August 2007 Vol 7 copy.indd The Endocrine System at Glance Authors: Ben Greenstein, Diana F Wood Reviewer: *Ali Al-Mamari SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY MEDICAL JOURNAL AUGUST 2007 VOL 7, NO. 2, P. 169-170 SULTAN QABOOS UNIVERSITY© SUBMITTED - 30TH APRIL 2007 B A C K G R O U N D T O T H E B O O K This is the second edition of the book, which is one of a series of concise introductions to a subject intended mainly for undergraduate medical students. Endo- crinology refers to the study of endocrine glands. This book gives details on many aspects of endocrinology and advances that have occurred both in basic sciences and on clinical levels. For example, a major area of ad- vance has resulted from the application of molecular biology to hormone synthesis and action and, in the foreseeable future, to aspects of treatment. O V E R V I E W O F C O N T E N T This book has 120 pages. It consists of preface, glos- sary and index with 11 parts divided into 54 sections as follows: Part 1 - Fundamentals: basic endocrinology; illustra- tions of endocrine hormone secretion; chemical trans- mission; mechanisms of action; types of receptors and overall control of the hypothalamus and pituitary with explanation of feedback control. Part 2 - Growth: cellular growth factors, normal growth facts and a short review of growth hormone pathophys- iology as well as its clinical implications. Part 3 - Thyroid: thyroid physiology, clinical presenta- tions of thyroid diseases and methods of diagnosis. Part 4 - Adrenal system: different hormones secreted by adrenals with features of associated clinical syn- dromes, in addition to a brief explanation of endocrine autoimmunity. Parts 5, 6 & 7 - Sexual differentiation and develop- ment: illustrated information on this topic and the genetic background. The gonadal sex effects and the development of secondary sexual characteristics are covered with a short review of some of syndromes. Emphasis is given to female reproduction and differ- ent aspects of menstrual irregularities. In addition, two sections discuss male reproduction, androgen secre- tions and spermatogenesis. Part 8 - Posterior pituitary hormones: with a demon- stration of the relationship between endocrinology and hypertension and the importance of the rennin-angi- otensin-aldosterone system. Part 9 - Pancreas and gastrointestinal system: its ef- B O O K R E V I E W الهورموني على اجلهاز حملة فورد ديانا جرينشتاين، تأليف: بن املعمري مراجعة: علي Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Second Edition. First published in 2006. Price £13 Sterling ISBN: 13: 978-1-4051-0930-7 Available from: www.blackwellpublishing.com *Department of Medicine, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khod -35, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman R I C H A R D I G H O LT A N D N E I L A H A N L E Y 170 fect on homeostasis and the development of the meta- bolic syndromes of diabetes with a short demonstra- tion of its presentation, complications and treatment. Part 10 - Energy homeostasis: as well as the discus- sion of different presentations of obesity, insulin re- sistance and complications. Part 11 - Calcium metabolism and bone disease: pathophysiolgy of parathyroid hormone excess, the role of vitamin D and different presentations of bone diseases are discussed in the last section of this book. T H E R E A D E R S H I P M O S T S U I T E D F O R T H I S B O O K I recommend this book for undergraduate medi- cal students. However, it would also be an additional source of medical information for junior doctors dur- ing their rotations in medicine and endocrinology. I suspect it might also prove valuable for many senior physicians as well. A P P R O P R I A T E N E S S O F T H E C O N T E N T T O T A R G E T R E A D E R S H I P The contents of this book are presented in an attrac- tive, illustrative way that merges pathophysiology with clinical scenarios. This seems appropriate for individ- uals dealing with endocrionolgy as an understanding of normal physiology is important in order to inter- pret results and then proceed to good patient manage- ment. C O M P R E H E N S I V E N E S S O F T H E C O N T E N T This book fulfils its remit as it gives a concise, short and complete overview of clinical endocrinology. The clinical scenarios are usefully accompanied by appro- priate diagrams, tables and photographs. They thus provide good material for readers to understand the sequence of events leading to different endocrinologi- cal problems. O R G A N I S A T I O N O F T H E C O N T E N T S Each section of the book starts with an introduction, followed by a clinical scenario and then a demonstra- tion of basic pathophysiology with attractive illustra- tions. The contents are presented in simple easy to fol- low format, giving readers the opportunity to come to grips with both physiology and clinical presentations. G E N E R A L C O M M E N T S Q UA L I T Y O F C O N TE N T The authors of this book fulfil the objectives stated in their introduction, by presenting the data clearly and accurately. The information given is up-to-date and is presented in a simple and easy to understand manner. Q UA L I T Y O F I L LUSTR ATI O N S This book contains very good illustrations and dia- grams. They make it easy to understand and demon- strate, for example, the various steps in the actions of hormone mechanisms in different target tissues. C OMPL E TE N E S S O F C O N TE N TS The authors mange to present concisely different as- pects of the endocrine system. However, this book only gives an overview of the medical problems. It does not replace or substitute the information in text books on endocrinology. S U G G E S T I O N S The authors present data in a good, readable style with explanatory materials. However, the following sugges- tions are made: 1. The cover could be more attractive than its present darkish olive green format. 2. Treatment plans should have been given more at- tention so as to complete the picture for the read- ers.