The spectacular advances of medicinal chemistry in the last few decades have been triggered by a greater understanding of cellular processes at the molecular level. The understanding of biochemical processes and diseases at molecular level has revolutionized the field. This volume summarizes recent developments in the area of biological inhibitors such as squalene epoxidase inhibitors, dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cycloxgenase, inhibition of cholestrol biosynthesis, HIV proteinase inhibitors, nonpeptide antagonists at peptide receptors, and binding interaction of thyroid hormones.

There is a growing awareness of the important role that human genetics plays in individual differences in human behavior. Human Genetics for the Social Sciences introduces students of the social and behavioral sciences to the basic biological concepts underscoring the study of genetics. Carey explains basic biological concepts while covering principles of genetics, evolution and evolutionary psychology, and the genetics of individual differences. Selective coverage of research in genetics, focusing on areas of most relevance to the social sciences, enables students to appreciate the role of genetics in everyday human behavior. Recommended for social science courses in Human Development, Personality, Psychology, Individual and Family Studies, Human Development, Education, and Sociology.

• Chapter introductions and highlighted key terms aid student comprehension.
• Text boxes explore issues in depth and figures and tables visually augment text discussion.
• Advanced Topics sections present technical issues at the end of selected chapters.
• Suggested Readings at the end of each chapter to guide students to further information.

An accompanying fully interactive web site introduces students to basic principles of genetics, supplying students with quizzes, learning exercises, articles on advanced topics in genetics, as well as links to a variety of related web resources.

This work contributes to a better understanding of the growing subnational involvement in foreign affairs. It offers a general view of the most prominent aspects in the development of subnational foreign action around the world, dealing with topics such as the repercussions upon subnational autonomy of the progressive constitution of diverse international regimes like the European Union, NAFTA, and APEC, or the complex relation between the growing subnational foreign action and the contemporary conditions for the formulation and implementation of foreign policy in federal and quasifederal states.

This work contributes to a better understanding of the growing subnational involvement in foreign affairs. It offers a general view of the most prominent aspects in the development of subnational foreign action around the world, dealing with topics such as the repercussions upon subnational autonomy of the progressive constitution of diverse international regimes like the European Union, NAFTA, and APEC, or the complex relation between the growing subnational foreign action and the contemporary conditions for the formulation and implementation of foreign policy in federal and quasifederal states.

Edited by Kenneth A. Jacobson and Michael F. Jarvis
The roles of extracellular purines and pyrimidines in cellular homeostasis and disease etiology have come to be understood gradually over the past 40 years. However, due to the recent cloning and expression of receptors for ATP and adenosine, novel compounds have been developed with unique therapeutic potential for the treatment of thrombosis, stroke, epilepsy, chronic pain, immunological disorders, and cancer. As a result, the study of adenosine- and ATP-mediated responses in cellular regulation is entering a phase of opportunity and development unmatched since the days of serotonin receptor research in the 1970s.
The only definitive book on the topic, Purinergic Approaches in Experimental Therapeutics covers all of the major therapeutic applications of purinergic receptors and reflects the very latest developments in this new area of therapeutic research. Twenty-eight chapters, authored by an international group of contributors who are the leading authorities in the field, provide details on molecular pharmacology; medicinal chemistry; and therapeutic implications, including cardiology, metabolism, immunology, neurology, and cancer.
Among the topics covered:
* Purinergic Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation: A Historical Perspective
* Adenosine Receptor Subtypes: New Insights from Cloning and Functional Studies
* Modulators of Adenosine Uptake, Release, and Inactivation
* Cardiac Electrophysiology of Adenosine: Antiarrhythmic and Proarrhythmic Actions
* Purinergic Modulation of Gastrointestinal Function
* The Role of Adenosine in Asthma
* ATP in Brain Function
* ATP in the Treatment of Cancer

For researchers in pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, and medicinal chemistry, Purinergic Approaches in Experimental Therapeutics heralds an exciting new era in the understanding of purinergic neurotransmission and the development of novel therapeutic modalities.

The rapid growth of the study of apoptosis-mechanism-driven, regulated cell death-has created an urgent need for reliable documentation of t he different approaches to and methods of studying the various aspects of the field. Apoptosis in Neurobiology is an important resource for researchers in this emerging frontier of biomedical study. This volume allows the uninitiated neuroscientist intellectual and practical acce ss to the study of apoptosis, with special consideration to the nervou s system. The first section concentrates on conceptual approaches to t he study of apoptosis in neurobiology and its significance to the nerv ous system. The second section provides a user-friendly approach to me thods and techniques in the study of apoptosis as applied to neurobiol ogy.

The role of antioxidants and other nutritional agents in disease prevention is a widely discussed subject, attracting attention from professionals in all areas of medicine. This often-debated and rapidly evolving area of medicine could have important implications for how diseases are treated.

The optical spectra of molecular membrane probes can be interpreted terms of the structure, dynamics, and the physiological state of the membrane. The general picture we have of membranes and of the properties of the proteins imbedded in them, has, arguably, emerged directly from probe studies over the last 20 years. This work is designed to make these techniques accessible to a broad audience of cell biologist. The techniques discussed revolve primarily around the fluorescence of membrane probes, but applications of light absorption and Raman scattering are included. In addition to reviews of the major applications, most chapters include information on required apparatus, experimental design, data analysis, and potential pitfalls.

Containing 45 papers written by outstanding international authors from 14 countries, this three-volume compendium brings together the elements needed to understand the factors which influence the utilization of amino acids. The wide-ranging topics include descriptions of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of the biological utilization of amino acids, as well as factors that influence amino acid bioavailability in enteral and parenteral nutrition. The use of amino acids to improve the quality and safety of the diet is presented. Also discussed are amino acid precursors of biogenic amines and the role of amino acids in atherosclerosis, cancer, and immunity. Scientists from many disciplines will benefit from this broad overview.

Containing 45 papers written by outstanding international authors from 14 countries, this three-volume compendium brings together the elements needed to understand the factors which influence the utilization of amino acids. The wide-ranging topics include descriptions of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of the biological utilization of amino acids, as well as factors that influence amino acid bioavailability in enteral and parenteral nutrition. The use of amino acids to improve the quality and safety of the diet is presented. Also discussed are amino acid precursors of biogenic amines and the role of amino acids in atherosclerosis, cancer, and immunity. Scientists from many disciplines will benefit from this broad overview.

The fields of biochemistry and molecular biology are two areas in which the information explosion is manifest.

Conceived at a time when biological research on aggression and violence was drawn into controversy because of sociopolitical questions about its study, this volume provides an up-to-date account of recent biological studies performed -- mostly on humans. A group of scientists recognized the importance of freedom of inquiry and deemed it vital to address the most promising biological research in the field. The focus on biological mechanisms is not meant to imply that biological variables are paramount as a determinant of violence. Rather, biological variables operate in conjunction with other variables contributing to aggression or violence, and a complete understanding of this phenomenon requires consideration of all influences bearing on it.
This book will familiarize readers with the rapidly growing and increasingly significant body of knowledge on the biological bases of human antisocial, aggressive, and violent behaviors. The editors concentrated on biological influences that support the basic physiological and biochemical processes of the brain and did not cover those biological influences that impact on the health of the individual such as head injury, pregnancy and birth complications, diet, and exposure to lead and other toxins. They focused on biological influences to illuminate their role in the complex behavioral phenomenon of violence.
Three different approaches to the biological study of human antisocial, aggressive, and violent behaviors are represented -- genetic, neurobiological, and biosocial. Representing each of these three approaches, individual chapters from investigators in psychobiology, biological psychiatry, and basic-clinical neurosciences address the most recent experimental findings, methods, theory, and common misconceptions in the biological study of aggression and violence. The areas of primary focus are behavior and molecular genetics, neurochemistry and hormones, neuroimaging, psychophysiology and developmental psychobiology. Generally speaking, investigators following these different approaches have experience in different scientific backgrounds, select different methods, generate different analyses, employ different conceptual definitions for some of the same terms, and assume a different philosophical stance in attempting to explain violence. Nevertheless, all are united in their efforts to understand the biological underpinnings of violence. This book then assumes a comprehensive approach wherein different levels of analysis and different approaches inform each other. It is clear from the studies reported that aggression and violence are multidetermined phenomena and understanding them requires an interdisciplinary approach spanning economic, sociopolitical, psychological, sociological, and criminological as well as biomedical considerations. Nature (biology) and nurture (experience, context) are fundamentally inseparable in explaining aggression and violence; biology may affect experience or context, but experience or context also influences biology. Both need to be studied in a search for explanations of this phenomena.

The tools of molecular biology have revolutionised our understanding of gene structure and function and changed the teaching of genetics in a fundamental way. The transition from classical genetics to molecular genetics was initiated by two discoveries. One was the discovery that DNA has a complementary double helix structure and the other that a universal genetic code does exist. Both led to the acceptance of the central dogma that RNA molecules are made on DNA templates.
The last twenty years have seen remarkable growth in our knowledge of molecular genetics, most of which is the outcome of recombinant DNA technology. This technology which is not limited to cloning, sequencing, and expression has created a biotechnology industry of its own, the purpose of which is to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in medicine. Both industries in collaboration with the biomedical community are now engaged in laying down the foundation of molecular medicine.
The present volume seeks to provide a coherent account of the new science of molecular genetics. Its content however is by no means exhaustive, partly because of the publication explosion but more because of space restrictions. A rudimentary knowledge of genetics on the reader's part is assumed. Quite understandably, considerable emphasis is placed on major technical advances but not without expounding numerous new ideas and phenomena including alternative splicing, POR, DNA methylation, genomic imprinting, and so on.

The increased knowledge in health care and the development of health-care technologies is a great contribution to scientific studies in this field. In this context, this book will contribute to the development of health sciences and the quality of patient care, with a total of 14 scientific original research articles of which eight are on physiotherapy and rehabilitation, five on nursing, and one on health management.

The first section of this volume consists of five chapters to the nature of membrane transport systems. A chapter on secondary active glucose transport has been omitted because this topic is slated to appear in the Nephrobiology module. Chapter 6 deals with oxidase control of plasma membrane proton transport, while chapter 7 addresses the question of how cell volume is regulated. Although we chose not to have a separate chapter covering additional co-transport systems namely, Na+ -K+ -2CI-, KCI, -HCO-3, as well as CI- -HCO-3 exchange and K+ and CI- movements through channels, the role of each in cell volume regulation is emphasized in Chapter 7.
Instead of devoting an entire section to the thermodynamics of metabolism, we thought it desirable to have the subjects of medical imaging and NMR of cell metabolism discussed in some detail in two chapters. These are followed by a chapter on the thermodynamic instrument - the calorimeter. Calrimetry allows the measurement of net changes of heat in cells, tissues, organs and whole body. As will be recognized, heat dissipation does not arise only from chemical reactions but also from interactions between macromolecules and conformational changes in protein complexes and mass Ca2+ movement such as that occurring in contracting skeletal muscle. The last chapter provides an account of equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the enthalpy balance method. It reveals that calometric measurements are useful in studies of clinical and toxicological problems.

This first volume contains data on amino acids which consists of the coefficients of solubility in water, heat capacities, entropies of formation, and heats of combustion. Specific gravity liquids, sucrose solution, CsCI solution isokinetic glycerol and sucrose gradients for density gradient centrifugation and the temperature dependence for select compounds are included.

Wellness is more than the absence of disease. It's a vital combination of vibrancy, vitality, abundant energy, and extraordinary health. Here, the authors reveal two essential wellness factors which are often missing in people's diets - omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

This book has been written in part with the aim of providing a text which will be useful in teaching the biochemical applications of spectroscopy. This book will be of particular use to the biochemist or biologist who does not have a background in spectroscopy, but desires to find out what sort of information spectroscopy can provide. Attention was limited to those techniques most frequently used, and which at present have the widest applications.

This book has been written in part with the aim of providing a text which will be useful in teaching the biochemical applications of spectroscopy. This book will be of particular use to the biochemist or biologist who does not have a background in spectroscopy, but desires to find out what sort of information spectroscopy can provide. Attention was limited to those techniques most frequently used, and which at present have the widest applications.

This book discusses urinalysis in clinical laboratory practice, including a historical overview, methods, future endeavours.

The literature on chlorinated biphenyl is growing rapidly. Review articles on PCB's cited in this book usually contained a section on the toxicity of PCB. The structure and nomenclature are detailed. The chapters and topics included are (1) commercial PCB preparations: properties and compositions, (2) synthesis of chlorobiphenyls, (3) chemical reactions of chlorobiphenyls, (4) photodegradation of chlorobiphenyls, (5) metabolism of chlorobiphenyls, (5) mass spectroscopy of chlorobiphenyls, (6) nuclear magnetic resonance of chlorobiphenyls, (7) ultraviolet spectroscopy of chlorobiphenyls, (8) infrared spectrometry of chlorobiphenyls, (9) determination of chlorobiphenyls, and (10) recent developments.

NMR is a technique that can spoil you. It is true that it is not as sensitive as some of the spectroscopic methods, but the quality of the information and the incredible ease of sample preparation make it one of the tools that have opened new vistas in biological research. This volume is intended to show how those vistas can range from the molecule to the microbe to man himself. Further, it is what prompts the rather broad title.

This unique, single-source reference offers a detailed introduction to the fundamental phenomena that govern cell adhesion and describes bioengineering processes that employ cell adhesion, focusing on both biochemical and biomedical applications. Examines all industrially relevant issues of cell adhesion-from basic concepts, quantitative experiments, and mathematical models to applications in bioreactors and other process equipment

Presents short topics tied to numerical or conceptual ideas, reinforced with worked examples and questions Retaining the user-friendly style of the first edition, this text is designed to eliminate the knowledge gap for those life sciences students who have not studied chemistry at an advanced level. It contains new chapters on Water, covering the mole concept and colloids Gases, discussing pressure, gas laws, partial pressure, solubility of gases, and diffusion Metals in biology, including properties, oxygen carriers, biocatalysis, charge carriers, and toxicity The authors divide their analysis of carbon compounds into two chapters. One focuses exclusively on aliphatic carbon compounds, while the other provides a greatly expanded exploration of aromatic carbon compounds, isomerism, amines and amino acids, including benzene, aromaticity, types of isomerism, and absolute configuration. With a current examination of organic and biological reactions, this instructional volume also features end-of-chapter questions and provides a solutions manual for qualified instructors.

Lab-on-a-chip technology permits us to make many important discoveries that can only be observed at the microscale or the nanoscale. Using this technology, biological and biochemical analyses translate into greater sensitivity, more accurate results, and more valuable findings. Authored by one of the fields pioneering researchers, Fundamentals of Microfluidics and Lab on a Chip for Biological Analysis and Discovery focuses on all key aspects of microfluidic lab-on-a-chip technologies to offer an exceptionally cohesive overview of the science, its limitations, breakthroughs made over the years, and currently emerging advances. The book emphasizes analytical applications of microfluidic technology and offers in-depth coverage of micromachining methods, microfluidic operations, chemical separations, sample preparation and injection methods, detection technology, and various chemical and biological analyses. Other topics of interest include the use of polymeric chips, fluid flow valve and control, single-cell analysis, DNA and RNA amplification techniques, DNA hybridization, immunoassays, and enzymatic assays. The book includes more than 300 figures that depict novel chip functions and breakthroughs and 16 tables summarize materials and refer readers to additional resources. An appendix compiles extensive analytical applications from emerging and established research groups. Beginners in the field will find the book useful for navigating the vast literature related to the technology, while experienced researchers will rely on the compiled information for easy comparison and references for further study. Derived from the highly popular Microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip for Chemical and Biological Analysis and Discovery (2006), this volume is also readily adaptable for classroom use. Problem sets in each chapter help students test their assimilation of the material and clarify challenging conce