Natural Products Targeting Clinically Relevant Enzymes
Covers the full spectrum of clinically relevant enzymes that are known to be targeted by natural products. Key enzymes include acetylcholine esterase, angiotensin-I-converting enzyme, cyclooxygenase, dihydrofolate reductase, phospholipase A2, respiratory complexes, and many more. By connecting the diversity of medicinal natural product sources with their potential clinical applications, this volume serves as a companion for the medicinal chemist looking for innovative small molecule compounds as well as for pharmacologist interested in the clinical effects and mode of action of herbal and traditional medicines.
Matrix Metalloproteinases in Tissue Remodelling and Inflammation
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes believed to be involved in many physiological and pathological processes associated with inflammatory reactions. This volume presents new advances in the involvement of MMPs in various diseases associated with inflammatory processes. Moreover, the recent development of selective and non selective inhibitors of MMPs provides new insights in the relationship between activation of inflammatory cells and tissue remodelling and advises new therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Inhibitors of protein kinases and protein phosphates
The aims of this volume are to highlight the tremendous pharmacological potential of protein kinase and protein phosphatase inhibitors, to provide a thorough overview of the most remarkable achievements in the field and to illustrate how beneficial these studies can be for the advancement of both basic knowledge on biological regulation and deregulation and for the clinical treatment of a wide spectrum of diseases.
Inflammation in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Diseases : The COX-2 Controversy
In this book, a worldwide panel of leading experts discuss the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of major chronic diseases and the current controversy regarding risk versus benefit of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors.
Hypertension in the Elderly
Topics range from basic concepts, epidemiology and trials, and evaluation and management, to pharmacological treatment, special populations, and adherence, all presented with an emphasis on the optimal management of patients. The authors examine in detail the mechanisms of hypertension in the elderly, particularly age-related changes in vascular stiffness, and methodically review the lifestyle and outcomes trials that were conducted in older persons. The problems of clinical evaluation, secondary hypertension, and target organ damage are also fully addressed, and a practical approach is provided for correctly determining blood pressure, one of the most important tasks in evaluating an older patient. Extensive discussions of pharmacological therapy detail the role of individual drug classes, including diuretics and b-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium antagonists, a-1 blockers, and combination drug therapies. Additional chapters focus on special populations, such as African Americans, patients with diabetes, and patients with arthritis, as well as on the clinician's role in improving therapeutic adherence in older patients. Offers family practitioners and general internists an up-to-date, user-friendly reference on the diagnosis, treatment, and complications of hypertension in the elderly.
Hepatocellular Cancer : Diagnosis and Treatment
Recent advances in the use of ultrasound and computed tomography, in new drugs and drug combinations, as well as with increasingly successful liver transplantation have transformed not only our understanding of hepatocellular cancer (HCC), but also our clinical management of the disease. In Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment, highly experienced clinicians-many from Dr. Thomas Starzl's renowned liver transplant team at the University of Pittsburgh-present a fully synthesized practical approach to HCC patient management, including an up-to-date literature review. Their presentation includes all the latest developments in the diagnosis and treatment of primary liver cancer. A summary chapter details for physicians the diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making process for dealing with such problems as incidental tumors in the liver transplant, the role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, intra-arterial vs intravenous therapy, the uses of embolization, and the significance of portal vein thrombus. A value-added compact disk containing a companion ebook version of Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment is included for downloading and use in the reader's PC or PDA. Authoritative and highly practical, Hepatocellular Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment captures for physicians the recent exciting changes in our understanding of hepatocellular cancer, focusing on today's optimal diagnostic methods, novel therapeutics, and day-to-day best management practices.
Handbook of plant and animal toxins in food : Occurrence, toxicity, and prevention
Focuses on various selected toxins in foods derived from plants as well as animals. The prominent plant toxins include solanine and chaconine, mushroom toxins, phytates, tannins, oxalates, goitrogens, gossypol, phytohemagglutinins, erucic acid, saponins, cyanogenic glycosides, enzyme inhibitors, BOAA (lathyrogens), toxic amino acids and toxic fatty acids. The prominent animal toxins covered in the book include various seafood toxins, shellfish toxins and biogenic amines. Presents complete information about a plethora of toxins Provides quick and easy access to data on major plant and animal toxins Covers distribution of toxins in the plant and animal kingdom Provides comprehensive information on chemistry, safety and precautions of each toxin
Entry Inhibitors in HIV Therapy
The introductory chapters of this book present an overview of entry inhibitors, review current knowledge of how Env mediates entry, and discuss the challenge of genetic diversity in this region of the viral genome. Subsequent chapters feature current information on individual classes of entry inhibitors that target each step of the virus entry pathway, from attachment to membrane fusion. There is an emphasis on the complex determinants of entry inhibitor susceptibility, resistance mechanisms, the need for clinical phenotyping, and how these issues create new challenges for antiretroviral therapy. Encouraging pre-clinical studies of entry inhibitors as microbicidesare also discussed. The final chapters highlight the current status of entry inhibitors in clinical studies, the major milestone achieved with FDA approval of enfuvirtide, and review drug development, past and present.
Enhancing the Dissolution Rate of Atorvastatin by Solid Dispersion Technique
In the last few decades, solid dispersion (SD) technology had been studied as an approach to produce an amorphous carrier to enhance the solubility, dissolution rate, and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The use of suitable carrier and methodology in the preparation of SDs play a significant role in the biological behavior of the SDs. Atorvastatin is a statin group HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor drug that is commonly used to adverse cardiovascular events and to lower blood total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. the solubility of atorvastatin in water is very low (0.1 mg mL− 1), which results in reduced bioavailability. In order to enhance its solubility, we have prepared solid dispersions (SDs) of atorvastatin at different drug: polymer ratios (1:2, 1:10, 1:20,1:25 and 1:40), using polyethylene glycol 6000 as polymer and different preparation methods (co-precipitate and melting methods) The characterization of the SDs was performed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) The solubility of AT was improved by the incorporation PEG6000.
Emerging Environmental Technologies
This book exclusively focuses on the technologies that would be in the forefront in near to far future. Each and every article in the book discusses the current environmental challenges, the novel innovation and future directions. The topics covered in the book include microbial fuel cells, hybrid solar lighting, bacterial swimming for environmental remediation, cleaner engines, nanoparticles for effluent treatment, surface catalysis and proteins as gas hydrates inhibitors.
EGFR Signaling Networks in Cancer Therapy
EGFR Signaling Networks in Cancer Therapy, is separated into two sections. The first of which probes the molecular pathways and the intersection of signaling networks which are frequently deregulated in human cancers, the second section illustrates the many ways in which EGF receptor contribute to abnormal survival and migration signaling in cancer cells and to epithelial to mesenchymal transition and metastasis.
Drug repurposing : A new fashion for a new hope
The repurposing of drugs is becoming increasingly attractive as it avoids the long process and cost implications associated with bringing a novel drug to market i.e., drug repurposing is cost effective and time saving. This study will discuss the repositioning of several drugs that belong to different pharmaceutical classifications such as antimicrobials (itraconazole and fluoroquinolones), anti-diabetic agents (metformin and sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors), cardiovascular drugs (β-blockers and digoxin), anticonvulsants (topiramate), immunosuppressants (sirolimus), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs e.g., COX inhibitors), and cholesterol lowering drugs (statins).
Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases : Basic Science and Clinical Applications
Dipeptidyl Aminopeptidases exert a potent modulatory role at an interface between immune mechanisms, metabolic responses, and neuroendocrine pathways. Experimental models and clinical studies addressing the role of these enzymes and the effect of specific inhibitors pave the way to novel therapeutic concepts in immunology, rheumatology, oncology, reproductive medicine and diabetes. Leading experts in the field will contribute to this book, which will present a state-of-the-art view on these enzymes at a time when our understanding of their function is growing ever more rapidly and therapeutic options have become imminent. The sections of the book will focus on various topics including DP IV and related enzymes in: expression and function, metabolic disorders, immune mechanisms and immune disorders, neuronal diseases and cancer, and related drug development.
Diabetes drug notes
Diabetes is becoming more common in both older and younger generations and in keeping with this escalation in cases, there are an ever increasing number of drugs and drug classes that are suitable to treat hyperglycaemia. In a unique blend of diabetes practice, clinical pharmacology, and cardiovascular medicine, Diabetes Drug Notes describes the principles of clinical pharmacology with regards to diabetes prescribing. Each drug class for the treatment of diabetes is covered in detail, along with the effect on the cardiovascular and renal systems caused by each drug. Building upon the success of their "Drug Notes" series for Practical Diabetes and their "Drugs for Diabetes" series in the British Journal of Cardiology, the team of experts focuses on the glycaemic management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with other effects of antidiabetic drugs covered as well.
Development of statin is a breakthrough therapy in Alzheimer’s prevention
Dementia is one of the diseases which had several stages and Alzheimer’s term was selected in respect for the first doctor Alzheimer who defined the first symptoms of this diseases in a woman whom was well treated by him. The fact that this is a type of a silent disease on which you have a long-term process of neurological degradation and suddenly gives symptoms which are most often irreversible, on clinical level likely we can consider it as a malignancy, one in terms of that it is sudden shocking irreversible and on the level of behavior and some mortality beside the lack of early detection tools for diagnosis...
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 (Cdk5)
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of reviews on the discovery, signaling mechanisms and functions of Cdk5, as well as the potential implication of Cdk5 in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Since the identification of this unique member of the Cdk family, Cdk5 has emerged as one of the most important signal transduction mediators in the development, maintenance and fine-tuning of neuronal functions and networking. Further studies have revealed that Cdk5 is also associated with the regulation of neuronal survival during development as well as in neurodegenerative diseases. These observations indicate that precise control of Cdk5 is essential for the regulation of neuronal survival. The pivotal role that Cdk5 appears to play in both the regulation of neuronal survival and synaptic functions thus raises the interesting possibility that Cdk5 inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of a number of neurodegenerative diseases.
Corrosion and protection of reinforced concrete
This book surveys deterioration of concrete, particularly corrosion of the steel reinforcement, and the various chemical, biological, physical and mechanical causes of deterioration. It outlines condition survey and diagnosis techniques by on-site and laboratory measurements. It sets out mechanical methods of protection and repair, such as patching, inhibitors, coatings, penetrants and structural strengthening as well as cathodic protection and other electrochemical methods.
Cooperative Sourcing : Simulation Studies and Empirical Data on Outsourcing Coalitions in the Banking Industry
Based on the integration of relevant economic and organizational theories, Daniel Beimborn develops a formal model of cooperative sourcing. The model captures the different drivers and inhibitors like economies of scale, scope and skill, transaction costs, strategic constraints etc. and forms the basis for both game-theoretical analyses and agent-based simulations. Simulations help to handle the numerical complexity and allow for compound analyses of the causes and effects of cooperative sourcing. Empirical data from two large-scale surveys and case studies in the German credit business are used in order to feed the simulation model and to validate the results.
Control of Biofilm Infections by Signal Manipulation
Describes the molecular mechanisms of cell-to-cell communication among bacterial cells in a biofilm, the development of antibiofilm inhibitors, like quorum-sensing inhibitors, and the use of biofilm inhibitors to prevent and treat bacterial infections in humans and other animals.
Coagulation system as a drug target
The coagulation pathway is a cascade of events that leads to hemostasis. The intricate pathway allows for healing and prevention of spontaneous bleeding. Measurement and monitoring of anticoagulation levels and concentrations by parameters in certain situations. There are many medications for coagulation.



















