An Introduction to Toxicology

An Introduction to Toxicology

This book provides a readable introduction to modern toxicology with a particular focus on the mechanisms underlying the induction of toxicity by foreign substances. Since bioactivation is central to many toxic syndromes, special interest is devoted to chemicals that undergo conversion to toxic metabolites that induce toxic effects as diverse as cancer, birth defects and organ injury. The molecular consequences accompanying damage to cellular DNA and proteins is explored together with the relevance of toxicological paradigms to human diseases caused by alcohol and tobacco. The discipline of toxicology has developed rapidly since the thalidomide disaster in the 1960s as scientists worldwide seek to understand the adverse health effects of human medicines, environmental pollutants, consumer chemicals and industrial reagents. An Introduction to Toxicology is intended to supplement the recommended reading list of undergraduate and graduate programs in toxicology and pharmacology as an enjoyable, accessible primer with illustrations that unpack the concepts being discussed in the text.

An Introduction to Toxicology

Mechanisms of Sepsis-Induced Organ Dysfunction and Recovery

Mechanisms of Sepsis-Induced Organ Dysfunction and Recovery

There have been tremendous advances in understanding the cellular mechanisms involved in sepsis and contributing to the development of multiple organ dysfunction and mortality in this setting. The chapters in this book provide up-to-date insights into important pathways that are initiated by sepsis.

Mechanisms of Sepsis-Induced Organ Dysfunction and Recovery

Dynamic Systems Biology Modeling and Simulation

Dynamic Systems Biology Modeling and Simulation

Dynamic Systems Biology Modeling and Simuation consolidates and unifies classical and contemporary multiscale methodologies for mathematical modeling and computer simulation of dynamic biological systems from molecular/cellular, organ-system, on up to population levels. The book pedagogy is developed as a well-annotated, systematic tutorial with clearly spelled-out and unified nomenclature derived from the authors own modeling efforts, publications and teaching over half a century. Ambiguities in some concepts and tools are clarified and others are rendered more accessible and practical. The latter include novel qualitative theory and methodologies for recognizing dynamical signatures in data using structural (multicompartmental and network) models and graph theory; and analyzing structural and measurement (data) models for quantification feasibility. The level is basic-to-intermediate, with much emphasis on biomodeling from real biodata, for use in real applications.

Dynamic Systems Biology Modeling and Simulation

Mechanics of Biological Tissue

Mechanics of Biological Tissue

The mechanics of biological tissues is a multidisciplinary and rapidly expanding area of research. The book points to important directions combining mechanical sciences with the exciting new developments in biology. It delivers state-of-the-art articles on: Mechanics of tissues at the molecular, cellular, tissue and organ levels. Mechanobiology, with particular reference to growth, remodeling, repair and aging. Experimental, microstructural and continuum mechanical perspectives with an emphasis on modelling, and simulating therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Implementation of mechanical models in numerical codes to provide a tool for the design and development of prostheses. Numerical models have the potential to greatly improve diagnostics and therapeutical procedures that involve tissue mechanics.

Mechanics of Biological Tissue

Coxiella Burnetii

Coxiella Burnetii

Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, a zoonotic disease found worldwide. The bacterium is a fascinating example of intracellular parasitism that has uniquely evolved to thrive in the most inhospitable of cellular compartments-the phagolysosome. Understanding how C. burnetii resists the degradative functions of this vacuole, and the host cell functions coopted for successful parasitism, are central to understanding Q fever pathogenesis. Recent achievements in glycomics and proteomics are guiding development of enhanced detection schemes for the bacterium in addition to shedding light on the host immune response to the pathogen. Several chapters survey immune functions that control or potentially exacerbate Coxiella infection and delve into correlates of protective immunity elicited by vaccination. Comparative genomics is also the foundation of chapters discussing diagnostic antigen discovery and molecular typing of the bacterium, with significance for development of new clinical, epidemiologic, and forensic tools.

Coxiella Burnetii

Physiology and Physiopathology of Adipose Tissue

Physiology and Physiopathology of Adipose Tissue

The scientific advances in the physiology and pathophysiology of adipose tissue over the last two decades have been considerable. Today, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipogenesis are well known. In addition, adipose tissue is now recognized as a real endocrine organ that produces hormones such as the leptin acting to regulate food intake and energy balance in the central nervous system, a finding that has completely revolutionized the paradigm of energy homeostasis. Other adipokines have now been described and these molecules are taking on increasing importance in physiology and pathophysiology. Moreover, numerous works have shown that in obesity, but also in cases of lipodystophy, adipose tissue was the site of a local low-grade inflammation that involves immune cells such as macrophages and certain populations of lymphocytes. This new information is an important step in the pathophysiology of both obesity and related metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Finally, it is a unique and original work focusing on adipose tissue, covering biology and pathology by investigating aspects of molecular and cellular biology, general, metabolic, genetic and genomic biochemistry.

Physiology and Physiopathology of Adipose Tissue

Skeletal Development and Repair

Skeletal Development and Repair

Skeletal Development and Repair: Methods and Protocols is a compilation of a variety of skeletal research protocols utilizing the laboratory mouse as the platform for surgical manipulation and/or transplantation as well as the source of tissues and cells for in vitro culture and analyses. Chapters are written by experts in the field and cover topics including surgical, transplantation and organ culture methods that permit analyses of skeletal tissues undergoing repair in vivo and permits analyses of cellular interactions ex vivo, histological and molecular techniques developed to study gene and protein expression in whole embryos, skeletal tissues and tissue sections and in vitro primary cell culture protocols designed to assay gene function in specific cell populations. Written in the 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 protocols and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Skeletal Development and Repair

Interactive Probiotics

Interactive Probiotics

This book underlines the importance of reciprocal interactions between probiotics and humans in terms of stress induction, epigenetic control of cellular responses, oxidative status, bio-active molecules biosynthesis, moonlighting proteins secretion, endogenous toxins neutralization, and several other biological functions. It explores how these responses can affect metabolism and metabolic-related disorders, gutbrain axis balance, mood, inflammatory, allergic and anti-infective reactions, cancer, and ageing. The book explores how probiotics create a dynamic and ‘fluid’ network of signals able to control the balance between healthy and altered human status.

Interactive Probiotics

The Myc Gene

The Myc Gene

Myc controls multiple cellular functions, including cell proliferation, growth, differentiation and death, both directly and indirectly, through its modulation of downstream transcriptional programs. In The Myc Gene: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field summarize the standard and novel techniques that allow the studying of Myc mechanism of action in normal and cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo, in one succinct manual. 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 key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

The Myc Gene