Book Reviews 1055

Enzyme Technology-M. F. CHAPLIN and C. BUCKE. 264 pp. The Significance of N-Nitrosation of Drugs-Edited by G.

1990. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. Hardback EISENLIRAND, G. I~IZLER and H. V. NICOLAI 290 pp. 1990.

$59.50, Paperback $24.95. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart. Paperback DM 98.

This is a text that will be useful at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It deals with; enzyme kinetics; enzyme preparation and use; the preparation and kinetics of immobilised enzymes; the large scale use of enzymes in solution; immobilised enzymes and their use; biosensors; recent advances in enzyme technology; future prospects for enzyme technology. It is well presented and very readable.

Anaerobic Infections; Clinical and Laboratory Practice-By A. T. WILLIS and K. D. PHILLIPS. 169 pp. 1988/1991. Cam- bridge University Press, Cambridge. Paperback $39.50.

This is a publication from the Public Health Laboratory, Luton, U.K. and provides the methodology of dealing with obligate anaerobes [A]; botulism; Clostridium di’cile diar- rhoea and colitis; methods of culturing A; examination and identification of A; diagnosis of A infection; A genera of clinical importance; GLC in identification of A. A very useful practical text and guide.

The majority of different N-nitroso compounds that have been tested have been shown to have carcinogenic activity. Although the daily intake of nitrosomines through food and drink is relatively low, higher amounts are taken in through smoking and in the rubber [150 pg], metal [40 pg], tobacco, and cosmetics industries. The average normal daily food intake is about 0.1 pg, with beer providing about 70% and the remainder from smoked foods. Smoking 20 cigarettes a day leads to an exposure of 17-35 pg and use of smokeless tobaccos can give exposures of more than 4OOpg per day. The gastrointestinal tract can form nitrosamines through endogenous nitrosation. Drugs such as amidopyrine, piperazine, cimetidine and bromhexine are nitrosated and a list of a further 150 drugs that can be nitrosated in uivo, is given.

Pharmacokinetics-By S. B. HLADKY. 157 pp. 1990. Manchester University Press/St Martins Press, New York. $24.95.

The Molecular Basis of Bacterial Metabolism-Edited by G. HAUSKA and R. THAUER. 183 pp. 1990. Springer, Berlin. DM 128. Mosbach Colloquium No 41.

The topics discussed include; novel enzymes of Archaebac- teria; alternatives to the Calvin and Krebs cycles; amino acid fermentation; anaerobic pyruvate metabolism; hydrogen metabolism; three nitrogen fixation systems in Azotobacter; UGA encodes selenocysteine; degradation of xenobiotics; quinone mediated redox catalysis; cytochrome caa3; electro- chemical proton potential; regulation of gene expression by oxygen; phosphorus assimilation; regulation of gene ex- pression by iron.

This is a concise student text. The chapters are on; concen- trations; elimination and clearance; renal excretion; drug metabolism hepatic elimination; routes of administration, absorption and availability; steady state; plasma concen- tration after an intravenous dose; intravenous infusion; simultaneous absorption and elimination of a dose; multiple doses; anaesthetics; time course of drug distribution; plasma protein binding; volume of distribution; double exponential approximation; compartmental analysis; exercises and calculations.

Drug Safety in Pregnancy-Edited by P. FOLB and M. N. G. DUKES. 520 pp. 1990. Elsevier, Amsterdam.

Microbial Growth Dynamic-Edited by R. K. POOLE, M. J. BAZIN andC. W. I&EVIL. 171 pp. 1990. IRL/Oxford Univer- sity Press, Oxford. Paperback. Special Publications of the Society for General Microbiology Vol. 28.

This book is a tribute to John Pirt and his work on microbial growth. The chapters are on; the dynamics of microbial processes; growth and morphology in Fusarium and other fungi in batch and continuous culture; recent extensions of surface stress theory; diffusion limited growth; energetics of growth at low growth rates; kinetics of secondary metabolite production; stability properties of microbial populations; optimization strategies in microbial process development and operation.

The New Generation of Quinolones-Edited by C. SIPORIN, C. L. HEIFETZ and J. M. DOMAGALA. 347 pp. 1990. Marcel Dekker, New York. $99.75 (U.S.A. and Canada), $119.50 elsewhere.

With the increase of the number of drug prescriptions has come an increased awareness of unwanted side effects in pregnancy both on the mother and the fetus. This book deals with thalidomide, amphetamines, tricyclic antidepress- ants, lithium, ethanol, cigarettes, caffeine, cannabis, cocaine, morphine, heroin, methadone, neuroleptics, benzo- diazepines, anticonvulsants, opioid analgesics, non steroid anti-inflammatory agents, paracetomol, anaesthetics, sym- pathomimetics, antihypertensives, beta blockers, diuretics, penicillamine, gold, antibiotics, chemotherapeutics, anti- tuberculars, antimalarials, vaccines, anticoagulants, hae- matinics, antiemetics, vitamins, retinoids, corticosteroids, contraceptives, diethylstilbestrol, spermicides, antithyroids, oral hypoglycaemics, cytotoxics and immunosuppressives. Data is given for each drug on animal trials, clinical results, signs and symptoms, contra-indications, conclusions and literature. A very useful reference book.

The discovery of norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin and perfloxacin showed that the fluoroquinolones were very effective in treating many infections, such as those due to Enterobacteriaceae sp. and Haemophilus injuenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Other quinolones are proving effective against Bacteroides sp. and Clostridium sp. The chapters of this book deal with; SAR of fluoroquinolones; mode of action; in vitro activity; immune responses; animal models; pharmacokinetics; toxicity; tissue penetration; uri- nary tract; cutaneous diseases; chronic bronchitis; sexually transmitted diseases; GI, CNS and bone infections; changes in structure of the bacterial nucleoid after treatment with quinolones.

Early Phase Drug Evaluation in Man-Edited by J. O’GRADY and 0. LINNET. 737 pp. 1990. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. $95.

It can take IO-15 years to bring a new drug to the market. This book is a practical guide to phases I and II of the testing, i.e. the from the early stages of testing on humans through demonstration of efficacy and relative safety. The main sections are on; preliminaries to testing of drugs on man (animal trials); organization and decision making; ethical and legal considerations; measuring drug activity in man; assessment of drug effects on cardiovascular system; CNS; GI system; kidney; obstetrics and gynaecology; skin; metabolic disorders; chemotherapeutic agents; inflamma-