Following 50 years of glucocorticoid use in a clinical setting, an international body of expert scientists and physicians presents the most expansive survey of glucocorticoid pharmacology to date. This work traces the history of glucocorticoid biology from the seminal description of glucocorticoid insufficiency by Thomas Addison in the mid-19th century, up to current advances in elucidating the molecular basis of glucocorticoid action. Important discoveries are presented, as well as milestones in drug development, a survey of current clinical practice, and prospects for novel glucocorticoid-based therapeutics. Scientists and clinicians will appreciate the scope of this work, which is of special interest to workers in the fields of endocrinology, inflammation and autoimmune disease.

The growing area of peptide and protein therapeutics research is of paramount importance to medical application and advancement. A needed reference for entry level researchers and researchers working in interdisciplinary / collaborative projects, Peptide and Protein Delivery addresses the current and emerging routes for delivery of therapeutics. Covering cerebral delivery, pulmonary delivery, transdermal delivery, intestinal delivery, ocular delivery, parenteral delivery, and nasal delivery, this resource offers an overview of the main routes in therapeutics. Researchers across biochemistry, pharmaceutical, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, chemistry and biotechnology fields will find this publication invaluable for peptide and protein laboratory research.
Discusses the most recent data, ideas and conceptsPresents case studies and an industrial perspectiveDetails information from the molecular level to bioprocessingThought provoking, for the novice to the specialistTimely, for today's biopharmaceuticals market

The field of oligonucleotide therapeutics research is ripe with the prospect of new discoveries. In "Therapeutic Oligonucleotides: Methods and Protocols," a selection of established and emerging methods for the application of oligonucleotides as therapeutics are presented, all providing the tools needed to inspire great changes in the field. Divided into twenty-one chapters, this detailed volume meticulously describes vital protocols for optimizing and improving cell uptake, such as photochemical internalization, modified cell penetrating peptides, antibody conjugates, and nanoparticles. Other chapters address quantitation of RNA therapeutics in cells, assaying gene knockdown, selecting the best target site and synthesis of various modified oligonucleotides. Written in the 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 protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Authoritative and easily accessible, "Therapeutic Oligonucleotides: Methods and Protocols "serves as a timely resource for both professionals and novices pursuing research in this exciting and pioneering field."

The chemistry of phenols tends to be ignored in organic chemical textbooks and to be lost amongst the many classes of functional derivatives. This volume is not intended to provide a textbook approach but rather to give an account of developments in phenol chemistry in the last two decades.

Features of this book:

- Numerous phenolic systems have been covered in detail, e.g. phenolic propanoids.

- The emphasis throughout has been on synthesis, on what can be achieved by the use of phenolic intermediates and in the construction of phenolic end products.

- Many chapters enable the reader to refer to the original literature wherever possible.

- Various chapters provide a fund of tutorial material and problems for undergraduate studies and further, which will encourage perusal of the literature. Some 2000 references to applied and academic papers are given.

Phenols are ubiquitous substances and now it is more widely accepted that there are pros and cons connected with their usage. The pros for compounds are well-known and are illustrated by perennial panaceas such as aspirin, paracetamol, codeine, etc. The cons are less obvious because they are also materials deeply entrenched in our standard of living and in most cases inherent hazards have only recently come to light. The book will be of interest to postgraduate students in academic and industrial work.

Get the most from your study time, and experience a realistic USMLE simulation with Rapid Review Pharmacology, 3rd Edition, by Drs. Thomas Pazdernik and Laszlo Kerecsen. This new edition in the highly rated Rapid Review Series is formatted as a bulleted outline with photographs, tables, and figures that address all the pharmacology information you need to know for the USMLE. And with Student Consult functionality, you can become familiar with the look and feel of the actual exam by taking a timed online test that includes more than 450 USMLE-style practice questions. Review all the information you need to know quickly and easily with a user-friendly, two-color outline format that includes High-Yield Margin Notes. Take a timed online test at www.studentconsult.com with more than 450 USMLE-style questions and full rationales for why every possible answer is right or wrong. Access the most current information with completely updated chapters, images, and questions. Profit from the guidance of series editor, Dr. Edward Goljan, a well-known author of medical study references, who is personally involved in content review. Easily review all essential information with new drug tables that detail mechanism of action, clinical uses, and adverse reactions. Study and take notes more easily with the new, larger page size. Practice with a new testing platform on USMLE Consult that gives you a realistic review experience and fully prepares you for the exam. Learn the "must know" pharmacology information needed to succeed on the USMLE

This book provides multidisciplinary reviews of the mechanism of action and uses of methotrexate in the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, gynecologic and inflammatory diseases. The intended audience is composed of clinicians involved in the care of patients suffering from oncologic, gynecologic, rheumatic diseases as well as scientists involved in research into the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. This book is unique in that it provides a single, state-of-the-art source for information regarding the mechanism and use of methotrexate in many different areas of medicine.

The book deals with various clinical aspects of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), which is a potent source for oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is critical for pathogenesis of diseases and CYP2E1 is a major contributor for oxidative stress. Several clinical disorders are associated with changes in regulation of CYP2E1 and the consequent abnormalities, which include alcoholic liver disease, alcoholic pancreatitis, carcinogenesis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, obesity, hepatitis C virus infection, reproductive organ toxicity, hepatocellular and cholestatic liver cirrhosis, inhibition of bone repair, cross- tolerance in smokers and people treated with nicotine, disorders of the central nervous system, changes in metabolism of protoxicants in the circulatory system and susceptibility to human papillomavirus infection. Hence, CYP2E1 emerges as a new and potent player in aggravating injury and furthering disease complications.

Exposure to ambient air pollutants, both indoors and outdoors has been associated with the exacerbation and also in the etiology of diverse human diseases. This book offers an overview of our current understanding of air pollution health risks and how this knowledge is being used in the regulatory, therapeutic intervention measures to protect the public health and reduce the disease burden caused by acute and long-term exposure to air pollutants. Air Pollution and Health Effects provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of air pollution health risks, morbidity and the global disease burden, whilst also delivering critical review on state of the art research so as to gain a fundamental understanding of the biological mechanisms involved in the etiology of air pollution-induced diseases. Chapters range from pregnancy outcomes and pre-term birth, carcinogens in the ambient aerosol and the health consequences of indoor biomass burning. Special emphasis is placed on regional and local air pollution and its impact on global health along with suitable preventive and interventional measures. With contributions from international experts in the field this volume is a valuable guide for researchers and clinicians in toxicology, medicine and public health as well as industry and government regulatory scientists involved in health protection.

The action of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), ranging from direct killing of invading pathogens to immune response modulation and other complex biological responses, has stimulated research and clinical interest for more than two decades, but the area is still burgeoning due to emerging discoveries in the functions, roles, and regulation of AMPs, thus making the study of antimicrobial peptides a multi-disciplinary and rapidly evolving field. In Antimicrobial Peptides: Methods and Protocols, leading investigators present a broad, up-to-date collection of current research and experimental methods for the isolation, characterization, production, and optimization of antimicrobial peptides. Additional chapters detail methodologies in several microscopy techniques, high-throughput screening, QSAR modeling, and computer-aided design used to study these compounds, while key review articles survey potential medical applications of antimicrobial peptides as innovative anti-infective and immunomodulatory agents, as well as emerging discoveries in their function, regulation, and roles in innate immunity. As a volume in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and wide-ranging in its applications, Antimicrobial Peptides: Methods and Protocols provides both an authoritative guide for lab work on AMPs or related substances and a useful collection of thought stimuli to inspire further scientific endeavours in a wide array of vital fields.

Psychophysiology is an ever expanding field. The application of psychophysiological investigations to psychiatric disorders is likewise expanding and has in fact shed much light on some of the neural processes contributing to the development of psychiatric symptoms and/or their amelioration following treatment. In the first part of this volume, we have selected a number of conditions where psychophysiological investigations have recently provided some insight into the pathophysiology of a particular manifestation (e.g., dissociation) or a disorder. Although this volume has a main focus on electrophysiological investigative modalities where neuroimaging was complimentary this added insight was included. The second part of the volume focuses on novel uses of psychophysiological measures, combining it with neuropsychology and imaging where possible, in the context of neuropsychiatric research and describes advanced analytical tools. Both basic and clinical investigators in this field should find the reviews and interpretations provided clear and informative. Clinicians will find this volume easy to assimilate. While direct clinical applications may be down the road, the insights provided should help the practicing clinicians to have firmer understanding of the complexity of the disorder they manage in everyday practice.

This comprehensive guide covers prescribing controlled substances for patients with acute or chronic pain and provides a balanced discussion on appropriate treatment, addiction, safety and complications. Chapters feature evidence-based strategies and clinical modalities that address diagnostic challenges, treatment guidance, alternatives to opioid management and the significant legal risks within the current regulatory environment. Authored by leaders in pain medicine, physicians and appropriate health care professionals will find Controlled Substance Management in Chronic Pain to be an indispensable resource.

In the last decade and a half, great progress has been made in the development of concepts and models for mixture toxicity, both in human and environmental toxicology. However, due to their different protection goals, developments have often progressed in parallel but with little integration. Arguably the first book to clearly link ecotoxicology and classic human toxicology, Mixture Toxicity: Linking Approaches from Ecological and Human Toxicology incorporates extensive reviews of exposure to toxicants, toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics, toxicity of mixtures, and risk assessment. The book examines developments in both fields, compares and contrasts their current state of the art, and identifies where one field can learn from the other. Each chapter provides an essential overview of the state of the art in both human and ecotoxicological mixture risk assessment, focusing on the work published in the last fifteen years. The coverage progresses from exposure to risk assessment, at each step identifying the special complications typically raised by mixtures. Based on in-depth discussions among specialists representing different disciplines and approaches, the chapters each address: Exposure - how to quantify the amounts of chemicals that may enter the living organism Kinetics, dynamics, and metabolism - how the chemicals enter an organism, travel within the organism, how they are metabolized and reach the target site, and explain development of toxicity with time Toxicity - what are the chemicals' detrimental effects on the organism Test design and complex mixture characterization - how chemicals interact, how to measure effects of mixtures, and how to identify responsible chemicals Risk assessment - how to assess for risks in humans and the environment An unusual combination of different points of view on exposure to and risk assessment of chemical mixtures, this book summarizes current knowledge on combined effects of toxicant mixtures, information that is generally only available in a very fragmented form as individual journal papers. It identifies possible crosslinks and includes recommendations for mutual developments that can improve the state of knowledge on mixture toxicity and ultimately lead to better and more integrated risk assessment.

Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of death and disability in developed countries and, increasingly so, in the developing world.Presented in this volume of Advances in Pharmacology are some of the most promising possibilities for treating large numbers of individuals afflicted with these conditions

This volume contains up-to-date reviews of the most important emerging cardiovascular therapies written by world leaders in the field."

This volume gathers the latest exciting findings on ADP-ribosylation from renowned experts in the field. It includes ten chapters, organized into the following three thematic sections: * Evolution and detection of endogenous ADP-ribosylation * ADP-ribosylation by the ARTC family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (R-S-E ARTs) * ADP-ribosylation by the ARTD family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (H-Y-E ARTs) The book will provide readers a better understanding of ADP-ribosylating toxins and their endogenous relatives. This provides a basis for developing novel toxin-neutralizing drugs and drugs targeting endogenous ADP-ribosyltransferase relatives.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) transduce signals from a diverse array of endogenous ligands, including ions, amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, peptides, and large glycoprotein hormones. They are also responsible for our sensing of exogenous stimuli, including photons and odorants. GPCRs regulate almost every aspect of our physiological functions. It is estimated that 40% to 50% of currently used therapeutic drugs target GPCRs directly or indirectly. Because the current drugs target only a small portion of the GPCRs, opportunities for targeting the remaining GPCRs is enormous. This volume reviews the latest developments in this rapidly advancing field.

* This series provides a forum for discussion of new discoveries, approaches, and ideas * Contributions from leading scholars and industry experts * Reference guide for researchers involved in molecular biology and related fields

"Annual Reports in Medicinal Chemistry "provides timely and critical reviews of important topics in medicinal chemistry together with an emphasis on emerging topics in the biological sciences, which are expected to provide the basis for entirely new future therapies.
* Covers findings related to cardiovascular, inflammation, and pulmonary diseases
* Examines issues in oncology, from mTor inhibitors to drug targets
* Incorporates up-to-date information on drug design and discovery, including delivery to market

Cardiovascular disease remains a major cause of death and disability in developed countries and, increasingly so, in the developing world. Presented in this volume of Advances in Pharmacology are some of the most promising possibilities for treating large numbers of individuals afflicted with these conditions

This volume contains up-to-date reviews of the most important emerging cardiovascular therapies written by world leaders in the field.

The role that placebos play in many treatments is clear: they not only play a complimentary role in various treatment options but they can sometimes be the only beneficial option for treatment. Brain imaging studies over the past decade have shown that placebo-treated patients undergo some of the same changes in brain activity as those treated with pharmacologically active substances. Yet this important component of healing is not yet harnessed in clinical settings. The Placebo Effect in Clinical Practice brings together what we know about the mechanisms behind the placebo response, as well as the procedures that promote these responses, in order to provide a focused and concise overview on how current knowledge can be applied in treatment settings. An introductory chapter documents the ubiquity and extent of the placebo response and discusses the history of the placebo response in relation to medical treatment. Several subsequent chapters focus on how placebos work and how the placebo effect can be enhanced. Expectation, conditioning and elements of the treatment situation are covered in separate chapters. The relationship between psychotherapy and placebo treatment is covered as is the ethics of deliberate use of the placebo effect. Because placebo effects are particularly prominent in some psychiatric conditions, particular attention is given to the role of the placebo response in psychiatric treatment. The final chapter summarizes what we currently know and offers concrete suggestions for how what we know of the placebo effect can be used to enhance the benefit of all treatments.

This monograph was assembled to honor Professor Norman Bowery and his work on the 30th anniversary of his discovery of the GABAB receptor. In the present volume, leading neuroscientists from academia and industry provide a perspective of current research, both basic and translational, in the discovery of drugs acting at the GABAB receptor. The topics covered provide a comprehensive review of the field and the current state of research in this area. Included are chapters on the chemistry of GABAB agonists and antagonists, on the genetics and molecular composition of the site, its regulation and trafficking, and its role in controlling cellular, autonomic, and behavioral function. There are also chapters describing the potential clinical utility of drugs regulating GABAB activity receptorin the areas of hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Down syndrome, depression, and substance abuse.

The information contained in this text will be of particular interest to neuroscientists in general and to neuropharmacologists in particular.
Articles written by leading investigators in the fieldInforms and updates on all the latest developments"