Phospholipase A2 in Clinical Inflammation presents an up-to-date topical review of the biochemistry, molecular biology, and biology of mammalian phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The emphasis of this monograph is on the current aspects of PLA2 research using molecular approaches to investigate PLA2 structure and function, inhibitor design, and the regulation of sPLA2 and cPLA2 in cellular systems. The second section examines the major disease states where PLA2 has been implicated: rheumatoid diseases; acute pancreatitis; and psoriasis. These chapters, contributed by experts in the field, give the reader an overall sense of the clinical relevance of the molecular approaches to study PLA2 in relation to the disease entities that may be associated with altered PLA2 levels and activity. This comprehensive text not only provides the necessary historical review for beginning researchers but also addresses the more current molecular approaches as well as the major disease states for the seasoned researcher.

This book was stimulated by the enthusiasm shown by attendees at the meetings in Saxon River, VT, sponsored by the Federation ofAmerican Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), on the subject of the intestinal processing of lipids. When these meetings were first started in 1990, the original organizers, two of whom are editors ofthis volume (CMM and PT), had two major goals. The first was to bring together a diverse group ofinvestiga tors who had the common goal of gaining a better understanding of how the intestine ab sorbs lipids. The second was to stimulate the interest of younger individuals whom we wished to recruit into what we believed was an exciting and fruitful area ofresearch. Since that time, the field has opened up considerably with new questions being asked and new an swers obtained, suggesting that our original goals for the meetings were being met. In the same spirit, it occurred to us that there has not been a recentbook that draws to gethermuch ofthe informationavailableconcerninghow the intestineprocesses lipids. This book is intended to reach investigators with an interest in this area and their pre- and post doctoral students. The chapters are written by individuals who have a long-term interest in the areas about which they write, and many have been speakers at the subsequent FASEB conferences that have followed on the first.

The Manual of Immunological Methods represents the collaboration of the Canadian Network of Toxicology Centers, a non-profit network of university-based scientists dedicated to research, training, risk assessment, and communication. This manual provides detailed immunological methods that can be utilized by researchers or practitioners who want to enhance the successful application of this science. It emphasizes the need for continuously improving the quality of experiments performed and maintaining consistency in the results obtained. The Manual of Immunological Methods presents validated assays that are accompanied by a series of tools that will guide readers in performing their own laboratory work in the spirit of the Good Laboratory Practices. It covers specific methodologies including sample collection, preparation of cells, assay conditions, and data evaluation. Discussion of species differences and comparisons of a wide variety of species is an important feature. Both graduate students and practicing researchers in the areas of immunology and immunotoxicology will appreciate the Manual of Immunological Methods as a guide to standard operating procedures in the laboratory.

Asthma is a disease of high prevalence that has shown a trend toward increasing incidence, morbidity, and mortality over the last three decades despite apparently effective drug treatments and increasing awareness of the need for better disease management. Often the inflammatory component of asthma is studied; however, the tissue remodelling process is a significant process that should not be overlooked. This valuable reference synthesizes current data and concepts developed to determine the relationship between airway wall remodelling and the pathogenesis of asthma. It discusses evidence for structural changes in asthmatic airway, the relationship between airway thickening and hyperresponsiveness, the relationship between cytokine production and tissue remodelling and inflammation, the significance of epithelial changes and the extracellular matrix, and in vivo and in vitro experimental approaches to the assessment of remodelling. Pharmacological and biochemical mechanisms that control cell proliferation are also examined. The consequences of airway wall remodelling for airway hyperresponsiveness is the unique focus of this volume, offering a fresh perspective of advances in asthma research.

Cytokines are peptide or protein cell-to-cell signaling molecules that play vital roles in normal cell and tissue homeostasis, as well as in responses to infectious agents. Because of their importance in virtually all forms of pathology, the pharmaceutical industry is devoting great effort to develop methods for the control of cytokine synthesis or action. This is the first volume to bring together experts from academia and the pharmaceutical industry to discuss problems and solutions in the therapeutic control of cytokines. An introductory section reviews the biology, physiology, and pathology of cytokines. Internationally recognized scientists then discuss the development of low molecular mass inhibitors, including inhibitors of cytokine convertases and oligonucleotide drugs. The potential use of natural inhibitors such as soluble receptors, interleukin-1 receptor antagonists, and anti-cytokine antibodies is detailed. This interesting book also covers intracellular signaling pathways induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines and the bio-modulatory activity of specific cytokines such as TGF-ß. Therapeutic Modulation of Cytokines will interest academic scientists in biochemistry, cell biology, pharmacology, and molecular biology and biological scientists in the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.

This book explores several subtypes of muscarinic receptors that modulate smooth muscle activity. Main topics include a classification of muscarinic receptors, biochemical responses that occur in smooth muscle, the role of muscarinic receptors in the function of gastrointestinal and genitourinary smooth muscle, and prejunctional muscarinic receptors in smooth muscle. Discussions cover the current state of research and are intended to generate further research into the design of novel therapeutics for disorders of smooth muscle function.

This is the first book to describe the pharmacological interaction of drugs and exercise with organ systems at molecular and cellular levels. It explains the effect of exercise on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, and the activation or induction of antioxidant enzymes which may take place via the adenosine receptor or may occur due to gene expression.

Placenta plays a very significant role in the development of secretory and regulatory functions for the maintenance of pregnancy and in the nutrition of the embryo. It shares many functions of the heart, lung, liver, endocrines, and other organs. In Placental Pharmacology, fourteen expert authors discuss how placenta and its component parts can be used effectively in drug development research and in the study of transfer mechanisms across membranes. This reference begins by describing the use of modern biophysical methods to study placental function and prospects for their application in pharmacological research. The next three chapters deal with placental hemodynamics, use of placental tissues and cells in pharmacological assays, and placental transfer of drugs used in pregnancy. Three more chapters contain up-to-date information on molecular biological aspects of placenta currently receiving lots of attention - phospholipase A2 isozymes, imprinted genes and embryogenesis, and placental growth factors. The final chapter describes the clinically relevant topics of placental metabolism and toxicity of homocysteine in placenta. Easy to understand, thorough, and complete, Placental Pharmacology is the perfect resource for scientists interested in placenta and its uses in drug development and testing.

Chemoattractant Ligands and Their Receptors succinctly summarizes cutting-edge research in the important area of chemoattraction in immunology. It explains how chemoattractant molecules mobilize immune cells to ward off attack by invading pathogens, both at a molecular and at a cellular level. Written by acknowledged experts in the field, it contains detailed molecular and structural information on each of the major chemoattractants and their receptors. Its unique multidisciplinary approach encompasses biology, immunology, protein chemistry, and molecular biology. A time-saving reference for both researchers and students.

This book dissects the effects of ethanol on the major neurotransmitter systems affected by ethanol and correlates these actions with the behavioral consequences. The subject is approached first from the perspective of the neurochemical system and the behaviors resulting from ethanol's effects on that system. The behaviors themselves are discussed in later chapters. Some older theories of the effects of ethanol such as the membrane fluidization hypothesis are evaluated in light of new and updated information. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) as well as the structural damage in the brain by long term ethanol exposure are also discussed.