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Structure and function in excitable cells
Gen. Pharmac. Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 161-162, 1985 Pergamon Press Ltd. Printed in Great Britain.
BOOK REVIEWS Survey of Drug Research in Immunologic Disease--By Vassily St Georgiev. Vol. 2. Non Condensed Aromatic Derivatives. Part I. Unsaturated aromatic compounds, aromatic alcohols and phenols, aminoalcohols, ether compounds. 656 pp. 1983. S.Fr 490. DM 588. US $293.50. Vol. 3. Non Condensed Aromatic Derivatives. Part II. Halide compounds, nitrogen containing aromatic compounds. 582 pp. 1983. S.Fr 490. DM 588. US $293.50. Karger, Basel. The survey of drug research in immunological diseases is proposed as an on-going series of volumes intended for the reference of research chemists, biologists and medical scientists. All chemicals and drugs that have been found to have some immunologic properties or interactions will be considered, their structure given, their synthesis described, their biological activity in relation to the immune system listed, and finally references given to the literature and patents relating to this drug or chemical. The chemicals are arranged in increasing complexity, i.e. alcohols, amines, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, etc. There are also a series of indexes: an author index, chemical subject index, biological subject index, and a biological activity cross-index. Volume 1 dealt with aliphatic derivatives. Volume 2 onwards deals with non condensed aromatic derivatives, alicyclic and polycyclic derivatives, heterocyclic compounds with one, two, three or more heteroatoms. For example, Volume 3 starts with halide compounds such as chlorphenesin, clofibrate, mitotane, DDT, ketamine, etc. Each compound has its structural formula presented, followed by a brief indication of its chemical preparation (plus references to literature). The biological activity of that compound is concisely described in about a page. For example, "Experiments conducted by Pick (1974) have demonstrated that chlorphenesin inhibited the production of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by antigen-stimulated sensitized guinea pig lymph node cells." A list of references to the literature and patents follows. This volume deals with 628 compounds. The series of volumes will be very useful to anyone who wishes to have an introduction to the literature on specific compounds. It will also be a useful check for those people working in the field to make sure that they have not overlooked anything important in relation to the synthesis and screening of biologically active compounds. It will, however, be useful to have access to the complete series of volumes since there are frequent cross references to chemicals in other volumes. There will be a cumulative index published dealing with the series of volumes.
New Pathways for Organic Synthesis--Practical Applications of Transition Metals--By H. M. Colquhon, J. Holton, D. J. Thompson and M. V. Twigg. 454 pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. US $59.50. This volume provides general information and practical details concerning the use of transition metals in organic synthesis. In particular it is intended to help those working on pharmaceuticals, natural products, insecticides, herbicides, dyestuffs and organic chemicals, obtain information regarding synthesis from commercially available material.
161
There is a chapter devoted to the preparation and handling of transition metal catalysts. Though the classical use of Raney nickel and ferrocene are widely known, the modern application of rhodium RhCl (PPh3)3[Wilkinsons's catalyst] and similar systems based on platinum, palladium, cobalt, ruthenium, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten are less widely known. However, the use of the proper catalyst makes an improbable reaction go well and economically. The present volume provides the background information and practical details to the use of such organic synthesis.
Issues and Reviews in Teratology--Edited by H. Kalter. Volume 1. 354 pp. 1983. Plenum Press. New York. US $45.00. Thalidomide gave a stimulus to the screening of drugs for teratological effects, and as a result there has been an expansion of the literature and information about embryonic defects caused by drugs, viruses, and chemicals. The present volume sets the stage. The reviews are entitled: Teratology, spectrum of a science: Problems in human teratology: Cytogenetics of human reproductive wastage. Twenty years of the etiology of congenital malformations in Finland: Genome and chromosome mutation: Developmental toxicity and non human primates; Interspecies comparisons: Teratogenic risk assessment: Thalidomide and embryonic sensory peripheral neuropathy: Restorative growth in mammalian embryos: Mechanism of acetozalamide teratogenesis. The volume is dedicated to Josef Warkany on the occasion of his 80th birthday, in recognition of his contribution to the study of chondrodystrophy and the Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome and to the development of the science of Teratology.
Structure and Function in Excitable Cells--Edited by D. C. Chang, I. Tasaki, W. J. Adelman and H. R. Leuchtag. 499 pp. 1983. Plenum Press, New York. US $65.00. This volume is based on a series of papers given at a conference at Woods Hole on the structure and function of excitable cells. The contributions have been expanded and brought up to date so as to present the reader with a balanced view of current developments. The volume is in four main sections: 1. Fine structure in excitable ceils (EM and freeze etching determined structure of membranes, axoplasm, node of Ranvier, ionic channels): 2. Cellular excitation, recent findings and models (membrane conductance, single channel currents, patch clamp, gating systems): 3. Electrochemistry and electrophysics (charged membranes, flux coupling, axolemma~ctoplasm complex, single-filing channels): 4. Proteins in excitation (reconstitution of nerve membrane sodium channels, tyrosinated tubulin necessary for membrane excitability). The general standard of the review articles is very high and they are well supported by excellent EM pictures. Most of the articles could be understood by a third year undergraduate and the volume would form a valuable supplement to the normal text book accounts of the structure and function of excitable cells. It will also be useful for readers wishing to get up to date with the subject.
BOOK REVIEWS Survey of Drug Research in Immunologic Disease--By Vassily St Georgiev. Vol. 2. Non Condensed Aromatic Derivatives. Part I. Unsaturated aromatic compounds, aromatic alcohols and phenols, aminoalcohols, ether compounds. 656 pp. 1983. S.Fr 490. DM 588. US $293.50. Vol. 3. Non Condensed Aromatic Derivatives. Part II. Halide compounds, nitrogen containing aromatic compounds. 582 pp. 1983. S.Fr 490. DM 588. US $293.50. Karger, Basel. The survey of drug research in immunological diseases is proposed as an on-going series of volumes intended for the reference of research chemists, biologists and medical scientists. All chemicals and drugs that have been found to have some immunologic properties or interactions will be considered, their structure given, their synthesis described, their biological activity in relation to the immune system listed, and finally references given to the literature and patents relating to this drug or chemical. The chemicals are arranged in increasing complexity, i.e. alcohols, amines, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, etc. There are also a series of indexes: an author index, chemical subject index, biological subject index, and a biological activity cross-index. Volume 1 dealt with aliphatic derivatives. Volume 2 onwards deals with non condensed aromatic derivatives, alicyclic and polycyclic derivatives, heterocyclic compounds with one, two, three or more heteroatoms. For example, Volume 3 starts with halide compounds such as chlorphenesin, clofibrate, mitotane, DDT, ketamine, etc. Each compound has its structural formula presented, followed by a brief indication of its chemical preparation (plus references to literature). The biological activity of that compound is concisely described in about a page. For example, "Experiments conducted by Pick (1974) have demonstrated that chlorphenesin inhibited the production of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) by antigen-stimulated sensitized guinea pig lymph node cells." A list of references to the literature and patents follows. This volume deals with 628 compounds. The series of volumes will be very useful to anyone who wishes to have an introduction to the literature on specific compounds. It will also be a useful check for those people working in the field to make sure that they have not overlooked anything important in relation to the synthesis and screening of biologically active compounds. It will, however, be useful to have access to the complete series of volumes since there are frequent cross references to chemicals in other volumes. There will be a cumulative index published dealing with the series of volumes.
New Pathways for Organic Synthesis--Practical Applications of Transition Metals--By H. M. Colquhon, J. Holton, D. J. Thompson and M. V. Twigg. 454 pp. 1984. Plenum Press, New York. US $59.50. This volume provides general information and practical details concerning the use of transition metals in organic synthesis. In particular it is intended to help those working on pharmaceuticals, natural products, insecticides, herbicides, dyestuffs and organic chemicals, obtain information regarding synthesis from commercially available material.
161
There is a chapter devoted to the preparation and handling of transition metal catalysts. Though the classical use of Raney nickel and ferrocene are widely known, the modern application of rhodium RhCl (PPh3)3[Wilkinsons's catalyst] and similar systems based on platinum, palladium, cobalt, ruthenium, chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten are less widely known. However, the use of the proper catalyst makes an improbable reaction go well and economically. The present volume provides the background information and practical details to the use of such organic synthesis.
Issues and Reviews in Teratology--Edited by H. Kalter. Volume 1. 354 pp. 1983. Plenum Press. New York. US $45.00. Thalidomide gave a stimulus to the screening of drugs for teratological effects, and as a result there has been an expansion of the literature and information about embryonic defects caused by drugs, viruses, and chemicals. The present volume sets the stage. The reviews are entitled: Teratology, spectrum of a science: Problems in human teratology: Cytogenetics of human reproductive wastage. Twenty years of the etiology of congenital malformations in Finland: Genome and chromosome mutation: Developmental toxicity and non human primates; Interspecies comparisons: Teratogenic risk assessment: Thalidomide and embryonic sensory peripheral neuropathy: Restorative growth in mammalian embryos: Mechanism of acetozalamide teratogenesis. The volume is dedicated to Josef Warkany on the occasion of his 80th birthday, in recognition of his contribution to the study of chondrodystrophy and the Laurence-Moon-Biedl syndrome and to the development of the science of Teratology.
Structure and Function in Excitable Cells--Edited by D. C. Chang, I. Tasaki, W. J. Adelman and H. R. Leuchtag. 499 pp. 1983. Plenum Press, New York. US $65.00. This volume is based on a series of papers given at a conference at Woods Hole on the structure and function of excitable cells. The contributions have been expanded and brought up to date so as to present the reader with a balanced view of current developments. The volume is in four main sections: 1. Fine structure in excitable ceils (EM and freeze etching determined structure of membranes, axoplasm, node of Ranvier, ionic channels): 2. Cellular excitation, recent findings and models (membrane conductance, single channel currents, patch clamp, gating systems): 3. Electrochemistry and electrophysics (charged membranes, flux coupling, axolemma~ctoplasm complex, single-filing channels): 4. Proteins in excitation (reconstitution of nerve membrane sodium channels, tyrosinated tubulin necessary for membrane excitability). The general standard of the review articles is very high and they are well supported by excellent EM pictures. Most of the articles could be understood by a third year undergraduate and the volume would form a valuable supplement to the normal text book accounts of the structure and function of excitable cells. It will also be useful for readers wishing to get up to date with the subject.