This reference work provides a comprehensive review of the most crucial and provocative aspects of pancreas transplantation. It represents a unique source of information and guidance for the current generation of transplant surgeons that evolved from being pure clinicians into savvy administrators knowledgeable in every regulatory aspect governing transplantation. The book contains 15 chapters covering every single aspect of the surgical operation in the donors as well as the recipients of pancreas transplants. The pre-operative workup, as well as the post-operative immunosuppression management, and the treatment of recurrent diseases are addressed in detail. In addition, the book further expands the role of islet cell transplant with its ever increasing prominence, which includes the role of autologous islet cell transplant. The impact of increasing regulatory burdens from the federal government coupled with the economic and health burden of Diabetes mellitus is discussed.

RICHARD J. GLASSOCK Introducing a scientific symposium is an uncertain and difficult task. The remarks must not be too specific lest the participant's later contributions be intruded upon, yet an overview of the goals and objectives of the conference should be presented in an inquisitive and stimulating fashion. Perhaps a compromise position would be to make a few general statements and pose a limited number of questions which hopefully would then be addressed dur­ ing the formal or informal portions of the meeting. A conclusion incorpo­ of the relevance of the specific topic to the more rating some perspectives global issues of disease and its consequences might be appropriate. The goals and objectives of this conference, as set forth by its organizers, Professors Ponti celli, D'Amico and Minetti, are rather simple and straight­ forward; namely, to review and elucidate the immunopathophysiology of cryoimmunoglobulins and auto-antibodies to immunoglobulins (lg) and, secondarily, to explore the possible participation of these disordered states in glomerular injury. As such, this conference is principally devoted to an analysis of two properties of certain species of the globulin fraction of serum proteins, specifically the ability to self associate on the basis of immune interactions and to form insoluble aggregates when exposed to reduced ambient temperature. As we shall see, these two properties are often dis­ tinctly related.

This work offers a comprehensive reference guide to help clinicians in the field of Internal Medicine addressing common aspects of endocrinological disorders in their daily practice. The exponential growth in our knowledge of biomedicine calls for continuous multidisciplinary approaches across specialists and disciplines. In this volume, recognized experts in each given area explore the complex mechanisms linking endocrinological disorders to abnormalities of the cardiovascular system, kidney, liver and gastrointestinal tract, autoimmune, neuro-psychiatric, rheumatic, and dermatologic diseases. Aspects connected to critically ill and elderly patients are examined as well, helping to enhance daily interactions with the most fragile populations observed in clinical medicine. The individual chapters are designed to deliver timely information while explaining pathophysiological mechanisms with the help of figures, flow-charts, and updated guidelines. The book offers a unique and valuable resource for all clinicians, residents, specialists, and physicians involved daily in the management of complex and multidisciplinary systemic diseases.

The leading textbook on the subject. A completely rewritten and up-to-date Fourth Edition, formerly edited by W. Drukker, F. M. Parsons and J. F. Maher.