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Nutrition: A comprehensive treatise. Vol. I: Macronutrients and nutrient elements
BOOK
Part 2 presents several of the more common serological reactions and discusses to some extent their usefulness and importance. Typical of the abbreviation, in areas where some readers would expect a more generous development, is the only formal characterization of serum: “Serum is a complex mixture of proteins . . . consisting of albumin and globulin, lipids and electrolytes.” I have omitted some words which contained one of the few unequivocal errors in the book. Most errors are introduced by the selection of supporting experimental findings which have been disproven or disavowed, some perhapsmore recently than the completion of Gray’s original manuscript. There are a few minor irritations, however, in the form of conccpt,s long outdated by more refined immunochemical investigations. Readers oriented more toward basic biology or biochemistry than toward clinical medicine will regret the rather perfunctory, scattered, and offhand treatment of specificity, affinity and hcterogeneitg of antibodies. This is all the more rcgrettable since t,herc are no experiments included in Part 2 which serve to illustrate these concepts or their interdependence. Furthermore the basic “workhorse” methods built around the quantitative precipitation reaction and gel-diffusion analysis are dismissed in a few brief, uninformative sentences. Agglutination, immune lysis, and complement fixation, on the other hand, receive significantly more attention. For all its shortcomings, inevitable in any such “outline”, David Gray’s “Immunology” could be a useful book. Students will find in it a handy review. Teachers, especially those more chemically inclined, will find ample reminders that immunology and immunochemistry are sciences which derive sust,enance directly and primarily from very practical medical problems. CURTIS A. WILLIAMS,
New York, New York
Electron Probe Microanalysis. By BIRKS, Head X-Ray Optics Branch, U. S. Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. (Interscience), New York, 1963. ix + 253 pp.
761
REVIEWS
L. S. Naval Wiley $9.25.
Electron probe microanalysis is a natural development stemming from electron microscopy and X-ray spectrochcmical analysis, the latter being a simple and straightforward method of quantitative chemical analysis. The techniques for forming and controlling electron beams are derived directly from electron microscopy. Although a rather short book, it is comprehcnsivethe first one in this comparatively new field. Dr. Birks, a pioneer in this type of work, is well qualified. The first chapter is an introduction describing
t,hc iiistrutnent, what it can do and the purpose of the book. The second chapter describes the history of the process from the original concept of the instrument to its future possibilities. Other chapters cover the observation of the specimen, the types of specimens that can be used and their preparations, quantitative analyses, and types of problems to which the technique is applicable. There are also chapters, rather general in character, on X-ray crystal optics, detectors and energy dispersion, and the derivation of equations for relative X-ray intensity. The last chapter covers, fully, related uses and futurct trends. A complete bibliography appears at the end of each chapter. The greatest value in this hook is the detailed description of the electron prohe, and what it, can and can’t he expected to do. Since a cubic micron can hc examined, assays in the picogram range can be made if the element sought can be concentrated within that area. The volume is suppemcnted by an appendix on cxcitatioii efficiency and tables of Intensity Function, Mass Absorption Coefficients, Excitation Energy for K-, L-, and M-Series, Characteristic Wave Lengths of t,hc K-, L-, and M-Series, and Mult,iplicr p,. The hook is well written, has a good index, and is properly illustrated with cxccllent line drawings and photographs. It is a good presentation of a new and useful tool for t,he analyst whether general, biological, metallurgical, mineralogical or whatever. Davio Nutrition: I : Macronu
B. SARINE,
A Comprehensive trients and Nutrient
Yonkers,
N.Y.
Treatise. Vol. Elements.
Edited hy G. II. BEATON and E. W. MCIIENRY. Academic Press, New York, 1064. xviii + 547 pp. $18.50. The tline chapters of t,his first of three volumes review basic and recently acquired knowledge on essential macro and micronutrients for the graduate student in the nutritional sciences. The treatise differs somewhat from other publications in this area in that it present,s fundamental knowledge of human nutrition in the light of practical problems of interpretation and applications. The biochemical aspects of some of the nutritional problems are also delineated. Since the editors have not discouraged differences of opinion of t,he authors, an expected lack of conformity is prcscnt. This quality of the book should serve to encourage the student to seek and compare other sources of information-a training essential to t,he develnpment of good investigators. Although the over-all coverage of the subject matter is good, and well writsten, it is inevitable
762
BOOK
x REVIEWS
that some contributions to a multiauthored book will out,distance others. In such a comparison, this Reviewer feels that the chapters of 13. M. Sinclair on carbohydrates and fats; R. W. Swift. and K. II. Fisher on energy metabolism; Isabella Lcitch 011 calcium and phosphorus; W. W. Hawkins on iron, cooper, and cobalt; and Gordon Nikiforuk and Robert M. Grainger on fluorine, are remarkable both as to compreherlsivencss, clarit,y, and wealth of knowledge presented. With very few exceptions the bibliographies are uptodate and extensive. The subject index covers 40 pages and is of sufficient detail to enable the reader to make quick reference to specific items. Dr. George H. Bcaton and the late I)r. Earle Willard McHenry have reason to be proud of this volume which should find a broad readership. ANTHONY A. ALBMVEGE, White Plains,
Sew
York
The Bacterial Cell Wall. By MILTON J. R. SALTON, Professor of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Iiniversity of New Sonth Wales, Australia. Elsevier, New York, 1964. xiii + 293 pp. $14.50. A knowledge of the structure, composition, aud synthesis of the bacterial cell wall is of great importance in cell biology, biochemistry, medicine, and other applied sciences. The past two decades have seen tremendous strides in this field, concomitant with the widening applications of the electron microscope. There is certainly no person
I
more qualified to write this book than .\lilton J. R. Salton. His entire scientific carter is coincident witI the rapid development, of the interpretation of cell structure in microorganisms. He has written a summation dealing with all aspects, giving new facts and including technical details. There arc eight chapters: the anatomy of the bacterial surface, isolation of bacterial cell walls, electron microscopy of isolated walls, physicochemical properties and chemical composition of walls, structure of cell-wall glycosaminopeptides and t,heir sensitivity to enzymic degradation, the occurrence and structure of teichoic acids, cell-wall antigens and bacteriophage receptors! and biochemistry of the bacterial cell wall. Dr. Salton has an easy-reading lucid style and presents a complex subject in amazing detail for a short, book. Each chaptctr has an ample bibliography; even allowing for a certain amount of duplication, there are nearly a thousand references. Photomicrographs and structural drawings are well reproduced, and appear in the text in approximation to their discussion. There are also A7 tables, which are grouped together at the end of the book. This may make for easy reference during laboratory work but it is inconvenient when studying the text. There are a few typographical errors, but none serious. The book is highly recommended not only for those actively engaged in this field of research but. also for those who like ttr keep up wit,h advances in the microbiological world DAVID B. SABINE,
Yonkers,
Announcement The International Organization for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IOPAB) will organize t,he Second International Biophysics Congress, Vienna (Austria) September 5-9, 1966. Contributed papers on all subject,s of biophysics will be accepted. Abskacts of such papers will be due by May 15, 1966. Inquiries should be directed as follows: Scientific program-Secrret,ariat: Wien, IX, Alserstrasse 4, Telephone: 42-61-57 Wiener Medizinische Akademie, Mrs. E. Weidenhaus; and entertainment program-Reisedienst. der Housing, travel awangemenfs, Wiener Mcdizinischen Akademie, Wien, IX Alserstrasse 4, Telephone: 63-G-13; Conzme~~%~le.xhibits--P. Scherbetz, Wien, IX. Kinderspitalgasse 4, Telephone: 42-33-47
N. Y.
Part 2 presents several of the more common serological reactions and discusses to some extent their usefulness and importance. Typical of the abbreviation, in areas where some readers would expect a more generous development, is the only formal characterization of serum: “Serum is a complex mixture of proteins . . . consisting of albumin and globulin, lipids and electrolytes.” I have omitted some words which contained one of the few unequivocal errors in the book. Most errors are introduced by the selection of supporting experimental findings which have been disproven or disavowed, some perhapsmore recently than the completion of Gray’s original manuscript. There are a few minor irritations, however, in the form of conccpt,s long outdated by more refined immunochemical investigations. Readers oriented more toward basic biology or biochemistry than toward clinical medicine will regret the rather perfunctory, scattered, and offhand treatment of specificity, affinity and hcterogeneitg of antibodies. This is all the more rcgrettable since t,herc are no experiments included in Part 2 which serve to illustrate these concepts or their interdependence. Furthermore the basic “workhorse” methods built around the quantitative precipitation reaction and gel-diffusion analysis are dismissed in a few brief, uninformative sentences. Agglutination, immune lysis, and complement fixation, on the other hand, receive significantly more attention. For all its shortcomings, inevitable in any such “outline”, David Gray’s “Immunology” could be a useful book. Students will find in it a handy review. Teachers, especially those more chemically inclined, will find ample reminders that immunology and immunochemistry are sciences which derive sust,enance directly and primarily from very practical medical problems. CURTIS A. WILLIAMS,
New York, New York
Electron Probe Microanalysis. By BIRKS, Head X-Ray Optics Branch, U. S. Research Laboratory, Washington, D. C. (Interscience), New York, 1963. ix + 253 pp.
761
REVIEWS
L. S. Naval Wiley $9.25.
Electron probe microanalysis is a natural development stemming from electron microscopy and X-ray spectrochcmical analysis, the latter being a simple and straightforward method of quantitative chemical analysis. The techniques for forming and controlling electron beams are derived directly from electron microscopy. Although a rather short book, it is comprehcnsivethe first one in this comparatively new field. Dr. Birks, a pioneer in this type of work, is well qualified. The first chapter is an introduction describing
t,hc iiistrutnent, what it can do and the purpose of the book. The second chapter describes the history of the process from the original concept of the instrument to its future possibilities. Other chapters cover the observation of the specimen, the types of specimens that can be used and their preparations, quantitative analyses, and types of problems to which the technique is applicable. There are also chapters, rather general in character, on X-ray crystal optics, detectors and energy dispersion, and the derivation of equations for relative X-ray intensity. The last chapter covers, fully, related uses and futurct trends. A complete bibliography appears at the end of each chapter. The greatest value in this hook is the detailed description of the electron prohe, and what it, can and can’t he expected to do. Since a cubic micron can hc examined, assays in the picogram range can be made if the element sought can be concentrated within that area. The volume is suppemcnted by an appendix on cxcitatioii efficiency and tables of Intensity Function, Mass Absorption Coefficients, Excitation Energy for K-, L-, and M-Series, Characteristic Wave Lengths of t,hc K-, L-, and M-Series, and Mult,iplicr p,. The hook is well written, has a good index, and is properly illustrated with cxccllent line drawings and photographs. It is a good presentation of a new and useful tool for t,he analyst whether general, biological, metallurgical, mineralogical or whatever. Davio Nutrition: I : Macronu
B. SARINE,
A Comprehensive trients and Nutrient
Yonkers,
N.Y.
Treatise. Vol. Elements.
Edited hy G. II. BEATON and E. W. MCIIENRY. Academic Press, New York, 1064. xviii + 547 pp. $18.50. The tline chapters of t,his first of three volumes review basic and recently acquired knowledge on essential macro and micronutrients for the graduate student in the nutritional sciences. The treatise differs somewhat from other publications in this area in that it present,s fundamental knowledge of human nutrition in the light of practical problems of interpretation and applications. The biochemical aspects of some of the nutritional problems are also delineated. Since the editors have not discouraged differences of opinion of t,he authors, an expected lack of conformity is prcscnt. This quality of the book should serve to encourage the student to seek and compare other sources of information-a training essential to t,he develnpment of good investigators. Although the over-all coverage of the subject matter is good, and well writsten, it is inevitable
762
BOOK
x REVIEWS
that some contributions to a multiauthored book will out,distance others. In such a comparison, this Reviewer feels that the chapters of 13. M. Sinclair on carbohydrates and fats; R. W. Swift. and K. II. Fisher on energy metabolism; Isabella Lcitch 011 calcium and phosphorus; W. W. Hawkins on iron, cooper, and cobalt; and Gordon Nikiforuk and Robert M. Grainger on fluorine, are remarkable both as to compreherlsivencss, clarit,y, and wealth of knowledge presented. With very few exceptions the bibliographies are uptodate and extensive. The subject index covers 40 pages and is of sufficient detail to enable the reader to make quick reference to specific items. Dr. George H. Bcaton and the late I)r. Earle Willard McHenry have reason to be proud of this volume which should find a broad readership. ANTHONY A. ALBMVEGE, White Plains,
Sew
York
The Bacterial Cell Wall. By MILTON J. R. SALTON, Professor of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Iiniversity of New Sonth Wales, Australia. Elsevier, New York, 1964. xiii + 293 pp. $14.50. A knowledge of the structure, composition, aud synthesis of the bacterial cell wall is of great importance in cell biology, biochemistry, medicine, and other applied sciences. The past two decades have seen tremendous strides in this field, concomitant with the widening applications of the electron microscope. There is certainly no person
I
more qualified to write this book than .\lilton J. R. Salton. His entire scientific carter is coincident witI the rapid development, of the interpretation of cell structure in microorganisms. He has written a summation dealing with all aspects, giving new facts and including technical details. There arc eight chapters: the anatomy of the bacterial surface, isolation of bacterial cell walls, electron microscopy of isolated walls, physicochemical properties and chemical composition of walls, structure of cell-wall glycosaminopeptides and t,heir sensitivity to enzymic degradation, the occurrence and structure of teichoic acids, cell-wall antigens and bacteriophage receptors! and biochemistry of the bacterial cell wall. Dr. Salton has an easy-reading lucid style and presents a complex subject in amazing detail for a short, book. Each chaptctr has an ample bibliography; even allowing for a certain amount of duplication, there are nearly a thousand references. Photomicrographs and structural drawings are well reproduced, and appear in the text in approximation to their discussion. There are also A7 tables, which are grouped together at the end of the book. This may make for easy reference during laboratory work but it is inconvenient when studying the text. There are a few typographical errors, but none serious. The book is highly recommended not only for those actively engaged in this field of research but. also for those who like ttr keep up wit,h advances in the microbiological world DAVID B. SABINE,
Yonkers,
Announcement The International Organization for Pure and Applied Biophysics (IOPAB) will organize t,he Second International Biophysics Congress, Vienna (Austria) September 5-9, 1966. Contributed papers on all subject,s of biophysics will be accepted. Abskacts of such papers will be due by May 15, 1966. Inquiries should be directed as follows: Scientific program-Secrret,ariat: Wien, IX, Alserstrasse 4, Telephone: 42-61-57 Wiener Medizinische Akademie, Mrs. E. Weidenhaus; and entertainment program-Reisedienst. der Housing, travel awangemenfs, Wiener Mcdizinischen Akademie, Wien, IX Alserstrasse 4, Telephone: 63-G-13; Conzme~~%~le.xhibits--P. Scherbetz, Wien, IX. Kinderspitalgasse 4, Telephone: 42-33-47
N. Y.