Preface

The editor has incorporated scientific contributions from a diverse group of leading researchers in the field of hematology and related blood cell research. This book aims to provide an overview of current knowledge pertaining to our understanding of hematology. The main subject areas will include blood cell morphology and function, the pathophysiology and genetics of hematological disorders and malignancies, blood testing and typing, and the processes governing hematopoiesis. Blood cell physiology, biochemistry and blood flow are covered in this book.

This text is designed for hematologists, pathologists and laboratory staff in training and in practice. Topics include platelets, whole blood RNA analysis, C-reactive protein, pluripotent stem cells, proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic cells, homocysteine in red blood cells metabolism: pharmacological approaches, measurement techniques for red blood cells deformability, spontaneous alternation behaviour in human neutrophils, microfluidics technology for cell separation, effects of far infrared radiation on living body, laboratory reference intervals in Africa, RBC-ATP biochemistry and modelling, dynamics of RBC and antigens, transfusion principles, haematological and biochemical studies in tigers and ascites syndrome in broiler chickens.

The work presented in this book will be of benefit to medical students and to researchers of hematology and blood flow in the microcirculation. This book is written primarily for those who have some knowledge of chemistry, biochemistry and general hematology. The authors of each section bring a strong clinical emphasis to the book.

I am greatly indebted to many individuals who helped in the preparation of this book. Those whom I wish especially to thank for their help with this edition include Drs. Dan Goldman and Khoa Nguyen. I am also indebted to Dr. Jiandi Wan, who gave permission to use the referenced figure in the chapter contributed by the editor. I also would like to thank all those who took the time to email me offering helpful criticisms and suggestions. This includes Ms. Sandra Bakic, publishing process manager at InTech.

> **Dr. Terry E. Moschandreou** University of Western Ontario, Middlesex College, London, Ontario, Canada

**Section 1** 

**Main Concepts** 

**Section 1** 
