Main description:

This book describes the human amniotic membrane from its origin, characterization and medical applications, summarizing all the latest developments and findings related to this tissue with contributions from some of the leading researchers in the field. The book addresses issues for its preservation, separation and identification of amniotic membrane-derived cells, as well as the potential ethical issues involved in their use. The topic of this book is particularly pertinent for clinicians and researchers involved in the research and use of this tissue.

Contents:

Part I Origin and characterization of amniotic membrane

Chapter 1: Embryology and anatomy of placental membranes
Jose Joaquim Sousa Barros

Chapter 2: Biochemical properties of amniotic membrane
Sandra M. Rocha and Claudio J. Maia

Chapter 3: Biophysical properties of amniotic membrane
Ana Margarida Abrantes, Joao Casalta-Lopes and Maria Filomena Botelho

Chapter 4: Stem properties of amniotic membrane-derived cells
Maddalena Caruso, Anna Cargnoni and Ornella Parolini

Chapter 5: Amniotic membrane in health and disease: an obstetrical perspec
Ana Luisa Areia e Paulo Moura

Part II Medical applications of amniotic membrane

Chapter 6: Amniotic membrane in ophthalmology
Esmeralda Costa and Joaquim Neto Murta

Chapter 7: Amniotic membrane in the treatment of burns
Ahmad Sukari Halim, Ehfa Bujang-Safawi and Arman Zaharil Mat Saad

Chapter 8: Amniotic membrane in cancer
Ana Catarina Mamede, Ana Salome Pires and Ana Filipa Brito

Chapter 9: Amniotic membrane in oral medicine
Manuel Marques Ferreira and Eunice Virginia Palmeirao Carrilho

Chapter 10: Amniotic membrane in gynaecology
Maria Joao Carvalho

Chapter 11: Amniotic membrane and the controlled drug releas
Miklos D. Resch, Laszlo Marsovszky, Erzsebet Csanyi, Maria Budai-Szucs and Janos Nemeth
Part III Technical issues about amniotic membrane

Chapter 12: Isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells from amniotic membrane
Ana Lopes, Mario Graos and Artur Paiva

Chapter 13: Preservation of amniotic membrane
Mafalda Laranjo

Chapter 14: Ethical and legal concerns of the use of amniotic membrane
Guilherme de Oliveira and Andre Pereira

Index