Red Cell

Reassigned to a CIA think tank in Langley after an assignment gone awry, rookie case officer Kyra Stryker is partnered with a straitlaced analyst with whom she investigates an imminent invasion of Taiwan by China that could trigger a global conflict.

This volume discusses the current state of the nation's blood supply--including studies of blood availability, ways of enhancing blood collection and distribution, frozen red cell technology, logistical concerns in prepositioning frozen blood, extended liquid storage of red cells, and blood substitutes.

Will Conlan is an unconventional thinker. After winning a baseball game with an innovative toss of a rosin bag, he catches the interest of a chief operative of the Homeland Securitys Analytic Red Cell. Employing the creative problem solving of philosophers, futurists, and Hollywood movie writers, this intelligence unit is seeking any original ideas about anticipating terrorist plots. As a recent surge of terrorist activity undermines these fresh insights, the operative banks on the notion that Wills youthful imagination, unclouded by the premise of it cant be done, may provide the key insight they need and seeks to secretly exploit Wills unhindered out of the box thinking. Unaware of the magnitude of danger surrounding him, Will uncovers something he wasnt supposed to discovera connection between a television advertisement and a master terrorist plot. Narrowly surviving, he alone foils a bombing at Wrigley Field. Uncertain about the knowledge he now holds, he has to figure out the terrorists next target. Will just doesnt realizeits him.

Red blood cells in humans—and most other mammals—have a tendency to form aggregates with a characteristic face-to-face morphology, similar to a stack of coins. Known as rouleaux, these aggregates are a normally occurring phenomenon and have a major impact on blood rheology. What is the underlying mechanism that produces this pattern? Does this really happen in blood circulation? And do these rouleaux formations have a useful function? The first book to offer a comprehensive review of the subject, Red Blood Cell Aggregation tackles these and other questions related to red blood cell (RBC) aggregates. The book covers basic, clinical, and physiological aspects of this important biophysical phenomenon and integrates these areas with concepts in bioengineering. It brings together state-of-the-art research on the determinants, mechanisms, and measurement and effects of RBC aggregation as well as on variations and comparative aspects. After an introductory overview, the book outlines factors and conditions that affect RBC aggregation. It presents the two hypotheses—the bridging model and the depletion model—that provide potential mechanisms for the adhesive forces that lead to the regular packing of the cells in rouleaux formations. The book also reviews the methods used to quantify RBC aggregation in vitro, focusing on their importance in clinical practice. Chapters discuss the effect of RBC aggregation on the in vitro rheology of blood as well as on tube flow. The book also looks at what happens in the circulation when red blood cells aggregate and examines variations due to physiological and pathophysiological challenges. The concluding chapter explores the formation of red blood cell aggregates in other mammals. Written by leading researchers in the field, this is an invaluable resource for basic science, medical, and clinical researchers; graduate students; and clinicians interested in mammalian red blood cells.

Currently, hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are leading candidates as red blood cell substitutes. In addition, HBOCs are also potential oxygen therapeutics for treatment of patients with critical ischemic conditions due to atherosclerosis, diabetes and other conditions. This book will provide readers a comprehensive review of topics involved in the HBOC development. It focusses on current products and clinical applications as well as on emerging technologies and future prospects.