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Advances in electromagnetic fields in living systems,
Book reviews
Mammalian Brush Border Membrane Proteins II. Symposium Kiinigswinter 1993. M.J. Lentze, H.Y. Naim and R.J. Grand (Editors). George Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, New York, 1994, ISBN 3-13-101111-4, 261 pp., DM 44.00.
Between the first international meeting in 1987 in Bern and the second meeting in 1993 in KiSningswinter, the progress in the field of proteins within brush border membranes of epithelial cells of mammals has been enormous. Basic scientists and clinicians have contributed to give a compact overview on these important proteins which are responsible for basic body functions of mammals including man. Recent results in the genetic make up, the biosynthesis and post-translational sorting in a variety of epithelial cells, expressing transporters, hydrolases and receptors are presented here. Hydrolysis and absorption of micronutrients depends on the regulation of parallel events of transporters and hydrolases within the microvillus membrane. Many genetic defects in human beings leading to malabsorption, deficiency and hypolactasia, can be explained by mistakes in transcriptional, translational and post-translational events. In recent years much progress has been made in the field of brush border membrane hydrolases as to how these proteins are assembled, transported and how they function in health and malfunction in genetic disorders. The book consists of five parts. The first part contains the introductory lecture, which gives a molecular analysis of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions in brush border enterocytes. Part two, Regulation, describes the following: the expression of the human fructose transporter; the regulation of human intestinal lactase; the identification of transcriptional regulatory regions in the rat lactasephlorizin hydrolase gene and its expression during development; search for proteins present in intestine of adult but not baby rabbits by cloning; the genetic basis of the lactase persistence/non-persistence polymorphism in man; transcriptional regulation of the human sucrase-isomaltase gene and its role in glucose metabolism, and dietary regulation of intestinal glucose transport. Part three, Structural characterization and expression, contains chapters on: two brush border metallo-endopeptidases; Meprins (activation, subunit interactions and achoring); transcriptional and post-translational control of brush border hydrolase expression as a function of the differentiation state of epithelial intestinal cells; biosynthesis of altered forms of intestinal peptidase IV in a unique rat strain which lacks the enzyme; the mammalian Na + / H ÷ exchanger gene family; expression of lysosomal acid aglucosidase in polarized epithelial cells; cloning of a membrane associated protein which modifies Na÷-D-glucose cotransport; PABA-peptide hydrolase, a metalloendopeptidase from human small intestinal epithelial cells; cloning and characterization of renal proximal tubular sodium-de-
151
pendent phosphate transporters, and partial characterization of intestinal disaccharidase in mice. Part 4, Synthesis, Processing and Sorting, contains chapters on: in vitro biosynthesis of lactase proteins in human small intestinal tissue with high lactase activity and adult hypolactasia; in vivo lactase-phlorizin hydrolase and sucrase-isomaltase turnover in fed adult rats; intestinal lactase, maturational decline involves altered intracellular processing and enhanced membrane degradation; induction of lactase in Caco-2 cells; cellular basis of adult-type hypolactasia; appearance of human intestinal lactasephlorizin hydrolase on the surface of MDCK cells; intracellular processing of brush border enzymes and its regulation; intracellular localization of lactase; proteolytic processing of pre-pro-lactase; sorting of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in different cells; development of cellular systems that allow direct comparison of receptor mediated endocytosis and photocytosis; dimeric assembly of brush border enzyme. Part 5, Development, has the following topics: development of intestinal disaccharidase, a plurality of mechanisms; comparative biology of lactase, lessons from seven orders of mammals; the filamentous brush border glycocalyx; regional differences in small intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme expression induced by cortisone and thyroxine in suckling rats. The book makes interesting reading and for those interested in nutrition, digestion and absorption of foodstuffs it is essential. Today we know that what was formerly classified as a metabolic or genetic error, is actually a common trait in other races. These so-called genetic aberrations are often connected with digestion and absorption or food allergies. In future we can certainly expect an increase in these disorders, owing to the enormous migration of people and the resulting mixed marriages, and no doubt it will affect our daily life. For those working with electroporation and cell proliferation or processes involving the membrane, the book can give a better insight into the behaviour of membrane proteins. This book can therefore be highly recommended to all interested in the subjects mentioned. S. KWEE
Aarhus
Advances in electromagnetic fields in living systems, vol. 1. J. Lin (Editor). Plenum Press, New York, London, 1994, ISBN 0-306-44738-, VIII + 196 pp., $69.50. Research on biological effects and health implications by external electromagnetic fields not only is extended, but also has become a world-wide public interest. In this series the historical development and contemporary advances are
152
Book reviews
presented. This first volume presents the following: - - an historical introduction (J. Lin); - - neurological effects of RFEMF (H. Lai); - - tissue injury by power exposure (R. Lee); - - therapeutic application of LF electric and magnetic fields and - - health implications in connection with VDTs. The introduction includes: selected safety standards; classification of syndroms (more than one hundred references); results, and their criticism. The vast number of RFEMF studies (more than 250 papers) concentrate on brain effects, e.g. functions of neurotransmitters, acceptor properties, energy metabolism, calcium efflux, and behaviour describing the effects until 2.45 GHz. Contrary to negative effects and injuries by high voltages, Ch. Polk presented devices and possibilities for useful therapeutic treatments and dosimetry. Safety implications for work with VDTs and other environmental weak fields are discussed by K. Hansson Mild and M. SandstriSm. This and following volumes contain data on electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on living beings. Therefore they are important reading for people involved in medical environmental field problems. HERMANN BERG
Jena
Single Channel Recording, B. Sackmann and E. Neher (Eds.), Plenum Press, New York, 1995, ISBN 0-30644870-X, xxii + 700 pp., $107.40. This extended second edition of this standard monograph contains contributions of 28 authors and covers this novel branch of bioelectrochemistry. Part I and IV, divided into five chapters, deal with the whole technique, particularly pipette fabrication and its properties and last but not least data acquisition and analysis. The main part, Part II, contains the following chapters: - - electronic design of the patch-clamp (F. Sigworth); - - low noise recording (K. Benndorf); - - voltage offsets (E. Neher); capacity measurements (K. Gillis); - - recordings of neurons and brain slices (B. Sackmann, G. Stuart); calcium imaging in brain slices (J. Eilers et al.); - - electrochemical detection of secretion of single cells (R. Chow, L. yon Riiden); - - ion channels in plants (R. Hedrich); giant membrane patch (D. Hilgemann); - - fast pressure clamp (D. McBride et al.); - - electrophysiological recordings from Xenopus oocytes (W. S~bner, A. Parekh); - - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis (H. Monyer, P. Jones); -
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- - force microscopy on membrane patches (J. HiSrber et al.). All single-cell manipulations, especially the measurement and various treatments of channels, are connected mainly with electrochemical principles and methods in the regions: capacity of 1 I~F cm -2, current of 10 pA and potential of 20 mV, and recording in the millisecond range. Direct electrochemical microanalysis par excellence of oxidizable secreted products of single cells requires detection methods such as amperometry and fast cyclic voltammetry with (modified) carbon fibre electrodes under special diffusion conditions. Part III presents detailed statistical analysis and stochastic interpretations, including matrix notation (three chapters). Since the first edition new applications have been included: capacitance measurements; - - single-cell PCR measurements combined with patchclamp; imaging techniques; - - atomic force microscopy of membrane pieces attached to glass pipettes. Three introductory chapters (Part I) have also been added. From such a comprehensive review of all aspects it is obvious that each laboratory for patch-clamp research will need this book, which has only one American competitor from Humana Press this year. -
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-
-
H. BERG
Jena
Bioelectrodynamics and Biocommunication, M.-W. Ho, F.-A. Popp and U. Warnke (Eds.), World Scientific, Singapore, London, 1994, ISBN 981-02-1665-3, xvii + 436 pp., £68.00 This monograph is based on H. FriShlich's theory of energy storage as "coherent excitation", a fascinating phenomenon suggesting that organisms aresensitive to extremely weak electromagnetic fields, the energies of which are around the thermal threshold. Starting with the history of bioelectromagnetism, since the pre-galvanic period (only the "interpreter" of Galvani's experiments, J.W. Ritter, 1776-1810, is missed), the new ideas are pointed out within 17 chapters and an epilogue covering effects of low and high frequency electromagnetic fields on cells and organisms. In some respect the topics of Modem Bioelectrochemistry (edited by A. Marino, published by Dekker, 1988) are extended and intensified, particularly by the following: --Chapter 4, by D. Edmonds, possible mechanisms for hinln~it~al effects of weak ELF electromagnetic fields;
Mammalian Brush Border Membrane Proteins II. Symposium Kiinigswinter 1993. M.J. Lentze, H.Y. Naim and R.J. Grand (Editors). George Thieme Verlag Stuttgart, New York, 1994, ISBN 3-13-101111-4, 261 pp., DM 44.00.
Between the first international meeting in 1987 in Bern and the second meeting in 1993 in KiSningswinter, the progress in the field of proteins within brush border membranes of epithelial cells of mammals has been enormous. Basic scientists and clinicians have contributed to give a compact overview on these important proteins which are responsible for basic body functions of mammals including man. Recent results in the genetic make up, the biosynthesis and post-translational sorting in a variety of epithelial cells, expressing transporters, hydrolases and receptors are presented here. Hydrolysis and absorption of micronutrients depends on the regulation of parallel events of transporters and hydrolases within the microvillus membrane. Many genetic defects in human beings leading to malabsorption, deficiency and hypolactasia, can be explained by mistakes in transcriptional, translational and post-translational events. In recent years much progress has been made in the field of brush border membrane hydrolases as to how these proteins are assembled, transported and how they function in health and malfunction in genetic disorders. The book consists of five parts. The first part contains the introductory lecture, which gives a molecular analysis of membrane-cytoskeleton interactions in brush border enterocytes. Part two, Regulation, describes the following: the expression of the human fructose transporter; the regulation of human intestinal lactase; the identification of transcriptional regulatory regions in the rat lactasephlorizin hydrolase gene and its expression during development; search for proteins present in intestine of adult but not baby rabbits by cloning; the genetic basis of the lactase persistence/non-persistence polymorphism in man; transcriptional regulation of the human sucrase-isomaltase gene and its role in glucose metabolism, and dietary regulation of intestinal glucose transport. Part three, Structural characterization and expression, contains chapters on: two brush border metallo-endopeptidases; Meprins (activation, subunit interactions and achoring); transcriptional and post-translational control of brush border hydrolase expression as a function of the differentiation state of epithelial intestinal cells; biosynthesis of altered forms of intestinal peptidase IV in a unique rat strain which lacks the enzyme; the mammalian Na + / H ÷ exchanger gene family; expression of lysosomal acid aglucosidase in polarized epithelial cells; cloning of a membrane associated protein which modifies Na÷-D-glucose cotransport; PABA-peptide hydrolase, a metalloendopeptidase from human small intestinal epithelial cells; cloning and characterization of renal proximal tubular sodium-de-
151
pendent phosphate transporters, and partial characterization of intestinal disaccharidase in mice. Part 4, Synthesis, Processing and Sorting, contains chapters on: in vitro biosynthesis of lactase proteins in human small intestinal tissue with high lactase activity and adult hypolactasia; in vivo lactase-phlorizin hydrolase and sucrase-isomaltase turnover in fed adult rats; intestinal lactase, maturational decline involves altered intracellular processing and enhanced membrane degradation; induction of lactase in Caco-2 cells; cellular basis of adult-type hypolactasia; appearance of human intestinal lactasephlorizin hydrolase on the surface of MDCK cells; intracellular processing of brush border enzymes and its regulation; intracellular localization of lactase; proteolytic processing of pre-pro-lactase; sorting of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in different cells; development of cellular systems that allow direct comparison of receptor mediated endocytosis and photocytosis; dimeric assembly of brush border enzyme. Part 5, Development, has the following topics: development of intestinal disaccharidase, a plurality of mechanisms; comparative biology of lactase, lessons from seven orders of mammals; the filamentous brush border glycocalyx; regional differences in small intestinal alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme expression induced by cortisone and thyroxine in suckling rats. The book makes interesting reading and for those interested in nutrition, digestion and absorption of foodstuffs it is essential. Today we know that what was formerly classified as a metabolic or genetic error, is actually a common trait in other races. These so-called genetic aberrations are often connected with digestion and absorption or food allergies. In future we can certainly expect an increase in these disorders, owing to the enormous migration of people and the resulting mixed marriages, and no doubt it will affect our daily life. For those working with electroporation and cell proliferation or processes involving the membrane, the book can give a better insight into the behaviour of membrane proteins. This book can therefore be highly recommended to all interested in the subjects mentioned. S. KWEE
Aarhus
Advances in electromagnetic fields in living systems, vol. 1. J. Lin (Editor). Plenum Press, New York, London, 1994, ISBN 0-306-44738-, VIII + 196 pp., $69.50. Research on biological effects and health implications by external electromagnetic fields not only is extended, but also has become a world-wide public interest. In this series the historical development and contemporary advances are
152
Book reviews
presented. This first volume presents the following: - - an historical introduction (J. Lin); - - neurological effects of RFEMF (H. Lai); - - tissue injury by power exposure (R. Lee); - - therapeutic application of LF electric and magnetic fields and - - health implications in connection with VDTs. The introduction includes: selected safety standards; classification of syndroms (more than one hundred references); results, and their criticism. The vast number of RFEMF studies (more than 250 papers) concentrate on brain effects, e.g. functions of neurotransmitters, acceptor properties, energy metabolism, calcium efflux, and behaviour describing the effects until 2.45 GHz. Contrary to negative effects and injuries by high voltages, Ch. Polk presented devices and possibilities for useful therapeutic treatments and dosimetry. Safety implications for work with VDTs and other environmental weak fields are discussed by K. Hansson Mild and M. SandstriSm. This and following volumes contain data on electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields on living beings. Therefore they are important reading for people involved in medical environmental field problems. HERMANN BERG
Jena
Single Channel Recording, B. Sackmann and E. Neher (Eds.), Plenum Press, New York, 1995, ISBN 0-30644870-X, xxii + 700 pp., $107.40. This extended second edition of this standard monograph contains contributions of 28 authors and covers this novel branch of bioelectrochemistry. Part I and IV, divided into five chapters, deal with the whole technique, particularly pipette fabrication and its properties and last but not least data acquisition and analysis. The main part, Part II, contains the following chapters: - - electronic design of the patch-clamp (F. Sigworth); - - low noise recording (K. Benndorf); - - voltage offsets (E. Neher); capacity measurements (K. Gillis); - - recordings of neurons and brain slices (B. Sackmann, G. Stuart); calcium imaging in brain slices (J. Eilers et al.); - - electrochemical detection of secretion of single cells (R. Chow, L. yon Riiden); - - ion channels in plants (R. Hedrich); giant membrane patch (D. Hilgemann); - - fast pressure clamp (D. McBride et al.); - - electrophysiological recordings from Xenopus oocytes (W. S~bner, A. Parekh); - - polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis (H. Monyer, P. Jones); -
-
-
-
-
-
- - force microscopy on membrane patches (J. HiSrber et al.). All single-cell manipulations, especially the measurement and various treatments of channels, are connected mainly with electrochemical principles and methods in the regions: capacity of 1 I~F cm -2, current of 10 pA and potential of 20 mV, and recording in the millisecond range. Direct electrochemical microanalysis par excellence of oxidizable secreted products of single cells requires detection methods such as amperometry and fast cyclic voltammetry with (modified) carbon fibre electrodes under special diffusion conditions. Part III presents detailed statistical analysis and stochastic interpretations, including matrix notation (three chapters). Since the first edition new applications have been included: capacitance measurements; - - single-cell PCR measurements combined with patchclamp; imaging techniques; - - atomic force microscopy of membrane pieces attached to glass pipettes. Three introductory chapters (Part I) have also been added. From such a comprehensive review of all aspects it is obvious that each laboratory for patch-clamp research will need this book, which has only one American competitor from Humana Press this year. -
-
-
-
H. BERG
Jena
Bioelectrodynamics and Biocommunication, M.-W. Ho, F.-A. Popp and U. Warnke (Eds.), World Scientific, Singapore, London, 1994, ISBN 981-02-1665-3, xvii + 436 pp., £68.00 This monograph is based on H. FriShlich's theory of energy storage as "coherent excitation", a fascinating phenomenon suggesting that organisms aresensitive to extremely weak electromagnetic fields, the energies of which are around the thermal threshold. Starting with the history of bioelectromagnetism, since the pre-galvanic period (only the "interpreter" of Galvani's experiments, J.W. Ritter, 1776-1810, is missed), the new ideas are pointed out within 17 chapters and an epilogue covering effects of low and high frequency electromagnetic fields on cells and organisms. In some respect the topics of Modem Bioelectrochemistry (edited by A. Marino, published by Dekker, 1988) are extended and intensified, particularly by the following: --Chapter 4, by D. Edmonds, possible mechanisms for hinln~it~al effects of weak ELF electromagnetic fields;