Mitochondria produce the chemical energy necessary for eukaryotic cell functions; hence mitochondria are an essential component of health, playing roles in both disease and aging. More than 80 human diseases and syndromes are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction; this book focuses upon diseases linked to these ubiquitous organelles. Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage results in mitochondrial dysfunction through two main pathways. Mutation in mitochondrial DNA causes diseases such as Kearns-Sayre syndrome and Pearson syndrome. Mutation in chromosomal DNA causes diseases such as Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. These and many other diseases are reviewed in this book. Key Features Presents the detailed structure of mitochondria, mitochondrial function, roles of oxidants and antioxidants in mitochondrial dysfunction. Includes summary of both causes and effects of these diseases. Discusses current and potential future therapies for mitochondrial dysfunction diseases Explores a wide variety of diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondria.

This volume examines cells set aside during development for use later in ontogeny or in adult life. There is no single term for such cells. The cells explored fall within several major categories - stem cells, set-aside cells (in echinoderm larvae), imaginal discs in insects such as Drosophila, meristems (plants), blastemata (regeneration in amphibians), neoblasts (regeneration in planarians). The book compares and contrasts these cell types and the environments (niches) in which they operate with the aim of unravelling any relationships between them, between their activation in development, and in their evolution. Key Features Explores the nature of deferred-use cells in evolutionary and developmental context. Reviews the mechanisms of development of set-aside cells, such as stem cells, meristems, and imaginal discs. Provides phylogenetic overview of different types of deferred-use cells. Compares and contrasts different theories on the origin of deferred-use cells. Related Titles Calegari, F. & C. Waskow, eds. Stem Cells: From Basic Research to Therapy (ISBN 978-1-4822-0775-0) Cabral, J. M. S. & C. L. da Silva, eds. Bioreactors for Stem Cell Expansion and Differentiation (ISBN 978-1-4987-9590-6) Kong, H., A. J. Putnam, & L. B. Schook, eds. Stem Cells and Revascularization Therapies (ISBN 978-1-4398-0323-3) Schaffer, D., J. D. Bronzino, & D. R. Peterson, eds. Stem Cell Engineering: Principles and Practices (ISBN 978-1-4398-7204-8)

In situ hybridization is a technique that allows for the visualization of specific DNA and RNA sequences in individual cells, and is an especially important method for studying nucleic acids in heterogeneous cell populations. in situ Hybridization in Electron Microscopy reviews the three main methods developed for the ultrastructural visualization of genes: ° hybridization on ultrathin sections of tissue embedded in hydrophilic resin (post-embedding method) ° hybridization prior to embedding (pre-embedding) ° hybridization on ultrathin sections of frozen tissue (frozen tissue method). For each technique, the different stages are described in detail: the preparation of tissue, pretreatment, hybridization, and visualization of the hybridization products. The book combines theory and practice, starting with the basic principles, then breaking down the experimental process into successive steps illustrated by numerous diagrams, detailed protocols, and tables. This is all done in a format that uses parallel columns to convey useful comments next to the theory and practical details alongside each stage of the protocol. Additionally, the summary tables provide the criteria for choosing the probe type and technique, and a detailed index aids in the search for information. in situ Hybridization In Electron Microscopy is an essential companion for applying these methods at the electron microscopic level.

Gap junction channels are a group of intercellular channels expressed in tissues and organs to synchronize many physiological processes. A gap junction channel is formed by the docking of two hemichannels, and each hemichannel is a hexamer of connexins. The field of gap junction channel and hemichannel research has recently exploded and became one of the most active areas of cell biology. Numerous novel approaches and techniques have been developed, but there is no single book dedicated to the unique techniques and protocols employed for the research on these large pore channels. This book fills the gap and focuses on protocols, approaches and reviews of gap junction channels and connexin hemichannels. It will be a useful reference for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers. Anyone with an interest in gap junction channels and hemichannels will need this summary of state-of-the-art techniques and protocols.

* Includes many captivating illustrations enabling easy comprehension. * Explains microbiome functions from algae to vertebrates. * Reveals how microbiomes contribute to the health of the hosts and the ecosystems. * Describes the impact of dysbiosis on diseases, food security and climate change. * Boxed sections provide a detailed analysis of concepts and are accompanied by vivid illustrations.

Stem Cell Labeling for Delivery and Tracking Using Noninvasive Imaging provides a comprehensive overview of cell therapy imaging, ranging from the basic biology of cell therapeutic choices to the preclinical and clinical applications of cell therapy. It emphasizes the use of medical imaging for therapeutic delivery/targeting, cell tracking, and determining therapeutic efficacy. The book first presents background information and insight on the major classes of stem and progenitor cells. It then describes the main imaging modalities and state-of-the-art techniques that are currently employed for stem cell tracking. In the final chapters, leading scholars offer clinical perspectives on existing and potential uses of stem cells as well as the impact of image-guided delivery and tracking in major organ systems. Through clear descriptions and color images, this volume illustrates how noninvasive imaging is used to track stem cells as they repair damaged tissue in the body. With contributions from some of the most prominent preclinical and clinical researchers in the field, the book helps readers to understand the evolving concepts of stem cell labeling and tracking as the field continues to move forward.

Stem cell research is one of the fascinating areas of contemporary biology, but, as with many expanding fields of scientific inquiry, research on stem cells raises scientific questions as rapidly as it generates discoveries. Research on stem cell treatment continues to advance knowledge about how an organism develops from a single cell and how healthy cells replace damaged cells in adult organisms. The most important potential application of human stem cells is the generation of cells and tissues that could be used for cell-based therapies, especially oncology. The Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, collaborated with the center of excellence and innovation (Pusat Unggulan Inovasi /PUI). The Stem Cell center of the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) organized an International Conference. The International Stem Cell and Oncology Conference (ISCOC) 2017 was a comprehensive academic conference in the field of stem cell and oncology research and also tropical medicine and related scientific topics. We expect Stem Cell Oncology will benefit academics and practitioners in the field of health sciences in Indonesia. This is an Open Access ebook, and can be found on www.taylorfrancis.com.

The book is a multi-authored book of 18 chapters comprising the state of the art work of all relevant topics on modern fish histology from 28 authors from ten countries. The topics include Introduction to Histological Techniques, Integument, Fish Skeletal Tissues, Muscular System, Structure and Function of Electric Organs, Digestive System, Glands of the Digestive Tract, Swim Bladder, Kidney, Ovaries and Eggs, Egg Envelopes, Testis Structure, Spermatogenesis, and Spermatozoa in Teleost Fishes, Cardiovascular System and Blood, Immune System of Fish, Gills: Respiration and Ionic-Osmoregulation, Sensory Organs, Morphology and Ecomorphology of the Fish Brain, and Endocrine System. Structural and functional aspects are treated and in a comparative way fish diversity at various taxonomic levels is integrated.

Most vertebrate cranial sense organs arise from placodes. These placodes give rise to sensory neurons that transmit information to the brain and neurosecretory cells. This book reviews the evolutionary origin of the sensory and neurosecretory cell types. It summarizes our current understanding of vertebrate evolution, clarifies conceptual issues relating to homology and evolutionary innovation of cell types, compares the sensory and neurosecretory cell types with similar cell types in other animals, and addresses the question of how cranial placodes evolved as novel structures in vertebrates by redeploying pre-existing and sometimes evolutionarily ancient cell types.

From the Lab to Clinical Settings-Advances in Quantitative, Noninvasive Optical Diagnostics Noninvasive fluorescence imaging techniques, novel fluorescent labels, and natural biomarkers are revolutionizing our knowledge of cellular processes, signaling and metabolic pathways, the underlying mechanisms for health problems, and the identification of new therapeutic targets for drug discoveries. Natural Biomarkers for Cellular Metabolism: Biology, Techniques, and Applications delves into the current state of knowledge on intrinsic fluorescent biomarkers and highlights recent developments in using these biomarkers for the metabolic mapping and clinical diagnosis of healthy and diseased cells and tissues. Autofluorescent Biomarkers for Biomedical Diagnostics The book's first section introduces the fundamentals of cellular energy metabolism as well as natural biomarkers within the context of their biological functions. The second section outlines the theoretical and technical background of quantitative, noninvasive, autofluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy methods, including experimental design, calibration, pitfalls, and remedies of data acquisition and analysis. The last two sections highlight advances in biomedical and biochemical applications, such as monitoring stem cell differentiation in engineered tissues and diagnosing cancer and ophthalmic diseases quantitatively and noninvasively. Tailored to Interdisciplinary Researchers Covering cell biology, imaging techniques, and clinical diagnostics, this book provides readers with a complete guide to studying cellular/tissue metabolism under healthy, diseased, and environment-induced stress conditions using natural biomarkers. The book is designed for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, biophysics instructors, medical researchers, and those in pharmaceutical R&D.

This is the second edition of the comprehensive, concise summary of apoptosis research. It covers the major concepts, molecular architecture, the biochemical pathways, and pathophysiological significance of apoptosis. This book provides a guideline of standard biochemical and cell biologic approaches to apoptosis bench work with an emphasis on translational clinical applications for immune disorders, cancer research, ischemia, and neuronal degeneration. Since the original publication in 2003, the apoptosis field has expanded rapidly chapters not only need to be revised and expanded, but there is a need for all new chapters covering exciting advances in bioinformatics, systems biology, oxidative stress, etc."

Cell signaling is a field that studies how cells communicate to control basic activities and respond to their environment. When looking specifically at cancer cells, researchers can gain a better understanding of cancer on a cellular level, an understanding that may have implications for developing new treatments. The current volume provides an overview of the field and how various cell biology techniques are used to better understand cancer on a cellular level. This easily accessible reference volume offers a comprehensive look at the field of cancer cell signaling. Edited by a researcher from Florida Atlantic University, Cancer Cell Signaling: Targeting Signaling Pathways Towards Therapeutic Approaches to Cancer" "is an authoritative and easy-to-use reference.

The threat of climate displacement looms large over a growing number of countries. Based on the more than six years of work by Displacement Solutions in ten climate-affected countries, academic work on displacement and climate adaptation, and the country-level efforts of civil society groups in several frontline countries, this report explores the key contention that land will be at the core of any major strategy aimed at preventing and resolving climate displacement. This innovative and timely volume coordinated and edited by the Founder of Displacement Solutions, Scott Leckie, examines a range of legal, policy and practical issues relating to the role of land in actively addressing the displacement consequences of climate change. It reveals the inevitable truth that climate displacement is already underway and being tackled in countries such as Bangladesh, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu and the United States, and proposes a series of possible land solution tools that can be employed to protect the rights of people and communities everywhere should they be forced to flee the places they call home.

Some mild stresses have positive effects on survival and aging as shown in animal models. There is also a large body of research that demonstrates these hormetic effects on aging, health, and resistance to severe stresses and diseases in human beings. However, the data are dispersed in the literature and are not always interpreted as hormetic effects. Hormesis in Health and Disease reviews the evidence for hormesis in humans as achieved through a variety of stresses or stimuli, and discusses mechanisms of hormesis and its ethical and legal issues. Divided into four sections, this book presents the current state of research, including questions, debates, doubts, and controversies in hormesis. Section I covers the history and terminology of hormesis, describing its main features and providing necessary background information. Section II shows that hormetic effects can be caused by various stresses-including physical exercise, nutritional components, fasting, micronutrients, irradiation, heat, ischemia, and mental challenge-and can be observed both in organs and at the organism level. Section III reviews possible mechanisms of hormesis that have been elucidated at this point. Section IV discusses the wider consequences hormesis may have for everyone. This book demonstrates that health beneficial hormetic effects do exist in human beings. It offers information to inspire key players to initiate new strategies to elucidate the strengths and limits of the dual nature of stress.

This book is the first in a projected series on Evolutionary Cell Biology, the intent of which is to demonstrate the essential role of cellular mechanisms in transforming the genotype into the phenotype by transforming gene activity into evolutionary change in morphology. This book -Cells in Evolutionary Biology - evaluates the evolution of cells themselves and the role cells have been viewed to play as agents of change at other levels of biological organization. Chapters explore Darwin's use of cells in his theory of evolution and how Weismann's theory of the separation of germ plasm from body cells brought cells to center stage in understanding how acquired changes to cells within generations are not passed on to future generations. Chapter 7 of this book is freely available as a downloadable Open Access PDF under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives 3.0 license. https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/tandfbis/rt-files/docs/Open+Access+Chapters/9781315155968_oachapter7.pdf

The first volume of Stem Cells deals with the fundamental principles that govern embryonic and somatic stem cell biology. Historically, the identification and characterization of such pathways and general rules of stemness occurred during embryonic development and Volume I reflects this with topics spanning cell cycle regulation, epigenetics, and asymmetric cell division in a number of organ systems from planarian to human. Three specific sections discuss i) Basic Stem Cell Biology, ii) Tissue Formation During Development, and iii) Model Organisms with particular emphasis on those more relevant for biomedical research and, thus, leading to the topics addressed in Volume II.

This is the first serious attempt to synthesize all that became known of glutathione over the last three decades. The book contains an update of glutathione biosynthesis with special emphasis on its regulation in adaptive stress responses. Other chapters review glutathione transport systems and glutathione peroxidases and their differences in substrate specificities and localization. Further contributions center on the diversified roles of different glutathione-S-transferases and the roles of nitrosoglutathione and glutaredoxins - a subfamily of redoxins. The book closes with discussions of the analogous or homologous thiol metabolism in pathogens and the potential suitability of involved enzymes as drug targets. Key selling features: Summarizing the way glutathione is involved in stress responses Compiling the multiple ways glutathione affects inflammatory responses Disclosing how glutathione dampens programmed cell death such as ferroptosis Exploring the enigma of how enzymes accelerate glutathione-dependent processes Discussing how detoxification and redox regulation is mediated by glutathionylation Reviewing the ways glutaredoxins catalyze protein disulfide reduction Highlighting the medical impact of glutathione-related metabolic pathways Illustrating the role thiol metabolism of pathogens might play in drug discovery

This important book explores recent research by experts in the field pertaining to the role played by genetic factors in human pathology. A range of perspectives creates a well-rounded picture, including:

• host-pathogen interactions
• causal relationships between genes and the environment
• the effects of environmental chemicals on gene expression
• DNA methylation

The book also covers the analysis and provides models for understanding the epigenetics-pathology connection.

This book is designed for use by senior undergraduate and graduate students from several disciplines such as general, molecular, cellular biology, genetics, genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics. It will also serve as a reference book for existing researchers and new investigators entering this rather unexplored field.

This text covers the biology, ecology, genetics and aquaculture of the Asian Seabass or barramundi (Lates calcarifer), a commercially and recreationally valuable species. It brings together in the one place reviews written by world experts in Asian seabass taxonomy, genetics, nutrition, ecology, aquaculture, reproductive and developmental biology, climate change impacts, harvest quality and health management.

This book focuses on four of the hallmarks of aging: aspartic acid racemization, advanced glycation end products, telomere shortening and mitochondrial mutations; describing their role in aging and diseases; and their application to age-at-death estimation in forensic sciences in greater depth, displaying the interconnecting pathways among these processes. An additional chapter related to Epigenetics and its role in aging, diseases, and forensic age estimation is also included. This book is aimed at a broad audience: from students being introduced to aging, diseases, and forensic science research to scientists in biomedicine and forensics complementing their knowledge in their respective fields while also increasing their knowledge in other disciplines.

Since the publication of The Migrations of Fish by Prof. Alexander Meek in 1916, a number of books have been published on this subject. However, most of these books only cover one type of migratory mechanisms. This book aims to overcome this drawback by presenting a comprehensive coverage of all life history strategies-potadromy, anadromy, catadromy, amphidromy and oceanodromy in one book. The first section of this book reviews the history of fish migration studies, the main definitions and concepts related with fish migration and the main trends and challenges of fish migration research. The second section describes the main processes and patterns associated with all migratory life history strategies, as well as the main problems associated with their conservation. Finally, the third section provides examples of the main methodologies used to study fish migration. This book was conceived with the objective to provide undergraduate and graduate students and researchers with a comprehensive book on which they could rely.

Tumors/cancers are characterized by uncontrolled growths of abnormal cells that extend beyond their usual boundaries and disrupt the normal functions of affected organs and systems. While about 75%-80% of tumors/cancers arise sporadically without a family connection, 20%-25% appear to be familial (including 10%-15% nonhereditary familial tumors [or familial tumors] and 5%-10% hereditary familial tumors [or hereditary tumors]). As nonhereditary and hereditary familial tumors often show both tumor-related and non-tumor-related (or syndromic) symptoms, they are referred to as tumor syndromes (or cancer susceptibility syndromes). In comparison with sporadic tumors/cancers, tumor syndromes (>300 described so far) tend to occur at a younger age, involve multiple organs and systems, produce multiple (often in a distinct spectrum) and bilateral lesions, form multiple hamartomatous, benign, or precursor lesions; locate in specific site(s), display unique syndromic features, and affect multiple members/generations of a family. This book provides state-of-art and authoritative coverage of nearly 100 tumor syndromes, with chapters presenting overviews of individual tumor syndromes in relation to their biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Featuring contributions from oncologists, clinicians, and specialists, the book offers a reliable, comprehensive reference on tumor syndromes for scholars and students of medicine, dentistry, pharmacology, nursing, public health, and other biomedical disciplines. Key Features Reviews the biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical features of tumor syndromes Contains up-to-date information on the diagnosis and treatment of tumor syndromes Includes expert coverage from leading oncologists and clinicians Related Titles J. R. McIntosh, Understanding Cancer: An Introduction to the Biology, Medicine, and Societal Implications of This Disease (ISBN 978-0-8153-4535-0) P. S. T. Shanmugam, Understanding Cancer Therapies (ISBN 978-1-1381-9815-9) J. M. Baehring and J. M. Piepmeier, eds., Brain Tumors: Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment (ISBN 978-0-3673-9022-8) D. Liu, Tumors and Cancers: Endocrine Glands - Blood - Marrow - Lymph (ISBN 978-1-4987-2975-8) Dongyou Liu, PhD, has worked at several research and clinical laboratories in Australia and the United States for the past three decades, with a focus on molecular characterization of microbial pathogens and detection of human genetic disorders and tumors/cancers. He is the primary author of more than 50 original research and review articles in various peer-reviewed international journals, the contributor of 197 book chapters, and the editor of more than 10 books.

Epigenetics refers to DNA and chromatin modifications that play an important role in the regulation of various genomic functions. This important book reviews human and cellular data that underline paradoxical findings with respect to the contribution of heredity and environment to phenotype. The contributors then reinterpret these experiments that incorporate epigenetic factors. Topics include DNA methylation, histone modifications, chromatin modifications, the role of epigenetic modifications and environment on gene expression, and integrating genomic medicine into clinical practice.

This title includes a number of Open Access chapters. This book contains a selection of chapters aimed to provide a better understanding prion structure and biology. Together these chapters provide an overview of prion biology and underscore some of the challenges we face if we want to understand how this lively pathogen propagates and evolves in mammals. There is also mounting evidence that studying prion biology has a wider relevance due to similarities in the processes of protein misfolding and aggregation between prion disorders and other neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

Dopamine is a small molecule traditionally regarded as a brain-derived neuronal modulator implicated in many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Outside the brain, dopamine fulfills all the criteria of a circulating hormone which affects normal and abnormal functions of multiple organs and regulatory systems and is also involved in many aspects of cancer formation and progression. This book provides a much needed systematic account of dopamine as an endocrine and autocrine/paracrine hormone and fills a major gap in the overall understanding of the production, distribution and actions of this very important molecule. Key Features: Explores the many different faces of dopamine as autocrine, paracrine and endocrine molecule Documents the adverse effects of antipsychotics on dopamine functions Reviews the many ways dopamine affects the cardiovascular, renal and reproductive systems Provides updates on receptor oligomerization and signaling Examines the role of dopamine in tumorigenesis Related Titles Jones, S. ed. Dopamine - Glutamate Interactions in the Basal Ganglia (ISBN 978-0-3673-8197-4) Luo, L. Principles of Neurobiology (ISBN 978-0-8153-4494-0) Sidhu, A. et al., eds. Dopamine Receptors and Transporters (ISBN 978-0-8247-0854-2)