This open access book presents an ethical approach to utilizing personal medical data. It features essays that combine academic argument with practical application of ethical principles. The contributors are experts in ethics and law. They address the challenges in the re-use of medical data of the deceased on a voluntary basis. This pioneering study looks at the many factors involved when individuals and organizations wish to share information for research, policy-making, and humanitarian purposes. Today, it is easy to donate blood or even organs, but it is virtually impossible to donate one's own medical data. This is seen as ethically unacceptable. Yet, data donation can greatly benefit the welfare of our societies. This collection provides timely interdisciplinary research on biomedical big data. Topics include the ethics of data donation, the legal and regulatory challenges, and the current and future collaborations. Readers will learn about the ethical and regulatory challenges associated with medical data donations. They will also better understand the special nature of using deceased data for research purposes with regard to ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, and justice. In addition, the contributors identify the key governance issues of such a scheme. The essays also look at what we can learn in terms of best practice from existing medical data schemes.

For two decades, Understanding Clinical Papers has been helping students and professionals understand the research that supports evidence-based practice. Now in its fourth edition, this popular introductory textbook covers every major aspect of reading and evaluating clinical research literature, from identifying the aims and objectives of a paper to analysing the data with different multivariable methods. Numerous excerpts from actual clinical research papers make learning real and immediate, supported by a unique visual approach that reinforces key points and connects examples with the chapter material. The fourth edition includes extensively revised content throughout, including four brand-new chapters covering qualitative studies, Poisson regression, studies of complex interventions, and research using previously collected data. New and updated material discusses the difference between clinical and statistical significance, the consequences of multiple testing and methods of correction, how topic guides are used to explore and explain participants' experiences, standardised guidelines for writing trials and reviews, and much more. Offering clear explanations of important research-related topics, this reader-friendly resource: Offers a clear, concise, and accessible approach to learning how to read and analyse clinical research literature Features new coverage of qualitative research, including descriptive studies, sampling and populations, and identifying, summarising, and measuring qualitative characteristics Provides new material on missing data, sub-group analysis, feasibility and pilot studies, cluster randomised trials, and adaptive trial designs Includes new tables, abstracts, and excerpts from recent clinical research literature Understanding Clinical Papers is essential reading for all healthcare professionals and students, particularly those involved in clinical work and medical research, as well as general readers wanting to improve their understanding of research literature.

Every month, groups of people from all over the United Kingdom decide what kind of research should be carried out on patients within the NHS. These groups - Research Ethics Committees (RECs) - made up of doctors, nurses, researchers, and members of the general public - help shape the future of medicine, and play a crucial role in the regulation of a wide range of research from social science to epidemiology, vaccine and drugs trials to surgery. Based on extensive observations, interviews, and archival research, this book provides an in-depth insight into RECs, one of the most crucial forms of regulation around medical research. In providing one of the first empirical examinations of this kind of regulation, this book challenges the impersonal, de-socialised, and mechanical models of REC decision-making. -- .

Include advance knowledge and detailed developments in natural product science Discusses about the most important phytopharmaceuticals used in pharmaceutical industries Explores the analysis and classification of novel plant-based medicinal compounds Includes standardization, quality control, global trade of natural products Gives a deep understanding related to recent advances in the herbal medicines to treat various ailments Discusses about national and WHO regulations and policies related to herbal medicine Covers the complete profile of some important traditional medicinal plants especially their historical background, biology and chemistry

Survival analysis generally deals with analysis of data arising from clinical trials. Censoring, truncation, and missing data create analytical challenges and the statistical methods and inference require novel and different approaches for analysis. Statistical properties, essentially asymptotic ones, of the estimators and tests are aptly handled in the counting process framework which is drawn from the larger arm of stochastic calculus. With explosion of data generation during the past two decades, survival data has also enlarged assuming a gigantic size. Most statistical methods developed before the millennium were based on a linear approach even in the face of complex nature of survival data. Nonparametric nonlinear methods are best envisaged in the Machine Learning school. This book attempts to cover all these aspects in a concise way. Survival Analysis offers an integrated blend of statistical methods and machine learning useful in analysis of survival data. The purpose of the offering is to give an exposure to the machine learning trends for lifetime data analysis. Features: Classical survival analysis techniques for estimating statistical functional and hypotheses testing Regression methods covering the popular Cox relative risk regression model, Aalen's additive hazards model, etc. Information criteria to facilitate model selection including Akaike, Bayes, and Focused Penalized methods Survival trees and ensemble techniques of bagging, boosting, and random survival forests A brief exposure of neural networks for survival data R program illustration throughout the book

Growth in the pharmaceutical market has slowed down - almost to a standstill. One reason is that governments and other payers are cutting costs in a faltering world economy. But a more fundamental problem is the failure of major companies to discover, develop and market new drugs. Major drugs losing patent protection or being withdrawn from the market are simply not being replaced by new therapies - the pharmaceutical market model is no longer functioning effectively and most pharmaceutical companies are failing to produce the innovation needed for success. This multi-authored new book looks at a vital strategy which can bring innovation to a market in need of new ideas and new products: Systems Biology (SB). Modeling is a significant task of systems biology. SB aims to develop and use efficient algorithms, data structures, visualization and communication tools to orchestrate the integration of large quantities of biological data with the goal of computer modeling. It involves the use of computer simulations of biological systems, such as the networks of metabolites comprise signal transduction pathways and gene regulatory networks to both analyze and visualize the complex connections of these cellular processes. SB involves a series of operational protocols used for performing research, namely a cycle composed of theoretical, analytic or computational modeling to propose specific testable hypotheses about a biological system, experimental validation, and then using the newly acquired quantitative description of cells or cell processes to refine the computational model or theory.

In this monograph, the author -Head researcher at the Institute of Cell Biophysics of Russian Academy of Sciences- discusses the results of his own long-term studies of mitochondria as well as alternative points of view and experiments of other important researchers in the field. The monograph contains the main aspects of mitochondrial research by a number of physical methods: fluorescence spectroscopy, UV-vis spectrophotometry, IR spectroscopy, light-scattering, optical microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, colorimetry, photobleaching, polarography, among others. The monograph is very useful for researchers and graduate students specializing in mitochondrial biophysics, biochemistry, molecular biology and cytology. The book was published in Russian in 2019 by Photon Publishers (Pushchino, Moscow region).

Natural products have a long history of use as folk medicines in several systems of traditional medicine. Extensive evidence from modern pharmacological studies has confirmed traditional applications, and unveiled the vast potential of naturally occurring compounds, particularly plant-derived phytochemicals, in the management of chronic human diseases. The past decade has witnessed a surge of findings from randomized controlled trials testifying the safety and efficacy of natural products as adjuncts or alternatives to standard-of-care medications for several illnesses. Biomolecular studies have unveiled hundreds of cellular and molecular targets for phytochemicals including key transcription factors, receptors, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters, cytokines, lipids, and non-coding RNAs. Extensive research on the preventative and therapeutic effects of natural products necessitates regular updating of the literature as to the developing potential roles of these compounds in different human diseases. This new book provides an overview of the current pharmacological and clinical features of natural products, and the role of phytopharmaceutical compounds in health and diseases. Chapters cover a wide scope, from cancers, to chronic and age-related disorders, and are written by leading international subject experts. Collectively, chapters will provide useful insights on the regulatory effects of phytochemicals and nutraceuticals on pathogenic molecular signatures associated with pathologies, disease biomarkers, and aging-related pathways.

The Springer Handbook of Enzymes provides concise data on some 5,000 enzymes sufficiently well characterized and here is the second, updated edition. Their application in analytical, synthetic and biotechnology processes as well as in food industry, and for medicinal treatments is added. Data sheets are arranged in their EC-Number sequence. The new edition reflects considerable progress in enzymology: the total material has more than doubled, and the complete 2nd edition consists of 39 volumes plus Synonym Index. Starting in 2009, all newly classified enzymes are treated in Supplement Volumes."

Much has been written about the basic incompatibility of the dominant quantitative research model in psychotherapy and the qualitative preferences of the practitioner community providing psychotherapy. Researchers and clinicians are at odds over the most valuable type of knowledge needed: that emerging from quantitative, experimental research versus that from qualitative, case-based practice, respectively. Recently, a number of emerging research methods have attempted to bridge and integrate these two approaches. Case Studies within Psychotherapy Trials is one such effort and significantly furthers the synergy between them. The volume provides a comprehensive illustration of the "cases-within-trials" (CWT) model of research. Quantitative findings from four randomized clinical trials (RCT) are synthesized with qualitative and quantitative findings from systematic case studies of successful and unsuccessful clients representatively drawn from each RCT. The book opens with the history of dialectic and political controversy in psychotherapy research and recent initiatives to bridge the differing perspectives. The RCT and case study projects follow, each commented on by outside experts. In the final chapter the editors compare and contrast the separate projects and draw insightful, impactful conclusions. By bringing together quantitative, natural scientific perspectives on research and qualitative, interpretative understandings and strategies, the chapter authors demonstrate how practitioners can be meaningfully included in future psychotherapy research. This book will be of great interest to psychotherapy researchers and practitioners and those interested in research methods in the behavioral sciences more generally.

This book is a compendium of articles providing insights into a range of contemporary ideas concerning the core yet unsettled clinical issues. Important aspects of pulmonary disorders are tackled such as occupational respiratory health hazards, asthma, or the role of vitamin D in obstructive airway diseases. Genotyping offers a clear promise in the diagnostics of chronic pulmonary lesions of autoimmune background. Cardiac and respiratory-driven pulsation of cerebrospinal fluid content offers novel arguments in the pathophysiologic savvy of a range of brain dysfunctional conditions, including respiratory-related hypoxic pathologies. Some other articles tackle the heady topics of rehabilitation medicine, offering an insight into research-underpinned diagnostics and practical management solutions in a range of musculoskeletal disorders and injuries that affect the human body's movement, particularly those controlled by the autonomic nervous system. The book is addressed to clinicians, researchers, physiotherapists, and medical professionals engaged in patient care.

Essentials from the series "Applied Scanning Probe Methods" are put together in the area of bio and biorelated systems. The contributions spread over all 13 volumes are now combined in this one volume. Thus, the reader will easily find a comprehensive overview of SPM applications for biosystems.

For scientists and professionals in academic and industry dealing with surface analytics of plant science, living cells, nanomedicine, cosmetics and biomimetics.

This book embraces a comprehensive range of research across several disciplines, providing insights and fresh perspectives on clinical topics, emphasizing the integrative medical approach. The book also addresses an increasing role of artificial intelligence in the development of clinical methodologies, research, and patient-oriented care. The authors share expertise and experience in rehabilitation medicine whose healing-effects particularly depend on the interaction between the therapist and patient. Chapters present novel approaches in manual rehabilitative therapy of common painful and disabling neuromuscular ailments, exemplified but not limited to low back pain and migraine. The myofascial trigger point release therapy includes specific manipulations to muscles and connective tissue which reduce pain. Other chapters address the issues of providing long-range medical care to older adults burdened with chronic diseases, notably hypoxia-related pathologies and their sequalae, pointing to the advantages of care provided by a single primary care physician. Changing paradigm of care is essential in chronic atherosclerosis-based diseases like cardiovascular disorders or diabetes. Chapters provide results of international cohort studies on predictive factors for the long-range progress of such ailments based on anthropometric and lifestyle indicators. The book aims to meet the increasing interest and importance to patients of integrative health therapies. Medical rehabilitation and lifestyle changes increasingly gain scientific support in difficult-to-treat chronic conditions and should be integrated in a controlled manner into conventional medicine. The book is addressed to physiotherapists, medical scientists and clinicians, and allied healthcare professionals.

This volume explores the latest methods that seek to address the vital questions being asked in neurotoxicology research. The chapters in this book cover a variety of available methods from the molecular level to the organism level, and both in vitro and in vivo approaches, including alternative model organisms. In the Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory. Cutting-edge and authoritative, Experimental Neurotoxicology Methods is a valuable resource for both young and experienced researchers who are looking for guidance to implement these methods in their laboratories or for understanding the data generated through these techniques.

This multi-chapter book focuses on one of the hottest topics in ageing research - the role of hormones in health and longevity, offering a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of their mechanistic roles in health, ageing and longevity. Hormones are an excellent system of communication between cells and tissues within an organism, and they coordinate a wide range of processes in biological systems, including neuroendocrine and immunological controls. The book offers insights into the latest significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of hormonal signaling that control a variety of processes involved in development and ageing. It is divided into four parts: Part I includes a review of the hundred-year history of hormones by the illustrious hormone biochemist Dr. J.R. Tata. Part II presents various chapters on the hormones involved in growth, stress and metabolism, while Part III addresses the hormones controlling cognition and rhythms in ageing processes. Lastly, Part IV discusses the hormones affecting reproduction, immunity and life span. It also explores the use of hormones as pharmaceuticals to maintain health in the elderly. It is a valuable resource for those working in the area of hormone signaling in general and in the field of ageing research in particular.

Organic chemistry research has moved rapidly toward synthesis and medicinal application of nitrogen-containing compounds such as triazenes, triazines, and hydroxytriazenes due to their excellent biological activities. Many of them are presently in clinical trials. Triazene compounds have excellent medicinal properties and limited toxicity. Hydroxytriazenes are excellent chelating agents for transition metals. Newer studies show very promising biological and medicinal applications of these classes of compounds. Hydroxytriazenes and Triazenes: The Versatile Framework, Synthesis, and Medicinal Applications highlights synthetic methods, recent advances, and potential applications of triazines, triazenes, and hydroxytriazenes. This book includes holistic information on synthetic methods for novel compounds based on this moiety, up-to-date information on the how and why of their diverse or even multitargeted medicinal application, and future state of the art of both aspects. Other features include: Highlights recent advances and diverse possible applications of biological functions Covers the chemistry of triazine, triazene, and hydroxytriazene systems On the basis of in silico predictions, the book highlights synthetic methods and their applications A valuable source of information for those actively engaged in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and synthetic organic chemistry

Asthma is a chronic relapsing airways disease that represents a major public health problem worldwide. Intermittent exacerbations are provoked by airway mucosal exposure to pro-inflammatory stimuli, with RNA viral infections or inhaled allergens representing the two most common precipitants. In this setting, inducible signaling pathways the airway mucosa play a central role in the initiation of airway inflammation through production of antimicrobial peptides (defensins), cytokines, chemokines and arachidonic acid metabolites that coordinate the complex processes of vascular permeability, cellular recruitment, mucous hyper-secretion, bronchial constriction and tissue remodeling. These signals also are responsible for leukocytic infiltration into the submucosa, T helper-lymphocyte skewing, and allergic sensitization. Currently, it is well appreciated that asthma is a heterogeneous in terms of onset, exacerbants, severity, and treatment response. Current asthma classification methods are largely descriptive and focus on a single aspect or dimension of the disease. An active area of investigation on how to collect, use and visualize multidimensional profiling in asthma. This book will overview multidimensional profiling strategies and visualization approaches for phenotyping asthma. As an outcome, this work will facilitate the understanding of disease etiology, prognosis and/or therapeutic intervention. "

Cluster Randomised Trials, Second Edition discusses the design, conduct, and analysis of trials that randomise groups of individuals to different treatments. It explores the advantages of cluster randomisation, with special attention given to evaluating the effects of interventions against infectious diseases. Avoiding unnecessary mathematical detail, the book covers basic concepts underlying the use of cluster randomisation, such as direct, indirect, and total effects. In the time since the publication of the first edition, the use of cluster randomised trials (CRTs) has increased substantially, which is reflected in the updates to this edition. There are greatly expanded sections on randomisation, sample size estimation, and alternative designs, including new material on stepped wedge designs. There is a new section on handling ordinal outcome data, and an appendix with descriptions and/or generating code of the example data sets. Although the book mainly focuses on medical and public health applications, it shows that the rigorous evidence of intervention effects provided by CRTs has the potential to inform public policy in a wide range of other areas. The book encourages readers to apply the methods to their own trials, reproduce the analyses presented, and explore alternative approaches.

This volume reviews disparities in cancer genetics, etiology, treatment and survivorship that are associated with differences in energy balance and how those differences and disparities may be affected by geography, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, biology, behavior and others. State-of-the-art strategies are outlined to alter these problems at the individual, community and policy levels. The book provides a comprehensive assessment of the multiple contributions of disparities in energy balance and how they affect cancer. this volume should constitute a valuable resource to disparity focused investigators at all levels and serves an important guide to professionals that deal with these issues, especially those who determine and implement policy."

This book provides a concise yet comprehensive review of the morphological, biochemical, electrical, mechanical, and metabolic properties of vascular smooth muscle, the regulation of vascular activities and the intracellular signaling involved. It particularly focuses on newly identified vasoactive agents, enzymes and transduction mechanisms. It also discusses the latest findings in the regulation of cerebral, coronary and pulmonary circulation as well as vascular activity under hypoxia and ageing. The second edition intends to update the contents of the first edition with the latest achievements in the regulation of vascular activities from biochemical, structural, genetic, physiological, and pharmacological aspects. In addition, two new chapters related to microRNA and extracellular vesicles have been added to reflect their newly discovered important roles in vascular activities. The contraction and dilatation activities of vasculature are of fundamental importance for maintaining circulation homeostasis and adapting to physiological changes. Over the last four decades, there have been significant advances in our understanding of the biochemical, structural, genetic, physiological, and pharmacological aspects of vascular activity regulation, and these insights into the responsiveness of blood vessels under normal and pathophysiological conditions help to provide valuable weapons in the fight vascular diseases. The book is of interest to researchers and graduate students, both in basic research and in clinic settings, in the field of vascular biology.

Precision Medicine in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Part One, Volume 192 deals with the "Why" in the approach to slow the progression of those suffering from diseases of accelerated brain aging. Matching a biology-correcting therapy with those biologically suitable to benefit from such therapy represents the vision and mission of precision medicine, the highest level of personalized medicine. This first Handbook of Clinical Neurology volume is intended to provide a scholarly background on the framework, basic science, and conceptual pitfalls related to disease-modifying efforts in Parkinson, Alzheimer, and other neurodegenerative disorders. Among the topics covered are the different models of precision medicine, the lumping-versus-splitting tension in biomarker development and therapeutics, and the rationale for replacing the convergence of the prevailing autopsy-based nosology of neurodegenerative diseases with the divergence of a systems biology approach to human diseases. Specific chapters are dedicated to the promise of genetic subtypes and the lessons in disease modification offered by the fields of oncology and cystic fibrosis that can be adapted to the field of neurodegeneration.

This volume consists of four chapters that cover a structurally diverse range of naturally occurring compounds. Chapter 1 delves into the chemistry of pyrogallols and their oxidized products, the hydroxy-o-quinones, including their role in cycloaddition reactions in the chemical synthesis of several fungal metabolites. Chapter 2 provides an in-depth description of the constituents of agarwood essential oil and smoke samples that are used in the perfumery industry, with an emphasis on the sesquiterpenoid and chromones constituents so far known. Chapter 3 discusses the defensive chemical ecology of two North American newt species that both produce tetrodotoxin, a well-known neurotoxin that causes paralysis and death in metazoans by disrupting electrical signals in the nerves and muscles. Chapter 4 discusses the limonoids and triterpenoids from the genus Walsura of the plant family Meliaceae, of which a number of species are utilized in several southeastern Asian countries in systems of folk medicine.

The book presents the latest advances in research into health effects of air pollution, with heavy motor vehicle traffic or cigarette smoke as the exemplar of pollution. The airways are the first-line defense system against pollution. The book focuses on respiratory ailments underlain by inflammation, increased susceptibility to infection, particularly acquired during harsh environmental conditions and exposures to particulate matter or pathogens. The importance of astute analysis of lung function for early diagnosis of disorders is underscored. A knowledge deficit concerning the aerosolized drug delivery through the airways also is addressed. Recent developments and viewpoints in the field of environmental health hazards as well as methodological advances in their assessment are provided. The book will be of interest to pulmonologists, healthcare providers, researchers and clinicians engaged in environment-related respiratory diseases, but also to policy makers concerned with clean ambient air quality.

This book examines a range of contemporary ideas and arguments concerning the core yet unsettled clinical issues. Important aspects of pulmonary disorders are tackled such as occupational and environmental respiratory health hazards, the role of vitamin D supplementation in airway allergy, or nutritional aspects of care for lung cancer patients. Metabolic disorders affecting the processes of atherogenesis and systemic inflammation also are tackled. Attention is directed to rare but severe pediatric disease entities. Articles give readers practice at analyzing clinical data. The practical insights emphasize the role of science in transforming biomedical knowledge and care. This volume will be essential reading for clinicians, researchers, and other healthcare professionals engaged in effective patient care and therapy.

Statistical Approaches in Oncology Clinical Development : Current Paradigm and Methodological Advancement presents an overview of statistical considerations in oncology clinical trials, both early and late phase of development. It illustrates how novel statistical methods can enrich the design and analysis of modern oncology trials. The authors include many relevant real life examples from the pharmaceutical industry and academia based on their first-hand experience. Along with relevant references, the book highlights current regulatory views. The book covers all aspects of cancer clinical trial starting from early phase development. The early part of the book covers novel phase I dose escalation design, exposure response analysis, and innovative phase II design. This includes early development strategy for cancer immunotherapy trials. The contributors also emphasized the role of biomarker and modern era of precision medicine. The second part focuses on the late stage development. This includes the application of adaptive design, safety analysis, and quality of life (QoL) data analysis. The final part discusses current regulatory perspective and challenges. Features: Covers a wide spectrum of topics related to real-life statistical challenges in oncology clinical trials. Provides a comprehensive overview of novel statistical methods to improve trial design and statistical analysis. Detailed case studies illustrate the real life applications. Satrajit Roychoudhury is a Senior Director and a member of the Statistical Research and Innovation group in Pfizer Inc. Prior to joining; he was a member of Statistical Methodology and consulting group in Novartis. He has 11 years of extensive experience in working with different phases of clinical trial. His area of research includes early phase oncology trials, survival analysis, model informed drug development, and use of Bayesian methods in clinical trials. He is industry co-chair for the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Workshop and has provided statistical training in major conferences including the Joint Statistical Meetings, ASA Biopharmaceutical Section Regulatory-Industry Workshop, and ICSA Applied Statistics Symposium. Soumi Lahiri has 12 years of extensive experience in working different therapeutic areas. She is the former Director of Biostatistics in Clinical Oncology, GlaxoSmithKline. She has also worked in the oncology division of Novartis Pharmaceutical Company for two years. She is an active member of the ASA Biopharmaceutical section and former chair of the membership committee.