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Books in Agricultural and biological sciences

The Agricultural and Biological Sciences collection advances science-based knowledge for the improvement of animal and plant life and for secure food systems that produce nutritious, novel, sustainable foods with minimal environmental impact. Food Science titles include not only those products from agriculture but all other aspects from food production to nutrition, health and safety, chemistry to security, policy, law and regulation. Biological Sciences address animal behaviour and biodiversity, organismal and evolutionary biology, entomology, marine biology and aquaculture, plant science and forestry.

  • Fixation for Electron Microscopy

    • 1st Edition
    • M.A. (Eric) Hayat
    • English
    Fixation for Electron Microscopy presents how to better understand the effects of fixatives on the molecular structure of the cell. This book attempts to consider each aspect of fixation, including chemical interactions between fixatives and individual cellular substances. The chemistry of fixative interactions that are discussed in the book is based primarily on the reactions of a fixative with isolated proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates. The book shows that the correct interpretation of information retrieved from electron micrographs depends on the knowledge of the basic principles underlying the fixation procedure. Also, the book presents the fixation of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic specimens. The special fixation conditions for plant specimens are discussed in detail and have been allotted a whole chapter. Also emphasized in this book is the connection between morphology and biochemical aspects of preparatory treatments and the chemical basis of the formation of artifacts. This topic is useful in understanding the modifications of cell structures introduced during their processing. A guide for recognizing and minimizing major artifacts and fixation faults that are usually encountered is also presented in the book. This valuable resource will prove useful to both students and professionals in the field of biology and clinical medicine. Specimen preservation researchers can also benefit from this book.

  • Rapid Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents

    • 1st Edition
    • David Kingsbury
    • English
    Rapid Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents is a collection of papers presented at the International Symposium on Rapid Detection and Identification of Infectious Agents held on October 5-7, 1983, in Oakland, California, and organized by the Naval Biosciences Laboratory of the School of Public Health of the University of California at Berkeley. Contributors examine progress in the field of rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases, with a particular emphasis on DNA probe-based assays and monoclonal and polyclonal antibody-based immunoassays. This volume is organized into five sections encompassing 20 chapters. It begins with an overview of state-of-the-art methods for rapid detection and identification of infectious agents, including technology that is currently applied in clinical microbiology, as well as concerns regarding the political and scientific climates, which have an impact on health care and clinical microbiology. Chapters are organized to deal with a single diagnostic type of test for a given broad group of organisms. The approach is to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each of the new diagnostic procedures, using the same type of clinical material whenever possible. The book gives consideration to the fundamental design of DNA probes and probe assay systems, the clinical comparison of immunologic assays for the diagnosis of meningococcal disease, and immunodiagnostics for viral and parasitic pathogens. This book will be of value to scientists and researchers interested in immunology and infectious diseases, as well as the methods used to detect and identify them.

  • Developmental Aspects of the Cell Cycle

    • 1st Edition
    • Ivan Cameron
    • English
    Developmental Aspects of the Cell Cycle discusses the molecular, organelle, cellular, and organismal levels of cell cycle, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. It addresses the possible antagonism between the ability of cells to proliferate and to differentiate. After brief historical, theoretical, and methodological background information for each cell system, this book concentrates on the mechanisms involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. The book presents systems in which mass cultures of cells can be induced to undergo a synchronous transition from one cell state to another, enabling the amplification of cellular and biochemical events to be analyzed with the available morphological and biochemical techniques. Some chapters explain the possibility of cell state production by a microenvironment that occurs at the organismal level, in which a series of mitotic and growth steps causes cells proliferation. The concluding chapters discuss cell proliferation and differentiation in specific cell system, such as embryonic chick and male germ cell. This book will appeal to investigators in many disciplines, teachers, and life sciences students, particularly, to molecular, cellular, and developmental biologists.

  • Genetics and Biotechnology of Bacilli

    • 1st Edition
    • Mark M. Zukowski
    • English
    Genetics and Biotechnology of Bacilli, Volume 3 covers the proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Genetics and Biotechnology of Bacilli, held on July 9-12, 1989 at the Asilomar Conference Center, Pacific Grove, California. It summarizes the remarkable progress made in the genetics and biotechnology fields of Bacilli. It is organized into four parts, encompassing 43 chapters, which focus on gene regulation and structure, enzyme structure, Bacillus thuringiensis toxins, and stationary phase gene regulation. Part I covers topics related to gene regulation and structure of Bacilli, such as control of gene expression, mutation, genetic organization, DNA sequence analysis, and identification of transcript units. It also discusses gene replication in Bacillus subtilis plasmids, levanase operon of B. subtilis, and characterization of global regulon in B. subtilis. The next part of this book focuses on the structure of various enzymes found in B. subtilis, including alpha amylases, subtilisin, alkaline phosphatase, and levansucrase. Part III discusses the generation of functional B. thuringiensis toxin hybrid genes, regulation of crystal protein gene promoters, toxicity of B. thuringiensis delta-endotoxin, and insecticidal activity of chimeric protoxins. The concluding part covers the aspects of signal transduction, regulation of differential gene expression during B. subtilis sporulation, and gene cloning and deletion for extracellular proteases of B. subtilis. It also discusses genetic and biochemical aspects of protein phosphorylation; properties of B. subtilis spores; control of stationary phase gene expression; and the novel regulatory gene, senS, of B. subtilis. This book is a valuable source of information for microbiologists, research biologists, and Bacilli enthusiasts.

  • Reproductive Biology of the Great Apes

    Comparative and Biomedical Perspectives
    • 1st Edition
    • Charles Graham
    • English
    Reproductive Biology of the Great Apes: Comparative and Biomedical Perspectives discusses the great ape reproduction. The book opens with the menstrual cycle of apes as a good foundation for the subject areas that follow. Accordingly, Chapter 2 focuses on the endocrine changes during the stage of pregnancy among apes, specifically the hormonal changes in chimpanzee. Chapter 3 deals mainly on the condition postpartum amenorrhea. In Chapter 4, the reproductive and endocrine development – from fetal development, infancy, juvenile, to puberty – is discussed. Chapters 5 and 6 thoroughly discuss the female and male ape’s genital tract and their secretions. The sole topic of Chapter 7 deals mainly with the comparative aspects of ape steroid hormone metabolism. Meanwhile, Chapter 8 tackles laboratory research on apes’ sexual behavior. The succeeding chapters talk about the chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan reproduction in the wild. Chapters 12 and 13 basically look upon the behaviors of the great apes, specifically intermale competition and sexual selection. The next chapters (14 and 15) look at the necessity of breeding and managing apes in captivity to ensure their continued survival. Lastly, Chapter 16 highlights the significance and great value of apes as models and comparative study in human reproduction. This book will be of great use to human physiologists, comparative anatomists and zoologists, primatologists, ape breeders, and biomedical scientists.

  • The Biology of Mycoplasmas

    • 1st Edition
    • Paul F. Smith
    • English
    The Biology of Mycoplasmas discusses the origins, structure, significance, and dynamics of reproduction and growth of mycoplasmas. It also explains the relationship of mycoplasmas to bacteria and bacterial L-forms as well as to its chemical and physical environment. The book compares mycoplasmas with other group of microorganisms. In this way, it explains the rationale of separating this group from other groups. Aside from describing the organism and its growth and relationships, the book also explains the pathogenicity and significance of mycoplasmas as cells. It also discusses the immunological response to this group of organisms. This book will be invaluable to general biological scientist as well as to undergraduate and graduate students specializing in biology, microbiology, and other related sciences.

  • The Orthopoxviruses

    • 1st Edition
    • Frank Fenner
    • English
    The Orthopoxviruses presents knowledge and comprehensive and integrated picture of orthopoxviruses. The book looks into the molecular biology of this genusof viruses, particularly, the structure and chemical composition of the virion, replication, morphogenesis, pathogenesis, pathology, and immunology of this virus’ infections. It also elucidates the global spread, control, and eradication of smallpox. Additionally, the book describes a potentially important use of vaccinia virus, namely, its use as a vector for genes from other viruses, bacteria, or protozoa that specify antigens important in stimulating the production of a protective immune response. Such comprehensive account of all aspects of the biology of all known species of orthopoxviruses will be valuable to molecular biologists, virologists, immunologists, pathologists, and researchers in the veterinary sciences.

  • Cell Cycle Regulation

    • 1st Edition
    • James R. Jr. Jeter
    • English
    Cell Cycle Regulation describes the interaction of the nuclear genome, the cytoplasmic pools, the organelles, the cell surface, and the extracellular environment that govern the cell cycle regulation. Comprised of 12 chapters, this book includes cell cycle regulation around nuclear chromatin modulation and some aspects of chromatin modification and its effects on gene expression. The opening chapters describe the macromolecular structure of chromatin subunits and the types and kinds of postsynthetic modifications occurring on histones, such as acetylation, methylation, and phosphorylation. The subsequent chapter deals extensively on histone phosphorylation, especially histone H1, H1M, H2A, and H3, during the cell cycle. Another chapter describes a selective histone leakage from nuclei during isolation accounting for the role of histone acetylation and phosphorylation in gene expression. This book goes on examining the assembly of microtubules and structural analysis on the regulatory role of calcium into a pattern for mitosis regulation. Other chapters discuss the methods used to measure intracellular pH changes as a function of the cell cycle of Physarum and the quantitative and qualitative changes taking place during the various phases of the cell cycle. The use of mammalian cell fusion to study cell cycle regulation and the protein synthesis regulation during the cell cycle in Chlamydomonas reinhardi are then discussed. The final chapters focus on the regulation of expression of an inducible structural gene during the cell cycle of the green alga Chlorella. The chapters provide evidence for a model of positive and negative oscillatory control of inducible gene expression. An analysis of the expression of cytoplasmic genes as a function of the cell cycle using pedigrees of a large number of individual yeast cells is also included. This book will appeal to a wide variety of life scientists and to molecular, cellular, and developmental biologists.

  • Toxic Constituents of Animal Foodstuffs

    • 1st Edition
    • Irvin Liener
    • English
    Toxic Constituents of Animal Foodstuffs focuses on toxic substances that occur naturally as well as those that are deliberately or inadvertently introduced by man in animal foodstuffs. This book gives specific discussions on food contaminants in meat, dairy products, avian and fish eggs, shellfish, fish, and algae. It notes that the naturally occurring toxicants seem to be confined mainly to avian and fish eggs and to certain kinds of shellfish and amphibia. Examples of toxicity due to the introduction of synthetic chemicals may be found in most meat and dairy products. Moreover, special consideration is given to the problem of the carcinogenic nitrosamines in meat products to which nitrites have been added. This reference will convey an increased awareness of the fact that even products of animal origin may prove to be potentially hazardous to health because of certain toxic substances. Consequently, there will be a vital need for their close surveillance in the food chain.

  • Metabolic Inhibitors V2

    A Comprehensive Treatise
    • 1st Edition
    • R Hochster
    • English
    Metabolic Inhibitors: A Comprehensive Treatise, Volume II charts the major advances that have been made in understanding metabolic inhibition and inhibitors. The book explores the inhibition of enzymes, such as catechol amines, acetylcholinesterase... and succinic dehydrogenases, as well as inhibitors of processes ranging from gas transport to photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, nitrification, and oxidative phosphorylation. Organized into 23 chapters, this volume begins with a discussion on the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and dinucleotide analogues. The reader is then introduced to the biochemical significance and mode of action of antibiotics; substances interfering with the biogenesis and metabolism of catechol amines; and inhibition of enzyme activities by thioarsenites. Some chapters focus on mercaptide-forming agents, biological alkylating agents, organophosphates, and carbamates, while others examine the metabolic inhibitory effects of quinones, fungicides, and surface active agents. The book also considers the effects of anesthetics, depressants, and tranquilizers on cerebral metabolism, and then concludes with a chapter on inhibition caused by radiation. This book is a valuable resource for biochemists, advanced students, medical research workers, and research workers in the fields of biological chemistry, microbiology, botany, and agriculture.

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