This book covers a wide range of topics concerning human tear based science, starting from basics such as the normal composition of tears and moving up to novel disease detection platforms. The entire approach is pioneering, as tears are beginning to be recognized as the most invaluable non-invasive tool in diagnostics. Interestingly, the concept is not restricted to ocular diseases: In recent years, tear diagnostics is increasingly being tapped even for cancer detection. Hopefully, non-invasive tear diagnostics will eventually replace today's invasive disease detection and monitoring techniques. Previous literature on tear diagnostics has been restricted to scientific journal articles, most of which dealt with a single tear constituent, such as a protein. This book offers a far more comprehensive and handy 'reference guide,' presenting both basic and advanced information and data. Accordingly, it will be useful for researchers in academia and the pharmaceutical industry, as well as healthcare professionals and diagnostic kit developers.

Numerous phenomenal advances have been made towards understanding the role of neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, and these have resulted in a large number of novel molecules with the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of such disorders. This book provides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of brain neurotransmitters and their receptors and associated channels. It includes a basic introduction, and also discusses the functions and recent advances and their pharmacology, highlighting the role of various computer aided drug design (CADD) strategies for the development of therapeutic ligands to modulate these receptors/ion channels. Written in an easy-to-read style, it is intended for neuroscience and pharmaceutical students and researchers working in the area of brain neurotransmitters.

Leading researchers are specially invited to provide a complete understanding of a key topic within the multidisciplinary fields of physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In a form immediately useful to scientists, this periodical aims to filter, highlight and review the latest developments in these rapidly advancing fields.

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global public health problem. This book focuses on the clinical implications of multi-drug resistant pathogens; tracking AMR and its evolutionary significance; antifungal resistance; and current and alternative treatment strategies for AMR, including antivirulent, antibiofilm and antimicrobial resistance breakers, repurposing of drugs, and probiotic therapy. Advances in antimicrobial stewardship, antibiotic policies from a global perspective and their impacts are also discussed. The book also explores the use of omics approaches to gain insights into antibacterial resistance, and includes chapters on the potential benefits of a 'One Health approach' describing the environmental and zoonotic sources of resistant genes and their effects on the global resistance pool.

Volume 22, entitled Metal Ions in Bio-Imaging Techniques, of the series Metal Ions in Life Sciences deals with metal ions as tools in imaging. This dates back to the first half of the past century, when barium sulfate was orally given to patients undergoing X-ray examination. The use of contrast agents has since developed into a large interdisciplinary field encompassing not only medicine, but also chemistry, material sciences, physics, biology, engineering, and computer sciences. MILS-22 provides deep and current insights in 17 stimulating chapters on the new research frontiers of this fast growing field on bio-imaging ... and beyond. For example, adding bio-sensing yields theranostic agents, meaning diagnosis and therapy linked in the same molecule; ions of Gd, Mn, Fe, Co, Ir, 99mTc, etc., are involved. Other important topics are, e.g., metal complexes in paramagnetic Chemical Exchange Transfer (paraCEST), radiometals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, or paramagnetic metal ion probes for 19F magnetic resonance imaging. MILS-22 is written by 57 internationally recognized experts from 12 countries, that is, from the US via Europe to China. The impact of this vibrant research area is manifested by more than 2300 references and nearly 120 figures, mostly in color, and several informative tables. To conclude, Metal Ions in Bio-Imaging Techniques is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from material sciences, enzymology, analytic, organic, and inorganic biochemistry all the way through to medicine including the clinic ... not forgetting that also excellent information for teaching is provided.

This book highlights recent innovative work in nutraceutical delivery systems, focusing on strategies and approaches for delivering maximum health benefits from foods. It presents recent research-oriented work from diverse global perspectives on isolation techniques for nutraceutical components, phytosomes, liposomes, solid dispersions, micelles, self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, microemulsions, solid lipid nanoparticles, polyelectrolyte complexes, oral delivery, polymeric nanoparticles, and more. The book begins with an overview of recent facts and diverse perspectives on the use of nutraceuticals in medicine and proceeds to discuss recent techniques in isolation of nutraceuticals from plants and in solubility enhancement. It looks at innovations and advances in nanoparticles-based nutraceutical delivery, such as in solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), fabrication methods of therapeutic nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles-based nutraceutical delivery system. It also discusses vesicular delivery systems and biphasic systems for nutraceutical applications. The book also looks at the challenges in oral delivery and the latest taste-masking techniques.

This book focuses on how to appropriately plan and develop a Phase II program, and how to design Phase II clinical trials and analyze their data. It provides a comprehensive overview of the entire drug development process and highlights key questions that need to be addressed for the successful execution of Phase II, so as to increase its success in Phase III and for drug approval. Lastly it warns project team members of the common potential pitfalls and offers tips on how to avoid them.

Handbook of Essential Oils: Science, Technology, and Applications presents the development, use and marketing of essential oils. Exciting new topics include insecticidal applications, but there is a continued focus on the chemistry, pharmacology and biological activities of essential oils. The third edition unveils new chapters including the insect repellent and insecticidal activities of essential oils, the synergistic activity with antibiotics against resistant microorganisms, essential oil applications in agriculture, plant-insect interactions, and pheromones and contaminants in essential oils. Features Presents a wide range of topics including sources, production, analysis, storage, transport, chemistry, aromatherapy, pharmacology, toxicology, metabolism, technology, biotransformation, application, utilization, and trade Includes discussions of biological activity testing, results of antimicrobial and antioxidant tests, and penetration enhancing activities useful in drug delivery Covers up-to-date regulations and legislative procedures, together with the use of essential oils in perfumes, cosmetics, feed, food, beverages, and pharmaceutical industries Unveils new chapters including the insect repellent and insecticidal activities of essential oils, the synergistic activity with antibiotics against resistant microorganisms, essential oil applications in agriculture, plant-insect interactions, and pheromones and contaminants in essential oils The American Botanical Council (ABC) named the second edition as the recipient of the 2016 ABC James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Award and recognized that essential oils are one of the fastest growing segments of the herbal product market

This edited volume brings together the expertise of numerous specialists on the topic of particles - their physical, chemical, pharmacological and toxicological characteristics - when they are a component of pharmaceutical products and formulations. The book discusses in detail properties such as the composition, size, shape, surface properties and porosity of particles with respect to how they impact the formulations and products in which they are used and the effective delivery of pharmaceutical active ingredients. It considers all dosage forms of pharmaceuticals involving particles, from powders to tablets, creams to ointments, and solutions to dry-powder inhalers, also including the latest nanomedicine products. Further, it discusses examples of particle toxicity, as well as the important subject of pharmaceutical industry regulations, guidelines and legislation. The book is of interest to researchers and practitioners who work on testing and developing pharmaceutical dosage and delivery systems.

Epothilones have received unusual attention over the past ten years. They are novel antitumor drugs which very much like their predecessor paclitaxel (Taxol) act via microtubule stabilization. In comparison to paclitaxel and a number of alternative drugs with a similar mode of bioaction (e.g. laulimalide, eleutherobin, peluroside, discodermolide) the epothilones have significant advantages, above all very high activity in the nanomolar range and low susceptibility towards multidrug resistance. Epothilone B and several derivatives thereof are in phase I-III clinical trials; one of them (ixabepilone, BMS) is already on the market, others are supposed to appear on the market in the near future. All naturally occurring epothilones have been isolated from Sorangium cellulosum; their antitumor action is traced back to the stabilization of microtubules. In consequence, the formation of the mitototic spindle is prohibited and the cell undergoes apoptosis.

Core-Shell Nanostructures for Drug Delivery and Theranostics: Challenges, Strategies and Prospects for Novel Carrier Systems contains valuable chapters that deal with the fundamentals of nanotechnology for drug delivery, recent developments and research in core-shell nanoparticles for drug-delivery and theranostic applications, and the potential and applications of core-shell nanofiber. This book is a highly valuable resource for scientists interested in the design and development of innovative drug delivery systems, researchers and graduate/postdoctoral students engaged in biomaterials for drug delivery, and R&D managers in the biomaterials and pharmaceutical industry.

Chemical Sciences in Early Drug Discovery: Medicinal Chemistry 2.0 describes how new technologies and approaches can be used to improve the probability of success in fulfilling the perennial goal of finding and developing new drugs. Drawing on the author's extensive experience consulting and teaching in medicinal chemistry, the book outlines ways in which medicinal chemistry is widening its reach to meet modern demands, and how modern technologies and approaches are facilitating this growth into new fields. Supported by examples throughout, the book is a practical resource for organic-medicinal chemists, biological chemists and pharmacologists involved in drug discovery.

This book explores efficient syntheses of indole alkaloids based on gold-catalyzed cascade cyclizations, presenting two strategies for total synthesis of these natural products based on gold-catalyzed reactions of conjugated diyne or ynamide. The book first describes the total and formal synthesis of dictyodendrins A-F based on direct construction of the pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazole core using the gold-catalyzed annulation of azido-diynes and protected pyrrole. This synthetic strategy features late-stage functionalization of the pyrrolo[2,3-c]carbazole scaffold at several positions and allows diverse access to dictyodendrins and their derivatives. Secondly, the book discusses the formal synthesis of vindorosine based on the pyrrolo[2,3-d]carbazole construction using the gold-catalyzed cascade cyclization of ynamide. Importantly, the reaction using a chiral gold complex provides the optically active pyrrolo[2,3-d]carbazole. This strategy facilitates the rapid construction of the pyrrolocarbazole core structure of aspidosperma and related alkaloids, including vindorosine. These methodologies can accelerate the medicinal application of pyrrolocarbazole-type alkaloids and related compounds.

This book volume provides complete and updated information on the applications of Design of Experiments (DoE) and related multivariate techniques at various stages of pharmaceutical product development. It discusses the applications of experimental designs that shall include oral, topical, transdermal, injectables preparations, and beyond for nanopharmaceutical product development, leading to dedicated case studies on various pharmaceutical experiments through illustrations, art-works, tables and figures. This book is a valuable guide for all academic and industrial researchers, pharmaceutical and biomedical scientists, undergraduate and postgraduate research scholars, pharmacists, biostatisticians, biotechnologists, formulations and process engineers, regulatory affairs and quality assurance personnel.

"Controlled Release in Oral Drug Delivery" provides focus on specific topics, complementing other books in the initial CRS series. Each chapter sets the context for the inventions described and describe the latitude that the inventions allow. In order to provide some similar look to each chapter, the coverage includes the historical overview, candidate drugs, factors influencing design and development, formulation and manufacturing and delivery system design. This volume was written along three main sections: the relevant anatomy and physiology, a discussion on candidates for oral drug delivery and the major three groups of controlled release systems: diffusion control (swelling and inert matrices); environmental control (pH sensitive coatings, time control, enzymatic control, pressure control) and finally lipidic systems.

The book provides a reference for years to come, written by world-renowned expert investigators studying sex differences, the role of sex hormones, the systems biology of sex, and the genetic contribution of sex chromosomes to metabolic homeostasis and diseases. In this volume, leaders of the pharmaceutical industry present their views on sex-specific drug discovery. Many of the authors presented at the Keystone Symposium on "Sex and gender factors affecting metabolic homeostasis, diabetes and obesity" to be held in March 2017 in Lake Tahoe, CA. This book will generate new knowledge and ideas on the importance of gender biology and medicine from a molecular standpoint to the population level and to provide the methods to study them. It is intended to be a catalyst leading to gender-specific treatments of metabolic diseases. There are fundamental aspects of metabolic homeostasis that are regulated differently in males and females, and influence both the development of diabetes and obesity and the response to pharmacological intervention. Still, most preclinical researchers avoid studying female rodents due to the added complexity of research plans. The consequence is a generation of data that risks being relevant to only half of the population. This is a timely moment to publish a book on sex differences in diseases as NIH leadership has asked scientists to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical research, to ensure that women get the same benefit of medical research as men.

This work presents a systematic review of traditional herbal medicine and their active compounds, as well as their mechanism of action in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity. The side effects and safety of herbal-derived anti-diabetic and anti-obesity phytochemicals are detailed in depth, and the text has a strong focus on current and future trends in anti-diabetic medicinal plants. This unique and comprehensive text is the only current book on the market focusing exclusively on medicinal plants used to combat obesity and diabetes. An introductory chapter focuses on diabetes and obesity and introduces the major causes and main treatments of this increasing epidemic in modern society. Readers are then introduced to medicinal plants, including details on their therapeutic aspects, plus side effects and safety. Following chapters focus on anti-diabetic and anti-obesity medicinal plants, as well as phytogenic natural products in the treatment of each. The text closes by focusing on present and future trends and challenges in these medicinal plants. Anti-diabetes and Anti-obesity Medicinal Plants and Phytochemicals: Safety, Efficacy, and Action Mechanisms is a much-needed and truly original work, finally presenting in one place all the necessary information on medicinal plants used in conjunction with obesity and diabetes prevention.

Translational medicine addresses the gap between research and the clinical application of new discoveries. To efficiently deliver new drugs to care centers, a preclinical evaluation, both in vitro and in vivo, is required to ensure that the most active and least toxic compounds are selected as well as to predict clinical outcome. Antimicrobial nanomedicines have been shown to have higher specificity in their therapeutic targets and the ability to serve as adjuvants, increasing the effectiveness of pre-existing immune compounds. The design and development of new standardized protocols for evaluating antimicrobial nanomedicines is needed for both the industry and clinical laboratory. These protocols must aim to evaluate laboratory activity and present models of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic and toxicokinetic behavior that predict absorption and distribution. Likewise, these protocols must follow a theranostics approach, be able to detect promising formulations, diagnose the infectious disease, and determine the correct treatment to implement a personalized therapeutic behavior. Given the possibilities that nanotechnology offers, not updating to new screening platforms is inadequate as it prevents the correct application of discoveries, increasing the effect of the valley of death between innovations and their use. This book is structured to discuss the fundamentals taken into account for the design of robust, reproducible and automatable evaluation platforms. These vital platforms should enable the discovery of new medicines with which to face antimicrobial resistance (RAM), one of the great problems of our time.

This book comprehensively reviews the state-of-the-art strategies developed for protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, and highlights the success stories in new drug discovery and development. Consisting of two parts with twelve chapters, it demonstrates the design strategies and case studies of small molecule PPI inhibitors. The first part discusses various discovery strategies for small molecule PPI inhibitors, such as high throughput screening, hot spot-based design, computational approaches, and fragment-based design. The second part presents recent advances in small molecule inhibitors, focusing on clinical candidates and new PPI targets. This book has broad appeal and is of significant interest to the pharmaceutical science and medicinal chemistry communities.

This book, which is the third volume of Biomedical translational research, focuses on the fundamental role of biomedical research in developing new medicinal products. It emphasizes the importance of understanding biological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the disease to discover and develop new biological agents. The book uniquely explores the genomic computational integrative approach for drug repositioning. Further, it discusses the health benefits of nutraceuticals and their application in human diseases. Further, the book comprehensively reviews different computational approaches that employ GWAS data to guide drug repositioning. Finally, it summarizes the major challenges in drug development and the strategies for the rational design of the next generation more effective but less toxic therapeutic agents.

This detailed volume presents a series of protocols dealing with different aspects of inclusion body (IB) processing, from cloning procedures to purification of refolded product. Commencing with chapters on upstream processing, looking into different expression strategies for IB production, the book continues with downstream applications, highlighting early protein purification and subsequent analytics, as well as success stories of IB-based processes. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Inclusion Bodies: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal resource for facilitating diverse aspects of IB processing.

This book deals with the recent advances in DNA-Encoded Library (DEL) technology that has emerged as an alternative to high throughput screening (HTS) over the last decade and has been heralded as a "disruptive" technology for drug discovery. The book aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all of the major components of the DEL process from conception to bench execution and clinical investigations. The contributions from experts in the field combine different perspectives from academia and industry. The book will be of interest to researchers in the drug discovery field as well as to graduate students and scholars who are interested in this rapidly improving technology.

This contributed volume presents an overview of concepts, methods, and applications used in several quantitative areas of drug research, development, and marketing. Chapters bring together the theories and applications of various disciplines, allowing readers to learn more about quantitative fields, and to better recognize the differences between them. Because it provides a thorough overview, this will serve as a self-contained resource for readers interested in the pharmaceutical industry, and the quantitative methods that serve as its foundation. Specific disciplines covered include: Biostatistics Pharmacometrics Genomics Bioinformatics Pharmacoepidemiology Commercial analytics Operational analytics Quantitative Methods in Pharmaceutical Research and Development is ideal for undergraduate students interested in learning about real-world applications of quantitative methods, and the potential career options open to them. It will also be of interest to experts working in these areas.

Key Features: Provides botanical descriptions, distribution and pharmacological investigations of notable medicinal and herbal plants used to prevent or treat diabetes. Discusses phytochemical and polyherbal formulations for the management of diabetes and other related complications. Contains reports on antidiabetic plants and their potential uses in drug discovery based on their bioactive molecules.

This volume takes an in-depth look at the potential pharmacological applications of 11 important antidiabetic plants, examining their antihyperglycemic, hypoglycemic, and anti-lipidemic properties along with current genome editing research perspectives. Plant natural products, or phytoconstituents, are promising candidates for antidiabetic pharmacological actions. The phytoconstituents, such as i' avonoids, terpenoids, saponins, carotenoids, alkaloids and glycosides, play vital roles in the current and future potent antidiabetic drug development programs Each chapter reviews a particular plant with antidiabetic properties, explaining the therapeutic aspects, its active antidiabetic compounds, and relevant genome editing technology. The specific plants discussed include Azadirachta indica (commonly known as neem, nimtree or Indian lilac), Gymnema sylvestre (commonly called gymnema, Australian cowplant, and Periploca of the woods), Syzygium cumini (commonly known as Malabar plum, Java plum, black plum, jamun or jambolana), Ceylon cinnamon (or true cinnamon, as opposed to cassia cinnamon), insulin plant (or Costus pictus), Trigonella foenum-graecum (better known as fenugreek), Mulberry, Nigella sativa L. (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, kalojeera, kalonji or kalanji), Aegle marmelos (L.) (commonly known as bael (or bili or bhel), also Bengal quince, golden apple, Japanese bitter orange, stone apple or wood apple), Ficus benghalensis (the banyan, banyan fig and Indian banyan), and of course, garlic (Allium sativum). Antidiabetic Plants for Drug Discovery: Pharmacology, Secondary Metabolite Profiling, and Ingredients with Insulin Mimetic Activity will serve as a valuable source of information for students, drug researchers, medical practitioners, diabetic patients, and many others in the effort to gain understand of how these plant drug molecules can help fight diabetes.