The Third Annual Symposium on Health Sciences attracted over 400 scientists from 15 countries. It was held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. The theme of this meeting was "Thymic Hormones and Lymphokines: Basic Chem istry and Clinical Applications." The meeting emphasized the state of the art with regard to chemistry, mech anism of action, and clinical applications of thymic hormones and lymphokines. In addition to the five sessions, the chairmen of each session were asked to prepare a synthesis and overview of each of the sessions. Some of the chairmen used this time to summarize the new material presented while others addressed important areas of conflict and terminology. The chairmen of the plenary sessions prepared short summary papers which have been incorporated into this volume at the end of each major section. We also invited several of the scientists who took part in the poster presentations to submit short papers. In addition to the scientific sessions, there were two awards and lectures. One, the Abraham White Distinguished Science Award, was given to Dr. Robert C. Gallo, who gave the keynote lecture. He was recognized for his pioneering research and scientific contributions to our understanding of the regulation of hematopoietic cell differentiation and the role of viruses in the development of human leukemias.

This important new text covers a wide area of thymology in both the theoretical and practical aspects. In view of current information, a crucial role of endocrine thymus is presented in the creation, maintenance, and senescence of neuro-endocrine-immune homeostasis. In particular, mechanisms are described (which are basically responsible for the T cell maturation and selection) for the hierarchic organization of the immune system and its thymic dependent immune competence in terms of tolerance and immunity. A detailed presentation of the structure and biological properties of a number of well-defined thymic hormones is included. Their clinical applications and results obtained in inherited or acquired immunodeficiencies and in neoplasmic diseases are also reviewed on the grounds of numerous representative clinical trials. A perspective and potential scope of immunorestorative therapy and prevention with thymic hormones and other thymomimetic drugs are outlined. Researchers, practitioners, and students will find this book to be a useful and essential source of information.

Hormones provides a comprehensive treatment of human hormones viewed in the light of modern theories of hormone action and in the context of current understanding of subcellular and cellular architecture and classical organ physiology. The book begins with discussions of the first principles of hormone action and the seven classes of steroid hormones and their chemistry, biosynthesis, and metabolism. These are followed by separate chapters that address either a classical endocrine system, e.g., hypothalamic hormones, posterior pituitary hormones, anterior pituitary hormones, ,thyroid hormones, pancreatic hormones, gastrointestinal hormones, calcium regulating hormones, adrenal corticoids, hormones of the adrenal medulla, androgens, estrogens and progestins, and pregnancy and lactation hormones; or newer domains of hormone action which are essential to a comprehensive understanding of hormone action, including prostaglandins, thymus hormones, and pineal hormones. The book concludes with a presentation of hormones of the future, i.e., cell growth factors. This book is intended for use by first-year medical students, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in the biological sciences. It is also hoped that this book will fill the void that exists for resource materials for teaching cellular and molecular endocrinology and that it will be employed as an equal partner with most standard biochemistry textbooks to provide a comprehensive and balanced coverage of this realm of biology.

This book contains two personal reminiscences of historical importance to research on stress and infectious disease. It deals with perspectives on immunity, aging, and disease and the prospects for immunorestoration in the treatment of immunodeficiency arising from aging and stress.

Some investigators have hypothesized that estrogens and other hormonally active agents found in the environment might be involved in breast cancer increases and sperm count declines in humans as well as deformities and reproductive problems seen in wildlife. This book looks in detail at the science behind the ominous prospect of "estrogen mimics" threatening health and well-being, from the level of ecosystems and populations to individual people and animals. The committee identifies research needs and offers specific recommendations to decision-makers. This authoritative volume: Critically evaluates the literature on hormonally active agents in the environment and identifies known and suspected toxicologic mechanisms and effects of fish, wildlife, and humans. Examines whether and how exposure to hormonally active agents occursâ€"in diet, in pharmaceuticals, from industrial releases into the environmentâ€"and why the debate centers on estrogens. Identifies significant uncertainties, limitations of knowledge, and weaknesses in the scientific literature. The book presents a wealth of information and investigates a wide range of examples across the spectrum of life that might be related to these agents.

Recent Progress in Hormone Research, Volume 37 presents the proceedings of the 1980 Laurentian Hormone Conference held in Mont Tremblant Lodge on August 24-29, 1980. The book discusses the role of gonadal steroids in sexual differentiation; the regulation and function of the primate fetal adrenal gland and gonad; and an update of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The text also describes the regulation of the mammalian corpus luteum; the mechanism of calcium action and release of vesicle-bound hormones during exocytosis; and the properties, intracellular localization, and multiple roles of calmodulin in cell regulation. The status of thymosin and other hormones of the thymus gland; the biosynthesis and mechanism of action of the nerve growth factor; and immunochemical studies relating to cholecystokinin in the brain and gut are also considered. The book further tackles the mechanism of insulin action; the intracellular receptors and internalization of polypeptide hormones; and studies on the structure and function of the chicken progesterone receptor. The text also looks into the role of guanine nucleotides in the regulation of adenylate cyclase activity; the nephrogenous cyclic AMP; and the neuroendocrine control of the menstrual cycle. Endocrinologists, physiologists, and biochemists will find the book invaluable.

The Evolution of Protein Structure and Function documents the proceedings of the symposium ""Evolution of Protein Structure and Function"" held at the Dickson Art Auditorium, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), 28-29 June 1979. Its objective was to honor Professor Emil L. Smith on the occasion of his retirement as Professor and Chairman, Department of Biological Chemistry, School of Medicine, UCLA. The papers presented by Emil's colleagues, friends, and students from all phases of his long and varied scientific career provided a valuable review of enzymology, protein chemistry, and biochemical evolution. The volume contains 16 chapters is organized into three parts. Part I contains papers on enyzmology, including the role of the recA protein of Escherichia coli in general recombination; the evolution of enzyme families; and studies on metalloenzymes. Part II takes up protein structure and function. It includes papers on glycoprotein hormones, thymus hormones, chromosome biology and chemistry, and the evolution of histones. Part III examines the evolution of proteins, including the evolution of cythochrome c and evolution of phycobilisome of cyanobacteria and red algae.

"Thymus Update 4" details the sensitivity of the thymus to xenobiotics and their effects on thymocyte development and maturation. It highlights the importance of immunological testing of all envoronmental toxins, such as dioxin, tin compounds and caramel additives, and drugs, such as immunosuppressives, antiviral agents and antihypertensive agents. The effects of trauma are also considered. Part two covers a subject of topical importance: an update on procedures for vascular transplantation of the thymus.