Exp Toxic Patho11998; 50: 238 Gustav Fischer Verlag
Book reviews
Tissue Reactions in Response to Hypoxia and Ischemia Edited by l. GROTE and C. STICK (Volume Editors) 7. WesterHinder Gesprach. ERWIN-RIEsCH-Symposium, Westerland, 24.-27. Sept. 1992.290 pages with 69 figures and 18 tables. Gustav Fischer Verlag Stuttgart lena Lubeck DIm 1996, Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur Mainz 1996. Softcover ISBN 3-437-25148-1
The volume "Tissue Reactions in Response to Hypoxia and Ischemia" contains the papers presented at the 7th Westerland conference held in September 1992. These proceedings are dedicated to the memory of Professor Dr. E. WITZLEB who started to organize these interdisciplinary conferences on physiology and pathophysiology of the circulatory and respiratory system originally held in Bad Oeynhausen and later in Westerland. The table of contents lists 30 papers. Ten papers cover tissue reactions and response to hypoxia in the heart (e. g. hibernating myocardium, energy metabolism in the heart under deep hypoxia, pharmacological effects on cellular redox state, response of coronary arteries to hypoxia, histamine receptor-mediated effects or effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors). Alterations in the brain due to hypoxia represent another subject of the volume (e. g. glial swelling and glial acidosis, effects of nitric oxide on cerebral blood flow and consequences of ventricular tachycardia for cerebral circulation). The perfusion of brain capillaries, microcirculation of islets of Langerhans, arterial blood flow velocity and elastance in fetal guinea pigs and power spectral analysis of the heart period duration are examined, as well. A set of papers deals with erythropoeitin
(quantitation by competItIve polymerase chain reaction, modulation of erythropoeitin formation by proteinase C and influence on erythropoeitin production by thyroid hormones or antidiuretic hormone). Further papers deal with regulation of arteriolar tone in skeletal muscle, smooth muscle contraction kinetics of isolated portal vein, influence of hypoxia on muscle enzymes and proteins, energy-dependent injury to hepatic endothelial cells, cardiorespiratory reactions to hypoxemia as well as modulation of the baroreflex by central neuropeptides, the control of vital compensation of hypoxic-acidotic effects and influence of blood transfusion on fractionation of stable oxygen isotopes under the condition of severe anemia. The reader is provided with an overview on the current knowledge relative to the topics presented and learns what questions are unsolved as yet. This volume of the series "Funktionsanalyse biologischer Systerne" addresses above all to physiologists. pathophysiologists, neurologists and internists, but it may be useful for all who are interested in learning about scientific and practical aspects being connected with reduced oxygen supply in different tissues. D. KATENKAMP. lena
Study toxicology through questions By 1. A. TIMBRELL 134 pages with 43 figures. Taylor & Francis, London 1997. Soft cover. ISBN 0-7484-0695-6 This collection of questions with answers and explanations cover all the major areas of toxicology, including general toxicology factors affecting the toxicity of compounds, toxic responses, mechanism of toxicity. It is a good mixture of multiple choice, short answer and problem solving questions. This book is a good completion to textbooks of toxicology. Toxicologists and students of toxicology can test their own knowledge or understanding, and for teachers of toxicology it is a good source for composing new questions for their students. In a few cases, however, questions and answers are not unequivocal. One page 14 (Q5) it is expect238
Exp Toxic Pathol50 (1998) 3
ed as answer that the half-life of a drug depends only on total clearance, whereas the second important factor (volume of distribution) is considered as false. On page 44 (Q7) it is assumed that substrates of P450 bind to the iron, which is not correct. Some other questions (e. g. Qll and Q15 on page 16) are not exactly reasoned. Nevertheless, the book can be recommended to students of toxicology and to toxicologists or scientists in related areas, and all readers will benefit from it. D. MULLER, lena