Reasoning in terms of molecular recognition may be traced back to Emil Fischer, who practiced the art of chemistry at Humboldt University in Prussian Berlin a century ago. Today, it is clearly recognized that molecular recognition impacts and determines all life processes. It has become a key research field in both chemistry and biology and the emerging interface of what now is being called "chemical biology". The technological advances derived from this knowledge are particularly important, diverse, and directly evident in the pharmaceutical industry. Under the auspices of the Ernst Schering Research Foundation, a workshop held in Berlin in February 1998 addressed novel basic developments of potential relevance to drug research efforts. A balance of timely research topics in molecular recognition is presented in the lectures delivered by a multidisciplinary international panel of renowned scholars and documented in this volume.

The search for new producers of biologically active substances (BAS) against human and animal diseases continues to be an important task in biology and medicine. Experimental work must be carried out well in advance of need because it takes an average of ten years to develop a new medication, as well as additional time to put it on the market. Study of the Protozoa forms a special branch of biology - protozoology. The traditional fields of protozoology are taxonomy, phylogeny, morphology, cytology, evolution, ecology and host parasite-interactions. The Protozoa is the only taxon among the microscopic organisms, which has not been persistently studied as a source of BAS. This book then is the result of the research on the project: "Biologically active substances of the Mastigophora (Flagellates)." The research was carried out at the Laboratory of Antibiotics, Department of Microbiology, Biological Faculty of Moscow State University. Articles of other authors on the matter have been considered as the important part of this reference book. The goal of the reference book is to elucidate scientific approaches, which lead to obtaining biologically active substances from cultures of protozoa; the book reviews the historical background in connection with contemporary development of the field. N.N. Sukhareva ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The research was performed in fruitful cooperation with my research associates (V. Urinyuk, T. Titiova, L. Udalova, R. Zeleneva, V. Brusovanik, M. Zaretskaya), postgraduate students (N. Kalenik, M. Chuenkova, V. Vasilevskaya, V. Khorokhorina), my colleagues at Moscow State University (Yu. Kozlov and I.

The development of new technology means that compromised patients previously confined to hospital may now be treated at home. Those patients receiving intravenous feeding, cytotoxic drugs and new insulin therapy, are fully trained by the health-care professionals (doctors, pharmacists and nurses) to encourage self-reliance and understanding which are vital to success. There are hazards in treating these patients in the home environment, e.g. microbiological risks which are currently being evaluated, failure of equipment, and social problems as patients adjust to a new life in the community. Neverthless, the balance of benefits favour restoration of the patient to a self-reliant positive life at home. The delivery of this important new dimension in therapy was described at a symposium held in the University of York by innovators in the field. Discussion enabled the core of knowledge and experience developed by multi-disciplinary teams to be shared. The problems of supplying parenteral nutrition and medication for the compromised patient in the home and the family situation were aired and solutions presented. The special care for hospital out-patients receiving cytotoxic drug therapy and safe procedures for staff handling these agents was presented and together with responses to questions indicated the direction for UK hospital pharmacists to follow. More information is needed and it is hoped that this account of these proceedings will stimulate interest in these aspects of health care.

The lung and its contiguous structures are commonly involved in several of the rheumatic diseases (Table 1), either by direct manifestation of disease or as a secondary effect from infection or complications of therapy. In this chapter, we detail the various pulmonary manifestations of the major rheu- matological conditions. The common symptoms of pulmonary diseases and how frequently they are implicated in rheumatic disorders are review- ed. In addition, radiology and physiology of the lung, diagnostic proce- dures and therapeutic options are discussed. Table l. Respiratory associations of the rheumatic disorders Disease Airways Parenchyma Vessels WalVmuscles Lung Pleura Pulmonary Chest pleurisy hypertension Rheumatoid bronchiectasis, pneumonia, arthritis obliterative fibrosing effusion bronchiolitis alveolitis, empyema nodules Systemic pneumonia pleurisy hypertension lupus fibrosing effusion shrinking lungs erythematosus alveolitis, with high atelectasis diaphragm Systemic bronchiectasis fibrosing hypertension "encased chest" sclerosis alveolitis, aspiration pneumonia Sjogren's bronchitis fibrosing alveolitis syndrome lymphoma Dermatomyositis aspiration myopathy polymyositis pneumonia, fibrosing alveolitis Ankylosing upper lobe cos- spondylitis fibrosis vertebral fixation joint Behget's haemorrhage aneurysm syndrome Relapsing upper airway polychondritis narrowing Pulmonary vasculitides nodules The Respiratory System in Rheumatic Diseases 25 1. 2. Respiratory Symptoms The most common respiratory symptoms in patients with rheumatic disease and pulmonary involvement are non-specific and include cough, breathlessness and chest pain and can be the result of involvement of air- ways, lung parenchyma, pleura, chest wall or pulmonary vessels. 1. 3. Tissue Involvement 1. 3. 1.

Inspite of considerable progress in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, pulmonary embolism has remained a threat to the patient and a challenge for the physician both in conservative, as well as in operative disciplines. Pulmonary embolism is according to pathology observations still the most frequently overlooked clinical diagnosis. In 1-5 per 100 autopsies, clinically unexpected pulmonary emboli are found. In addition, the sequelae of recurrent pulmonary emboli, the syndrome of pulmonary hypertension with or without right heart failure, continues to present a therapeutic dilemma - and no progress is in sight. In intensive care medicine pulmonary embolism, either acute, massive, and/or recur- rent, continues to be both a therapeutic as well as a preventive challenge mobilizing pharmacotherapeutic, catheter-interventional, and operative resources. Diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies are currently in use. Their basis, however, seems surprisingly thin, as far as our knowledge on the natural course of this chameleon-like illness with and without fibrinolytic, anticoagulative, catheter or opera- tive treatment is concerned. A large European multicenter register has been initiated by Professors Kasper and Geibel with the help of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceutics, in order to better describe the natural course of pulmonary embolism under current treat- ment modalities. Furthermore, recently the clinical significance of the valve patent foramen ovale as a source of paradoxical emboli is beginning to be better understood. Many concepts therefore require revision.

Stockley's Drug Interactions, edited by Claire L Preston, remains the world's most comprehensive and authoritative international reference book on drug interactions. Based upon thousands of published papers and reports it: * Covers interactions between therapeutic drugs, proprietary medicines, herbal medicines, foods, drinks, and drugs of abuse * Contains in-depth yet concise monographs in an easy-to-read format * Provides comprehensive details of the clinical evidence for the interactions under discussion, an assessment of their clinical importance, and clear guidance on managing the interaction in practice * Has a brief summary of the interaction in each monograph - perfect for the busy healthcare professional * Is fully referenced throughout * Is global in coverage New in the 12th edition are over 300 new monographs, with reviews and updates for the existing 4500 monographs.

Over the past five years, the immense financial pressure on the development and manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals has resulted in the increasing use and acce- ance of disposables, which are discarded after harvest and therefore intended only for single use. In fact, such disposables are implemented in all the main bioprocess production stages today and an even higher growth than those in the biopharmac- tical market is predicted (reaching double figures). Alongside disposable filter capsules, membrane chromatography units, tubing, connectors, flexible containers processing or containing fluids, freezer systems, mixers and pumps, and fully c- trolled disposable bioreactors of up to 2,000 L culture volume are already available on the market. Numerous studies highlight the advantages of disposable bioreactors and reveal their potential for simple, safe and fast seed inoculum production, process devel- ment and small as well as middle volume production (e.g. bioactive substances, viruses for vaccines and gene therapies etc.). They suggest that such disposable bioreactors (typically characterized by the cultivation chamber or bag from plastic materials) may be advantageous for plant, animal and microbial cells. Running industrial activities such as CFD-modelling, development of single-use process monitoring and control technology, and standardized film formulations are attempting to resolve the limitations of the current disposable bioreactors. These achievements, along with substantial improvements in product yield, will reduce the use of stainless steel in the biomanufacturing facilities of the future.

Volume 3 of the Encyclopedia of the Alkaloids covers the literature to the end of October 1976 and includes a large number of these compounds which have been discovered since the first two volumes were published in 1975. There are some entries where recent work has resulted in new structures being put forward or where additional details regarding compounds have been provided. Additional references to compounds given in the first two volumes are marked with an asterisk. The opportunity has also been taken to provide a formula index covering all three volumes. It is a great pleasure to thank Academician Professor S. Yu. Yunusov of the Institute of Chemistry at the University of Tashkent, Uzbekistan, for pointing out a number of errors in the two previous volumes and for kindly providing me with invaluable detailed information of the alkaloids which have been isolated and studied by Soviet chemists over many years.

Bioactive Spin Labels focusses on nitroxyl radicals, their chemistry, biological activity and their application as paramagnetic contrast agents in biomedical research. New EPR techniques for in-vivo studies utilizing nitroxyl radical reagents are described. Recent results on stable nitroxyl radicals as anticancer, antishock, antiaggregant and antischemic drugs are summarized.

An unprecedented glimpse into the multidimensional learning processes that take place when novice professionals develop the necessary communication skills for effective task accomplishment. This analysis of authentic patient consultations by pharmacy interns is a significant contribution to research on health communication training.

All practitioners and pharmacists interested in treatment with herbal remedies should have this book at their disposal. It is the definitive practice-oriented introduction - now in its fifth edition - to phytotherapy. Methodically classified by organic systems and fields of application, the text provides a quick insight into dosage, form of application and effects of the most important herbal remedies. Only those herbal remedies that are of pharmacological and clinical efficiency have been considered. The authors are highly experienced in the field of postgraduate medical education, and, with this work, present an indispensable reference book for the medical practice.

Written specifically for pharmacy students, this book explains basic statistics. It contains chapters on basic concepts such as types of data, graphical representation of data, distribution and standard deviation. More advanced statistical techniques, such as ANOVA, are also discussed.

This book explains the pharmacological relationships between the various systems in the human body. It offers a comprehensive overview of the pharmacology concerning the autonomic, central, and peripheral nervous systems. Presenting up-to-date information on chemical mediators and their significance, it highlights the therapeutic aspects of several diseases affecting the cardiovascular, renal, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrinal, and hematopoietic systems. The book also includes drug therapy for microbial and neoplastic diseases. It also comprises sections on immunopharmacology, dermatological, and ocular pharmacology providing valuable insights into these emerging and recent topics. Covering the diverse groups of drugs acting on different systems, the book reviews their actions, clinical uses, adverse effects, interactions, and subcellular mechanisms of action. It is divided into 11 parts, subdivided into several chapters that evaluate the basic pharmacological principles that govern the different types of body systems. This book is intended for academicians, researchers, and clinicians in industry and academic institutions in pharmaceutical, pharmacological sciences, pharmacy, medical sciences, physiology, neurosciences, biochemistry, molecular biology and other allied health sciences.

This book provides a unique and up-to-date insight into the biopharmaceutical industry. Largely written by industrial authors, its scope is multidisciplinary, rendering it an ideal reference source for students undertaking advanced undergraduate or postgraduate courses in biotechnology, pharmaceutical science, biochemistry, or medicine.

In Tumor Targeting in Cancer Therapy, Dr. Michel Page and a panel of authoritative experts from the drug industry, clinics, and academia introduce the principles and techniques of tumor targeting and critically survey their applications from laboratory to bedside. By concisely synthesizing the many technical details, the authors illuminate this innovative technique, ranging from the fundamentals of drug targeting and in vivo and in vitro experimentation, to such emerging therapeutic uses as radioimmunotherapy, radioimmunodetection, therapy with cytotoxic antibodies, immunotoxins, enzyme prodrug immunotherapy, and immunotherapeutics with fusion proteins. There are also reviews of targeting tumors with radioimmunoconjugates, photodynamic therapy, and magnetic drugs, as well as discussions of the internalization of antibodies, bioconjugation and biodistribution, the use of cytotoxic drugs, and the pros and cons of targeting by antibody or ligand.

Over the past few years, increasing attention has been paid to the search for bioactive compounds from natural sources. The success of plant-derived products such as paclitaxel (Taxol) in tumor therapy or artemisinin in the treatment of malaria has provided the impetus for the introduction of numerous research programmes, especially in Industry. A great deal of effort is being expended in the generation of novel lead molecules of vegetable, marine and microbial origin by the use of high throughput screening protocols. When interesting hits are found, it is essen tial to have methods available for the rapid isolation of target compounds. For this reason, both industry and academia need efficient preparative chromatographic separation techniques and experience in their application. Purified natural products are required for complete spectro scopic identification and full characterization of new compo unds, for biological testing and for the supply of pharmaceuti cals, standards, and starting materials for synthetic work. Obtaining pure products from an extract can be a very long, te dious and expensive undertaking, involving many steps. Sometimes only minute amounts of the desired compounds are at hand and these entities may be labile. Thus it is an advantage to have access to as many different methods as possible in order to aid the isolation process. Although a certain amount of trial and error may be involved, nowadays there is the possibility of devising suitable rapid separation schemes by a judicious choice of the different techniques available."

Ivan Ross takes advantage of the significant growth in the amount of new data available to update and expand his much acclaimed Medicinal Plants of the World: Chemical Constituents, Traditional and Modern Medicinal Uses. This second edition exhaustively compiles new clinical research and references twenty-six of the most widely used medicinal plants in the world, including Allium sativum, Mangifera indica, Punica granatum;, Momoridica charantia, Mucuna pruriens; Arbus precatorius; Moringa pterysgosperma, Phyllanthus niruri, and Jatrpha curcas.

In 1860, Oliver Wendell Holmes pointedly expressed himself to the Massachusetts Medical Society: "I firmly believe that if the whole Material Medica, as now used, could be sunk to the bottom of the sea, it would be all the better for mankind, and all the worst for the fishes." Should one think the same about the current approach in drug discovery from plants? Probably yes. Despite the spending of billions of US dollars, and three decades of efforts, high-throughput screenings have only allowed the discovery of a couple of drugs. One could have reasonably expected the discovery of an arsenal of drugs from the millions of plant extracts randomly tested, but "hits" can be inactive in vitro or too toxic, some molecules need to be metabolized first to be active, and false-positive and false-negative results are common. The bitter truth is that the robotic approach in discovering drugs from plants has proven, to date, its inability to excavate the hundreds of molecules that will contribute to the health progress of Man. However, one can reasonably see that the last patches of primary rainforest on earth hold still hundreds of spectacularly active drugs that await discovery.