Turmeric and curcumin for neurodegenerative diseases
Examines protective mechanisms of turmeric products and novel nanotechnological therapeutics and biomaterial design strategies to circumvent Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, and liver diseases. With neurodegenerative and liver diseases posing a serious threat to health care systems worldwide, this book addresses how existing nanotechnology and therapeutic strategies have not been as successful in their treatment. In addition to discussing drawbacks, possible future perspectives to overcome these challenges are also examined. Chapters also focus on therapeutic efficacy and drug delivery systems, providing readers with a full summary of research in this field in one handy reference.
The Role of Microtubules in Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Oncology
Written by leading anti-cancer researchers, this groundbreaking volume collects the most current microtubule research available. Among the topics examined in this volume are compounds that interact with tubulin, mechanisms and regulation by microtubule-associated proteins and drugs, MAPs, the tubulin superfamily its isotopes, peptides and depsipeptides, and neurodegenerative diseases. Microtubule Targets in Cancer Therapy contributes to this new knowledge, and the text will be an invaluable resource for cancer researchers, oncologists, pharmacologists, and medical chemists.
The Proteasome in Neurodegeneration
This book contains up-to-date reviews on different aspects of the ubiquitin proteasome system and its involvement in several neurodegenerative diseases. It is an indispensable source of information for scientists studying neurodegeneration. The book provides information on the basics of the ubiquitin proteasome system, but mainly describes a number of aspects of involvement of this system in neurodegeneration. All major hypotheses on the possible causes of neurodegeneration, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and aging, are discussed in view of their effect on the ubiquitin proteasome system.
Retinal Degenerative Diseases
Retinal Degenerations is the result of the International Symposium on Retinal degeneration which has become perhaps the most important research meeting in the field. THe topics in this volume explore the etiology, cellular mechanisms, epidemiology, genetics, models and potential therapeutic measures for the blinding diseases of retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration.
Rehabilitation in the dynamic stabilization of the lumbosacral spine
Until recently in the field of vertebral surgery, many diseases were managed with surgery of instrumented vertebral stabilization and bone fusion (arthrodesis). Fusion always offered valid and safe results, although at the expense of the abolition of the motility of the spine section which was being operated upon For this reason, when treating degenerative diseases of the lumbosacral spine, the Orthopaedic Clinic of the S. Chiara Hospital in Pisa, introduced the Dynesys® lumbosacral spine dynamic neutralization system to treat patients and spinal diseases with selected indications. Dynesys is a non-fusion elastic system with transpedicular screws and a flexible connector for dynamic stabilization. This is a new method for treating the degenerative disease of the lumbosacral spine which preserves motility at the treated levels. While allowing for movement of the segment at all levels, the Dynesys provides stability to the functional unit, which attains a condition of physiological function compared with the rigid stabilization-arthrodesis.
Promises and challenges of regenerative medicine
The attitude to the possibility of regeneration in mammals has changed in recent years to one of cautious optimism that the endogenous mechanisms can be exploited for the medical armentarium. In this volume leading experts discuss the molecular, in vivo and clinical aspects of the use of stem cells in various disease contexts. With the current excitement in the research and clinical communities over the potential of regenerative medicine it is hoped that novel therapies will emerge that target intractable degenerative diseases. The book contains accounts of the latest advances in stem cell biology from the foremost researchers in the field. It discusses the analysis and use of stem cells in basic biology but also their application in clinical practice and is therefore unique in combining basic and applied approaches.
Preventive and therapeutic role of vitamins as nutraceuticals
Provides informative coverage of recent breakthroughs in vitamins and their ability to prevent disease, manage health issues, and treat chronic illness. It describes the beneficial effects of vitamins as nutraceuticals in treating cancer, for improving the immunity of patients with HIV and AIDS, for the treatment of tuberculosis, and for the management of infectious diseases, such as viral infections, microbial infections, and COVID-19. The functional activity of vitamins in brain health and obesity management is also explored for the management, prevention, and delay of hypertension and related problems. The volume also covers vitamins that play a role in neurodegenerative diseases as well as those that can be used for weight loss and obesity, blindness and vision issues, baldness, and skincare issues.
Pharmacological assays of plant-based natural products
Provides information on how to select and screen plants for their medicinal properties. It describes phytopharmacological techniques for extracting and qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing a plant’s phytochemicals. After a detailed in vitro investigation including nutritional and anti-nutritional analyses, medicinal properties were tested with various in vivo models for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic, anticancer and anti-diabetic properties, as well as wound healing, neurodegenerative diseases, etc. Compound identification and purification techniques include, among others, TLC and column chromatography, as well as molecular docking with specific proteins.
Oxidants in Biology : A Question of Balance
Oxidants, like other aspects of life, involves tradeoffs. Oxidants, whether intentionally produced or by-products of normal metabolism can either mediate a variety of critical biological processes but when present inappropriately cause extensive damage to biological molecules (DNA, proteins, and lipids). These effects can lead to either damage that is a major contributor to aging and degenerative diseases (or to other diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune-system decline, brain dysfunction, and cataracts) or normal physiological function- tissue repair, defense against pathogens and cellular proliferation. On the other hand the body is equipped with a complex antioxidant/oxidant handling system which includes both enzymatic and nonenzymatic (i.e. small molecules such as flavonoids, ascorbate, tocopherol, and carotenoids) produced endogenously or derived from the diet. This book focuses on how the same molecules can have favorable or noxious effects depending on location, level and timing. Each chapter focuses on one particular molecule or oxidant/antioxidant system and provides a state of the art review of the current understanding regarding both positive and negative actions of the system under review.
Oxidants and Antioxidant Defense Systems
Oxidative stress is one of the major symptoms accompanying physiological functions and numerous diseases. Oxidants and free radicals are connected with diseases such as cancer, diabetes, infectious, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and also in the aging process itself. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of oxidant and free radical production and the defence against this permanent threat to cells is important for the understanding of many physiological and pathophysiological processes. This book overviews the basic mechanisms of oxidant formation and antioxidant defences. In addition, the formation of oxidants and their detoxification, the damage of macromolecules and the major repair and removal systems will be highlighted.
Opportunities and Challenges of the Therapies Targeting CNS Regeneration
The therapeutic options for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative and traumatic diseases such as spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, etc. have experienced enormous progress over recent years. Despite these encouraging developments, available therapies are only partially effective, and the ultimate goal is still far from being attained. Improved understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration and demyelination has led to a variety of new therapeutic targets and approaches. In addition to modulation of the inflammatory process (MS) and classical neuroprotection (stroke, AD), therapeutic approaches focusing on active remyelinization and neuronal regeneration have become increasingly important. Based on current concepts, this book summarizes new therapeutic approaches.
Olfactory knows the truth
Olfaction, the sense of smell detects and discriminate odors as well as social cues which influence our innate responses. The olfactory system in human beings is found to be weak as compared to other animals; however, it seems to be very precise. It can detect and discriminate millions of chemical moieties (odorants) even in minuscule quantities. The sense of smell is greatly underappreciated, despite the fact that it monitors the intake of airborne agents into the human respiratory system and determine to a large degree the flavor and palatability of foods and beverage. In addition to enhancing quality of life, this primary sensory system warns of spoiled foods, leaking natural gas, polluted air and smoke, and mediates basic elements of communication (e.g., mother-infant interaction). It is now apparent that smell dysfunction is among the first clinical signs of such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s disease and sporadic Parkinson’s disease.
Nutrition and diet in health: Principles and applications
Food provides us with essential nutrients involved in many physiological activities and biological processes in the body including growth and development, metabolism, immune function, and overall well-being. Nutrition and Diet in Health: Principles and Applications reviews and discusses the issues related to the roles of nutrition and diets in human health and diseases. The book contains two sections - one section features principles, the other, covers applications. Part One provides information on sustainable use of nutrition and diets in health and diseases; advanced biotechnological approaches to improve nutritional content of food; trace elements in nutrition; drug and nutrient interactions; functional foods and nutraceuticals in health maintenance; and Bio markers of functional foods and nutraceuticals in health maintenance. Part Two discusses the significance of nutrition in selected human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, infection, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic co-morbidities. It also discusses optimal nutrition for wellness, fitness, pregnancy, mental health, aging, and longevity.
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Signaling in Neuroprotection
Presents the roles and mechanisms of signal transduction triggered by nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) stimulation in neuroprotection against toxic effects of risk factors of neurodegenerative diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that nAChRs in the CNS play important roles not only in excitatory neurotransmission but also in neuronal survival and related functions. Neuroprotection mediated by nAChRs in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease is the major topic of this book. In response to rapidly evolving areas in clinical and laboratory neuropharmacology and neurochemistry, this volume provides in-depth coverage of neuroprotection in basic research and future developments in the clinical application of effective neuroprotective strategies in neurodegenerative diseases. This work appeals to both basic and clinical researchers in several fields, such as neuroscience, neurology, and pharmacology.
Neurochemical Aspects of Excitotoxicity
Leading researchers offer cutting-edge information on glutamate metabolism in the brain, examining the role of glutamate transporters and the involvement of glutamate receptors in the pathogenesis of acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases.
Misbehaving Proteins : Protein (Mis)Folding, Aggregation, and Stability
Misfoldedaggregatedproteinoncewasconsideredasinterestingasyesterday’strash—a bothersome by-product of important and productive activities, to be disposed of and forgotten as quickly as possible. Yesterday’s trash has become today’s focus of cons- erable scienti?c interest for at least two reasons: (1) protein aggregates are at the core of a number of chronic degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, and (2) - gregation poses signi?cant obstacles to the manufacture of safe, ef?cacious, and stable protein products. As interest in protein misfolding, aggregation, and stability has soared beyond the core group of traditional protein-folding scientists, and as substantial scienti?c progress in understanding and controlling protein misfolding has been achieved, the need to summarize the state of the art became manifest. Although there are many excellent texts and edited collections on protein structure and folding, these volumes tend to relegate protein misfolding and aggregation to a minor role. Review articles and books focused on the biological role of protein aggregates in diseases have been published recently.
Metabolism and Functions of Bioactive Ether Lipids in the Brain
This book will be particularly useful to neuroscience graduate students, academics, and researchers. Clinicians will find this book useful for understanding molecular aspects of neurodegeneration in acute neural trauma and neurodegenerative diseases that are mediated by plamalogen-selective phospholipases A2 and PAF acetyl hydrolases. This monograph is the first to provide a comprehensive description of not only metabolism and role of plasmalogen and platelet activating factor in brain tissue but also the involvement of these lipids with abnormal signal transduction processes in neurological disorders.
Ibuprofen : Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Uses and Adverse Effects
Presents topical research in the study of the clinical pharmacology, medical uses, and adverse effects of ibuprofen. Topics discussed include the occurrence, ecotoxicity and water remediation technologies of ibuprofen in the aquatic environment; associated adverse drug reaction in ibuprofen use; hybrid multifunctional ibuprofen drugs; a pharmaceutical nanotechnology approach to ibuprofen delivery; vibrational dynamics and chiral properties of racemate and pure enantiomers of ibuprofen complexed in cyclodextrins; therapeutic effects of ibuprofen on transgenic mice models of neurodegenerative diseases; and the use of ibuprofen for pain relief in gynecology.
Hormones and the brain
Peripheral hormones have a major impact on the brain: they are able to interfere with its development, to affect release of neurotransmitters and concentrations of receptors, to trigger growth factors involved in lesion repair. These multiple actions account for their capacity to modulate a number of physiological parameters, from reproductive functions to memory, behaviour and aging. Depending upon intensity and duration of exposure, they can be either neuroprotective or neurotoxic, for instance by affecting production of free radicals. This book, based on contributions of pioneer investigators in the field, outlines the ambiguous actions of gonadal steroids (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, inhibin and activin) and of neurosteroids, related moieties produced in the brain itself. After summarizing their multiple mechanisms of action, which involve both direct effects on neuronal membranes and activation of genes coding for specific proteins in neurons or glial cells, the book outlines the role of hormones in pathogenic processes such as mental disturbances or neurodegenerative diseases.
Heat Shock Proteins and the Brain : Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Neuroprotection
Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis have been termed ‘protein misfolding disorders’ that are char- terized by the neural accumulation of protein aggregates. Manipulation of the cellular stress response involving the induction of heat shock proteins offers a the- peutic strategy to counter conformational changes in neural proteins that trigger pathogenic cascades resulting in neurodegenerative diseases. Heat shock proteins are protein repair agents that provide a line of defense against misfolded, aggregati- prone proteins. Heat Shock Proteins and the Brain: Implications for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Neuroprotection reviews current progress on neural heat shock proteins (HSP) in relation to neurodegenerative diseases (Part I), neuroprotection (Part II), ext- cellular HSP (Part III) and aging and control of life span (Part IV).



















