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Comparative physiology of the vertebrate digestive system, 2nd edition
Gen. Pharmac. Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 291-292, 1997 Copyright © 1997 Elsevier Science Inc. Printed in the U S A .
ISSN 0306-3623/97 $17.00 + .00 PII S0306-3623 (96)00309-6 All rights reserved ELSEVIER
BOOK REVIEWS
Antipsychotics. Edited by J. G. Csernansky. 539 pp. 1996. Springer Verlag, Berlin DM540. [Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology Vol. 120] Considerable advances in the development of antipsychotic drugs (AD) have been made since the previous volume on this subject. Schizophrenia is now considered to be an illness with specific neuroanatomical abnormalities probably caused by errors in neurodevelopment. Molecular pharmacology has shown that there are at least 6 different dopamine receptors with the hope of developing drugs specific for each given type of receptor. The rediscovery of clozapine has helped in the development of mixed dopamine and serotonin antagonists. The chapters deal with: classification schemes for AD; molecular models and SAR; interaction of AD with dopamine receptor subtypes; atypical AD (glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, sigma receptors, opioids, serotonin); clinical and preclinial studies; sites and mechanisms of action of AD as revealed by immediate early gene expression; basic neurophysiology of AD actions; tolerance and sensitization to the effects of AD on dopamine transmission; behavioral pharmacology of typical and atypical AD; AD action after lesions to the hippocampus or frontal cortex; an animal model of sensorimotor gating deficits in schizophrenia that predicts AD action; patterns of clinical efficacy for AD; effects of novel AD in treatment of refractory schizophrenia; AD-induced side effects related to receptor affinity; biological predictors of AD treatment response; effects of AD on neuropsychological measures; AD in children and adolescents; use of AD in the elderly. A very useful up-todate survey of an important subject.
Trease and Evans' pharmacognosy, 14th edition. 1996. W. B. Saunders, London. £40.
W.C. Evans. 612 pp.
This well-known text on the study of natural substances, principally from plants, that are used in medicine has been rewritten and brought up-to-date, and some invited specialist contributors have written chapters in this 14th edition. (The first edition appeared in 1934.) It deals with: plant nomenclature and taxonomy; plants and animals as a source of drugs; commercial production, quality control and standardization of natural products; phytochemistry; pharmacopoeial and related drugs of biological origin; plants in complementary and traditional systems of medicine; nonmedicinal toxic plants and pesticides; morphological and microscopical examination of drugs. Although this book often is used for reference, it provides fascinating reading material on a still rapidly developing and important subject. Chemical warfare agents: Toxicology and treatment. Edited by T.C. Marrs, R. L. Maynard and F. R. Sidell. 243 pp. 1996. John Wiley, Chichester, UK. £40. Chemical warfare (CW) is cheap and effective. Many of the agents can be produced by "3 men and a boy" and can be used by terrorists, as shown recently in the Tokyo subway. The topics include: opinions of CW; physicochemical properties and general toxicology; organophosphate nerve agents; treatment and prophylaxis of OP poisoning; history of human studies with nerve agents in the UK and USA; mustard gas; organic arsenicals; phosgene; cyanides; riot control agents; abbreviations for some C W agents; values for human toxicity of some CW agents. It provides much useful information on a somewhat secret subject. Ascorbic acid, biochemistry and biomedical cell biology. Edited by J. R. Harris. 435 pp. 1996. Plenum Press, New York. $120. [Subcellular Biochemistry Vol. 25] Although the role of ascorbic acid (AA) in preventing scurvy has been known since 1933, it is only in the last 25 years that the role of A A in the formation of collagen, wound healing, maintenance of cartilage, bones, teeth, gums, muscles, and skin has been appreciated. AA is probably the most effective and least toxic antioxidant in the body. It plays a major role
in protecting against oxidative stress-related diseases, including cancer, coronary heart disease, cataract formation, and aging. The chapters describe the role of A A in: modulation of gene expression; cell growth control; cell differentiation; prostaglandin synthesis; chronic disease; aging; antihistamine action; antiviral and immunomodulation; cancer; connective tissues; nervous tissue; the eye; atherosclerotic cardiac disease; diabetes mellitus; protection against radiation-induced clastogenesis. Perhaps Linus Pauling was right!
The neurobiology of disease: contributions from neuroscience to clinical neurology. Edited by H. Bostock, P. A. Kirkwood and A. H. Pullen. 443 pp. 1996. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. £65. This book is a Festschrift in honor of Professor Tom Sears. It shows how basic research has applications in clinical medicine. The topics are in 4 main sections: (1) Physiology and pathophysiology of nerve fibers (ion channels in pathophysiological nerves; node of Ranvier; potassium channels in Schwann cells; diabetic neuropathy; autoimmunity at n-m junction; demyelination; multiple sclerosis; glial transplantation); (2) pain (human nociceptors; inflammation; myofascial pain syndromes; spinal cord pain memory; pain relief by acupuncture); (3) control of central nervous system output (cortical circuits and seizures; brain temperature; control of respiratory muscles; cerebellum and movement; lateral nodulus and uvula in cardiovascular control; curare and gallamine in myoclonus; thyrotropin-releasing hormone and serotonin; serotonin in respiratory disorders of newborn; chronic lung disease; apneas in newborn; apnea; respiratory control in neurological disease); (4) development, survival, regeneration and death (axonal growth and plasticity in adult CNS; target dependence of motoneurons; rescue of neurons cross-regenerated into foreign targets; repair of neonatal spinal cord in culture; selective neuronal vulnerability in motor neuron disease; excitotoxicity in motor neuron disease).
Toxicology of aquatic pollution: physiological, molecular and cellular approaches. Edited by E. W. Taylor. 283 pp. 1996. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. £55, $85. Most sources of fresh water are polluted. The effects are most quickly noticed by changes in aquatic fauna. This book deals with the effects of specific chemicals on the growth and development of fresh-water fish. The chapters deal with: the uptake of xenobiotics; bioaccumulation of 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorbenzene; dietary exposure to toxic metals; effects of zinc; lethal and sublethal effects of copper, a role for ammonia toxicity; effects of aluminium in soft water; effects of nitrite; meta[lothionins in fish; effects of genetic toxicants; use of cultured fish cells; P4501A1 measurement. Recent interest has focused on the effects of estrogenic substances, such as DDT, TCDD, kepone, alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants, nonylphenol, arachlor 1221, or coumestrol, in water. They could be responsible for the reduced sperm count in humans drinking contaminated water. Stick to vodka!
Comparative physiology of the vertebrate digestive system, 2nd edition. C.E. Stevens and I. D. Hume. 400 pp. 1996. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. £55, $79.95. Most research on digestion initially is carried out on animals. It is necessary to be aware of the differences in digestion in different animals, and this book provides the information. The chapters describe: energy and nutrient requirements; general characteristics of the vertebrate digestive system; digestive systems in fish, amphibia, reptiles, and birds; mammalian gastrointestinal tract; motor activity; transit and retention; digestion of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and absorption of end products, microbial fermentation and synthesis of nutrients and absorption of end products; secretion and absorption of electrolytes and water; neurendocrine control; evolution of the digestive system; conclusions and future directions. The second edition has been revised, brought up-to-date, and 3 additional chapters on nutrition, digesta transit, and evolution have been added.
ISSN 0306-3623/97 $17.00 + .00 PII S0306-3623 (96)00309-6 All rights reserved ELSEVIER
BOOK REVIEWS
Antipsychotics. Edited by J. G. Csernansky. 539 pp. 1996. Springer Verlag, Berlin DM540. [Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology Vol. 120] Considerable advances in the development of antipsychotic drugs (AD) have been made since the previous volume on this subject. Schizophrenia is now considered to be an illness with specific neuroanatomical abnormalities probably caused by errors in neurodevelopment. Molecular pharmacology has shown that there are at least 6 different dopamine receptors with the hope of developing drugs specific for each given type of receptor. The rediscovery of clozapine has helped in the development of mixed dopamine and serotonin antagonists. The chapters deal with: classification schemes for AD; molecular models and SAR; interaction of AD with dopamine receptor subtypes; atypical AD (glutamate, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine, cholecystokinin, neurotensin, sigma receptors, opioids, serotonin); clinical and preclinial studies; sites and mechanisms of action of AD as revealed by immediate early gene expression; basic neurophysiology of AD actions; tolerance and sensitization to the effects of AD on dopamine transmission; behavioral pharmacology of typical and atypical AD; AD action after lesions to the hippocampus or frontal cortex; an animal model of sensorimotor gating deficits in schizophrenia that predicts AD action; patterns of clinical efficacy for AD; effects of novel AD in treatment of refractory schizophrenia; AD-induced side effects related to receptor affinity; biological predictors of AD treatment response; effects of AD on neuropsychological measures; AD in children and adolescents; use of AD in the elderly. A very useful up-todate survey of an important subject.
Trease and Evans' pharmacognosy, 14th edition. 1996. W. B. Saunders, London. £40.
W.C. Evans. 612 pp.
This well-known text on the study of natural substances, principally from plants, that are used in medicine has been rewritten and brought up-to-date, and some invited specialist contributors have written chapters in this 14th edition. (The first edition appeared in 1934.) It deals with: plant nomenclature and taxonomy; plants and animals as a source of drugs; commercial production, quality control and standardization of natural products; phytochemistry; pharmacopoeial and related drugs of biological origin; plants in complementary and traditional systems of medicine; nonmedicinal toxic plants and pesticides; morphological and microscopical examination of drugs. Although this book often is used for reference, it provides fascinating reading material on a still rapidly developing and important subject. Chemical warfare agents: Toxicology and treatment. Edited by T.C. Marrs, R. L. Maynard and F. R. Sidell. 243 pp. 1996. John Wiley, Chichester, UK. £40. Chemical warfare (CW) is cheap and effective. Many of the agents can be produced by "3 men and a boy" and can be used by terrorists, as shown recently in the Tokyo subway. The topics include: opinions of CW; physicochemical properties and general toxicology; organophosphate nerve agents; treatment and prophylaxis of OP poisoning; history of human studies with nerve agents in the UK and USA; mustard gas; organic arsenicals; phosgene; cyanides; riot control agents; abbreviations for some C W agents; values for human toxicity of some CW agents. It provides much useful information on a somewhat secret subject. Ascorbic acid, biochemistry and biomedical cell biology. Edited by J. R. Harris. 435 pp. 1996. Plenum Press, New York. $120. [Subcellular Biochemistry Vol. 25] Although the role of ascorbic acid (AA) in preventing scurvy has been known since 1933, it is only in the last 25 years that the role of A A in the formation of collagen, wound healing, maintenance of cartilage, bones, teeth, gums, muscles, and skin has been appreciated. AA is probably the most effective and least toxic antioxidant in the body. It plays a major role
in protecting against oxidative stress-related diseases, including cancer, coronary heart disease, cataract formation, and aging. The chapters describe the role of A A in: modulation of gene expression; cell growth control; cell differentiation; prostaglandin synthesis; chronic disease; aging; antihistamine action; antiviral and immunomodulation; cancer; connective tissues; nervous tissue; the eye; atherosclerotic cardiac disease; diabetes mellitus; protection against radiation-induced clastogenesis. Perhaps Linus Pauling was right!
The neurobiology of disease: contributions from neuroscience to clinical neurology. Edited by H. Bostock, P. A. Kirkwood and A. H. Pullen. 443 pp. 1996. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. £65. This book is a Festschrift in honor of Professor Tom Sears. It shows how basic research has applications in clinical medicine. The topics are in 4 main sections: (1) Physiology and pathophysiology of nerve fibers (ion channels in pathophysiological nerves; node of Ranvier; potassium channels in Schwann cells; diabetic neuropathy; autoimmunity at n-m junction; demyelination; multiple sclerosis; glial transplantation); (2) pain (human nociceptors; inflammation; myofascial pain syndromes; spinal cord pain memory; pain relief by acupuncture); (3) control of central nervous system output (cortical circuits and seizures; brain temperature; control of respiratory muscles; cerebellum and movement; lateral nodulus and uvula in cardiovascular control; curare and gallamine in myoclonus; thyrotropin-releasing hormone and serotonin; serotonin in respiratory disorders of newborn; chronic lung disease; apneas in newborn; apnea; respiratory control in neurological disease); (4) development, survival, regeneration and death (axonal growth and plasticity in adult CNS; target dependence of motoneurons; rescue of neurons cross-regenerated into foreign targets; repair of neonatal spinal cord in culture; selective neuronal vulnerability in motor neuron disease; excitotoxicity in motor neuron disease).
Toxicology of aquatic pollution: physiological, molecular and cellular approaches. Edited by E. W. Taylor. 283 pp. 1996. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. £55, $85. Most sources of fresh water are polluted. The effects are most quickly noticed by changes in aquatic fauna. This book deals with the effects of specific chemicals on the growth and development of fresh-water fish. The chapters deal with: the uptake of xenobiotics; bioaccumulation of 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorbenzene; dietary exposure to toxic metals; effects of zinc; lethal and sublethal effects of copper, a role for ammonia toxicity; effects of aluminium in soft water; effects of nitrite; meta[lothionins in fish; effects of genetic toxicants; use of cultured fish cells; P4501A1 measurement. Recent interest has focused on the effects of estrogenic substances, such as DDT, TCDD, kepone, alkylphenol polyethoxylate surfactants, nonylphenol, arachlor 1221, or coumestrol, in water. They could be responsible for the reduced sperm count in humans drinking contaminated water. Stick to vodka!
Comparative physiology of the vertebrate digestive system, 2nd edition. C.E. Stevens and I. D. Hume. 400 pp. 1996. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. £55, $79.95. Most research on digestion initially is carried out on animals. It is necessary to be aware of the differences in digestion in different animals, and this book provides the information. The chapters describe: energy and nutrient requirements; general characteristics of the vertebrate digestive system; digestive systems in fish, amphibia, reptiles, and birds; mammalian gastrointestinal tract; motor activity; transit and retention; digestion of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins and absorption of end products, microbial fermentation and synthesis of nutrients and absorption of end products; secretion and absorption of electrolytes and water; neurendocrine control; evolution of the digestive system; conclusions and future directions. The second edition has been revised, brought up-to-date, and 3 additional chapters on nutrition, digesta transit, and evolution have been added.