Science Summaries…

The Field Guide to Early Man. David Lambert. Illustrated by the Diagram Group. New York: Facts On File, 1987. 256 pp. $10.95 (paper). Reviewed by Malcolm F. Farmer.

Genes, Medicine, and You. Alvin Silverstein and Virginia Silverstein. Hillside, N.J.: Enslow, 1989. 160 pp. $16.95. Reviewed by Donald J. Nash.

Dinosaur Plots and Other Intrigues in Natural History. Leonard Krishtalka. New York: Morrow, 1989. 316 pp. $17.95. Reviewed by Emanuel D. Rudolph.

Bugs for Dinner: The Eating Habits of Neighborhood Creatures. Sam Epstein and Beryl Epstein. New York: Macmillan, 1989. 48 pp. $12.95. Reviewed by Walter L. Gojmerac.

No Bones: A Key to Bugs and Slugs, Worms and Ticks, Spiders and Centipedes, and Other Creepy Crawlies. Elizabeth Shepherd. New York: Macmillan, 1988. 90 pp. $13.95. Reviewed by Walter L. Gojmerac.     

Science Summaries…

Ricciuti, Edward R. Plants in Danger New York: Harper &; Row, 1979 86 pp. $8.95. Reviewed by Emanuel D. Rudolph.

Dock, George, Jr. Audubon's Birds of America New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1979 170 pp. $19.95 hardcover, $7.95 paper. Reviewed by Karl L. Trever.

Hogg, Margaret E. Animals in Schools: Vertebrates Exeter, N. H.: Heinemann Educational Books, Inc., 1979 (U.S.) 100 pp. $6.25. Reviewed by Carl Gans.

Busch, Phyllis S. Cactus in the Desert New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1979 34 pp. $6.95, Reviewed by Emanuel D. Rudolph.

Ricciuti, Edward R. Wildlife of the Mountains (Wildlife Habitat Series) New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1979 232 pp. $16.95. Reviewed by Vagn Flyger.

Sutton, Ann and Myron Wildlife of the Forests (Wildlife Habitat Series) New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1979 232 pp. $16.95. Reviewed by Gilbert Wright.

Valenti, Christopher Keeping a Marine Aquarium: A Manual Newark: University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program, 1979 38 pp. $2.50 softcover (bulk discount). Reviewed by Donald J. Nash.

Simon and Schuster Complete Guide to Freshwater and Marine Aquarium Fishes New York: Simon and Schuster, 1977 295 pp., $6.95. Reviewed by Harold W. Puffer.     

… -ome sweet -ome

Abstract

Arsenic-induced tissue damage is a major concern to the human population. An impaired antioxidant defense mechanism followed by oxidative stress is the major cause of arsenic-induced toxicity, which can lead to reproductive failure. The present study was carried out to investigate the preventive role of arjunolic acid, a triterpenoid saponin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna, against arsenic-induced testicular damage in mice. Administration of arsenic (in the form of sodium arsenite, NaAsO₂, at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight) for 2 days significantly decreased the intracellular antioxidant power, the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, as well as the levels of cellular metabolites. In addition, arsenic intoxication enhanced testicular arsenic content, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation and the level of glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Exposure to arsenic also caused significant degeneration of the seminiferous tubules with necrosis and defoliation of spermatocytes. Pretreatment with arjunolic acid at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 days could prevent the arsenic-induced testicular oxidative stress and injury to the histological structures of the testes. Arjunolic acid had free radical scavenging activity in a cell-free system and antioxidant power in vivo. In summary, the results suggest that the chemopreventive role of arjunolic acid against arsenic-induced testicular toxicity may be due to its intrinsic antioxidant property.     

The Edible Molecule…

Pettingill, Olin Se wall, Jr. Another Penguin Summer New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975 80 pp., $10.00 Reviewed by A. Gilbert Wright

Grant, Verne Genetics of Flowering Plants New York: Columbia University Press, 1975 514 pp., $20.00 Reviewed by Martin Labar

Gutnik, Martin J. Energy: Its Past, Its Present, Its Future Chicago: Childrens Press, 1975 46 pp., individuals $6.60, institutions $4.95 Reviewed by George G. Mallinson

Wild, Robin, and Jocelyn Wild How Animals Work for Us New York: Parents' Magazine Press 64 pp., $4.99, 1975 Reviewed by Harold W. Puffer

Morse, Roger A. Bees and Bee-Keeping Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press 295 pp., $13.50, 1975 Reviewed by W.L. Gojmerac

Heintze, Carl The Bottom of the Sea and Beyond New York: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1975 144 pp., $5.95 Reviewed by Albert C. Jensen

Cottrell, Alan Portrait of Nature New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975 236 pp., $9.95 Reviewed by Paul S. Cohen

Hart, Leslie A. How the Brain Works New York: Basic Books, 1975 260 pp., $10.50 Reviewed by Julie Ann Miller

Schneider, Herman Science Fun for You in a Minute or Two New York: McGraw-Hill Junior Books, 1975 64 pp., $4.72 Reviewed by Julian R. Brandou

Williamson, H.D. The Year of the Koala New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1975 209 pp., $8.95 Reviewed by Austin T. Hyde

Heady, Eleanor B. Plants on the Go: A Book about Reproduction and Seed Dispersal (Finding-out books) New York: Parent's Magazine Press, 1975 64 pp., $4.59 Reviewed by Herbert Grossman

Durden, Kent A Fine and Peaceful Kingdom New York: Simon and Schuster 160 pp., $7.95, 1975 Reviewed by Robert Deitchman