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Membrane glycoconjugates
The book is a worthwhile addition to any library servicing the research interests of highvoltage engineers.
J. Hiley
Organo-Metallic8 in Organic Synthesis. Vol. 1 by Ei-ichiNegishi. Pp. 532. Wiley, Chichester. 1980. f 15.85
Increasing use is being made of organometallic compounds in synthesis, with a staggeringly and of new reactions large number modifications being reported each year. The extent and variety of this literature could easily be bewildering to both a student and a wellpracticed exponent of the art of organic synthesis. Decisions, for example, as to which is the most suitable procedure to follow, or which metal should be used, or even how to adapt known reactions to one’s needs, can prove difficult to make even though somewhere in the literature the answer is to be found. While there are a number of excellent monographs covering general organometallic chemistry these essentially are concerned with preparations, structures, and properties and there is a real need for a book which specifically provides an overall view of the chemistry of oganometallic compounds in synthesis. This book by Ei-ichi Negishi, a prominent worker in the area, is just the job. The initial part of the book is concerned with general aspects, methods of preparation, and patterns of reactions of organometallics, while the bulk of the work deals with the more important main group compounds, divided into most suitable and convenient groupings, e.g. Groups IA, IIA and IIB (Chapter 4: the largest); B and Al (Chapter 5); Si and Sn (Chapter 6); and Hg, Tl and Pb (Chapter 7). There are many references, up to 1978, and a useful set of appendices completes a fine book.
Natural Toxins. Edited by D. Eaker and T. Wadstrd’m. Pp. 7 19. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1980. f45.00 ($100.00)
This book contains 84 of the 207 papers presented at the 6th International Symposium on Animal, Plant and Microbial Toxins held in Uppsala in August 1979. The editors have included manuscripts ofthe invited oral papers and special workshop presentations, and have accepted that the free communications would be published elsewhere. This policy has produced a book of mainly review papers covering the diverse field of Toxicology. Areas that are covered include: pathophysiology of envenomation; enterotoxins; lipid A and neurotoxins; endotoxins; polypeptide botulisms and tetanus toxins; mycotoxins; and some novel toxins. In addition, several sections deal with some of the specific effects of toxins: for example, venom toxins and the immune system, substances affecting blood coagulation and tibrinolysis, and venom toxins affecting neurotransmitter release. The value of this quality hard-backed book is increased because it was produced so soon after the meeting. One feature where the editors could have been more vigilant is in the style of the references quoted. A uniform style, including or excluding the reference title, would have improved the presentation. An author index and a keyword index are included but the latter should have been more extensive. This book is a useful comprehensive reference for those scientists working towards reducing the 100,000 human deaths per year from bites or stings by snakes, insects, or spiders: or the effects of mycotoxins rendering large fractions of cereal and peanut production unfit for human and animal consumption.
D. C. Shaw
J. L. Wardell
Polymers in Nature by E. A. MacGregor and C. T. Greenwood. Pp. 39 1. Wiley, Chichester. 1980. f 19.50.
This book offers a simple, introductory approach both to natural organic polymers, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, including special plant polymers rubber and lignin, and to inorganic polymers of carbon and silicon compounds. It is dealt with very much from the chemist’s viewpoint. by concentrating on structural aspects of the polymers, and includes two useful chapters outlining the laboratory techniques that are commonly used to extract, isolate, and determine their physical properties. The general level of information is ideal for junior undergraduates but the more advanced student would very quickly need to look elsewhere; suggestions for further reading are provided with each chapter. I do not see this book replacing, for example, a good standard textbook on biochemistry which would contain much of the information given here and more besides; however, it would provide a valuable component of a supplementary reading list, ideal for a class library. C.
K. Pearson
Membrane Glycoconjugates. Editedby MichelMonsignyandJosephSchrevel. Pp. 339. Socie’te’ Francaise de Microscopic Electronique, Paris. 1980.9OFF.
This special issue of Biologie CeMulaire abstracts of the short comcontains munications and eleven articles contributed by some of the invited speakers at the Colloquium on Membrane Glycoconjugates held at Seillac, France, 18th-20thAprikl979. This glossy volume will be of particular interest to electron microscopists as seven of the major contributions are concerned with demonstrating the presence of glycoconjugates on cell surfaces. There is a strong emphasis on the development of new and more refined techniques for the visualisation of these components. All the authors provide highquality examples of their art. are interesting There also and comprehensive review articles on recent developments in glycoconjugate biosynthesis and on the occurrence and function of membrane lectins, both active and important fields at present. Individual research papers also focus on the role of liver lectins in the formation of cell contacts and on the involvement of fibronectin in cell adhesion. All the articles are extensively referenced
and both subject and cited author indexes are provided. This production is obviously of limited appeal, and is inevitably somewhat of a mixed bag, but worthy of inclusion in departmental libraries.
Insects and Hygiene. The Biology Control of Insect Pests of Medical Domestic Importance. 3rd edition James R. Busvine. Pp, 568. Chapman Hail, Londdn. 1980. f22.50
and and by &
This useful text-book of applied entomology has justifiably achieved it’s third edition. It describes the external morphology and behaviour of the more important insect and other small arthropod (mites, scorpions, spiders, ticks, etc.) species that can affect domestic hygiene, human health and comfort, the nature of the damage or nuisance they can cause, and the range of available methods for controlling the pests. Thirteen chapters deal respectively with historical and social aspects, organisational aspects and information control measures, sources, non-chemical pesticide chemicals, the nature of pesticidal action and inaction of initially effective chemicals (the ‘resistance’ problem) and, chapters dealing seriatim with finally, bloodsucking flies, blowflies and houseflies, food pests, pests which attack natural fibres and timber, and arthropods which can sting, bite, or otherwise become a nuisance. The text is well documented and provided with a glossary of chemical names and a key to biological identification. A sprinkling of minor errors and shortcomings can be identified; e.g., a confusion of rads with radians (p. 5 1) and in converting litres per tonne to gallons per ton (p. 364). But these in no way impair the overall authority and value of the book which reflect the author’s distinguished academic record and clear grasp of the principles of practical control.
F. P. W. Winteringham.
Desertification. EditedbyMargaretR. Biswas andAsit K. Biswas. Pp. 523. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1980. f33.50
I$75.00). This volume contains six of the case studies presented to the U.N. Conference on Desertification held at Nairobi in 1977. Although the short preface opens by reminding us that it was the consequences of the terrible Sahel drought of 1968-1974 which highlighted the seriousness of the situation, strangely not one African case study is included in the selection. In fact, all the cases chosen (Israel, China, U.S.S.R., U.S.A., Iran, and Australia) are characterised by strong central-planning structures; access to high levels of capital; or strong indigenous technological bases. The African situation does not fit easily into any of these categories and one is left wondering why it was passed over. One gains the impression, prevalent at Nairobi, that it is really a matter of demonstrating what technology can do and a rather passive stance is taken toward those seen as ‘causing’ desertification: i.e., those 135
J. Hiley
Organo-Metallic8 in Organic Synthesis. Vol. 1 by Ei-ichiNegishi. Pp. 532. Wiley, Chichester. 1980. f 15.85
Increasing use is being made of organometallic compounds in synthesis, with a staggeringly and of new reactions large number modifications being reported each year. The extent and variety of this literature could easily be bewildering to both a student and a wellpracticed exponent of the art of organic synthesis. Decisions, for example, as to which is the most suitable procedure to follow, or which metal should be used, or even how to adapt known reactions to one’s needs, can prove difficult to make even though somewhere in the literature the answer is to be found. While there are a number of excellent monographs covering general organometallic chemistry these essentially are concerned with preparations, structures, and properties and there is a real need for a book which specifically provides an overall view of the chemistry of oganometallic compounds in synthesis. This book by Ei-ichi Negishi, a prominent worker in the area, is just the job. The initial part of the book is concerned with general aspects, methods of preparation, and patterns of reactions of organometallics, while the bulk of the work deals with the more important main group compounds, divided into most suitable and convenient groupings, e.g. Groups IA, IIA and IIB (Chapter 4: the largest); B and Al (Chapter 5); Si and Sn (Chapter 6); and Hg, Tl and Pb (Chapter 7). There are many references, up to 1978, and a useful set of appendices completes a fine book.
Natural Toxins. Edited by D. Eaker and T. Wadstrd’m. Pp. 7 19. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1980. f45.00 ($100.00)
This book contains 84 of the 207 papers presented at the 6th International Symposium on Animal, Plant and Microbial Toxins held in Uppsala in August 1979. The editors have included manuscripts ofthe invited oral papers and special workshop presentations, and have accepted that the free communications would be published elsewhere. This policy has produced a book of mainly review papers covering the diverse field of Toxicology. Areas that are covered include: pathophysiology of envenomation; enterotoxins; lipid A and neurotoxins; endotoxins; polypeptide botulisms and tetanus toxins; mycotoxins; and some novel toxins. In addition, several sections deal with some of the specific effects of toxins: for example, venom toxins and the immune system, substances affecting blood coagulation and tibrinolysis, and venom toxins affecting neurotransmitter release. The value of this quality hard-backed book is increased because it was produced so soon after the meeting. One feature where the editors could have been more vigilant is in the style of the references quoted. A uniform style, including or excluding the reference title, would have improved the presentation. An author index and a keyword index are included but the latter should have been more extensive. This book is a useful comprehensive reference for those scientists working towards reducing the 100,000 human deaths per year from bites or stings by snakes, insects, or spiders: or the effects of mycotoxins rendering large fractions of cereal and peanut production unfit for human and animal consumption.
D. C. Shaw
J. L. Wardell
Polymers in Nature by E. A. MacGregor and C. T. Greenwood. Pp. 39 1. Wiley, Chichester. 1980. f 19.50.
This book offers a simple, introductory approach both to natural organic polymers, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides, including special plant polymers rubber and lignin, and to inorganic polymers of carbon and silicon compounds. It is dealt with very much from the chemist’s viewpoint. by concentrating on structural aspects of the polymers, and includes two useful chapters outlining the laboratory techniques that are commonly used to extract, isolate, and determine their physical properties. The general level of information is ideal for junior undergraduates but the more advanced student would very quickly need to look elsewhere; suggestions for further reading are provided with each chapter. I do not see this book replacing, for example, a good standard textbook on biochemistry which would contain much of the information given here and more besides; however, it would provide a valuable component of a supplementary reading list, ideal for a class library. C.
K. Pearson
Membrane Glycoconjugates. Editedby MichelMonsignyandJosephSchrevel. Pp. 339. Socie’te’ Francaise de Microscopic Electronique, Paris. 1980.9OFF.
This special issue of Biologie CeMulaire abstracts of the short comcontains munications and eleven articles contributed by some of the invited speakers at the Colloquium on Membrane Glycoconjugates held at Seillac, France, 18th-20thAprikl979. This glossy volume will be of particular interest to electron microscopists as seven of the major contributions are concerned with demonstrating the presence of glycoconjugates on cell surfaces. There is a strong emphasis on the development of new and more refined techniques for the visualisation of these components. All the authors provide highquality examples of their art. are interesting There also and comprehensive review articles on recent developments in glycoconjugate biosynthesis and on the occurrence and function of membrane lectins, both active and important fields at present. Individual research papers also focus on the role of liver lectins in the formation of cell contacts and on the involvement of fibronectin in cell adhesion. All the articles are extensively referenced
and both subject and cited author indexes are provided. This production is obviously of limited appeal, and is inevitably somewhat of a mixed bag, but worthy of inclusion in departmental libraries.
Insects and Hygiene. The Biology Control of Insect Pests of Medical Domestic Importance. 3rd edition James R. Busvine. Pp, 568. Chapman Hail, Londdn. 1980. f22.50
and and by &
This useful text-book of applied entomology has justifiably achieved it’s third edition. It describes the external morphology and behaviour of the more important insect and other small arthropod (mites, scorpions, spiders, ticks, etc.) species that can affect domestic hygiene, human health and comfort, the nature of the damage or nuisance they can cause, and the range of available methods for controlling the pests. Thirteen chapters deal respectively with historical and social aspects, organisational aspects and information control measures, sources, non-chemical pesticide chemicals, the nature of pesticidal action and inaction of initially effective chemicals (the ‘resistance’ problem) and, chapters dealing seriatim with finally, bloodsucking flies, blowflies and houseflies, food pests, pests which attack natural fibres and timber, and arthropods which can sting, bite, or otherwise become a nuisance. The text is well documented and provided with a glossary of chemical names and a key to biological identification. A sprinkling of minor errors and shortcomings can be identified; e.g., a confusion of rads with radians (p. 5 1) and in converting litres per tonne to gallons per ton (p. 364). But these in no way impair the overall authority and value of the book which reflect the author’s distinguished academic record and clear grasp of the principles of practical control.
F. P. W. Winteringham.
Desertification. EditedbyMargaretR. Biswas andAsit K. Biswas. Pp. 523. Pergamon Press, Oxford. 1980. f33.50
I$75.00). This volume contains six of the case studies presented to the U.N. Conference on Desertification held at Nairobi in 1977. Although the short preface opens by reminding us that it was the consequences of the terrible Sahel drought of 1968-1974 which highlighted the seriousness of the situation, strangely not one African case study is included in the selection. In fact, all the cases chosen (Israel, China, U.S.S.R., U.S.A., Iran, and Australia) are characterised by strong central-planning structures; access to high levels of capital; or strong indigenous technological bases. The African situation does not fit easily into any of these categories and one is left wondering why it was passed over. One gains the impression, prevalent at Nairobi, that it is really a matter of demonstrating what technology can do and a rather passive stance is taken toward those seen as ‘causing’ desertification: i.e., those 135