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The 1997 classification of diabetes mellitus, now accepted worldwide, includes a large section of ‘Other specific types of diabetes', a good part of which is made up of diabetes secondary to other endocrine or pancreatic disorders. However, a comprehensive overview on how these disorders may lead to diabetes, and how to diagnose and treat them, was not available so far. Filling this gap, this book includes detailed descriptions of glucose metabolism derangements in other endocrine and pancreatic disorders. Leading experts in their fields present an exhaustive overview of the most-updated evidence on the etiopathological mechanisms underlying the development of diabetes in patients with endocrine and pancreatic disorders, and the relevant diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Because of its multidisciplinary approach, this book is of great interest to endocrinologists, diabetologists, general practitioners, internal medicine specialists and surgeons, and will remain a reference source for years to come.

This volume sets the stage for clinical experts working with diabetic patients as well as for researchers by describing the clinical presentations of retinopathy and their anatomical and functional correlates. It reviews currently available experimental models in animals. The impact of retinal pericytes, neuroglia and, specifically, Müller cells are discussed in detail. The volume addresses a variety of current scientific discussions about mechanisms of damage such as growth factors and the VEGF/PEDF balance in the diabetic eye, the ocular renin-angiotensin system, and leukocyte interactions with the microvasculature among others. Stem and progenitor cells in the retina are discussed as potential directions for future investigation. The final chapters return to emerging clinical aspects, including current approaches to retinopathy as a predictor of cardiovascular risk and how knowledge can be translated from bench to bedside. Bridging a widening gap in medical research between basic scientists, who may lose sight of the clinical presentations, and clinical researchers, who may grow unaware of the limits of experimental models, this volume serves as a reference platform for endocrinologists, diabetologists, ophthalmologists, as well as for scientists involved in clinical and basic research in diabetic retinopathy and other vascular complications of diabetes.

The current epidemics of diabetes, obesity and related disorders makes lifestyle modification paramount in preventive and therapeutic interventions. This volume describes the rationale, history, methodologies and current international recommendations that make education an integral part of modern diabetes care. It also contains updated reports of results of clinical trials and/or practical experiences in North America, the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. Descriptions are given of the methods used both in general practice and in the hospital setting to train patients on, among others, nutrition, self-care and prevention of disease complications. Studies on the economic impact of patient education have until now been conspicuously missing and a cost-efficacy analysis of the Group Care approach developed in Italy is presented here. The last chapter offers a look into the future, describing how similar principles could also be embedded successfully in the care of people suffering from chronic diseases other than diabetes. The present volume of Frontiers in Diabetes will be of particular interest to all health care providers involved in the daily management of patients with diabetes or other chronic diseases.

The present volume summarizes current research on type 2 diabetes, its etiology, pathogenesis and long-term vascular and neurological consequences, with special emphasis on molecular and biochemical mechanisms. Alterations in insulin secretion are comprehensively treated, focusing on the role of glucokinase as glucose sensor. Moreover, insulin action is analyzed with regard to both nonoxidative glucose utilization and glucose oxidation. Concerning the complications in chronic diabetes, topics covered include the effects of high glucose concentration on cellular and endothelial functions and on the glucose phosphorylation rate in non-insulin-sensitive tissues. Furthermore, the role of oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products as well as the significance of alterations in lipoprotein structure are considered. Finally, the pericyte loss in retinopathy and microalbuminuria as related to cardiovascular risk are discussed. Taken as a whole, the contributions included in this book represent a large body of information that will be of great interest to diabetologists, endocrinologists and internists interested in both the basic and clinical aspects of diabetes and its complications.