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Biotechnology; a dictionary of terms
Comp. Biochem. Physiol. Vol. 93A, No. 3, pp. 645--647, 1989 Maxwell Pergamon Macmillan plc. Printed in Great Britain
BOOK REVIEWS
anthocyanins; flavans and proanthocyanides; c-glycosylflavonoids; biflavonoids; isoflavonoids; neoflavanoids; flavones and flavonols and their glycosides; biosynthesis; distribution and evolutionary significance in lower plants, in gymnosperms, in dicotyledons, and in monocotyledons, flavonoids and flower colour. There is also a plant species index and a checklist of all known flavonoid structures. Each chapter is well provided with tables, formulae and references. The book gives an excellent account of an important group of biochemicals.
Oxygen Sensing in Tissues--Edited by H. ACKER. 215 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. $78.70. The subjects reviewed in this volume are: the effect of oxygen on bacterial photosynthesis; oxygen availability in invertebrates and vertebrates; critical PO2 of euoxyic animals; hypoxia in liver; 02 sensing in cell types; oxygen dependent regulation of DNA replication of Ehrlich ascites cells: activation of erythropoietin production in hypoxic kidney; prostanoids and renal response to hypoxia; effect of hypoxia on calcium influx and catecholamine synthesis in carotid body; PO2-induced changes of membrane potential and tension in vascular smooth muscle; endothelial cells as oxygen sensors; oxidative stress on arterial smooth muscle; free cytosolic adenosine sensitivity signals myocardial hypoxia; effect of changes in local P O 2 on electrical activity of CNS; hypoxia and ionic changes in carotid body; and oxygen and glycolysis in the retina. The articles provide an up-to-date appreciation of the internal measurement of P O 2 and its regulation in the body.
Biotechnology; a Dictionary of Terms---By J. M. WALKER and M. COX. 255 pp. 1988. American Chemical Society, Washington. USA/Canada $49.95 (hardback); $39.95 (paperback). Elsewhere $59.95 (hardback); $47.95 (paperback). The terms are defined in up to 15 lines of text, sometimes with diagrams. Examples of the words that are defined on pages 112-113 include: glucose syrup, glutamate, glutelins, glycocalyx, glycoprotein, glycosidases, Gram strain, granum, GRAS organisms, GRASE, Grashof number and griseofulvin. Pages 144-145 define lactic acid bacteria, lactifers, lactobaccilus, lag phase, lambda, lamellar settlers and laminar flow, Langmuir adsorption isotherm, laser-doppler anemometer, latex, leachate, leaching, lectins, legumes, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Leuconostoc.
Methods in Enzymology. Volume 156, Biomembranes. Part P, ATP-Driven Pumps and Related Transport: The Sodium-Potassium Pump---Edited by SIDNEYFLEISCHERand BECCAFLEISCHER.468 pp. 1988. Academic Press, San Diego. $59. There are 38 reviews in I0 sections. (1) Preparation of N a - K ATPase and subunits. (2) Assay of Na-K ATPase activity. (3) Reconstitution of Na-K pump activity. (4) Analysis of the pump cycle. (5) Measurement of ligand binding and distance between ligands. (6) Measurement of conformational states of Na-K ATPase. (7) Modification of Na-K ATPase. (8) Magnetic resonance studies of Na-K ATPase. (9) Biogenesis and membrane assembly. (10) Microscopy of Na-K ATPase. The volume provides an excellent account of the methods used to study the Na-K ATPase system in different tissues.
Genetic Elements in Eschericlda coli--By PETER SMITH-KEARY. 198 pp. 1988. Macmillan, London. £25 (hardback); £9.95 (paperback).
Methods in Enzymology. Volume 157, Biomembranes. Part Q, ATP-Driven Pumps and Related Transport: Calcium, Proton and Potassium Pumps---Edited by SIDNEYFLEISCHER and BECCAFLEISCr~R. 731 pp. 1988. Academic Press, San Diego. $89. There are 53 reviews in this volume. They are in two main sections. (A) Calcium fluxes and regulation (complex systems and subcellular fractions involved in calcium regulation: I l reviews. Characterization of calcium pumps and modulators from various sources: 19 reviews. Calcium and other channels: seven reviews). (B) ATP driven proton pumps: I 1 reviews. ATP driven potassium pumps: four reviews. The range of preparations used includes skinned muscle fibres, cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, yeast plasma membranes, plant vacuolar membranes, chromaffin granules, clathrin-coated vesicles, gastric ATPase, E. coli ATPase and Streptococcus ATPase. The Flavonoids. Advances in Research since 1980~Edited by J. B. HARBORNE.621 pp. 1988. Chapman and Hall, London. $247.50. The first volume in this series on flavonoids appeared in 1975, followed by a second volume in 1982. The present volume is a self-contained book that can be used as a modern account of the flavonoids. The main topics are the
E. coli has played a central role in modern molecular biology and genetics. This book provides an excellent account of the experimental and historic basis for present day ideas. The chapters deal with: structure and replication of genetic elements; transduction and transformation; plasmids and conjugation; genetic analysis using Hfr and F'strains; repair and mutation; transposable genetic elements; and bacteriophages. At the end of each chapter there is a series of questions and a few key references for further reading. Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd Edition--Edited by W. O. ForE. 925 pp. 1989. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. $49.50. This well-known textbook explains drug action in terms of their biochemistry, pharmacology and their molecular and medicinal chemistry. The initial chapters are on physicalchemical properties of drugs, drug design, structure-activity, drug metabolism and receptor site theory. The major part of the book deals with functional aspects of the drugs, i.e. volatile anaesthetics, local anaesthetics. CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, cholinergics, adrenergics, cardiac agents, anticoagulants, diuretics, antiallergenics, sex hormones, antilipidemics, non steroidal anti-inflammatories, sugar metabolism, vitamins and coenzymes, thyroid, medicines of plant origins, chemotherapy, metabolite antagonism, antiseptics and disinfectants, antimycobacterials, antibiotics, parasite chemotherapy, antifungals, pesticides, cancer chemotherapy, hormone antagonists and antiviral agents. Fifty-one authors have contributed to this new edition. The material has been brought up-to-date and new chapters have been added on antilipidemic agents, antihormones, photochemistry and molecular graphics. The chapters on
645
BOOK REVIEWS
anthocyanins; flavans and proanthocyanides; c-glycosylflavonoids; biflavonoids; isoflavonoids; neoflavanoids; flavones and flavonols and their glycosides; biosynthesis; distribution and evolutionary significance in lower plants, in gymnosperms, in dicotyledons, and in monocotyledons, flavonoids and flower colour. There is also a plant species index and a checklist of all known flavonoid structures. Each chapter is well provided with tables, formulae and references. The book gives an excellent account of an important group of biochemicals.
Oxygen Sensing in Tissues--Edited by H. ACKER. 215 pp. 1988. Springer, Berlin. $78.70. The subjects reviewed in this volume are: the effect of oxygen on bacterial photosynthesis; oxygen availability in invertebrates and vertebrates; critical PO2 of euoxyic animals; hypoxia in liver; 02 sensing in cell types; oxygen dependent regulation of DNA replication of Ehrlich ascites cells: activation of erythropoietin production in hypoxic kidney; prostanoids and renal response to hypoxia; effect of hypoxia on calcium influx and catecholamine synthesis in carotid body; PO2-induced changes of membrane potential and tension in vascular smooth muscle; endothelial cells as oxygen sensors; oxidative stress on arterial smooth muscle; free cytosolic adenosine sensitivity signals myocardial hypoxia; effect of changes in local P O 2 on electrical activity of CNS; hypoxia and ionic changes in carotid body; and oxygen and glycolysis in the retina. The articles provide an up-to-date appreciation of the internal measurement of P O 2 and its regulation in the body.
Biotechnology; a Dictionary of Terms---By J. M. WALKER and M. COX. 255 pp. 1988. American Chemical Society, Washington. USA/Canada $49.95 (hardback); $39.95 (paperback). Elsewhere $59.95 (hardback); $47.95 (paperback). The terms are defined in up to 15 lines of text, sometimes with diagrams. Examples of the words that are defined on pages 112-113 include: glucose syrup, glutamate, glutelins, glycocalyx, glycoprotein, glycosidases, Gram strain, granum, GRAS organisms, GRASE, Grashof number and griseofulvin. Pages 144-145 define lactic acid bacteria, lactifers, lactobaccilus, lag phase, lambda, lamellar settlers and laminar flow, Langmuir adsorption isotherm, laser-doppler anemometer, latex, leachate, leaching, lectins, legumes, Leptospirillum ferrooxidans and Leuconostoc.
Methods in Enzymology. Volume 156, Biomembranes. Part P, ATP-Driven Pumps and Related Transport: The Sodium-Potassium Pump---Edited by SIDNEYFLEISCHERand BECCAFLEISCHER.468 pp. 1988. Academic Press, San Diego. $59. There are 38 reviews in I0 sections. (1) Preparation of N a - K ATPase and subunits. (2) Assay of Na-K ATPase activity. (3) Reconstitution of Na-K pump activity. (4) Analysis of the pump cycle. (5) Measurement of ligand binding and distance between ligands. (6) Measurement of conformational states of Na-K ATPase. (7) Modification of Na-K ATPase. (8) Magnetic resonance studies of Na-K ATPase. (9) Biogenesis and membrane assembly. (10) Microscopy of Na-K ATPase. The volume provides an excellent account of the methods used to study the Na-K ATPase system in different tissues.
Genetic Elements in Eschericlda coli--By PETER SMITH-KEARY. 198 pp. 1988. Macmillan, London. £25 (hardback); £9.95 (paperback).
Methods in Enzymology. Volume 157, Biomembranes. Part Q, ATP-Driven Pumps and Related Transport: Calcium, Proton and Potassium Pumps---Edited by SIDNEYFLEISCHER and BECCAFLEISCr~R. 731 pp. 1988. Academic Press, San Diego. $89. There are 53 reviews in this volume. They are in two main sections. (A) Calcium fluxes and regulation (complex systems and subcellular fractions involved in calcium regulation: I l reviews. Characterization of calcium pumps and modulators from various sources: 19 reviews. Calcium and other channels: seven reviews). (B) ATP driven proton pumps: I 1 reviews. ATP driven potassium pumps: four reviews. The range of preparations used includes skinned muscle fibres, cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum, yeast plasma membranes, plant vacuolar membranes, chromaffin granules, clathrin-coated vesicles, gastric ATPase, E. coli ATPase and Streptococcus ATPase. The Flavonoids. Advances in Research since 1980~Edited by J. B. HARBORNE.621 pp. 1988. Chapman and Hall, London. $247.50. The first volume in this series on flavonoids appeared in 1975, followed by a second volume in 1982. The present volume is a self-contained book that can be used as a modern account of the flavonoids. The main topics are the
E. coli has played a central role in modern molecular biology and genetics. This book provides an excellent account of the experimental and historic basis for present day ideas. The chapters deal with: structure and replication of genetic elements; transduction and transformation; plasmids and conjugation; genetic analysis using Hfr and F'strains; repair and mutation; transposable genetic elements; and bacteriophages. At the end of each chapter there is a series of questions and a few key references for further reading. Principles of Medicinal Chemistry, 3rd Edition--Edited by W. O. ForE. 925 pp. 1989. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia. $49.50. This well-known textbook explains drug action in terms of their biochemistry, pharmacology and their molecular and medicinal chemistry. The initial chapters are on physicalchemical properties of drugs, drug design, structure-activity, drug metabolism and receptor site theory. The major part of the book deals with functional aspects of the drugs, i.e. volatile anaesthetics, local anaesthetics. CNS depressants, CNS stimulants, anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, muscle relaxants, analgesics, cholinergics, adrenergics, cardiac agents, anticoagulants, diuretics, antiallergenics, sex hormones, antilipidemics, non steroidal anti-inflammatories, sugar metabolism, vitamins and coenzymes, thyroid, medicines of plant origins, chemotherapy, metabolite antagonism, antiseptics and disinfectants, antimycobacterials, antibiotics, parasite chemotherapy, antifungals, pesticides, cancer chemotherapy, hormone antagonists and antiviral agents. Fifty-one authors have contributed to this new edition. The material has been brought up-to-date and new chapters have been added on antilipidemic agents, antihormones, photochemistry and molecular graphics. The chapters on
645