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Therapeutic Photomedicine. Current Problems in Dermatology Vol. 15
416
Information section--M
derived? How important are the 38 pages of tables used to calculate a median-effect by the moving average method when the method is described in half a page and even then formula may be wrong! On the positive side there are reasonable if pedestrian discussions of a number of topics with a fairly comprehensive reference list. However, the authors and publishers should consider withdrawing copies of this book and producing corrected versions in their place. Salsburg’s book looks unimpressive and is not a laboratory handbook, but, unlike Gad & Weil’s book, it does get to grips with the underlying philosophy associated with statistical issues in toxicology; statistical methods are aimed at exploring and estimating differences in biological material rather than just testing hypotheses. You will not learn how to do many of the statistical tests used but you may get an understanding of when to apply a particular method. Salsburg sometimes uses five words when one would do, but then he is describing mathematical ideas with words rather than formulae. The LD, as well as subchronic and chronic toxicity tests are covered, and the author uses a historical perspective, which is refreshing, as is the commentary on the cited references. This is an anecedotal yet profound book. The presentation is reasonable, but there are a few misprints (mainly in the spelling of the names of tests), while the graphics are rather sketchy but informative. It is not often that a statistics book can be described as a good read. This one is, but at $60 a copy, borrow a friend’s!
Chem. Toxic. Vol. 25, No. 5
ries) is essential reading for laboratory workers and those concerned with health and safety practice. [Rupert Purchase] Therapeutic Photomedicine. Current Problems in Dermatology Vol. 15. Edited by H. Honigsmann & G. Stingl. Karger, Basel, 1986. pp. viii + 306. $98.00. ISBN 3-8055-4151-l.
Though clinically disposed, as is to be expected from the title, this book contains much of interest to the toxicologist in what is becoming a new growth area-phototoxicology. It contains a collection of papers presented at a symposium organized by the European Society for Dermatological Research in Vienna in February 1985. Therapeutic principles and the practice of phototherapy and psoralen photochemistry in skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo account for over half of the 24 contributions. Of particular interest to the toxicologist are various papers dealing with (i) the mechanisms of induction of erythema, pigmentation and skin cancer by UV radiation, (ii) the repair of DNA damaged by UV radiation alone (pyrimidine dimer formation) or in combination with psoralens (monoadduct and crosslink formation) and (iii) the effects of UV exposure on the immune system. The book, predictably, finds no place for photosensitization and photoallergy in response to chemical exposure. With over 400,000 new cases of skin cancer in the USA each year, attributable mainly to solar UVB [David Love111 exposure, and with the unrelenting pursuit by northern Europeans of sunnier climes for their holidays, Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory. 4th Ed. Edited there is clearly a need to promote protective measures by L. Bretherick. Royal Society of Chemistry, Lonagainst the sun’s harmful rays and a need for a better xiii + 604. ISBN E29.50. 1986. don, PP. understanding of the molecular processes underlying O-85186-489-9. the risk of chronic or intermittent solar exposure. The multidisciplinary toxicologist is well equipped for a Though the format of this new edition of “Hazards major role in what has hitherto been the domain of in the Chemical Laboratory” is essentially the same the photobiologist. as that of the third edition (Cited in F.C.T. 1982, 20, 235), the opportunity has been taken to discuss [A. J. Cohen] various changes in UK safety legislation which have affected laboratory work over the last five years. The changes considered include: Notification of New Sub- Introduction to the Cellular and Molecular Biology of stances Regulations 1982, The Classification, Pack- Cancer. Edited by L. M. Franks t N. M. Teich. aging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Regu- Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1986. pp. xi + 458. lations 1984, Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1985 f30.00. ISBN o-19-854169-4 (hardback). E15.00. and forthcoming regulations on the Control of Sub- ISBN o-19-854168-6 (paperback). stances Hazardous to Health. The core of the book (the ‘yellow pages’) has been Since cancer is one of the major diseases and causes expanded from 480 to 490 monographs on typical of death in the developed world today, the widelaboratory chemicals, and these now include refer- spread fear of it is not too surprising. For some there ences to the RSC Laboratory Hazard Data Sheets are other reasons for holding cancer in such awe. (when available) and the CAS Registry numbers of They are the cancer biologists, who, wishing to learn about the biology of cancer, soon find themselves individual compounds. The remaining chapters, contributed by recognized caught up in a web of technological detail of the experts, describe various aspects of safety policy, disciplines that make up this immense subject. The precautions to be taken when conducting experiments publication of this book, however, should give (particularly with flammable, labile or radioactive strength to the faint-hearted. chemicals) and some health risks associated with Contributors to the book are members, past and handling chemicals. The book concludes with a look present, of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, each at safety practice in North American laboratories. one an expert in his/her field. The aims of this text are This volume (whose plastic-coated predecessors founded on the courses and talks given by the should already be a familiar sight in most laboratoResearch Fund’s experts to new staff members who,
Information section--M
derived? How important are the 38 pages of tables used to calculate a median-effect by the moving average method when the method is described in half a page and even then formula may be wrong! On the positive side there are reasonable if pedestrian discussions of a number of topics with a fairly comprehensive reference list. However, the authors and publishers should consider withdrawing copies of this book and producing corrected versions in their place. Salsburg’s book looks unimpressive and is not a laboratory handbook, but, unlike Gad & Weil’s book, it does get to grips with the underlying philosophy associated with statistical issues in toxicology; statistical methods are aimed at exploring and estimating differences in biological material rather than just testing hypotheses. You will not learn how to do many of the statistical tests used but you may get an understanding of when to apply a particular method. Salsburg sometimes uses five words when one would do, but then he is describing mathematical ideas with words rather than formulae. The LD, as well as subchronic and chronic toxicity tests are covered, and the author uses a historical perspective, which is refreshing, as is the commentary on the cited references. This is an anecedotal yet profound book. The presentation is reasonable, but there are a few misprints (mainly in the spelling of the names of tests), while the graphics are rather sketchy but informative. It is not often that a statistics book can be described as a good read. This one is, but at $60 a copy, borrow a friend’s!
Chem. Toxic. Vol. 25, No. 5
ries) is essential reading for laboratory workers and those concerned with health and safety practice. [Rupert Purchase] Therapeutic Photomedicine. Current Problems in Dermatology Vol. 15. Edited by H. Honigsmann & G. Stingl. Karger, Basel, 1986. pp. viii + 306. $98.00. ISBN 3-8055-4151-l.
Though clinically disposed, as is to be expected from the title, this book contains much of interest to the toxicologist in what is becoming a new growth area-phototoxicology. It contains a collection of papers presented at a symposium organized by the European Society for Dermatological Research in Vienna in February 1985. Therapeutic principles and the practice of phototherapy and psoralen photochemistry in skin diseases such as psoriasis and vitiligo account for over half of the 24 contributions. Of particular interest to the toxicologist are various papers dealing with (i) the mechanisms of induction of erythema, pigmentation and skin cancer by UV radiation, (ii) the repair of DNA damaged by UV radiation alone (pyrimidine dimer formation) or in combination with psoralens (monoadduct and crosslink formation) and (iii) the effects of UV exposure on the immune system. The book, predictably, finds no place for photosensitization and photoallergy in response to chemical exposure. With over 400,000 new cases of skin cancer in the USA each year, attributable mainly to solar UVB [David Love111 exposure, and with the unrelenting pursuit by northern Europeans of sunnier climes for their holidays, Hazards in the Chemical Laboratory. 4th Ed. Edited there is clearly a need to promote protective measures by L. Bretherick. Royal Society of Chemistry, Lonagainst the sun’s harmful rays and a need for a better xiii + 604. ISBN E29.50. 1986. don, PP. understanding of the molecular processes underlying O-85186-489-9. the risk of chronic or intermittent solar exposure. The multidisciplinary toxicologist is well equipped for a Though the format of this new edition of “Hazards major role in what has hitherto been the domain of in the Chemical Laboratory” is essentially the same the photobiologist. as that of the third edition (Cited in F.C.T. 1982, 20, 235), the opportunity has been taken to discuss [A. J. Cohen] various changes in UK safety legislation which have affected laboratory work over the last five years. The changes considered include: Notification of New Sub- Introduction to the Cellular and Molecular Biology of stances Regulations 1982, The Classification, Pack- Cancer. Edited by L. M. Franks t N. M. Teich. aging and Labelling of Dangerous Substances Regu- Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1986. pp. xi + 458. lations 1984, Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1985 f30.00. ISBN o-19-854169-4 (hardback). E15.00. and forthcoming regulations on the Control of Sub- ISBN o-19-854168-6 (paperback). stances Hazardous to Health. The core of the book (the ‘yellow pages’) has been Since cancer is one of the major diseases and causes expanded from 480 to 490 monographs on typical of death in the developed world today, the widelaboratory chemicals, and these now include refer- spread fear of it is not too surprising. For some there ences to the RSC Laboratory Hazard Data Sheets are other reasons for holding cancer in such awe. (when available) and the CAS Registry numbers of They are the cancer biologists, who, wishing to learn about the biology of cancer, soon find themselves individual compounds. The remaining chapters, contributed by recognized caught up in a web of technological detail of the experts, describe various aspects of safety policy, disciplines that make up this immense subject. The precautions to be taken when conducting experiments publication of this book, however, should give (particularly with flammable, labile or radioactive strength to the faint-hearted. chemicals) and some health risks associated with Contributors to the book are members, past and handling chemicals. The book concludes with a look present, of the Imperial Cancer Research Fund, each at safety practice in North American laboratories. one an expert in his/her field. The aims of this text are This volume (whose plastic-coated predecessors founded on the courses and talks given by the should already be a familiar sight in most laboratoResearch Fund’s experts to new staff members who,