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he biological sciences are dominated by the idea that cells are the functionally autonomous, physically separated, discrete units of life. TThis concept was propounded in the 19th century by discoveries of the cellular structuring of both plants and animals. Moreover, the ap parent autonomy of unicellular eukaryotes, as well as the cellular basis of the mammalian brain (an organ whose anatomy for a long while defied attempts to validate the idea of the cellular nature of its neurons), seemed to provide the final conclusive evidence for the completeness of *cell theory', a theory which has persisted in an almost dogmatic form up to the present day. However, it is very obvious that there are n...
The workshop brought together experts in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, physiology, engineering, physics, mathematics, audiology and medicine to present current work and to review the critical issues of inner ear function. A special emphasis of the workshop was on analytical model based studies. Experimentalists and theoreticians thus shared their points of view. The topics ranged from consideration of the hearing organ as a system to the study and modeling of individual auditory cells including molecular aspects of function. Some of the topics in the book are: motor proteins in hair cells; mechanical and electrical aspects of transduction by motor proteins; function of proteins in stereocilia of hair cells; production of acoustic force by stereocilia, mechanical properties of hair cells and the organ of Corti; mechanical vibration of the organ of Corti; wave propagation in tissue and fluids of the inner ear; sound amplification in the cochlea; critical oscillations; cochlear nonlinearity, and mechanisms for the production of otoacoustic emissions. This book will be invaluable to researchers and students in auditory science.
Coordinated cell interactions are required to accomplish several complex and dynamic tasks observed in several tissues. Cell function may be coordinated by cell-to-cell communication through gap junctions channels (GJCs). These channels are formed by the serial docking of two hemichannels, which in turn are formed by six protein subunits called connexins (Cxs). It is well known that GJCs are involved in several functions, such as intercellular propagation of calcium waves, spread of electrotonic potentialsand spatial buffering of ions and metabolites. On the other hand, undocked hemichannels, which are not forming GJCs, can also serve other functions as “free hemichannels”. Currently, it...
How can we slow the signs of aging? Although aging is a natural process for all living things, doing so without dramatic alterations of health and well-being is an important aim in health care. Understanding this gradual but continuous process is fundamental in order to avoid, or at least improve, aging associated illnesses and conditions. The reviews and studies compiled here address various aspects of the relationship between systemic and central changes during the aging process, with hormonal signals as the important liaison.
This book is a compilation of cutting-edge research on the mechanical operation of the peripheral auditory system. Bringing together over 50 theoretical and experimental studies by leading researchers, it covers the molecular, cellular and systems levels using a powerful combination of biological, mathematical and engineering techniques. In addition to the scientific papers, the book includes the comments and discussions raised by the individual manuscripts at the time of their presentation, and a final chapter with the edited transcripts of a discussion session covering "outstanding topics" between some of the most prominent researchers in the field. The first-hand information provided by these transcripts will make the book particularly interesting.Renowned contributors to the book include Profs. JF Ashmore (FRS, UK), E de Boer (The Netherlands), W Brownell (USA), P Dallos (USA), R Fettiplace (FRS, USA), AW Gummer (Germany), AJ Hudspeth (USA), DC Mountain (USA), AL Nuttall (USA), IJ Russell (FRS, UK), CA Shera (USA), and H Wada (Japan).