Retinoids have received considerable attention in recent years and due cognizance has been given to their versatility as biological response modifiers, as evidenced by the virtually explosive growth of literature in this field in the past few years. This volume has been designed to give a current state-of-the-art picture of retinoids. The perceived potential of retinoids in the treatment of certain disease stated has initiated attempts at identifying and synthesizing new retinoid derivatives with definable and selective effects on aberrant biological phenomena. Appropriately, therefore, we begin with the chemistry of retinoids and their derivatives together with discussions of their biological activity. Major advances have been made in understanding the mechanisms by which retinoids modulate physiological and phenotypic traits of cells. The transduction of retinoid signaling by the mediation of nuclear receptors of the steroid/thyroid receptor superfamily has now been studied extensively and the cloning and defining the characteristics of these receptors has been a focus of discussion in this volume. Retinoids also markedly modulate the transduction of extracellular signals such as those imparted by growth factors and hormones, and thus actively influence and control cellular proliferative patterns. Retinoids can alter epidermal growth factor receptor expression (Kawaguchi et al., 1994), responsiveness to thyroid hormone (Esfandiari et al., 1994; Pallet et al., 1994), inhibit the proliferative responses of hematopoietic progenitor cells to granulocyte colony stimulating factor (Smeland et al., 1994), and modulate secretion on interleukins by leukaemic cells (Balitrand et al., 1994), among other things. This has obvious implications for pharmacological manipulation of deregulated growth (Dickens and Colletta, 1993; Mulshine et al., 1993). Apoptosis is another component in the regulation of growth control. Apoptotic cell death is influenced by several agents and retinoids may function by interfering with apoptotic pathways of regulation of growth control and quite legitimately, therefore, the importance of this aspect of retinoid function has been duly recognized here.

Drug Discovery in Cancer Epigenetics is a practical resource for scientists involved in the discovery, testing, and development of epigenetic cancer drugs. Epigenetic modifications can have significant implications for translational science as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis or therapy prediction. Most importantly, epigenetic modifications are reversible and epigenetic players are found mutated in different cancers; therefore, they provide attractive therapeutic targets. There has been great interest in developing and testing epigenetic drugs, which inhibit DNA methyltransferases, histone modifying enzymes or chromatin reader proteins. The first few drugs are already FDA approved and have made their way into clinical settings. This book provides a comprehensive summary of the epigenetic drugs currently available and aims to increase awareness in this area to foster more rapid translation of epigenetic drugs into the clinic.

Protein phosphorylation via protein kinases is an inevitable process that alters physiological and pathological functions of the cells. Thus, protein kinases play key roles in the regulation of cell life or death decisions. Protein kinases are frequently a driving factor in a variety of human diseases including aging and cellular senescence, immune system and endothelial dysfunctions, cancers, insulin resistance, cholestasis and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as bacterial resistance in persistent infections. Recent developments in quantitative proteomics provide important opinions on kinase inhibitor selectivity and their modes of action in the biological context. Protein Kinase-mediated Decisions Between Life and Death aims to have the reader catch insights about up-to-date opinions on "Protein Kinases" related pathways that threaten human health and life. As "Protein Kinases" are related to many health problems, clinicians, basic science researchers and students need this information. Chapter "Signal Transduction in Immune Cells and Protein Kinases" is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

The Guest Editors created a unique focus to the general topic of infectious diseases. They have focused on contemporary management of antibiotics used for procedures and infections. Articles are devoted to:Update on Antibiotic Prophylaxis for GU Procedures in Patients with Arificial Joint Replacement and Artifical Heart Valves; Asymptomatic Bacteriuria; Urinary Tract Infection and Bacteruria in Pregnancy; Resistance Patterns in Contemporary Antibiotics: ESBL and Beyond ; UTI and Neurogenic Bladder; Modern Guidelines for Skin and Bowel Prep for Open and Laparascopic GU Surgery; Work up of Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection; Pre Prostate Biopsy Rectal Culture and Post Biopsy Sepsis; Infection with Foreign Bodies: Mesh and Prostheses; Treatment of the Infected Stone; Sexually Transmitted Infections: Updated Guidelines and Treatment; Bacteruria/UTI in the Elderly; Treatement of Fungal Urinary Tract Infection; and STDs.

This book provides the reader with a comprehensive view of analytical methods for nanotoxicology studies. After an introduction to nanomaterials and toxicological studies, the book discusses various characterization methods of nanomaterials and continues with the detection of nanoparticles in vivo as well as in vitro. A variety of techniques in molecular toxicology of nanomaterials is presented, followed by a detailed explanation of interaction between nanoparticles and biomacromolecules, including the structure-toxicity relationships of nanomaterials. Finally, the book concludes with the advantages and challenges of the analytical methods for nanotoxicology.

This innovative text explores the cellular transport of organic cations, from functional and structural properties to pharmacological implications and psychiatric developments. The authoritative chapters introduce organic cation transporters and then proceed to discuss their mechanisms such as binding of substrates and inhibitors; their drug dispositions and toxicity; their relationships to genetic and pathophysiological variability; and their roles in endocrine, metabolic, and neurological systems. The final chapters delve into the use of animal models for the study of organic cation transporter function and their possible use in environmental cycling of pharmaceutical residues. This comprehensive volume unites integrative transporter physiology with structural and molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology and pathophysiology, offering a holistic approach to utilizing this novel technique in physiological contexts. It will prove invaluable reading for researchers and students in various areas of integrative, organ, cell and molecular physiology as well as pharmacologists and neurologists.

Corticosteroids represent the most important and frequently used class of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant agents in the management of many rheumatological conditions. Included in this issue will be articles on the following topics: Glucocorticoid use in intra-articular and soft tissue injections, corticosteroids and osteoporosis, corticosteroids in lupus, ANCA associated vasculitis, and many more!

"Progress in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a review of eclectic developments in medicinal chemistry. This volume continues in the serial's tradition of providing an insight into the skills required of the modern medicinal chemist; in particular, the use of an appropriate selection of the wide range of tools now available to solve key scientific problems.
"Progress in Medicinal Chemistry" provides a review of eclectic developments in medicinal chemistry. This volume continues in the serial's tradition of providing an insight into the skills required of the modern medicinal chemist; in particular, the use of an appropriate selection of the wide range of tools now available to solve key scientific problems.

Translational Immunology: Mechanisms and Pharmacologic Approaches highlights and summarizes the most important advances in human immunology, clinical translations, new tools to analyze therapeutic targets, and new pharmacological approaches for autoimmunity, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. The book is an essential resource for those seeking to understand the potential translational applications of burgeoning studies in human immunology, helping readers make sense of the existing and emerging scientific advances. The book grounds fundamental science in the translational realm, providing insights from world renowned researchers at the top of their game in their respective fields, in both industry and academic settings. Readers will gain an understanding of the rationale and mechanisms underlying current and emerging pharmacologic approaches for interventional immunology, the gaps therein, and new ideas for better and safer therapeutic approaches, and physicians will glean information about pharmacological limitations in altering disease progression and complications. This reference on the translational realization of the burgeoning findings in immunology provides a go-to reference for experienced professional clinicians, researchers, industry scientists, and those seeking more information on the field.

The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. More than 270 volumes have been published (all of them still in print) and much of the material is relevant even today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences.
Key Features
* This volume and its companion Volumes 279, 280, and 281 provide
* A collation of the most recent and useful methods for the identification, preparation, and quantification of vitamins and coenzymes
* Details on physical, chemical, and biological properties of vitamins and coenzymes
* Chemical and biological syntheses of vitamins, coenzymes, and their analogs
* Aspects of transport and metabolism of vitamins and coenzymes

This book discusses cancers and the resurgence of public interest in plant-based and herbal drugs. It also describes ways of obtaining anti-cancer drugs from plants and improving their production using biotechnological techniques. It presents methods such as cell culture, shoot and root culture, hairy root culture, purification of plant raw materials, genetic engineering, optimization of culture conditions as well as metabolic engineering with examples of successes like taxol, shikonin, ingenol mebutate and podophylotoxin. In addition, it describes the applications and limitations of large-scale production of anti-cancer compounds using biotechnological means. Lastly, it discusses future economical and eco-friendly strategies for obtaining anti-cancer compounds using biotechnology.

This volume focuses on antibiotics research, a field of topical significance for human health due to the worrying increase of nosocomial infections caused by multi-resistant bacteria. It covers several basic aspects, such as the evolution of antibiotic resistance and the influence of antibiotics on the gut microbiota, and addresses the search for novel pathogenicity blockers as well as historical aspects of antibiotics. Further topics include applied aspects, such as drug discovery based on biodiversity and genome mining, optimization of lead structures by medicinal chemistry, total synthesis and drug delivery technologies. Moreover, the development of vaccines as a valid alternative therapeutic approach is outlined, while the importance of epidemiological studies on important bacterial pathogens, the problems arising from the excessive use of antibiotics in animal breeding, and the development of innovative technologies for diagnosing the "bad bugs" are discussed in detail. Accordingly, the book will appeal to researchers and clinicians alike.

Reviews current methodology for assessing the health status of patients - their "quality of life" - and shows how this methodology can be applied to specific diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, angina and Parkinson's disease. The text includes chapters on the Nottingham health profile, assessing quality of life in major disease areas, the importance of quality of life in policy decisions and development, testing and use of the sickness impact profile.

Environmental Factors in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders presents a state-of-the-art review of the effects of environmental contaminants on the development and degeneration of the human nervous system, brought together by world-leading experts in the field. Part One describes the adverse effects that the environment can have on neurological development, and how these effects may exhibit. Specific contaminants and their possible consequences of exposure are addressed (lead, methylmercury, alcohol), as well as specific disorders and the environmental factors associated with them, such as the effect of diet on attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders. Part Two tackles neurodegenerative disorders, specifically addressing their potential neurotoxic origins, and discussing the increasing interest in the effects that early exposure may have in later life. Environmental Factors in Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Disorders is an invaluable reference for those professionals working in the fields of toxicology, environmental health and neuroscience.

Mechanism of Action and Rationale for the Use of Biological Response Modifiers, Differentiating Agents and Nucleoside Analogues in Combination: Cytokine Synergy in Immunotherapy (J.W. Hadden et al.). Monitoring Combination Therapy Trials (J.L. Rossio et al.). Combination Chemotherapy and BRM Therapy in the Treatment of Cancer: Cancer Immunochemotherapy (G. Graziani et al.). Combination of Chronic Indomethacin and Intermittent IL2 Therapy in the Treatment of Disseminated Cancer (P.K. Lala et al.). Biological Response Modifiers and Differentiating Agents in Myelodisplastic Syndromes (A. Venditti et al.). Single and Combination Therapy with BRM's in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases, AIDS, and Autoimmunity: AntiCytokine Therapy of Murine Candidiasis (L. Romani et al.). The Basic Research and Clinical Application of Thymopeptidin (C.X. Zheng et al.). Combination AntiHIV Therapy (T.C. Merigan). 22 additional articles. Index.

Cancer Treatment and the Ovary: Clinical and Laboratory Analysis of Ovarian Toxicity provides the reader with a basic understanding on how the ovary is adversely impacted by cancer treatment, an essential foundational knowledge for this rapidly-developing field. The book describes both the clinical and laboratory approaches to discovering the potentially adverse effects of cancer treatment on the ovary, also laying out possible preventative approaches and future directions for the field. Clinicians working in the field of reproductive biology and oncology will find an essential reference that provides the necessary tools to assess the reproductive toxicological effects of cancer treatments.

Chinmedomics: The Integration of Serum Pharmacochemistry and Metabolomics to Elucidate the Scientific Value of Traditional Chinese Medicine uses new experimental techniques and research to open doors in drug discovery and development related to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This book features a unique approach that combines chemometric analysis with metabolomics studies to illuminate significant changes that have occurred in syndrome states while simultaneously analyzing the efficacy of chemical ingredients in herbal medicines. Chapters provide cutting-edge information on traditional medicine, analytical technology, natural products, metabolomics, bioinformatics and their applications. This book provides a valuable resource for pharmacologists, pharmaceutical scientists, medicinal plant researchers, pharmacognosists and chemists working with TCM and highlights ways to further research and advances in this area in the future.

This work provides rapid access to focused information on topics of Immunotoxicology not only for scientists and those dealing with laboratory aspects but also for lecturers and advanced students. Over 200 contributing authors - including many of the world's top specialists - have contributed full essays on all relevant topics, supplemented by keyword definitions of related terms. Full essays are structured uniformly to provide reader-friendly information on all aspects of Immunotoxicology, including methods of testing and analysis, characteristics of substances, the regulatory environment and the relevance of these to humans.

Fully updated to reflect the nutritional needs of the '80s, this new edition of the classic guide to herbal medicine, natural foods and home remedies underscores the fundamental principle that true healing consists of a return to natural habits of living.