From the elegant studies of Ramon y Cajal (1909) to the current advances in molecular cloning (e.g., Farber and Danciger, 1997), the retina has served as an ideal model for the entire CNS. We have taken advantage of the well described anatomy, physiology, and molecular biology of the retina to begin to examine the role of the laminins, one component of the extracellular matrix, on the processes...

The exact role and the function of the scapula are misunderstood in many clinical situations. This lack of awareness often translates into incomplete evaluation and diagnosis of shoulder problems. In addition, scapular rehabilitation is often ignored. Recent research, however, has demonstrated a pivotal role for the scapula in shoulder function, shoulder injury, and shoulder rehabilitation. Thi...

Abnormal mitral valve (MV) morphology may lead to high stress generation. Computational simulation of the MV apparatus may help us better understand and characterize the biomechanics and physiology of MV function and disease-related alterations. The MV apparatus geometry was identified using three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) patient data. These data were converted i...

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an orphan nuclear receptor with a primary function of mediating xenobiotic metabolism through transcriptional activation of Phase I and Phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. Although no high-affinity physiological activators of AHR have been discovered, the endogenous signaling of the AHR pathway is believed to play an important role in the development and f...

Until 2000 it was believed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was the sole regulator of hypophyseal gonadotropes. In 2000, the discovery of a gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) initiated a revolution in the field of reproductive physiology. Identification of GnIH homologues in mammals, the arginine-phenylalanine- amide (RFamide)-related peptides (RFRPs), indicated a similar function...

THIS book, 240 pages crammed full of obstetric facts and figures, is written by two doctors who, after junior obstetric hospital posts, pursued careers in other areas of medicine. It is constructed along traditional lines with introductory chapters on anatomy, physiology and applied embryology. There follow accounts of antenatal care, abnormal pregnancy and pregnancyrelated systemic illness. In...

THIS book, 240 pages crammed full of obstetric facts and figures, is written by two doctors who, after junior obstetric hospital posts, pursued careers in other areas of medicine. It is constructed along traditional lines with introductory chapters on anatomy, physiology and applied embryology. There follow accounts of antenatal care, abnormal pregnancy and pregnancyrelated systemic illness. In...