Microvascular Determinants of Blood Flow

EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION

The following article introduces a new section of the Journal dedicated to brief reviews in basic science. The intent is to present updates in recent areas of advancement in the basic sciences that are relevant to reconstructive microsurgery. With medical knowledge changing at an ever-increasing pace, we hope this section will help to improve the exchange of information between the laboratory and the clinic.

In future issues of the Journal, these articles will cover such topics as muscle degeneration and regeneration relating to transplantation, regulation of capillary permeability, innervation of the microcirculation, new developments in arachidonic acid biochemistry and physiology, oxygen free radical formation and its effects, platelet physiology and pharmacology, rheology of blood, and endothelial-derived relaxing factor. Although a minimal degree of familiarity with a particular topic will be assumed, sufficient detail will be included to bring readers up-to-date.

Input from our readers is most welcome. Please send suggestions for topics, as well as manuscripts, to: Bruce Klitzman, Ph.D., Duke University Medical Center, Plastic Surgery Research Laboratories, P.O. Box 3906, Durham, NC 27710, [phone].