Articles in 2008

Current approaches to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus can be divided into three categories: insulin therapy, cell-based therapy and modification of the autoimmune process associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Comparing the benefits, risk and challenges of insulin therapy and cell-based therapy, the author of this Viewpoint discusses the prospects for these two therapeutic approaches.

Pituitary apoplexy, caused by infarction or hemorrhage within the pituitary gland, usually presents with headache, visual disturbance and decreased consciousness. The coincidence of these symptoms with those of more common medical emergencies might delay the diagnosis, as in the patient described here. The authors discuss diagnostic and management approaches for this potentially life-threatening syndrome.

A history of gestational diabetes mellitus predisposes women to the future development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This Review discusses current guidelines for postpartum screening and how they might be implemented. In addition, the authors describe measures to prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus, focusing on lifestyle modifications, such as breast-feeding.

The global obesity epidemic is clearly driven by environmental factors; however, inherited factors can also influence human adiposity. In this Review, the authors focus on the genes implicated in monogenic obesity syndromes. These genes encode components of the leptin–melanocortin pathway, which is critical for regulation of food intake and body weight.