Bentham Science Publishers

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are known to play an important role in gene expression regulation. Owing to their ever-increasing implications in the control of various biological and pathological processes, miRNAs have now been considered novel biomarkers of various human diseases including, cancer, viral disease, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disturbances, etc. Unique expression profiles have been associated with specific pathological states.

Cardiovascular disease is among the main causes of mortality in developed countries. The pathological process of the heart is associated with altered expression profile of genes that are important for cardiac function. The implications of miRNAs in the pathological process of the cardiovascular system have recently been recognized, and the research on miRNAs in relation to cardiovascular disease is now in rapid progress. The aim of this ebook is to present updated research on the subject with analyses from published reports. Micro RNAs and Cardiovascular Disease caters to the growing interest and information needs of cardiac clinicians and gene expression researchers.

Microbes as Agents of Change for Sustainable Development explores the pivotal role of microbes and microbiomes in restoring degraded ecosystems and advancing sustainable practices. This comprehensive resource bridges cutting-edge research and practical solutions, emphasizing microbial applications in ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, waste management, agriculture, and climate change mitigation.

The book, which spans 22 chapters, provides insights into topics like nutrient cycling, bioremediation, biofertilizers, and microbial genomics. It also highlights innovative approaches, such as microbial fuel cells, pollution monitoring with biosensors, and the role of microbes in GHG emission mitigation.

Key Features:

- Explores the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the socio-economic benefits of microbes.

- Discusses microbial roles in polluted ecosystem restoration and renewable energy production.

- Highlights microbes` contribution to sustainable agriculture, waste management, and climate action.

Global plastic production is estimated to be over 300Mt annually. Most conventional plastics are predominantly produced from fossil fuels and are highly resistant to biodegradation, and only a small share of about 20% of spent plastics is believed to be recycled, which is a cause for environmental concern. Biodegradable plastics would solve this concern as they are a sustainable alternative, yet these do not even cover 5% of the global plastic market.

Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a versatile group of polyesters produced by nature as prokaryotic storage materials. PHAs can be produced through sustainable bioprocess engineering and have displayed remarkable flexibility in their physical and chemical properties. PHAs are the subject of several scientific papers and numerous PHA patents have also been filed, generating significant interest in the plastic production industry.

To develop overall sustainable and efficient production processes, all bioprocess steps need to be thoroughly understood and accounted for. These processes start with the selection of suitable inexpensive raw materials (microbes and enzymes), optimizing the process engineering and process regime, and conclude with the enhancement of product recovery in terms of time, energy, and material input.

Microbial Biopolyester Production, Performance and Processing: Microbiology, Feedstocks, and Metabolism encompasses eight chapters that cover aspects of the microbiology and biotechnology of producing biodegradable plastics. The contents focus on the selection of powerful archaeal and eubacterial production strains, genetic engineering as a tool for optimized PHA production and inexpensive carbon sources for microbial cultures. The volume is a useful resource for bioprocess engineers, microbiologists, biotechnologists and chemical engineers interested in the basics of biodegradable plastic production.

Recent Advances in Biotechnology is a book series comprising of peer-reviewed reference works and monographs that compile the latest developments in the field of biotechnology. Each volume has a thematic focus and features topical reviews written by experts. The series will highlight multidisciplinary perspectives to interested readers (biotechnologists, microbiologists, bioprocess engineers, agronomists, medical professionals, sustainability researchers etc.)

This volume brings current knowledge of proteomics technologies and related developments with special reference to diseases caused by microbes. The editor has compiled chapters written by expert academicians which distill the information about useful methods in microbial proteomics for the benefit of readers. Chapters cover several methods used to investigate the microbial proteome and special topics such as antimicrobial drug resistance mechanisms, biomarker developments, post translational modifications.

Key Features:

-overview of several biochemical methods in proteomics

-full-color, high quality images of the most frequent technologies and applications

-concise, well organized, and didactic format

-updates in basic applied information

-bibliographic references

-information on proteomics for tuberculosis treatment

This reference work is intended for researchers seeking information on laboratory techniques applied in proteomics research and microbiology.

Insulin resistance is the main factor involved in the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome and later development of type2 diabetes. Despite decades of research on hormone's target tissues and the identification of most diverse candidates, the factors responsible for insulin resistance are still largely undefined. There is also a large discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo insulin sensitivity. Finally it is increasingly demonstrated that insulin resistance is found very early in life, long before metabolic syndrome is established. In search for commonalities, this book deals therefore with a new hypothesis considering microcirculation as one prime, possibly causal effector of insulin resistance. To present this novel hypothesis, the specificities of microvascular physiological mechanisms and the limits of interpretations of data according to the measurement techniques used are first thoroughly described. Several chapters deal with experimental and clinical investigations showing the involvement of microcirculation in insulin resistance. This book provides sound support for microcirculation being linked to insulin resistance at least in a bidirectional way. Supportive evidence suggests that microvascular dysfunction may lie upstream of insulin resistance in many of them. While this is still a hypothesis, the authors believe that there is enough data supporting it and hope that this book will stimulate researchers to provide the necessary final proofs.

Micronutrients, which comprise minerals and vitamins, are essential for a variety of biological processes such as growth, immune response, regulation of gene expression and cognitive functions. Micronutrients: The Key to Good Health presents key information about the causes, signs and symptoms of micronutrient deficiencies along with remedial dietary measures. The book also provides authentic knowledge of the nature, structure and metabolic functions of vitamins and essential minerals in a reader-friendly manner. The aim of the book is to provide comprehensive knowledge about micronutrients and their role in a balanced diet for maintaining personal health.

Key features:

- Covers the basics of nutrition and the importance of micronutrients in health over 5 reader-friendly chapters

- Covers metabolic functions of micronutrients - Covers the development of micronutrient rich food products

- Includes information about micronutrient deficiencies with remedial dietary measures in terms of ready-to-eat food supplements in a precise manner

- Includes information about phytochemical nutrients, prebiotics and postbiotics

- Informs the reader about myths on micronutrients

- Includes several informative illustrations, tables and appendices on daily nutrient requirements, diet assessment and composition and much more,

This book serves as a ready reference for the health science students, public health workers, nutrition professionals, and health-conscious readers.

This volume presents information about protocols for micropropagation of more than 40 species of medicinal plants. The contents combine knowledge about the scientific principles of micropropagation with state of the art updates in tissue culture techniques presented by plant scientists.

The readers will learn about techniques required to grow plants in challenging conditions that aim to reduce the impacts of injudicious harvesting, deforestation, climate change, pollution, urbanization and other factors that limit the ability to meet current demand. General topics such as biotization and pharmaceutical investigation are also included to guide readers about the significance of these plants in research and development for new medicines.

The book provides protocols for micropropagation of important medicinal plants like Rauvolfia serpentina, Catharanthus roseus, Withania somnifera, Tylophora indica, Bacopa monnieri, Aloe vera, Phyllanthus amarus, Allium sativum, Moringa oleifera, Operculina turpethum, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Pterocarpus marsupium, Vetiver grass, Ruta graveolens, Tinospora cordifolia, Kaempferia, Hedychium, Decalepis hamiltonii, Saraca asoca, Wrightia tinctoria, Wrightia arborea, Artemisia absinthium, Aegle marmelos, Atropa acuminata, Atropa belladonna, Alpinia species, Hedychium species, and Cissus species.

This book is a handy reference for medicinal chemists, horticulturists and pharmacists who want to learn about the growth and conservation of important medicinal herbs and plants.

During the last two decades microsurgery has progressively taken the place of macrosurgery since it largely improves the experimental models in liver research. This is a concise but comprehensive book focusing on key issues in microsurgical techniques for liver research. The book has been written for medical, biological, veterinary and pharmaceutical researchers and advanced students who wish to develop experimental models of liver diseases by using microsurgery. The book is organized in twelve chapters in which the basic and applied aspects of experimental liver surgery are included. Many illustrations are given to reproduce each microtechnique which should particularly useful to the readers.

Mind Maps in Clinical Biochemistry is an essential test preparation guide aimed specifically at students studying clinical biochemistry as part of their medical, nursing, or biomedical science courses and for candidates preparing for postgraduate entrance and board examinations. The book presents a series of comprehensive case- based learning modules designed to address key teaching points in clinical biochemistry in the context of real clinical experience. Students can begin to understand routine clinical cases by reading biochemical results in the context of a clinical history, examination findings and other diagnostic information. The content also equips readers with the information to propose a differential diagnosis, a treatment plan and a prognosis at later stages.

Key Features

· Concept maps for basic and applied clinical biochemistry

· Structured outline for clinical cases including history with lab findings, clinical correlations and clinical evaluation

· Answers and explanations to facilitate learning

· References for further reading

· OSPE questions for self-assessment and exam preparation

Mind Maps in Clinical Chemistry presents information about clinical laboratory techniques for junior healthcare professionals, medical residents and students. Each chapter enables readers to suggest, arrange and interpret clinical chemistry tests effectively with the objective of enhancing clinical care.

Chapters of this part cover a range of topics focused on biochemical analysis including tumor detection, special topics in clinical biochemistry, the clinical chemistry of diseases, lab instrumentation and reference ranges of diseases.

Key Features

i. Topic-based presentation through 31 chapters in 6 sections

ii. Coverage of practical and theoretical knowledge

iii. Lucid and integrated presentation of concepts

iv. Wide range of topics covered including tumor detection, special topics in clinical biochemistry, the clinical chemistry of diseases, lab instrumentation, and reference ranges in medical diagnosis

v. Packed with practical lab testing information

Mind Maps in Clinical Chemistry is an ideal textbook for quick and easy learning of clinical laboratory knowledge for undergraduate and graduate students as well as teachers instructing courses at these levels.

Mitochondria are multifunctional organelles that actively participate in the immune-inflammatory response in various pathologies. This volume updates readers on knowledge about mitochondria function. The editors have compiled six chapters about inflammation in its broadest sense, with contributions from active groups of cell biologists, infectologists and pathologists.

The chapters in this volume focus on research related to five notable diseases:

(1) two diseases (one bacterial and one viral) in which the exacerbation of the inflammatory response can lead to neuropathies: leprosy (one of the oldest diseases in the world) and Zika fever (a disease relatively new in Brazil)

(2) three diseases (two bacterial and one viral) in which the exacerbation of the inflammatory response can lead to irreversible lung damage that can cause rapid death: tuberculosis, pneumonia and the most recent global disease, COVID- 19.

New information about mitochondrial biology is presented, such as the effect of aerobic physical exercise as a stimulator for mitochondria multiplication, and the role of mitochondrial damage in inducing immune-inflammatory responses to pathogens. The contents shed light on mitochondrial biochemical pathways that could serve as potential therapeutic targets.

This is an important reference for scholars (cell biologists, microbiologists) in universities, hospitals and scientific research centers working on biological and biomedical problems, and for health professionals involved in infection control.

This book focuses on recent developments in integrating AI, machine learning methods, medical image processing, advanced network security, and advanced antenna design techniques to implement practical Mobile Health (M-Health) systems. The editors bring together researchers and practitioners who address several developments in the field of M-Health. Chapters highlight intelligent healthcare IoT and Machine Learning based systems for personalized healthcare delivery and remote monitoring applications. The contents also explain medical applications of computing technologies such as Wireless Body Area Networks (WBANs), wearable sensors, multi-factor authentication, and cloud computing. The book is intended as a handy resource for undergraduate and graduate biomedical engineering students and mobile technology researchers who want to know about the recent trends in mobile health technology.

This eBook covers the application of high-throughput R&D to both fundamental and applied catalysis including catalyst synthesis, characterization, and testing in various reactor types. Chapters include topics such as applications ranging from optimizations of established industrial catalysts to the discovery of innovative new materials, examples of the development of innovative parallel characterization methods, and cases of real catalyst testing in small scale reactor systems. Readers will also find chapters that cover commodity chemicals produced using continuous gas phase processes as well as fine chemicals produced in liquid phase batch reactors. The potential of industrial chemicals production from biorenewable feedstocks is also presented. The steadily improving high throughput workflows are today being applied to relevant reactions and targets such as hydrotreating, Deacon oxidation, Fischer-Tropsch, propane dehydrogenation, C4 oxidation, methane coupling, exhaust gas catalysis, bio-based Nylon, fuel cells and vitamins. The topics presented in this eBook have been contributed by researchers from academia as well as industry, making this eBook a well-balanced reference, which could be of particular interest to professional, industrial or service R&D labs.

His text book serves as a guide for readers learning about the technical design of intelligent instruments, that is, instruments designed to collect information about the performance of other electronic devices and systems. The book introduces the readers to the concept of intelligent instrumentation and guides them on more advanced aspects of the subject including signal detection and analysis, data processing, performance analysis and data communication. Practical examples are also provided in the latter half of the book to blend the theoretical concepts with applied knowledge for the benefit of the reader.

Key features:

- Features 10 chapters covering key topics related to intelligent instrument design and operation

- Provides theoretical knowledge of fundamental concepts

- Provides practical examples of working instrument models (online equipment monitoring system and a mobile robot)

- Provides notes on the use of packages such as MATLAB, ARGUINO and Proteus to develop intelligent instruments

- Presents information in a simple, easy-to-understand format which is reader friendly

- Presents handy chapter notes and references for the reader

Modern Intelligent Instruments - Theory and Application is a useful textbook for engineering students and technical apprentices learning about instrumentation and PCB design and testing.

This comprehensive book covers spectral analysis theory for radio signals and innovative devices designed for filtering electromagnetic waves across diverse frequency ranges. The book features 14 chapters that explain the working of devices utilizing surface and bulk acoustic waves. The chapters provide insights into acousto-optical and acousto-electronic Fourier processors' design principles, description methods, and characteristics. The inclusion of algorithms for multi-channel frequency discriminators enhances the precision of radio signal frequency measurements, ensuring stability in tracking frequency meters amidst intense interference. The book also includes mathematical modeling and experimental studies of waveguide microwave filters and X-band multiplexers, specifically tailored for non-pressurized radio electronic equipment in space communication systems. Notably, the book introduces readers to a compelling alternative to conventional filters: 2-D periodic structures in the form of thin perforated metal meshes that offer compact solutions for millimeter and sub-millimeter wave systems. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the development of highly selective microstrip filters, incorporating complex topological structures with limited resonators and numerous couplings. This approach allows for the formation of numerous attenuation poles at finite frequencies, facilitating the achievement of high electrical parameters and compact filter sizes. Engineers and scientists specializing in communication systems design and analog Fourier processors will find a wealth of well-established and original solutions within this book.

Neurodegenerative diseases are a complex heterogeneous group of diseases associated with site-specific premature and slow death of certain neuronal populations in brain and spinal cord tissues. For example, in Alzheimer disease, neuronal degeneration occurs in the nucleus basalis, whereas in Parkinson disease, neurons in the substantia nigra die. The most severely affected neurons in Huntington disease are striatal medium spiny neurons. The neuronal populations that are lost in neurodegenerative diseases modulate functions such as controlling movements, processing sensory information, memory, and making decisions. Although, the molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration remains unknown, but excitotoxicity, inflammation, and oxidative stress may contribute to neural cell demise independently or synergistically. The purpose of this E-book is to present readers with cutting edge and comprehensive information on molecular aspects of neurodegenerative diseases and neuroprotection in a manner that is useful not only to students and teachers, but also to researchers and physicians.

This volume of Frontiers in Heart Failure comprehensively covers the gap between clinical management of heart failure and advanced molecular imaging techniques (SPECT, PET, MRI etc.). These techniques provide valuable evidence to cardiologists for the evaluation and follow-up of heart failure patients. It brings forth established research data regarding the pathophysiology, clinical presentations and therapy of heart failure, in a balance between clinical items and molecular imaging modalities. Readers will also find additional chapters on hybrid cardiovascular imaging techniques as well as guidelines on imaging artifacts and radiation protection. This volume is a useful resource for radiologists, cardiologists, cardiac care nurses and medical physicists.

Cancer is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Despite hundreds of clinical trials currently in progress for cancer patients, the success rate is still very low. Understanding the molecular aspects of cancer development, the discovery of new molecular targets and rational drug design on this molecular basis should help in discovering early cancer biomarkers as well as novel therapeutic drugs.

This book describes various cancer topics on a molecular level and integrates information on the relationship between causes of cancer, cancer cell biology, metastasis, cancer prevention and drug design. This book should prove to be an extraordinary reference text for students, physicians and oncologists.

Today, treatment options for cancer patients typically include surgery, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. While these therapies have saved lives and reduced pain and suffering, cancer still takes millions of lives every year around the world. Researchers are now developing advanced therapeutic strategies such as immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and combination nanotechnology for drug delivery. In addition, the identification of new biomarkers will potentiate early-stage diagnosis.

Molecular Targets and Cancer presents information about cancer diagnosis and therapy in a simple way. It covers several aspects of the topic with updated information on par with medical board levels. The book features contributions from experts and includes an overview of cancer from basic biology and pathology, classifications, surveillance, prevention, diagnosis, types of cancer, treatment and prognosis.

The second part of this book discusses specialized topics in clinical oncology which include the pathophysiology of various types of cancer, cancer screening, different types of cancer surgery, cancer stem cell-targeted immunotherapy, nanotechnology for precision medicine applications in cancer and cancer surveillance.

This comprehensive guide is a valuable resource for oncologists, researchers, and all medical professionals who work in cancer care and research.

Molecular and Physiological Insights into Plant Stress Tolerance and Applications in Agriculture is an edited volume that presents research on plant stress responses at both molecular and physiological levels. Key Features: - Emphasizes the morphological and physiological reactions of plants and the underlying molecular mechanisms when faced with stress from environmental or pathogenic factors. - Explores microbial dynamics within the plant rhizosphere and the application of plant growth-promoting bacteria as biofertilizers and endophytes as biocontrol agents to enhance crop growth and productivity for sustainable agriculture. - Systematically summarizes molecular mechanisms in plant stress tolerance and discusses the current applications of biotechnology, nanotechnology, and precision breeding to obtain stress-tolerant crops, contributing to climate-smart agriculture and global food security. - Includes contributions and references from multidisciplinary experts in plant stress physiology, plant molecular biology, plant biotechnology, agronomy, agriculture, nanotechnology, and environmental science. The content of the book is aimed at addressing UN SDG goals 2, 12, and 15 to achieve zero hunger and responsible consumption and production, and to sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, respectively. This comprehensive resource is suitable for researchers, students, teachers, agriculturists, and readers in plant science, and allied disciplines.

Marine ecosystems offer several benefits to human communities. To make sustainable use of these benefits, it is necessary to elucidate and conserve marine ecology, and strive to maintain a sustainable natural resource management program. For this reason, understanding the diversity and behavior of both macro-ecosystems and micro-ecosystems are crucial.

Monitoring Artificial Materials and Microbes in Marine Ecosystems explores microbial roles and their interaction with artificial materials in marine environments. After starting with simple topics for beginners, chapters explore methods to detect microorganisms in marine ecosystems and interactions of marine organisms with artificial materials. The sequential progression into advanced topics makes it easier to understand how to solve the reduction in marine-ecosystem viability caused by adverse events. Readers are provided with useful information for rehabilitating marine environments to make them sustainable for communities.

Topics are covered in 3 parts:

Part 1 is an introductory guide to marine ecosystems and environmental monitoring assessment. Readers are introduced to coral reef ecosystems, algal blooms and the role of environmental monitoring services in maintaining and restoring the quality of marine environments. This is followed by examples of sustainable marine environment assessment.

Part 2 provides information about methods to detect microorganisms (viruses and bacteria) and evaluate marine environments. This includes sample enrichment methods, electrochemical analysis, and single-cell imaging techniques. The highly sensitive and specific techniques presented in the book, are applicable in a wide variety of situations.

Part 3 is dedicated to interactions between artificial metallic materials and microorganisms in marine environments. Chapters in this section share results from several experiments conducted to separate microorganisms and biofilms from such environments.

This book is intended primarily for marine ecologists, microbiologists, environmental engineers, and engineers associated with industrial projects. This book is also useful as a text for undergraduate and graduate-level courses in marine biology, ecology, and microbiology.

Morphea and Related Disorders is a comprehensive reference on morphea. The book covers the subject in 20 chapters. The book starts with a detailed introduction and history of the morphea and its various classifications systems. Next, the book progresses into epidemiology, predisposing factors and pathogenic mechanisms, followed by histopathology for morphea diagnosis and a detailed review of clinical presentations.

Subsequent chapters cover associated diseases and extracutaneous manifestations, medical investigations, treatment guidelines and special topics (Idiopathic atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini, Linear atrophoderma of Moulin, Parry-Romberg syndrome, Lichen sclerosus, pediatric morphea and eosinophilic fasciitis).

Key features:

-he most detailed reference book on morphea

-Easy and simple language for readers

-Chapter synopsis at the beginning of each chapter

-Learning points at the end of the chapter

-More than 100 high resolution colored photographs

-Information boxes and tables to enhance readability.

-Covers basic knowledge on morphea, including pathogenesis, clinical presentations, and classification

-Includes guidelines for professionals

-Includes chapters on special topics for advanced readers

Morphea and Related Disorders is the definitive reference book for medical students, residents, instructors, and physicians.

Mucosal Vaccine Delivery Systems: The Future of Immunization – Part I presents a pioneering exploration into the realm of mucosal vaccination, covering innovative delivery platforms, immunological mechanisms, and their diverse applications in human and veterinary medicine. This comprehensive volume examines the regulatory, economic, and technological landscapes shaping mucosal vaccine development, highlighting their pivotal role in combating infectious diseases, chronic ailments, and advancing cancer immunotherapy.

Key Features:

- Detailed insights into nasal, oral, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and urogenital vaccination.

- Analysis of mucosal vaccines in pediatric and elderly healthcare.

- Exploration of adjuvants, bioprocessing challenges, and commercialization trends.

- Contributions from leading researchers in the field.

Multiple drug resistance among bacteria has become a global issue with a considerable impact on the mortality associated with infectious diseases. This book is a detailed compilation of available knowledge on the surveillance and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in various countries throughout the world. Readers will be updated on current information on the understanding of mechanisms involved in drug resistance and the geographical distribution of resistance determinant markers. This volume should be a useful guide for microbiologists and clinicians interested in designing antimicrobial therapies tailored for patients in specific geographical regions.