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See the Movie, Read the Book Later

Clinical Director, Oncology Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

This edition of The Oncologist includes a chapter (Lymphocytes) from Lyonel and Esther Israels' new textbook, Mechanisms in Hematology. This work proves three things: the computer age has made it to medical education, it works, and it can be fun. This is because the text is supplemented by an interactive CD-ROM which guides the reader through the high points of each chapter.

It is a work with 22 chapters, including: Cell Signaling, Adhesion Molecules, Apoptosis, The Regulation of Hematopoiesis, Erythropoiesis, The Red Cell, Heme Synthesis and Porphyrin Metabolism, The Hemoglobin Molecule, Vitamin B₁₂ and Folate Metabolism, Iron Metabolism, Red Cell Life Span and Bilirubin Metabolism, Neutrophil Function, The Immunoglobulin Molecule, Lymphocytes, The Myeloid Leukemias, Chemotherapeutic Antineoplastics, The Coagulation Cascade, Inhibitors and Promoters of Coagulation, Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor, Vitamin K, Fibrinogen, Factor XIII, and Fibrinolysis, and Platelet Structure and Function.

The chapters share a common format, beginning with fundamental and well-remembered basic principles, then immediate immersion into current science. As you can appreciate from the chapter reprinted in this issue, the graphics are outstanding in their clarity—and that's where the CD-ROM rises above the standard medical text. As formatted, the CD places a few information-laden paragraphs side by side with the relevant graphic so that the reader can move easily from text to information.

But the CD format allows new instructive capabilities. Click on highlighted text words and the graphic animates. You can watch immunoglobulin synthesis as the V_h, D_h, and J_h genes are expressed in sequence and united with the L. The electronic format also allows the reader to jump seamlessly into clinical correlates, or other relevant areas of the text.

There is humor here as well. A 1962 quote in Nature from Dr. R.G. Macfarlane: "After years of confusion, it seems that a relatively simple pattern is emerging from the present theories of blood coagulation," is followed one mouse-click away by the eminently formidable coagulation cascade. However, in the CD you can click on a factor in the text, and watch it move down the cascade to activate (or inactivate) the next step of the process.

In addition, the writing often has a vitality that is lacking in the medical literature. Consider, for example, the lowly red blood cell: "Although devoid of a nucleus and intracellular organelles, the red blood cell, squeezed through capillary beds, buffeted by high sheer forces in the heart, and subject to sequestration, stasis, and substrate deprivation in the spleen, has a life span approximating four months." Heady stuff, indeed.

Enjoy the chapter reprinted here, and consider the textbook with its totally likable interactive CD. It's definitely not your father's Wintrobe!

This Article Full Text (PDF) eLetters: Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints/Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Curt, G. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Curt, G. A.