Recent Advances of Novel Pharmaceutical Designs for Anti-cancer Therapies
This Special Issue covers a well-balanced collection of state-of-the-art topics in the prospering and competitive field of anticancer drug design and development, which can address and inspire oncologists, biologists, and medicinal chemists among the readership of this journal.
Multifunctional Application of Biopolymers and Biomaterials
The aim of this reprint is to provide more awareness of the use of biobased polymers and biomaterials in numerous aspects of our daily-used items. This reprint presents recent progress in the preparation of biobased composite materials utilizing biopolymers and biomaterials for potential multifaceted applications.
Natural and Synthetic Compounds for Management, Prevention and Treatment of Obesity, 2nd Edition
This reprint represents a collection of 12 scientific papers belonging to the Special Issue in International Journal of Molecular Sciences titled "Natural and Synthetic Compounds for Management, Prevention and Treatment of Obesity, 2nd Edition". Obesity is a serious global health problem with a high incidence of mortality and morbidity. Many drivers have been identified for its etiopathogenesis, such as excessive food intake, reduced physical activity and genetic predisposition. Adipose tissue is considered an endocrine organ producing multiple immune-modulatory proteins, known as adipokines with a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory nature. An unbalanced production of adipokines with a pro-inflammatory role in adipose tissue induces low-grade systemic inflammation in obese patients, which predisposes them to insulin resistance, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. Nowadays, there has been a growing interest in finding novel target compounds, both natural and synthetic, with potential action against obesity. This reprint explores the mechanisms underlying the etiopathogenesis of obesity and related diseases and aims to identify new therapeutic strategy. In particular, the reprint focuses on the role of natural and synthetic compounds for the Management, Prevention and Treatment of Obesity. We thank all the authors for their contribution to the research topic of this reprint and all editorial staff for its valuable support.
Phytoremediation
This reprint brings together articles that have investigated certain aspects of phytoremediation or that have tested new methodologies related to this technique, helping to broaden the horizon of knowledge on a subject that is so important today.
Advances in Plant Taxonomy and Systematics
This reprint of the Special Issue "Advances in Plant Taxonomy and Systematics", includes an Editorial and fifteen high-quality papers published between April 2022 and April 2023 by global researchers. This collection addresses scholars and students interested in current progresses in taxonomy and systematics, which are crucial for all plant applications.
Introduction to Enzyme Technology
This interdisciplinary textbook provides an easy-to-understand and highly topical introduction to all the specialist areas of modern enzyme technology.In the first part of this three-part textbook, the reader is introduced to the fundamentals of enzyme structure, reaction mechanisms, enzyme kinetics, enzyme modeling, and process control. In the second part, methods for finding, expressing, optimizing, purifying, immobilizing, and using enzymes in unusual reaction media are presented. In the third part, leading experts use examples to describe current applications of enzymes in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, for biomass degradation, food production and processing, as additives in detergents and cleaning agents, for constructing biosensors, and as therapeutics.Students of bachelor and master programs in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, and bioprocess engineering will gain up-to-date access to practical applications and developing industries. However, the fluent writing style makes the work suitable for all readers, who want to gain an easy-to-understand insight into the production and application of enzymes.This book is a translation of an original German edition. The translation was done with the help of artificial intelligence (machine translation by the service DeepL.com). A subsequent human revision was done primarily in terms of content, so that the book will read stylistically differently from a conventional translation.
How We Get Mendel Wrong, and Why It Matters
This book illustrates that the stereotypical representations of Gregor Mendel and his work misrepresent his findings and their historical context. The author sets the historical record straight and provides scientists with a reference guide to the respective scholarship in the early history of genetics. The overarching argument is twofold: on the one hand, that we had better avoid na簿ve hero-worshipping and understand each historical figure, Mendel in particular, by placing them in the actual sociocultural context in which they lived and worked; on the other hand, that we had better refrain from teaching in schools the naive Mendelian genetics that provided the presumed "scientific" basis for eugenics.Key Features Corrects the distorting stereotypical representations of Mendelian genetics and provides an authentic picture of how science is done, focusing on Gregor Mendel and his actual contributions to science Explains how the oversimplifications of Mendelian genetics were exploited by ideologues to provide the presumed "scientific" basis for eugenics Proposes a shift in school education from teaching how the science of genetics is done using model systems to teaching the complexities of development through which heredity is materialized
Sustainable Weed Management
Weeds are the most important biological factor that affects yield in herbaceous and perennial crops. Nowadays, following the recommendations of government institutions and public opinion, there is an urgent need to search for sustainable weed management practices that have a low impact on the environment and on the health of living organisms. This book, established after closing the Special Issue "Sustainable Weed Management" edited by Dr. Alessia Restuccia and Dr. Aurelio Scavo, is a collection of papers (17 research articles and 1 review) related to the recent advancements in sustainable weed control methods and to the biotic and abiotic factors affecting weed adaptation.
Application of Nanomedicine in Immunotherapy
Nanomedicine is a special medical field focused on the application of nanotechnology to provide innovations for healthcare in different areas, including the treatment of a wide variety of diseases, including cancer, infections, and auto-immune disorders. The field emerged during the 1980s, aligning with the approval of the first regulatory-agency-approved nanomedical oncological drugs. Additionally, nanotechnology has played a pivotal role in the development of mRNA vaccines utilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, further establishing its enduring significance in the domains of science and biomedical innovation. The reasons for the use of nanotechnology in biomedicine can vary but are mostly the protection and/or delivery of bioactive molecules to target tissues. The general idea is to create nanoscopic platforms that can interact differently with biological systems, either through pharmacokinetic modifications or through the preferential activation of some biological pathway. The intricate biomolecular interactions that underlie the functioning of the biological system take place within the nanoscale. So, nanoparticles can be designed to be similar in size to key biological structures like large biomolecules or small organelles, enabling them to interact with biological systems in unique ways, which can improve the effects of drugs used in the treatment of certain diseases. In other words, highly distinct and improved biological effects can emerge from such interactions.
New and Improved Nanomaterials and Approaches for Optical Bio- and Immunosensors
The book presents new approaches for bio- and immunosensors with nanodispersed labels and their optical registration. The use of nanoparticles as carriers and labels provides possibilities for simple measurements and reaching low detection limits. In this way, novel sensors obtain competitive advantages and good potential for implementation into diagnostic practice. The collected articles demonstrate the current state of developments and their most promising directions in the creation and characterization of such optical sensors.
The Effect of Ocean Acidification on Skeletal Structures
The increasing partial pressure of atmospheric CO2 (pCO2) is reducing surface ocean pH, a process known as ocean acidification (OA) This results in a reduced saturation of the seawater with respect to the CaCO3 polymorphs aragonite, high-Mg calcite, and low-Mg calcite that are involved in the biological formation of calcareous skeletons and shells. The effect of OA on calcium carbonate precipitation and the subsequent dissolution in carbonate depositional systems, such as coral reefs, is a hotly debated topic. While early studies suggested that certain carbonate-secreting organism groups may be strongly affected by OA or may even become extinct, others observed highly variable, species-specific responses to OA, whereby some taxa are negatively affected, some are positively affected, and others are unaffected.The collection of articles presented in this Special Issue presents ongoing research into the effects of OA on calcareous biomineralization while introducing some new questions and provocative hypotheses. The continued investigation of these concepts should advance our understanding of the mechanisms of biocalcification and improve predictions of how future CO2-induced changes in marine and freshwater systems will impact calcifying organisms, as well as the ecosystems they comprise, in the decades and centuries ahead.
Mutation, Randomness, and Evolution
What does it mean to say that mutation is random? How does mutation influence evolution? Are mutations merely the raw material for selection to shape adaptations? The author draws on a detailed knowledge of mutational mechanisms to argue that the randomness doctrine is best understood, not as a fact-based conclusion, but as the premise of a neo-Darwinian research program focused on selection. The successes of this research program created a blind spot - in mathematical models and verbal theories of causation - that has stymied efforts to re-think the role of variation. However, recent theoretical and empirical work shows that mutational biases can and do influence the course of evolution, including adaptive evolution, through a first come, first served mechanism. This thought-provoking book cuts through the conceptual tangle at the intersection of mutation, randomness, and evolution, offering a fresh, far-reaching, and testable view of the role of variation as a dispositional evolutionary factor. The arguments will be accessible to philosophers and historians with a serious interest in evolution, as well as to researchers and advanced students of evolution focused on molecules, microbes, evo-devo, and population genetics.
Phantom
"A beautifully written portrait of the people who collect and distribute wild mushrooms . . . food and nature writing at its finest."--Eugenia Bone, author of Mycophilia "A rollicking narrative . . . Cook [delivers] vivid and cinematic scenes on every page."--The Wall Street Journal In the dark corners of America's forests grow culinary treasures. Chefs pay top dollar to showcase these elusive and enchanting ingredients on their menus. Whether dressing up a filet mignon with smoky morels or shaving luxurious white truffles over pasta, the most elegant restaurants across the country now feature one of nature's last truly wild foods: the uncultivated, uncontrollable mushroom. The mushroom hunters, by contrast, are a rough lot. They live in the wilderness and move with the seasons. Motivated by Gold Rush desires, they haul improbable quantities of fungi from the woods for cash. Langdon Cook embeds himself in this shadowy subculture, reporting from both rural fringes and big-city eateries with the flair of a novelist, uncovering along the way what might be the last gasp of frontier-style capitalism. Meet Doug, an ex-logger and crabber--now an itinerant mushroom picker trying to pay his bills and stay out of trouble; Jeremy, a former cook turned wild-food entrepreneur, crisscrossing the continent to build a business amid cutthroat competition; their friend Matt, an up-and-coming chef whose kitchen alchemy is turning heads; and the woman who inspires them all. Rich with the science and lore of edible fungi--from seductive chanterelles to exotic porcini--The Mushroom Hunters is equal parts gonzo travelogue and culinary history lesson, a fast-paced, character-driven tour through a world that is by turns secretive, dangerous, and quintessentially American.
The Secret Doctor
Mystical Mushrooms defines the beauty of mushrooms by focusing on their magical connections and symbolic meanings through folkloric tales and superstitions throughout the world. Go for a walk in the woods on any given summer day and you may find yourself surrounded in fungi galore as they lay nestled among the ferns and trees. After a rainstorm, peek out in your backyard and you may see tiny spores sprouting from the grass, forming what is known as a fairy ring. Mushrooms grow in all shapes, sizes, and colors and--depending on where you live--you might find some that are conducive to magic practice. Mystical Mushrooms enters this realm, exploring the magical properties, mythological connections, and symbolic qualities of the fungi that so intrigue us. Author Aurora Kane takes you on a journey through the mystical universe of mushrooms. From ancient traditions to the concept of fairy rings, Kane reveals how mushrooms have long been entwined with the supernatural in art, literature, and religion. This includes topics surrounding: Magical History Spells Symbolism Spirituality Coupled with stunningly depicted artwork, Mystical Mushrooms explores the qualities of over 35 species of mushroom, displaying a range of compelling subjects surrounding the true power of these fabulous fungi.
Ib Diploma Programme Biology 2023 Edition Study Guide
Please note this title is suitable for any student studying: Exam Board: International Baccalaureate (IB) Level and subject: Diploma Programme (DP) Biology First teaching: 2023First exams: 2025 The Oxford Resources for IB DP Biology: Study Guide is an accessible, student-friendly resource fully aligned to and focused on the knowledge contents of the 2023 DP Biology subject guide. It is designed to be used alongside the Course Book to help students focus on crucial concepts and skills to build confidence, reinforce essential theory, and cement understanding of SL and HL ideas in an easy-to-digest bitesize format. Concise explanations, diagrams, and practical notes engage learners and provide a supportive framework for developing subject comprehension and encouraging a good approach to revision. Clear and accessible language throughout supports EAL learners.
Primary Immunodeficiencies
This Special issue focuses of the most relevant advances in the field of inborn errors of immunity. Indeed, as immunology is rapidly progressing, with the constant discovery of new disease entities and the better characterization of molecular mechanisms and targeted therapies, a continuous update is mandatory for clinician and researchers. In this Issue, the non-infectious manifestations of inborn errors of immunity (such as autoimmunity, atopy, and lymphoproliferation) are deeply discussed, as well as the impact of the novel genetic sequencing techniques in the diagnostic approach. Moreover, some well-known disorders, including common variable immunodeficiency, are extensively reviewed and revisited in a modern way. Also, diseases of recent description, including some disorders of immune dysregulation and inborn errors of immunity associated with syndromes, are described. Finally, some of the papers of this Special Issue focus in a detailed way the molecular mechanisms leading to immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation, also opening the way for further clinical and preclinical studies.As the expanding availability of immunological and genetic testing offers the opportunity to identify new disease entities and elucidate the function of new genes involved in the development and regulation of the immune response, we aim to present the most relevant innovations in this delicate field.
Sharks and Skates
Chondrichthyes (sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras) represent one of the oldest and most ecologically various vertebrate lineages. These predators occupy the top of aquatic food webs and play important functional roles in the control of coastal and oceanic ecosystem structure and function; however, nowadays, overfishing and habitat degradation are altering their populations, leading to a worrisome decline in these species worldwide because of their low resilience due to their K-selected life history strategy (e.g., slow growth, late attainment of sexual maturity, long life spans, and low fecundity). Moreover, data on the stock status of this important resource still remain poor or non-existent, which is due to a problematic taxonomy (e.g., misidentification issues).In these regards, collecting information about these species is essential to formulate conservation strategies to preserve this precious marine resource.In this Special Issue, we aimed to expand the knowledge about these important predators. We have collected data from several parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. The main topics presented in this Special Issue are as follows: abundance and distribution of a single species or more, genetic information using different techniques, life histories (e.g., reproduction, age, and growth), demographic analyses, information about stock assessment, aggregative behaviors, and prey discrimination.
Recent Advances of Spectrometric and Spectroscopic Techniques in Food Quality and Safety
Today, spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques are the gold standard for studying food quality and safety. They are ideal and versatile tools in the evaluation of functional components, such as proteins and lipids, as well as key components related to food safety, such as pesticide residues, pollutants, authentication, and illicit adulterants. Spectrometry and spectroscopy are also the cornerstone of many modern biochemical techniques, such as proteomics and metabolomics. This Special Issue, entitled "Recent Advances of Spectrometric and Spectroscopic Techniques in Food Quality and Safety" introduced explorations and advancements in food quality and safety and prospects for future application trends related to spectrometry and spectroscopy.
Nanotechnology to Overcome World’s Most Critical Health Issues
This Special Issue focuses on a variety of nanotechnology platforms, including liposomes, which are used for the delivery of therapeutics and vaccines in order to solve the world's most critical health issues and to support environmental sustainability.
Comparative Pathology and Immunohistochemistry of Veterinary Species
Comparative pathology, translational research, and clinical trials involving domestic animals have the ultimate goal of advancing our medical knowledge of both human and veterinary species. Companion, laboratory (from mouse to non-human primates), and wildlife animals play a pivotal role in our understanding of infectious diseases-particularly those with a zoonotic component. This reprint focuses on fundamental and applied research on the comparative pathology and immunohistochemistry of veterinary species. A total of 11 high-quality papers addressing different areas of pathology have been contributed by 62 authors from seven countries, comprising 9 research articles and 2 communications.
Landmark Experiments in Protein Science
Proteins are the workhorses of cells, performing most of the important functions which allow cells to use nutrients and grow, communicate among each other, and importantly, die if aberrant behavior is detected. How were proteins discovered? What is their role in cells? How do dysfunctional proteins give rise to cancers? Landmark Experiments in Protein Science explores the manner in which the inner workings of cells were elucidated, with a special emphasis on the role of proteins. Experiments are discussed in a manner as to understand what questions were being asked that prompted the experiments and what technical challenges were faced in the process; and results are presented and discussed using primary data and graphs. Key Features Describes landmark experiments in cell biology and biochemistry. Discusses the "How" and "Why" of historically important experiments. Includes primary, original data and graphs. Emphasizes biological techniques, that help understand how many of the experiments performed were possible. Documents, chronologically, how each result fed into the next experiments.
The 10th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine
This book is a collection of articles focused on recent research covering a species which is emblematic of scientific and commercial interest-the dromedary.The dromedary economy and its sustainability are of a capital importance for the future development of humanity. This research highlights camel productions systems and rearing practices, camel biodiversity and genetics, camel breeding and feeding, dromedary pathologies, anatomy particularities in dromedary, therapeutic virtues of camel products, as well as the industry's contribution to food security.
Intervertebral Disc Regeneration II
This second volume on the subject of intervertebral disc (IVD) regeneration ranges from in vitro IVD cell culture studies on cytokines, such as TGFβ3, GDF5, GDF6, ANG1, and ANG2, to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) to novel advances in the diagnosis of painful discs in reports using natural language processing (NLP). This diverse issue consists of seven articles that provide a comprehensive overview of recently applied research insights. Three original articles focus on the effects of cytokines in primary cell culture. Then, two original articles report on transcriptomics data, i.e., single-cell RNA-sequencing data of in vivo rat animal models of IVD degeneration, and human prime PCR data comparing trauma versus DISH-IVDs. One original article addresses the correct diagnosis of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) in scoliotic patients, and another original article addresses the usage of NLP to improve the diagnosis of painful IVDs. The Special Issue is concluded with a review on the importance of the relatively recent "hot topic" of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for regenerative purposes in IVDs.
Biological Motion
A captivating exploration of the changing definitions of life in biology Biological Motion studies the foundational relationship between motion and life. To answer the question, "What is Life?," prize-winning historian of science Janina Wellmann engages in a transdisciplinary investigation of motion as the most profound definition of living existence. For decades, information and structure have dominated the historiography of the life sciences with its prevailing focus on DNA structure and function. Now more than ever, motion is a crucial theme of basic biological research. Tracing motion from Aristotle's animal soul to molecular motors, and from medical soft robotics to mathematical analysis, Wellmann locates biological motion at the intersection of knowledge domains and scientific and cultural practices. She offers signposts to mark the sites where researchers, technologies, ideas, and practices opened up new paths in the constitution of the phenomenon of motion. An ambitious rethinking of the life sciences, Biological Motion uncovers the secret life of movement and offers a new account of what it means to be alive.
Secret Worlds
bMartin Stevens explores the extraordinary variety of senses in the animal kingdom, and discusses the cutting-edge science that is shedding light on these secret worlds. /b Our senses of vision, smell, taste, hearing, and touch are essential for us to respond to threats, communicate and interact with the world around us. This is true for all animals - their sensory systems are key to survival, and without them animals would be completely helpless. However, the sensory systems of other animals work very differently from ours. For example, many animals from spiders to birds can detect and respond to ultraviolet light, to which we are blind. Other animals, including many insects, rodents, and bats can hear high-frequency ultrasonic sounds well beyond our own hearing range. Many other species have sensory systems that we lack completely, such as the magnetic sense of birds, turtles, and other animals, or the electric sense of many fish. These differences in sensory ability have a major bearing on the ways that animals behave and live in different environments, and also affect their evolution and ecology. In this book, Martin Stevens explores the remarkable sensory systems that exist in nature, and what they are used for. Discussing how different animal senses work, he also considers how they evolve, how they are shaped by the environment in which an animal lives, and the pioneering science that has uncovered how animals use their senses. Throughout, he celebrates the remarkable diversity of life, and shows how the study of sensory systems has shed light on some of the most important issues in animal behaviour, physiology, and evolution. He also describes evidence of the disruptive effects of human activities on the way other animals navigate the world.
The Master Builder
"An ingenious argument" (Kirkus) for a "novel thesis" (Publishers Weekly) that cells, not DNA, hold the key to understanding life's past and present   What defines who we are? For decades, the answer has seemed obvious: our genes, the "blueprint of life." In The Master Builder, biologist Alfonso Martinez Arias argues we've been missing the bigger picture. It's not our genes that define who we are, but our cells. While genes are important, nothing in our DNA explains why the heart is on the left side of the body, how many fingers we have, or even how our cells manage to reproduce. Drawing on new research from his own lab and others, Martinez Arias reveals that we are composed of a thrillingly intricate, constantly moving symphony of cells. Both their long lineage--stretching back to the very first cell--and their intricate interactions within our bodies today make us who we are. Engaging and ambitious, The Master Builder will transform your understanding of our past, present, and future--as individuals and as a species.
Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics
Evolutionary quantitative genetics (EQG) provides a formal theoretical foundation for quantitatively linking natural selection and genetic variation to the rate and expanse of adaptive evolution. It has become the dominant conceptual framework for interpreting the evolution of quantitative traits in terms of elementary forces (mutation, inheritance, selection, and drift). Despite this success, the relevance of EQG to many biological scenarios remains relatively unappreciated, with numerous fields yet to fully embrace its approach. Part of the reason for this lag is that conceptual advances in EQG have not yet been fully synthesized and made accessible to a wider academic audience. A comprehensive, accessible overview is therefore now timely, and Evolutionary Quantitative Genetics provides this much-needed synthesis. The central argument of the book is that an adaptive landscape concept can be used to understand both evolutionary process within lineages and the pattern of adaptive radiations. In particular, it provides a convincing argument that models with a moving adaptive peak carry us further than any other conceptual approach yet devised. Although additive theory holds center stage, the book mentions and references departures from additivity including non-Gaussian distributions of allelic effects, dominance, epistasis, maternal effects and phenotypic plasticity. This accessible, advanced textbook is aimed principally at students (from senior undergraduate to postgraduate) as well as practising scientists in the fields of evolutionary biology, ecology, physiology, functional morphology, developmental biology, comparative biology, paleontology, and beyond who are interested in how adaptive radiations are produced by evolutionary and ecological processes.
Conceptual Breakthroughs in the Evolutionary Biology of Aging
Conceptual Breakthroughs in the Evolutionary Biology of Aging continues the innovative Conceptual Breakthroughs series by providing a comprehensive outline of the major breakthroughs that built the evolutionary biology of aging as a leading scientific field. Following the evolutionary study of aging from its humble origins to the present, the book's chapters treat the field's breakthroughs one at a time. Users will find a concise and accessible analysis of the science of aging viewed through an evolutionary lens. Building upon widely-cited studies conducted by author Michael Rose, this book covers 30 subsequent years of growth and development within the field. The book highlights key publications for those who are not experts in the field, providing an important resource for researchers. Given the prevailing interest in changing the aging process dramatically, it is a powerful tool for readers who have a vested interest in understanding its causes and future control measures.
Engineering Innovations in Agriculture
Rural development is an essential constituent of the global economy. However, within agriculture, a decrease in the quantity and quality of crop harvest and livestock productivity is observed due to a deterioration in soil fertility, environment, and irrational use of natural resources. At the same time, agricultural areas are under pressure from population growth, requiring more food production. As a result, it encourages people to move into intact primary areas in order to increase the area of crops, pastures, etc., which leads to the destruction of natural diversity. The solution to avoid disaster is increasing agricultural production efficiency to expand crop harvest and livestock productivity without deteriorating quality. It requires introducing innovative engineering technologies to agriculture. Fortunately, technology is developing rapidly nowadays, and new driving scientific forces are emerging.The Special Issue collected high-quality research and review articles from academics and industry-related researchers in the areas of Agricultural Engineering covering the following topics: harvesting and planting crops, livestock production, livestock and agrofood waste utilization, seed treatment and transportation, water treatment, agricultural robotic applications, solutions for digital and precision agriculture, hardware and software support for pest and weed control, machine learning, energy efficiency and conservation in agriculture.
Reptile Evolution and Genetics - Special Issue Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. Teresa Capriglione
This Special Issue contains 12 articles evidencing the state of the art of research on the evolution and genetics of reptiles. One of the main lines of research concerns the advancements in phylogenetic studies based on the more recent molecular methods and the developments in whole genome sequencing. Among the papers, topics related to the analysis of genome composition with special reference to the presence and evolution of repetitive DNA and the control of gene activity are of interest. Examples of the different roles played by chromosome variability in various evolutionary models are reported. Some of the papers regard certain peculiarities of reptiles, such as meiotic mechanisms in parthenogenetic species and the transition between genetic and environmental sex determination. Besides studies on chromosomes and the nuclear genome, two papers also investigate mitochondrial genome evolution. Particularly promising for future studies is the potentiality gained by the results obtained so far from research into the evolution and genetics of reptiles that has also been used for an intriguing tentative motion to reconstruct dinosaurs' karyotypes. The papers from this Special Issue highlight that reptiles are a good model for studying the genetic and molecular basis of certain key moments in vertebrate evolution.
Heme Oxygenase (HO)-1 as an Immunoregulator in Health and Disease
Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 is a well-known, cytoprotective enzyme, responsible for the enzymatic conversion of heme into the anti-apoptotic and antioxidant by-products, biliverdin, bilirubin and carbon monoxide. However, HO-1 also regulates responses via mechanisms that are independent of the generation of heme degradation products. The current Special Issue contains research and review articles on the effect of heme oxygenase on immune-related cellular and physiological cascades and functions including effects on innate immunity, adaptive immunity, inflammation and complement activation. A description of the role of HO-1 in immune regulation directly or via its by-products is depicted on various forms of infection, viral and bacterial, immune-mediated injury such as renal injury, allergic airway inflammation, cancer and metabolism. Thus, the current Special Issue aims to serve as a detailed, analytical and up-to-date guide of the recent advances on the immunomodulatory properties of HO-1.
Integrated Crop Management in Sustainable Agriculture
Integrated crop management involves several eco-friendly measures combined to sustain production. The integration of these management practices leads to improved soil health and crop productivity. However, the benefits of Integrated Crop Management are largely influenced by the environment, soil type and fertility, and crop type. Mono-cropping systems or the use of the same crop rotation have led to reduced soil quality, favoring insect pest infestation and reducing farm profits.This Special Issue focus on the impacts of Integrated Crop Management practices on soil health, crop productivity, and a reduction in the impacts of expected climate change on crop production in a sustainable manner.
Cardiometabolic Health in Relation to Diet and Physical Activity
The purpose of this Special Issue, "The Role of Nutrition in Cardiometabolic Health: Experimental, Clinical, and Community-Based Evidence", is to publish a focused, coherent, impactful, and well-cited volume on how nutrition influences diverse cardiometabolic risk factors. Cardiometabolic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity are the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, dietary habits have shifted all over the globe. At the same time, a constantly growing body of evidence demonstrates the role of caloric intake and dietary composition as determinants of cardiometabolic health. A suboptimal diet predisposes to a myriad of cardiometabolic risk factors such as impaired glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and high blood pressure. The goal of this Special Issue is to provide rigorous evidence from novel experimental and observational studies that support the association between dietary factors and cardiometabolic risk and evaluate the diverse diet-related risk pathways.
Chromatin and Epigenetics
This book is an introduction to epigenetics, a controversial term that denotes the mechanisms that instruct the genome on how to express the purely genetic information that encodes proteins. Starting with the discovery of repressor proteins in the 1960s, epigenetics evolved into a kind of user manual for the genetic information, telling the genome if, when, how much and in what cells to read genes. Advances in epigenetics in the past 15 years have revealed how it lies at the heart of virtually every branch of biological and medical sciences and an understanding of its basic principles is therefore essential for every student in this field.The field of chromatin and epigenetics has developed very rapidly in the past 15-20 years. The pace in the field of epigenetics has now slowed down, the basic outlines of the mechanisms and implications have solidified and a consensus has been achieved among the researchers in the field. At the same time, these mechanisms and implications are now an integral part of how we think about the genome. Genes are more than just DNA and more than just protein-coding sequences and this realization has revolutionized our understanding of the genome, gene expression and its regulation in development, health and disease. It is time, therefore, for a textbook to help train a new generation of biologists and health scientists as well as providing a basic competence among practitioners in allied fields. The present book has grown out of a course given for the past 13 years to advanced undergraduates at Rutgers University. In keeping with the experience in that course, the book is abundantly illustrated, presents a wealth of specific examples, and includes a chapter describing a number of methods and techniques that have driven the advances in the field.
Green Antimicrobials
In the last couple of years, the awareness of climate change and high pollution levels have raised our sense of ecological responsibility. Pharmaceutical industries play a major role in these issues; as such, alternatives must be found. New environmentally friendly approaches to deal with the growing concern associated with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria are also in great demand. The excessive consumption and misuse of these agents have accelerated the rise of such pathogens responsible for compromising global health-not only the health of humans, but also the health of all living systems. Considering that our natural resources are in great danger, finding green and less environmentally impactful alternatives for fighting these resistant microbials is imperative. From green chemistries, natural extracts and waste products, the sources of these alternate antimicrobial agents can be immense, and their implications are of great impact for future generations.
Oxidative Stress in Aquatic Organisms
Robust stress from the external environment does not only induce severe oxidative stress for aquatic animals, but also restricts the health and sustainable development of aquaculture. Oxidative stress is ubiquitous in aquatic animals, and excessive oxidative stress could induce cell and tissue damage. These phenomena manifest primarily as DNA hydroxylation, protein denaturation, lipid peroxidation and cell apoptosis. In general, endogenous and exogenous factors are the main elements that induce oxidative stress, including temperature, oxygen, life history, nutrition, food deprivation, industrial and agricultural pollutants.This Special Issue highlights and discusses the causes of oxidative stress, elucidates the underlying physiological mechanisms, and develops antioxidant resistance strategies that are of great importance for the development of aquaculture. More importantly, this Special Issue offers fresh perspectives on the expanding knowledge related to and research possibilities in the creation of antioxidant resistance in aquaculture
The Science Of God Volume 3
Have you been trying to share your views in the evolution versus creation debate but are thwarted at your every utterance? Are you reluctant to speak up and share your opinions because you're not sure what is or is not true? Sometimes we might even wonder if we should even bother pondering these things at all since no one can ever truly prove their theory to a point of it being "undeniable fact". Take heart because there are more possibilities than are offered by most people on either side of the discussion. Bystanders often observe the views from both sides of the debate and will then consider those perspectives and try to balance them using logic, but we often fail to achieve that logical balance. Balance is achieved by many people, but it is typically compromised in order to arrive at an agreeable viewpoint. Ignoring facts in this way is no way to discover truth. The Science Of God Volume 3 - The Creatures - Revolution or Evolution will not force you to ignore any true facts, and will guide you on your quest to see the clear path to how creatures came to be. God or Evolution? You decide, because everyone is welcome in the discussion!
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning in Naturally and Experimentally Assembled Communities
This book presents two reviews and thirteen research articles dealing with a broad range of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (BEF) relationships. Each article provides in-depth discussion of the various aspects of BEF relationships in naturally and experimentally assembled communities. This book will help to substantially deepen our understanding of BEF interactions and elaborate biodiversity conservation in a changing world. Thus, this publication is not only of interest to scientists in the field, but also for students, university teachers, policymakers, and those who are interested in BEF in general.
Evolutionary Cell Biology
The fields of molecular evolution, genome evolution, and evolutionary genetics are now well-established. Remarkably, however, although all evolutionary modifications begin at the cellular level, and despite the advances made in cell biology and microbiology over the past few decades, there is as yet no recognised discipline of evolutionary cell biology. The goal of this book is to help establish the foundations for this emerging field. Its principal aims are twofold: firstly, to promote an understanding among evolutionary biologists as to why the cellular details matter if we are to understand the mechanisms of evolution; secondly, to make clear to non-evolutionary biologists - cell biologists in particular - that evolution is not just a matter of natural selection and optimization, but a process whose reach depends on other population genetic features such as mutation, recombination, and random genetic drift. Although there are many excellent books on cell biology, microbiology, and biophysics, almost no attention is given to evolution. Likewise, although there are numerous evolutionary biology books on the market, none of them gives more than passing attention to details at the cellular level. Thus Evolutionary Cell Biology is genuinely novel, offering a broader understanding of evolutionary processes and an appreciation for the many interesting problems that remain to be solved at the cellular and subcellular levels. This advanced textbook is aimed at both cell biologists and evolutionary biologists. It will be accessible to upper-level undergraduates in biology, and certainly to graduate students in all areas of the life sciences. Professionals from a wide range of fields - cell biology, microbiology, evolution, biophysics, biochemistry, and mathematics - will be exposed to entirely new ideas not traditionally covered in their primary fields of expertise.
Mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become one of the major threats facing the global community. It can result either from mutations or from the acquisition of resistance genes carried by mobile (plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences) or mobilizable (integrons) genetic elements. The aim of this book is to provide an overview of the main resistance mechanisms encountered in both Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus). It also describes the main genetic carriers of this resistance.
Fresh figs (Ficus carica L.)
The fig (Ficus carica L.) is the fruit of the fig tree, a member of the Moraceae family, which is the emblem of the Mediterranean basin, where it has been cultivated for thousands of years. Mediterranean countries are the main producers of figs. Algeria produces 12.54% of the world's total fig crop. This fruit is a rich source of fiber, trace elements, antioxidant polyphenols, proteins, sugars, organic acids and volatile compounds that provide a characteristically pleasant aroma. Recently, a great deal of research has focused on the nutritional, physicochemical and pharmacological quality of this fruit. Thus, the proximate composition of fig fruit is reported by various researchers as 77.5 to 86.8% moisture, 2.53 to 3.08% ash, 9.453 to 26.016 (g / 100 g) carbohydrates, 4.4 to 6.7% protein and 4 to 7.4% fiber on fresh weight. Phenolic compounds are a group of secondary metabolites that contribute not only to the fruit's sweet, bitter and astringent taste, but also to its aroma. Figs are rich in glycosidic flavonols, anthocyanins and other polyphenols.
Foodborne Pathogens Management
This book presents original research as well as reviews on current food safety issues. A wide range of biological hazards, food commodities and measures to assess, control and manage hazards are covered. With respect to food commodities, meat, milk/dairy and fish/seafood are covered, but also wild game and edible insects. The epidemiology of parasites and pathogenic bacteria (Clostridioides difficile and Listeria monocytogenes) in various food chains is reviewed, as well as the impact of food technology on food safety.
PARPs, PAR and NAD Metabolism and Their Inhibitors in Cancer
This Special Issue of Cancers contains research and review articles on "PARPs, PAR and NAD metabolism and their inhibitors in Cancer". It focuses on selected papers from the PARP2019 conference on "New Avenues in Basic and Translational PARP research", that took place in Budapest (Hungary), on 20-23 May 2019.
Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials Toxicity
Regarding the increasing use of nanomaterials in almost every area of our daily life, toxicological risk assessment is one of the major requirements for their safe handling. Especially at workplaces, inhalation is the major route of exposure and potential toxicity, and effects on the lung need to be considered. Furthermore, neurotoxicity associated with exposure to nanomaterials is a growing field of scientific investigation. However, not every single nanomaterial can be assessed in long-term animal inhalation studies, due to limited resources as well as political and societal efforts to reduce animal experiments according to the 3R principles. Thus, during the last few years, significant efforts have been dedicated to grouping nanomaterials, mainly based on advanced in vitro models. These new approach methodologies (NAMs) include detailed characterization of the respective materials in physiologically relevant media, but also more realistic exposure systems, such as co-cultures, also at the air-liquid interface, combined with comprehensive cellular investigations that provide quite detailed toxicological profiles. Thus, nanoparticles show differences in toxicity depending on their size, surface reactivity, and dissolution kinetics. Adverse cellular effects include inflammation, genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and epigenetic alterations.This Special Issue aims to highlight the recent advances in the mechanisms of nanomaterial toxicity, as well as the approaches for risk assessment, linking nanoparticle characteristics as well as in vitro toxicity to in vivo observations for advanced risk assessment.
Feature Articles on Nutrition and Obesity Management
Obesity represents the most prevalent metabolic disease in the world, posing a significant public health threat. Obesity shortens life expectancy by increasing the risk of developing comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease. A better understanding of the ethiopathology of excess adiposity represents the pillar on which to base the effective management of obesity. In this sense, this book expands our knowledge about the wide array of drivers that can facilitate or contribute to the development of obesity. Moreover, some of the latest progress made in lifestyle, pharmacological and surgical approaches in the treatment of obesity are summarised. Novel concepts regarding the different obesity phenotypes, the use of telemedicine for the treatment of overweight and obesity, or the use of personalised avatars in the management of obesity are also reviewed. This book will be of interest for specialists in Endocrinology and Nutrition, but also for any individual interested in health issues related to nutrition.
Harnessing Synthetic Nanotechnology-Based Methodologies for Sustainable Green Applications
This book introduces readers to the field of green nanotechnologies and their possible applications to create a safer world.
