Circulation of blood is vital for the survival of vertebrates,
including man. Mainly, it plays an important role in carrying food
nutrients and oxygen to every tissue and organ and in removing all
waste products and carbon dioxide. Any imbalance in the hemostatic
and cardiovascular systems can lead to death and severe debility. A
number of animals have developed mechanisms to target these systems
and exploit the vulnerability. In some species (for example,
snakes), such mechanisms are used to immobilize and kill the
victim/prey, whereas in others (for example, insects, such as
leaches, mosquitoes and ticks), they are used to provide a
continuous supply of blood. These mechanisms include, but are not
limited to, procoagulant and anticoagulant actions that affect the
coagulation cascade and platelet aggregation, as well as altering
vasodilatory responses. In all these various animals, these
mechanisms have evolved to perfection over millions of years to
support their survival. In last 3-4 decades, due to the efforts of
scientists from various backgrounds including biology, protein
chemistry, molecular biology, pharmacology, hematology, and
structural biology, significant progress in understanding the
structure-function relationships, as well as the mechanism of
action have been made in a number of exogenous factors that affect
blood coagulation, platelet aggregation and vasodilation from
various animals. These exogenous factors have contributed
significantly to the development of research tools as well as
providing new therapeutic agents. With the increase average age of
the population coupled with changes in life style in recent years,
there has been a significant increase in cardiovascular and
hematological disorders. Thus scientists in both academic
institutions as well as the pharmaceutical industry are developing
better therapeutic agents to improve the quality of life. This
impetus has lead to the search for novel agents from various
sources that interfere with cardiovascular and hematalogical
processes. Although at first glance exogenous factors appear to
function as 'villains', several life-saving drugs have been
developed based upon these factors. Such drugs or drug leads
include those that inhibit the angiotensin converting enzymes
(Captopril and Enalapril), that block platelet receptors
(Eptifibatide and Tirofiban), or that digest thrombotic plugs
(Alfimeprase and bat plasminogen activator) to name a few. Several
new and exciting success stories are currently unfolding. In this
book, recent studies on some of the exogenous factors that play
crucial roles in cardiovascular and hematological disorders are
reviewed in order to consolidate the efforts in this area of
research and to recruit new, talented researchers. The 25-30 review
chapters, each written by experts in their field, compiled herein
are devoted to exogenous factors affecting platelet aggregation,
anticoagulant and procoagulant proteins, fibrinolytic proteins and
hypotensive agents (For details see, Contents of the Book). This
book is intended to help to create elevated awareness and
enthusiasm in the field of exogenous factors. I believe that this
book will provide greater impetus to the search for novel proteins
based on naturally occurring exogenous factors. This will be the
first book dealing extensively with exogenous factors in the last
25 years. The book will provide a ready reference to the different
approaches used to solve complex problems in protein chemistry and
pharmacology of exogenous factors. The book will update our
understanding of the structure-function relationships and
mechanisms of action of exogenous factors and provide great
insights into future directions for solving the remaining
challenges.
General
Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate?
Let us know about it.
Does this product have an incorrect or missing image?
Send us a new image.
Is this product missing categories?
Add more categories.
Review This Product
No reviews yet - be the first to create one!
Welcome to Loot.co.za!
Sign in / Register |Wishlists & Gift Vouchers |Help | Advanced search
