788 Book reviews

New Neuromuscular Blocking Agenents; Basic and Applied Aapeeta-Edited by D. A. Kharkeiich. Handbook of E$eri- mental Pharmacology. Volume 79. 741 pp. 1986. Springer, Berlin. DM 780.

In the introducto~ chapter Karkevich points out that the search is still on for effective neuromuscular blocking agents that will be effective in causing muscle relaxation during surgery. These agents should: have a high potency, com- petitive mechanism of action, selectively block ACh recep- tors (AChR) in skeletal muscle, have a fast onset but a short term action with blocking lasting no Ionger than I&I.5 min after a single administration, no potentiation, no side effects, low toxicity, no toxicological metabolites, have effective antagonists, stability in storage and be easily and cheaply synthesized.

The topics described in the book are as follows: structure and function of end plate AChR; principles of post synaptic action of n-m blocking agents; hydrophobic interaction of n-m blocking agents with AChR of skeletal muscle; pre- junctional actions of drugs: comparative sensitivity of AChR of various skeletal muscle to n-m blockers; anti- muscaric and ganghonic blocking activity of n-m agents; interaction of n-m blockers with human ChE and their binding to plasma proteins; effect of n-m blockers on CNS; biodegradation and elimination of n-m blockers; methods for evaluation of n-m blockers; steroid derivatives; car- boxylic acid derivatives; quinuctidinium compounds; ter- phenyl derivatives; delphinium alkaloids; bisq~~emary steroid derivatives; vercuronium (ORG-NC-45); aIpha truxillic acid derivatives; adamantyl compounds; tercu- ronium; diaxonium; fazadinium dibromide; atracurium; clinical pharmacology of new n-m blockers, evaluation of n-m blockers in anaesthology; [n-m blockers with different chemical structure; pipecuronium bromide (Arduan); ver- curonium; fazidinium dibromide; atracurium]; antagonists of n-m blocking agents in pharmacoIogical and clinical use: Igalanthamine; chinothylinum; 4 aminopyridine hydro- chloride (Pymadin)].

This excellent volume will be very valuable to basic and clinical research workers,

CeIIular Biology of ~t~nzym~Edited by G. W. Kreutz- berg, M. Reddington and H. Zimme~an. 313 pp. 1986. Springer, Berlin. DM 128.

Ectoenzymes are situated on the external membrane surface and have their catalytic site facing the extracellular space. The site of action is determined by the use of non permeable substrates and inhibition of enzyme activity by non per- meable inhibitors. It is often possible to EM localize the reaction products in the extracellular space. Some of the enzymes such as 5’ nucleotidase may occur intracellularly; protein kinase and AChE can be released directly into the extracellular space. Membrane components such as gly- coproteins and glycolipids may be modified by ecto- glycosyltransferases and glycosidases to play a role in cell recognition. The chapters are grouped under the headings ecto nucleotidases; 5’ nucleotidase; ecto protein kinase; ecto giycosylation; ecto AChE; ecto peptidases; and the tissues studies range from nerve, muscle, liver, spleen, lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and sponges. An interesting book on a new and important subject.

Neu~bi~~m~~y: Selected Topics-Edited by B. Ham- precht and V. Neuhoff. 212 pp. 1985. Springer, Bertin. DM 96.

This book contains the published papers from a symposium of the Gesellschaft fur Biologische Chemie held in Mosbach in 1985. Different aspects of neurochemistry are briefly

summarized. The main topics were gene regulation by NGF. role of proteases and protease inhibitors on neurite growth. cholinergic differentiation in cultured sympathetic neurons. brain derived neurotrophic factor, multiple forms of AChE, synthesis of neurohypophyseal hormones, degradation of neuro~ptides, structure and function of cholinergic and CA vesicles, cyclic nucleotide cascade in visual rod cells, laser flash photoafinity labelling of AChR, glycine receptor. GABA receptor, myaesthenia gravis, gangliosides, K chan- nel, Na channel, calcium channels and phosphorylation of ion channels. Though the articles are brief this is an

advantage since the reader can quickly appreciate the research front on each topic.

Regulation of HepatIc Metabolism: Intrn and Inter Cellular Compartmentatiort-Edited by R. G. Thurman, F. C. Kauffman and K. Jungermann. 489 pp. 1986. Plenum Press, New York. S69.50.

The liver secretes bile, prohormones, albumin, clotting factors, glucose, fatty acids, and lipoproteins. There is selected and specific liver damage by drugs. Those with ally1 groups damage hepatocytes around the portal triad (peri- portal region); acetaminophen, ethanol and halogenated hydrocarbons damage cells near the central vein. The liver is an active filter and converter between the gut and the rest of the body via the hepatic portal system. This volume provides a series of reviews that emphasize metabolic zona- tion in hepatie function and regulation.

The chapters are as follows: Liver structure [liver structure and innervation; hepatic haemodynamics and microcirculation]; Methods [history and histochemistry; im- munohistochemistry; quantitative histochemical measure- ments; separation of functionally different liver cell types; new micromethods for studying sublobular structure and function in the isolated perfused liver; redox scanning and metabolic zonation of liver]; Distribution of metabolic functions [metabolism of carbohydrates; metabolism of lipids; metabolism of amino acids and ammonia; lobular oxygen gradients, possible role in alcohol induced hepato- toxicity; bio-transformation and zonal toxicity; protein syn- thesis and secretion; bile acid metabolism]; Induction of liver cell heterogeneity; speculation and direction for future liver research. The book provides a good overview of liver metabolism and function.

Interactions of Platelets with the Vessel Wall-Edited by J. A. Oates, J. Hawiger and R. Ross. Clinical Physiology Series. American Physiology Society. 172 pp. 1985. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. $32.50.

A trillion platelets guard the thousand square meters of capillary wall surface in man. The injured capillary triggers an influx of calcium into the platelets which then oxidize arachidonic acid into endoperoxides and then throm- boxanes which are vasoconstrictors and platelet aggre- gators. The platelets can release amines, growth factors, and enzymes that stimulate smooth muscles to spasm, migration and growth. This volume provides a good summary of the research into the receptor function of platelets, the metab- olism of arachidonic acid, and the action of the platelet derived factors and enzymes on the blood vessel wall.

Homeostasis and Internal Stress. 6th International Sym- posium on Pha~acology of The~oregulation-Edited by K. Cooper, P. Lomax, E. Schonbaum and W. L. Veale. 210 pp. 1986. Karger, Basel. S. Fr. 116, $49.50, f36.30.

Forty-six papers are presented here and they are grouped under the headings; General: Environment and thermo-

Book reviews 789

regulation; Hypothermia; Fever; Malignant hyperthermia; Neurotransmitters: Peptides; and Drugs of abuse.

The maintenance of body temperature within a critical range can be altered by anaesthetics, nitrogen gas, treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, ethanol, chlor- promazine, pyretics, and by environmental stress such as cold water immersion during diving. Some surgical oper- ations use hypothermia where each 1°C fall in temperature decreases oxygen requirement by 7%. A reduction of body temperature from 37 to 30°C doubles the safe ischaemia time.

The volume provides a useful account of the research fronts on the control of temperature.

Cadmium-Edited by E. C. Foulkes. Handbook of Experl- mental Pharmacology, Volume 80. 400 pp. 1986. Springer, Berlin. DM 490.

With the increase bioavailability of cadmium due to pollu- tion, the use of fertilizer containing cadmium, mining, etc. the toxic accumulation of cadmium in biological systems has become an important problem. The intake from food sources for Man is IO-l.5 pgjday in the USA, IO---!2 pg in the UK, ll-I8pg in Sweden and 20-70pg in Japan. The high level in Japan is probably due to their high intake of rice which would contribute 27 p&day to the daily intake. So, based on an average Cd intake of SOfig/day in Japan, rice would account for 54% of the average daily intake. WHO permitted intakes are up to 70pg/day. Intakes of 300gggjday for many years would lead to toxic levels accumulating in the kidneys by the age of 50. This volume surveys the levels of Cd in food and the environment, the toxicity of Cd, its effect on the kidneys, cardiovascular system, bones, and cell function. The volume is we!! pro- duced and maintains the very high standard of the series.

Clarke’s Isolation and Identification of Drugs in Pharms- ceuticals, Body Fluids and Post Mortem Material, 2nd edn.-Edited by A. C. Moffat, J. V. Jackson, M. S. MOSS and B. Widdop. 1223 pp. 1986. The Pharmaceutical Press, London. E88, $135.

This is the new edition of a standard reference work and practical manual on the identification of drugs in biological samples. It is in four parts. Part I (305 pp.) gives details of the analytical techniques used in hospital toxicology, forensic toxicology, drug abuse in sport, therapeutic drug monitoring, metals and anions, pesticides, samples and sampling, quality control. immunoassays, chromatography, HPLC, spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, NMR.

Part 2 (764 pp.) gives the analytical and toxicological data on 1300 drugs, metabolites, and related substances, HPLC, mass spectrometry, 700 UV spectra and 500 IR spectra, pharmacokinetic data on 700 drugs and full references to literature.

Part 3 (96 pp.) contains 66 indexes of analytical data. Part 4 (4 pp.) contains descriptions of reagents used in the procedures described in Parts I and 2. There is also a &-page general index of 12,500 entries.

An excellent and invaluable handbook for drug analysis and identification.

Statistical Methods for Pharmaceutical Research Pkming- by Sten W. Bergman and John C. Gittings. 2.57 pp. 1986. Marcel Dekker, New York. $59.50 (USA and Canada), $71.25 (other countries).

Quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) is the quantitative analysis of the structure of a drug and the effects observed during screening and/or treatment. This

volume provides details on how to select compounds for testing; the design of screening procedures to discover active components; the sequencing and allocation of resources between different sets of related screens; and R and D project selection methods. The activity of a compound is linearly related to a set of physicochemica! features pos- sessed by that compound and its associated cogeners, and regression analysis (described in this book) is a useful means of determining the increased discrimination of these coefficients. The methodology of regression analysis, cluster analysis, x2 automatic interaction detection, and dynamic allocation indices are described.

The book will be very useful to a!! those involved in planning screening tests for drugs and could save much time and money.

Model neural networks ami behavior---Edited by A. I. Selverston. 548 pp. 1985. Plenum Press, New York, $69.50.

ne invertebrates with their large nerve cells lying on the surface of the ganglia have allowed cell mapping, and cell interconnections in the ganglia to be analyzed. So animals such as the molluscs, Helix, Api3*sia, Tr~funiu, ~e~~~so~~, Limux, the leeches, insects, and lobster have provided excellent experimental material to tackle fundamental neu- roscience problems. In some systems such as the pyloric ganglia of the lobster, a!! the nerve cells and their con- nections have been determined and the system is well under way for a complete analysis linking nerve activity with motor function. The extent to which a hard wired system can be adapted, by neuromodulators and sensory input, to be made more flexible is fully discussed for different animal species.

This multi-author volume has the contributions grouped in six main sections. l-Neural circuitry. 2-Development. 3-Learning and plasticity. 4-Neurotransmitters and neu- romodulators. 5-Cellular and membrane biophysics. &Neurogenetics and molecular neurobiology. The com- plete range of experimental methods and present modes of thought are given by the authors of the 28 chapters.

The book is we!! produced with excellent diagrams and detailed bibliographies. It is a very useful summary of the present state of studies on invertebrate nervous systems, and it will give neuroscientists working on mammalian material much to think about and copy.

Non-mammalian models for research on aging-Edited by F. A. Lines. 288 pp. 1985. Karger, Basel, $84.25.

Though much of the research on aging has been done on mammals, there are many studies carried out on other species. The present multi-authored volume provides a useful summary of the work that has been done on plants, fungi, protozoa, rotifers, nematodes, insects, fish and birds. These often have the advantage in that it is possibte to work on a large number of individual specimens and so get good statistical resuhs. They are often less expensive than mam- mals, have a shorter life span and so age more quickly, and in many cases the basic biochemical systems of the cells are similar to those in mammals. it is probable that the basic biochemical lesions associated with aging will be found more easily in these examples than in mammals.

The elements of grapkiog data-by William S. Cleveland. 323 pp. 1985. Wadsworth Books, California $27.95 (Cloth) $18.95 (Paper).

One graph is better than a thousand words: that is, provid- ing the graph is presented correctly. This volume discusses