M. A. Epstein – författare

International Review of Connective Tissue Research, Volume 2 is a collection of papers that deals with the morphological background, physiological, and pathological aspects of studies done on connective tissues. One paper discusses the precipitation of collagen fibers from solution — that fibrils form in vitro and in vivo by similar mechanisms. Another paper examines the importance of elastic tissues in the reactions of connective tissue including diseases of the vascular and pulmonary systems. As simple as elastic tissues appear to be, these can be models in studies of the basic structure and function of other more complicated tissues. One author discusses the physiology of the connective tissues of the reproductive tract; he concludes that defects in the connective tissue functions can cause failure in ovulation or the formation of cystic ovaries. Other authors discuss the diseases of collagen and related tissues (rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematous, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis), as well as the aging process. One author analyzes the role of collagen fibers in aging: whether factors exist that causes cross-linking or ester cross-links or the dissolution of the collagen macromolecule associated with the aging of collagen. This book can prove helpful for molecular or cellular biologists, pathologists, physiologists, gerontologists, and researchers in gene therapy, pharmacology or micro-chemistry.

International Review of Connective Tissue Research, Volume 3 is a collection of papers that deals with the histochemisty of connective tissues. One paper reviews the histochemistry of connective tissues, including fibrous components such as collagen, reticulum, cellulose fibers, elastic fibers. Connective tissues known as osteoblasts and odontoblasts produce bone/cartilage and teeth. One author examines the biochemistry and pathology of the connective tissue of the periodontium that is related to periodontal disease. He also examines the role of oral bacteria in the pathogenesis of periodontitis; he concludes that bacterial enzymes can increase permeability for other bacterial types to directly elicit inflammation. One author analyzes the physical chemistry of gelatin and gelatin transition. He concludes that the rate of fold formation and the stability of the fold-units on single-chain gelatins and on multichain gelatins depend on the relative effectiveness of ions. Single-chain gelatins have the highest rate of network junction point formation; multichain gelatins, with enhanced cyclic junction point formation, have less network-forming properties. Cellular biologists, pathologists, physiologists, gerontologists, and researchers in gene therapy, pharmacology, micro- or molecular chemistry will find this book highly informative.

International Review of Connective Tissue Research, Volume 1 is a collection of papers that deals with fibroblast, the hormonal control of connective tissues, and calcification of skeletal tissues. One paper reports on the origin, morphology, structure, and the effect of drugs on fibroblasts such as the toxic substance found in sweet pea meal that causes human lathryrism. Another paper discuses hormonal control of connective tissue related to aging, arteriosclerosis, tumors, infection, fertility, and endocrine diseases. The author also describes the repair process of an injured connective tissue; it is characterized by edema, mucinous, and fibrous organization of the extracellular water—a process similar to regeneration and growth. One author describes the structure and general distribution of susceptible blood vessels, as well as, vascular degeneration in diabetes. Another author describes the calcification and formation of bones. He reviews Robison''s theory of calcification, the seeding or nucleation concept of calcification, and the role of alkaline phosphatase in calcification. This volume will prove valuable for pathologists, endocrinologists, physiologists, molecular or cellular biologists, gerontologists, and researchers in gene therapy, pharmacology or micro-chemistry.

The Epstein-Barr virus was discovered 15 years ago. Since that time an immense body of information has been accumu­ lated on this agent which has come to assume great signifi­ cance in many different fields of biological science. Thus, the virus has very special relevance in human medicine and oncology, in tumor virology, in immunology, and in mole­ cular virology, since it is the cause of infectious mononu­ cleosis and also the first human cancer virus, etiologically related to endemic Burkitt''s lymphoma and probably to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition, continuous human lymphoid cell lines initiated and maintained by the transform­ ing function of the virus genome provide a laboratory tool with wide and ever-growing applications. Innumerable papers on the Epstein-Barr virus have ap­ peared over recent years and reports of work with this agent now constitute a veritable flood. The present book provides the first and only comprehensive, authoritative over-view of all aspects of the virus by authors who have been the original and major contributors in their particular disciplines. A complete and up-to-date survey of this unique and important agent is thus provided which should be of great interest to experts, teachers, and students engaged in cancer research, virology, immunology, molecular biology, epide­ miology, and cell culture. Where topics have been dealt with from more than one of these viewpoints, some inevitable overlap and duplication has resulted; although this has been kept to a minimum, it has been retained in some places because of positive usefulness.