Scientific interest in regulatory T cells has revived during the last decade. Initially described in the early seventies as suppressor T cells, the concept of suppressor/regulatory T cells went through turbulent times during the eighties when molecular analysis failed to identify putative suppressor genes. The constructive and elegant cellular experiments on regulatory T cells during the nineties, initiated by Shimon Sakaguchi and co-workers, however have brought these cells back into the limelight. Nowadays, regulatory T cells are regarded as essential components of the immune system, and several different subsets of regulatory T cells have been described. Considerable regulatory function has been attributed to the CD4+CD25+ T cell subset. These cells act by suppressing adaptive and possibly also innate immune responses thereby maintaining or restoring the balance between immunity and tolerance. The suppressive effects of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are cell-contact dependent but a role for soluble factors, particularly in vivo, has been suggested as well.
The aim of this book is to bring together recent developments and viewpoints in the field of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and to discuss the potential use of regulatory T cells in immunotherapy of inflammatory diseases. By linking data on regulatory T cells from experimental models with recent findings from the clinic, this topical book will be of interest to immunologists and other biomedical researchers as well as clinicians that are interested in regulation and manipulation of the immune response during (chronic) inflammatory disease.

This book is the latest volume in the World Clinics Diabetology series, focusing on complications associated with diabetes. Divided into 13 sections, the first chapters discuss complications in different organs and body systems, including the musculoskeletal system, liver, skin, lungs, ear, nose and throat, and more. The following sections cover stroke and diabetes, screening for diabetic retinopathy, errors in insulin treatment, routine investigations for complications, and diabetic kidney injury. The comprehensive text is enhanced by more than 160 images and illustrations, and each article is followed by a comment from the editors highlighting the key points of the topic. Key points Latest volume in World Clinics Diabetology series Covers complications associated with diabetes in various organs and body systems Each article concludes with a comment from the editors highlighting key points Highly illustrated with clinical photographs and figures

The book aims to review knowledge on the disorders of eating behaviour and body composition in some of the non-primate higher animals and to relate these to similar conditions in humans. With advances in understanding the nature of these disorders and their biological basis, it seems timely to assess what cross-species comparisons can tell us about the general underlying factors at work. This may also help to delineate what may be a general biological basis that humans share with their higher animal comrade species and what may distinguish human from non-human, particularly in a cultural context. This could help in combating better the problems of these conditions in the animal species as well as in man and in suggesting well-based preventive measures. As far as people are concerned the last two decades of the 20th century have shown a significant increase in obesity in the richer countries, particularly the USA (Table 1). Possibly associated with the obesity boom, there is an increasing awareness of other disorders of eating behaviour and body composition. These range from anorexia nervosa, at the other end of body composition to obesity, to others, such as bulimia, with more variable effects on body composition.

In mammals, a robust physiologic system acts to maintain relative constancy of weight. A key element of this system is leptin. The nature of this "brain-somatic" cross talk is as yet poorly understood, but it is likely to have important implications for the pathophysiology and treatment of obesity, diabetes and other metabolic disorders.  

The study of the effects of gonadal hormones in the brain focussed mainly on reproductive actions for a long time. Meanwhile, however, it is well known that gonadal hormones, in particular estrogens, also have neuroprotective and psychoprotective properties. They modulate many brain functions such as cognitive functions, pain regulation, motor coordination, and epilepsy, as well as affective and psychotic disorders, to name just a few. In fact, during the past few years we have experienced a major change in our understanding of the endocrinologic aspects of psychiatric disorders. Endocrinologic irregularities in psychiatric patients are no longer viewed as pure epiphenomena but rather discussed as part of the pathomechanism of the disorders. How exactly estrogens affect various disorders is a fascinating and intriguing aspect of this emerging field of non-reproductive brain actions of gonadal hormones. Among the estrogens, especially estradiol appears to play an important and multimodal role in the brain. Which of estradiol s many membrane, intracellular, and genomic actions matters most in psychiatric disorders, remains to be discovered. The aim of this volume is to summarize the role estrogens play in major psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and dementia, and to provide a state-of-the-art overview of current knowledge, but also of questions that are still open. It is intended to be a resource for clinicians and readers who are interested in contemporary research developments in this field.

Myelodysplastic syndromes are to the bone marrow what pneumonia is to the lungs; the response of an organ to a variety of etiologic insults like aging, toxic exposure, infections and auto-immunity. Among infectious causes alone, pneumonia could be the result of a variety of possible pathogens including bacterial, viral, tuberculous or fungal agents. Similarly, MDS cannot be treated as a single disease. Attempts to harness the inherent complexity of MDS by devising classifications' which group the various syndromes as one disease is as misguided as saying that a pneumonia is not infectious because it did not respond to antibiotics. Progress in the field will occur faster when we re-analyze this premise. Therefore, until a clearer picture of the disease emerges it is best to treat each of the MDS syndromes as a separate entity. Having no classification is better than a misleading one. Cancer research has been notable for its periodic cycles of promise and hope, followed by defeat and disappointments. It is not that there is no solution, but that the problem has not been identified precisely. This book is our attempt to define the most crucial questions related to MDS that need to be addressed immediately through logic, analysis and rigorous experimentation. If the emerging problems appear daunting, then instead of being overwhelmed by them, we should follow the advice of the great 20th century thinker Antonio Gramsci, pessimism of the intellect must be faced with the optimism of will'.

Since the first description of Philadelphia chromosome-negative chronic myeloproliferative disorders more than 100 years ago, the diagnosis and therapy of these conditions have been based primarily on clinical experience and judgement. Until recently very little was known about the molecular basis of these diseases. In order to spark research in this area basic scientists and clinicians from various parts of the world have contributed to this volume, the first of its kind to put together the current knowledge. The book deals with the new WHO classification of these disorders, novel aspects of diagnostic pathology, the search for disease-relevant genes utilizing molecular biology and proteomic techniques, the description of the roles of PVR-1 and VHL genes for polycythemias and the discovery of the gene mutation responsible for the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. A chapter on anagrelide, an important novel drug for the treatment of primary thrombocythemia, is included.

Although phosphorylation of proteins on tyrosine is relatively rare compared to phosphorylation on serine or threonine residues, the past two decades of research into PTP function have led to a great appreciation of the critical role PTPs have in regulating basic cellular processes. Among these important roles is the regulation of cellular signaling pathways related to metabolism. This volume contains chapters which highlight many aspects of PTP function in the context of metabolism. Given the growing obesity and diabetes epidemics in the United States and throughout the world, the desire to identify possible therapeutic targets for treatment of these diseases is a high priority. In many ways, PTPs may be attractive drug targets since they are amenable to targeting with small molecules; however many challenges abound in making PTP inhibitors.

Amenorrhea: A Case-Based Clinical Guide is a comprehensive review of the current knowledge regarding normal female reproductive physiology. Replete with interesting case vignettes and providing diagnostic algorithms and therapeutic strategies for amenorrhea, Amenorrhea: A Case-Based Clinical Guide is divided into three sections. The first section is composed of two chapters that provide a thorough review of basic science and clinical knowledge about the organ systems responsible for normal physiology of the menstrual cycle. The second section includes discussion about menstrual cycle disruption as it relates to hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, surgical and natural menopause, genetic defects, premature ovarian failure/insufficiency and the effects of caloric excess and restriction. The third section offers an update on the physiological effects of prolonged amenorrhea induced surgically or by hypothalamic dysfunction and also includes an original chapter that focuses solely on the impact of race and ethnicity on the prevalence and diagnosis of amenorrhea. Amenorrhea: A Case-Based Clinical Guide brings together chapters from renowned experts who offer state-of-the-art, clinically useful information in a case-based, reader-friendly fashion. This title will be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of all clinicians who practice in women's health settings.

As per the directives from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the National Board of Examinations (NBE) would be conducting a computer-based multiple choice questions (MCQs) examination. Candidates appearing for DM (Endocrinology) Entrance Examinations would be expected to answer 40% questions from the feeder specialty and 60% questions would be in Endocrinology. This book is aimed to give students an idea of the kind of questions that they might expect/anticipate in the examinations. Based on the pattern of NEET DM Endocrinology entrance examination. Presented in an easy to read layout. Divided into 25 chapters as per the pattern. Concise answers and explanations. References from standard textbooks. Useful diagrams and tables are incorporated.

Provides a view of the complicated interaction of glucose metabolism with various endocrine hormones. This book covers various endocrinopathies which may cause secondary diabetes or are associated with metabolic syndrome and complications/comorbidities of diabetes that may delay the diagnosis of endocrine dysfunction. It also looks at different endocrinotropic drugs that may be used to manage diabetes or may be involved in worsening of diabetes. Written by experts in the field with wide clinical and research experience. Presented in an easy to read format. A valuable resource for endocrinologists, diabetologists, clinicians and postgraduate students.

This book reports the text of the lectures of the 6th International Conference on Sodium Calcium Exchange held in Lacco Ameno in the Island of Ischia in the Gulf of Naples, Italy, from October 1 to October 5, 2011. The present book uncovers the most striking new findings on NCX that emerged since the previous Conference on Sodium Calcium Exchange, such as the structural dissection of the molecular determinants of Ca2+ sensitivity of the exchanger, the epigenetic regulation of ncx1 gene, the molecular identification of the mitochondrial Sodium Calcium Exchanger, and the discovery of NCX in unexpected anatomical locations such as the female reproductive tract. The book is organized into 11 parts covering NCX structural aspects, genetic and epigenetic regulation, regulatory mechanisms, subcellular localization in mitochondria, involvement in neurodegenerative diseases and in immune regulation, and the role of the cardiovascular and endocrine systems, as well as diabetes in physiology and pathophysiology. Selected chapters of the book are also devoted to the interaction of NCKX and other ion channels and transporters with NCX, like ASICs, TRPM, and NHE.

This book is an essential handbook on bisphosphonates, the most widely used new class of drugs for osteoporosis therapy. It reviews basic physiology in addition to the indications and adverse reactions of these drugs. Bisphosphonates in Bone Disease, 4E, discusses the compounds' chemistry, mechanisms of action, and animal toxicology before presenting a clinical picture of the diseases treated by bisphosphonates. The book provides a table listing the trade names of the commercially available bisphosphonates, registered indications, and the available forms for various countries. The revised Fourth Edition contains approximately 50% new material, including information on all of the latest drugs.
* The revised fourth edition contains approximately 50% new material
* Includes information on all the latest drugs

This book is intended as a quick-reference book for endocrinologists, endocrine trainees and physicians dealing with common endocrine problems. It will be useful both in the wards and the busy out-patient clinics. The information contained in this booklet should be supplemented with clinical judgment and in-depth reading from a bigger textbook. Simple and user-friendly. Divided into eight chapters: Clinical Biochemistry: Reference Ranges; Evaluation of Endocrine Disorders; Endocrine Test Protocols; Treatment Protocols; Endocrine Emergencies; Diabetes Protocols; Common Calculations and Scoring Systems; and Drug Doses. New tabular format is added for testing protocols. Reference ranges mentioned in this booklet are taken from the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India. Treatment protocols are for adult patients.

This is a pocket guide for all professionals in countries where access to care for diabetic feet is needed. Diabetic foot problems and amputation represent the most important long-term problems of diabetes medically, socially, and economically, and interest in the diabetic foot is therefore steadily increasing. The management of the diabetic foot disease requires expertise of a wide range of specialists care on modern diabetic foot care and this well-illustrated book provides a comprehensive, update review of medical and surgical aspects of diabetic foot disease. The practical approach will make this new edition an essential and useful reading tool for all professionals aimed at managing the diabetic foot, It focuses on the key aspects of diagnosis, management, education, and prevention of diabetic foot diseases of patients with diabetes.

The book is in question and answer format, very easy and comfortable to read. It incorporates objective structures practical examination (OSPE) and other format on Endocrinology questions. Contents of the book have been updated as per the latest guidelines by various endocrine organizations all over the world, especially American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) guidelines, American Diabetes Association (ADA), European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, and other organizations of the world.