422 Book Reviews

voltage clamp techniques applied to the study of synaptic function in hippocampal slices; photolabile calcium buffers to selectively activate calcium dependent processes; caged molecules activated by light; optical techniques and calcium imaging; three dimensional reconstruction and analysis of the cable properties of neurons; modelling the non-linear conductances of excitable membranes. This and the volume on Molecular Neurobiology provide an excellent account of the practical techniques used and some of the results obtained in modern neurobiology. These two volumes will be essential purchases in all neurosciences laboratories.

Biochemical Messengers; Hormones, Neurotransmitters and Growth Factors--By D. G. HARDIE. 311 pp. 1991. Chapman and Hall, London. U.S.A. hardback $75, paperback $35; Canada hardback $93.95, paperback $43.95.

Three mechanisms of intercellular signalling are described: cytoplasmic bridges, secreted extracellular messengers and anchored extracellular messengers. This book deals with first messengers (hormones, neurotransmitters and local mediators); structure and biosynthesis of first messengers; ionic homeostasis and nerve conduction; cell biology of first messengers, synthesis and secretion; cell surface receptors, analysis and identification; signal transduction; second mes- sengers; protein phosphorylation and other intracellular events; regulation of cell proliferation and cancer; signal transduction by nuclear messengers. The book provides a useful synthesis, linking together first and second messen- gers and the wide range of biological systems where they are involved.

Molecular Mechanisms in Cellular Growth and Differen- tiation--Edited by A. R. BELLVE and H. J. VOGEL. 365 pp. 1991. Academic Press, San Diego. %95.

This book contains 25 reviews: dual binding site hypothesis of type I insulin-like growth factor receptor; insulin action on membrane protein recycling; growth factor and oncogene mediated S6 phosphorylation during the mitogenic re- sponse; phosphorylation of pp60; G proteins as polymeric proteins-disaggregation theory of hormone action; pleiotropic function of the insulin receptor; cooperative regulation of gene expression in liver cells; receptor ligand interactions in cance; invasion and metastasis;-control of cell proliferation by transforming growth factors; the EGF receptor protooncogene; v-erb A oncogene in transform- ation of avian erythroid cells; ras transformation of 3T3 cells; cellular oncogenes conferring growth factor indepen- dence on NIH 3T3 cells; function of mos protooncogene; pleiotypic action of seminiferous growth factor; regulation of blood vessel growth and differentiation; role of vascular endothelium in albumin transport; growth factor homolo- gous gene controlling pattern formation in Drosophila; the role of master regulatory genes in controlling development; homeobox proteins in Drosophila; engrailed, a gene for all segments; EN-I and EN-2 mouse genes sequence homology to engrailed and infected Drosophila genes; murine homeo box genes; pattern formation in vertebrate limbs and differ- entiation of multipotent human intestinal cell lines, expression of villin. The picture is now emerging of the mechanisms used in the control of cell growth and differentiation.

Autoimmune Endocrine Disease--By A. P. WEETMAN. 260 pp. 1991. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. $59.95.

Foreign antigens are preferentially taken up by macrophage receptors, internal&d and processed into 12 amino acid

peptide fragments which complex with la or MHC class II molecules and are expressed on the phagocyte surface which then stimulates antigen-specific T cells. The interactions of other molecules facilitating adhesion of the T cell receptor with the Ia plus peptide are discussed together with the formation of cytotoxic and supressor CD4 T cells whose clones produce discrete sets of cytokines (IL2 IL3 IL4 IFN). Helper T cells are involved in the activation of B cells, which then proliferate and produce antibodies. ILI, IL2, IL4, IL6, TFN and other factors stimulate the B cells. There is also a mechanism for developing peripheral tolerance and supression of B cells. In automimmune disease there is usually the development of autoantibodies that set off the immune reaction; cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells become activated and selective tissue destruction oc- curs. This is discussed in relation to autoimmune thyroid disease; type I diabetes mellitus and autoimmunity of the adrenals, gonads, pituitary and the poly endocrine system.

Electrophysiology and Pharmacology of the Heart; A Clinical Guide--Edited by K. H. DANGMAN and D. S. MIURA. 756 pp. 1991. Marcel Dekker, New York. U.S.A. and Canada $175; elsewhere $201.25.

The topics cover both scientific and clinical aspects of cardiology. They are: techniques for studying cardiac elec- trophysiology (extracellular recording; standard and ion-se- lective microelectrodes; multicellular cardiac voltage clamp; single channel recording); anatomy, electrophysiology, and pathophysiology sinus node and primary cardiac pace- maker; atria1 myocardium; AV node; Purkinje fiber; ventric- ular muscle) models and mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias (re-entrant excitation of the atrium; circus movement rentry; digitalis toxicity; myocardial post-infarction; proarrhythmic effects of anti-arrhythmic drugs; animal models of natural arrhythmias); cardiotonic and anti-arrhythmic drugs (alpha adrenergic receptor effector coupling; positive ionotopic drugs; local anaesthetic action; quinidine; procainamide; disopyramide; lidocaine; mexiletine and tocainide; propa- fenone; cibenzoline; amiodarone; moricizine; class II drugs; class III drugs; class IV drugs; antifibrillatory drugs). A useful survey and summary of present day knowledge.

Ulcer Disease; Investigation and Basis for Therapy-Edited by E. A. SWABB and S. SZALIO. 527 pp. 1991. Marcel Dekker, New York. USA and Canada $150; elsewhere $172.50.

The lining of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract is very dynamic with its cells having a high turnover. For this reason it is very susceptible to breakdown so causing ulcers. These have a multifactorial etiology and this and its treatment are discussed in the present volume. The chapters deal with pathophysiology of peptic ulcer; epidemiology of peptic ulcer disease; GI biological rhythms and their implication for peptic ulcer disease; ulcer disease; hemorrhage; antacid therapies; HZ receptor antagonism; omeprazole an antacid pump inhibitor; prostaglandins as GI secretion regulators; sucralfate; colloidal bismuth citrate; sulfhydryl and non- sulfbydryl antioxidants; endoscopic therapy; surgical treat- ment; statistical methods in trials of anti ulcer drugs; meta-analysis of ulcer disease; role of independent clinical research organization in developing new drugs; pharma- ceutical industry perspective; practices in Japan; cost effectiveness of treatment of peptic ulcer disease. It is estimated that about 10% of the population will develop peptic ulcer disease during their life time at a cost of billions of dollars not to mention the pain and misery. Application of information from this book should help cure the disease.