The Antiprogestin Steroid RU 486 and Human Fertility Control

The Antiprogestin Steroid RU 486 and Human Fertility Control
Author: Etienne-Emile Baulieu
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 347
Release: 2013-03-09
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1468412426

Advances in basic biological research have proceeded rapidly in recent years. The fields of molecular genetics and immunology have experienced dramatic breakthroughs, capturing the imagination of both the scientific community and the general public. With less public notice, receptor biology has brought a cascade of new discoveries and insights. The entire science of pharmacology has been virtually rewritten in terms of receptor phenomenology. In particular, the discovery of specific receptors for steroid and protein hormones has been of seminal importance. With this new information, we have advanced our understanding of the mechanism and specifity of hormone action. We can now explain how hormones interact selectively with specific target cells and how hormones alter biochemical events within the target cells. These facts have already impacted on applied problems of clinical medicine, particularly in diagnosis and treatment of cancer and some metabolic diseases. Now, a new and important application of basic receptor biology and chemistry looms ahead. Within a few short years since the discovery of the progesterone receptor, chemists have synthesized molecules with a greater affinity for the receptor than progesterone itself and which, while occupying the receptor, fail to trigger the events which transform a target cell from the unstimulated to the stimulated state. This is the basis of the competitive inhibitory action of the anti-progestational agent, synthesized by the chemists at Roussel Uc1af, Paris, and designated RU 486.

Clinical Applications of Mifepristone (RU486) and Other Antiprogestins

Clinical Applications of Mifepristone (RU486) and Other Antiprogestins
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 303
Release: 1993-02-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309049490

Mifepristone (RU486), the first clinically available antiprogestin, has generated great interest since its discovery in the early 1980s. Today, it is recognized that mifepristone, along with other antiprogestins, has a potentially significant therapeutic role in human health and disease, with likely applicability to a variety of pregnancy-related conditions (e.g., management of labor) and to contraception, endometriosis, and cancer, among others. But because mifepristone has been studied and used most widely as a means of nonsurgical abortion, political issues have thus far limited research on the drug and prevented its introduction into the U.S. market. This book provides an unbiased evaluation of current knowledge about both the fundamental nature of antiprogestins as well as their possible use in treating numerous diseases and conditions, and it contains recommendations for future research.

Contraceptive Research and Development

Contraceptive Research and Development
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 534
Release: 1996-11-04
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309175658

The "contraceptive revolution" of the 1960s and 1970s introduced totally new contraceptive options and launched an era of research and product development. Yet by the late 1980s, conditions had changed and improvements in contraceptive products, while very important in relation to improved oral contraceptives, IUDs, implants, and injectables, had become primarily incremental. Is it time for a second contraceptive revolution and how might it happen? Contraceptive Research and Development explores the frontiers of science where the contraceptives of the future are likely to be found and lays out criteria for deciding where to make the next R&D investments. The book comprehensively examines today's contraceptive needs, identifies "niches" in those needs that seem most readily translatable into market terms, and scrutinizes issues that shape the market: method side effects and contraceptive failure, the challenge of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, and the implications of the "women's agenda." Contraceptive Research and Development analyzes the response of the pharmaceutical industry to current dynamics in regulation, liability, public opinion, and the economics of the health sector and offers an integrated set of recommendations for public- and private-sector action to meet a whole new generation of demand.

Endocrine and Biochemical Development of the Fetus and Neonate

Endocrine and Biochemical Development of the Fetus and Neonate
Author: Jose M. Cuezva
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 311
Release: 2013-06-29
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461595673

The annual meeting of the Perinatal Biochemical Group of the Spanish Biochemical Society held in Madrid on December 15-16, 1989, provided an excellent opportunity to bring together a group of distinguished investigators both from Spain and from abroad with a common interest in developmental endocrinology and biochemistry. The aim of the symposium was to present and discuss the most recent developments in the areas of endocrine and biochemical processes critical to normal growth and maturation of the newborn. To achieve a high degree of interaction among the participants, subject reviews as well as short communications were include in the program. The reviews provided in-depth information on selected important topics. The purpose of short communications was two fold: (i) to provide a forum to discuss on-going investigations on related areas; and (ii) to present opportunities for active participation by young investigators. This format proved very successful in generating fruitful discussions among the participants. Taken together the review chapters and the short communications have resulted in a coherent and unified subject presentation. Advances in biochemistry, molecular biology and cell biology have provided not only new and exciting experimental approaches but also have opened up new directions in the investigation of differentiation and developmental processes at cellular, molecular and biochemical levels during the early stages of growth and maturation. In recent years a wealth of information in these areas of development has emerged at a rapid rate.

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine
Author: Robert C. Bast, Jr.
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 2004
Release: 2017-03-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 111900084X

Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine, Ninth Edition, offers a balanced view of the most current knowledge of cancer science and clinical oncology practice. This all-new edition is the consummate reference source for medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, internists, surgical oncologists, and others who treat cancer patients. A translational perspective throughout, integrating cancer biology with cancer management providing an in depth understanding of the disease An emphasis on multidisciplinary, research-driven patient care to improve outcomes and optimal use of all appropriate therapies Cutting-edge coverage of personalized cancer care, including molecular diagnostics and therapeutics Concise, readable, clinically relevant text with algorithms, guidelines and insight into the use of both conventional and novel drugs Includes free access to the Wiley Digital Edition providing search across the book, the full reference list with web links, illustrations and photographs, and post-publication updates

Fertility Control

Fertility Control
Author: S.L. Corson
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 532
Release: 1995-12-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780969797807

This is the second edition of Corson, Derman, and Tyrer's complete medical textbook on fertility control. It has been revised and fully updated to include details about oral contraceptives and new progestins, the female condom, hormonal implantation, new information about IUDs, and the biochemistry, biological effects, and uses of mifepristone (RU-486).

Science and Babies

Science and Babies
Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 183
Release: 1990-02-01
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0309041368

By all indicators, the reproductive health of Americans has been deteriorating since 1980. Our nation is troubled by rates of teen pregnancies and newborn deaths that are worse than almost all others in the Western world. Science and Babies is a straightforward presentation of the major reproductive issues we face that suggests answers for the public. The book discusses how the clash of opinions on sex and family planning prevents us from making a national commitment to reproductive health; why people in the United States have fewer contraceptive choices than those in many other countries; what we need to do to improve social and medical services for teens and people living in poverty; how couples should "shop" for a fertility service and make consumer-wise decisions; and what we can expect in the futureâ€"featuring interesting accounts of potential scientific advances.

Prostaglandins and the Uterus

Prostaglandins and the Uterus
Author: James O. Drife
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 301
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1447119312

The introduction of prostaglandins into clinical practice has been one of the most important advances in obstetrics and gynaecology in recent years. During the last decade obstetricians have become familiar with these drugs for inducing labour and for terminating second-trimester pregnancy. Within the last year their use has been extended, in association with antiprogestin, to first-trimester termi nation. Although the effectiveness of prostaglandins in these pharma cological roles is clear, their full potential has still to be explored, and much remains to be learned about their physiology. Prostaglandins playa central role in the initiation of labour. Further clarification of this role could lead to improvements in preventing or treating preterm labour, which still remains the most important cause of perinatal mortality in this country. Prostaglandins are also inti mately involved in the mechanism of menstruation. More detailed understanding of this role should lead to more effective treatments for menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea. These substances also playa part in the mechanism of implantation, and further research in this area may lead to more effective therapy for infertility.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine Fibroids
Author: Nash S. Moawad
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 386
Release: 2017-10-13
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 3319587803

Comprised of clinical cases presenting diverse clinical scenarios of uterine fibroids, this concise, practical casebook will provide clinicians in reproductive medicine and obstetrics/gynecology with the best real-world strategies to properly diagnose and treat the various presentations of fibroids they may encounter in daily clinical practice. Opening with chapters discussing classification and pathogenesis, effects on fertility and treatment modalities for these common tumors, each subsequent chapter is a case that provides a unique clinical presentation of a patient’s symptoms and clinical findings, diagnostic work-up and the thought process involved in navigating the treatment options as well as the supporting evidence. Cases included illustrate different types and locations of fibroids in addition to various management strategies, complications and outcomes, and selected chapters also include video clips. Pragmatic and reader-friendly, Uterine Fibroids: A Clinical Casebook is written by experts in the field and is designed to facilitate and guide reproductive medicine specialists and gynecologists in the sometimes challenging decision-making process by presenting real case scenarios that span the spectrum of fibroid presentations and treatment options.

The Life Cycle of the Corpus Luteum

The Life Cycle of the Corpus Luteum
Author: Rina Meidan
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 288
Release: 2016-11-02
Genre: Health & Fitness
ISBN: 3319432389

​This book describes the life cycle of a unique endocrine gland that is absolutely essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in all mammalian species. The corpus luteum is unique because it is formed and destroyed every (non-fertile) reproductive cycle. When fertilization occurs, the corpus luteum is rescued or maintained. The processes that control corpus luteum formation, demise (luteolysis), or maintenance are just beginning to be unraveled in recent years; they involve diverse cell types and mechanisms. Some of these processes resemble tumor development—angiogenesis, for instance—but interestingly enough, this resemblance is only up to a point. The corpus luteum uses mechanisms that allow its normal, physiological growth and disappearance. Pulling together key research on the corpus luteum, this volume is of interest to both reproductive endocrinologists and comparative physiologists, with clinical relevance spanning comparative animal studies to women's health.