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'Dietary fibre is of interest to both science and industry, and yet despite growing awareness of its benefits to health and nutrition, intakes remain below the recommended level. Industry has responded by developing new applications, products and processes to help consumers increase their fibre intake in a convenient way. While regulations on health claims are being developed for example in the EU, some countries have allowed the use of health claims to help promote consumer awareness of the benefits of a higher fibre intake, and to inform consumers of good sources of fibre. At the same time science is developing the concept of dietary fibre. The mechanisms and actual components behind the physiological effects are of particular interest, and so are the analytical tools to measure these. The fate of dietary fibre in the gut, where certain fibre components are fermented and converted by microbes gains a great deal of attention. The role of molecular weight and viscosity of dietary fibre components in determining the health benefits are also discussed. This book is essential reading for all researchers and those who concern themselves with bioprocesses and food technology.'Dietary fibre components and functions'covers the most up-to-date research available on dietary fibre and will be an indispensable tool for all scientists involved in research and development in this field.'

Inspired by Carlos Beyer's 50 years of pioneering research and influence on his students and colleagues, Behavioral Neuroendocrinology builds upon Beyer's fundamental discoveries and concepts as well as their widespread implications. It presents original research and reviews on mechanisms — genomic and non-genomic — of steroid and protein hormone action; the role of steroid metabolism, especially aromatization, protein phosphorylation, and neurotransmitter action in mediating reproductive behavior and sexual differentiation; and brain and spinal cord mechanisms in sexual behavior and analgesia. This book presents a rich diversity of topics — lactation, maternal behavior, pheromone action, chronobiology, allodynia, angiogenesis, prostate physiology, sexual motivation, and specific brain systems, including vomeronasal system, cerebellum, preoptic area, hypothalamus, and spinal cord. This book brings together, in one source, an international'family'of researchers whose work has evolved in diverse but related ways from a seminal set of discoveries and concepts in behavioral neuroendocrinology.

Natural products present in the plant and animal kingdom offer a huge diversity of chemical structures which are the result of biosynthetic processes that have been modulated over the millennia through genetic effects. With the rapid developments in spectroscopic techniques and accompanying advances in high-throughput screening techniques, it has become possible to isolate, and then determine the structures and biological activity of natural products rapidly, thus opening up exciting new opportunities in the field of new drug development to the pharmaceutical industry. The series also covers the synthesis or testing and recording of the medicinal properties of natural products. - Describes the chemistry of bioactive natural products - Contains contributions by leading authorities in the field - A valuable resource for natural product and medicinal chemistry

This volume contains the proceedings of the Tenth International Meeting of the International Study Group for Tryptophan Research (ISTR V), held at the University of Padova, Padova, Italy, from 25-29 June, 2002 under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) in Roma, the University of Padova, the Italian Chemical Society - Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, the Veneto Region and the City of Padova. The meeting was organized to cover the recent developments in the field of tryptophan research. Weare very honoured that so many speakers accepted our invitation to give plenary lectures which, with the other communications, demonstrated the high scientific value of the Meeting. The publications in this volume are subdivided into nine main chapters, and cover all the major aspects in immunology, neurobiology, psychiatry, pathology, clinics, metabolism, enzymology, pharmacology, toxicology, melatonin, exercise and analytical chemistry. The volume includes the contributions of 325 scientists from 24 countries, and the Musajo Memorial Lecture delivered by Prof. Osamu Hayaishi during the Opening Ceremony.

Some investigators have hypothesized that estrogens and other hormonally active agents found in the environment might be involved in breast cancer increases and sperm count declines in humans as well as deformities and reproductive problems seen in wildlife. This book looks in detail at the science behind the ominous prospect of'estrogen mimics'threatening health and well-being, from the level of ecosystems and populations to individual people and animals. The committee identifies research needs and offers specific recommendations to decision-makers. This authoritative volume: Critically evaluates the literature on hormonally active agents in the environment and identifies known and suspected toxicologic mechanisms and effects of fish, wildlife, and humans. Examines whether and how exposure to hormonally active agents occurs—in diet, in pharmaceuticals, from industrial releases into the environment—and why the debate centers on estrogens. Identifies significant uncertainties, limitations of knowledge, and weaknesses in the scientific literature. The book presents a wealth of information and investigates a wide range of examples across the spectrum of life that might be related to these agents.