Histological techniques form the basis of many areas of research, yet they can often be poorly understood. Aimed at postgraduate students and those at an early stage of their career, this title provides a detailed and comprehensive introduction to histological techniques. With detailed images and slides, this book provides a unique overview of the area while providing the reader with a guide to how to use and incorporate histological techniques within their own research. Written by experts working within the field, this book is an essential handbook for anyone wanting to learn more about histological methods and how to apply them successfully.

Consumer and environmental protection depend on the careful regulation of all classes of chemicals. Toxicology is the key science used to evaluate safety and so underpins regulatory decisions on chemicals. With the growing body of EU legislation involved in chemical regulation, there is a concomitant need to understand the toxicological principles underlying safety assessments Regulatory Toxicology in the European Union is the first book to cover regulatory toxicology specifically in Europe. It addresses the need for a wider understanding of the principles of regulatory toxicology and their application and presents the relationship between toxicology and legislative processes in regulating chemical commodities across Europe. This title has a broad scope, covering historical and current chemical regulation in Europe, the role of European agencies and institutions, and also the use of toxicology data for important classes of chemicals, including human and veterinary medicines, animal feed and food additives, biocides, pesticides and nanomaterials. This book is therefore extremely pertinent and timely in the toxicology field at present. This book is an essential reference for regulatory authorities, industrialists, academics, undergraduates and postgraduates working within safety and hazards, toxicology, the biological sciences, and the medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences across the European Union.

In the first chapter, Yin-Hui Leong, Nurul Izzah Ahmad, and Rahmat Awang, provide an overview of literature on recent progress in aflatoxins research including health effects and human exposure through alimentary or dermal pathways. Next, Mufida Aljicevic MD, PhD, and Damir Ljuboja present a study with the goal to decide whether foods of plant origin have quantifiable concentrations of aflatoxin B1. Additionally, they aimed to examine whether the urine of healthy participants contains measurable aflatoxin B1 in the second chapter. The third chapter by Hsin-Bai Yin, Anup Kollanoor-Johny, and Kumar Venkitanarayanan pinpoints the potential of various natural approaches and their applications in controlling AF contamination at pre- and post-harvest stages of agriculture. During the fourth and final chapter, Edlayne Goncalez, PhD, Janaina Lara da Silva, MD, Tatiana Emy de Freitas, MD, Christiane Ceriani Aparecido, PhD, Daiane Hansen, PhD, and Joana Darc Felicio, PhD examine the presence of toxigenic species in samples for lactating goats, determining whether this indicates a potential risk of contamination of dairy products.

This book offers readers an overview of the field of toxicology while incorporating historical context with present day advances. The chapters, written in a style that facilitates the reader's connection of past developments with the present state-of-the-art practices in specific fields of toxicology, provide a detailed coverage of diverse areas in toxicology. The areas of chapters chosen for detailed discussion are characteristic of the overall field and helps to reinforce the basic principles of toxicology. As such, this book will be a valuable resource not only for those scientists in the field of toxicology, but also for those in related fields (e.g., pharmacology, physiology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology and others). Additionally, this book will be a valuable resource for teaching graduate students in not only toxicology, but also in the related fields above. While this book is not primarily intended as an introductory text for undergraduate students' first exposure to the field of toxicology, it would serve very useful as a text for an advanced undergraduate level biology or chemistry course. The chapters are filled with appropriate tables and figures which help illustrate and reinforce the information in each chapter. The referencing of material cited is carefully prepared and provides links to additional information that will aid the reader in understanding and appreciating the information within the text. The reader will find this book to be of significant depth and breadth so as to meet the needs of many groups of students and established scientists.

Drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics as determinants of drug attrition and the safety of xenobiotics are critically important. This book presents a comprehensive treatise on the current issues and challenges facing drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics. Readers will find a thorough exploration of their predictive role in impacting drug discovery and development and in improving the success rate and safety assessment of pharmaceuticals and industrial or occupational chemicals. Chapters not only focus on the current state of art, with distinct examples, but on future needs and approaches likely to improve our prediction of potential human risk. Discussions of critical properties that are determinants of a compound's metabolic and pharmacokinetic fate follow introductory chapters. The Drug Discovery process increasingly incorporates pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism screening and focus has shifted towards in silico, computational and systems biology approaches. Core chapters reflect this and the recent interest and need to assess the role of transporters, along with drug metabolizing enzymes, as potential determinants of pharmacokinetic behaviour, toxicity and drug-drug interactions. Lastly, chapters cover the issues and factors involved in translating pharmacokinetics from in silico to in vivo and from animal models to man, and postulate future directions and opportunities. Leading experts from academia, industry and regulatory bodies across the globe contribute their knowledge to this book, which scientists involved in many aspects of the drug discovery process, as well as regulators and postgraduate students, will find a useful resource.

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary metabolite of certain fungi that may be present in food and feed. Consumption of contaminated food or feed may be harmful for humans and animals. This book aims at giving an overview of several aspects of OTA and the public and economic benefits of reducing OTA contamination in food. Other chapters focus on the use of plant extracts, essential oils and substances isolated from them for the control of ochratoxigenic fungi and ochratoxin production and its carcinogenic effects on animals.

This is a detailed and practical guide to botulinum neurotoxin therapy (BoNT) and the wide range of applications for neurological and pain disorders. A unique reference source for new injectors and experienced clinicians alike, this indispensable manual provides information on dose, dilution, and indications for all four FDA-approved toxins in one handy text. Following a brief review of relevant pharmacology, the book provides product information and comparative distinctions between the four FDA-approved toxins (Botox , Myobloc , Xeomin , and Dysport ), along with indications and doses for FDA-approved conditions, guidance techniques, and common and emerging clinical applications. The heart of the book is an injection manual, organized anatomically and by condition and covering all applications for medical treatment. For each condition or site, information is provided on typical muscle pattern or muscle groups involved, dosing guidelines and dilution for the applicable toxins, number of injection sites, and potential risks and benefits. Targeting techniques are organized in table format for quick retrieval. Anatomic illustrations and cross-sections are provided to orient injectors and help identify optimal insertion points. An appendix with useful clinical rating scales is also included. Key Features: Presents state-of-the art information about current indications for all four FDA-approved botulinum neurotoxins Compares and contrasts the four toxins along with common and emerging clinical applications Provides dosing guidelines for various indications and injection sites for each muscle Includes anatomic drawings and cross-sections to illustrate muscle relationships and insertion points Serves as a practical, portable, how-to guide for new and experienced clinicians

A xenobiotic is a chemical which is found in an organism but which is not normally produced or expected to be present in it. Specifically, drugs such as antibiotics are xenobiotics in humans because the human body does not produce them itself. In this new book, the authors present current research on xenobiotics including the potential effects of toxic agents on immune system function; medical strategies to prevent adverse effects of PAH-like anthropogenic xenobiotics; organophosphorus pesticides as dangerous xenobiotics for aquatic environments and phytoremediation for removal of organic xenobiotics from water.

The world's aging populations, with age-related disorders affecting every organ system, are generating medical care costs rising at an unsustainable rate. Although such disorders are expected, we are now beginning to ask whether exposures to toxic environmental chemicals hasten or account for their onset. This book provides a detailed review of current knowledge about the possible associations between a variety of chemical contaminants and adverse effects later in life. It will serve as a guide to policy decisions about protecting us from chemical exposures that distort the aging process. It provides a guide to current understanding of how our contaminated environment may be influencing the aging process and contains examples of approaches that will help us undertake further research on this topic. It will help alert policy makers to the implications of chemical pollution for aging populations and will help formulate initiatives for environmental protection. The book provides a comprehensive view of how environmental exposures may alter the health of our aging population. For readers engaged in environmental research, or aging research, it will highlight a number of questions that need more attention For other readers, they will learn something about the kind of exposures they should avoid or that they should prompt policy makers to reduce or eliminate.

Human biomonitoring has developed from a research tool in occupational and environmental health to identify and quantify exposures to harmful substances in urine and blood. The analytical methods for detection of substances in biological media have considerably improved with smaller detection limits and more precise and specific measurements. Human biomonitoring is a valuable tool in exposure estimation of selected populations and currently used in surveillance programs all over the world. This two volume set provides an overview of current available biomarkers and human biomonitoring programs in environmental health, which is timely given the present debate on adverse health effects from environmental exposures. The books decribe both previous and ongoing studies as well as the newer biomarkers of exposure and effects. Volume one describes current human biomonitoring programs in Germany, Romania, France, Canada, India and Belgium, providing convincing evidence of a global decline in human exposures to lead and increasing concern from exposure to endocrine disruptors and the genotoxic compound. Biomarkers of specific exposures to a wide range of widely used everyday compounds such as phthalates, PFCs, bisphenol A, brominated flame retardants, PAHs, dioxins, mercury and arsenic are also discussed. Volume two decribes human biomonitoing of exposures to environmental tobacco smoke, mycotoxins, physiological stress, hormone activity, oxidative stress and ionizing radiation, as well as effect biomarkers of hemoglobin adducts, germ cells, micronuclei and individual susceptability. The books will be essential reading for toxicologists, environmental scientists and all those working in the safety and risk assessment of chemicals.

Bisphenol A is a difunctional building block of several important plastics and plastic additives. Suspected of being hazardous to humans since the 1930s, concerns about the use of bisphenol A in consumer products were regularly reported in the news media in 2008 after several governments issued reports questioning its safety, causing some retailers to remove products made of it from their shelves. Additionally, phthalates, are esters of phthalic acid and are mainly used as plasticisers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity). They are primarily used to soften polyvinyl chloride. This book examines both bisphenol A and phthalates discussing and presenting numerous topical and related data on these compounds and their uses, health effects and environmental risks.

This book covers the entire spectrum of health effects induced by chronic arsenic poisoning, which is prevalent in more than 30 countries due to the use of unclean underground water, a result of surface water pollution and shortage. This environmental health disaster has been considered more catastrophic than the Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion in the former Soviet Union and the Bhopal chemical plant explosion in India.

All contributors to this review volume have done extensive research on arsenic poisoning and published excellent papers in internationally well-known journals. Health Hazards of Environmental Arsenic Poisoning includes reviews of the state-of-the-art literature and cutting-edge scientific evidence on arsenic-related health effects. It is also an important source of valuable information for health care workers, environmental scientists and epidemiologists, as well as public health practitioners.

Although it is widely recognized that environmental factors such as smoking, diet, exercise, and socioeconomic status affect the risk of cardiovascular disease, recent work showing the effects of other environmental factors provides a more complete assessment of the situation. This view has emerged from three developments. Firstly, there has been a sudden explosion in the prevalence of diabetes and obesity which indicates a strong environmental component. Secondly, there is an accumulation of evidence suggesting that most cases of these diseases could be prevented by healthy lifestyle choices. Finally, studies have shown that exposure to environmental pollutants has a significant effect on heart disease risk. This book is the first to provide a comprehensive account of the effects of pollutants on heart disease and to integrate this area of research within the overall theme of environmental cardiology. The introductory chapter outlines the effects of different aspects of the environment on heart disease and provides a context for the discussion that follows. Subsequent chapters give an overview of the effects of particulate matter and discuss the epidemiological studies supporting the link. The book then goes on to cover the effects of pollution on different aspects of cardiovascular disease (hypertension, stroke, heart failure, ischemic heart disease and atherogenesis). Because of a close association between diabetes and heart disease, a discussion of the effects of particulate matter on diabetes is also included. Later chapters discuss the effects of individual pollutants such as vehicular emissions, metals and aldehydes. A review on manufactured nanoparticles is incorporated because these particles represent an important new threat to cardiovascular health. The understanding that emerges from this monograph suggests that we must be more alert to the effects of the environment and develop strategies that target, not only the diseased individual, but also the unhealthy, disease-causing environment. It is essential reading for cardiologists, epidemiologists, urban planners and pollution control specialists.

In Silico methods to predict toxicity have become increasingly important recently, particularly in light of European legislation such as REACH and the Cosmetics Regulation. They are also being used extensively worldwide e.g. in the USA, Canada, Japan and Australia. In assessing the risk that a chemical may pose to human health or to the environment, focus is now being directed towards exploitation of in silico methods to replace in vivo or in vitro techniques. A prediction of potential toxicity requires several stages: 1) Collation and organisation of data available for the compound, or if this is not available, information for related compounds. 2) An assessment of the quality of the data. 3) Generation of additional information about the compound using computational techniques at various levels of complexity - calculation of physico-chemical properties, 2-D, 3-D / MO descriptors and specific receptor modelling / interaction. 4) Use of an appropriate strategy to predict toxicity - ie a statistically valid method which makes best use of all available information (mechanism of action, activity for related compounds, extrapolation across species and endpoints, likely exposure scenario amounts over time etc). 5) Consideration then needs to be given to how this information is used in the real world ie use of expert systems / tools as relevant to assessors (if sufficiently different to previous) - weight of evidence approaches. 6) Finally evidence should be presented from case studies within this area. No other publication brings together information on all of these areas in one book and this publication is unique in that it provides a logical progression through every one of these key stages and defines the use of computational approaches to predict the environmental toxicity and human health effects of organic chemicals. The volume is aimed at the developers and users of in silico toxicology and provides an analysis of all aspects required for in silico prediction of toxicology, including data collation, quality assessment and computational approaches. The contributions from recognised leaders in each of these areas include evidence of the use and applicability of approaches using real world case studies concerning both environmental and human health effects. The book provides a very useful single source reference for people working in this area including academics, professionals, under- and post-graduate students as well as Governmental Regulatory Scientists involved in chemical risk assessment and REACH.

Silver in healthcare has many different facets and since the early concepts of microbiology of the 1880's, has been developed from usage in surgical clips, staples, foil wound dressings and surgical implants, to the widespread and clinically effective antiseptic wound dressings, sutures, catheters, bone and dental implants, and cardiovascular devices of today. From the dawn of human civilisation, silver has had a role of water purification and even now has a role in hospital water systems for control of MRSA and legionnaires disease. Biotechnological advances in recent years have extended the antimicrobial properties of silver into production of hygiene textiles and use in domestic products. Important advances have been made in understanding mechanisms of antimicrobial action of silver, the central importance of ionisation patterns in the presence of body fluids and secretion, and the genetical and molecular profiles of silver resistance. This publication is a comprehensive account of the history of silver in medicine, its clinical benefits and wide advantages as a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent. It is clear from the extensive array of publications in recognised and unofficial press, that many misconceptions and misleading conceptions have been perpetuated, leading to errors in evaluation of the safety of the metal in occupational, domestic and therapeutic situations. The book is unique in that it is the only comprehensive presentation of the toxicology of silver and it identifies the major misconceptions in the safety of silver and interpretation of argyria and argyrosis as central features of silver toxicity. In this book, Dr Lansdown reviews the literature from a clinical and experimental viewpoint, with the benefit of his many years research on silver and experience gained in working with clinicians, healthcare product manufacturers and microbiologists. There is also discussion in the book on the relevance of antimicrobial resistance to silver and deficiencies in present day clinical practice in not evaluating incidences of resistance on a routine basis. The subject matter is presented in a readable fashion and includes reference to use of the metal in such practices as acupuncture and treatment of tropical diseases as practised in some parts of the world, each of which is accompanied by special clinical risk. It is also a collation of current views on the use and efficacy of silver as a broad spectrum antibiotic. The chapters which deal specifically with toxicological aspects of silver in clinical, occupational and environmental issues are central to the book's value. The book is aimed at clinicians, research scientists and product manufacturers and will provide ideas for new research and academic endeavour. It is also essential reading for research students with an interest in metal toxicity and its management in mammalian tissues.

The vast number of chemicals existing or being added into the environment, have globally aroused great concern regarding their adverse effects in human population. Development and validation of sensitive and better test systems which can assess the adverse effects of chemicals at an early stage for intervention strategies to be implemented in time is currently in progress. This book documents the latest research and showcases the versatile, state-of-the-art technique - the Comet assay - in the field of modern toxicology. The assay is a simple, sensitive rapid and visual technique for the quantitative and qualitative assessment of DNA damage in single cells. The Comet Assay in Toxicology is the first book of its kind to be devoted exclusively to the Comet assay and its applications as an important tool in modern toxicology. This multi-author book will serve as both a reference and a guide to investigations in the biomedical, biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences. Written by investigators from the fields of genetic toxicology and human epidemiology, the authors have first-hand knowledge from their chosen sub-specialities and are active contributors to the peer-reviewed scientific literature. The book is divided into five major sections, reflecting the range of interest in the exploitation of this assay. The book's scope begins with an introduction section reviewing its genesis for those new to the technique and the current knowledge of the various fields in which it finds wide acceptance. This section sets the scene by explaining why the assay has become the most sensitive and sought after assay in modern toxicology. Next is a whole section that considers various procedures being followed to assess different types of DNA damage in various cell types and is contributed by experts in the respective fields. The third section puts together the specific applications of the assay in the diverse fields ranging from genetic toxicity testing to human monitoring, and environmental toxicology. The fourth section consists of the guidelines and recommendations for the conduct of the assay in in vitro and in vivo systems, based on the recommendations of the International Workgroups on genotoxicity test procedures. Finally, the book draws to a close with an assessment of the statistics used for the understanding of the data generated by the assay. This is a unique reference book as it provides the scientific community with the advances in Comet assay as well as its applications. It also incorporates a detailed section with instant and comprehensive information on the procedure of the assay and the latest protocols being used worldwide as well as statistical analyses to be followed. The book is aimed at students as well as scientists in the area of molecular epidemiology and genetic toxicology.

This book selectively discusses recent advances in human experimental models relating to the treatment of opioid dependence. The author critically reviewed three independent lines of research conducted during the past decade with heroin-dependent volunteers. One research strategy involves studying the -opioid receptor ( OR), which is the molecular target for the reinforcing and physical dependence producing effects of heroin-like drugs. This has been accomplished by varying medication dose conditions, measuring the availability of brain -receptors in vivo and plasma pharmacokinetics, then correlating these biological concentration measures with clinically relevant endpoints including opioid withdrawal symptoms, heroin craving, and blockade of the euphoric and respiratory depressant effects of -agonist challenges. These studies provide an initial benchmark for estimating OR occupancy or plasma concentration requirements for effective pharmacotherapy. A second research strategy determines the conditions under which -agonist medications function as reinforcers, and the ability of medication dose and the availability of non-drug alternative reinforcement to attenuate opioid choice. Taken together, these studies provide information relevant to the ability of the medication to stimulate adherence and reduce drug demand. A third research strategy seeks to determine whether non-opioid medications can attenuate the naloxone-precipitated (i.e. withdrawal related) discriminative stimulus, subjective and/or physiological effects in opioid-maintained individuals. These studies aim to identify compounds that may be safe and effective adjuncts during opioid detoxification and, potentially, anti-relapse agents. Evidence is also reviewed concerning individual differences identified in these models. Implications of these findings for clinical treatment are also discussed.

The systemic effects of a drug that are related to the overall level of the medication in the bloodstream. Drug toxicity may occur with overdosage of a medication, accumulation of the drug in the body over time or the inability of the patients body to eliminate the drug. This book presents recent and important research in the field.

Bile acids are increasingly being seen as extremely important carcinogenic agents in cancers of the bile duct, liver, colon, rectum, and oesophagus. They are essential agents involved in lipid digestion and absorption in mammals, however, they also play wide-ranging roles in a variety of disease states ranging from diabetes to cancer. They have evolved exquisite mechanisms for controlling their own synthesis and to ensure that they are produced at correct concentrations and also kept in the correct anatomical environment. It is only when these fine levels of controls are breached that Bile acids become associated with disease. This breaching of control mechanisms can occur through dietary means (e.g. in obesity) whereby excessive levels of Bile acids are produced and converted (via the bacterial flora) to damaging secondary Bile acids. Furthermore, lack of re-absorption of Bile acids can lead to liver pathologies. The atypical movement of Bile acids into the oesophagus, stimulated by episodes of reflux, is linked to oesophageal cancer. In recent years there have been tremendous advances in the understanding of the mechanisms behind the toxicity and bioactivity of different Bile acids and these are covered at length in this book. Prior to the publication of this book there was no single source of information on the toxicology and bioactivity properties of Bile acids. The book also uniquely collects all the relevant information together regarding the role of Bile acids in human disease and the mechanisms underlying Bile acid induced pathology. Additionally, as Bile acids are synthesised from cholesterol, there is wide recognition of the role for Bile acids in obesity linked diseases and this is also covered in this new publication. The book is edited by two experts in the field who have been involved in Bile acid research for several years and who are closely involved with major research groups in the UK, Europe and the US actively engaged in Bile acid research. The Editors have brought together world experts in their own fields to discuss the contribution of Bile acids to various disease pathologies, as well as discussing the mechanisms behind their activity. The book details the plethora of biological activities of this fascinating group of naturally occurring chemicals and provides a one-stop reference for scientists wishing to gain a fuller understanding of Bile acid activity and function.

Fundamental Toxicology is a concise and comprehensive review of toxicology. It is based on the highly successful Fundamental Toxicology for Chemists and has been enriched and expanded. Every chapter in this new edition has been revised and updated, and four new chapters have been added. With contributions from internationally recognised experts in their field, this broad-based introduction to the topic covers both well-established and rapidly developing areas of toxicology, such as toxicogenomics, reproductive toxicology, behavioural toxicology and ecotoxicology. The book was written and published with the support of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The book includes new information on: risk assessment and risk management; toxicogenomics; effects of toxic substances on the human body; environmental distribution of chemicals and ecotoxicology; clinical toxicology; pharmaceutical toxicology; and aspects of laboratory measurement and safe laboratory practice. Fundamental Toxicology is ideal for students and includes extensive pedagogical features, such as an extensive glossary, a bibliography after each chapter and recommended further reading. It is also designed for teachers and lecturers, especially those who may be teaching toxicology for the first time. Included is a suggested curriculum for using the text to teach toxicology to students from various scientific disciplines. Professionals working in toxicology and related fields will find this an invaluable guide.

Hair in Toxicology: An Important Biomonitor is the first book of its kind devoted exclusively to in-depth analysis of the hair shaft as an important tool for a diverse range of scientific investigations. This authoritative book combines contributions from experts in academic, governmental and industrial environments, to provide a unique, comprehensive look at: - Why hair can serve as an invaluable bio-resource in toxicology, with up-to-date reviews on hair growth, hair fibre formation and hair pigmentation - Information (including regulatory details) on the exposure of hair (and by extension the body) to drug and non-drug chemicals and pollutants - Toxicological issues relevant to the use of hair products (including colourants, shampoos and depilatories) - The ability of hair to capture information on personal identity, chemical exposure, and environmental interactions - How hair can provide an understanding of human life from archaeological and historical perspectives - Future direction in the use of hair in toxicology Hair in Toxicology: An Important Biomonitor is ideal as a reference and guide to investigations in the biomedical, biochemical and pharmaceutical sciences at the graduate and post graduate level.