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Present research on the relationship between thrombosis and circulation is collected in this volume. Basic and clinical studies of thrombosis, fibrinolysis and platelets are reported. In particular, new proteins found in leeches or snakes which might be used to treat or prevent thrombosis are discussed.

Since its inception the research area of platelet pharmacology has always been a vigorous one and it is a characteristic that new approaches to the understanding of platelet function are rapidly and thoroughly investigated. The intensity of this activity is attri­ butable, probably, to an appreciation by research workers in the field that a satisfactory therapeutic control of platelet function has yet to be realized. Also that if and when this problem of con­ trolling platelet function is achieved the benefits to clinical medicine will be immense since platelets are known to be involved in a multiplicity of events coupled within the haemostatic mechanisms and inflammatory responses. Aberrations in the behaviour of plate­ lets is part of the aetiology of atherosclerosis, myocardial and cerebral infarction and thrombosis. At this point in time, research in platelet function is in a particularly rapid state of flux. The recent findings of research workers active in the field and also workers investigating mechan­ isms of stimulus response coupling in other cells, have provided interesting insights into the generality of mechanisms involved in the function of responsive cells. One may itemize these developments as the area of cell receptor/ligand interaction, induction of cell­ ular response by protein phosphorylation and calcium flux. The mech­ anism of these latter events occurs through the activity of phospho­ lipase generating transient intermediates. These intermediates may act as ionophores or enzyme activators or may, in the case of eico­ sanoids, reinforce and make irreversible the cellular response.

The first Sino-Japanese symposium on Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Platelets, originating from the Hamamatsu symposium, held in early 1990, was held in Hanchow, Mainland China in October, 1990. During that meeting, Taipei was selected as the next meeting place. We took great pleasure in carrying out this noble endeavor and were honored to have Professor Stenflo, Professor Hedner from Sweden, Professor Aoki and many other distinguished scientists from Japan joining us on this Second Sino-Japanese symposium. Our only regret was that our friends from Mainland China did not attend. The topics covered during the 3-day symposium included areas of both basic and clinical research. The symposium has been an excellent opportunity for all the participants to exchange ideas and improve their expertise, and at the same time, to expand frontiers in the field of coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelets. The symposium was very successful both in terms of contributing greatly to raise the level of research and development in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis and in helping to promote international scientific cooperation and friendship. We would like to express our appreciation to the members of our organizing and scientific committee for their devotion to this project. We also wish to thank our National Science Council and Department of Health, and the Asia and Pacific Council for Science and Technology, as well as the many other sponsors for their financial support. Without them, this instructive and invaluable symposium and this proceedings would not have been possible.

The Fondazione Lorenzini has been sponsoring Postgraduate Courses for physicians and specialists, in Italy, since 1970. Its aim, as an institution, has been that of promoting post­ graduate medical education. In these years, recent advances in a wide range of medical fields have been discussed by distinguished experts from many countries throughout the world. Courses dealing with methodo­ logies and technical problems have been designed to include practical demonstrations of the various methods and techniques in the relevant fields. The Postgraduate Course on'Platelets and Thrombosis: Methods of Study'was held in Milan, at the Fondazione Lorenzini, from February 24th to 26th, 1972. This volume contains the edited and somewhat extended papers presented at the Course, which was sponsored and organized by the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis. 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.

As a clinical discipline blood transfusion encompasses enormous vista, vary­ ing from biotechnology to molecular biology, from plasma products, cell biology and growth factors to interleukines. Growth of knowledge in this field has been rapid, and expertise is now required to be mastered and renewed in translating these ideas for patient care. Various types of cells could be harvested - progenitor stem cells derived from bone marrow or from circulating blood as a source for transplants; in the hemostatic armoury platelets could be used prophylactically; granulocytes and mononuclear cells are available for treatment of infections or immune modulations. However, their therapeutic use carries potential complications including graft versus host disease and CMV-infection. Prevention of such complications by irradiation and by removal of immunocompetent leukocytes are important issues. Thus, production of such therapeutic materials ought to address the issues at the earliest, to eliminate those problems while adhering to the con­ cept of high quality; the impact of storing platelets for longer periods by using improved plastic containers or storing almost indefinitely in frozen state should be explored. Rapid progress in cell culture techniques and bio­ technology have enriched the transfusion medicine armoury with lympho­ kines, interferons and cell colony growth factors which have great potentials for enhancement of basic knowledge as well as considerable therapeutic applications in patients.

Prostaglandins, Platelets, Lipids: New Developments in Atherosclerosis focuses on developments pertaining to atherosclerosis and suggested novel approaches for its prevention, treatment, and complications. The selection first underscores the biological importance and therapeutic potential of prostacyclin and rationale for the suppression of platelet aggregation and thrombosis by dietary manipulation of fatty acids. Discussions focus on eicosapentaenoic acid as a potential antithrombotic substance, vascular effects of prostacyclin, antithrombotic and hemostatic effects of prostacyclin, fatty acids, prostacyclin, and thrombosis, and therapeutic uses of prostacyclin. The text then examines prostaglandins and hypertension, role of platelets in stroke and transient ischemic attack, and antiplatelet agents in the prevention of acute coronary events. Topics include thrombosis and clinical complications of atherosclerosis, mechanisms in thrombosis, vascular prostaglandins and antihypertensive mechanisms, and renal prostaglandins and antihypertensive mechanisms. The book ponders on a specific inhibitor of thrombin and cardiovascular actions of prostacyclin in man, including prostacyclin and angina pectoris, prostacyclin therapy for peripheral arterial disease, and hemodynamic changes induced by prostacyclin. The selection is a dependable source of data for researchers interested in atherosclerosis.

Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Volume 4: Prostaglandins-Immunopharmacology contains the proceedings of the 7th International Congress of Pharmacology held in Paris, France, in 1978. The papers explore advances in the understanding of prostaglandins, their immunopharmacology, and their therapeutic applications. Topics covered range from the biochemistry of prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and prostacyclin to the pharmacology of blood platelets and pharmacological approaches to enhancement of immunity. This volume is comprised of 23 chapters and opens with a discussion on the discovery of prostaglandins and their possible biological functions, including platelet aggregation and adrenergic neurotransmission. The reader is then introduced to unstable metabolites of arachidonic acid in relation to thrombosis; pharmacological interference in biotransformation of arachidonic acid; participation of prostaglandins in inflammatory pain; and factors affecting the formation and actions of cyclic AMP in blood platelets. The following chapters explore the role of thymosin and the endocrine thymus in the maintenance of immune balance; effects of thymosin fraction 5 in cancer patients; and the immunoregulatory activities of non-toxic synthetic polyribonucleotides. This book will be of interest to practitioners in biosciences, pharmacology, physiology, and medicine.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.