OECD Guidelines for the Testing of Chemicals, Section 2 Test No. 231: Amphibian Metamorphosis Assay


Book Description

This Test Guideline describes an amphibian metamorphosis assay intended to screen substances which may interfere with the normal functioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis. The assay was validated with the species Xenopus laevis, which is ...




Amphibian Metamorphosis


Book Description

In an age when advanced molecular and genetic tools allow studies in various systems, amphibian metamorphosis still offers perhaps the most accessible model for the study of postembryonic organogenesis and mechanisms of hormonal regulation during vertebrate development. Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Morphology to Molecular Biology integrates findings from the most recent research with earlier observations, providing molecular and mechanistic insights into the signal transduction pathways underlying tissue-specific transformations during metamorphosis. The author, renowned expert of anuran metamorphosis and Head of the Unit of Molecular Morphogenesis at NICHD/NIH, begins with an overview of metamorphosis in different classes of amphibians and various factors that influence this process. A review of earlier morphological, cellular, and biochemical changes focuses on organs and tissues that have been studied extensively at the molecular level, while discussion of the thyroid hormone signal transduction pathway emphasizes transcriptional regulation mechanisms by thyroid receptors. The book provides a summary and comparison of gene regulation programs induced by thyroid hormone in several organs that undergo distinct metamorphic transformations. Several chapters are devoted to functional and mechanistic implications of the molecular findings on the thyroid hormone response genes in tissue transformation. Special features of this book include: * An emphasis on integrating the morphological approach with molecularand cell biology * A historical perspective on the progression from discovery of the thyroid hormone to present-day research advances * Comparisons of amphibian and insect metamorphosis * Dozens of instructive photographs, several in full color Amphibian Metamorphosis: From Morphology to Molecular Biology is a unique and invaluable resource for professionals and aspiring professionals in develop-mental biology, molecular biology, cell biology, evolutionary biology, and endocrinology.




Thyroid Hormone Metabolism


Book Description




Physiology of the Amphibia


Book Description

Physiology of the Amphibia, Volume III consists of 10 chapters beginning with a discussion on amphibian color changes and the various aspects of the molting cycle. Possessing a skin more suitable for life in the water, the amphibians need to prevent excessive water loss from their body to the environment; hence, an additional mechanism for reducing the hazards of desiccation in many anuran species is described. This book also tackles the physiology of amphibian cells in culture. Furthermore, the animals' nervous, visual, and auditory systems; their immunity; and metamorphosis are explained in this text. This reference will be useful to general biologists and to students with interests in animal physiology.




Physiology of the Amphibia Volume 2


Book Description

Physiology of the Amphibia, Volume II focuses on the various aspects of amphibian reproduction, both physiological and behavioral, and the interrelationship between these mechanisms and the environment. Organized into five chapters, the book begins with the integrative functions of the amphibian brain. It then describes the cytophysiology of the amphibian adenohypophysis, as well as their reproductive organs and associated sexual structures. It also discusses the physiology of the process of yolk formation, vitellogenesis. The reproductive and courtship patterns and intersexuality among amphibians are also described. This book will be useful to general biologists as a reference source and to students with interests in animal physiology.




The Thyroid and Its Diseases


Book Description

This book is an up-to-date and comprehensive guide to all the common thyroid disorders that may be seen by internists, endocrinologists, nuclear medicine physicians, and endocrine surgeons. While the fundamentals of thyroid hormone function and regulation in health and disease are well covered, the primary focus is on the clinical approach to thyroid disease, with detailed coverage of both initial diagnosis and management and the role of imaging. Because most endocrine diseases are chronic and lifelong, special emphasis is placed on long-term management and the common pitfalls that may be encountered by the clinician. The editors are internationally acknowledged leaders in the field of thyroid disease and have gathered an outstanding team of authors, all of whom are also highly expert in their respective areas, but who, equally importantly, write in a clear and lucid style. The numerous isotope scan and ultrasonographic images ensure that the book will serve as a valuable reference atlas to which the physician will return again and again.




Color Atlas of Xenopus laevis Histology


Book Description

The Color Atlas of "Xenopus laevis" Histology provides the first central source on the microscopic anatomy of cells, tissues, and major organs of the adult South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. For many years, X. laevis has been a highly popular experimental animal model in many areas of research. The recent development of transgenic Xenopus technology offers the promise that this animal model will be utilized more than ever before. The purpose of this book is to provide the active researcher with a central source of high quality light microscopic color images of the tissues of X. laevis, to aid in the identification of the cells and tissues of interest.




The Pigmentary System


Book Description

The most comprehensive and integrated book on pigmentation The Pigmentary System, Second Edition, gathers into one convenient, all-inclusive volume a wealth of information about the science of pigmentation and all the common and rare clinical disorders that affect skin color. The two parts, physiology (science) and pathophysiology (clinical disorders), are complementary and annotated so that those reading one part can easily refer to relevant sections in the other. For the clinician interested in common or rare pigment disorders or the principles of teaching about such disorders, this book provides an immediate and complete resource on the biologic bases for these disorders. For the scientist studying the biology of melanocyte function, the book provides a list of disorders that are related to basic biological functions of melanocytes. New features of this Second Edition include: Completely new section on the basic science of pigmentation – explaining the integration of melanocyte functions with other epidermal cells and with various organ systems like the immune system New chapters on pigmentary disorders related to intestinal diseases, the malignant melanocyte, benign proliferations of melanocytes (nevi) and phototherapy with narrow band UV All clinical chapters include the latest genetic findings and advances in therapy More than 400 color images of virtually all clinical disorders The book is ideal for all dermatologists and especially those interested in disorders of pigmentation. It is of particular use for pediatric dermatologists and medical geneticists caring for patients with congenital and genetic pigmentary disorders. This authoritative volume will fill the gap for dermatology training programs that do not have local experts on pigmentation. Basic and cosmetic scientists studying pigmentation and melanocytes will find the science and clinical correlations very useful in showing human significance and relevance to the results of their studies.







Insect Metamorphosis


Book Description

Insect Metamorphosis: From Natural History to Regulation of Development and Evolution explores the origin of metamorphosis, how it evolved, and how it is it regulated. The book discusses insect metamorphosis as a key innovation in insect evolution. With most of the present biodiversity on Earth composed of metamorphosing insects—approximately 1 million species currently described, with another 10-30 million still waiting to be discovered, the book delves into misconceptions and past treatments. In addition, the topic of integrating insect metamorphosis into the theory of evolution by natural selection as noted by Darwin in his On the Origin of Species is also discussed. Users will find this to be a comprehensive and updated review on insect metamorphosis, covering biological, physiological and molecular facets, with an emphasis on evolutionary aspects. - Features updated knowledge from the past decade on the mechanisms of action of juvenile hormone, the main doorkeeper of insect metamorphosis - Aids researchers in entomology or developmental biology dealing with specialized aspects of metamorphosis - Provides applied entomologists with recently updated data, especially on regulation, to better face the problems of pest control and management - Gives general evolutionary biologists context on the process of metamorphosis in its larger scope