Page 1
Page 1
Zinc Finger Proteins: From Atomic Contact to Cellular Function
The scientists discovered a novel domain associated with zinc, and named this domain "zinc finger. " The number of proteins with similar zinc fingers grew quickly and these proteins are now called C2H2, Cys2His2 or classical zinc finger proteins. To date, about 24,000 C2H2 zinc finger proteins have been recognized. Approximately 700 human genes, or more than 2% of the genome, have been estimated to encode C2H2 finger proteins. From the beginning these proteins were thought to be numerous, but no one could have predicted such a huge number. Perhaps thousands of scientists are now working on C2H2 zinc finger proteins fi-om variou s viewpoints. This field is a good example of how a new science begins with the insight of a few scientists and how it develops by efforts of numerous independent scientists, in contrast to a policy-driven scientific project, such as the Human Genome Project, with goals clearly set at its inception and with work performed by a huge collaboration throughout the world. As more zinc finger proteins were discovered, several subfamilies, such as C2C2, CCHC, CCCH, LIM, RING, TAZ, and FYVE emerged, increasing our understanding of zinc fingers. The knowledge was overwhelming. Moreover, scientists began defining the term "zinc finger" differently and using various names for identical zinc fingers.
Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels
Voltage-gated calcium channels are essential mediators of a range of physiological functions, including the communication between nerve Vcells, the regulation of heart beat, muscle contraction, and secretion of hormones such as insulin. Consequently, these channels are critical phar macological targets in the treatment of a variety of disorders, such as epi lepsy, hypertension, and pain. Voltage-gated calcium channels have there fore been subject to intense study by numerous investigators over the past few decades, and an immense body of work has accumulated. In this book, we provide the first comprehensive overview of our current state of knowl edge concerning this exciting field of research. Leading off with a general review of calcium signaling and techniques to measure calcium channel ac tivity, the book delves into a provocative overview of the history of the cal cium channel field. A number of chapters are dedicated towards various aspects of calcium channel structure and function, including channel gat ing, permeation, modulation and interactions with members of the exo- totic machinery—contributed by both established leaders and rising stars in the field.
Visual Transduction and Non-Visual Light Perception
Remarkable advances have contributed to revolutionizing the study of vertebrate vision. The first step to identifying objects and establishing spatial relationships is the visual transduction cascade, a process that underpins a wide range of ocular diseases and therapies. Toward that, Visual Transduction And Non-Visual Light Perception reveals not only how the eye evolved into an organ of vision, but also describes how molecular mechanisms of key molecules (such as transducins, phosphodiesterases, and CyclicGMP metabolizing enzymes) operate in the phototransduction cascade. In this groundbreaking text, experts also explain mechanisms for sensing readiation outside of the visible wavelengths -- a good example of the limitations of the human sensory systems. Comprehensive and penetrating, Visual Transduction And Non-Visual Light Perception brings together the developmental, structural, and molecular mechanisms of the visual transduction cascade and is an invaluable text for everyone conducting research in the visual system.
Viral Therapy
Virotherapy is a treatment using biotechnology to convert viruses into therapeutic agents by reprogramming viruses to treat diseases. There are three main branches of virotherapy: anti-cancer oncolytic viruses, viral vectors for gene therapy and viral immunotherapy. These branches utilize three different types of treatment methods: gene overexpression, gene knockout, and suicide gene delivery. Gene overexpression adds genetic sequences that compensate for low to zero levels of needed gene expression. Gene knockout utilizes RNA methods to silence or reduce expression of disease-causing genes. Suicide gene delivery introduces genetic sequences that induce an apoptotic response in cells, usually to kill cancerous growths. In a slightly different context, virotherapy can also refer more broadly to the use of viruses to treat certain medical conditions by killing pathogens like Bacteriophages that specialized to kill Bacteria without harming human cell.
VEGF in Development
This book is devoted to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF or VEGFA), a secreted signalling protein of great significance for development and disease in vertebrates. VEGFA controls the proliferation, migration, specialisation and survival of vascular endothelial cells, and it is therefore essential for the establishment of a functional blood vessel circuit. In addition, VEGFA is emerging as a versatile patterning factor for several non-endothelial cell types in vertebrates. Thus, it plays a central role during organ development at multiple levels, including blood vessel growth, vessel-mediated organ induction and tissue differentiation.
Vascular Complications in Human Disease : Mechanisms and Consequences
Vascular disease provides a clear example of the inherent and practical relationship between basic science and clinical medicine. Basic science underpins the rationale of treatment and potential future therapeutic approaches; problems in clinical management often direct new lines of laboratory research. Progress in treatment cannot continue without this close collaboration and this book has been designed to review this fascinating collaborative field of medical science. As part of this evolving collaboration, Vascular Complications of Human Disease: Mechanisms and Consequences reviews the study, pathogenesis, management and treatment of some of the most common vascular diseases.
Vaccine Adjuvants
The authors lay down a rational basis for vaccine adjuvant function and analyze a number of significantly distinct adjuvant-active molecules to illuminate the principles of their function and use. The focus is on specific receptor-ligand interactions, including the molecular features needed for a compound to possess adjuvant activity. The critical interface zone between the innate and adaptive immune systems is also analyzed to show how adjuvants exert their effects on T- and B-cell activation. Additional chapters address the possibility of tailoring adjuvants to yield optimally safe and effective responses.
Uveitis and Immunological Disorders
The purpose of this volume of "Essentials in Ophthalmology" is to provide the ophthalmologist with our present understanding of the pathogenesis of the most frequent immune-mediated disorders of the eye and a practical approach to these diseases. "Uveitis and Immunological Disorders / "Fills the gap between textbooks and original research publications / Focuses on clinical aspects of inflammatory eye diseases / Covers a broad spectrum, including diseases affecting the conjunctiva, sclera and cornea as well as intraocular inflammation / Includes basic research aspects such as immune mechanisms and genetics / Is quick and easy to read: highly structured with "core messages" and "summaries" for the clinician
Urological Cancers in Clinical Practice
Urological oncology constitutes 20% of all malignant disease, and includes renal, bladder, prostate and testicular cancer. This is an area of medical and scientific interest, where advances in clinical practice and translational research have led to significant changes in the way that patients are managed. The book summarizes developments in all areas of urological cancer. The aim of the book is to educate urologists and oncologists so that they are able to understand scientific developments within urological oncology and be up to date with clinical practice in this area. The book provides a guide for clinical practice.
Urological Cancers
This book outlines developments in all areas of urological cancer, bringing together, in one volume, summaries of clinical and molecular advances, which will be invaluable to urologists and oncologists.
Urinary Stone Disease : The Practical Guide to Medical and Surgical Management
Urinary stone disease has afflicted mankind for centuries and continues to be a significant medical ailment throughout the world. Contemporary management reflects the changes and evolution that have occurred in both medicine and, specifically, urology. Traditional open surgery has been nearly replaced by minimally invasive techniques, the result of technologic innovations, miniaturization of instruments, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Nevertheless, nephrolithiasis remains a chronic disease and our fundamental understanding of the pathogenesis, and molecular and genetic basis of stones as well as their prevention, remains rudimentary. In addition, interest in disease prevention continues to grow and understanding basic questions and the underlying pathophysiology of stone disease will help optimize management strategies. Future advances in urinary stone disease will be the result of collaboration among urologists, nephrologists, radiologists, dieticians, scientists, and partners in industry. Physicians must not be complacent with the current status quo or be overly eager to intervene because techniques are less invasive; rather, the goals should be a better understanding of the underlying disease process in order to identify those at risk, prophylax against stone development and recurrence, and improved nonsurgical therapies.
Understanding Dental Caries : From Pathogenesis to Prevention and Therapy
Explains the biological background of dental caries and the formation of carious lesions, providing the reader with a sound basis for understanding the role and effectiveness of different therapeutic and preventive measures. Detailed information is presented on pathogenesis, ultrastructure, and diagnosis. All aspects of the carious process are covered, including development of the initial carious lesion limited to the enamel, evolution of the enamel carious lesion toward a dentin carious lesion, superficial and deep dentin lesions, and cervical erosions. Strategies for prevention and dental tissue regeneration are elaborated and both conventional therapies and minimally invasive and non-invasive treatment approaches are discussed. A separate section is devoted to dental fluorosis and the use of fluoridation and remineralisation agents. Thoroughly explains the biological background of dental caries / Presents detailed information on pathogenesis, ultrastructure, and diagnosis / Discusses the role and effectiveness of therapeutic and preventive measures
Tutorials in Mathematical Biosciences IV : Evolution and Ecology
The book offers an easy introduction to fast growing research areas in evolution of species, population genetics, ecological models, and population dynamics. The first two chapters review the concept and methodologies of phylogenetic trees; computational schemes and illustrations are given, including applications such as tracing the origin of SARS and influenza. The third chapter introduces the reader to ecological models, including predator-prey models. This chapter includes and introduction to reaction-diffusion equations, which are used to analyze the ecological models. The next chapter reviews a broad range of ongoing research in population dynamics, including evolution of dispersal models; it also features interesting mathematical theorems and lists open problems.
Tutorials in Mathematical Biosciences III : Cell Cycle, Proliferation, and Cancer
This volume introduces some basic mathematical models for cell cycle, proliferation, cancer, and cancer therapy.
Tumor Prevention and Genetics III
Identification of cancer risk factors and potential prevention strategies have been some of the most important medical and research contributions to the improvement of public health in the past half-century (Steele 2003). Understanding the role of lifestyle, exposure to endogenous factors and exogenous environmental factors, and individual genetic and epigenetic variability have contributed significantly to this effort. Cancer prevention strategies have been developed based on results of epidemiologic, preclinical, and clinical studies that have generated clues for identifying risk factors that may be modulated by changes in lifestyle, such as smoking cessation or dietary modification (Greenwald 2002a). In addition, significant progress in medical interventions involving chemoprevention—a pharmacological approach to intervention that aims to prevent, arrest, or reverse either the initiation phase of carcinogenesis or the progression of premalignant cells—is beginning to pay dividends in reducing risks associated with cancer.
Tumor angiogenesis assays : Methods and protocols
Provides new and updated methods and protocols for studying tumor angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Chapters detail morphological aspects of tumor angiogenesis, aortic ring, ex vivo tissue culture model for anti-angiogenic drug testing, transgenic zebrafish, orthotopic models of ovarian cancer, and uncovering metabolic effects of anti-angiogenic therapy in tumors by induced metabolic bioluminescence imaging.
Tumor Angiogenesis : Basic Mechanisms and Cancer Therapy
Preface Tumor development and progression occur as a result of cumulative acquisition of genetic alterations affecting oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. As a consequence of these alterations the arising tumor gains some fatal properties such as increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis, resulting in a net accumulation of tra- formed cells. Once a critical volume is achieved, lack of oxygen and nutrients limits further growth. To overcome this obstacle, the tumor cells initiate a program focused on the formation of new blood vessels within the host tissue. This process is termed tumor angiogenesis and contributes to the progression of most solid tumors and the formation of metastases. Since its discovery more than 30 years ago by Dr. Judah Folkman, tumor angiog- esis has been proposed as an ideal target for novel tumor therapies. Today the first anti-angiogenic compounds are available for the treatment of patients but their s- cess in the clinic is rather limited when given as monotherapies.
Tumor Ablation : Principles and Practice
Sets the standard and is one of the first comprehensive references on the subject. The editors, world-renowned in the field, have assembled recognized international authorities in their areas of expertise. The book is organized into six main sections: Introduction to Ablation, Operations, Imaging, Methods, Organ System Tumor Ablation, and Perspectives. This breadth of coverage is coupled with an easy-to-read format that facilitates the application of these new clinical techniques. Practitioners in specialties other than radiology, including internal medicine, oncology, anesthesiology, and surgery, add valuable insights that complement the book’s well-rounded approach. In addition, a chapter that depicts the cancer journey by patients and their families provides a unique perspective for the reader. More than 380 photographs and diagrams clearly illustrate key concepts. The skillful combination of depth and practicality makes this text essential for anyone who is involved with and wants to expand their knowledge in the ablation field.
Trophoblasts : Methods and protocols
Explores the latest approaches used to assess trophoblast angiogenesis, transport function, cellular respirations, migration, and invasion. The chapters in this book cover topics such as various methods to study and manipulate primary trophoblast cells; strategies using liposomes to deliver biomolecules to trophoblasts; in vitro models of the placenta that emulate the cellular interactions in the 3D uterine environment; and models exploring heterogenous cell types and 3D-organoid structures that represent cell-to-cell interactions in vivo. 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.
Tree Transgenesis : Recent Developments
A continuous development in plant biotechnology including gene technology has been observable during the past 20 years. Different methods elaborated with model plants were also applied to forest trees on a larger scale. Whereas in the beginning the meaning of the term “plant biotechnology” embraced a wide variety of meanings like, e. g. , regeneration of plantlets via tissue culture, embryo rescue, somatic embryogenesis and gene transfer, the focus of this term has changed more and more.
