LIVROS BOOK REVIEWS

NEWTON, B. N. & MICHAL, F. — New Approaches to the Identification of Parasites and their Vectors. Proceedings of a Symposium on Application of Biochemical and Molecular Biology Techniques to Problems of Parasite and Vector Identification, held in Geneva, 8-10 November 1982. Basel, Schwabe, 1984. 466p, 49 figures, 49 tables. (TROPICAL DISEASES RESEARCH SERIES, no. 5). ISBN 3-7965 0830-8. Published on behalf of the UNDP/WORLD BANK/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases.

The objectives of this meeting are, first, to identify needs in the characterization and typing of those parasites and vectors which fall within the mandate of the UNDP/WORLD BANK/WHO Special Programme and, second, to asses the merits and limitations of the new technologies as they are now being applied to these problems. To achieve these objectives around this table were leading experts in these new technologies and in the six major tropical diseases included in the Programme: malaria, schistosomiasis, filiariasis (including onchocerciasis), the trypanosomiasis (both African sleeping sickness and the American form called Chagas' disease), the leishmaniasis and leprosy.

The published proceedings of the meeting provide a useful guide for the increasing number of parasitologists and entomologists who are beginning to use biochemical and molecular techniques to aid their research in both the laboratory and the field.

VAETH, J. M., ed. — Cancer and AIDS. 19th Annual San Francisco Cancer Symposium, California, March 2-4, 1984. Basel, S. Karger, 1985. 186p. 18 figures, 30 tables. (Frontiers of Radiation Therapy and Oncology, v. 19, Series Editor J.M. (Vaeth). ISBN 3 8055-3923-1).

This book offers a uniquely wholistic approach to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome, covering its medical, social, psychological, and political dimensions. Authored by US experts working in the highest incidence areas, the book also serves as a reference to the largest collection of data on incidence, treatment, outcome, and prevention. New findings concerning etiology, particularly at the immunologic level are also reported.

An overview of the AIDS epidemic is provided in the opening chapters, which include national statistics from the Centers for Disease Control together with reports on regional incidence. Subsequent chapters cover etiology, mode of transmission, and immunologic mechanisms, including recent evidence of a link with retrovirus or cytomegalovirus infection. The remaining chapters offer practical infor- formation on the diagnosis and management of AIDS patients. The importance of patient susceptibility to opportunistic infections is acknowledged in reports focused on asymptomatic lymphadenopathy, Hodgkin's disease, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and gastrointestinal cryptosporidiosis. The volume concludes with chapters outlining new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of Kaposi's sarcoma and describing strategies for prevention in high risk groups and the population at large.

Featuring a total of 30 reports, the book demonstrates the complexities of this disease while also communicating the many different strategies now used to seek solutions. Sensitive to social and psychological as well as medical issues, the book will be of great value to any physician with any level of interst in the AIDS epidemic.

GALLIN, J.I. & FAUCI, A.S., ed. — Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). New York, Raven Press, 1985. (Advances in Host Defense Mechanisms, volume 5). 178p. ilus. IBSN 088167-077-4.

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome ordinary diseases in human history. Over the (AIDS) has emerged as one of the most extra past four years we have seen the unfolding of a medical mystery in which an apparently new disease has appeared, first recognized in the United States and now in existence worldwide. The immune defect in AIDS leads to a most extraordinary constellation of secondary complications, manifested predominantly by opportunistic infections and the development of unusual neoplasms such as Kaposi's sarcoma. The syndrome for the most part has remained confined to rather well-defined risk groups in accordance with the mode of transmission, which is predominantly sexual contact and exposure to contaminated blood or blood products.

This volume presents in depth descriptions of the various aspects of this syndrome, written by investigators who have been and are deeply involved in the study of AIDS from a broad range of perspectives. It' addresses the historical, epidemiologic, clinical, immunologic, etiologic and potential therapeutical considerations in AIDS, and will provide the reader with a state-of the-art work on a syndrome that already has assumed its place in history as one of the most fascinating and potentially devastating communicable diseases in history. This book will provide insight to readers who wish to familiarize themselves more deeply with this illness, as well as stimulate creative and productive basic and clinical research ideas which are so desperately needed if we are to contain the spread of this dreaded disease and treat those unfortunate individuals who are already afflicted.

TSCHESCHE, H., ed. — Modern Methods in Protein Chemistry, v. 2: Review Articles, including those from an International Conference held in Bielefeld, P.R. of Germany, June 1-2, 1984. Berlin, Walter de Gruyter, 1985. ix, 434p. ilus. Cloth. DM 198,—, US$ 94.— ISBN 3 11010180 7.

This book is a continuation of the series of articles published in 1983 in a previous volume by the Gruyter Publishers (Modern Methods in Protein Chemistry, v. 1: Review Articles). It is again the intention of the editor — Prof. Harald Tschesche — to attempt a survey of the present status in the different fields of analytical methods available to the protein chemist for analysing and characterizing a distinct protein. The editor hopes that the book will satisfy the current need of all those involved in the aims of protein chemistry to keep up with the rapid development and perfection of all analytical and preparative methods. The articles review recent methodological progress, present the most advanced applications and give a number of key references. The references in particular should enable the reader to orient himslf among the literature and adapt the me- thod to his own particular problem.

Most of the papers were presented at the Conference on "Modern Methods in Protein Chemistry", held at the Center of Interdisciplinary Research (ZiP) in Bielefeld, June 1-2, 1984. This meeting was kindly supported by the Gesellschaft für Biologische Chemie and organized for the study group of chemical protein analysis.

The increasing demand for micro and submicro scale analytical procedures already ob served at the 1982 Meeting in Damp/Kiel was fully confirme. This trend is reflected again in many of the articles in this volume. It is the hope of the authors and the editor that the present articles will serve to extend the present knowledge and methodological experience of the reader, thereby stimulating scientific progress and saving unnecessary time and effort

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  16 Oct 2012
• Date of issue
  Apr 1986