A qualitative leap in the understanding of cardiovascular and n- ral regulation by the renin-angiotensin system, and of the role of this s- tem in tissue damage, has occurred as a result of the many recent advances in molecular genetic techniques. The cloning of the genes for the components of the renin-angiotensin system, the design of specific angiotensin receptor ligands, and the use of embryonic gene targeting te- niques for the creation of mutant strains have established that the renin- angiotensin system is important in blood pressure regulation, ion and fluid homeostasis, and tissue growth and remodeling Further investigation of the mechanisms by which this system p- ticipates in cardiovascular regulation may shed some light on the pat- genesis of several cardiovascular diseases, e. g. , hypertension, congestive heart failure, and chronic renal failure. Despite the promise of this system as a target for therapeutic interventions for these diseases, there are great challenges in the integration of the attempts to close the gap between the traditional literature of medicine and the explosion of information from the new technologies. This book's title, Angiotensin Protocols, reflects the authors' strong efforts to translate expert knowledge into easy-to-follow practice. The book opens with introductory chapters, and each specialty section provides detailed methods covering a wide variety of techniques, ranging from genetic manipulation of targeted genes to functional studies of the renin- angiotensin system.

th This volume contains selected lectures presented at the 12 International Conference on Advances in Prostaglandin, Leukotriene and Other Bioactive Lipid Research: Basic Science and Clinical Applications which was held in Istanbul, Turkey, on August 25-29, 2002. This meeting brought together basic and clinical scientists for the purpose of discussing advances in bioactive lipid research with.special attention to cancer, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and respiratory diseases. Topics covered included: the role of leukotrienes and lipoxins in of inflammation, the cytochrome P450 pathway, the genetics and genomics bioactive lipids, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, isoprostanes, receptors and inhibitors, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways and inhibitors, prostaglandin synthases and receptor signaling, phospholipases and inhibitors. Sessions included plenary lectures with expertise in particular areas, oral presentation on selected topics and general poster sessions. J.M. Drazen (Boston, USA) discussed anti-leukotriene treatment in asthma patients while C. Brink (paris, France) presented the recent advances in leukotriene receptors. The recent advances in cytochrome p450 pathway described in the session organized by J.C. McGiff (Valhalla, NY, USA). T. Shimizu (Tokyo, Japan) and M. Balazy (Valhalla, NY, USA) gave an update on phospholipases and arachidonic acid peroxydation. The editors are greatful to the Organizing, Programme and Advisory Committees for their valuable contributions. We greatfully acknowledge the generous financial support provided by PharmaciaIPfizer, Fako Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc. ofthe contributors to this volume, in particular We are also greatful to all to those who delivered their manuscripts by or before the requested deadline.

The Taurine Symposium- "Taurine: Beginning the 21'' Century"- was held September 20-23, 2002, on the beautiful island of Kauai in Hawaii. The headquarters of the meeting was the Radisson Kauai Beach Resort. This international meeting was attending by approximately 80 individuals from 23 nations and 4 continents. Seventy-five papers were presented either as platform presentations or poster presentations. Taurine, first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by Tiedemann and Gmelin and named in 1838 by Demarcay, became of significant scientific interest in 1968 when the first extensive review article was published by Jacobsen and Smith. Interest in taurine grew exponentially after 1975 when the first taurine symposium was organized by Ryan Huxtable in Tucson, Arizona. Since that date, taurine symposia have been held approximately every two years held in various cities and resort areas around the world. Taurine investigators have had the privilege of attending these scientific meetings on three continents - Asia, Europe, and North America. Since the initial meeting in 1975, a central question addressed during many of the symposia has been: "What is physiological, pharmacological, nutritional, and pathological role of taurine?". Although taurine has been established as an important osmolyte, it appears to affect many other biological processes. However, the exact mechanism(s) by "which taurine acts" has not yet been definitively answered. In Kauai, the patticipants discussed many topics and asked many questions regarding the role and actions of taurine.

The need for greater international collaboration is becoming increas. ingly clear. Practically every nation or people has, in addition to its own characteristics and history, its own medical tradition. Methods and ways of thinking that are successfully established in one place may not be accepted in another for some time. The medical tradition and training in different countries can take quite different forms. What would our present knowledge be - Without the creative, spontaneous ideas and contributions from the romance countries? - Without the opportunity of research, as it is practised on a large scale in the USA, where so many young Europeans took their first steps in experimental science? - Without the conscientious clinical work done in Central Europe and the valuable experience gained there? - Without, finally, the sober and critical scientific approach, as fostered in the cool heads of Northern Europe for generations? None of these qualities is sufficient without the others, but together they are a source of strength. Ultimately, we hope, through sensible con centration of efforts (while maintaining variety), to overcome the lack of an integrated approach in experimental science and to prevent repetition of painful mistakes. In this regard, the first two ESKA congresses have brought us great advances."

Recent years have witnessed an explosion of knowledge lea- ding to a molecular understanding of the mechanisms of ac- tion of calcium on excitation and contraction coupling and its role in the regulation of contractility. This book highlights the most recent progress as well as providing a historial perspective of the field. It presents a concise and comprehensive overview of our current knowledge regar- ding calcium channels and regulatory proteins as well as in- tracellular calcium handling and the mechanisms underlying the activation of contractile proteins. It also describes how these basic mechanisms have been adapted in various types of muscle, especially in cardiac and smooth muscle.

Mitochondrial transport systems are essential to mitochondrial function and therefore to energy homeostasis within the cell.
The book contains studies utilizing the techniques of biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and genetics to reveal the structure and function of mitochondrial transport systems.
It is divided into the following six sections:
- Proton Translocation: The Uncoupling Protein and the ATPase; - Carriers and Transporters; - Mitochondrial Ion Channels; Structure of the Outer Mitochondrial Membrane Channel, VDAC; - VDAC, Peripheral Kinases and Energy Utilization; - Mitochondrial Channels in Humans and Relationship to Disease.

Together with the two previous volumes of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology on histamine and antihistamines the present publication yields a picture of a still rapidly developing field of research. New techniques and new experimental approaches have brought us new knowledge and deeper insight into the biomedical significance of histamine, even if many questions remain to be answered about the functional and medical implications of this old biogenic amine. The present volume covers the progress in histamine research during the past two decades. A significant chapter concerns techniques for histamine determination. As the result of a consensus meeting in Munich in December 1988, a panel of eminent specialists arrived at common recommendations as to the usefulness of the available histamine assays for the most common experimental biomedical conditions. The heterogeneity of mast cells, with great differences in their reactivity to various stimuli, has become apparent, not only among species but also among the tissues of a species. New informa tion is presented about the mechanism of exocytosis. The old questions about the role of histamine in the mechanism of gastric secretion and in cardio vascular and respiratory functions have been studied with new techniques, and the role of HI and H2 receptors discussed. New observations have been made on the occurrence and possible functions of histaminergic neurons and histamine receptors in CNS where a new type of receptor, the H, seems to 3 be widely represented."

This second volume in Modern Methods of Plant Analysis, New Series concentrates on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a powerful technique that is now being used for plant studies in a major way. This is the first time that a series of chapters by leading experts on the application of NMR to plant cells has been assembled in a single volume. The methods are described in detail so that even beginners can apply them directly in the laboratory. Topics include general metabolism in higher plants and fungi, intercellular pH, energy status, DNA structure analysis, multiple quantum two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy, chloroplast orientation, rubber analysis, and the use of NMR to determine pollen viability. This volume should provide not only an excellent practical guide to the possibilities of NMR application to the plant sciences, but also give impetus to its future use.

Understanding the mechanisms involved in intracellular movement and localization of proteins is a central issue in cell biology. This volume is concerned with the events involved in the transport of membrane proteins, and the contents of vesicular compartments, to their ultimate destinations. In several chapters, particular attention is given to studies with viruses that are assembled by budding at specific membrane sites within the cell or at the cell surface; studies with such viral systems have provided significant insights into membrane biogenesis.

At one time or another, everyone has said "I am thirsty". Yet what causes this sensation of thirst? It is obvious that a certain quantity of fluid must be present for the body to function normally. How does a water deficit in the body then influence drinking habits? But supposing the physiological need is met, what about the psychological need or social need? Water is certainly the most necessary fluid; then why do we humans often prefer other beverages, even at great cost of effort or money or health? The subject of thirst and drinking behavior are uniquely discussed in this book. For the first time both the physiological and the psychological aspects of water and beverage consumption are examined in one volume. The many recent developments concerning how a lack of water is signalled physiologically and processed neurally to affect drinking behavior are critically surveyed. Prospects for understanding the cultural and sensory influences on beverage consumption are mapped out. The thirty-one chapters by authorities in the field were all mutually reviewed and revised in the light of precirculated comments and round-table discussions. Together they provide a complete picture of the current state of knowledge on what determines fluid consumption in human beings and animals.

This book is dedicated to the memory of Walter Brendel, late Professor of Experimental Surgery and Chairman of the Institute for Surgical Research at the University of Munich, Germany. For 20 years Walter Brendel organized the renowned Round Table Symposium on Applied Immunology, first in Kitzbiihel and later in Axams, Austria. On the occasion of the 20th symposium in January 1989 he gathered together a number of scientists who have been leaders in the field of transplantation immunology and clinical transplantation for the past two decades. All of them had participated at previous meetings, some on a regular basis. Many of the new discoveries in applied immunology and transplantation medicine were first presented and vividly dis cussed at the Round Table Symposia. The annual Kitzbiihel! Axams meetings became well-known and invitations much sought after, not only for this reason but also because of the uniquely intimate atmosphere that promoted the free exchange of research findings and theoretical cut and thrust.

Recent research has given great insight into the physiological and pharmaceutical effects of histamine on the central nervous system and especially on the brain. This volume focuses on these many new findings, including the role of brain histamine in the arousal system, learning, and memory. Also featured are the mechanisms of histamine release in bone marrow and mast cells and the role of histamine in neutrophil differentiation. These are analyzed using the most up-to-date techniques of molecular pharmacology and refined immunoelectroscopy. In addition, the pharmacological profiles of newly developed H1 antagonists are described, making this book invaluable to those who want to understand the very latest advances in histamine research.

Catecholamines are important transmitter substances in the autonomic and central nervous systems. These two volumes provide a comprehensive presentation of the state-of-the-art of catecholamine research and development in the past 15 years. The volumes present in-depth reviews of topical areas of catecholamine research in which substantial progress has been made and which are of current interest to various theoretical and clinical disciplines. Each topic has been dealt with by an established expert. Clinical subjects of relevant importance are included. Catecholamines are of interest in pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry, as well as in neurology, psychiatry, internal medicine (cardiology, hypertension, asthma), ophthalmology and anesthesiology.

After a little more than 20 years since the original discovery of neuropeptide Y (NPY) by Tatemoto and colleagues, the field of NPY research has made remarkable progress and is coming of age.The present volume addresses all major topics in connection with NPY and related peptides by established leaders in their respective areas. Experienced NPY-aficionados will certainly find new and useful additional information in this volume and newcomers to the field will hopefully discover how much exciting research this still has to offer.

Well over one decade has passed since the appearance of the original four volumes of Membrane Transport in Biology. Since the publication of the last volume there have been spectacular advances in this field. These advances have been in part the result of the application of exciting new methodologies, and in part the result of new insights into the regulation and integration of transport processes. This volume, as well as a sixth volume, which is in preparation, are intended to cover key areas in which the development has been particularly striking. For many years the trend in studies of membrane transport had been that of increasing specialization with regard to the transporter of interest and of the cell or tissue studied. This trend was supported by the enormous number of publications directed at understanding the cellular physiology of specific organ systems and tissues, and also by the fact that different tissues often seemed to react so differently to the same conditions that mechanisms unique to each appear to be at play. One of the happy developments in recent years has been the realization that this apparent disparity of behaviors in different tissues is based on varying combinations of a limited number of transport mechanisms, all mediated by the same or similar proteins. Some of these transport proteins have already been isolated and analyzed with respect to amino acid sequence whereas others are just entering this phase.

ILSI Human Nutrition Reviews provide an account of current thought in the field under review and point to problems and questions yet to be elucidated. They are intended to fill the gap between the textbook on the one hand and the specialist publication on the other. They are written by leading international authorities and are reviews for workers in the medical, nutritional and allied sciences rather than the expert. Dietary Starches and Sugar in Man presents the latest thinking of leading research scientists in a unique, multi-authored book. Leading European experts have collaborated to prepare a multi-disciplinary update on the subject. Each chapter was submitted to peer review by every other author, after which the commentaries were either incorporated into a revision of the original text or added at the end of the chapter. In many cases the group discussion raised new points, so that the final product truly represents a complete picture of international expertise. This book thus gives nutrition experts in the medical sciences and the food industry all current information on the latest research, and the critiques of this research, concerning these two groups of carbohydrates.

Measuring the Skin presents all techniques devoted to non-invasive normal or diseased skin measurement. As opposed to other books, this text embraces old and new validated techniques for all skin suborgans and functions, and is ideal as a small encyclopedia since it provides the answer to any question concerning skin measurement. Within each chapter, the meaning of the obtained parameters is highlighted so that the user is able to interpret the results correctly, and each technique is discussed to help select the most appropriate one for each special case. Another novel feature is that the book bases the skin investigation on the physiology and anatomy. A compendium of current knowledge on the structure or function dealt with precedes each chapter. The book may also be used as a research tool. This comprehensive text contains an innovative and unique list of more than 400 physical and biological skin constants, which are all referenced. The clinical dermatologist will also find this text useful as some chapters contain valuable maps and are devoted to clinical scoring of current skin diseases. Measuring the Skin is a resource for all those interested in or already dealing with the skin.

Major epidemiologists from the UK, USA and Europe contribute to the first ever, much needed comprehensive review of the epidemiology of peripheral vascular disease in the lower limbs.

Glutamine is a key aminoacid for the synthesis of numerous biologic- ally important compounds in mammalian cells and is a carrier form of ammonia. The advance in knowledge on the metabolic significance of this amino acid is presented in in-depth treatments by experts in this active research field. This includes the enzymology of glutamine synthe- tase and glutaminase activities in different mammalian organs, notably liver, kidney and brain; properties of glutamine transport across bio- logical membranes; role of glutamine metabolism in the liver, with emphasis on the recent discovery of intercellular heterogeneity with respect to enzyme distribution and its functional consequences for ammonia/urea metabolism and pH regulation; renal and intestinal glutamine metabolism; cerebral glutamine/ glutamate interrelationships; skeletal muscle; role of glutamine in cell culture; and finally the clinical aspects, including the new outlook of glutamine antagonists in cancer therapy as well as the role of glutamine in hepatic coma and encephalo- pathy. Some, but not all, of the contributors to this work attended the 48th Conference of the Gesellschaft fur Biologische Chemie on glutamine metabolism held in Gottingen, W. Germany, in September 1983. This conference was supported by the Stiftung Volkswagenwerk, Dr. H. Falk Foundation, Freiburg, and the J. Pfrimmer Co. , Erlangen. The abstracts of the contributions to the conference were published in Hoppe-Seyler's Z. Physiol. Chem. 364,1237-125,6,1983, and this book is not intended as the proceedings of that meeting.

Taste receptors monitor the quality of all the food ingested. They are intimately involved in both food acceptance and rejection. The sensation of taste is also important in the regulation of many specific chemicals necessary for maintenance of the body. For example, disturbance of the adrenal glands results in a change in the intake of salt which is necessary for regulation of the sodium balance. Curt Richter's early studies on specific hungers and preference thresholds initiated a large number of studies in this field. The relationship between taste and food intake is now well recognized by physiologists, psychologists and nutritionists. Our current concepts of the neural coding of taste quality and intensity are largely based upon the classical paper by PFAFFMANN in 1941. Many subsequent single nerve fiber studies have added to our understanding. In recent years Zotterman and Diamant have successfully recorded from the human taste nerves as they pass through the middle ear. This allowed them to study the relationships between the response of taste receptors and the resultant taste sensation. No similar feat has yet been accomplished with the visual and auditory systems.

During the last years much attention has been given to the investigation of the roles of specific growth modulators acting on liver cell populations. HGF functions as a pleotropic factor in the liver as well as in other extrahepatic tissues. The hepatic stem cell compartment is thought to play a major role in liver tissue restoration. Mechanisms of cell growth and cell death of the liver are described in detail, with particular emphasis on apoptosis. The functions of HBV-pX protein and the roles of hepatitis B virus gene expression relation to hepatocellular carcinoma are discussed. Techniques for obtaining human and nonhuman hepatocytes and other liver cell types and for efficient transfer and expression of genes in hepatocytes and liver-derived cell lines are presented.

The serene phrase, Lest I forget thee, glutathione ..., coined by the Kosowers (1) to describe the state in the 1960's, must be replaced now by something like "Inevitable GSH" in order to characterize the current situation. The surge in interest on the ubiquitous tripeptide has been ama- zing, with publications on GSH running at rates as high as one per day, so that it seemed appropriate to convene international experts for a discussion of recent develop- ments this year. Unlike the two previous meetings in this decade held in Tlibingen in 1973 (2) and in santa Ynez in 1975 (3), the scope was restricted to Functions of Gluta- thione in Liver and Kidney. Only in this way did an in-depth discussion of the current state of knowledge in a limit- ed topic appear possible. The last couple of years have seen a fascinating pro- ductivity in the fields of (a) Regulation of the Glutathione Level in the Liver, (b) Role of y-Glutamyltransferase in Gluta- thione Turnover with emphasis on the renal enzyme, and a critical appraisal of the y-Glutamyl Cycle, (c) Hyd:roperox- ide and Disulfide Metaholism, enriched by the discovery of the nonseleniurn-dependent glutathione peroxidase activ- ity and its relation to the glutathione-S-transferases, and the participation of the 2GSH/GSSG system in redox transitions in intact organ, cells and isolated mito- chondria, and (d) a multitude of Pharmacological and Toxi- cological Aspects related to glutathione, mainly centered on the events leading to liver damage and the protective