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Elsevier

Elsevier Science

  • The Platelet

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 18
    • E.G. Lapetina
    • English
    Platelets have been an important model system in which to study various aspects of signal transduction. In spite of the fact that platelets are anucleated cells, it has been possible to assess the relationship between receptors, transducers and effectors, and specific platelet physiological responses. As a consequence, discrete biochemical events can be related to shape change, aggregation, and secretion. In addition to undergoing these internal biochemical changes, activated platelets express glycoproteins receptors for adhesive proteins on their surfaces; these help consolidation of the initial platelet aggregate to stop bleeding and start repair. When this protective action of platelets is exaggerated, a pathological situation arises. Abnormal platelet function is associated with thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and bleeding disorders. This book deals with the most important aspects of platelet signal transduction that have been revealed in the past few years. Emphasis is given to knowledge gained in the area of glycoprotein receptors or integrins that bind adhesive proteins and play a crucial role in thrombosis. One of these integrins also serves as a collagen receptor on platelets. Collagen and thrombin are primary activators at sites of vascular injury. The main thrombin receptor recently was recognized as a seven trans-membrane domain receptor, and attention is now focused on the development of thrombin receptor antagonists that might prove to be useful in treatment of thrombosis and restenosis. The formation and release of thromboxane A2 n activated platelets help to recruit additional platelets to the injury site; the receptor for thromboxane A2 is a newly discovered seven trans-membrane domain receptor that is also covered in this book. The coupling of platelet receptors to the effectors or second-messenger-pro... enzymes is mostly through heterotrimeric and low molecular weight GTP-binding proteins, which have an important role in the stimulation or inhibition of platelet effectors. Two chapters deal with the role of GTP-binding proteins in human platelets. Several chapters are devoted to the effectors, including phospholipases C, A2, D, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; the mobilization of Ca2+; and the formation of cAMP, cGMP, nitric oxide, and the role of the NA+/K+ exchanger. This is integrated with information on the activation of important protein kinases - that is, protein kinase C, Ca2+ -calmodulin-dependen... protein kinases, cAMP and cGMP-dependent kinases, and tyrosine kinases - and on how these activities lead to changes in platelet cytoskeleton to cause shape change, aggregation, and secretion.

  • Cytokines, Part A

    • 1st Edition
    • C. Bondy + 1 more
    • English
    Progress in molecular technology in recent years has caused an amazing growth of information about intercellular peptide messengers and their receptors. The number of characterized interleukins for example numbered just three six years ago and now there are at least 16. In addition, the number of described neutrophic peptides is around 30 and the number of receptors is ever increasing. Because many of these new peptide ligands and receptors were identified by "reverse genetic" techniques the understanding of their biological roles falls behind the knowledge of their molecular structures. However a new strain of functional studies has begun and animal models are developed allowing for further research into the biological roles of these messenger peptides and their receptors. Cytokines, the theme of this volume, describes a group of proteins identified primarily within the immune and hematopoietic systems. As many cytokines as possible are included along with their receptors providing the reader with a guide to an ever-changing field of scientific research.

  • Thermobiology

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 19
    • J.S. Willis
    • English
    Notwithstanding widespread studies and even several biological journals devoted to temperature, it is difficult to perceive a field of thermobiology as such. Interest in the effects of temperature of biological systems is fragmented into specific thermal ranges and often connected with particular applications: subzero cryobiology and preservation of cells and tissues or survival of poikilotherms, para-zero cryobiology and preservation of whole organs and survival of whole animals, intermediate ranges and physiological adaption and regulation, high temperatures and use of heat for killing cancer cells, very high temperatures and limits of biological structure. Yet it has not always been so, and there are good reasons why it need not remain so. General and comparative physiologists such as W.J. Crozier, H. Precht, J. Belehradek, F. Johnson, C.L. Prosser, and others have sought throughout this century to lay foundations for unified approaches to temperature in biological systems.Recent findings also serve to suggest principles and processes that span the range of temperatures of biological interest. Microviscosity of membranes is an issue originally of interest to low temperature biologists but with relevance to limiting high temperatures; conversely for protein structure. Certain "heat shock proteins" now appear to be responses to generalized stress, including low temperature.Inevitab... the chapters of this book reflect the "zonal" character of thermobiology: two chapters (by Storey and Raymond) deal with protection against subfreezing temperatures; three (Hazel, membrane structure, Dietrich, microtubular structure, and Kruuv, cell growth) deal with the effects of and modulation to cool-to-moderate superfreezing temperatures, one (Willis) with modulation (of membrane ion transport) to moderate-to-high temperatures and two (Li, heat shock proteins and Lepock, proteins in general) with stressfully high temperatures. Explicit in each of these chapters, however, are principles and issues that transcend the parochialism of the temperature range under consideration.

  • Mechanisms of Cell Toxicity

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 20
    • J.K. Chipman
    • English
    Cellular toxicology has entered a new era. No longer are we concerned only with necrotic cell death produced by severe, acute insult (often to multiple intracellular targets) leading to disruption of the cell membrane. New advances in molecular and cellular biology are allowing the dissection of mechanisms of cell death involving more subtle targets within the cell. Toxicology has been very important, not only in understanding the mechanisms, nature, and severity of toxicity and thereby helping in risk assessment, but toxicology has also played a very important role in helping to understand basic biological processes. Historically this has perhaps been most evident in the use of toxic agents to interfere with specific reactions in the body and hence help to dissect out the mechanisms of metabolic processes. For example, the use of chemical inhibitors was very important in understanding the process of oxidative phosphorylation, or the tricarboxylic acid cycle. More recent examples are seen herein where toxicology interfaces with, for example structural biology in the study of the cytoskeletal components and their interactions. Indirectly, an understanding of the mechanisms of endogenous protective systems also improves knowledge of basic cell biology. Toxic insult and manipulation of cell signalling and control mechanisms in cell growth and differentation also highlight how important the discipline of cell toxicity has been and will continue to be a major contributor to our understanding of basic issues in the biological and biomedical sciences. This book offers selected reviews of some of the principal molecular mechanisms of cell toxicity.

  • Corrosion Atlas

    A Collection of Illustrated Case Histories
    • 3rd Edition
    • E.D.D. During
    • English
    This Third Edition of the definitive reference on corrosion is totally revised and greatly expanded. It includes 679 case histories divided over 135 materials in 13 material groups, 25 systems (installations) and 44 different phenomena. Most of the new case histories have been supplied by 20 companies and a number of private persons. Significant improvements include the addition of cross-references between the different case histories, an extension of the Introduction with a clear, more penetrating study of electrochemical corrosion, a chapter on Corrosion Topics and a chapter on corrosion in a number of different water-bearing systems, and a completely new second index on installations, systems and parts.Features of this book:• THE standard reference work in the field• A practical tool with application to real life problems• Will improve accuracy and speed of corrosion analyses• Information is systematically organized for ease of use• Superb quality of visual information gives the clues vital for analysing the problems.Purchasers of the previous editions will certainly want to have the new During in their possession. This is an essential reference work for those responsible for the design, fabrication, operation and maintenance of the extremely varied and often very complicated systems and machinery used in today's technology. The increased number of case histories, with cross-references and new indexes, makes the Atlas even more widely applicable than the previous editions. It can therefore be used as an aid in the solution of many practical corrosion problems. It also serves to bring the specialist and the person trying to solve a corrosion problem closer by presenting a common language, so that misunderstanding can be avoided.Furthermore, the Atlas is an important educational aid for self-study and for special courses, and can also be profitably used as part of or an addition to existing general courses in technical schools and colleges and universities. Because of its unique, extensive, clear and beautifully produced illustrative material these courses will be less abstract and theoretical and so give a much closer link between education and the practice of corrosion prevention and control.

  • Municipal Solid Waste Incinerator Residues

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 67
    • A.J. Chandler + 7 more
    • English
    This text covers a broad spectrum of topics pertinent to the management of incinerator residues. Background information includes a history of incineration, and the influence of municipal waste composition, incinerator type air pollution control technologies on residue quality. Physical, chemical and leaching characteristics for the various ash streams are described, along with recommended sampling and evaluation methodologies. Residue handling and management options, including, treatment utilisation and disposal are also discussed in detail.

  • Geomorphological Hazards of Europe

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 5
    • C. Embleton + 1 more
    • English
    The Geomorphological Hazards of Europe contains an excellent balance of authoritative statements on the range and causes of natural hazards in Europe. Written in a clear and unpretentious style, it removes myths and concentrates on the basic facts.The book looks at the known distributions, processes and the underlying principles and focuses on the need for a true understanding of the scientific details so that a real contribution to hazard management can be made.A comprehensive treatment of scientific and management issues of hazards in Europe caused by natural or sometimes human induced earth surface processes are covered including floods, landslides, avalanches, glacier-, coastal-, karstic-, and volcanic hazards, soil erosion and subsidence.Leading researchers in the field of natural hazards and their mitigation have contributed to this nation by nation account covering 20 European countries. The individual chapters deal with the distribution of natural hazards within specific countries (quite often the first synthesis of the information available) and • provide a review of current research in the field• discuss the economic, engineering and policy responses in national hazard management• are complemented by an extensive bibliography.The volume is well illustrated with 207 figures of which 66 are photos and has an extensive general index and a complete index of place names. It is a major European contribution to the International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction.The book will appeal to practitioners, managers, academicians, researchers, as well as graduate students in geomorphlogy, natural hazards research and environmental management.

  • Earthquake Proof Design and Active Faults

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 81
    • Y. Kanaori
    • English
    On 17th January 1995 an inland earthquake of 7.2 magnitude occurred under Kobe city in central Japan. More than 5,500 people lost their lives. There was immense and serious damage to buildings. Researchers and engineers were shocked and astonished by the extent of the devastation and loss of life. Ground motions, generated by the event were far greater than the seismic standard for earthquake-proof designs in Japan.Recent academic progress in the fields of geology and geophysics, which would help to reduce the severity of seismic disasters, has not been sufficiently applied to the development of earthquake-proof designs.This book contains 13 original and innovative papersof interdisciplinary study spanning earthquake-proof technology and active fault science (seven of the papers cover topics concerning the 1995 Kobe earthquake).

  • Proceedings of the Sixteenth International Cryogenic Engineering Conference/International Cryogenic Materials Conference

    Part 1
    • 1st Edition
    • T. Haruyama + 2 more
    • English
    This book contains the proceedings of the 16th ICEC/ICMC Conference, held in Kitakyushu, Japan, on 20th-24th May 1996. The Proceedings are presented in three volumes containing a total of 476 papers from 1484 authors. The proceedings covers the main areas of: Large Scale Refrigeration. Cryocoolers. Cryogenic Engineering. Space Cryogenics. Application of Superconductivity. Oxide Superconductors. Metallic Superconductors. Metallic Materials. Non Metallic Materials.In addition there are seven Plenary Lectures covering such diverse topics as commercialization of high-Tc superconductors, the continuing development of the Maglev system in Japan, and the Large Hadron Collider project. The Proceedings comprise an excellent and up-to-date summary of research and development in the fields of Cryogenics and Superconductivity.

  • Advances in Space Biology and Medicine

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 6
    • S.L. Bonting
    • English
    The sixth volume in Space Biology and Medicine is a volume with contributors from all spacefaring nations. Although all space agencies must currently operate under server budgetary restraints, progress in the field of space biology and medicine continues. The preparations for the International Space Station, in which Russia is going to participate with the United States, Europe, Japan, and Canada, are also continuing. For the longer term, studies for a Lunar Station are in progress. The contributions to this volume are witness of all these activities.Two chapters deal with the effects of weightlessness on the immune system. Taylor and colleagues review the effects in vivo, indicating a reduction of the immune function in space. The blunting of the immune function after short-term flights resembles that after acute stress on the ground, while long-term effects compare to those caused by chronic stress. Cogoli and Cogoli-Greuter describe studies on single cells, which show that proliferation and cytokine expression of T-lymphocytes are reduced in microgravity, possibly through a non-equilibrium thermodynamic effect.Preparation for long-term space missions is the express purpose of four contributions in this volume. Kanas considers the usefulness of space simulation studies by means of extended isolation and confinement on Earth, and points to be examined in future projects of this kind. Volumes 3 and 5 in this series were dedicated to two ESA projects of this nature. Grigoriev and Egorov describe a medical monitoring system for long-term missions. Schwartzkopf reports on the design of life support systems using plant cultivation for food and oxygen regeneration, with particular reference to a future Lunar base. Wolf describes a small-scale bioregenerative system based on an algal bioreactor.The use of medicinal drugs by astronauts is the subject of two chapters by Pavy-Le Traon, Saivin and colleagues. The resistance of bacteria to antibiotics can be changed in weightlessness, and no suitable drug against bone demineralisation in space is available. The pharmacokinetics of drugs is also changed, mainly due to the fluid shift in space. Smith and colleagues provide a comprehensive review of our present knowledge of the regulation of body fluid volume and electrolyte levels and the hormonal regulation mechanisms involved. The effects of weightlessness on the function of the vestibular system, which are the cause of space motion sickness in astronauts during the first week in space, are reviewed by Kornilova.Finally there are two chapters on the effects of gravity on non-human creatures. Izumi-Kurotani describes behaviour and stature of frogs during spaceflight, as well as some histological and biochemical changes in organs and tissues after return to Earth. Merkys and Darginaviciene have studied the mechanism of the plant gravitropic response (spatial orientation along the gravity vector) in space an on Earth, and conclude that flows of calcium ions and the growth hormone indole acetic acid in opposite directions appear to be involved.

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