We are pleased to present to our readers the Proceedings of the Second International Symposium "Proteases: Potential Role in Health and Disease" which was held in Rothenburg ob der Tauber (FRG) during May 17-20, 1987. The topics discussed included those dealing with the physiology and pathophysiology of proteases and their inhibitors, the inter- actions of proteases and hormones, the kallikrein-kinin, com- plement and coagulation system, the function of proteases in arthritis, malignoma, pancreatitis, intestinal tract, lung and kidney disease as well as in hypercatabolic states (acute renal failure, multiple trauma and septicemia). Furthermore some reports dealed with the role of proteases during extracorporeal circulation. The papers presented answered many questions, but raised many more concerning the significance of proteases and their in- hibitors in clinical medicine. It was unfortunately impossible in this volume, to include the extended, lively and stimulating discussions which were enjoyed by the participiants during the conference. The meeting has provided a unique framework for close inter- action between scientists from various disciplines, including molecular biology, biochemistry, physiology, surgery, anaesthe- siology, endocrinology, hematology, pneumatology and nephrology.

This book with its most comprehensive and illuminating chapters covers all the relevant areas of hemodialysis practice including access for hemodialysis, hemodialysis modeling and membranes, timing of hemodialysis, infections in hemodialysis, the application of hemodialysis in extra-renal disease, the various formats of hemodialysis from nocturnal through SLED to apheresis and the wearable artificial kidney, convective hemodialysis methodologies, and various clinical aspects of hemodialysis including protein-calorie-malnutrition, inflammation, haemoglobin stability and sleep disorders in ESRD patients and so on. Furthermore, the inclusion of such new topics as the syndrome of rapid-onset end stage renal disease (SORO-ESRD), and the place of reduced HBV testing among ESRD patients in regions with less de novo HBV incidence to cut down on costs of delivery of hemodialysis care without loss of quality of care, are new paradigms that would play stronger roles in hemodialysis care, well into the 21st century.