As little as 30 years ago, cardiovascular research at Bayer was just a small sideline with in an environment dominated by chemotherapy research, and only 15 years ago, Bayer's pharmaceutical business was confined to European and Latin Ameri can countries, with sales in cardiovascular pharmaceuticals close to zero. It goes without saying that Adalat has changed the company as a whole in its research, development, and marketing, both in Germany and, most importantly, world wide. In research and development, Adalat has led the way in to new areas such as hypertension, acute neurology, dementia, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. In pharmacology, Adalat was present at the dawning of the second phar macological revolution, which started out from whole animal models and progres sed, via in vitro screening and pharmacological research on the DHP receptor, down to the molecular level with the cloning of calcium-channel proteins. Having followed the Adalat story closely in its early years as a bench scientist, let me take this opportunity to thank the inventors, the scientists, and the investigators who have helped to tap the broad potential of calcium-channel blockade with dihyd ropyridines in general and Adalat in particular. But, success should not obscure our vision. There is no reason for us to rest on our laurels: it will take true innovations in cardiovascular research to top the gold standard set by Adalat. Let us take up the challenge.

HOW DO I USE THIS BOOK? This book is organized to answer specific questions about the metabolic and nutritional problems of critically ill patients. Thc questions are listed under five chapter headings in the Contents. Each question is self-contained with its own charts, tables, and references, although, in some instances, you may be referred to another section of the book for additional information. A detailed subject outline appears on the first page of each chapter, and there is an index for cross-reference to specific subjects. A metabolic support plan and accompanying metabolic and nutritional worksheet are locatcd in the Appendix. This plan pro vides the best estimates available for predicting the metabolic requirements of patients, and outlines approaches to feeding the hospitalized patient which will satisfy these nutritional needs. Clin ical cases are presented in this section to help you get started using the support plan. This volume is a handbook organized for frequent use - place the appropriate tables and nomograms on the bulletin board of the intensive care unit or in your office for convenient reference. Use the metabolic and nutritional support plan and establish the habit of assessing the metabolic requirements of your patients. Refer to the references cited to explore in further detail specific questions or areas of interest. By applying our knowledge of the metabolic and nutritional alterations which occur following disease, we can improve our care of the critically ill."

This book brings together a range of academic, industry and practitioner perspectives on translational medicine (TM). It enhances conceptual and practical understanding of the emergence and progress of the field and its potential impact on basic research, therapeutic development, and institutional infrastructure. In recognition of the various implications TM has for public health policy and commercial innovation, the book addresses the major systemic aspects of the field. The contributors explore the dynamic interactions and key challenges in translating new science into viable therapies for the clinic, which includes recognizing the importance of social, commercial, and regulatory environments in addition to good science.

Seit der Charakterisierung der genetischen Marker des familiAren medullAren SchilddrA1/4senkarzinoms bzw. der multiplen endokrinen Neoplasie Typ 2 bestehen verbesserte MAglichkeiten zur FrA1/4herkennung und kurativen Behandlung der hereditAren Formen dieser Tumoren. Durch Nachweis eines erhAhten Calcitonins als sensitiven und prAdiktiven Marker fA1/4r medullAre SchilddrA1/4senkarzinome kAnnen prinzipiell auch die sporadischen Formen frA1/4hzeitig erkannt und therapiert werden. Eine konsequente Anwendung der exzellenten diagnostischen Methoden sollte in Zukunft zu einer verbesserten Langzeitprognose dieser Karzinome beitragen. In der Praxis werden medullAre SchilddrA1/4senkarzinome jedoch hAufig erst im fortgeschrittenen Tumorstadium klinisch auffAllig. Um auch fA1/4r diese Patienten eine optimale Heilungschance zu erzielen, mA1/4ssen die bisherigen Diagnostik- und Therapieprotokolle optimiert und durch innovative Verfahren ergAnzt oder ersetzt werden. In dieser bisher einmaligen Zusammenstellung werden neue Aspekte der Genanalyse zur Diagnostik der hereditAren Karzinome, vielversprechende Methoden zur Lokalisationsdiagnostik von Metastasen sowie etablierte und experimentelle AnsAtze zur Therapie dieser TumorentitAt beleuchtet.

This was an important Symposium in a rapidly developing field of interest. It was designed to draw attention to areas which have been neglected in standard hepatology textbooks and to review areas of controversy. It was also meant to help bridge the communication gap between hepatologists'caring for children and adults as well as between some areas of clinical and basic research. The Symposium was a substantial success. Unfortunately two of the twenty participants did not deliver a manuscript. The result is a publication which is late and which is not as complete as it should be. For this lateness and incompleteness the editors apolo gize most sincerely--especially to those participants who delivered their manuscripts on time but even to those who delivered their manu scripts late. perhaps the most noteworthy feature of this publication is the fact that material presented in May 1980 is by no means out of date. Apart from the section on Viral Hepatitis, one of the most rapidly evolving fields of medicine, the context of the Symposium remains disturbingly current. The neglect continues, the controversies remain. We hope that this publication will help draw investigators into liver research, provide a useful point of reference for. those in the field and stand as a monument to editors past, present and future, who have chased, are chasing and will chase manuscripts in vain."

Although a strikingly modem account of multiple (disseminated) sclerosis was given by Charcot more than one hundred years ago, we are still not sure of the precise nature of the disease, still less of any precise mode of management. Even diagnosis is at best 'probable'. This collection of essays examines the particular difficulties which beset the problem and have mili tated against the solution-problems of data collection and evaluation; clinical and biochemical vagaries and unanswered questions ; laboratory test prediction of the disease, etc. Experts in their fields have set out the difficulties and way forward as ther see them, and there must necessarily be overlap or contradictions which underline our lack of knowledge. Clearly no attempt can be made to cover more than a very few aspects of the problem (a further volume is planned to review other areas not covered here, in particular the relationship between multiple sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalo myelitis)-but it is hoped that the 'softness' of much of the data we have to work upon will become appan!~nt. It is intended that this volume should clearly differ from the large number of monographs and reports of symposia dedicated to multiple sclerosis in bringing out the shortcomings of our approaches, and in some respects our naivities rather than our individual brilliancies.

Clinical biomechanics is a rapidly changing field with an increasingly wide appeal. While the core subjects of biomechanics remain the behavior of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, this book focuses on more clinical aspects such as artificial joints, tissue transplantations, and the effects of disease on biomechanical properties. Also featured are special studies of the hand, spine, vascular system, and the analysis of three-dimensional motion.
Based on the 20th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Clinical Biomechanics and Related Research, this book provides an overview of the subject as well as describing many exciting new concepts and innovative methods for analyzing biomechanical systems. It should appeal across a wide spectrum of professions, proving indispensable to everyone from orthopedic surgeons to engineers with an interest in biology.

Human Health: The Contribution of Microorganisms is the first major work to concentrate on probiotics in humans. It presents both new and established data on the origins and importance of commensal floras, the history and characteristics of probiotics, the use of probiotics in clinical situations, and preclinical and volunteer studies. It also covers commercial issues such as the difficulties involved in the large scale production and formulation of live microorganisms, and the marketing techniques used to sell products containing bacteria. It contains contributions from internationally recognised experts in both science and industry. Written with both professional and lay audiences in mind, Human Health: The Contribution of Microorganisms will be an indispensable text and reference source for scientists, clinicians, and pharmaceutical/food technologists.

Jaundice is much more than a clinical sign of liver disease. It is also a pathophysiological disorder. Through studying it we have come to a much better understanding of how the liver functions under normal and abnormal circumstances. In spite of several important advances in this field, it has not recently been the subject of a comprehensive and interdisciplinary review. This Symposium was held in Montreal on May 31 and June 1, 1974, and the experts who participated in it came together for the purpose of reviewing the current status of Jaundice. The Editors sincerely appreciate the outstanding contribution which these experts made to the Second International Symposium of the Canadian Hepatic Foundation. They are also particularly indebted to Valerie M. Price, Executive Director, Canadian Hepatic Foundation, for her invaluable role in the preparation of this publication. Carl A. Goresky Murray M. Fisher v Contents BILIRUBIN CHEMISTRY An Overview of Bilirubin Chemistry 1 A. F. McDonagh The Conjugates of Bilirubin 19 E. R. Gordon Discussion Period. * * 39 R. Schmid, Char:imm BILIRUBIN PRODUCITON 43 Bilirubin Metabolism: An Overview * * * R. Schmid Bilirubin Production fram Non-Erythroid SoUI"Ces * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 57 S. H. Robinson Bilirubin Production fram Erythroid Sources 69 U. Muller-Eberhard and E. F. Johnson Induction Mechanisms for Bile Pigment Formation 85 B. A.

In 1960, Dr. Van R. Potter and Dr. Henry Pitot (at McCardle Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin), Dr. Tetsuo Ono (then at McCardle Laboratory and now at the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research in Tokyo, Japan) and Dr. Harold P. Morris (then at the National Cancer Institute and now at Howard University, Washington, D. C. ) decided that an experimental cancer model would be an invaluable tool to examine neoplastic changes in cells. Since they were study ing the various highly specific metabolic processes which are unique to liver tissues, they determined that a transplantable liver cancer model would be the ideal system to work with. This system would provide for comparison of normal liver tissue of the non-tumor bear ing animal, the tumor bearing animal's (host) liver and the liver cancer. Dr. Morris undertook a series of rat studies employing several chemicals known to cause liver cancer. Soon the first Morris hepatomas (#3683, 3924A, 5123) were being studied by several labs. During the next 18 years, Dr. Morris developed and transplanted numerous strains of hepatomas of which no two were identical. These tumors ranged from the very slowly-growing, highly differentiated cancer tissues, e. g., 96l8A which is a diploid tumor containing gly cogen and a "nearly normal" complement of enzymes, to a large group of rapidly-growing, poorly differentiated cancer tissues, e. g."

The best conferences are often those where the participants are from a mixture of different disciplines. There is a cross fertilization of ideas and a wider perspective of common problems. The 6th International Meeting on Clinical Laboratory Organization and Management, held in Noordwijkerhout, The Netherlands, on 24th-28th June 1987 lived up to its promise of a stimu lating program and differing views from a wide range of international par ticipants. The theme of the conference was "Laboratory Data and Patient Care" and this provided a forum for discussion of many aspects of laboratory input into the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. The titles of the papers in this book of the proceedings will give some indication of the breadth of topics discussed, ranging from problems of laboratory management and pro fessional leadership to educating the clinician in the most cost effective testing strategies; and computer aided diagnosis to the best presentation of data and graphical displays. The backgrounds of the participants were equally wide, ranging from medical statisticians and computer experts to practising clinicians and heads of clinical laboratories. There was also a significant number of delegates from commercial companies who were able to inject a different perspective on many problems. This blend of backgrounds and disciplines promoted much discussion and new avenues for research and development."

The primary purpose of this book is to bridge the gap be tween the practice of clinical medicine and diagnostic radi ology. It is intended primarily for utilization by medical students in training and by nonradiologist physicians. In this world of rapidly expanding knowledge in the many specialties of medicine, it is becoming increasingly difficult for many physicians to stay abreast of the newer and constantly changing modalities of diagnosis as well as the therapeutic regimens of the common as well as the less common disease processes within their realm of practice. This book will enable the busy clinician to utilize the consultative services offered by his or her colleagues in diagnostic radiology with maximum effectiveness. The most common clinical applications of the more recent imag ing modalities (i. e. , nuclear medicine, ultrasound, comput erized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) have been categorized and condensed into a format that will be both comprehensible and useful on a daily basis for those physicians routinely requesting these diagnostic examina tions for their patients. For simplicity, the book is divided, whenever feasible, into organ systems and subdivided into the multiple classifications of pathologic states (i. e. , con genital, trauma or iatrogenic, inflammatory, and neo plasm). In addition, there are brief comments related to the vii specific advantages and disadvantages as well as the cost effectiveness of each modality.

The meeting which took place in Rome on November 19th and 20th of 1982 is easily the best meeting on hepatic coma that I have ever attended, and I have attended many. It was an exceedingly we- planned meeting with prolonged opportunity for discussion, and there was genuine interplay and exchange of ideas (not the usual picture of a rushed meeting with investigators presenting their own point of view and talking past each other without a meaningful ex change) which took place in Rome. My co-editors and I hope that the published transcript, which of course can only reflect what transpired in Rome on those two days, does justice to a very intellectually exciting and gratifying ex change of ideas. L. Capocaccia, J. E. Fischer and F. Rossi-Fanelli v CONTENTS Introduction 1 SECTION 1: PATHOGENETIC PROBLEMS IN HEPATIC ENCEPHALOPATHY Ammonia: The old and the new * * . * * * . * . * * * . * . * 5 L. Zieve Role of synergism in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy * * * * . * * . . . . * 15 L. Zieve y-Aminobutyric acid receptors in experimental hepatic encephalopathy *. *. * * 25 M. L. Zeneroli, ~. Baraldi,and E. Ventura A possible role for excitatory neurotoxic amino acids in the pathogenesis of hepatic en 41 cephalopathy * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * F. Moroni, G. Lombardi, G. Moneti, D. Pellegrini and C.

The practice of autologous blood collection and transfusion has been steadily increasing. The concept is not new; however, its application has been limited because of lack of interest and willingness to make the extra effort required. Also there has been concern about the safety of the procedure. Homologous blood transfusion is easy and has allo wed us to salvage lives and perform procedures which would not have been feasible without the availability of whole blood or its components. Transfusion with homologous blood products is safe; however, com plications can and do occur. The transmission of AIDS by transfusion of homologous blood products has significantly increased patient and physician awareness of the dangers one faces. This potential complica tion has promoted autotransfusion. It is now commonly used and reques ted by patients and physicians. Blood for autotransfusion is collected pre or intraoperatively by phle botomy and retrieved intra and post operatively from sites of hemor rhage. Once collected, the blood is either stored or returned to the patient as whole or processed blood. To have a successful autotransfusion program requires anticipation of its needs and coordination and training of involved personel in the blood bank, emergency room, operating room and post-surgical care units. Pre deposit and processing of collected blood requires remission of donor criteria and labeling and storage procedures."

Only quite recently has it become technically possible to record, from elec trodes attached to the scalp, the human brain's electrical responses to sensory stimulation. The core of this book is a critical survey of endeavours to use these electrical responses (called evoked potentials) as tools in attempts to discover the ways in which the brain first processes incoming sensory information and then forms internal representations of features ofthe external world. Buttressed by quantities of undeniably sloppy evoked potential research there are some who would dismiss out of hand the recording of evoked potentials as being comparable to 'holding an oscilloscope probe 6 feet in diameter up to a computer and pronouncing from the resultant waveform on the underlying structure and function'; many would contrast the scientific value of recording the activities of single nerve cells with microelectrodes. However, although it is certainly true that the brain may indeed function in a way which would not be susceptible to the approaches of the evoked potential researcher it might equally well resist the stratagems of the single-cell man. If, for example, the neural correlate of some sensation were the state of some large population of nerve cells, then the present-day researcher who records in great detail the activity of one single cell or of a very few cells would be faced with a major problem in trying to see the forest for the trees."

This is the second of a number of international symposia which will, I hope, continue to be held until atherosclerosis is no longer a major problem. The first symposium was held three years ago in Athens, Greece, under the chairmanship 1 of Dr. Constantinos]. Miras , who, although he could not attend this symposium, participated actively in the deliberations of this Program Committee. Atherosclerosis together with its sequelae constitute the most important source of morbidity and mortality in civilized countries. While a major attack is being made on the consequences, the sequelae of this disease, not enough attention is being paid to the basic cause, atherosclerosis. Yet, if the basic disease were eradicated, the major concern of this symposium, the sequelae would constitute only a minor and rare disease group. The approach of the Program Committee was to bring together experts in the multiple disciplines which have a bearing on atherosclerosis. There is a great need for an exchange of ideas from various groups studying the basic process in many divergent ways. The hope we have is that those present (or those later studying the Proceedings) may be stimulated to attack the problem in new ways. Perhaps a breakthrough will be made or, at least, a brick or two added to build the structure, a rampart needed to defend against atherosclerosis. Better still, their contributions may help to confine it to a small area.

There is an Inca incantation which stated said roughly: "Lord, give me spiritual peace so that I can acquiesce to what I cannot change, give me courage so that I can change what I can change, and give me wisdom so that I can distinguish one from the other. " Obviously, this incantation can be regularly repeated by any gerontologist, since it is very difficult to distinguish aging from the processes which enhance the organism's viability, aging from diseases, and the mechanisms of aging in various species of animals. According to N. Shock, who compiled a valuable bibliography of the works on aging, more than 43,000 works on gerontology have been published in the last decade. Why do we continue to disagree with one another and hold that the most important mechanisms are still largely unknown to us in spite of that flow of information and an enormous number of facts? What is it that we do not know? Could it be that we do not know the sole sacramental fact which can explain everything, such as the hormone of aging, the programmed triggering of a suicide gene, the appearance of a special toxic agent in the axoplasmic flow of substances, and so forth? Goethe once wrote that a scientist most often holds certain parts, but unfortunately he lacks their sacred link.

This volume contains the text of the presentations delivered at the International Symposium on Rare Diseases "Inherited Neuromuscular Diseases: Translation from Pathomechanisms to Therapies," held in Valencia, Spain, from November 16 to 18, 2008. The symposium represents a part of the continuous efforts on dif- sion of science to the society of the Catedra Santiago Grisolia and the Fundacion Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias -Comunitat Valenciana. More than 200 inter- tional scientists from different countries of Europe, the USA, and Australia attended the meeting. The venue was the Auditorium of the Science Museum Principe Felipe. Ten years ago Alan Emery wrote in the preface of Neuromuscular Disorders: Clinical and Molecular Genetics the following comments: "It has been estimated that more than one person in every 3,000 has a serious disabling inherited n- romuscular disorder. The suffering caused by these disorders is considerable, but, until the last decade or so, virtually nothing was known of their pathogenesis. Any rationale approach to treatment was therefore out of the question. However, matters are now changing rapidly. The genes for many of these disorders have been localised and characterised and their gene products identi ed and studied. The detection of preclinical disease, the identi cation of heterozygous carriers and prenatal di- nosis are all becoming possible, and, hopefully, effective treatments may no be too far distant."

This book provides a detailed overview of the function of the nervous system in fever and its role in antipyresis. The volume opens with an introductory account of fever, its physiology and adaptive role, and explains the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Sufficient information about bacterial pyrogens, 'endogenous' pyrogenic cytokines, body temperature regulation and survival value of fever and its ubiquity is given to enable readers to follow the central nervous system's involvement. The book should enable graduate students and researchers in neuroscience and other disciplines to understand the impact of their studies in the overall processes of fever. It will also be of benefit to pharmacologists studying anti-pyretics and the central nervous system function of these drugs. Academic clinicians will find this a more comprehensive overview of fever than other available texts. Finally, the author challenges some well-established dogmas in this area and sets an agenda for future research.

H. B. Stahelin "Under-or malnutrition is a frequent and serious problem in geriatric patients" (8). Today there is no doubt that malnutrition contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in the aged. The immune function is impaired, the risk for falls and fractures increases, in acute illness, recovery is delayed, and complications are frequent. Acute and chronic illnesses lead to a catabolic metabolism and hence increase the signs and symptoms of malnutrition. Cytokines related to inflamma tion block the synthesis of albumin and shift protein synthesis to acute phase pro teins. The activation of the ubiquitine-proteasome pathway leads to a degradation of muscle protein, which leads to an additional loss of muscle mass which occurs as age-dependent sarcopenia, and adds to the already existing frailty (2, 4). It is often difficult to decide to what extent the metabolic alterations result from malnutrition or concomitant illness. Psychological factors contribute as a circulus vitiosus significantly to anorexia and, thus, aggravate the condition. They are the most important causes of failure to thrive in old age (7). It is evident that next to the therapy of the underlying illness, an adequate support with calorie and nutrient intake over weeks becomes essen tial under these conditions. Clear-cut improvements are often only seen after 6 or more weeks. Besides a clinical, clearly visible malnutrition, selective nutrient deficits are much more frequent. Numerous and highly different mechanisms may lead to a marginal or insufficient supply with micronutrients."

The danger of infection remains the most serious drawback to internal fixation. Prevention, using all available prophylactic measures should be the central feature in every surgical department. Though the infection rate may remain below the acceptable level of 2 %, the infected patient derives little comfort from the large number of excellent results in other people. We must discover the best way to offer these patients a favourable prognosis. This should not be based on intuition but on clear proven guiding principles. Planning the treatment for a patient whose internal fixation has become septic must decide between steps which may have advantages or disadvan tages. The disadvantage of the presence of a foreign body must be weighed against the advantage of rigidity. The authors have taken up this challenge by planned animal experiments to study the healing of internally fixed fractures which have been infected with staphylococci. They have shown that under stable conditions, even massive infection did not destroy the healing process in cortical bone. Even under these circumstances fracture union, in the form of primary bone healing, can occur even if with less regularity than in unin fected internal fixation.

The third edition of this innovative work again provides a unique perspective on the clinical discovery process by providing input from experts within the NIH on the principles and practice of clinical research. Molecular medicine, genomics, and proteomics have opened vast opportunities for translation of basic science observations to the bedside through clinical research. As an introductory reference it gives clinical investigators in all fields an awareness of the tools required to ensure research protocols are well designed and comply with the rigorous regulatory requirements necessary to maximize the safety of research subjects. Complete with sections on the history of clinical research and ethics, copious figures and charts, and sample documents it serves as an excellent companion text for any course on clinical research and as a must-have reference for seasoned researchers.
Incorporates new chapters on Managing Conflicts of Interest in Human Subjects Research, Clinical Research from the Patient's Perspective, The Clinical Researcher and the Media, Data Management in Clinical Research, Evaluation of a Protocol Budget, Clinical Research from the Industry Perspective, and Genetics in Clinical ResearchAddresses the vast opportunities for translation of basic science observations to the bedside through clinical researchDelves into data management and addresses how to collect data and use it for discoveryContains valuable, up-to-date information on how to obtain funding from the federal government

The book provides a comprehensive account of ticks and tick-borne diseases occurring in tropical and subtropical areas. It begins with a complete up-to-date overview of the systematics of the Ixodida (Ixodidae, Argasidae and Nutalliellidae) and is followed by a review of the problem of ticks and tick-borne diseases of domestic animals world wide. This leads on to multi-disciplinary approaches to planning tick and tick-borne disease control and to contributions on calculating the economic impact of a tick species such as Amblyomma americanum on beef production systems. Heartwater fever (cowdriosis) and dermatophilosis are endemic in Africa and pose a threat to the North American mainland. The epidemiology of these two diseases is discussed in detail as is the role of frozen vaccines to control bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. The book also includes chapters on tick transmitted zoonoses such as Lyme borreliosis, tick typhus and ehrlichiosis. It concludes with a review of the acaricidal treatment of tick infestation.

Prevention of disease and injury, including early identification of risks and disease and optimal control of potentially debilitating or fatal complications of chronic conditions, is the area of clinical medicine that holds the greatest promise for improving human health. Each year a long list of major, but potentially preventable health problems exacts a terrible human and financial toll. These problems urgently need our attention, especially as major advances in curative medicine become more complex and costly. Prevention of disease and injury may well be the central health issue of our time, an issue of vital concern to every quarter of our society. Now is a very good time to promote prevention. Citizens and some social groups are increasingly aware of and interested in health and fitness issues. There is great enthusiasm about-even obsession with-health, and we are seeing an astonishing proliferation of health publications and media presentations for laymen, fitness and weight control cen ters, exercise programs, health food stores, disease support groups, health education programs, and do-it-yourself diagnostic kits. All of this betokens an increased health consciousness on the part of public and perhaps signals greater individual accountability for health."

Oxidative stress and aging Over the past several years there has been an extraordinarily rapid growth in our knowledge of free radical chemistry and its possible involvement in both normal essential biology and age related disease and dysfunction. Much of this growth in the traditionally separate sciences of chemistry and molecular gerontology occurred independently, with little interaction or communi cation between the scientists working in these two fields. In view of the growing maturity of the two fields and the potential importance of advancing our knowledge in the area of oxidative stress and aging, we perceived a critical need to organize an international conference the "First Inter national Conference on Oxidative Stress and Aging" in Hawaii in 1994 to bring together the world's leading scientists in the fields of reactive oxygen species and molecular gerontology. The objective of this conference was to provide a unique opportunity for scholars working in these two related and rapidly growing fields to participate in the exchange, integration, and synthesis of new concepts and ideas, to engage in constructive criticism and to initiate new collaborative research projects. The conference focused on the molecular and cellular aspects of aging as related to oxidative stress. It was one of the largest and most comprehensive international conferences held in molecular gerontology. At this conference a call was made for submission of papers to be used in the publication of a book covering the major contributions of the meeting."