This assignment delves into the physiological effects of glucocorticoids on cartilage and bone, particularly in the context of Cushing's syndrome. The provided sources cover various aspects of cortisol regulation, including its measurement in scalp hair for diagnosing Cushing's disease, obesity-related hypertension, and cardiovascular risk factors associated with high-end normal adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol levels in pediatric obesity. The assignment also touches on the complications and recovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in children after surgical cure of Cushing's disease.