The renewed and increasing interest in lipid self-assembly, phase behaviour and interfacial properties can be related to both a much improved insight in biological systems and the applications of lipids in food and pharmaceutical industry; in the latter, the development of drug delivery systems based on lipids has become in focus. Amphiphilic systems comprise lipids, surfactants as well as different types of polymers, including block and graft copolymers. Research on biological amphiphiles has often been conducted separate from research on synthetic ones. However, in recent years a very fruitful convergence between the two fields has evolved. These new perspectives on fundamental research and applications of lipids are discussed in these proceedings from an international symposium on "Lipid and Polymer Lipid-systems", October 2000 in Chia Laguna in Italy - a joint undertaking of Prof. Maura Monduzzi at Cagliari University, Italy and Camurus Lipid Research Foundation, Lund, Sweden.

Bioactive ingredients, including both bioactive compounds and bioactive live organisms, are present in small amounts in natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. These ingredients have been continuously investigated during the last few decades and the epidemiological data suggest that their intake is associated with significant decreased risk of various disorders and chronic diseases owing to their anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. Some of these natural ingredients such as catechins, curcumin, resveratrol, oleuropein, quercetin, rutin, hesperidin, sulforaphane, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins, have been studied as factors with possible direct or indirect effect on specific molecular pathways which are playing vital roles in the association with the pathophysiology of the chronic diseases such as cancer. In light of this, natural foods and food-derived products rich in bioactives have received recent growing attention. It has been reported that frequent consumption of fruits, vegetables, and their associated natural products have many health-promoting benefits that protect against degenerative illnesses including heart disease, arthritis, cancer, immune system decline, brain dysfunction, inflammation and cataracts. Functional foods and medicinal supplements containing encapsulated bioactive materials will be the future of new emerging products in the food and pharma industries. Such products present therapeutical and medicinal properties that can prevent and/or cure specific chronic diseases and disorders. Handbook Of Bioactive Ingredients provides a systematic overview of different food bioactive ingredients describing their chemistry, structure, functionality, safety/toxicity, oral delivery and their applications in functional foods. Detailed chapters will describe various bioactive ingredients including polyphenolic compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and anthocyanins, carotenoids, sterols such as non-oxygenated carotenoids, xanthophylls and phytosterols, bioactive peptides such as marine bioactive peptides, animal bioactive peptides, plant bioactive peptides, microbial bioactive peptides, essential fatty acids like fish and marine oils and plant oils, live organisms like probiotics and yeasts, essential oils and oleoresins like monoterpens, sequiterpens and oleoresins, vitamins and minerals including liposoluble vitamins, hydrosoluble vitamins and trace minerals), and other bioactive compounds including prebiotics, oligosaccharides, dietary fibers and beta-glucan. This book is the first comprehensive collection of scientific evidence form published literature on natural bioactive ingredients.

This volume includes 58 contributions to the 11th International Conference on Surface and Colloid Science, a highly successful conference sponsored by the International Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists and held in Iguassu Falls, Brazil, in September 2003. Topics covered are the following: Biocolloids and Biological Applications, Charged Particles and Interfaces, Colloid Stability, Colloidal Dispersions, Environmental Colloidal Science, Interfaces and Adsorption, Nanostructures and Nanotechnology, Self-Assembly and Structured Fluids, Surfactants and Polymers, Technology and Applications, Colloids and Surfaces in Oil Production. Surface and colloid science has acquired great momentum during the past twenty years and this volume is a good display of new results and new directions in this important area.

"Offers a concise, logically organized survey of vesicular science and the practical applications of vesicles--including the latest advances in drug delivery. Contains over 2500 helpful citations to the literature, more than 220 drawings and photographs, many in color, and some 350 equations. Presents important topics that indicate the current scope and direction of vesicular research."

Advances in technology permeates every aspect of life, including the healthcare system. Nanotechnology based systems have gained popularity based upon their promise, size, and other characteristics. Multifunctional Nanocarriers for Contemporary Healthcare Applications is a critical academic publication that explores advancements in nanostructured systems, applications of these systems in healthcare, and biomedical applications of these systems. Featuring coverage on a wide range of topics, such as hydrogels, controlled drug delivery systems, and nanomedicine, this book is geared toward researchers, students, and academicians seeking current research on advancements and applications of nanostructured systems in the healthcare industry.

Effective drug delivery systems are essential in maximizing the therapeutic effects of the drugs in question. This book thoroughly analyses recent technological advances in new, nanomaterial-based drug delivery systems for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. These systems also have diverse applications in pharmaceutical, biomedical, biomaterial, and biotechnological fields. This book explains the different types of nanocarriers currently in development and covers both therapeutic and theranostic applications of drug-loaded nanocarriers and nanomedicine. Clinical research professionals, industrial pharmaceutical scientists, and veteran drug delivery developers benefit from the unique structure of this book, making it essential for the drug delivery researcher. Students, research scholars, and industrial professionals alike benefit from the current technological advancements, regulatory aspects, and the history of discovery and development in the field of nanomedicine presented in this book.

Cancer remains one of the most challenging issues in modern medicine, being responsible for a high number of deaths every year. Recent important developments in cancer diagnosis and therapy based on the versatility of nanosystems have made it possible to incorporate multifunctional synergistic actions into a single delivery system. This book compiles the research on the use of functional lipid nanosystems that combine different strategies in one single nanosystem to enhance overall cancer treatment. Besides providing an overview of the current functional nanosystem strategies, it also offers researchers essential theoretical background on cancer, the physiological barriers to its treatment, aspects related to the design and optimization of nanocarriers for cancer treatment, and clinical developments, including promises, safety issues, and the expected future. The editors bring together a group of scientists from all over the world to discuss the most relevant issues and to provide updates on functional lipid nanosystems and cancer.

International Review of Cell & Molecular Biology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology—both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth.* Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field * Provides up-to-date information and directions for future research * Valuable reference material for advanced undergraduates, graduate students and professional scientists

Conventional drug administration has several issues and challenges. Drugs may not be fully absorbed or targeted, some drugs produce undesirable secondary effects and cause organ damage, and others trigger inflammation and immune response. As such, drug carrier systems are being developed to help promote drug absorption, enhance targeting, and avoid or decrease negative symptoms. This book examines different drug carriers and drug carrier systems. Chapters address such topics as the use of polymers in drug carrier systems, thin films, metal-organic frameworks, graphene quantum dots, and nanotechnology and microfluidics for drug delivery.