Biopsy of the gastrointestinal tract has been revolution less busy) teaching hospital. These sort of techniques, which I confess interest me greatly because of the ized by the introduction of fibreoptics; the proximal additional information which they can yield when rightly reaches, as far as the second part of the duodenum, and chosen, are naturally linked with improved methods of the whole large bowel back to the caecum can now be tissue preservation in general, bearing in mind that the sampled under direct vision and multiple small biopsies need for special techniques often becomes apparent can be obtained. Only in the jejunum and ileum are there only when the biopsy has been conventionally still limitations on the sampling of localized as opposed to generalized conditions. The sheer volume of gastro processed and examined. However, I have firmly intestinal material passing through our own laboratories stabled this hobbyhorse and have included little that has risen steeply over the last years to form some 25% cannot be done in a district general hospital and nothing that I am not prepared to do myself. I have tried to of the total current work load and the rise continues; stress, particularly, common lesions which can cause nearly all of it is in biopsy form rather than as resected specimens."

The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) was creat ed to promote cooperative efforts toward solving critical health and safety questions involving foods, drugs, cosmet ics, chemicals, and other aspects of the environment. The Officers and Trustees believe that questions regarding health and safety are best resolved when government and industry rely on scientific investigations, analyses, and re views by independent experts. Further, the scientific aspects of an issue should be examined and discussed on an international basis, separate from the political concerns of individual companies. ILSI is pleased to sponsor this set of monographs on the pathology of laboratory animals. This project will be use ful in improving the scientific basis for the application of pathologic techniques to health and safety evaluation of substances in our environment. The world wide distribu tion of the authors, editors, and Editorial Board who are creating these monographs strengthens the expectation that international communication and cooperation will al so be strengthened."

Starting in 1986, the European School of Oncology has expanded its activities in postgraduate teaching, which consisted mainly of traditional disease-orientated courses, by promoting new educational initiatives. One of these is the cloister seminars, short meetings intended for highly qualified oncologists and dealing with specific, controversial aspects of clinical practice and research. Another is the institution of permanent study groups, also called task forces, where a limited number of leading experts are invited to meet once a year with the aim of defining the state of the art and possibly reaching a consensus on developments and treatment in specific fields of oncology. This series of ESO Monographs was designed with the specific purpose of disseminating the results of the most interesting of the seminars and study groups, and providing concise and updated reviews of the subjects discussed. It wa& decided to keep the layout very simple in order to keep costs to a minimum and make the monographs available in the shortest possible time, thus overcoming a common problem in medical literature: that of the material being outdated even before publication.

Although Prader-Willi syndrome was first described 35 years ago, it was following detection of an interstitial chromosome 15q deletion in some affected patients ten years ago that it became a major focus of multidisciplinary scientific interest. This interest was compounded by the later determination that some patients with a clinically distinct disorder, Angelman syndrome, apparently also had the same chromosome 15q deletion. Subsequently, molecular genetic studies showed that some cytogenetically normal patients with both disorders have uniparental disomy, maternal in Prader-Willi syndrome and paternal in Angelman syndrome. Genetic imprinting has been implicated in this unusual phenomenon. This Workshop was conceived to bring together clinical and basic scientists from around the world whose research was focused on unraveling this unique genetic situation and further delineating these two fascinating disorders. As this volume demonstrates, it was successful in reaching this goal. Laboratory and clinical scientists from 15 countries in four continents participated, and even more countries were represented among the professional and parent observers of its proceedings. Many participants had previously known each other in print only. As a consequence of the Workshop, conclusions could be drawn on several issues. International collaborative research efforts were established. And acquaintances were developed between people who investigate the genetics of these disorders from differing perspectives, resulting in enrichment of approach to answering the complex questions posed by these fascinating conditions. Plans were initiated for another such scientific workshop a few years hence. This volume includes papers presented from the platform.

The impetus for compiling this book was the recent development of culture strains of neuroblastoma and glial cells and the immediate and enthusiastic way they have been taken up as model systems. After the first sudden rush of activity, it seems appropriate to pause, to assess progress, and to contemplate the future contributions that may be possible using these culture techniques. Long before the advent of established strains, cultures of nervous tissue had already contributed to neurobiology. Ross Harrison, in 1906, in a single experimental series, established tissue culture as a promising new technique in cell biology and settled the Golgi-Cajal controversy as to whether axonic processes originated as outgrowths from the cell body or were formed first in the intercellular spaces and were later connected to the cell body. Harrison observed process growth from nerve cells in cultures, thus settling the matter in favor of Cajal. Of great importance to neurobiology is the discovery by Rita Levi-Montalcini of nerve growth factor. Cultures of spinal ganglia played a major role in the discovery, isolation, and characterization of the factor (Levi-Montalcini et ai., 1954). In my opinion, this discovery, although very well known, has not yet been adequately recognized for its germinal influence on neurobiology and embryology. Progress since the advent of clonal cultures has been more modest. I would like to cite two pieces of work which emphasize the technical ad vantages of these cultures."

Pathobiology of Human Germ Cell Neoplasia is a state-of-the-art compendium on a very recent branch of tumor biology. It offers an awareness and understanding of germ cell tumors: from the earliest stages to their va- rious differentiations. Original data for this volume was supplied by experts in the fields of pathology, developmental biology, genetics, molecular biology and other related fields. This compilation of knowledge provides information necessary to persons working in clinical and preclinical areas.

The production of a textbook of the pathology of bone work with isotopic markers to refine their classifica- tion. tumours is a hard task to embark upon, but Andre In this book, the author takes up a firm position Mazabraud has certainly succeeded. about the difference between osteoid osteoma and oste- It is the outcome of a very long experience, provided oblastoma, about "tumoral associations" and about the initially by his hospital training, then by his collabora- so-called malignant forms of disorders described as tion with Rutishauser at the Institut de Pathologie at benign. His personal stamp is evident throughout the Geneva and with Dahlin at the Mayo Clinic. The bonds various chapters. he forged then have never been loosened. Certainly, treatment in the area is rapidly changing Subsequently, his duties as head of the department and advancing, but this book does not risk obsoles- of pathology at the Institut Curie directed him finally cence since treatment is not its focus. The extent and towards tumour pathology. At the Institute, he was not nature of the author's experience explain the essentially satisfied with routine examinations but very soon linked anatomo-pathological orientation taken by this semi- up with the research team and worked especially on nal book. It also provides valuable clinical information Ewing's sarcoma and the problems of ultrastructure, and a good radiological study.

Twenty years ago when Children's Cancer Association of Japan was born, the diagnosis of childhood leukemia amounted to a death sentence. Only 20% or so of children with leukemia survived more than 5 years. Since then, enormous improvements have been achieved regarding our understanding on the etiology, diagnosis, and the treatment of childhood leukemia. Now, 70% of children with leukemia survive and enter adult life. Even though the improved survival rate of children with leukemia represents a medical success story, we now face new problems. The first problem is the fact that we still lose 20-30% of patients with childhood leukemia. To address this problem, we need to understand the etiology, epidemiology, and biology of leukemia; to identify the patients at greater risk; and to develop adequate treatments. The second problem is the treatment itself. Even though efficacious, the modem treatment for leukemia is a grueling experience for children and their families. We should develop a total care system for families and children based on a deep understanding of their needs. The third problem is the aftereffects of the treatment and of cured leukemia. Extensive radiation and chemotherapy have an entirely different spectrum of long-term effects on children than on adults. These treatments in the early stage of life, when the mind and body are developing, create many physical and psychological problems. These are the present problems of childhood leukemia.

The International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) was estab lished to stimulate and support scientific research and edu cational programs in nutrition, toxicology, and food safe ty; and to encourage cooperation in these programs among scientists from universities, industry, and government in order to facilitate the resolution of health and safety issues. The officers and trustees of ILSI believe that questions re garding health and safety are best resolved when govern ment and industry rely on scientific investigations, analy ses, and reviews by independent experts. This process is furthered by the examination and discussion of issues on an international basis. ILSI is pleased to sponsor this set of monographs on the pathology of laboratory animals. This project collectively brings together the most comprehensive information on non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions that occur in com monly used laboratory animals. The international compo sition of the authors, editors, and editorial board who have contributed to these monographs strengthens our expecta tions that understanding and cooperation will be strength ened worldwide through this series."

Prior to the virtual atomic explosion of medical knowledge, at a time when communica tion was very much slower, a medical book, to be authoritative and believable, had to be written by a very knowledgable, and, per force, usually quite senior person. The choice of texts was limited and tended to be dominated by a few "classic" (a phrase not quite synonymous with dogma). Following the information explosion, the scenario is quite different. Not only is there a geometric progression in the quantity and speed of devel opment of new medical knowledge, but also this development is occurring at very dif ferent rates in different countries. This is particularly true in medical imaging. The result is that it is now virtually impossible to produce a "single author" book that can cover the field or even a subdivi sion of it. This absolute requirement for multiple authors has in turn created the need for a new type of editor/author who must be multinational in approach, have a uniquely informed appreciation of what is going on in medical imaging research throughout the entire world and possess the depth of personal knowledge and experience to judge cor rectly what work is the most rigorous and likely to have the greatest impact."

(North American) Blastomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungus Blastomyces dermati- tidis, first described by Gilchrist andStokes in 1896. The perfect stage was grown by Mc- Donough and Lewis in 1967 and is known as Ajellomyces dermatitidis. In the body and on appropriate media at 37 C, the organism presents itself as a round, thick-walled budding yeast cell, characteristically with a broad porus between mother and daughter cells. The yeast cell is multinucleated. For many years, North America was assumed to be the only place where blastomycosis was found, but recent demonstration of indigenous African cases changed this impression (Emmons et al., 1964). Within the United States, more cases are seen in Kentucky, Ohio, the Carolinas, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Tennessee, Arkansas, and the Virginias than in the remainder of the country (Chick, 1971). In Mexico, occasionally, and in the provinces of Canada adjacent to the endemic areas of the United States, endemic blasto- mycosis has been recognized. Soil has been long suspected as the habitat for the fungus, but recovery from soil has seldom been successful (Denton and Di Salvo, 1964). The primary infection is, as a rule, pulmonary with frequent secondary foci in skin, bone, male genital system, and, eventually, spares no organ in widely disseminated cases. The rare cases of primary cutaneous blastomycosis are consequences of accidental percutaneous laboratory infection. These can be clinically easily differentiated from the average case of secondary hematogenous spread to the skin (Landay and Schwarz, 1971).

This volume provides a history of Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a basic understanding of the physiology of the eosinophil, and a current understanding of the pathophysiology and genetics of EoE. The emphasis is on clinical applications including presenting symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for patients with EoE. Written by both pediatric and adult experts in the fields of gastroenterology, allergy and pathology, this volume includes the most up to date information. Providing practical information useful in the treatment of patients, this book will be of great value to gastroenterologists, allergists, pathologists, medical residents, fellows, internists, and general practitioners who treat patients with eosinophilic esophagitis.

Traditions are dangerous; doubly so in science. Traditions are unchanging; science is about change. This was the 4th International Colloquium on Carbohydrate Metabolism in Pregnancy and the Newborn to be held in Aberdeen, and by now the form is set. How much its content has changed is a matter of nice judgement and not under the control of the organizers. It is not within their power to bring news of revolution, if there has been no revolution. Certainly many of the speakers had kent faces from previous Aberdeen meetings, but so they would be at any meeting on diabetes anywhere in the world. The written proceedings of scientific conferences have purposes other than to record changes: sometimes they need to state a consensus. The 3rd Colloquium came to an agreement about the importance of prepregnancy recognition and control of abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism. The 4th set out to examine what results it had achieved. Much of this book is taken up with follow-up studies of the applications of similar regimes in different parts of the world. Since the first Aberdeen meeting in 1973, progress in the manage ment of diabetic pregnancy has been slow and steady, but the change in the city and the society where the meetings took place has been fast.

Increasingly, pathologists are being confronted with the effects of a number of complex devices on the body. Cardiac pace-makers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, ventricular support systems for the heart are well established, and vascular and other protheses are being used in increasing numbers. New joint systems, contraceptive devices used as drug delivery systems, and the use of new cement materials all provide challenges in terms of their pathology. The articles in this text collectively form a body of information on these devices not available elsewhere and with an up-to-date bibliography.

Pathology of Multiple Pregnancy collates case material from over 500 autopsies (including embryos) and 1200 placentas from twins, triplets, and higher multiples with selected literature on human multiple reproduction. It emphasizes important new concepts of pathophysiology and interpretation of less than ideal outcomes of multiple conception based on over 30 years experience in the field. Aspects of perinatal pathology unique to twins and higher multiples are emphasized, with practical suggestions for the service pathologist, including items of potential medico-legal significance. Controversial topics, such as the value of studies of concordance for diseases or malformations, and the significance of inter-twin anastomoses, are addressed and suggestions made for further investigation. A close working relationship between pathologists and clinical colleagues is encouraged by discussion of clinico-pathological correlations. And, the most recent discussions on mechanisms of twinning and genetic versus environmental influences on the development of twins are presented.

The Leitmotiv of the Second Convention of the Academia Eurasiana Neurochirurgica was "Cerebrum convalescit" - literally "the brain recovers." The focus of the meeting was on plasticity of the central nervous system, one of the most decisive factors in recovery and readaption after cerebral lesions. Distinguished experts from the fields of neurosurgery, neurology, neurophysiology, anatomy, pathology, oncology, and pharmacology discussed the following topics: - Molecular and cellular basis of plasticity - Regeneration and growth in the CNS - Self-organization of neuronal network - Brain oedema - a reparatory process? - Growth factors and carcinogenesis

This Atlas of Oral PathologV is intended primarily as a ances where appropriate and reproduce relevant radio graphs. Every pathologist who deals with bone specimens bench companion for the general diagnostic pathologist. especially the trainee. It has not been designed to cover will know the value of radiographs, and some indeed are the subject fully and in detail, nor does it enter into the reluctantto make a diagnosis in their absence. In addition, radiographs may give a good idea of the extent aFld other more theoretical aspects. Since the book is essentially an atlas the text has been features of a lesion that may be represented in the first kept to a minimum, but in it we have tried to adopt'a instance only by a small biopsy specimen. practical approach, with special regard to differential diag While many of the illustrations have been made from nosis. We have made some remarks about the clinical sections freshly cut and stained for the purpose, others features of the various conditions dealt with, since this have been prepared from stained sections already in our may help the pathologist to appreciate what is in the refer files and since, in addition, the material comes principally ring clinician's mind in an area with which the pathologist from two departments, as well as from outside sources, may not be particularly familiar."

Methods in Bone Biology is unique in being devoted to describing the methodology used by bone researchers. This book describes in detail the techniques of cell and organ culture used in the study of bone and bone cell function and the techniques used to monitor the skeleton and skeletal remodelling both in clinical and experimental settings.

Endoscopic neurosurgical interventions gain in importance. This book gives adetailed description of the recent indi- cations of endoscopic procedures inmodern neurosurgery. They include endoscopic stereotaxy, endoscopic evacuations of intracerebral hematomas, cysts and abscesses as well as endoscopic interventions on brain tumors. An extended over- view about the usable endoscopes and the operative equipment is pointed out

Reevaluation of tumor classification, differential diagnosis and differential therapy based on modern knowledge. Revision of all chapters to incorporate new facts based on recent discoveries.

Twenty-five years have passed since J. MILLER'S basic work on the central role of the thymus for the generation of immunological reactivi ty. During this time, the abundance of fascinating literature on the immunological and functional aspects of this organ has been in contrast to the paucity of reports on its role in pathology. The causal or formal pathogenesis even of many of the well-documented pathological fea tures is so far unexplained or at least uncertain. In spite of some concep tual progress related to the work of CASTLEMAN, LEVINE, and ROSAI, we regrettably have to say that in pathology the thymus remains almost as inconspicuous as 25 years ago. Only the new techniques developed in recent years have made it possible to look as closely into the complicated structural organization of the thymus as it appears to be necessary to observe and document abnormalities. Major steps have been taken with the advent of mono clonal antibody immune histochemistry and with detailed ultrastructur al studies in embryology. At this point, pathologists and researchers with a special interest in the thymus were asked to give overviews of their respective fields of interest in light of recent findings in immunology and basic insights into the structural-functional interrelationship of the human thymus. The results of this initiative have been brought together in this volume.

The purpose of this work is to review the current knowledge of laryngeal pathology in the light of my experience at the Institute of Laryngology and Otology, London. The role of histopathological investigations in the care of patients with diseases of the larynx is given special consideration. Radiologi cal study of the larynx has become more refined in recent years with the introduction of computerised tomography. Microlaryngoscopy with biopsy of the interior of the larynx is now a frequent procedure in the diagnosis of laryngeal disease. In the effort to interpret the findings resulting from these methods, the need for a monograph outlining the pathological basis of laryngeal disorders has arisen. To the best of my knowledge, such a work, devoted to the pathology of the larynx only, has never been written; a modern study in this field is certainly not available. I have aimed the text towards the practising pathologist in order to give it the broadest scope. It was necessary, therefore, to include an account of the basic anatomy of the larynx. For this purpose (and in subsequent descriptions throughout the book) I have not used the formal anatomical terminology for the two folds on either side of the ventricle of the larynx. There is some variation in the use of these terms, and they are not yet completely in general use."

This book represents the fourth ina series of international conferences related to Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PO) diseases. The first one took place in EHat, Israel in 1985; the second in Kyoto, Japan, in 1989; and the third in Chicago, IL, USA in 1993. This book incorporates the proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Pro gress in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases, held in EHat, Israel, on May 18-23, 1997. This Conference was the 41st in the series of annual OHOLO Conferences sponsored by the Israel Institute for Biological Research (IIBR). It was also conducted under the aus pices of the Alzheimer's Association Ronald and Nancy Reagan Research Institute, USA. The Conference was attended by 550 participants from 28 countries, representing a broad spectrum of research interests; and included a well-balanced representation from aca demia, clinical institutions and pharmaceutical industry. The four-and-one-half day meeting served as an excellent medium for surveying the current preclinical and clinical develop ments in AD, PO, and other related disorders. The scientific program was divided into 24 oral sessions and daily poster sessions. The conference culminated in a round table discus sion. There were 122 talks and 161 posters. This book incorporates a combination of both.

One out of every two men over eigthy suffers from carcinoma of the prostate.It is discovered incidentally in many patients with an alleged benign prostatic hyperplasia. In treating patients, the authors make clear that primary radical prostatectomy is preferred over transurethral resection due to the lower complication rate.

Almost all known tumors and tumor-like conditions of the fe- male lower genital tract are classified in this complete mo- nograph on the subject. Clinical features, treatment and prognosis ar included, making this book a practical refe- rence for the busy clinician.