1. Introduction Thyroid disorders represent a prevalent category of endocrine dysfunction with profound systemic implications. The thyroid gland, through the synthesis and secretion of the iodothyronine hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), regulates fundamental metabolic processes in virtually every tissue. Disorders of thyroid function, which primarily manifest as hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism) or excess (hyperthyroidism), are … Read more
1. Introduction Among the most common and disabling types of mental illness seen in practice are anxiety and depressive disorders. Regardless of specialty, all practitioners need to have a basic understanding of these disorders, which are frequently comorbid, and their neurobiological consequences. This chapter reviews these disorders from a neurobiological and clinical pharmacologic perspective to … Read more
1. Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), represents one of the most significant global public health crises in modern history. First identified in Wuhan, China, in late 2019, the virus rapidly disseminated worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to declare a pandemic in … Read more
1. Introduction Cardiovascular disease represents a spectrum of disorders affecting the heart and vasculature, constituting the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. The conceptual framework encompasses conditions such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, and venous thromboembolism. The pharmacological and medical management of these conditions … Read more
1. Introduction Cancer represents a collection of related diseases characterized by the uncontrolled division and spread of abnormal cells. This pathological process, known as carcinogenesis, involves genetic alterations that confer a survival and proliferative advantage to a clone of cells, enabling them to evade normal regulatory mechanisms such as apoptosis and contact inhibition. The global … Read more
1. Introduction Hypertension, defined as a sustained elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure, represents a principal modifiable risk factor for global cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The condition is characterized by complex interactions between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and pathophysiological adaptations within the cardiovascular, renal, and neurohormonal systems. Its silent and often asymptomatic progression underscores its … Read more
1. Introduction Diabetes mellitus represents a heterogeneous group of metabolic disorders characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The condition is a major global health concern, with its prevalence rising in correlation with aging populations and increasing rates of obesity. The chronic hyperglycemia of diabetes is associated with … Read more
1. Introduction The kinetics of elimination constitute a fundamental pillar of pharmacokinetics, describing the mathematical principles governing the irreversible removal of a drug from the systemic circulation. This removal encompasses the processes of metabolism and excretion, which together determine the duration and intensity of a drug’s pharmacological effect. A rigorous understanding of elimination kinetics is … Read more
1. Introduction The kinetics of elimination constitute a fundamental pillar of pharmacokinetics, describing the mathematical principles governing the removal of a drug from the body. Elimination encompasses the irreversible processes that terminate a drug’s pharmacological activity, primarily through excretion of the unchanged molecule or through metabolic biotransformation into inactive or active metabolites. A rigorous understanding … Read more
1. Introduction Acute toxicity testing represents a fundamental component of preclinical toxicological evaluation, providing critical data on the adverse effects resulting from a single or short-term exposure to a chemical substance. The primary quantitative measure derived from such studies is the median lethal dose, commonly abbreviated as LD50. This parameter is defined as the statistically … Read more