Proceedings of the First International Conference held in Lancaster, England, July 11-14, 1988

The goal of an activity-directed isolation process is to isolate bioactive compounds which may provide structural leads of therapeutic importance. Whereas the traditional process of drug development is long and expensive, simple and rapid bioassays can serve as the starting point for drug discovery. This book presents a range of "bench top" bioassa

Bioassays: Advanced Methods and Applications provides a thorough understanding of the applications of bioassays in monitoring toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. It reviews the newest tests and applications in discovering compounds and toxins in the environment, covering all suitable organisms, from bacteria, to microorganisms, to higher plants, including invertebrates and vertebrates. By learning about newer tests, water pollution control testing can be less time and labor consuming, and less expensive. This book will be helpful for anyone working in aquatic environments or those who need an introduction to ecotoxicology or bioassays, from investigators, to technicians and students. - Features chapters written by internationally renowned researchers in the field, all actively involved in the development and application of bioassays - Gives the reader an understanding of the advantages and deficiencies of available tests - Addresses the problem of understanding the impact of toxins in an aquatic environment and how to assess them

The Statistics of Bioassay: With Special Reference to the Vitamins, Volume II focuses on the processes, reactions, principles, and approaches involved in the biological assay of vitamins. The publication first offers information on the general principles of biological assay, dosage-response curve and its error, and designs for segregating nonrandom variation. Discussions focus on replacement of missing values, randomized groups, calculation of the line, analysis of the variation about the line, comparative biological assays, analytical biological assays, and determination of activity. The text then ponders on measurement of relative potency and correction of quantitative variables. The manuscript takes a look at assays where the variation in response is a function of the dose and slope-ratio assays. Topics include microbiological assays and the slope-ratio technique, analysis of balanced slope-ratio assays, analysis of assays with an all-or-none response, and graded response with unequal variance. The publication then tackles multiple or repeated assays, including quality control in repeated assays and combination of independent assays of a single unknown. The publication is a valuable source of information for researchers interested in the biological assay of vitamins.

This book introduces the methodology for collection and identification of herbal materials, extraction and isolation of compounds from herbs, in vitro bioassay, in vivo animal test, toxicology, and clinical trials of herbal research. To fully understand and make the best use of herbal medicines requires the close combination of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, and clinical science. Although there are many books about traditional medicines research, they mostly focus on either chemical or pharmacological study results of certain plants. This book, however, covers the systematic study and analysis of herbal medicines in general – including chemical isolation and identification, bioassay and mechanism study, pharmacological experiment, and quality control of the raw plant material and end products.

Laboratory Assessment of Vitamin Status provides a comprehensive understanding of the limitations of commonly used approaches used for the evaluation of vitamin status, reducing harm in the general health setting. It outlines the application of 'Best Practice' approaches to the evaluation of vitamin status, giving physicians and other healthcare professionals the opportunity to make evidence-based interventions. Nearly every metabolic and developmental pathway in the human body has a dependency on at least one micronutrient. Currently, the clinical utility of approaches taken by laboratories for the assessment of vitamin status is generally poorly understood, missing the opportunity to diagnosis vitamin deficiencies. This essential reference gives clinical and biomedical scientists an understanding of the limitations of commonly used approaches to the evaluation of vitamin status in the general health setting through change in practice. Nutritionists and dietitians gain an understanding of more sophisticated markers of vitamin status. - Describes specialist assays in sufficient detail to enable laboratories to replicate what is being performed by expert groups - Provides detailed information that supports laboratories in the setting up of methods for the evaluation of vitamin status - Informs laboratories looking for third party providers of specialist investigations - Provides an essential overview of reference ranges for each vitamin