Neuroendocrine Perspectives, Volume 7, is part of an international book series designed to keep clinicians and researchers appraised of important trends and new data in basic and clinical neuroendocrinology. It focuses on four very rapidly evolving major topics: - the role of dopaminergic regulation of the intermediate pituitary lobe in elucidating intracellular signal transaction pathways and other regulatory mechanisms involved in transsynaptic regulation of peptide biosynthesis, post-translational processing, and hormone secretion; - the physiological and clinical implications of corticotropin releasing factor for such areas as diagnosing Cushing's syndrome, defining the hypothalamic and pituitary origins of secondary adrenal insufficiency, and distinguishing Cushing's syndrome from psychiatric states associated with hypercortisolism; - the large number of neurotrophic factors that affect CNS neurons and of neurite promoting factors that modulate neuronal performance, with emphasis on their mechanisms of action and their possible therapeutic applications to peripheral neuropathies and central diseases; - and the many factors that regulate changes in female reproductive cycles during middle age, with careful distinction between neuroendocrine and ovarian components and special attention to the possible cause-and-effect relationship within the cascade of events resulting in acyclicity and infertility.

Physical illness cannot be effectively treated other than in the context of the psychological factors with which it is associated. The body may have the disease, but it is the patient who is ill. Research psychologists from a number of different backgrounds have, in the past few decades, turned increasingly to the study of physical illness, and there is now an extensive literature on preventive behaviors, the role of stress in the etiology of illness, the patient's reactions to illness and its treatment, and the physician-patient relationship. At the same time practicing clinical psychologists have extended their concern beyond the treatment of speci fically psychiatric disorders, to include also the psychological care of people experiencing distress through illness or injury. Traditionally, these patients have tended to fall through the net, unless their distress is so great that it assumes the proportion of a psychiatric disorder that can then be treated in its own right. Because the physical disorder is the primary one, its existence has detracted from the salience of the very real emotional disturbance to which it can give rise. Moreover, emotional reactions in this setting, being the norm, seems to have been regarded as not meriting special attention and care. This situation is chang ing, and it is not just psychologists or psychiatrists who are responsible for the shift in attitudes. Within general medicine itself, there is now a renewed empha sis on the care of the whole patient and not just the disease."

Infectious diseases remain a major problem for physicians and other health professionals dealing with problems of the reproductive system. Accordingly, this two-volume comprehensive presentation of infectious diseases involving the male and female reproductive systems promises to be a major contribution in this field and to fill a much-needed vacuum. During the past three decades, the introduction of antimicrobial therapy has dramatically altered both the clinical presentation and the therapeutic approaches employed in dealing with the traditional infections of the repro ductive system. In addition, the changing demographics of infectious problems in the industrial countries and the developing world have been a source of concern. A good deal of important information on this topic is included in this series. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the role of Myco plasma and Chlamydia in both male and female infertility and the problems related to genital herpes and human papilloma virus infections. Current clinical information is included on these infections as well as on newer aspects of diagnosis, such as the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Also addressed is new information regarding the role of actinomycosis in pelvic infections; current problems such as toxic shock syndrome and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed as well. New concepts are included in these vohimes to complement the clinical information. The attachment of microbial organisms to sperm may help to explain access of these and other organisms to the upper female genital tract."

The course of history is never one of smooth progression. Periods of relative quietness are interrupted by periods of wars and revolution. This pattern resembles that of a river which, before flowing into the delta, has to pass countless rapids. The same holds for the development of the science of medicine. In obstetrics some of these 'revolutions' or 'rapids' consist of the introduction of conservative obstetrical treatment by Lucas Johann Boer at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the discovery of the cause of puerperal sepsis by Oliver Wendell Holmes and Semmelweiss between 1843 and 1847, the introduction of the principle of asepsis by Pasteur in 1874, the introduction of prenatal care at the end of the nine teenth and the beginning of the twentieth century (Mijnlieff, Treub, De Snoo), the improvement of surgical techniques, the possibility to treat shock by bloodtransfusion, and, finally, the acquisition of new means for the effective therapy of infection. All these developments have led to a sharp reduction of maternal and perinatal mortality. In this connection it must be pointed out that such a reduction could never have been accomplished without the favourable social changes as a result of which medical and prenatal care could be made universally available. In recent years there has been another revolutionary develop ment in obstetrics. Two factors have been responsible for this: the ap plication of basic sciences in obstetrics, and the dissolution of the isolation with respect to other clinical disciplines."

Contraception is the most comprehensive exploration of the newest technologies in the area of contraception. Edited by renowned authorities Dr. Donna Shoupe and Dr. Florence Haseltine, with chapters written by leaders in the field, this book comprises the most up-to-date, practical and clinical information available and presents a thorough examination of clinical efficacy, side effects, mechanisms of action, and benefits of all types of contraception, including: - chapters on the IUD, the new subdermal implant Norplant, injectables, the diaphragm, condoms, sponge, female sterilization, vasectomy, and more - discussions of cutting edge contraceptive technologies, including the new progestin oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive vaginal rings, and RU 486, - an important chapter on AIDS and contraception. This book will serve as an invaluable reference providing useful, instructive background information and pertinent clinical applications for the physician, resident, and researcher. At such an exciting time for contraceptive technology, no one in the field can afford to be without this text.

As I read this unique volume on diabetes and pregnancy edited by Lois Jovanovic, I was struck by two themes that run throughout these collected chapters. First, this volume provides an excellent assessment of past problems, present management, and future challenges presented by dia betes in pregnancy. Orury's unique, longitudinal experience with diabetes iIi pregnancy provides the reader with an important overview, as does Coetzee's discussion of gestational diabetes. Current problems-deter mining the etiology and prevention of congenital malformations in infants of diabetic mothers (10M), assessment of antepartum fetal condition, management of pregnant patients with diabetic retinopathy, recognition of thyroid dysfunction in the pregnant diabetic woman, and understanding the multitude of metabolic sequelae observed in the 10M-are thoroughly reviewed. Finally, important considerations for future treatment and ther apy such as the adaptation of the fetal pancreas to the disordered intra uterine environment often seen in maternal diabetes, the use of fetal pan creatic tissue for transplantation, the application of exercise in the management of the pregnant woman with diabetes, and the long-term con sequences for the 10M provide an exciting glimpse into the future. The second important theme that emerges is the critical role the problem of diabetes in pregnancy has played in our understanding of maternal and fetal physiology. Clinical observations supported by basic research have emphasized the role of fetal fuels in teratogenesis.

Ovulation Induction gives an integrated view of basic ovarian physiology, pathophysiology, and the clinical management of ovulatory disorders. It provides core information upon which specialists can base clinical decisions. The most important feature is the inclusion of newer agents now available for ovulation induction. Newer clinical applications for older medications as well as various treatment combinations (including GnRH analogs) are thoroughly discussed. There is a frank discussion of risks, side effects, and the expense related to ovulation inducing agents. Many of the results in this book have never before been published in book form. Topics examined include the neuroendocrine regulation of the menstrual cycle, ovarian physiology and in vitro fertilization, the diagnosis of ovulation and the role of ultrasound in monitoring the follicular response, the use of clomiphene citrate for ovulation induction, and the role of bromocriptine and related compounds for ovulation induction in hyperprolactinemia.

Infectious diseases remain a major problem for physicians and other health professionals dealing with problems of the reproductive system. Accordingly, this two-volume comprehensive presentation of infectious diseases involving the male and female reproductive systems promises to be a major contribution in this field and to fill a much-needed vacuum. During the past three decades, the introduction of antimicrobial therapy has dramatically altered both the clinical presentation and the therapeutic approaches employed in dealing with the traditional infections of the repro ductive system. In addition, the changing demographics of infectious problems in the industrial countries and the developing world have been a source of concern. A good deal of important information on this topic is included in this series. In recent years, considerable attention has been given to the role of Myco plasma and Chlamydia in both male and female infertility and the problems related to genital herpes and human papilloma virus infections. Current clinical information is included on these infections as well as on newer aspects of diagnosis, such as the use of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Also addressed is new information regarding the role of actinomycosis in pelvic infections; current problems such as toxic shock syndrome and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reviewed as well. New concepts are included in these volumes to complement the clinical information. The attachment of microbial organisms to sperm may help to explain access of these and other organisms to the upper female genital tract."

In the middle of the 17th century, the great French philosopher Rene Descartes wrote (L'Homme, J. Le Gras, Paris, 1669) that a suitable stimulation of the brain results in two types of "movements": exterior movements, designed to seek desirable ends and to avoid undesirable or harmful ones and interior movements or "passions" which through the release of "animal spirits" regulate the heart, the liver, and other organs. When it appears appropriate to meet a threat with force, the passion of rage causes the release of strong spirits, whereas when avoidance appears to be the better choice, the passion of fear causes the brain to release weak spirits. We do not know what influence, if any, Descartes had on the thinking of Walter B. Cannon (Bodily Changes in Pain, Hunger, Fear and Rage, Appleton and Co. , New York, 1920), of Hans Selye (The Story of the Adaptation Syndrome, Acta, Inc. , Montreal, 1952), ofG. W. Harris or of R. Guillemin (Hypothalamic-Hypophysial Interrelationships. A Sym posium. c. c. Thomas, Springfield, 1956), but it is interesting to reflect upon the durable value of great ideas which constantly resurface even if modified by other ideas and by new techniques, as if propelled by a preordained intellectual imperative.

One of the first applications of lasers was for surgery on the retina of the eye. That, and the evident analogy to the old dreams of powerful heat rays, led many to predict that lasers would quickly be used for all kinds of cutting and welding, including surgical applications. It was soon apparent that laser sur gery could be performed in ways that caused little bleeding. Nevertheless, other surgical applications have been slower to arrive. One difficulty has been the enormous range of possibilities provided by the many different kinds of lasers. Infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light beams each interact very differently with human tissues. Light pulses of enor mously great peak powers became available from lasers, but their effects dif fered in surprising ways from those obtained with continuous beams. That provided both opportunities (i.e., treating or removing a very thin surface layer without affecting the underlying tissue) and problems with undesired side effects. Moreover, techniques were needed to deliver a precisely con trolled amount of energy just where it was desired. Lasers also had to be engineered and manufactured with the desired power levels and a high reliability."

This book was written to provide a clear and systematic sum mary of the principles of gynaecology in synoptic form. It is part of a three volume series, the first two volumes covering topics in undergraduate obstetricE and neonatal medicine respectively. Where appropriate, fundamentals of related anatomy and physiology are also covered. It is primarily directed at under graduate medical students and midwives, but material useful as reference to doctors revising for further qualifications has been included. Although much of the content is organized in the form of lists, this book differs from the usual 'list' book in that cover age is full and systematic. Thus the text has been organized into the following subheadings, where appropriate: Definitions, Aetiology, Pathophysiology, Clinical features, Differential Diag nosis, Investigations, Treatment, and Prognosis. To avoid rep etition, certain clinical areas including ectopic pregnancy and abortion which have been covered in the earlier volumes are not included. Certain useful diagnostic lists are also provided, and, in pre paring the book, previous examination papers of the Univer sities of Oxford, Cambridge and London, as well as of the Central Midwives Board, were consulted. Illustrations have been specially prepared in the form of explanatory line drawings that are simple, and easy to memorize and reproduce. Although drug dosages were checked with care before going to press, changes in medical practice make it advisable to verify regimes and doses with the latest prescribing information and the pharmacopoeia, before use."

The most complete presentation of basic and advanced laparoscopic techniques available, due to its integration of procedures from general surgery and other subspecialities. Enhanced by over 750 illustrations (113 of them in full colour) and written by no less than 132 international, interdisciplinary experts, this definitive reference covers all aspects of this still new and expanding technique. Four main sections deal with: basic laparoscopy; laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in general surgery; laparoscopy in surgical subspecialities (gynaecology, urology, angioscopy); plus the technological aspects of laparoscopy. Throughout this authoritative volume, the surgeon will find in-depth reviews of the literature and extensive clinical and scientific data on the rationale for using laparoscopic procedures.
Certain to become a standard in the field.

Interest in mechanisms of embryo implantation is increasing, particularly with the realization that failure of implantation after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer places significant limits on the success of treatment. In addition, there is a need to provide hypotheses, and ultimately mechanisms, for the high rates of embryonic loss in women in the population at large. Traditionally, implantation research has concentrated on genetics and endocrinology without providing many therapeutic benefits. A new era is now beginning with the application of modem cellular and molecular approaches to the investigation of the relationship between trophoblast and endometrium. At the same time, older data can be reevaluated in the light of current research into cell cell and cell-matrix interactions. The feeling that new avenues of research are open was apparent when an international group of scientists came together at a workshop on "The Cell Biology of Trophoblast Invasion In Vivo and In Vitro" held during the XXIV Annual Meeting of the Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture Study Group (C.T.O.C.) at Heidelberg in 1986. What was unusual about this Conference was the interdisciplinary dialogue between implantation researchers and tumor biologists, highlighting aspects common to invasion of trophoblast and tumor cells."

This book is a compilation of edited papers which were presented at the XIth World Congress of Fertility and Sterility held in June 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. Although it has long been known that male factors are responsible in at least 30% of infertile couples only recently have concerted efforts been made on the part of urologists, gynaecologists and basic scientists to identify these factors more precisely. The nature of spermatogenesis is complex but application of various scientific methods have at last opened up new and promising approaches to our understanding of this subject. Clinical results however have been depressing; the majority of treatments lack realistic evaluation and are initiated in hope rather than with a sound scientific basis. We anticipate that this volume will in some small way correct these deficiencies. The papers have been grouped into related topics. The first section deals with the evaluation of the spermatozoa and includes a critical assessment of the recently introduced zona-free hamster egg test of sperm function. Further sections include the biochemistry of gonadal function and the immunology of male reproduction; most papers are concerned with studies in the human. The clinical sections cover medical and surgical approaches to treatment and the final section deals with various aspects of AID practice.

ThisbookcomprisesthescientificproceedingsoftheInternationalWorkshop onDigitalMammography(IWDM),heldinBremen,Germany,fromJune22 toJune25,2002. Sinceitsinceptionin1992,IWDMhasgrownintotheIn- ternationalForumonDigitalMammography. TheuniquenessofIWDMisits attractivenesstoresearchers,medicalpractitioners,andindustrialdevelopers. F6rmerworkshopswereheldinSanJose,USA(1992),York,UK(1994), Chicago,USA(1996),Nijmegen,NL(1998),andToronto,Canada(2000). Each ofthesescientificeventshasbeencombinedwithverysuccessfulandfocused industrialandresearchexhibits,whichdemonstratedthemilestonesofdigital mammographyhard-andsoftware. Now,thatdigitalmammographyisenteringroutineclinicaluse,wewitness itsstrongimpactonscreeninganddiagnosticmammography,computeraided detection,minimallyinvasiveprocedures,andthedevelopmentofsystemicand integrateddisease-orientedbreastcare. Inviewofthis,the2002workshoppro- videdawindowtogiveusaglanceatthefuture,andtheworkwhichwas presentedintalks,postersandexhibitshasdemonstratedthatIWDM2002will takeaspecialplaceintheverysuccessfulsequenceofIWDMevents. Finally,asconferencechair,Iwouldliketothankallwhohavehelpedtopre- pareandrunIWDM2002:theScientificAdvisoryBoardforitsexcellentworkin guaranteeingscientificsignificance,theOrganizationalBoardforitshardworkto accomplishanappropriateframeworkfortheevent,andtheindustrialexhibitors andsponsorsfortheirgeneroussupport. Bremen,January2003 Heinz-Otto Peitgen ConferenceChair ProfessorofMathematicsand BiomedicalSciences VI Scientific Committee SusanAstley UniversityofManchester,UK UlrichBick CharitBerlin,Germany/UniversityofChicago,USA MichaelBrady OxfordUniversity,UK HiroshiFujita GifuUniversity,Japan MaryellenGiger UniversityofChicago,USA NicoKarssemeijer UniversityHospitalNijmegen,TheNetherlands Heinz-OttoPeitgenUniversityofBremen,Germany EttaD. Pisano UniversityofNorthCarolina,USA MartinYaffe UniversityofToronto,Canada IWDM 2002 was supported by (MeViS SIEMENS BreastCare medical I' General Electric ARC-0 Fllmle. . Perfection for DI I JMammography Table of Contents Imaging Systems and Detectors...1 DigitalMammographicApplicationofaSinglePhotonCountingPixel Detector...3 Amendolia SR, Bisogni MG, Delogu P, Fantacci ME, Novelli M, Quattrocchi M, Rosso V, Stefanini A, Zucca S BreastCancerScreeningUsingaDedicatedBreastCTScanner:A FeasibilityStudy...6 Boone JM, Lindfors KK, Seibert JA, Nelson TR PhysicalEvaluationofaPrototypefortheSectraMicrodose MammographySystem...12 Lundqvist M, Bergstrom D, Cederstrom B, Chmill V, Chuntonov A, Danielsson M, Aslund M DoseMeasurementsonaScanningMulti-slitDigitalMammography System...17 Hansson B, Cederstrom B, Danielsson M, Aslund M DigitalMammographyvs. toScreen-FilmMammography:aPhantom Study...20 Heid P, PagliuchiC, Seradour B, Motte N, Langlois L, Kurkdjian S, Piana L MammographyTaxonomyforImprovementofLesionDetectionRates...27 Howard D, Roberts SC, Tabar L AHighResolution(25 p. m)HybridSelenium/CCDSlotScanDetector forDigitalMammography...33 Hunter DM, De CrescenzoG, Mainprize JG, Mawdsley GE, SmithC, Kasap SO, Rowlands JAR, Tumer T, Yin S, Yaffe MJ Co-registeredBreastImagingwith3DX-Raysand3DUltrasound...38 Kapur A, Eberhard JW, Abdalmajeid AM, Thomenius K ImagingCharacteristicsofaDirectConversionFull-FieldDigital MammographyDetectorusingSelenium...4 3 Lee DL, Yorker lG, ling Z, leromin LS SimultaneousAcquisitionofDiffraction,ScatteringandPhase-Contrast ImagesbyMeansofaMulti-LayerEdge-OnMicrostripDetector 48 Olivo A, Arfelli P, Bergamaschi A, Dreossi D, Longo R, Menk RH, Montanari F, Pani S, Poropat P, Rigon L, Vallazza E, Castelli E VIII FullFieldDigitalMammographywithaCCDBasedSlot-Scanned Detector. PhysicalCharacteristicsMeasurements...

SIDNEY CALLAHAN AND DANIEL CALLAHAN This book, like many other things to do with abortion, is a product of long controversy. Though carried out with cooperation, it was conceived in conflict. The conflict between the coeditors has per sisted for years-in fact, for at least half of their thirty-year marriage. One, Sidney, is prolife; the other, Daniel, is prochoice. Ever since the topic of abortion became of professional interest to us, in the 1960s, we have disagreed. At one time, while Daniel was writing a book on the subject, Abortion: Law, Choice and Morality (1970), we talked about the subject every day for the four years of the book's gestation. On many occasions during the 1970s, prolife articles writ ten by Sidney were passed out at Daniel's lectures in order to refute his pro choice views. Over the years, every argument, every statistic, every historical example cited in the literature has been discussed by the two of us. As Eliza Doolittle says about "words" in My Fair Lady, "There's nota one I haven't heard. " And yet we still disagree. How can it be, we ask ourselves, that intelligent people of goodwill who know all the same facts and all the same arguments still come down on different sides of the con troversy? As we well know, it is possible to agree about many things and have great love and respect for an opponent, and still differ."

This volume contains the proceedings of the Symposium on Molecular and Cellular Aspects of Periimplantation Processes, held July 15 - 18, 1994, in Boston, Massachusetts. Despite considerable research, the molecular and cellular bases of embryo-uterine interactions are still poorly understood. The papers included in this volume address recent advances in several areas in the field of implantation, including uterine receptivity, hormonal regulation, cell-cell interaction, growth factors/cytokines, immunobiology, and trophoblast invasion.

A little over 12 years ago I wrote a small volume entitled Infertility. It seemed to me at that time that significant advances in the field called for the publication of such a volume. The following is from the preface to that volume: During the past 15 years considerable progress has been made in the field of infertility diagnosis and management. It is perhaps a paradox that much of this increased knowledge has come about because of Western medicine's preoccupation with the search for a means to control reproduction. As a result, we have achieved new insights into the physiologic mechanisms involved in reproduction, and we have found better methods for measuring physiologic changes in reproductive health and disease. To these advances can be added improvements in the utilization of endoscopic and surgical techniques, in the diagnosis and treatment of infections and endometriosis, and in the treatment of hormonal disorders. During this period, too, through workshops and conferences and in journals and texts, these latest advances have been made available to physi cians, an outstanding example being the two volumes of Progress in Infer tility, edited by Drs. Jan Behrman and Robert Kistner. As necessary as these publications are, they do not offer an overall view of infertility diag nosis and management."

For many years now, our understanding of the somatotrophic and reproduc tive axes has evolved essentially independently, both fields of study reaching a highly advanced, although far from complete, level of under standing. Along the way, however, it became apparent that in some circumstances the reproductive and somatotrophic axes may be inter dependent. Inklings to this effect were at times feeble and at other times more convincing. Among those inklings are the clinical recognition by pediatric endocrinologists of the apparent association between isolated GH deficiency and delayed puberty, as well as of the apparent permissive, pUberty-promoting property of GH. Equally important is a body of experi mental studies establishing the ovary of multiple species as a site of GH reception and action. Arguing against an essential role for GH in the reproductive process is the observation that individuals who have GH resistance of the Laron variety are fertile arid that isolated GH deficiency does not constitute an absolute barrier to the attainment of sexual maturation and fertility. The intraovarian insulin-like growth factor (IGF) hypothesis proposes that IGFs may serve as amplifiers of gonadotropin action. Although the dependence of intraovarian IGFs on systemic GH action has never been unequivocally demonstrated, that leap of faith has often been made. The intraovarian IGF hypothesis serves as the rationale for the adjunctive use of GH in the induction of ovulation."

The incidence of endometrial cancer rose sharply in the United States in the early 1970s, paralleling changes in the use of postmenopausal estrogens by American women. A sizeable body of evidence supports the role of both excessive endogenous estrogen and exogenous estrogen in the etiology of endometrial cancer. There is growing evidence that inadequate progesterone has the opposite effect, in that progesterone supplementation of postmeno pausal estrogen therapy reduces the incidence of endometrial cancer. Despite this new awareness of the hormonal role that is played in carcino ma of the endometrium, the disease still plagues the oncologist. The general approach to carcinoma of the endometrium in the United States is that of primary surgical staging. This provides the maximum amount of information to best plan postoperative radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy for these patients. In general, patients who are considered candidates for surgical staging are those with advanced disease or high-risk stage I endometrial carcinoma. High-risk endometrial carcinoma is defined as those patients with moderately differentiated lesions with deep myometrial invasion, poor ly differentiated carcinoma of the endometrium, and the high-risk histolo gies such as papillary carcinoma and clear-cell carcinomas. The surgical staging has extended in most institutions to patients with occult stage II carcinoma of the endometrium, i. e."

Cancer and Pregnancy covers the clinical challenges to diagnosing and treating malignancies in the pregnant patient; however, the book also shows how an understanding of the common features of both processes (rapid cell proliferation) may lead to novel anti-cancer treatment options. The book should be read by obstetricians and gynaecologists, clinical oncologists, reproduction specialists, and those involved in investigation of development, biology, toxicology, immunology, as well as cancer research.

Having received the invitation from Springer-Verlag to produce a volume on drug-induced birth defects for the Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, we asked ourselves what new approach could we offer that would capture the state of the science and bring a new synthesis of the information on this topic to the world's literature. We chose a three-pronged approach, centered around those particular drugs for which we have a relatively well established basis for understanding how they exert their unwanted effects on the human embryo. We then supplemented this information with a series of reviews of critical biological processes involved in the established normal developmental patterns, with emphasis on what happens to the embryo when the processes are perturbed by experimental means. Knowing that the search for mechanisms in teratology has often been inhibited by the lack of understanding of how normal development proceeds, we also included chapters describing the amazing new discoveries related to the molecular control of normal morphogenesis for several organ systems in the hope that experimental toxicologists and molecular biologists will begin to better appreciate each others questions and progress. Several times during the last two years of developing outlines, issuing invitations, reviewing chapters, and cajoling belated contributors, we have wondered whether we made the correct decision to undertake this effort.

During recent decades, it has been firmly documented that chlamydiae are com mon and important pathogens in humans and animals. In humans, chlamydiae are known to cause trachoma (which is still one of the major blinding diseases in the world) and are also one of the most common etiological agents of sexually transmitted diseases and the sequelae thereof, such as infertility. In the last few years, it has also become evident that chlamydiae, i.e., the so-called TWAR agents, are common respiratory tract pathogens. Chlamydiae are also important pathogens in birds and lower mammals, in whom they cause a variety of infectious conditions, a spectrum which has in creased every year. Some of these infections occur as zoonoses, e.g., psit tacosis/ornithosis and, as recently discovered, abortion. Know ledge of the molecular biology and immunobiology of chlamydiae has expanded rapidly during recent years. Insight into the pathophysiology of chla mydial infections has also increased, and new methods for the diagnosis of chlamydial infections have been introduced. The importance of establishing control and preventive programs for chla mydial infections has become obvious in order to combat the present chlamydial epidemic. We hope that this book can usefully serve those who want to increase their general knowledge of Chlamydia and that it can act as a handbook and reference source for those involved in chlamydial research as well as for those working with chlamydial infections in medical and veterinary clinical disciplines, includ ing clinical laboratories."

The VIIIth Annual International Spring Symposium on Health Sciences held at the George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C., attracted over three hun dred fifty scientists from twenty-five countries. The leading scientific experts in the field reported on recent biomedical advances in aging. They provided an up-to-date account of the molecular, genetic, nutritional, and immunological mechanisms associated with the aging process and approaches to intervention and treatment of the major disorders associated with the aging process, including Alzheimer's disease. A unique aspect of this meeting was a concurrent one-day hearing of the U.S. Senate Sub-Committee on Aging, organized by the Alliance for Aging Research. The theme for the hearing was "Advances in Aging Research." Seven scientists attending our aging sym posium were asked to testify. They were Drs. Carl Cotman (University of California-Irvine), Trudy Bush (Johns Hopkins University), Takashi Makinodan (University of California-Los Angeles), William Ershler (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Gino Doria (ENEA, Rome), Mr. Dan Perry (Director of the Alliance for Aging Research), and myself."