1. Discuss Clotting mechanism.Kindly cite references year 2017-2022.

Answer 1

The clotting mechanism, also known as coagulation, is an essential biological process that prevents excessive bleeding in humans and other animals. It involves a series of complex reactions that result in the formation of a blood clot to seal off damaged blood vessels and promote wound healing.

The clotting mechanism can be broadly divided into two pathways: the intrinsic pathway and the extrinsic pathway. The intrinsic pathway is initiated by factors present within the blood, while the extrinsic pathway is activated by factors released from damaged tissues. Both pathways ultimately converge into a common pathway, leading to the formation of a fibrin clot.

Several key factors and proteins play crucial roles in the clotting mechanism. These include platelets, clotting factors (such as factor VIII, factor IX, and factor XIII), and fibrinogen. Platelets are small cell fragments in the blood that aggregate at the site of injury, forming a temporary plug. Clotting factors, which are produced by the liver, are activated in a cascade-like manner, with each activated factor activating the next in the sequence. Fibrinogen, a soluble protein, is converted into insoluble fibrin, which forms a mesh-like structure, reinforcing the platelet plug and stabilizing the clot.

Research in recent years has provided further insights into the clotting mechanism, particularly in terms of its regulation and the role of various factors and proteins involved. Several studies have focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying clotting disorders, such as hemophilia and thrombosis, which have contributed to the development of improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.

Here are a few references published between 2017 and 2022 that discuss various aspects of the clotting mechanism:
1. Asselta R., et al. Molecular diagnostics of coagulation disorders. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022.
2. Davizon-Castillo P., et al. Platelet biology in the mechanostasis of health and disease. Frontiers in Cellular and Developmental Biology, 2021.
3. Ho-Tin-Noé B., et al. Key role of podosomes in the endothelial fibrinolytic balance. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 2020.
4. Khor B., et al. The multifaceted roles of fibrinogen in malignancy. Blood, 2017.
5. Lenting PJ., et al. Coagulation factor VIII: a structural perspective. Haematologica, 2019.

Please note that these references are just a few examples, and there are numerous other publications available on the clotting mechanism.