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Elsevier

Books in Life sciences

  • Lymphokines

    A Forum for Immunoregulatory Cell Products
    • 1st Edition
    • Edgar Pick
    • English
    Lymphokines: A Forum for Immunoregulatory Cell Products, Volume 14, reviews the state of knowledge on lymphokines. The book opens with an integrative view of the role of lymphokines in the generation of fever. It stresses that pirogenicity is the attribute of more than one lymphokine: interleukin 1 (IL-1), interferon α, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) all possess this quality. This is followed by separate chapters on the chemistry of IL-1 molecules and cloning of the gene for human monocyte IL-1; the production of lymphokine by cells of the central nervous system; the acute phase plasma protein response studied at the level of gene structure and expression; and the involvement of calcium and calcium-linked enzymes in T cell proliferation. Subsequent chapters deal with the involvement of pteridines in T cell activation; the discovery of cachectin and the establishment of its identity with TNF; the effect of IFN-γ and several cytotoxic cytokines on the proliferation, differentiation, and function of normal and leukemic myeloid cells; and the cytotoxic lymphokines produced by effector T cells. The final chapter discusses the ways in which chemically defined changes in cell membranes affect cell division.

  • Avian Biology

    Volume V
    • 1st Edition
    • Donald S. Farner + 1 more
    • English
    Avian Biology, Volume V is a collection of papers that deals with the biology of birds concerning their mechanics of flight and migration. The first paper describes the mechanics of bird flights such as gliding, soaring, and the energy requirements of this activity. Other papers investigate the control and metabolic physiology of migration, including flight restlessness and fat metabolism. Other topics cover migratory orientation research involving topographical, meteorological, inertial, magnetic, and celestial cues. Upon migration to different environments, birds have to adapt as their circadian and circannual rhythms are affected. One paper discusses the works of Wynne-Edwards, Aschoff and Wever, and Leopold and Eynon regarding their observations of bird migration cues. One author describes the vocal behavior in birds, including the dual sound theory where two sound sources can occur in each bronchus. Of interest to many in this paper is the description of the different stages in song development. Other papers discuss the incubation behavior of birds as well as the energetics involved. This book is suitable for zoologists, bird enthusiasts, and avian biologists.

  • Wild Animals in Captivity

    • 1st Edition
    • H. Hediger
    • English
    Wild Animals in Captivity covers some of the mistaken notions concerning the conditions of animals in captivity, most of which are the result of an anthropomorphic approach to the subject. This book is composed of 12 chapters and starts with an overview of the historical development of zoological gardens. The succeeding chapters deal with the territorial requirements and sociological factors in the wild life. These topics are followed by discussions of the wild animal’s transition behavior from freedom to captivity; the physiological and psychological aspects of animal captivity; and the motive and situation of animal escapes. Other chapters emphasize the physical and biological environment of animals in captivity. The final chapters examine the problems related to feeding patterns, and nutrition of captive animals. These chapters also explore the relationship between human and animal, their capacity to be tamed and trained. This book will prove useful to zoologists.

  • Measles Virus and Its Biology

    • 1st Edition
    • K. B. Fraser + 1 more
    • T. W. Tinsley + 1 more
    • English
    Measles Virus and Its Biology deals with the biological and clinical problems of the viral disease, measles. This book also describes the behavior of the measles virus in terms of its immunological, biochemical, or molecular-biological aspects. The authors review the epidemiology and pathogenesis of measles and discuss how the virus flourishes and mobilizes in the human body through a close association with leukocytes and lymphoid organs. Biological characters and genetic markers of the virus can serve to separate different isolates of the measles virus from one another. Radioactive labeling techniques have detected six structural proteins associated with the virus; a schematic diagram in the book shows the structural components and the biochemical dissection of the virus. The authors also discuss that the various immune responses to the virus can be due to "variation in the patient" rather than virus mutation. The authors do not discount that the physiological behavior of the virus such as its location, number, or replication can also affect the host. This text is suitable for the clinical research workers dealing with immunology, infectious diseases, cellular chemistry, or molecular biology.

  • Chromatin

    • 1st Edition
    • Harris Busch
    • English
    The Cell Nucleus: Chromatin, Part A is a collection of papers that deals with the fundamental research involving cellular responses to environmental stimuli and stress. One paper describes the ultra-structural organization of chromosomes and certain eukaryotic chromatin fractions as seen by a scanning electron microscope. The researcher investigating chromatin three-dimension ultra-structure is presented with two choices to address the technical limitations of SEM at different levels, namely, (1) electron microscope modality and (2) specimen preparation procedures. Another paper explains the extensive postmortem changes in properties occurring in nuclear preparations during purification and handling. The analysis of the digestion products when mammalian nuclei are digested with endogenous and exogenous nucleases can show the organization structure of the cell nucleus. When treated with Ca-Mg or micrococcal endo-nuclease, the different nuclear or chromatic preparations present near identical digestion patterns. Another paper reviews the occurrence of phase-specific nuclear proteins in the Physarum mitotic cycle, as well as their possible role in the control of DNA replication order in Physarum. The collection can prove valuable to bio-chemists, cellular biologists, micro-biologists, developmental biologists, and scientists involved in cellular investigations.

  • Problems of Cell Permeability

    International Series of Monographs in Pure and Applied Biology: Modern Trends in Physiological Sciences, Vol. 26
    • 1st Edition
    • A.S. Troshin
    • P. Alexander + 1 more
    • English
    Modern Trends in Physiological Science, Volume 26: Problem of Cell Permeability covers expounded sorptional theory of cell permerbeality. The problem of cell permeability deals with the questions connected with the laws of the entrance of substances from the surrounding medium into cells and the excretion from the latter of the products of intracellular metabolism. This book is composed of 12 chapters and begins with an overview of the chemical composition and structure of cell membrane, as well as the membrane theory of cell permeability. The next chapters treat the issues of cell’s osmometric activity and the physico-chemical properties of protoplasm as a system of coacervates. Considerable chapters are devoted to cell permeability for various substrates, such as non-electrolytes, organic acids, vital dyes, and mineral substances. The concluding chapters discuss the relationship between metabolism and cell permeability; the bioelectric properties of cell; and the protective action of non-electrolytes against live matter damage caused by dilute saline media. This book will be of value to cell biologists, biochemists, and research workers in cell permeability.

  • Pigment—Protein Complexes in Plastids

    Synthesis and Assembly
    • 1st Edition
    • Christer Sundqvist + 1 more
    • English
    Pigment-Protein Complexes in Plastids: Synthesis and Assembly covers the different aspects of biosynthesis, assembly, and function of pigment-protein complexes. This book focuses on the molecular biology and physiological relevance of chlorophyll-protein complexes. The regulation and biosynthesis of chlorophyll proteins that involve a coordinated expression of nuclear and plastid genes and require communication among the cell organelles to respond properly to changing light and temperature conditions are also deliberated. This publication is intended for researchers in the fields of plant molecular biology, genetics, plant physiology and biochemistry, and cell biology, as well as students and teachers in agriculture, horticulture, biology, and biochemistry interested in pigment-protein complexes.

  • Physical Aspects

    Recent Applications and Development
    • 1st Edition
    • Chin-Tzu Peng + 2 more
    • English
    Liquid Scintillation Counting: Recent Applications and Development, Volume 1: Physical Aspects covers the proceedings of the International Conference on Liquid Scintillation Counting, Recent Applications and Development, held on August 21-24, 1979 at the University of California, San Francisco. The book contains papers dealing with the physical aspects of liquid scintillation science and technology. The text discusses the history of liquid scintillation development; scintillation physics and scintillators; and modern techniques for measuring the quenching correction in a liquid scintillation counter. The book also describes radioactivity standards; the advances in instrumentation; alpha counting; and Erenkov counting. People involved in pharmaceutical chemistry and scientific instruments laboratories will find the book invaluable.

  • Venomous Animals and Their Venoms

    Venomous Vertebrates
    • 1st Edition
    • Wolfgang Bücherl + 1 more
    • English
    Venomous Animals and Their Venoms, Volume II: Venomous Vertebrates is a collection of papers that describes the chemistry and biochemistry of snake, batrachian, and fish venoms. These papers discuss their pharmacological actions, their antigenic properties, and their medical aspects such as symptomatology and therapy. Papers describe the pharmacology and toxicology of the venoms of Asiatic, Australian, and Melanesian snakes including the cobra, the common Krait, the saw-scaled viper. One paper presents the pathology, symptomatology, treatment of snake bites in Australia, and the use of an antivenin schedule when the type of snake is not known. Some papers tackle the distribution of snakes in North America, and compare the biochemistry of Miliarius barbouri and Sistrurus catenatus which are subspecies of rattlesnakes. Other papers describe the biology and venom of the Arizona Gila monster and of the Mexican Gila monster. The basic substances in toad venom are from bases present in the glands, their secretions or on their skin. In treating stings from venomous fishes, one paper recommends the use of suction to remove the venom or soaking the injured part in hot water. This collection can be helpful for physicians, veterinarians, toxicologists, pharmacologists, chemists, and researchers in animal bites and injuries.

  • The Cell and Environmental Temperature

    Proceedings of the International Symposium on Cytoecology
    • 1st Edition
    • A. S. Troshin
    • English
    International Series of Monographs in Pure and Applied Biology: Zoology Division, Volume 34:The Cell and Environmental Temperature documents the proceedings of the International Symposium on Cytoecology held in Leningrad, U.S.S.R., from May 31 to June 5, 1965. This compilation focuses on the role of cellular reactions in the adaptation of multicellular organisms to environmental temperatures. The topics include the biochemical and physiological aspects of plant frost-resistance; mechanisms of resistance of poikilothermic animals to subfreezing temperatures; and changes in carbohydrate content of plants under heat-hardening. The analysis of seasonal changes in thermostability of frog muscles; effect of temperature on respiration and oxidative phosphorylation of pea seedlings; and metabolic and central nervous acclimation of fish to cold are also covered. This publication is intended for biologists concerned with the cytology, physiology, and ecology of plants and animals.

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