Among the various mycotoxins affecting man, OTA -- involved in the renal disease endemic in the Balkans -- is thought by the International Cancer Research Centre (ICRC) to be a potential carcinogen. The question facing the international ochratoxin-A specialists was whether endemic renal disease in the Balkans was still restricted to this geographical region. A careful study of human ochratoxicosis and other possibly associated pathologies in under-developed countries could enable future developments of the problems to be forecast in other parts of the globe and hence allow means of preventive action to be sought.

A comprehensive understanding of toxicologic pathology is essential for those in industry, academia, and government who make decisions concerning the safety and efficacy of drugs and chemicals. Toxicologic pathology relies heavily on the fields of both toxicology and pathology, which are well covered individually in various texts and references; however, there are few texts that address the field of toxicologic pathology. The Handbook of Toxicologic Pathology fills this void and is thus essential for all health professionals within or interacting with the field of toxicologic pathology. This two-volume set provides the reader with a single reference for toxicologic pathology. In volume I, the book covers toxicologic pathology in its basic aspects, including its definition, the basic biochemical and morphologic mechanisms underlying the discipline, the basic practice of toxicologic pathology (including special techniques) and issues essential to the understanding of toxicologic pathology such as risk assessment, experimental design, and statistical analysis. Next, the book moves to specific issues affecting the "practice" toxicologic pathology, including issues such as knowledge management, regulatory affairs and writing pathology reports. Finally, Volume I closes with several chapters that deal with specific classes of environmental toxicants such as endocrine disruptors and heavy metals. Volume II addresses the toxicologic pathology in a thoroughly standardized systems manner, addressing the basic structure and function of a particular organ system, its response to toxic injury, mechanisms of injury and methods of evaluation of such injury. Key Features * Easy to find, up-to-date reference information * Graphic and photographic plates * Current hot topics and anticipated changes in toxicologic pathology * Standardized chapter format * Topics that are addressed in both a broad and deep manner, resulting in a stand alone text * Added coverage of important environmental toxicants * Chapters authored by internationally recognized experts and peer-reviewed

There is an urgent need to expand our knowledge of both the nature of the toxigenic fungi that are widespread on economically-important plants and the effect of their toxic secondary metabolites on human health. Informa tion about the production of mycotoxins by plant pathogens, particularly by species of Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium, their occurrence in infected plants, as well as their role in the plant-pathogen interaction, for example as virulence/pathogenicity factors, is a pre-requisite for preventing plant disease and hence for reducing the Ievels of mycotoxin contamination. Fusarium infections in cereals and other crops are a particular problern world-wide and recent epidemics on wheat in Europe, the USA and Canada have again focused attention on this problem. Fur thermore, species ofAspergillus and Penicillium and their related mycotoxins, particularly Ochratoxin A, represent another consistent problern on cereals and grapes, especially in Europe where 40% of the global grape crop is grown. The aim of this publication is to gather together specialist updated reviews based on papers originally presented during a Workshop of EU Cost Action 835 entitled 'Agriculturally Important Taxigenie Fungi', held in Rome, 7-8 October 1999 at the Plant Pathology Research Institute. We hope the diversity of the contents will stimulate discussion, encourage the sharing of information and result in cross-fertilization of ideas needed for the solution of the present problems. This special issue will be of particular value to interdisciplinary scientists and especially mycologists, mycotoxicologists, plant pathologists and those concerned about the quality of food and food products.

First published in 1997. Natural toxicants are the subject of research throughout the world, and they are used for many purposes. The Handbook of Plant and Fungal Toxicants presents a wide range of compounds and considers how they relate to food safety, therapeutic purposes in medicine, and uses in breeding plants for enhanced resistance to insects and disease. Alkaloids, both from plant and fungal sources, are emphasized. Also covered are a variety of toxicants and phytochemicals including: bracken fern poisons polyphenolics gossypol flavones isoflavones pyrimidine glycosides fruit and vegetable allergens linear furanocoumarins photosensitizing agents nitrates oxalates Pinus ponderosa toxicants The text stresses the positive aspects of plant secondary compounds and presents examples of beneficial attributes in the context of environmental protection and human health. An international authorship addresses the global diversity and ecological distribution of plant and fungal toxicants. This handbook is ideal for senior-level college students and post-graduate students studying animal science, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences.

This multivolume reference work addresses the fact that the well being of humankind is predicated not only on individuals receiving adequate nutrition but also on their genetic makeup. The work includes more than 100 chapters organized in the following major sections: Introduction and Overview; Epigenetics of Organs and Diseases in Relation to Diet and Nutrition; Detailed Processes in Epigenetics of Diet and Nutrition; Modulating Epigenetics with Diet and Nutrition; and Practical Techniques. While it is well known that genes may encode proteins responsible for structural and dynamic components, there is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that nutrition itself may alter the way in which genes are expressed via the process of epigenetics. This is where chemically imposed alteration in the DNA sequence occurs or where the functional expression of DNA is modulated. This may include changes in DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, chromatin, histone acetylation or methylation, and genomic imprinting. Knowledge regarding the number of dietary components that impact on epigenetic processes is increasing almost daily. Marshalling all the information on the complex relationships between diet, nutrition, and epigenetic processes is somewhat difficult due to the wide myriad of material. It is for this reason that the present work has been compiled.

This valuable reference work provides a synthesis of the latest knowledge about the acrosomatic reaction of human sperm. The acrosomatic reaction, which is a fundamental step in the process of fertilisation, is examined on both the fundamental and clinical levels. Three very recent aspects are also dealt with: what happens to the acrosome during intracytoplasmic microinjections, the usefulness of screening spermatozoa that have completed their acrosomatic reaction, and the development of contraception by a vaccine that targets one of the proteins of the acrosome. International Symposium, Collioure, France, September 1995.

Food Safety and Human Health provides a framework to manage food safety risks and insure safe food system. This reference takes a reader-friendly approach in presenting the entire range of toxic compounds found naturally in foods or introduced by industrial contamination or food processing methods. It provides the basic principles of food toxicology and its processing and safety for human health to help professionals and students better understand the real problems of toxic materials. This essential resource will help readers address problems regarding food contamination and safety. It will be particularly useful for graduate students, researchers and professionals in the agri-food industry. Encompasses the first pedagogic treatment of the entire range of toxic compounds found naturally in foods or introduced by industrial contamination or food processing methods Features areas of vital concern to consumers, such as the toxicological implications of food, implications of food processing and its safety to human health Focuses on the safety aspects of genetically modified foods currently available