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Books in Life sciences

  • Immunobiology of the Complement System

    An Introduction for Research and Clinical Medicine
    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • Gordon D. Ross
    • English
    Immunobiology of the Complement System: An Introduction for Research and Clinical Medicine provides an introduction to the complement system. The intention was to create a primer that would provide the basic knowledge of complement required for either research or clinical medicine in diseases involving the complement system. The book begins with a historical background of complement research; it introduces certain key investigators from the past who have made important contributions. Separate chapters on the basic aspects of complement function are followed by chapters on the molecular genetics of complement and the role of complement in different diseases. Key topics discussed include the activation of complement via the classical pathway and the alternative pathway; complement mediators of inflammation; opsonization and membrane complement receptors; assembly and functions of the terminal components; and complement-dependent mechanisms of virus neutralization. This book has been written primarily for students and scientists who have not been specifically trained in complement research.
  • Microbial Transformations of Steroids

    A Handbook
    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • William Charney + 1 more
    • English
    Microbial Transformations of Steroids: A Handbook aims to provide those who wish to use microbial transformations of steroids with a single source book starting from 1937 to the present. The handbook first offers information on the history of the microbial transformations of organic compounds, including earliest works on the study of nonsteroids and steroids; significance of discovery of anti-inflammatory action of cortisone; first hydroxylations and dehydrogenations; manufacture of natural and synthetic corticosteroids; and trends in research. The text then ponders on chemical classification of microbial transformations of steroids, as well as the role of enzymes in microbial transformations and the classes of reactions. The publication elaborates on the construction and use of the table. Topics include order of the table, nomenclature, description of the transformation leading to the product, yield, organism, and constants. The book also focuses on taxonomy and use of the table, including system of classification, specific notes on divisions of the table, and source of cultures. The handbook is a valuable source of data for readers interested in the microbial transformations of steroids.
  • Enzymes of the Arterial Wall

    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • John Esben Kirk
    • English
    Enzymes of the Arterial Wall is a comprehensive up-to-date monograph, and is the first publication dealing specifically with quantitative determinations of enzyme activities in human and animal vascular tissue. All available information concerning this subject is included. This summary of all current knowledge will be very useful to scientists who lack extensive library facilities and knowledge of foreign languages necessary for a thorough and time-consuming personal search of the original literature. A systematic description is made of 98 different enzymes; nearly all enzymes in the carbohydrate metabolic pathways are included. Brevity of discussion has made it possible to incorporate all available data. The results represent 27,200 quantitative biochemical assays performed with reliable analytical techniques on both normal and arteriosclerotic tissue; 70 enzymic procedures are described. The framework for the arrangement of facts throughout the book was designed to make information easily accessible. Each enzyme is described separately, using the sequence of The Commission on Enzymes of The International Union of Biochemistry, and is followed by literature references with full titles.
  • Introduction to Genetics

    Science of Heredity
    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • A. J. S. McMillan
    • English
    Introduction to Genetics: Science of Heredity presents a linear programmed text about hereditary and genetics. This book discusses a variety of topics related to heredity and genetics, including chromosomes, genes, Mendelism, mitosis, and meiosis. Organized into six chapters, this book begins with an overview of some of the experiments that first provide an understanding of heredity and laid the foundation of the science of genetics. This text then provides detailed information about the cell and explains how the essential parts of it reproduce and divide. Other chapters consider how the chromosome theory can explain not only the facts of Mendelism, but also the many complications that arise in genetics. This book discusses as well the problems that can happen during the process of mitosis and meiosis. The final chapter deals with the practical problems that confront the plant breeder. This book is a valuable resource for teachers and students of biology.
  • Bioenergetics

    • 1st Edition
    • Volume 22
    • June 28, 2014
    • Marcel Florkin + 1 more
    • English
    Comprehensive Biochemisty, Volume 22: Bioenergetics focuses on comprehensive biochemistry that provides a chemical approach to the understanding of the phenomena of life. This book is devoted to certain aspects of organic and physical chemistry, aspects considered pertinent to the interpretation of biochemical techniques, and chemistry of biological compounds and mechanisms. The topics discussed include the methods and scope of quantum biochemistry, long range dipole-dipole transfer, and characteristics of the charge-transfer absorption band. The dye-sensitized photoconductivity, facilitation of solute diffusion by catalytic carriers, and coupling of primary and secondary translocation are also covered in this publication. This volume is valuable to biochemists and researchers concerned with biogenetics.
  • Centrifugal Separations in Molecular and Cell Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • G.D. Birnie + 1 more
    • English
    Centrifugal Separations in Molecular and Cell Biology focuses on the application of modern centrifugation technology in molecular and cell biology, including the separation and fractionation of biological particles by centrifugation on the preparative and analytical scales. The selection first covers the principles and practices of centrifugation and the bases of centrifugal separations. Discussions focus on the basic concepts of sedimentation theory, centrifugation methods, designing centrifugation experiments, care of centrifuges and rotors, and statistical estimation of molecular parameters. The book also ponders on the practical aspects of rate-zonal centrifugation, including gradient materials, density and viscosity of glycerol solutions, and resolution and gradient shape. The publication examines fractionations in zonal rotors and the quantitative aspects of rate-zonal centrifugation. The text then reviews isopycnic centrifugation in ionic media and analytical centrifugation. Topics include separation by isopycnic banding, large-scale preparative procedures, and density-gradient solutes. The selection is a valuable reference for readers interested in centrifugation technology.
  • Structure and Function of Biological Membranes

    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • Lawrence I. Rothfield
    • English
    Structure and Function of Biological Membranes explains the membrane phenomena at the molecular level through the use of biochemical and biophysical approaches. The book is an in-depth study of the structure and function of membranes. It is divided into three main parts. The first part provides an overview of the study of the biological membrane at the molecular level. Part II focuses on the detailed description of the overall molecular organization of membranes. The third part covers the relationship of the molecular organization of membranes to specific membrane functions; discusses catalytic membrane proteins; presents the role of membranes in important cellular functions; and looks at the membrane systems in eukaryotic cells. Biochemists, cell physiologists, biologists, researchers, and graduate and postdoctoral students in the field of biology will find the text a good reference material.
  • Bacterial Metabolism

    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • H. W. Doelle
    • English
    Bacterial Metabolism focuses on metabolic events that occur in microorganisms, as well as photosynthesis, oxidation, polysaccharide formation, and homofermentation. The book first discusses the thermodynamics of biological reactions, photosynthesis and photometabolism, and chemosynthesis. Free energy, photosynthesis, enzymes, and terminology in bacterial metabolism are elaborated. The manuscript then examines acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Discussions focus on lactate, ethanol, glucose, and glycerol metabolism, glycol oxidation, homofermentation, polysaccharide formation, and electron transport systems. The publication takes a look at pseudomonadaceae and nitrogen metabolism as an energy source for anaerobic microorganisms. Topics include metabolism of pairs of amino acids, single amino acid metabolism, oxidation of glycolate and malonate, and oxygenases. The book is a dependable source of information for readers interested in bacterial metabolism.
  • Gene Activity in Early Development

    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • Eric H. Davidson
    • English
    Gene Activity in Early Development reviews the state of knowledge regarding genomic function in the programming and operation of what Bonnet, in 1762, described as "the miracle of epigenesis." The book is divided into four sections. Section I is concerned with gene activity in early embryogenesis, with the time of onset and the nature of embryo genome control, and with recent attempts to analyze the shifting patterns of gene expression as development proceeds. Section II reviews various classic and recent studies relevant to the phenomenon of cytoplasmic localization of morphogenetic potential and discusses the significance, from a contemporary vantage point, of this often neglected area of developmental biology. Section III deals with genomic function in oogenesis, beginning with a general survey of what could be described loosely as the natural history of the oocyte nucleus, and proceeding to current attempts to understand the character and the ultimate function of the oocyte gene products. Section IV discusses various aspects of the general problem of gene regulation in animal cells.
  • Biotechnology of Blood

    • 1st Edition
    • June 28, 2014
    • Jack Goldstein
    • English
    Biotechnology of Blood presents research on applications of biotechnology to blood and its components. The book is organized into four parts. Part I begins with an overview of the blood business in order to provide background of the industry, to identify problems, and perhaps some solutions that rely on the scientific advances made possible by biotechnology. This is followed by studies on the storage and preservation of red blood cells; autologous blood salvage procedures; the development procedures to provide a constant supply of blood group O; and the development of blood substitutes. Part II on plasma fractions includes studies on the preparation of plasma fractions, recombinant antihemophilic factors, and fibrinogen. Part III on the regulation of blood cell products includes studies such as hematopoietic stem cell processing and storage; and long-term bone marrow cell cultures. Part IV on blood-borne diseases examines the inactivation of viruses found with plasma proteins and viruses found with cellular components.