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The state of the art in the area of polyamines is presented in this useful, two-volume publication. Basic information describing the role of polyamines in the processes of growth and differentiation is given. Also included are data on the regulation of polyamine biosynthesis and metabolism and their interactions with nucleic acids. Several chapters are devoted to the role of polyamines in various aspects of plant biology, with a special emphasis on their participation in the response of plants to extreme environments. Special attention is given to the use of inhibitors of polyamine biosynthesis as potential antitumor and antiproliferative agents. Additionally, recent progress in the molecular biology and genetic engineering of genes coding for polyamine biosynthetic enzymes is described. Cancer researchers, biologists, geneticists, biochemists, physiologists, and clinicians will find this volume indispensible. Contents VOLUME II: POLYAMINES IN MICROBES. Polyamines and the Growth of Bacteria and Viruses. Polyamines in Thermophiles. Propylamine Transfer Reactions in Thermophilic Archaebacteria: Enzymological Aspects and Comparative Biochemistry. Microbial Mutants Deficient in Polyamine Synthesis. Regulation of the Putrescine Biosynthetic Genes (SpeA, speB, and speC) in Escherichia coli. Utilization of L-Arginine, L-Ornithine, Agmatine, and Putrescine as the Major Source of Nitrogen and Its Control in Escherichia coli. POLYAMINES AND PLANTS. Polyamines and Plant Response to Stress. Polyamines and Plant Growth and Development. Polyamines and Plant Hormones. Polyamines in Plant Mutants. POLYAMINES AND DISEASES. Polyamines in Health and Disease. Polyamine Metabolism and Neoplastic Growth: A Programmed Deregulation? Polyamines as Markers of Malignancy. Polyamines as Indicators of Disease Activity and Response to Therapy in Cancer Patients. Inhibitors of Polyamine Biosynthesis as Therapeutic Agents. Clinical Studies of a- Difluoromethylornithine and a-Interferon in Cancer Patients. Changes in Polyamine Metabolism in Tumor-Bearing Hosts with Total Parenteral Nutrition and Intravenous Infusion of a-Difluoromethylornithine. Index. c. 328 pp., 7x10, due February 1989, ISBN-0-8493-6809-X.

The Westinghouse Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) is a medium-size, passively safe, economic, Gen-IV nuclear reactor. An important effort within the Westinghouse LFR program is the development of the safety analysis methodology, which comprises computer code development, model development, and experimental testing. A key initial task associated with the development of the safety analysis methodology is the identification of processes and phenomena that affect the plant's capability to meet selected safety performance indicators. This is accomplished through the development of a Phenomena Identification and Ranking Table (PIRT) for selected accident scenarios which, for this specific PIRT effort, included selected postulated design basis accidents and hypothetical beyond design basis accidents in LFRs. This paper describes the role of PIRT in the development of the Westinghouse LFR safety analysis methodology and the process used in the PIRT development. Specifically, the Westinghouse LFR PIRT assessed importance of pertinent phenomena and identified gaps in their knowledge-base by evaluating current modeling capabilities and data available for validation. The ultimate goal was to provide guidance on computer code development and validation efforts and to prioritize testing to support LFR design and licensing. The key phenomena and processes that are deemed highly important for the safety performance indicators, but for which the state of knowledge is low, are presented. The testing program and analyses development are planned to address significant phenomena in the PIRT.

Cancer is one of the major causes of mortality worldwide, and despite desperate attempts, many patients still suffer from poor prognosis. Hence, efforts for discovering and developing more potent and effective anticancer agents continue. A growing body of research and experiments indicates the potential of some medicinal plants as a possible source of anticancer agents. In recent years, the health benefits of consuming green tea (derived from the plant Camellia sinensis) have been extensively documented. The ailments which can be treated and/or prevented include different types of cancer, heart and liver diseases, and neuroprotective and antioxidant activities. Many of these beneficial effects are related to tea catechins, particularly (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) content. Green tea consumption is also linked to the prevention of many types of cancer including breast, prostate, lung, colon, and stomach cancers. Moreover, cancer rates in Asian countries such as Japan and China where green tea is consumed in large quantities are significantly low according to epidemiological studies. These associations are confirmed by experiments with animals as well as cultured cancer cells. The use of EGCG instead of crude green tea extracts permitted studies to elucidate the mode of anticancer of green tea. Clinical studies demonstrating the prevention of cancer by green tea or by EGCG were recently questioned. The use of the nontoxic green tea or EGCG as anticancer agent is highly recommended.