Regulatory Function of Adenosine


Book Description

The principal objective of this symposium was to bring together investigators from all over the world who work in diverse areas of research but share a common interest in the physiologic and pathophysiologic funetions of the nueleoside adenosine. In 1978, the "International Conference on Physiological and Regulatory Funetions of Adenosine and Adenine Nueleotides," held in Banff, Canada, served as an effective catalyst in enabling scientists with differ ent points of view to exchange information and ideas on this subject. Since 1978, the amount of research on different as peets of adenosine metabolism, mechanism of action, transport, and function in various tissues (in both nor maI and abnormal states) has increased exponentially, and there was an urgent need for another meeting for updating information on this burgeoning subject. The focus of the meeting was extremely sharp, but the scope of the subject material was very broad. Scientists categorized as chemists, biochemists, physiologists, pharmacologists, and immunologists, working with cells and eelI fragments, with tissues such as heart, brain, musele, fat, kidney, and with human beings having immune deficiency diseases participated in the sym posium. They had an opportunity to air their differences, reinforce their areas of agreement, and, most important, they educated each other with respeet to research on adenosine; it is hoped that they also enriched their own research programs from the information they gained from their fellow participants.




Adenosine Receptors in Neurodegenerative Diseases


Book Description

Adenosine Receptors in Neurodegenerative Diseases covers the role of adenosine receptors in brain function, also focusing on related methodologies and perspectives in therapeutics. The book provides an up-to-date overview by the best specialists in the field, helping readers consider the importance of adenosine and expand the global impact and visibility of adenosine research in the CNS field. Chapters include adenosine biology and signaling, gene regulation, control of motor function, and novel adenosine-based therapies in the CNS. It is an ideal resource for researchers, advanced graduate students, clinicians, and industry scientists working in the fields of clinical neuroscience and molecular and cellular neuroscience.




Regulation of Coronary Blood Flow


Book Description

Research centering on blood flow in the heart continues to hold an important position, especially since a better understanding of the subject may help reduce the incidence of coronary arterial disease and heart attacks. This book summarizes recent advances in the field; it is the product of fruitful cooperation among international scientists who met in Japan in May, 1990 to discuss the regulation of coronary blood flow.




The Adenosine Receptors


Book Description

This book traces the history of adenosine receptor research from molecular biology to medicinal chemistry to behavior, including their implications in disease and potential strategies as therapeutic targets. It provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the adenosine receptors that includes information on all subtypes - A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Aspects addressed include the most up to date information on their functional distribution in the nervous and peripheral systems, behavioral roles in inflammation, cancer, pain and neurological diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.




Adenosine Receptors and Parkinson's Disease


Book Description

This book is the first definitive overview on adenosine receptor antagonists and their application to the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The effect of these novel non-dopamine drugs on vitro and in vivo systems clearly shows their potential for the treatment of this debilitating disease. This book covers how the Parkinson's disease antagonist drug, A2A, has been researched, developed, and tested. It is an essential book for researchers interested in the basal ganglia, purine biology, and Parkinson's Disease. Discusses the discovery and development of a novel non-dopaminomimetic agent for Parkinson's disease Provides the first definitive overview of adenosine antagonists and their role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease Presents a new mechanism of action of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists in motor function Proposes a hypothesis of adenosine A2A receptor function in the striatum Comprehensive overview of adenosine, its receptor subtypes, their antagonists/agonists from biochemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and neurochemistry viewpoints




Adenosine Receptors in Health and Disease


Book Description

Since their discovery approximately 25 years ago, adenosine receptors have now emerged as important novel molecular targets in disease and drug discovery. These proteins play important roles in the entire spectrum of disease from inflammation to immune suppression. Because of their expression on a number of different cell types and in a number of different organ systems they play important roles in specific diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sepsis, and obesity. As a result of intense investigations into understanding the molecular structures and pharmacology of these proteins, new molecules have been synthesized that have high specificity for these proteins and are now entering clinical trials. These molecules will define the next new classes of drugs for a number of diseases with unmet medical needs.




Encyclopedia of Cancer


Book Description

This comprehensive encyclopedic reference provides rapid access to focused information on topics of cancer research for clinicians, research scientists and advanced students. Given the overwhelming success of the first edition, which appeared in 2001, and fast development in the different fields of cancer research, it has been decided to publish a second fully revised and expanded edition. With an A-Z format of over 7,000 entries, more than 1,000 contributing authors provide a complete reference to cancer. The merging of different basic and clinical scientific disciplines towards the common goal of fighting cancer makes such a comprehensive reference source all the more timely.




Biology for AP ® Courses


Book Description

Biology for AP® courses covers the scope and sequence requirements of a typical two-semester Advanced Placement® biology course. The text provides comprehensive coverage of foundational research and core biology concepts through an evolutionary lens. Biology for AP® Courses was designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the College Board’s AP® Biology framework while allowing significant flexibility for instructors. Each section of the book includes an introduction based on the AP® curriculum and includes rich features that engage students in scientific practice and AP® test preparation; it also highlights careers and research opportunities in biological sciences.




Regulation of Tissue Oxygenation, Second Edition


Book Description

This presentation describes various aspects of the regulation of tissue oxygenation, including the roles of the circulatory system, respiratory system, and blood, the carrier of oxygen within these components of the cardiorespiratory system. The respiratory system takes oxygen from the atmosphere and transports it by diffusion from the air in the alveoli to the blood flowing through the pulmonary capillaries. The cardiovascular system then moves the oxygenated blood from the heart to the microcirculation of the various organs by convection, where oxygen is released from hemoglobin in the red blood cells and moves to the parenchymal cells of each tissue by diffusion. Oxygen that has diffused into cells is then utilized in the mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of all cells. The mitochondria are able to produce ATP until the oxygen tension or PO2 on the cell surface falls to a critical level of about 4–5 mm Hg. Thus, in order to meet the energetic needs of cells, it is important to maintain a continuous supply of oxygen to the mitochondria at or above the critical PO2 . In order to accomplish this desired outcome, the cardiorespiratory system, including the blood, must be capable of regulation to ensure survival of all tissues under a wide range of circumstances. The purpose of this presentation is to provide basic information about the operation and regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the properties of the blood and parenchymal cells, so that a fundamental understanding of the regulation of tissue oxygenation is achieved.




The Endothelium


Book Description

The endothelium, a monolayer of endothelial cells, constitutes the inner cellular lining of the blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries) and the lymphatic system, and therefore is in direct contact with the blood/lymph and the circulating cells. The endothelium is a major player in the control of blood fluidity, platelet aggregation and vascular tone, a major actor in the regulation of immunology, inflammation and angiogenesis, and an important metabolizing and an endocrine organ. Endothelial cells controls vascular tone, and thereby blood flow, by synthesizing and releasing relaxing and contracting factors such as nitric oxide, metabolites of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 pathways, various peptides (endothelin, urotensin, CNP, adrenomedullin, etc.), adenosine, purines, reactive oxygen species and so on. Additionally, endothelial ectoenzymes are required steps in the generation of vasoactive hormones such as angiotensin II. An endothelial dysfunction linked to an imbalance in the synthesis and/or the release of these various endothelial factors may explain the initiation of cardiovascular pathologies (from hypertension to atherosclerosis) or their development and perpetuation. Table of Contents: Introduction / Multiple Functions of the Endothelial Cells / Calcium Signaling in Vascular Cells and Cell-to-Cell Communications / Endothelium-Dependent Regulation of Vascular Tone / Conclusion / References