The book provides a reference for years to come, written by world-renowned expert investigators studying sex differences, the role of sex hormones, the systems biology of sex, and the genetic contribution of sex chromosomes to metabolic homeostasis and diseases. In this volume, leaders of the pharmaceutical industry present their views on sex-specific drug discovery. Many of the authors presented at the Keystone Symposium on “Sex and gender factors affecting metabolic homeostasis, diabetes and obesity” to be held in March 2017 in Lake Tahoe, CA. This book will generate new knowledge and ideas on the importance of gender biology and medicine from a molecular standpoint to the population level and to provide the methods to study them. It is intended to be a catalyst leading to gender-specific treatments of metabolic diseases. There are fundamental aspects of metabolic homeostasis that are regulated differently in males and females, and influence both the development of diabetes and obesity and the response to pharmacological intervention. Still, most preclinical researchers avoid studying female rodents due to the added complexity of research plans. The consequence is a generation of data that risks being relevant to only half of the population. This is a timely moment to publish a book on sex differences in diseases as NIH leadership has asked scientists to consider sex as a biological variable in preclinical research, to ensure that women get the same benefit of medical research as men.

Spermatogenesis is a process highly conserved throughout vertebrate species and is mainly under hypothalamic-pituitary control. It occurs in the testis in a stepwise fashion so that committed spermatogonia develop into spermatocytes and enter meiosis to produce round spermatids. These undergo a morphological transformation (spermiogenesis) into mature spermatids (i.e.: spermatozoa), which are differentially released from Sertoli cells (spermiation) depending on the species. In mammals, further transformations are necessary to form mature spermatozoa, suitable for fertilization. Gonadotropins, mainly responsive to gonadotropin-releasing hormone, control spermatogenesis through specific receptors located at the gonadal level. However, besides the endocrine route, the chemical mediators may also act locally in the gonad. Indeed, it is documented that testis physiology, including steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, does not fully account for traditional endocrine control but an intragonadal network of autocrine and/or paracrine regulators also exists, whose activity, via cell-to-cell communication, regulates germ cell progression and development of qualitatively mature spermatozoa. Of note, a number of testicular modulators, such as gonadotropin releasing hormone, Kiss-peptin, endocannabinoids, has been early isolated in the brain and latest in the gonads. To fully understand precise mechanisms underlying the functional interaction of this intricate network, needless to say, it is crucially required to have detailed information about modulators and target cells. Through synergy between the respective specializations of all the authors, this topic reviewed emerging knowledge about neuroendocrine and local mediators controlling germ cell progression and maturation.

The first of its kind, this reference gives a comprehensive but concise introduction to epigenetics before covering the many interactions between hormone regulation and epigenetics at all levels. The contents are very well structured with no overlaps between chapters, and each one features supplementary material for use in presentations. Throughout, major emphasis is placed on pathological conditions, aiming at the many physiologists and developmental biologists who are familiar with the importance and mechanisms of hormone regulation but have a limited background in epigenetics.

Cancer is a multifaceted disease and overwhelmingly increasing experimental evidence has helped us to develop a deeper understanding of the role of signal transduction cascades in cancer development and progression. Tissue microarrays and next generation sequencing technologies have assisted us to gather missing pieces of jigsaw puzzle and we now know that deregulation of spatio-temporally controlled signaling cascades play fundamental role in metastasis and resistance against wide ranging therapeutics. This book offers a balanced overview of the rapidly emerging cutting edge research in molecular oncology and good source of knowledge for established oncologists, basic and medical students and pharmaceutical industry associated R&D departments.

This book provides a comprehensive summary of the cutting edge scientific evidence regarding the role of immune system in the pathogenesis and treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders. It illustrates the role of inflammation and immunity in schizophrenia drawing on both basic science and clinical research. The chapters provide up-to-date summaries of immunological risk factors for schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, and underlying mechanisms as informed by neuroimaging, genetic, clinical and animal experimental studies. In addition, the book will illuminate the scope for immunological treatment for schizophrenia.

A concise and innovative account of clinical neuroendocrine disorders and the key principles underlying their diagnosis and management.