Camp. Biochem. Physiol. Vol. 88A. No. 4, pp. 715-717, 1987 Pergamon Journals Ltd. Pnnted in Great Britain

BOOK REVIEWS

Wysiology of lactation-by T. B. MEPHAM. 207 pp. 1986. Open University Press. Milton Keynes. f35 (hard back), El650 (paper back).

This single-author book provides an excellent summary of what is known about lactation, The chapter headings are: (1) Biological functions of lactation. (2) The structure of the mammary glands. (3) The composition of milks. (4) An analysis of lactation as a productive system. (5) Biosynthesis of milk. (6) Secretory processes. (7) Endocrine control of mammary growth and function. (8) Neuroendocrine con- trol of lactation. (9) Control of mammary function at a cellular level. (10) Maternal physiology during lactation. (11) Problem-hiving strategies (breast feeding, dairy milk productron, genetic engineering). Though some insects, fish and pigeons can secrete a food for their young, mammals are defined by their milk-secreting activity and milk plays a major role in the development of the Progeny, in agriculture and in economics.

All those involved in the study of milk and mammary glands will find this book very int~~sting.

Reviews of Physiology, Biochemistry and WI~IRS~@‘, Volume 104, 270 pp. 1986. Springer, Berlin. DM I24.

There are three reviews in this volume. (1) Eicosanoids and the coronary circulation by T. Simmet and B. A. Pesker, provides a summary of the role of the prostaglandins, throm~xanes and Ieucotrienes on platelet abortion and arterial dilation and their influence in acute myocardial infarction, and cardiac anaphylaxis.

(2) Methodological aspects of purification and recon- stitution of transport proteins from mammalian plasma membranes by H. Koepsell shows the extent to which it is possible to reconstitute membranes with a functional Na--K ATPase, Ca-ATPase, a v glucose transporter, anion ex- change proteins. Na and D glucose cot~ns~rte~ and other Na cotransport systems.

(3) Renal erythropoietin; properties and production by W. Jelkmann. Erythropoietin has a molecular weight of 34.000 and the nucleotide sequence is known for human fetal liver erythropoietin cDNA. The review discusses the role of the kidney, blood oxygen tension, renal pros- taglandins. hy~thalamic-hy~phy~~ hormones, tbyr- oxine. steroids and the autonomic nervous system in the regulation of erythropoietin.

The reviews are well-written and illustrated and have excellent bibliographies with an index to all the authors of the papers quoted.

The UpId ha&mok--Edited by F. D. GUNSTO~X, J. L. HARWOOD and F. B. PADLEY. 571 + 313 pp. 1986. Chapman and Hall, London. $195.

This large handbook deals with fatty acid structure; lipid structure: occurrence and characteristics of oils and fats; separation and isolation procedure; processing of fats and oils; analytical methods; synthesis; physical properties; structural and physical characteristics; optical and spectral characte~sti~;-~h~~1 properties; tip~d-me~~lism; med- ical and agricultural aspects of lipids. These take up 571 pages. In iddition there are 3 t 3 pages giving the physical properties of 2000 lipids and derivatives taken from the 5th edition of Heilbron’s dictionary of chemistry (the lipid section of which was compiled by Professor Gunstone’s group). The material in the main 571~page section is

presented in a readable manner together with very useful tabular data. The volume should be present in all science libraries.

-9 in rlimme--Edited by D. M. GOLDBERG, E. DE LA LDRENA and M. WERNER. 189 pp. 1986. S. Karger, Basel. S99.50. f70.20. Advances in clinical enzymdogy, Volme 4.

The papers Presented in this published symposium are grouped into sections: enzymes and pancreatic disease; L-camitine, metabolism and clinical significance (intra- cellular t~nsl~tion, befu oxidation of fatty acids); and metabolic aspects of enzyme (inflammation, platelet aggre- gation, diabetes mellitus).

Modern muxpts in b&&&try 5th edition-Edited by ROBERT C. BOHINS~II. 739~~. 19&J. antic-Hall~Allyn & Bacon. Boston. E19.95 (paper back).

The last edition appeared in I983 and the present edition has been brought up to date. The coverage of nucleotides, nucleic acids, genes and gene activity has been expanded to four chapters. There are also separate chapters on transcrig tion, DNA biosynthesis and translation. Other topics such as membranes, receptors, neu~~n~itters, growth factors. peptide hormones, ~mbinant DNA, re~oviru~, non protein biological catalysts, receptor-mediated encocytosis, and regulation of protein biosynthesis have been given greater emphasis. Each chapter is well-illustrated with clear tables, has a short literature section for further reading and a series of exercises based on the material in that chapter. Students liked the previous editions and will find the present volume inte~tin8 and instructive.

Ike biacbem~ of plant @em&e--Edited by C. F. VAT*’ SUMERE and P. J. LEA. 482~~. 1985. Clarendon Press, Oxford. Anawl I%ce&I@oftbePhytocbemicpl Sodety of Europe, Vdume 24

Eighty per cent of known secondary products are formed in higher plants and plant phenolics such as the phenyl pro- panoids (formed via the shikimate pathways and phenyl- alanine ammonia lyase [PAL] to give rise to cinnamic acids, flavonoids. isoflavonoids, tannins and lignins), indoles, quinolines and quinones, are an important subgroup. They play a role in protecting the plant against infection; pro- vide mechanical support for the plant as in the case of lignins; are responsible for many plant &ours, honey guides and Rower scents; feeding attractants and repellants. For example tannins, methyl isoeugenol and myristicin may act as feeding deterrents to insects whilst tangeretin and eupateretin act as feeding attractants.

This multi-authored volume provides a useful summary of the isolation, purification and identification of plant phenolics, the pathways in phenolic synthesis; topics on flavonoids; tannins; coumarins; cinnamic acid; lignin and quinones. Phenol& provide drugs such as the anti- hemorrhagic and anti-oedematous action of the Bavones, inhibition of arachadonic acid metabolism, antiallergic com- pounds, antihepatoxic activity, contraceptive activity, anti- viral, antibacterial and molluscicidal activity. There is lots of good stuff in them-there plants and also in this book.

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