Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields. Chapter "Stationary and Non-Stationary Ion- and Water Flux Interactions in Kidney Proximal Tubule. Mathematical Analysis of Isosmotic Transport by a Minimalistic Model" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book delves into the field of immobilizing biologically active and non-active molecules. It discusses the designing strategy of immobilization and the current state-of-the-art applications for advancing biomedical, agricultural, environmental and industrial practices. It focuses on aspects ranging from fundamental principles to current technological advances at multi-scale levels (macro, micro, and nano) which are suitable for cell, enzyme, and nano-catalyst based applications. Written by experts from across the globe, the contents deal with illustrated examples of molecular and cellular interactions with materials/scaffolds and discussions on factors that can affect the functionality and yield of the process. With its discussions on material science, design of delivery vehicles, separation science, additive manufacturing, agriculture and environmental science, this book will be a useful reference for researchers across multiple disciplines.

This book explains about amino acids (AAs) which are not only building blocks of protein, but are also signaling molecules as well as regulators of gene expression and the protein phosphorylation cascade. Additionally, AAs are key precursors for syntheses of hormones and low-molecular-weight nitrogenous substances with each having enormous biological importance. For example, physiological concentrations of AA metabolites (e.g., nitric oxide, polyamines, glutathione, taurine, thyroid hormones, and serotonin) are required for cell functions. Growing evidence shows that humans and animals have dietary requirements for all proteinogenic AAs. Mammals, birds, and fish also have species- and age-dependent needs for some AA-related substances. However, elevated levels of other products (e.g., ammonia, homocysteine, H2S, and asymmetric dimethylarginine) are pathogenic factors for neurological disorders, oxidative stress, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, optimal amounts of AAs and their ratios in diets and circulation are crucial for whole-body homeostasis and health. Adequate provision of one or a mixture of functional AAs or metabolites may be beneficial for ameliorating health problems at various stages of the life cycle (e.g., fetal growth restriction, neonatal morbidity and mortality, weaning-associated intestinal dysfunction and wasting syndrome, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, the metabolic syndrome, and infertility). Dietary supplementation of these nutrients can also optimize the efficiency of metabolic transformations to enhance muscle growth, milk production, and athletic performance, while preventing excess fat deposition and reducing adiposity. Therefore, functional AAs hold great promise in improving the growth, health, and well-being of individuals.

Phyto-pathogens are one of the dominating components which badly affect crop production. In light of the global food demand, sustainable agricultural plans utilizing agrochemicals became necessary. The role of beneficial microbes in the defense priming of host plants has been well documented. This book details new aspects of microbial-assisted plant protection and their role in agricultural production, economy, and environmental sustainability.

One of the biggest questions in today's biochemistry is how biological molecules became essential for the processes that occur within living cells. This new book from outstanding Metal Ions in Life Science series gives an overview about biochemical evolution of organic molecules and metabolic pathways in living systems and outlines the vital biochemical processes in microbial cells in which metals are involved.

This book of protocols is devoted to the yellow coenzymes derived from riboflavin or vitamin B2 and to the hundreds of enzymes whose functionality depends on them, and represents a compendium of techniques for working with flavoproteins or with the wide spectrum of functions that flavoproteins can drive in the cells. Starting with Rf production in microorganisms and the chemical, optical, and redox properties of these fascinating molecules and moving along to the variety and the peculiarity of some single flavoenzymes, the volume explores the complexity of functions and distribution of these molecules in the cell. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Flavin and Flavoproteins: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide for protein chemists interested in purifying and characterizing flavoproteins, as well as microbiologists, physiologists, and clinicians, who wish to further study problems connected with flavoproteins.

The purpose of this book is to introduce the classified chemical components of hypoglycemic compounds in natural products, summarize the recent research progress of natural products with hypoglycemic activity in the past 20 years, and provide the original analysis and development opinions of relevant scholars. Hypoglycemic compounds are to target diabetes mellitus, an important public health problem, one of four priority noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) targeted for action by world leaders. Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine and metabolic disease, which not only causes physiological damage to patients' kidneys, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular vessels, peripheral blood vessels, nerves and eyes, but also causes mental and psychological pressure to patients. Due to the evidence that traditional medicine and natural herbal formula have advantages in treating diabetes, natural products with hypoglycemic activity have been studied extensively in recent years and have been accepted by many scholars all over the world. This book focuses on the progress on the study of the structure, hypoglycemic activities, structure-activity relationships and mechanism of a wide range of polysaccharides, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols and other constituents. It will help students and researchers to understand current approaches and progress in the treatment of diabetes with natural products, which may also be beneficial to develop new hypoglycemic drugs.

"Methods in Enzymology" volumes provide an indispensable tool for the researcher. Each volume is carefully written and edited by experts to contain state-of-the-art reviews and step-by-step protocols.

In this volume, we have brought together a number of core protocols concentrating on DNA, complementing the traditional content that is found in past, present and future "Methods in Enzymology" volumes.
Indispensable tool for the researcher Carefully written and edited by experts to contain step-by-step protocolsIn this volume we have brought together a number of core protocols concentrating on DNA

Plant improvement has shifted its focus from yield, quality and disease resistance to factors that will enhance commercial export, such as early maturity, shelf life and better processing quality. Conventional plant breeding methods aiming at the improvement of a self-pollinating crop, such as wheat, usually take 10-12 years to develop and release of the new variety. During the past 10 years, significant advances have been made and accelerated methods have been developed for precision breeding and early release of crop varieties. This edited volume summarizes concepts dealing with germplasm enhancement and development of improved varieties based on innovative methodologies that include doubled haploidy, marker assisted selection, marker assisted background selection, genetic mapping, genomic selection, high-throughput genotyping, high-throughput phenotyping, mutation breeding, reverse breeding, transgenic breeding, shuttle breeding, speed breeding, low cost high-throughput field phenotyping, etc. It is an important reference with special focus on accelerated development of improved crop varieties.

This book reviews the relationship between receptors, carbohydrate moieties, and pathogenic surfaces and lectins' pathophysiology of immune responses and examines the mechanisms of action of the molecules for the treatment potentials. Increasing evidence has suggested that lectin-carbohydrate interactions perform important roles in various regulations of immune responses, but much remains to be learned about these crucial properties and their interplay with other molecules. In addition, a better understanding of the structural and functional properties of lectin and the activated immune response will be of critical importance for the development of new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. These key areas are the focus of this book, which documents the latest research findings in the field. Evidence is provided for the various lectin types from animal and plant as well as microbial or marine lectins, and this wide range of molecular knowledge directs us to various diseases, including infectious diseases and cancer. In presenting state-of-the-art knowledge on the interactions between lectin and its interactions,the book will help to pave the way for the development of novel targets for the prevention and treatment of many disorders.

Volume 37 will provide details on the major chemical constituents of medicinal plants and their mechanism of action as the anticancer compounds. This special issue, in addition to the previous volume (volume 36 of The Enzyme series was on Natural Products and Cancer Signaling Targets: Isoprenoids, Polyphenols and Flavonoids), will highlight the significant advance made in the field in elucidating mechanisms of anticancer effect of the major phytochemicals.

This book focuses on the structural, biochemical, and diverse functional properties of the endothelial luminal membrane glycocalyx (ELMG), an organelle which constitutes the endothelial cell "membrane." It is intended to provide the newcomer with a broad, basic, and brief perspective of the luminal endothelial vascular membrane, and for the more established investigator, a basic overview and integrated perspective of the "universe" we explore. The endothelium is an assortment of heterogeneous regulatory cells whose cytoplasm and cell membranes are joined, forming functional units. There is a tremendous amount of literature on the endothelial cell, constituting seemingly isolated and distinct fields of encapsulated research. However, the multifunctional properties of some molecules give rise to an overlap of findings, frequently ignored between the different fields. The book is divided into three parts. The first part concentrates on the structure of the ELMG, with emphasis on morphological and biochemical composition. The importance of the chemical composition to the physiological functions of the ELMG, such as sieving properties, pharmacology, and flow sensing, is the focus of the second part of the book. Finally, some of the pathologies associated with ELMG dysfunction are explored in the last section. The aim is to provide basic and well-established knowledge in the various individual fields, identify the current concepts in each area, and discuss their respective strengths and weaknesses (including hidden problems). Finally, the overall goal is to integrate areas where overlap is clearly indicated, bringing them all together to provide the first ever basic, integrative, panoramic bird's-eye view of the field.

This book focuses on the effects of genotoxic agents causing oxidative stress in plants. The book explores different kind of chemicals which induces genotoxicity, their mechanism of action and effects on plant health. Impacts at the physiological and molecular levels are discussed. The book is of interest to teachers, researchers and plant scientists. Also the book serves as additional reading material for undergraduate and graduate students of agriculture, forestry, ecology, soil science, and environmental sciences. National and international agricultural scientists will also find this to be a useful read.

The agricultural sector of medicinal (including plant stimulants) and aromatic plants is characterized by an enormous number and diversity of species. Only a few of them can be considered cultivated crops in which significant breeding efforts are made. For most species, however, breeding is performed in short-term projects only. Therefore, basic knowledge about these species is still fragmentary. Our intention is to compile and organize the available information on the most commonly utilized plant species into one publication, thereby providing a standardized resource for the researchers and the grower community. This book therefore provides reference source materials for a wide variety of plant species used for human consumption due to their flavor, medicinal or recreational properties. It is divided into a section of general topics on genetic resources, breeding adaptation of analytic methods and a compilation of basic data for DNA content, chromosome number and mating system followed by a section of 20 monographs on a species or species groups.

This volume is designed to impart the fundamental concepts in experimental pharmacology, research methodology and biostatistics. Through this book, the readers will learn about different methods involved in drug discovery, experimental animals and their care, equipments and the various bioassays used in experimental pharmacology. This book contains special sections on various drug screening methods involved in the evaluation of different body systems. Certain sections provide the healthcare professionals with the knowledge necessary to interpret clinical research articles, design clinical studies, and learn essential concepts in biostatistics in an expedient and concise manner. Basic principles and applications of simple analytical methods employed in drug analysis are well written under one section. It focuses on the basic and advanced laboratory techniques and also on computer simulated data, written extensively under the Biostatistics section. The methods used for drug analysis have been described in adequate detail with cross-references for further studies and comprehension. Overall, the book is designed systematically with four broad sections with extensive subdivisions for easy tracking, interpretation, and understanding.

Mycotoxins are the metabolites of fungus and are reported to contaminate nearly 25% of the food produced worldwide. The mycotoxins of most significance are the aflatoxins due to their severe health implications and their prevalence in food commodities on a larger scale. Aflatoxins are produced by certain species of fungi the most prominent among which are Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus and A. nominous. Food commodities of African and South Asian countries are especially reported to have aflatoxins well beyond the allowable limits but due to the global trade of food commodities developed countries are also prone towards the perils of aflatoxins. Moreover, climate changes may have a substantial impact on the distribution and global prevalence of aflatoxins in the near future. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the aflatoxins as group 1 category carcinogen. Aflatoxins are also reported as teratogenic, mutagenic, growth retardant, immunosuppressant and may also cause nervous system and reproductive system disorders. Preventive approaches involving good manufacturing from "farm to fork" are the major focus of the current food industry. The aim of our book is to provide readers with the most recent data and up-to-date studies from aflatoxins research, with specific focuses on (i) the impact of aflatoxins on human health, (ii) new approaches by the researchers from different parts of the world to degrade aflatoxins and (iii) potential preventive approaches that can significantly lessen the burden of aflatoxins in food products

The Advanced Dairy Chemistry series was first published in four volumes in the 1980s (under the title Developments in Dairy Chemistry) and revised in three volumes in the 1990s and 2000s. The series is the leading reference on dairy chemistry, providing in-depth coverage of milk proteins, lipids, lactose, water and minor constituents. Advanced Dairy Chemistry Volume 2: Lipids, Fourth Edition, is unique in the literature on milk lipids, a broad field that encompasses a diverse range of topics, including synthesis of fatty acids and acylglycerols, compounds associated with the milk fat fraction, analytical aspects, behavior of lipids during processing and their effect on product characteristics, product defects arising from lipolysis and oxidation of lipids, as well as nutritional significance of milk lipids. In the years since the publication of the third edition there have been significant developments in milk lipids and these are reflected in changes to this volume. Most topics included in the third edition are retained in the current edition, which has been updated; in some cases, new authors have given their perspective on certain topics. Chapters on nutritional significance of dairy lipids have been considerably revised.This authoritative work summarizes current knowledge on milk lipids and suggests areas for further work. It will be very valuable to dairy scientists, chemists and others working in dairy research or in the dairy industry.