Spectroscopy-Based Biosensors
Biosensors are analytical devices capable of providing quantitative or semi-quantitative information by using a biological recognition element and a transducer. Depending upon the nature of the recognition element, different surface sensitive techniques can be applied to monitor these molecular interactions. In order to increase sensitivities and to lower detection limits down to even individual molecules, nanomaterials are promising candidates. This is possible due to the potential to immobilize more bioreceptor units at reduced volumes and their ability to act as transduction elements by themselves. Among such nanomaterials, gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, polymer nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, nanodiamonds, and graphene are intensively studied. Biosensors provide rapid, real-time, accurate, and reliable information about the analyte under investigation and have been envisioned in a wide range of analytical applications, including medicine, food safety, bioprocessing, environmental/industrial monitoring, and electronics. A variety of biosensors, such as optical, spectroscopic, molecular, thermal, and piezoelectric, have been studied and applied in countless fields.In this book, examples of spectroscopic and optical biosensors and immunoassays are presented. Furthermore, two comprehensive reviews on optical biosensors are included
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of Essential Oil
Essential oils extracted by the distillation or hydrodistillation of aromatic plants are a complex mixture of volatile compounds with several biological activities. Their efficacy as antimicrobial agents is related to the activity of several natural compounds belonging to different chemical families that can act both in synergy with each other and with other antibiotics. The antibiotic resistance detected among pathogens has been quickly increasing in recent years, and the control of some of these microorganisms is becoming a planetary emergency for human and animal health. The control of the microbial growth is a problem of great importance also for the food industry (food deterioration and shelf life extension) and for the world of cultural heritage (indoor and outdoor phenomena of biodeterioration). Essential oils can play an important role in this scenario, due their recognized broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the main subject of this Special Issue includes an essential oil-based approach to control microrganisms in areas such as human and veterinary medicine, entomology, food industry and agriculture. In addition, the chemical composition of essential oils from endemic and rare medicinal/aromatic plants, nanoformulations of essential oils, applications in human and veterinary medicine and its use as animal feeding supplements are topics covered in this Special Issue
Fossil Men
"Riveting. ... Pattison's uncanny ability [is] to write evocatively about science. ... In this, he is every bit as good as the best scientist writers." --New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice) "Brilliant. ... A work of staggering depth." --Minneapolis Star TribuneA decade in the making, Fossil Men is a scientific detective story played out in anatomy and the natural history of the human body: the first full-length account of the discovery of a startlingly unpredicted human ancestor more than a million years older than LucyIt is the ultimate mystery: where do we comefrom? In 1994, a team led by fossil-hunting legend Tim White uncovered a set ofancient bones in Ethiopia's Afar region. Radiometric dating of nearby rocks indicated theresulting skeleton, classified as Ardipithecus ramidus--nicknamed"Ardi"--was an astounding 4.4 million years old, more than a million years olderthan the world-famous "Lucy." The team spent the next 15 years studying thebones in strict secrecy, all while continuing to rack up landmark fossildiscoveries in the field and becoming increasingly ensnared in bitter disputeswith scientific peers and Ethiopian bureaucrats. When finally revealed to thepublic, Ardi stunned scientists around the world and challenged a half-centuryof orthodoxy about human evolution--how we started walking upright, how weevolved our nimble hands, and, most significantly, whether we were descendedfrom an ancestor that resembled today's chimpanzee. But the discovery of Ardi wasn't just a leap forward inunderstanding the roots of humanity--it was an attack on scientific conventionand the leading authorities of human origins, triggering an epic feud about theoldest family skeleton.In Fossil Men, acclaimed journalist Kermit Pattison brings usa cast of eccentric, obsessive scientists, including White, an uncompromisingperfectionist whose virtuoso skills in the field were matched only by hispropensity for making enemies; Gen Suwa, a Japanese savant whose deep expertiseabout teeth rivaled anyone onEarth; Owen Lovejoy, a onetime creationist-turned-paleoanthropologist withradical insights into human locomotion; Berhane Asfaw, who survivedimprisonment and torture to become Ethiopia's most senior paleoanthropologist; Don Johanson, the discoverer of Lucy, who had a rancorous falling out with the Ardi team; andthe Leakeys, for decades the most famous family in paleoanthropology. Based on a half-decade of research in Africa, Europe and North America, Fossil Men is not only a brilliant investigation into theorigins of the human lineage, but the oldest of human emotions: curiosity, jealousy, perseverance and wonder.
Somatosensory Feedback for Neuroprosthetics
Although somatosensory system works in tandem with the motor system in biology, the majority of the prosthetics research and commercial efforts had focused on accommodating movement deficits. With the development of neuroprostheses in the last 15 years, it has become evident that somatosensory input (mainly as touch and proprioception) is essential for motor control, manipulating objects, and embodiment, in addition to its primary role for sensory perception. Somatosensory Feedback for Neuroprosthetics covers all relevant aspects to facilitate learning and doing research and development in the field. To understand the properties of the body to create viable solutions, this book starts with chapters reviewing the basic anatomy, physiology, and psychophysics of the somatosensory system, sensorimotor control, and instrumentation. Some sections are dedicated to invasive (peripheral and central, mainly cortical) and noninvasive (vibrotactile, electrotactile, etc.) approaches. Final chapters cover future technologies such as novel sensors and electrodes, safety, and clinical testing, and help to make up future prospects for this field with an emphasis on development and end use. With contributions from renowned experts, the contents include their recent findings and technical details necessary to understand those findings.
Organelle Genetics in Plants
Chloroplasts in photosynthetic organisms and mitochondria in a vast majority of eukaryotes, contain part of the genetic material of a eukaryotic cell. The organisation and inheritance patterns of this organellar DNA are quite different to that of nuclear DNA. Present-day chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes contain only a few dozen genes. Nevertheless, these organelles harbor several thousand proteins, the vast majority of them encoded by the nucleus. As a result, the expression of nuclear and organelle genomes has to be very precisely coordinated.The selection of experimental and review papers of this book covers a wide range of topics related to chloroplasts and plant mitochondria research, illustrating recent advances and diverse insights into the field of organelle genetics in plants. These works represent some of the latest research on the genetics, genomics, and biotechnology of plant mitochondria and chloroplasts, and they are of significant broad interest for the community of plant scientists, especially for those working in the subjects related to organelle genetics
Applied Biocatalysis in Europe
Applied biocatalysis and biotransformation, that is, the use of enzymes and whole-cell systems in manufacturing processes for synthetic purposes, has been experiencing a clear boom in recent years, which has led to the start of the so-called "fourth wave". In fact, the latest advances in bioinformatics, system biology, process intensification, and, in particular, enzyme-directed evolution (encouraged by the 2018 Nobel Prize awarded to F. Arnold), are widening the range of the efficacy of biocatalysts and accelerating the rate at which new enzymes are becoming available, even for activities not previously known. European scientists have been very actively involved in different aspects of this field. Nine contributions dealing with different aspects of applied biocatalysis developed by European researchers are gathered in this Special Issue
Astrobiology and Cuatro Ci矇negas Basin as an Analog of Early Earth
Astrobiology not only investigates how early life took hold of our planet but also life on other planets - both in our Solar System and beyond - and their potential for habitability. The book take readers from the scars on planetary surfaces made by space rocks to the history of the Solar System narrated by those space rocks as well as exoplanets in other planetary systems. But the true question is how life arose here or elsewhere. Modern comparative genomics has revealed that Darwin was correct; a set of highly conserved genes and cellular functions indicate that all life is related by common ancestry. The Last Universal Common Ancestor or LUCA sits at the base of the Tree of Life. However, once that life took hold, it started to diversify and form complex microbial communities that are known as microbial mats and stromatolites. Due to their long evolutionary history and abundance on modern Earth, research on the biological, chemical and geological processes of stromatolite formation has provided important insights into the field of astrobiology. Many of these microbialite-containing ecosystems have been used as models for astrobiology, and NASA mission analogs including Shark Bay, Pavilion and Kelly Lakes. Modern microbialites represent natural laboratories to study primordial ecosystems and provide proxies for how life could evolve on other planets. However, few viral metagenomic studies (i.e., viromes) have been conducted in microbialites, which are not only an important part of the community but also mirror its biodiversity.This book focuses on particularly interesting sites such as Andean lake microbialites, a proxy of early life since they are characterized by very high UV light, while Alchichica and Bacalar lakes are characterized by high-salt and oligotrophic waters that nurture stromatolites. However, it is only the oasis of Cuatro Ci矇negas Basin in M矇xico that stored past life in its marine sediments of the Sierra de San Marcos. This particular Sierra has a magmatic pouch that moves the deep aquifer to the surface in a cycle of sun drenched life and back to the depths of the magmatic life in an ancient cycle that now is broken by the overexploitation of the surface water as well as the deep aquifer in order to irrigate alfalfa in the desert. The anthropocene, the era of human folly, is killing this unique time machine and with it the memory of the planet.
Manual of Laboratory Practices in Biotechnology
The Biotechnology Laboratory Practice Manual presents 10 Guides, in Industrial Biotechnology the Guides: Acetic Acid Production by Acetobacter sp and Gluconobacter sp bacteria, Acid-Lactic Fermentation: Yogurt Production and Alcoholic Fermentation: Wine Production, In Vitro Cellulase Screening from Penicillium aurantiogriseum, In Vitro Amylase Production Tests with Aspergillus fumigatus, will allow the reader to apply microorganisms in fermentation and enzyme research, in Environmental Biotechnology the Guidelines: Bioassays of Crude Oil Biodegradation with Pseudomonas fluorescens, Antagonistic Potential of Trichoderma harzianum, Biofertilizers for Soy Growth and Development, will stimulate the reader to learn about Bioremediation, Biological Control and Biofertilizers, in Molecular Biology the Guides Extraction of Nuclear DNA from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Extraction of Plasmid DNA from Pseudomonas fluorescens the reader will learn about techniques of DNA extraction from microorganisms.
Green NanoBiotechnolgy
Nanobiotechnology is a discipline in which tools from nanotechnology are developed and applied to study biological phenomena. For example, nanoparticles can serve as probes, sensors or vehicles for biomolecule delivery in cellular systems.This book describes various strategies for the synthesis of green nanoparticles using plant extracts and microbes, including the advantages and disadvantages of different methods and their applications. After discussing strategies for and the potential of green synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles, it highlights the role of the solvent system. The book then explores the stability/toxicity of nanoparticles and the associated-surface engineering techniques for achieving biocompatibility, and examines the antimicrobial efficacy of green nanoparticles with regard to various bacterial pathogens, as well as the underlying cytotoxicity mechanisms.Given its scope, the book will be of interest to all scientists and students wanting to learn more about the synthesis and applications of green nanoparticles.
The Descent of Man
"It has often and confidently been asserted, that man's origin can never be known: but ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science." -Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, (1871)The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1894 edition) with original illustrations by T.W. Wood reveals Charles Darwin's theories of human evolution with particular focus on the argument that sexual competition is the means for natural selection rather than an animal's physical and biological environment. Originally published in 1871, the book was an instant success. It remains a foundation for present-day research as an in-depth exploration noting the differences between the sexes. This book is a must-read for those interested in biology and Darwin's theories of evolution.
Protocols in Actinobacterial Research
I. Sample collection and isolation of actinobacteriao Collection and transportation of sampleso Soilo Sedimento Watero Plantso Insectso Fisheso Animalso Earthwormso Processing and pretreatment of sampleso Soilo Sedimento Watero Plantso Animalso Insectso Earthwormso Fisheso Sample pre-treatment for the isolation of actinobacteriao Physical treatmento Chemical treatmento Biological treatmento Isolation and enumeration of actinobacteria -o Standard spread plate methodo Recover and purification of actinobacterial culturesII. Dereplication and ex situ conservation of actinobacteriao Dereplicationo Colony morphologyo Micromorphologyo FT-IR analysiso RFLP analysiso Ex situ conservationo Slant stocko Glycerol stocko Soil stocko Lyophilisationo Immobilized beadsIII. Characterization and identification of actinobacteriao Phenotypic characterizationo Microscopico Culturalo Physiologicalo Chemotaxonomic analysiso Cell wall amino acidso Cell wall sugarso Cell wall lipidso FAME analysiso Menaquinone analysiso Molecular characterizationo DNA isolationo PCR Amplification of 16s rRNA geneo Sequencingo BLAST analysiso GenBank Submissiono Phylogenetic tree constructionIV. Metagenomic analysis of uncultured actinobacterial diversityo Sample collectiono DNA isolationo Amplificationo Clone library constructiono Sequencingo Metagenomic analysiso GenBank submissionV. Screening of actinobacteria for biological activitieso Screening for antimicrobial activityo Cross streak methodo Agar plug methodo Well diffusiono Disc diffusiono Broth dilution method - MTP Assayo MABAo Screening for antiinfective or anti-inflammatory activityo Screening for anti TB activityo Agar dilutiono LRP assayo Broth dilution methodo Bactec MGIT 960o Screening for anticancer activityo MTT assayo Dual stainingo Neutral red uptake assayo Lactic acid dehydrogenase assayo Tryphan blue uptake assayo DNA fragmentationo Screening for antiviral activityo MTT assayo P24 Assayo Plague assayo Screening for antioxidant activityo DPPH assayo Nitric oxide scavenging activityo Metal chelating assayo Total antioxidant assayo Hydrogen peroxide scavenging assayo Screening for pigment productiono Screening for enzyme inhibitorso Screening for mosquitocidal activityo Screening for enzyme productiono Screening for biosurfactant production - please mention different methodsHemolytic assay, bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbons (BATH) assay, drop collapse assay, oilspreading assay, emulsification assay and surface tension measuremento Screening for Quorum Sensing (QSI)o Screening for sideromycins productiono Screening for antibiofilm activityVI. Production of bioproducts from actinobacteriao Fermentation methodso Agar surface fermentationo Solid state fermentationo Submerged fermentationo Production using immobiliz
The Descent of Man
"It has often and confidently been asserted, that man's origin can never be known: but ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge: it is those who know little, and not those who know much, who so positively assert that this or that problem will never be solved by science." -Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man, (1871)The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex (1894 edition) with original illustrations by T.W. Wood reveals Charles Darwin's theories of human evolution with particular focus on the argument that sexual competition is the means for natural selection rather than an animal's physical and biological environment. Originally published in 1871, the book was an instant success. It remains a foundation for present-day research as an in-depth exploration noting the differences between the sexes. This book is a must-read for those interested in biology and Darwin's theories of evolution.
Cytochromes P450
This book, "Cytochromes P450: Drug Metabolism, Bioactivation and Biodiversity", presents five papers on human cytochrome P450 (CYP) and P450 reductase, three reviews on the role of CYPs in humans and their use as biomarkers, six papers on CYPs in microorganisms, and one study on CYP in insects. The first paper reports the in silico modeling of human CYP3A4 access channels. The second uses structural methods to explain the mechanism-based inactivation of CYP3A4 by mibefradil, 6,7-dihydroxy-bergamottin, and azamulin. The third article compares electron transfer in CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 using structural and biochemical methods, and the fourth uses kinetic methods to study electron transfer to CYP2C8 allelic mutants. The fifth article characterizes electron transfer between the reductase and CYP using in silico and in vitro methods, focusing on the conformations of the reductase. Then, two reviews describe clinical implications in cardiology and oncology and the role of fatty acid metabolism in cardiology and skin diseases. The second review is on the potential use of circulating extracellular vesicles as biomarkers. Five papers analyze the CYPomes of diverse microorganisms: the Bacillus genus, Mycobacteria, the fungi Tremellomycetes, Cyanobacteria, and Streptomyces. The sixth focuses on a specific Mycobacterium CYP, CYP128, and its importance in M. tuberculosis. The subject of the last paper is CYP in Sogatella furcifera, a plant pest, and its resistance to the insecticide sulfoxaflor
Plant Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
The papers included in this Special Issue address a variety of important aspects of plant biodiversity and genetic resources, including definitions, descriptions, and illustrations of different components and their value for food and nutrition security, breeding, and environmental services. Furthermore, comprehensive information is provided regarding conservation approaches and techniques for plant genetic resources, policy aspects, and results of biological, genetic, morphological, economic, social, and breeding-related research activities. The complexity and vulnerability of (plant) biodiversity and its inherent genetic resources, as an integral part of the contextual ecosystem and the human web of life, are clearly demonstrated in this Special Issue, and for several encountered problems and constraints, possible approaches or solutions are presented to overcome these.
P38 Signaling Pathway
p38 Mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) are a highly evolutionary conserved group of protein kinases, which are central for cell adaptation to environmental changes as well as for immune response, inflammation, tissue regeneration, and tumour formation. p38α is the best characterized, whereas the functions of p38β, p38γ and p38δ have been less studied. The four p38MAPKs are ubiquitously expressed, although the level of expression of each isoform varies in particular tissues. Moreover, it is becoming clear that apart from common functions as stress kinases, they perform specific roles in a cell- and tissue-dependent manner, unveiling important functions in physiology and pathology.In this issue we provide an updated view of the p38 signalling pathway, including new regulatory mechanisms, substrates and implication in different diseases. This issue will be of interest to basic researchers working in cell signalling and immunology, to chemical biologists interested in drug discovery and also to clinicians interested in cell signalling pathways
Introduction to Microbiology
This book evolved as a result of my passion to teach microbiology as a course. It is intended specifically as a text to accompany the one semester "Introduction to Microbiology" course taken by National Diploma II (ND II) and 200 Level students of Science Laboratory Technology and Microbiology in Polytechnics and Universities respectively. It attempts a concise presentation of basic facts which can be covered in a three unit course. The text is built around the biology of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi and general methods of studying them. In recent years because of the economic situation of the country (Nigeria), teaching in Nigerian higher institutions has become very difficult due to the non-availability of standard and current text books of avoidable price.
Identification of Fungi Causing Cutaneous Infections
The genus Saprolegnia is one of the most important pathogenic aquatic fungi in farmed and wild fish. In this study, 100 samples were prepared from 10 fish ponds in Sari, Neka, and Behshahr. After cultivation, purification, and macroscopic and microscopic examinations, we were able to isolate the fungi Saprolegnia Parasitka, Saprolegnia, and Aclia. Their prevalence was 48% Parasitica, 38% Saprolegnia, 36% acacia, and 15% other fungi, respectively. Their frequencies are 48 Parasitica, 38 Saprolegnia, 36 Aclias, and 15 other fungi, respectively. Also, in the study of other parameters and their effect on the presence of Saprolegnia, it was observed that the ambient temperature of the water was suitable for the growth of this fungus, and also the pH and salinity of the water also affected the presence of Saprolegnia.
Mechanisms Driving Karyotype Evolution and Genomic Architecture
Understanding of the origin of species and their adaptability to new environments is one of the main questions in biology. This is fueled by the ongoing debate on species concepts and facilitated by the availability of an unprecedented large number of genomic resources. Genomes are organized into chromosomes, where significant variations in number and morphology are observed among species due to large-scale structural variants such as inversions, translocations, fusions, and fissions. This genomic reshuffling provides, in the long term, new chromosomal forms on which natural selection can act upon, contributing to the origin of biodiversity. This book contains mainly articles, reviews, and an opinion piece that explore numerous aspects of genome plasticity among taxa that will help in understanding the dynamics of genome composition, the evolutionary relationships between species and, in the long run, speciation
Legionella Contamination in Water Environment
Legionella spp. are ubiquitous microorganisms that are widely distributed in aquatic environments. Water systems of large buildings, such as hospitals, hotels, and rental units are often contaminated by legionellae and various parameters such as physical, chemical, and microbial building water system characteristics can influence Legionella occurrence. A range of physical and chemical disinfection methods have been proposed to control Legionella contamination; however, to date, the most effective procedures have not been defined. There is a need to survey legionellae in water systems to prevent legionellosis. Although the assessment of L. pneumophila in water is typically performed by culture isolation on selective media, it has several limits. For this reason, alternative tools for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of Legionella in water samples have been proposed. In order to increase knowledge on different aspects of Legionella contamination in the water environment, this book gathers research studies related to the occurrence of Legionella in water systems of different environments; the role of different factors that can influence the Legionella contamination, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of different methodological approaches.
Forest Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability
One of the highest priorities for human societies in the 21st century, under the challenges of predicted great environmental changes, is to conserve all kinds of biodiversity across the planet. Among all the biota that exist on Earth, forest ecosystems demonstrate a high degree of biodiversity, being thought to comprise the most diverse ecosystems, as most of the terrestrial species in the world dwell in these ecosystems. Forest biodiversity is interlinked to a web of socio-economic factors, providing an array of goods and services that range from timber and non-timber forest resources to mitigating climate change and conservation of genetic resources; therefore, it is innately linked to ecosystems and human well-being. However, in recent decades, the decrease in forest biodiversity has been a crucial and ongoing environmental issue that needs special attention and adapted ecosystem management. This Special Issue book on forest biodiversity (FB) includes a selected number of research works from all over the world dealing with emerging issues, for understanding FB and its needs for conservation, ecological processes, disturbances, climate change and ecosystems resilience, structural complexity and ecosystem functions, ecological theories and silvicultural practices, and ecosystems stability. More specifically, it includes papers focused on the indicators and methods for assessing and monitoring forest biodiversity, evaluation of practices, planting and silvicultural treatments, and management and monitoring methods, with an overall goal to provide new insights on forest biodiversity conservation, conservation of forest biodiversity in protected areas, treatments of endangered or threatened forest habitats, and sustainable management of forest resources
Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Development, Cancers and Aging
This Special Issue of Cells on "Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Development, Cancers and Aging" provides a collection of modern articles dealing with the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF1) in cancer biology, aging and development. Featured articles explore basic and clinical aspects of the IGF1 system, including post-genomic analyses as well as novel approaches to target the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) in oncology. The present Special Issue highlights some of the most important topics in the broad area of IGF research, including the role of IGF1 in aging and longevity, attempts to target the IGF1 axis in oncology, the role of IGF-binding proteins, structural aspects of IGF-II, etc. We trust that this assembly of articles will be of great help to students, basic researchers and practitioners
Biocatalysis
This book has been written with the purpose of providing a vision of a topic which is on the edge of biology and chemistry. As well, we want to provide an updated vision of the potentials and limitations of biocatalysis, especially with respect to applications in processes of organic synthesis, fine chemicals, and medicine. This book pretends to illustrate the potential of an excellent overview of recent progress on the assessment of granted patents as a useful tool in asymmetric synthesis. Some distinguished researchers have contributed to this endeavor with their knowledge, their commitment and their encouragement
Paediatric Formulation
The development of paediatric medicines can be challenging since this is a different patient population with specific needs. A medicine designed for use in paediatric patients must consider the following aspects: patient population variability; the need for dose flexibility; route of administration; patient compliance; excipient tolerability. For example, the toxicity of excipients may differ in children compared to adults and children have different taste preferences. Globally, about 75% of drugs do not carry regulatory approval for use in children; worldwide, many medications prescribed for the treatment of paediatric diseases are used off-label, and less than 20% of package inserts have sufficient information for treating children. This book provides an update on both state-of-the-art methodology and operational challenges in paediatric formulation design and development. It aims at re-evaluating what is needed for more progress in the design and development of age-appropriate treatments for paediatric diseases, focusing on: formulation development; drug delivery design; efficacy, safety, and tolerability of drugs and excipients.
Systematics and Conservation of Neotropical Amphibians and Reptiles
This book includes all 14 articles contributed to the Special Issue "Systematics and Conservation of Neotropical Amphibians and Reptiles" in the journal Diversity, originally published in 2019 and 2020.
Functional state of the lymphatic system in circulatory hypoxia
Short-term ischemia-reperfusion of the brain and hind limb in dogs and rats is accompanied by disturbance of rheological properties of blood and organ lymph, which was expressed in shortening their clotting time, increase in viscosity and thrombogenic processes in blood and lymph. An increase in the number of lymphocytes in the jugular, lumbar lymph and in the lymph of the thoracic duct of rats was noted. Inhibition of spontaneous and evoked contractile activity of cervical and popliteal lymph nodes in rats was found in 70% of experiments. In hind limb ischemia, according to rheography readings, a sharp decrease in blood supply to the tissues, a decrease in the amplitude of pulse waves on the rheogram continued on day 14. After 60 days, a tendency toward normalization was found. The use of the drug possessing antioxidant, antihypoxic and neutropenic properties of semax in brain ischemia reduced the negative effect of hypoxia on the functions of the lymphatic system, increased the body's resistance to hypoxia and contributed to the restoration of blood supply to tissues.
Insecticidal plants and agro-homeopathy
Insecticidal plants and homeopathic preparations, such as those obtained from dried seeds of the plant Delphinium staphisagria L. (Ranunculaceae), which contain toxic alkaloids, have received relevant attention from the scientific community and producers, especially with respect to aphid control. However, it is important to present information that can support the implementation of this molecule within an ecologically based pest management program. In this scenario, the present publication aims to report the potential of insecticidal plants and agro-Homeopathy for the ecological control of pests and their potential effects on beneficial organisms.
Mobile Diagnosis 2.0
Mobile sensing and diagnostic capabilities are becoming extremely important for a wide range of emerging applications and fields spanning mobile health, telemedicine, point-of-care diagnostics, global health, field medicine, democratization of sensing and diagnostic tools, environmental monitoring, and citizen science, among many others. The importance of low-cost mobile technologies has been underlined during this current COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for applications such as the detection of pathogens, including bacteria and viruses, as well as for prediction and management of different diseases and disorders. This book focuses on some of these application areas and provides a timely summary of cutting-edge results and emerging technologies in these interdisciplinary fields.
The Amazing World of IDPs in Human Diseases
It is now clearly established that some proteins or protein regions are devoid of any stable secondary and/or tertiary structure under physiological conditions, but still possess fundamental biological functions. These intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) or regions (IDRs) have peculiar features due to their plasticity such as the capacity to bind their biological targets with high specificity and low affinity, and the possibility of interaction with numerous partners. A correlation between intrinsic disorder and various human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, amyloidoses and neurodegenerative diseases is now evident, highlighting the great importance of the topic. In this volume, we have collected recent high-quality research about IDPs and human diseases. We have selected nine papers which deal with a wide range of topics, from neurodegenerative disease to cancer, from IDR-mediated interactions to bioinformatics tools, all related to IDP peculiar features. Recent advances in the IDPs/IDRs issue are here presented, contributing to the progress of knowledge of the intrinsic disorder field in human disease.
Skin-Gut-Breast Microbiota Axes
This book represents the latest research on microbiota axes, with a special focus on the gut-skin axis and the role of microbial breast bacteria on human health communication. This book also contains discussions of the microorganism-derived products that can directly or indirectly be signals for our organs and systems. Gut dysbiosis, representing a disruption of intestinal integrity, can create aberrant physiological conditions (including immunological disorders, intestinal stress, and anxiety-like behavior), as well as high serum levels of microbial metabolites increasing oxidative stress dysfunctions and generalized inflammation.Much research in this field has been carried out in animal models, and establishing whether those findings translate to humans will be crucial but challenging. On the other hand, several studies conducted on humans have evaluated the link between fecal microbiota composition and quality of life by recruiting thousands of participants. As well as identifying bacterial genera associated with higher quality of life, they carried out metagenomic analyses that indicated that the potential of microorganisms to synthesize certain active metabolites, and especially their interrelation, may also correlate with general wellbeing. It is clear that many axes can influence our lives; the most important include "the gut-brain axis" and the "skin-gut-breast axis".Together, the studies presented in this book have laid the foundations for a better understanding of the effects of gut microbiota on skin and on our body in general. The mechanisms that underlie them may represent the ideal focus for the initial efforts to explore the relevance of these axes for human wellbeing.
Relationship between Forest Ecophysiology and Environment
Ecophysiological mechanisms underlie plant responses to environmental conditions and the influence these responses have on ecological patterns and processes. In this Special Issue, with a particular interest in the interactions between climate change, environmental disturbance, and functional ecology, experimental observations are described at a range of spatial scales. A modeling framework is used in an effort to relate mechanistic responses to ecosystem functions and services, and link forest ecophysiology and environmental indicators. This Special Issue collects important advances in studying and monitoring plant-environment interactions, covering biogeographic gradients from Mediterranean woodlands to boreal forests and from Alpine mountains to tropical environments.
Centenarians-A Model to Study the Molecular Basis of Lifespan and Healthspan
People around the world are living longer. For the first time in history, most humans will live to be sixty and beyond. By 2050, the world's population aged 60 and over will reach a total of 2 billion, up from 900 million in 2015. Today, 125 million people are 80 years of age or older. By 2050, there will be 434 million people in this age group worldwide. In addition, the pace of aging of the world population is also increasing. However, there is not enough evidence to show that older people have better health than their parents. While rates of severe disability have declined over the past 30 years (but only in high-income countries), there have been no significant changes in mild to moderate disability over the same period of time. Indeed, the increase in the duration of life (lifespan) does not coincide with the increase in the duration of health (healthspan), that is, the period of life free from serious chronic diseases and disabilities. Therefore, the identification of the factors that predispose to a long and healthy life, as discussed in the papers of this book, is of enormous interest for translational medicine.
The Inheritance of Traits
The Inheritance of Traits: from Genetics to Heredity is an anthology of articles, compiled by 11 authors with topics ranging from the relationship between heredity and genetics to the discovery of the field of genetics and its applications in modern science. Focusing on the contributions of Gregor Mendel, this collection of articles provides detailed explanations of the experiments carried out by Mendel and the important conclusion derived from his work which continue to influence our understanding of genetics today. Tying heredity with our knowledge of evolution and the future of genetics, The Inheritance of Traits: from Genetics to Heredity aims at providing a brief overview of the plethora of knowledge we have obtained thus far on the topics of genetics and heredity.
Understanding Evo-Devo
Why do the best-known examples of evolutionary change involve the alteration of one kind of animal into another very similar one, like the evolution of a bigger beak in a bird? Wouldn't it be much more interesting to understand how beaks originated? Most people would agree, but until recently we didn't know much about such origins. That is now changing, with the growth of the interdisciplinary field evo-devo, which deals with the relationship between how embryos develop in the short term and how they (and the adults they grow into) evolve in the long term. One of the key questions is: can the origins of structures such as beaks, eyes, and shells be explained within a Darwinian framework? The answer seems to be yes, but only by expanding that framework. This book discusses the required expansion, and the current state of play regarding our understanding of evolutionary and developmental origins.
Qtl Mapping in Crop Improvement
QTL Mapping in Crop Improvement: Present Progress and Future Perspectives presents advancements in QTL breeding for biotic and abiotic stresses and nutritional improvement in a range of crop plants. The book presents a roadmap for future breeding for resilience to various stresses and improvement in nutritional quality. Crops such as rice, wheat, maize, soybeans, common bean, and pigeon pea are the major staple crops consumed globally, hence fulfilling the nutritional requirements of global populations, particularly in the under-developed world, is extremely important. Sections cover the challenges facing maximized production of these crops, including diseases, insect damage, drought, heat, salinity and mineral toxicity. Covering globally important crops including maize, wheat, rice, barley, soybean, common bean and pigeon pea, this book will be an important reference for those working in agriculture and crop improvement.
Antibacterial Effect of Berberis Aquifolium Homeopathic Mother Tincture against Biofilm Formers from Dental Plaque
Scientific Study from the year 2021 in the subject Biology - Micro- and Molecular Biology, grade: A, Mahatma Gandhi University (St. Thomas College, Palai), language: English, abstract: Dental infection is being considered as one of the six most widespread non-communicable diseases throughout the world. Berberis aquifolium have shown positive antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory actions in several microbial studies. So, this study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of B. aquifolium against dental biofilm forming Streptococcus mutans and common oral pathogens. The dental caries samples were collected from 5 patients of age group 7-35yrs from Kottayam Dist., Kerala, under aseptic condition. All the collected plate samples were cultured on nutrient, blood and Mitis Salivary Agar plates and colonies were counted. Microbial species were identified on the basis of morphological and biochemical studies. Microbiological assay (agar well diffusion method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to determine inhibition zone against oral pathogens were performed. Thus this study concluded that the ethanolic extracts of B. aquifolium showed significant MIC against S. mutans, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa compared to that of standard drug.
Creation or Evolution
Although I wrote this book from a believer's viewpoint, I tried to be as objective as possible. Above all, I am a seeker of truth. Not truth from a worldview, or truth according to the individual. I believe there is a higher truth, an absolute truth. And I believe truth is found only in the Bible and in the person of Jesus.
Degeneration
A provocative lens on evolution, written with clarity and care that still resonates today. Degeneration: A Chapter In Darwinism opens a door into late Victorian Britain, where science and society walk hand in hand and big questions about heredity, variation, and the meaning of progress unfold with absorbing immediacy. This compact yet substantial work acts as a scientific treatise and a biological essay rolled into one accessible volume. It surveys degeneration in evolution with rigour, while offering a natural history essay's insistence on observation, curiosity, and human consequence. Lankester's examination of heredity and variation sits at the heart of Victorian evolutionary thought, and the book's careful analysis of how science shapes social life makes it a compelling general reader overview as well as an indispensable academic study guide for students and teachers. Its literary and historical significance is enduring: a touchstone in British scientific culture that illuminates how scholars, clinicians and poets alike were asking what evolution meant for society. For casual readers and classic-literature collectors alike, this is more than a reprint-it is a restored cultural treasure, out of print for decades and now revived by Alpha Editions to engage today's readers and future generations. A careful, priceless addition to any library.
Visual Attention-Related Processing
Visual attention is essential for environmental interactions, but our ability to respond to stimuli gradually declines across the lifespan, and such deficits are even more pronounced in various states of cognitive impairment. Examining the integrity of related components, from elements of attention capture to executive control, will improve our understanding of related declines by helping to explain behavioural and neural effects, which will ultimately contribute towards our knowledge of the extent of dysfunctional attention processes and their impact upon everyday life. Accordingly, this Special Issue represents a body of literature that fundamentally advances insights into visual attention processing, featuring studies spanning healthy ageing, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia
What in the World is Diabetes?
Well revised research on the exploration of diabetes. This book discusses the history, invention, and potential future of diabetes and diabetical research. It reveals recent breakthroughs in technology which show effective ways of understanding diabetes and avoiding safety concerns. It also gives a scientific, controversial and popular culture perspective. In this research novel, it navigates the importance of therapies and treatments regarding diabetes. This novel explores the ins and outs of a person with diabetes on a day to day. It gives an extensive overview of what is needed to know and continue with the exploration of diabetes.
What in the World are X-Rays?
Well revised research of the concept of X-rays. This book discusses the history, invention, and potential future of X-rays. It reveals recent breakthroughs in technology which show effective ways of understanding X-rays and avoiding safety concerns. It also gives a scientific, controversial, and popular culture perspective. In this research novel, it navigates the importance of the therapies and ideas surrounding X-rays. It gives an extensive overview of what is needed to know and continue with the exploration of X-rays.
Understanding Evo-Devo
Why do the best-known examples of evolutionary change involve the alteration of one kind of animal into another very similar one, like the evolution of a bigger beak in a bird? Wouldn't it be much more interesting to understand how beaks originated? Most people would agree, but until recently we didn't know much about such origins. That is now changing, with the growth of the interdisciplinary field evo-devo, which deals with the relationship between how embryos develop in the short term and how they (and the adults they grow into) evolve in the long term. One of the key questions is: can the origins of structures such as beaks, eyes, and shells be explained within a Darwinian framework? The answer seems to be yes, but only by expanding that framework. This book discusses the required expansion, and the current state of play regarding our understanding of evolutionary and developmental origins.
COVID-19
An urgent case for how we could have stopped the Covid-19 pandemic--and how to make sure it never happens again "MacKenzie's fascinating book gives us the scope and scale to be able to put this pandemic in perspective and, it begs the question, will we learn from this in time to prevent to next one?"--Molly Caldwell Crosby, bestselling author of The American Plague. *Named one of the Best Science Books of the Year by the Financial Times*The Covid-19 pandemic has left a trail of loss, misery, and economic ruin in its wake. With such destruction, can there be any silver lining? As veteran science journalist Debora MacKenzie illuminates in this captivating, acclaimed book, there is one: with the lessons learned from this disaster, we can stop it from happening again. Here, in this fully revised and updated edition, she lays out the full story in accessible, gripping detail: the previous viruses that should have prepared us, the shocking public health failures that led to this catastrophe, the wrong decisions made at every turn. And employing what we have learned about viruses, vaccines, inequality, global cooperation, and more, she charts a bold, optimistic path forward for protecting humanity from threats to come. There is no question that more viruses are on the way, and we are still unprepared. But if we learn from our mistakes and heed the vision MacKenzie lays out in this book, we might avoid going through a nightmare like this - or worse - ever again.
Aromatic C(sp2)-H Dehydrogenative Coupling Reactions
This comprehensive text covers the research and development trends in the growing field of aromatic C-H dehydrogenative coupling reactions, leading to different types of heterocycles. The author provides answers to how these coupling reactions occur, what kinds of heterocycles are synthesized, and what their advantages are. The palladium-, rhodium-, iridium-, copper-, cobalt-, ruthenium-, and ferric-catalyzed aromatic C(sp2)-H dehydrogenative cross-coupling reactions are described in detail. A useful reference source for researchers and graduates in the field of heterocyclic chemistry and transition-metal-catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling reactions.Features: Comprehensive volume on the synthesis of benzo-heterocycles via aromatic C(sp2)-H bond activation. Heterocycles are of paramount importance to medicinal chemistry and drug discovery. Provides a comprehensive literature survey on the construction of heterocycles. Reaction procedures and mechanistic explanations are included, which will appeal to those in fine chemicals and pharmaceutical companies.
Nature Remade
"Engineering" has firmly taken root in the entangled bank of biology even as proposals to remake the living world have sent tendrils in every direction, and at every scale. Nature Remade explores these complex prospects from a resolutely historical approach, tracing cases across the decades of the long twentieth century. These essays span the many levels at which life has been engineered: molecule, cell, organism, population, ecosystem, and planet. From the cloning of agricultural crops and the artificial feeding of silkworms to biomimicry, genetic engineering, and terraforming, Nature Remade affirms the centrality of engineering in its various forms for understanding and imagining modern life. Organized around three themes--control and reproduction, knowing as making, and envisioning--the chapters in Nature Remade chart different means, scales, and consequences of intervening and reimagining nature.
Lycopene and Tomatoes in Human Nutrition and Health
Lycopene is a potent antioxidant carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables; particularly high amounts exist in red tomatoes. It is not an essential nutrient for humans but can be a potential agent for preventing some types of cancers. Recently there has been renewed interest in lycopene's uses as an effective nutraceutical, playing roles in huma
Biological Processing of Solid Waste
This book covers fundamentals, technologies, and management of biological processing of solid waste. It discusses kinetic modeling and synergistic impact evolution during bioprocessing of solid waste, environmental impacts, energy recovery from solid waste, and biodrying of solid waste.
