Male Reproductive Function gives an up-to-date review on the physiology and disease processes associated with the male reproductive system. The first few chapters describe the regulation of the functions of the testis and the integration of its components: germ cells, Sertoli cells and Leydig cells. This is followed by a description of puberty and aging, and the disorders or dysfunction that may be associated with these physiological processes. Discussions on the current methods for the diagnosis and treatment of male hypogonadism, male infertility and male sexual dysfunction follow, with detailed descriptions of types of androgen replacement and the benefits and risks of such treatment. The book concludes with the development of male contraception and the possible influence of the environment on the male reproductive system. Male Reproductive Function represents a conglomeration of the efforts of experts in andrology from all over the world, both in basic cellular/molecular biology as well as in clinical science and practice. This book is suitable for endocrinologists, urologists, general internists, gynecologists and other students in the field of male reproduction.

The Essential Charcot Neuroarthropathy: Biomechanics, Pathophysiology, and MRI Findings provides a comprehensive analysis of Charcot neuroarthropathy (or Charcot Foot) in diabetic patients. All aspects are covered, including epidemiology, biomechanics, pathophysiology, socioeconomic impacts, radiological findings, and differential diagnosis, with an emphasis on MRI. Chapters address the challenges of pre-and-post surgical management of Charcot neuroarthropathy and the role of unconventional imaging modalities in diagnosis. The book presents an analysis of the normal biomechanics of the ankle and foot, the biomechanical derangements of the ankle-foot unit (including abnormal gait) caused by diabetes Type II, and more. Finally, there is also a reference of the pathophysiology of diabetes-induced peripheral neuropathy and its direct link with the development of Charcot neuroarthropathy foot. Diabetes-induced Charcot foot is frequently misunderstood, misinterpreted and misdiagnosed which can lead to confusion and detrimental management with reported high morbidity.

Vitamin B12, Volume 119 in the Vitamins and Hormones series, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters written by an international board of authors.

During the past five to ten years, a variety of tools has been developed in the disciplines of both gene engineering, and molecular and structural biology. Some of these advances have permitted scientists not only to identify and characterize genes, but also to target these genes by disruption, thus eliminating their function in living animals, and to det- mine the biological responses to altered gene products. This has particular significance in endocrine systems, in which feedback mechanisms between the hypothalamus, pi- itary, and end organs are critical in normal physiology. Interpretation of the physiological significance, or the site of action of specific molecules in this context, has been difficult prior to transgenic technology. Major advances have occurred specifically in the areas of growth and development, and of reproduction. Coupled with analysis of naturally occurring mutations in humans, the use of transgenic animals and in vitro systems has recently allowed endocrinologists to understand the importance of specific thyroid hormone receptor isoforms in vivo, the molecular basis for generalized resistance to thyroid hormones via mutations in the nuclear receptor, and mechanisms for suppressing gene transcription. Previously designated "orphan rec- tors," such as steroidogenic factor-1, were demonstrated to have critical roles in dev- opment and reproduction. Other nuclear receptors-including those for thyroid hormone, estrogens, androgens, and progesterone-were shown to bind to coactivator and co- pressor proteins that modified their transcriptional activity, and contributed to the ce- specific effects of the hormones.

Diabetes Without Needles: Non-invasive Diagnostics and Health Management provides a comprehensive and objective compilation of the most promising noninvasive methods for glucose monitoring, including an in-depth analysis of their advantages and disadvantages in terms of biochemical processes. The latest advances in the field are discussed, including methods such as optical measurements, electrochemical measurements, exhaled breath analysis, direct measurements of glucose in the blood using noninvasive techniques, and the indirect analysis of biomarkers that are related to the glycemia. The book's author also presents recommendations for future research directions in this field. This book is a valuable resource for researchers in the areas of diabetes, noninvasive methods and diagnostics development.

This book is part of a series dedicated to recent advances on preventive, predictive and personalised medicine (PPPM). It focuses on the theme of "Drug delivery systems: advanced technologies potentially applicable in personalised treatments". The critical topics involving the development and preparation of effective drug delivery systems, such as: polymers available, self-assembly, nanotechnology, pharmaceutical formulations, three dimensional structures, molecular modeling, tailor-made solutions and technological tendencies, are carefully discussed. The understanding of these areas constitutes a paramount route to establish personalised and effective solutions for specific diseases and individuals.

Diabetes and its complications take the lives of over 3.2 million people worldwide every year. Thousands of people have succeeded in reducing their risk by using the first edition of "The Joslin Guide to Diabetes". Reflecting the vast range of new research and treatment options that have emerged in the ten years since the bestselling first edition of "The Joslin Guide to Diabetes" was published, this timely and authoritative second edition is far and away the most complete and up-to-date guide to diabetes self-care available anywhere. Drawing on the expertise of a team of internationally recognized experts, the authors address every important issue people face in diabetes management. Written in straightforward, easy-to-understand language and featuring numerous charts, the book covers how to develop a workable meal plan, how and when to monitor and treat blood glucose levels, how to administer insulin, the wide range of oral medications, the importance of physical activity in managing diabetes, strategies to reduce the risk of complications, and other vital information.

Considered the definitive source in its field for over 35 years, Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric, has been thoroughly updated to reflect today's recent advances in adult and pediatric endocrinology. Unique perspectives from a team of trusted, world-renowned experts ensure this medical reference book remains the most highly-regarded text in the field. "...deserves a large and universal audience, as it is a superb textbook as well as a substantial and scholarly reference source for all those with an interest in this field." Reviewed by glycosmedia.com, May 2015 Make the best clinical decisions with an enhanced emphasis on evidence-based practice and expert opinions on treatment strategies. Zero in on the most relevant and useful references with the aid of a more focused, concise bibliography. Locate information quickly, while still getting the complete coverage you expect, with two streamlined, manageable volumes. Now in full color, with special design treatment for at-a-glance pediatric content, helping to distinguish the pediatric content. Expanded coverage for key topics such as pediatric endocrinology and obesity mechanisms and treatment, in addition to today's hot topics in endocrinology, including endocrine disruptors, bariatric surgery, androgen deficiency, genetic causes of obesity, endocrine rhythms, and the use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in thyroid cancer. New content addressing the latest advances in testosterone and estrogen replacement, as well as the new causes of calcium and phosphate disorders, new molecular causes of endocrine cancers, new genetic causes of reproductive disorders, and more. Updated clinical guidelines for diabetes, lipid disorders, obesity management, osteoporosis, and more, as well as essential treatment updates for the medical management of acromegaly, Cushing's Disease, hypercalcemia, and diabetes mellitus. New Key Points provide snapshots of what to expect in each chapter, or serve as a refresher of what you just read. Expert Consult eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, references, and videos from the book on a variety of devices.

Primary Aldosteronism (PA) is a disease caused by the overproduction of aldosterone hormone from the adrenal glands. PA causes hypertension and the majority with this disease are undiagnosed for PA. There are new insights into this matter by using biochemistry as well as advanced radiology. In 2011, a breakthrough in the genetic derangements came, identifying a mutated potassium channel gene - KCNJ5 - in about 40% of PA with adenoma. Chapters in this book include a history of the disorder, epidemiology, genetics derangements, the KCNJ5 mutations and phenotype and more.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem affecting over 415 million people in the world. Extensive research over the decades and the recent discovery of new medicines have revolutionized our understanding and treatment of both type 2 diabetes and type 1 diabetes mellitus. This book contains selected topics that describe recent advances in research, and state of the art treatment of the two types of diabetes mellitus and their complications. The topics encompass epidemiology and pathogenesis of diabetes, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes and related complications. The chapters contain essential background materials, as well as recent advances in researches in different aspects of diabetes mellitus. The books is expected to be useful for researchers, research students, as well as for the clinicians engaged in diabetes care and diabetes research.

The cause of diabetes mellitus is metabolic in origin. However, its major clinical manifestations, which result in most of the morbidity and mortality, are a result of its vascular pathology. In fact, the American Heart Association has recently stated that, "from the point of view of cardiovascular medicine, it may be appropriate to say, diabetes is a cardiovascular disease" (1). But diabetic vascular disease is not limited to just the macrovasculature. Diabetes mellitus also affects the microcirculation with devastating results, including nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease in the United States, while diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new-onset blindness in working-age Americans. The importance of this text on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease is evident by the magnitude of the population affected by diabetes mellitus. Over 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, while another 5 million remain undiagnosed. The impact from a public health perspective is huge and increasing. As the population of the United States grows older, more sedentary, and obese, the risk of developing diabetes and its complications will increase. Epidemiological studies have identified diabetes mellitus as a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Over 65% of patients with diabetes mellitus die from a cardiovascular cause. The prognosis of patients with diabetes mellitus who develop overt clinical cardiovascular disease is much worse than those cardiovascular patients free of diabetes mellitus.

Almost every aspect of energy and nutrient metabolism is altered by hormonal and other physiological changes during pregnancy and lactation. While it is evident that hormonal adjustments affect nutrient requirements, these are rarely considered when nutrient recommen dations are made for pregnant or lactating women, and often neglected during evaluation of nutritional status. In addition, changes in nutrient metabolism during the stages of pregnancy and oflactation are usually considered separately, while in reality events during pregnancy can have a major influence on nutritional status and nutrient requirements during lactation. The purpose of this volume is to describe changes in the metabolism of important nutrients during pregnancy and lactation, including the physiological basis for these changes and their implications for nutrient requirements and assessment. Authors have considered such issues as inter-relationships between endocrine changes and nutrient metabolism at the tissue, cellular and molecular level; alterations in nutrient binding proteins; the efficiency of nutrient absorp tion and retention; and the impact on maternal as well as fetal nutritional status. Another unique aspect of this book is the focus on pregnancy and lactation as a continuum."

Endocrinology of Cardiovascular Function is a fitting inauguration to the Endocrine Update Series. The aim of these publications is to provide the clinician with cutting edge, yet succinct, access to the latest advances in endocrinology. Historically, our understanding of hormonal disturbances was restricted to the classical secretory glands and their targets. As Endocrinology of Cardiovascular Function so aptly indicates, endocrinology is no longer constrained by our early physiologic understanding of glandular disorder. Endocrinology of Cardiovascular Function has set the standard of excellence for the future volumes in this series. Shlomo Melmed, M.D. Series Editor, Endocrine Update Growth factors such as IGF-1 play important roles in cardiovascular cell hypertrophy and the response to acute vascular injury. From another perspective, traditional endocrine hormones, such as estrogen, have been found to participate in preventing the development of atherosclerosis in women, acting through novel mechanisms on target vascular cells. Other endocrine' hormones, such as PTHRP and adrenomedullin, also modulate cardiovascular and renovascular dynamic states, suggesting new roles for these peptides as vasodilators. This multi-authored text is dedicated to highlighting emerging and important new information regarding the endocrinology of the cardiovascular system. Ellis R. Levin, M.D.

Calcium-Sensing Receptor provides an overview of various aspects of the calcium receptor's biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology that is suitable both for those who have been working in the field of Ca2+0-sensing as well as those who are new to this discipline.
Calcium-Sensing Receptor is the nineteenth volume published in the Endocrine Updates book series under the Series Editorship of Shlomo Melmed, MD.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and continues to increase in prevalence in almost all countries in which it has been studied, including developed and developing countries around the globe. The causes of obesity are complex and multi-factorial. Childhood obesity becomes a life-long problem in most cases and is associated with long term chronic disease risk for a variety of diseases including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, as well as psychosocial as issues and obesity seems to affect almost every organ system in the body. In recent years there has been tremendous progress in the understanding of this problem and in strategies for prevention and treatment in the pediatric years. Childhood Obesity: Causes, Consequences, and Intervention Approaches presents current reviews on the complex problem of obesity from the multi-level causes throughout early life before adulthood and the implications for this for long-term disease risk. It reviews numerous types of strategies that have been used to address this issue from conventional clinical management to global policy strategies attempting to modify the global landscape of food, nutrition, and physical activity. Each chapter is written by a global authority in his or her respective field with a focus on reviewing the current status and recent developments. The book features information on contributing factors to obesity, including developmental origins, social/family, birth cohort studies, influence of ethnicity, and global perspectives. It takes a life-course approach to the subject matter and includes exhaustive treatment of contributing factors to childhood obesity, such as assessment, environmental factors, nutrition and dietary factors, host factors, interventions and treatment, consequences, and further action for future prevention. This broad range of topics relevant to the rapidly changing field of childhood obesity is suitable for students, health care professionals, physicians, and researchers.

This comprehensive volume discusses in vitro laboratory development of insulin-producing cells. It encompasses multiple aspects of islet biology-from embryonic development and stem cell differentiation to clinical studies in islet transplantation, regulation of islet beta-cell regeneration, pancreatic progenitors, mathematical modelling of islet development, epigenetic regulation, and much more. The chapter authors represent leading laboratories from around the world who contribute their international perspectives and global expertise. Collectively, they provide the reader with a concise yet detailed knowledge of processes and current developments in islet regenerative biology. Pancreatic Islet Biology, part of the Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine series, is essential reading for researchers and clinicians in stem cells or endocrinology, especially those focusing on diabetes.

Parenting Children with Diabetes addresses the absence of information needed for successful diabetes management including more advanced diabetes education, information on emotional trauma, relationships issues and problems inside and outside the home that are caused while growing up with diabetes. This book offers parents a 360-degree perspective of what is happening to their child as they grow into and grow up with diabetes, from diagnosis to monitoring and controlling their blood sugars to their exposure to other people's opinions in schools and other common situations as to how they should handle their diabetes. This book provides parents with special tools, insights, and education so they can more confidently and effectively communicate, understand, and empathize with their child's experience with diabetes and their child's relationship with the world around them. Eliot LeBow thoughtfully addresses readers and his work Helps parents resolve resistance to diabetes management Creates and fosters emotional stability within the family living with diabetes Guides parents to building a healthy, supportive relationship for and with their child Prepares parents for the emotional ups and downs of diabetes management Offers insight into situations most children living with diabetes face Provides information about working with the school system to make sure their child is safe

Distinguished clinician-scientists describe in concise studies their most difficult cases and reveal what they did, how they did it, and why. The cases cover a wide range of endocrine problems. Each case study reviews how the patient was managed, details the reasons why various tests and treatments-many only recently available-were carried out, and provides references to ensure that those novel methodologies can be easily translated into the endocrine specialist's daily practice. The authors provide practical solutions for these difficult-to-manage cases, and successfully apply knowledge fresh from the laboratory to decisions about patient management. Practical and stimulating, Challenging Cases in Endocrinology demonstrates for every clinical endocrinologist precisely how specialists approach their most challenging cases and how these approaches can be effectively applied in the daily practice of endocrinology.

Darwinian medicine looks at the ecological and evolutionary roots of disease. A disease is an interaction between a genome and its biotic or abiotic environment and therefore a disease is essentially an ecological process. Good understanding of ecology and a Darwinian way of thinking can give us novel and useful perspectives on health and disease. If we understand the disease process better, we can certainly prevent, control as well as treat diseases in a better way. Although the thought that the origins of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) might lie in our hunter gatherer adaptations is not new, research over the last decade makes us rethink many of the classical concepts. Brain and behavior is increasingly being recognized as central to all the endocrine, metabolic and immunological changes that earmark type 2 diabetes and other metabolic syndrome disorders. A major change in paradigm appears to be on the horizon and the proposed book intends to speed up the paradigm shift by raising important questions, pointing out flaws and inadequacies in the prevalent paradigm and stimulating radical rethinking which would redirect and refine the line of research as well as bring some fundamental changes in drug discovery and clinical practice.

This comprehensive reference provides guidance for dietitians, physicians, and other allied care professionals working with patients with thyroid disease. Using the most current evidence-based guidelines from the American Thyroid Association, the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists, and available research, this guide addresses: -Thyroid function, weight regulation, and the role of iodine - Energy and nutrient requirements in thyroid disease - Diagnosis, medical management, and applying the nutrition care process to provide patient-centered nutrition care of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid cancer - Awareness of additional interventions, including alternative treatments - Working with special populations, related conditions and issues, and prevention strategies - Useful appendix materials include sample food plans, low iodine diet guidelines, list of goitrogens, monitoring recommendations, suggested resources, and more.

Iodine is an essential micronutrient and an integral component of the thyroid hormones, which are required for normal growth and development. The iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) encompass a spectrum of adverse health effects including goiter, cretinism, hypothyroidism, growth retardation, and increased pregnancy loss and infant mortality. This volume summarizes the current understanding of the effects of iodine deficiency as well as iodine excess. It also discusses best practices for salt iodization, the mainstay of global IDD prevention efforts, and other forms of food fortification. The effectiveness of iodine supplementation for vulnerable populations, an evolving strategy in many regions, is also described. Low level environmental exposure to chemicals such as perchlorate and thiocyanate, which competitively block thyroidal iodine uptake, appears to be ubiquitous worldwide. There has been recent concern that such environmental exposures might pose a health hazard by inducing or aggravating underlying thyroid dysfunction. This up-to-date volume explores both the effects of iodine deficiency as well as the best strategies for IDD prevention.

This book comprehensively describes the association between metabolic syndrome and pancreatic cancer progression, and the mechanism of action and target definition with a view to drug discovery. Metabolic syndrome, which includes adnominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia, has recently been shown to play an important role in the etiology and progression of various cancers. Further, obesity and diabetes have been associated with an increased incidence of gastric cancers. The book reviews the key biological mechanisms underlying the association between metabolic dysregulation, including obesity-associated enhancement of growth factor signaling, inflammation, and perturbation in pancreatic cancer cell growth and metastasis. It also illustrates the role of the inflammatory signaling pathway in metabolic diseases as well as tumor growth and explores the potential of these pathways as the rational targets for pancreatic cancer therapy. Lastly, the book offers a comprehensive description of the challenges associated with diabetes and pancreatic cancer therapy.

Sirtuin Biology in Cancer and Metabolic Disease: Cellular Pathways for Clinical Discovery offers a compelling and thought-provoking perspective for the examination of the intriguing biology of sirtuins that ties cancer and metabolic disease together and provides a critical platform for the development of sirtuin-based novel therapeutic strategies to effectively treat cancer and metabolic disorders with precision in order to minimize any potentially detrimental clinical outcomes. An exciting prospect for the development of innovative therapeutics for cancer and metabolic disorders involves sirtuins. Sirtuins are histone deacetylases that have an intricate role in the onset and development of cancer and metabolic disease. Implementing a translational medicine format, this innovative reference highlights the ability of sirtuins to oversee critical pathways that involve stem cell maintenance, cellular proliferation, metabolic homeostasis, apoptosis, and autophagy that can impact cellular dysfunction and unchecked cellular growth that can occur during cancer and metabolic disease. Each chapter offers an intuitive perspective of advances on the application of sirtuin pathways for cancer and metabolic disease that will be become a "go-to" resource for a broad audience of scientists, physicians, pharmaceutical industry experts, nutritionists, and students.