At the Mie International Symposium held in Japan in April 1994, leading scientists reviewed recent advances in the understanding of the contractile mechanism in smooth muscle. The present volume collects the papers presented at the symposium, summarizing the latest advances in smooth muscle function and emphasizing important components of the contraction-relaxation cycle. Topics include a discussion of the smooth muscle cell membrane, with emphasis on its ion channels; the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels and the relationship to force in smooth muscle; aspects of the two key regulatory enzymes involved with myosin phosphorylation-dephosphorylation; the molecular basis for pharmacomechanical coupling in smooth muscle; developments in the basic contractile mechanisms involving the crossbridge cycle of tonic and phasic muscle; the role of myosin light chains; and many others. The approach is broad and presents contemporary opinions in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry as they relate to smooth muscle function. The book will appeal not only to those working in these disciplines, but to vascular clinicians, obstetric-gynecological physicians, and gastroenterologists as well.

Pulmonary embolism is a common but vexing illness. This book provides a contemporary overview of the most important issues from a Western and a Japanese perspective, providing the reader with state-of-the-art knowledge of the epidemiology and molecular biology of the disease. In the Diagnosis section, the relationship between venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is explored, and exciting new findings are presented in the fields of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. The Management section focuses on surgical intervention with acute embolectomy as well as updating thromboendarterectomy for chronic pulmonary embolism. The importance of primary and secondary prevention is emphasized in chapters addressing low molecular weight heparin and the inferior vena cava filter. This cutting-edge book is a valuable resource for practicing physicians, researchers, and students in internal medicine, hematology, pulmonary critical care, and vascular medicine.

Pulmonary embolism is a common but vexing illness. This book provides a contemporary overview of the most important issues from a Western and a Japanese perspective, providing the reader with state-of-the-art knowledge of the epidemiology and molecular biology of the disease. In the Diagnosis section, the relationship between venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism is explored, and exciting new findings are presented in the fields of echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. The Management section focuses on surgical intervention with acute embolectomy as well as updating thromboendarterectomy for chronic pulmonary embolism. The importance of primary and secondary prevention is emphasized in chapters addressing low molecular weight heparin and the inferior vena cava filter. This cutting-edge book is a valuable resource for practicing physicians, researchers, and students in internal medicine, hematology, pulmonary critical care, and vascular medicine.

At the Mie International Symposium held in Japan in April 1994, leading scientists reviewed recent advances in the understanding of the contractile mechanism in smooth muscle. The present volume collects the papers presented at the symposium, summarizing the latest advances in smooth muscle function and emphasizing important components of the contraction-relaxation cycle. Topics include a discussion of the smooth muscle cell membrane, with emphasis on its ion channels; the regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ levels and the relationship to force in smooth muscle; aspects of the two key regulatory enzymes involved with myosin phosphorylation-dephosphorylation; the molecular basis for pharmacomechanical coupling in smooth muscle; developments in the basic contractile mechanisms involving the crossbridge cycle of tonic and phasic muscle; the role of myosin light chains; and many others. The approach is broad and presents contemporary opinions in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry as they relate to smooth muscle function. The book will appeal not only to those working in these disciplines, but to vascular clinicians, obstetric-gynecological physicians, and gastroenterologists as well.