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Hepatitis B and D Protocols (vol I & II)
GASTROENTEROLOGY 2005;128:242–243
PRINT AND MEDIA REVIEWS Ian S. Grimm, M.D. Print and Media Review Editor University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Hepatitis B and D Protocols (Vol I & II). Edited by R. K. Hamatake and J. Y. N. LauTotowa. 961 pp. $260.00. Totowa, New Jersey, Humana Press Inc., 2004. ISBN 1-58829-108-1. Web address for ordering: www.humanapress.com The aim of Drs. Robert Hamatake and Johnson Lau for Hepatitis B and D Protocols was to compile a comprehensive summary of research methods in all aspects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection encompassing molecular biology, immunological host responses, and antiviral therapy. They have admirably achieved this ambitious goal by soliciting 67 chapters from leading investigators who describe a wide variety of specific research techniques in these 2 volumes. The style from chapter to chapter is uniform, and the layout of the text and the presentation and quality of figures are excellent. In the first volume, Detection, Genotypes, and Characterization, 31 chapters cover detailed research techniques of HBV and HDV molecular biology, HBV genotypes and variants, and current virological and immunohistochemical techniques for detection of HBV DNA and HDV RNA. In the second volume, Immunology, Model Systems, and Clinical Studies, 36 chapters address immunological and host responses to HBV and HDV infection, in vitro and in vivo models of both viruses, and evolving antiviral therapy of chronic HBV and HDV infection. Virtually all aspects of research focused on HBV and HDV are covered within these 2 volumes, and established laboratory protocols are described in step-by-step detail. As a clinician, the chapters on antiviral testing and design of clinical trials were of greatest interest. Potential new therapeutic strategies, such as use of farnesyl transferase inhibitors for therapy of HDV infection, were particularly relevant, as were chapters discussing the design of a clinical development programs for HBV antiviral drugs and the treatment of HBV infection in special populations. The primary readers of Hepatitis B and D Protocols, as the title implicates, will be basic investigators, who will find these 2 volumes to be encyclopedic in their content and provide a convenient single source of research methods to understand the variety of laboratory techniques that might be used to create new knowledge regarding the biology of these viruses. However, the clinical hepatologist and gastroenterologist will also find some specific chapters of interest, such as those dealing with detection techniques for serum HBV DNA and HDV RNA, background information on HBV vaccine-escape mutants and HBV genotypes, the process of malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma, and insight into potential future therapies of chronic HBV and HDV infection. As a
clinician and clinical investigator, I found the introductory comments of many of the chapters helpful in providing better understanding of the topic under discussion, even though the detailed discussion of research methodology was not relevant to my practice. Thus, this book has something for everyone with an interest in these 2 viruses, but will be most useful as a comprehensive source of all current research methods for the basic investigator studying the molecular biology, immunological host responses, and newer antiviral strategies to treat these 2 viruses. Bottom Line: An encyclopedic review of HBV research methods.
EMMET B. KEEFFE, MD Chief of Hepatology Stanford University Medical Center Stanford, California Gastroenterology Subspecialty Consult. Edited by Aaron Shiels. 162 pp. $29.95. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2004. ISBN 0781743729. Web address for ordering: www.lww.com Gastroenterology Subspecialty Consult is part of the Washington Manual Subspecialty Consult Series. The series is designed “to provide quick access to the essential information needed to evaluate a patient on a subspecialty consult service.” The intended audience is primarily medical house-staff and medical students. The book has 24 chapters divided into 2 sections. Part I, “Approach to Specific Symptoms,” covers topics on dysphagia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice, abnormal liver chemistries, ascites, and nutrition. The second half of the book “Approach to Specific Diseases” has chapters on esophageal disorders, gastric disorders, small bowel disorders, colon neoplasms, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, acute liver disease, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, pancreatic disorders, and biliary tract disorders. Discussion of frequently performed gastrointestinal procedures is included in the last chapter. Gastroenterology fellows and internal medicine residents wrote the text with senior faculty advisors at the Washington University School of Medicine. Although there are multiple authors, the chapters follow a basic format including pathophysiology, presentation, physical exam, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment. There are many useful tables throughout the book, but no imaging studies or photomicrographs. There is a
PRINT AND MEDIA REVIEWS Ian S. Grimm, M.D. Print and Media Review Editor University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Hepatitis B and D Protocols (Vol I & II). Edited by R. K. Hamatake and J. Y. N. LauTotowa. 961 pp. $260.00. Totowa, New Jersey, Humana Press Inc., 2004. ISBN 1-58829-108-1. Web address for ordering: www.humanapress.com The aim of Drs. Robert Hamatake and Johnson Lau for Hepatitis B and D Protocols was to compile a comprehensive summary of research methods in all aspects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection encompassing molecular biology, immunological host responses, and antiviral therapy. They have admirably achieved this ambitious goal by soliciting 67 chapters from leading investigators who describe a wide variety of specific research techniques in these 2 volumes. The style from chapter to chapter is uniform, and the layout of the text and the presentation and quality of figures are excellent. In the first volume, Detection, Genotypes, and Characterization, 31 chapters cover detailed research techniques of HBV and HDV molecular biology, HBV genotypes and variants, and current virological and immunohistochemical techniques for detection of HBV DNA and HDV RNA. In the second volume, Immunology, Model Systems, and Clinical Studies, 36 chapters address immunological and host responses to HBV and HDV infection, in vitro and in vivo models of both viruses, and evolving antiviral therapy of chronic HBV and HDV infection. Virtually all aspects of research focused on HBV and HDV are covered within these 2 volumes, and established laboratory protocols are described in step-by-step detail. As a clinician, the chapters on antiviral testing and design of clinical trials were of greatest interest. Potential new therapeutic strategies, such as use of farnesyl transferase inhibitors for therapy of HDV infection, were particularly relevant, as were chapters discussing the design of a clinical development programs for HBV antiviral drugs and the treatment of HBV infection in special populations. The primary readers of Hepatitis B and D Protocols, as the title implicates, will be basic investigators, who will find these 2 volumes to be encyclopedic in their content and provide a convenient single source of research methods to understand the variety of laboratory techniques that might be used to create new knowledge regarding the biology of these viruses. However, the clinical hepatologist and gastroenterologist will also find some specific chapters of interest, such as those dealing with detection techniques for serum HBV DNA and HDV RNA, background information on HBV vaccine-escape mutants and HBV genotypes, the process of malignant transformation to hepatocellular carcinoma, and insight into potential future therapies of chronic HBV and HDV infection. As a
clinician and clinical investigator, I found the introductory comments of many of the chapters helpful in providing better understanding of the topic under discussion, even though the detailed discussion of research methodology was not relevant to my practice. Thus, this book has something for everyone with an interest in these 2 viruses, but will be most useful as a comprehensive source of all current research methods for the basic investigator studying the molecular biology, immunological host responses, and newer antiviral strategies to treat these 2 viruses. Bottom Line: An encyclopedic review of HBV research methods.
EMMET B. KEEFFE, MD Chief of Hepatology Stanford University Medical Center Stanford, California Gastroenterology Subspecialty Consult. Edited by Aaron Shiels. 162 pp. $29.95. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, PA, 2004. ISBN 0781743729. Web address for ordering: www.lww.com Gastroenterology Subspecialty Consult is part of the Washington Manual Subspecialty Consult Series. The series is designed “to provide quick access to the essential information needed to evaluate a patient on a subspecialty consult service.” The intended audience is primarily medical house-staff and medical students. The book has 24 chapters divided into 2 sections. Part I, “Approach to Specific Symptoms,” covers topics on dysphagia, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, lower gastrointestinal bleeding, occult gastrointestinal bleeding, jaundice, abnormal liver chemistries, ascites, and nutrition. The second half of the book “Approach to Specific Diseases” has chapters on esophageal disorders, gastric disorders, small bowel disorders, colon neoplasms, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, acute liver disease, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, pancreatic disorders, and biliary tract disorders. Discussion of frequently performed gastrointestinal procedures is included in the last chapter. Gastroenterology fellows and internal medicine residents wrote the text with senior faculty advisors at the Washington University School of Medicine. Although there are multiple authors, the chapters follow a basic format including pathophysiology, presentation, physical exam, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment. There are many useful tables throughout the book, but no imaging studies or photomicrographs. There is a