Thirty years have elapsed since the first description by S. A. BERSON and R. S. Y ALOW of the basic principles of radioimmunoassay (RIA). During this period of time, RIA methodology has been instrumental to the growth of many areas of biomedical research, including endocrinology, oncology, hematology, and pharmacology. It has done so by providing a relatively simple universal tool allowing, for the first time, the detection of endogenous mediators that are present 12 10 in body fluids at concentrations as low as 10- _10- M. The fundamental nature of this discovery and the wide-ranging fall-out of basic and clinical knowledge derived from its application have been acknowledged by the many honors tributed to its pioneers, including the Nobel Prize awarded to Dr. Y ALOW 10 years ago. Although several excellent books have been published during the past decades covering various aspects of RIA methodology, we felt the need, as pharmacologists, for a comprehensive discussion of the methodological and conceptual issues related to the main classes of mediators of drug action and to drugs themselves. Thus, we gladly accepted the challenge provided by the invitation to edit a volume of the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology on Radioimmunoassay in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. We tried to balance the emphasis placed on more general aspects of the RIA methodology and that on specific mediators.

Platelets have long been the subject of much investigation in the areas of vascular physiology, biochemistry, immunology and physiopathology. Their ability to react to environmental stimuli, to modify their shape and metabolism despite being anuclear, has fascinated scientists.This volume looks specifically at the involvement of blood platelets outside their 'classical' field of application, in the physiopathological mechanics of allergy and inflammation. The coverage includes the role of platelets in bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases and in tumour cell interactions.

Here, a stellar international group of contributors examines the various aspects of metabolism in the human adult during pregnancy, in the foetus, and in the new-born. This second edition has been completely updated and now has more than 17 new chapters. Divided into five sections, the book contains discussions of methodologies using molecular biology techniques, expanded coverage of central nervous system metabolism, and an entirely new section on organ-specific metabolism organised according to each organ-system. A must for every physician who cares for the pregnant patient and her child.

This concise and comprehensive guide describes the complexities, key concepts and mechanisms of the immune system in a simplified manner. The book provides a clear and accessible overview of the body’s defence mechanisms, covering various aspects such as the structure and function of immune cells, the mechanisms of antigen recognition and response, the regulation of immune responses through the release of cytokines, and dysfunctions of the immune system which lead to autoimmunity and hypersensitivity. Additionally, it covers different immunological techniques and the latest developments in immunotherapy, including the use of monoclonal antibodies. The multiple-choice questions and answers provided at the end of each chapter will further enhance the understanding of the book’s readership.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.