The monograph presents the results of the study of homeostasis of trace elements in human hair. Statistical analysis of extensive data sets containing concentrations of metals in this biosubstrate in different groups of healthy people has been carried out. The authors failed to confirm the correctness of the stable and widespread in modern elementology opinion that by the level of concentration of this or that metal in hair it is possible to make judgements about its content in the whole organism. Such extrapolation is not only unreasonable, but also potentially dangerous, as it can lead to diagnostic and therapeutic-corrective errors. Furthermore, evidence has been obtained that metal-ligand homeostasis in an epidermal derivative (hair) is associated with self-organised criticality (SC) phenomena. Thus, shifts in metal homeostasis in hair spectrometry (to avoid unwarranted generalisations) should be attributed only to this substrate (hair).
This book explains how scientific discoveries happen through the exciting story of the RANKL protein. This breakthrough led to a drug therapy used worldwide to treat osteoporosis, cancer, and other diseases, a story of interest to laypersons and students alike.
