Joan Marsh – författare

The number of factors implicated in the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation is already considerable and more are continually being identified. This book concentrates on tumor necrosis factor (cachectin) and lymphotoxin, but includes observations of their interactions with other cytokines, especially the interferons and interleukins. TNF can be either cytostatic or cytotoxic to cultured cell lines, and a variety of mechanisms are proposed, ranging from DNA fragmentation to activation of phospholiopases. TNF is also reported to stimulate the growth of normal fibroblasts in vivo. The in vivo actions of TNF described here include haemorrhagic necrosis of tumors, cachexia, effects on the vasculature, and antiparasitic and antiviral activities. Also presented is some interesting data from the first stages of clinical trials of TNF as an anticancer agent.

Comprises the proceedings of a symposium held at the Ciba Foundation, London, February 1987. Addresses main issues and new techniques in the study of motor areas of the cerebral cortex in humans and animals. Reviews the historical development of the study of cortical structure and function, examines anatomical connections of motor areas, and surveys physiological studies of cortical areas in conscious primates. Also considers the effects of cortical lesions, and discusses clinical and experimental results on disorders of motor control.

The term "unconventional virus" refers to virus-like agents that differ from conventional viruses in significant respects--resistance to agents that inactivate normal viruses, for example. Certain rare and fatal neurological disorders, such as the Creutzfeldt-Jacob syndrome and the Gerstmann-Straussler syndrome, are clearly produced by virus-like infectious agents, but the nature of these agents is not understood. This volume brings together the latest information on one such disease: Scrapie, a disease occurring in sheep. It discusses the nature of this infectious agent and insights gained through new techniques in molecular genetics. The work as a whole focuses on the implications of animal data for research on human disorders, such as the possible connection between unconventional viruses and Alzheimer''s Disease. The discussions represent the work of specialists from a broad spectrum of fields including virology, neuropathology, and molecular biology.

This work deals with basic plant physiology and cytology, and addresses the practical exploitation of plants, both as crops and as sources of useful compounds produced as secondary metabolites. Covers problems of commercial exploitation, socio-legal aspects of genetic engineering of crop plants, and of the difficulties of marketing natural compunds produced by cells under artificial conditions.

Regulation of intracellular pH is vital to all living cells. This symposium covers the control of pH in muscle and nerve cells and the different mechanisms of acid transport across epithelial and other cell membranes. Papers describe the development and application of microelectrodes and various techniques in molecular biology to the study of the mechanisms of protein transport. Also discusses the significance of pH regulation for the action of hormones and growth factors.

Comprises the proceedings of a symposium held at the Ciba Foundation, London, February 1988. Contains the latest research results on the inverse relationship between cell proliferation and differentiation and the nature of the genes involved. Included are the studies of cell fusion experiments, the introduction of single chromosomes into malignant cells, and the transfection of individual genes. Also reports on the role of certain oncogenes in normal development, lineage commitment, and tumorigenesis.

Contributors to this symposium focus on the interface between genes and cells, covering genetic analysis, cloning studies, and the investigation of cell lineages and cellular interactions. They note how the body axes are already determined in the eggs of invertebrates and amphibia, then consider the mechanisms as the egg cleaves, in annelids, arthropods, amphibia, and mice that underlie assignation of cells to specific lineages, which give rise to different tissues in the adult. Closing chapters characterize the molecules that mediate each cell''s particular fate, its position in the final body plan as the result of cell sorting or, in some cases, cell migration.

The many different kinds of blood cells found in the human body are derived from multi-potential stem cells, which are induced to differentiate into one or another cell type by the action of regulatory proteins or growth factors. This volume looks at the way that binding of these proteins to specific receptors causes changes in gene expression in the nucleus and the activity of certain enzymes in the cytoplasm, committing the cell to a particular developmental pathway. Also discussed are recently established clinical applications and clinical trials of new techniques.

Presented here are the most up-to-date research findings of leading international scientists in the field of aging. The collected data explores the biological, medical, and chemical implications and the latest thinking on the role of proto-oncogenes and their relationship to cell development and deterioration in amphibians, the role of the eukaryotic cell cycle, and the role of proto-oncogenes in differentiation and development.

Nicotine is considered to be the main agent in the maintenance of the tobacco smoking habit and is largely responsible for the behavioral and physiological responses to the inhalation of tobacco smoke. This work presents advances made in the elucidation of the action of nicotine in the body--essential information for developing treatments to help people give up smoking. The book reviews the progress made in identifying nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, using the techniques of molecular biology to characterize receptors and investigate the functional differences between receptors composed of different types of subunits. Sex-specific differences in the response to nicotine, the effects of nicotine on locomotor activity, and its still-debated influence on cognitive performance are considered. The book also examines the habit-forming role of nicotine, the development of tolerance to nicotine, and the less clearly understood phenomenon of withdrawal. Also discusses some potential therapeutic strategies.

Useful throughout history for their medical as well as other benefits, plant-derived compounds have gained particular importance recently, due to environmental factors. The isolation and characterization of plant products, the identification of their role in the plant, and ways of synthesizing identical compounds or more potent analogues are covered. Also includes methods of culturing plant tissues and genetic engineering as a means of increasing the yield of desired substances from plants. Special emphasis is placed on plants previously unknown to Western scientists.

TGF-beta, originally identified as a transforming growth factor with similar properties, is now known to exist as a family of factors with similar properties. These factors promote cell proliferation in some tissue types or conditions and induce cell differentiation in others. Features the latest information on the TGF-beta family and its receptors. Describes correlations between TGF-beta and certain cancers, including glioblastomas. Also contains reports of preliminary investigations of clinical applications for TGF-beta in many diseases, including leukemia and its use to accelerate wound healing.

Contains the presentations and discussions that took place during a symposium at the CIBA Foundation on October 1-3, 1990 on the subject of catalytic antibodies. The recognition that monoclonal antibodies can possess catalytic activity is a recent advance with profound ramifications for chemistry. In addition to their potential commercial applications as catalysts for reactions, for which there are no known enzymes, antibodies promise to provide valuable insight into the detailed mechanisms of biological catalysis and organic chemistry.

Examines the progress of leading scientists working on various aspects of handedness in order to consider the occurrence of handedness in the biological world. Provides in-depth coverage of the origin and development of morphological asymmetry occurring in most types of living organisms.

Examines the establishment of the germ layers and other cell lineages in the early embryo including details of cell movements during the beginning stages of primitive streak formation. Discusses patterns of gene expression during the development of such tissues as the limb bud, skeletal, muscle and the central nervous systems placing special emphasis on commitment to particular cell types. Although it concentrates on the mouse as an example of mammalian development--chick, amphibian and Drosophila embryogenesis are employed whenever these organisms are more applicable to the study of a particular problem.

Experts from a variety of areas compare and discuss IL-6 and LIF in order to provide a new understanding of their modes of action, the significance of their polyfunctionalization--why the body chooses to use one molecule to regulate various cell types--and their functional overlap. Covers such topics as actions of IL-6 and LIF on lymphoid populations, on megakaryocyte and platelet production, on bone metabolism, their effects on leukemic cells and much more. Includes contributions from researchers working on a variety of cell types and organ systems along with potential clinical applications regarding these two factors.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, it combines anatomical, cellular and physiological studies by preeminent experts. Features important insights into the function of the hypothalamus.

Comprised of the latest developments in cell cycle research, it analyzes the principles underlying the control of cell division. Offers a framework for future investigation, especially that aimed toward understanding and treatment of cancer.

Working on Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in a variety of systems, experts present a coherent depiction of this peptide''s role in the control and coordination of the response to stress-inducing situations.

Discusses the various theories of consciousness from different perspectives: psychological, neurophysiological and philosophical. Theories regarding the interaction of pain, schizophrenia, the brain and the nervous system with consciousness are included. Also includes a discussion of the relative merits of the different theories together with the latest data from the experimental disciplines.

Using a multidisciplinary approach, it features contributions and discussions of the latest research from leading scientists working on all aspects of GTPase activity. Covers all known members of the important superfamily of enzymes--the GTPases. Considers numerous key cellular functions and how they are regulated by GTPases. Also describes various regulatory proteins that modulate GTPase activity.

The increase in the world population and changes in welfare have led to an enormously expanding demand for food. In the industrialized world, food surpluses rather than shortages are a problem together with adverse environmental impacts from the overuse of chemicals and excessive exploitation of agricultural land. In the developing world, food production cannot keep up with population growth and the gap between demand and supply is growing. This book explores the theme of sustainable agricultural development in the developing world, with a particular focus on crop protection. Includes chapters on the ecology of food production, on sustainable agriculture and crop protection methods, on the economics of food production and more.

Recent application of the techniques of molecular biology and patch-clamp physiology has led to rapid advances in understanding the molecular events in chemosensory transduction. In this book, the latest results are presented and discussed by leading scientists. The extensive coverage encompasses many important topics, including mucous domains; microchemical heterogeneity in the mucociliary complex of the olfactory epithelium; membrane currents and mechanisms of olfactory transduction, and genetic and pathological taste variation.

Neural tube defects are the second most common cause of perinatal death from birth defects in the United Kingdom. In this important book, leading scientists evaluate the latest evidence on the causative factors--both genetic and environmental--of these major human congenital malformations. They also discuss prospects for early detection by prenatal screening and for treatment both before and after birth. The extensive coverage encompasses such topics as: formation and patterning of the avian neuraxis, neurulation in mammals and the normal human embryo, folic acid and more.

Connects classical cellular descriptive studies with more recent work on the molecular and genetic aspects regarding germline development. Prominent scientists discuss research on a range of organisms including insects, worms, birds, fish, amphibia, mammals and green algae. Specification of germ cells, their migration to the gonads and subsequent interactions with the soma and evolutionary factors of their segregation are among the topics covered.

A compilation of articles by prominent experts in their respective fields on compensation for and collaboration with indigenous people in regard to their knowledge and provision of rare plants which are used for some of the most potent drugs in Western medicine.

Describes the structure and function of important peptides from several different organisms. An exciting development is the use of these peptides or their analogues in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Considers ways in which these peptides may be used to control the insect vectors of key pathogens including the malarial parasite. Discusses the role of antimicrobial peptides in the mammalian immune system and their interaction with other components of that system.

An interdisciplinary and multinational group of specialists present contributions describing the current status of vaccines against virally induced tumors and discuss the means by which they can be improved.