Plant-derived Natural Products

Plant-derived Natural Products
Author: Anne E. Osbourn
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 588
Release: 2009-07-07
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0387854983

Plants produce a huge array of natural products (secondary metabolites). These compounds have important ecological functions, providing protection against attack by herbivores and microbes and serving as attractants for pollinators and seed-dispersing agents. They may also contribute to competition and invasiveness by suppressing the growth of neighboring plant species (a phenomenon known as allelopathy). Humans exploit natural products as sources of drugs, flavoring agents, fragrances and for a wide range of other applications. Rapid progress has been made in recent years in understanding natural product synthesis, regulation and function and the evolution of metabolic diversity. It is timely to bring this information together with contemporary advances in chemistry, plant biology, ecology, agronomy and human health to provide a comprehensive guide to plant-derived natural products. Plant-derived natural products: synthesis, function and application provides an informative and accessible overview of the different facets of the field, ranging from an introduction to the different classes of natural products through developments in natural product chemistry and biology to ecological interactions and the significance of plant-derived natural products for humans. In the final section of the book a series of chapters on new trends covers metabolic engineering, genome-wide approaches, the metabolic consequences of genetic modification, developments in traditional medicines and nutraceuticals, natural products as leads for drug discovery and novel non-food crops.

Toxicological Profile for Selenium (Update)

Toxicological Profile for Selenium (Update)
Author: John Risher
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 457
Release: 2011-05
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 143793076X

Selenium (SE) and its compounds are used in photographic devices, gun gluing, plastics, paints, anti-dandruff shampoos, vitamin and mineral supp., fungicides, and glass. It is also used to prepare drugs and as a nutritional feed supp. for poultry and livestock. This profile includes: (a) The exam¿n. of toxicologic info. and epidemiologic evaluations on SE to ascertain the levels of significant human exposure for the substance and the chronic health effects; (b) A determination of whether adequate info. on the health effects of SE is avail. to determine levels of exposure that present a significant risk to human health (SRHH); and (c) Ident¿n. of toxicologic testing needed to identify the types of exposure that may present SRHH. Illus. A print on demand pub.

Bioterrorism and Biocrimes

Bioterrorism and Biocrimes
Author: W. Seth Carus
Publisher: The Minerva Group, Inc.
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2002
Genre: History
ISBN: 9781410100238

The working paper is divided into two main parts. The first part is a descriptive analysis of the illicit use of biological agents by criminals and terrorists. It draws on a series of case studies documented in the second part. The case studies describe every instance identifiable in open source materials in which a perpetrator used, acquired, or threatened to use a biological agent. While the inventory of cases is clearly incomplete, it provides an empirical basis for addressing a number of important questions relating to both biocrimes and bioterrorism. This material should enable policymakers concerned with bioterrorism to make more informed decisions. In the course of this project, the author has researched over 270 alleged cases involving biological agents. This includes all incidents found in open sources that allegedly occurred during the 20th Century. While the list is certainly not complete, it provides the most comprehensive existing unclassified coverage of instances of illicit use of biological agents.