The Seventh International Congress of Mucosal Immunology held in Prague, the beautiful old capital of The Czech Republic, 16-20 August 1992, was the first to be sponsored by the Society for Mucosal Immunology, and was the largest since their inception 20 years earlier in Birmingham, Alabama. It was attended by 624 participants who gave 538 presentations, more than 10 times the numbers of the first meeting; these proceedings contain 354 papers that were submitted for publication. The political events in Europe that made it possible to hold this Congress in Prague also allowed for the first time the participation of large numbers of scientists from Eastern Europe, as weil as from Asia, and the organizers were truly gratified by this happy circumstance. It is now clear not only that mucosal immunityencompasses the huge area of mucosal surfaces and most physiological organ systems, but also that mucosal immunology extends over the whole global surface and all continents! The sheer size of the Congress and number of manuscripts unfortunately entailed some unexpected problems in editing and assembling the proceedings, partly due to the diversity of linguistic styles not represented at earlier meetings, and we apologize to the authors who have patiently awaited the publication of their contributions.

It is an authentic privilege to have the opportunity to assemble and edit a new volume on "Prolactin," the first in several decades to be devoted to this fascinating hormone in all its aspects. The obvious clinical rationale for understanding prolactin (PRL) is the frequent occurrence of prolactinomas, the most common type of pituitary tumor. Fortunately, medical management of prolactinomas can be based on our under standing of the physiology of hypothalamic control of the lactotroph. Armed with this knowledge, therapies for proiactinomas are highly successful and well tolerated. Be cause of the historical and practical importance of knowledge regarding the hypothala mus-Iactotroph axis, the first chapters of this volume are dedicated to reviewing the physiology, development, and cell biology of lactotroph regulation. Chapters focusing on prolactinomas and related clinical issues follow these. PRL is the primary hormone that is responsible for "parental care" in many verte brate species. This reproductive strategy is not unique to mammals, but it has devel oped through evolution to be the central distinguishing feature of the mammalian life cycle. Among the mammals, mice have become the most effective research species in recent years. This can be traced to the development of a wide range of methods for manipulating mouse genetics, and thereby influencing development, physiology and behavior. Mice also provide a profound illustration of the physiological challenges faced in maternity. Female mice undergo a post-partum estrous, and often are both pregnant and lactating simultaneously.

Growth Hormone and the Heart endeavors to bring together knowledge that has been accumulated in the area of GH and the heart, from basic to clinical studies, by research groups working on this topic throughout the world. Lessons from different experimental models and from several human diseases (acromegaly, adult GH deficiency, heart failure) suggest to endocrinologists and cardiologists that GH may not only have a role in the physiology and pathophysiology of heart function, but that GH itself may have a place in the treatment of primary heart diseases (such as dilated cardiomyopathy) or of cardiac complications of hypopituitarism. Growth Hormone and the Heart will be a useful update of the research produced in the field of cardiovascular endocrinology. The Editors also hope that this book will serve as the primary step in the recognition of the wide physiological and clinical significance of GH and heart interactions.

Genetics of Diabetes Mellitus is intended to be a resource for both researchers in the field as well as endocrinologists, diabetologists, and geneticists who seek to learn more about this rapidly changing and important field. The text contains chapters from experts in the area who review aspects of the genetics of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus as well as various syndromic forms of diabetes. The chapters are approachable for those who are not experts in the field of genetics but also comprehensive, so as to serve as an important resource for researchers interested in the genetics of diabetes mellitus. A description of basic concepts of the genetics of complex diseases like type 1 and type 2 diabetes is provided as background. Type 1 diabetes is addressed in chapters exploring genetic determinants that affect the autoimmune process characteristic of type 1 diabetes, the role of the insulin gene in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and additional genes that may impact upon the risk of type 1 diabetes. The impact of genetic determinants on the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes is covered, as are chapters that address specific genes that are important for the development of type 2 diabetes. Finally, syndromic forms of diabetes, including Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young and mitochondrial diabetes, and the insight that these disorders provide into more common forms of diabetes are reviewed. Thus, this comprehensive and up-to-date text will serve as an important resource for those actively engaged in research in this area and clinicians treating these patients to provide an up-to-date entree for those seeking to become more knowledgeable in the area.

This volume is a collection of the most significant contributions to the 4th International Symposium on MULTIPLE RISK FACTORS IN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: STRATEGIES OF PREVENTION OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE, CARDIAC F AlLURE, AND STROKE held in Washington, D. C. in April 1997. The meeting focused on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and their interactions. The need for this symposium is based on the epidemiological, clinical, and biological evidence that individuals from industrialized countries often possess two or more risk factors which synergistically increase the global risk profile. This has become more evident in recent years with the increase in life expectancy of populations in the industrialized countries. The evidence that a combination of risk factors confers a very high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, is of pivotal interest in the process of detection of patients who will benefit the most from pharmacological treatment. Many recent epidemiological data identifying the intrinsic and environmental factors contributing to the development of atherosclerosis are discussed. These results, in parallel with basic and clinical research, underline atherosclerosis as a complex and multifactorial process involving the influences of lipids, including lipoprotein subfractions, blood pressure rheologic forces, carbohydrate tolerance, and thrombogenic factors, including fibrinogen, tissue factor, PAl-I, and homocysteine. Furthennore, the risk associated with anyone of these risk factors varies widely depending on the level of the associated atherogenic risk factors. Hyper cholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, for instance, are more common than would be expected by chance among hypertensive patients.

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease together account for the largest portion of health care spending compared to all other diseases in Western society. This work seeks to provide an understanding of the causes of diabetes and its cardiovascular complications. As this understanding becomes more widely appreciated, it will serve as a foundation for evidence-based care and wider acceptance of sound science. The International Conference on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, held in Winnipeg, in June 1999, was organized to bring together a multi-disciplinary group of researchers dedicated to further knowledge amongst researchers, care givers, and the managers of the health system. The invited speakers submitted their works for publication, which serves as the basis for this book. Major themes include: epidemiology of diabetes mellitus, metabolic risk factors in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, hypertension in diabetes mellitus, cardiac function in diabetes, glycemic control and improved cardiovascular function, diabetes management, and endothelial function in diabetes.

The evolution ofdata about the HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome has been rapid. The syndrome itself is complex and controversial. Although great progress has been made in understanding epidemiology and etiology of the syndrome, much about the syndrome remains mysterious. It was our intention to assist HIV providers with a framework for understanding the status and complexities ofthe field. Each author was requested to provide an evidence-based discussion of a topic for which they have expertise. While it is impossible that such a volume be completely comprehensive, we believe that the approach of this book will allow the reader to develop a relatively complete snapshot of the syndrome. We also believe that the reader of this volume will be able to confront the emerging literature on the HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome with a critical eye and that the volume will provide a context in which to place additional data as they are published.

Despite the advent of insulin for clinical use in 1922, our ability to control hypergly cemia and prevent the long term sequelae ofthe disease remains limited. Thus normalization of the milieu interieur with physiologic responses of insulin and metabolites remains an elusive but critically important goal. The developing endocrine pancreas provides a model system that speaks to many challenges of the transplantation biologist. Thus the attempt to of vascularization, growth and development, immunologic toler recapitulate the ontogeny ance, and glucose responsive insulin secretory capacity of fetal islet tissue provides a tantalizing possibility to replace insulin secreting tissue in persons with diabetes. Studies of this tissue are also important because of the implications such investigations have for genetic and molecular biological approaches to restoring insulin secretion as well as for providing clues to enhancing the growth and repair of islets that have been the target of autoimmune disease. Investigators in the area offetal islet transplantation comprise a small group scattered throughout the world scientific community. Therefore it seemed important to provide a forum where these scientists could gather, share ideas, and achieve consensus such that progress in this rapidly evolving area could be facilitated. The conference would have remained a dream if the support of the Okla Basil Meade, Jr. family had not made it manifest."

Aaron I. Vinik, M.D., Ph.D. I IEastem Virginia Medical School The Diabetes Institutes Norfolk, Virginia 23510 This symposium, held in June 1991, was a gathering of international scientists to exchange their views on current concepts of cell growth and differentiation. Each scientist was asked to present a topic of their research related to cell growth and regeneration and to participate in a round table conference elaborating on current knowledge and sharing their experiences. By furthering this promising area of endeavor, a means of understanding ontogeny of cell development and of providing insights into tumor biology would prevail. Of prime importance was the anticipation that new information from a better understanding of the normal evolution of the pancreatic islet would generate alternative approaches to curing diabetes. This forward serves as a short introduction to the concept of pancreatic islet regeneration and the models currently in use to study the process. DEVELOPMENTAL ORIGIN OF ISLETS DURING EMRYOGENESIS The developing pancreas appears as a protrusion from the dorsal surface of the l embryonic gut. The different islet cell types appear sequentially during development in vivo. It therefore seems reasonable to propose that coordinated growth is dependent upon specificity of growth factors.

Diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in prevalence throughout both developed and developing countries. The social and economic burden of this disease is estimated to cost 14 billion dollars worldwide. In the USA alone, 15 million individuals are diabetic, nearly half of them unaware of their condition. Complications of diabetes mellitus are the leading causes for blindness, limb amputation and chronic renal failure and kidney transplantation in industrialized countries. Further, diabetes mellitus per se and the metabolic derangement associated with diabetes are important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Diabetes, as defined by an elevated fasting blood glucose level is presently subdivided in etiologically distinct groups. The most prevalent being type 2 (adult onset) diabetes characterized by insulin resistance and failure of the ~-cell to supply insulin in amounts sufficient to meet the body's needs. Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, most commonly with an onset during childhood and adolescence, is caused by an auto-immune destruction of the pancreatic ~-cells. The causations of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve a combination of complex genetic traits and environmental influences. A third category are the mature onset diabetes of the young (MODY). This comparatively small group of patients (-10% of diabetes) presents relative early in life "30 years of age) compared to the more common late onset type 2 diabetes.

Montreal has had a longstanding interest in somatostatin. Two years ago when the final planning began for the International Con gress of Endocrinology in Quebec City in July 1984, we seized the op portunity for having a separate Satellite Symposium on somatostatin here in Montreal. We felt that after a decade of uniformly vigorous growth in somatostatin research, the opportune moment had arrived for a review of the most significant past developments and for setting the directions for the future. Knowing the futility of trying to cover every aspect of the burgeoning somatostatin field in a two day scientific program, we opted for a detailed analysis of selected areas which were reasonably mature and of areas of greatest new activity. To attain these objectives, 27 leading international experts actively involved in their fields were invited to present an indepth review of their work in one of five major categories of somatostatin research. Thirty minutes at the end of each session were assigned for a three way, comprehensive discussion of some of the core concepts between the session moderators, the panellists and the audience. The feedback that we have received from the particip ants leaves little doubt that the meeting was a scientific and social success. This book fulfills our final commitment towards the Meeting which was to record the proceedings in a timely publication.

In September, 1977, at a conference organized by Dr. Kenneth McKerns in Northeast Harbor, Maine, USA, I was asked by the Editorial Committee of the Biochemical Endocrinology series to investigate the possibility of organizing the next meeting in France. I proposed a subject which is in the area of my research interest, and this subject was accepted. On arriving back in France, I first looked for an appropriate place for the meeting, and the Chateau de Seillac was chosen in accordance with many objective criteria. We know that all who attended the meeting held in Seillac enjoyed this quiet and charming place in the Loire Valley. The next step was to choose some experts in the field who would contribute to the monograph and present their papers at a conference for the purpose of generating discussions. The action of the local committee, composed of Dr. A. Tixier-Vidal, Dr. Claude Kordon, and me, was crucial in this respect. The local committee proposed the program for the meeting and a list of the majority of contributors to be invited. I wish to thank Dr. Tixier-Vidal and Dr. Kordon for their invaluable assistance.

In September of 1977 scientists from many countries met at the Asticou Inn in Maine to present and discuss papers written especially for this monograph. The presentations were informal and directed to the special interests of the audience in order to generate discussions. The authors, many of whom are pioneers and leaders in their field, then had the oppor tunity to revise their contributions, which were brought together with the edited discussions to form this volume. The basic research studies presented here are important because of the essential role of gonadotropins in regulating the ovary and testis. This monograph will therefore be of interest to those concerned with fertility regulation, population control, possible new methods for contraception, and to those concerned with reproduction in domestic animals. Re searchers in other fields may find this monograph useful, as it has been de termined that gonadotropins are secreted by many tumors and are im plicated in many cancers. Human choriogonadotropin also seems to be found in most, if not all, cells of the human body. The significance of this, however, is unknown."

Calcium-Sensing Receptor provides an overview of various aspects of the calcium receptor's biochemistry, physiology and pathophysiology that is suitable both for those who have been working in the field of Ca2+0-sensing as well as those who are new to this discipline. Calcium-Sensing Receptor is the nineteenth volume published in the Endocrine Updates book series under the Series Editorship of Shlomo Melmed, MD.

Diabetes and Wellbeing presents a range of effective psychological principles proven to positively impact the emotional wellbeing of individuals with type 1 and 2 diabetes. The guide takes an explicitly CBT approach to motivate sufferers in essential self-care tasks. * Written in a practical style, for those newly diagnosed with diabetes, individuals managing its challenges for many years, and healthcare professionals * Reveals how the stress of daily diabetes management can affect an individual s ability to stay motivated and engaged in essential self-care tasks that are vital for good health * Presents proven techniques for improving emotional wellbeing * First book to take an explicitly CBT approach to diabetes, simultaneously drawing on solution-focused behavioural therapy and mindfulness approaches * Fills the gap information of this kind among healthcare professionals and individuals with diabetes

An enormous amount of research effort has been directed toward elucidating the mechanism by which substances are extruded from cells; and reviews have been written and symposia held in order to systematize the plethora of evidence made available. However, the approaches employed to study the secretory process have been so diverse that it is difficult, if not impossible, for one individual or even a group of individuals to keep abreast of all aspects of the field and to analyze them critically. Thus I undertook the writing of this volume with a great deal of trepidation. In searching for some starting point, I naturally considered as my primary focus the role of calcium in the secretory process, which has occupied my research interests for the past 13 years. But since so much experimentation has been carried out on this and related topics during the last decade or two, I felt it was still necessary to visualize this venture from two alternative ap proaches: (1) a more general one, which would cover the subject of calcium and the secretory process from a broad perspective, but of course not in great detail, and (2) a more specific one, restricting coverage to carefully defined limits but with comprehensive analysis of limited topics. The final course undertaken appears to lie somewhere between these two extremes."

Brain Neurosecretory Cytokines: Immune Response and Neuronal Survival summarizes the biological and chemical data of signal molecules of the brain neuroendocrine immune system, mainly proline-rich peptides, which play an important role in the regulation of immune response, neuronal survival, hematopoiesis, and adaptation. The author also describes the role of PRPs for the protection of neurons against neurodegenerative disturbances and diseases. Brain Neurosecretory Cytokines: Immune Response and Neuronal Survival will be of great aid to the researchers and students in various areas of neurobiological profile (neurochemistry, neuroendocrinology, neurophysiology, and endocrinology).

This book is divided into two main sections, and covers a broad range of issues important for health practitioners to be aware of when caring for people with co-morbid diabetes and depression. Section One of the book contains the overall ideas and the more recent developments in measuring psychological morbidity in people with diabetes. When attempting to identify people with depression or other psychological problems, it is important for practitioners to recognize the limitations of screening as well as its utility. Issues such as the basic principles regarding when and when not to screen, the cultural applicability of tools, different questionnaire formats and key concepts such as sensitivity and specificity of tools, and their positive and negative predictive value, will be considered. In particular there has been increased interest in the concept of diabetes-related distress and several tools have been developed to measure this. There are broad-based measures of distress such as the Problem Areas in Diabetes (PAID) scale, the Diabetes Adjustment Scale (DAS), The Diabetes Health Profile, The Fear of Hypoglycemia Scale, etc. There are also a range of generic quality of life tools which have been used effectively in people with diabetes; for example the Medical Outcomes Survey Short-Forms (SF36, SF12), the World Health Organisation Well-being questionnaire (WHO-5) and the EQ5-D. These tools are important because they measure aspects of psychological well-being that are specifically associated with the experience of having a long-term conditions and so have important implications for both self-care and health care practice. The potential overlap of symptoms of depression and symptoms of diabetes-related distress are considered in this section and the implications for practice discussed. Section Two covers the most commonly used tools that have been used to screen for depression. For each tool considered some information which is easily referred to by the readeris set out in a table which includes details of the authors, time of first use, country where it was first developed, some examples of the questions used, the languages it is available in, data on sensitivity/specificity. Each instrument will then be discussed in terms of its use in research as well as practice, and its applicability in different patient groups, different cultural settings and so on. Guidance on the practical use of each tool is included, and the most popular depression screening tools are focussed on.

This book represents the proceedings from a conference that took place in Dallas in the spring of 1999 which was entitled "Pediatric Gender Assignment - A Critical Reappraisal". Some participants rightfully argued that the conference really focused on the issue of pediatric gender assignment, and that reassignment was not applied in most cases. Their comments were reflected in the title of this monograph. This multidisciplinary meeting was sponsored by a conference grant from the National Institutes of Health, and a broad inquiry into this complex topic took place from many points of view. Basic scientists offered insight into mechanisms of sexual differentiation of the gonads, physical phenotype and imprinting of the central nervous system. Endocrinologists reviewed their experience in diagnosis and management, surgeons described traditional as well as innovative approaches, and there was strong representation from the ethical and behavioral sciences. In putting together such a panel, it was essential that we identify a cast of speakers who could address their viewpoints with strong convictions, and yet not let their passions render the meeting counter productive. We were not disappointed. While many differing points of view were firmly expressed by the panelists and audience, all viewpoints were accorded the respect they deserved. The concept behind the meeting and this book really originated in 1997 shortly after Diamond and Sigmundson published their long term follow up study of the John/Joan case.

During the last ten years, the diagnostic approach to disorders of bone and mineral metabolism has benefited considerably from the development of radioimmunoassay and competitive protein- binding techniques for measurements of circulating parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and biologically active vitamin D me- tabolites. Accumulated experiences with radiogrametrical and densinometric methods of quantitating appendicular bone mass now facilitate the detection of changes in bone mineral content heretofore unrecognized by routine roentgenographic vertebral analysis. During this same decade, the diagnosis of metabolic bone disease and the skeletal response to remedial therapeutic ma- neuvers have also been facilitated by the routine application of the bone biopsy. Improvements in tinctorial techniques, stan- dardization in methodology essential for adequate preparation of thin undecalcified specimens, and the incorporation of tetracy- cline bone formation or mineralization "markers" should now herald the "routine" use of this diagnostic procedure. Moreover, the compilation and ready availability of reference morphometric data, spanning the prepubescent years charac- terized by skeletal growth and remodeling and the later senes- cent period during which bone loss normally proceeds in an un- 7 8 FOREWORD relenting fashion, allow adequate differentiation between normal age-sex-related changes in skeletal turnover attendant on skeletal maturation and aging and acquired or inherited de- rangements in bone metabolism.

Macromolecular (specifically peptide-based) drugs could potentially be highly effective medicines. However they have a relatively short duration of action and variable therapeutic index. An example of such a peptide is Glucagon-like Peptide I which could potentially be used as a revolutionary drug for diabetes. This is because it stimulates insulin only when the blood glucose level is high thereby reducing the risk of hypoglycemia (a significant disadvantage of using insulin is that an insulin overdose is the single most potent cause of life-threatening hypoglycemia). However it's short duration of action (half-life of 2 minutes in plasma) precludes its therapeutic use. In this volume, the use of novel therapeutics like GLP1 as an alternative to tradition insulin-based drugs in diabetes is described. Application of Peptide-Based Prodrug Chemistry in Drug Development elucidates the traditional concept of prodrugs as "specialized non-toxic protective groups used in a transient manner to alter or to eliminate certain limiting properties in the parent small molecule" (IUPAC definition). It goes on to provide insight into how prodrugs of peptides (with GLP1 as an example) could be appropriately used to extend the biological half life, broaden the therapeutic index of macromolecules and improve the pharmacodynamics of such drugs. Author explains the logic behind designing peptide prodrugs, synthetic procedures and bioassays to examine the conversion of the prodrug to the drug under therapeutic conditions. The prodrugs described slowly convert to the parent drug at physiological conditions of 37C and pH 7.2 driven by their inherent chemical instability without the need of any enzymatic cleavage. The diketopiperazine and diketomorpholine (DKP and DMP) strategies for prodrug conversion are demonstrated in detail with special emphasis on the chemical flexibility that it offers to develop prodrugs with variable time actions. This book will be of useful to chemists, biochemists, medicinal chemists, biologists and people in the medical profession (doctors). It may be used in undergraduate classes but will certainly help post-graduate students and advanced professionals. The author is grateful to Prof. Richard DiMarchi (Standiford H. Cox Professor of Chemistry and the Linda & Jack Gill Chair in Biomolecular Sciences at Indiana University) for valuable suggestions. The foreword for the book has been written by Prof. Jean Martinez, (Legion d'Honneur awarded by the French Republic; Professor of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry of the University of Montpellier, France; and Chairman of European Peptide Society, 2002-2010).

This book includes the most significant contributions of the First International Symposium on "Multiple risk factors in cardiovascular disease", chaired by Professors A. V. Chobanian (Boston), A. M. Gotto Jr. (Houston), c. Lenfant (Bethesda), R. Paoletti and A. Zanchetti (Milan), held in Washington DC, 10-12 December 1990, which focused on the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and their interactions. The need for this symposium is based on the epidemiological evidence that individuals from industrialized countries often possess two or more risk factors which synergically increase the global risk profile. The evidence that isolated vascular risk factors are not commonly found in high risk patients but more often a combination of risk factors are detected, is highlighted. Many recent epidemiological data identifying the intrinsic and environ mental factors contributing to the development of atherosclerosis are discussed. These results, in parallel to basic and clinical research, underline how atherosclerosis is a complex and multifac torial process involving the influences of lipid deposition, blood pressure, rheologic forces, carbohydrate tolerance, and thrombogenic factors (fibrinogen and platelets). Atherosclerosis is markedly accelerated by other risk factors, more so in the presence of concomitant hypercholes terolemia, hypertension, diabetes, upper body obesity. Furthermore, the risk associated with anyone of these risk factors varies widely depending on level of the associated atherogenic risk factors.

The selection of prolactin as the subject of the Midwest Con ference on Endocrinology was not only dictated by the recent ad vances in prolactin research but also by the long tradition in that particular area of Endocrinology in the laboratory of C.W. Turner at the University of Missouri. Therefore, it seems only appropri ate that these proceedings of the Tenth Midwest Conference on En docrinology are dedicated to the memory of this scientist, deceased in August 1975 before completion of this volume, whose pioneer in vestigations have contributed substantially to the advancement of our knowledge in many areas of Endocrinology and who played a major role in the early phases of prolactin research. This volume contains a review of the early studies in Turner's laboratory and the latest results obtained by some of the leading research workers in this area and should be a fitting memory to C.W. Turner. Some of the manuscripts printed here were prepared after the conference was held and include material of more recent origin. Much of the delay in publication was due to the length of time de voted to preparation of these manuscripts. To the other authors and participants, and to Plenum Press, we express our appreciation for their patience and cooperation. We also with to thank Mrs."

The past two decades have seen steady progress in our understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The role of low density lipoprotein (LOL) increase and of LOL receptor deficiency or malfunctions in familial hypercholesterolemia has been largely enlightened by the works of Brown and Goldstein. These authors postulated also that modification of LOL to a form recognized by the scavenger or acetyl-LOL receptor may be required for lipid loading of macrophage-derived foam cells in the lesions. A growing body of evidence suggests that oxidative modification of LOL could enhance its atherogenicity by its implication as a factor in the generation of foam cells. Thus, if the role of LOL in the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia was well established a great deal of information appears currently on new approaches such as the mechanisms leading to the accumulation of foam cells, the impact of LOL structural alterations, notably oxidation and the role of gene mutations of apolipoprotein Band/or LOL receptor The opening topic is devoted to these new avenues outlined in the field of hypercholesterolemia. The first part concerns the genetic aspects of atherosclerosis: mainly the genetics of apo 1 ipoprote ins , their transcriptional regulation, the amino acid mutations of the apo B gene and of the LOL receptor gene, the structural domains and the acylation sites of apoprotein B.

The 6th triennial meeting of the International Study Group for Tryp- tophan Research (ISTRY) was held May 9-12, 1989 in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). From the wide variety of topics and disciplines represented, as documented in this volume, it is clear that tryptophan research and ISTRY are alive and well. ISTRY traces its or1g1ns to at a tryptophan symposium organized in 1971 by H. Schievelbein at Hohenried near Munich (Germany). Up to that time there had been occasional international tryptophan conferences at irregular inter- vals. A number of participants at the Hohenried meeting felt that an inter- national tryptophan organization should be formed to organize regular meet- ings and to foster collaboration and information exchange on tryptophan-re- lated topics. Thanks mainly to the founding work of H. Schievelbein and W. Kochen, an executive committee was elected and ISTRY was born. The inaugural meeting in 1974 was held in Padova (Italy) to honor L. Musajo, one of the foremost pioneers in tryptophan studies. This first ISTRY meeting was suc- cessfully organized by L. Musajo, G. Allegri, A. De Antoni, and C. Costa, and was critical in assuring the viability of the new organization. Subsequent meetings were held in 1977 in Madison, Wisconsin (USA), organized by R.R. Brown, D.P. Rose, and W.E. Knox, honoring C.P. Berg; 1980 in Kyoto (Japan), organized by O. Hayaishi, R. Kido, Y. Ishimura, T. Deguchi, T. Hino, T.