158 Book

Thermoregulation; Research and Clinical Applications--Ed- ited by P. Lomax and E. Schonbaum. 250 pp. 1989. Karger, Basel. SFr. 159, DM 190, US$106.

This volume is based on the 7th Symposium on the Pharma- cology of Thermoregulation. The 26 papers are grouped in sections on clinical disorders; anaesthesia and body temper- ature; drugs and thermoregulation; fever; neurotransmitters and peptides; and 38 poster presentations. There is a useful cumulative bibliography of 550 references. Points of interest are that potassium is important in rewarming after severe hypothermia; loose shoe laces reduces the incidence of frost bite to the feet; REM sleep increases as the room tempera- ture increases from 20 to 30°C; theophylline can increase body temperature during cold exposure; use of antisera against IL-I indicates that an endogenous pyrogen is in- volved in the genesis of fever but not in stress induced hyperthermia.

Reviews

names. The author's enthusiasm for his subject also comes through.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs~Edited by N. J. Lowe and C. N. Hensby. Pharmacology and the Skin, Vol. 2, 158pp. 1989. Karger, Basel, SFr. 149, DM 178, US$99.50, £67.50.

This volume deals with: the role of reactive oxygen species in the inflammatory process; formulation of anti-inflamma- tory agents (Percutaneous absorption of phenylbutazone, piroxican, mefanamic acid, diclofenac, methyl salicylate, ibuprofen, indomethacin); in vitro models; effects on human skin cellular responses; effects on skin blood vessels; in vivo animal models; evaluation of topical application; adverse cutaneous reactions. The emphasis is on NSIAD application to and reactions of the skin.

Pulmonary Vascular Physiology and Pathophysiology--Ed- ited by E. K. Weir and J. T. Reeves. 762 pp. 1989. Dekker, New York. US$125 (USA & Canada), US$150 (elsewhere).

There is an initial chapter on the phylogeny of the control of pulmonary circulation (PC) through fish, amphibia, reptiles, birds and mammals; then fetal and neonatal PC; pressure and flow through PC; PC during exercise; PC during pregnancy; hyperbaric effect and high altitude pul- monary edema; diving and PC; acute hypoxia; autonomic control; right ventricular function; Pathophysiology; persis- tent pulmonary hypertension in new born; lung injury; pulmonary embolism; chronic high flow states; primary pulmonary hypertension; control of cell proliferation; poly- morphonuclear cells and the pulmonary endothelium; en- dothelium and smooth muscle. The different forms of pulmonary hypertension, whether primary, thromboem- bolic, persistant in the new born, or secondary due to obstructive lung disease, pulmonary fibrosis, left to right cardiac shunts, or high left filling pressure are seldom restored to healthy initial state by current treatments. Vasodilators, oxygen and anticoagulants are palliative rather than curative. More research on lung tissue and cellular reactions should provide better understanding and treatments.

The Brain as an Endocrine Organ--Edited by M. P. Cohen and P. P. Foa. 269 pp. 1989. Verlag, New York. US$59.50.

The main topics discussed in this volume are; gonadotropin releasing hormones; corticotropin releasing factors; anorexia nervosa; the pineal and its indole products; neu- ropeptides and glucose metabolism; feedback regulation of growth hormone secretion; brain adenosine and purinergic modulation of CNS excitability. The book is the third volume in a series on progress in research and clinical practice in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

The Human Brain--Paul Glees. 204 pp. 1988. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge. US$59.50.

This book provides a useful and readable summary of the development, structure, and function of the human brain. It goes through the evolution; fine structure; electrical activity; glia, cerebral blood flow and metabolism; CSF: cerebral hemispheres; spinal cord; brain stem and cerebellum; hypo- thalamus and ANS; olfaction and taste; auditory system; vision and visual pathway; touch, pain and proprioception. It is well illustrated and the information is clearly presented. It gives the essential information so that the reader is not overwhelmed with unnecessary details and thousands of

Biotechnological Applications of Lipid Microstructures--- Edited by B. P. Gaber, J. M. Schnur and D. Chapman. 397 pp. 1988. Plenum Press, New York. $79.50.

There have been many developments over the 20 years since Bangham developed the liposomes (L). This volume de- scribes the physical properties of phospholipid bilayers; membrane fusion and inclusion; L in drug delivery systems; L encapsulated Hb; synthetic erythrocytes; L based im- munoassays; artificial cells; immobilized photosynthetic membranes and cells for production of fuels and chemicals; energy transfer in bilayers; novel biomaterials (magneto- somes, hemodialysis, blood clotting, prostaglandins).

Oxygen Radicals in Biology and Medicine--Edited by M. G. Simic, K. A. Taylor, J. F. Ward and C. yon Sonntag. 1095 pp. 1988. Plenum Press, New York. US $139.50.

This book is based on papers presented at the 4th Inter- national Congress on Oxygen Free Radicals. It deals with the highly reactive oxygen free radicals, hydroxy, peroxy, alkoxy, aroxy and superoxide as well as with singlet oxygen. The papers are grouped into sections on: kinetics and mechanisms; generation of oxy radicals; detection and measurement; chemiluminescence; presence in lipids; in lipoproteins; in DNA; oxidative stress; antioxidant defence (glutathione, ascorbic acid, desferal, mercaptoethylamine, vitamin E); enzymatic defence; pharmacology and toxicol- ogy; neutrophils and phagocytosis; ischaemia-reperfusion; cardiovascular system; general medicine and ageing. The volume provides a useful survey of the ubiquitous presence and roles of oxygen free radicals.

Hazards of Biotechnology; Real or Imaginary?--Edited by A. D. Dayan, P. N. Campbell and T. H. Jukes. 138 pp. 1988. Elsevier, London. US $45. Also published in J. Chem. Tech. Biotechnol. 43 (4) (1988).

Biotechnology has been used in the food industry to make beer, cheese and bread for thousands of years. New foods are being developed from fungi, from fish and from bean proteins. This book surveys the subject and includes chap- ters on gene transfer; DNA probes for prenatal diagnosis; vaccines against hepatitis B; the development of new drugs (interferons, interleukin 2, tumor necrosis factor; Factor VIII, erythropoietin, monoclonal antibodies, insulin, growth hormone, plasminogen activator); U.K. and EEC regulations; and the legal and ethical problems. It provides common sense and valid information where the media (tabloids, TV, newspapers and even some scientific journals) prefer to scare.