Camp. ffmhem. Phwiol. Vol. 94A, No. 4, pp. X19-825, 1989 Pergamon Press pk. Printed in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Comparative pulmonary physiology: current concepts Edited by S. C. Wood. 854 pp. 1989. Marcel Dekker, New York. $150 (USA and Canada); $180 (elsewhere).

This volume surveys respiration over the range of the vertebrates. It starts with a chapter on basic principles, and is then in six sections. (I) Energy demand; upper and lower limits to energy demand in homoiotherms; and structure and function of the respiratory system and its allometric and adaptive variations. (2) Structure and function of the gas exchange organ; gill structure and function in fish and amphibian larvae; amphibian lung structure and function; reptile respiratory system; and lung structure and function in birds. (3) Gas exchange and transport; ontogeny of mammalian respiration; hemoglobin structure and function; oxygen homeostasis in lower vertebrates; temperature and oxygen supply in the avian brain; gas exchange, theory, models and experimental data; diffusing capacity; and car- bon dioxide homeostasis. (4) Fluid balance; interstitial fluid balance; fluid balance in lungs; ion transfer and acid-base regulation. (5) Mechanics and control of breathing; compar- ative vertebrate pulmonary mechanics; and effect of temper- ature on breathing control. (6) Diving physiology; lungfish; amphibians; reptiles; marine mammals; birds; and man. The surveys are of a very high standard and provide an excellent account of comparative studies on respiratory physiology. The volume is dedicated to the memory of Kjell Johansen (1932-1987) who made many important contributions to comparative respiratory physiology and whose early death has been greatly mourned.

Comparative physiology of the vertebrate digestive system- By C. E. Stevens. 300 pp. 1988. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $49.50.

The digestive system encloses part of the outside world within the body of the animal and processes the enclosed material so that it does not injure the host but instead is broken down into molecules of suitable size for absorption into the body. It is an efficient system, so that several tons of material passes through the gut in an adult lifetime but the body weight increases by relatively few kilos. This single author volume surveys the digestive system throughout the vertebrates. The chapters are on: general characteristics of the digestive system; digestive tract of fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals; the mammalian digestive system (20 orders of mammals are described): motor activity and digesta transit; carbohydrate, fat and protein digestion and absorption: microbial fermentation and synthesis of nutri- ents and absorption of end products: secretion and absorp- tion of electrolytes and water; and neurohumoral control. This book will be of interest to all those working with vertebrates. i.e. physiologists, biologists and veterinarians.

Elements of Petit mat epilepsy-Edited by M. S. Myslobod- sky and A. F. Mirsky. 419 pp. 1989. Peter Lang, New York. $81.95.

Petit ma1 is characterized by a short-lasting interruption (often less than 10 sec. rarely more than a minute) of awareness accompanied by a characteristic 3 cps spike and wave EEG pattern. In many cases, the patient is able to talk and be aware whilst having an episode; consciousness can be clouded but not absent. The chapters deal with medica- tion (valproic acid, ethosuximide, clonazepam, nitrazepam,

phensuximide, methsuximide), genetics, EEG patterns, evoked potentials, cerebral metabolism, encephalopathies, behavioural and psychological effects, and alternative treat- ments. The general conclusion is that there are many causes for Petit mal, that there is no good single model, but the symptoms can be adequately treated.

The forebrain of reptiles: current concepts of structure and fun&o-Edited by W. K. Schwerdtfeger and W. J. A. J. Smeets. 182 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel, S.Fr. 176; DM 211. $117.50; f80.

This multi-authored volume has 16 chapters dealing with the cortical structure, basal ganglia, amygdaloid complex, vomero-nasal and visual cortex in reptiles including the turtle, lizards, and Caiman. Besides standard histological techniques, the neurons and tracts containing monamines (DA. SHT and NA) are identified, as well as the GABA immunoreactive neirons. In addition, AChE, CCK, so- matostatin, enkephalins and zinc are localized.

Neuronal receptors, endogenous ligands and hiotechnical approach-Edited by M. E. Vartanian. 149 pp. 1988. lnternational Universities Press, Madison, CT. S35.

The topics discussed in this volume are: role of cyclic nucleotides in function of ionic channels in nerve mem- brane; positron emission tomography of neuroreceptors in living human brain; receptor changes after antidepressant treatment; structure-function heterogeneity of neuronal re- ceptors; neuronal ACh receptors in Alzheimer dementia; GABA/BDZ receptor in CNS; effect of psychotropic drugs on receptors; antidepressants and the limbic monoaminergic receptors; tubulin a MAO inhibitor-BDZ receptor ligand; search for endogenous BDZ ligands; search for endogenous GABA antagonist: gene expression in the brain; cloning of cDNA for BDZ inhibitor, a natural ligand of the GABA, receptor; GABA receptor complex in the CNS. The reviews are concise and provide a good account of what is going on in this important field of research.

Biomembranes: basic and medical research-Edited by Gh. Benga and J. M. Tager. 224 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. $128.

This volume links basic knowledge of membrane structure and function with its alteration in disease. The chapters are: lipid dynamics a model for ligand receptor interaction; membrane fluidity altered in disease; liposomes as immuno- logical adjuvants; intracellular transport of brush border and lysosomal enzymes in human enterocytes; hypervita- minosis and lysosomes; adriamycin-mitochondrial mem- brane interactions and cardiotoxicity; mitochondrial diseases; Golgi apparatus and neoplasia; membrane choles- terol in cancer; Na/K pump in cancer cell proliferation; membrane elastic properties; how the malerial parasite permeabilizes the host cell membrane; and water permeabil- ity of erythrocytes in muscular dystrophy subjects.

Genetic engineering technology in industrial pharmacy- Edited by J. M. Tabor. 359 pp. 1989. Marcel Dekker, New York. $99.75 (USA and Canada); $I 19.50 (elsewhere).

The increased pharmaceutical use of more complex bio- chemicals, enzymes and proteins as drugs has required more sophisticated manufacturing and production techniques.

819