Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases in Health and Disease


Book Description

Proceedings of the International Conference on Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases, held September 26-28, 2002, in Berlin, Germany. Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases exert a potent modulatory role at an interface between immune mechanisms, metabolic responses and neuroendocrine pathways. Experimental models and clinical studies addressing the role of these enzymes and the effect of specific inhibitors pave the way to novel therapeutic concepts in immunology, rheumatology, oncology, reproductive medicine and diabetes. Leading experts in this field have contributed to this book which presents a state-of-the-art view on these enzymes, at a time when our understanding of their function is growing ever more rapidly and therapeutic options become imminent. The sections of the book focus on various topics: - Structure and function of dipeptidyl aminopeptidases, - DPP IV-like proteins, - Immune mechanisms and immune disorders, - Cancer and angiogenesis, - Diabetes and metabolism, - Therapeutic implications.




Bioactive Food Peptides in Health and Disease


Book Description

"Bioactive Food Peptides in Health and Disease" highlights recent developments on bioactive food peptides for the promotion of human health and the prevention/management of chronic diseases. The book provides a comprehensive revision of bioactive peptides obtained from both animal and plant food sources. Aspects related to their bioactivity, mechanism of action, and bioavailability are extensively described along the different chapters. Also, the chapters describe the impact of bioactive peptides on the physiological absorption, regulation and disease prevention. The book also covers the recent technological advances for the production of food peptides. Bioactive Food Peptides in Health and Disease provides updated and interesting information, being a good reference book for nutritional and food scientists, biochemists, industry producers, and consumers.




Immunity and Inflammation in Health and Disease


Book Description

Immunity and Inflammation in Health and Disease: Emerging Roles of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods in Immune Support provides a comprehensive description of the various pathways by which the vertebrate immune system works, the signals that trigger immune response and how fnew and novel nutraceuticals and functional foods, can be used to contain inflammation and also to boost immunity and immune health. Inflammation is a tool to fight pathogens and the vertebrate immune system has a very complex network of cells to achieve this. However inflammation that goes awry is also the leding cause of several diseases ranging from cardiovascular diseases to diabetes. This book covers the entire gamut from the various cellular players in the inflammation-immune response to its ramifications in terms of protection against pathogens as well as in onset of metabolic, aging and auto-immune related diseases. Finally, the balancing role of dietary nutrients between host defence and immune support is also showcased. The first three scetions explain the various components of the immune system and their modes of activation. The fourth section deals with the ramifications of a robust and execessive inflammatory response. The fifth section is focused on the association between nutrition and immunity and how deficiencies in certain nutrients may affect immunocompetence. The sixth section chapters represent a vision of paradigm shifts within the field and discusses possible future directions. This bool will be a valuable reference for researchers studying immune health either in academia, or in the nutraceutical or functional food industries. Product developers in nutraceutical, supplement, functional food, and health food companies will also appreciate the information presented here. - Conceptualizes the key features in natural products which can boost immune function and immune health - Explains the intricate mechanistic aspects and balance behind immune health - Presents the pathophysiology of several diseases associated with immune system disruption




Aminopeptidases in Biology and Disease


Book Description

Aminopeptidases in Biology and Disease provides a comprehensive review of the emerging role of aminopeptidases in a range of biological processes and disease situations. Processes as diverse as angiogenesis, antigen presentation, neuropeptide and hormone processing, pregnancy and reproduction, protein turnover, memory, inflammation, tumour growth, cancer and metastasis, blood pressure and hypertension all critically involve one or more aminopeptidases. The individual chapters have been written by experts in the field who have provided detailed accounts of the central roles played by various aminopeptidases in biology and disease.




Ectopeptidases


Book Description

The idea to compile recent results on the ectoenzymes aminopeptidase N/CD13 and dipeptidylpeptidase IV/CD26 arose from the great interest given by readers world-wide to the two proceedings volumes edited by us in 1997 and 2000 (Ansorge and Langner, 1997; Langner and Ansorge, 2000). These volumes contained the presentations at two symposia held in Magdeburg (Germany) in 1996 and 1999 under the title "Cellular peptidases in immune functions and diseases", which was also the name of the Sonderforschungsbereich in Magdeburg, sponsored by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft between 1995 and 2001. Our groups in Magdeburg and Halle during the last two decades have provided results on these two enzymes in cells of the hematopoietic system that justify a review in an edited monograph like the present one (see the reviews by Kahne et at. , 1999; Lendeckel et at. ,1999; Riemann et at. , 1999). There are, however, many other groups in Europe, US and Japan which made important contributions to this field and particularly in topics improving the understanding of physiological and pathophysiological roles ofAPN/CD13 and DPIV/CD26. Therefore we decided to invite some of them to contribute reviews of their results to this book. Having worked for about 40 years in the field of proteolysis, for both of us to see the development of activities and knowledge from protein chemistry and enzymology to physiology and pathophysiology and even to therapy is very stimulating and fascinating. Of course, this development also reflects the dramatic improvement and refinement of methods.




Taurine 5


Book Description

The Taurine Symposium- "Taurine: Beginning the 21'' Century"- was held September 20-23, 2002, on the beautiful island of Kauai in Hawaii. The headquarters of the meeting was the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort. This international meeting was attending by approximately 80 individuals from 23 nations and 4 continents. Seventy-five papers were presented either as platform presentations or poster presentations. Taurine, first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by Tiedemann and Gmelin and named in 1838 by Demarcay, became of significant scientific interest in 1968 when the first extensive review article was published by Jacobsen and Smith. Interest in taurine grew exponentially after 1975 when the first taurine symposium was organized by Ryan Huxtable in Tucson, Arizona. Since that date, taurine symposia have been held approximately every two years held in various cities and resort areas around the world. Taurine investigators have had the privilege of attending these scientific meetings on three continents - Asia, Europe, and North America. Since the initial meeting in 1975, a central question addressed during many of the symposia has been: "What is physiological, pharmacological, nutritional, and pathological role of taurine?". Although taurine has been established as an important osmolyte, it appears to affect many other biological processes. However, the exact mechanism(s) by "which taurine acts" has not yet been definitively answered. In Kauai, the patticipants discussed many topics and asked many questions regarding the role and actions of taurine.




The Genus Yersinia


Book Description

For the eighth time the yersiniologists all over the world gathered together when the International Symposium on Yersinia was organized by University of Turku and Turku Microbiology Society in Turku, Finland. Over 250 delegates from 28 countries attended the Symposium. The Symposium logo (Picture 4, next page) presents a bacteriophage attached to the surface of the bacterium. One can easily imagine that most of the aspects covered in this Symposium are included in the logo: the bacteriophage genome encodes for structural proteins, adhesins and effector proteins that interact with the host cell in most intricate ways to carry out their mission. Life of the bacteriophage depends on the tightly regulated interplay between the phage and the host proteins. This all is also true between Yersinia and the different hosts and environments it encounters during its life cycle. This Symposium Proceedings volume is based on the oral and poster presentations given during the Symposium. The volume has been divided into six parts covering topics such as genomics, surface structures, bacteriophages, molecular and cellular pathogenesis, molecular epidemiology and diagnostics, gene regulation, clinical aspects and vaccines. These topics reflect righteously the present trends in the bacteriology research.




Yogurt in Health and Disease Prevention


Book Description

Yogurt in Health and Disease Prevention examines the mechanisms by which yogurt, an important source of micro- and macronutrients, impacts human nutrition, overall health, and disease. Topics covered include yogurt consumption's impact on overall diet quality, allergic disorders, gastrointestinal tract health, bone health, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, weight control, metabolism, age-related disorders, and cardiovascular health. Modifications to yogurt are also covered in scientific detail, including altering the protein to carbohydrate ratios, adding n-3 fatty acids, phytochemical enhancements, adding whole grains, and supplementing with various micronutrients. Prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic yogurt component are also covered to give the reader a comprehensive understanding of the various impacts yogurt and related products can have on human health. - Health coverage encompasses nutrition, gastroenterology, endocrinology, immunology, and cardiology - Examines novel and unusual yogurts as well as popular and common varieties - Covers effects on diet, obesity, and weight control - Outlines common additives to yogurts and their respective effects - Reviews prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotic yogurts - Includes practical information on how yogurt may be modified to improve its nutritive value




The Diabetic Kidney


Book Description

A comprehensive and authoritative survey of recent findings, ideas, and hypotheses about the causes and treatment of diabetic nephropathy. The authors cover both the basic pathogenic mechanisms of the disease, as well as many of its clinical aspects of identification, management, and new therapeutic approaches. Highlights include an entire section devoted to novel approaches to studying diabetic nephropathy with the most advanced molecular techniques, and complete descriptions of the most up-to-date views on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The Diabetic Kidney offers both researchers and practicing clinicians a clear understanding of the of the progress that has been made regarding the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and of the therapeutic interventions needed to prevent its development or treat it.




Peptidomics


Book Description

The definitive guide to peptidomics- a hands-on lab reference The first truly comprehensive book about peptidomics for protein and peptide analysis, this reference provides a detailed description of the hows and whys of peptidomics and how the techniques have evolved. With chapters contributed by leading experts, it covers naturally occurring peptides, peptidomics methods and new developments, and the peptidomics approach to biomarker discovery. Explaining both the principles and the applications, Peptidomics: Methods and Applications: * Features examples of applications in diverse fields, including pharmaceutical science, toxicity biomarkers, and neuroscience * Details the successful peptidomic analyses of biological material ranging from plants to mammals * Describes a cross section of analytical techniques, including traditional methodologies, emerging trends, and new techniques for high throughput approaches An enlightening reference for experienced professionals, this book is sufficiently detailed to serve as a step-by-step guide for beginning researchers and an excellent resource for students taking biotechnology and proteomics courses. It is an invaluable reference for protein chemists and biochemists, professionals and researchers in drug and biopharmaceutical development, analytical and bioanalytical chemists, toxicologists, and others.




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