This continuing series gathers and presents original research results on the leading edge of medicine and biology. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial topical data across a broad spectrum. Topics discussed include endogenous angiogenesis inhibitors; structural and functional alteration of the aging lower urinary tract; stem cell therapy for ischaemic stroke in the elderly; role of angiogenesis in neural repair after ischemic stroke; ethical and scientific debates on embryonic stem cells; peptidergic regulation of the urinary bladder functions; the biomechanics of ankle surgery; Escherichia coli cystitis; adenovirus diarrhea and homeopathy in anti-aging medicine.