Intro
Foreword
Contents
Chapter 1: Nosology and Semiotics
1.1 Introduction
1.2 A Brief Historiography of Semiotics and Health/Medicine
1.3 Semiotic Aspects of Nosology
1.4 Fundamental Elements of a Biosemiotic Perspective on Human Health
1.4.1 The Umwelt
1.4.2 Body and Environment
1.4.3 Physiology, Behaviour and Perception
1.4.4 Endosemiosis
1.5 Contributions to Biosemiotic Medicine
1.5.1 Process-Based Medicine in Light of the Ontogeny of the Human Being
1.5.2 Biosemiotic Medicine Within and Beyond Human Health Studies

1.5.3 The Human Being Conceived of as a System of Interrelated Sign Systems
1.5.4 The Human Microbiome: The Human Organism Conceived of as an Ecosystem
1.5.5 A Biosemiotic Understanding of Organ Crosstalk
References
Chapter 2: Acute Kidney Injury: Definition and Generalities
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Prerenal AKI
2.3 Renal or Intrinsic AKI
2.4 Obstructive AKI
2.5 AKI Implications
2.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Hormones
3.1 General Principles of the Endocrine System
3.1.1 Structure, Organization, and Function of the Endocrine System

3.2 Hormone Synthesis: Basic Concepts
3.2.1 Transport
3.3 Mechanisms of Hormone Action
3.3.1 Types of Receptors
3.3.2 Membrane Receptors
3.3.3 Intracellular Receptors
3.4 Regulation of Hormone Levels, Synthesis, and Secretion
3.5 Water and Electrolyte Balance
3.6 Antidiuretic Hormone and Extracellular Fluid (ECF) Osmolality
3.7 Endocrine Regulation of Water Balance
3.8 Sodium and Potassium Balance and the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)
3.9 The RAAS and the Regulation of Sodium and Potassium Homeostasis
3.10 Natriuretic Factors
3.11 Conclusion