Camp. Biochem. fhWo/. Vol. 105A,No.4,pp.803-805, 1993 Printed in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Atlas of Endocrine Organs; Vertebrate and Invertebrate- Edited by A. MATSLJMOTO and S. ISHI. 307~~. 1992. Springer Verlag, Berlin. DM 298.

This large (22 x 30cm) handsome volume is a wonderful contribution to comparative endocrinology. It contains excellent three dimensional colour drawings reconstructing the different endocrine organs of the animal kingdom through the echinoderms, annelids, molluscs, erustacea, insects, protochordates and vertebrates. In the vertebrates, the structure of the endocrine organs (pineal, hypothalamus, hypophysis, thyroid, parathyroid, ultimobranchial gland, GEP, adrenals, juxtaglomerular apparatus, testis, ovary, placenta, caudal neurosecretory system) are beautifully illus- trated through the vertebrates. There are also pictures of histological sections (EM, light microscopy), accompanied by a concise but informative text. The book was produced to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Japanese Society of Comparative Endocrinology and the Society is to be con- gratulated on the production of’ such a wonderful book. Get your library to buy a copy or better still buy one for yourself. It will greatly improve the quality of the illus- trations to your talks and lectures.

Cell Biology of Olfaction-By A. I. FARBMAN. Developmen- tal and cell biology series No. 27. 282~~. 1992. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. f35, $59.95.

Olfaction was the dominant sense in the evolution of the vertebrates, with the olfactory bulbs having the major role in the brain of fishes. This book reviews: the chemical senses; olfactory sensory cells; olfactory mucus membrane; func- tional aspects of olfaction (stimulatory molecules, response of the sensory cells, role of second messengers and G protein, physiology of olfactory epithelium, electrical prop- erties of supporting cells, non olfactory sensation in the nose, olfactory dysfunction in humans); vomeronasal organ; olfactory bulb; development and plasticity; odor receptor molecules, coding, neurotransmitters, sensory replacement, parallel sensory systems. A very useful concise monograph.

Peritrophic Membranes-By W. PETERS. 238~~. 1992. Springer Verlag, Berlin. DM 228.

Peritrophic membranes are secreted by the midgut. They are present in priapulids, annelids, gastropods, arthropods, holothuria. echinoidea, tunicata and vertebrates. This book deals with their phylogenic distribution; their formation and structure; chemical composition (they often contain chitin); and their functions. They protect the midgut epithelium (which is usually unlined by chitin) from abrasion by the food; they are responsible for compartmentalization within the midgut; they can act as a barrier to parasites; they can be used to wrap food residues as fecal pellets. Their func- tions in different species are fully discussed.

The Skin Microflora and Microbial Skin D&-Edited by W. C. NOBLE. 390~~. 1992. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. f60.

The skin is the largest organ of the body. On its surface is a continuous warfare with potentially invasive microflora. The skin flora in health differs from that in disease. This volume deals with: the skin surface ecosystem; nutrition of

cutaneous resident microorganisms (more than 50 different chemicals have been found in human sweat); physical factors; coryneform bacteria; staphylococci; cutaneous bac- teria; fungi and fungal infections; bacterial and fungal skin infections in animals; viral skin diseases; microbial inter- actions; adherence of skin microorganisms; development of skin flora from birth; skin disinfection (surgical scrub in 4% ~hlorhexidine or 7.5% pov~done-iodine removes 98% of flora; or a wash in 70% ethanol 1% glycerol removed 98% of flora). The skin microflora becomes even more important in AIDS patients or those on immunosuppressive drugs.

Regulation and Functional Significance of T-Cell Subsets- Edited by R. L. COFFMAN. 217~~. 1992. Karger, Base]. S.Fr210, DM 251, $168.

Peripheral T-cells both of the CD4+ and CDS+ lineages can be subdivided in subsets based on function, cytokine production, and surface phenotype. The topics discussed in this book are: programming lymphocyte responses to acti- vation; T helper cell immune dysfunction in asymptomatic HIV-l-seropositive individuals; T-cell subsets in experimen- tal allergic encephalomyelitis; post thymus differentiation of CD4 lymphocytes; murine CD4f T-cell subsets; induction, regulation and function of T-cell subsets in Leishmaniasis; role of helper T-cell subsets in helminth infections, delayed- type hypersensitivity recruitment of T-cell subsets; cell medi- ated versus humoral immunity.

The Central Nervous System; Structure and Fun&ion--By P. BRODAL. 464~~. 1992. Oxford University Press, NY. $38.95.

This is a translation of the Norwegian textbook that has so far been published in four editions since 1949. The present 5th edition has been completely rewritten and all the illustrations are new. It is intended for students in medicine, physiotherapy, psychology and neuroscience who require a knowledge of the structure and function of the nervous system. The chapters deal with the cellular elements of the nervous system and their functions; the different parts of the nervous system; how are structure and function studied?; the sensory systems (somatosensory; visual system; auditory system; olfactory system); the motor systems (peripheral pathways; muscles; central motor system; basal ganglia; cerebellum); Brain stem and cranial nerves; Autonomic nervous system; Cerebra1 cortex and limbic structures. The text is clearly written and well illustrated. Most students will find it interesting to read.

Antibodii as Carriers of Cytotoxicity-Edited by H.-H. SEDLACEK,G.SFXMANN, D. HOFFMANN,J.CZECH,P.LORENZ, C. KOLAR and K. BOSSLET. 208~~. 1992. Karger, Basel. S.Fr 82, DM 98, $67.75.

Monoclonal antibodies can localize tumor nodules and remain in contact with the tumor for a considerable period of time. If an antibody-enzyme conjugate is used to attach to the tumor, the second phase is to inject a non toxic prodrug that will be cleaved into a toxic cytostatic com- pound at the site of the tumor by the antibody-enzyme conjugate. The cytotoxic compound will eradicate the tu- mor. This is called antibody dependent enzyme-mediated prodrug therapy (ADEPT). This book deals with some of the problems involved in developing ADEPT.

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