This book is the proceedings of the Falk Symposium No. 135 held in Prague, Czech Republic, on September 12-13, 2003, and is dedicated to the important issue of immunological aspects of diseases of the liver and gut. Without any doubt, immunological pathways are among the most important and universal factors in the pathogenesis of all diseases. Their importance is also constantly increasing, because these principles have been adopted in clinical practice for both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Chapters by prominent experts will stimulate new ideas and set the scene for productive discussion on this topic.

In recent years, knowledge about the cell biology of the cholangiocytes and the function of the bile ducts has increased considerably. Their role in liver diseases is increasingly recognized. As a consequence, important progress has been made not only in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology but also in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary liver diseases. This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium 107 on Diseases of the Liver and the Bile Ducts - New Aspects and Clinical Implications', held in Prague, Czech Republic, on April 30-May 2, 1998, brings together scientists and clinicians to highlight the most recent advances in molecular biology, physiology, diagnosis and therapy of diseases of the biliary system. World experts cover a broad spectrum of topics from genetic tests to endoscopy and from medical treatment to liver transplantation.

This book, the proceedings of Falk Symposium 152 a oeEndoscopy 2006 a" Update and Live Demonstrationa, held in Berlin, Germany, 4--5 May 2006 as part of the Intestinal Disease Meeting, provides an update on the entire spectrum of gastrointestinal endoscopy and its interface with gastroenterology as well as other disciplines. Endoscopy plays a pivotal role in gastroenterology and, vice versa, is crucially dependent on new developments and inventions in gastroenterology and basic sciences as well as technical progress.

The first section deals with the most relevant new technologies including conventional and novel endoscopic imaging as well as new developments in therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopy, pancreatobiliary endoscopy and ultrasound. The second part highlights the role of endoscopy in special areas, e.g. inflammatory bowel syndrome or pediatrics. Therapeutic endoscopy of biliary and pancreatic diseases is often difficult and involves risks. The third section contains papers on hilar tumors and chronic pancreatitis.

Prevention and adequate management of complications is the topic of the final section. It is important to maintain high standards in interventional endoscopy. Complications can arise when patients are sedated, which is mostly the routine in daily endoscopic practice; during dilatation of gastrointestinal strictures perforations can occur or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may result in post-interventional pancreatitis.