Intermittent hypoxia can cause significant structural and functional impact on the systemic, organic, cellular and molecular processes of human physiology and pathophysiology. This book focuses on the most updated scientific understanding of the adaptive (beneficial) and maladaptive (detrimental) responses to intermittent hypoxia and their potential pathogenetic or prophylactic roles in the development and progression of major human diseases. This is a comprehensive monograph for clinicians, research scientists, academic faculty, postgraduate and medical students, and allied health professionals who are interested in enhancing their up-to-date knowledge of intermittent hypoxia research and its translational applications in preventing and treating major human diseases.

In consolidation of the most updated experimental results and perspectives from diverse research fields on a main theme - Intermittent Hypoxia, this book encompasses the structural, physiological, pathophysiological, biochemical, genetic, metabolic, and therapeutic aspects of intermittent hypoxia and provides an open forum to promote the bench-to-bed translational implications of both adaptive (beneficial) and maladaptive (detrimental) responses to intermittent hypoxia in animals and humans. Authored by 74 leading scientists from 17 countries in Asia, Europe, North America, and Oceana, the 30 chapters are grouped under 7 different sections covering the profound effects of intermittent hypoxia particularly on cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and skeletal muscular systems. Special attentions are paid to the protective or injurious roles played by intermittent hypoxia and their underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms in several major human diseases such as acute myocardial infarction, stroke, sleep apnea, and Parkinsons disease. Several chapters have also reviewed the use of intermittent hypoxia training for enhancing exercise performance in elite athletes. Overall, as endorsed by Professor John B. West (Member, Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences of U.S.A.; Editor-in-Chief, High Altitude Medicine and Biology) through his Foreword for the book, this is the most comprehensive monograph to date on the topic of intermittent hypoxia, which can cause significant structural and functional impact on the systemic, organic, cellular and molecular processes of human physiology and pathophysiology. Hence, this book could serve as a thorough reference for research scientists, physicians, academic faculty, graduate and medical students, athletic coaches and trainers, who are interested in enhancing their knowledge about the past, present, and future of intermittent hypoxia research and its translational applications for prevention and treatment of major diseases and improving exercise performance.

Hypoxia remains a constant threat throughout life. It is for this reason that the International Hypoxia Society strives to maintain a near quarter century tradition of presenting a stimulating blend of clinical and basic science discussions. International experts from many fields have focused on the state-of-the-art discoveries in normal and pathophysiological responses to hypoxia. Topics in this volume include gene-environment interactions, a theme developed in both a clinical context regarding exercise and hypoxia, as well as in native populations living in high altitudes. Furthermore, experts in the field have combined topics such as skeletal muscle angiogenesis and hypoxia, high altitude pulmonary edema, new insights into the biology of the erythropoietin receptor, and the latest advances in cardiorespiratory control in hypoxia. This volume explores the fields of anatomy, cardiology, biological transport, and biomedical engineering among many others.

Evidence Based Pediatrics and Child Health is a ground-breaking new text on pediatrics and child care management, using evidence based approach. It covers all the major childhood conditions and contains the features of both a handbook and a reference text. Each chapter combines both advice on management and how best to practice evidence based medicine with reviews of all the available evidence in a specific area. The goal of the book is to help pediatricians and others who care for children to provide the best possible care by combining the best, most current evidence with special circumstances of each individual patient.

With high morbidity and mortality rates, atherosclerosis (ATS) is a major concern worldwide. This book provides comprehensive information on ATS, including chapters on cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea, rheumatology and cardiovascular risk, and the differences of ATS among men and women. Let’s hope for the best and thank you to all my team for collaborating in this book production. In particular, thanks • to Bruno (my expert colleague) and Aurel (my secretary) for analyzing and reading with me all the texts • to Vincenzo, Stefano and Andrea for English evaluation • and finally to Rebecca (my future wife) for sustaining me in all professional activities giving me power in daily life!

Brain Hypoxia and Ischemia explores the various aspects of cell death and survival that are crucial for understanding the basic mechanisms underlying brain hypoxia and ischemia. Chapters focus on a panorama of issues including the role of ion channels/transporters, mitochondria and apoptotic mechanisms, the roles of glutamate/NMDA, mechanisms in penumbral cells and the importance of intermittent hypoxia and gene regulation under these stressful conditions. The volume explores findings from both mammalian and invertebrate model systems and their applicability to human systems and diseases. Careful consideration is also given to differences in hypoxia and ischemia across development. This volume aims to increase the understanding of these mechanisms and to stimulate research on better diagnosis and treatment of diseases that afflict the brain and potentially other organs when O2 levels are dysregulated. Brain Hypoxia and Ischemia is designed for neuroscientists, clinicians and medical/graduate students for use in both basic research and clinical practice.

Bringing together top-level contributions on all aspects of the subject, this book provides an overview of the recent advances in the genetics of respiratory control in health and disease. It also shows how combined studies in humans and mouse models have helped to improve our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie genetically determined respiratory control disorders with the goal of developing new therapeutic interventions.