Principles of Research Methodology: A Guide for Clinical Investigators is the definitive, comprehensive guide to understanding and performing clinical research. Designed for medical students, physicians, basic scientists involved in translational research, and other health professionals, this indispensable reference also addresses the unique challenges and demands of clinical research and offers clear guidance in becoming a more successful member of a medical research team and critical reader of the medical research literature. The book covers the entire research process, beginning with the conception of the research problem to publication of findings. Principles of Research Methodology: A Guide for Clinical Investigators comprehensively and concisely presents concepts in a manner that is relevant and engaging to read. The text combines theory and practical application to familiarize the reader with the logic of research design and hypothesis construction, the importance of research planning, the ethical basis of human subjects research, the basics of writing a clinical research protocol and scientific paper, the logic and techniques of data generation and management, and the fundamentals and implications of various sampling techniques and alternative statistical methodologies. Organized in thirteen easy to read chapters, the text emphasizes the importance of clearly-defined research questions and well-constructed hypothesis (reinforced throughout the various chapters) for informing methods and in guiding data interpretation. Written by prominent medical scientists and methodologists who have extensive personal experience in biomedical investigation and in teaching key aspects of research methodology to medical students, physicians and other health professionals, the authors expertly integrate theory with examples and employ language that is clear and useful for a general medical audience. A major contribution to the methodology literature, Principles of Research Methodology: A Guide for Clinical Investigators is an authoritative resource for all individuals who perform research, plan to perform it, or wish to understand it better.

The Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization: Advanced Methods and Novel Devices is a unique, accessible title that provides a complete review of the most well-established and current diagnostic and treatment techniques comprising in vitro fertilization. Throughout the chapters, a uniform structure is employed, including a brief abstract, a keyword glossary, a step-by-step protocol of the laboratory procedures, several pages of expert commentary, key issues of clinical concern, and a list of references. The result is a readily accessible, high quality reference guide for reproductive endocrinologists, urologists, embryologists, biologists and research scientists. The Manual also offers an excellent description of novel procedures that will likely be employed in the near future. An indispensable resource for physicians and basic scientists, the Practical Manual of In Vitro Fertilization: Advanced Methods and Novel Devices is an invaluable reference and addition to the literature.

Providing the most up-to-date research and current clinical knowledge of diabetic bone disease and the challenges still facing the research and clinical care communities, this book unites insights from endocrinology and orthopedics to create a truly unique text. The first part covers clinical and pre-clinical applications and research. The first two chapters present the clinical and epidemiological data about diabetic bone disease, evaluated and reviewed for type 1 and type 2, respectively. This is followed by discussions of how the propensity to fracture in diabetic bone disease can impact fracture risk assessments and how it can be adjusted for using current clinically relevant fracture risk models. A comprehensive overview of orthopedic complications observed in diabetes is next, as well as a focus on the consequences of diabetes on periodontal disease. Other topics include the utility of skeletal biomarkers in assessing diabetic bone disease, how drugs used to treat diabetes may also have skeletal consequences, and the possibility that diabetes may fundamentally impact early progenitor cells of various bone lineages and thus globally impact bone. The second part covers biomechanics and bone quality in diabetes: how diabetes ultimately may impact the architecture, integrity, and quality of bone. Utilizing the expertise of top researcher and clinicians in diabetic bone disease in one comprehensive text, this volume will be a useful and thought-provoking resource for endocrinologists and orthopedic surgeons alike.

Comprised exclusively of clinical cases covering the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid cancer and related clinical issues, this concise, practical casebook will provide clinicians in endocrinology and oncology with the best real-world strategies to properly manage the various forms of thyroid cancer that they may encounter. Each chapter is a case report, written by recognized experts, that opens with a unique clinical presentation, followed by a description of the diagnosis, assessment and therapy, as well as the case outcome, literature review, clinical pearls and pitfalls, and bibliography. All recommendations are based on evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and recent literature. Cases included illustrate treatment for both low and high risk differentiated thyroid cancer, including surgical approaches, radioiodine therapy, and novel chemotherapies and targeted therapies, as well as postoperative follow-up and special issues. Additional cases demonstrate the management of medullary thyroid cancer, thyroid lymphoma and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Pragmatic and reader-friendly, Thyroid Cancer: A Case-Based Approach will be an excellent resource for clinical endocrinologists and oncologists, endocrine fellows, residents and students alike.

Management of the modern reproductive endocrinology and infertility clinic has become very complex. In addition to the medical and scientific aspects, it is crucial that the modern director be aware of of incongruent fields such as marketing, accounting, management, and regulatory issues. Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: Integrating Modern Clinical and Laboratory Practice was developed to assist the practicing reproductive endocrinologist and/or laboratory director by providing an overview of relevant scientific, medical, and management issues in a single volume. Experts in all pertinent areas present concise, practical, evidence-based summaries of relevant topics, producing a key resource for physicians and scientists engaged in this exciting field of medicine. As novel technologies continue to amplify, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility: Integrating Modern Clinical and Laboratory Practice offers insight into development, and imparts extra confidence to practitioners in handling the many demands presented by their work.

Surgical pathology is the cornerstone in the management of neoplastic disorders. Written for the practicing surgical pathologist in mind, Surgical Pathology of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors provides an up-to-date text on surgical pathology of endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors. The text begins with radiological imaging of tumors, followed by a section on fine needle aspiration biopsy. The main section focuses on surgical pathology of endocrine and neuroendocrine tumors. The volume closes with applications of molecular techniques and their potential for the future. Surgical Pathology of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors is written by a panel of internationally recognized pathologists who are not only experts in their fields, but who also contribute their own valuable insights making this new book an essential resource for practicing general and specialist surgical pathologists and pathologists in training.

The decade that has passed since publication of the second edition of this textbook has not only witnessed a tremendous increase in knowledge within the ? eld of and- logy, but also seen the ? eld itself achieve a newfound status within the medical p- fession. Knowledge and status have been of mutual bene? t to the ? eld and the growing critical mass of diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities have caused andrology to be recognized as a medical subspecialty in some countries such as Germany, Poland, and Estonia. The European Academy of Andrology (EAA) served as a pacemaker for this development and continues to strive for establishment of andrology as a clinical ? eld. Well-designed curricula and qualifying examinations have contributed to the of? cial recognition of andrology as a speciality. This recognition of the ? eld helps patients with andrological problems to ? nd the specialist they seek. This textbook summarizes the current state of knowledge in the ? eld of andrology. It is a source of knowledge to all those who are or want to become andrologists. In addition, as andrology is clearly an interdisciplinary ? eld, this book may serve as a compendium and source of reference for all those physicians and biologists active in neighboring areas, who want to obtain an overview of andrology and who require information on special problems. The extensive references are timely and up to date.

In this second volume, the Biennial Review of Infertility brings together the most up-to-date research and clinical information on male and female infertility, emerging assisted reproductive techniques, and controversial issues in reproductive medicine. This volume includes discussion of cutting-edge topics such as epigenetics, proteomics, and the role of the environment in fertility, as well as insightful evidence-based discussion of common clinical procedures. It is the cumulative effort of a preeminent panel of experts presenting each chapter in a clear and well-balanced manner. Created to provide an ongoing appraisal of current knowledge, the Biennial Review of Infertility stimulates communication amongst all those working to help couples resolve their infertility.

Over the past few decades, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have emerged as major public health problems, both as distinct clinical entities and as comorbid conditions. As a result, the fields of vascular biology and endocrinology are working more closely now than ever before. With chapters by renowned experts, Cardiovascular Endocrinology: Shared Pathways and Clinical Crossroads emphasizes the considerable physiological interrelationships and clinical correlations between the specialties of cardiovascular medicine and endocrinology. Offering a wealth of information, Cardiovascular Endocrinology: Shared Pathways and Clinical Crossroads provides a range of insights, including a novel view of the hormonal regulation of the vascular system and the disruption of the nitric oxide signaling system. It also addresses the role of fatty acids and cytokines in the development of this problem. Importantly, this unique title also provides a state-of-the-art update on the importance of other hormones such as thyroid hormone and steroids, as well as the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease and controversies surrounding the use of hormone replacement therapy. In all, Cardiovascular Endocrinology: Shared Pathways and Clinical Crossroads is a first-of-its-kind title that discusses and summarizes important clinical topics in cardiology and endocrinology. It offers clinicians and researchers an important resource for navigating the increasingly interrelated pathways of cardiovascular and endocrinologic disorders. The authors discuss a range of important issues from epidemiology to bench research to translation of this research to clinical practice.

In the past, pregnancy after cancer was largely unheard of. Today, it is increasingly a possibility. Oncofertility has emerged as an interdisciplinary field bridging biomedical and social sciences, and examining issues regarding an individual's fertility options, choice and goals in light of cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Written by leaders in this evolving field, the volume covers various aspects: medical, ethical and social.

Immunoendocrinology is a rapidly developing field of research that seeks to understand the intersection of the immune and endocrine systems. Immunoendocrinology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects explores in detail the current knowledge of immunoendocrinology, namely endocrine disorders produced by disorders of immune function. Chapters cover both basic pathophysiology informed by studies of animal models as well as current understanding of multiple related clinical diseases-their pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapy. Immunoendocrinology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects captures the central role of immunoendocrinologic processes in the pathogenesis of not only type 1 diabetes but in a range of other autoimmune and endocrine disorders.

This book is designed to capture and clinically review the comprehensive database of clinical research articles that support and do not support the utilization of a variety of dietary supplements and other complementary medicines that physicians are exposed to in their daily practice. The growing list of CAM products that could interfere with surgery (anesthesia, bleeding, outcomes...) and/or conventional medicines is very large and is provided in each section of the book. Additionally, the list of dietary supplements that could be utilized to improve quality of life for breast cancer patients is also emphasized. The various sub-specialty groups in breast are adequately represented, which allows for a physician to rapidly and thoroughly investigate their topic of interest regardless of whether the topic is prevention, treatment, or a specific side effect of treatment. The practical nature of Integrative Medicine for Breast Cancer: An Evidence-Based Assessment cannot be overstated. Chapters include a general overview of the CAM agent, whether or not it has data in medicine and oncology, and a list of potential drug interactions and specific clinical scenarios where it can be utilized or discouraged in the specialty. Thus, this book will become the gold standard evidence based text for use in teaching, not only for the students interested in oncology and breast cancer, but for all current oncology health providers.

This book provides andrologists and other practitioners with reliable, up-to-date information on all aspects of male infertility and is designed to assist in the clinical management of patients. Clear guidance is offered on classification of infertility, sperm analysis interpretation and diagnosis. The full range of types and causes of male infertility are then discussed in depth. Particular attention is devoted to poorly understood conditions such as unexplained couple infertility and idiopathic male infertility, but the roles of diverse disorders, health and lifestyle factors and environmental pollution are also fully explored. Research considered stimulating for the reader is highlighted, reflecting the fascinating and controversial nature of the field. International treatment guidelines are presented and the role of diet and dietary supplements is discussed in view of their increasing importance. Clinicians will find that the book's straightforward approach ensures that it can be easily and rapidly consulted.

Oncofertility integrates the two previously distinct fields of cancer treatment and fertility research and aims to explore and expand the reproductive future of cancer survivors. In order to achieve the goal of fertility preservation, the Oncofertility community must focus on communication and the way data is provided and received. Concomitant with the rapidly changing technology of Oncofertility, there have been radical shifts and advances in the way health educators and clinicians can produce and share information. As success rates of reproductive techniques such as egg freezing and banking continue to rise, providing increasing opportunities for young cancer patients to preserve their fertility prior to the onset of cancer treatments, communication among professionals in oncology, reproductive medicine, and psychosocial work, among others, becomes crucial, and clinical demand for Oncofertility information is expected to rise considerably. Oncofertility Communication describes and addresses the myriad channels through which the multiple audiences involved in Oncofertility can be served with appropriate and accurate information about cancer-related fertility issues. The text answers frequently asked questions and provides invaluable insights to scientific and health care professionals about communication among the diverse Oncofertility audiences. It incorporates timely discussions about traditional and emerging electronic communication tools and discusses the impact of health care policy changes on the Oncofertility field.

This handy book offers a complete overview of current minimally invasive techniques for the management of endocrine diseases of the neck, reflecting how, in the past few years, the development of various ultrasound-guided procedures and endoscopic/video-assisted surgical techniques has changed the approach to thyroid and parathyroid diseases. The book opens by describing the main diagnostic tools for thyroid, parathyroid and cervical lymph nodes, focusing especially on the new technologies for tissue characterization. The different minimally invasive treatment procedures involving either a percutaneous approach (ethanol injection, laser thermal ablation, radiofrequency thermal ablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound) or minimally invasive surgery are then described in detail. The volume is intended for all clinicians and surgeons with an interest in the field of endocrinology and neck surgery. It provides a synthetic but clear description of the various available techniques from a technical point of view and discusses the main issues concerning each of them, permitting comparative evaluation in order to identify the best option in a particular case. It also reports the evidence available in the current literature.

This highly illustrated book, complete with comprehensive clinical references and annotated images, will serve as a leading text to educate head and neck surgeons, endocrinologists, and radiologists on the basics and nuances of thyroid and parathyroid ultrasound. It emphasizes the use of ultrasound as an office-based modality by clinicians and radiologists who actively care for this special set of patients. This text uniquely combines the collaboration between a clinician/surgeon and radiologist who share their extensive experience in head and neck ultrasound.

This book presents, in a stepwise and interactive fashion, approximately 75 cases that reflect the wide spectrum of pathology encountered in this region. Each case description commences with a concise clinical scenario. High-quality radiologic, laboratory, and histopathologic images depicting the differentiating features of the lesion subtype in question are then presented, and key operative and clinical management pearls are briefly reviewed. The interdisciplinary nature of this easy-to-use color atlas and textbook reflects the fact that the management of patients with sellar and parasellar lesions is itself often interdisciplinary. The format is unique in that no similar interdisciplinary book is available on lesions of this region of the brain. Atlas of Sellar and Parasellar Lesions: Clinical, Imaging, and Pathologic Correlations is of great value for practitioners and trainees in a range of medical specialties, including radiology, neurology, endocriniology, pathology, oncology, radiation oncology, and neurosurgery.

The field of microbial endocrinology is expressly devoted to understanding the mechanisms by which the microbiota (bacteria within the microbiome) interact with the host ("us"). This interaction is a two-way street and the driving force that governs these interactions are the neuroendocrine products of both the host and the microbiota. Chapters include neuroendocrine hormone-induced changes in gene expression and microbial endocrinology and probiotics. This is the first in a series of books dedicated to understanding how bi-directional communication between host and bacteria represents the cutting edge of translational medical research, and hopefully identifies new ways to understand the mechanisms that determine health and disease.

This book is a unique resource that will help pediatric radiologists, pediatricians, and pediatric endocrinologists to optimize the work-up and treatment of pediatric patients with endocrine disorders. Acclaimed experts in the field present and discuss the imaging findings obtained in disorders of the various endocrine systems, including the hypothalamo-pituitary axis, the thyroid and parathyroids, the adrenals, and the pancreas. Detailed advice is also provided on the assessment of bone growth and on imaging of the fetal glands, ambiguous genitalia, and the female pelvis in the context of precocious puberty. Throughout, care is taken to highlight characteristic findings and diagnostic clues. All of the currently used imaging techniques are covered, with clear explanation of their benefits and limitations. The informative text is supported by a wealth of high-quality illustrations, the large majority of them in color.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of medullary thyroid carcinoma, both in the more common sporadic form and in the familial form, multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) types 2A and 2B. The coverage includes, but is not limited to, molecular biology and genetics, pathology, clinical presentation, imaging techniques, surgical treatment, and follow-up. The role of calcitonin as a highly sensitive and specific tumor marker for the screening, diagnosis, and follow-up of MTC and metastatic disease is described, and the significance of other tumor markers is also considered. With regard to treatment, the use of thyroidectomy is fully discussed, including in children carrying the mutations in the RET proto-oncogene considered causative for MEN 2. Additionally, the value of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as the most effective treatment modality in patients with a large tumor burden or rapid tumor growth, or both, is explained. Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma and Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2 will be an ideal source of up-to-date information for a wide range of practitioners, including endocrinologists, oncologists, internal medicine specialists, geneticists, and nuclear medicine physicians.

This book offers ophthalmologists and medical practitioners a concise, data-driven review of the information that is most relevant in guiding the diagnosis and management of thyroid-associated eye diseases (TED). Thyroid-Associated Eye Disease can be read in its entirety to give a perspective of the field, but also considered as a reference as clinical questions arise. The goal is to deliver data- driven guidance and discreet approaches and suggestions useful for clinical practice and decision making. Advances in diagnostic evaluation, including autoantibody assessment, are reviewed, and the diagnostic features of euthyroid TED are also discussed. All relevant aspects of treatment are covered, from the use of radioactive iodine, long-term medical therapy, and surgical thyroidectomy through to the treatment of active TED by steroids and novel biologics and the role of minimally invasive surgery. Numerous supporting images are included, and helpful checklists will aid the practitioner in treatment decision making.

In Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease, a panel of distinguished leaders in the field of medicine, podiatry, and vascular and endovascular therapy assimilate the latest literature on these issues and others for an in-depth review of the management of peripheral vascular disease. Providing an overview of the management of diabetes and diabetic foot changes as well as providing a view of cutting-edge and emerging topics in optimization of arterial status, this important title addresses pathophysiology, anatomy, diagnosis and management of diabetic peripheral vascular disease, emphasizing a multi-disciplinary approach. The first chapter of the book provides an overview of this complex disease process and discusses the teamwork required for optimal management. The chapters continue with the basic pathophysiology of diabetic atherosclerosis and a contemporary review of the management of diabetes. The genesis of diabetic foot ulceration and prevention and management strategies is covered, as is the effects of neuropathy and microvascular changes in the diabetic foot. In addition, Diabetes and Peripheral Vascular Disease covers the microbiology of diabetic foot infections, the role of endovascular interventions and vascular surgery as well as the management of the complications of these procedures, the process of amputation for those patients who have progressed beyond a limb salvage situation, and the effects of diabetes on the cerebrovascular system as well as its implications in patients with aortoiliac disease. An invaluable addition to the literature on diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, the book will be of great interest internists, family practitioners, surgeons, podiatrists, wound care specialists, and vascular specialists. Students, residents, and fellows in surgical and medical specialties should also find this book of significant value and interest.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), their binding proteins and their receptors play important roles in regulating growth, metabolism, proliferation and survival for many cells and tissues throughout lifespan in humans and other species. Circulating IGF1 is known to be an endocrine regulator, with metabolic effects related to, and partly convergent with, insulin signalling. IGF1 also mediates many of the growth promoting effects of GH, and there is an ongoing debate as to the relative contributions of endocrine-, vs locally-derived IGF1 for systemic growth. More recently however, it has become clear that IGFs may be key local growth and cellular survival factors for many different tissues, active from early in embryonic development, essential for normal maturation and growth during foetal life. IGFs continue to play important roles throughout adult life in many diverse processes such as tissue repair, cellular proliferation, tissue remodelling and metabolic regulation. IGF systems are tightly regulated; orderly control of cellular repair and metabolism is central to healthy ageing, whilst uncontrolled proliferation can lead to cancer.

This book focuses on the state of the art in fully grasping precocious puberty and its consequences, incorporating advances in the areas of endocrinology, genetics, imaging and therapeutics to offer an indispensable tool for all physicians interested in the latest advances in this field. The authors present the latest findings on early puberty in girls and boys. The dynamic process of maturation is influenced by many signals and reshapes growing children's role within their environment. Readers will benefit from the educational value and level of depth of the individual chapters; written by respected experts and in a self-contained format, they can also be read separately to address specific interests.

Atlas of Thyroid Lesions provides a broad overview of the variety of lesions in the thyroid gland and their different characteristics and features, in the unique combination of ultrasound, cytologic and histologic appearance. Nodules in the thyroid gland are quite common. Studies estimate that more than 70% of the adult population in the United States has thyroid lesions when examined by ultrasound. More than 80% of thyroid nodules are benign. Too many benign nodules are surgically resected due to insufficient diagnostics, and too many malignant tumors do not get adequate primary surgical treatment. This book demonstrates how multidisciplinary approaches can increase the quality of the complex thyroid diagnoses and thereby secure correct treatment. This atlas presents: *Comprehensive description and overview of all thyroid lesions, tumor types, nodules and neck lymph node metastases *High quality ultrasound and pathology images *Easy to find images of anticipated tumor types *Didactic tools for how to improve diagnostic accuracy in the field