This book focuses on issues in clinical practice and research that are of general interest. The articles primarily focus on understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of diseases, their prevention, and therapy.

The topics addressed include cardiovascular regulation with regard to blood pressure and heart rate variability, and to coupling blood pressure changes with subarachnoid fluid oscillations. In addition, the book discusses recent advances in the diagnostics of and targeted molecular therapy for renal and pancreatic malignancies, growth disorders, vitamin D and calcium homeostasis in children in the context of neonatal urolithiasis, and neurosurgical interventions in multifarious age-related diseases of the vertebrae. Neuropsychological aspects of patients' quality of life and of shaping medical staff's attitude toward patients are also addressed.

The respective articles are intended to build a bridge between basic and clinical research. Further, the book enhancesthe current body of knowledge on diagnostics and patient treatment and offers valuable new perspectives on practical clinical issues. As such, it offers a unique resource for clinicians, family physicians, medical scholars, and professionals engaged in patient management.

Left Ventricular Strain and Relaxation are Independently Associated with Renal Cortical Perfusion in Hypertensive Patients

Coupling of Blood Pressure and Subarachnoid Space Oscillations at Cardiac Frequency Evoked by Handgrip and Cold Tests: a Bispectral Analysis
Influence of Heart Rate, Age, and Gender on Heart Rate Variability in Adolescents and Young Adults
Hand-Foot Syndrome and Progression-Free Survival in Patients Treated with Sunitinib for Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Elastography in the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Malignancies
Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life in Liver Transplant Patients
Phagocytosis and Autophagy in THP-1 cells Exposed to Urban Dust: Possible Role of LC3-Associated Phagocytosis and Canonical Autophagy
Gender-Dependent Responses of Growth and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 to Growth Hormone Therapy in Prepubertal Growth Hormone Deficient Children
Vitamin D and Calcium Homeostasis in Infants with Urolithiasis
Morphometric Analysis of the Lumbar Vertebrae Concerning the Optimal Screw Selection for Transpedicular Stabilization
Stress and Dehumanizing Behaviors of Medical Staff toward Patients
Biological and Social Determinants of Maximum Oxygen Uptake in Adult Men.