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Biological trace element research. Multidisciplinary Perspectives
ANALYTICALBIOCHEMISTRY
196,1%+200(1991)
BOOK REVIEWS Biological spectives. OKAMATO.
Trace Element Research. Multidisciplinary Edited by K. S. SUBRAMANIAN, G. V. IYENGAR, ACS Symposium Series 445.445 pp. $84.95.
PerAND K.
This volume brings together a body of information demonstrating that an understanding of the biological and biochemical roles of trace metals requires a multidisciplinary approach. The sections of the text are chosen to define and illustrate the various disciplines that are pertinent to such an approach. The chapters, therefore, cover a wide variety of subjects ranging from statistics, methods for the proper collection and storage of samples, for metal analysis, and the evaluation and interpretation of the results. The first chapter introduces the requirements for an experimental plan of general value for any work in the trace element field. The plan aims to identify typical problems encountered that must be resolved before acceptable and valid conclusions of results can be made. The issues discussed include presampling factors, analytical errors, data handling, and pitfalls in interpretation. The example used refers to human blood platelets but the information is of general interest and pertinent to other biological samples. The presampling factors that can affect the results of studies with trace metals are shown to include: (a) biological variations, e.g., genetic factors, seasonal changes, and physiological influences, and (b) intrinsic errors arising from medications used by individuals in the study groups, subclinical or unrecognized conditions, small sample number, breakdown of or changes in tissues used as a result of autolysis, swelling, imbibition, etc. Analytical errors are shown to arise from problems with sample collection, preparation, and analysis. The latter focuses on problems that derive from the selection of the instrument and methodology used for analysis. Finally, errors in handling and interpreting results arise from clerical mistakes in recording and calculation, use of inappropriate statistical treatment, or inadequate controls. This chapter sets the agenda for the rest of the text, with each subsequent section focusing on these areas in more detail. There are three chapters on planning considerations that address problems encountered with in vitro and in uiuo experiments and the types of measurements and analysis that can be used with these experiments. Several chapters deal with issues of quality control, presenting information on standard reference material, the discipline of chemometrics and its impact on design, control and evaluation of chemical
Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 194, Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology. Editedby CHRISTINE GUTHRIE AND GERALD R. FINK. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990. 933 pp. $95.00 Although Methods in Enzymology is often narrow in the techniques focused upon, rarely has a volume in this series been centered on a single system or organism. Thus we have another forum for the yeast evangelists. Actually we have two organisms (two sects?): Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (the other yeast). The book begins with a sufficiently large segment on basic methods. This is the section that will be of most use to beginners. The section on cloning and recombinant DNA includes those techniques specific for yeast as well as the generally applicable X gtll system for gene isolation. The chapter on making mutants instructs on in vivo and in vitro methods. The descriptions of a variety of very handy plasmid cloning 0003.2697191 $3.00 Copyright 0 1991 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
measurements, and aspects of accuracy and precision in trace metal analysis in biological fluids, tissues, and foods as they pertain to clinical chemistry laboratories. Those readers who might be interested in the various methods available for the determination of trace metals will find eight well-written chapters on the subject. The methods presented include stabilized temperature platform atomic absorption spectrometry with specific data on the analysis of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and selenium, as well as other metals. A chapter on plasma sources presents an overview of the various sources available and, while the detail on each is necessarily limited, it is a valuable resource of information. The solutions to many of the problems encountered with simultaneous multielement analysis with atomic absorption spectrometry, using a miniature cup-solid sampling technique and graphite furnace atomization-atomic absorption spectrometry, are presented in a systematic manner and in great detail. The methods are applied in the analysis of zinc, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and bismuth, among others. The text concludes with several chapters on speciation and bioavailability. The importance that knowledge of the chemical speciation of the trace element has on understanding of bioavailability, function, and pathological consequences is presented by the use of several interesting examples. These include identification of the state of metals in foods, reference materials useful for the study of organotin compounds, the interaction between selenium and mercury in sea animals, intestinal absorption as it relates to the molecule to which the metal is chelated, as well as several other examples. This text is intended for an audience of clinical and analytical chemists, biochemists, and investigators in the field of nutrition, The topics are carefully selected to cover areas of interest to scientists in those fields. Figures, tables, and references are clearly presented. The text is most useful for workers interested in learning fundamental approaches to the study of trace metals and a number of the advanced techniques for analysis. With the exception of summaries of different reference standard materials and details of some of the newer techniques, the symposium is of less value to the scientist already experienced in the subject of trace element research.
KENNETHH.FALCHUK Harvard Medical School
vectors (Yeast Artificial Chromosomes, for example) are scattered throughout the book. I think the naming of a section “Biochemistry of Gene Expression” is, in a way, a call to arms: We have the tools to get at the nuts and bolts of how genes are expressed and regulated. The articles cover in vitro transcription, RNA analysis, epitope tagging, and reverse biochemistry (hype for in vitro protein synthesis). Perhaps I am being untair. It really is another call for heightened awareness of what tools are available for addressing important questions. I look forward to the edition that might contain a chapter entitled “Enzymology of Gene Expression.” The large section called “Cell Biology” again hides the message that real cytology (immunofluorescence, electron microscopic analysis, tricky genetic detections for chromosome or mating analysis) is possible for these small cells. Organelle fractionation and analytic techniques are also covered. 199
196,1%+200(1991)
BOOK REVIEWS Biological spectives. OKAMATO.
Trace Element Research. Multidisciplinary Edited by K. S. SUBRAMANIAN, G. V. IYENGAR, ACS Symposium Series 445.445 pp. $84.95.
PerAND K.
This volume brings together a body of information demonstrating that an understanding of the biological and biochemical roles of trace metals requires a multidisciplinary approach. The sections of the text are chosen to define and illustrate the various disciplines that are pertinent to such an approach. The chapters, therefore, cover a wide variety of subjects ranging from statistics, methods for the proper collection and storage of samples, for metal analysis, and the evaluation and interpretation of the results. The first chapter introduces the requirements for an experimental plan of general value for any work in the trace element field. The plan aims to identify typical problems encountered that must be resolved before acceptable and valid conclusions of results can be made. The issues discussed include presampling factors, analytical errors, data handling, and pitfalls in interpretation. The example used refers to human blood platelets but the information is of general interest and pertinent to other biological samples. The presampling factors that can affect the results of studies with trace metals are shown to include: (a) biological variations, e.g., genetic factors, seasonal changes, and physiological influences, and (b) intrinsic errors arising from medications used by individuals in the study groups, subclinical or unrecognized conditions, small sample number, breakdown of or changes in tissues used as a result of autolysis, swelling, imbibition, etc. Analytical errors are shown to arise from problems with sample collection, preparation, and analysis. The latter focuses on problems that derive from the selection of the instrument and methodology used for analysis. Finally, errors in handling and interpreting results arise from clerical mistakes in recording and calculation, use of inappropriate statistical treatment, or inadequate controls. This chapter sets the agenda for the rest of the text, with each subsequent section focusing on these areas in more detail. There are three chapters on planning considerations that address problems encountered with in vitro and in uiuo experiments and the types of measurements and analysis that can be used with these experiments. Several chapters deal with issues of quality control, presenting information on standard reference material, the discipline of chemometrics and its impact on design, control and evaluation of chemical
Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 194, Guide to Yeast Genetics and Molecular Biology. Editedby CHRISTINE GUTHRIE AND GERALD R. FINK. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990. 933 pp. $95.00 Although Methods in Enzymology is often narrow in the techniques focused upon, rarely has a volume in this series been centered on a single system or organism. Thus we have another forum for the yeast evangelists. Actually we have two organisms (two sects?): Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (the other yeast). The book begins with a sufficiently large segment on basic methods. This is the section that will be of most use to beginners. The section on cloning and recombinant DNA includes those techniques specific for yeast as well as the generally applicable X gtll system for gene isolation. The chapter on making mutants instructs on in vivo and in vitro methods. The descriptions of a variety of very handy plasmid cloning 0003.2697191 $3.00 Copyright 0 1991 by Academic Press, Inc. All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
measurements, and aspects of accuracy and precision in trace metal analysis in biological fluids, tissues, and foods as they pertain to clinical chemistry laboratories. Those readers who might be interested in the various methods available for the determination of trace metals will find eight well-written chapters on the subject. The methods presented include stabilized temperature platform atomic absorption spectrometry with specific data on the analysis of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and selenium, as well as other metals. A chapter on plasma sources presents an overview of the various sources available and, while the detail on each is necessarily limited, it is a valuable resource of information. The solutions to many of the problems encountered with simultaneous multielement analysis with atomic absorption spectrometry, using a miniature cup-solid sampling technique and graphite furnace atomization-atomic absorption spectrometry, are presented in a systematic manner and in great detail. The methods are applied in the analysis of zinc, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and bismuth, among others. The text concludes with several chapters on speciation and bioavailability. The importance that knowledge of the chemical speciation of the trace element has on understanding of bioavailability, function, and pathological consequences is presented by the use of several interesting examples. These include identification of the state of metals in foods, reference materials useful for the study of organotin compounds, the interaction between selenium and mercury in sea animals, intestinal absorption as it relates to the molecule to which the metal is chelated, as well as several other examples. This text is intended for an audience of clinical and analytical chemists, biochemists, and investigators in the field of nutrition, The topics are carefully selected to cover areas of interest to scientists in those fields. Figures, tables, and references are clearly presented. The text is most useful for workers interested in learning fundamental approaches to the study of trace metals and a number of the advanced techniques for analysis. With the exception of summaries of different reference standard materials and details of some of the newer techniques, the symposium is of less value to the scientist already experienced in the subject of trace element research.
KENNETHH.FALCHUK Harvard Medical School
vectors (Yeast Artificial Chromosomes, for example) are scattered throughout the book. I think the naming of a section “Biochemistry of Gene Expression” is, in a way, a call to arms: We have the tools to get at the nuts and bolts of how genes are expressed and regulated. The articles cover in vitro transcription, RNA analysis, epitope tagging, and reverse biochemistry (hype for in vitro protein synthesis). Perhaps I am being untair. It really is another call for heightened awareness of what tools are available for addressing important questions. I look forward to the edition that might contain a chapter entitled “Enzymology of Gene Expression.” The large section called “Cell Biology” again hides the message that real cytology (immunofluorescence, electron microscopic analysis, tricky genetic detections for chromosome or mating analysis) is possible for these small cells. Organelle fractionation and analytic techniques are also covered. 199