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Biotransformation of organic nitrogen compounds
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Book Reviews
EmlocriaePathophysiology:a Patient-Orientated ApproachEdited by J. M. HERSHMAN. 3rd Edition. 365 pp. 1988. Lea and Febiger, Philadephia. This multi-authored volume provides a useful up-to-date account of the major endocrine systems, their malfunction, diagnosis, biochemical laboratory tests, therapy and clinical pharmacology. At the end of each chapter is a series of problems giving examples of patients with specific endocrine disorders. The reader is given the symptoms and laboratory data and asked questions concerning diagnosis and treatment. The answers are given at the end of each chapter. The chapters are on principles of clinical endocrinology; pituitary disease; thyroid disease; adrenal disease; sexual differentiation and development; female reproductive disorders; male reproductive disorders; diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia; calcium, phosphate, magnesium and bone physiology and disorders; disorders of water metabolism; lipoprotein metabolism and disorders. This concise book provides important background reading for biochemists, pharmacologists, and endocrinologists, as well as necessary data for medical students and clinicians.
but depolarizing ones trigger off MH. MH leads to massive release of norepinephrine and accelerated heat production in muscle, that leads to ATP depletion, lactic acidosis, glycogenolysis and rapid muscle cell death. Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, will abort MH in uiuo and is protective to muscle strips in vitro. Phentolamine will prevent vasoconstriction and muscle rigor. Total myoneural blockage with metocurine or pancuronium will prevent the development of MH. The MH pig provides an excellent model for the study of MH treatment in man, and this volume provides a good account of the symptoms and treatment in the pigs. Regulation of Aldosterone Biosynthesis: Physiological and Cliaical Aspects-By JIJRG MULLER.2nd Edition. 364 pp. 1988. Springer. Berlin. DM 198.
The first edition of this book appeared 16 years ago. Since then there have been considerable advances mainly due to the development of radioimmune assays of aldosterone, and to the preparation of dispersed zona glomerulosa cells. These, together with the discovery of atria1 natriuretic peptides, somatostatin, the precursor of ACTH, angiotensin Molecular Biology of the Gene-By J. D. WATSON,N. H. antagonists, converting enzyme inhibitors, the clinical synHOPKINS,J. W. ROBERTS,J. A. STEITZand A. M. WEINER. drome of hyporeninemic hypoaldosterone and the role of Volume 2, Specialized Aspects. 4th Edition. 461 pp. 1987. dopamine and prostaglandins in the control of aldosterone production, have all increased our knowledge and underBenjamin/Cummings, California. $29.95. standing of the system. This new edition provides an The topics covered in this volume are: molecular biology of excellent account of the regulation of aldosterone biosynthesis. development; the generation of immunological specificity; the extraordinary diversity of eucaryotic viruses; the control of cell proliferation; the genetic basis of cancer; the origins Biotransformationof Organic Nitrogen Compounds---Edited of human cancer; and the origins of life. Molecular biology by A. K. CHO and B. LINDEKE.218 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel. is steadily providing information and insight into the orSFr 198. $132. ganization of living systems. For example, the amphibian egg divides twelve times and reaches midblastula transition volume deals with chemistry of leading to gastrulation. Injection of DNA into the egg will This multi-authored bring about the transition at an earlier division, i.e. there is organic nitrogen compounds (amines, hydroxylamines, nitroxides, hydrazines, nitroso-compounds, oximes and factor in the egg that binds to DNA and when this factor nitro-compounds); cytochrome P,,, in nitrogen metabolism; is saturated with DNA, there is an onset of cell motility nitrogenous compounds as ligands to hemoporphyrins; leading to gastrulation. The frog oocyte also contains mRNA encoding fibronectin. Pricking the unfertilized egg nitrogen oxygenation by flavin enzymes; nitrogen oxidation in ca&inogdiesis; nitrogen oxidation in toxicity; and metaincreases the internal pH, releases calcium, and starts synthesis of fibronectin and cell division. The fibronectin system bolic disoosition of nitrogen functionalities. The widespread use of nitrogen compouids as pharmaceuticals and chemiacts as a second internal clock in the developing embryo. cal intermediates means that the body has to biotransform The role of viruses in eucaryotic genetic systems is well described and the authors conclude that only between 10 and eliminate them. This volume gives a good review of these systems. and 20% of human cancers have a viral etiology. Most cancers arise from several mutations accumulating within the DNA of a single cell causing it to lose control of growth. There may be an environmental basis (tobacco, sunlight, Free Radical Reactions in Medicine-By J. FEHER, asbestos) to these mutations. Those interested in the molG. C~OMOS and A. VERECKEI.199 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. ecular biology of multicellular organisms will find this book DM 120. well worth reading. Free radicals [FR] of oxygen are formed in all aerobic organisms and a system of defence against FR has been developed. In some ways this control of FR concentration Experimental Malignant Hyperthermla-Edited by C. H. can be compared to the immune systems and a series of FR WILLIAMS.166 pp. 1988. Springer, New York. $45. diseases can be compared to the auto-immune diseases. FR are formed in mitochondria, microsomes, perThe inbred colony of pigs at Wisconsin that develop maligoxisomes, phagocytes, platelets, and in the metabolism of nant hyperthermia (MH) have provided excellent material various substances such as arachidonic acid, adrenocortical for experimental investigation of hyperthermia. Inbreeding hormones, melanins, etc. FR can be controlled by SOD, MH positive animals produces individuals that are stress retinoids, glutathione and vitamin E. susceptible and will develop MH syndrome from exercise, This volume provides an excellent summary on the forhigh ambient temperatures, transport stress, or psychomation of FR; oxygen toxicity; FR in rheumatoid arthritis, logical stress. The pigs have normal to severe hypertension (over 400 Torr), normal to severe hypermetabolism of 10 system lupus erythematosus, carcinogenesis, hepatic disease, radiation damage, and many other pathological conditions. times the normal values, pulmonary hypertension, variable It is not clear the extent to which FR are the cause or an response to halothane, abnormal myoneural junctions, with increased muscle potentials. There is a 1.83-fold increase in effect of the disease but increased understanding of FR and their control will lead to advances in disease management motor unit potential voltage and it lasts for longer than normal values. Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are safe and control
Book Reviews
EmlocriaePathophysiology:a Patient-Orientated ApproachEdited by J. M. HERSHMAN. 3rd Edition. 365 pp. 1988. Lea and Febiger, Philadephia. This multi-authored volume provides a useful up-to-date account of the major endocrine systems, their malfunction, diagnosis, biochemical laboratory tests, therapy and clinical pharmacology. At the end of each chapter is a series of problems giving examples of patients with specific endocrine disorders. The reader is given the symptoms and laboratory data and asked questions concerning diagnosis and treatment. The answers are given at the end of each chapter. The chapters are on principles of clinical endocrinology; pituitary disease; thyroid disease; adrenal disease; sexual differentiation and development; female reproductive disorders; male reproductive disorders; diabetes mellitus and hypoglycemia; calcium, phosphate, magnesium and bone physiology and disorders; disorders of water metabolism; lipoprotein metabolism and disorders. This concise book provides important background reading for biochemists, pharmacologists, and endocrinologists, as well as necessary data for medical students and clinicians.
but depolarizing ones trigger off MH. MH leads to massive release of norepinephrine and accelerated heat production in muscle, that leads to ATP depletion, lactic acidosis, glycogenolysis and rapid muscle cell death. Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, will abort MH in uiuo and is protective to muscle strips in vitro. Phentolamine will prevent vasoconstriction and muscle rigor. Total myoneural blockage with metocurine or pancuronium will prevent the development of MH. The MH pig provides an excellent model for the study of MH treatment in man, and this volume provides a good account of the symptoms and treatment in the pigs. Regulation of Aldosterone Biosynthesis: Physiological and Cliaical Aspects-By JIJRG MULLER.2nd Edition. 364 pp. 1988. Springer. Berlin. DM 198.
The first edition of this book appeared 16 years ago. Since then there have been considerable advances mainly due to the development of radioimmune assays of aldosterone, and to the preparation of dispersed zona glomerulosa cells. These, together with the discovery of atria1 natriuretic peptides, somatostatin, the precursor of ACTH, angiotensin Molecular Biology of the Gene-By J. D. WATSON,N. H. antagonists, converting enzyme inhibitors, the clinical synHOPKINS,J. W. ROBERTS,J. A. STEITZand A. M. WEINER. drome of hyporeninemic hypoaldosterone and the role of Volume 2, Specialized Aspects. 4th Edition. 461 pp. 1987. dopamine and prostaglandins in the control of aldosterone production, have all increased our knowledge and underBenjamin/Cummings, California. $29.95. standing of the system. This new edition provides an The topics covered in this volume are: molecular biology of excellent account of the regulation of aldosterone biosynthesis. development; the generation of immunological specificity; the extraordinary diversity of eucaryotic viruses; the control of cell proliferation; the genetic basis of cancer; the origins Biotransformationof Organic Nitrogen Compounds---Edited of human cancer; and the origins of life. Molecular biology by A. K. CHO and B. LINDEKE.218 pp. 1988. Karger, Basel. is steadily providing information and insight into the orSFr 198. $132. ganization of living systems. For example, the amphibian egg divides twelve times and reaches midblastula transition volume deals with chemistry of leading to gastrulation. Injection of DNA into the egg will This multi-authored bring about the transition at an earlier division, i.e. there is organic nitrogen compounds (amines, hydroxylamines, nitroxides, hydrazines, nitroso-compounds, oximes and factor in the egg that binds to DNA and when this factor nitro-compounds); cytochrome P,,, in nitrogen metabolism; is saturated with DNA, there is an onset of cell motility nitrogenous compounds as ligands to hemoporphyrins; leading to gastrulation. The frog oocyte also contains mRNA encoding fibronectin. Pricking the unfertilized egg nitrogen oxygenation by flavin enzymes; nitrogen oxidation in ca&inogdiesis; nitrogen oxidation in toxicity; and metaincreases the internal pH, releases calcium, and starts synthesis of fibronectin and cell division. The fibronectin system bolic disoosition of nitrogen functionalities. The widespread use of nitrogen compouids as pharmaceuticals and chemiacts as a second internal clock in the developing embryo. cal intermediates means that the body has to biotransform The role of viruses in eucaryotic genetic systems is well described and the authors conclude that only between 10 and eliminate them. This volume gives a good review of these systems. and 20% of human cancers have a viral etiology. Most cancers arise from several mutations accumulating within the DNA of a single cell causing it to lose control of growth. There may be an environmental basis (tobacco, sunlight, Free Radical Reactions in Medicine-By J. FEHER, asbestos) to these mutations. Those interested in the molG. C~OMOS and A. VERECKEI.199 pp. 1987. Springer, Berlin. ecular biology of multicellular organisms will find this book DM 120. well worth reading. Free radicals [FR] of oxygen are formed in all aerobic organisms and a system of defence against FR has been developed. In some ways this control of FR concentration Experimental Malignant Hyperthermla-Edited by C. H. can be compared to the immune systems and a series of FR WILLIAMS.166 pp. 1988. Springer, New York. $45. diseases can be compared to the auto-immune diseases. FR are formed in mitochondria, microsomes, perThe inbred colony of pigs at Wisconsin that develop maligoxisomes, phagocytes, platelets, and in the metabolism of nant hyperthermia (MH) have provided excellent material various substances such as arachidonic acid, adrenocortical for experimental investigation of hyperthermia. Inbreeding hormones, melanins, etc. FR can be controlled by SOD, MH positive animals produces individuals that are stress retinoids, glutathione and vitamin E. susceptible and will develop MH syndrome from exercise, This volume provides an excellent summary on the forhigh ambient temperatures, transport stress, or psychomation of FR; oxygen toxicity; FR in rheumatoid arthritis, logical stress. The pigs have normal to severe hypertension (over 400 Torr), normal to severe hypermetabolism of 10 system lupus erythematosus, carcinogenesis, hepatic disease, radiation damage, and many other pathological conditions. times the normal values, pulmonary hypertension, variable It is not clear the extent to which FR are the cause or an response to halothane, abnormal myoneural junctions, with increased muscle potentials. There is a 1.83-fold increase in effect of the disease but increased understanding of FR and their control will lead to advances in disease management motor unit potential voltage and it lasts for longer than normal values. Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are safe and control