Books

A ndrew R.J. (ed.) 1991. Neural and Behavioral Plasticity: the use of the domestic chick as a model
B eissinger , S.R. & S nyder , N.F.R. (eds) 1992. New World Parrots in Crisis: Solutions from Conservation Biology
B erthold , P. (ed.) 1991. Orientation in Birds
B urger , J. & G ochfeld . M. 1991. The Common Tern: its breeding biology and social behaviour. Pp. xvii + 413,121 figs incl. numerous black-and-white photographs, 59 text tables, 4 appendix tables. New York: Columbia University Press
D avis . L.S. & D arby , J.T. (eds) 1990. Penguin Biology
D ickinson , E.C., K ennedy , R.S. & P arkes , K.C. 1991. The Birds of the Philippines: an annotated check-list
D wenger .R. 1991. DasRebhuhn Perrfixperdix. 2nd edition
F inlayson , C. 1992. Birds of the Strait of Gibraltar
G osler , A. (ed.) 1991. The Hamlyn Photographic Guide to Birds of the World
G retton , A. 1991. The Ecology and Conservation of the Slender-billed Curlew
S mith , S.M. I 991. The Black-capped Chickadee: behavioural ecology and natural history. Pp. xi, 362. many figures and tables. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. $51.15 (hbk). ISBN 0–8014-2 382-1. $29.75 (pbk) ISBN 0–8014-9793-0.
S tap . D. 1991. A Parrot Without a Name: The search for the last unknown birds on earth.
T rodd , P., & K ramer D. 1991. The Birds of Bedfordshire
V aughan . R. 1992. In Search of Arctic Birds. Pp. xIII, 431, many monochrome photographs and drawings. London     

Susceptibility to selected chemotherapeutics of Staphylococcus aureus strains resistant to methycyline isolated from clinical materials in the years 1991-1992 and 1997

The susceptibility to selected chemotherapeutic agents was determined in 100 strains of Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-resistant (MRSA) isolated from clinical materials in 1991-1992 (50 strains) and in 1997 (50 strains). Two methods were used for the determination: disc method and antibiotic dilution in agar. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for vancomycin, teicoplanin, furazolidone, nitrofurantoin, ofloxacin, gentamicin, netilmicin and trimethoprim. The concentrations of the chemotherapeutics in the substrate ranged from 0.125 to 512 mg/l. The obtained results served for drawing of the following conclusions: all studied MRSA strains isolated in 1991-1992 and in 1997 were sensitive to glycopeptide antibiotics: vancomycin and teicoplanin, to nitrofurans: nitrofurantoin and furazolidone, and to fusidic acid. MRSA strains isolated in 1991-1992 were sensitive to ofloxacin, but in 1997 about 80% of the strains were resistant to that antibiotic, and this resistance was noted in S. aureus strains with homogeneous resistance to methicillin. Increasing frequency of resistance to mupirocin was found, in 1991-1992 4% of the strains were resistant, and in 1997 the resistance of MRSA to that antibiotic was found in 12%. No changes occurred in the sensitivity of staphylococci to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (cotrimoxazole). About 94% of strains in 1991-1992 and 1997 were sensitive to that drug. The sensitivity to cotrimoxazole is connected with one of its components (trimethoprim), with 94% of MRSA strains sensitive to it.     

Helicobacter pylori infection in children in Estonia: decreasing seroprevalence during the 11-year period of profound socioeconomic changes

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is inversely associated with socioeconomic conditions in childhood. In Estonia, a high prevalence of H. pylori infection has been observed among children born in 1987 and earlier. Since 1991, after the dissolution of the USSR, profound social and economic changes have taken place in the country. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among children in the period 1991-2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hospital-based study population consisted of two groups of children enrolled in 1991 (n = 425) and 2002 (n = 296) according to the same inclusion criteria. The immunoglobulin G antibodies to the cell surface proteins of H. pylori were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the sera with the borderline results were analyzed by immunoblot analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the associations between H. pylori seropositivity and different variables such as demographic characteristics, diagnoses and year of enrollment. RESULTS: The only two variables linked independently to H. pylori serostatus were age and year of enrollment: the adjusted odds of being H. pylori seropositive were 1.92 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.33-2.76] times higher for the children enrolled in 1991 compared with the children enrolled in 2002. The age-standardized seroprevalence rate was 42.2% (95% CI 37.4-47.0%) for the group of 1991 and 28.1% (95% CI 23.1-33.6%) for the group of 2002. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of H. pylori infection among children has significantly decreased during the 11-year period of profound socioeconomic changes in Estonia.     

Racial differences in infant mortality attributable to birth defects in the United States, 1989-2002

BACKGROUND: The objective is to study racial differences in infant mortality attributable to birth defects (IMBD) in the United States. METHODS: We analyzed 1989-1991 and 1995-2002 linked birth/death files for trends and racial differences in IMBD by selected categories of birth defects for infants of non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic black, and Hispanic mothers. RESULTS: In 1989-2002, the IMBD rates declined. However, the decline in postneonatal mortality attributable to birth defects (PMBD) rate was significantly slower than that of overall postneonatal mortality. The adjusted rate ratio for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic versus non-Hispanic white for neonatal mortality attributable to birth defects (NMBD) remained unchanged from 1989-1991 through 2000-2002. For PMBD, it increased from 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.90-1.13) in 1989-1991 to 1.12 (95% CI, 1.04-1.21) in 2001-2002 and from 1.08 (95% CI, 1.00-1.16) to 1.18 (95% CI, 1.10-1.27) for non-Hispanic black and Hispanic, respectively. Infant mortality due to cardiovascular and central nervous system defects were the main contributors to the increased racial disparities in PMBD rates. CONCLUSIONS: The disparity in PMBD between infants of non-Hispanic black and Hispanic mothers and infants of non-Hispanic white mothers increased significantly from 1989-1991 to 2000-2002. Further studies are needed to assess the extent to which delays in care or lack of access to care for infants with birth defects might be contributing to the disparity in IMBD.     

Cancer morbidity and mortality among the liquidators of the Chernobyl accident: estimation of radiation risks

The work focuses on the results of the analysis of the cancer incidence among the Chernobyl emergency workers residing in Russia during 1991-2001. The analysis is based on the data for the cohort of male emergency workers from 6 regions of Russia including 55718 persons with documented external radiation doses in the range of 0.001-0.3 Gy who worked within the 30-km zone in 1986-1987. The mean age at exposure for these persons was 34.8 years old and the mean external radiation dose 0.13 Gy. In this cohort 1370 cases of solid cancer were diagnosed. Three follow-up periods were considered: 1991-1995, 1996-2001 and 1991-2001. The second follow-up period was chosen to allow for a minimum latency period of 10 years. Risk assessments were performed for two control groups: the first control group ("external") represented incidence rates for corresponding ages in Russia in general and the second control group ("internal") consisted of emergency workers. The estimated standardized incidence ratio (SIR) is in good agreement with that of the control within 95% CI. The values of the excess relative risk per unit dose 1 Gy (ERR/Gy) for solid malignant neoplasms have been estimated to be 0.33 (95% CI: -0.39, 1.22) (internal control) for the follow-up period 1991-2001 and 0.19 (95% CI: -0.66, 1.27) for 1996-2001. The analysis of cancer morbidity was carried out for the cohort of 29003 emergency workers who took part in liquidation of the consequences of the Chernobyl accident from 26 April 1986 to 25 April 1987. It was shown that the excess relative risk of cancer deaths per unit dose 1 Sv (ERR/Sv) is equal to 1.52 (95% CI: 0.20, 2.85).     

Quantifying the Contribution of Statins to the Decline in Population Mean Cholesterol by Socioeconomic Group in England 1991 - 2012: A Modelling Study

Background

Serum total cholesterol is one of the major targets for cardiovascular disease prevention. Statins are effective for cholesterol control in individual patients. At the population level, however, their contribution to total cholesterol decline remains unclear. The aim of this study was to quantify the contribution of statins to the observed fall in population mean cholesterol levels in England over the past two decades, and explore any differences between socioeconomic groups.

Methods and Findings

This is a modelling study based on data from the Health Survey for England. We analysed changes in observed mean total cholesterol levels in the adult England population between 1991-92 (baseline) and 2011-12. We then compared the observed changes with a counterfactual ‘no statins’ scenario, where the impact of statins on population total cholesterol was estimated and removed. We estimated uncertainty intervals (UI) using Monte Carlo simulation, where confidence intervals (CI) were impractical. In 2011-12, 13.2% (95% CI: 12.5-14.0%) of the English adult population used statins at least once per week, compared with 1991-92 when the proportion was just 0.5% (95% CI: 0.3-1.0%). Between 1991-92 and 2011-12, mean total cholesterol declined from 5.86 mmol/L (95% CI: 5.82-5.90) to 5.17 mmol/L (95% CI: 5.14-5.20). For 2011-12, mean total cholesterol was lower in more deprived groups. In our ‘no statins’ scenario we predicted a mean total cholesterol of 5.36 mmol/L (95% CI: 5.33-5.40) for 2011-12. Statins were responsible for approximately 33.7% (95% UI: 28.9-38.8%) of the total cholesterol reduction since 1991-92. The statin contribution to cholesterol reduction was greater among the more deprived groups of women, while showing little socio-economic gradient among men.

Conclusions

Our model suggests that statins explained around a third of the substantial falls in total cholesterol observed in England since 1991. Approximately two thirds of the cholesterol decrease can reasonably be attributed non-pharmacological determinants.     

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, plasmid profiles and phage types for the human isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis obtained over 13 years in Taiwan

AIMS: Plasmid profile, phage typing, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns of 124 Salmonella Enteritidis strains isolated in 1998-2002 in Taiwan were analysed and the results were compared with those of the 63 strains obtained in 1991-1997, so that molecular subtypes and epidemic strains for Salmonella Enteritidis over a 13-year period (1991-2002) could be elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 124 strains of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from human in Taiwan between 1998 and 2002 were analysed by PFGE, plasmid analysis and phage typing. The results obtained were compared with those of the 63 strains obtained in 1991-1997, so that the clonal relationships for a total of 187 strains obtained over 13 years could be elucidated. For PFGE, restriction enzymes XbaI, SpeI and NotI were used for chromosomal DNA digestion. Results showed 28 PFGE pattern combinations for the 187 Salmonella strains. Of them, pattern X3S3N3 was the major subtype as 130 strains isolated from different locations during 1991-2002 showed this PFGE pattern. For all these 187 strains, the genetic similarity was higher than 80%. Plasmid analysis showed 17 distinct types, which consist of one to four plasmids and the predominant phage type of those strains was PT4 (71.6%) and PT6a (13.4%). The three methods identified different degrees of polymorphism in the following order: plasmid profile (18 types, D = 0.659) > PFGE (28 types, D = 0.512) > phage typing (13 types, D = 0.438). As PFGE patterns, phage type and plasmid profile were combined for subtyping, the 187 strains could be grouped into 46 subtypes and the discriminatory index was raised to 0.795. For these 46 subtypes, the predominant one was X3S3N3/P1/PT4, which contained 77 (41%) isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the Salmonella Enteritidis strains from sporadic cases were with pattern X3S3N3. They were the prevalent and may be the epidemic strains found in Taiwan during 1991-2002. The present study suggested that the several variants were derived from a single clonal line and the genome for strains of Salmonella Enteritidis are highly conserved over a 13-year period (1991-2002). SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results obtained here are useful for epidemiolgical study of salmonellosis caused by Salmonella Enteritidis in Taiwan. Comparing the data of the present study with those obtained for strains from other countries, the major subtypes for Salmonella Enteritidis infection in the world can be elucidated.     

V(D)J recombination and the transgenic brain blues.

The existence of somatic, site-specific recombination in the central nervous system (CNS) has long been hypothesized but has been difficult to investigate experimentally. The finding that RAG-1, which is thought to encode a component of the site-specific recombination machinery of the immune system, is transcribed in the central nervous system (J.J.M. Chun et al., 1991, Cell 64:189-200), has renewed interest in this issue. Two groups (M. Kawaichi et al., 1991, J Biol Chem 266:18,376-18,394; M. Matsuoka et al., 1991, Science 254:81-86) have now reported the results of transgenic mouse experiments designed to determine whether cells of the CNS can perform a site-specific recombination reaction similar to that of lymphocytes. Despite extensive similarities in the design of the two experiments, they yielded discordant results and contradictory conclusions. An analysis of the two studies suggests some explanations for the discrepancies and leads us to two conclusions: first, that the CNS does not carry out the same somatic, site-specific recombination reaction as is found in the immune system and, second, that the question of whether other site-specific recombination processes occur in the brain remains open and largely unaddressed.     

Analysis of Salmonella enteritidis strains isolated from food-poisoning cases in Taiwan by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, plasmid profile and phage typing

AIMS: To establish the molecular typing data for Salmonella enteritidis due to its increasing role in Salmonella infections in Taiwan. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty-three Salm. enteritidis strains isolated from related and unrelated patients suffering from food-borne poisoning during 1991-97 were collected and subjected to pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), plasmid analysis and phage typing. For PFGE, XbaI, SpeI and NotI restriction enzymes were used for chromosomal DNA digestion. The results showed that, for these 63 Salmonella strains, 10 PFGE pattern combinations were found. Of these, pattern X3 S3 N3 was the major subtype, since 46 strains isolated from different locations at different times during 1991-97 showed this PFGE pattern. Plasmid analysis showed only three plasmid profiles and phage typing showed that most of the Salmonella strains were of the phage type PT4. CONCLUSION: Most of the Salm. enteritidis strains circulating in Taiwan are of very similar genetic types or are highly related and that strains of PFGE pattern X3 S3 N3 are the prevalent and recirculating strains of Salm. enteritidis which caused food-poisoning cases in Taiwan in 1991-97. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides information that in Salmonella infection, certain subtypes of Salm. enteritidis should be scrutinized.     

Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV-1 infection among homosexual men in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVE--To examine surveillance data for evidence of changing sexual behaviour and continuing transmission of HIV-1 among men who have sex with men. DESIGN--Analytic study of surveillance data on sexually transmitted diseases. SETTING--England and Wales. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Number of cases of rectal gonorrhoea and newly diagnosed HIV infection in homosexual men. RESULTS--New cases of gonorrhoea among men attending genitourinary medicine clinics increased by 7.7% in 1989 and by 4.2% in 1990. Reports of rectal isolates of Neisseria gonorrhoeae also rose and the male to female ratio for patients with rectal gonorrhoea changed from 0.3:1 during 1988-9 to 2.6:1 in 1990-1. Although the overall number of cases of acute hepatitis B fell during 1988-91, 81 and 82 homosexual men were infected in 1990 and 1991 respectively compared with 50 and 42 in 1988 and 1989. 1526 men had HIV-1 infection diagnosed in 1991, the largest number since 1987. Twenty eight of the 97 (29%) men who seroconverted between January 1989 and December 1991 were aged less than 25. The proportion of men aged 15-19 who were found to be infected with HIV-1 at their first test increased from an average of 2.4% up to 1990 to 4.7% in the first nine months of 1991. The prevalence of HIV infection in men under 25 attending genitourinary medicine clinics in London was 17% compared with 7.8% outside London. CONCLUSION--Unsafe sexual behaviour and HIV transmissions have increased among homosexual men after a period of decline. Recent HIV transmissions may disproportionately affect younger men.     

BOOK REVIEWS

Abstract. Barota, J. 1991. Tropical Forests: Some African and Asian Case Studies of Composition and Structure. xii + 274 pp. Elsevier Science Publishing, New York. ISBN 0-444-98768-1. Price: USD 120.-.     

The evolution of biogeochemistry: revisited

Biogeochemistry - The evolution of biogeochemistry, retraces the important historical steps in part, covered by Gorham (Biogeochemistry 13:199–239, 1991) in the 18–19th...     

Phosphate Deficiency in Maize. II. Enzyme Activities

Low-phosphate (P) treatment decreased photosynthetic rates ofmaize plants (Zea mays L.) by about 50% 18 to 19 days afterplanting [Usuda and Shimogawara (1991) Plant Cell Physiol. 32:497]. Low-P treatment decreased the enzyme activities differentially(by 0-49%). The significance of the decreased activities ofpyruvate.Pj dikinase (by 29%), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase(by 49%), and ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (by 42%)in the detrimental effects of low-P treatments on the ratesof photosynthesis is discussed. (Received August 9, 1991; Accepted October 1, 1991)     

Recent trends in pediatric Haemophilus influenzae type B infections in Canada. Immunization Monitoring Program,Active (IMPACT) of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control.

OBJECTIVE: To describe changes in the number of cases of Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections among Canadian children before and after the introductory phases of Hib vaccination. DESIGN: Multicentre case series. SETTING: All 10 pediatric tertiary care centres across Canada participating in the Immunization Monitoring Program, Active (IMPACT) of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the Laboratory Centre for Disease control. PATIENTS: Children with a Hib infection admitted to any of the participating hospitals from 1985 to 1994. Annual case totals from 1985 to 1990 were determined from records of hospital laboratories or coded discharge diagnoses, or both. From 1991 to 1994 intensive case surveillance was conducted on the wards in addition to thorough record searches as above. OUTCOME MEASURES: Estimated annual case totals for 1985-90. For 1991-94 intensive surveillance for quarterly case totals, yearly age distribution of cases, and proportion of recent cases that represent vaccination failures or missed opportunities to prevent infection. RESULTS: The total number of Hib cases from 1985 to 1990 was 2095; from 1991 to 1994, there were 326 laboratory-confirmed cases and 15 probably cases supported by Hib antigen detection. The annual number of cases declined from an estimated 485 in 1985 to 24 in 1994, a decrease of 95.1%. The steepest interannual decrease (63.7%) occurred between 1992 and 1993, following the introduction of infant-based vaccination programs across Canada. The number of Hib cases involving children most at risk (those 6 to 18 months old) decreased from 78 in 1991 to 4 in 1994. Of the 24 cases in 1994, 6 were categorized as preventable, 1 was fatal, and 8 were vaccine failures (2 of which involved currently used vaccines). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Hib infections reported by the IMPACT centres has declined greatly since the introduction of vaccination programs. However, deaths and complications continue to occur, attesting to the need to vaccinate all eligible infants and children against this virulent pathogen.     

Books

Book reviewed in this article:
B eehler , B.M. 1991. A Naturalist in New Guinea
B erthold , P. 1990. Vogelzug: eine kurze. aktuelle Gesamtübersicht
B ezzel , E. & P rinzinger , R. 1990. Ornithologie
B ub , H. 1991. Bird Trapping and Bird Banding
B urger , J. (ed.). 1988
B urke , T., D olf , G., J effreys , A.J. & W olff , R. (eds) 1991. DNA Fingerprinting: approaches and applications
C roxall , J.P. (ed.). 1991. Seabird Status and Conservation: a supplement
E rard , C. 1990. Ecologie et Comportement de Gobe-mouches
G alati , R. 1991. Golden-crowned Kinglets, Treetop Nesters of the North Woods
J ohnsgard , P.A. 1988. North American Owls: biology and natural history
J ohnsgard , P.A. 1991. Bustards. Hemipodes, and Sandgrouse: birds of dry places
K uroda , N. 1990. The Jungle Crows of Tokyo
L ekagul , B. & R ound , P.D. 1991. Birds of Thailand
L loyd , C. T asker , M.L. & P artridge , K. 1991. The Status of Seabirds in Britain and Ireland
L örhl , H. 1991. Die Haubenmeise
L oye , J. E. & Z uk , M. (eds) 1991. Bird-Parasite Interactions: ecology, evolution and behaviour
M itchell , A. 1989. The Fragile South Pacific: an ecological odyssey
O lney , P.J.S. & E llis , P. (eds) 1990. International Zoo Yearbook 1989, Vol. 29
O wen , M. & B lack , J.M. 1990. Waterfowl Ecology
R oberts , T.J. 1991. The Birds of Pakistan. Vol. 1; Regional studies and non-passeriformes
S chonn S., S cherzinger W., E xo K-L. & I lle R. 1991. Der Steinkauz. Athene noctua. Pp. 235, 139 monochrome photographs, 28 tables & 2 colour plates
S ibley , C.C. & A hlquist , J.E. 1990. Phylogeny and Classification of Birds: a study in molecular evolution
S kutch , A.F. 1991. Life of the Pigeon
S troud , D. & G lue , D. 1991. Britain's Birds in 1989–90: The conservation and monitoring review
Y eatman -B ekthelot , D. 1991. Atlas des Oiseaux de France en Hiver.     

Books

A lstrom , P., C olston , P. & L ewington , I. 1991, A Field Guide to the Rare Birds of Britain and Europe
A mos , E.J.R. 1991. A Guide to The Birds of Bermuda
B enito -E spinal .E. 1990. OiseauxdesPetites Antilles. Birds of the West Indies
D owner , A. & S utton , R. 1990. Birds of Jamaica: Field guide
B irkhead , T.R. & M øller , A.P. 1992. Sperm Competition in Birds: Evolutionary causes and consequences
B rooke , M. & B irkhead , T. (eds) 1991. The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Ornithology
F orshaw J. (ed.) 1991. Encyclopedia of Animals: Birds
D eeming , D.C. & F erguson , M.W.J, (eds) 1991. Egg Incubation: its effects on embryonic development in birds and reptiles
D owner , A. & S utton , R. 1990. Birds of Jamaica: Field guide
F ehr , H. 1991. Die Vögel in Norden des Kreises Aachen
F inlayson , M. & M oser . M. (EDS) 1991. Wetlands
F orshaw . J. (ED) 1991. Encyclopedia of Animals: Birds
H epper . P.G. (ed.) 1991. Kin Recognition
H eches R.N. (ed.) 1990. Behavioural Mechanisms of Food Selection
J obling , J.A. 1991. A Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names
J ohnsgard , P. 1991 Crane Music. A natural history of American cranes
L ohmann , M. & R utschke , E. 1991. Vogelparadiese: 170 Biotope in Deutschland. Band 3: Ost- und Mitteldeutschland
L ongmore , W. 1991. Honeyeaters and their Allies of Australia
M aclean . G. L. 1990. Ornithology for Africa
Pinowski. J. K avanagh , B.P. & G orski . W. (eds) 1991. Nestling Mortality of Granivorous Birds due to Microorganisms and Toxic Substances
S ibley . C.G. & M onroe . B.L., Jr. 1990. Distribution and Taxonomy of Birds of the World
V oisin , C, 1991. The Herons of Europe     

Reviews

Balanced science 1 G. Jones, M. Jones, and P. Marchington. 286 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. £7.95. ISBN 0 521 35689 X Reviewed by Nigel Collins

The living world Nelson Balanced Science. M. Roberts. 260 pp. Walton-on-Thames, Surrey: Nelson, 1991. £8.50. ISBNO 17 438407 6 Reviewed by Ann Dolan

The physical world Nelson Balanced Science. Ken Dobson. 268 pp. Walton-on-Thames: Nelson, 1991. £8.75. ISBN 0 17 438409 2 Reviewed by Bob Fairbrother

Educating the inquiring mind: the challenge for school science G. Claxton. 154 pp. Hemel Hempstead, Herts: Prentice-Hall (for Harvester Wheatsheaf), 1991. £9.95. ISBNO 7450 0980 8 Reviewed by Angela Dixon

Key science 4: Book 1 E. Ramsden, J. Breithaupt, and D. Applin. 428 pp. Cheltenham, Glos: Stanley Thornes, 1991. £12.50. ISBNO 7487 0492 2 Reviewed by John Woodcock

Miracle or menace? Biotechnology and the Third World R. Walgate. 199 pp. London: The Panos Institute, 1990. £6.95. ISBN 1 870670 18 3 Reviewed by Sheila Turner

Genetic engineering N. Hawkes. 32 pp. London: Franklin Watts, 1991. £7.99. ISBN 0 7496 0411 5 Reviewed by Carolyn A. Mulley

Gene structure and expression 2nd edn. J. D. Hawkins. 216 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991. £35.00/£13.95. %64.50/%21.95. ISBNs 0 521 39230 6/39855 X Reviewed by C. D. Knight

Handling laboratory microorganisms C. Perm. 160 pp. Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire: Open University Press, 1990. £30.00/111.99. ISBNs 0 335 09204 7/09203 9 Reviewed by David Necklen

Molecular and cell biochemistry: biological molecules C. A. Smith and E. J. Wood. 205 pp. London: Chapman & Hall, 1991. £13.95. ISBN 0 412 40780 9 Reviewed by Janet Bennett

Principles of genetics 8th edn. E. J. Gardner, M. J. Simmons, and D. P. Snustad. 649 pp. Chichester, West Sussex: John Wiley, 1991. £21.50. ISBN 0 471 53397 1 Reviewed by E. T. Hitchen

Understanding the biochemistry of respiration D. C. James and G. S. Matthews. 90 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991. £5.75/111.95. ISBN 0 521 39993 9 Reviewed by Jan Dick

Focus on biology: micro-organisms in action P. Freeland. Ill pp. Sevenoaks, Kent: Hodder & Stoughton, 1991. £6.95. ISBN 0 340 53268 8 Reviewed by A. E. Flaherty

The practical ornithologist J. Gooders. 159 pp. Oxford: Facts on File, 1990. £12.95. ISBN 0 8160 2363 8 Reviewed by Chris Atkinson

British sawflies (Hymenoptera: Symphyta): a key to the adults of genera occurring in Britain A. Wright. 64 pp. Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury: Field Studies Council (AIDGAP), 1990. Reprinted from Field Studies, 7, 531-593. £4.25. ISBN 1 85153 203 X Reviewed by David Harding

Insects, plants and microclimate Naturalists' Handbooks 15. D. M. Unwin and S. A. Corbet. 68pp. Slough, Berkshire: Richmond Publishing Company, 1991. £13.00j£7.95. ISBNs 0 85546 280 9/279 5 Reviewed by David Harding

Mosquitoes Naturalists' Handbooks 14. K. R. Snow. 66 pp. Slough, Berkshire: Richmond Publishing Company, 1990. £13.00/£7.95. ISBNs 0 85546 276 0/275 2 Reviewed by David Harding

The illustrated field guide to ferns and allied plants of the British Isles C. Jermy and J. Camus. 208 pp. London: Natural History Museum Publications, 1991. £7.95. ISBN 0 565 01172 3 Reviewed by Pat Hill-Cottingham

Grassland education pack: a practical guide for teachers W. H. Dowdeswell. Devizes, Wiltshire: Wiltshire Trust for Nature Conservation, 1991. £5.50. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Soils in the urban environment Ed. P. Bullock and P. J. Gregory, for British Society of Soil Science/Nature Conservancy Council. 175 pp. Oxford: Blackwetl Scientific, 1991, £35.00. ISBN 0 632 02988 9 Reviewed by Monica Hale

Soil types: a field identification guide S. Trudgill. 26 pp. Montford Bridge, Shrewsbury: Field Studies Council (AIDGAP), 1989. Reprinted from Field Studies, 1(2). £2.95. ISBN 1 85153 196 3 Reviewed by Mike Fullen

Tree disease concepts 2nd edn. P. D. Manion. 402 pp. Hemel Hempstead, Herts: Prentice-Hall, 1991. £51.35. ISBN 0 13 929423 6 Reviewed by James B. Heale

Pesticides and food Ed. P. Robinson. 23 pp. Cambridge: Hobsons, 1991. £7.95. ISBN 1 85324 473 2 Reviewed by John A. Barker

Deep-sea biology: a natural history of organisms at the deep-sea floor J. D. Gage and P. A. Tyler. 504 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991. £80.00/$135.00. ISBN 0 521 33431 4 Reviewed by Stewart M. Evans

BP statistical review of World energy BP Corporate Communications Services. 37 pp. London: BP, 1991. One copy per school free; for multiple copies contact BP Educational Service (tel: 0420 22638). Discounted charge to UK schools £4. Orders to BP Education, PO Box 30, Blacknest Rd, Alton, GU34 4PX Reviewed by Jonathan Cowie

The biology of bacteria An 18-minute colour video (VHS) produced by Biomedia Associates. Available from Viewtech Film & Video, 161 Winchester Road, Brislington, Bristol BS24 3NJ. (Tel. 0272-773422/717030; fax. 0272-724292.) Purchase price £49.00 plus VAT and p & p; 2-day hire charge £16.50 Reviewed by Alan Morris

The biology of fungi A 17-minute colour video (VHS) produced by Biomedia Associates. Available from Viewtech Film & Video, 161 Winchester Road, Brislington, Bristol BS24 3NJ. (Tel. 0272-773422/717030; fax. 0272-724292.) Purchase price £49.00 plus VAT and p & p. 2-day hire charge £16.50 Reviewed by Adrian Twiner

Food manufacturing—£40 billion on a plate A 23-minute video and an accompanying 100-page A4 booklet. Available from the Food and Drink Federation, 6 Catherine Street, London WC2B 5JJ. (Tel. 071-836 2460; fax. 071-836 0580.) Prices: video only £20.00; video and teacher's notes £35.00 (prices inclusive of VAT and p & p) Reviewed by Paula Williams

Caring for your new puppy A 39-minute video and a 16-page handbook. Produced by and available from The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 OTV. (Tel. 071-387 2898; fax. 071-388 2342.) Price £19.90 inc. p & p Reviewed by Heather Murray

Saving the seas 60 plastic-mounted slides with teacher's notes. Produced by the International Centre for Conservation Education in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society. Available from ICCE, Greenfield House, Guiting Power, Cheltenham, Glos GL54 5TZ. (Tel. 0451-850777; fax. 0451 850705.) Price £15.95 plus VAT and p & p Reviewed by Sarah McKenzie

The human body-the skeleton A chart, 70 cm x 100 cm. Produced by and available from Pictorial Charts Educational Trust, 27 Kirchen Road, London W13 OUD. (Tel. 081-567 9206/5343.) Ref. T49. Price £6.00 plus VAT Reviewed by Dave Dennis

The human body-blood circulation A chart, 76 cm x 100 cm. Produced by and available from Pictorial Charts Educational Trust, 27 Kirchen Road, London W13 OUD. (Tel. 081-567 9206/5343.) Ref. T51. Price £6.00 plus VAT Reviewed by Dave Dennis

The human body Habitats Two packs of charts, each consisting of six A2-size full-colour posters with a 12-page teacher's booklet. Available from Scholastic Publications, Westfield Road, Southam, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV33 OJH. (Tel. 0926 813910.) Price per pack £7.95 inc. p & p Reviewed by Heather Murray

Blood—an interactive computer simulation of the laboratory determination of red blood cell indices and blood groups A computer-assisted learning program written by David Dewhurst and Alan Williams. Available from Sheffield BioScience Programs, II Robinson Drive, H arrogate HG2 9DJ. (Tel. 0423-520495.) Prices: BBC BjMaster (40 or 80 track disk) £50 (multi-user), £20.70 (single user; backup copies £7.00); Nimbus PC 186 £29.95 (single user), £49.95 (multi-user) Reviewed by Barry Meatyard

Nemesis desktop molecular modelling program Program supplied on two 3½″ 800K disks for Apple Macintosh computers. Minimum configuration for running Nemesis: Macintosh LC, 4Mb RAM, 12″ monochrome display, hard disk, maths coprocessor (MC68882 FPU adaptor card) and system 6.0 O/S (or above). Recommended configuration: Macintosh Ilci, 4Mb RAM, 13″ RGB colour display, hard disk and system 6.0 O/S (or above). Produced by and available from Oxford Molecular Ltd, Terrapin House, South Parks Road, Oxford OXl 3UB. (Tel. 0865-272940.) Price £250 plus VAT Reviewed by Andrew Powell

Desktop molecular modeller schools version Program written by M. J. C. Crabbe and J. R. Appleyard. Supplied on one 3½″ 720K or two 5¼″ 360K disks for IBM-compatible MS-DOS PC with 512K RAM minimum; DOS version 2.0 or higher: single or twin floppy disk drive, or hard disk; almost any graphics adaptor (including IBM CGA, EGA, VGA or Hercules Graphics card). The program will also run on RM Nimbus machines in full IBM mode and on Acorn Achimedes A3000 under PC emulation. Price £100 plus VAT (this includes the use of the program within a single school on multiple machines). Available from Oxford University Press, Walton Street, Oxford OX2 Reviewed by Andrew Powell     

Variation of the epifauna on pier-pilings between 1980 and 1992 near the city of Tromsø, Northern Norway

The epifaunas of pier-pilings at six localities were investigated during two periods: 1980 and 1991-1992. The sampling stations were spatially distributed to determine if there were qualitative and/or quantitative differences between the fauna near the city of Tromsø and that closer to the open ocean. The results from both periods suggest that organic effluents from the urbanised areas of Tromsø have moderate and local effects on the fauna. Additionally, large increases, both in the number of taxa and the abundance of conspicuous organisms, took place from 1980 to 1991/1992. Possible reasons for these temporal changes are discussed.     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article:
The Plant Finder (6th Edition - April 1992)
Phytogeny, Ecology and Behaviour. A Research Program in Comparative Biology, D.R.Brooks and D.A.McLennan. 1991