Apoptosis is the regulated form of cell death. It is a complex process defined by a set of characteristic morphological and biochemical features that involves the active participation of affected cells in a self-destruction cascade. This programmed cell death plays a critical role in physiological functions such as cell deletion during embryonic development, balancing cell number in continuously renewing tissues and immune system development. Additionally, a dysregulation of apoptosis is underlying in numerous pathological situations such as Parkinson, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. A number of studies have pointed out an association between consumption of fruits and vegetables, and certain beverages such as tea and wine, which are rich in polyphenols, with reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. Apoptosis is also the regulatory mechanism involved in the removal of unnecessary cells during development and in tissue homeostasis in a wide range of organisms from insects to mammals. The aim of this book is to provide new studies in the field of apoptosis research.

More than 7 billion people inhabit the earth and all of them are subject to aging. This book is aimed at persons interested in a molecular explanation of how our cells age. Human Longevity: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Bioenergetics, Molecular Biology, and Evolution is built on the proposition that we age as our mitochondria age. It suggests a revised version of Harman's famous hypothesis featuring mitochondrial oxidative and energy stresses as the root causes of aging. Human cells are protected from the ravages of aging by a battery of defensive systems including some novel mechanisms against membrane oxidation introduced in this book. This concept is consistent with recent discoveries showing that mitochondria-targeted antioxidants prevent Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and traumatic brain disease in animal models of neurodegeneration. This book explores a unified theory of aging based on bioenergetics. It covers a variety of topics including an introduction to the science of human aging, the Darwinian selection of membranes enabling longevity, a revised mitochondrial membrane hypothesis of aging, and various mechanisms that protect human mitochondrial membranes, thereby enabling longevity.

Exploring the role of Immunoglobulin-E (IgE) in human disease, this reference summarizes current research on the mechanisms and utilization of anti-IgE therapeutics in the treatment of IgE-mediated allergic disease, inflammation, and asthma-discussing the structural composition of high- and low-affinity IgE receptors, the airway cells that express these receptors, and the functional activity of IgE-FceRI and IgE-FceRII interactions for improved control and management of allergic disorders. Compiles previously unpublished data from the first extensive scientific investigations of Xolair! IgE and Anti-IgE Therapy in Asthma and Allergic Disease -reviews studies on the distribution of serum IgE levels of normal and asthmatic populations in developed regions of the world such as the United States, Canada, Scandinavia, New Zealand, and Europe -offers novel methods for the design and formulation of monoclonal antibodies -discusses the use of allergen bronchoprovocation to identify the characteristics and efficacy of new antiasthma and antiallergy medications -examines the role of IgE in food and parasitic allergies and covers -the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis and urticaria -novel strategies to target mast cells and basophils -murine models of allergic pulmonary inflammation -the pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis Supplemented with nearly 2000 contemporary references to facilitate further study, IgE and Anti-IgE Therapy in Asthma and Allergic Disease is an in-depth and timely source for basic and clinical immunologists; allergists; pulmonologists and pulmonary disease specialists; physiologists; molecular, cellular, and lung biologists; pediatricians; internists; and graduate and medicalschool students in these disciplines.

The modulation of cellular interactions represents a crucial aspect of many inter and intra-cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression, cell growth, migration, differentiation and apoptosis. Glycoproteins, which constitutes one of the major groups of adhesion molecules and receptors, plays an important role in such processes and over the last decade, research has highlighted the therapeutic implications this has for many physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, arthritis and metastasis.;The first part of this book deals with the structure and biosynthesis of glycoconjugates, in addition to reviewing the structure and metabolism of glycosaminoglycans and glycolipids. It also features a general overview of cellular adhesion mechanisms and the extra-cellular matrix.;The second part addresses the pathological roles played by glycoconjugates and their potential therapeutic applications, for example in the progression of cancer, neurophysiopathologies and carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndromes.