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Drug-test interactions handbook
588
Book Reviews
in CBnkaI TriaIs-Edited Quality of Life ats bv B. SPILKER. 470~~. _. 1990. Raven Press. New York.
M-
%iiS.
egy Throngh MCQ; a Comprehermive Text. bd Edition-B. J. LARGE and I. E. HLJGHE~.247~~. __ 1990. Wiley, Chichester. Paper ~810.50.
How do you assess quality of life? This book provides some tests. The main sections are on; what is meant by quality of life; standard scales, tests and approaches [economic, social interaction, psychological, functional disability, general health]; special perspectives [ethics, cultural considerations]; special populations Ipediatrics, geriatrics, frail elderly, rehabilitation, chronic pain, surgical patients]; specific problems [cardiovascular, neurologic, mental illness, inflammatory bowel disease, renal replacement, pulmonary disease, cancer, rheumatism]. The book will help investigators determine which tests are available and valid, and presents the state of the art in various therapeutic areas.
In this book there are a series of questions (one main stem and five true or false statements). Each question is followed by a page of text in which the answers can be found. The answers arc given at the end of the page. The student can read the text first and then try the questions, or he can search the text for the correct answers to the questions. In both cases the student has to do “active reading”; i.e. the brain is involved and the student has to think whilst he reads. In this new edition the material has been revised and brought up to date with new developments. It will be very useful to those wishing to learn or revise their pharmacology.
Pesticide effects on Terrea&I Wihl Animala-Edited by L. SOMMERVILLE and C. H. WALKER.404~~. 1990. Taylor and Francis, London. E39.
Parkinson’s Diaerse-Edited by G. STERN. 688~~. 1990. Johns Hopkins Press. Baltimore $115.
Although pesticides are tested on laboratory animals, they are usually insufficiently tested on wild animals. This volume describes the design of field trials, measurement of residues in soil, plants and animals; methods of estimating exposure; survival values and per cent mortality; intensive studies versus extensive monitoring; sample size; risk assessment; recommendations of International Workshop on terrestrial field testing of pesticides. One problem is that errors in the use of pesticides can have major effects on the wild life but it can take several years and a lot of time and effort before the manufacturers and farmers are aware of this. Improved legislation and the development of plants with inbuilt pesticides should improve the situation.
MolecuIu BioIogy of the Islets of Langerh~Edited by H. OKAMMO. 352~~. 1990. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $80. This book provides a modem view of the synthesis of peptide hormones in the Islets, together with details of the conditions that can lead to insulin dependent diabetes. The topics dealt with are; organization and structure of the insulin genes; regulation of insulin gene expression; translation control by glucose concentration; structure and regulation of the glucagon gene and the somatostatin gene; mosaic evolution of the pancreatic polypeptide gene; genes for vasoactive peptide and related peptides; pancreastatin; processing of peptide precursors; molecular basis for experimental diabetes; class II histocompatability genes and diabetes; the role of insulin; abnormal products of the human insulin genes; a novel gene rig activated in insulinomas; a novel gene reg expressed in regenerating islets; defects of signal transduction in tumoral islet cell lines. It will interest biochemists, endocrinologists and those working on diabetes.
Drugs and Medicines; a Consnmer’r G&e-By R. Cawso~ and R. SPECTOR.266~~. 1990. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Paper $14.95. This useful book provides the background to disorders of the different parts of the body, the drugs usually given as treatment for the causes and symptoms, background to the drug industry, a list of 5000 drugs by generic and trade names together with a few words about what they are used for. It will help the patient understand what is being done.
As there is an increase in the percentage of elderly people, so there is an increase in the incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is still a problem in correct diagnosis. Fifteen per cent of patients diagnosed, followed and treated by a neurological specialist in PD were found on autopsy not to have PD. It is interesting that non smokers have a higher incidence of PD than do smokers. PD does not appear to be genetic since it normally affects only one of identical homoxygous twins. L-dopa treatment has been effective in many PD cases. Other drugs such as bromocryptine, lergotrile, pergohde, lisuride, mesulergine, and newer Dopamine 2 agonists and Dopamine 1 agonists are being tested to see if they can be effective over a ten year period. There is also hope in transplant surgery of adrenal medullary or human fetal CNS tissue into the brain. This book provides a good survey of the neuroscience basis of PD; clinical analysis; therapeutic treatment [pharmaceutical, surgical and physical], of PD. The 23 chapters will be of interest to those studying the functioning of motor control in the CNS as well as to those concerned with PD.
Drng-Test Interactiem HamIhoek-Edited by J. G. SALWAY. 1085~~. 1990. Chapman and Hall/Raven Press, New York. S320. Drugs can have an effect on a biochemical component, either increasing or decreasing its concentration in blood or urine. In addition a drug may interfere with the chemistry of the analytical procedure used to measure a biochemical component in blood or urine. This book provides extensive information on whether drugs will have a biological effect, analytical effect or no effect on clinical measurements in blood or urine. It deals with analyses related to diseases of; bone and joints; cardiovascular; glucose and diabetes; hormones; kidney function; liver function; therapeutic drug monitoring; thyroid function. Part 1 deals with blood specimens. Part 2 with urine. Part 3 with clearance studies, CSF, saliva, faeces, tissues, amniotic fluid, aqueous solutions. In each of these there are tables listing the tests and listing the drugs and other factors. There is also a separate list of about 600 drugs quoted, a list of all the tests, and a reference list with 3321 references to the literature. It is a massive book, the pages are 20 cm x 30 cm (8 x 11.5 inches) and it is 5.5 cm (2.25 inches) thick. It will be of great help in clinical laboratories since many blood/urine samples will come from patients who have been given drugs that will affect clinical values.
Book Reviews
in CBnkaI TriaIs-Edited Quality of Life ats bv B. SPILKER. 470~~. _. 1990. Raven Press. New York.
M-
%iiS.
egy Throngh MCQ; a Comprehermive Text. bd Edition-B. J. LARGE and I. E. HLJGHE~.247~~. __ 1990. Wiley, Chichester. Paper ~810.50.
How do you assess quality of life? This book provides some tests. The main sections are on; what is meant by quality of life; standard scales, tests and approaches [economic, social interaction, psychological, functional disability, general health]; special perspectives [ethics, cultural considerations]; special populations Ipediatrics, geriatrics, frail elderly, rehabilitation, chronic pain, surgical patients]; specific problems [cardiovascular, neurologic, mental illness, inflammatory bowel disease, renal replacement, pulmonary disease, cancer, rheumatism]. The book will help investigators determine which tests are available and valid, and presents the state of the art in various therapeutic areas.
In this book there are a series of questions (one main stem and five true or false statements). Each question is followed by a page of text in which the answers can be found. The answers arc given at the end of the page. The student can read the text first and then try the questions, or he can search the text for the correct answers to the questions. In both cases the student has to do “active reading”; i.e. the brain is involved and the student has to think whilst he reads. In this new edition the material has been revised and brought up to date with new developments. It will be very useful to those wishing to learn or revise their pharmacology.
Pesticide effects on Terrea&I Wihl Animala-Edited by L. SOMMERVILLE and C. H. WALKER.404~~. 1990. Taylor and Francis, London. E39.
Parkinson’s Diaerse-Edited by G. STERN. 688~~. 1990. Johns Hopkins Press. Baltimore $115.
Although pesticides are tested on laboratory animals, they are usually insufficiently tested on wild animals. This volume describes the design of field trials, measurement of residues in soil, plants and animals; methods of estimating exposure; survival values and per cent mortality; intensive studies versus extensive monitoring; sample size; risk assessment; recommendations of International Workshop on terrestrial field testing of pesticides. One problem is that errors in the use of pesticides can have major effects on the wild life but it can take several years and a lot of time and effort before the manufacturers and farmers are aware of this. Improved legislation and the development of plants with inbuilt pesticides should improve the situation.
MolecuIu BioIogy of the Islets of Langerh~Edited by H. OKAMMO. 352~~. 1990. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $80. This book provides a modem view of the synthesis of peptide hormones in the Islets, together with details of the conditions that can lead to insulin dependent diabetes. The topics dealt with are; organization and structure of the insulin genes; regulation of insulin gene expression; translation control by glucose concentration; structure and regulation of the glucagon gene and the somatostatin gene; mosaic evolution of the pancreatic polypeptide gene; genes for vasoactive peptide and related peptides; pancreastatin; processing of peptide precursors; molecular basis for experimental diabetes; class II histocompatability genes and diabetes; the role of insulin; abnormal products of the human insulin genes; a novel gene rig activated in insulinomas; a novel gene reg expressed in regenerating islets; defects of signal transduction in tumoral islet cell lines. It will interest biochemists, endocrinologists and those working on diabetes.
Drugs and Medicines; a Consnmer’r G&e-By R. Cawso~ and R. SPECTOR.266~~. 1990. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Paper $14.95. This useful book provides the background to disorders of the different parts of the body, the drugs usually given as treatment for the causes and symptoms, background to the drug industry, a list of 5000 drugs by generic and trade names together with a few words about what they are used for. It will help the patient understand what is being done.
As there is an increase in the percentage of elderly people, so there is an increase in the incidence of Parkinson’s disease (PD). There is still a problem in correct diagnosis. Fifteen per cent of patients diagnosed, followed and treated by a neurological specialist in PD were found on autopsy not to have PD. It is interesting that non smokers have a higher incidence of PD than do smokers. PD does not appear to be genetic since it normally affects only one of identical homoxygous twins. L-dopa treatment has been effective in many PD cases. Other drugs such as bromocryptine, lergotrile, pergohde, lisuride, mesulergine, and newer Dopamine 2 agonists and Dopamine 1 agonists are being tested to see if they can be effective over a ten year period. There is also hope in transplant surgery of adrenal medullary or human fetal CNS tissue into the brain. This book provides a good survey of the neuroscience basis of PD; clinical analysis; therapeutic treatment [pharmaceutical, surgical and physical], of PD. The 23 chapters will be of interest to those studying the functioning of motor control in the CNS as well as to those concerned with PD.
Drng-Test Interactiem HamIhoek-Edited by J. G. SALWAY. 1085~~. 1990. Chapman and Hall/Raven Press, New York. S320. Drugs can have an effect on a biochemical component, either increasing or decreasing its concentration in blood or urine. In addition a drug may interfere with the chemistry of the analytical procedure used to measure a biochemical component in blood or urine. This book provides extensive information on whether drugs will have a biological effect, analytical effect or no effect on clinical measurements in blood or urine. It deals with analyses related to diseases of; bone and joints; cardiovascular; glucose and diabetes; hormones; kidney function; liver function; therapeutic drug monitoring; thyroid function. Part 1 deals with blood specimens. Part 2 with urine. Part 3 with clearance studies, CSF, saliva, faeces, tissues, amniotic fluid, aqueous solutions. In each of these there are tables listing the tests and listing the drugs and other factors. There is also a separate list of about 600 drugs quoted, a list of all the tests, and a reference list with 3321 references to the literature. It is a massive book, the pages are 20 cm x 30 cm (8 x 11.5 inches) and it is 5.5 cm (2.25 inches) thick. It will be of great help in clinical laboratories since many blood/urine samples will come from patients who have been given drugs that will affect clinical values.