Advances in Medicine and Biology

This volume includes eight chapters describing recent advancements in medicine and biology. Chapter One describes molecular communication among legume and rhizobia in the early stages of symbiosis. Chapter Two gives a comprehensive review of the physiochemical, pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Chapter Three dissects the novel aspects of the glucocorticoid receptor mechanism of action covering the latest findings that reveal the roles of heat-shock protein 90-binding immunophilins managing the glucocorticoid action and how these proteins influence biological response. Chapter Four explains a technique for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in women with diminished oocyte reserve that pays strict attention to not down-regulating key follicle stimulating hormone receptors. Chapter Five describes the use of four-dimensional computed tomography for the detection of enlarged parathyroids in the management of primary hyperparathyroidism. Chapter Six reveals the changes in the blood concentration of cell-free DNA and a number of biochemical and hemocytological parameters in the early stages of radiation cystitis development after local irradiation of the female rat pelvic region. Chapter Seven includes an evaluation of the safety and efficacy of paediatric appendectomy as compared to antibiotic-only treatment. Finally, Chapter Eight discusses a novel four-dimensional computed tomography technique that consists of sixteen different contrast phases instead of three or four phases, enabling detection of structures with a very short enhancement pattern.