Prescription drugs are a basic and invaluable part of society today, but there is debate surrounding the methods of testing new drugs, the possible misuse of prescription drugs, and the economics of drug production and use. This book examines the evolution of prescription drugs in the United States, as well as the formation of the pharmaceutical industry. It begins with a history of prescription drugs, dating back to their origins, then moves through the Industrial Revolution and into the present day. It also delves into the issues and controversies related to prescription drugs, such as drug costs, regulations, prescription drug abuse, insurance complications, and more. Both implemented and proposed solutions are also discussed. One of the most valuable aspects of the book is that it surveys the history of prescription drugs in a manner that helps the reader identify key issues in an easy-to-understand fashion. Finally, the perspectives chapter allows a broad range of voices to be heard, allowing crucial, diverse perspectives to round out the author's expertise. Provides readers with an understanding of the various types of drugs and how they differ in their effects and possible applications Introduces a detailed review of the steps involved in the preclinical, clinical, and post-clinical stages of testing of a new prescription drug Outlines some major issues in the way experimental drugs are tested, such as gender, age, and racial bias Reviews the current status of prescription drug abuse in the United States Explains issues involved in the pricing of prescription drugs and issues involved in over-pricing

The goal for this volume is to provide an up-to-date review of the discriminative stimulus properties of major psychoactive drug classes with an emphasis on how this paradigm enhances our understanding of these drugs and how these findings translate from animals to humans. The drug discrimination paradigm applies to both drugs of abuse and drugs for treating mental illnesses, and research from these studies has provided immense translational value for learning about the mechanisms responsible for drug effects in humans.

Clinical toxinologic conditions are becoming increasingly frequent, more so than is generally recognized. The conditions comprise of clinical aspects such as the diagnosis, management, and prevention of snakebite envenoming, scorpion sting, mushroom toxins, plant toxins, and other natural toxins. Clinical toxinology also deals with the ecology, epidemiology, regional differences, and varieties of fauna accounting for different envenoming manifestations. This handbook includes 30 chapters addressing various topics on clinical toxinology such as the epidemiology and management of snakebites in different Asian and African countries, disability following snakebite, effect of snake venoms on hemostasis, socioeconomic aspects of snakebites, therapeutic application of snake venom, scorpion sting in the Middle East, jellyfish sting, etc. These titles are written by experts currently working in the subspecialty, many of whom have first-hand experience in the relevant research fields. In virtually all the topics, appropriate illustrations are provided to simplify comprehension including tables, figures and pictures. This reference work on Clinical Toxinology in Asia Pacific and Africa, in the Toxinology handbook series, is designed to keep readers abreast with new knowledge and experience in toxinology regionally and globally. Toxinologists, researchers, scientists, and experts in this field from various working areas considered it necessary to collect all the aspects of clinical toxinology in a single, handy handbook. This can be used by medical students, postgraduate students, general practitioners, specialists in internal medicine, critical care physicians, emergency physicians, and anesthetists worldwide.

This book discusses in detail the structural, evolutionary and functional role of actin and its regulatory proteins in gliding motility in apicomplexan organisms, a unique phenomenon found in actin-myosin cytoskeletal elements. The book also explores the potential of different actin regulators, namely formin, profilin, actin depolymerization factor (ADF), capping proteins (CP and CP ), cyclase-associated protein (CAP) and coronin 13-24 as potential drug targets against malaria. As the chief components of the gliding motor, the actin-regulator proteins are characterized by unique features that make them promising targets for structure-based drug design. Lastly, the book proposes a mathematical model, based on kinetic data mining, to help understand the most vital regulators for actin polymerization dynamics.

This volume looks at the latest techniques used to enable therapeutic molecules to be targeted for site-specific delivery. The chapters in this book discuss topics such as approaches to express biologically derived and synthetic nanocarriers; strategies to assist in nanocarrier targeting to specific cells and tissues; and methods for evaluating delivery and efficiency for new classes of agents. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Targeted Drug Delivery: Methods and Protocols is a valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding the diversity of methods used in this evolving field.

The serendipitously discovered link between developmental biology and cancer, touched of an explosion of discoveries on the role of Notch in human malignancies, including every aspect of cancer biology, from control of differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis in transformed cells to angiogenesis, tumor-stroma interaction and anti-cancer immune responses. A number of observations have revealed that Notch even plays a role in the renewal of cancer stem cells and tumor initiating cells, which are thought to be a major cause of resistance to treatment. Targeting Notch in Cancer will provide researchers, oncologists, pharmacologists and students with a detailed understanding of the intricate cross-talk between Notch and other pathways of therapeutic interest so to better design rational drug combinations for specific diseases and disease subsets. Divided into two parts, Part I describes in detail what we know about the genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry and structural biology of Notch, as well as the role of Notch in such processes as angiogenesis and immune surveillance. Without insights gained from these basic studies, rational targeting of Notch in human disease would be impossible. Part II describes the role of Notch and ongoing experimental therapeutic efforts in the most important subtypes of human cancers, organized in a clinically oriented fashion by organs and systems affected

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A Pharmacology Primer: Techniques for More Effective and Strategic Drug Discovery, 4th Edition "features the latest ideas and research about the application of pharmacology to the process of drug discovery to equip readers with a deeper understanding of the complex and rapid changes in this field. Written by well-respected pharmacologist, Terry P. Kenakin, this primer is an indispensable resource for all those involved in drug discovery. This edition has been thoroughly revised to include material on data-driven drug discovery, biased signaling, structure-based drug design, drug activity screening, drug development (including pharmacokinetics and safety Pharmacology), and much more. With more color illustrations, examples, and exercises throughout, this book remains a top reference for all industry and academic scientists and students directly involved in drug discovery, or pharmacologic research.

Highlights changes surrounding the strategy of drug discovery to provide you with a comprehensive reference featuring advances in the methods involved in lead optimization and more effective drug discoveryIncludes a new chapter on data-driven drug discovery in terms of the optimal design of pharmacological experiments to identify mechanism of action of new moleculesIllustrates the application of rapid inexpensive assays to predict activity in the therapeutic setting, showing data outcomes and the limitations inherent in interpreting this data

"Advances in Molecular Toxicology" features the latest advances in all of the subspecialties of the broad area of molecular toxicology. Toxicology is the study of poisons, and this series details the study of the molecular basis by which a vast array of agents encountered in the human environment and produced by the human body itself manifest themselves as toxins. Not strictly limited to documenting these examples, the series is also concerned with the complex web of chemical and biological events that give rise to toxin-induced symptoms and disease. The new technologies that are being harnessed to analyze and understand these events will also be reviewed by leading workers in the field.

"Advances in Molecular Toxicology" will report progress in all aspects of these rapidly evolving molecular aspects of toxicology with a view toward detailed elucidation of progress on the molecular level and on advances in technological approaches employed.
Cutting-edge reviews by leading workers in the discipline In-depth dissection of molecular aspects of interest to a broad range of scientists, physicians and any student in the allied disciplines Leading edge applications of technological innovations in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular medicine

The most popular teaching text on laboratory data for pharmacy students and go-to reference for pharmacists in therapeutic practice. Now in its seventh edition, Basic Skills has been expanded and updated to cover new drugs, research, and therapeutic approaches. Written by 40 established clinicians and pharmacy faculty members and reviewed by additional experts, it is designed to make all information clear and quickly accessible. Minicases provide clinical scenarios for using tests and managing patients, and quickview charts throughout offer clear interpretations of lab results. The indispensable guide to interpreting clinical laboratory data. New to this edition: A new chapter on nutrition support Significant updates to all chapters Expanded chapters on Pharmacogenomics and Cardiology Additional section on Infectious Diseases covering Bacteria, and Fungi, Viruses and Mycobacteria Learning points conclude each chapter and highlight key concepts about the laboratory tests 25 chapters divided into three sections: Basic Concepts and Test Interpretations; System Disorders and Diagnostic Tests; and Tests for Special Populations Complex but critical skills are required for clinical pharmacists to effectively use lab data in screening for or diagnosing diseases and in monitoring the safety and effectiveness of treatment. As the only book of its kind specifically written for pharmacists by pharmacists, Basic Skills makes it easier to make accurate and critical decisions based on laboratory data.

"Toxicological Aspects of Drug-Facilitated Crimes" provides readers with an overview of the field of DFC: its history, toxicological effects, analysis, interpretation of results, the roles that age, gender and race may play, and clinical presentations of these drugs. The most commonly used drugs in DFC are addressed (alcohol, cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine), as well as an emerging range of pharmaceuticals (benzodiazepines, hypnotics, sedatives, neuroleptics, histamine H1-antagonists, or anesthetics), which are becoming more widely used, but are more difficult to detect. Edited by a world-renowned expert in the field of Forensic and Analytical Toxicology, Pascal Kintz, this book investigates toxicants of emerging concern and brings together a number of experts in the field to address the most recent discoveries on DFC toxicology.
Brings together the latest research on the toxicological analysis of drug-facilitated crimes (DFC), with real-life case studiesProvides up-to-date analytical techniques for determining toxicity levels in blood, urine, and hairCovers all types of toxicants involved in DFC, including alcohol, cannabis, MDMA, and a wide variety of pharmaceuticals

This book continues as volume 7 of a multi-compendium on Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants. It covers plant species with edible flowers from families Acanthaceae to Facaceae in a tabular form and seventy five selected species from Amaryllidaceae, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Asparagaceae, Asteraceae, Balsaminaceae, Begoniaceae, Bignoniaceae, Brassicaceae, Cactaceae, Calophyllaceae, Caprifoliaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Combretaceae, Convolvulaceae, Costaceae, Doryanthaceae and Fabaceae in detail. This work will be of significant interest to scientists, medical practitioners, pharmacologists, ethnobotanists, horticulturists, food nutritionists, botanists, agriculturists, conservationists, lecturers, students and the general public. Topics covered include: taxonomy; common/English and vernacular names; origin and distribution; agroecology; edible plant parts and uses; botany; nutritive/pharmacological properties, medicinal uses, nonedible uses; and selected references.

This volume looks at modern computational strategies and techniques used in GPCR drug discovery including structure and ligand-based approaches and cheminformatics. The chapters in this book describe how these approaches can be applied to address key drug discovery issues, such as receptor structure modelling, function and dynamics, prediction of protein-water-ligand interactions and binding kinetics, free energy of binding, interconversion between agonists and antagonists, deorphanization of GPCRs, and the discovery of biased and allosteric modulators. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary software and tools, step-by-step, readily reproducible modelling protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and unique,Computational Methods for GPCR Drug Discovery is a valuable resource for structural and molecular biologists, computational and medicinal chemists, pharmacologists, and drug designers.

"Toxicogenomics-Based Cellular Models" is a unique and valuable reference for all academic and professional researchers employing toxicogenomic methods with respect to animal testing for chemical safety. This resource offers cutting-edge information on the application of toxicogenomics to developing alternatives to current animal toxicity tests. By illustrating the development of toxicogenomics-based cellular models for critical endpoints of toxicity and providing real-world examples for validation and data analysis, this book provides an assessment of the current state of the field, as well as opportunities and challenges for the future. Written by renowned international toxicological experts, this book explores omics technology for developing new assays for toxicity testing and safety assessment and provides the reader with a focused examination of alternative means to animal testing.
Describes the state-of-the-art in developing toxicogenomics-based cellular models for chemical-induced carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity and reproduction toxicityIllustrates how to validate toxicogenomics-based alternative test models and provides an outlook to societal and economic implementation of these novel assaysIncludes an overview of current testing methods and risk assessment frameworksProvides a real-world assessment by articulating the current development and challenges in toxicogenomics while suggesting ways to move this field forward"

The "Side Effects of Drugs Annual" was first published in 1977. It has been continually published since then as a yearly update to the voluminous encyclopedia, "Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs." Each new Annual continues to provide clinicians and medical investigators with a reliable and critical yearly survey of new data and trends in the area of adverse drug reactions and interactions. An international team of specialists has contributed to the informative Annual by critically interpreting it and by pointing to whatever is misleading.
Provides a critical yearly survey of new data and trendsSpecial reviews in this Annual include, among other topics, epidemiology of the use of ecstasy, paracetamol and the risk of asthma, combination vaccines/multiple immunizations, interactions of herbal medicines with warfarin, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors

This new title in the Fast Facts series, full of up-to-date and authoritative information, is a critical resource for all health care professionals working with children and adolescents.Psychiatrists, prescribing psychologists, psychotherapists, pediatricians, family practice physicians, pediatric neurologists, nurse practitioners, allied mental health professionals, and trainees in these professions are provided with: General introductory reviews of the principles of pediatric psychopharmacology and related patient assessment issues; Detailed discussions of psychiatric medications organized by drug class; A comprehensive review of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders. Rich background information and clear explanations of clinical directions for the prescriber and nonprescriber alike.

Authored by two child and adolescent psychiatrists, Pediatric Psychopharmacology provides empirically-based, state-of-the-art knowledge as well as clear practical guidance regarding assessment, prescription, monitoring, and discontinuation of medications.

This volume covers the techniques necessary for a successful fragment-based drug design project, beginning from defining the problem in terms of preparing the protein model, identifying potential binding sites, and the consideration of various candidate fragments for simulation. The second part discusses the technical aspects that various methods have used to simulate fragment binding to a target protein by using Monte Carlo, molecular dynamics, and docking algorithms. After simulations, fragments are assembled into molecules using a variety of approaches, which are explored next. A discussion of design strategies and consideration of drug-like properties is included as part of the design process at this stage. Finally, several examples of successful fragment-based drug design projects are presented. Written for the Methods in Molecular Biology series, this work contains the kind of detailed description and implementation advice to encourage success in the lab. Practical and cutting-edge, Fragment-Based Methods in Drug Discovery takes into account the great accomplishments in the field to provide an ideal guide for researchers continuing to investigate this exciting area of pharmacological study.

The main goal of the present book is to deal with the role of nanobiotechnology in skin, soft tissue and bone infections since it is difficult to treat the infections due to the development of resistance in them against existing antibiotics. The present interdisciplinary book is very useful for a diverse group of readers including nanotechnologists, medical microbiologists, dermatologists, osteologists, biotechnologists, bioengineers. Nanotechnology in Skin, Soft-Tissue, and Bone Infections is divided into four sections: Section I- includes role of nanotechnology in skin infections such as atopic dermatitis, and nanomaterials for combating infections caused by bacteria and fungi. Section II- incorporates how nanotechnology can be used for soft-tissue infections such as diabetic foot ulcer and other wound infections; Section III- discusses about the nanomaterials in artificial scaffolds bone engineering and bone infections caused by bacteria and fungi; and also about the toxicity issues generated by the nanomaterials in general and nanoparticles in particular. The readers will be immensely enriched by the knowledge of new and emerging nanobiotechnologies in a variety of platforms.

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.

Volume 7, devoted to the vital and rapidly expanding research area around metal-carbon bonds (see also MILS-6), focuses on the environment. With more than 2500 references, 35 tables, and nearly 50 illustrations, many of these in color, it is an essential resource for scientists working in the wide range from organometallic chemistry, inorganic biochemistry, environmental toxicology all the way through to physiology and medicine. In 14 stimulating chapters, written by 29 internationally recognized experts, Organometallics in Environment and Toxicology highlights in an authoritative and timely manner environmental cycles of elements involving organometal(loid) compounds as well as the analytical determination of such species. This book examines methane formation involving the nickel coenzyme F430, as well as the organometal(loid) compounds formed by tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, selenium, tellurium, and mercury. In addition, it deals with the environmental bioindication, biomonitoring, and bioremediation of organometal(loid)s, and it terminates with methylated metal(loid) species occurring in humans by evaluating assumed and proven health effects caused by these compounds.

Medicinal chemistry is both science and art. The science of medicinal chemistry offers mankind one of its best hopes for improving the quality of life. The art of medicinal chemistry continues to challenge its practitioners with the need for both intuition and experience to discover new drugs. Hence sharing the experience of drug research is uniquely beneficial to the field of medicinal chemistry. Drug research requires interdisciplinary team-work at the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Therefore, the topic-related series Topics in Medicinal Chemistry covers all relevant aspects of drug research, e.g. pathobiochemistry of diseases, identification and validation of (emerging) drug targets, structural biology, drugability of targets, drug design approaches, chemogenomics, synthetic chemistry including combinatorial methods, bioorganic chemistry, natural compounds, high-throughput screening, pharmacological in vitro and in vivo investigations, drug-receptor interactions on the molecular level, structure-activity relationships, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. In general, special volumes are edited by well known guest editors.

This book critically assesses the current state of knowledge on new and important detection technologies, e.g. mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, biosensor detection and tissue imaging, in connection with toxic chemical and biological agents. In general, the main topics discussed concern the risks and consequences of chemical and biological agents for human health in general, with special emphasis on all biochemical and metabolic pathways including the reproductive system. The exposome, genetic risks and the environment, various health hazard agents, risk assessment, environmental assessment and preparedness, and analysis of sub-lethal effects at the molecular level are also discussed. In closing, the book provides comprehensive information on the diagnosis of exposure, and on health concerns related to toxic chemical and biological agents.

This volume of "International Review of Neurobiology" brings together cutting-edge research on advances in the neurochemistry and neuropharmacology of Tourette syndrome. It reviews current knowledge and understanding, provides a starting point for researchers and practitioners entering the field, and includes important topics regards tics, neurotransmitters, pharmacology and emerging treatments.

This volume of brings together research on tourettes synrdrome. It reviews current knowledge and understanding on the neurochemistry and neuropharmacology of tourettes syndrome.