A Systems Biology Approach to Advancing Adverse Outcome Pathways for Risk Assessment

A Systems Biology Approach to Advancing Adverse Outcome Pathways for Risk Assessment
Author: Natàlia Garcia-Reyero
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 429
Release: 2018-02-24
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3319660845

Social pressure to minimize the use of animal testing, the ever-increasing concern on animal welfare, and the need for more human-relevant and more predictive toxicity tests are some of the drivers for new approaches to chemical screening. This book focuses on The Adverse Outcome Pathway, an analytical construct that describes a sequential chain of causally linked events at different levels of biological organization that lead to an adverse health or ecotoxicological effect. While past efforts have focused on toxicological pathway-based vision for human and ecological health assessment relying on in vitro systems and predictive models, The Adverse Outcome Pathway framework provides a simplified and structured way to organize toxicological information. Within the book, a systems biology approach supplies the tools to infer, link, and quantify the molecular initiating events and the key events and key event relationships leading to adverse outcomes. The advancement of these tools is crucial for the successful implementation of AOPs for regulatory purposes.

Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century

Toxicity Testing in the 21st Century
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 217
Release: 2007-10-05
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0309109922

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.

Biological Reactive Intermediates V

Biological Reactive Intermediates V
Author: Robert R. Snyder
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2013-11-21
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1475794800

Much of organic chemistry is based on the ability of suitably structured chemicals to bind together through the formation of covalent bonds. Biochemistry is replete with exam ples of enzymatically catalyzed reactions in which normal body constituents can be linked through covalent bonds during the process of intermediary metabolism. The finding that xenobiotic chemicals that enter the body from the environment, are metabolized to highly reactive species, and then covalently react with cellular macromolecules to induce toxic and carcinogenic effects was an observation that spawned the research featured in the Fifth International Symposium on Biological Reactive Intermediates (BRI V). The group of investigators that became fascinated with this process and its signifi cance in terms of human health began their discussions in Turku, Finland (J 975), and continued them at Guildford, England (1980), College Park, Maryland (1985), Tucson, Arizona (1990), and Munich, Germany (1995). Among the results were a series of reports listed below, as well as the book for which this serves as the Preface. • Jollow, DJ., Kocsis, J.J., Snyder, R. and Vainio, H. (eds), Biological Reactive Intermediates: Formation, Toxicity and Inactivation, Plenum Press, NY, 1975. • Snyder, R., Park, D.V., Kocsis, J.J., Jollow, D.V., Gibson, G.G. and Witmer, C.M. (eds), Biological Reactive Intermediates II: Chemical Mechanisms and Biological Effects, Plenum Press, N.Y., 1982.

Toxicology of Fishes

Toxicology of Fishes
Author: Kristine L. Willett
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 1118
Release: 2024-02-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1003825265

This up-to-date, comprehensive toxicology handbook is devoted to the effects of environmental pollution on fish. Fish species represent nearly half of all vertebrates and have become important sentinels for environmental contamination and model organisms for understanding adverse outcomes from exposures. This new edition is written by recognized experts, and it highlights the significant research progress in fish toxicology that has resulted from rapid technological developments in analytical, biochemical, and genomic sciences. The book: Discusses fundamental topics such as toxicokinetics in fishes, processes governing biotransformation within these organisms, and reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress. Explains key target organ systems for chemical impacts in fish, such as the nervous and immune systems, and how fishes can develop resistance to chemical toxicity. Covers multi-transgenerational effects on fishes, epigenetics, proteomics and metabolomics, and adverse outcome pathways. Replacing the case studies in the first edition, this update delves into the impacts of microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and oil spills in dedicated final chapters. With nearly 200 illustrations and tables, this comprehensive reference work presents concepts in a way that is useful for both novices to and experts in the field of fish toxicology.

Principles of Toxicology

Principles of Toxicology
Author: Stephen M. Roberts
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 596
Release: 2022-04-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119635160

Principles of Toxicology concisely and efficiently presents the scientific basis for toxicology as it applies to the workplace and the environment, covering diverse chemical hazards encountered in modern workplaces and natural environments and providing a practical understanding of these hazards for those concerned with protecting the health of humans and ecosystems. The work presents not only theory, but also practical information regarding chemical hazards to give the student and new professional a working knowledge of the practice of toxicology and the ability to solve problems in environmental and industrial settings. Case histories and examples from industrial and environmental exposures to chemicals are included to demonstrate the application of toxicological principles. To allow for seamless reader comprehension and further exploration of covered topics, the work is supplemented with numerous illustrations to clarify and summarize key points, as well as annotated bibliographies. In the 4th edition, all chapters and references have been updated to account for the latest scientific thinking, and new color figures have been added. New topics covered in 4th Edition of Principles of Toxicology include: Regulatory toxicology, including the key regulatory framework in which much of the field of toxicology operates Alternative methods in toxicology, including cutting-edge approaches to developing new information on the toxicity of drugs and chemicals The dilemma of selecting safe exposure limits, guiding readers through practical considerations and pitfalls in developing and using safe exposure limits Ecological risk assessment, with detailed discussion of methods and considerations when evaluating the effects of contaminants on plants and animals. Providing information on the principles of toxicology and the application of those principles to solve problems in environmental and industrial settings, Principles of Toxicology serves as an excellent textbook resource for advanced undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in a range of environmental and health fields. It is also valuable to health professionals who need toxicological information and assistance beyond what is found in an introductory text to general toxicology.

Science and Decisions

Science and Decisions
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 422
Release: 2009-03-24
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0309120462

Risk assessment has become a dominant public policy tool for making choices, based on limited resources, to protect public health and the environment. It has been instrumental to the mission of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as other federal agencies in evaluating public health concerns, informing regulatory and technological decisions, prioritizing research needs and funding, and in developing approaches for cost-benefit analysis. However, risk assessment is at a crossroads. Despite advances in the field, risk assessment faces a number of significant challenges including lengthy delays in making complex decisions; lack of data leading to significant uncertainty in risk assessments; and many chemicals in the marketplace that have not been evaluated and emerging agents requiring assessment. Science and Decisions makes practical scientific and technical recommendations to address these challenges. This book is a complement to the widely used 1983 National Academies book, Risk Assessment in the Federal Government (also known as the Red Book). The earlier book established a framework for the concepts and conduct of risk assessment that has been adopted by numerous expert committees, regulatory agencies, and public health institutions. The new book embeds these concepts within a broader framework for risk-based decision-making. Together, these are essential references for those working in the regulatory and public health fields.

Public Health and Toxicology Issues in Drug Research, Volume 2

Public Health and Toxicology Issues in Drug Research, Volume 2
Author: Rakesh Kumar Tekade
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 854
Release: 2024-04-05
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0443158436

Toxicodynamics in Drug Research, Volume 2: Public Health and Toxicology Issues examines the implications of public health issues and the impact of pharmaceuticals, chemical and food toxicants, dietary phytochemicals, and medical treatments on human health. Volume 2: Public Health and Toxicology Issues in Drug Research: Toxicity and Toxicodynamics covers topics on pharmacokinetics and toxicokinetics such as population pharmacokinetics/toxicokinetics, the design of toxicokinetic studies, and the use of toxicokinetic data in preclinical safety assessments. The book investigates the health effect caused by the bioaccumulation of pharmaceutical and personal care products and the impact of drug-induced toxicity on different systems of the body. It discusses the mechanistic pathways of food toxicants and illustrates the molecular mechanisms of the chemopreventive role of dietary phytochemicals. It also delves into the toxic effects of medical treatments and materials. Ethical, legal, societal, and professional issues in toxicology round off the coverage providing a valuable resource to interested in learning more about the health impact and public health issues related to the toxicity of pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, personal care products, and medical treatments. Discusses the impact of pharmaceuticals, food, and chemical toxicants on human health Examines the toxic effects of medical treatments, clinical administrations, and materials Explores public health issues around drug safety and toxicology

Alternatives to Animal Testing

Alternatives to Animal Testing
Author: Hajime Kojima
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 130
Release: 2018-12-27
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9811324476

This open access book presents recent advances in the pure sciences that are of significance in the quest for alternatives to the use of animals in research and describes a variety of practical applications of the three key guiding principles for the more ethical use of animals in experiments – replacement, reduction, and refinement, collectively known as the 3Rs. Important examples from across the world of implementation of the 3Rs in the testing of cosmetics, chemicals, pesticides, and biologics, including vaccines, are described, with additional information on relevant regulations. The coverage also encompasses emerging approaches to alternative tests and the 3Rs. The book is based on the most informative contributions delivered at the Asian Congress 2016 on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences. It will be of value for those working in R&D, for graduate students, and for educators in various fields, including the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sciences, pharmacology, toxicology, and animal welfare. The free, open access distribution of Alternatives to Animal Testing is enabled by the Creative Commons Attribution license in International version 4: CC BY 4.0.

Computational Systems Pharmacology and Toxicology

Computational Systems Pharmacology and Toxicology
Author: Rudy J Richardson
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry
Total Pages: 348
Release: 2017-03-03
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 1782623329

The network approaches of systems pharmacology and toxicology serve as early predictors of the most relevant screening approach to pursue both in drug discovery and development and ecotoxicological assessments. Computational approaches have the potential to improve toxicological experimental design, enable more rapid drug efficacy and safety testing and also reduce the number of animals used in experimentation. Rapid advances in availability of computing technology hold tremendous promise for advancing applied and basic science and increasing the efficiency of risk assessment. This book provides an understanding of the basic principles of computational toxicology and the current methods of predictive toxicology using chemical structures, toxicity-related databases, in silico chemical-protein docking, and biological pathway tools. The book begins with an introduction to systems pharmacology and toxicology and computational tools followed by a section exploring modelling adverse outcomes and events. The second part of the book covers the discovery of protein targets and the characterisation of toxicant-protein interactions. Final chapters include case studies and additionally discuss interactions between phytochemicals and Western therapeutics. This book will be useful for scientists involved in environmental research and risk assessment. It will be a valuable resource for postgraduate students and researchers wishing to learn about key methods used in studying biological targets both from a toxicity and pharmacological activity standpoint.

Chemometrics and Cheminformatics in Aquatic Toxicology

Chemometrics and Cheminformatics in Aquatic Toxicology
Author: Kunal Roy
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 596
Release: 2022-01-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1119681596

CHEMOMETRICS AND CHEMINFORMATICS IN AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY Explore chemometric and cheminformatic techniques and tools in aquatic toxicology Chemometrics and Cheminformatics in Aquatic Toxicology delivers an exploration of the existing and emerging problems of contamination of the aquatic environment through various metal and organic pollutants, including industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, biocides, nanomaterials, pesticides, surfactants, dyes, and more. The book discusses different chemometric and cheminformatic tools for non-experts and their application to the analysis and modeling of toxicity data of chemicals to various aquatic organisms. You’ll learn about a variety of aquatic toxicity databases and chemometric software tools and webservers as well as practical examples of model development, including illustrations. You’ll also find case studies and literature reports to round out your understanding of the subject. Finally, you’ll learn about tools and protocols including machine learning, data mining, and QSAR and ligand-based chemical design methods. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to chemometric and cheminformatic tools and techniques, including machine learning and data mining An exploration of aquatic toxicity databases, chemometric software tools, and webservers Practical examples and case studies to highlight and illustrate the concepts contained within the book A concise treatment of chemometric and cheminformatic tools and their application to the analysis and modeling of toxicity data Perfect for researchers and students in chemistry and the environmental and pharmaceutical sciences, Chemometrics and Cheminformatics in Aquatic Toxicology will also earn a place in the libraries of professionals in the chemical industry and regulators whose work involves chemometrics.