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This book gives a current overview on the development, origin, structure, and functions of germline and somatic cell syncytia during embryogenesis and organogenesis. It also reviews pathogen-induced syncytia and the role of syncytial cells in cancer development.The book covers the following topics:germline syncytia, evolution, function and structure; syncytia in embryogenesis and development; the role of somatic cell fusion in fungi, specialized somatic tissues, host defense and adaptation; syncytia induced by viruses and parasites;syncytia and circulating hybrid cells in cancer and other pathological conditions; It also discusses how the genomic adaptations of microorganisms to extreme habitats can prompt the evolution of mononuclear and multinucleate/syncytial cells. The book offers a fresh outlook on syncytia's role in various processes: embryogenesis, organogenesis, adaptation, host defense, and development of specialized tissues. It highlights the importance of syncytia under physiological and pathological conditions.

Molecular Chaperones in Human Disorders, Volume 114 in the Advances in Protein Chemistry and Structural Biology series, provides an overview of current developments in mechanisms underlying DNA repair and their involvement in maintaining chromatin repair, the balance between chromosomal repair pathways, tumorigenesis, immune signaling and infection-induced inflammation. Chapters in this new release cover Functional principles and regulation of molecular chaperones, Chaperones and retinal disorders, Protein misfolding and degradation in genetic diseases, Chaperone dysfunction in hereditary myopathic diseases, Diseases caused by functional disorder of molecular chaperones residing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and many other timely topics. Describes advances in our understanding on DNA repair mechanisms and the involvement of their dysregulation in promoting diseases Provides an ideal resource for a very wide audience of specialists, researchers and students Contains timely chapters written by well-renown authorities in their field Presents information that is well supported by a number of high quality illustrations, figures and tables

Skin Tissue Models provides a translational link for biomedical researchers on the interdisciplinary approaches to skin regeneration. As the skin is the largest organ in the body, engineered substitutes have critical medical application to patients with disease and injury – from burn wounds and surgical scars, to vitiligo, psoriasis and even plastic surgery. This volume offers readers preliminary description of the normal structure and function of mammalian skin, exposure to clinical problems and disease, coverage of potential therapeutic molecules and testing, skin substitutes, models as study platforms of skin biology and emerging technologies. The editors have created a table of contents which frames the relevance of skin tissue models for researchers as platforms to study skin biology and therapeutic approaches for different skin diseases, for clinicians as tissue substitutes, and for cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as alternative test substrates that can replace animal models. Offers descriptions of the normal structure/function of mammalian skin, exposure to clinical problems, and more Presents coverage of skin diseases (cancer, genodermatoses, vitiligo and psoriasis) that extends to clinical requirements and skin diseases in vitro models Addresses legal requirements and ethical concerns in drugs and cosmetics in vitro testing Edited and authored by internationally renowned group of researchers, presenting the broadest coverage possible

Food is an essential means for humans and other animals to acquire the necessary elements needed for survival. However, it is also a transport vehicle for foodborne pathogens, which can pose great threats to human health. Use of antibiotics has been enhanced in the human health system; however, selective pressure among bacteria allows the development for antibiotic resistance. Foodborne Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance bridges technological gaps, focusing on critical aspects of foodborne pathogen detection and mechanisms regulating antibiotic resistance that are relevant to human health and foodborne illnesses This groundbreaking guide:• Introduces the microbial presence on variety of food items for human and animal consumption.• Provides the detection strategies to screen and identify the variety of food pathogens in addition to reviews the literature. • Provides microbial molecular mechanism of food spoilage along with molecular mechanism of microorganisms acquiring antibiotic resistance in food.• Discusses systems biology of food borne pathogens in terms of detection and food spoilage.• Discusses FDA's regulations and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) towards challenges and possibilities of developing global food safety. Foodborne Pathogens and Antibiotic Resistance is an immensely useful resource for graduate students and researchers in the food science, food microbiology, microbiology, and industrial biotechnology.

Regulated Cell Death Part A & Part B of Methods in Enzymology continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field. This volume covers research methods in apoptosis focusing on the important areas of intrinsic pathway, extrinsic pathway, caspases, cellular assays and post-apoptotic effects and model organisms; as well as topics on necroptosis and screening approaches. Continues the legacy of this premier serial with quality chapters authored by leaders in the field Covers research methods in biomineralization science Regulated Cell Death Part A & Part B contains sections on such topics as apoptosis focusing on the important areas of intrinsic pathway, extrinsic pathway, caspases, cellular assays and post-apoptotic effects and model organisms; as well as topics on necroptosis and screening approaches

Beginning from centuries of anecdotal descriptions of cell death, such as those on the development of the midwife toad in 1842 by Carl Vogt, to modern-day investigations of cell death as a biological discipline, it has become accepted that cell death in multicellular organisms is a normal part of life. This book provides a comprehensive view of cell death, from its mechanisms of initiation and execution, to its implication in human disease and therapy.Physiological cell death plays critical roles in almost all aspects of biology, and the book details its roles in lymphocyte homeostasis, neuronal function, metabolism, and the DNA damage response. When physiological cell death goes awry, diseases can arise, and cancer is presented as a central paradigm for the consequences of derangements in the interplay between cell survival and cell death. At the same time, the potential promise of targeted therapies aimed at interdicting cell death machineries are also discussed extensively. The molecular mechanisms that underlie apoptotic cell death are illustrated from the perspectives of both the intrinsic, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and the extrinsic, death receptor pathway. Key players in these pathways, such as the Bcl2 family proteins, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, caspases, death receptor adapter proteins, and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins, are presented from both functional and structural angles. Until only a few years ago, programmed cell death has been considered essentially synonymous with apoptosis. However, we now know that programmed cell death can also take other forms such as necrosis or necroptosis, and to this end, the mechanisms that underlie programmed necrosis in development and host defense are illustrated. The past twenty plus years have seen an incredible growth of research in cell death, with one breakthrough after another, and the legacy still goes on with constant new surprises and findings. Long live cell death!

This book provides the readers with an overview of research on p53, which has been shown to play a role in numerous crucial biological pathways in normal and cancer cells. Leading scientist in the field, who have all made direct contributions to the understanding of the molecular events underpinning p53 function, have been invited to contribute the various chapters, which discuss the current knowledge of the signaling cascades that are activated by mutations in p53 and overexpression of MDM2, frequently found in human cancer and are major causes of oncogenesis.This book features chapters on the molecular basis of oncogenesis induced by gain of function mutation of p53, signaling pathways induced by MDM2 overexpression, control of mutant or wild-type p53 function by MDM2 and MDMX, p53 mutation in hereditary cancer and structural aspects that activate mutant p53 which can be targeted by drug therapy. This book should be useful for scientists at all levels.

The second volume in the Stem Cells series concentrates on the mechanisms of stem cell regeneration in the adult organism with a view towards understanding how lost tissue can be replaced during adulthood and aging. The second focus of this volume is on stem cell identification and manipulation, including applications in basic research, medicine, a

The relatively simple, stratified nature of the retina and its spe- fied use in the visual process has long made it an inviting tissue to study both for its own sake and as a model for the more complex processes of the brain. For these dual purposes, the retina can be thought of as basically consisting of two functional pans. First, the outer retina, comprised of the photoreceptor cells and attendant pigment epithelium, serves to capture the photic energy and convert it into a neurochemical response. Second, the inner layers of the retina, mainly bipolar, amacrine and ganglion cells (and their attendant Maller cells), function more clearly as a typical part of the CNS, transmitting the photic signals to the brain. Between the 8th and 12th of August 1988 more than seventy scientists from allover the world gathered in Oldenburg (Federal Republic of Gennany) for a meeting'The neurobiology of the inner retina'which was devoted entirely to the neural mechanism of the inner synaptic layer of the verte­ brate retina. The meeting comprised twenty - three separate lectures and four specially arranged discussion groups. In addition, a number of posters were displayed and a period was allotted specifically for the discussion of these posters. The articles contained in this book will serve as a record of the papers delivered at the Oldenburg Meeting and illustrate the advances made in trying to understand the importance of the diversity of amacrine cell morphology and physiology in retinal function.

Many physiological conditions such as host defense or aging and pathological conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes are associated with the accumulation of high levels of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. This generates a condition called oxidative stress. Low levels of reactive oxygen species, however, which are continuously produced during aerobic metabolism, function as important signaling molecules, setting the metabolic pace of cells and regulating processes ranging from gene expression to apoptosis. For this book we would like to recruit the experts in the field of redox chemistry, bioinformatics and proteomics, redox signaling and oxidative stress biology to discuss how organisms achieve the appropriate redox balance, the mechanisms that lead to oxidative stress conditions and the physiological consequences that contribute to aging and disease.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine uses a combination of cells, scaffolding and bioreactive factors to treat a variety of pathological conditions and has become a treatment option for many adult diseases. In this book, the authors present current research from across the globe, in the study of the fundamentals, techniques and applications of tissue engineering. Topics discussed in this compilation include the characterization of liver organogenesis and fetal and adult stem/progenitor cells; in vitro biological activity of double and triple component system scaffolds in bone tissue engineering; stretching bioreactors for dynamic engineering of muscle tissues; adipose-derived stem cells and their application in tissue engineering; regenerative medicine and tissue engineering for congenital birth defects.

The 21st ESACT conference was held in the beautiful surroundings of the CityWest Hotel resort in Dublin, Ireland. For the first time in ESACT history the number of participants exceeded 900: a sign of the ever increasing importance of this area. The conference commenced on Sunday June 5th with two sets of parallel workshops on the subjects listed below. An additional workshop was held on Monday lunchtime of the conferenceProcess Analytical Technology (PAT), Quality by Design (QbD) and other recent regulatory developments.2. Innovative media products for the 21st century biopharmaceutical industry.3. The impact of high titre media feed-streams on monoclonal antibody purification.4. Advances in genomics and proteomics.5. Stem Cell Technology: new developments and clinical applications.

Cytokines are a group of peptides secreted by cells of the immune system such as macrophages, lymphocytes, and T cells. They can be divided into functional families and have-wide ranging impacts that affect cells and molecular pathways to the whole individual. Written by distinguished scholars and experts, this book is a holistic reference to enabl

'The Networking of Chaperones by Co-chaperones'updates the current understanding of how chaperones are regulated and networked, and is a resource for those in the specialized field of cell stress and chaperones. The book will also be of interest to those in broader cross-cutting field such as cellular networks and systems biology.

Thiol Redox Transitions in Cell Signaling, Part A, along with its companion (volume 475), presents methods and protocols dealing with thiol oxidation-reduction reactions and their implications as they relate to cell signaling. This first installment of Cadenas and Packer's two-volume treatment specifically deals with glutathionylation and dethiolation, and peroxide removal by peroxiredoxins/thioredoxins and glutathione peroxidases. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for 40 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. Over 450 volumes have been published to date, and much of the material is relevant even today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences. Along with companion volume, provides a full overview of techniques necessary to the study of thiol redox in relation to cell signaling Gathers tried and tested techniques from global labs, offering both new and tried-and-true methods Relevant background and reference information given for procedures can be used as a guide to developing protocols in a number of disciplines

This book on cell death contains 29 self-contained, peer-reviewed articles written by leading scientists in each field. It features overview articles aimed at undergraduates and non-specialists, which present basic information and provide entry into the following advanced articles. These advanced articles are written for postgraduate students and research workers, containing detailed information and key references allowing the reader to investigate a specific area in more depth. The book is an essential resource for educational purposes as well as a reference work for experienced researchers in the field. The articles will also be available electronically as part of the acclaimed Encyclopedia of Life Sciences (ELS). Key features: Provides a comprehensive overview on the research of programmed cell death. Edited by leaders in the field. Clearly written and illustrated articles. Full colour throughout. A spin-on to the acclaimed reference work, the Encyclopedia of Life Science (ELS). Combines introductory information with coverage of the latest discoveries in the field. Features overview level articles for advanced students or people new to a topic and more advanced articles for those requiring more detailed information. Serves as a reference work for advanced students as well as researchers in this field. Ideal library purchase for science, medical, and technology libraries in academia, government, and industry; medical libraries; networks and consortia covering these markets.

This collection of articles on oxidative stress in clinical practice surveys essential current research in what is a rapidly evolving field. As well as giving the reader a mechanistic overview of how oxidative stress affects cardiovascular disease, it analyzes the potential of a number of therapeutic options that target these pathways. Understanding the complexity of the cellular redox system could lead to the development of better targeted interventions that facilitate patient recovery. Even as large-scale clinical trials of so-called ‘simple'antioxidant approaches such as vitamins C and E show that significant benefits for cardiovascular patients remain elusive, Studies on Cardiovascular Disorders demonstrates that such approaches are too simplistic. Beginning with a summary of redox signaling models that could induce the progression of redox-associated cardiovascular disorders, the volume moves on to examine redox-mediated protein modification under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. It provides an outline of the signaling pathways in cardiovascular development during embryogenesis, and what impact these might have in the differentiation process of resident cardiac and blastocyst derived stem cells. Further chapters detail our current knowledge of the influence the sensory nervous system exerts on the cardiovascular system, and the paradoxical role of mitochondria-derived ROS in cardiac protection. In all, almost 30 contributions cover issues as diverse as the antioxidant properties of statins in the heart and the oxidative risk factors for cardiovascular disease in women. A range of medical practitioners will find the contents of Studies on Cardiovascular Disorders provides illuminating insight into the Janus-faced role of ROS in the cardiovascular system.

An important function of the endoplasmic reticulum is the folding of newly synthesized polypeptide chains. Several general and specialized chaperones operate in the endoplasmic reticulum to assist protein folding. This book reviews our current knowledge of molecular chaperones of the ER, including the HSP70 class chaperones BiP and GRP170, their DnaJ and GrpE co-chaperones, the HSP90 class chaperone GRP94, and the lectin chaperones calnexin, calmegin, and calreticulin. This book provides an overview of the biochemistry and physical chemistry of molecular chaperones with emphasis on molecular chaperones of the endoplasmic reticulum.

International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology 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. Impact factor for 2008: 4.935. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field Provides up-to-date information and directions for future research Valuable reference material for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional scientists

This book was adapted from graduate courses on signal transduction taught by the editor, where the need for a good overview of recent developments on each of the topics being discussed became apparent. Given the wide range of research topics in signaling, a selection was made that not only reflects the current research interest, but also anticipates those areas that will continue to be of interest over the next several years. The health-relatedness of research was a major criterion for selection, as can be seen in the list of topics covered, such as G protein coupled receptors, growth factors, nuclear receptors, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the cell cycle and cancer. The emphasis is on areas of signaling research with direct clinical significance. Another field covered, one rarely highlighted in signal transduction books, is that of signaling platforms, which has been emerging as a significant research area relevant to cellular metabolism, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.

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.

Molecular chaperones are involved in a wide variety of essential cellular processes in living cells. A subset of molecular chaperones have been initially described as heat shock proteins protecting cells from stress damage by keeping cellular proteins in a folding competent state and preventing them from irreversible aggregation. Later it became obvious that molecular chaperones are also expressed constitutively in the cell and are involved in complex processes such as protein synthesis, intracellular protein transport, post-translational modification and secretion of proteins as well as receptor signalling. Hence, it is not surprising that molecular chaperones are implicated in the pathogenesis of many relevant diseases and could be regarded as potential pharmacological targets. Starting with the analysis of the mode of action of chaperones at the molecular, cellular and organismic level, this book will then describe specific aspects where modulation of chaperone action could be of pharmacological and therapeutic interest.

International Review of Cytology

Jac A. Nickoloff and Merl F. Hoekstra update and expand their two earlier acclaimed volumes (Vol. I: DNA Repair in Prokaryotes and Lower Eukaryotes and Vol. II: DNA Repair in Higher Eurkaryotes) with cutting-edge reviews by leading authorities of primary experimental findings about DNA repair processes in cancer biology. The reviews cover a wide range of topics from viruses and prokaryotes to higher eukaryotes, and include several new topics, among them the role of recombination in replication of damaged DNA, X-ray crystallographic analysis of DNA repair protein structures, DNA repair proteins and teleomere function, and the roles of BRCA1 and BRCA2 in DNA repair. Authoritative and up-to-date, DNA Damage and Repair, Vol. III: Advances from Phage to Humans surveys the rapidly moving research in DNA damage and repair, and explains the important functional relationships among different DNA repair pathways and the relationship between DNA repair pathways, cancer etiology, and cancer therapies.

Cutting edge reviews by leading researchers illuminate key aspects of DNA repair in mammalian systems and its relationship to human genetic disease and cancer. Major topics include UV and X-Ray repair, repair of chemical damage, recombinational repair, mismatch repair, transcription-repair coupling, and the role of DNA repair in disease prevention. Extensive up-to-date references and rigorous peer-review of each chapter make this volume definitive and bring it to the active frontiers of research.