Diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in prevalence throughout both developed and developing countries. The social and economic burden of this disease is estimated to cost 14 billion dollars worldwide. In the USA alone, 15 million individuals are diabetic, nearly half of them unaware of their condition. Complications of diabetes mellitus are the leading causes for blindness, limb amputation and chronic renal failure and kidney transplantation in industrialized countries. Further, diabetes mellitus per se and the metabolic derangement associated with diabetes are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, as defined by an elevated fasting blood glucose level is presently subdivided in etiologically distinct groups. The most prevalent being type 2 (adult onset) diabetes characterized by insulin resistance and failure of the ~-cell to supply insulin in amounts sufficient to meet the body's needs. Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, most commonly with an onset during childhood and adolescence, is caused by an auto-immune destruction of the pancreatic ~-cells. The causations of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve a combination of complex genetic traits and environmental influences. A third category are the mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY). This comparatively small group of patients (-10% of diabetes) presents relative early in life «30 years of age) compared to the more common late onset type 2 diabetes.

The MD Anderson Solid Tumor Oncology series presents cutting-edge surgical treatment and medical therapy for specific sites. This volume, Pancreatic Cancer, addresses epidemiology and molecular biology, inherited syndromes, staging, surgical techniques, multimodality therapy, and emerging therapies. The individual chapters focus on narrow, specific topics to produce a reference work of value to those interested in pancreatic cancer from a clinical and translational research perspective. A must-have for surgical oncologists and general surgeons.

This book reviews recent advances in pancreatic endocrine and exocrine tissue development, function and regeneration. It provides a comprehensive overview on different aspects of beta-cell biology, including heterogeneity of function and gene expression and function, epigenetics, RNA and protein expression contributions to beta-cell specification and cell-fate maintenance. Furthermore, it covers recent progress in differentiating functional islets in vivo, environmental impacts on beta-cell development and function, and communications between various islet endocrine cells and how they contribute to the regulation of blood glucose homeostasis. The book provides a comprehensive resource for understanding the various compartments of the pancreas and is aimed at pancreas, beta-cell biology, and diabetes researchers.

The secretions of the exocrine pancreas provide for digestion of a meal into components that are then available for processing and absorption by the intestinal epithelium. Without the exocrine pancreas, malabsorption and malnutrition result. This chapter describes the cellular participants responsible for the secretion of digestive enzymes and fluid that in combination provide a pancreatic secretion that accomplishes the digestive functions of the gland. Key cellular participants, the acinar cell and the duct cell, are responsible for digestive enzyme and fluid secretion, respectively, of the exocrine pancreas. This chapter describes the neurohumoral pathways that mediate the pancreatic response to a meal as well as details of the cellular mechanisms that are necessary for the organ responses, including protein synthesis and transport and ion transports, and the regulation of these responses by intracellular signaling systems. Examples of pancreatic diseases resulting from dysfunction in cellular mechanisms provide emphasis of the importance of the normal physiologic mechanisms.

Progress in understanding the genetic basis of pancreatic disorders has been very rapid in recent years. This issue updates the current knowledge on the molecular basis of pancreatic disorders affecting the endocrine and the exocrine portion of the organ. It is filled with practical information about the unusual as well as the common diseases of the pancreas, with a major focus on inherited forms of diabetes, pancreatitis, and cancer. Clinical and genetic aspects deal with early detection, phenotype-genotype correlation, and treatment. Also new experimental disease models in which the pathophysiology of the respective disorders has been studied are introduced to the reader. Together, this volume represents the most important and up to date information available on new aspects of pancreatic diseases

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Series provides up-to-date information on vitamin and hormone research spanning data from molecular biology to the clinic. A volume can focus on a single molecule or on a disease that is related to vitamins or hormones. A hormone is interpreted broadly so that related substances, such as transmitters, cytokines, growth factors and others can be reviewed. This volume focuses on the pancreatic beta cell. - Expertise of the contributors - Coverage of a vast array of subjects - In depth current information at the molecular to the clinical levels - Three-dimensional structures in color - Elaborate signaling pathways

This brand new updated edition of the most comprehensive reference book on pancreatic disease details the very latest knowledge on genetics and molecular biological background in terms of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pathophysiology for all known disorders. Included for the first time, are two brand new sections on the key areas of Autoimmune Pancreatitis and Benign Cystic Neoplasms. In addition, this edition is filled with over 500 high-quality illustrations, line drawings, and radiographs that provide a step-by-step approach to all endoscopic techniques and surgical procedures. Each of these images can be downloaded via an online image bank for use in scientific presentations. Every existing chapter in The Pancreas: An Integrated Textbook of Basic Science, Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to include the many changes in clinical practice since publication of the current edition. The book includes new guidelines for non-surgical and surgical treatment; new molecular biologic pathways to support clinical decision making in targeted treatment of pancreatic cancer; new minimally invasive surgical approaches for pancreatic diseases; and the latest knowledge of neuroendocrine tumors and periampullary tumors. The most encyclopedic book on the pancreas—providing outstanding and clear guidance for the practicing clinician Covers every known pancreatic disorder in detail including its anatomy, physiology, pathology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management Completely updated with brand new chapters Over 500 downloadable illustrations An editor and author team of high international repute who present global best-practice The Pancreas: An Integrated Textbook of Basic Science, Medicine and Surgery, 3rd Edition is an important book for gastroenterologists and gastrointestinal surgeons worldwide.