Sodium-calcium exchange

Sodium-calcium exchange

Book Reviews Medical Mycology; a Praetitnfl Apl~OaCh--Edited by E. G. V. Evans and M. D. Richardson. 300 pp. 1989. IRL Press, Oxford. Cloth $59.95 Pap...

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Book Reviews Medical Mycology; a Praetitnfl Apl~OaCh--Edited by E. G. V. Evans and M. D. Richardson. 300 pp. 1989. IRL Press, Oxford. Cloth $59.95 Paper $45. Fungi are everywhere and they can be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in man, expecially in immtmocompromised patients. It is necessary to be able to identify the fungi, and detect fungal antigens and metabolites in body fluids and tissues. This book deals with the general guide lines on laboratory diagnosis; direct microscopical examination; culture and isolation of fungi; identification of superficial mycoses, yeasts, subcutaneous mycoses, systemic mycoses, common culture contaminants; maintenance and preservation of fungi; serological tests; antifungal drugs; histopathology. This book will be useful to pathology labs and also to those wishing to identify fungal infections of cultures. Sodium--Cnieinm Exchange--Edited by T. J. A. Allen, D. Noble and H. Reuter. 332 pp. 1989. Oxford University Press, Oxford. $36.95. This book is dedicated to the memory of Peter Baker who played a key role in the discovery and study of sodiumcalcium exchange (E). The chapters deal with E in intact cells; E in plasma membrane vesicles; E in secretory vesicles; E in the heart; numerical probes of E; molecular biochemistry of E; electrogenic E; E in smooth muscle; E in non-vascular smooth muscle; comparisons of E as measured by isotopes and measurement of internal calcium; E in photoreceptors; E in sodium transporting epithelia. There is now great appreciation of the role of calcium in cells and the control of the internal calcium concentration. This book provides an excellent summary of this important topic. The Regulation of Sodium and Chloride Balance--Edited by D. W. Seldin and G. Giebisch. 532 pp. 1990. Raven Press, New York. $69.

This book has two main sections. (1) Normal sodium chloride balance (distribution of NaC1 across cell membranes; regulation of NaC1 within extracellular space; mechanisms of segmental NaCI reabsorption; glomerulotubular balance and regulation of NaCI by intrarenal hemodynamics; regulation of NaC1 and blood pressure by the renin system; the pathology of the renin system in disease). (2) Abnormal NaC1 balance (diagnosis of disturbances; normal and edematous states; edema of congestive heart failure; edema in nephrotic syndrome; edema of cirrhosis and its treatment; idiopathic edema of women; salt overload; salt wastage and depletion; hyponatremia; sodium handling in hypertensive states; diuretics, primary and secondary effects; diuretics, applied pharmacokinetics and drug resistance). Normally the kidney responds to the extracellular volume (ECV), but under pathological conditions (cirrhosis with ascites, congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome) the ECV expands as the arterial blood volume shrinks but the kidney responds not to the total ECV but some component in the arterial blood. The kidney behaves as if the ECV was small even though it may be very large. This book reviews the problem and the role that renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system plays in the balance of NaC1, potassium, water and blood pressure. Immnnophysiology; The Role of Cells and Cytokines in Immunity and Inflmnmation--Edited by J. J. Oppenheim and E. M. Shevach. 424 pp. 1990. Oxford University Press, New York. $85.

The chapters in this book link together the many different stages involved in the defense of the body. They deal

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with the history of immunology; the lymphatic system; interleukin-2; molecular signal transduction; interferons; intercellular reactions; immunogobulins; complement; lymphokine regulation of hematopoietic cell development; interlenkin-l; tumor necrosis factor; cytokines; growth factors; lymphocyte cytotoxic mechanisms; activation of macrophages; immune suppression; suppressor T cells and suppressor circuits. An excellent review of a very interesting and important subject. Proteins: Form and Fanetion---Edited by R. A. Bradshaw and M. Purton. 269 pp. 1990. Elsevier, Cambridge.

This paperback volume contains articles and short reviews from Trends in Biochemical Sciences (TIBS) and includes the articles that appeared in the special July 1989 issue on protein structure. The 29 articles are grouped into sections on protein primary structure; protein conformation; co and post translational modifications; molecular recognition. There are many interesting articles that bring the reader up to date. For example Dolittle's article points out that most protein families are the result of genetic divergence and there are many protein kinases derived from a common ancestor. The G protein linked receptors have great similarities, with the beta 2 adrencrgic receptor having a 25% affinity with bovine rhodopsin. There are resemblances between the receptors for biological amines, transmitter peptides, and vertebrate primary odor receptors. There are also families of serpins (antitrypsin, antichymotrypsin, antiplasmin, antithrombin 3, protein C inhibitor, monocyte PA inhibitor, C-I inhibitor, leuserpin-2, ovalbumins, angiotensinogen, thyroxine binder, corticosteroid binder, endosperm protein-2), and other families of lipocalins, and EGF proteins. Within the family there are considerable amino acid and structural similarities. It looks as if the amino acid "alphabet" is slowly giving way to protein "words". Protein Purification Methods; a Practical Approach---Edited by E. L. V. Harris and S. Angal. 317 pp. 1989. lRL/Oxford University Press, Oxford. £40 paperback.

It is best to have proteins as pure as possible before analyzing them. This volume provides sensible practical details on how to purify proteins. The chapters are on; initial planning (basic preparations, determination of total protein concentration, electrophoretic analysis, prevention of proteolysis, purification strategy); clarification and extraction (how to get your protein from the tissue); concentration of the extract; separation based on structure; purification by exploitation of activity (ligands, affinity adsorbants, lectin affinity chromatography, immunopurification); separation on basis of size-gel permeation chromatography. A very useful book. Fermentation Process Development of Industrial Organisms --Edited by J. O. Neway. 324 pp. 1989. Mareell Dekker, New York. $99.75 U.S.A. & Canada, $119 elsewhere.

The use of recombinant DNA techiques has allowed the modification of organisms and cells so that they preferentially produce a required specific chemical product. This book surveys the use of actinomycetes, bacilli, coryneform bacteria, industrial fungi, yeasts, and mammalian cells in culture systems (fermentation) to produce industrially and medically required products. Mammalian cell cultures are producing urokinase (Abbokinase), polio virus vaccine, lymphoblastoid interferon (Welferon), tissue plasma activator (Activase), hepatitis B surface antigen, erythropoeitin, human growth hormone, Factor VIII, GM-CSF (wound healing), tumor necrosis factor, and monocional antibodies. The problems and methods of production are described in this book.