim of the book. However, the content of this volume can be useful for scientists and students to broaden their knowledge of technologies and applications of organic Rankine cycle systems.

Plant Growth and Regulation - Alterations to Sustain Unfavorable Conditions consists of five chapters written by scientists from different parts of the world, who are experts in their respective focuses of research. The topics cover the physical growth and physiological and genetic alterations in plants, particularly under environmental stress conditions. The storyline of this book starts from the plant community, followed by cellular and ultrastructural phenomenes occurring within the plant in its interaction with the environment, and ends with elucidation of chloroplast's DNAs, their transfer to the nucleus, and the genetic engineering technology applicable for plant adaptation to changing environmental conditions. This book is aimed at attracting the attention of students, teachers, as well as scientists who have a similar focus of study or interest. It contains advanced studies in the respective chapters.

Reduced glutathione (GSH) is the most important thiol in living organisms. It is the key component of antioxidant system and serves as a free radical scavenger. There is a cycle of GSH in biological systems and this cycle provides higher intracellular levels of GSH. GSH depletion and apparent oxidative stress may cause toxicity and can affect the general well-being of the organism. GSH was shown to be preventive against aging, cancer, heart disease, infections and dementia. This book is mainly focused on GSH in health and disease. The readers will gain qualified scientific knowledge on the diverse functions of GSH, the importance of GSH status against oxidative stress and the interaction between GSH and nervous system-related infections from this book.

Mangrove Ecosystem Ecology and Function deals with several aspects of mangrove science, as well as conservation, management, and related policies. The book is divided into six sections and structured into 10 chapters. The first section discusses mangrove ecology, structure, and function; the second section explains mangrove physiology related to salt accumulation; the third section focuses on mangrove polychaetes; the fourth section talks about the bioprospect of mangrove microbes; the fifth section discusses soil geochemistry; and the sixth section elucidates mangrove management and conservation. Researchers from different countries and fields of mangrove ecosystem exploration have contributed their findings. This book would be an ideal source of scientific information to graduate students, advanced students, researchers, scientists, and stakeholders involved in mangrove ecosystem research.

The chemical basis of human emotions has been an exciting aspect in biology. The "feel-good chemical" dopamine (DA) is a hormone and also a neurotransmitter, which performs a critical role in reward and movement control in the brain. DA also performs multiple other functions outside the brain. Regulating unrelated critical biological functions makes this chemical a vital factor for sustaining life in both health and disease. Dopamine - Health and Disease is an endeavour with an objective to understand and appreciate the biological functions of DA in human wellbeing and its potential utility in biomedical research. This effort will supplement scientific and non-scientific communities in stimulating a critical understanding of the biological purpose of "ticklish" DA, which eventually supports the human relentless effort to reduce the burden of disease. As the most exciting molecule,dopamine directly impacts day-to-day life. Anyone who has an eye for health and disease-related concepts will find this book a good read.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) currently ranks as the third most common cause of death. As the primary malignancy of the liver is directly related to an underlying liver condition, its incidence and profile are expected to change soon. While effective prevention programs and antiviral therapies for hepatitis B and C will lower the incidence of HCC, emerging socioeconomic issues will deliver new at-risk populations. Moreover, diagnostic techniques and protocols have undergone significant advancements. Reliance on contrast enhanced ultrasound has been re-evaluated, imaging methods being considered as sufficient diagnostic tools. Molecular characterization remains desirable, since chemotherapeutic agents still have limited applicability. In light of recent diagnostic advancements and novel therapeutic solutions, it is our belief that a comprehensive update on recent paradigm shifts and interesting upcoming developments is highly needed.

The endothelium enables communication between blood and tissues and is actively involved in cardiovascular homeostasis. Endothelial dysfunction has been recognized as an early step in the development of cardiovascular diseases: respectively, endothelium represents a potential therapeutic niche with multiple targets. The purpose of the book is to point out some recent findings of endothelial physiology and pathophysiology emphasizing various aspects of endothelial dysfunction connected to the body's internal and external environment. While basic features of the endothelium are presented in an introductory chapter, the authors of the following 17 chapters have provided extensive insight into some selected topics of endothelial (dys)function. The book would hopefully be useful for anyone interested in recapitulating endothelial (patho)physiology and expanding knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in endothelial dysfunction, relevant also for further clinical investigations.

The genus Brassica L. of the family Brassicaceae has a vital role in agriculture and human health. The genus comprises several species, including major oilseed and vegetable crops with promising agronomic traits. Brassica secondary products have antibacterial, antioxidant and antiviral effects. Characterization of Brassica is important for providing information on domestication, propagation and breeding programs, as well as conservation of plant genetic resources. This book highlights the current knowledge of the genus Brassica L. in order to understand its biology, diversity, conservation and breeding, as well as to develop disease-resistant and more productive crops. This book will be of interest to many readers, researchers and scientists, who will find this information useful for the advancement of their research towards a better understanding of Brassica breeding programs.

In this book, Vitamin E in Health and Disease, the chapter by Dr Lisa Schmölz et al., The Hepatic Fate of Vitamin E, includes the hepatic metabolism of vitamin E, its storage, release, distribution, and its effects on the metabolism in great detail, as well as its effect on the prevention of diseases, in addition to its role in anti-aging. The chapter by Dr Rusu Anca Elena reports on the effect of vitamin E in patients with hemodialysis. In a similar manner, the chapter of Drs Rayan Ahmed and Paul W. Sylvester describe g-Tocotrienol, a natural isoform within the vitamin E family of compounds, which displays potent antiproliferative, apoptotic and reversal of epithelial-to-mesenchymal-transition activity against breast cancer, employing treatment doses that have little or no effect on normal cell viability. The chapter by Milka Mileva and Angel S. Galabov describes how vitamin E could be recommended as a reliable agent, indeed as a component in multiorgan flu therapy. Last, Dr Juan José Godina-Nava et al. describe the cytoprotector effect of the 120-Hz electromagnetic fields in early hepatocarcinogenesis.

New powerful technologies, such as geographic information systems (GIS), have been evolving and are quickly becoming part of a worldwide emergent digital infrastructure. Spatial analysis is becoming more important than ever because enormous volumes of spatial data are available from different sources, such as social media and mobile phones. When locational information is provided, spatial analysis researchers can use it to calculate statistical and mathematical relationships through time and space. This book aims to demonstrate how computer methods of spatial analysis and modeling, integrated in a GIS environment, can be used to better understand reality and give rise to more informed and, thus, improved planning. It provides a comprehensive discussion of spatial analysis, methods, and approaches related to planning.

There are several teaching sports approaches for school-age sports practitioners. However, relatively few models have a substantial theoretical and scientific foundation. In this sense, the present work aims to serve as an introduction on which to support the didactical process of a Non-Linear Pedagogy of games teaching, as described in the first chapter. A comparison between the traditional approach of sports teaching and the Teaching Games for Understanding model within the Slovak Republic context is exposed. Subsequently, experience in the Sport Education model in Finland is presented. Then, research regarding teachers' experiences with the Cooperative Learning model at different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds is developed. Finally, an example of the Non-Linear Pedagogy program is used in Malaysia.

This book is aimed at providing an overview of arthroscopic joint surgery involving major joints in the body. It discusses all aspects of arthroscopy including complex surgical procedures, feasibility of performing surgery as an OPD procedure, and complications associated with these surgeries. The chapters are organised in regional basis and presented in an easy-to-understand format. This book will benefit all sports medicine physicians, orthopaedic surgeons and trainees, physiotherapists, and all clinicians involved in treating joint diseases. The combination of the authors' shared experiences with facts and presentation of figures and photographs will help the reader in understanding the complex principles involved. This can be used as a text for an individual or a "must have" reference book for any medical library.