"As the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) begins to celebrate its 40th Anniversary, the Seventh Report of the Director is presented. The Seventh Report describes the numerous and impressive research advances of the last two years, the opportunities they opened up for further research and the plans developed to meet future needs. It is hoped that the research advances chronicled here will contribute to the achievement of the authors common goal--to create the knowledge which will make possible better diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the diseases for which their Institute bears responsibility. Contents include Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases; Digestive Diseases and Nutrition; Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases; Evaluation of Diabetes Research and Training Centers; Evaluation of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition Centers; Evaluation of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Research Centers."--NTIS abstract.