"Advances in Molecular Toxicology" features the latest advances in all of the subspecialties of the broad area of molecular toxicology. Toxicology is the study of poisons, and this series details the study of the molecular basis by which a vast array of agents encountered in the human environment and produced by the human body itself manifest themselves as toxins. Not strictly limited to documenting these examples, the series is also concerned with the complex web of chemical and biological events that give rise to toxin-induced symptoms and disease. The new technologies that are being harnessed to analyze and understand these events will also be reviewed by leading workers in the field.
"Advances in Molecular Toxicology" will report progress in all aspects of these rapidly evolving molecular aspects of toxicology with a view toward detailed elucidation of both progress on the molecular level and on advances in technological approaches employed.
* Cutting-edge reviews by leading workers in the discipline
* In-depth dissection of molecular aspects of interest to a broad range of scientists, physicians and any student in the allied disciplines
* Leading edge applications of technological innovations in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular medicine

This detailed volume explores the continuing techniques of studying RNA-protein complexes and interactions as research in these areas expand. After an introductory chapter, the book continues with ways to purify RNA-protein complexes assembled in cells or in isolated cellular extracts, methods for measuring various biochemical activities of RNA-interacting proteins or ribonucleoproteins, biochemical methods for measuring direct RNA-protein contact, as well as various new or innovative methods pertinent to the subject. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters contain brief 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 up-to-date, RNA-Protein Complexes and Interactions: Methods and Protocols provides a set of useful protocols, both basic and advanced, designed to inspire researchers working with RNA and RNA-interacting proteins.

This new edition provides a comprehensive look at the molecular genetics and biochemical basis of fungal biology, covering important model organisms such as Aspergilli while also integrating advances made with zygomycetes and basidiomycetes. This book groups a total of 15 chapters authored by expert scholars in their respective fields into four sections. Five chapters cover various aspects of gene expression regulation. These range from regulation in organismal interactions between parasitic fungi and their host plant, heavy metal stress and global control of natural product genes to conidiation and regulation through RNA interference. Two chapters are dedicated to signal transduction, highlighting MAP-kinase-dependent signaling and heterotrimeric G-proteins. Fungal carbohydrates are the subject of the third section, which addresses both polymeric cell wall carbohydrates and trehalose as an important, low molecular weight carbohydrate. The fourth section emphasizes the metabolism of major elements (carbon, nitrogen, sulfur) and critical cellular pathways for primary and secondary products.

This volume looks the current advanced protocols used to study aspects of the B cell receptor (BCR). The chapters in this book cover topics such as the mutant of BCR repertoire to understand antibody evolution; interactions between B cells and viruses; mechanical force during BCR activation; B cell signaling using flow cytometry; confocal microscopy, total internal reflection microscopy and intravital two-photon microscopy; and the methods used to study critical cell components related with B cell activation. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, 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. Cutting-edge and practical, B Cell Receptor Signaling: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for everyone in the scientific community currently working in the B cell field.

Amphioxus Immunity: Tracing the Origin of Human Immunity covers a remarkable range of information about Amphioxus and its evolutionary context. This compilation of what is currently known about Amphioxus, with a sharp focus on its immune system, includes 13 topics, such as: Amphioxus as a model for understanding the evolution of vertebrates basic knowledge of immunology immune organs and cells of amphioxus a genomic and transcriptomic view of the Amphioxus immunity pattern recognition system in Amphioxus transcription factors in Amphioxus the complement system of Amphioxus the oxidative burst system in Amphioxus immune effectors in Amphioxus lipid signaling of immune response in Amphioxus apoptosis in amphioxus; primitive adaptive immune system of Amphioxus and future research directions This valuable reference book is loaded with information that will be useful for anyone who wishes to learn more about the origin of vertebrates and adaptive immunity.

"Galectins: Methods and Protocols "is the first book solely dedicated to methodological approaches designed to study galectin function. The galectin family represents one of the most pleiotropic families, with individual members having been implicated in various aspects of nearly every biological process described, from RNA splicing to complex regulatory circuits that orchestrate adaptive immunity. Given the diverse roles of galectins in a variety of biological systems, studying these glycan binding proteins often requires the assimilation of diverse technical skills to fully appreciate their biological function. Their nearly ubiquitous expression and ability to bind highly modifiable carbohydrate ligands, in addition to a variety of other regulatory proteins, allows these glycan binding proteins (GBPs) to possess the capacity to regulate a wide variety of biological processes. Individual chapters are dedicated to examining salient features of galectin functions. Written in the successful "Methods in Molecular Biology" series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and easily accessible, "Galectins: Methods and Protocols "seeks to serve both professionals and novices with a useful framework when examining galectin function for many years to come."

Originally published by Bentham and now distributed by Elsevier, Recent Advances in Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 1 covers leading-edge research and recent developments in rational drug design, synthetic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, high-throughput screening, combinatorial chemistry, drug targets, and natural product research and structure-activity relationship studies. The fourteen updated reviews include unique experimental data and references, and each article highlights an important topic in current medicinal chemistry research. Topics covered include: aureolic acid group of anti-cancer antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; aromatase inhibitors in adjuvant endocrine treatment of early-stage breast cancer in postmenopausal women; Rho GTPases and statins in targeting and developing therapies for tumors; and more.

"A Historical Perspective on Evidence-Based Immunology" focuses on the results of hypothesis-driven, controlled scientific experiments that have led to current understanding of immunological principles. This book helps beginning students in biomedical disciplines to understand the basis of immunologic knowledge and more advanced students to gain further insight. It also serves as a crucial reference for researchers studying the evolution of ideas and scientific methods.

Among the fundamental insights covered in the book are: Immunologic toleranceInteractions of lymphocytes with antigen - TCR and BCRGeneration of diversity and mechanism of tolerance of T cells and B cellsThe first cytokinesThe concept of autoimmunityIdentification of NK cells as a unique cell typeThe structure of antibody molecules and identification of Fab and Fc regionsDendritic cells
A complete review of the hypothesis-driven, controlled scientific experiments that have led to our current understanding of immunological principlesExplains the types of experiments that were performed and how the interpretation of the experiments altered the understanding of immunologyPresents concepts such as the division of lymphocytes into functionally different populations in their historical context"

This book describes how epigenetic context, in a large sense, affects gene expression and the development of an organism, using the asymptotic limit theorems of information theory to construct statistical models useful in data analysis. The approach allows deep understanding of how embedding context affects development. We find that epigenetic information sources act as tunable catalysts, directing ontogeny into characteristic pathways, a perspective having important implications for epigenetic epidemiology. In sum, environmental stressors can induce a broad spectrum of developmental dysfunctions, and the book explores a number of pandemic chronic diseases, using U.S. data at different scales and levels of organization. In particular, we find the legacy of slavery has been grossly compounded by accelerating industrial decline and urban decay. Individual chapters are dedicated to obesity and its sequelae, coronary heart disease, cancer, mental disorders, autoimmune dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions. Developmental disorders are driven by environmental factors channeled by historical trajectory and are unlikely to respond to medical interventions at the population level in the face of persistent individual and community stress. Drugs powerful enough to affect deleterious epigenetic programming will likely have side effects leading to shortened lifespan. Addressing chronic conditions and developmental disorders requires significant large-scale changes in public policy and resource allocation.

Natural product chemistry covers a fascinating area of organic chemistry and its study has enriched organic chemistry in a myriad of different ways. In recent years the thrust has been in three major directions: advances in stereoselective synthesis of bioactive natural products, developments in structure elucidation of complex natural products through the applications of multidimensional NMR and mass spectroscopy, and the integration of bioassay procedures with the isolation processes leading to the isolation of active principles from the extracts. The present volume reflects these developments, and the growing emphasis on bioactive natural products, chemical constituents of echinoderms, diterpenoids from Rabdosia and Eremophila sp., structural studies on saponins, marine sesquiterpene quinones and antimicrobial activity of amphibian venoms. The reviews on bioactive metabolites of Phomophis, cardenolide detection by ELISA, xenocoumacins and bioactive dihydroisocoumarins, CD studies of carbohydrate-molybdate complexes, oncogene function inhibitors from microbial secondary metabolites and Gelsemium and Lupin alkaloids present frontier developments in several areas of natural product chemistry. It is hoped that the present volume, which contains articles by eminent authorities in each field, will be received with the same enthusiasm as the previous volumes of this series.

This fourth volume in the series covers such topics as endogenous fuels, electric organs, histidine-related dipeptides, and origins of luciferins. The book will be invaluable to fisheries scientists, aquaculturists, and animal biochemists, physiologists and endocrinologists; it will provide researchers and students with a pertinent information source from theoretical and experimental angles.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes are at the forefront of research in two of the most high profile and funded scientific areas - cardiovascular research and stem cells. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived Exosomes provides insight into the biofunction and molecular mechanisms, practical tools for research, and a look toward the clinical applications of this exciting phenomenon which is emerging as an effective diagnostic. Primarily focused on the cardiovascular applications where there have been the greatest advancements toward the clinic, this is the first compendium for clinical and biomedical researchers who are interested in integrating MSC-derived exosomes as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool.

This 8-volume set provides a systematic description on 8,350 active marine natural products from 3,025 various kinds of marine organisms. The diversity of structures, biological resources and pharmacological activities are discussed in detail. Molecular structural classification system with 264 structural types are developed. The 4th volume continuously illustrates the molecular formula and structures of alkaloids.

Human Physiology, Biochemistry and Basic Medicine is a unique perspective that draws together human biology, physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, and cell biology in one comprehensive volume. In this way, it is uniquely qualified to address the needs of the emerging field of humanology, a holistic approach to understanding the biology of humans and how they are distinguished from other animals. Coverage starts with human anatomy and physiology and the details of the workings of all parts of the male and female body. Next, coverage of human biochemistry and how sugars, fats, and amino acids are made and digested is discussed, as is human basic medicine, covering the science of diseases and human evolution and pseudo-evolution. The book concludes with coverage of basic human nutrition, diseases, and treatments, and contains broad coverage that will give the reader an understanding of the entire human picture.

The volumes of this classic series, now referred to simply as "Zechmeister" after its founder, Laszlo Zechmeister, have appeared under the Springer Imprint ever since the series' inauguration in 1938. The series has featured contributions by seven Nobel laureates: D.H.R. Barton, D. Crowfoot Hodgkin, L. Pauling, K. Alder, O. Diels, P. Karrer, H. von Euler-Chelpin.
The volumes contain contributions on various topics related to the origin, distribution, chemistry, synthesis, biochemistry, function or use of various classes of naturally occurring substances ranging from small molecules to biopolymers. Each contribution is written by a recognized authority in the field and provides a comprehensive and up-to-date review of the topic in question. Addressed to biologists, technologists, and chemists alike, the series can be used by the expert as a source of information and literature citations and by the non-expert as a means of orientation in a rapidly developing discipline.

This comprehensive reference delivers key information on all aspects of sunflower. With over 20 chapters, this book provides an extensive review of the latest developments in sunflower genetics, breeding, processing, quality, and utilization; including food, energy and industrial bioproduct applications. World-renowned experts in this field review U.S. and international practices, production, and processing aspects of sunflower.

This edited work presents studies that clarify the basics of producing recombinant enzymes that finally lead to commercialization. It enables researchers to see what is crucial to the commercialization process, from examining the cloning method, using analytical techniques such as calculating the total protein content and enzyme activity, through considering upstream and downstream processes, to the final product. Readers will discover the importance of the cloning method as it influences the upstream and downstream processes and determines the level of success of the recombinant enzyme commercialization processes. We see that the two main factors that are particularly sensitive during the cloning process are the vector and the host. A discussion of analytical techniques is presented followed by studies on important stages during the upstream processes including the process of optimizing the media to get results and high enzyme activity. Downstream processes such as the cell disruption technique, purification and formulation of the final product are then considered. The reader is introduced to software that helps streamline recombinant enzyme production from the upstream to downstream processes, to facilitate the process of up-scaling production. This work includes a case study as tool, to guide understanding of the commercialization process. The work is written for researchers in the field and is especially suited to those who are under pressure to embark on the tough process of commercialization.

Handbook of Hormones: Comparative Endocrinology for Basic and Clinical Research collates fundamental information about the structure and function of hormones from basic biology to clinical use. The handbook offers a rapid way to obtain specific facts about the chemical and molecular characteristics of hormones, their receptors and signalling pathways, and the biological activities they regulate. The evolution of hormones and gene families is also covered both in the text and in online ancillaries. Users will find simple and visual ways to learn key molecular information. Chapters and online ancillary resources integrate additional sections, providing a comparative molecular, functional, and evolutionary consideration.

In the current edition, Selenium: Its Molecular Biology and Role in Human Health expands extensively on the previous editions providing readers with the most significant advances in the rapidly developing selenium field. Evidence from epidemiology and veterinary science supports the essential role of selenium in (human) health, but its split personality in both preventing and supporting cancer and also in promoting insulin resistance has become more clearly defined. The pivotal role of glutathione peroxidase 4 in a new process of programmed cell death, ferroptosis, brings new impetus to the field. Recently defined mutations in selenoprotein and biosynthesis factor genes have been identified in patients, and the resulting disorders further emphasize the significance of selenoproteins in human health. The mechanism of selenoprotein biosynthesis, the functions of selenoproteins, and the roles of dietary selenium have been further elucidated, and new regulatory mechanisms involving selenoproteins discovered. The book, therefore, covers the breadth of current selenium research. With up-to-date chapters written by leaders in their fields, it serves as an invaluable resource for novices as well as specialists.

An introduction to the principles of membrane transport: How molecules and ions move across the cell membrane by simple diffusion and by making use of specialized membrane components (channels, carriers, and pumps). The text emphasizes the quantitative aspects of such movement and its interpretation in terms of transport kinetics. Molecular studies of channels, carriers, and pumps are described in detail as well as structural principles and the fundamental similarities between the various transporters and their evolutionary interrelationships. The regulation of transporters and their role in health and disease are also considered.

An authoritative review of the state of the art in the Nuclear Overhauser Effect—essential information for organic chemists, biochemists, biophysicists, and NMR spectroscopists

The field of NMR spectroscopy has seen tremendous growth in the last twenty years, particularly advances relating to Nuclear Overhauser Effect (NOE) spectroscopy—the most powerful technique for obtaining structural information on molecules in solution. Extensive and engaging, the Second Edition of the leading reference on the NOE is significantly updated to reflect the latest changes and new approaches in the field.

Neuhaus and Williamson provide an essential guide to the complexities and use of the NOE in a readily accessible, straightforward manner. Their practical handbook features a new chapter addressing the use of NOE data to calculate biomolecular structures. Chapters dealing with the kinetics of the NOE, the effects of exchange and internal motion, and applications of the NOE, are also extensively revised. Cross-referenced in remarkable depth, The Nuclear Overhauser Effect is organized into three main parts:

• Part I describes the theory of the Nuclear Overhauser Effect in a clear, comprehensive fashion
• Part II discusses the considerations involved in implementing NOE experiments, including full coverage of all necessary details for both new and established techniques
• Part III offers examples of how the NOE is used, including applications to defining molecular geometry, stereochemistry, conformation, and biomolecular structure and interactions

The contributors to this text, who are all biochemists who worked during the 1950s and 60s, describe what appears to them to be the conceptually significant developments in biochemistry since the mid 1950s and how these were achieved. Their aim is to make their subjects intelligible to other scientists not expert in their field.

This second edition volume expands on the previous edition with an update on the latest developments in the field and new techniques used to study secondary and supersecondary structures (SSS) in proteins. Chapters in this book discuss topics such as sequence and structural features of different SSS elements; software used for the automatic annotation of secondary structure elements in proteins; the new developments in secondary and SSS prediction and the modern approaches for energy landscape calculation; protein misfolding and amyloid structural formation; analysis of 'transformer proteins'; discovery of the structure of the hydrophobic nucleus; and discussions of the main principles of protein structures formation. The contributing authors of the volume are the eminent experts in the field of protein research and bioinformatics. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, 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. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Protein Supersecondary Structures: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition is a valuable resource for researchers who are interested in learning more about the relationship between amino acids sequences and protein structures, the evolution of proteins and the dynamics of protein formation.