"Oxidative stress" is used as the generic term describing the involve ment of reactive oxygen species in various human diseases. The scope of such a topic is becoming increasingly wide. The recent interest in radicals such as nitric oxide and the discovery of new mechanisms such as the effect of free radicals on redox sensitive proteins and genes are enlarging our understanding of the physiological role of free radicals. Oxidative stress is involved in numerous pathological. processes such as ageing, respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological pathologies such as dementia or Parkinson's disease. It still remains difficult, however, to demonstrate by chemical measurement the in vivo production of free radicals and even more to realise their speciation. Therefore, the development of new tools and indicators is engrossing many researchers working in this field. Reliable indicators are abso lutely necessary not only to monitor the evolution of oxidative stress in patients but also to evaluate the efficiency of new antioxidant treat ments. The French Free radical club of Grenoble, the CERLIB has been involved for many years in the organisation of international training programs on methodology, in order to provide both theoretical and practical help to researchers from various countries. Such training sessions have been highly successful and participants value the oppor tunity to learn reliable techniques. This positive echo explains why the researchers of CERLIB decided, with the help of Prof. Dr. B. Kalyanaraman, to publish selected techniques on free radical re search.

Since biological tissues are unstable in an oxygen atmosphere, a great deal of effort is expended by organisms to metabolically limit or repair oxidative tissue damage. This volume of Methods in Enzymology and its companion Volume 234 present methods developed to investigate the roles of oxygen radicals and antioxidants in disease. Key Features * Generation, detection, and characterization of oxygen radicals, chemistry, biochemistry, and intermediate states of reductio* Isolation, characterization, and assay of enzymes or substrates involved in formation or removal of oxygen radical * Methods for assessing molecular, cell, and tissue damage; assays and repair of oxidative damage

This book is based on the papers presented at the "Fourth International Congress on Oxygen Radicals (4-ICOR)," held June 27 - July 3, 1987, at the University of California, La Jolla. The chapters deal with the phenomena associated with highly reactive oxygen species (hydroxy, peroxy, alkoxy, aroxy, and superoxide radicals, as well as singlet oxygen) and their peroxidation products (hydrogen peroxide, hydroperoxides, peroxides, and epoxides) as they relate to the fields of chemistry, food technology, nutrition, biology, pharmacology, and medicine. The kinetics, energetics, and mechanistic aspects of the reactions of these species and the interrelationship of oxygen radicals (or any other free radicals) and peroxidized products have been emphasized. Special attention is focused on the mechanisms of the generation of free radicals and peroxy products in biosystems and on the adverse effects of these radicals and products in humans. The topics span the continuum from the simple chemistry of model systems to the complex considerations of clinical medicine. The book also explores the mechanisms of agents that protect against free radicals and peroxy products in vitro and in vivo. These agents include antioxidants used in materials, food antioxidants, physiological antioxidants, and antioxienzymes (SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and catalases). The use of these inhibitors to prevent damage to organs being prepared for transplantation, thereby maintaining the quality of transplanted organs and/or extending their "shelf-life," also is examined.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) which include free radicals, peroxides, singlet oxygen, ozone, and nitrogen monoxide and dioxide free radicals, is an area of intense research. This volume covers (1) the destruction of cellular function by ROS resulting in pathological states; (2) the protection by ROS of an organism against invading organisms that cause infections; and (3) the role of ROS in normal physiological processes. Designed for beginning graduate students, this book gives a concise overview of the field.

This volume is a review of the trends in the field of radiation chemistry research. It covers a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the historical perspective, instrumentation of accelerators in the nanosecond to femtosecond region, through the use of radiation chemical methods in the study of antioxidants and nanomaterials, radiation-induced DNA damage by ionizing radiation involving both direct and indirect effects, to ultrafast events in free electron transfer, radiation-induced processes at solid-liquid interfaces and the recent work on infrared spectroscopy and radiation chemistry. The book is unique in that it covers a wide spectrum of topics that will be of great interest to beginners as well as experts. Recent data on ultrafast phenomena from the recently established world-class laser-driven accelerators facilities in the US, France and Japan are reviewed.

Multicellular organisms must be able to adapt to cellular events to accommodate prevailing conditions. Sensory-response circuits operate by making use of a phosphorylation control mechanism known as the "two-component system." This volume, the third in a three-volume treatment edited by the same group of editors, includes a wide range of methods, including those dealing with the Sln-1 kinase pathway, triazole sensitivity in C. albicans, and histidine kinases in cyanobacteria circadian clock. - Includes time-tested core methods and new innovations applicable to any researcher studing two-component signaling systems or histidine kinases - Methods included are useful to both established researchers and newcomers to the field - Relevant background and reference information given for procedures can be used as a guide to developing protocols in a number of disciplines

This second volume on ribonucleases provides up-to-date, methods-related information on these enzymes. Of particular interest to researchers will be the discussion of artificial and engineered ribonucleases, as well as the application of ribonucleases in medicine and biotechnology. The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.