The Role Of Cyclic Nucleotides In Central Synaptic Function Renal Transport Of Amino Acids

In the preface to Part I of this volume, which appeared in 1966, we stated: " ... we had to leave the Antihistaminics for another volume of unpredictable dimensions. In 1924, eight pages inserted in a Chapter on Mutterkorn by Arthur R.Cushing were considered enough, in Vol. II, Part II, pp. 1319-1326 of the Hand buch. Now 922 pages did not suffice to cover all aspects of the subject ... the subject has been expanded in so many directions, that the anti histaminic part had to be excluded from the present volume. Possibly, another thousand pages will be necessary to cover what remains of the subject."* This prediction was fulfilled, and the subject of histamine has grown to such an extent that dealing with the antihistaminics only in Part II would be quite inadequate. It is imperative to include the large number of recent findings on the subject of histamine, namely the splitting of its pharmacologic receptors, and the great variety of new contributions on ,its participation in physiopathologic phenomena, metabolism and interaction with newly found mediators.

With contributions by numerous experts

Showcasing the recent progresses of the field, Cyclic Nucleotide Signaling covers the major tools and methodologies used in various areas of research. The majority of the chapters are protocol oriented, with the goal of providing clear directions for laboratory use. Students and investigators new to the field will find this book particularly informative, as will scientists already actively researching nucleotide signaling.

This volume addresses the general problem of drug addiction from several points of view, which are in some ways quite unique and different from other areas of pharmacology. Drug addiction is closely associated with criminal behavior. One of the great and noble edifices of civilization is the philosophic and ethical view that man is perfectible, and some believe that this can be achieved by providing the appropriate circumstance or environment in which man can mature and be educated. Some have postulated that drug abuse is a consequence of an inadequate or pathologic set of socializing experiences or is a consequence of basic conflicts between the values and accepted patterns of behavior of a subculture and that of a larger culture. The degree to which man is malleable and perfectible by social forces is not known nor do we know the true desirability of socializing individuals to the extent that their behavior does not deviate from social norms. Some deviancy is essential for innovation and creativity, and at times there may be difficulties in determining whether an innovator or creator is exhibiting sociopathic behavior or not. This aspect of drug addiction is inherently a matter of social values and ethics.

Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology 79.