Pharmaceutical technology; Tablet technology; Compression

Pharmaceutical technology; Tablet technology; Compression

656 Book Reviews Methods for Protein Analysis; A Practical Guide to Laboratory Protoenls--R. A. Copeland. 228 pp. 1994. Chapman and Hall. London. 35...

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656

Book Reviews

Methods for Protein Analysis; A Practical Guide to Laboratory Protoenls--R. A. Copeland. 228 pp. 1994. Chapman and Hall. London. 35. Practical guides can be very useful and save the bench worker a great deal of time and money. This book will do this for workers on proteins. It deals with; protein structure; handling proteins; protein quantitation; electrophoresis and chromatographic methods for assessing protein purity; immunological methods; detection of non-protein components; peptide mapping and amino acid analysis; residue specific chemical modification of protein structure; spectroscopic probes; protein folding and stability. A good lab book.

Human Pathogenic Papilloma Viruses--Edited by H. zur Hausen. 274 pp. 1994. Springer Verlag. Berlin. DM 192. Human papilloma virus (HPV) was linked to cervical cancer in 1984 and is now recognised as a major risk for cervical cancer, anogenital cancers, cancers of the tonsils and the larynx. HPVs introduce new genes into latently infected cells and switch on the oncogenes. This volume deals with the nature of the HPVs; the evolution of HPV; function of HPV proteins; transformation of human cells by HPV; propagation of HPV; immune responses to HPV.

Molecular Genetics for the Cfinician--D. H. J. Brock. 289 pp. 1993. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. HB £35, PB £15.95. By the time medical students have qualified and been in clinical practice for a few years, they have forgotten about genetics and molecular biology. However the U.K. exams for membership of the professional colleges (a necessary qualification for senior jobs) puts a lot of emphasis on basic knowledge. This book will be very useful for those who need to know about: genetic terminology, Mendelian inheritance; genetic diseases; the technology of molecular genetics (DNA, RNA, transcription, hybridization, probes, restriction enzymes, Southern blotting, polymerase chain reaction, mutation analysis, cloning genes); mutations; gene tracking; molecular genetics of cancer; molecular cytogenetics (gene mapping, X-chromosome inactivation, genomic imprinting, sex determination, Down's syndrome, contiguous gene syndromes); multifactorial disorders; current and future developments (avoidance of genetic disease, avoidance of transmission of mutations, prenatal diagnosis, preimplantation diagnosis, prenatal screening, gene therapy, the human genome project). There are plenty of clinical examples used and those interested in the clinical applications of molecular genetics will find this a useful and interesting book.

Physiology by Numbers; an Encouragement to Quantitative Thinking--R. F. Burton. 185 pp. 1994. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge. £35, $59.95, PB £12.95, $19.95. This book encourages the reader to develop a feeling for quantitative values for human blood pressure, energy metabolism, circulation, lung and fluid volumes, kidney function, ionic concentrations, etc. The author shows the reader that by using a pencil and back of an envelope (and one's brain) to do the calculations, one can develop the skill of estimating orders of magnitude and get better insight into body function. An excellent basis for later on understanding human pharmacokinetics (and escaping from slavery to the pocket calculator!).

Phannacodynamies and Drug Development; Perspectives in Clinical Pharmacology--Edited by N. R. Cutler, J. J. Sramek and P. K. Narano. 491 pp. 1994. John Wiley. Chichester, U.K. A drug has to act within a specified time and to maintain its action for a specified time. It also has to be effective in the treatment of the specified disease. This is the topic of the present book. It deals with; an overview of pharmacodynamics (concepts and models; variability; population based approaches; role of metabolites; enantioselectivity; regulatory perspectives); therapeutic domains (anxiolytics; antidepressants; antipsychotics; schizophrenia; cognitive impairment; Alzheimer's disease; antihypertensives; calcium antagonists; congestive heart failure; antiarrhythmics; antibiotics; antineoplastics; anticancer; virology and antiviral drugs); Frontiers in pharmacodynamics (alpha adrenoreceptor subtypes; muscarinic receptors; serotonin receptors). Drugs from Natural Products--Edited by A. L. Harvey. 171 pp. 1993. Ellis Horwood/Simon and Schuster, New York. Plants have been and still are a good source of drugs. Examples are digitalis, opioids, reserpine, artemisinin, forskolin, and evening primrose oil. Plants also provide a starting point for semi-synthesis of other drugs such as the use of plant steroids for the manufacture of oral contraceptives. Other good drug sources are microorganisms for antibiotics; anticoagulants from snake venoms; and hormones such as insulin and growth hormone from animals. Pyrethroid insecticides are obtained from chrysanthemum species. This book deals with: non-antibiotic drugs from fungi and microorganisms; venom products; immunoregulatory compounds; muscle relaxant alternatives to curare; anti-inflammatory substances. Controlled Drug Release of Oral Dosage Forms---J. M. Vergnaud. 410pp. 1993. Ellis Horwood/Simon and Schuster, New York. Controlled drug release can use smaller dosages, have fewer side effects and have better patient compliance. This book deals with the basic fundamentals of drug release, Diffusion; from sheets; spheres; cylinders; non erodible polymers; polymer matrix; erodible polymer; core and shell; swelling polymer; polymer dispersed in a non-erodible polymer matrix. The treatment is rigorous and mathematical. A useful volume to consult. Pharmaceutical Technology; Tablet Technology; Compression~Edited by J. I. Wells and M. H. Rubinstein. 216pp. 1993. Ellis Horwood/Simon and Schuster, New York. The three main points in tablet making are; (1) to regulate the pressure carefully; (2) to ensure proper cohesion of the particles under compression; (3) to prevent adhesion of the particles to any portion of the machine. Science has been applied to the problems of tablet making and this book deals with: double compression; direct compression; lubrication; binding; microindentation; powder capacitance and porosimetry. Tablets are still the main form in which drugs are taken and many millions are swallowed every day. Combination Therapies 2. Biological Response Modifiers in the Treatment of Cancer and Infectious Diseases--Edited by E. Garaci and A. L. Goldstein. 256 pp. 1993. Plenum Press, New York. $75. The use of a combination of drugs sometimes produces a better clinical effect than one drug alone. This volume deals