In this manuscript, practitioners and students who are concerned with sports and rehabilitation medicine, kinesiology, as well as coaches and athletes, are introduced to numerous concepts, including mechanotransduction, inflammation, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, calpains, the extracellular matrix, neutrophils and macrophages, and their relevance to stretching, particularly stretching intensity. Although the quantitative parameters of training, duration, and frequency are important, it is the qualitative criterion of intensity (“how much”) that the author suggests is ultimately of greater concern. Intensity, the rate and magnitude of force, may be responsible for the proper recovery, regeneration, and adaptation of the musculoskeletal tissues from training, competition, or rehabilitation from injuries. Research suggests that too much force results in the stimulation of an inflammatory response, one associated with a biochemical feedback emerging from a mechanical stimulus. The intent of this manuscript is twofold: to initiate the discussion of the importance of stretching intensity with regard to proper recovery, regeneration, and adaptation, and to suggest that researchers need to explore its potential role in addressing numerous inflammatory (RA) and non-inflammatory (OA, recurrent tendinitis etc.) musculoskeletal conditions as well.

​This volume provides simple and accessible experiment protocols to explore thymus biology. T-Cell Development: Methods and Protocols is divided into three parts presenting short reviews on T cell development, analysis strategies, protocols for cell preparation, flow cytometry analyses, and multiple aspects of thymocyte biology. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters contain introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Concise and easy-to-use, T-Cell Development: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.

Current Topics in Membranes provides a systematic, comprehensive, and rigorous approach to specific topics relevant to the study of cellular membranes. Each volume is a guest edited compendium of membrane biology. This series has been a mainstay for practicing scientists and students interested in this critical field of biology. Articles covered in the volume include ENaC Proteins in Vascular Smooth Muscle Mechanotransduction; Regulation of the Mechano-Gated K2P Channel TREK-1 by Membrane Phospholipids; MechanoTRPs and TRPA1; TRPC; The Cytoskeletal Connection to Ion Channels as a Potential Mechanosensory Mechanism. Lessons From Polycystin-2 (TRPP2); Lipid Stress at Play: Mechanosensitivity of Voltage-Gated Channels; Hair Cell Mechanotransduction: The Dynamic Interplay between Structure and Function; Pharmacology of Hair Cell MS Channels; Hair Cell Mechanotransduction; Models of Hair Cell Mechanotrasduction; Touch; Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Dystrophic Muscle; Mechanotransduction in Endothelial Cells;MS Channels in Tumor Cell Migration; Mechanosensitive Channels in Regulating Smooth Muscle Contraction in the GI; Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Blood-Pressure-Sensing Baroreceptor Neurons.

This Research Topic is part of the Insights in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine series. Following the success of the inaugural series, Frontiers has organized a series of Research Topics to highlight the latest advancements in research across the field of cardiovascular medicine, with articles from the members of our accomplished Editorial Boards. This editorial initiative of particular relevance, led by Professor Masanori Aikawa, Specialty Chief Editor of the Atherosclerosis and Vascular Medicine section, is focused on new insights, novel developments, current challenges, latest discoveries, recent advances, and future perspectives in the field of atherosclerosis.

Cells of the myeloid lineage display diverse roles and functions both in tissue homeostatic conditions and during the development of liver diseases. Hepatic myeloid cells such asKupffer cells exert immune surveillance while maintaining immune tolerance. This helps to prevent excessive immune stimulation upon encounter with gut-derived antigens from food and commensal microbes, or rapidly identifying and eliminating pathogens. Myeloid cells also exhibit a dual role by contributing to both the initiation and progression of liver diseases. During liver inflammation, myeloid cells secrete cytokines and chemokines that promote chemotaxis and tissue damage. Further down the process they can undergo reprogramming into pro-resolving, anti-inflammatory cells. In extremis, these can lead to loss of liver function and development of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver myeloid cells can also dictate the progress of hepatic malignancy by either promoting the infiltration and activation or suppressing the activities of effector and/or cytotoxic T cells.

With contributions by numerous experts

Explores a Range of Multiscale Biomechanics/Mechanobiology ConceptsCell and Matrix Mechanics presents cutting-edge research at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels in the field of cell mechanics. This book involves key experts in the field, and covers crucial areas of cell and tissue mechanics, with an emphasis on the roles of mechanical forc