This continuing series gathers and presents original research results on the leading edge of medicine and biology. Each article has been carefully selected in an attempt to present substantial topical data across a broad spectrum. Topics discussed include c. elegans and neurodegeneration in caenorhabditis elegans; caenorhabditis elegans as a host model for studying the pathogenicity and virulence of staphylococcus aureus; understanding the molecular basis for the hazards associated with nevirapine treatment; impact of hyperglycemia and/or hypoglycemia in the brain and insulin-interfering hormones, nutrient metabolism and transport in placentas from gestational diabetic pregnancies.