Those who are familiar with the two volumes of The Year in Endocrinology may, at first glance, fail to recognize their relationship to the present volume, Contemporary Endocrinology. The name is different and the cover design different, but nonetheless the admonition against judging a book by its cover is very well taken in this instance. In fact, Contemporary Endocrinology is not only the direct linear descendant of The Year in Endocrinology, it is a purposeful clone thereof-the topics are unchanged, the talented group of authors is unchanged, and most importantly, both the objective of the work and the manner in which that objective is approached are unchanged. The objective is, of course, to assist the reader in maintaining currency with respect to important developments, both basic and clinical, in the major areas of endocrinology. We are all much too familiar, unfortunately, with the difficulty of maintaining currency these days. Our approach to dealing with the informational inflation that we are suffering is similar to that used by economists in dealing with monetary inflation, that is, to increase interest. This we have attempted to do by providing for the reader an easy-to-read group of essays in which advances in individual areas of endocrinology are re viewed broadly, synthesized, and placed into perspective by a group of authors who are authorities in their individual fields. They serve, not as guest artists, but as members of a stable Editorial Board that provides continuity by contributing to successive volumes."

During the last decade, circadian and episodic fluctuations of the plasma levels of pituitary hormones have been demon~ trated in man. The interest in the time dependence of the pituitary secretions partially originates from their close functional relation with the neuroendocrine mechanisms pre- sumably responsible for the control of the circadian.rhyth- micity in man. High frequency blood sampling techniques and specific radio- immunoassays have allowed to describe in detail the varia- tions over the 24-h cycle of the hormonal concentrations in healthy individuals under basal conditions as well as after manipulation of external synchronizers such as the sleep- wake cycle, the dark-light cycle and the feeding schedule. Alterations in normal hormonal var~ions have been sugges- ted to play a role in the etiopathogeny of several metabo- lic and mental diseases, such as obesity or manic-depressio~ Important clinical implications regarding treatment and pre- vention are expected to be developed in the near future. However, so far, data obtained in different groups are dif- ficult to compare because different hormones were studied using different protocols and statistical methods. As a result, unclear or controversial issues are not uncommon.

We had the pleasure and the great opportunity to organize a symposium on "Molecular Biology of Brain and Endocrine Peptidergic Systems" under the auspices of the Canadian Biochemical society and the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology. We were indeed very happy to ass ble a series of first rate speakers who delivered excellent papers on a variety of subjects from the synthesis of complicated peptide analogs, to the creation of trangenic mice, site-directed mutagenesis, enzyme characterization and DNA binding sites. One hundred and seventy-five participants attended the 40 conferences while having the opportunity to look at 24 posters presented by senior scientists as well as students. We, of the organizing committee, feel extremely pleased to have received an overwhelming response from such a group of scholars. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Mrs. Diane Marcil who arranged most aspects of the meeting with efficiency. We also thank the different organizations and companies for their generous grants which made the reunion possible. We hope that the participants have gained scientifically while having a pleasant sojourn in beautiful Montreal. The organizing committee was made up of a group of dedicated people, particularly its secretary, Dr. Philippe Crine. To all speakers and sessions chairpersons, we are indebted for the excellence of their participation.

It is unclear, and really no longer relevant, whether the information explosion that we now contend with has been fostered by the growth of specialization and subspecialization in medicine, or vice versa. What is clear is that the two are mutually supportive and constitute what would be in endocrine parlance a short-loop positive feedback system. As a result, for most areas of medicine, even the subspecialist in that area has a problem in maintaining currency, the more general specialist has substan tial difficulty in doing so, and the generalist is tempted to abandon the effort altogether. Nevertheless, for all, both the internal pressures of conscience and self-esteem and the external pressures generated by peer review, recertifi cation, and subspecialty boards create the need for continuous self-educa tion. We are, therefore, in an era in which the means of dissemination of new information deserves as much creative attention as does its acquisition.

The beautiful town of Cavtat near Dubvronic, Yugoslavia was the site of the twelfth meeting of the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology. It was sponsored by the Serbian Academy for Sciences and Arts and by the Foundation. The Croatia Hotel in Cavtat was a splendid place for a meeting. The presentation of the subject matter relating to "Neuroendocrine Correlates of Stress" was interesting and informa tive. The topics included many forms of stress, their mediators and responses. They included: releasing factors; neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus; role of noradrenal ine; the reaction of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis to stress; immunological stress; thermal stress; immobil ization stress; peptides in shock; stress-induced prolactin; stress and acupuncture; stress and behavior; spinal cord transection and stress; electroconvulsive stress; neuroendocrine cells and stress; protein kinase as a signal transducer; the effects of constant 1 ight and darkness on the pineal; sleep, stress and ovarian function; and finally, hormonal response to exercise. Subsequently, the papers presented were rewritten for inclusion in this monograph. The Chairmen for the sessions at Cavtat were K. McKerns and Stefan Manolov, V. Chong-Li and L. Rakic, S. Feldman and R. Mil in, M. Lee and V. Liposits. The next meeting of the Foundation will be held in Edinburgh near the end of September, 1985. The topic will be "Neuroendocrine Molecular Biology" with Professor George Fink as Honorary Chairman of the local organizing committee."

Insulin pump therapy is now a well-established option for treating diabetes. This method of insulin delivery offers the opportunity for people with diabetes to manage their diabetes confidently and competently to achieve good glycaemic control and a better quality of life. "Using Insulin Pumps in Diabetes" covers all aspects of insulin pump therapy in a clear and informative style, and is an essential guide for all health professionals involved in caring for people with diabetes using insulin pumps.

"Using Insulin Pumps in Diabetes" explores issues such as the advantages and disadvantages of insulin pump therapy; the experiences of insulin pump users, how to set up an insulin pump service, how to set and adjust insulin doses and optimising glycaemic control. It also includes chapters on insulin pumps in pregnancy, and in babies, toddlers and young children.

In the words of Disraeli, "To be conscious that you are ignorant of the facts is a great step to knowledge. " For most of us, the conscious awareness of relative ignorance is an uncomfortable aspect of daily life. New data appear in such inexorable profusion that the necessity for continuous retooling has joined death and taxes as an inescapable component of our destinies. Perhaps it is this "consciousness of ignorance" that accounts for the success of the preceding volumes of this new series. The Year in Metabolism and The Year in Endocrinology series were introduced with the avowed intention of "providing an efficient and enjoyable bridge between those who are creating new knowledge at the bedside and the professional consciousness of those for whom such knowledge is ultimately intended. " That objective seems particularly appropriate at a time when the award of the 1977 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology to Guillemin, Schally, and Yalow has served to emphasize the epoch-making advances that have characterized the recent course of endocrinology and me bolism. For the 1977 volume of The Year in Metabolism, the previous formula has been preserved. The same internationally recognized authorities again have contributed commentaries about the progress in their areas of expertise. They have been joined by Drs. Jack W. Coburn, David L. Hartenbower, and Charles R. Kleeman, who have provided a new section on Divalent Ion Metabolism.

These Proceedinqs of the Midwest Conference on Endocrinology and Metabolism are being published by Plenum Press for the first time. Earlier Proceedings in the series Vlere published by the University of Missouri at Columbia. The shift to an internationally recognized pub lisher reflects the considerable growth in stature that the Midwest Con ferences have undergone since their inception nine years ago. Originally concerned only with the endocrinology of the thyroid, the Conferences now explore other endocrine areas. Efforts are made to assemble a panel of speakers selected from different sub-disciplines within endocrinology for the purpose of addressing a common problem. The Ninth Conference typifi es til i s approach. The format used in recent Conferences is not unique, but is unfor tunately encountered too rarely. A few prominent scholars are invited to come together to expound their findings and concepts in considerable depth, and to participate in a discussion which, together with the for mal presentation, is published in the Proceedings. The discussion, noted for its unhurried nature, permits wide participation by the audi ence. The subject of the Ninth Conference is one which is basic and im portant not only to endocrinology but also to biology in general. Many, possibly most, life processes change in a rhythmic fashion, with similar states recurring at regular time intervals. This rhythmic property of living systems expresses itself as a recognizable and definable pattern or "time-form" in a manner equivalent to the more customary spatial form."

This volume contains the edited proceedings of the Totts Gap Colloquium on Diabetes Mellitus, DILEMMAS IN DIABETES. The Collo- quium, lasting two and a half days, was organized mainly as a dia- logue among experts in the field with different disciplinary back- grounds and, to some extent, differing points of view. The effort was to synthesize existing knowledge, reconciling disparate data and interpretation, and pointing up important areas of ignorance. Thus, the book should serve not only as a summary of recent information on diabetes, but as a reliable guide to the practicing physician as he wades through often conflicting etiologic dogmas and therapeutic practices. The Colloquium was made possible through the generous support of the Geigy Pharmaceutical Company and the conscientious and expert coordination of Mr. Oscar Swarth. The participants were: Dr. George F. Cahill, Boston, Massachusetts Dr. Harvey C. Knowles, Cincinnati, Ohio Dr. Rachmiel Levine, Duarte, California Dr. Lelio Orci, Geneva, Switzerland Dr. Norton Spritz, New York, New York Dr. Roger Unger, Dallas, Texas Dr. Robert Williams, Seattle, Washington Dr. Stewart Wolf, Galveston, Texas Dr. Arnold Lazarow and Dr. I. Arthur Mirsky were to have partici- pated, but unfortunately were ill at the time of the meeting. Others in attendance included five medical students, especially selected from medical schools in the Philadelphia/New York area.

It is unclear, and really no longer relevant, whether the information explosion that we now contend with has been fostered by the growth of specialization and subspecialization in medicine, or vice versa. What is clear is that the two are mutually supportive and constitute what would be in endocrine parlance a short-loop positive feedback system. As a result, for most areas of medicine, even the subspecialist in that area has a problem in maintaining currency, the more general specialist has substan tial difficulty in doing so, and the generalist is tempted to abandon the effort altogether. Nevertheless, for all, both the internal pressures of conscience and self-esteem and the external pressures generated by peer review, recertifi cation, and subspecialty boards create the need for continuous self-educa tion. We are, therefore, in an era in which the means of dissemination of new information deserves as much creative attention as does its acquisition."

The tenth meeting of the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology was held in Geilo, Norway near the end of September, 1982. The subject matter of the conference and the monograph was on "Regulation of Target Cell Respon- siveness." The local organizing committee was Asbjjllrn Aakvaag and Vidar Hansson. The scientific sessions covered a wide range of hormone action and cell response, including: peptide hormones and target cell response, regulation of insulin responsiveness, intracellular modulation of peptide hormone response, gonado- tropins and target cell responses, hypothalamic hormone- effects and regulation, steroid receptors and cellular control, hormones and growth regulation, and hormones and gene regulation. The chairpersons for the sessions were L. Birnbauer -A. Aakvaag, S. Taylor- R. S. Horn, F. Labrie- F. Rommerts, A. R. Means - K. W. McKerns, P. F. Hall - V. Hansson K. Griffiths - K. M. Gautvik, E. J. Peck, Jr. -E. Haug, F. S. French- W. T. Schrader, and E. M. Ritzen- B. Jegou. In addition to the scientific sessions in Geilo we were all delighted to sample some of the cultural and artistic attractions of Oslo, and to travel by train from Oslo via Geilo to Bergen. The scenery and hospitality were magnifi- cant.

The tenth meeting of the International Foundation for Biochemical Endocrinology was held in Geilo, Norway near the end of September, 1982. The subject matter of the conference and the monograph was on "Regulation of Target Cell Respon- siveness." The local organizing committee was Asbj rn Aakvaag and Vidar Hansson. The scientific sessions covered a wide range of hormone action and cell response, including: peptide hormones and target cell response, regulation of insulin responsiveness, intracellular modulation of peptide hormone response, gonado- tropins and target cell responses, hypothalamic hormone- effects and regulation, steroid receptors and cellular control, hormones and growth regulation, and hormones and gene regulation. The chairpersons for the sessions were L. Birnbauer - A. Aakvaag, S. Taylor - R. S. Horn, F. Labrie - F. Rommerts, A. R. Means - K. W. McKerns, P. F. Hall - V. Hansson K. Griffiths - K. M. Gautvik, E. J. Peck, Jr. - E. Haug, F. S. French - W. T. Schrader, and E. M. Ritzen - B. Jegou. In addition to the scientific sessions in Geilo we were all delighted to sample some of the cultural and artistic attractions of Oslo, and to travel by train from Oslo via Geilo to Bergen. The scenery and hospitality were magnifi- cant.

Diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in prevalence throughout both developed and developing countries. The social and economic burden of this disease is estimated to cost 14 billion dollars worldwide. In the USA alone, 15 million individuals are diabetic, nearly half of them unaware of their condition. Complications of diabetes mellitus are the leading causes for blindness, limb amputation and chronic renal failure and kidney transplantation in industrialized countries. Further, diabetes mellitus per se and the metabolic derangement associated with diabetes are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, as defined by an elevated fasting blood glucose level is presently subdivided in etiologically distinct groups. The most prevalent being type 2 (adult onset) diabetes characterized by insulin resistance and failure of the ~-cell to supply insulin in amounts sufficient to meet the body's needs. Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, most commonly with an onset during childhood and adolescence, is caused by an auto-immune destruction of the pancreatic ~-cells. The causations of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve a combination of complex genetic traits and environmental influences. A third category are the mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY). This comparatively small group of patients (-10% of diabetes) presents relative early in life "30 years of age) compared to the more common late onset type 2 diabetes.

The Fifth Annual Washington Spring Symposium on Health Sciences attracted over 400 scientists from 20 countries. It was held at the Lisner Auditorium of the George Washington University in Washington. D.C. The theme of the meeting was neural and endocrine peptides and receptors. The meeting emphasized basic and clinical research on neural and endocrine peptides and receptors. The six plenary sessions emphasized pituitary peptides, releasing factors, brain peptides, growth factors, peripheral peptides, and clinical applications. The chapters in this volume are derived from each of these six scientific sessions plus the poster and special sessions. The Abraham White Distinguished Scientist A ward was presented to Dr. Julius Axelrod for his numerous contributions to the field of neurochemistry. He presented the keynote address, which was entitled "The Regulation of the Release of ACTH." Dr. Axelrod discussed numerous factors, such as the peptides CRF, VIP, and somatostatin, that regulate hormone secretion from pituitary cells. The Distinguished Public Service Award was presented to Senator Lowell Weicker, Jr., in recognition of his leadership and outstanding achievements in the United States Senate and for his legislative support for biomedical research and education. In the symposium banquet address, Senator Weicker stressed the need for continued federal support of biomedical science research.

Macromolecular (specifically peptide-based) drugs could potentially be highly effective medicines. However they have a relatively short duration of action and variable therapeutic index. An example of such a peptide is Glucagon-like Peptide I which could potentially be used as a revolutionary drug for diabetes. This is because it stimulates insulin only when the blood glucose level is high thereby reducing the risk of hypoglycemia (a significant disadvantage of using insulin is that an insulin overdose is the single most potent cause of life-threatening hypoglycemia). However it's short duration of action (half-life of 2 minutes in plasma) precludes its therapeutic use. In this volume, the use of novel therapeutics like GLP1 as an alternative to tradition insulin-based drugs in diabetes is described. Application of Peptide-Based Prodrug Chemistry in Drug Development elucidates the traditional concept of prodrugs as "specialized non-toxic protective groups used in a transient manner to alter or to eliminate certain limiting properties in the parent small molecule" (IUPAC definition). It goes on to provide insight into how prodrugs of peptides (with GLP1 as an example) could be appropriately used to extend the biological half life, broaden the therapeutic index of macromolecules and improve the pharmacodynamics of such drugs. Author explains the logic behind designing peptide prodrugs, synthetic procedures and bioassays to examine the conversion of the prodrug to the drug under therapeutic conditions. The prodrugs described slowly convert to the parent drug at physiological conditions of 37C and pH 7.2 driven by their inherent chemical instability without the need of any enzymatic cleavage. The diketopiperazine and diketomorpholine (DKP and DMP) strategies for prodrug conversion are demonstrated in detail with special emphasis on the chemical flexibility that it offers to develop prodrugs with variable time actions. This book will be of useful to chemists, biochemists, medicinal chemists, biologists and people in the medical profession (doctors). It may be used in undergraduate classes but will certainly help post-graduate students and advanced professionals. The author is grateful to Prof. Richard DiMarchi (Standiford H. Cox Professor of Chemistry and the Linda & Jack Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University) for valuable suggestions. The foreword for the book has been written by Prof. Jean Martinez, (Legion d'Honneur awarded by the French Republic; Professor of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry of the University of Montpellier, France; and Chairman of European Peptide Society, 2002-2010).

The evolution ofdata about the HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome has been rapid. The syndrome itself is complex and controversial. Although great progress has been made in understanding epidemiology and etiology of the syndrome, much about the syndrome remains mysterious. It was our intention to assist HIV providers with a framework for understanding the status and complexities ofthe field. Each author was requested to provide an evidence-based discussion of a topic for which they have expertise. While it is impossible that such a volume be completely comprehensive, we believe that the approach of this book will allow the reader to develop a relatively complete snapshot of the syndrome. We also believe that the reader of this volume will be able to confront the emerging literature on the HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome with a critical eye and that the volume will provide a context in which to place additional data as they are published.

Despite the advent of insulin for clinical use in 1922, our ability to control hypergly cemia and prevent the long term sequelae ofthe disease remains limited. Thus normalization of the milieu interieur with physiologic responses of insulin and metabolites remains an elusive but critically important goal. The developing endocrine pancreas provides a model system that speaks to many challenges of the transplantation biologist. Thus the attempt to of vascularization, growth and development, immunologic toler recapitulate the ontogeny ance, and glucose responsive insulin secretory capacity of fetal islet tissue provides a tantalizing possibility to replace insulin secreting tissue in persons with diabetes. Studies of this tissue are also important because of the implications such investigations have for genetic and molecular biological approaches to restoring insulin secretion as well as for providing clues to enhancing the growth and repair of islets that have been the target of autoimmune disease. Investigators in the area offetal islet transplantation comprise a small group scattered throughout the world scientific community. Therefore it seemed important to provide a forum where these scientists could gather, share ideas, and achieve consensus such that progress in this rapidly evolving area could be facilitated. The conference would have remained a dream if the support of the Okla Basil Meade, Jr. family had not made it manifest."

This book is divided into two main sections, and covers a broad range of issues important for health practitioners to be aware of when caring for people with co-morbid diabetes and depression. Section One of the book contains the overall ideas and the more recent developments in measuring psychological morbidity in people with diabetes. When attempting to identify people with depression or other psychological problems, it is important for practitioners to recognize the limitations of screening as well as its utility. Issues such as the basic principles regarding when and when not to screen, the cultural applicability of tools, different questionnaire formats and key concepts such as sensitivity and specificity of tools, and their positive and negative predictive value, will be considered. In particular there has been increased interest in the concept of diabetes-related distress and several tools have been developed to measure this. There are broad-based measures of distress such as the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, the Diabetes Adjustment Scale (DAS), The Diabetes Health Profile, The Fear of Hypoglycemia Scale, etc. There are also a range of generic quality of life tools which have been used effectively in people with diabetes; for example the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Forms (SF36, SF12), the World Health Organisation Well-being questionnaire (WHO-5) and the EQ5-D. These tools are important because they measure aspects of psychological well-being that are specifically associated with the experience of having a long-term conditions and so have important implications for both self-care and health care practice. The potential overlap of symptoms of depression and symptoms of diabetes-related distress are considered in this section and the implications for practice discussed. Section Two covers the most commonly used tools that have been used to screen for depression. For each tool considered some information which is easily referred to by the readeris set out in a table which includes details of the authors, time of first use, country where it was first developed, some examples of the questions used, the languages it is available in, data on sensitivity/specificity. Each instrument will then be discussed in terms of its use in research as well as practice, and its applicability in different patient groups, different cultural settings and so on. Guidance on the practical use of each tool is included, and the most popular depression screening tools are focussed on.

Fresh insights into the pathogenic mechanisms by which hyperglycemia induces tissue and organ injurt are the basis for rapidly evolving promising therapies in diabetes. Especially promising as targets for intervention are products of oxidative stress, including kinins and growth factors. Improving results of renal replacement regimes now incorporating pancreatic islet transplants are able to delay and prevent end-organ damage in diabetic individuals. The evolving story of the taming of diabetes is of direct concern to nephrologists, endocrinologists, ophthalmologists, primary care physicians and medical students.

During the past 5 years, impressive progress has been made in understanding the etiopathogenesis of expeiimental and clinical diabetes. The rapid progress that has been made in the general field of immunology has made possible new understanding regarding the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of diabetes. The other two areas in which recent progress has been made in the field of diabetes include genetics and the role of infectious agent(s) in the etiopathogenesis of diabetes. Because of these recent developments, a vast amount of data has been accumulated and published in a number of metabolic, endocrine, immunological, and general medicine journals. The purpose of this book is to consolidate all the available information and present it in its current state. In the present volume, I strive to bring together relevant contributions from leaders in the fields of immunopathology, immunobiology, and genetics. The advancing understanding has in several instances reached the point of clinical applica tion. This volume encompasses the entire scope of modem immunology of diabetes mellitus. This volume has been divided into two major parts, Experimental Diabetes and Clinical Diabetes. In the Experimental part are included chapters dealing with the structure and functions of insulin and the immune response to insulin. Spontaneous and experimentally induced models of type I diabetes mellitus are presented. The role of virus(es) in the etiology of experimental diabetes and the influence of sex on experi mental diabetes are discussed. The transplantation of pancreas and islets is reviewed in detail."

Painful Diabetic Neuropathy in Clinical Practice provides a concise, didactic and essential resource for clinicians in the management of neuropathic pain in diabetic patients. This volume opens with overviews of epidemiology, classification and clinical features, including a discussion of the negative effect of painful neuropathic symptoms on quality of life. These are followed by a chapter on diagnosis and staging, which includes approaches to history taking, clinical examination, pain assessment scales, testing and staging. The book concludes with a chapter on the various approaches in the management of neuropathic pain, including the most up-to-date guidelines on the pharmacological treatment of this condition. This concise handbook is an invaluable reference for primary care practitioners and diabetologists who wish to keep up to date with the diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain. Content Level Professional/practitioner

The use of performance-enhancing substances by athletes is not a contemporary epi demic. In fact, athletes purportedly resorted to such measures over 2000 years ago. Even at the ancient olympic games, athletes employed special diets and concoctions to enhance their performance. In ancient Rome and ancient Egypt, gladiators and athletes ingested various potions in order to improve their physical endurance. In most in stances, such early examples of substance abuse by athletes involved relatively in nocuous chemicals, and one might presume that any enhanced performance could be attributed largely to a placebo effect. Nowadays, aside from the ethical issues, these performance-enhancing substances are far more potent and hence toxic to the body. The many performance-enhancing chemicals, drugs, and hormones exert a variety of complex pharmacological actions, but all are meant in some fashion to improve phys ical ability. Their pharmacological effects ranges from imprOVed muscle strength, as in the case of anabolic steroids and growth hormone, to central nervous system stimula tion, as in the case of caffeine or amphetamine. Analgesics or other pain-killing drugs may also be used to suppress an existing injury in order that the athlete may compete."

The selection of prolactin as the subject of the Midwest Con ference on Endocrinology was not only dictated by the recent ad vances in prolactin research but also by the long tradition in that particular area of Endocrinology in the laboratory of C.W. Turner at the University of Missouri. Therefore, it seems only appropri ate that these proceedings of the Tenth Midwest Conference on En docrinology are dedicated to the memory of this scientist, deceased in August 1975 before completion of this volume, whose pioneer in vestigations have contributed substantially to the advancement of our knowledge in many areas of Endocrinology and who played a major role in the early phases of prolactin research. This volume contains a review of the early studies in Turner's laboratory and the latest results obtained by some of the leading research workers in this area and should be a fitting memory to C.W. Turner. Some of the manuscripts printed here were prepared after the conference was held and include material of more recent origin. Much of the delay in publication was due to the length of time de voted to preparation of these manuscripts. To the other authors and participants, and to Plenum Press, we express our appreciation for their patience and cooperation. We also with to thank Mrs."

genic constructs. Five articles are devoted to this topic ranging from the B-cell function in transgenic animals to the various effects on diabetes complications. The section on NIDDM, comprising of 10 articles, deals both with new and existing models, their particular widely varying pathogenesis, genetic character- istics and complications. The animals reviewed include: spontaneously diabetic OLETF rats, Chinese hamsters, Goto-Kakizaki rats, db/db mice, rhesus monkeys, dogs and an article demonstrating the genetic link between the Zucker fa/fa and corpulent cp/cp obese interstrains. We wish to welcome the new members to our Editorial Board, Dr. Hubert Kolb from Dusseldorf, Dr. Alex Rabinovitch from Edmonton, Dr. Takayoshi Toyota from Sendai and Dr. Soroku Yagihashi from Hirosaki. At the same time we would like to thank Dr. Douglas L. Coleman from Bar Harbor and Dr. George Eisenbarth from Denver for their editorial contribution to the previous LAD Vol- umes who have retired from the Editorial Board. With great sadness we have to mention Dr. Otho Michaelis IV from Beltsville, MD who suddenly passed away this year. Otho, or Mike as he was called by friends, made a significant contribution in developing and metabolically defin- ing several strains of corpulent cp rats and was extremely helpful in the editor- ial work of the LAD series. His contribution will remain in a lasting memory of all researchers of animal diabetes.

We are especially grateful to Dr. Philip Corfman and his colleagues of the Population and Reproduction Grants Branch of NICHD for making this Conference possible. The format of this volume follows in general the order in which the papers were presented during the Conference. The Conference was divided into four sessions, each of which was presided over by a capable and distinguished scientist. Each of these chairmen, Drs. T. H. Hamilton, G. A. Puca, R. L. Vande Wiele and H. G. Williams-Ashman provided valuable discussion and for their services we are most appreciative. The Editors are indebted to Mr. Robert Colligan for his help in organizing and in redacting the manuscripts. A special commen dation is also extended to Ms. Mary Jane Fowler who cheerfully and efficiently typed this entire volume. Finally, we express thanks to the individual participants of the Conference for their cooperation and prompt submission of the manuscripts and to the Plenum Press for ensuring the rapid publica tion of this volume. Anthony R. Means, Ph.D. Bert W. O'Malley, M. D."