About the Series:In the tradition of Methods in Enzymology and Methods in Neurosciences, Academic Press is pleased to announce a new serial: Methods in Toxicology. There is a pressing need among researchers involved in toxicologic investigation for a series of publications that organizes and presents information on the latest experimental methodologies. To address the needs of researchers in toxicology, toxicologic pathology, pharmacology, and clinical biochemistry, this new serial provides comprehensive descriptions of state-of-the-art methods for evaluating drug and chemical toxicity. Thematic volumes focus on mechanistic approaches to the study of toxicity both in vitro and in vivo, taking advantage of the recent advances in the biological and chemical sciences that allow closer scrutiny of the mechanisms by which agents cause damage. Each volume begins with an introductory chapter that offers a broad guide to the application of methods addressed in that volume. Subsequent chapters contain detailed descriptions of research protocols, accessible both to experts and those new to toxicologic investigation. Included in each chapter are clearly defined procedures, discussions of limitations of the method, comparative considerations (species, sex, strain), interpretations of results, and explanations of how the methods may serve as alternatives to in vivo testing. Each volume of Methods in Toxicology is available in case binding for the library and Wire-O-binding for the laboratory. About the Book:Concurrent with the development of biological systems for in vitro toxicologic investigations (Volume 1A-In Vitro Biological Systems), techniques have evolved to detect and evaluate the diverse effects produced when toxicants interact with these systems. This volume describes methods for detecting and quantifying pertubations in various cellular parameters related to cell dysfunction and death (including apoptosis) associated with adverse toxicant action. Each endpoint measurement probes one aspect of the response of the biological system to a toxicant. When several techniques are used in combination, it is possible to derive a more complete understanding of the mechanism of toxicity at the cellular, tissue, or organ level. The methods collected here are organized by major categories of toxic effects, such as membrane damage, disruption of energy metabolism, and lipid peroxidation, commonly monitored by toxicologists during a comprehensive toxicity study. Specialized techniques of interest and value in mechanistic investigations are included. As with the first volume, the goal is not to obtain an exhaustive collection of methods, but rather to assemble in a single central reference a set of valuable techniques that are used for toxicologic investigations, along with cautionary remarks on their use and limitations.

Advances in molecular biology and toxicology are paving the way for major improvements in the evaluation of the hazards posed by the large number of chemicals found at low levels in the environment. The National Research Council was asked by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to review the state of the science and create a far-reaching vision for the future of toxicity testing. The book finds that developing, improving, and validating new laboratory tools based on recent scientific advances could significantly improve our ability to understand the hazards and risks posed by chemicals. This new knowledge would lead to much more informed environmental regulations and dramatically reduce the need for animal testing because the new tests would be based on human cells and cell components. Substantial scientific efforts and resources will be required to leverage these new technologies to realize the vision, but the result will be a more efficient, informative and less costly system for assessing the hazards posed by industrial chemicals and pesticides.

The United States Navy has been concerned for some time with protecting its military and civilian personnel from reproductive and developmental hazards in the workplace. As part of its efforts to reduce or eliminate exposure of Naval personnel and their families to reproductive and developmental toxicants, the Navy requested that the National Research Council (NRC) recommend an approach that can be used to evaluate chemicals and physical agents for their potential to cause reproductive and developmental toxicity. The NRC assigned this project to the Committee on Toxicology, which convened the Subcommittee on Reproductive and Developmental Toxicology, to prepare this report. In this report, the subcommittee recommends an approach for evaluating agents for potential reproductive and developmental toxicity and demonstrates how that approach can be used by the Navy. This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC's Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report: James Chen (National Center for Toxicological Research), George Daston (Procter and Gamble Company), Jerry Heindel (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences), Grace Lemasters (University of Cincinnati), and John Young (National Center for Toxicological Research).

The new field of toxicogenomics presents a potentially powerful set of tools to better understand the health effects of exposures to toxicants in the environment. At the request of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Research Council assembled a committee to identify the benefits of toxicogenomics, the challenges to achieving them, and potential approaches to overcoming such challenges. The report concludes that realizing the potential of toxicogenomics to improve public health decisions will require a concerted effort to generate data, make use of existing data, and study data in new waysâ€"an effort requiring funding, interagency coordination, and data management strategies.

This masterful third edition of Freshney's Culture of Animal Cells updates and considerably expands the scope of its predecessor and still enables both the novice and the experiences researcher to apply the basic and more sophisticated techniques of tissue culture. New Topics covered include: the use of molecular techniques in cell culture, such as DNA fingerprinting, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and chromosome painting cell interactions in cell culture new methods for separating cells new or refined methods for accessing cytotoxicity, viability, and mutagenicity experimental details for culture of specialized cells types not covered in previous editions new or refined techniques for visualizing clues, including time-lapse photography and confocal microscopy The revised and expanded third edition offers the following features: over 350 new reference to the primary literature an international list of cell banks an international listing of reagants and commercial supplies a subject index a glossary Also available: 0471169021 Culture of Animal Cells: A Multimedia Guide CD-ROM $150 est. From the reviews: "I strongly recommend this volume for any laboratory wishing to culture mammalian cells" - Biotechnology "It is not very often that it is possible to say of a book, 'I don't know how I managed without it previously.' Here is such a book" - Cell Biology International Reports

The growing consumer interest in health and fitness has expanded the market for a wide range of products, from yoga mats to the multiple dietary supplements now on the market. Supplements are popular, but are they safe? Many dietary supplements are probably safe when used as recommended. However, since 1994 when Congress decided that they should be regulated as if they were foods, they are assumed to be safe unless the Food and Drug Administration can demonstrate that they pose a significant risk to the consumer. But there are many types of products that qualify as dietary supplements, and the distinctions can become muddled and vague. Manufacturers are not legally required to provide specific information about safety before marketing their products. And the sales of supplements have been steadily increasingâ€"all together, the various types now bring in almost $16 billion per year. Given these confounding factors, what kind of information can the Food and Drug Administration use to effectively regulate dietary supplements? This book provides a framework for evaluating dietary supplement safety and protecting the health of consumers.

This edited book, Cytotoxicity - New Insights into Toxic Assessment, is intended to present some strategies, methods, interpretations and recent advances in order to facilitate scientific research on in vitro toxic responses, presenting both theoretical and practical aspects.

Toxicity testing in laboratory animals provides much of the information used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess the hazards and risks associated with exposure to environmental agents that might harm public health or the environment. The data are used to establish maximum acceptable concentrations of environmental agents in drinking water, set permissible limits of exposure of workers, define labeling requirements, establish tolerances for pesticides residues on food, and set other kinds of limits on the basis of risk assessment. Because the number of regulations that require toxicity testing is growing, EPA called for a comprehensive review of established and emerging toxicity-testing methods and strategies. This interim report reviews current toxicity-testing methods and strategies and near-term improvements in toxicity-testing approaches proposed by EPA and others. It identifies several recurring themes and questions in the various reports reviewed. The final report will present a long-range vision and strategic plan to advance the practices of toxicity testing and human health assessment of environmental contaminants.

Scientists agree that exposure to toxic agents in the environment can cause neurological and psychiatric illnesses ranging from headaches and depression to syndromes resembling parkinsonism. It can even result in death at high exposure levels. The emergence of subclinical neurotoxicity-the concept that long-term impairments can escape clinical detection-makes the need for risk assessment even more critical. This volume paves the way toward definitive solutions, presenting the current consensus on risk assessment and environmental toxicants and offering specific recommendations. The book covers: The biologic basis of neurotoxicity. Progress in the application of biologic markers. Reviews of a wide range of in vitro and in vivo testing techniques. The use of surveillance and epidemiology to identify neurotoxic hazards that escape premarket screening. Research needs. This volume will be an important resource for policymakers, health specialists, researchers, and students.

Compensating for cytotoxicity in the multicellular organism by a certain level of cellular proliferation is the primary aim of homeostasis. In addition, the loss of cellular proliferation control (tumorigenesis) is at least as important as cytotoxicity, however, it is a contrasting trauma. With the disruption of the delicate balance between cytotoxicity and proliferation, confrontation with cancer can inevitably occur. This book presents important information pertaining to the molecular control of the mechanisms of cytotoxicity and cellular proliferation as they relate to cancer. It is designed for students and researchers studying cytotoxicity and its control.