Book Reviews 108

Psychophysiology of Cardiovascular Control: Models, Meth- ods and Data. NATO Conference Series III. Human Factors, Vol. 26Edited by J. F. Orlebeke, G. F. Mulder and L. J. P. van Doornen. 959 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $120.

The papers presented in this volume are grouped into five sections. (I) Neural and endocrine factors in cardiovascular control. (2) Non invasive measurement of cardiovascular functions. (3) Data analysis and models. (4) Information processing and cardiovascular activity. (5) Stress, coping and individual reactivity. Each section has an editorial overview and the papers have been refereed and modified.

The reader will find much in this volume of interest that will bring him up to date with current thought and devel- opments. In particular there was a very useful assessment of the non invasive finger cuff (Panaz) method for continuous measuring of blood pressure. This is compared with the standard arm cuff method and has the advantage in that it is more convenient, painless, easy to use, has no finger discomfort, is almost free from movement artifacts, and provides a minute to minute measure of blood pressure that can be taken for several hours on normal patients, during exercise’ or surgery. The results are as good as those obtained using the standard arm cuff method.

Each of the sections has material of importance and shows the new developments in the subject. Those working on the cardiovascular system or psychophysiology will find the book very interesting and useful.

Microenvironments in the Lymphoid System. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, Vol. 186Edited by G. G. B. Klaus. 1080 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. $139.50.

This is the proceedings of the eighth international confer- ence on lymphatic tissues and germinal centres in immune reactions. The papers are grouped into 7 sections. (1) B cell differentiation, subpopulations, the role of germinal centres. (2) Thymus and T cell differentiation. (3) Structural aspects of immune induction. (4) Lymphoid cell traffic patterns. (5) Immuno regulation by lymphoid cell products. (6) Anti- bodies as therapeutic tools. (7) Human lymphocyte sub population in health and disease.

The 130 papers presented here provide a useful summary of the different aspect so this important and rapidly devel- oping subject.

The Tetracycline-Edited by J. J. Hlavka and J. H. Boothe. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology. Vol. 78. 451 pp. 1985. Springer-Verlag. Berlin. USSl75.

The search for new antibiotics after the discovery of penicil- lin led to chlortetracycline (Aureomycin), oxytetracycline, rondomycin, doxycycline, and mincycline. These tetra- cyclines (T) had a wider spectrum of activity, were easily absorbed from the stomach and upper small intestine, provided clinically useful antibiotic blood levels for longer periods of time, and could be used at lower dose levels to provide the same therapeutic effect. T are especially useful for infections due to Pasteurella pestis, P. rularensis, P. multocida, Borrelia recurrentis, Shigella and Chlamydia.

This multi-author volume has chapters on fermentation and mutational development of T: structure determination and total synthesis of T; biosynthesis of T; chemical modification of T; mode of action of T and nature of bacterial resistance to them; clinical uses of T; nonmedical uses of T.

T acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by inhibit- ing binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal A site. A secondary effect is to inhibit reactions at the P-site and affect

polypeptide initiation. A single tight binding of T per 70s ribosomal A site is sufficient to bring about inhibition and a higher concentration of T will bring about inhibition of other ribosomal functions.

This book provides an excellent account of what is known about these important antibiotics.

Steroid-Protein Interactions II-Ulrich Westphal. Mono- graphs in Endocrinology. Vol. 27. 603 pp. 1986. Springer- Verlag, Berlin. DM 320.

Volume I appeared in 1971 and in the intervening 15 yr there have been considerable developments in understanding steroid protein binding and interaction. A range of specific proteins such as corticosteroid binding globulin, progester- one binding globulin, sex steroid binding protein, androgen binding protein, prostatic steroid binding protein, alpha fetoglobin, uteroglobin, alpha acidic glycoprotein, vitamin D and secosteroid binding protein, have been identified and their roles determined.

Dr Westphal has made major contributions to the study of steroid protein binding. His monograph provides a very readable, interesting and learned account of the subject and will be a classic volume for many years to come.

Alpha-fetoprotein and Congenital Disorders-Edited by G. J. Mizejewski and I. H. Porter. 363 pp. 1985. Academic Press, Orlando. US$35.

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) has a molecular weight of 64,000 and an amino acid sequence with 50% homology with serum albumin. It is present in high concentrations in the serum of premature and new born infants (being 5000 times higher than in the adult) and drops to the adult level 68 months after birth.

Neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly are major abnormalities that are now detectable at an early stage by the elevated AFP in the amniotic fluid. Often the mother also has an elevated AFP in her serum.

The present multi author volume surveys the screening systems for AFP and the results obtained. It also discusses the factors controlling the synthesis and levels of AFP.

Neurotransmitter Actions in the Vertebrate Nervous System-Edited by M. A. Rogawski and J. L. Barker. 511 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York. US$69.50.

This multi-author work summarizes the information about the different transmitters in the vertebrates CNS. The chapters are on GABA, presynaptic actions; GABA and glycine post synaptic actions; GABA and glycine ion chan- nel mechanisms; glutamate; excitatory amino acids mem- brane physiology; acetylcholine; serotonin; norepinephrine, dopamine; histamine; opioid peptides CNS; opioid peptides peripheral NS: Substance P; somatostatin; oxytocin and vasopressin; leutenizing hormone releasing hormone; adenosine and ATP.

Each of the articles has been specially commissioned (i.e. this is not a symposium volume) and so the standard and style are uniformly good. This volume provides an excellent up-date on neurotransmitters and also places the current ideas and methodology in their historical background.

Prolactin; Basic and Clinical Correlates-Edited by R. M. MacLeod, U. Scapagnini and M. 0. Thorne;. Fidia Research Series. Vol. 1. 859 pp. 1985. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. USS98.50.

This is the proceedings of the 4th International Congress on Prolactin. The papers are grouped under the following headings. Functional ultrastructure of the prolactin cells;