562

by an overview of the antiarrhythmic therapeutic possibilities offered by class III electrophysiological agents. Structures and activities of some opioid ligands are surveyed, and the investi- gation into pharmacologically active pyridazine derivatives is continued. Dopamine D2 receptor agonists offer exciting thera- peutic potential, as do ondansetron and related 5-HT, antagonists. The herbal origin of many modem drugs is yet again reflected in a survey of the herb feverfew. The volume concludes, as it begins, with enzyme inhibition, in this case, concerning synthetic inhibitors of interstitlal colla- genases.

The Beta-Adrenergic Receptors, edited by JP Perkins. Humana Press, distributed by John Wiley and Sons, 1991, p 405, f. 80.00

This volume brings to light information on this receptor class - the prototype of a family of receptors that regulate the activity of G-uroteins. The clinical significance of the beta-adrenergic recepiors hinges on their usefulness as targets for drugs-to control asthma, hypertension, and cardio-vascular disease. This book covers a variety of topics, including structure-function relationships; ligand-induced desensitization of P-adrenergic receptors; reconstitution of P-adrenergic receptors; biochemical functions; antibodies to P-adrenergic receptors; autoradiogra- phic studies; P-adrenergic receptors in pathophysiological states; clinical applications; drug and hormonal regulation of the p-adrenergic receptor.

Guide National de Prescription des MCdicaments GNP, 1992,4e edition. Editions du Vidal, Paris, p 1050, F 350

Comme pour les editions precedentes, l’objectif des auteurs est d’offrir darts un volume facile a consulter l’information imme- diate utile et les elements de choix relatifs a plus de 8 000 specialit& pharmaceutiques. Un sommaire gCn&al en debut d’ouvrage permet une vue d’ensemble des 28 familles pharmacotherapeutiques traitees, tandis qu’un index au centre du volume facilite une recherche rapide et precise parmi 7 000 mots-cl&, selon 4 voies d’entrees: denominations communes, noms de sptcialites, classes pharmacologiques et therapeu- tiques, maladies. Outre les caracttristiques communes a chaque

groupe de specialites (indications, contre-indications, effets indesirables), des informations specifiques aux medicaments sont regroupees % chaque niveau de classification. Par son caractere exhaustif, sa rigueur et son utilisation facile, le GNP est un outil precieux pour une approche efficace de l’information sur le medicament, repondant aux besoins de I’enseignement et de la formation dans le domaine thera- peutique.

Human Pharmacology. The Basics of Clinical Phar- macology, edited by H Kuemmerle, T Shibuya, JP Tillement. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1991, p 552, $192.50 Dfl 375.00

The intention of Human Pharmacology is to examine the state- of-the-art techniques of analysis and measurement of drug concentration in an organism, and of pharmacokinetic methods and their interpretation. Firstly, the work identifies the chemical species of the drug and its metabolites by analysis of bio- transformations, and sequential quantification of the active forms of the drug and/or its metabolites in order to evaluate their kinetic parameters. The second part of the book examines the fate of drugs in the body, different ways of interpreting and using pharmacokinetic data and bed-side adjustment of drug dosage regimens. Achievement of results however, must be obtained under rigorously controlled conditions according to stringent internationally recognized criteria. A special chapter is devoted to good laboratory practices. This book is intended for non-specialists or students intending to follow a career in pharmacology, but it will also practicing specialist having specialists in many fields.

Applications of Fluorescence IA Hemmill. John Wiley and p 343, & 67.00

prove to be of interest to the been written by recognized

in Immunoassays, edited by Sons, Chichester, UK, 1991,

This monograph describes the basic prerequisites for a fluoro- metric immunoassay; the antibody, the immunological techno- logy, the fluorescent probe and the instrument, as well as a profile of the clinical applications of the various assay techno-

Erratum

In the article: Synthesis and evaluation of new 2’,3’-dideoxynucleoside analogs as potential anti-AIDS and anti- herpes drugs, Eur .J Med Chem 27 (1992), 141-148, by A FaraJ ‘1, M Maillard*, M Lemaitre3, S Letellierl, F Frappierl, JC Florentl, DS Grierson **, C Monneretl*, A ZeriaP, please note that there are two principal authors.

S N I Jacques et Demontrond / ZI Thise - Besancon / Depot legal aoQt 1992 no 11705