Creating clinical guidelines is a modern trend. Published studies pertaining to a given theme are collected, their credibility evaluated, and then treatment options in the form of evidence-based guidelines are offered. There are a number of guidelines for the treatment of thyroid tumors that have established positions in clinical practice in North America and in Western European countries. In Japan, however, where radioisotope facilities are of limited availability, treatment plans for differentiated thyroid cancer differ considerably from those of America and Europe, and the associated clinical guidelines need modification before they can be adopted. In addition, although thyroid tumor is a common disease in endocrine practice, its management can differ even among specialists. Thus, a Japanese clinical guideline for the treatment of thyroid tumor was desired by many clinicians. As a combination of evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines for the treatment of thyroid tumor, this book offers alternatives to conventional approaches in the West. Ultimately, the authors hope the guideline will lead to the best possible treatment for patients all over the world in the not-distant future.

The first comprehensive book to cover all aspects of the last 25 years of PACAP (pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide) research, this book contains contributions from virtually all the leading researchers in the field, and addresses some of the following topics: evolutionary aspects of PACAP, distribution and occurrence of PACAP and its receptors, hormonal effects of PACAP, intracellular signaling, effects on cellular proliferation and differentiation, protective effects of PACAP, behavioral effects of PACAP, developmental aspects of PACAP, other physiological effects of PACAP (cardiovascular, thermoregulatory), human studies, drug design, metabolism and transport. This compendium can serve as an important reference for researchers and students in PACAP research and can also be a thorough introduction for those in related fields.

For practitioners at all stages of experience, diseases of the parathyroid glands are not easily deciphered. There are many subtleties to its pathology and diagnosis. Today, the wealth of new information from molecular medicine makes it very challenging for the individual practitioner to have a complete picture of these entities. "Diseases of the Parathyroid Glands" addresses these issues by offering a concise, user-friendly text that provides state-of-the-art background on mineral physiology and its regulation and couples this to a variety of clinical topics of parathyroid gland pathology. Introductory chapters cover calcium regulation and parathyroid gland physiology, drawing upon many of the new aspects of glandular control mechanisms beyond the classical ones associated with calcium alone. The majority of the text covers clinical problems. Although most chapters address problems in adult medicine, three separate chapters are devoted to pediatric problems of hyper- and hypoparathyroidsm and parathormone resistance states. In addition, there are several chapters on less common but equally challenging problems such as parathyroid cancer, calciphylaxis, cystic lesions of the glands, and ectopic glandular disease. The final chapters detail the techniques of parathyroid gland imaging and surgical treatment. Practical and an invaluable addition to the literature, "Diseases of the Parathyroid Glands" is an indispensable reference for anyone interested in parathyroid disease.

Patients aftlicted with thyroid eye disease or Graves' ophthamopathy (GO) may experience not only pain and visual loss, but also disfigurement. Full understanding of pathogenesis has been elusive, and treatment modalities are imperfect. As with other conditions, more effective intervention will follow only after a better understanding of pathogenesis is reached. The goal of this volume is to give an overview by leaders in the field of the present state of the art both in pathogenesis and clinical aspects of GO. Much attention has been directed towards determining which cells within the orbit are targets of the autoimmune process, and how these and other cells might participate in the local inflammatory process. It is now generally agreed that orbital fibroblasts, preadipocyte fibroblasts, and adipocytes are the targeted and activated cells in GO and that full-length TSH receptor (TSHr) is expressed in these cells. Further, there is growing consensus that this receptor is up-regulated in the orbit in GO, residing primarily in newly differentiated adipocytes. However, it is also evident, given a sufficiently sensitive assay, that TSHr is detectable in fibroblasts and adipocytes from the normal orbit and other anatomic sites, as well. It will be important to determine whether the observed increase in orbital TSHr expression itself initiates the orbital autoimmune process. Also to be decided is whether orbital lymphocytes from GO patients specifically recognize this receptor, and what factor or factors unique to Graves' dIsease might stimulate TSHr expression in orbital cells.

The prevalence of hypertension is almost three times as high as that of diabetes mellitus type 2, with both conditions being major risk factors for stroke, ischemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and heart failure. The exact prevalence of hypertension related to hormonal derangements (endocrine hypertension) is not known but estimated to affect less than 15% of hypertensive patients. Recent scientific discoveries have increased the understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of hypertension. In Endocrine Hypertension, a renowned panel of experts provides a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview of this disorder, discussing when to assign an endocrine cause in one of many conditions that may present with hypertension. The first part of Endocrine Hypertension is dedicated to adrenal causes. The second part of the volume concerns potential nonadrenal causes of hypertension, such as growth hormone excess or deficiency, primary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, testosterone deficiency, insulin resistance, obesity-associated hypertension, and the role of central mineralocorticoid receptors and cardiovascular disease. An important contribution to the literature, Endocrine Hypertension is an indispensable reference not only for endocrinologists, diabetologists, and adrenal investigators, but also for translational scientists and clinicians from cardiology, internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, geriatrics, urology, and reproductive medicine / gynecology.

Endocrine Neoplasia is a comprehensive, updated, and clearly-written text covering the diseases for which endocrine surgical expertise is often needed. We look towards advances in the science and the art of endocrine surgery to continuously improve outcomes for our patients. The goal of this text was to provide a detailed description of both the underlying science of disease as well as the art of clinical management.

The book is divided into five sections addressing neoplasms of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, neuroendocrine pancreas, and multiple endocrine neoplasia. Experts from the United States, Canada, and Australia have contributed chapters addressing both the biology of endocrine tumors and the clinical management of disease. Recent discoveries regarding the genetic underpinnings of disease are highlighted. Updated consensus guidelines were used for clinical recommendations. The management of complex and often confusing clinical problems is discussed in detail.

Endocrine Hypertension: From Basic Science to Clinical Practice bridges the gap between scientists and practicing clinicians by providing a comprehensive overview on all forms of endocrine hypertension, covering epidemiological aspects, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, laboratory evaluation and practical management aspects of endocrine hypertension. This book is a great resource for endocrinologists, physicians, general practitioners and researchers who are eager to understand the complex facets of endocrine hypertension. Endocrine hypertension is a term used to describe a group of endocrine pathologies that cause an elevation of blood pressure, estimated to account for up to 10% of all hypertension cases. Although common, this clinical condition is often overlooked. Patients with this condition are at risk of late diagnosis, delayed treatment and detrimental health consequences.

Why sex matters

Among human and nonhuman animals, the prevalence and intensity of infection typically is higher in males than females and may reflect differences in exposure as well as susceptibility to pathogens. Elevated immunity among females is a double-edged sword in which it is beneficial against infectious diseases but is detrimental in terms of increased development of autoimmune diseases.

The present book critically reviews the evolutionary origin and the functional mechanisms responsible for sexual dimorphism in response to infection. It emphasizes the value of examining responses in both males and females to improve our understanding about host-pathogen interactions in both sexes.

The contributors are experts in their specific disciplines which range from microbiology and immunology to genetics, pathology, and evolutionary biology.

The book aims at bringing insight to the treatment and management of infectious diseases; it delineates areas where knowledge is lacking and highlights future avenues of research.

This book covers all aspects of thyroid cancer. Heavily illustrated and including pathology, thyroid and whole-body scans, ultrasounds and other nuclear medicine and radiological studies, the book addresses important issues that physicians should cover when dealing with their patients.

The text is designed for physicians, endocrinologists, nuclear medicine physicians, general and head and neck surgeons, oncologists and radiation oncologists, and primary care doctors. Other groups are residents, medical students, and nurse practitioners researching a patient-related problem.

In the past four years, many genetic loci have been implicated for BMI from the outcomes of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), primarily in adults. Insulin-induced gene 2 (INSIG2) was the first locus to be reported by this method to have a role in obesity but replication attempts have yielded inconsistent outcomes. The identification of the second locus, the fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO), h has been more robustly observed by others. Studies from both FTO knock out and FTO overexpression mouse model support the fact that FTO is directly involved in the regulation of energy intake and metabolism in mice, where the lack of FTO expression leads to leanness while enhanced expression of FTO leads to obesity. Along with numerous other studies, a number of genetic variants have been established robustly in the context of obesity, giving us fresh insights into the pathogenesis of the disease. This book will give a comprehensive overview of efforts aimed at uncovering genetic variants associated with obesity, which have been particularly successful in the past 5 years with the advent of genome-wide association studies (GWAS). This book will cover this state of the art technology and its application to obesity in great detail. Topics covered will include genetics of childhood obesity, genetics of syndromic obesity, copy number variants and extreme obesity, co-morbidities of obesity genetics, and functional follow-up of genetic variants. "

It is the goal of The Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors to provide acomprehensive and forward-thinking review ofthe tremen- dous advances that have occurred in less than a decade of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) research. Virtually every areaof mGluR research is covered, including the molecular biology, pharmacology, anatomical distribution, and physiological and pathological roles of mGluRs. It is our intention that this volume not only summarize what is now known about the mGluRs, but also illuminate the areas in which there is the greatest need for focused research. Glutamic acid is an amino acid that has long been known to play several important metabolic roles in central and peripheral tissues and to be a component of several naturally occurring molecules. The first evidence that glutamate mayaIso serve as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) came in the late 1950s and early 1960s when glutamate and other acidic amino acids were found to induce behavioral convulsions when topically applied to the cortex and to excite a wide variety of central neurons. These findings spurred a massive research effort that quickly established glutamate as the pri- mary excitatory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate CNS. One of the most striking characteristics of glutamate that was quickly recognized was its ubiquitous role in serving as the neurotransmitter at the vast majority of excitatory synapses in the brain. It is now clear that most central neuronal circuits involve glutamatergic neurotransmission at some level.

Dr. Robert Volpe and his distinguished contributors comprehensively review the latest thinking about the theoretical, experimental, and clinical aspects of autoimmune endocrine disorders. These world-renowned experts examine the pathogenesis and immunogenetics of these diseases, discuss the role of sex hormones in autoimmunity, and elucidate the nature of autoantigens. They also provide clinical detail on a wide variety of autoimmune endocrinopathies, including autoimmune thyroid disease, Graves' ophthalmopathy and dermopathy, human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune adrenocortical failure. Postpartum autoimmune endocrine syndromes, autoimmune hypophysitis, and the polyglandular autoimmune syndromes are also discussed in detail. Comprehensive and authoritative, Autoimmune Endocrinopathies provides today's most up-to-date understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune endocrine diseases.

Carole Mendelson has assembled a panel of leading investigators to critically review the various classes of endocrine, paracrine, and neuroendocrine factors that play a role in the regulation of lung development and surfactant production. Special attention is accorded the actions of glucocorticoids in lung development and the synthesis of surfactant glycerophospholipids and proteins. Also extensively treated are the roles of cell-cell interactions and the elaboration of various growth factors and bioactive peptides in pulmonary cell differentiation, gene expression, and pathophysiology. State-of-the-art and comprehensive, Endocrinology of the Lung constitutes a powerful new standard guide that illuminates the complex endocrinology of the lung for all those actively investigating hormone action in pulmonary biology and medicine today.

Growth Hormone is a fitting addition to the Endocrine Updates Series. The aim of these publications is to provide the clinician with cutting-edge, yet succinct, access to the latest advances in endocrinology. Current interest in this rapidly evolving area of endocrinology makes this a timely and important update. Growth Hormone joins Dr. Fagin's Thyroid Cancer in continuing the standard of excellence as the fourth volume in this series of topical updates. Shlomo Melmed, MD, Series Editor, Endocrine Updates Ten years ago, many endocrinologists were still skeptical that growth hormone (GH) played an active role in adult metabolism. This is, perhaps, surprising given that GH deficiency (GHD) in adulthood had been recognized' as long ago as the 1960s. During the last ten years studies have shown that GHD in adulthood is a far-reaching syndrome associated with abnormal body composition, reduced bone mineral density with an increased fracture rate, increased cardiovascular morbidity and impaired cardiac function, as well as reduced exercise performance and decreased psychological well-being. Importantly, it is also clear, from placebo-controlled trials, that GH replacement therapy can normalize body composition, increase bone mineral content and improve the cardiovascular risk factor profile. GH replacement therapy also improves cardiac performance and exercise capacity, increases muscle strength and improves well-being and quality of life. The aim of Growth Hormone is to provide a critical update of current knowledge about adult GHD and the future role of GH/IGF-1 in adult medicine. For this purpose, contributions from a number of research groups have been invited. It is my hope that the book may not only serve as an introduction to the field, but also stimulate further research within this exciting area.

Leading researchers and experienced clinicians join forces not only to illuminate today's understanding of the endocrinology of menopause, but also to provide a sound basis for its successful management. These seasoned experts review in detail the cardiovascular, bone, brain, and genitourinary changes that accompany menopause and spell out the risks, benefits, and alternatives of conventional hormone replacement therapy. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), androgen replacement, calcium supplementation, and the role of phytoestrogens are also fully reviewed. Menopause: Endocrinology and Management offers practicing physicians a comprehensive understanding of the menopause process, as well as an evidence-based approach to optimizing treatment strategies for the challenging medical problems accompanying this important period in women's lives.

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.

As humans ventured into the twentieth century, the industrialized countries were confronted with the scourge of rickets. Although solariums were becoming common in the early 1900s and phototherapy was gaining popularity as a result of the awarding of a Nobel Prize to Finsen in 1903, it wasn't until 1921 when Hess and Unger demonstrated that rickets could be cured by exposure to sunlight that the healthful benefit of sun exposure appreciated. In 1941, Apperly (Cancer Research; 1: 191-195, 1941) noted that the occasional increased risk of skin cancer was associated with a decreased risk of many other more common and serious cancers. The alarming increase in the number of cases of skin cancer, especially melanoma, has caused great concern about the negative role of sunlight in health. The Sixth International Arnold Rikli Symposium on the Biologic Effects of Light was held in Boston, Massachusetts from June 16th - 18th, 2001. The goal of this Symposium was to focus on the very popular practice of tanning either by sunlight or by artificial light sources and the overall impact this practice has on health and disease. The program was organized by members of the Scientific Advisory Committee and my co-chair emeritus, Professor Ernst G. Jung. The Program Committee organized an outstanding state-of-the-art program that was enthusiastically received by the participants.

The editors have adopted psychoneuroimmunology as a term which implies the involvement of higher nervous system activity in the regulatory interactions of the neuroendocrine and the immune systems. The alternative terms neuroimmunomodulation, neuroendocrinimmunology, and immunoendocrinology, etc.,

This book covers topics that range from fundamental studies of DNA replication, chromosomal and nuclear function through growth factor control of endocrine tumor initiation and progression. The basic and translational insights gained from Hormonal Control of Cell Cycle will be of interest to those studying the biology of endocrine tumors as well as those deriving novel therapeutic approaches for these benign and malignant disorders.

"In this outstanding volume, Dr. Gaillard has assembled a team of international experts who have written one of the most comprehensive treatises on this topic. Ranging from fundamental molecular developmental mechanisms of the corticotroph cell, to the treatment of Cushing's Disease, these chapters provide a cutting edge overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of disordered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function. Especially noteworthy are the inclusion of chapters on appetite control and neuro-immunomodulation, reflecting the recent exciting advances in these fields.
The student of Cushing's Disease and the HPA axis will find elucidation of the latest basic scientific advances, coupled with patient friendly guidelines for clinical diagnosis and management of an extremely challenging neuroendocrine disorder. The repute of the authors, highest quality writing, lucid text and comprehensive coverage of the topics, all blend to result in an excellent text."

Androgens play a critical role in the development and maintenance of the male reproductive system and affect important physiological processes and pathological conditions, including the homeostasis of the normal prostate and prostate cancer. Androgen Action: Methods and Protocols is designed to provide a tool box to study various phases of androgen action, from its entry to the cell to the phenotypic response that the cell mounts, with up-to-date techniques for biochemists, molecular biologists, cell biologists, geneticists, and pathologists. The volume opens with a brief review of the research history on androgen action and prostate carcinogenesis, followed by chapters that cover state-of-the-art methods to determine androgen levels in biological tissues and fluids, experimental procedures to study the various aspects of androgen receptor activity, and methodology to study salient examples of interactions between androgen signalling and other major signalling pathways in cells. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Androgen Action: Methods and Protocols provides a comprehensive overview of, and practical guidance on, the diverse methodologies that are propelling androgen action research forward, both for normal physiology as well as in disease states.