Biomat 2007

The present volume contains the contributions of the keynote speakers of the BIOMAT 2007 Symposium as well as selected contributed papers in the areas of mathematical biology, biological physics, biophysics and bioinformatics. It contains new results on some aspects of LotkaOCoVolterra equations, the proposal of using differential geometry to model neurosurgical tools, recent data on epidemiological modeling, pattern recognition and comprehensive reviews on the structure of proteins, the folding problem and the influence of Allee effects on population dynamics.This book contains some original results on the growth of gliomas: the role played by membrane channels on activity-dependent modulation of spike transmission; a proposal for reconsidering the concept of gene and the understanding of the mechanisms responsible for gene expression; a differential geometric approach to the influence of the drying effect on the dynamics of pods of Leguminosae; the comparison of agent-based models with the approach of differential equations on the study of selection mechanisms in germinal centers; and the synchronization phenomenon for protocell systems driven by linear kinetic equations.

This volume contains the selected contributed papers from the BIOMAT 2009 ? Ninth International Symposium on Mathematical and Computational Biology and the contributions of the Keynote Speakers which present the state of the art of fundamental topics of interdisciplinary science to research groups and interested individuals on the mathematical Modelling of biological phenomena. New results are presented on cells, particularly their growth rate and fractal behavior of colony contours; on control mechanisms of molecular systems; the Monte?Carlo simulation of protein models; and on fractal and nonlinear analysis of biochemical time series. There are also new results on population dynamics, such as the paleodemography of New Zealand and a comprehensive review on complex food webs. Contributions on computational biology include the use of graph partitioning to analyse biological networks and graph theory in chemosystematics. The studies of infectious diseases include the dynamics of reinfection of Tuberculosis; the spread of HIV infection in the immune system and the real-time forecasting of an Influenza pandemic in the UK. New contributions to the field of Modelling of physiological disorders include the study of macrophages and tumours and the influence of microenvironment on tumour cells proliferation and migration.

This book focuses on the recent advances in nanomedicine and tissue engineering. It outlines the basic tools and novel approaches that are becoming available in nanomedicine and tissue engineering and considers the full range of nanomedical applications which employ molecular nanotechnology inside the human body, from the perspective of a future practitioner in an era of widely available nanomedicine. Topics include: Health benefits of phytochemicals and application of superparamagnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia Silver nanoparticles in nanomedicine Optical diagnostic of molecules and cells using nanotechnology Nanoparticulate drug delivery system for antiviral drugs Liposomal drug delivery systems, nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDS) Functionalization of tissue engineering scaffolds Induction of angiogenesis in scaffolds Many other recent achievements Written by some of the most innovative minds in medicine and tissue engineering, this book considers the full range of nanomedical applications which employ molecular nanotechnology inside the human body and will help professionals understand cutting-edge and futuristic areas of nanomedicine and tissue engineering research. Readers will find insightful discussions on nanostructured intelligent materials and devices that are considered technically feasible and that have a high potential to produce advances in medicine in the near future.

Since the first publication of this book in 2007, the field of nanoscience and nanomedicine continues to grow substantially. This second edition, Nanotoxicology: Progress toward Nanomedicine, enlists internationally recognized experts to document the continuing development and rationale for the safe design of engineered nanomaterials (ENM). This includes new improved characterization endpoints, screening, and detection methods for in vitro and in vivo toxicity testing. These tools also contribute greatly to nanosafety research applied to nanomedicines. Topics include The impacts of nanotechnology on biomedicine, including functionalization for tissue-specific targeting, the biointeractions of multifunctional nanoparticle-based therapy, and the ability to control specific physicochemical properties of nanoparticles The requirements for proper detection, measurement, and assessment both for workplace exposure and in consumer products—with a focus on potential health and safety implications Predictive modeling, using quantitative nanostructure activity relationships to predict the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of nanomaterials in the body Specific methodologies, imaging, and techniques to assess nanomaterials from the manufacturing process to nanomedicine applications Tools for assessing nanoparticle toxicity and the limitations of detection methods for assessing toxicity in both in vivo and in vitro systems and at the single cell and tissue levels Toxicity of nanomaterials to specific organ systems, cell–based targeting to tumors, and other biomedical applications The difficulty of conducting risk assessments and the need for addressing knowledge gaps, especially with long-term studies A roadmap for future research The development of nanotechnology-based products must be complemented with appropriate validated methods to assess, monitor, manage, and reduce the potential risks of ENM to human health and the environment. This volume provides a cogent survey of advances in this area by a well-respected and diverse group of international scientists.

Catgut and collagen are the two most well-known natural materials for absorbable sutures; however collagen-based absorbable sutures have largely been replaced by synthetic materials made from one of five basic building blocks. The chemical structures of a variety of commercial absorbable sutures are reviewed. The characteristics, chemistry and manufacture of some nonabsorbable equivalents are also considered. A number of newly available materials, in particular the group of amino-acid based biodegradable poly(ester amide) fibers, are considered, together with the results of trials.

Progress and Prospect of Nanocarriers: Design, Concept, and Recent Advances examines the different nanocarriers that are currently being developed for specific applications in biomedical drug delivery, disease management, diagnosis and therapy. Nanosized drug delivery systems have gained tremendous amounts of clinical interest due to their effective bio-distribution and enhanced pharmacokinetic and selective targeting capability which results in high therapeutic potential, low side effects, and the generation of cost-effective drug delivery systems. Numerous effective nanocarriers have been evolving, including polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, microspheres, dendrimers, and carbon nanotubes.This book is a helpful reference for scientists and students in the fields of drug delivery, biomaterials and nanomedicine, as well as scientists and engineers in industrial disciplines of drug delivery and drug formulation. Focuses on multiple nanocarrier platforms Examines the different technologies that have improved drug delivery and suggests where the technology is headed Written for researchers and students by diverse experts in biomaterials, drug delivery and nanomedicine