Cartilage and Osteoarthritis: Volume 2: Structure and in Vivo Analysis »

In this second volume of a two-volume set, Sabatini (Institut de Recherches Servier, France) collects cutting-edge procedures for tissue-level studies of turnover, structure, and functioning in normal and diseased cartilage by invasive and noninvasive means. Protocols include step-by-step instructions, introductions outlining basic principles behind the techniques, lists of equipment and reagents, and tips on avoiding known pitfalls. The book will be of use to researchers in pathology, toxicology, and rheumatology. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Rebecca M Shepherd, MD(Washington University School of Medicine)
Description:This is a collection of research protocols useful to the researcher in osteoarthritis. It is a lab manual rather than a text to be read by a clinician. It covers topics such as transgenic mouse models to imaging of cartilage in the mouse model.
Purpose:The purpose of this book is to describe the procedures important in studying osteoarthritis at the tissue level through noninvasive and invasive means. The book is a reasonable collection of such protocols and may be useful as a laboratory reference manual. The book appears to have met its goal.
Audience:The audience would most likely be experienced researchers or lab technicians. It is not a book for clinical use. I cannot comment on the authors credibility.
Features:The book first covers the different mouse models available for studying cartilaginous disease and how to generate populations of these mice. The book then moves on to different techniques for studying cartilage from a histomorphologic standpoint; it covers techniques for immunohistochemistry. The book then covers imaging modalities including MRI and ultrasound of cartilage. The chapters are very specific and have considerable practical information. There are sections which address specific difficulties which may be encountered with each protocol. The illustrations are average and add somewhat to the quality of the book. The book is geared towards a very specific type of research. The book is more of a collection of protocols/approaches rather than a book which may appeal to a clinician interested in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
Assessment:The book would be very useful to a research scientist beginning in the field or expanding into the field of cartilage disease. Useful information is given with regard to imaging of bone which could be used for both human and animal models. Overall, this book is a reasonable addition to the field of science although it likely only appeals to a few select people.