Dimorphism can be defined as the property of different fungal species to grow in the form of budding yeasts or in the form of mycelium, depending on the environmental conditions. Dimorphism may be considered as a differentiative phenomenon, similar to others exhibited by fungi: spore germination, sporulation, etc, but comparatively simple to analyze. Fungal dimorphism involves extensive changes in the cell physiology and morphology in response to external signals, producing drastic alterations in the cell wall structure and synthesis, whose growth pattern changes from isodiametric (spherical) to polarized or vice versa. Because of this, dimorphism has been the subject of extensive studies as a model for the differentiation processes occurring in eukaryotic organisms. Additionally, it is important to recall that the most important human pathogenic fungi, and some plant pathogenic ones are dimorphic, displaying different morphologies when growing as saprophytes, or inside their hosts. This observation, and the demonstration that mutants in specific genes that interfere with the dimorphic transition are non-virulent, has suggested that this process might be a target for efficient antimycotic drugs. This e-book includes several chapters on the most important and studied fungal models, written by specialists, discussing the biology of each species or genera, the general aspects controlling their dimorphic transition, the molecular aspects involved, the use of them as models for understanding the bases of biochemical and cell differentiation, and the importance of dimorphism in pathogenesis. This e-book is recommended for scholars and researchers working or interested in human, animal and plant pathogenesis, fungal genetics, molecular biology, development, evolution, and differentiation.

This book describes different medical problems that children with Down syndrome can encounter. Twelve chapters written by medical experts present information about the disease and give general guidelines for pediatric care. Readers are introduced to the epidemiology and risk factors associated with Down Syndrome followed by descriptions of medical issues related to the disease in children. These include neonatal problems, cardiac defects, respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal problems, nervous system disorders, dental disorders and more. The book also includes information on mental health development and social issues that arise in the lives of affected children. This handbook will be essential for medical students, healthcare professionals and special education personnel who are involved in the care of children with Down syndrome.

Ecological Impacts of Toxic Chemicals presents a comprehensive, yet readable account of the known disturbances caused by all kinds of toxic chemicals on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Topics cover the sources of toxicants, their fate and distribution through the planet, their impacts on specific ecosystems, and their remediation by natural systems. Each chapter is written by well-known specialists in those areas, for the general public, students, and even scientists from outside this field. The book intends to raise awareness of the dangers of chemical pollution in a world dominated by industry and globalization of resources. Because the problems are widespread and far reaching, it is hoped that confronting the facts may prompt better management practices at industrial, agricultural and all levels of management, from local to governmental, so as to reduce the negative impacts of chemical contaminants on our planet.

Cultivators and livestock farmers are increasingly arranging innovative technical and scientific estimations with the aim to enhance agricultural sustainability, effectiveness, and plant health. Innovative farming technologies incorporate biology with smart technology (computers and sensor devices) exchanging information with one another autonomously in a structured farm management system. This book presents reviews on innovative techniques and methodologies to complement conventional plant control and breeding attempts toward enhancing crop yield and production. Reviews covered in this volume include: -Active compounds from pomegranate seeds -Application of Enterococci and their bacteriocins for meat biopreservation -Technological advancement in the detection and identification of plant pathogens -Machine learning for precision agriculture -Use of remote sensing technology and geographic information systems for agriculture and environmental observation The information presented in this volume will provide helpful updates for students, technology experts and professionals in the food security and sustainable agriculture sectors.

Environmental Microbiology: Advanced Research and Multidisciplinary Applications focus on the current research on microorganisms in the environment. Contributions in the volume cover several aspects of applied microbial research, basic research on microbial ecology and molecular genetics. The reader will find a collection of topics with theoretical and practical value, allowing them to connect environmental microbiology to a variety of subjects in life sciences, ecology, and environmental science topics. Advanced topics including biogeochemical cycling, microbial biosensors, bioremediation, application of microbial biofilms in bioremediation, application of microbial surfactants, microbes for mining and metallurgical operations, valorization of waste, and biodegradation of aromatic waste, microbial communication, nutrient cycling and biotransformation are also covered. The content is designed for advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and environmental professionals, with a comprehensive and up-to-date discussion of environmental microbiology as a discipline that has greatly expanded in scope and interest over the past several decades.

The knowledge of plant responses to various abiotic stresses is crucial to understand their underlying mechanisms as well as the methods to develop new varieties of crops, which are better suited to the environment they are grown in. Environmental Stress Physiology of Plants and Crop Productivity provides readers a timely update on the knowledge about plant responses to a variety of stresses such as salinity, temperature, drought, oxidative stress and mineral deficiencies. Chapters focus on biochemical mechanisms identified in plants crucial to adapting to specific abiotic stressors along with the methods of improving plant tolerance. The book also sheds light on plant secondary metabolites such as phenylpropanoids and plant growth regulators in ameliorating the stressful conditions in plants. Additional chapters present an overview of applications of genomics, proteomics and metabolomics (including CRISPR/CAS techniques) to develop abiotic stress tolerant crops. The editors have also provided detailed references for extended reading to support the information in the book. Environmental Stress Physiology of Plants and Crop Productivity is an informative reference for scholars and researchers working in the field of botany, agriculture, crop science and physiology, soil science, and environmental sciences.

Multidisciplinary research involving crystallography, kinetic studies, molecular docking, genetics and other techniques in biochemistry has yielded a wealth of knowledge about the reaction mechanisms in cellular processes. This knowledge has allowed researchers to understand, in a better way, the normal functioning of the cell process, which is used as a reference point for learning about and preventing or correcting pathologies that cause diseases. This enzymology reference is a thorough compendium about reaction mechanisms occurring between the major enzymes related to the biosynthetic pathways of 3 important types of biological compounds – 6-carbon carbohydrates, fatty acids and amino acids – and their substrates, cofactors and residues. Readers will gain an understanding of the interaction between substrates or ligands with specific amino acid residues in biosynthetic enzymes. This understanding builds a foundation for learning about the biochemistry of different inhibitors used in the treatment of several diseases such as cancer, infectious diseases, and metabolic syndrome alterations such as diabetes and obesity. Enzymes covered in the book include aldolases, isomerases, kinases, mutases, synthases, dehydrogenases, reductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases among others, all of which are wide spread in biochemical transformations. This reference, with its insights on common biochemical enzymes serves as a handy guide for students, researchers and professionals involved academia or industry related to pharmaceutical development, healthcare, food chemistry and other disciplines.

Recent advances in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics have made it increasingly clear that genetic sequence alone cannot explain how the genome regulates the development and function of complex multicellular organisms both in health and disease. This inference has led to the expansion of epigenetics as a discipline. Epigenetics refers to the way in which the environment in the wide sense participates in the regulation of gene expression. Several studies show that the well-known beneficial role of a healthy lifestyle over a number of pathologies or as a pre-emptive therapy is at least in part exerted through epigenetic mechanisms, thus giving rise to a new paradigm of preventive medicine based on the concept of genetic plasticity. In Epigenetics of Lifestyle, several contributors provide a comprehensive view of how various facets of lifestyle, including nutrition, exercise, stress, addiction or social interactions, affect chromatin (the combination of DNA and proteins that make up the contents of a cell nucleus) - resulting in profound and long-lasting changes in gene function. In summary, Epigenetics of Lifestyle is a fresh approach towards epigenetics and presents the reader with significant research findings in epigenetics and lifestyle studies. This volume is a simplified source of information for both undergraduate and working professionals interested in lifestyle medicine and life sciences in general.

This book provides a single platform for beginners in systems engineering to start Arduino interface projects with MATLAB®. It covers the basics of the programming with Arduino and Arduino interfacing with MATLAB® (with and without the use or I/O packages) in 3 sections, respectively. Key features: -introduces readers to Arduino IDE, Proteus simulation modeling, Arduino interfaces with display devices, sensor interfaces (both digital and analog), actuators, MATLAB® GUIs, digital read/write systems with I/O interfaces and automation systems. -organized layout for a reader friendly experience -provides detailed circuit diagrams -provides relevant simulation modeling instructions This is an ideal book for engineering students and system designers for learning the basic programming and simulation of Arduino and MATLAB® based real time project prototypes.

This handbook covers some primary instruments-based techniques used in modern biological science and medical research programs. Key features of the book include introductory notes for each topic, a systematic presentation of relevant methods, and troubleshooting guides for practical settings. Topics covered in part 2 include: · Fourier transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy · High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) · Raman spectroscopy · Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy · Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) · Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) · SEM-EDX and its applications in plant science This book is a simple, useful handbook for students and teachers involved in graduate courses in life sciences and medicine. Readers will learn about the basics of featured techniques, the relevant applications and the established protocols.