Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases In Health And Disease

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.

This is the first comprehensive volume on Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases that can be marketed to a wide variety of disciplines, as well as to a variety of clinicians. Leading experts in the field contribute to this state-of-the-art view on these enzymes. This book comes at a time when our understanding of their function is growing ever more rapidly and therapeutic options have become imminent.

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.

Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry provides timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry together with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences, which are expected to provide the basis for entirely new future therapies. Sections I-IV are disease orientated and generally report on specific medicinal agents. Sections V and VI continue to emphasize important topics in medicinal chemistry, biology, and drug design. Section VII looks at Trends and Perspectives in the pharmaceuticals market. Critical reviews of the previous year's literature in many topics of interest to medicinal chemists Highlights major developments in medicinal chemistry Includes a comprehensive set of cumulative indices to easily locate topics in all published volumes

This volume, based on presentations from the symposium on the health effects of alcohol held in Titisee, Germany, examines the physical and psychological consequences of alcohol use and abuse, and considers environmental and ethnic factors that lead to addiction and dependence. Discusses epidemiological studies that show the influence of light to moderate intake of alcoholic beverages on coronary heart disease. Featuring contributions from nearly 60 internationally recognized and respected authors, and over 2900 references for further investigation of the subject, Alcohol in Health and Disease analyzes biochemical, pharmacogenetic, and pathologic disturbances that follow acute and chronic ingestion of alcohol; describes complications that arise from social, biological, and environmental factors; examines alcohol metabolic genes and their role in alcohol sensitivity, drinking habits, and dependence; spotlights hepatic and nutritional disorders associated with alcoholism; considers the relationship of alcohol to cancer; debates the French paradox and more. Covering a multitude of disciplines, including molecular biochemistry, genetics, epidemiology, pathophysiology, neurobiology, and cardiology, Alcohol in Health and Disease is a critical reference for addiction psychiatrists, neuropsychopharmacologists, psychologists, geneticists, toxicologists, biochemists, environmental and public health scientists, health policy makers, social workers, counselors, and graduate and medical school students in these disciplines.

Protein research is a frontier field in science. Proteins are widely distributed in plants and animals and are the principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, and consist essentially of combinations of a-amino acids in peptide linkages. Twenty different amino acids are commonly found in proteins, and serve as enzymes, structural elements, hormones, immunoglobulins, etc., and are involved throughout the body, and in photosynthesis. This book gathers new leading-edge research from throughout the world in this exciting and exploding field of research.

It is with great pleasure that I write this Foreword to the Proceedings of the International Conference on Behçet’s Disease which was held in Berlin in June 2002. This was the first International Conference held under the auspices of the International Society for Behçet’s Disease which was founded in 2000 in Seoul. First, I congratulate our colleagues in Berlin, led by Professor Christos Zouboulis of the Department of Dermatology at the Free University of Berlin, for having organised a most successful conference and for having compiled these proceedings so rapidly. It will be realised immediately on scanning the contents of this book that the conference was truly international with 210 participants from 26 countries, as Professor Zouboulis has noted in his preface. These included basic scientists, epidemiologists, pathologists, clinicians and, importantly, representatives from patient organisations. The latter held their own conference alongside the scientific-medical conference to mutual benefit. The combined session of patients and doctors (abstracts on pp 601 – 626) gave the opportunity for an exchange of information and fruitful discussion. The wide ranging scope of the communications is evident from the index and it was most encouraging to see their origin – from all parts of the world, from senior and junior colleagues and, from many different disciplines. Many communications may be regarded as preliminary reports of research in progress and we look forward to seeing the definitive publications in appropriate journals in due course.

Tropical Diseases: From Molecule to Bedside covers a wide range of topics that reflect perspectives of northern and southern hemispheres. Fittingly, it defines tropical diseases in a broader-than-usual manner. The book discusses traditional tropical medicine topics of infectious diseases and nutritional deficiencies. These diseases are common in the tropics, although some are associated more with poverty than with tropical living conditions. It also deals with genetic diseases and genomic issues that are truly associated with living in the tropics, e.g. the thalassemias. The book begins with several papers describing the vast human genetic diversity of Southeast Asia and its relationship to several genetic disorders. These papers illustrate the future direction of genomic activities in relation to disease susceptibility and resistance. The next sections deal with malaria and four specific viral and bacterial diseases of the tropics: hepatitis B and C, tuberculosis, and leprosy, followed by a section on general bacterial infection. Two papers on nutrition complete the volume.