Bentham Science Publishers

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.