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Melatonin: A Ubiquitous Pleiotropic Molecule equips researchers with an understanding of the molecular biology of melatonin in plants. The book explores the occurrence of melatonin in several plant species, covering key aspects, including its biosynthesis, physiological function in plant growth and development, and signaling pathways. It then discusses the benefits melatonin has for plant and agricultural development, as well as how it can be utilized as a therapeutic in the treatment of human diseases. The role it can play in the oxidative stress response and circadian rhythm modulation are covered, as well as its nutraceutical potential for human health. The book also covers the importance of melatonin in a range of fields, including drug discovery and disease resistance, agriculture, botany, and biotechnology, and is an ideal reference for researchers across these disciplines.Examines melatonin's pivotal role as a signaling molecule, elucidating its involvement in a diverse array of biological responses within plantsCovers essential aspects like melatonin biosynthesis, regulation, antioxidant properties, and its involvement in stress management in plantsProvides an interdisciplinary study of melatonin and its potential uses, including disease management, crop improvement, and nutraceutical developmentAddresses melatonin's multifaceted role in regulating key physiological processes in the human body, including circadian rhythms, sleep–wake cycles, and neurological protectionDelves into melatonin's dual role as an immunomodulator influencing immune cells and a powerful antioxidant combating free radicals and alleviating oxidative stressExplores melatonin's therapeutic and anticancer potential, emphasizing its importance in cardiovascular health, neurology, and cancer research, attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics

This new book discusses the physiological factors that contribute to metabolic syndrome within the human body and spotlights the beneficial effects on the body of nutraceuticals and functional ingredients, botanicals and natural dietary supplements, structurally numerous antioxidants, B-vitamins, and diverse amino acids and vital nutrients. The book considers the need to preserve a balance between energy delivery and strength expenditure that is essential for maintaining an appropriate body mass index (BMI), which can contribute to less obesity and fewer metabolic disorders, such as diabetes type II, cardiovascular illnesses, etc. The authors present recent research that proves that proper vitamins—including antioxidants, nutrients, micronutrients, and selected amino acids—can enhance the body's metabolism and defend it from inflammatory onslaughts.

This book contains a selection of five chapters each discussing a different aspect of polyphenols and their roles in health and disease. Chapter One reviews the oral health benefits of polyphenols found in cocoa. Chapter Two is an overview of the effects of polyphenols on the microbiota of the gut and the consequent roles these play in health and disease. Chapter Three is a review of potential sources and health benefits of various polyphenols. Chapter Four examines different polyphenols from food and medicinal plants as well as their uses in Mexico. Chapter Five discusses the role of polyphenols in honey and their use as a natural therapeutic.

The Biochemical View of Antioxidants presents research on medicinal plants and organic chemistry and relates to pharmacological applications. This book discusses antioxidants, derived from fruits and vegetables, that play a vital role in maintaining health. It forms a bridge between biology and chemistry of fruits and vegetables by studying the complex nature of antioxidants. The Biochemical View of Antioxidants consists of 45 chapters. The chapters show that food constitutes a source of many biologically active antioxidants important for health and disease prevention. The antioxidant properties of fruits and vegetables have to do with the presence of tissues with natural antioxidant compounds that protect plants from free radical damage caused by oxygen in the environment or exposure to ultraviolet radiation. According to nutritionists, the most valuable source of antioxidants are fresh fruit and vegetables and natural preparations made from them, such as juices, preserves, marmalades, jams and silage.

Traditional Mediterranean fruits (i.e., be grapes, oranges, apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, figs, melons, watermelon and dates) are of major commercial and nutritional value to the region. Processing of such fruits, however, results in large amounts of bio-waste material. Efficient, inexpensive and environmentally friendly use of fruit industry waste is thus highly cost-effective and minimizes environmental impact. The natural antioxidants and bioactive compounds found in Mediterranean fruit bio-wastes could play a major role in the alleged health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and could be used in pharmaceuticals as well as novel food applications. This book presents a multidisciplinary forum of discussion on the chemistry, functional properties and health-promoting effects of bioactive compounds in Mediterranean fruit bio-wastes, as well as novel food and non-food applications. The text provides the scientific fundamentals of the health-promoting benefitsand applications of Mediterranean fruit bio-wastes, reviews the relevant recovery issues and explores different techniques to develop new applications. With a diversity of perspectives, from food science to environmental chemistry and horticultural research, this volume provides comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge to researchers and industry professionals working in the areas of food waste valorization.

As food producers, plants are constantly under attack by insects. Over the course of evolution, plants have not only developed a sophisticated defense apparatus but have also refined biochemical defense mechanisms to protect themselves, thereby maintaining the ecological balance. Plant-pest interactions induce an elaborate array of reactions involving the release of volatile compounds, effector and signaling molecules, trans-membrane proteins, and a variety of enzymes and hormones. This book offers a comprehensive guide to the strategies that plants employ against insects and other pests to ensure their continued survival. Addressing an important gap in the literature, it shares the latest findings in the field of plant–pest interactions for a broad audience. Providing an overview of the current state of knowledge on plant-pest interactions and their role in the genetic improvement of crops, it offers an essential guide for researchers and professionals in the fields of agriculture, plant pathology, entomology, cell biology, molecular biology and genetics.

This second volume, written in four parts, offers the reader a thorough review on molecular, structural and applied aspects of antifreeze proteins. The first part treats the structure-function relationship and the physicochemical properties of antifreeze proteins; the second part provides insight into molecular mechanisms affected by antifreeze proteins; the third part presents some of the potential applications in various professional sectors and in the last part the book content is summarized and future research directions and ideas are discussed. Together with the first volume on the environment, systematic and evolution of antifreeze proteins, this book represents a unique, comprehensive work and a must-have for students and scientists in biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology and physical chemistry.

GPCRS: Structure, Function, and Drug Discovery provides a comprehensive overview of recent discoveries and our current understanding of GPCR structure, signaling, physiology, pharmacology and methods of study. In addition to the fundamental aspects of GPCR function and dynamics, international experts discuss crystal structures, GPCR complexes with partner proteins, GPCR allosteric modulation, biased signaling through protein partners, deorphanization of GPCRs, and novel GPCR-targeting ligands that could lead to the development of new therapeutics against human diseases. GPCR association with, and possible therapeutic pathways for, retinal degenerative diseases, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cancer and diabetic nephropathy, among other illnesses, are examined in-depth. - Addresses our current understanding and novel advances in the GPCR field, directing readers towards recent finding of key significance for translational medicine - Combines a thorough discussion of structure and function of GPCRs with disease association and drug discovery - Features chapter contributions from international experts in GPCR structure, signaling, physiology and pharmacology

Naturally present bioactive compounds in plants are referred to as'Phytochemicals'and are being studied extensively for their role in human health. Studies have shown that they can have an important role to play in the prevention and management of several human diseases. Recognizing the increasing interest in this area, this book is being published in response to the need for more current information globally about phytochemicals and their role in human health. Chapters of the book are authored by internationally recognized authors who are experts in their respective field of expertise. The chapters represent both original research as well as up-to-date and comprehensive reviews. We are sure that the book will be an important reference source meeting the needs of a wide range of interest groups.

This reference work provides comprehensive information about the bioactive molecules presented in our daily food and their effect on the physical and mental state of our body. Although the concept of functional food is new, the consumption of selected food to attain a specific effect existed already in ancient civilizations, namely of China and India. Consumers are now more attentive to food quality, safety and health benefits, and the food industry is led to develop processed- and packaged-food, particularly in terms of calories, quality, nutritional value and bioactive molecules. This book covers the entire range of bioactive molecules presented in daily food, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, isoflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, bioactive molecules presented in wine, beer and cider. Concepts like French paradox, Mediterranean diet, healthy diet of eating fruits and vegetables, vegan and vegetarian diet, functional foods are described with suitable casestudies. Readers will also discover a very timely compilation of methods for bioactive molecules analysis. Written by highly renowned scientists of the field, this reference work appeals to a wide readership, from graduate students, scholars, researchers in the field of botany, agriculture, pharmacy, biotechnology and food industry to those involved in manufacturing, processing and marketing of value-added food products.

Iron Metabolism, Volume 110, the latest release in the Vitamins and Hormones series first published in 1943, covers the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology and enzyme mechanisms, with this release focusing on topics relating to hepcidin, bacterial infection, and iron overload, the role of heparan sulfates in hepcidin regulation, hepcidin CDNA and human gene sex hormones, growth factors and hepcidin, HFE gene polymorphisms and hereditary hemochromatosis, hepcidin and il-1beta, hepcidin-ferroportin axis, cardiomyocyte hepcidin, adipocyte iron, leptin and hepcidin, regulators of hepcidin expression, and much more. - Focuses on the newest aspects of hormone action in connection with diseases - Lays the groundwork for the focus of new chemotherapeutic targets - Represents reviews on emerging areas in hormone action, cellular regulators and signaling pathways

This volume explores the use of mass spectrometry for biomedical applications. Chapters focus on specific therapeutic areas such as oncology, infectious disease, and psychiatry. Additional chapters focus on methodology, technologies and instrumentation, as well as on analysis of protein-protein interactions, protein quantitation, and protein post-translational modifications. Various omics fields such as proteomics, metabolomics, glycomics, lipidomics, and adductomics are also covered. Applications of mass spectrometry in biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry are also discussed. This volume provides readers with a comprehensive and informative manual that will allow them to appreciate mass spectrometry and proteomic research, but also to initiate and improve their own work. This book acts as a technical guide as well as a conceptual guide to the newest information in this exciting field.

Taurine 10 contains original articles and critical reviews based on the oral and poster presentations of XX International Taurine Meeting held in Seoul, Korea in May 2016. The purpose of the book is to present current ideas, new avenues and research regarding biological functions and clinical applications of taurine and taurine derivatives. It focuses on all aspects of taurine research including the cardiovascular system, the immune system, diabetes, the central nervous system, endocrine system and the role of taurine supplements in nutrition. It also includes presentations of novel animal experimental models using Cdo1 and CSAD knock-out mice.

This book presents research on volatiles produced by microbes and plants along with their biotechnological implications for sustainable agriculture. A greater understanding of how plants and microbes live together and benefit each other can provide new strategies to improve plant productivity, while at the same time helping to protect the environment and maintain global biodiversity. To date, the use of chemicals to enhance plant growth or induced resistance in plants has been limited due to the negative effects and the difficulty in determining the optimal concentrations to benefit the plant. The book discusses extensive studies on biological alternatives that avoid these problems, and the research presented suggests that these compounds could offer an environmentally sound means to better grow and protect plants under greenhouse or field conditions. To understand the nature of VOCs and gene expression profiling of plant genes responding against these compounds can be conducted. Itis possible that VOCs produced by microbes while colonizing roots are generated at sufficient concentrations to trigger plant responses. In conclusion, positive or negative effects of VOCs on plant productivity will be dependent on upon specific VOCs microbial strain, plant genotype, and presence/absence of abiotic/biotic stresses

Flavonoids are abundant secondary metabolites found in plants and fungi that have various roles in these organisms, including pigmentation, cell signalling, plant defence and inter-organism communication. Due to their abundance in nature, flavonoids are also important components of the human diet, and the last four decades have seen an intense study focused on the structure characterization of flavonoids and on their roles in mammal metabolism. This book reviews most of the well-established activities of flavonoids, and we also present more recent research studies on the area of flavonoids, including the chemical aspects of structure characterization of flavonoids, the biosynthesis of flavonoids in model plants as well as their role in abiotic stress situations and in agriculture, the role of flavonoids in metabolism and health and their importance in foods, from consumption to their use as bioactive components.

This volume explores microRNA pathophysiology, focusing on basic concepts in molecular and cellular biology. Chapters contributed by leading scientists examine recently discovered pathways in several processes, including aging, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hematopoiesis, and mitochondrial fitness. The authors contextualize microRNAs within epigenetics and micropeptidomics, angiongenesis and atherosclerosis, endometrial pathophysiology, and more. Throughout, numerous color photographs, diagrams of molecular pathways, and tables enhance the text.microRNA: Basic Science is an ideal companion to both microRNA: Medical Evidenceand microRNA: Cancer. Taken together, these three books provide a state-of-the-art overview of this rapidly-expanding and fascinating field, from the molecular level to clinical practice. It will be invaluable to medical students, physicians, and researchers, as a complete and unique guide in the exploration of microRNA in basic science, cancer and clinical practice.

We're all familiar with the idea that plant-derived chemicals can have an impact on the functioning of the human brain. Most of us reach for a cup of coffee or tea in the morning, many of us occasionally eat some chocolate, some smoke a cigarette or take an herbal supplement, and some people use illicit drugs. We know a great deal about the mechanisms by which the psychoactive components of these various products have their effects on human brain function, but the question of why they have these effects has been almost totally ignored. This book sets out to describe not only how, in terms of pharmacology or psychopharmacology, but more importantly why plant- and fungus-derived chemicals have their effects on the human brain. The answer to this last question resides, in part, with the terrestrial world's two dominant life forms, the plants and the insects, and the many ecological roles the'secondary metabolite'plant chemicals are trying to play; for instance, defending the plant against insect herbivores whilst attracting insect pollinators. The answer also resides in the intersecting genetic heritage of mammals, plants, and insects and the surprising biological similarities between the three taxa. In particular it revolves around the close correspondence between the brains of insects and humans, and the intercellular signaling pathways shared by plants and humans. Plants and the Human Brain describes and discusses both how and why phytochemicals affect brain function with respect to the three main groups of secondary metabolites: the alkaloids, which provide us with caffeine, a host of poisons, a handful of hallucinogens, and most drugs of abuse (e.g. morphine, cocaine, DMT, LSD, and nicotine); the phenolics, including polyphenols, which constitute a significant and beneficial part of our natural diet; and the terpenes, a group of multifunctional compounds which provide us with the active components of cannabis and a multitude of herbal extracts such as ginseng, ginkgo and valerian.

Polyphenols in Human Health and Disease documents antioxidant actions of polyphenols in protection of cells and cell organelles, critical for understanding their health-promoting actions to help the dietary supplement industry. The book begins by describing the fundamentals of absorption, metabolism and bioavailability of polyphenols, as well as the effect of microbes on polyphenol structure and function and toxicity. It then examines the role of polyphenols in the treatment of chronic disease, including vascular and cardiac health, obesity and diabetes therapy, cancer treatment and prevention, and more. - Explores neuronal protection by polyphenol metabolites and their application to medical care - Defines modulation of enzyme actions to help researchers see and study polyphenols'mechanisms of action, leading to clinical applications - Includes insights on polyphenols in brain and neurological functions to apply them to the wide range of aging diseases

In this book, the authors present current research in the study of the food sources, biological roles and health implications of oligosaccharides. Topics discussed in this compilation include functional oligosacchardes and their positive health benefits on the digestive system; prebiotic oligosaccharides; behaviour of dietary oligosaccharides in the human gastrointestinal tract; the role of human milk oligosaccharides in preventing respiratory infections in infants; alterations in the glycosylation patterns of alpha-1 glycoprotein in the diagnostic detection of breast cancer; production of oligosaccharides with low molecular weights, secoiridoids and phenolic glycosides from thermally treated olive by-products; supramolecular analytical applications of cyclodextrins and their derivatives using fluorescence spectroscopy; utiization of soy oligosaccharides during fermentation by lactobacilli; impact of low oligosaccharide soybean meal on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens; lipo-oligosaccharides in Miller Fisher Syndrome; and oligosaccharides from ancient beverages fermented by symbiotic cultures.

In the last decade, research on platelet-activating factor (PAF) has expanded exponentially. Previous conferences on PAF in Paris, 1983, and the subsequent conferences in Gatlinburg, Ten­ nessee, Tokyo, Snowbird, Utah, and Berlin, at three-yearly intervals, have chronicled the devel­ opments in the field ofPAF. This volume records the proceedings of the Fifth International Con­ gress on PAF and Related Lipid Mediators, held at the Free University Medical Hospital Ben­ jamin Franklin in Berlin, from September 12-16, 1995. We are very much indebted to Free Uni­ versity Berlin for providing tremendous facilities and financial support. It was a great pleasure to have positive and generous input from the German Science Council (DFG), Bonn, Germany, and British·Biotech, Oxford, United Kingdom. Their support was crucial in making the congress a scientific success. Twenty other organizations provided additional financial support, for which we extend our deepest appreciation. The editors would like to thank all of those who participated in this congress and the authors for their contributions. The organization and planning of the Berlin Congress were carried out by an organizing committee. We gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the organizing commit­ tee members, especially Renate Nigam and Renate Roux for their untiring efforts to make the congress successful. Many colleagues also supported the congress with dedication, hard work, and expert input. We are grateful to them. We also wish to acknowledge the support of G. Sravan Kumar and Louis Kock for their efforts in producing this volume.

On June 24-26, 1985, a major International Conference on the Hea1th Effects of P01yunsaturated Fatty Acids in Seafoods was held in Washington, D. C. The conference had two objectives: (1) to review the research data on the health effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids in seafoods in terms of the impact of omega-3 fatty acids on eicosanoid formation, thrombosis and inflammation, and the role of docosahexaenoic acid in membrane function and metabolism, and (2) to develop a research agenda to determine the spectrum of the health effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids of seafood origin in the American diet. The 1985 conference established the fact that omega-3 fatty acids of marine origin - eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - play important roles in prostaglandin metabolism, thrombosis and atherosc1erosis, immunology and inflammation, and membrane function. In response to the conference recommendations, the Congress of the United States provided special funding for the establishment of a'test materials 1aboratory'within the US Department of Commerce to produce under documented quality contr01 the types and quanti ties of omega-3 te~3t materials required by biomedica1 researchers. The forms of test materials to be produced include refined fish oil, polyunsaturated fatty acid enhanced triglycerides, concentrates of esters of fatty acids, purified omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-3 mono-, di- and tri~lyceride mixtures.

Volume 8 of Advances in Nutritional Research deals with several topics of prime current interest in nutritional research, including the role of nutrition in hypertension, in the infections associated with protein-energy malnu­ trition, and in pathological conditions associated with the generation of oxygen radicals in the tissues, as well as with topics of ongoing interest. Recent research indicates that reduction of obesity, of alcohol intake, and of sodium intake by salt-sensitive individuals, are the most effective non­ pharmacological means of reducing high blood pressure. A new approach to therapy for infections caused by protein-energy malnutrition, based on restoration of immunocompetence by administration of thyroid and anti­ glucocorticoid hormones, is presented. Current research into the role of nutrition in modulating tissue damage caused by oxygen radicals generated in various pathologies is reviewed. Two· chapters deal with perinatal nutrition, one with the transfer of nutrients across the placenta and the other with the energy requirements of term and preterm infants. Another dicusses methods of assessing the nutritional status of hospitalized patients. vii Contents Chapter 1. The Transfer of Nutrients across the Perfused Human Placenta.................................... Joseph Dands 1. Introduction................................. 1 2. Comments on Comparative Placentology...........•.. 1. 3. The Perfusion Technique..................... 3.... 4. Review of Transfer Experiments.................... 3 4.1. Transfer of Glutamic Acid.................... 3 4.2. Transfer of Riboflavin................ •... 6... 5. Potentials and Umltations.................... 9....References........................... 10......

Xylose is a sugar isolated from wood, and classified as a monosaccharide of the aldopentose type, which means that it contains five carbon atoms and includes an aldehyde functional group. It is the precursor to hemicellulose, one of the main constituents of biomass. Like most sugars, it can adopt several structures depending on conditions. This book presents topical research in the study of the production, consumption and health benefits of xylose including the manufacture, refining, and characterization of oligosaccharides from lignocellulosic materials; xylose as a dietary sugar source; utilization of xylose for producing bio-based fuels; use of D-Xylose in the green surfactant industry; xylitol production from xylose by a hyperacidophilic candida tropicalis using fed-batch fermentation strategy and enzymatic xylose release from wheat bran arabinoxylans.

Proceedings of the 3rd IUPAC International Conference on Biodiversity (ICOB-3), November 3-8, 2001, Antalya, Turkey. This book discusses the value of bioresources and the need for their conservation in terms of the biomolecular chemistry of naturally occurring molecular systems. The development of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial products from bioresources can be used to promote incentives for conservation by providing an economic return to sustainable use of those sources. The 54 chapters inform readers on the search for insight into the species and documents how much of life remains to be scientifically identified. They also explore identification strategies and methods along with the implications for protecting biodiversity. In summary, biomolecular aspects of biodiversity and innovative utilization of bioresources are discussed from very diverse points of view ranging from their botanical, zoological, taxonomic and genomic expressions to their biomolecular, structural, mechanistic and functional aspects.

In the mid-1980s the European Journal of Biochemistry set out to publish review articles. The enterprise proved successful resulting in high-level reviews written by well-known scientists appearing in the Journal. The reviews represent emerging and rapidly growing fields of research in fundamental as well as applied areas of biochemistry, such as medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and nutrition. Novel methodological and technological approaches which stimulate biochemical research are also included. The authors of the reviews are explicitly asked to be critical, selective, evaluative and interdisciplinarily oriented. The reviews should encourage young scientists toward independent and creative thinking, and inform active investigators about the state of the art in a given field.

Tannins are astringent, bitter plant polyphenols that either bind and precipitate or shrink proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. The astringency from the tannins is what causes the dry and puckery feeling in the mouth following the consumption of unripened fruit or red wine. This book presents current research in the study of tannins including: the effect of tannins in animal nutrition; proanthocyanidins in grapes and wines; using tannins to produce coagulant agents for water purification; and solar photodegradation of tannin in wood leachate.

There are about 8 million deaths each year from neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the underdeveloped world, whilst drug discovery focus and practice is only recently taking on greater urgency and embracing the latest technologies. This unique book is a state of the art review of drug discovery in respect of NTDs and highlights best practice to guide the ongoing drug discovery effort and also to raise debate and awareness in areas that remain highly neglected. All the major diseases such as malaria, trypanosomatids and TB are covered, with a review of each disease and established compounds, new mechanistic classes and new horizons. Each chapter highlights the key science that has led to breakthroughs, with detailed assessment of the key medicinal chemistry involved, and critical appraisal of new emerging approaches. Later chapters highlight under publicized disease areas where the medical needs are neglected and research is very limited, to raise awareness. The editors, acknowledged experts in the field, have a wealth of experience in successful drug discovery practice and tropical diseases.

The HDL Handbook: Biological Functions to Clinical Implications brings laboratory research in HDL from bench to bedside in this needed resource for researchers and clinicians studying cholesterol, lipids, epidemiology, biochemistry, molecular medicine, and pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, researchers and clinicians working with an aging population, corporate researchers, post-doctorates; medical students and graduate students will find this publication useful because the scope of coverage includes basic science, genetics, epidemiology, and treatment of HDL cholesterol as well as potential targets to modify HDL cholesterol. - Comprehensive coverage of basic science, genetics, epidemiology and treatment - Reputable content on latest advances in HDL cholesterol research - Inclusive, worldwide content with country specific information - In depth discussion of potential targets to modify HDL

Extracellular purines and pyrimidines (ATP, ADP, UTP and adenosine) are released into the extracellular milieu in response to a variety of stress conditions and act as important regulators of vascular homeostasis. This new book is uniquely focused on the signaling actions of extracellular purines in endothelial cells and the crucial role of extracellular purines in regulation of angiogenesis, vascular tone, cell permeability, wound healing, inflammation and cell-to-cell communication. This book examines the responses of endothelial cells, originating from various tissues (such as cornea, pancreas and uterus), to extracellular nucleotides and adenosine under physiological and pathological conditions, i.e. pregnancy, hypoxia, hypertension, inflammation and diabetes. In the book's 12 chapters, the role of purinergic signaling in endothelium-dependent tissue perfusion, regulation of endothelial barrier function, and angiogenesis are discussed. The mechanisms of ATP release and its role in intercellular communication are also presented. In addition, the book provides the most up to date mechanisms of extracellular nucleotide metabolism by purine-converting ecto-enzymes and their contribution to purinergic signaling in endothelial cells originating from various vascular beds. This book is a valuable resource for biomedical research scientists, clinical scientists, graduate students and health science professionals interested in the mechanisms of extracellular purine function in endothelial cells under physiologic and pathologic conditions.

Alternative Sources of Adult Stem Cells: Human Amniotic Membrane, by S. Wolbank, M. van Griensven, R. Grillari-Voglauer, and A. Peterbauer-Scherb; •Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Tissues: Primitive Cells with Potential for Clinical and Tissue Engineering Applications, by P. Moretti, T. Hatlapatka, D. Marten, A. Lavrentieva, I. Majore, R. Hass and C. Kasper; •Isolation, Characterization, Differentiation, and Application of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells, by J. W. Kuhbier, B. Weyand, C. Radtke, P. M. Vogt, C. Kasper and K. Reimers; •Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: Characteristics and Perspectives, by T. Cantz and U. Martin; •Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Technology in Regenerative Medicine and Biology, by D. Pei, J. Xu, Q. Zhuang, H.-F. Tse and M. A. Esteban; •Production Process for Stem Cell Based Therapeutic Implants: Expansion of the Production Cell Line and Cultivation of Encapsulated Cells, by C. Weber, S. Pohl, R. Poertner, P. Pino-Grace, D. Freimark, C. Wallrapp, P. Geigle and P. Czermak;•Cartilage Engineering from Mesenchymal Stem Cells, by C. Goepfert, A. Slobodianski, A.F. Schilling, P. Adamietz and R. Poertner;•Outgrowth Endothelial Cells: Sources, Characteristics and Potential Applications in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, by S. Fuchs, E. Dohle, M. Kolbe, C. J. Kirkpatrick;•Basic Science and Clinical Application of Stem Cells in Veterinary Medicine, by I. Ribitsch, J. Burk, U. Delling, C. Geißler, C. Gittel, H. Jülke, W. Brehm;•Bone Marrow Stem Cells in Clinical Application: Harnessing Paracrine Roles and Niche Mechanisms, by R. M. El Backly, R. Cancedda;•Clinical Application of Stem Cells in the Cardiovascular System, C. Stamm, K. Klose, Y.-H. Choi

The aim of this book is to describe chemical and biochemical aspects of winemaking that are currently being researched. The authors have selected the very best experts for each of the areas. The first part of the book summarizes the most important aspects of winemaking technology and microbiology. The second most extensive part deals with the different groups of compounds, how these are modified during the various steps of the production process, and how they affect the wine quality, sensorial aspects, and physiological activity, etc. The third section describes undesirable alterations of wines, including those affecting quality and food safety. Finally, the treatment of data will be considered, an aspect which has not yet been tackled in any other book on enology. In this chapter, the authors not only explain the tools available for analytical data processing, but also indicate the most appropriate treatment to apply, depending on the information required, illustrating withexamples throughout the chapter from enological literature.

Plant polyphenols are secondary metabolites that constitute one of the most common and widespread groups of natural products. They express a large and diverse panel of biological activities including beneficial effects on both plants and humans. Many polyphenols, from their structurally simplest representatives to their oligo/polymeric versions (also referred to as vegetable tannins), are notably known as phytoestrogens, plant pigments, potent antioxidants, and protein interacting agents.Sponsored by the scholarly society Groupe Polyphénols, this publication, which is the fifth volume in this highly regarded Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research series, is edited by Kumi Yoshida, Véronique Cheynier and Stéphane Quideau. They have once again, like their predecessors, put together an impressive collection of cutting-edge chapters written by expert scientists, internationally respected in their respective field of polyphenol sciences. This Volume 5 highlights some of the latest information and opinion on the following major research topics about polyphenols: • Chemistry, physicochemistry & materials science• Biosynthesis, genetic & metabolic engineering• Plant & ecosystem, lignocellulosic biomass• Food, nutrition & health • Natural medicine & Kampo• Tannins & their functionsChemists, biochemists, plant scientists, pharmacognosists and pharmacologists, biologists, ecologists, food scientists and nutritionists will all find this book an invaluable resource. Libraries in all universities and research institutions where these disciplines are studied and taught should have copies on their bookshelves.

This book meets the long-awaited need for a comprehensive overview of the biological role of HDLs. Edited by one of the pioneers in HDL and cholesterol research, this monograph summarizes current knowledge on HDL turnover, regulation and physiology. Clearly structured, the various sections cover HDL structure, formation, secretion and removal, as well as plasma metabolic factors. The biological activities and clinical aspects are equally discussed, as is the impact of HDL on common diseases and their prevention.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. In the early days of the serial, the subjects of vitamins and hormones were quite distinct. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.

This publication contains an extensive overview of free radicals and diseases, including both basic science approaches and clinical applications. The research of the last decades has contributed substantially to the understanding role and function of these metabolites. It is the aim of the editors to include a large variety of biological models ranging from yeast over mitochondria, isolated cells and cell culture models to animals and humans. The topics discussed focus on the function and integrity of mitochondria under oxidative conditions, the role of protein oxidation and proteolysis in the.

Quinones are members of a class of aromatic compounds with two oxygen atoms bonded to the ring as carbonyl groups. This volume covers more clinical aspects of quinines, such as anticancer properties, as well as their role in nutrition and in age-related diseases. - Mitochondrial Ubiquinone and Reductases - Anticancer Quinones and Quinone Oxido-Reductases - Quininone Reductases: Chemoprevention, Nutrition - Quinones and Age-Related Diseases

Quinones are members of a class of aromatic compounds with two oxygen atoms bonded to the ring as carbonyl groups. This volume covers the role of quinines enzymes in cellular signalling and modulation of gene expression.•Coenzyme Q: Detection and Quinone Reductases•Plasma Membrane Quinone Reductases•Quinones, Cellular Signaling, and Modulation of Gene Expression

Complex and unexplained phenomena tend to foster unorthodox perspectives. This publication is an example, as is a prior publication that emphasized the concept that intermediary metabolism might play a significant and determining role in hepatocyte proliferation and 1 tumorigenesis. Formulation of this hypothesis was based on an attempt to clarify several poorly understood phenomena; including the observations: 1) that xenobiotic peroxisome proliferators such as the fibrate hypolipidemic agents induce hepatocyte proliferation and carcinogenesis in rodents; 2) that benign and malignant liver tumors complicate the human syndrome of glycogen storage disease type I (glucose-6-phosphatase deficiency); and 3) that in this same syndrome, administration of glucose exerts an anti-tumor effect. Fatty acid and glucose metabolism are tightly linked in a we- established and profoundly inportant interplay. This connection, together with the fact that peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocyte proliferation and carcinogenesis reflects inhibition of mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I and fatty acid oxidation, suggested the possibility that regulation of fatty acid metabolism could prove to be a pivotal determinant in the control of cell growth. In 1993, the year in which the paper cited above was published, insight into the importance of growth factors and signal transduction pathways in cell cycle regulation was increasing rapidly, but metabolic and energetic aspects of cell proliferation had attracted relatively little attention. Despite this, the concept seemed inescapable that the two seemingly distinct and unrelated determinants — signal transduction and metabolism — were integrally linked.

The fifth volume in the Advances in lipid methodology series is the first with new editor, Richard O. Adlof, but its objectives are still those of the previous editor, William W. Christie:'To provide readable, up-to-date reviews of rapidly expanding areas of lipid analysis and practical examples which should be of immediate use to lipid analysts'.As in the previous volumes of Advances in lipid methodology, the editor has chosen leading international experts to write individual chapters. Volume 5 contains four chapters on specific methodologies of lipid analysis and three which describe specific applications or standardization of methods.The methodologies are different scanning calorimetry for the study of physical properties of fats and oils; silver ion chromatography; atmospheric-pressure chemical-ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS); and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC).Chapters on specific applications cover the analysis of genetically modified oils and the use of fatty acid profiling in the characterization of metabolic diseases. A further chapter provides an overview of the official standard methods used for fats and oils analysis and gives extensive listings of information on standards organizations.

This work contains over thirty chapters by leading researchers in the field of oxidative biology, originally presented as articles in an extended Forum in the highly-cited journal, Free Radical Biology & Medicine. The papers in this Forum (or Symposium-in-print) spanned seven issues of the journal, over many months. This is the first time that all of these expert contributions are presented in one place.Reliable methods for measuring OSS in organisms are essential. These would, amongst other things, offer applications as early warning signals for cancer and heart disease - eventually giving a range of measurable oxidation products best related to any given disease state.Additional observations relevant to OSS include: how much do measures of OSS vary in a group of humans? Does OSS decrease as a result of life-change factors and does it increase with age? With disease? With stress? Can a non-invasive, reliable, reputable measure of OSS be identified?This informative book provides the reader with the latest status of studies into OSS, currently used examples of BOSS, and answers to at least some of the questions posed above.

The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today-truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.This volume presents an extensive collection of new methodologies to aid progress in solving unanswered questions concerning the bioavailability and metabolism of flavonoids and polyphenols, their biochemical and molecular biological effects on cell regulation, and their effects on health. Major topics in this volume include sources, characterization, analytical methods, bioavailability, antioxidant action, and biological activity.

Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage of progress in the major areas of chemical research. Written by experts in their specialist fields the series creates a unique service for the active research chemist, supplying regular critical in-depth accounts of progress in particular areas of chemistry. For over 80 years the Royal Society of Chemistry and its predecessor, the Chemical Society, have been publishing reports charting developments in chemistry, which originally took the form of Annual Reports. However, by 1967 the whole spectrum of chemistry could no longer be contained within one volume and the series Specialist Periodical Reports was born. The Annual Reports themselves still existed but were divided into two, and subsequently three, volumes covering Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. For more general coverage of the highlights in chemistry they remain a'must'. Since that time the SPR series has altered according to the fluctuating degree of activity in various fields of chemistry. Some titles have remained unchanged, while others have altered their emphasis along with their titles; some have been combined under a new name whereas others have had to be discontinued. The current list of Specialist Periodical Reports can be seen on the inside flap of this volume.

Marine Natural Products: Chemical and Biological Perspectives, Volume V focuses on the chemical and biological study of sponges. Chapters in the volume present papers discussing the various findings and researches on sponges. Topics discussed include a review on research on sponge metabolites; biosynthetic studies of marine organisms; steroid research on unicellular algae; structural organic chemistry of marine metabolites; and marine biopolymers. Marine biologists, biochemists, and pharmacologists will find the book a good reference material.

This book was developed from the proceedings of the American Chemical Society, Division of Agricultural & Food Chemistry, subdivision of Natural Products Symposium'Biosynthesis and Metabolism of Secondary Natural Products'held in Atlanta, Georgia, April 1991. The objective of the conference was to bring together people from apparently diverse fields, ranging from biotechnology, metabolism, mechanistic organic chemistry, enzymology, fermentation, and biosynthesis, but who share a common interest in either the biosynthesis or the metabolism of natural products. It is our intention to help bridge the gap between the fields of mechanistic bio-organic chemistry and biotechnology. Our thanks go to Dr. Henry Yokoyama, co-organizer of the symposium, the authors who so kindly contributed chapters, the conference participants, and to those who assisted in the peer review process. We also thank the financial supporters of the symposium: ACS/AGFD, NIH General Medical Sciences, and the agricultural, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chromatography companies. A full list of the supporting corporations and institutions is given on the following page. Pharma-Tech and P.C., Inc. are manufacturers of instrumentation for high-speed countercurrent chromatography. We thank the Agricultural Research Service and the U. S. Department of Agriculture for granting me permission to co-organize the conference and for us to complete the book. Richard J. Petroski Susan P. McCormick USDA, ARS, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research Peoria, IL 61604 June 10, 1992 vii CONTENTS ANTIBIOTICS Polyketide Synthetases: Enzyme Complexes and Multifunctional Proteins Directing the Biosynthesis of Bacterial Metabolites from Fatty Acids...............................3...........

International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology-both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.