Книги автора: Gregory R. Bock

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.

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.

There is an urgent need to uncover new therapies that will protect against malaria, as the parasite becomes increasingly resistant to available drugs and this book offers insights into three interrelated aspects of the malaria-infected erythrocyte: * The transport of solutes into and out of the infected cell and the use of specific trafficking pathways in drug targeting * The traffic of proteins produced by the intracellular parasite as an essential process for the biogenesis of transport systems. * The relationship between the transport of drugs into the infected cell and the mode of drug action and drug resistance.

Cocaine poses interesting problems for neurophysiologists and neuropharmacologists and there is important new data on the effects of cocaine on the brain (its initial site of action at the cellular level now appearing to be the dopamine transporter). Includes chapters on the far-reaching toxic effects of cocaine, on the epidemiology and the economics of drug addiction, on the past and present use of cocaine in the U.S. and in South America, and on the moral issues raised by drug use and abuse.

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.

This new work contains the first integrated discussion of the role of olfaction in mosquito-host interactions. It covers the practical applications of this knowledge in attempting to control malaria as a problem for world health. The volume begins with a general overview of mosquito life cycle styles and how odour-mediated host location fits into the repertoire of behaviours that a specific species may exhibit. Certain aspects of insect olfaction and its underlying physiological mechanisms are incorporated within the book.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An international group of leading investigators discuss recent progress of sensory structures in lower and higher vertebrates. Experts in two relevant fields–the cell cycle and mitogenic growth factors–present insightful contributions in the search for precursors and/or stem cells in each sense organ plus the signals which regulate those precursors' differentiation both in normal development and regeneration.

'Homology' as a concept became increasingly elusive during the course of the 20th century. The central debates and controversies concern both fundamental definitions and the nature of the criteria by which homology is judged. Attempts to move away from comparative morphology to ideas based on developmental pathways have tended to founder on the fact that developmental pathways evolve and that similar cells or tissues or structures in animals will often have different developmental origins. The use of information about conserved molecules in seemingly conserved developmental processes has also proven controversial. In molecular biology, the use of the term 'homology' has given rise to more debate, although here the issue seems to involve primarily the criteria for assessing whether parts of genes are the same because of shared descent or for other reasons. The contributions to the book explore these topics systematically. There are chapters on the historical development of the concept of homology and its use in population studies. Other chapters deal with issues of homology in morphological and developmental studies, in behavioural studies, and especially in studies at the level of molecular genetics.

Modern technology has made possible epidemiological studies that relate aspects of neonatal health to disease in adult life. This symposium is the first to draw together information from this new research area. Explores links between early growth and the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and coronary heart disease in adult life; poor growth of babies and inadequate growth and nutrition of mothers; and levels of blood cholesterol and clotting factors. Other chapters consider the connections between early nutrition and adult immunocompetence and risk of allergic diseases; critical periods in the development of both the brain and visual system; and possible origins of schizophrenia. Examines the consequences of adverse early experiences for adult psychosocial functioning.

An international group of researchers addresses basic mechanism involved in the metastatic spread of tumors and considers new methods of prevention and treatment. Compares behavior of normal and abnormal cells, with emphasis on cell surface mechanisms–especially invasive processes–and inhibitors that might prevent metastasis. Also discusses determination of the metastatic genotype, the role of the immune system, and reduction of metastasis via liposome-activated macrophages.

Epithelial cells cover the outer and inner surfaces of the body, forming a selective polarized barrier between the intercellualar space and the 'external' world. Linking the cells of this continuous layer and contributing to epithelial organization and function are specialized membrane domains–desmosomes, gap junctions, and occluding junctions. The contributors to this multidisciplinary symposium volume explore the nature of such junctional structures, focusing on the molecular organization and diversity of their constituent proteins, their formation and control, and interactions with ions and cytoskeletal elements. The physiological significance of cell-cell interaction in epithelia is considered, with reference to cell adhesion, barrier formation and intercellular communication, and to the functional implications for tissue architecture, embryonic development, morphogenesis and carcinogenesis.

Documents the latest results and opinions on the causes and possible cures for this disorder. Coverage includes retroviral involvement, immunity, pathophysiology and pharmacological treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Until recently a neglected disease syndrome, diarrhea is responsible for many millions of infant deaths in developing countries. The result of a 1987 symposium, this volume reflects advances in the aetiology of diarrhea while addressing such puzzling problems as the difficulty of growing viruses in a controlled setting. The volume is deliberately restricted to so-called ``novel'' diarrhea viruses and is not concerned with ``classical'' rotaviruses, which have formed the basis of previous symposia. Articles concentrate on: atypical rotaviruses; the enteric adenoviruses; small round viruses such as astroviruses, caliciviruses and Norwalk virus; and the Berne and Breda viruses, suggested as a new family Toroviridae. The contributions come from an interdisciplinary mix of virologists (both human and veterinary), epidemiologists, molecular biologists, and pathologists.

Contributors to this volume explore the role of carbohydrates in communication between cells of multicellular organisms. Topics covered include the thermodynamics and spatial restrictions of oligosaccharide-protein interactions, the role of carbohydrates in recognition and as components of cell adhesion molecules, and abnormal glycosylation in several disease states.

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.