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Elsevier

Books in Life sciences

  • Albumin: Structure, Biosynthesis, Function

    Federation of European Biochemical Societies 11Th Meeting Copenhagen 1977
    • 1st Edition
    • Theodore Peters + 1 more
    • English
    Albumin: Structure, Biosynthesis, Function is a collection of papers from the 11th meeting of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies in Copenhagen in 1977. The book starts with a review of the structure and evolution of serum albumin, the amino acid sequence, and the structure and conformation of albumin. One paper then explains the biosynthesis of proalbumin and the mechanism of its conversion to albumin. Another paper discusses the secretory process of albumin and of other export proteins, which are as follows: synthesis, segregation, intracellular migration, concentration, and discharge to the circulation. The text then presents the generalized binding model, a new method of analysis, in free fatty acid binding to albumin. The book also explains the role of albumin in free fatty acid utilization by the tissues. One paper then describes the property of serum albumin — that it has the ability to bind several different substances of various chemical structures, such as fatty acids, bilirubin, and various exogenous compounds or drugs. The paper then notes the drug interactions resulting from these binding actions of the different compounds. The text will prove a handy reference for the microbiologists, cellular biologists, and researchers in organic chemistry.

  • Agrarian Development in Peasant Economies

    Some Lessons from Kenya
    • 1st Edition
    • Eric Clayton
    • M. Mcg. Cooper
    • English
    Agrarian Development in Peasant Economies: Some Lessons from Kenya examines agrarian development in peasant, agricultural economies by focusing on Kenya and the lessons that can be learned from its experience. Topics covered include the beginnings of rural progress in Kenya; post-war agricultural policies and developments; the agrarian revolution; and the economics of peasant agriculture. Problems associated with agrarian reform are also discussed. This volume is comprised of seven chapters and begins with a historical background on Kenya's peasant agriculture, paying particular attention to the government's initiatives aimed at increasing agricultural production and controlling soil erosion. The next chapter deals with the country's agricultural policies after World War II, including the implementation of a ten-year development plan and introduction of incentives to improve farming. Subsequent chapters look at the agrarian revolution in Kenya; certain features of peasant agriculture, including indigenous farming systems; the economics of the farm and the agricultural sector; and the policies pursued by the government to achieve agrarian development. The final chapter considers some of the issues affecting agrarian reform, including smallholding and rights of ownership and financing of rural development, in part by taxation. This monograph will be of interest to farmers and agriculturists as well as agricultural and economic policymakers.

  • Art and Human Experience

    The Commonwealth and International Library: Liberal Studies Division
    • 1st Edition
    • Pamela Rydzewski
    • E. F. Candlin + 1 more
    • English
    Art and Human Experience discusses the various art traditions from different time periods and cultural origin. The title details the problems faced by artists, the basic principles of design. The text first tackles the importance of art in human life, and then proceeds to covering various forms of art. Next, the selection deals with the art culture from different time and location. The coverage of the title includes Stone Age art, African, Amerindian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Chinese, and European. The last chapter talks about contemporary art design. The book will be of great interest to individuals who have a keen interest in art history.

  • Pharmacology for Student and Pupil Nurses and Students in Associated Professions

    • 2nd Edition
    • Bernard R. Jones
    • English
    Pharmacology for Student and Pupil Nurses and Students in Associated Professions is based on lectures that have been updated and presented to nurses in training for the State Registration and State Enrolment Examinations and to Students in Dispensing. This book describes therapies and drug trends in the industry, as well as many types of drugs, their administration, dosage, usage, and effects. Functions of the pertinent human anatomy are included to illustrate the absorption of these drugs. This book includes a section on patient counseling; the use of the International System of Units (SI); and the immune-response process related to specialized fields of treatment. Patient counseling is undertaken for patients who will continue treatment at home. The nurse gives proper advice on the administration of the patient's medicine. SI was adopted to enhance the standardization of the unit of measurement for volume, weight, temperature, and length. This standard includes the use of the terms Celsius, millimole, and joule and the way of writing abbreviations and numbers in the Metric system. The immune-response process deals with the mechanism and related aspects concerning the two groups of cytotoxics, antimitotics and antimetabolites. The side effects of these drugs when used, for example, in chemotherapy, are discussed. This book will prove useful to pharmacists, student pharmacy technicians, professors of pharmacology, practitioners of general medicines, and specialists with interests in drug therapy.

  • Photochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic Acids

    International Series of Monographs on Pure and Applied Biology, Volume 22
    • 1st Edition
    • A. D. McLaren + 1 more
    • P. Alexander + 1 more
    • English
    Photochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic Acids focuses on the effects of ultraviolet and visible radiations on proteins and nucleic acids. The book first discusses some principles of photochemistry, including the laws of photochemistry and factors influencing photochemical reactions in solutions. The text describes absorption and luminescence spectra of nucleoproteins and their components, including principal absorbing groups in proteins, nucleic acids, and nucleoproteins. The selection also highlights the action of ultraviolet light on proteins; photochemical and photosensitized inactivation of enzymes; and the photochemistry of purine and pyrimidine derivatives. The text also discusses nucleic acids and oligo- and polynucleotides. Topics include photochemical degradation of nucleic acid; kinetics of biological inactivation of nucleic acids; nucleoproteins; and reversibility of nucleic acid photolysis. The book also encompasses the inactivation of viruses, including inactivation studies with a plant virus, bacteriophages, and photochemically produced vaccines. The text also presents some problems in photobiology and some techniques in photochemistry. The text is a good source of information for readers interested in the study of proteins and nucleic acids.

  • The Release of Catecholamines from Adrenergic Neurons

    • 1st Edition
    • David M. Paton
    • English
    The Release of Catecholamines from Adrenergic Neurons focuses on the processes involved in determining the release of catecholamines from neurons, noting the influence of alcohols, analgesics, and acids in the release. The selection first discusses biochemical and ultrastructural studies of the mechanism of release, as well as release of constituents of noradrenergic vesicles upon nerve stimulation; constituents of noradrenergic vesicles; and mechanism of release. The book then takes a look at the role of calcium in catecholamine release from adrenergic nerve terminals and presynaptic adrenoceptors and regulation of release. Topics include calcium-dependent versus calcium-independent noradrenaline release; differences between the presynaptic and postsynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors; and influence of neuronal uptake of noradrenaline on the negative feedback mechanism mediated by presynaptic alpha-adrenoceptors. The publication reviews presynaptic muscarine receptors and inhibition of release, including muscarinic inhibition of noradrenaline release evoked by electrical stimulation of sympathetic nerves; effect of muscarinic agonists on noradrenaline releasing procedures independent of calcium ions; and possible physiological and pharmacological significance of the muscarinic inhibitory mechanism. The text also ponders on the role of prostaglandins, cyclic adenosine monophate, analgesics, peptides, acids, anesthetics, and alcohols in the release. The selection is a dependable reference for readers interested in the study of the release of catecholamines from adrenergic neurons.

  • Current Concepts in Kinin Research

    Proceedings of the Satellite Symposium of the 7th International Congress of Pharmacology, Paris, 22 July 1978
    • 1st Edition
    • Gert L. Haberland + 1 more
    • English
    Current Concepts in Kinin Research contains the proceedings of the Satellite Symposium of the 7th International Congress of Pharmacology held in Paris on July 22, 1978. The book is organized into four parts. Part I explains the functions and mechanisms of the kinin system. Part II focuses on kallikreins and the methods of their determination. Part III describes the intrinsic blood clotting and plasma kinin formation. The last part deals with the characterization of plasma kininogens.

  • The Ultrastructure of the Animal Cell

    International Series in Pure and Applied Biology, Volume 55
    • 2nd Edition
    • L. T. Threadgold
    • G. A. Kerkut
    • English
    The Ultrastructure of the Animal Cell focuses on the ultrastructure of the animal cell, with emphasis on cell chemistry, biochemistry, and physiology. Discussions are organized around the interphase cell and cell division and cover topics ranging from the general structure and molecular models of cell membranes to the ultrastructure of the nucleus and the cytosome. Changes in cell ultrastructure during embryogenesis, differentiation, and secretion are also examined. This monograph is comprised of nine chapters and begins with an introduction to the principles and techniques of electron microscopy. The next section is devoted to the interphase cell and first presents an overview of the animal cell before considering the ultrastructure of the nucleus and the cytosome, with particular reference to the plasma membrane and associated structures; the hyaloplasm; endoplasmic reticulum; the Golgi complex; and mitochondria. The changes that take place in the ultrastructure of the cell during embryogenesis, differentiation, and secretion are also analyzed. The last section deals with cell division and the ultrastructure of the dividing cell. This text will be a useful resource for cell biologists, biochemists, and physiologists, as well as students and teachers of biology, biochemistry, and physiology.

  • The First Week of Life

    A Survey Under the Joint Auspices of the National Birthday Trust Fund and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
    • 1st Edition
    • Roma Chamberlain + 2 more
    • English
    British Births 1970, A Survey under the Joint Auspices of the National Birthday Trust Fund and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Volume 1: The First Week of Life covers a fresh survey and a national study of all deliveries during a one-week period in 1970. This report is composed of eight chapters, tracing the success of the First Perinatal Mortality Survey done in 1958 to the new British Births survey in 1970, which took place in the week beginning April 5, 1970 in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Topics analyzed are factors affecting the accuracy of the measurement of birth weight and those affecting the length of gestation. These factors are grouped into social, biological, maternal, and fetal factors that include the precise use of the weighing machines and poor recording. A useful guide throughout the survey is the state of the baby's health. The illnesses prone to affect the baby are also discussed, from extra cranial injuries, hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, congenital abnormalities, jaundice, and remaining other conditions such as feeding problems. The care of the baby is then discussed, including feeding patterns and the choice of feed. This report concludes with a discussion on stillbirths and deaths occurring in the first-week of life. Because of these surveys, British obstetric and pediatric management is improved, and the disabilities arising before and during birth, and in the early neonatal period, are reduced. This book is suitable for pediatricians, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurses, professors in general medicine, and administrators of public health services.

  • Advances in Agricultural Microbiology

    • 1st Edition
    • N.S. Subba Rao
    • English
    Advances in Agricultural Microbiology is a collection of papers about the progresses in the field of agricultural microbiology. The said papers are contributions of different experts in related fields. The book is divided into three sections. Section A covers topics related to the role of microorganisms in the mobilization of nutrients for plant growth such as the relationship of microbial genetics and biological nitrogen; plant surface microflora and plant nutrition; and developments in grass-bacteria associations. Section B discusses the use of microorganisms in the management of pathogens, pests, and weeds and includes topics such as the microbial control of insect pests; microbial herbicides; and agricultural antibiotics. Section C tackles strategies in bioconversion such as the production of biogas from agricultural wastes; bioconversion of lignocelluloses into protein-rich food and feed; and ethanol fuel from biomass. The text is recommended for biologists and agriculturists who would like to know more about the importance of microorganisms in the field of agriculture.

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