Platelets And Immune Responses During Thromboinflammation

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.

Platelets play a key role in thrombosis and haemostasis. However recent evidence clearly demonstrates that the functional role of platelets extends to many other processes in the body. With an internationally recognised list of contributing authors, The Non-Thrombotic Role of Platelets in Health and Disease, is a unique and definitive source of state-of-the-art knowledge about the additional role of platelets outside thrombosis and haemostasis. The intended audience for The Non-Thrombotic Role of Platelets in Health and Disease includes platelet biologists, microbiologists, immunologists, haematologists, oncologists, respiratory physicians, cardiologists, neurobiologists, tissue engineers, as well as students and fellows in these areas.

Platelets are increasingly recognized for their role as mediators of immune response and inflammation. As major components of the hematological system, they form an important bridge between immunity and coagulation. In the context of viral infections, platelets may suppress viral dissemination but can also support viral persistence. When platelets become hyperactivated in response to an infection, patients can develop immuno-thrombosis and coagulopathy. These derangements of hemostasis are particularly relevant in the context of infection with the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and the subsequent development of coronavirus disease, COVID-19, a disease in which thromboembolic events are an important cause of morbidity and mortality.

The present book, which includes eleven articles five reviews and six original studies published in the Special Issue “Molecular Research On Platelet Activity in Health and Disease”, gives an international picture of the up-to-date understanding of (i) platelet signaling under physiological and pathological conditions; (ii) novel technologies for monitoring platelet functions; and (iii) clinical applications of platelet-based-therapy for management of pathological conditions, not directly related to hemostasis and thrombosis. The book reveals novel aspects of platelet biology, and will be helpful for offering new insights and a research impetus for those who are interested in developing new therapeutic tools for the management of pathological conditions depending on platelet dysfunctions.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has affected nearly every country and territory in the world. Although worldwide vaccination efforts have reduced the risk of serious disease outcomes, disparities in distribution have led to multiple waves of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and the emergence of variants of concern, some of which have enhanced infectivity and ability to evade existing vaccines. Hence there is an increasing interest in understanding the evolution of viruses like SARS-CoV-2, as well as improving our capacity to effectively current and manage future pandemics. This new volume reviews the most effective omic techniques for increasing our understanding of COVID-19, to improve diagnostics, prognostics, and genomic surveillance, and to facilitate development of effective treatments and vaccines. Chapters are written by an international team of experts and explore methods in the areas of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. Techniques used to assess physiological function at the molecular level and artificial intelligence approaches used for more effective validation and translation of biomarker candidates into clinical use are also discussed. This book is an excellent resource for researchers studying biomarkers, virology, metabolic diseases, and infectious diseases, as well as clinical scientists, physicians, drug company scientists, and healthcare workers.

This book provides up-to-date guidance on the diagnosis and treatment of sudden death, including sudden cardiac and non-cardiac death. Sudden death (SD) has become a major challenge confronting not only cardiologists, but also specialists in respiratory medicine, endocrine medicine, infectious diseases, etc. Chronic diseases are also among the causes of SD. This book summarizes the occurrence of SD, especially in specific groups (such as women, young and middle-aged groups), its causes, predisposing factors, lifestyle, morbidity, point of care testing, and advanced treatment methods including extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and hypothermia treatment. In order to improve the early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of SD in clinical practice, the book also provides extensive data on its pathophysiological mechanism, epidemiology and etiology, together with detailed analyses.