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Cerebral cortex. Volume 2. Functional properties of cortical cells
Book reviews Methodological surveys in biochemistry and analysis. Volume 14. Drug determination in therapeutic and forensic contexts-Edited by E. REID and 1. D. WILSON. 419 pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. $62.50. The topics discussed in this multi-author volume are grouped under the headings: Sample handling and usefulness of isotopes: Strategies for HPLC (other than detection) and for TLC; HPLC detection ‘and determination of metal-complex drugs; Tamoxifen and other anticancer drugs: Ligand methods for drugs in forensic and other contexts; Various analytes in biological and forensic samples; Analytical quality assurance. The book provides a useful account of the problems and methods involved in drug analysis (i.e. cisplatin. D-penicillamine, ranitidine, amsacrine, adriamicin, benzodiazepine, bumetamine. secoverine, methotrexate, morphine, nitroglycerin) in samples from living tissues. The newer methods are placed in their historical background and indications given how future advances in drug analysis can be made. Thymic hormones and lymphokines. Basic chemistry and clinical applications-Edited by A. L. GOLDSTEIN. 669 pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. $75. The many thymic hormones are currently being analysed and their specific roles determined. Thymosin alpha I is composed of 28 amino acids, has a molecular weight of 3108 and has been synthesized. It can stimulate macrophages to produce macrophage inhibitory factor, interferon and T-cell growth factor. Thymosin beta 4 has 43 amino acids and a molecular weight of 4963. It induces TdT in bone marrow cells and in thymocytes. It also stimulates the release of LH-RH and LH. The polypeptide in serum (thymulin) that stimulates immunological function in treated cells has been analysed (Glu-Ala-Tyr-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn) and the synthetic pcptide has full biological activity for which it also requires Zn’+. T-cell growth factor (TCGF) is a lymphokine (a substance released by lymphocytes). It is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approx 15,000, and has 133 amino acids whose sequence is now known. Under experimental conditions mouse lymphoid cells were expanded with TCGF and could retard tumor growth. Other compounds discussed include cytokines, interleukins and oncostatin. Thymic extracts and individual thymic peptides have been used in clinical trials for producing tumor regression, treatment of fulminant viral hepatitis B, autoimmune hepatitis and rheumatoid arthritis. The role of the thymic hormones in AIDS is also being intensively studied. This multi-author symposium volume is well edited, well presented and provides an excellent account of the advances that are being made in this flourishing subject. Mechanisms of blood pressure wavesEdited by K. MIYAKAWA, H. P. KOEPCHEN and C. POLOSA. 360 pp. 1984. Japanese Scientific Societies Press. Springer, Berlin, New York. DM98. Systemic arterial pressure oscillations have been classified as Mayer waves, Traube-Hering waves and respiratory blood pressure fluctuations. These could be due to endogenous CNS rhythms, respiratory rhythms and/or feedback oscillations. This multi-author work discusses the different theories and views under the main headings: History of studies and concepts of blood pressure waves; Autonomic neuron activity and blood pressure waves; Blood pressure waves in experimental animals; Blood pressure waves in man; System analysis and simulation of blood pressure oscillations; The CNS as a generator of blood pressure waves; Peripheral mechanisms of blood pressure waves.
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It is probable that blood pressure waves are multicausal but, under normal conditions, three oscillatory systems are involved; (I) centrogenic rhythms in brainstem networks with facultative coupling with the respiratory oscillator, (2) the baroreceptor feedback system and (3) the autorhythmicity of the vascular smooth muscle. These three systems may have different rhythmicity and variable phase lags and so produce complex wave patterns. However, since several of the central generators have a similar basic frequency, this can establish synchronization and resonance of the blood pressure waves. Cerebral cortex. Volume 1. Cellular components of the cerebral cortex-Edited by A. PETERSand E. G. JONES.565 pp. 1984. $69.50. Volume 2. Functional properties of cortical cells-Edited by E. G. JONES and A. PETERS.340 pp. 1984. $42.50. Plenum Press, New York. These are the first two of a series of volumes on the cerebral cortex. Later volumes are planned to deal with: The areas of the cortex and their afferent and efferent connections (Vol. 3); Evolution of the cerebral cortex (Vol. 4); Functional organization of the cortex and the effect of various purturbations (Vol. 5). The standard of the first two volumes is very high. The invited authors have written expert chapters that are well illustrated and documented and provide excellent background and up-to-date knowledge on the specific topics. The topics covered in Volume 1 are as follows: History of cortical cytology; Principles of cytoarchitectonics; Architectonics as seen by lipofuscin stains; Classification of cortical neurons; Morphology of the neocortical pyramidal neurons; Non-pyramidal neurons; general account; Spiny stellale neurons; Basket cells; Double bouquet cells; Chandelier cells; Bipolar cells; Neuroglia or spiderweb cells; Smooth and sparsely spinous nonpyramidal cells form local axonal plexuses; neurons of Layer I. a developmental analysis; Layer VI cells; Laminar distribution of cortical efferent cells. The chapers in Volume 2 are: The cerebral neocortex, a theory of its operation; Neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex, a general account; GABA in the cerebral cortex; Functional consideration of the operation of GABAergic inhibitory processes in the visual cortex; Glutamate and aspartate as transmitter candidates for systems of the cerebral cortex; Peptide containing neurons of the cerebral cortex; Autoradiographic localization of receptor sites in the cerebral cortex. Physiological properties of identified neurons. Neuronal circuits in cat striate cortex; Structures of neuroglial cells. These well produced volumes will be the first source that readers will turn to when they want to get a clear account of what is known about the organization and function of cells in the cerebral cortex. The physicians guide to diving medicine-Edited by C. W. SHILLING, C. B. CARLSTON and R. A. MATHIAS. 735 pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. $95. Many people are taking up diving as a sport and as a result are getting into difficulties. In addition the increased exploration of the sea bed for off-shore oil drilling and mineral recovery is leading to the greater use of divers in prolonged and deeper dives. The topics dealt with are as follows: The diving environment; Physics of diving and physical effects on divers; Physiology of diving; Decompression theory; Immediate medical evaluation of diving casualty; Diagnosis and treatment of decompression sickness; Diagnosis and treatment of gas embolism; Near-drowning; Emergency treatment whilst under pressure; Physical and psychological examination for diving; Stress physiology and behavior underwater; Safety considerations; Equipment and procedure; Diving accident investigation.
797
It is probable that blood pressure waves are multicausal but, under normal conditions, three oscillatory systems are involved; (I) centrogenic rhythms in brainstem networks with facultative coupling with the respiratory oscillator, (2) the baroreceptor feedback system and (3) the autorhythmicity of the vascular smooth muscle. These three systems may have different rhythmicity and variable phase lags and so produce complex wave patterns. However, since several of the central generators have a similar basic frequency, this can establish synchronization and resonance of the blood pressure waves. Cerebral cortex. Volume 1. Cellular components of the cerebral cortex-Edited by A. PETERSand E. G. JONES.565 pp. 1984. $69.50. Volume 2. Functional properties of cortical cells-Edited by E. G. JONES and A. PETERS.340 pp. 1984. $42.50. Plenum Press, New York. These are the first two of a series of volumes on the cerebral cortex. Later volumes are planned to deal with: The areas of the cortex and their afferent and efferent connections (Vol. 3); Evolution of the cerebral cortex (Vol. 4); Functional organization of the cortex and the effect of various purturbations (Vol. 5). The standard of the first two volumes is very high. The invited authors have written expert chapters that are well illustrated and documented and provide excellent background and up-to-date knowledge on the specific topics. The topics covered in Volume 1 are as follows: History of cortical cytology; Principles of cytoarchitectonics; Architectonics as seen by lipofuscin stains; Classification of cortical neurons; Morphology of the neocortical pyramidal neurons; Non-pyramidal neurons; general account; Spiny stellale neurons; Basket cells; Double bouquet cells; Chandelier cells; Bipolar cells; Neuroglia or spiderweb cells; Smooth and sparsely spinous nonpyramidal cells form local axonal plexuses; neurons of Layer I. a developmental analysis; Layer VI cells; Laminar distribution of cortical efferent cells. The chapers in Volume 2 are: The cerebral neocortex, a theory of its operation; Neurotransmitters in the cerebral cortex, a general account; GABA in the cerebral cortex; Functional consideration of the operation of GABAergic inhibitory processes in the visual cortex; Glutamate and aspartate as transmitter candidates for systems of the cerebral cortex; Peptide containing neurons of the cerebral cortex; Autoradiographic localization of receptor sites in the cerebral cortex. Physiological properties of identified neurons. Neuronal circuits in cat striate cortex; Structures of neuroglial cells. These well produced volumes will be the first source that readers will turn to when they want to get a clear account of what is known about the organization and function of cells in the cerebral cortex. The physicians guide to diving medicine-Edited by C. W. SHILLING, C. B. CARLSTON and R. A. MATHIAS. 735 pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. $95. Many people are taking up diving as a sport and as a result are getting into difficulties. In addition the increased exploration of the sea bed for off-shore oil drilling and mineral recovery is leading to the greater use of divers in prolonged and deeper dives. The topics dealt with are as follows: The diving environment; Physics of diving and physical effects on divers; Physiology of diving; Decompression theory; Immediate medical evaluation of diving casualty; Diagnosis and treatment of decompression sickness; Diagnosis and treatment of gas embolism; Near-drowning; Emergency treatment whilst under pressure; Physical and psychological examination for diving; Stress physiology and behavior underwater; Safety considerations; Equipment and procedure; Diving accident investigation.