T. Chard – författare

Immunoassay procedures (isotopic and non-isotopic) have become one of the single most important techniques in present-day diagnostic medicine. This book is designed as an introductory test for the staff of clinical research laboratories who conduct or intend to conduct such techniques, and will be of great value to the clinicians who make use of such services. The volume takes a three-pronged approach in it's in-depth presentation: explanation of the basic principles and applications of radioimmunoassays and non-isotopic immunoassays; practical illustrations of the various steps involved in immunoassays; discussion of the problems and pitfalls in immunoassays and how to avoid them. This fifth revised edition is a worthy successor to it's predecessors in this famous "Laboratory Techniques" series.

Immunoassay procedures (isotopic and non-isotopic) have become one of the single most important techniques in present-day diagnostic medicine. This book is designed as an introductory test for the staff of clinical research laboratories who conduct or intend to conduct such techniques, and will be of great value to the clinicians who make use of such services. The volume takes a three-pronged approach in it's in-depth presentation: explanation of the basic principles and applications of radioimmunoassays and non-isotopic immunoassays; practical illustrations of the various steps involved in immunoassays; discussion of the problems and pitfalls in immunoassays and how to avoid them. This fifth revised edition is a worthy successor to it's predecessors in this famous "Laboratory Techniques" series.

This important new volume in the series Cambridge Reviews in Human Reproduction provides a wide-ranging and authoritative account of the uterus and its physiological role in fertility, normal pregnancy and delivery. Acknowledged authorities from around the world provide a detailed and timely account of uterine physiology. The volume encompasses a wealth of material including cell and developmental biology, structure, function, anatomy and endocrinology, and then goes on to cover clinically important issues such as the cervix during pregnancy, measurement of uterine contractions and initiation of labour. It will prove of particular value to those involved in the management of women with pre-term labour, as well as those concerned with the development of new procedures for the prevention or amelioration of this condition.

In July 1978 a group met in Aberdeen to discuss the whole range of new proteins recently isolated from the human placenta. With the exception of Yuri Tatarinov all the main pioneers in the field were present, and this book arose from the discussions which took place. Each author was asked to bring a written man­ uscript corresponding to but not necessarily identical with their verbal presentation. Nobody was given a specified remit, for the reason that the subject is so new that it would be impossible to design the meeting or the book in advance. Each speaker was left free to put on display whatever he thought was interesting or important about the newly isolated proteins. Inevitably this has led to much overlap, since everybody tends to follow the same path at first. Nevertheless, we shall probably never achieve so much agreement again. Only Vernon Stevens was set a fixed title out­ side the immediate field of new placental proteins. This arose from the very exciting possibility that the new proteins could be used to induce an autoimmune state to products of conception and thus serve as the basis for a new method of contraception. There are few findings at present which bear specifically on this proposal, but the experience of Vernon Stevens with hCG could serve as a model of the problems that might be encountered with SP and PAPP-A.

The aim of this book is to provide a straightforward summary of the knowledge required for preliminary examinations in specialist obstetrics and gynaecology; the first part of the examination for Membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists would be a good example. Thus the field covered is that of the basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc.) as applied to human reproduction. Most examinations of this type are based on mUltiple choice questions (MCQ). No apology is made for the fact that the present book addresses the sort of ''fact'' which lends itself to testing by this approach. There is no discussion of speculative or contentious areas, no account of present or future research and no references. Excellent books are available which treat the topic in a much fuller and more discursive manner and the present volume does not seek to emulate them. Readers will be aware that even apparently immutable facts are subject to occasional revision. We have attempted to present the ''state of the art'': most of the material is generally if not universally accepted. A particular problem arises with numerical information.

Biochemical tests of fetal well-being (''placental function tests'') have been part of routine obstetric practice for more than twenty years. This book provides an overview of the current status of these tests - the physiological basis for their use, and their advantages and limitations in clinical practice. Considerable attention is given to interpretation, a subject which in the past has led to much confusion both in the scientific literature and in the minds of clinicians. Recent advances are described in detail, in particular the discovery of a whole new generation of placental products some of which offer great promise in the prediction of conditions, such as placental abruption and premature labour, which cannot be identified by any other current parameters. Finally, a set of clear recommendations is put forward for the choice of test in most of the common complications of both early and late pregnancy. The emphasis throughout is on how the basic biology of fetoplacental products dictates their use and interpretation in pathological conditions.

Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Volume 6, Part 2: An Introduction to Radioimmunoassay and Related Techniques discusses the fundamentals of radioimmunoassay. The book is comprised of 14 chapters that establish the common ground of other assay of the same type. The text also covers the preparation and use of materials, as well as the interpretation of results. The selection will be of great use to chemists who are involved with experiments that requires utilization of radioimmunoassay.

In July 1978 a group met in Aberdeen to discuss the whole range of new proteins recently isolated from the human placenta. With the exception of Yuri Tatarinov all the main pioneers in the field were present, and this book arose from the discussions which took place. Each author was asked to bring a written man­ uscript corresponding to but not necessarily identical with their verbal presentation. Nobody was given a specified remit, for the reason that the subject is so new that it would be impossible to design the meeting or the book in advance. Each speaker was left free to put on display whatever he thought was interesting or important about the newly isolated proteins. Inevitably this has led to much overlap, since everybody tends to follow the same path at first. Nevertheless, we shall probably never achieve so much agreement again. Only Vernon Stevens was set a fixed title out­ side the immediate field of new placental proteins. This arose from the very exciting possibility that the new proteins could be used to induce an autoimmune state to products of conception and thus serve as the basis for a new method of contraception. There are few findings at present which bear specifically on this proposal, but the experience of Vernon Stevens with hCG could serve as a model of the problems that might be encountered with SP and PAPP-A.