Insulin resistance is the main factor involved in the occurrence of the metabolic syndrome and later development of type2 diabetes. Despite decades of research on hormone's target tissues and the identification of most diverse candidates, the factors responsible for insulin resistance are still largely undefined. There is also a large discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo insulin sensitivity. Finally it is increasingly demonstrated that insulin resistance is found very early in life, long before metabolic syndrome is established. In search for commonalities, this book deals therefore with a new hypothesis considering microcirculation as one prime, possibly causal effector of insulin resistance. To present this novel hypothesis, the specificities of microvascular physiological mechanisms and the limits of interpretations of data according to the measurement techniques used are first thoroughly described. Several chapters deal with experimental and clinical investigations showing the involvement of microcirculation in insulin resistance. This book provides sound support for microcirculation being linked to insulin resistance at least in a bidirectional way. Supportive evidence suggests that microvascular dysfunction may lie upstream of insulin resistance in many of them. While this is still a hypothesis, the authors believe that there is enough data supporting it and hope that this book will stimulate researchers to provide the necessary final proofs.

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal system that is responsible for regulating plasma sodium ion concentration and arterial blood pressure in the body. The system involves several peptides such as angiotensin I and II as well as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) to enable the constriction of arterial blood vessels in the lung. Angiotensin II also stimulates the production of the hormone aldosterone in the kidneys which brings sodium ions into the bloodstream in exchange for potassium ions. Malfunctions of the RAS can lead to hypertension, heart failure, diabetes and renal complications. Thus the biochemical components of this system serve as important targets for therapeutic drugs. This monograph is a compilation of updated reviews on the RAS. The monograph covers describes the components of the system to explaining its physiological and clinical features in the cardiovascular system and the kidneys. This is followed by sections explaining the biochemistry of the RAS system in cardiovascular and renal disease and the pharmacology of relevant therapeutic drugs. Additional information on the effect of exercise states and methods to quantify angiotensins for molecular diagnosis is also presented in the concluding sections. Information in the monograph will be of interest to physiologists and endocrinologists involved in medical studies or clinical practice. Readers will be able to understand the RAS with a holistic frame of reference.

An imbalance between high energy intake – due to inadequate diet – and reduced energy expenditure – caused by sedentary habits – is believed to create an inherent risk of obesity among individuals. Lifestyle changes among preschool children coupled with health problems (cardiovascular, metabolic, orthopedic, psychological etc.) correlate to an observed increase in body mass index and may even predispose growing children towards obesity in their adult life. Adequate physical activity in the form of regular exercise (in terms of intensity, frequency and duration) has been shown to reduce BMI and have a positive impact on health and physical fitness levels among children. Thus physical activity programs have been applied for obesity prevention and treatment with some degree of success. Physical Activity, Fitness, Nutrition and Obesity During Growth focuses on research findings and recommendations to mitigate obesity risk in children during early growth stages. The reviews presented in this volume give readers an interdisciplinary insight into the realm of obesity as a global epidemic in early childhood. The review also discusses interventions based on physical activity, which can help combat obesity among children while avoiding undesirable strategies (such as strict diets). The book is intended for public health officials, social workers, as well as general medical practitioners and counsellors.

Phytotherapy in the Management of Diabetes and Hypertension is a good addition to existing volumes detailing knowledge of hyperglycemia therapy. This e-book emphasizes the basic biochemistry behind diabetes mellitus and hypertension, along with the control or remediation of these conditions through a cost effective, safe, easy-going, easy-adaptable method validated by scientific research. This e-book contains 7 chapters dealing with various aspects of these diseases and their Phytotherapy treatment and life style management. Phytotherapy can give patients long term benefits with less or no side effects. Hence, this e-book is an authentic alternative or complementary therapeutic compendium to physicians and patients. This book will also be useful to students, teachers, researchers, clinicians and general readers interested in learning about applied phytotherapy.

Phytotherapy has the potential to give patients long term benefits with less or no side effects. This is the second volume of the series. This volume brings 11 chapters that cover updates on general phytotherapy, traditional Chinese medicine as well as information on anti-diabetic and antihypertensive herbs (including Senna spp., Curcumin, Carum carvi, Premna serratifolia, Eugenia jambolana and more). The monographs presented within this volume give several details necessary for pharmacopoeial data for quality assurance of pharmaceutical products derived from these specific plant sources: botanical features, distribution, identity tests, purity requirements, chemical assays, active or major chemical constituents, clinical applications, pharmacology, contraindications, warnings, precautions, potential adverse reactions, and posology. Hence academic and professional pharmacologists or clinicians will find comprehensive information on a variety of therapeutic agents along with guidelines for applying them in practical phytotherapy of diabetes and hypertension.

Medicinal plants are a source of potential therapeutic compounds. Phytotherapy can give patients long term benefits with less or no side effects. This is the third volume of the series which features monographs on selected natural products used to treat diabetes and hypertension. This volume brings 7 chapters contributed by 22 researchers, that cover updates on the biochemistry of diabetes, information on anti-diabetic and antihypertensive properties of oil bearing plants, herbs, fruits and vegetables, medicinal plants from Asia, as well as the medicinal value of specific plants such as, star apple (Chrysophyllum cainito). In terms of therapeutic agents, two reviews in this volume focus on terpenoids and glucagon-like peptide – 1 are also included. Each review covers different plant species or medicinal agents where applicable, providing readers essential information about their role in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. Both academic and professional pharmacologists as well as clinicians will find comprehensive information on a variety of therapeutic agents in this volume.

Medicinal plants are a source of potential therapeutic compounds. Phytotherapy can give patients long term benefits with less or no side effects. Phytotherapy in the Management of Diabetes and Hypertension is a book series which emphasizes the biochemistry behind diabetes mellitus and hypertension, along with the control or remediation of these conditions through cost effective, safe and easily-adaptable methods validated by scientific research. This is the fourth volume of the series which features reviews on selected natural products used to treat diabetes and hypertension. This volume brings 6 chapters contributed by 14 researchers that cover general updates on diabetic phytotherapy, circumin, and the medicinal use of olive leaves, passion fruit and spiral gingers in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. Each review covers different plant species or medicinal agents where applicable, providing readers essential information about their role in the treatment of diabetes and hypertension. Both academic and professional pharmacologists as well as clinicians will find comprehensive information on a variety of therapeutic agents in this volume.

This e-book is based on a critical evaluation of existing literature on salivary cortisol, aiming to evaluate the utility of salivary cortisol as a biomarker in various settings. It focuses on how different ways of evaluating levels of salivary cortisol may have an impact on the interpretation of cortisol measurements in various contexts. This e-book focuses on salivary cortisol in relation to the following topics: psychosocial work environment (effort reward imbalance and job demand vs control model), psychosocial resources (mastery, perceived control, sense of coherence), psychosocial risk factors (perceived stress, depression, vital exhaustion, burn-out), sleep quality, biological markers (bodily factors, cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation and metabolism) and somatic outcome. This ebook should serve as a reference for studies planned to adopt cortisol as an assessment tool.

Thyroid hormones are involved in numerous physiological processes as regulators of metabolism, bone remodeling, cardiac function and mental status. Moreover, thyroid hormones are of special importance in fetal development, more particularly, in the development of the brain. Thus, maintenance of normal thyroid functioning is essential for psychological, biochemical, immunological, endocrinal and physiological well being of the body as well as normal growth and development. Understanding how the thyroid gland is affected by adverse factors can help clinicians to handle emergency situations or apply preventive care measures to patients. Thyroid Toxicity is a comprehensive monograph on thyroid toxicology. It gathers all information about the toxic effects of different kinds of factors (hormonal, radiation and chemical) that affect the thyroid system. The ebook gives a brief introduction to the thyroid system and answers several important questions about the topic such as the biochemical mechanisms through which various compounds (for example, pesticides, food additives, etc.) induce toxicity on the thyroid gland, how endocrine disruption alters the physiology of the human body and brain as well as how radiation harms the thyroid gland. Thyroid Toxicity is the definitive reference for any medical officer, endocrinologist, or toxicologist seeking knowledge on thyroid gland toxicology.

Thyroid Ultrasonography and Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy: A Practical Guide and Picture Atlas is a concise and visual reference for diagnostic ultrasonography and needle biopsy of the human thyroid gland. The book provides the reader essential information on how to 1) distinguish between normal and abnormal thyroid sonograms, 2) differentiate low suspicion for malignancy thyroid nodules from sonographically high suspicion nodules, 3) evaluate cervical lymph nodes and parathyroid glands, and 4) examine post-thyroidectomy patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. The reader is also introduced to the different thyroid nodule risk stratification systems in ultrasound imaging, when and how to perform thyroid fine needle aspiration biopsies, and the use of percutaneous ethanol injections for cystic thyroid nodules.</p> <p> Key Features: -11 chapters which begin with an introduction to thyroid ultrasound and progressively explain relevant diagnostic imaging and biopsy procedures for different thyroid diseases (including thyroid cancer and autoimmune diseases) -multiple tables and figures which summarize and highlight important points -more than 60 ultrasound images which illustrate various ultrasound signs and artefacts from patients -a summary of the current standards for the evaluation and clinical management of thyroid nodules based on clinical practice guidelines -a detailed list of references, abbreviations and symbols</p> <p> The textbook is an essential reference for both practicing and training endocrine surgeons, endocrinologists, radiologists, cytopathologists, sonographers as well as any health care worker with an interest in managing thyroid and parathyroid diseases in their daily practice.</p>