When antimicrobials were widely introduced in the 1940s they were considered as “miracle drugs” because they could successfully treat a broad range of common infections as well as more difficult bacterial diseases.
Since then, this medical innovation has saved millions upon millions of human lives around the globe. Due to overuse or misuse of antimicrobials, some bacterial strains have developed resistance to different antimicrobial drugs, although the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a natural process, some degree is expected to develop against all antimicrobials, even when treatments are optimal. It occurs when microorganisms evolve to be able to resist the medicine that has been used to combat them. Resistant microorganisms can survive or even grow in the presence of a concentration of antimicrobial that is usually sufficient to inhibit or kill non-resistant microorganisms of the same species.
Medical doctors and scientists are alarmed that if the trend continues, we may enter a “post-antibiotic era” when even minor infections can prove fatal. Antibiotics are among the most commonly prescribed drugs used in human medicine, but up to 50 % of the time antibiotics are not prescribed properly ( often given when not needed or with incorrect dosing or duration).
Treatment failure caused by AMR contributes to: additional side effects; longer hospital stays; psychological disorders due to reduced quality of life; burden on families; and a greater likelihood of death as a result of inadequate or delayed treatment. AMR also affects patients who are not infected with resistant organisms.
Infections caused by resistant organisms currently claim at least 50 000 lives each year across Europe and the USA, and hundreds of thousands of deaths are being caused in other areas of the world. AMR may be the greatest challenge to face health care in the 21st century. While the development of AMR has been accelerating, the development of new antimicrobial agents has slowed substantially in past decades. For example, the ageing of the USA population has shifted medicine discovery efforts towards agents for chronic medical conditions that are more prevalent among the elderly, such as hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, mood disorders, dementia, arthritis and cancer.
Factors that will largely determine the future extent of AMR are: pathogen and microbial ecology; prescribing and dispensing practices; population characteristics; and health care policy. Activities implemented in many countries contribute to AMR containment through increased capacities for improved infection prevention and control, stronger AMR stewardship, and the establishment of regulatory systems, national action plans, standard treatment guidelines, essential medicines lists, and updated pre-service curricula. It is important to build capacity, detection systems, and laboratories to strengthen and improve medicine use, improve infection prevention and control practices, and detect and report priority AMR pathogens.
The emergence of AMR is a complex problem driven by many interconnected factors, in particular the overuse and misuse of antimicrobials. The aim of this book is to provide some perspective on this very important subject and to provide cutting-edge knowledge and reviews of the activities and various aspects of antimicrobial resistance containment.
Due to their various qualities, such as lightness, chemical and microbial stability, non-degradable polymeric materials are routinely used in a wide range of applications in everyday life. However, due to the growing concern for environmental and waste management issues, bio-based and biodegradable polymers have recently raised great interest. Produced from renewable or petroleum resources, these polymers are hydrolytically or enzymatically degraded. As a consequence, they have numerous advantages, so that they find applications in packaging and biomedical field, such as drug delivery, tissue engineering and as temporary implants. Nevertheless, their main drawbacks are a higher cost in comparison with commodity polymers, and inferior properties. Therefore, researches on bio-based and biodegradable polymers must be continued in order to improve their performances and penetrate new markets.
The aim of this book is to address advances in the field and proposes alternative ways for polymer degradation. Some chapters are dedicated to the synthesis of innovative biodegradable and bio-based polymers, while others focus on their properties improvement. Some examples of biopolymer expectations in biomedical or food applications are also discussed. Finally, biodegradability potential of vinyl polymers is approached.
With recent technological advances in multiple research fields such as materials science, micro-/nano-technology, cellular and molecular biology, and bioengineering, much attention is shifting toward the development of new diagnostic tools that address needs not only for high sensitivity and specificity but fulfil economic, environmental, and rapid point-of-care needs for groups and individuals with constrained resources and, possibly, limited training. Miniaturized fluidics-based platforms that precisely manipulate tiny body fluid volumes can be used for medical or healthcare diagnosis in a rapid and accurate manner. These new diagnostic technologies are potentially applicable to different healthcare issues, since they are disposable, inexpensive, portable, and easy to use for the detection of human diseases (e.g., cancers or infectious diseases) – especially when they are manufactured based on low-cost materials such as paper. The purpose of this book is to bridge new diagnostic technologies and biology with medicine, focusing more on their applications for point-of-care diagnostics. The topics regarding point-of-care diagnostics in this book that we have addressed cover the overview of the point-of-care diagnostic devices, microfluidic diagnostic device and treatment for assisted reproductive technologies, new materials for making diagnostic devices, and cellphone- -based diagnostic devices. Here, we would like to express our deep appreciation to all authors. Without their full support, this book, including the review and original articles, would probably not be published on schedule. This book may not cover all topics in this emerging field – the development of practical tools and technologies for point-of-care diagnostics, but we firmly believe that our efforts have the potential to provide impetus to highly impactful innovations and challenging discussions in relevant academic and commercial communities.
Tissue engineering and tissue regeneration is rapidly expanding research area which involves interdisciplinary approaches to the development of regenerative medicine aimed at restoring and improving the functioning of tissue as well as a whole organ. It brings together various disciplines from material engineering, natural science and life science fields with the intention to alleviate present challenges of harvesting and storing tissues for transplantation. It has been demonstrated that adipose derived stem cells possess versatile therapeutic potential in various clinical contexts such as facilitation of wound healing, bone and cartilage regeneration and rehabilitation of cardiac functions among others. On the other hand material engineering has developed improved procedures for preparation of nano-sized materials which emerged as promising candidates in producing scaffolds able to better mimic the nanostructure in natural extracellular matrix. Overall, nanomaterials exhibit superior performance comparing to microparticulate matter. They exhibit improved biocompatibile, mechanical, physico-chemical and magnetic properties which advance tissue growth and regeneration. The aim of this book is to address recent advances in the field and to review the preparation and functioning of various nano-materials (nanoparticles, nanofibers and the surface modifications of implantable materials) in the biological context. Furthermore, the book summarizes the applications of nano-materials to various tissues, which are classified into four types depending on their functions: protective, mechano-sensitive, electro-active, and shear stress-sensitive tissues.
Successful treatment of various illnesses and disorders heavily relies on efficient drug delivery vehicles in order for drug to reach the site of action. The drug delivery systems must provide controlled permeability and distribution of drug, targeting only those organs or biomolecules to be treated.
Recently, nano drug delivery systems have shown promising treatment application for many illnesses such as infectious diseases, viral infections, cancer and genetic disorders. They could be used in combination with different therapies including radio-therapy, gene-therapy etc. Nano drug delivery systems overcome traditional limitations of conventional drug delivery systems such as poor bioavalilaility and biodistribution. With nano drug delivery system it is possible to penetrate those sites which are difficult to reach by other drug delivery systems. This way cell-specific targeting is achieved minimising the influence on vital tissues and undesirable side effects.
The aim of this book is to overview recent advances and achievements in nano drug delivery systems and to provide wide coverage and possible future applications in the field.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.
Improving human health and preventing illness and various diseases is one of the major areas of human endeavour in contemporary science. Huge amounts of money are invested in drug research both in academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies. Discovery of new biologically active chemical entities, their promotion in clinical candidates and drug molecules, as well as design of efficient drug formulations and their improvement are long-term tasks requiring a multi-disciplinary approach. Throughout the research process scientists are faced with challenges where important decisions have to be made and crucial actions have to be taken in order to keep pace with ever-increasing demands from the pharmaceutical market and pharmaceutical management.
Physical chemistry underlies most of the tools that medicinal chemists have at hand to assist them in their research. The vast armada of physico-chemical methods and techniques available enable fast and accurate measurements of specific parameters facilitating identification and selection of drug candidates. However, appropriate applications of physico-chemical techniques or their combinations, the proper choice of the corresponding methods as well as accurate interpretation of the results relies not only on good knowledge of physical chemistry but also on open and active communication between scientists of various backgrounds.
This book gives a selection of topics related to the various methods commonly used in pharmaceutical research. The intention, on the one hand, is to provide a theoretical background of the particular technique in order to enable inexperienced readers to gain a general impression of the usefulness of the field. On the other hand, a lot of practical examples will provide scientists, who encounter these methods either in the pharmaceutical research process or in academic institutions, with enough useful information for the successful application of these methods in their everyday work.