1. Non-Ulcer Dyspepsia.- 2. Cellular Mechanisms: The Potential Role of Polyamines in Intestinal Adaptation.- 3. From Both Sides Now: The Modulation of Enterocyte Function by Contraluminal and Luminal Factors.- 4. Intestinal Microcirculation: Implications for the Pathogenesis of Gastrointestinal Disease.- 5. Radiation Effects on Normal Intestinal Tissue.- 6. Newly Recognized Bacteria Associated with Gastrointestinal Illness in Humans: Vero Cytotoxin-Producing Escherichia Coli.- 7. Food-Associated Toxicants.- 8. Central Organization of Gastrointestinal Vagal Reflexes.- 9. New Insights into the Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome.- 10. Management of the Irritable Bowel.- 11. Cholesterol Gallstones: Recent Advances with Particular Reference to Diet and the Relevance of Changing the Bile Acids of Animal Models.- 12. Diagnosis of Chronic Pancreatic Disease.- 13. Copper Metabolism and Wilson's Disease: An "Ion" Recent Advances.- 14. New Therapeutic Strategies for Chronic Hepatitis..- 15. Therapies for PBC.- 16. Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Complications of Cystic Fibrosis.- 17. Sex Hormones and the Liver.

Presenting patient- and problem-oriented review articles, this series is designed to keep the internist, general surgeon, and specialist in gastroenterology and hepatology abreast of the latest advances in the field.

A fine team of state-of-the-art researcher/clinicians who know their fields, have contributed to the advancement of knowledge, and are in a position to judge what is truly important have here pooled their thoughts in a series of chapters on the cutting edges of gastroenterology. Four attributes render this volume superior to other update-oriented publications. The first striking feature, which is immediately evident upon scanning the table of contents, is the imaginative choice of subjects, ranging from trav eler's diarrhea and sexually transmitted GI infections through TPN and interventional endoscopy to geriatrics and iatrogenic disease. A second outstanding feature of this volume is its success in balanc ing basic pathophysiology with practical considerations of clinical man agement. This is achieved in the discussions of such diverse topics as acid-peptic diseases, infectious and other diarrheal syndromes, and hep atitis immunization. Throughout the book we are led smoothly from basic science principles to specific recommendations for diagnosis and therapy. This practical emphasis appears repeatedly and sometimes pro duces a delightful surprise, such as a chapter on radiology that is not tech nology-based but instead problem-oriented."

This book provides clinically relevant questions of the process of taking a history and performing a physical examination, with sections on useful background, and where available, evidence-based performance characteristics of the rendering of our clinical skills.