Main description:

Experts in the field of endocrinology as well as ophthalmologists, oncologists, orthopedists and oral surgeons discuss the nature and mechanism of action of growth-stimulating substances whose biological and clinical activities in humans have been demonstrated or are being investigated. The monograph represents a good sampler of current basic and applied knowledge in the field.

Contents:

1. Angiogenesis: Its Regulation in Health and Disease.- Angiogenesis in the Embryo.- Angiogenesis in the Postnatal State.- Diffusion Chambers and Avascular Tissues.- Growth and Inhibitory Factors in Capillary Growth.- Other Endothelial Cell Mitogens.- The Role of the Extracellular Matrix on Angiogenesis.- Inhibitors of Angiogenesis.- Angiogenesis in Health and Disease.- Summary.- 2. Growth Factors and the Retina: Normal Vascularization and Pathologic Neovascularization.- Normal and Pathologic Anatomy of the Retinal and Choroidal Blood Vessels.- The Role of Growth Factors in Normal and Pathologic Retinal Vascularization.- The Role of Ancillary Factors in Retinal Vascular Growth.- Models of Retinal and Subretinal Neovascularization.- Localization of Growth Factors in the Eye.- Summary.- 3. The Humoral Regulation of Normal and Pathologic Erythropoiesis.- Erythropoietin.- Interleukin-3.- Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor.- Erythroblast-Enhancing Factor.- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor.- Prostaglandins.- Other Hormones.- Inhibitors.- 4. Colony-Stimulating Factors in Leukopoiesis.- Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor.- Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor.- Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor.- Interleukin-1.- Interleukin-3.- Future Clinical Uses of CSFs.- 5. Regulation of Lymphocyte Proliferation, Differentiation, and Functional Activity by Peptide Growth Factors.- Interleukin-1.- Interleukin-2.- Interleukin-3.- Interleukin-4.- Interleukin-5.- Interleukin-6.- Interleukin-7.- Interleukin-8.- Interleukin-9.- Transforming Growth Factor-?.- Summary.- Biomedical Perspective.- 6. The Inhibitory Effects of Growth Factors and Cytokines on Cell Proliferation.- Inhibitory Growth Factors.- Cytokines.- Conclusions.- 7. Cytokine Regulation of Hypothalamic and Pituitary Hormone Secretion.- Background.- Relationships Between IL-1, Stress, ACTH, and GH Secretion.- IL-1, the Hypothalamus, and Releasing Factor Hormones.- Conclusions.- 8. Bone Growth, Remodeling, and Repair: Interactions of Parathyroid Hormone, Calcitonin, Vitamin D, Growth Factors, and the Prostaglandins.- Macroscopic Structure of Bone.- Microscopic Structure of Bone.- Composition of Bone Matrix.- Bone Growth, Modeling, and Remodeling.- Bone Healing.- Hormonal Regulation of Bone Growth and Remodeling.- 9. Endocrine, Iatrogenic, and Nutritional Causes of Osteopenia.- Endocrine Osteopenia.- Iatrogenic Causes of Osteopenia.- Other Causes of Osteopenia.- 10. Bone Mineral Metabolism at the Menopause: Determinants and Markers.- Calcitropic Hormones.- "Epicalcitropic" Factors.- Biochemical Markers.- Serum Markers.- Urine Markers.- Local Factors.- Body Weight.- Genetic Factors.- Conclusion.- 11. Influence of Hypokinesia and Weightlessness on Jaw Bones and Teeth.- Hypokinesia.- Influence of Hypokinesia on Mandibular Bone and Teeth: Personal Investigations.- Results.- Discussion and Conclusions.- Weightlessness.- Some Effects of Weightlessness on Behavior and Metabolic Processes.- Effects on Jaw Bones and Teeth.- Final Comments.- 12. Humoral Factors in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis.- Structure-Function Relationships of Joint Components.- Interplay of Humoral Factors in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis.- 13. Endocrine Control of Tooth and Periodontal Tissue Growth and Repair.- Pituitary Gland.- Thyroid.- Parathyroid Hormone.- Adrenal Glands and Gonads.- Pancreas.- Epidermal Growth Factor.