Advances in Medicine and Biology

The chapters in this volume of Advances in Medicine and Biology, present the latest research in medical research. Chapter One provides an overview of molecular biology approaches for Dengue diagnosis and research in Brazil. Chapter Two identifies host factor predictors and clinical determinants associated with Dengue Fever versus Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in an adult population. Chapter Three summarizes the symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, and treatment of gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) in children, from a pulmonary perspective. Chapter Four provides a brief overview on the role of some potential dietary natural products in the prevention of GERD and treatment with particular reference to the findings of the latest preclinical investigations or clinical trials. Chapter Five investigates the mechanism of onset of syringomyelia, a disease that produces fluid-containing cavities in the parenchyma of the spinal cord, using an adhesive spinal arachnoiditis model created by injection of kaolin into the subarachnoid space. Chapter Six outlines the approach to syringomyelia that starts with a functionally oriented classification based on the underlying cause of the syrinx and its accompanying specific cavitary pattern, and it also elucidates the main pathophysiological mechanisms involved and suggested in the formation and propagation of the cavitation. Chapter Seven summarizes the prevalence and virulence characteristics of L. pneumophila in aquatic environments including natural and artificially-controlled water environments such as hot springs in Japan. Chapter Eight discusses the basic biomechanical characteristics and forces acting on the ankle under static conditions and their influences on artificial total ankle replacement designs