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Aromatase Inhibitors
Many breast tumours are dependent upon oestrogen for their development and continued growth. Over the last 25 years hormone therapy has progressed from the irreversible destruction of endocrine glands to the use of drugs that reversibly suppress oestrogen synthesis or action. The inhibition of oestrogen synthesis is most readily achieved by inhibiting the final step in the pathway of oestrogen biosynthesis, the reaction which transforms androgens into oestrogens by creating an aromatic ring in the steroid molecule (hence the enzyme's trivial name, aromatase). Whereas the first aromatase inhibitors to be used therapeutically could be shown to produce drug-induced inhibition of the enzyme and therapeutic benefits in patients with breast cancer, they were not particularly potent and lacked specificity. However, second-generation drugs were developed and most recently third-generation inhibitors have evolved which possess remarkable specificity and potency. Initial results from clinical trials suggest that these agents will become the cornerstones of future endocrine therapy.
Aromatase Inhibitors
Many breast tumours are dependent upon oestrogen for their development and continued growth. Over the last 25 years hormone therapy has progressed from the irreversible destruction of endocrine glands to the use of drugs that reversibly suppress oestrogen synthesis or action. The inhibition of oestrogen synthesis is most readily achieved by inhibiting the final step in the pathway of oestrogen biosynthesis, the reaction which transforms androgens into oestrogens by creating an aromatic ring in the steroid molecule (hence the enzyme's trivial name, aromatase). Whereas the first aromatase inhibitors to be used therapeutically could be shown to produce drug-induced inhibition of the enzyme and therapeutic benefits in patients with breast cancer, they were not particularly potent and lacked specificity. However, second-generation drugs were developed and most recently third-generation inhibitors have evolved which possess remarkable specificity and potency. Initial results from clinical trials suggest that these agents will become the cornerstones of future endocrine therapy.
Arid Dune Ecosystems: The Nizzana Sands in the Negev Desert
Sand dune dynamics plays a key role in many arid deserts. This volume provides a synthesis of a specific sand dune ecosystem, the Nizzana site in the Negev Desert. Describing its climate and geophysical/geochemical properties of soils, geological history, flora and fauna, and past/present land-use patterns, it elucidates ecological and geomorphological processes and their interrelations, based on long-term monitoring, in situ experiments and satellite imagery. Particular attention is drawn to the impact of the topsoil biological crust in controlling water availability at local/regional scales. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this case study offers a good example of a highly complex and dynamic system, which could easily be applied to other sandy ecosystems.
Area-wide control of insect pests : From research to field implementation
This new textbook on area-wide control of insect pests collates a series of selected papers that attempts to address various funda- mental components of AW-IPM, e.g. the importance of relevant problem-solving research, the need for essential baseline data, thesignificanceofadequatetoolsforappropri-atecontrolstrategies,andthevalueofpilottri- als, etc.
Aquatic Oligochaete biology IX : Selected papers from the 9th Symposium on Aquatic Oligochaeta, 6-10 October 2003, Wageningen, The Netherlands
This volume contains selected papers from the 9th Symposium on Aquatic Oligochaeta, 6–10 October 2003, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 18 contributions deal with the biology of aquatic oligochaetes, and represents a mixture of the fields of taxonomy, anatomy, morphology and physiology, life history, ecology, sludge studies and toxicology. This wide scope is in line with the recent trends in oligochaete research, with a special interest in sludge studies.
Aquatic Biodiversity II : The Diversity of Aquatic Ecosystems
The present book comprises a unique collection of primary research papers spanning a wide range of topics in aquatic biodiversity studies, and including a first global assessment of specific diversity of freshwater animals. The book also presents a section on the interaction between scientists and science policy managers
Aquaponics Food Production Systems : Combined Aquaculture and Hydroponic Production Technologies for the Future
This book, written by world experts in aquaponics and related technologies, provides the authoritative and comprehensive overview of the key aquaculture and hydroponic and other integrated systems, socio-economic and environmental aspects. Aquaponic systems, which combine aquaculture and vegetable food production offer alternative technology solutions for a world that is increasingly under stress through population growth, urbanisation, water shortages, land and soil degradation, environmental pollution, world hunger and climate change.
Aquaculture in the Ecosystem
This book provides a scientific forecast of the development in aquaculture with a focus on the environmental, technological, social and economic constraints that need to be resolved to ensure sustainable development of the industry and allow the industry to be able to feed healthy seafood products to the future generations. The chapters included discuss the most critical bottlenecks of the development encompassing subjects of understanding the environmental impacts, the current state-of-art in monitoring programs and in coastal zone management, the important interactions between wild and cultured organisms including release of non-native species into the wild, the current trends within the development of aquafeeds along with human health aspects as well as the political, socio-economic and economic trends within the industry including a chapter on approaches taken by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to aquaculture. Finally the last chapter provides different future scenarios of the industry based on the identified bottlenecks.
Appropriate Dose Selection - How to Optimize Clinical Drug Development
Optimal dose individualization has become more important in improving clinical efficacy and safety, given the variability in drug response, e.g., due to concurrent illnesses or co-medications. Therefore, the role of optimal dose finding in early clinical drug development so as to maximize successful clinical use is emphasized. The continued use of biomarkers – based on the (known) pharmacology of the drug and/or biology of the underlying disease – along with exposure–response evaluation throughout all phases of drug development can quantitatively integrate clinical pharmacology knowledge, provide early proof of concept, and help in rational dose selection and rational drug product labeling for clinical use.
Approaches to the purification, analysis and characterization of antibody-based therapeutics
Provides the interested and informed reader with an overview of current approaches, strategies and considerations relating to the purification, analytics and characterization of therapeutic antibodies and related molecules. While there are obviously other books published in and around this subject area, they seem to be either older (c.a. year 2000 publication date) or are more limited in scope. The book will include an extensive bibliography of the published literature in the respective areas covered. It is not, however, intended to be a how-to methods book.
Applied scanning probe methods X : Biomimetics and industrial applications
The success of the Springer Series Applied Scanning Probe Methods I–VII and the rapidly expanding activities in scanning probe development and applications worldwide made it a natural step to collect further speci c results in the elds of development of scanning probe microscopy techniques (Vol. VIII), characterization (Vol. IX), and biomimetics and industrial applications (Vol. X). These three volumes complement the previous set of volumes under the subject topics and give insight into the recent work of leading specialists in their respective elds. Following the tradition of the series, the chapters are arranged around techniques, characterization and biomimetics and industrial applications. Volume VIII focuses on novel scanning probe techniques and the understanding of tip/sample interactions. Topics include near eld imaging, advanced AFM, specialized scanning probe methods in life sciences including new self sensing cantilever systems, combinations of AFM sensors and scanning electron and ion microscopes, calibration methods, frequency modulation AFM for application in liquids, Kelvin probe force microscopy, scanning capacitance microscopy, and the measurement of electrical transport properties at the nanometer scale.
Applied Bioinformatics : An Introduction
In this book, anyone who can operate a PC, standard software and the Internet will learn to understand the biological basis of bioinformatics of the existence as well as the source and availability of bioinformatics software how to apply these tools and interpret results with confidence.This is aided by introductory chapters to important aspects of bioinformatics, detailed bioinformatics exercises, including solutions and a glossary of definitions and terminology relating to bioinformatics.
Applications of Plant Metabolic Engineering
Written by leading international experts in the field of plant metabolic engineering, this book discusses, mainly, applications of plant metabolic engineering. Metabolic engineering, which is part of second generation biotechnology, has made several contributions at basic level as well as at conceptualising products ever since its emergence in the early 1980s. Applications resulting from metabolic engineering are expected to play a very important role in future for plant breeding, e.g. for improved resistance or improved traits concerning health promoting constituents, and production of fine chemicals such as medicines, flavors and fragrances.
Applications of Mass Spectrometry in Life Safety
MS is continuously developing as one of the most re- able analytical method for elucidating the structure of molecules originating from various biological matrices. The potential of MS for high-sensitive structural a- lyses became unsurpassable after the introduction of electrospray (ESI) and matrix assisted laser/desorption ionization (MALDI) methods, on one hand, and the pos- bility to deduce in detail unknown biopolymer structures by highly accurate mo- cular mass measurement followed by sequencing using dissociation techniques based on multiple stage MS, on the other.
Applications of Gene-Based Technologies for Improving Animal Production and Health in Developing Countries
This book will help in bridging the wide gap between developed and developing countries, in the development and use of gene-based technologies, and to elucidate the current and future roles of such technologies in the developing world. It is a good reference source for researchers, students and policy-makers alike.
Applications of computational intelligence in biology : Current trends and open problems
The purpose of this book is to provide a medium for such an exchange of expertise and concerns. In order to achieve the goal, we have solicited cont- butions from both computational intelligence as well as biology researchers.
Applications of cell immobilisation biotechnology
Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology" is divided into the two book volumes, FOBI 8A and FOBI 8B. The FOBI 8A volume, Fundamentals of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology, is dedicated to fundamental aspects of cell immobilisation while the present volume, FOBI 8B, Applications of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology, deals with diverse applications of this technology.
Application of microbes in environmental and microbial biotechnology
Discusses the innovative approaches and investigation strategies, as well as provides a broad spectrum of the cutting-edge research on the processing, properties and technological developments of microbial products and their applications. Microbes finds very important applications in our lives including industries and food processing. They are widely used in the fermentation of beverages, processing of dairy products, production of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, enzymes, proteins and biomaterials / conversion of biomass into fuel, fuel cell technology, health and environmental sectors. Some of these products are produced commercially, while others are potentially valuable in biotechnology. Microorganisms are considered invaluable in research as model organisms. This is a useful compilation for students and researchers in microbiology, biotechnology and chemical industries.
Application of Apoptosis to Cancer Treatment
This book is intended for workers in the field and clinicians as a useful guide of the state of affairs in this exciting field which may offer more effective possibilities for treatment of cancer patients.
Apoptotic pathways as targets for novel therapies in cancer and other diseases
The book attempts to review, summarize, and speculate on the apoptotic pathways, how are they regulated and how targeted therapies are being used to treat a wide variety of diseases. Special emphasis is placed on cancer since new treatments either being developed or currently in the clinical setting are showing great promise to increase survival rates for cancer patients.
