Advances in drug research, vol. 17

Book Reviews advance in medication. This book deals with lung physiology, adrcnoreceptor agonists and steroids in respiratory disease, sodium cromoglycate, metabolism of drugs in the respiratory tract, chemical induced lung toxicity, structure and function of mucus, drug administration to the respiratory tract, pressurized metered dose inhalers, formulation of powders for inhalation, jet nebulisers, intranasal administration of drugs, and provides a very useful survey of the subject. Catecholamines, Part l--Edited by U. Trendelenburg and N. Weiner. 571 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. DM 450. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Volume 90. This is the successor to the volume Catecholamines edited by Blashko and Muscholl in 1972 and is an additional selection of topics. These are: transport and storage of catecholamines (CA) in vesicles; exocytosis in adrenal medulla and sympathetic nerve; monoamine oxidase; transport of amines across the axonal membranes of NA and DA neurones; indirectly acting sympathetic amines; extraneuronal uptake and metabolism of CA; CA receptors; presynaptic receptors on CA neurones; adaptive supersensitivity. Each topic is authoratatively treated, clearly presented and well documented, as befits the volumes in this excellent series. It would help the less specialised reader if the editors could have presented a short list of the major developments over the past 15 years that are more fully described in the book. Most chapters present a series of conclusions and so provide an orientation. Advances in Drug Research, Vol. 17--Edited by B. Testa. 479 pp. 1988. Academic Press, London. £48. There are five reviews in this volume: 1. Recent advances in the search for selective antiviral agents [agents are capable of attacking herpes and rhinovirus without attacking the host DNA, so making drug design more rational]. 2. Developments in the field of synthetic cephalosporin antibiotics [the molecular structure of the target enzymes is being understood and will allow better design of antibiotics]. 3. Advances in drug receptor research in the cardiovascular system [CV diseases are often associated with changes in receptor function, there is better knowledge of the receptor structures and ligand binding onto the active sites[. 4. Pharmacology and therapeutic potential of serotonin receptor agonists and antagonists [these can help treat mental depression, anxiety, alcoholism, obesity, migraine, hypertension, thrombosis]. 5. GABA agonists, antagonists and uptake inhibitors, structure-activity relationship and therapeutic potential [these are known for GABA-A, GABA-BZD, and GABA-B receptors]. Hyperllpldaemla and Atherosclerosb--Edited by K. E. Suckling and P. H. E. Groot. 228 pp. 1988. Academic Press, London. £31. This symposium volume discusses current views on lipoprotein synthesis, metabolism and transport; plaque formation; epidemiology of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease; and therapeutic fibrinolysis. In the developed world atberosclerosis accounts for up to 45% of all deaths. It is multifactorial and some of the stages in the development of the lesions are described in this book, i.e. low density lipoproteins, apolipoprotein B100 and B48, cholesterol metabolism, macrophages and ceroid, arterial proteoglycans. Oxygen Sensing in Ti~mcs--Edited by H. Acker. 215pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. $78.70.

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The subjects reviewed in this volume are: the effect of oxygen on bacterial photosynthesis; oxygen availability in invertebrates and vertebrates; critical PO 2 of euoxyic animals; hypoxia in liver; 02 sensing in cell types; oxygen dependent regulation of DNA replication of Ehrlich ascites cells; activation of erythropoietin production in hypoxic kidney; prostanoids and renal response to hypoxia; effect of hypoxia on calcium influx and catecholamine synthesis in carotid body; PO 2 induced changes of membrane potential and tension in vascular smooth muscle; endothelial cells as oxygen sensors; oxidative stress on arterial smooth muscle; free cytosolie adenosine sensitivity signals myocardial hypoxia; effect of changes in local PO 2 on electrical activity of CNS; hypoxia and ionic changes in carotid body; oxygen and giycolysis in the retina. The articles provide an up-todate appreciation of the internal measurement of PO 2 and its regulation in the body. Cell and Tissue Biology: A Textbook of Hintolegy, 6th FAn--Edited by Leon Weiss. 1158 pp. 1988. Urban & Schwartzenberg, Baltimore. $59.50. This is a major revision of a standard text on histology. The accent has been changed to bring in the modern approach to cell and tissue biology, hence the change in the title. There arc 35 contributors and they deal with each of the major tissues and organs of the body. The book is very well illustrated with photographs, drawings, and very many transmission and scanning electron micrographs. There is a detailed bibliography at the end of each chapter, giving general and more specific references. The approach is a functional one emphasising that form and function arc closely related, linking in biochemical, physiological, pathological and clinical information. The reader will get a very good picture of the functional architecture and dynamic structures of the body. Clinical NeRoeaciocgimdogy--Edited by R. Collu, G. M. Brown and G. R. Van Loon. 609pp. 1988. Blackweli Scientific, Boston. It is often difficult for clinicians to keep abreast of the developments in neuroendocrinology. This book provides the scientific basis for modern treatment. The chapters deal with the neuroendocrinology of: hypothalamic-pituitary axis; control of anterior pituitary function; regulation and pathophysiology of posterior pituitary; control of gonadotropin secretion; anorexia nervosa; growth; acromegaly; growth hormone deficiency; corticotropin secretion and Cushing's disease; thryrotropin regulation; hyperprolactinaemia; pituitary adenomas; rcnin-angiotensin-aldosterone system; brain peptides; clinical use of hypothalamic hormones; endocrine effects of stress; affective disorder; pineal gland; endogenous opiod peptides; dysfunction in CNS; gastrointestinal hormones; immune system. Each chapter is provided with an extensive bibliography. A very useful and interesting book. Bintechaolegy: A Dietinmu'y of Tenm--J. M. Walker and M. Cox. 255 pp. 1988. American Chemical Society, Washington. U.S.A./Canada $49.95 (Hard) $39.95 (Paper). Elsewhere $59.95 (Hard) $47.95 (Paper). The terms are defined in up to 15 lines of text, sometimes

with diagrams. To give an example of the words that arc defined on pages 112-3 there are: glucose syrup, glutamate, glutelins, giycocalyx, giycoprotein, giycosidases, Gram stain, granum, GRAS organisms, GRASE, Grushof number, grlseofulvin. Pages 144-5 define lactic acid bacteria, lactifers, lactobaccilus, lag phase, lambda, lamellar settlers, laminar flow, Langrauir adsorption isotherm,