Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science – serie

The publication of Platelet-Vessel Wall Interactions, the second monograph in the Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science, is particu­ larly welcome as its appearance signifies the further development of the Series and its potential for the future. The theme of this monograph is the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, a topic that symbolises the aim of the Series, namely to highlight the important interfaces between basic medical science and clinical practice. Our congratulations to the Editors and contributors. London, December 1987 lack Tinker Preface In the Western world, atherosclerosis causes more illness and death than any other disease. Despite its devastating effects, the pathogenesis of the disease remains a matter for hypothesis and con­ jecture. This monograph owes its conception to a programme of work directed towards understanding the basic pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The circulatory system is lined by vascular endothelium which has a central role in maintaining the integrity of the vessel wall and prevent­ ing thrombosis. The natural equilibrium existing between normal en­ dothelium which supports blood flow, and platelets which serve to re­ pair damaged endothelium, is explored in the first two chapters. Atherosclerosis developing as a response to endothelial injury is one hypothesis which has stimulated widespread interest, and re­ search has largely been directed towards finding the injurious agent.

The publication of Bronchoalveolar Mast Cells and Asthma marks the emergence of The Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science, an important and novel series that will highlight, review and record major areas of research, development and practice in the field of clinical science. A number of other monographs are now in an advanced state of preparation and their release will establish not only their individual significance but that of the series as a whole. My thanks are due to the Editorial Board who have provided the ideas and selected the authors and whose continuing enthu­ siasm is so vital to the success of the series. Michael Jackson of Springer-Verlag merits special thanks for initially realising the potential of such a series and then guiding us all through to the time of its launch. Marianne Williams has supported us all and has provided the important link between Editorial Board and pub­ lisher. The author of this first publication, Kevin Flint, was tragically killed during its preparation, and we hope that the book will serve as a tribute to the memory of Kevin for all who were lucky enough to know him. Barry Hudspith has been of enormous help in finalising the work and in shaping the form of the book.

"Oxalate Metabolism in Relation to Urinary Stone" is the third monograph to appear in the "Bloomsbury Series". Edited by Alan Rose, the book describes the current clinical and biochemical features of oxalate metabolism. Its content and direction fulfil the goals of the Series emphasising the strong links between basic science and clinical medicine. London Jack Tinker 30 March 1988 Preface The first oxalate workshop was held in London in 1979 and the proceedings published privately by the Wellcome Foundation. At that time the importance of urinary oxalate as a risk factor more important for calcium oxalate stone formation than urinary calcium had been recognized. Nevertheless measurements of urinary oxalate still left a lot to be desired and in particular the non-enzymatic conversion of ascorbate to oxalate had not been rediscovered so that many measurements must have been wrong. Plasma oxalate was still difficult or impossible to measure by any reasonable, accessible methods and consequently there was still much argument and speculation about the handling of oxalate by the kidneys. A lot of work has been performed in the last eight years on oxalate metabolism and it therefore seemed to the organisers to be a good time to hold a second oxalate workshop.

The Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science is growing and changing. Its Editorial Board and contributors were all originally selected from, or had links with, the University College and Middlesex School of Medicine. Now, as the Series develops, board members and con­ tributors alike identify with the wider reaches of Bloomsbury and Islington. The aims of the Series remain, however, to highlight, to review and to record significant areas of research and development in the field of clinical science. All contributors are experts in their particular field and monographs may be the work of a single author or several, guided by individual editors. Diseases in the Homosexual Male is the third monograph in the Series. Edited by Michael Adler, Professor of Genito-Urinary Medicine at the University College and Middlesex School of Medicine, it presents contributions from a number of distinguished workers with special expertise. AIDS has perhaps highlighted the problem but this monograph illustrates the wider profile and gives wit­ ness to the multidisciplinary nature of clinical science.

Herpes Simplex Virus is the fifth monograph to be published in the Bloomsbury Series of Clinical Science. It provides an authoritative review of the key issues related to this common clinical problem. The characteristics of the virus, its epidemiology and the diag­ nosis and management of the various forms of infection are all considered. Adrian Mindel is an international authority on this subject; he joined the Academic Department of Genito-urinary Medicine at the Middlesex Hospital in 1980 and has been actively involved in HSV research since that time. His major research interests include the epidemiology and treatment of genital herpes, the epidemi­ ology of neo-natal herpes and the many and varied features of HSV infections in immuno-compromised patients. The continuing aim of the Bloomsbury Series is to identify the growing areas of clinical research and relate these to current and future medical practice. In Herpes Simplex Virus such aspirations have been successfully achieved. London, May 1989 Jack Tinker Preface There has been considerable interest in herpes simplex viruses (HSV) over recent years. Amongst the many reasons for this are the introduction of safe and efficacious therapy, the recognition that HSV may cause life-threatening infections in neonates and immunocompromised patients, the observation that genital herpes is one of the commonest viral sexually transmitted diseases and the possible association of HSV with cervical cancer.

Parasitic Disease in Clinical Practice is the sixth monograph to appear in the now established and flourishing Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science. Written by a distinguished authority in the field, the book gives a comprehensive and detailed description of parasitic infections and their clinical consequences. Such infections are no longer confined to tropical parts of the world and now have a widespread distribution. Rapid advances are being made in understanding their epidemiology and in diagnosing and treating particular infections. Current literature is largely directed to the parasites, their characteristics and their isolation; a clinical review is clearly needed. This has now been provided, for the author's stated objective is to "inculcate a greater awareness, understanding and appreciation of human parastic disease in the minds of all clinicians". London, March 1990 Jack Tinker Preface Homo sapiens has always existed in a finely balanced equilibrium with a great diversity of infective agents, almost all of them of great antiquity. Many must have exerted a profound effect on the evolution of the human genome. While the average physician is usually aware of potentially pathogenic viruses, bacteria (and rickettsia), and to a lesser extent fungi, hislher knowledge of protozoan and helminthic infections is frequently imperfect and often rudimentary.

The use oflasers in clinical practice is increasing rapidly, both in the definitive treatment of disease and in the palliation of symp­ toms. Consequently, this sixth contribution to the Bloomsbury Series in Clinical Science is particularly timely. It opens with an introduction to the basic physics of lasers and then focuses on the current use of lasers in urological practice, and concludes by reflecting on their potential for the future. Edited, and with several contributions by Tom McNicholas, the book also contains contributions from a number of workers at the National Medical Laser Centre in University College Hos­ pital. London. Given their ever widening application, there can be little doubt that lasers will be a subject the series will return to again. To date, the series has been concerned with a wide range of topics of fundamental importance in clinical science. It has now gained momentum and future titles continue to reflect its wide sphere of interest. As Series Editor, I would welcome suggestions from readers of topics and issues that could usefully be addressed in the series.