Medical research, basic principles

This review of instruments for assessing psychopathology in toddlers, children, and adolescents is not intended to be comprehensive. For readers seeking more details, we recommend an extensive textbook, the Handbook of Psychiatric Measures, (Rush et ah, 2000), a detailed chapter (Aman and Pearson, 1999), and the disorder-specific chapters in Part III-B of this volume. Before describing specific instrument options, we summarize some basic principles that are applicable in clinical practice and in research on psychoactive medication. Although we use attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADITD) as a frequent example, the principles are generally applicable to assessment of most disorders. 

Rothman JE. 2002. Lasker Basic Medical Research Award. The machinery and principles of vesicle transport in the cell. Nat Med 8 1059-1062. 

The basic principles of scientific writing and reporting apply to pharmacoeconomic research, and little need be said here. The structure of the paper is the same (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, etc.). It is important to be consistent and appropriate in the use of terminology (e.g. costs is not synonymous with charges , and cost-effectiveness is not a cost-benefit analysis Sanchez and Lee, 1994). New mediums such as the Internet offer new possibilities for publication, dissemination and debate (Medical Outcomes Trust, 2001 (www.outcomes-trust.org) American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 1996). 

The modem clinical trial (see section at end of Glossary) is an example of medical research. The two watershed events for the required ethics and structured ethical directives were the Nuremberg Code in response to Nazi experiments and the Helsinki Declaration on Human Rights (1964). These well-publicized events laid out the basic ethical principles for medical researchers to follow. Yet these principles were violated in several other reference cases and these in turn gave rise to the modem US regulations. 

Wieland, Theodor (1913-1995), Professor of Organic Chemistry (1951-1968) at Erank-furt/Main (Germany), and director of the department of natural product chemistry at the Max Planck Institute for medical research at Heidelberg (1968-1981). Besides other important contributions in natural science and peptide research, he made the mixed anhydride method available for modern peptide synthesis, and as early as 1953 described the basic principle of... 

OVER the last quarter century we have seen the field of biorelated polymers for medical applications undergo a dramatic transition from the pragmatic and/or serendipic approach to applying basic research principles. Specifically, we have seen the development of many new polymeric materials for intended applications and solutions to problems related to those applications. The development during this time has been dynamic with the consistent emergence of new findings. Consequently, one can anticipate a literal explosion of new clinical products and applications that will be derived from this multidisciplinary field in the next millenium. 

Potential for Utilizing Advanced Carbons A 1995 workshop sponsored by NIH reviewed directions and needs in biomaterials and medical implants. The workshops developed recommendations for research priorities in. several topic areas that are summarized here. Research in basic design principles for medical implants and biomaterials should include building... 

In order to rationally apply immunostimulants of plant origin, however, it is necessary to search for the active principles of these substances and to produce them in a pure form. Because suitable screening methods have become available only recently, research in this field is in its very beginning. Further progress can be expected from systematic basic research on the mechanisms underlying immunomodulation. This also applies to verification of clinical efficacy, which is a prerequisite for the acceptance of medications with purported immunostimulatory properties. 

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