Aging is an inevitable consequence of life for nearly all organisms. It mostly reflects the outcome of complicated interactions between genetic factors along with the accumulation of a variety of deleterious stochastic changes over time. Thus, aging is an adaptive process, not caused by a single factor or process, but it is rather a multifactorial procedure modulated by the interplay among genetic and environmental factors. In the coming years, human aging will be one of the biggest challenges faced by industrialized countries as the average life expectancy is continuously increasing. This volume gathers together contributions from the top scientists and covers the whole range of modern research on aging. More specifically, the following topics are included: replicative senescence, telomeres and telomerase, cancer and aging, DNA repair, free radicals and oxidative stress, proteolysis and proteins maintenance, Immunity, neurodegeneration, model organisms, intervention as well as evolutional and epidemiological aspects. Overall, increasing our understanding of the aging process at the molecular level and applying available interventions will help to protect and preserve healthy aging. NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member

The incidence of autoimmune diseases is increasing worldwide, and the search for better management of these diseases and even for a cure is being pursued by scientists from many disciplines. Tools from the areas of genetics, neuroscience, cell biology, virology, and infectious disease are being applied to the problem and are yielding useful results. This is the second volume of a series of four on autoimmunity, and findings related to particular organs, organ systems, and diseases are presented. The focus in Part B is on genetics and advances in treatment. Part A presents new principles in autoimmunity and new diagnostic tools. See Parts C and D for clinical venues in autoimmunity. NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member

FOX genes have different regulatory functions and influence aging, carcinogenesis, neurodegeneration etc. They can directly, indirectly, via interaction with homo-, heterodimers and other factors effect its target genes and thus influence RUNX, ROBO, CREB, RELN, FOXO1, POT1, telomerase , DYRK1A, PTEN, NCAM1, VLDLR, Vitamin D and others. MiRNA modulation, alternative splicing, sumoilation, methylation and regulation by pH, vitamins, etc., in turn, regulate the FOX genes. These processes and the structure and function of these genes and gene polymorphisms in different taxa are described in this thesis, these processes and the role of gene mutations, anti-aging products as well as suitable animal models are also discussed in detail.

This volume covers the major threads in the molecular genetics of aging, including genes that regulate aging, causes of aging, evolutionary theories of aging, and the relationship between diet and aging. Among specific topics covered are calorie restriction, mitochondria, sirtuins, telomeres, stem cells, and cancer.

This report considers the biological and behavioral mechanisms that may underlie the pathogenicity of tobacco smoke. Many Surgeon General's reports have considered research findings on mechanisms in assessing the biological plausibility of associations observed in epidemiologic studies. Mechanisms of disease are important because they may provide plausibility, which is one of the guideline criteria for assessing evidence on causation. This report specifically reviews the evidence on the potential mechanisms by which smoking causes diseases and considers whether a mechanism is likely to be operative in the production of human disease by tobacco smoke. This evidence is relevant to understanding how smoking causes disease, to identifying those who may be particularly susceptible, and to assessing the potential risks of tobacco products.

The Encyclopedia of the Neuroscience explores all areas of the discipline in its focused entries on a wide variety of topics in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and other related areas of neuroscience. Each article is written by an expert in that specific domain and peer reviewed by the advisory board before acceptance into the encyclopedia. Each article contains a glossary, introduction, a reference section, and cross-references to other related encyclopedia articles. Written at a level suitable for university undergraduates, the breadth and depth of coverage will appeal beyond undergraduates to professionals and academics in related fields.