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Insecticide action—From molecule to organism
0011-0101/91 53.00+ .00 ® 1991 Papmon Prea pk
Tos&ron Vol. 29, No. 8, pp. 1047-1046, 1991 . Printed in Great Britain.
REVIEWS RU93EL1., F. E. Snake venom immunology : historical and practical considerations. Toxin Reviews 7, 1-82, 1988 . A rEloeouGrr review of the development of our knowledge on snake venom immunology, dating from 150 B.C.to the present time. The tt+eatise describes the significant studies in the field of immunology, particularly the development of antitoxins as they gave rise to antivenins. The contributions of Sewell, Calmette, Fraser, Brazil and Noguchi, among others are noted in some detail . The contribution is supplemented with a practical glossary, a list of snake antivenins, and 158 references . This is an excellent review of rnnsiderable historical importance . Unfortunately, because of its length (82 pages) no reprints are available. J. A. EDDINGTON
Russel.t ., F. E. A listing of the venomous snakes of the Middle East and their general distribution . Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 33, 1991 . Aslue from the particular fascination and history of the venomous snakes of the Middle East, their more recent interest warrants a description. The author has listed the various spacies of reptiles from eastern Turkey to Iran and noted their geographic locations by countries. Although the number of subspecies has been limited, this was probably due to the fact that some of these may not be generally accepted by workers in taxonomy or systematics, or the names are still under rnnsideration by international biology nomenclature. J. A. EDDINGTON
SILVA, A. DE. Colow Guide to the Snakes of Sri Lanka. Avon, U.K . : R&A Publishing Limited A coIKPRP.I~NSIVl: guide by a long time enthusiast, naturalist and herpetologist who has devoted most of his spare time to studying snakes. It is a very systematic book which has reviewed almost all the available literature on the taxonomy and description on Sri Lankan snakes. The book will be very useful to naturalists, zoologists, herpetologists and the general public . The colour plates have been grouped together in 12 pages containing about 69 photographs which is a real contribution . A must for everyone who is interested in snakes from this region. DR P. GOPALAKRISHNAKONE NRIAGU, J. O. and SIMMONa, M. S. Food Contamination From Envirorunentál ~owces . ~7~5 pp . New liork: .~o11n Wiley (1990). AL~rtrouGtr food contamination has.been of public health concern for many years, little attention has been paid to the accumulation and persistenáe of toxic contaminants in the htunan food chain. The present book, therefore, provides critical reviews ón the detection, sources, distribution, sptxiation and bioavailability of environmental contamirutnts and their) metabolites in various food products. Thus, the book gives an excellent overview on the whole subject . J. Ma~R
NARAxAStü, T. and G~tAt~eRS J. E. (Eda) lnsecticide Action-From Mo%cute to Organism . New York: Plentun Press (1989) . Ir Is of the utmost importance that the actions of any particular insecticide at various levels ranging from those of molecules to whole animals are analysed and synthesized, However, in spite of the large body of information accumulated so far, little or no attempt has been made to integrate the experimental data obtained at the 1047
different levels in order to define the whole picture of inaecticidal action . This book, based on a symposium on insecticide action held in Los Angeles, California in 1988, suocesafully covers all relevant aspects of insecticide action and allows a clearer picture to be developed regarding the overall impact of insecticides on organisms. Thus, the book is an interesting contribution for everybody interested in this research field. J. MFrPu
CÙNDY, K. R., Kt.t c~.a, B., HtNKS, E. and Mtu.ea, L. A. (Eds) Solutions. New York : Plenum Press (1990).
Infectèon Control-Dilemmas and Practical
"Wxer are some of the most vexing problems and situations facing the hospital microbiologiat~pidemiologistteam todayT'-This book, which tries to answer this question, is based on the praoeedinge of a symposium held 1988 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From problems related to microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, the risk of health care workers exposed to patients with viral diseases, infectious waste treatment to legal aspects of infection control, the whole subject is covered. The book is of interest for all scientists working in the area of infection control. J. M~e
VoxK, N., Beers, H. G. J. and Sctuu FQ H. Troubleshooting 49 .80, Sfr. 44.80. Basel: Birkhüuser Verlag (1990) .
in der HPLC,
140 pp., ISBN 3-7643-2400-7, DM
Ttns book is written as a basis of an experimental course . It will help to avoid and correct faults but it will not give instructions for an optimal separation . Avoidance of faults can be performed in a normal equipped HPLClaboratory, so that this book will not substitute for any service. The first chapter gives a general introduction for troubleshooting . The following five chapters deal with different parts of the HPLC-system, the pump, injection, column, the eluent and the detector . The authors give hints to avoid possible faults which beginners in the field of HPLC may particularly find . Chapter 7, entitled "Systematic Troubleshooting", is rather short. Troubles, possible causes and hints to solve these problems are given briefly. The final chapter is a test for the reader, giving questions and answers. This book can be recommended to everybody who is engaged in HPLC, especially to beginners. Hexs Cxx. Krees
HEGNAUER, R. Chemotaxonomie Basel: Birküuaer-Verlag (1990) .
der Pflanzen,
Band 9, 786 pp ., ISBN 3-7643-2299-3, DM 698.00; Sfr. 580.00.
HECiNAUPA'a "Chemotaxoreomie der Pflmtten" is an indispensable work of reference for all disciplines of the natural acienas dealing with the chemistry of plants . Volumes 1-6 were published between 1962 and 1973 and are thus meanwhile outdated . Volumes 7 (1986) and 8 (1989) therefore undertook an update of this most valuable aeries, and now volume 9 has been completed. It deals with the distribution and taxonomic importance of natural compounds from plants belonging to families ranging from the Magnoliaaae to the Zygophyllaceae, arranged in alphabetical order. This book is characterized by a comprehensive and conacientioualy compiled bibliography . In addenda to each chapter papas published as recently as 1990 are cited. Numerous chemical structures are presented in clearly arranged schemes. Moreover, botanical aspects and the activity of the mentioned wmpounds, e.g . their toxicity, receive due attention. The use of this book and also of volume 8 $s reference works is somewhat difficult at present, because they do not contain a register. Such a register is currently in the final stages of preparation and scheduled to be published in a separate volume . I have recently learned that it will cóntain three main indexes (for scientific plant names, taxonomically relevant compounds and keywords). The value of this extensive series will immensely be increased when a good and detailed register becomes available. The prig of volume 9 may seem high for the individual buyer but on the other hand it is exceedingly valuable for chemists, botanists and toxicologists engaged in the field of natural compounds of plant origin . This book should-at the very least-be available in every scientific library . Hexs Cttx . Krees
Tos&ron Vol. 29, No. 8, pp. 1047-1046, 1991 . Printed in Great Britain.
REVIEWS RU93EL1., F. E. Snake venom immunology : historical and practical considerations. Toxin Reviews 7, 1-82, 1988 . A rEloeouGrr review of the development of our knowledge on snake venom immunology, dating from 150 B.C.to the present time. The tt+eatise describes the significant studies in the field of immunology, particularly the development of antitoxins as they gave rise to antivenins. The contributions of Sewell, Calmette, Fraser, Brazil and Noguchi, among others are noted in some detail . The contribution is supplemented with a practical glossary, a list of snake antivenins, and 158 references . This is an excellent review of rnnsiderable historical importance . Unfortunately, because of its length (82 pages) no reprints are available. J. A. EDDINGTON
Russel.t ., F. E. A listing of the venomous snakes of the Middle East and their general distribution . Vet. Hum. Toxicol. 33, 1991 . Aslue from the particular fascination and history of the venomous snakes of the Middle East, their more recent interest warrants a description. The author has listed the various spacies of reptiles from eastern Turkey to Iran and noted their geographic locations by countries. Although the number of subspecies has been limited, this was probably due to the fact that some of these may not be generally accepted by workers in taxonomy or systematics, or the names are still under rnnsideration by international biology nomenclature. J. A. EDDINGTON
SILVA, A. DE. Colow Guide to the Snakes of Sri Lanka. Avon, U.K . : R&A Publishing Limited A coIKPRP.I~NSIVl: guide by a long time enthusiast, naturalist and herpetologist who has devoted most of his spare time to studying snakes. It is a very systematic book which has reviewed almost all the available literature on the taxonomy and description on Sri Lankan snakes. The book will be very useful to naturalists, zoologists, herpetologists and the general public . The colour plates have been grouped together in 12 pages containing about 69 photographs which is a real contribution . A must for everyone who is interested in snakes from this region. DR P. GOPALAKRISHNAKONE NRIAGU, J. O. and SIMMONa, M. S. Food Contamination From Envirorunentál ~owces . ~7~5 pp . New liork: .~o11n Wiley (1990). AL~rtrouGtr food contamination has.been of public health concern for many years, little attention has been paid to the accumulation and persistenáe of toxic contaminants in the htunan food chain. The present book, therefore, provides critical reviews ón the detection, sources, distribution, sptxiation and bioavailability of environmental contamirutnts and their) metabolites in various food products. Thus, the book gives an excellent overview on the whole subject . J. Ma~R
NARAxAStü, T. and G~tAt~eRS J. E. (Eda) lnsecticide Action-From Mo%cute to Organism . New York: Plentun Press (1989) . Ir Is of the utmost importance that the actions of any particular insecticide at various levels ranging from those of molecules to whole animals are analysed and synthesized, However, in spite of the large body of information accumulated so far, little or no attempt has been made to integrate the experimental data obtained at the 1047
different levels in order to define the whole picture of inaecticidal action . This book, based on a symposium on insecticide action held in Los Angeles, California in 1988, suocesafully covers all relevant aspects of insecticide action and allows a clearer picture to be developed regarding the overall impact of insecticides on organisms. Thus, the book is an interesting contribution for everybody interested in this research field. J. MFrPu
CÙNDY, K. R., Kt.t c~.a, B., HtNKS, E. and Mtu.ea, L. A. (Eds) Solutions. New York : Plenum Press (1990).
Infectèon Control-Dilemmas and Practical
"Wxer are some of the most vexing problems and situations facing the hospital microbiologiat~pidemiologistteam todayT'-This book, which tries to answer this question, is based on the praoeedinge of a symposium held 1988 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From problems related to microorganisms resistant to antibiotics, the risk of health care workers exposed to patients with viral diseases, infectious waste treatment to legal aspects of infection control, the whole subject is covered. The book is of interest for all scientists working in the area of infection control. J. M~e
VoxK, N., Beers, H. G. J. and Sctuu FQ H. Troubleshooting 49 .80, Sfr. 44.80. Basel: Birkhüuser Verlag (1990) .
in der HPLC,
140 pp., ISBN 3-7643-2400-7, DM
Ttns book is written as a basis of an experimental course . It will help to avoid and correct faults but it will not give instructions for an optimal separation . Avoidance of faults can be performed in a normal equipped HPLClaboratory, so that this book will not substitute for any service. The first chapter gives a general introduction for troubleshooting . The following five chapters deal with different parts of the HPLC-system, the pump, injection, column, the eluent and the detector . The authors give hints to avoid possible faults which beginners in the field of HPLC may particularly find . Chapter 7, entitled "Systematic Troubleshooting", is rather short. Troubles, possible causes and hints to solve these problems are given briefly. The final chapter is a test for the reader, giving questions and answers. This book can be recommended to everybody who is engaged in HPLC, especially to beginners. Hexs Cxx. Krees
HEGNAUER, R. Chemotaxonomie Basel: Birküuaer-Verlag (1990) .
der Pflanzen,
Band 9, 786 pp ., ISBN 3-7643-2299-3, DM 698.00; Sfr. 580.00.
HECiNAUPA'a "Chemotaxoreomie der Pflmtten" is an indispensable work of reference for all disciplines of the natural acienas dealing with the chemistry of plants . Volumes 1-6 were published between 1962 and 1973 and are thus meanwhile outdated . Volumes 7 (1986) and 8 (1989) therefore undertook an update of this most valuable aeries, and now volume 9 has been completed. It deals with the distribution and taxonomic importance of natural compounds from plants belonging to families ranging from the Magnoliaaae to the Zygophyllaceae, arranged in alphabetical order. This book is characterized by a comprehensive and conacientioualy compiled bibliography . In addenda to each chapter papas published as recently as 1990 are cited. Numerous chemical structures are presented in clearly arranged schemes. Moreover, botanical aspects and the activity of the mentioned wmpounds, e.g . their toxicity, receive due attention. The use of this book and also of volume 8 $s reference works is somewhat difficult at present, because they do not contain a register. Such a register is currently in the final stages of preparation and scheduled to be published in a separate volume . I have recently learned that it will cóntain three main indexes (for scientific plant names, taxonomically relevant compounds and keywords). The value of this extensive series will immensely be increased when a good and detailed register becomes available. The prig of volume 9 may seem high for the individual buyer but on the other hand it is exceedingly valuable for chemists, botanists and toxicologists engaged in the field of natural compounds of plant origin . This book should-at the very least-be available in every scientific library . Hexs Cttx . Krees