Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Wiese , K., F. G. Gribakin , A. V. Popov & G. Renninger (eds) 1993: Sensory systems of arthropods. Advances in life sciences. Bubenik , G. A. & A. B. Bubenik, eds 1990: Horns, pronghorns, and antlers. Evolution, morphology, physiology, and social significance.     

Immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of melatonin in the pineal gland,the retina and the Harderian gland

Summary The presence of melatonin is demonstrated in the pineal gland, the retina and the Harderian gland in some mammalian and non-mammalian vertebrates, using a specific fluorescence labelled antibody technique. Four different potent antibodies against melatonin have been used and compared. In the pineal gland of hamsters, mice, rats and snakes, specific fluorescence, mostly restricted to the cytoplasm of the cells, is detected in pinealocytes. Fluorescence is also detected in the pineal organ of fishes, tortoises and lizards, but it has not been possible, from cryostat sections of fresh tissue, to assert which kind of cell is reacting (photoreceptor cells or interstitial ependymal cells). In the retina, fluorescence is almost exclusively restricted to the outer nuclear layer. In the Harderian gland of mammals and reptiles, fluorescence is localized in the secretory cells of the alveoli and mostly restricted to the cytoplasm surrounding the nucleus. These results are discussed in relation to the concept of melatonin synthesis at extrapineal sites independent of pineal production.Parts of this work have been presented in the Xth Conference of Comparative Endocrinologists, Sorrento, May 20–25, 1979 (Vivien-Roels and Dubois 1980) and the VIth International Congress of Endocrinology, Melbourne, February 10–16, 1980 (Vivien-Roels et al. 1980)The author wishes to thank Professor Lutz Vollrath who has accepted her in his laboratory for a short period, Doctor George M. Bubenik for his suggestions and critical remarks, Dr. L.J. Grota for producing the melatonin diazobenzoic acid-BSA and Dr. Castro for preparing one of the melatonin derivates     

Apo A5 −1131T/C, FgB −455G/A, −148C/T, and CETP TaqIB gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis of 15,055 subjects

The Apolipoprotein A5 (APO A5) ?1131T/C, fibrinogen β (FgB) ?455G/A, ?148C/T, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB gene polymorphisms have been indicated to be associated with the coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, but the individual study results are still inconsistent. To explore the relationship between APO A5 ?1131T/C, FgB ?455G/A, ?148C/T, and CETP TaqIB gene polymorphisms and CAD in the Chinese population, the current meta-analysis involving 15,055 subjects from 40 individual studies was conducted. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between APO A5 ?1131T/C, FgB ?455G/A, ?148C/T, and CETP TaqIB gene polymorphisms and CAD and its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were evaluated by random or fixed effect model. A significant association between APO A5 ?1131T/C gene polymorphism and CAD in the Chinese population was found under an allelic (OR: 1.33, 95 % CI: 1.22–1.44, P < 0.00001), recessive (OR: 1.67, 95 % CI: 1.25–2.25, P = 0.0006), dominant (OR: 0.820, 95 % CI: 0.767–0.876, P = 1.0 × 10^?10), homozygous (OR: 2.36, 95 % CI: 1.55–3.58, P < 0.0001) and heterozygous genetic models (OR: 1.136, 95 % CI:1.075–1.200, P = 1.0 × 10^?10). A significant association between FgB ?455G/A gene polymorphism and CAD was also detected in the Chinese population under an allelic (OR: 1.50, 95 % CI: 1.25–1.81, P < 0.0001), dominant (OR: 0.864, 95 % CI: 0.819–0.912, P = 1.0 × 10^?10), homozygous (OR: 1.616, 95 % CI: 1.213–2.152, P = 0.001) and heterozygous genetic models (OR: 1.245, 95 % CI:1.138–1.361, P = 1.0 × 10^?10). No significant association was found between them under a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.124, 95 % CI: 0.844–1.497, P = 0.424). A significant association was also found between FgB ?148C/T gene polymorphism and CAD in the Chinese population under an allelic (OR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.06–1.71, P = 0.02), recessive (OR: 1. 65, 95 % CI: 1.02–2.69, P = 0.04), dominant (OR: 0.924, 95 % CI: 0.872–0.978, P = 0.007) and homozygous genetic models (OR: 0.968, 95 % CI: 0.942–0.995, P = 0.018). No significant association was found between them under a heterozygous genetic model (OR: 0.979, 95 % CI: 0.937–1.023, P = 0.342). In the whole Chinese population, no significant association between the CETP TaqIB gene polymorphism and CAD was found under an allelic (OR: 1.17, 95 % CI: 0.94–1.45, P = 0.15), dominant (OR: 1.46, 95 % CI: 0.80–2.67, P = 0.22) or recessive genetic models (OR: 0.68, 95 % CI: 0.32–1.44, P = 0.31). However, in the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity, there was a significant association between them under an allelic (OR: 1.27, 95 % CI: 1.07–1.52, P = 0.007) and dominant genetic model (OR: 2.04, 95 % CI: 1.49–2.79, P < 0.00001) in the Han subgroup. In the Chinese population, the APO A5 ?1131T/C and FgB ?455G/A, ?148C/T gene polymorphisms were implied to be associated with CAD susceptibility. The APO A5 ?1131C, FgB ?455A, and ?148T alleles might confer susceptibility to CAD. CETP TaqIB gene polymorphism was suggested to be associated with CAD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Carriers with B1 allele of CETP TaqIB gene might be predisposed to CAD in the Chinese Han population.     

Effect of treatment of cow’s urine “Gomutra” and antioxidants in alleviating the lindane-induced oxidative stress in kidney of Swiss mice (Mus musculus)

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of cow urine and combination of antioxidants against lindane induced oxidative stress in Swiss mice. Male healthy mice, 8–10 weeks old, weighing 30 ± 5 g were randomly selected and divided into eight groups, namely, control (C); lindane (L); antioxidant (A), antioxidant+lindane (A+L), cow urine (U), cow urine+lindane (U+L), cow urine+antioxidants (U+A) and cow urine+antioxidants+lindane (U+A+L). Group C animals were administered only the vehicle (olive oil); doses selected for other treatments were: lindane: 40 mg/kg b.w.; antioxidants: 125 mg/kg b.w. (vitamin C: 50 mg/kg b.w., vitamin E: 50 mg/kg b.w., α-lipoic acid: 25 mg/kg b.w.) and cow urine: 0.25 ml/kg b.w. In group A+L and U+L antioxidants and cow urine were administered 1 h prior to lindane administration and in group U+A and U+A+L cow urine was administered 10 min before antioxidants. All treatments were administered orally continuously for 60 days. Lindane treated group showed increased lipid peroxidation, whereas glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, protein and endogenous levels of vitamin C and E were significantly decreased compared to control. Administration of cow urine and antioxidants alleviated the levels of these biochemical parameters.     

Detección y seguimiento de malos tratos en personas mayores en un hospital terciario: experiencia de 3 años

Objectives

The Hospital Clínico San Carlos Committee against violence established a protocol in 2012 in order to detect and follow-up violence against elderly persons. This article presents the experience after 3 years of its introduction, as well as an analysis comparing the differences between those younger and older than 65 years of age.

cAMP Phosphodiesterase Activity Evaluation in Human Carcinoma of Salivary Glands

The aim of this study was to evaluate differences of cAMP-PDE activity in human salivary glands, between a control group and some different benign tumours groups and, where present, with 2 malignant tumors groups. The value of the enzymatic activity in the groups analysed was 50% lower than control samples. The differences between the control group (82 ± 7.9 nmols/mg of protein) and the 3 pathologic groups (Benign A: 44 ± 6.2; Malignant A: 40 ± 16; Benign B: 40 ± 14.2; Malign A: 9.1; Benign C: 22 nmols/mg of protein) are statistically significant.     

Molecular Composition and Extinction Coefficient of Native Botulinum Neurotoxin Complex Produced by Clostridium botulinum Hall A Strain

Seven distinct strains of Clostridium botulinum (type A to G) each produce a stable complex of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) along with neurotoxin-associated proteins (NAPs). Type A botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT/A) is produced with a group of NAPs and is commercially available for the treatment of numerous neuromuscular disorders and cosmetic purposes. Previous studies have indicated that BoNT/A complex composition is specific to the strain, the method of growth and the method of purification; consequently, any variation in composition of NAPs could have significant implications to the effectiveness of BoNT based therapeutics. In this study, a standard analytical technique using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) and densitometry analysis was developed to accurately analyze BoNT/A complex from C. botulinum type A Hall strain. Using 3 batches of BoNT/A complex the molar ratio was determined as neurotoxin binding protein (NBP, 124 kDa), heavy chain (HC, 90 kDa), light chain (LC, 53 kDa), NAP-53 (50 kDa), NAP-33 (36 kDa), NAP-22 (24 kDa), NAP-17 (17 kDa) 1:1:1:2:3:2:2. With Bradford, Lowry, bicinchoninic acid (BCA) and spectroscopic protein estimation methods, the extinction coefficient of BoNT/A complex was determined as 1.54 ± 0.26 (mg/mL)^?1cm^?1. These findings of a reproducible BoNT/A complex composition will aid in understanding the molecular structure and function of BoNT/A and NAPs.     

A meta-analysis of the association of glutathione S-transferase P1 gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of breast cancer

Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) is one of the important mutant sites for the cancer risk at present. The conclusions of the published reports on the relationship between GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer are still debated. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GSTP1 and the risk of breast cancer. The association reports were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. 35 investigations were included into this meta-analysis for the association of GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility, consisting of 40,347 subjects (18,665 patients with breast cancer and 21,682 controls). The association between GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and breast cancer risk was not found for overall population, Caucasians and Africans. Interestingly, the GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility of breast cancer in Asians (G allele: OR = 1.10, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.17, P = 0.001; GG genotype: OR = 1.36, 95 % CI: 1.14–1.62, P = 0.0008; AA genotype: OR = 0.92, 95 % CI: 0.85–0.98, P = 0.02). Furthermore, the GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism was associated with the susceptibility of breast cancer for the analysis of the controls from hospital. In conclusion, GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism is associated with the breast cancer susceptibility in Asians. However, more studies on the relationship between GSTP1 A/G gene polymorphism and the risk of breast cancer should be performed in further.     

Association between the CYP1A2-164 A/C polymorphism and colorectal cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis

To date, epidemiological studies have assessed the association between CYP1A2-164 A/C polymorphism and colorectal cancer susceptibility. However, the results of these studies remained controversial. We aimed to examine the associations by conducting a meta-analysis of case–control studies. A total of 11 studies including 5,093 cases and 5,941 controls evaluated the association between the CYP1A2-164 A/C polymorphism and colorectal cancer susceptibility. No significantly associations were found in all genetic models (CC vs. AA: OR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 0.93–1.40; AC vs. AA: OR = 1.05, 95 % CI = 0.91–1.20; dominant model: OR = 1.08, 95 % CI = 0.95–1.24; recessive model: OR = 1.10, 95 % CI = 0.95–1.28). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity or source of controls, there were still no significant associations detected in all genetic models. This meta-analysis suggested the CYP1A2-164 A/C polymorphism was not a risk factor for increasing colorectal cancer, further large and well-designed studies are needed to confirm these conclusions.     

Quantitative analysis of the association between interleukin-10 1082A/G polymorphism and susceptibility to sepsis

There are some epidemiological studies investigating the association between interleukin-10 (IL-10) 1082A/G polymorphism and sepsis susceptibility reporting conflicting findings. Our work tried to further quantitatively assess the association of the IL-10 1082A/G polymorphism with sepsis susceptibility through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of eleven studies with 2,528 subjects were finally included into the meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) were calculated with random-effects model or fixed-effects model based on the heterogeneity among the included studies. Meta-analysis of all 11 studies showed that there was an obvious association between IL-10 1082A/G polymorphism and sepsis susceptibility under the allele comparison model (G vs A) and the codominant model (GG vs AA) (for G vs A: OR = 0.83, 95 % CI 0.72–0.96, P = 0.011; for GG vs AA: OR = 0.67, 95 % CI 0.47–0.96, P = 0.029). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity showed that there was an obvious association between IL-10-1082A/G polymorphism and sepsis susceptibility in Asians under three comparison models (for G vs A: OR = 0.75, 95 % CI 0.62–0.91, P = 0.004; for GG vs AA: OR = 0.39, 95 % CI 0.21–0.73, P = 0.003; for GG vs AA/AG: OR = 0.36, 95 % CI 0.14–0.92, P = 0.032), but there was no similar association in Caucasians under all four comparison models. Our meta-analysis reveals that the IL-10-1082A/G polymorphism has an association with the susceptibility to sepsis in Asian populations. Further studies are needed to investigate the effect of IL-10-1082A/G polymorphism on sepsis susceptibility in Caucasians.     

Tumor-targeting Salmonella typhimurium A1-R combined with recombinant methioninase and cisplatinum eradicates an osteosarcoma cisplatinum-resistant lung metastasis in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) mouse model: decoy,trap and kill chemotherapy moves toward the clinic

In the present study, a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model of recurrent cisplatinum (CDDP)-resistant metastatic osteosarcoma was treated with Salmonella typhimurium A1-R (S. typhimurium A1-R), which decoys chemoresistant quiescent cancer cells to cycle, and recombinant methioninase (rMETase), which selectively traps cancer cells in late S/G₂, and chemotherapy. The PDOX models were randomized into the following groups 14 days after implantation: G1, control without treatment; G2, CDDP (6 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, weekly, for 2 weeks); G3, rMETase (100 unit/mouse, i.p., daily, for 2 weeks). G4, S. typhimurium A1-R (5 × 10⁷ CFU/100 μl, i.v., weekly, for 2 weeks); G5, S. typhimurium A1-R (5 × 10⁷ CFU/100 μl, i.v., weekly, for 2 weeks) combined with rMETase (100 unit/mouse, i.p., daily, for 2 weeks); G6, S. typhimurium A1-R (5 × 10⁷ CFU/100 μl, i.v., weekly, for 2 weeks) combined with rMETase (100 unit/mouse, i.p., daily, for 2 weeks) and CDDP (6 mg/kg, i.p. injection, weekly, for 2 weeks). On day 14 after initiation, all treatments except CDDP alone, significantly inhibited tumor growth compared to untreated control: (CDDP: p = 0.586; rMETase: p = 0.002; S. typhimurium A1-R: p = 0.002; S. typhimurium A1-R combined with rMETase: p = 0.0004; rMETase combined with both S. typhimurium A1-R and CDDP: p = 0.0001). The decoy, trap and kill combination of S. typhimurium A1-R, rMETase and CDDP was the most effective of all therapies and was able to eradicate the metastatic osteosarcoma PDOX.     

An Approach to the Development of Field Studies in Urban Areas

Integrated Science—The Wreake Valley Project D. TINBERGEN and P. THORBURN (Eds) Book 1, 120 pp., illustrated. £1.50. Book 2, 104 pp., illustrated. £1.75. Book 3, 136 pp., illustrated. £2.25. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. Reviewed by John May

Stirling Educational Monographs No. 1. Attitude Goals in Secondary School Science S. BROWN 77 pp. University of Stirling. 1976. £1.75. Reviewed by Clive Carré and Henry Crowther

No. 2. Innovations in Integrated Science in Scottish Secondary Schools S. BROWN, D. McINTYRE, E. DREVER and J. KERI DAVIES 89 pp. University of Stirling, 1976. £1.00. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

Outline Studies in Biology 64 pp. each, illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1976. £1.30 each. Biological Energy Conservation C. W. JONES Control of Enzyme Activity P. COHEN Metabolic Regulation R. M. DENTON and C. I. POGSON Reviewed by John H. Duffus

Population Genetics L. M. COOK Reviewed by T. J. Crawford

Cytogenetics of Man and other Animals A. McDERMOTT Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

RNA Biosynthesis R. H. BURDON Protein Biosynthesis A. E. SMITH Reviewed by C. M. Bray

Basic Biology Course Books 3, 5, 8, and 9 London: Cambridge University Press, 1976.

Book 3 Dynamic Aspects of Cells M. A. TRIBE, I. TALLAN, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 119 pp., illustrated. £6.20 boards, £2.90 paper.

Book 5 Cell Membranes M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 79 pp., illustrated. £5.00 boards, £2.50 paper. Super 8 mm film loop (Phagocytosis) £8.00.

Book 8 Metabolism and Mitochondria M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 142 pp., illustrated. £8.00 boards, £3.50 paper. Filmstrip £3.50; cassette £3.80.

Book 9 Protein Synthesis M. A. TRIBE, I. TALLAN, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK 103 pp., illustrated. £6.00 boards, £2.75 paper. Reviewed by Colin Stoneman

Population Cytogenetics Studies in Biology, No. 70 B.JOHN 76 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £3.00 boards, £1.50 paper. Reviewed by J. A. Beardmore

Biology Colour Units Helpful and Harmful Organisms M. Sanderson Urban Ecology D. Gilman Co-ordination C. Morgan Movement D. Gray Each 24 pp, illustrated. London: Macdonald Educational, 1977. 75p each. Reviewed by John May

The Natural World : The Mitchell Beazley Joy of Knowledge Library J. MITCHELL (Ed.) 272 pp., illustrated. London: Mitchell Beazley, 1977. £12.50. Reviewed by P. J. Kelly

Human and Social Biology G. USHER 256 pp., illustrated. Plymouth, Devon: Macdonald and Evans, 1977. £1.95. Reviewed by A. Cornwell

Safeguards in the School Laboratory 28 pp., Hatfield, Herts: Association for Science Education, 1976. 35p. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

A First Science Dictionary D. J. LUCAS, H. I. JAMES, and O. J. SIMPSON 208 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £1.95. Reviewed by John Feltwell

Introduction to Genetics Third Edition D. G. MACKEAN 42 pp., illustrated. London: John Murray, 1977. £1.40. Reviewed by Tessa Carrick

The Wash water storage feasibility study: a report on the ecological studies 36 pp., illustrated. London: Natural Environment Research Council. Publication series C No. 15, 1976. Free. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Higher Education Film Library Catalogue BRITISH UNIVERSITIES FILM COUNCIL London: BUFC, 1977. £1.00. Reviewed by John A. Barker

Biology: Principles and Issues WILLIAM C. SCHEFLER 370pp., illustrated. London: Addison-Wesley, 1976. £9.10. Reviewed by H. W. Grenville

Guide to Living Mammals J. E. WEBB, J. A. WALLWORK, and J. H. ELGOOD 152 pp., illustrated. London: Macmillan, 1977. £2.95. Reviewed by H. V. Wyatt

Applied Medical Microbiology J. G. COLLEE 121 pp., illustrated. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1976. £2.80. Reviewed by G. E. Mathison

General Microbiology Fourth edition R. Y. STANIER, E. A. ADELBERG and J. L. INGRAHAM 871pp., illustrated. London: Macmillan, 1977. £15.00 boards, £7.95 paper. Reviewed by C. G. Gayford

Fundamentals of Mycology Second edition J. H. BURNETT 673 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £27.50. Reviewed by B. W. Bainbridge

Metals and Metabolism D. A. PHIPPS 134 pp., London: Oxford University Press (Clarendon), 1976. £5.00 boards, £2.50 paper. Reviewed by C. M. Bray

Biochemical Systems Analysis M. A. SAVAGEAU 379 pp., illustrated. London: Addison-Wesley, 1976. £21.20 boards, £13.20 paper. Reviewed by J. H. Parish

The Biochemistry of the Tissues Second edition P. BANKS, W. BARTLEY, and L. M. BIRT 493 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1976. £14.50 boards, £6.25 paper. Reviewed by John Feltwell

Genetics and Adaptation Studies in Biology, No. 69 E. B. FORD 58 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1976. £2.60 boards, £1.30 paper. Reviewed by R. A. E. Tilney-Bassett

The Comparative Endocrinology of the Invertebrates Second edition K. C. HIGHNAM and L. HILL 357 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1977. £16.00 boards, £8.50 paper. Reviewed by K. Simkiss

Muscles and Movement K. M. BACKHOUSE 48 pp., illustrated. London: Hart Davis, 1976. £1.75. Reviewed by Jackie Hardie

Herbicides: Physiology, Biochemistry, Ecology, Vol. 2 Second edition L. J. AUDUS (Ed.) 564 pp., illustrated. London: Academic Press, 1976. £17.50. Reviewed by Donald S. H. Drennan

Introduction to Ecology R. DAJOZ Translated by A. SOUTH 416 pp., Sevenoaks, Kent : Hodder and Stoughton, 1977. £7.50 boards, £4.45 paper. Reviewed by D. M. Keith-Lucas

Human Sex and Sexuality E. B. STEEN and J. H. PRICE 338 pp., illustrated. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1977. £7.00. Reviewed by Donald Reid

Rabies : The Facts C. KAPLAN (Ed.) 116 pp., illustrated. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977. £1.95 (Also published in paperback by Corgi Books, London. 75p.) Reviewed by W. C. Noble

Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing E. C. BARRETT and L. F. CURTIS 336 pp., illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1976. £11.00 boards, £5.95 paper. Reviewed by Monical M. Cole

Light and Life L. O. BJÖRN 249 pp., illustrated. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1976. £3.45 boards, £1.75 paper. Reviewed by John Feltwell     

Association between the −1438G/A and T102C polymorphisms of 5-HT2A receptor gene and obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis

The serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor has been implicated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5-HT2A gene have been found in OSA, the most common being ?1438G/A and T102C; however, studies of the association between 5-HT2A SNPs and OSA risk have reported inconsistent findings. A meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively review the association between ?1438G/A and T102C SNPs and OSA. Five studies, including 791 subjects for ?1438G/A genotype and 1,068 subjects for T102C genotype, were selected. Pooled data analysis of the ?1438G/A genotype indicated a significantly increased OSA risk was associated with two variant genotypes (AA vs. AG+GG: OR 3.023, 95 % CI 2.169–4.213, P = 0.506 for heterogeneity; A allele carriers vs. GG: OR 1.938, 95 % CI 0.879–4.274, P = 0.012 for heterogeneity). Stratification analysis by gender supported the association in males, but not females. For the T102C genotype, no significantly increased OSA risk was associated with the two variant genotypes (CC vs. CT+TT: OR 1.065, 95 % CI 0.787–1.442, P = 0.361 for heterogeneity; C allele carriers vs. TT: OR 0.979, 95 % CI 0.737–1.3, P = 0.9 for heterogeneity).In conclusions, meta-analysis indicated that the ?1438G/A, and not T102C, polymorphism of 5-HT2A is a positive risk factor of OSA, especially in males.     

Meta-analysis on the association of nucleotide excision repair gene XPD A751C variant and cancer susceptibility among Indian population

Polymorphism A751C (A>C) in XPD gene has shown susceptibility to many cancers in Indian population; however the results of these studies are inconclusive. Thus, we performed this meta-analysis to estimate the association between XPD A751C polymorphism and overall cancer susceptibility. We quantitavely synthesized all published studies of the association between XPD A751C polymorphism and cancer risk. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % CI were estimated for allele contrast, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant and recessive genetic model. A total of thirteen studies including 3,599 controls and 3,087 cancer cases were identified and analyzed. Overall significant results were observed for C allele carrier (C vs. A: p = 0.001; OR 1.372, 95 % CI 1.172–1.605) variant homozygous (CC vs. AA: p = 0.001; OR 1.691, 95 % CI 1.280–2.233) and heterozygous (AC vs. AA: p = 0.001; OR 1.453, 95 % CI 1.215–1.737) genotypes. Similarly dominant (CC+AC vs. AA: p = 0.001; OR 1.512, 95 % CI 1.244–1.839) and recessive (CC vs. AA+AC: p = 0.001; OR 1.429, 95 % CI 1.151–1.774) genetic models also demonstrated risk of developing cancer. This meta-analysis suggested that XPD A751C polymorphism likely contribute to cancer susceptibility in Indian population. Further studies about gene–gene and gene–environment interactions are required.     

An Approach to Ecology Teaching at University Level

The Virus. A History of the Concept S. S. HUGHES 140 pp., illustrated. London: Heinemann Educational (New York: Science History Publications), 1977. £3.90. Reviewed by H. V. WYATT

Ecology and Archaeology Studies to Biology, No. 77 G. W. DIMBLEBY 55 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1977. £3.00 boards, £1.50 paper. Reviewed by CHARLES BRADY

Colonization of Industrial Wasteland Studies in Biology, No. 80 R. P. GEMMELL 75 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1977. £3.20 boards, £1.60. paper. Reviewed by JOHN M. AYERST

Energy and the Living Cell. An Introduction to Bioenergetics W. M. BECKER 346 pp., illustrated. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott (Oxford: Blackwell Scientific), 1977. £6.40. Reviewed by J. PREBBLE

Microbial and Molecular Genetics Second edition J. R. FINCHAM 150 pp. London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1976. £3.95 boards, £2.25 paper. Reviewed by J. H. CROFT

Genetics M. W. ROBERTS 90 pp., illustrated. Plymouth: Macdonald and Evans, 1977. £1.25. Reviewed by CECILY A. GALE

The Differentiation of Cells N. MACLEAN 216 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1977. £12.00 boards, £5.95 paper. Reviewed by K. R. TYLER

Mechanics of the Mind C. BLAKEMORE 208 pp., illustrated. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1977. £10.50 boards, £3.95 paper.Reviewed by O. LOWENSTEIN

The Pursuit of Nature. Informal Essays on the History of Physiology A. L. HODGKIN, A. F. HUXLEY, et al. 180 pp. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1977. £7.50. Reviewed by DIANA E. MANUEL

Signs of Life I. RIDPATH 190 pp., illustrated. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin, 1977. £1.25. Reviewed by O. LOWENSTEIN     

Some Aspects of the Ecology and Biology of Some Small Mammal Fleas from Yorkshire

The Invertebrates R. MCNEILL ALEXANDER 561 pp. London: Cambridge University Press, 1979. £28.00/£7.95. ISBNs 0 521 22120 X/29361 8 Reviewed by Andrew C. Campbell

Lecture Notes on Invertebrate Zoology Second edition M. S. LAVERACK and J. DANDO 194 pp. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1979. £5.50. ISBN 0 632 00325 1 Reviewed by Andrew C. Campbell

An Illustrated Guide to River Phytoplankton H. BELCHER and E. SWALE 64 pp. London: Institute of Terrestrial Ecology/HMSO, 1979. £1.50. ISBN 0 11 886602 8 Reviewed by J. W. G. Lund

The Cell as a Habitat 286 pp. London: The Royal Society, 1979. £8.50. ISBN 0 85403 113 8 H. V. Wyatt

Cell Motility Integrated Themes in Biology H. STEBBINGS and J. S. HYAMS 192 pp. Harlow, Essex: Longman, 1979. £4.95. ISBN 0 582 44380 6 Reviewed by K. R. Tyler

Concepts in Cell Biochemistry W. K. STEPHENSON 221 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1978. £5.00. ISBN 0 471 03390 1 Reviewed by D. A. Kennedy

The Kindly Fruits of the Earth G. E. HUTCHINSON 264 pp. London: Yale University Press, 1979. £13.35. ISBN 0 300 02272 7 Reviewed by W. H. Dowdeswell

Brain, Behaviour and Evolution D. A. OAKLEY and H. C. PLOTKIN (Ed.) 237 pp. Andover, Hants: Methuen, 1979. £9.00/£4.95. ISBNs 0 416 71260 6/71270 3 Reviewed by W. H. Dowdeswell

Introduction to Evolution F. A. RACLE 162 pp. Hemel Hempstead, Herts: Prentice/Hall, 1979. £5.80. ISBN 0 13 382869 0 Reviewed by J. A. Dawes

Tissues and Organs: a text-atlas of scanning electron microscopy R. G. KESSEL and R. H. KARDON 317 pp. San Francisco and Reading: W. H. Freeman, 1979. £18.90/£7.00. ISBNs 0 7167 0091 3/0090 5 Reviewed by A. W. Robards

The Cycling Female A. LEIN 135 pp. Reading: W. H. Freeman, 1979. £6.30/£2.90. ISBNs 0 7167 1039 0/1038 2 D. J. Reid

Ecology and Evolution of Animal Behaviour Second edition R. A. WALLACE 284 pp. Hemel Hempstead, Herts: Prentice/Hall, 1979. £7.10. ISBN 0 87620 272 5 Reviewed by Ursula Bowen

Man Against Disease MUIR GRAY 192 pp. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1979. £2.50. ISBN 0 19 289127 8 Reviewed by H. V. Wyatt

Pollen and Allergy Studies in Biology, No. 107 R. BRUCE KNOX 60 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.75. ISBN 0 7131 2736 8 Reviewed by D. Brookes

Principles of Animal Physiology Second edition J. A. WILSON 890pp. London: Collier Macmillan, 1979. £16.45. ISBN 0 02 428360 6 Reviewed by K. R. Tyler

Morphogenesis of the Vertebrates Fourth edition T. W. TORREY and A. FEDUCCIA 570 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1979. £11.60. ISBN 0 471 03232 8 Reviewed by F. E. G. Cox

Lizards—A Study in Thermoregulation Studies in Biology, No. 109 R. A. AVERY 56 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.80. ISBN 0 7131 2745 7 Reviewed by Gillian E. Standring

Life at High Altitude Studies in Biology, No. 112 D. HEATH and D. REID WILLIAMS 60 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.80. ISBN 0 7131 2754 6 Reviewed by C. G. Gayford

Seal Cull J. LISTER-KAYE 174 pp. Harmondsworth, Middx: Penguin Books, 1979. 95p. ISBN 0 14052 336 7 Seal Song B. DAVIES and E. PORTER 94 pp. Harmondsworth, Middx: Penguin Books, 1979. £2.50. ISBN 0 1400 4740 9 Reviewed by Ursula Bowen

Fieldwork Projects in Biology M. HINGLEY 170 pp. Poole, Dorset: Blandford Press, 1979. £4.95. ISBN 0 7137 0964 2 Reviewed by Malcolm Watson

Investigative Mycology R. F. SHARP 136 pp. London: Heinemann Educational, 1978. £5.00/£2.20. ISBNs 0 435 60750 2/60751 0 Reviewed by Avice M. Hall

Sexual Incompatibility in Plants Studies in Biology, No. 110 D. LEWIS 60 pp. London: Edward Arnold, 1979. £1.90. ISBN 0 7131 2747 3 Reviewed by David Skibinski

Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Soil Science R. E. WHITE 198 pp. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific, 1979. £8.50. ISBN 0 632 00052 X Reviewed by D. Payne

Bioscience Education in Developing Countries T. RAMASARMA et al. (Ed.) 230pp. Singapore: University of Singapore, 1979 $7.00 Reviewed by Colin Wood-Robinson

Ecology of African Mammals M. J. DELANY and D. C. D. HAPPOLD 434 pp. Harlow, Essex: Longman, 1979. £25.00. ISBN 0 582 44176 5 Reviewed by Colin Wood-Robinson

Modern Biology Made Simple R. BARRASS 304 pp. London: W. H. Allen, 1979. £3.50/£2.25. ISBNs 0491 02452 5/02462 2 Reviewed by John May

Life Science Physics J. W. KANE and M. M. STERNHELM 664 pp. Chichester, Sussex: John Wiley, 1978. £11.00. ISBN 0 471 03137 2 Reviewed by P. Burdett

Warwick Real Time Science Simulations Teacher's Handbook R. A. BEARE £3.00 Eleven biology booklets J. HEWITSON £1.00-1.75. Hatfield, Herts: Association for Science Education, 1978 Reviewed by M. E. Leveridge     

Association, interaction, and replication analysis of genes encoding serotonin transporter and 5-HT3 receptor subunits A and B in alcohol dependence

On the basis of the converging evidence showing regulation of drinking behavior by 5-HT_3AB receptors and the serotonin transporter, we hypothesized that the interactive effects of genetic variations in the genes HTR3A, HTR3B, and SLC6A4 confer greater susceptibility to alcohol dependence (AD) than do their effects individually. We examined the associations of AD with 22 SNPs across HTR3A, HTR3B, and two functional variants in SLC6A4 in 500 AD and 280 healthy control individuals of European descent. We found that the alleles of the low-frequency SNPs rs33940208:T in HTR3A and rs2276305:A in HTR3B were inversely and nominally significantly associated with AD with odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval of 0.212 and 0.073, 0.616 (P = 0.004) and 0.261 and 0.088, 0.777 (P = 0.016), respectively. Further, our gene-by-gene interaction analysis revealed that two four-variant models that differed by only one SNP carried a risk for AD (empirical P < 1 × 10^?6 for prediction accuracy of the two models based on 10⁶ permutations). Subsequent analysis of these two interaction models revealed an OR of 2.71 and 2.80, respectively, for AD (P < 0.001) in carriers of genotype combinations 5′-HTTLPR:LL/LS(SLC6A4)–rs1042173:TT/TG(SLC6A4)–rs1176744:AC(HTR3B)–rs3782025:AG(HTR3B) and 5′-HTTLPR:LL/LS(SLC6A4)–rs10160548:GT/TT(HTR3A)–rs1176744:AC(HTR3B)–rs3782025:AG(HTR3B). Combining all five genotypes resulted in an OR of 3.095 (P = 2.0 × 10^?4) for AD. Inspired by these findings, we conducted the analysis in an independent sample, OZ-ALC-GWAS (N = 6699), obtained from the NIH dbGAP database, which confirmed the findings, not only for all three risk genotype combinations (Z = 4.384, P = 1.0 × 10^?5; Z = 3.155, P = 1.6 × 10^?3; and Z = 3.389, P = 7.0 × 10^?4, respectively), but also protective effects for rs33940208:T (χ ² = 3.316, P = 0.0686) and rs2276305:A (χ ² = 7.224, P = 0.007). These findings reveal significant interactive effects among variants in SLC6A4–HTR3A–HTR3B affecting AD. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and characterize the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects.     

Equipment Reviews

Introduction to Biophysical Plant Physiology P. S. Nobel Pp. xii +488+66 figs. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman &; Co. 1974 $13.50. £7·0 Reviewed by D. O. Hall

Handbook of Micromethods for the Biological Sciences G. Keleti and W. H. Lederer Pp. xvi + 166 New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1974. £6·95 Reviewed by A. Darbre

Experimental Psychology: An Introduction for Biologists The Institute of Biology's Studies in Biology No. 47 MALCOLM JEEVES Pp. iv+59; no index. London: Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd., 1974. Hardback £1·70; paperback 85p Reviewed by F. Neil Johnson

Enzymes and Equilibria J. C. Marsden and C. F. Stoneman Pp. 116+58 figs. London: Heinemann Educational Books, 1974. £2·00 Reviewed by F. W. E. Diggins

Immunochemistry M. W. Steward Pp. 64+27 figs. + 16 tables. London: Chapman &; Hall Ltd. 1974. 95p Reviewed by J. L. Tring

Nature Reserves and Wildlife E. Duffey Pp. vii+130. London: Heinemann Educational Publications, 1974. £200 Reviewed by J. K. Barber

The Living Community Rosemary Kelsch Pp. 64+26 photographs and line drawings. Collier-Macmillan Science Studies, 1974. 75p. Reviewed by C. Greatrell

Biology, Man and Society Alan Cornwell Pp. 219. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill, 1974. £2·25 Reviewed by John Mattocks

A Programmed Approach to Human Genetics A. Vegotsky and C. A. White Pp. ix+154. USA: John Wiley &; Sons Inc., 1974. £1·80 Reviewed by G. W. Shaw

A Concise Human Biology and Hygiene P. M. Minett Pp. viii+160+84figs. London: Mills &; Boon, 1974. £1·20 Reviewed by J. W. Loryman

Biology of Sex Charlotte J. Avers Pp. xii+280+69 figs. New York: John Wiley, 1974. £3·80 Reviewed by Margarent Nanson

Small Mammals Pp. ix+59+22figs. 75p Animal Accommodation for Schools Pp. iv+44+29 figs. 60p J. D. Wray and J. F. Gaitens Schools Council Educational Use of Living Organisms Project London: English Universities Press, 1974 Reviewed by Colin Stoneman

Biology: An Environmental Approach—Teachers' Guide Adapted from Highschool Biology—Green Version by Perrot, Campbell and Hughesevans Pp. viii+216. London: John Murray Ltd., 1974. £1·75 Reviewed by Brian Jones

Biology, A Functional Approach, Students' Manual M. B. V. Roberts Pp. 450, about 400 illustrations. London: Nelson, 1974. £3·25 Reviewed by John H. Gray

Hulton Group Keys Ed. by Antony R. Kenney Amersham: Hulton Education Publications Ltd. 1974. £1·20 each Identification of the British Mollusca G. E. BEEDHAM Pp. 236+87 figs. Reviewed by A. South

Identification of Animal Parasites R. A. Avery Pp. 182+86 figs. Reviewed by F. E. G. Cox

Identification of the Larger Fungi Roy Watling Pp. 281 +81 figs. Reviewed by G. Ayerst

Vertebrate Structures and Functions Readings from Scientific American. Introduction by N. K. Wessells Pp. iv+440+figs. W. H. Freeman &; Company, 1974. £6·30 cloth, £3·30 paper Reviewed by G. E. Beedham

The Biology of Lichens M. E. Hale 2nd Edition, Pp. viii + 181+58 figs. + 16 monochrome plates. London: Edward Arnold, 1974. £5·50 (£2·75 paperback) Reviewed by D. J. Hill     

Evaluation of an Audio-visual Method of Learning Plant Anatomy

Combined Science 1 G. GREEN, K. PETFORD, A. SHORT and D.WALKER Pupils' book, 128 pp., illustrated, £1.25. Teachers' guide, 81 pp., illustrated, £1.95. London: John Murray, 1975. Reviewed by Stuart Newton

Pupils' Attitudes to Science: a review of research M. B. ORMEROD and D. DUCKWORTH 150 pp. Windsor: NFER Publishing Company, 1975. £3.50. Reviewed by Don Ryman

Pest Control and its Ecology Studies in Biology No. 50 H. F. VAN EMDEN 60 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1975. £1.90 boards, 95p paper. Reviewed by Colin Wood Robinson

Plant Cell Structure and Metabolism J. L. HALL, T. J. FLOWERS and R. M. ROBERTS 426 pp., illustrated. London: Longman, 1974. £4.95. Reviewed by J. H. Duffus

The Evolution of IBP E. B. WORTHINGTON (Ed.) 268 pp., illustrated. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1975. £10.50. Reviewed by A. D. Berrie

Biochemistry of Antimicrobial Action T. J. FRANKLIN and G. A. SNOW Second edition. 224 pp., illustrated. London: Chapman and Hall, 1975. £7.00 boards, £3.95 paper. Reviewed by A. I. Tiffin

Pollutants and Animals—a factual perspective F. MORIARTY 140 pp., illustrated. London: George Allen and Unwin, 1975. £5.65 Reviewed by Paul Rogers

Living Clocks in the Animal World M. F. BENNETT 221 pp., illustrated. Springfield, 111.: Charles C. Thomas, 1974. $11.75. Reviewed by R. P. Dales

Anatomy, Physiology and Hygiene J. K. RAEBURN and H. A. RAEBURN Fourth edition. 375 pp., illustrated. London: John Murray, 1975. £1.95. Reviewed by A. W. Le Serve

A Zoo in Your Room R. CARAS 96 pp., illustrated. London: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1975. £1.65. Reviewed by Richard Cansdale

Plant Cell Biology—An Ultrastructural Approach B. E. S. GUNNING and M. W. STEER 278 pp., illustrated. London: Edward Arnold, 1975. £2.75. Reviewed by John F. Duffus

Experimental Work in Biology No. 7: Respiration and Gaseous Exchange D. G. MACKEAN Reviewed by Cecily Gale

General Ecology—Biocenology-Hydrobiology Volume 1 L. I. DROZHILOVA (Ed.) 109 pp., illustrated. Boston, Mass.: G. K. Hall, 1974. $21.00. Reviewed by A. D. Berrie

Biochemistry LUBERT STRYER 877 pp., illustrated. San Francisco and Reading: W. H. Freeman, 1975. £9.40. Reviewed by J. H. Parish

Photosynthesis M. A. TRIBE, M. R. ERAUT and R. K. SNOOK Cambridge University Press     

Identification and production of a novel natural pigment, cordycepoid A, from Cordyceps bifusispora

A novel yellow pigment, cordycepoid A, was isolated and identified from the entomogenous fungi Cordyceps bifusispora. Cordycepoid A exhibited no significant toxicity against Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and mice, and showed high stability against food addictives, metal ions and heat. A liquid/solid double-phase cultural process for the production of the pigment was optimized as follows: 3 days aged liquid seed, 7.5 % inoculums, incubation temperature at 25 °C, 10 days of solid culture, and the last 5 days exposed to 200 Lx scattered light. The liquid seed medium and the solid culture medium were also optimized. Ethanol was selected as extracting solvent for its scale-up production. The optimal extracting conditions were determined as liquid/solid ratio at 20:1, extracting temperature at 40 °C, ultrasonic power at 400 W, and extracting time of 40 min.