Biomedical and Life Sciences

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the human central nervous system (CNS) in the context of its many developmental disorders due to genetic, environmental and hypoxic/ischaemic causes. The book contains three general, introductory chapters in which an overview of the development of the human brain and spinal cord, a summary of mechanisms of development as obtained in experimental studies in various invertebrates and vertebrates, and an overview of the causes of congenital malformations are presented. The developmental disorders of the human brain and spinal cord are presented in a regional, more or less segmental way, starting with neurulation and neural tube defects, and ending with developmental disorders of the cerebral cortex. These chapters are abundantly illustrated in colour with carefully chosen clinical case studies with imaging data, and when available, postmortem verification of the developmental disorders involved.

In thethird edition, more emphasis has been given to the developmental ontology based on the prosomeric approach, and fetal development. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasound, MRI and DTI, and classifications of developmental disorders have been updated. A number of new Clinical Cases have been included. Several new co-authors participate in various chapters. 

The book is intended for advanced medical students, and all those clinicians working with children and adults with developmental disorders of the CNS. Unique to the book is the integration of data from human embryology, experimental and molecular findings in mice in particular, imaging and developmental neuropathology.

This textbook examines the fundamental principles of microbial metabolism and how a microbe's ecology is intrinsically interwoven with and a consequence of its metabolism. Further, it answers many questions frequently asked by students, such as: What are the mechanistic connections between simple phenotypic traits, ecological patterns and microbial metabolism and diversity? In the process, readers will be introduced to essential topics like  metabolism and metabolic pathways, flux of energy and nutrients, genome size and fitness, competition, selection and drift.

Moreover, the book conveys fundamental principles that show students how to approach the field of microbiology from a different, more unifying angle, e.g., how microbes’ access to environmentally available energy resources and the specific metabolism involved lies at the root of every ecologically significant microbial speciation. This aspect, together with its special focus on metabolism and ecological implications, make the book a must-read for all students of microbiology.

This book presents advanced reviews on latest developments and future trends of animal biotechnology with focus on computational and experimental approaches. The articles in this book discusses the implications of recent methods in animal biotechnology to improve the livestock production. Applications of omics technologies and system biology approaches for livestock production and animal disorders were discussed in detail. 

The evolution of transgenic technology, genome editing and markers for early pregnancy detection were elucidated in this book. A couple of chapters were dedicated to understanding the role of gut microbiome, probiotics and prebiotics on livestock health and production. The nanomaterials have been shown been shown beneficial effects in biological applications. This book also discussed the veterinary applications of nanomaterials. The articles of this book provide state of the art information that is appropriate to academicians, researchers and students who are involved in the animal biotechnology research.

In the face of recent viral outbreaks and a global viral pandemic, the necessity for innovation and continued rapid advancement in viral diagnosis and treatment methods has become even more apparent. Global Virology IV: Viral Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Delivery in the 21st Century explores the latest advances in virology and trends in clinical practice, focused on foundational principles and advancements expected to significantly impact this field. Chapters address SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, Zika, Mpox, and Hepatitis C, among other key viral threats, before presenting a detailed analysis of antiviral agents broadly and concerning specific vulnerable populations such as stem cell and solid organ transplant recipients. It is designed as a helpful resource for medical students, scientists, and professionals, bridging current practice and future applications and inspiring further innovations and improvements in global health.

This book offers a thorough examination of how drought stress impacts various facets of a plant's physiology, ecology, and agricultural systems. It delves into the challenges posed by drought stress, a critical issue exacerbated by climate change and its impact on water availability. By employing a multidisciplinary methodology, the book endeavours to furnish a thorough comprehension of the intricate interplay between plants and their surroundings when faced with water scarcity. It proves to be an invaluable asset for scholars, students, policymakers, and experts who are keen on comprehending the intricate array of issues that drought stress poses. Moreover, it serves as a repository of effective strategies to tackle the consequences of drought stress in a world undergoing transformation. The book's multidisciplinary orientation guarantees a comprehensive exploration of the subject, encompassing the physiological, agricultural, and molecular reactions of plants.

The establishment of fruit juice companies in the 20th century marked the beginning of the widespread use of citrus fruits. Around 18% of the total citrus fruit production in the world is used industrially, primarily for the manufacture of juice. Citrus fruit consumption and interest are growing, and trash generation is also increasing, adding to the environmental load. Because of their unwanted and unsanitary character, discarding fruit segments without due care is hazardous to the environment. Producing citrus juice results in the creation of waste, which accounts for over 50% of the mass of fresh fruit. Peels, seeds pomace, and wastewater are all included in this waste. Fruit

peels, seeds, and pulp from ruined fruit are covered with citrus wastewater. About 10 million MT of trash are produced annually by the processing of citrus fruit worldwide, which poses a severe ecological problem. Citrus by-products are troublesome wastes because of their abundance and perishablenature. Citrus peels that are around 80%

water decay fast, attracting bugs, bacteria and mold. Citrus peel utilization is therefore essential for waste management and not only a means of boosting revenue. Citrus trash must be disposed of properly since improper disposal pollutes the land and water, further harming the aquatic habitat.

An efficient strategy for sustainable waste management is to use citrus wastes to create useful bioproducts. Numerous methods have been developed to boost the pectin recovery from citrus trash due to the continuously growing demand. Valorization of Citrus Food Waste presents the high-value compound in the citrus wastes and their extraction methods for obtaining the value-added products as well as their corresponding applications and will be useful to food scientists and industry members exploring the use of valorization process for waste fruits as new components and sources in nutraceuticals. Thisbook is a full of source for the valorization of citrus waste, the use of bioactive components and waste management.

Human population growth and potentially irreversible climate changes have raised worldwide concerns regarding food and nutritional security.  Plant breeding that once considered “art and science for changing and improving the characteristics of plants” is now heavily dependent on biotechnologies. The endeavor is a continuous process which results in new varieties required by farmers to improve their crop yields and quality of the produce.  On the other hand, in the current scenarios of challenging environmental impact, there is emergence of new insect-pests and new pathotypes of disease causing agents.  Accordingly what used to be minor insect-pests/pathogens are rapidly becoming major biotic stress factors. Along with heat and drought, they pose serious threats to crop productivity in many parts of the world. Current WTO analysis reveals that farmers want new high yielding varieties suitable not only for local consumption but also for commercial export. Conventional breeding approaches at this juncture seem inadequate to meet the growing demand for superior varieties. Efficiency improvement of existing cultivars is one way to meet these challenges.  Historically, plant improvement has been largely confined to improving yield, quality, resistance to diseases and insect-pests and tolerance to abiotic stresses. Now growers demand high yielding varieties that possess early maturity, higher harvest index, dual purpose forages, varieties with nutrient-use efficiency/water-use efficiency, wider adaptability, suitable for mechanized harvesting, better shelf life, better processing quality, with improved minerals, vitamins, amino acids, proteins, antioxidants and bioactive compounds. Conventional plant breeding methods aiming at the improvement of a self-pollinating crop, such as wheat, usually take 10-12 years to develop and release of the new variety. During the past 10 years, significant advances have been made and accelerated methods have been developed for precision breeding and early release of crop varieties.

This multi-volume work summarizes concepts dealing with germplasm enhancement and development of improved varieties based on innovative methodologies that include recent omics approaches, marker assisted selection, marker assisted background selection, genome wide association studies, next generation sequencing, genetic mapping, genomic selection, high-throughput genotyping, high-throughput phenotyping, mutation breeding, reverse breeding, transgenic breeding, speed breeding, genome editing, etc.  It is an important reference with special focus on accelerated development of improved forage crop varieties.

Recent studies on extremophiles have focused on thermophiles, microbes that thrive in high temperatures, while psychrophiles, which prefer cold environments, have received less attention. However, interest in cold-adapted microbes, especially those in polar regions, has increased significantly in recent decades. Given that much of Earth’s biosphere remains below 5°C, psychrophiles likely outnumber thermophiles. Oceans, covering over 75% of the planet, maintain deep water temperatures between 2–4°C. Antarctica offers both terrestrial and aquatic cold habitats, including ice that melts seasonally. Other cold ecosystems include permafrost, alpine soils, cold deserts, marine sediments, glaciers, and sea ice.

This book explores microbial diversity and adaptation in extreme polar environments, emphasizing their potential for biotechnological applications. It presents a comprehensive overview of molecular diversity and genetic adaptations in cold-loving microorganisms. The chapters detail representative microbial groups, their habitats, and survival strategies in frigid conditions. It is designed for scientists interested in how life persists in extreme cold.

To survive in such harsh climates, polar microbes have evolved specific regulatory mechanisms to respond to environmental stressors. Over the past decade, research has uncovered microbial responses to anthropogenic challenges like UV-B radiation, nutrient scarcity, desiccation, heavy metals, and temperature extremes. These studies have provided the basis for understanding gene regulatory pathways involved in morphological, physiological, and metabolic adaptations.

Despite advances, the molecular diversity and adaptation mechanisms of polar microbes remain poorly studied. Research is dispersed, and there is a need for a unified resource. This book aims to fill that gap by offering a complete, up-to-date atlas of microbial life in polar regions, highlighting their unique adaptations and potential for future scientific and industrial exploration.

This book covers the most important plants-based byproducts including the extraction of bioactive compounds, phytochemistry and biological activities of different bioactive compounds present in these byproducts plus the industrial utilization of these byproducts. The research sheds light on the potential of plant-based byproducts for human health and contributes to industrial waste management. 

Importance of Plant Based Byproducts: Nutritional and Functional Properties provides insight on the use of different plant-based byproducts and their bioactive compounds, offering a cost effective and sustainable source for peptides, carotenoids and phenolics with a broad spectrum of potential health benefits. This book presents comprehensive coverage indluding an introduction to plant based byproducts, the nutritional Importance of fruit based byproducts, the nutritional Importance of vegetable based byproducts and nutritional importance of cereal based byproducts.

The proliferation of nanotechnology in agriculture, food processing, storage and distribution has allowed for improvements in safety and nutritional preservation across various stages of processing. This technology has the potential to both improve the quality, safety and sustainability of our food and to offer cost-saving measures for the increase of shareholder profit. 

Nanotechnology in Food Safety and Sustainability gathers experts from across the globe to offer cutting-edge perspectives on developments in aspects such as pesticide and aflatoxin detection, polymers as nanocarrier agents of bioactive compounds, green technology for the extraction of nanoparticles from natural polymers, the use of fluorescent carbon quantum dots for food safety and more. Unlike existing texts on the subject, Nanotechnology in Food Safety and Sustainability offers a wide-ranging systematic overview of the topic, with a narrowed focus on safety applications, without sacrificing practical guidance. For researchers, industry and policymakers, this book will provide both a historical overview of and actionable guide, including a discussion of legal and regulatory aspects, to the application of nanotechnology in food safety measures. 

This new edition provides an update on the molecular mechanisms that regulate spermatogenesis. In addition to the rodent as a study model, chapters also include research on studies in humans.  It includes the latest approaches of studying spermatogenesis, such as the use of bioinformatics, molecular modeling and others which are not commonly found in published materials.  It also reviews the latest developments in the field, such as studies on the role of regulatory RNAs on spermatogenesis. Due to the declining fertility rate among men, a brand new chapter highlights the impact of environmental toxicants on spermatogenesis.