Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, (Foye, William O.)

May 1, 1989 - One of the most alluring features of this book is that the individual chapters are written by acknowledged experts in the field from aro...
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ing" and on "Visual Displays", including "desk-top publishing". A chapter on "Legal Issues in Writing" stresses the importance of clarity in expression for the proteetion of professionals and their employers in this suing society. A short appendix covers common errors in writing, a second deals with equations and abbreviations, and another treats documentation. College departments desirably should maintain, as a more complete chemical reference on these topics, the ACS STYLE GUIDE-A Manual for Authors and Editors, American Chemical Society, 1986. Malcolm M. Renfrew University of Idaho MOICOW. ID 83843

Guldellnes for Laboratory Deslgn: Health and Safety Conslderetlons Louis DiBerardinis. Janet S. Baum. Melvin W. First, Gari T. Gahvwd, Edward F. G-e den, and AnandK. Seth. Wiley: New York, NY. 1987. x 285 pp. Flgs. and tables. 16

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X 23.5 cm. $34.95.

We may assume that major universities when constructing new laboratories or refurbishing old ones always have access to large mhitectural fums including up-todate specialists in the design of such facilities. Smaller colleges and state universities where politics may dictate the choice of architect are likely to place a larger burden on faculty members in setting specifications. The present hook will he greatly useful to all those who have to work with architects and builders in the construction of laboratories (large college or small). The book first treats the common elements of lahoratonr desien. then looks a t the .,---~

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alytical, hiosafely, etc.), and next ta!& up the administrative procedures involved in bidding and final acceptance. There are appendixes on safety codes and safety gear. This is a more useful hook than the same publisher has provided in Brayhrooke's Design for Research: Principles of Laboratory Architecture. 1986. It ia less camdete on ventdat~on system than is MeDermott's Handbook of Ventalottun for Conlamtnanl Control. 2nd ed Butterworth, 1985,hut it 1s more nearly current and will be of greater help to a nonspecialist. Anyone assigned responsibilities for new facilities will do well to request from ACS the Committee on Chemical Safety's pamphlet Design of Safe Chemical Loboratories, 1988. This Lists references for the indepth coverage of such topics as electrical systems and chemical storage. Malcolm M. Renfrew University ot Idaho Moacow. ID 83843

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Principles of Medlclnal Chernlstry, Thlrd Edition William 0.Fove. Editor. Lea 8 Febiaer: Philadelphia. ~A,'1989.xiii 925 pp. ~ygs. and tables. 19.5 X 27 cm. $49.50. The suhject of medicinal chemistry has grown so vast during the past four decades

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that it would be extremely difficult for any single author to write a textbook encompassing all of the varied areas of the subject. Against that background, the multi-author volume edited by Professor William 0. Faye, Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, hss ohviouslv been a meat success . iudnine from the successive editions and reorintin.. that the hook has seen. The latest volume under review is its third edition. One of the most alluring features of this book is that the individual chapters are written by acknowledged experts in each field from around the world while at the same time maintaining a commendably high level of uniformity in the organization of each chapter. This enables the reader to get accustomed to a set pattern of coverage of the information. Most of the chapters are essentially the same as those covered in earlier editions of the hook; however, the following new chapters have been added indicating their importance and significance in recent Literature: antilipidemic agents' hormone antaeonists. " . uhotochemothera~v . .. and moleculargraphics. Inspection of the list of references at the end of each chapter shows that the literature has been brought up to 198L1984 and occasionally to 1986. As is to he expected, in the chapter on molecular graphics all of the listed references are from 1981 to 1986. The authors have attempted to keep the review material as updated as possible. However, one would wish to see a longer and more comprehensive survey of the applications of molecular graphics. Perhaps the next edition might give greater prominence to such an analysis of receptordrug interaction modes, especially because current drug designs routinely employ such techniques. Besides the incorporation of new chapters. the hook also oravides for exnanded coverage of some of the previously surveyed topicssuch =,organ imaging agents;cardio. vascular drugs and anti-cancer drugs. However, the reference to the role of oncogenes ~ on anti-cancer ~ drugs is limit-~ in the chapter ed to one paragraph an the final page. However, a list of several monographs and treatises are included at the end as suggested readings. The chapter on agents for organ imaging is also well written with clarity in style. The number of references paat 1980, again, appear to he scanty. If any recommendation may he made for improvement in future editions of this book, it would he to attempt to update all chapters to as close to the year of publication as possible. This book is so well written that it has the unusual capacity to serve the interests of students (graduate and undergraduate), research scientists in the field of medicinal chemistry and related disciplines such as organic chemistry or biochemistry. As stated in a review of this hook in its earlier edition, "There is a Wealth of Information Packed Within the Covers of This Book and it Will he of Value to Anvone Interested in Medicinal Chemistry". f i e only additional comment that this reviewer would wish to make is that the new edition commends itself to the reader by its expanded coverage of earlier topics, incorporation of newer fertile areas of current research and maintains eminently the homogeneity and easy readability of the textual information. The hook most certainlv belones " in the shelves of all medicinal chemists and aspiring medirinal chemists, such as, graduate and undergrad-

Journal of Chemical Education

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B. 5. Thyagarajan T h University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio. TX 78285

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uate students in the field of medicinal chemistry.

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