This volume highlights new insights into the mechanisms of bone development, including cellular and mechanical factors, receptors, and signaling pathways and their role in both normative and pathologic states of bone. The second of two volumes, this volume comprises three sections: (1) new insights on the interaction of blood vessels and bone, particularly the role of angiogenic signals and hypoxia in osteogenesis and bone repair, as well as the dysregulation of transcription factors causing arterial calcification; (2) a new theme—integrating the evolving role of immune cells, infection, and inflammation in causing bone loss seen, for example, in various forms of arthritides; and (3) the clinical and therapeutic challenges in bone, stone, and joint diseases, and areas such as identification of high-risk patients, advent of novel therapeutic targets, genetic aberrations causing bone disease, and issues surrounding bone loss in malignancy, hyperparathyroidism, and adrenal disorders. NOTE: Annals volumes are available for sale as individual books or as a journal. For information on institutional journal subscriptions, please visit www.blackwellpublishing.com/nyas. ACADEMY MEMBERS: Please contact the New York Academy of Sciences directly to place your order (www.nyas.org). Members of the New York Academy of Science receive full-text access to the Annals online and discounts on print volumes. Please visit http://www.nyas.org/MemberCenter/Join.aspx for more information about becoming a member