The Platelets

Platelets, Second Edition is the definitive current source of state-of-the-art knowledge about platelets and covers the entire field of platelet biology, pathophysiology, and clinical medicine. Recently there has been a rapid expansion of knowledge in both basic biology and the clinical approach to platelet-related diseases including thrombosis and hemorrhage. Novel platelet function tests, drugs, blood bank storage methods, and gene therapies have been incorporated into patient care or are in development. This book draws all this information into a single, comprehensive and authoritative resource. First edition won Best Book in Medical Science Award from the Association of American Publishers Contains fourteen new chapters on topics such as platelet genomics and proteomics, inhibition of platelet function by the endothelium, clinical tests of platelet function, real time in vivo imaging of platelets, and inherited thrombocytopenias A comprehensive full color reference comprising over 70 chapters, 1400 pages, and 16,000 references

This book reviews current science and applications in fields including thrombosis and hemostasis, signal transduction, and non-thrombotic conditions such as inflammation, allergy and tumor metastasis. It is a detailed, up-to-date, highly referenced text for clinical scientists and physicians, including recent developments in this rapidly expanding field. More than a scientific resource, this is also an authoritative reference and guide to the diagnosis.

The special contribution of the present volume is that of gathering a large amount of up-to-date information on the formidable problem of the methods used for testing platelet function in thrombosis. The methods used for studying platelet behavior in hemorrhagic disorders due to abnormal platelet function are undoubtedly characterized by difficulties in interpretation and by poor reproducibility. However, all will agree that the problem of the significance and importance of platelet function tests in thrombosis and atherosclerosis is an absolute "morass," and recent and past papers on the measurement of platelet adhesiveness in myocardial infarction could well appear in a special issue of the new "Journal of Irreproducible Results". This volume includes both general papers on the role of platelets in thrombosis by G. V. R. Born, Duncan P. Thomas, and J. R.

The Platelets: Physiology and Pharmacology is a critical review of the basic platelet systems, methodologic critiques, and platelet involvement in major disease states. This book is composed of 20 chapters that specifically deal with the physiology and biochemistry of the platelet system, along with possibilities for, and consequences of, pharmacologic manipulation. The opening chapters examine the basic processes of platelet aggregation and adhesion. These topics are followed by discussions on the types and functions of platelet a-granule proteins; the aspects of adenine nucleotide levels, regulation, and storage; and receptors for catecholamines and consequences of their agonism. Other chapters are devoted to the metabolism of arachidonic acid, its manipulation, consequences, and metabolite receptors. The discussion then shifts to the second-messenger entities, specifically calmodulin, calcium, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate. A chapter presents the comparisons of man and commonly used laboratory animals concerning platelet behavior variability. Another chapter looks into the use and appropriateness of the use of platelets as models of neurons, with a special emphasis on serotonergic neurons. The remaining chapters contain critical reviews of platelet involvement in diabetes, hypertension and peripheral vascular disease, atherogenesis/atherosclerosis, and ischemic heart disease. These chapters also include specific techniques for platelet analysis, including lumiaggregometry, eicosanoid measurements, and serotonin uptake and release. This book is an invaluable source for pharmacologists, biochemists, researchers, and clinicians who are interested in platelet involvement in disease.

12 The average human body has in the order of 10 circulating platelets. They are crucial for hemostasis, and yet excessive platelet activation is a major cause of m- bidity and mortality in western societies. It is therefore not surprising that platelets have become one of the most extensively investigated biological cell types. We are, however, far from understanding precisely how platelets become activated under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In addition, there are large gaps in our knowledge of platelet production from their giant precursor cell, the megakar- cyte. Understanding megakaryocyte biology will be crucial for the development of platelet gene targeting. The aim of Platelets and Megakaryocytes is therefore to bring together established and recently developed techniques to provide a comprehensive guide to the study of both the platelet and the megakaryocyte. It consists of five s- tions split between two volumes. The more functional assays appear in Volume 1, whereas Volume 2 includes signaling techniques, postgenomic methods, and a n- ber of key perspectives chapters. Part I of Volume 1, Platelets and Megakaryocytes: Functional Assays, describes many well established approaches to the study of platelet function, including aggregometry, secretion, arachidonic acid metabolism, procoagulant responses, pla- let adhesion under static or flow conditions, flow cytometry, and production of microparticles. Although one would ideally wish to perform experiments with human platelets, studies within the circulation using intravital microscopy require the use of animal models, which are described in Chapter 16, vol. 1.

The second edition of Transfusion Medicine and Hemostasis continues to be the only "pocket-size" quick reference for pathology residents and transfusion medicine fellows. It covers all topics in blood banking, transfusion medicine, and clinical and laboratory based coagulation. Short, focused chapters, organized by multiple hierarchical headings, are supplemented with up to 10 suggested reading citations. This single reference covers essentially all the topics required to meet the goals and objectives of a major program in transfusion medicine and clinical coagulation. New chapters in the coagulation testing section reflect the development of new tests available and their incorporation into clinical practice. Coverage includes essential updates on the importance of new cellular therapies, peripheral blood and bone marrow hematopoietic progenitor cells, as well as cord blood banking and regenerative medicine. The authors also examine advances in the understanding of molecular testing and pathogen reduction in two separate quality control chapters (one for blood centers and one for hospitals). Updated content covers new coagulation tests, cellular therapies, and quality control issues Easy to use, with focused, well-defined chapters in a standardized format throughout Offers quick "cross-reference" lists at the end of each chapter Includes lists of common abbreviations and indexes that cross reference diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic commonalities

Preceded by: Clinical clerkship in inpatient medicine / Sanjay Saint. 3rd ed. c2010.

This issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics is guest edited by Dr. A. Koneti Rao and focuses on Disorder of the Platelets. Article titles include: Mechanisms of Platelet Activation and Inhibition, Testing Platelet Function,Clinical Implications of Platelet Genomics and Proteomics, Congenital Thrombocytopenias, Immune Thrombocytopenias, Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia, and Functional defects: Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and beyond.