Women and Health is a comprehensive reference which addresses health issues affecting women of all ages--adolescence through maturity. It goes far beyond other books on this topic which concentrate only on reproductive health, and has a truly international perspective. It covers key issues ranging from osteoporosis to breast cancer and other cancers, domestic violence, sexually transmitted diseases, occupational hazards, eating disorders, heart disease and other chronic illnesses, substance abuse, and societal and behavioral influences on health. Women and Health covers not only those conditions that are unique to or occur more frequently in women, but also those that present differently or are treated differently in women.
Vaso-occlusive disorders including unstable angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attacks, stroke and peripheral artery disease remain the major sources of morbidity and mortality in western civilization. Platelet activation and resulting platelet aggregation play a major role in the pathogenesis of these thromboembolic diseases. Recognition of the contribution of platelets to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease has provided impetus for the continued search for new antiplatelet agents. Hence, over the past two decades many strategies have been evaluated in the search for efficacious mechanisms to reduce platelet function. The medical need for more efficacious antithrombotic drugs and the growing understanding of the role of platelets in vascular injury have catalyzed the extensive evaluation of novel approaches to control platelet function. Along these lines, the volume therefore provides an in-depth assessment of ongoing clinical trials, new and clinically established agents, and other developments in this rapidly developing field.
The affect of xenobiotics on host resistance in general and specific immune functions has become the focus of much current research. This book synthesises current information on how chemicals (xenobiotics) can affect the immune system to cuse dysfunction, focusing on the process of inflammation. It provides a much needed, single-source reference for researchers investigation the mechanisms responsible for altered host resistance following exposture to xenobiotics. Emphasis is placed on the roles of cytokines and growth factors in the inflammatory process and how such processes are altered and modulated by xenobiotics. This volume contains information pertinent to those exploring cell growth, angiogenesis, hematopoetic differentiation, and recruitment to and proliferation of cells in various tissue sites. This volume brings together experts in inflammation, cytokines, cell growth, immunology and toxicology to provide a highly yseful volume modulated by chemicals. Divided into three sections, the book offers an organ system approach to understanding inflammation and xenobiotics.