COVID-19 has spread like wildfire across the globe since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, hampering quality of life at multiple levels and causing many deaths. Many aspects of the human experience have been affected, with a body of research being published on its effects on psychological and physical well being, loss of jobs, pay cuts, education, and unpaid caregiving. New findings on these aspects are still emerging as we learn more about the consequences of the pandemic. This book is intended as a simple summary of recent findings about COVID-19 for academicians and students from science, humanities and commerce backgrounds to understand the pandemic from a microscopic view and how it has touched our lives at different levels. A collection of topics is presented and explored through chapters dedicated to niche topics on COVID-19. Each chapter is authored by expert scientists, academicians and scholars from leading institutions in India. The key features of this book set are: - Interdisciplinary content, making it useful for readers from different academic streams - A blend of basic and applied research in biology, medicine and social science - A focus on findings from India - Updated References for advanced readers This collection of topics is invaluable for researchers and working professionals in industry and academia as well as general readers who want a broad, insightful perspective on COVID-19.

The immune system is highly complex, it senses foreign invaders, thus protecting the body. The adaptive arm of the immune system confers long-term protection, whereas the innate immune system confers immediate protection. The immune system uses pattern recognition receptors that are able to sense the molecular patterns associated with pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important mediators of inflammatory pathways in the gut which play a major role in mediating the immune responses towards a wide variety of pathogen-derived ligands and link adaptive immunity with the innate immunity. This book covers the role of TLRs in several vector-borne Diseases. Starting with an introduction to these diseases, the book explains the different types of receptors involved in these diseases. The diseases are then covered in separate chapters, including: malaria, lymphatic filariasis, visceral leishmaniasis, dengue fever, chikungunya, West Nile fever, and Japanese encephalitis. The book is a handy reference for researchers and trainees involved in clinical medicine and infection control. It can also serve as supplementary reading material for Students undertaking courses in biotechnology, public health, entomology, immunology, epidemiology, and life sciences.

A biosensor is an integrated receptor-transducer device that converts a biological response into an electrical signal. The design and development of biosensors have taken center stage for researchers or scientists in the recent decade owing to the wide range of biosensor applications in healthcare and disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, water and food quality, and drug delivery. Due to their adaptability, ease of use in relatively complex samples, and portability, the significance of electrochemical biosensors in analytical chemistry has increased manifold. Electrochemistry has been pivotal in developing transduction methods for biological processes and biosensors. In parallel, the explosion of activity in nanoscience and nanotechnology and their huge success have profoundly affected biosensor technology, opening new avenues of research for electrode materials and transduction. Electrochemical Biosensors in Practice: Material and Methods particularly explores the use of silver and gold nanoparticles for signal amplification, photocurrent transduction, and aptamer design. Therefore, the book serves as an introductory text for those specializing in biosensors and bioelectronics and their practical applications. Key features - Includes structured information for easy understanding of the subject - Provides an introduction to biosensors and electrochemical biosensor classification - Explains fundamental concepts and practical electrochemistry techniques for research - Provides notes on essential electrochemical sensor materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, conductive polymers, and other advanced materials - Provides information about electrochemical biosensor development - Informs readers about recent applications and research findings - Includes references for further reading

Drug repurposing is a cost-effective method of discovering new treatments for diseases than traditional drug development methods. It involves virtual screening of chemical candidates with the aid of computational methods like molecular docking. Drug Repurposing against SARS-CoV2 focuses on current trends in drug repurposing against the novel coronavirus strains. The book aims to give readers an overview of drug repurposing against COVID-19 and various techniques involved in the process. The book consolidates available information on the pathophysiology, drug targets, and drug repurposing against COVID-19 into a single, convenient resource. Key features -An up-to-date compilation of the evidence that supports the drug repurposing for COVID-19. -How to use repurposing of available drugs for disease therapy. -Provides an improved understanding of pathophysiology and SARS-CoV2 viral entry pathways. - Provides references for further reading

Rare-earth hexaborides are a group of materials composed of octahedral boron units. They are useful for making advanced ceramics that have a wide range of industrial applications due to their low electronic work functions, hardness, refractory properties, low electrical resistances and specific thermal expansion coefficients. Rare-Earth Metal Hexaborides: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications provides a quick reference on rare-earth metal hexaborides and their engineering applications. It provides a primer on rare earth elements followed by details of rare-earth hexaboride structures, synthetic methods, and information about their alloys and ceramic composites. References to scholarly research are also provided for assisting advanced readers. This reference is a handy source of information for chemical engineering and materials science scholars, and anyone interested in the applied chemistry of rare-earth metals and borides.

Despite an increase in life expectancy over the past 20 years, the number of novel, multi-drug resistant microorganisms has also risen dramatically. To reduce the risk of reemerging infections, and limit the spread of multidrug resistant microorganisms, it is urgently necessary to develop safe and effective therapeutic countermeasures. New antimicrobial chemicals are mostly produced with the help of microorganisms, and the bulk of medications now on the market are of this type. The use of high therapeutic screening and recent developments in analytical instrumentation has allowed the researchers to identify novel antimicrobial compounds from bacteria, fungi, plants, mushrooms, algae, and other sources more quickly. The second volume of Frontiers in Antimicrobial Agents highlights the ongoing requirement for researching and creating novel antimicrobial medications. Current Trends in the Identification and Development of Antimicrobial Agents aims to bring together the expertise of notable academics to examine all facets of antimicrobial research while keeping recent advancements in perspective. Antibiotic discovery, sources of novel antimicrobial chemicals, developing and reemerging microbial infections, various elements of drug resistance, and the need for antimicrobial medications in the future are all covered in this book. It is a timely reference for anyone involved in the discovery and development of new drugs, including microbiologists, biotechnologists, pharmacologists, doctors, and researchers.

Medicinal chemists around the world have been inspired by nature and have successfully extracted chemicals from plants. Research on enzymatic modifications of naturally occurring compounds has played a critical role in the search for biologically active molecules to treat diseases. This book set explores compounds of interest to researchers and clinicians. It presents a comprehensive analysis about the medicinal chemistry (drug design, structure-activity relationships, permeability data, cytotoxicity, appropriate statistical procedures, molecular modelling studies) of different compounds. Each chapter brings contributions from known scientists explaining experimental results which can be translated into clinical practice. Volume 2 gives (1) a detailed overview of the sesquiterpenes polypharmacology, (2) an interesting journey around the world of cannabinoids that reveals the development of new synthetic Δ9-THC derivatives, (3) the design of specific formulations to overcome the volatility of small sized terpenes-based essential oils, (4) an update on the latest generations of endoperoxides endowed with antimalarial activity and finally (5) a summary of MedChem strategies to fix the most common issues in formulating terpene derivatives (like low potency and poor solubility). The objective of this book set is to fulfill gaps in currently acquired knowledge with information from the recent years. It serves as a guide for academic and professional researchers and clinicians.

Recent Trends and the Future of Antimicrobial Agents provides a significantly expanded overview of the topic with updated research in a broader context on the development of alternative approaches against microbial infections. This part consists of ten chapters. The first five chapters describe naturally derived antimicrobial compounds such as plant-based antimicrobials (PBAs), enzymes-based and antibody-based antibacterial therapeutic and secondary metabolites from plant endophytes. The book proceeds to provide details about antimicrobials derived from marine microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and cyanobacteria) is included to inform readers about effective medications against MDR strains. Specific chapters describe the drug development against protozoans, with one chapter focusing on Plasmodium. Chapter contributors have postulated novel approaches for antimalarial therapeutics. The book also includes an explanation of host target identification and drug discovery with the purpose of informing the reader about the implications in viral biology and how they could be exploited for treating viral diseases. The contents cater to the information needs of professionals and learners in academia, industry and health services who aim to learn the most significant experimental and practical approaches towards finding alternatives to existing antimicrobial therapies.

Bioactive Phytochemicals from Himalayas: A Phytotherapeutic Approach covers herbal medicines from the Himalayan mountains. Chapters in this book detail molecular mechanisms and experimental tools and techniques for research on plants in this region. Phytochemical experts guide the readers through the role of Himalayan plants in therapy for metabolic diseases like cancer and diabetes, hepatic diseases, inflammatory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases. Some chapters focus on diseases and how various plants from Himalayan origin are beneficial in these diseases. This compilation,with professional contributors, aims to inform a wide scientific community from various research fields about basic research on medicinal plants with a focus on Himalayan herbs. The book also serves as a handbook for pharmacologists working on the broad therapeutic aspects of these plants.

Advanced Catalysts Based on Metal-organic Frameworks is a comprehensive introduction to advanced catalysts based on MOFs. It covers basic information about MOF catalysts with industrial and environmental applications. The detailed chapters update readers on current applications and strategies to apply MOF-based catalysts in industrial processes geared for sustainability initiatives such as renewable energy, pollution control and combating carbon emissions. Key Features - 13 structured, easy to read chapters that comprehensively cover MOF catalysts - An introduction to basic information about MOF catalysts - In-depth coverage of advanced applications of MOF catalysts - Explanation of MOF modifications and applications of derivative compounds - In-depth coverage of MOF catalysts used for electrocatalysis and photocatalysis - Detailed explanation of environmental-friendly and sustainable technologies (biomass upgrading, water purification, CO2 capture) - Updated references for advanced readers The is an essential reference for chemical engineers, scientists in the manufacturing and sustainability industry and post-graduate scholars working on MOFs and chemical catalysis.