Practical Flow Cytometry, 4th Edition.17 3p6336

SHOCK, Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 97–98, 2004

Book Reviews David J. Dries, Book Review Editor Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:

INTERPRETING EPIDEMIOLOGIC EVIDENCE: STRATEGIES FOR STUDY DESIGN AND ANALYSIS

Description: This is a truly comprehensive book on everything you could ever want to know about flow cytometry. Purpose: The purpose of this book is to be THE reference book on flow cytometry. This is the fourth edition of this book, and there is no question that it is THE reference book on flow cytometry! Audience: This book would be useful to anyone who uses flow cytometry or relies on this technology for their research or clinical care. Features: This book continues in its grand tradition of being the “bible” of flow cytometry. I cannot adequately describe its depth and breadth, so I resort to sheer astounding numbers to portray its comprehensiveness—566 pages of 10 point font, surprisingly few illustrations (yes, it’s primarily text), 3,685(!) references. In briefly skimming the book, I was overwhelmed by the massive amount of information. No question that I’ll have this book within easy reach whenever I field questions about flow cytometry! A really nice touch in this book is the author’s chatty (and sometimes quirky) writing style. The reader will not only find accurate and complete factual information, but will also appreciate flow cytometry-themed lyrics to sing to the tune for famous melodies, Shapiro’s various (and amusing) laws, and helpful tips (including the final one that warns the to never use a staff to smite a clogged cytometer). The author’s humor and conversational style makes interesting reading and the information incredibly accessible. A major difference between this and the third edition is the elimination of the section on the “do-ityourself” flow cytometer (e.g., “cytomutt”)—the author’s acknowledgement of the widespread penetration of commercial systems in the field. In this regard, there is a very helpful chapter listing the various manufacturers and companies from which reagents can be purchased. Finally—and rare in these types of comprehensive books—there is touching recognition to those who were pioneers in this field. A really nice human touch to a very complex subject. Assessment: Wow! You need this book if you use flow cytometry. Get it!

Author: David A. Savitz Bibliographic Data: Oxford University Press, Inc, 2003. ISBN: 0-19-510840-X, 321 pp, hard cover, $49.95. Reviewer’s Expert Opinion: Description: This book offers a strategy for assessing epidemiological study findings, explicitly describing the goals of epidemiologic research to provide better understanding of its successes and failures. Purpose: The purpose is to provide a link between methodological principles and epidemiologic tools and give a full listing of tools to consider in addressing a potential problem. It seeks to provide practical guidance on linking methodological principles with research practice. These are worthy objectives and the book ably meets them. Audience: It is intended for producers and consumers of epidemiologic research. The book is written at an appropriate level and the author is an authority on the subject. The book builds on his experience in epidemiological research and in teaching graduate-level students in public health. Features: The book starts by clarifying the goals for evaluating epidemiologic research. Next, the author deals with an overall strategy and philosophy for considering the quality of epidemiologic research findings. Subsequent chapters cover the design, conduct, and analysis that bear on study interpretation. The final chapter integrates and summarizes the essential points of the book. The text, tables, and figures present an approach for interpreting and understanding epidemiologic evidence. The author presents pertinent examples and summaries at the end of each chapter that augment the concepts and framework outlined in the narrative. There are extensive and comprehensive reference lists. The tables and figures are appropriate, current, clear, and relevant. The index is helpful. Assessment: This attractively presented book is extremely useful for professionals and graduate students doing or evaluating epidemiologic research. I have not seen another book like this one that so successfully integrates content and experience. The author has assembled a book that is necessary and essential reading for all those involved in interpreting epidemiologic evidence.

Reviewer: Valerie L. Ng, PhD MD (University of California San Francisco)

Reviewer: Raymond C. Tervo, MD (Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare)

ACUTE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS SYNDROME Editor: Michael A. Matthay Bibliographic Data: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 2003. ISBN: 0-8247-4076-9, Series Title: Lung Biology in Health and Disease, v. 179, 657 pp, hard cover, $195.00.

PRACTICAL FLOW CYTOMETRY, 4TH EDITION Author: Howard Shapiro

Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:

Bibliographic Data: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003. ISBN: 0-471-41125-6, 681 pp, hard cover, $119.00.

Description: This up-to-date summary of the clinical and basic science research in ARDS is uniquely structured by topic, 97

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SHOCK VOL. 21, NO. 1

Reviewer’s Expert Opinion:

Purpose: The authors aim to provide an all-encoming, state-of-the-art review of dermatology and to describe the biologic basis for diseases of the skin. These are worthy objectives and they are, for the most part, met. Audience: The book is written for dermatologists, both residents and practitioners. It is probably too detailed for the nondermatologist. Each chapter is written by a different author and all are credible authorities. Features: In its 280 chapters, the book covers the entire spectrum of dermatology, including clinical information as well as basic science. The first part of the book consists of a discussion of the biology and development of skin. The remaining parts cover disorders presenting in the skin, infectious diseases, and therapeutics. What is best about this book is that it is truly all-inclusive and encyclopedic, i.e., one can use it to look up almost any skin disorder, no matter how rare. In this respect, it is useful to both residents just learning dermatology as well as to seasoned practitioners and is a valuable reference. The illustrations, which are so important in this visual specialty, are all high quality and in color. There is a new chapter on skin findings in the immunosuppressed host and updated chapters on dermatologic diseases as potential agents of bioterrorism. The biggest shortcoming of this book is its organization, especially the fact that it is two volumes. Although this seems to be a minor point, every time you look something up, you never know whether to pull out volume I or volume II, because there is no clear cut delineation between the two. As the book has almost 3,000 pages, pulling out both volumes at once is cumbersome. Organization would be much improved if all of the basic science, therapeutics, and surgery sections were in one volume (as these sections are not frequently needed), and all of the clinical dermatology in another. A second shortcoming is the great amount of space devoted to basic science, at the expense of the presentation of some clinical entities, some of which are incomplete. For instance, there is no photo and only a short paragraph devoted to pemphigus foliaceus and no clinical photo of lichen striatus. I recently had to look up myiasis and found only a brief paragraph, yet I was able to find a comprehensive discussion in a textbook half the size of this one. Assessment: Despite the aforementioned shortcomings, the quality and usefulness of this book is unsured and it is a must for the library of every dermatologist.

Description: This is an update of a comprehensive textbook of dermatology. The previous edition was published in 1999.

Reviewer: Renata H. Mullen, MD (Palo Alto Medical Foundation)

incorporating both bench and bedside knowledge for each subject. Purpose: The author’s purpose is to provide a comprehensive perspective on ARDS, incorporating both clinical and basic science research. This is an extremely important aspect to ARDS, where clinical application often lags behind basic science research and where few large randomized controlled trials exist. This is one of the few reviews that adequately integrates both aspects in each chapter. Audience: This book, though not stated specifically by the author, is intended for all critical care and pulmonary specialists, in particular those with some experience with ARDS. It is most appropriate for those physicians who also have some research experience in ARDS, but not for average general physicians who spend little time in the ICU. The book is ed by the high credibility of the authors both in clinical and, in particular, basic science arenas. Features: The chapters are divided by topic, often focusing on clinical or potential clinical applications of basic research topics. Many are of a cellular or molecular focus, but epidemiology, physiology, and diagnostic and therapeutic areas are also well covered. The chapters contain thorough summaries of each topic, but are limited in readability by few graphs, charts and diagrams, at times making areas difficult to interpret without some background. Assessment: This is the most comprehensive, up-to-date book on ARDS and it is the best summary of basic science research and its application in clinical practice. I highly recommend this book to any physicians interested in ARDS or to those physicians caring for patients with ARDS— no better review exists. Reviewer: Alain F. Broccard, MD (University of Minnesota Medical School)

FITZPATRICK’S DERMATOLOGY IN GENERAL MEDICINE - 2 VOLUME SET, 6TH EDITION Editors: Irwin M. Freedberg, MD; Arthur Z. Eisen, MD; Klaus Wolff, MD, FR; K. Frank Austen, MD; Lowell A. Goldsmith, MD; Stephen I. Katz, MD, PhD Bibliographic Data: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2003. ISBN: 0-07-138076-0, 2594 pp, hard cover, $495.00.