The discovery of leptin by Friedman and his colleagues in 1994 was a seminal discovery in the study of metabolism, providing a new tool to study energy expenditure and appetite regulation. Early studies actively investigated many aspects of metabolism, obesity, and diabetes but it was soon evident that leptin was much more than a metabolic hormone. Today leptin, with almost 11,000 reports in the world's literature, is recognized to be important in many areas of physiology with strong suggestions for involvement in clinical conditions as well. Leptin, of course, remains of great interest in...

This timely book provides an overview of topics related to obesity. These include associated health risks, childhood obesity, genetics, evaluation, treatment, behavioral strategies, and successes and failures in preventing obesity. The volume covers evaluation guidelines, different approaches to treatment, including diet, exercise, behavior, drugs, and surgery to deal with the current world-wide obesity epidemic.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a classic female infertility condition affecting an estimated 6-10% of all women, many of whom are unaware of the problem. A disease that affects women from adolescence to menopause, PCOS is the single most common endrocrinologic abnormality affecting women. This book is an edited collection of writings that comprehensively covers the disease, from diagnosis and epidemiology of PCOS to clinical evaluation.

Mathematical Programming and Financial Objectives for Scheduling Projects focuses on decision problems where the performance is measured in terms of money. As the title suggests, special attention is paid to financial objectives and the relationship of financial objectives to project schedules and scheduling. In addition, how schedules relate to other decisions is treated in detail. The book demonstrates that scheduling must be combined with project selection and financing, and that scheduling helps to give an answer to the planning issue of the amount of resources required...

RNA binding proteins are an exciting area of research in gene regulation. A multitude of RNA-protein interactions are used to regulate gene expression including pre-mRNA splicing, polyadenylation, editing, transport, cytoplasmic targeting, translation and mRNA turnover. In addition to these post-transcriptional processes, RNA-protein interactions play a key role in transcription as illustrated by the life cycle of retroviruses. Unlike DNA, the structure of RNA is highly variable and conformationally flexible, thus creating a number of unique binding sites and the potential for complex...

Multicellular organisms require a means of intracellular communication to organize and develop the complex body plan that occurs during embryogenesis and then for cell and organ systems to access and respond to an ever changing environmental milieu. Mediators of this constant exchange of information are growth factors, neurotransmmitters, peptide and protein hormones which bind to cell surface receptors and transduce their signals from the extracellular space to the intracellular compartment. Via multiple signaling pathways, receptors of this general class affect growth, development and...

Sex Hormone Replacement Therapy addresses important issues in contemporary endocrinology. Its major emphasis is on the consequences of the menopause and on androgen deficiency in the absence of overt disease of the hypothalamus and/or pituitary in men. The use of hormone therapy for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in post-menopausal women has become an area of major debate, and the pros and cons are examined in detail. Secondary prevention also remains controversial and is addressed in this volume.
An issue of particular concern is the treatment of estrogen...

Modern society is altering the lifestyle and longevity of its members much more quickly than evolutionary adaptation to these changes can take place. The problem of calcium deficiency in the population is compounded by the growing percentage of aged individuals with relatively fragile, less massive skeletons. Current-day civilizations are much more effective in prolonging human life in a state of relative debility than even a few decades ago. This reality is unlikely to change and mandates that we develop strategies to prevent aging-related diseases like osteoporosis before they become...

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...

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,...