Human red blood cells are formed mainly in the bone marrow and are believed to have an average life span of approximately 120 days. However, is it true for all red blood cells? What are the changes associated with red cell maturation, adulthood and senescence? What are the determinants of red cell life span and clearance? What are the mechanisms in control of red cell mass in healthy humans and patients with various forms of anemia? What are the markers of circulating red cell senescence and in cells during storage and transfusion? Within the life span may properties of red cells change leading to age-mixed circulating cell populations. Although these cells appear to be genetically terminated by the time they are released into the blood stream, they undergo surprisingly versatile modifications depending on the life-style and health conditions of a “human host”. Numerous disorders are believed to be associated with facilitated ageing of red blood cells. “In vitro ageing” and damage of red blood cells during storage is yet one more important issue related to the risks and efficiency of blood transfusion. Many of the mechanisms behind such effects are far from being fully understood. In this context the Research Topic is set to include articles in the field of biochemical investigations, biophysical approaches, physiological and clinical studies related to red blood cell maturation and aging. This includes Original Research, Methods, Hypothesis and Theory, Reviews and Perspectives.

The eBook ‘The red cell life-cycle from erythropoiesis to clearance’ continues the discussion of questions like: What are the changes associated with red blood cell maturation, adulthood and senescence? What are the determinants of red blood cell life span and clearance? What are the mechanisms in control of red blood cell mass in healthy humans and patients with various forms of anaemia? Can red blood cells be 'trained' to provide the body with more oxygen during endurance exercises? What are the markers of circulating red blood cell senescence and in cells during storage and transfusion? And what can be learned from various species that developed advanced adaptations to maintain oxygen delivery under stress conditions such as exercising to the limit, diving or living in anaerobic aquatic habitats or at high altitude? Within the approximately 120 days (or 40 in a mouse, or 150-170 in a horse) life span of 'healthy' red blood cells, many cellular properties change leading to aged mixed cell populations in the circulation. Red blood cells seem to be genetically terminated by the time they become red blood cells and the contributions of this eBook increase the understanding of this process. There are surprisingly versatile remodeling processes happening during the red blood cell life span. Numerous disorders are associated with the premature onset of the 'ageing process' of red blood cells. Furthermore, in vitro ageing and/or modifications as well as the slowing down of the modifications is an important issue in transfusion medicine. Many of the molecular mechanisms behind such effects are elucidated in this eBook.

Anemia in the elderly has been properly defined as the silent epidemic, representing 3 million people in the United States aged 65 years and older. Incidence and prevalence of this condition increase with age. It differs in its etiology, pathogenesis and treatment from anemia in children and younger adults. Anemia is associated with reduced survival, increased risk of functional dependence and hospitalization, increased risk of congestive heart failure and stage renal disease and cognitive disorders. Approximately 70% of anemia in older individuals is reversible.

51 worldwide leading experts in the field of erythrocyte research contributed to this first book on transport processes in red blood cells. It explains the latest findings on the basis of well-established principles, in an accessibly structured and carefully organized compilation.

Transfusion Medicine and Scientific Developments focuses on unknown aspects of blood cells and transfusion practice. Blood transfusion medicine has become a sophisticated and specialized field of medicine. Some aspects will be discussed in this book. The book has been divided into three sections. The first section includes chapters describing the immunological and coagulation-assisting functions of red blood cells and methods to measure their life span. The second section discusses the role of platelets in inflammatory processes. The third section reviews functional dose of RBC transfusions and transfusion practice in various clinical settings.

This book describes the role of trace elements in health and longevity, pursuing a biogerontological approach. It offers essential information on the impact of trace elements on molecular and physiological processes of aging, and on their impact on health in connection with aging. The major topics covered in its 11 chapters, each dedicated to a specific trace element or mineral, are: a) Role of the element in species longevity, b) Recommended intake for longevity in animal species and in the elderly, c) Deficiency and age-related disease, d) Excess/toxicity and age-related disease, and e) Interactions with drugs prescribed in the elderly. Clinical, animal and other laboratory models of interest in aging are included, which enable a more in-depth analysis to be made. The respective chapters are a mixture of overviews and more in-depth reviews in which the mechanisms of aging are described from the point of view of their specific interactions with trace elements and minerals.

Currently, hemoglobin (Hb)-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) are leading candidates as red blood cell substitutes. In addition, HBOCs are also potential oxygen therapeutics for treatment of patients with critical ischemic conditions due to atherosclerosis, diabetes and other conditions. This book will provide readers a comprehensive review of topics involved in the HBOC development. It focusses on current products and clinical applications as well as on emerging technologies and future prospects.

This volume illustrates the functional properties of NAbs. Authors from pioneering groups report in their chapters on the tissue homeostatic, tissue regenerating and regulatory properties of NAbs and NAbs in pooled human IgG. Scientists interested in the regulation and modulation of components of the immune system found a whole variety of NAbs to cytokines with regulatory and protective functions and NAbs that modulate, e.g., dendritic cells, regulatory T cells, B cells and granulocytes. Considering the large plasma pools and initial difficulties in preparing IVIG that does not induce adverse effects upon infusion into recipients, this volume ends with a historical chapter on how pooled human plasma was fractionated and the IgG component pretreated for a safe intravenous application.

This book is intended as a comprehensive resource for clinicians and researchers seeking in-depth information on geriatric oncology. The coverage encompasses epidemiology, the biology and (patho)physiology of aging and cancer, geriatric assessment and management, hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, issues in patient care, and research methods. Since cancer is a disease of aging and people are living longer, most cancer patients are now aged 70 and older. Yet the more we age, the more diverse we become in terms of our health, biologic fitness, and cancer behavior. Typically, however, general oncology clinical trials address only a selected healthier and younger population of patients. Geriatric oncology is the area of oncology that addresses these issues but while a wealth of knowledge has been accumulated, information is often difficult to retrieve or insufficiently detailed. The SpringerReference program, in which this book is published, offers an ideal format for overcoming these limitations since it combines thorough coverage with access to living editions constantly updated chapter by chapter via a dynamic peer-review process, ensuring that information remains current and pertinent.

''An exciting glance at key issues in contemporary hematopoiesis.'' -The Quarterly Review of Biology