Chitosan, Chitosan Derivatives and Their Applications
"Chitosan, Chitosan Derivatives and Their Applications" is devoted to the latest advances in research on chitosan-based systems and focuses on highlighting scientific discoveries carried out in leading laboratories around the world. This topic is a developing field of science, but a very promising one in terms of practical applications. The manuscripts included in this book focus on all aspects of the production, modification, enzymology and application of chitin/chitosan-based systems. The reprint is divided into two parts, each of which begins with an overview article. The first half of the collected articles concerns with the application potential in agricultural and nutritional sciences. The second part covers medical and pharmaceutical applications. At the end of the presented series, several articles devoted to the synthesis and characterization of chitosan-based materials were collected. All mentioned articles (21 in total) represent a high scientific level and the latest trends in research on chitin, chitosan and their derivatives. I wish you a pleasant read.
In Vitro Technology and Micropropagated Plants
Propagation of horticultural plants through in vitro culture has become a viable alternative to conventional propagation methods worldwide. Rapid production of true-to-type and disease-free plants in controlled laboratory conditions, in a small space, in a short time, and regardless of seasonality are especially desired for producing cuttings for commercial purposes in horticulture. On the other hand, in vitro culture is an important tool in plant breeding, as well as in plant conservation and long-term storage. This reprint contains an anthology of studies regarding the latest advancements in the field of in vitro culture of horticultural plants. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how this technology is shaping the future of crop improvement and horticulture. The reprint not only highlights the remarkable progress made in in vitro technology, but also emphasizes ongoing efforts to overcome issues related to somaclonal variations, virus elimination, and acclimatization of micropropagated plants.
Fermented Beverages Revisited
This collection of articles contributes to our understanding of the production and quality of fermented beverages. It includes high-quality articles on the physicochemical and microbiological characterization of fermented beverages, the effects of climate change and mitigation strategies, their quality improvement, and the development of new products. The novelty of the studies, their clear and comprehensive presentation, and the accurate and in-depth discussion of the results ensure that this collection of articles will become a valuable asset in the study of fermented beverages.
Effect of Climate Change on Salmonid Fishes in Rivers
Climate change poses threats to salmonid fishes causing their populations to decline and inducing sub-lethal effects. Increases in temperature change aquatic habitats and opportunities for fish to feed and find shelter. This Special Issue documents how these alterations influence salmonid populations. Across ten papers, leading ecologists from Europe and North America have exhibited how climate warming has influenced the ecology of salmonids in terms of their metabolic rates, development, growth, body size, sexual maturation, and reproductive traits. Climate change also influences their behaviors, including migrations, intraspecific competition, and predation. For instance, salmonids avoid warm stressful temperatures by seeking out cold tributary plumes, groundwater springs, alcoves and hyporheic upwellings, deep lakes, and artificial impoundments. Elevated temperatures affect their physiological, genetic, and epigenetic processes, which are important for their adaptations. This volume also lists examples of how climate change influences interspecific predation, and via mathematical modelling, it shows how climate conditions influence competition between trout and salmon in rivers. The authors have also revealed major research gaps related to species interactions, behavioral responses, and the effects of climate change across the fishes' life stages. This collection of research papers may also help managers in performing better salmonid management in a changing climate.
Integrating Science into Aquatic Conservation
As a key support for human survival and development, how to protect aquatic ecosystems is a hotspot of global concern. This Special Issue was built with the hope of providing scientific references for the conservation of aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Papers cover both freshwater and marine ecosystems, focusing on a single species and multiple species or specific ecosystems. For single-species studies mainly used molecular tools and statistic models to focus on the evolutionary relationships among species, the differentiations among populations within species, and the responses of species to the environment changes. The results of these studies shed light on the evolution, spatial dispersal, and future changes of these species and provided recommendations for the management of population dynamics in these study populations. In multi-species research, biophysical modeling, acoustic technology, and ground surveys were mainly used to predict biodiversity in ecosystems, spatial distribution of different species, and population connectivity among communities. The results of these multi-species studies revealed the spatial patterns of biodiversity, community composition, and ecological corridors from different perspectives, which offer a direct reference for the selection and delineation of marine protected areas. In summary, these papers utilized different tools to reveal the changes or threads faced by important components of water ecosystems from the micro to macro level and provide scientific advice for the conservation and management of protected animals and ecosystems on different spatial scales from local to global.
Nano/Micro Biosensors for Biomedical Applications
Recent advances in nano/microtechnologies have significantly enhanced biosensors in terms of their viability for biomedical purposes, from diagnostic to therapeutic applications, and enabled the development of effective early detection and personalized treatment modalities. Specifically, the introduction of a variety of nano/microtechnologies has offered new opportunities to improve the sensitivity, selectivity, response time, and biocompatibility of biosensors through outstanding physical, chemical, electrical and electrochemical properties. Of great interest, this Special Issue aims to highlight the most recent and promising nano/microtechnologies utilized in the development of biosensors for biomedical applications. Thus, here we cordially organize 10 original research papers and reviews aligned with these themes that present novel approaches to the development of next-generation biosensors for biomedical applications.
Advances in Brassica Crops Genomics and Breeding
Brassica crops include vegetable, oil, ornamental and condimental crops. Many of these, such as Chinese cabbage, cabbage and rapeseed, are important crops cultivated globally. Brassica species are unique not only because of their economic importance but also because of the domestication of extreme morphological types, such as leafy heading, root/stem enlarging and florescence heading, in these species. Moreover, Brassica species represent several important polyploidization events, including paleo-, meso- and present polyploidization, which make them ideal as model species for the investigation of polyploidization. With the fast progress that we are making in sequencing technologies, a number of genomes of Brassica crops species have been sequenced, and several high-quality chromosome scale assemblies have been obtained. Moreover, the large-scale resequencing data of germplasm resources of B. rapa, B. oleracea and B. napus have been made available, which allow GWAS and domestication analysis in these important crops. This Special Issue contains studies and reviews focusing on Genomic Exploration, Functional Genomics and Molecular Marker-Assisted Breeding in Brassica crops. These research findings will contribute to advancements in breeding research conducted on Brassica crops.
Circular Bioeconomy
Circular Bioeconomy is a concept becoming an integral part of industrial green technological processes, whereby residues are considered as novel resources and a new sustainable closed model based on high-value applications of biomass is developed. In the field of food technology, the scientific community is undertaking efforts to utilize food processing by-products as highly sustainable resources for the production of food packaging materials and bioactive compounds. Thus, multiple research groups are currently engaged in the complete valorization of food wastes into alternative feedstocks for monomers and intermediates to produce biopolymers and green composites, as well as in the extraction and purification of antioxidants, natural preservatives or antimicrobials to enrich food quality and ensure food safety. This Reprint aims to compile the most recent advances in the processes and materials concerning with the valorization of food wastes, as well as the conversion of food residues into new nutrients and innovative solutions for food preservation.
Biology and Ecology of Eels
This reprint is a collection of 11 peer-reviewed articles that focus on the biology and ecology of eels. This reprint addresses the current advances and challenges in eel studies, including both the European eel, Anguilla anguilla, and the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. The reprint comprises a high diversity of selected topics on the interface between fundamental science and the management of eel resources. Topics range from genomics and environmental DNA used to detect the presence of eels and ascertain eel biomass to observations of eel abundance based on catches. Other topics addressed include the study of the swimbladder function, assessing migration patterns in estuaries, eel reproduction, the effect of water pollution, otolith studies, and the optimization of the design of passage facilities for juvenile European eel (Anguilla anguilla).
Effects of Processing on Food Composition, Nutritional Value and Sensory Quality
Food is subjected to various treatments and processes before human consumption, which have an effect on the food's shelf life, nutritional value, and sensory qualities. This Special Issue reprint contains studies regarding cold storage, refrigeration, freezing, fermentation, cold plasma, cooking, shaping, reforming, and packaging. These methods were applied during the processing of vegetables, fruit, dairy, oils, meats, seeds, marine foods, beverages, and other food items. This Special Issue reprint is designed for food scientists, technologists, food industry workers, dietitians, and nutritionists, as well as research scientists.
Genetics, Genomics, and Breeding of Legume Crops
Legume crops are grown worldwide and provide a major source of protein, oil, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and dietary minerals. Legume crops also play an important role in international trade. Genetic improvement has been a key to the growth of crop production, and it continuously contributes to sustainable agriculture and food security. Presently, plant genetic improvement is in the middle of evolution from field-based traditional breeding to a new era of application of multiple novel techniques such as marker-assisted selection, genomic prediction, and gene editing, which are integrated with conventional methods in practical breeding. This Reprint contains fifteen research articles and a review paper that address a wide range of research topics in legume crops. The research involved all the traits of importance, including yield, quality, resistance to pests and diseases, and abiotic stresses. This Reprint can be used as a source of information for future work.
Environmental Toxicology and Human Health
Humans and animals may be exposed on a continuous daily basis to a mixture of environmental contaminants that may cause adverse consequences. This Topic focuses on environmental pollutants including heavy metals, pesticides, nanoparticles, micro-nanoplastics, indoor air pollutants, pharmaceuticals, and industrial toxicants with effects on human health, risk assessment, and the relationship between various diseases and environmental pollutants. The aim of this Topic is to present a comprehensive overview of various studies carried out with in vivo and in vitro model organisms and the potential risks posed by environmental pollutants to human health. In this Topic, 20 original articles, 6 reviews and 1 communication are collected, with a particular focus on alcohol-based hand sanitizers, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, monochromatic light pollution, paraben as an endocrine disruptor, heavy metal pollution attributed to the antimony and arsenic found in mines in soil, water, and sediments, groundwater with high fluoride levels, the transmission of viruses due to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems of urban subways, chronic home radon exposure, organotin compounds, heavy metal pollutants, polypropylene microplastics, ventral body wall defects in chick embryos, microcystin-LR as an aquatic toxin, N-nitroso compounds, methylmercury as a global pollutant, triazine herbicides, persistent organic pollutants, bisphenol A and trace metals, autophagy, nano- and micro-sized polystyrene particles, tributyltin as an environmental contaminant, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Henry Gray's Anatomy
A scientific and artistic triumph, Gray's Anatomy is one of the most iconic anatomical texts ever to be printed. Rediscover the original 1858 text and illustrations republished in this stunning tribute to the renowned work. One of the most distinguished texts on medical anatomy, the thoroughly illustrated pages of Gray's Anatomy have provided generations of readers with an invaluable reference to the human form. The volume was originally produced in 1858 by two young medical professionals, Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter, as an accessible manual for medical students. Over the past two centuries, its practical approach to the subject has proved essential in the teachings of physiology, establishing a legacy like no other. A must-have for medical students and artists alike, this latest addition to the Art Meets Science Collection features the original text and illustrations from the first edition in 1858. This edition breathes new life into the early work while preserving the charm of this beloved classic of human anatomy.
Henry Gray's Anatomy
A scientific and artistic triumph, Gray's Anatomy is one of the most iconic anatomical texts ever to be printed. Rediscover the original 1858 text and illustrations republished in this stunning tribute to the renowned work. One of the most distinguished texts on medical anatomy, the thoroughly illustrated pages of Gray's Anatomy have provided generations of readers with an invaluable reference to the human form. The volume was originally produced in 1858 by two young medical professionals, Henry Gray and Henry Vandyke Carter, as an accessible manual for medical students. Over the past two centuries, its practical approach to the subject has proved essential in the teachings of physiology, establishing a legacy like no other. A must-have for medical students and artists alike, this latest addition to the Art Meets Science Collection features the original text and illustrations from the first edition in 1858. This edition breathes new life into the early work while preserving the charm of this beloved classic of human anatomy.
Cells, 2nd edition
A complete curriculum about the anatomy and physiology of (animal) cells designed for ages 10 to 16. The first half of the book is a 100-page student section with ten chapters that are written in a lively and engaging style, with occasional inserts of cartoon characters to encourage the readers. The science topics covered are high school level, but the author intends to reach a younger audience with the concepts. There are comprehension questions and other written activities at the end of each chapter. The last half of the book is a 100-page teacher's section with activity ideas for each chapter. The range of activities includes paper crafts with patterns for cut and assemble models, edible crafts, and other crafts that use items such as chenille stems and plastic balls, card games, relay races, a song, a few lab experiments, and a list of virtual labs and supplemental videos.
Bacteriophage Therapy
The spreading antibiotic resistance of bacteria is one of the most important challenges of modern medicine, and a search for methods that could replace conventional treatments of bacterial infections is urgently needed. Bacteriophage therapy is considered one of the most important alternatives to commonly applied antibacterial strategies.This Special Issue, titled "Bacteriophage Therapy: Recent Developments and Applications of a Renaissance Weapon", collected eleven articles focused on different aspects of phage therapy. It includes five original articles, two case studies, and four reviews presenting research on the application of phages against pathogens posing a serious threat to human health, such as Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio cholerae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The published articles also relate to the practical aspects of phage application, such as the development of modern phage carriers or the employment of mathematical tools for predicting bacteriophage features and their antibacterial potential. Furthermore, an important research topic discussed in this Special Issue is the application of phages in food safety, where phages could potentially replace routinely used antibacterials.
Genome Editing in Bacteria (Part 1)
This reference is a comprehensive review of genome editing in bacteria. The multi-part book meticulously consolidates research findings and insights on the applications of bacteria across several industries, including food processing and pharmaceutical development. The book covers four overarching themes for readers: a historical perspective of genome editing, genome editing in probiotics, applications of genome editing in agricultural microbiology and genetic engineering in environmental microbiology. The editors have also compiled chapters that provide an in-depth analysis of gene regulation and metabolic engineering through genome editing tools for specific bacteria. Key topics in part 1: - An Overview of advances in CRISPR-CAS research - Applications of CRISPR/CAS9-based genome editing for industrial microorganisms - Gut microbiome modulation to address gut dysbiosis - Bifidobacterium genome editing for probiotic development and metabolic engineering. - Insights into the use of lactic acid bacteria as starter cultures in the food - Genome editing of vegetable-derived L. Plantarum - Genome editing in Bacillus Licheniformis Genome Editing in Bacteria is a definitive reference for scholars, researchers and industry professionals navigating the forefront of bacterial genomics.
Grassland and Pasture Ecological Management and Utilization
Grassland ecological management and utilization is a hot topic which attracts grassland scientists around the world, and this reprint focuses on research related to the management and utilization of traditional grasslands, the restoration and management of degraded grasslands, and grassland conservation. This reprint contains empirical studies and systematic reviews regarding grassland effective management and sustainability. It includes the management of grassland species, grassland production, grassland grazing, grassland nutrients, grassland restoration, and other topics. We hope that it will serve as a meaningful resource which provides valuable insights and evidence-based strategies for anyone interested in sustainable grassland management.
Feature Papers in Section Biosensors 2023
This reprint, based on the Special Issue, provides a general overview of different biosensors, briefly explaining the general approaches to identifying them, their construction, and their performance. A discussion concerning how the required components of biosensors are combined to perform analytical work is presented. Different signal-transducing mechanisms are discussed, particularly those addressing the immobilization of biomolecular components in the vicinity of a transducer interface, and their functional integration with electronic or optical devices.
Attractors and Higher Dimensions in Population and Molecular Biology
Origin of Life in Chemically Complex Messy Environments
This is a collection of original research articles, reviews, communications, opinions, hypotheses, and concept papers summarizing advances related to the origin of life in various complex chemical and prebiotically feasible environments.
Recent Advances in Biomedical Imaging
Biomedical imaging has arguably demonstrated the most rapid advancements in the entire biomedical field in the recent decade. Besides the expansion of established imaging instrumentation into broader applications in tissue, cellular, and molecular diagnostic imaging, there have been substantial modifications in the imaging protocols that have progressed the capabilities of these existing imaging modalities. Technological advancements are stimulating further novel approaches in diagnosis and in the measurement, as well as monitoring, of treatment outcomes. The adaptation of innovations in imaging technologies, methods, and protocols for broader applications is often limited by the inability to share them with investigators outside their original field. Therefore, it is crucial to facilitate the sharing of such advances in biomedical imaging that occur in a particular field with other areas. A broader vision exploring the full potential of an innovation often requires adding a new, perhaps outside, perspective. This Special Issue of Bioengineering aims to serve as a medium for such interdisciplinary exchange and the expansive stimulation of innovative applications, perhaps through facilitating new collaborations between various fields and investigators. Therefore, the next big thing in biomedical imaging may stem from diverse minds finding new ways forward.
Plants Responses to Climate Change
Climate change is expected to have a wide range of impacts on plant physiology and metabolism, soil fertility and carbon sequestration, and microbial diversity and activity. This imposes direct limitations on plant growth, fertility, and productivity. To promote the sustainability of ecosystems, efforts are needed to enhance our knowledge of molecules that govern key processes that may play a role in stress resilience mechanisms in plants. In this context, this book covers basic and applied innovative research aimed at understanding the molecular mechanisms associated with plant responses to abiotic stresses, including drought, cold, heat, high light, and salinity. Taken together, the new information provided in these manuscripts not only increases our understanding of the molecular basis of plants' adaptive responses but also provides key fundamentals for the future successful selection and breeding of tolerant crops.
Impact of Climate Warming and Disturbances on Forest Ecosystems
The Special Issue (SI) titled "Impact of climate warming and disturbances on forest ecosystems" underscores the critical importance of understanding how forests respond to environmental challenges and past management. The rapid pace of climate change is altering disturbance patterns and the adaptability of forests. Some key outputs of this SI include evidence on how climate change is already impacting forest ecosystems. The climatic envelope of many forest species has shifted due to global warming, making species more vulnerable, especially those in lower elevations and those at the edges of their distribution. Urgent adaptive measures in forest management are necessary to address this challenge. Climate change also affects vegetation phenology, tree growth, stand productivity, reproduction rates, and stand regeneration.
Neurodegenerative Disease
Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous, largely age-related group of disorders, characterised by the progressive degeneration or death of neurons in the central or peripheral nervous system. The prevalence of these diseases is increasing, in part due to the ageing of the population, with a consequent growing economic burden on healthcare systems. Although, in some cases, these diseases can be managed with treatments, current therapies are mostly symptomatic, do not address the underlying cause of the disease and have little or no effect on disease progression.This Special Issue aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the progress made in research into neurodegenerative diseases, from understanding the molecular basis, to establishing more effective diagnostic tools, to developing new therapies. Some papers focus on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, motor neuron disease and Huntington's disease. Others address more general aspects of neurodegeneration, ranging from the common mechanisms of cellular damage to the role of dietary effects on the nervous system. Overall, this Special Issue highlights the continuing efforts of the scientific community to unravel the molecular basis of disease onset and progression, to achieve earlier diagnosis, to identify novel therapeutic targets and, ultimately, to develop more effective therapies to counteract the progression of these still fatal diseases.
Unique Sequence Signatures in Plant Lipolytic Enzymes
Lipids are biomolecules that constitute a significant amount of biomass in the earth, and plant lipids are rapidly growing in interest due to their roles in improving food technology, medicine, nutrition, and biotechnology. With recent advances in protein chemistry, biochemistry, and enzymology promoting research on lipolytic enzymes, it is important for research to address the mechanisms of such enzymes and their diverse functions. Unique Sequence Signatures in Plant Lipolytic Enzymes: Emerging Research and Opportunities provides innovative insights into the biochemistry of plant lipases and phospholipases as well as their structures and catalytic mechanisms. The book explores the conserved domains and motifs of plant lipolytic enzymes by identifying the main residues involved in the catalysis in the enzymes and the phylogeny of important plant lipolytic enzymes, as well as calculating the evolutionary distance in those enzymes. Organized into six chapters, it is a vital reference source for researchers, chemists, biologists, academicians, practitioners, medical professionals, engineers, and graduate students.
Salamanders
This Special Issue gathers a collection of 10 recent studies focused on multiple aspects of salamanders, from life history traits to conservation assessments, encompassing the wide variability in their distribution, ecology, behavior, and multiple phenotypic traits.
RNA Viruses and Antibody Response
This Special Issue comprises 14 original studies and 2 reviews, and will serve as a platform to further the current knowledge of antibody responses against RNA virus infections. Infectious diseases represent one of the major public health concerns on the global level.The emergence and re-emergence of different RNA viruses (influenza, SARS-CoV-1, MERS, CHIKV, Zika and SARS-CoV-2) remain a major concern for public health control worldwide[1,2]. In every disease outbreak, valuable knowledge about virus-host interactionscan be learnt to better manage and control the spread of RNA virus diseases.
Artificial Chemistries
An introduction to the fundamental concepts of the emerging field of Artificial Chemistries, covering both theory and practical applications. The field of Artificial Life (ALife) is now firmly established in the scientific world, but it has yet to achieve one of its original goals: an understanding of the emergence of life on Earth. The new field of Artificial Chemistries draws from chemistry, biology, computer science, mathematics, and other disciplines to work toward that goal. For if, as it has been argued, life emerged from primitive, prebiotic forms of self-organization, then studying models of chemical reaction systems could bring ALife closer to understanding the origins of life. In Artificial Chemistries (ACs), the emphasis is on creating new interactions rather than new materials. The results can be found both in the virtual world, in certain multiagent systems, and in the physical world, in new (artificial) reaction systems. This book offers an introduction to the fundamental concepts of ACs, covering both theory and practical applications. After a general overview of the field and its methodology, the book reviews important aspects of biology, including basic mechanisms of evolution; discusses examples of ACs drawn from the literature; considers fundamental questions of how order can emerge, emphasizing the concept of chemical organization (a closed and self-maintaining set of chemicals); and surveys a range of applications, which include computing, systems modeling in biology, and synthetic life. An appendix provides a Python toolkit for implementing ACs.
Sustainable Development of STEAM and Mathematics Education with Active and Innovative Methodology
In this Special Issue, we aim to publish articles, reviews, short notes, etc., on active and innovative approaches towards methodologies and advanced research relating to sustainable STEAM and mathematics education. We encouraged theoretical, methodological, and empirical research on teaching and learning, competencies and assessment, policy, program development and implementation, instructor preparation, community- and project-based learning, institutional collaborations and partnerships, and other relevant topics. Particular focus was also directed towards active and innovative teaching and learning approaches and methodologies that have been substantiated to be relevant to sustainable STEAM and mathematics education, such as flipped classrooms, blended learning, escape rooms, gamification, technology-based classrooms, future classrooms, virtual reality, e-learning and online-learning, project-based learning, service learning, inclusive learning, etc.
So Simple a Beginning
A biophysicist reveals the hidden unity behind nature's breathtaking complexity The form and function of a sprinting cheetah are quite unlike those of a rooted tree. A human being is very different from a bacterium or a zebra. The living world is a realm of dazzling variety, yet a shared set of physical principles shapes the forms and behaviors of every creature in it. So Simple a Beginning shows how the emerging new science of biophysics is transforming our understanding of life on Earth and enabling potentially lifesaving but controversial technologies such as gene editing, artificial organ growth, and ecosystem engineering. Raghuveer Parthasarathy explains how four basic principles--self-assembly, regulatory circuits, predictable randomness, and scaling--shape the machinery of life on scales ranging from microscopic molecules to gigantic elephants. He describes how biophysics is helping to unlock the secrets of a host of natural phenomena, such as how your limbs know to form at the proper places, and why humans need lungs but ants do not. Parthasarathy explores how the cutting-edge biotechnologies of tomorrow could enable us to alter living things in ways both subtle and profound. Featuring original artwork by the author, this sweeping tour of biophysics offers astonishing new perspectives on how the wonders of life can arise from so simple a beginning.
Implementation of Automated Urinary Sediment Analyzer UF1000
Comparative work of Urinary Sediment between data obtained in automated platform, Roche UF 1000 flow cytometer versus the gold standard optical microscopy method. This work was carried out with raw data from known patients whose expected results allowed us to define the non-pathological sample parameters obtained in automated equipment. The experience was enriching, working with trained laboratory personnel, using standardized guidelines for urine preparation for microscopic observation and obtaining highly efficient and reliable results. The new protocol was applied to the reports received by the physician.
Novel Antiviral Agents
This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open access journal Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915) entitled "Novel Antiviral Agents: Synthesis, Molecular Modelling Studies and Biological Investigation".
Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs- Evolution- and Life on Earth
**An Amazon Best Science Book of 2024** An expansive investigation into the most unifying and enduring structure in the history of life--and a story of biological richness at a moment when so much of our precious biodiversity hangs in the balance. Eggs are the origins of 90 percent of the Earth's organisms. They can be found as far apart as deep-sea volcanoes and in space. Yet despite their fundamental importance, eggs often find themselves an afterthought in the discussion of evolution of life on Earth as the interests of scientists congregate around the things that emerge from eggs rather than the eggs themselves. In his new book Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs, Evolution, and Life on Earth, Jules Howard explains--with great passion, authority, expertise, and infectious enthusiasm--why it's time to give eggs their moment in the spotlight: it is the eggs that can teach us new and surprising lessons about Earth's history, the trials of life, and the exceptional ways in which natural selection operates to propagate the survival of individual species. Infinite Life: The Revolutionary Story of Eggs, Evolution, and Life on Earth, offers a wholly new perspective on the animal kingdom, and, indeed, life on Earth. By examining eggs from their earliest histories to the very latest fossilized discoveries--encompassing the myriad changes and mutations of eggs from the evolution of yolk, to the hard eggshells of lost dinosaurs, to the animals that have evolved to simultaneously give birth to eggs and live young--Howard reveals untold stories of great diversity and majesty to shed light on the huge impact that egg science has on our lives.
Computational Epigenomics and Epitranscriptomics
This volume details state-of-the-art computational methods designed to manage, analyze, and generally leverage epigenomic and epitranscriptomic data. Chapters guide readers through fine-mapping and quantification of modifications, visual analytics, imputation methods, supervised analysis, and integrative approaches for single-cell data. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and thorough, Computational Epigenomics and Epitranscriptomics aims to provide an overview of epiomic protocols, making it easier for researchers to extract impactful biological insight from their data.
Polyploidy
This volume provides protocols on evidence for polyploidy and how it can be unveiled. Chapters guide readers through evolutionary experiments, measure effects of polyploidy, evidence for (remnants of) ancient WGDs, models of chromosome number evolution, population genomics approaches to study polyploidy, analysing genetic data from polyploid populations, Phylogenetic and phylogenomic methods, gene expression, gene regulation, unicellular alga (Chlamydomonas), and a fast-growing duckweed (Spirodela). Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Polyploidy: Method and Protocols aims to be of interest to experimental and computational (evolutionary) biologists, molecular biologists, and biotechnologists.
Animal Cell Culture: Principles and Practice
This introductory guide provides novice researchers and lab students with a thorough step-by-step approach to standard animal cell culture techniques. Coverage includes lab safety and best practices, sterility management, preparation, ethical considerations, and troubleshooting for common pain points. This is an up-to-date, indispensable handbook for early-career researchers and students, as well as established scientists in biotechnology, cell and developmental biology, pharmaceutical toxicology, cytogenetics, and more.
Computation to Fight SARS-CoV-2 (CoVid-19)
This is a reprint of articles from the Special Issue published online in the open-access journal Computation (ISSN 2079-3197) titled Computation to Fight SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). This reprint contains articles concerning the last pandemic health emergency, considering the period 2020-2023.
The Role of Tropics in Climate Change
The Role of Tropics in Climate Change: Global Case Studies uses a 20-chapter, easy-to-understand format to centralize the practical application ideas for functional metagenomics. This important resource not only includes chapters on next-generation sequencing technologies to study important biogeochemical cycles, degradation pathways and detoxification, but also gives insight into several tools that have been developed to integrate metadata and sequence data, allowing downstream comparative analyses of different datasets using several ecological indices. The book further explains newly developed techniques for sequencing DNA, generating shorter fragments than Sanger sequencing techniques to quickly read larger sequences in a shorter amount of time.
The Role of Natural Products on Diabetes Mellitus Treatment
The utilization of medicinal plants in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) holds significant promise due to their diverse bioactive compounds. These plants have been historically acknowledged for their potential in managing DM and its complications. They often contain secondary metabolites with inherent hypoglycemic properties, aiding in regulating blood glucose levels. Several plants and secondary metabolites have shown effectiveness in improving insulin sensitivity, enhancing glucose uptake, and mitigating the adverse effects associated with DM. For instance, bitter melon (Momordica charantia) contains charantin and polypeptide-p, both known for their hypoglycemic effects. Additionally, fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) exhibits hypoglycemic properties attributed to the presence of trigonelline and diosgenin.The complex array of bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants offers a multifaceted approach to managing DM. Flavonoids, alkaloids, polyphenols, and terpenoids found in these plants exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation effects, mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation often associated with diabetic complications.This Special Issue highlights the role of natural products in the treatment of DM, including recent patents as well as the effects of characterized extracts and the cellular mechanisms of isolated secondary metabolites in preclinical and clinical studies.
The Role of Renewable Resources for Ecology and Human Health
In this Special Issue, we have invited authors with serious research in the field of the circular economy with interesting ideas for the recovery of waste products in various productions, but we have selected and published only the best articles with the latest results of research on the biological effects of waste products, studies of natural compounds, and looked at the mechanisms underlying their biological activity. We selected articles describing innovative experimental models related to the extraction and purification of natural functional components and their application and the danger of the presence of dangerous toxic substances, but we emphasized the beneficial properties of these extracts or their compounds and sought benefits in the prevention and treatment of various serious illnesses.
Study on Physicochemical Properties of Food Protein
This reprint discusses the importance of studying the physicochemical properties of food proteins, which play crucial roles in providing essential amino acids and contributing to the overall quality of our foods. The demand for sustainable and nutritious food sources has led to a surge of interest in understanding and utilizing proteins derived from various sources. The studies in this reprint explore various aspects, including protein solubility, structural integrity, emulsifying properties, and allergenic epitopes, as well as the application of different processing techniques such as ultrasonication, high-pressure processing, and esterification. These findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of proteins in food products but also provide valuable insights for the food industry in terms of product development, process optimization, and the potential application of novel protein-based materials. The research presented showcases the potential of food proteins and their modifications in various applications, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation in this field.
State-of-the-Art Metabolomics and Lipidomics in Life Sciences
This is a reprint of this Special Issue "State-of-the-Art Metabolomics and Lipidomics in Life Sciences: Methods and Applications", which was published online in Metabolites, including two reviews and twelve original research articles.
Novel Principles and Methods in Bacterial Cell Cycle Physiology
This Science Historical Collection celebrates the inauguration of the "Charles E. Helmstetter Prize for Groundbreaking Research in Bacterial Cell Cycle Physiology" at the Ein Gedi's EMBO Workshop in December 2022. The bacterial cell cycle is fundamental to the physiology of the bacterial cell and, hence, to the many fields that depend on it. The roots of the bacterial cell cycle physiology are described in detail by several of the surviving pioneers (over 90 years of age) and selected worldwide scientists of the second generation. This issue contains contributions from the recipients of the prize who, fairly, may be said to have created our present understanding of the field. Control mechanisms of some fundamental issues of the bacterial cell cycle (e.g., chromosome replication and cell division) are elaborated and can serve as a basis for current and future discoveries.
When Evolution Stops
Evolution is a fact. The evidence for it is simply overwhelming. However, the original mechanism that generates the evolutionary process, as first put forth simultaneously by Charles Darwin and Alfred R. Wallace and which became known as Natural Selection, has now been seen to be too simplistic by some scientists aside from the hard-core neo-Darwinists who insist that nothing whatsoever is wrong with the original, classical, theory. This book examines in detail the flaws in the original mechanism and puts forth an alternate theory based heavily on the work of Nobel Prize laureate Barbara McClintock. At its basis, the present theory postulates that it is extraterrestrial impacts, with the occasionally resulting volcanism (due to shattering the earth's crust), that is the generating power for speciation. The resulting global cataclysm alters many organisms' genome through epigenesis, symbiogenesis and the McClintock Effect, thereby creating new species. Whereas the classical theory postulated that evolutionary change was endogenous, that is, that it was brought about by the individual organism, this theory claims that evolution is exogenous, that it is imposed upon the organism.
Membrane Proteins
This reprint focuses on cutting-edge advancements and forthcoming prospects in membrane proteins. It encompasses the function, structure, and dynamics of membrane proteins from various perspectives, including cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.
In Vitro Regeneration, Micropropagation and Germplasm Conservation of Horticultural Plants
Plant tissue culture is an important and continually emerging field applied to improve the production, propagation, and conservation of cultivated and wild plant species. This Special Issue of Horticulturae belongs to the section "Propagation and Seeds" and is dedicated to recent developments in in vitro tissue culture technologies and their use in micropropagation, in vitro plant regeneration, and the germplasm conservation of horticultural crops. The papers in this Reprint have been peer reviewed by experts and guest editors and published in Horticulturae in full open access. This Special Issue contains eleven publications, including nine research articles, one review, and one essay article, which provide a representative and valuable collection of the in vitro tissue culture technologies used for horticultural species. It also provides perspectives for future studies and offers a diverse learning experience appropriate for students, technicians, and scientists of plant sciences and plant/agricultural biotechnology.
Advances in Stability of Metallic Implants
Metallic implants have attracted a great deal of attention due to their importance in terms of enhancing the quality of human lives and treating human diseases. However, their instability in vivo, caused by corrosion, limited mechanical properties, and poor biocompatibility, remains a great challenge yet to be solved-which is important because the stability of metallic implants is closely associated with the clinical performance of medical implants. This topic has, therefore, attracted increasing levels of attention from researchers in recent decades and the great advances have been achieved. In order to provide a platform to communicate the latest findings of researchers, to broaden understanding and to deepen insights into "advances in the stability of metallic implants", we organized a Special Issue focused on this topic and ten articles have to date been published in the journal Metals. With the aim of facilitating reader access and ongoing research, we have compiled and published 10 articles from this Special Issue.
