The Pharmacology of Taste
The Pharmacology of Taste is comprised of contributions by leading scientists from the field of chemosensory research, presented all together in the context of pharmacological principles of receptor function. The chapters cover all levels of scientific inquiry, from molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying taste signaling to its manifestation in overt behavior. The overarching objective of this volume is to inspire the application of concepts and methods of pharmacology to the study of the chemosenses
The New Worlds: Extrasolar Planets
Exoplanet, extrasolar planet, exoEarth, exojupiter: neologisms still absent from many dictionaries. These terms are, however, current among astronomers, and are heard in their answers to a question already two millennia old: are there planets like ours elsewhere in the Universe? Greek atomists such as Epicurus were convinced of the existence of an infinite number of solar systems like our own, but it was only in 1995 that a real answer began to emerge.
The Neurological Manifestations of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiency Syndromes
World Health Organization data documents that infectious diseases and immunodeficiencies are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world's children. In The Neurological Manifestations of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunodeficiency Syndromes, an authoritative, international panel of experts provide a succinct, up-to-date, evidence-based reference to the neurological consequences of infectious diseases and immunodeficiency syndromes in children in one readily accessible volume. Within each of its conveniently structured chapters, readers will find a general description of the disease or disorder, its epidemiology, etiology, clinical synopsis, neurological manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and therapy.
The Myc/Max/Mad Transcription Factor Network
Intense study of the enigmatic myc proto-oncogene over the last 20 years has broadened our view of its functions and led to insights into transcriptional regulation as well as cancer etiology, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and organismal development. How can one gene be involved in so many aspects of cellular behavior? Of particular interest is the fact that the Myc protein functions as part of a network (comprising Myc, Max, and Mad proteins) whose specific interactions direct transcriptional activation or repression of a large number of target genes. The chapters in this volume examine both molecular and biological aspects of the Myc/Max/Mad network. Included are contributions concerning the regulation of its expression, the mechanisms underlying its diverse transcriptional activities, the structural bases for its critical interactions, and the nature of its target genes. Other chapters explore the evolution of the network, its role in development and genomic instability, and the evidence for a parallel transcriptional network. Overall, this volume provides a broad and current overview of research on a crucial group of transcription factors.
The Molecular Mechanisms of Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome
Annotation The Molecular Mechanisms of Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome describes the current research and clinical findings of the heterogeneous disorder termed Axenfeld-Rieger Syndrome (ARS). The book provides an in-depth analysis of this phenotypic diverse disorder and is designed to detail the current molecular and biochemical research involved in studying genetic defects. This book brings together the complete analysis of a human genetic defect using humans, mouse and chick epigenetic and genetic studies, combined with cell culture and in vitro analyses. It is a comprehensive study of a unique set of genes and their mutant activities. A molecular basis for the genetic and phenotypic anomalies observed in ARS patients is provided, with especially detailed descriptions of eye, tooth, and heart development.
The Molecular Genetics of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Western countries. It also provides an archetypal example of how inherited predisposing genetic variants may interact with an environmental influence (smoking) to modulate individual cancer risk. The Molecular Genetics of Lung Cancer describes how the new techniques, methods and approaches of molecular genetics are being used to unravel the complexities of the mechanisms underlying lung tumorigenesis by analysis at the DNA, RNA and protein levels with potentially important implications for tumour classification, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment as well as providing new insights into how lung tumours arise and how they progress to malignancy.
The Many Faces of Maxwell, Dirac and Einstein Equations : A Clifford Bundle Approach
This book is a thoughtful exposition of the algebra and calculus of differential forms, the Clifford and Spin-Clifford bundles formalisms with emphasis in calculation procedures, and vistas to a formulation of some important concepts of differential geometry necessary for a deep understanding of spacetime physics.
The Lung-Air Sac System of Birds : Development, Structure, and Function
This book provides cutting-edge details on the development, structure, function, and evolutionary design of the avian respiratory system. Outlining the mechanisms and principles through which biological complexity and functional novelty have been crafted in a unique gas exchanger, this account will provoke further inquiries on the many still-unanswered questions. The specific goal of the book is to highlight the uniqueness of the design of the avian respiratory system and the factors that led to its development.
The Intrinsic Aspects of the Vigorous Placebo and Nocebo Effect
Observes the physiological effects of the placebo and nocebo effects. A detailed elaboration about placebo drugs and placebo effects is presented in the theoretical part of this research, along with explaining the complicated pathways of the placebo effect‘s mechanisms. Further information about the nocebo effect is also explained with the factors that influence the degree of that effect. As for the practical research, the first procedure focused on revealing the placebo effect on opioid receptors. The first two days focused on conditioning the mice and by the third day, the results were compared to show if there was a placebo effect tendency according to the length of the response latency.
The Immune Synapse as a Novel Target for Therapy
The immune synapse can be compared to a molecular machine that controls T cell activation when getting in contact with an antigen-presenting cell (APC). The immune synapse is involved in the transfer of information across the T cell–APC junction. It plays an essential role in the control and nature of the immune response.In recent years several approaches have been developed to reprogram the immune response by targeting molecules involved in the immune synapse. Monoclonal antibodies, such as those targeting the lymphocyte co-receptor, costimulatory and adhesion molecules (CD3, CD4, CD40L, CTLA4-Ig, LFA-1), or altered peptide ligands have been shown capable of inducing immune tolerance in transplantation, autoimmunity and allergy. This volume discusses the progress in the field, from basic science to clinical trials, and the major mechanisms involved. It is of interest to clinicians and researchers working in this area.
The Histone Code and Beyond : New Approaches to Cancer Therapy
Methylation of DNA at cytosine residues as well as post-translational modifications of histones, including phosphorylation, acetylation, methylation and ubiquitylation, contribute to the epigenetic information carried by chromatin. These changes play an important role in the regulation of gene expression by modulating the access of regulatory factors to the DNA. The use of a combination of biochemical, genetic and structural approaches has allowed demonstration of the role of chromatin structure in transcriptional control. The structure of nucleosomes has been elucidated and enzymes involved in DNA or histone modifications have been extensively characterized. Since deregulation of epigenetic marks has been reported in many cancers, a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms bears the promise that new drug targets may soon be found. The newest developments in this quickly developing field are presented in this book.
The Governing-Evaluation-Knowledge Nexus: Swedish Higher Education as a Case
Analyses the interplay between governing, evaluation and knowledge with an empirical focus on Swedish higher education. It investigates the origins, logics, and mechanisms of evaluation and quality assurance reforms and their dynamic interactions with institutional, national and European policy contexts. The chapters report findings from extensive empirical studies that offer detailed insight into the work of governing in higher education, by giving voice to actors at various levels and positions including the ministry, national agency and University employees. Central themes include the influence of European policy, changing system designs, media relations and quality assurance enactments in University institutions. The book also explores the ways in which an emerging professional cadre, labelled qualocrats, enacts and mediates evaluation and quality assurance policy and practice.
The Genus Yersinia : From Genomics to Function
Based on selected presentations from the meeting and contains both reviews and research articles. It is divided into six topic areas: 1) genomics; 2) structure and metabolism; 3) regulatory mechanisms; 4) pathogenesis and host interactions; 5) molecular epidemiology and detection; and 6) vaccine and antimicrobial therapy development. Consequently, this volume covers a wide range of current research areas in the Yersinia field.
The genetics of male infertility
Gives special attention to the significant technological advances in the treatment of male infertility, including intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI) in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF). In addition, new tools discussed include in vitro methodologies, in silico technologies, and new model organisms.
The Evolving Brain : The Mind and the Neural Control of Behavior
Present-day behavioral and cognitive neuroscience is based on the idea that the conventional philosophical theory of the mind provides a reliable guide to the functional organization of the brain. Consequently, much effort has been expended in a search for the neural basis of such psychological categories as memory, attention, emotion, motivation, and perception. The Evolving Brain: The Mind and the Neural Control of Behavior argues that (a) conventional psychological concepts originate from the philosophical speculations of ancient Greek philosophers, especially Plato and Aristotle; (b) there is serious doubt that these ancient philosophical analyses provide a reliable guide to the understanding of the human mind, human behavior, or the organization of the brain; and (c) that modern scientific studies of animal behavior provide a better guide to the study of the functional organization of the brain than is provided by conventional psychological concepts.
The effect of nutrition on skin health
The more recent link between nutrition and skin aging began in earnest around the year 2000 with the demonstrated increase in peer-reviewed scientific journal reports on this topic that included biochemical and molecular mechanisms of action. Thus, the application of: (a) topical administration from outside into the skin and (b) inside by oral consumption of nutritionals to the outer skin layers is now common place and many journal reports exhibit significant improvement for both on a variety of dermal parameters.. A total healthy diet striking the ideal dietary equilibrium is the secret to radiant-looking skin.
The Ecology of Browsing and Grazing
Extensive grazing and browsing by domestic and wild herbivores shape the vegetation composition, structure and dynamics of many terrestrial ecosystems. This volume investigates how large herbivores not only influence the structure and distribution of the vegetation, but also affect nutrient flows and the responses of associated fauna. The mechanisms and processes underlying the herbivores' behaviour, distribution, movement and direct impact on the vegetation, and the dynamics of nutrients, plant species, and vegetation composition in terrestrial ecosystems are discussed in detail. It is shown that an understanding of plant/animal interactions can provide practical advice on the management of large herbivores to integrate production and conservation in terrestrial systems, particularly in the face of environmental and climate change.
The Diabetic Kidney
In The Diabetic Kidney, a stellar group of international researchers and clinicians joins forces to independently survey recent findings, ideas, and hypotheses about the causes and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Drawing on many years of experience, the authors cover both the basic pathogenic mechanisms of the disease, as well as many of its clinical aspects of identification, management, and new therapeutic approaches. Not always in total agreement, their views reflect the present state of knowledge and its uncertainties, and offer a composite of different authoritative views on the causes of diabetic kidney disease.
The Coronin Family of Proteins
The coronins, first described in Dictyostelium discoideum in 1991, have been detected in all eukaryotes except plants. They belong to the superfamily of WD40-repeat proteins and represent a large family of proteins, which are often involved in cytoskeletal functions. Phylogenetic studies clearly distinguish 12 subfamilies of which six exclusively occur in vertebrates. In the present book we have made a sincere attempt to provide a comprehensive overview on all aspects of coronin proteins including history, structure, subcellular localization and function in different organisms. In addition, we also included a general overview on the WD40 family of proteins and the structurally related Kelch family. The book should be of interest for scientists outside the field, but is more importantly intended as a fast and competent guide for newcomers as well as doctoral and postdoctoral scientists to coronin research in all its facets.
The Codes of Life : The Rules of Macroevolution
Building on a range of disciplines – from biology and anthropology to philosophy and linguistics – this book draws on the expertise of leading names in the study of organic, mental and cultural codes brought together by the emerging discipline of biosemiotics. The book’s 18 chapters present a range of experimental evidence which suggests that the genetic code was only the first in a long series of organic codes, and that it has been the appearance of new codes – organic, mental and cultural – that paved the way for the major transitions in the history of life.While the existence of many organic codes has been proposed since the 1980s, this volume represents the first multi-authored attempt to deal with the range of codes relevant to life, and to reveal the ubiquitous role of coding mechanisms in both organic and mental evolution. This creates the conditions for a synthesis of biology and linguistics that finally overcomes the old divide between nature and culture.



















