Paraneurons. New Concepts on Neuro-Endocrine Relatives. Edited by S. KOHAYASHI & T. CHINA. 331 pp. .-lrchii~~rri Histokyicwa Japmicwu. c o Dept. of‘ A/Iatom~.. Niigatu L’rlircnit! .Mct/iwl School. Adi-wtrchi. .Vii:rtrta. 951 Jupu,~. 1977. U.S. S27

This is the series of published papers of a Symposium held in Japan in 1977. Paraneurons were initiallv considered in terms of APUD cells (amine precursor -uptake and dccarboxylationl as described b! Pearse. The scheme has since been extended and many cells are now included as paraneurons. The list includes: Chromaffin Cell of the Adrenal Medulla: SIF (Small Intensively Fluorescent) Cell in Autonomic Nerve Ganglia: Chief Cell of the Carotid Body : Parafollicular Cell of the Thyroid: Parathyroid Ceil: Anterior Pituitary Cell. Prolactin Cell m some Teleost Lar- vae: Pancreatic Islet Cell: Basal-granulated Cell in the Bronchial Epithelium: Hair Cells of the Inner Ear and Lateral Line Organ: Photoreceptor Cells of the Retina and Pinealocyte: Olfactory Cell: Liquor Contacting Neurons: Merkel Cell of the Skin: Melanocyte: Mast Cell. However. in addition to being concerned with amines. many of the cells also secrete polypeptides. and interest has become focussed on the peptide secreting cells and the fluorescent antibody labelling methods for the location of these cells. The volume is very interesting since it integrates a large amount of material. and also takes examples from a wide range of animals. For example. in a review by Falkmar t’r al.. they showed that somatostatin was found in ethnol extracts from gastero-entero-pancreatic systems in reptiles. amphibia. teleosts. elasmobranchs. Myxiw. Ciorta. but not from Asterias. Carcirm. Bradiostoma. Buccittum or Myrrlus. The book is very stimulating and gives you a lot to think about.

Neural Principles in Vision. Edited by F. ZETTLER and R. WEILER. 430 pp. Spriqcv- C’rrlay. Berlin 1976. U.S. S39.40

The book is the published papers of a Symposium held in Munich.

The volume is in three main parts: I. Vertebrates. 2. Arthropods. 3. Molluscs. and the 28 contributors in general present their papers clearly and concisely.

There are many interesting topics discussed: for example. Kirschfeld compares the resolution of the lens and compound eyes. He points out that the lens eye is a better system for animals which need high angular reso- lution. However. in small animals the space needed for lens and compound eyes becomes comparable and the compound eye in the small animal is advantageous with regard to the size of visual field. If man was to be equipped with compound eye it would form a sphere I metre in diameter on top of his head!

The book contains many other interesting items, and all those interested in visual systems would gain a lot from reading the book.

Structure and Function of Haemocyanin. Edited by J. V. BANNISTER. 295 pp. Sprhgrr-Verlag, &r/in. 1977. U.S. S33.50

The book is an account of the Symposium on Haemo- cyanin held in Malta in 1977. The mains sections are: Hae-

mocyanin as a Protein: Subuntts of Haemocyanin: Physi- cal Properties of Hemocyanin: Hemocyanin as a Copper Complex: Reactions of Hemocyanin: Evolutionary Studies on Hemocyanin: Physiology of Hemocyanin.

The book gives the most up-to-date account of the struc- ture and function of this important respiratory pigment.

Introduction to Biochemistry. second edition. JNPH I. ROLTH. 721 pp. W. B. Samt/w\. Philtrddphicc. 197X. f5.00

This book briefly and succinctly provides a very useful first year introduction to Biochemistry. Each chapter starts with a list of objectiv*es for that chapter. and at the end of each chapter there is a list of questions to see if the student has understood what he has read. The second edi- tion differs from the first edition in that there arc new chapters on vitamins and co-enzymes. and introduction to metabolism. and new material is added on the biochemis- try of genetics.

Horizons in Biochemistry and Biophysics. Volume 4. Edited by E. QCAGLIARIELLO. F. PALMI~RI and THOMAS P. SINGLK. 302 pp. At/t/iso,l-U’~s/~!,. R’ei~ York. 1977. Hardback U.S s19.50

The contents of thts volume in the series arc as follows: Mitochondria and Biological Mineralization Processes: Albert 1. Lehninger..Dynamic Aspects of Biological Mem- branes: Alec D. Kei’h and Wallace Snipes. Hormone Receptors: Felix Friedberg. Regulation of Lipolysis in Adi- pose Tissue: Herman Meisner and James R. Carter. Jr. Analogs of Purines and Purine Nucleosides: Biological and Biochemical Effects: J. Frank Henderson. Transfer RNA: Structure-Function Correlation: Sung-Hot1 Kim and JIJCI 1. Sussman. Molecular Mechanisms of Fertilization: Ben- nett M. Shapiro. Transport System-Dependent Regulation of Adenylate Cyclase: Alan Peterkofsky. Spin Labels and Biological Membranes: Angelo Azzi and Cesarc Monte- cucco.

New Drugs. Discovery and Development. Edited by AI.A\ A. RURIN. 328 pp. Murcrl Dckkcr. Nm York. 197X Hard- back Swiss fr 98

This volume by I5 contributors working in research departments of industrial companies. contams the follow- ing chapters: Antiarthritics: Antiallergics: Antihyperten- sives; Antianginals: Antiarrhythmics; MaJor Tranquil- lizers: Minor Tranquillizers; Anti-depressants; Analgesics. The authors discuss the advantages and shortcomings of the current drug evaluation methodology. and discuss future possible development.

Receptors in Pharmacology. Edited by JOHN R. Sst\ TH,~ s and RONALD J. BRADLEY. 506 pp. Mtrrcel Dekkar. h’cn York. 1978. Swiss fr I28

The volume provides a survey written by 23 contributors. Topics covered include Receptor Theory; Target Cell Gene Regulatory Processes: Adrenergic; Opiate and Insulin Receptors: Isolation of Receptors; Stereochemistry; Ion Fluxes: Adenylcyclase; Hormone Receptors.

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