XIX trends in analytical chemistry, vol. I, no. II, 1982

.

English edition of a German text

Clinical Chemistry, by R. Richterich and J. P. Colombo, John Wilq and Sons Ltd, 1981, al.50 (xxiv -!- 766 pages) ISBN 0 47127809 2

This is the English edition of a multi- author German text (Klinische Che- mie - Theorie, Praxis, Interpretation) which appeared in a revised form in 1978.

The book is packed with informa- tion on all aspects of clinical chemistry and includes a selection of worked examples. It is divided into four main parts - General Clinical Chemistry, Technique and Instrumentation, Metabolic Investigations, and Organ Specific Investigations. In addition there are 11 extensive appendices, which contain, for example, informa- tion on buffers, conversion factors for SI units, drug interferences, and the different types of nomograms (body surface area, acid-base).

The first part of the book contains information on basic laboratory prac- tice and techniques, together with nuinerous definitions of terms com- monly used in clinical chemistry. The authors delineate ‘the tasks of clinical chemistry’ but I am not sure that there would be universal accord on their first point - ‘It is the clinician’s job to decide on the introduction of a new (analytical) method of determination.’

In the second and subsequent parts of the book there are detailed analy-

tical procedures, and instructions on the use of different instruments encountered in the clinical laboratory. There are occasional inaccuracies, for example enzyme electrodes are not as problematical as implied on p. 191, and the ‘Stat’ analyzer (p. 194), although demonstrated, was not fully commercialized.

The final two parts of this book comprise sections dealing with clinic- ally important analytes and tests of . organ function. Where appropriate these contain succinct accounts of the relevant physiology, together with de- tails of sample collection and the analytical method(s), and a discussion of the clinical significance of the parti- cular analyte. In some cases the latter is particularly brief, but ample refer- ences are provided for those readers wishing to consult more detailed works.

There are ‘several other multi- author English texts which also cover both the analytical and diagnostic aspects of clinical chemistry. This book does, however, have a slightly different emphasis and will be of value to both medical laboratory scientific officers and clinical biochemists. Med- ical students may also find some sec- tions useful.

LARRY J. KRICKA

Dr Kricka is a Senior Lecturer in the Departmetit of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K.

In Forthcoming Issues. . .

H. R. Thomas on

N. Ishibashi on

T. Braun et al. on

S. Ulitzur on

J. M. Mermet on

F. K. Zimmermann on

‘XPS in polymer surface analysis’

‘Thermal lens effect laser

spectrophotometry’

‘Information flow in the journals of

analytical chemistry’

‘A bioluminescence test for genotoxic

agents’

‘Microwave plasma emission

spectroscopy’

‘Analytical aspects of mutagenicity

testing’

4

Spectroscopic %hods J. T. CLERC, E. PRETSCH and J.SEIBL, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Ziirich Studies in Analytical Chemistry, 1

Spectroscopic methods have certainly captured the lion’s share of organic analysis with at least one such method in current use in all chemical laboratories.

Here at last is a concise, logically- structured reference work detailing how their combined application sub- stantially increases overall effec- tiveness. By giving examples which demonstrate different methods of approach and reasoning, and supplementingthesewithcomments and hints on previously neglected analytical aspects, the authors have produced a work to cover the widest possible variety of chemical struc- tures and spectroscopic capabilities.

1981288 pages US $62.75/ Dfl. 135.00 ISBN O-444-99748-2

Hungary, 13-15 October 1980

E. PUNGOR and I. BUZAS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences (editors)

Analytical Chemistry Symposia Series, 8

This proceedings volume summar; izes and discusses research results in the field of ion-selective elec- trodes. It will be read with interest not only by researchers in this field, but also by analytical chemists in organic and inorganic chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis and medicine, biochemistry, environ- mental and agricultural chemistry. Included in the book is a survey of the aims and tasks of future research activity, with special emphasis on the problem of standardizing ion- selective electrodes.

1981 xii + 426 pages US $lOO.OO/~Dfl. 215.00 ISBN O-444-99714-8

PO Box ill, 1X33 AE Amsterdam. The Netherlands 52 Vanderb,lt Ave. New York, NY 10017

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