This book is devoted to innovative medicine, comprising the proceedings of the Uehara Memorial Foundation Symposium 2014. It remains extremely rare for the findings of basic research to be developed into clinical applications, and it takes a long time for the process to be achieved. The task of advancing the development of basic research into clinical reality lies with translational science, yet the field seems to struggle to find a way to move forward. To create innovative medical technology, many steps need to be taken: development and analysis of optimal animal models of human diseases, elucidation of genomic and epidemiological data, and establishment of “proof of concept”. There is also considerable demand for progress in drug research, new surgical procedures, and new clinical devices and equipment. While the original research target may be rare diseases, it is also important to apply those findings more broadly to common diseases. The book covers a wide range of topics and is organized into three complementary parts. The first part is basic research for innovative medicine, the second is translational research for innovative medicine, and the third is new technology for innovative medicine. This book helps to understand innovative medicine and to make progress in its realization.

The Pentose Phosphate Pathway aims to explore the pentose phosphate cycle and the practical techniques applied in its investigation. The main focus of the book is the pentose phosphate cycle in animals as well as microorganisms, and does not discuss the one related to photosynthesis. The book covers the formulation of the pathway, its types, and its alternative formulations; the preparation, processes, and analysis of the pathway; and the enzymes involved. Also covered in the book are the intermediates in intact cells and tissues; distribution of enzymes among different tissues and species; the operation, regulation, and overall control of the pathway; and the clinical, nutritional, and metabolic aspects of the pathway. The text is recommended for biologists and biochemists who would like to understand further the pentose phosphate pathway and the processes related to it.

Each disease-related chapter begins with a detailed description of the patient and the delineating symptoms used for establishing the diagnosis and differential diagnosis. The highly detailed figures illustrate the metabolic derangement in a uniform way, together with essential aspects of the genetics involved, thus affording clarification and better understanding of the treatment. Topics covered range from general aspects such as the clinical approach, emergency treatment, diagnostic procedures, and psychosocial care for the child and the family, to specific discussions of new modes of treatment, including liver, bone marrow transplantation and somatic gene therapy.

This book, combining and updating two previous editions, is a unique source of information on the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of metabolic diseases. The clinical and laboratory data characteristic of rare metabolic conditions can be bewildering for both clinicians and laboratory personnel. Reference laboratory data are scattered, and clinical descriptions may be obscure. The Physician’s Guide documents the features of more than five hundred conditions, grouped according to type of disorder, organ system affected (e.g. liver, kidney, etc) or phenotype (e.g. neurological, hepatic, etc). Relevant clinical findings are provided and pathological values for diagnostic metabolites highlighted. Guidance on appropriate biochemical genetic testing is provided. Established experimental therapeutic protocols are described, with recommendations on follow-up and monitoring. The authors are acknowledged experts, and the book will be a valuable desk reference for all who deal with inherited metabolic diseases.

This book provides useful information on microbial physiology and metabolism. The key aspects covered are prokaryotic diversity, growth physiology, basic metabolic pathways and their regulation, metabolic diversity with details of various unique pathways. Another focus area is stress physiology with details on varying environmental stresses, signal transduction, adaptation and survival. For instructional purposes, the book provides case studies, interesting facts, techniques etc. which help in showcasing the inter-disciplinary nature and bridge the gap between various aspects of applied microbiology.

The Scientists Guide to Cardiac Metabolism combines the basic concepts of substrate metabolism, regulation, and interaction within the cell and the organism to provide a comprehensive introduction into the basics of cardiac metabolism. This important reference is the perfect tool for newcomers in cardiac metabolism, providing a basic understanding of the metabolic processes and enabling the newcomer to immediately communicate with the expert as substrate/energy metabolism becomes part of projects. The book is written by established experts in the field, bringing together all the concepts of cardiac metabolism, its regulation, and the impact of disease. Provides a quick and comprehensive introduction into cardiac metabolism Contains an integrated view on cardiac metabolism and its interrelation in metabolism with other organs Presents insights into substrate metabolism in relation to intracellular organization and structure as well as whole organ function Includes historical perspectives that reference important investigators that have contributed to the development of the field

Provides descriptions of the clinical features of diseases of childhood, and of therapeutic approaches, and also to review biological principles underlying etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.