Bentham Science Publishers

Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent cause of dementia that slowly and progressively causes cognitive impairment and profoundly alters the daily activities of the patients. Approximately, ten percent of all persons over the age of seventy experience significant memory loss, and in more than half of the cases, the cause is Alzheimer's disease.

This reference book is an update on the most relevant pathological and clinical findings of this

neurological disorder. Chapters cover the basic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease, pathological features of the disease in the brain, Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and therapy. Information provided in the book is focused on research in developed countries.

The book offers students of medicine and nursing as well as medical practitioners and specialists (internists, neurologists, gerontologists, and psychiatrists), the necessary information to understand the pathological and clinical aspects of the disease in depth, with the goal of improving medical outcomes in the care of their patients.

This volume is the 1st in a series of Ebooks that bridges the gap between advances in science and clinical practice in odontology. Recent advances in biology, materials science and tissue engineering are increasingly viewed as being of enormous clinical potential. Stem cell research has opened up the possibility of reconstructing teeth from the association of epithelial and mesanchymal embryonic or adult cells, as an exciting alternative to metal implants. This Ebook will examine the multifunctional nature of a group of proteins known as the amelogenins. Latest studies indicate that this protein regulates the initiation and growth of hydroxyapatite crystals during the mineralization of enamel. In addition, amelogenins organize enamel rods during tooth development, and also aid in the development of cementum by directing cells that form the cementum to the root surface of the teeth. The aim of this book is to serve as a bridge between basic biology and biomaterial sciences, and to inform clinicians about the implications of recent advances within these fields for clinical practice.

This atlas covers basic as well as novel information on the retinae of various representative vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The book consists of over 200 illustrations with brief descriptions pointing out special features of each retina displayed. The detailed information on the complexity and variety of visual cells in different animals will give interested readers an insight on the retinae of vertebrates. The book is divided into the following sections

1) the general architecture of retinae in different groups of animals

2) the types of visual cells in different vertebrates

3) the other retinal cells and synapses

4) the degenerating retina

5) general format of vertebrate retinal development. This atlas provides a sufficient framework in comparative retinal studies to inspire new research in the field of functional ophthalmology and biodiversity of visual cells. The book should be a useful reference for biologists, veterinarians, ophthalmologists, and eye researchers.

An Epidemiological Update on COVID-19 brings recent findings about the pandemic to the forefront. The reference is a compilation of eleven chapters contributed by expert scholars in epidemiology and medicine that cover topics of interest to anyone interested in COVID-19 monitoring and response measures. The topics also indicate some clinical areas of interest to COVID-19 researchers that have received attention due to the pandemic. It covers basic knowledge about respiratory conditions associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 epidemiology. These topics are complemented with chapters detailing the symptoms and biochemical mechanisms of novel coronavirus infections intended for readers with an advanced level of understanding of life sciences and medicine. Special topics such as the immune response to Sars-CoV-2, and, recombinant drugs for COVID-19, are also covered in this book. Each chapter is organized in a reader-friendly format and includes a list of references.

The Abu Serga Church is one of the oldest known Coptic churches in Egypt, with a history of almost 1700 years. This reference work presents a comprehensive geotechnical and geophysical survey of the vicinity of the Abu Serga Church. The book details the information of the survey using classical and modern methods of geotechnical engineering while keeping contemporary issues faced by site investigators in view. Chapters provide the data of the church site while covering topics of interest to students such as seismic analysis, 3-D modeling and historical preservation principles. Advanced methods of interest to engineers such as mathematical analysis using finite element methods are also covered.

This work provides key data about the Abu Sega Church site and is of interest to scholars and engineers involved in conservation engineering of architectural heritage (or built heritage), as well as readers interested in church studies.

Biotechnology, a branch of science and a fast-growing source of developing technologies, has shown immense potential for its utility across all the dimensions of our lives. Its applications range from drugs and therapeutics, industrial, household applications, biofuels, and information technology to almost all resource-based sectors, such as manufacturing, aquaculture, agriculture, and forestry. Biotechnology offers outstanding potential to meet the growing demand for food and energy production in a sustainable way. Recognizing its economic and strategic value, countries have implemented several measures to generate a homegrown biotechnology sector and help science-based companies develop. 

This book covers some of the most important legal issues arising in relation to biotechnology. Topics covered in chapters include 1) the historical development of a legal framework sufficient to protect public safety, 2) the current biotechnology regulatory system and the rules directing the primary agencies that regulate the products of biotechnology (namely the FDA, USDA and EPA), 3) the regulation of human genome editing and its impact on health research, 4) law and emerging genome editing technologies from recombinant DNA technology to CRISPR/Cas9 editing, 5) the development of legal principles to protect property rights in the human body and allow the efficient use of human tissue, organs, DNA, and cell-lines in medical research, and 6) legal issues arising from the use of genetic engineered plants and animals. The authors have ensured that the contents are easy to understand, making this an accessible reference for a broad range of readers. 

This book, therefore, serves as a quick summary of the prominent legal and regulatory issues in the biotech industry for professionals, as well as scholars in legal study programs.

The kidneys are a vital organ present in humans and vertebrate animals. Various toxic chemicals, present in food and water adversely affect the kidneys. Plants and plant-derived compounds have been a major source for the treatment and cure of diseases since ancient times. Even today, almost 25% of the prescription drugs for renal problems are sourced from plants. An Introduction to Nephroprotective Plants gives an overview of nephrotoxicity and medicinal plants used for protecting the kidney and reducing the effect of kidney toxicity and managing renal diseases. This book is an answer to the current gaps in knowledge resources on nephroprotective plants. The reader is introduced to the basic physiology of the renal excretory system and its disorders. The introduction is followed by chapters which give information on medicinal plants used in traditional systems of medicine (both codified and noncodified). Information about plant parts used, method of use and dosage is provided along with references.

Key Features:

- Simple structured presentation in six chapters

- Includes an introduction to the urinary system and its diseases

- Includes information about codified and noncodified medicinal plants used for neuroprotection

- Covers phytochemicals extracted from medicinal plants which are screened and used in modern medicine for nephroprotection in detail.

- Covers ethnobotanical and polyherbal formulations

- References for further reading

An Introduction to Nephroprotective Plants serves as a convenient desk reference for all researchers (pharmacologists, medicinal chemists, ethnobotanists) and healthcare professionals (physicians, pharmacists, nurses and medical students) who require complete information on nephroprotective plants.

An Introduction to Plant Immunity is a comprehensive guide to plant immunology and stress response. The book covers the topic in 21 detailed chapters, starting from an introduction to the subject to the latest knowledge about plant disease resistance. The topics covered in the book include plant pathogens, plant diseases, plant immunity, passive defense mechanisms, acquired resistance, molecular genetics of plant immunology, protein function and genetic engineering. Each chapter provides a reader-friendly introduction along with clear sections detailing each topic. Additionally, detailed references for further reading are also provided. The combination of basic and advanced information on plant immunity make this book an essential textbook for students in botany and plant biology courses. Researchers interested in plant genomics and the effects of environmental and microbial interactions on plants will also benefit from this informative reference.

This book represents a novel approach for the trigonometry and an original scientific work in this field, by using the ensemble structure composed of the real analysis and the axiomatic fundaments of geometry. Throughout this e – book one presents, in a proper manner, definitions, properties, formulae and applications more specific of the subject title and its immediate connections. The book is recommended not only as a pertinent introduction for the high school students, being also very useful for the university students, mathematics teachers and anyone who is interested in the major elements regarding the essence of real mathematics.

This update on SARS-CoV-2 focuses on basic knowledge about the virus and COVID-19 treatment. Chapters present basic information about the disease and its treatment. The virology, epidemiology, etiology, and damage response framework of SARS-CoV-2 are also discussed in detail. The book also covers recent topics of interest to pharmacology scholars such as the immunopathogenesis of SARS-CoV2, nanotechnology, repurposed drug treatments, COVID-19 vaccines, and phytomedicine for COVID-19 therapeutics. Readers in pharmacology, virology and medicine will find the book a simple, yet informative update on SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 treatment.