The papers collected in this volume were presented at the International Symposium on Hypotensive Peptides held in Flor ence, Italy, on October 25-29, 1965. The purpose of the meeting was to bring together scientists of fourteen countries ranging from the chemist to the surgeon, who usually do not speak a common language and for whom it would be quite difficult to follow the latest developments in fields allied to, but still some what removed from their basic interest. Their reports sum marized their recent progress and current achievements, and gave indication of the trend that future research on hypotensive peptides may take. Various aspects of the structure and function of brady kinin, kallidin, kallikrein, gastrin, eledoiSin, physalaemin, sub stance P, and related substances were discussed during the nine sessions. The first session was devoted to the chemistry of peptides. This was followed in loose order by reports dealing with the structure of some newer peptides, with kininogen, and with enzymes that release or inactivate peptides. Subsequently, reports on the physiological, pharmacological, pathological, and clinical importance of kinins, kallikrein, and eledoisin were presented. One entire session was devoted to substance P. At the closing session two motion pictures demonstrated the effect of the peptides on the circulation. The appendix of this volume contains the report of the international Committee on Nomenclature.

Includes subject section, name section, and 1968-1970, technical reports.

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

Few pathologie phenomena, as shock, can originate from so many causes and involve so many complex physiologie mechanisms: The complexity of the phenomenon, thus, has resulted in extensive study and raised many uncertainties. Different conditions, such as hemorrhage, trauma, burns, bacterial infection, and anaphylaxis, can cause a shock state which initiates a chain of biochemical events that tends to maintain the shock. Recent progress in bio chemistry, physiology, and pharmacology has tended to clarify this chain of events, and elucidate the possible trigger mechanism. Besides the hormonal and catecholamine involvement, the possible intervention of various protease and lysosomal enzyme septems and kinin release introduces new elements into the characteristic mosaic of the shock state. This International Symposium, organized at Lake Corno by the Italian Society of Clinical Pharmacology and the International Society of Biochemical Pharmacology, is another in aseries of symposia under the joint auspices of the School of Pharmacy, State University of New York at Buffalo, and the Institute of Pharma cology, University of Milan, Italy. The Symposium has gathered together eminent scientists from such varied disciplines as surgery and pharmacology, internal medicine and biochemistry, physiology and pathology, all focusing on the question of shock. The many researchers in these specialities had the possibility of meeting and discussing together in a multidisciplinary fashion the many theories and experiences associated with this problem.