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>

Understanding Obesity informs readers about contributing factors to obesity: from social and behavioral determinants throughout the life course, influences from before we are born to what we eat (nutrients and food contaminants which impact body weight), gut bacteria, and the way accumulated energy from nutrition is spent. Chapters will also inform readers about adipose tissue (the dynamic role of the adipose tissue during obesity development, the pressure put on to its remodeling and differences in obesity phenotypes regarding association with pathological outcomes as well as the latest advances in finding biological markers of adipose tissue dysfunction) and the latest treatment options for obesity. Special topics, such as the bidirectional relationship of stress with obesity and the influence of aging on the onset of metabolic disorders that lead to obesity are also discussed. Understanding Obesity is a valuable reference for health researchers, practitioners (endocrinologists, family physicians, nurses), as well as decision-makers in healthcare and other professional settings who are seeking a holistic understanding about the causes of obesity and ways to address it. Key Features: - 17 chapters cover obesity from a diverse range of perspectives - medical information is presented (adipose physiology and different disease conditions relevant to obesity) - educational, social and psychological issues as central when caring for obesity patients are emphasized - the latest information on obesity treatment options (including medical, pharmaceutical and surgical options) is included - bibliographic references have been provided for further reading

The gastrointestinal tract is a series of organs each with distinct mechanical functions. Each organ within the system brings food contents in the gut lumen to the site of absorption through separate mechanical functions. These mechanical functions are generated by a fine-tuned interaction between neuronal networks and active muscle layers. The passive components of the gastrointestinal wall such as the collagen-rich submucosa also play an important role in these mechanical actions. Clinical Mechanics in The Gut provides a thorough understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the physiological function and pathophysiology of the gastrointestinal tract. The book first gives an introduction to readers about the physical geometry of the gastrointestinal tract followed by a detailed explanation of biomechanical theory and its application to approximating and modeling gut mechanics. This is expanded further by detailed explanations of gut muscle and motor nerve functions in proceeding chapters. A biomechanical evaluation of disorders of regulatory mechanisms such as achalasia and Hirschsprung disease and disorders of effector mechanisms such as reflux disease, systemic sclerosis of the gastrointestinal tract and colonic diverticular disease are also included. Readers will, therefore, gain an understanding about clinical problems in gastroenterology from a bioengineering and modeling perspective. Clinical Mechanics in The Gut is a useful reference for gastroenterology researchers, biomedical engineers and systems biologists seeking to understand the physiology of the gut and applying this knowledge to surgical procedures, computer-based modeling systems and robotics.

Gastroenterology and hepatology represent dynamic fields of study and practice in internal medicine, with numerous innovations manifesting over the last 30 years. What is New in Gastroenterology and Hepatology is a reference which presents updates on the latest advances in the aforementioned subspecialties. The book offers a broad range of topics in a structured, clear and comprehensive fashion. Thirty-three chapters provide knowledge on basic medical research and practical applications in the clinic with information contributed by several members of the Romanian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology (a medical society with a history of more than 60 years). The contents feature updates on common and rare disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, intestines), pancreas and the liver, as well as new imaging techniques such as video capsule endoscopy and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Special topics of recent interest such as the value of gut microbiota in medical interventions and the use of 'omics' technologies for precision medicine, and telemedicine are also included. What is New in Gastroenterology and Hepatology is an informative reference for all medical researchers and healthcare professionals (gastroenterologists, hepatologists, internal medicine physicians, surgeons, oncologists) who wish to keep themselves up to speed on new advances in these medical subspecialties.

Principles of Hepatic Surgery introduces the reader to current trends in Liver surgery knowledge and practice. This reference book covers liver surgery fundamentals as well as cutting-edge progress in this exciting surgical specialty. Contributions have been written by expert hepatic surgeons from major medical centers around the world. Key features include:  Information organized into five comprehensive sections: i) Liver Anatomy and Perioperative Care, ii) Approach to Malignant Hepatic Disease, iii) Approach to Benign Hepatic Disease, iv) Technical Aspects of Liver Resections, and v) Liver Transplantation  Over 350 illustrations  Truly effective didactic text, with logical, clear explanations, giving readers a pleasant reading experience  Commentary sections written by experts for specific surgical cases. Principles of Hepatic Surgery is a valuable reference for both novice hepatologists and practicing liver surgeons.

Liver cancer, cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are observed predominately in men. Being male or female is believed to be an important human variable that affects health and liver disease throughout the life span. However, few works have been published on the biological mechanisms underlying gender specific differences in liver disease. Several mechanisms underlying sex-associated differences of progression of liver disease are demonstrated in this e-book based on biological factors as estrogen and hepatic iron stores. Readers will gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of these sex-associated differences in liver disease and on how to design healthcare for liver disease more effectively for individuals belonging to both genders. The e-book should be a useful reference on gender specific medicine for counselors and clinicians as well as for patients with chronic liver disease.

Acute and chronic liver disease is a global endemic healthcare concern. More than 500 million people around the world are infected with the hepatitis B or C virus. Approximately 500,000 patients die of hepatocellular carcinoma every year, implying that trained healthcare professionals and facilities for liver disease patients is a critical issue. Although promising therapies have been developed for viral hepatitis infections, management of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma yet many patients suffer due to lack of adequate healthcare by professional hepatologists. This means that primary care physicians should be informed about diagnosing liver disease and the early management of viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Comprehensive Practical Hepatology provides readers current standard primary care guidelines for treatment and early stage management of patients with liver function abnormalities. This book provides a practical approach for physicians to apply on patients with apparent liver function abnormalities. The guidelines also cover: Acute and chronic liver injury, Information about the liver in systemic diseases, Drug usage in liver diseases, Surgical risk in liver disease patients, and, Recommendations for pregnant as well as elderly patients. Comprehensive Practical Hepatology thus provides complete practical advice on the management of liver diseases to non-hepatologists and general physicians.

The eBook discusses how the special physiology of the liver must be considered when applying functional molecular imaging in hepatology. The main topics of the eBook include the clinical and scientific use and possibilities of functional molecular imaging for investigations of hepatic blood perfusion, substrate metabolism, and biliary secretion as well as for cancer diagnostics (primary and secondary liver cancers). Functional imaging of changes in cerebral blood perfusion and metabolism in patients with liver diseases is also covered. The eBook is written by internationally renowned experts and is intended for everyone who is interested in hepatology or functional molecular imaging.