One of the prerequisites for survival is the ability of cells to maintain their volume. Thus, during the course of evolution cells have "learned" a variety of strategies to achieve volume homeostasis. This volume regulatory machinery involves regulation of both, cellular metabolism and cellular transport and is exploited by hormones and transmitters to regulate cellularfunction. This book to illustrates the complex interplay of cell volume regulatory mechanisms and cellular function in a variety of tissues. However, our knowledge is still far from being conclusive, and the present collection of reviews is thought to foster further experimental efforts to unravel the role of cell volume in the integrated function of cells.

This volume comprises a series of original articles, updates and reviews on relevant topics in hepatology which were presented at a meeting in Freiburg im Breisgau to honour the 60th anniversary of Dr. Herbert Falk. Since 1967, Dr. Falk and the Falk Foundation have generously sponsored more than 40 congresses and symposia on liver diseases, held mostly in Freiburg, The Black Forest or in Basel, which have become milestones in the ex change of scientific information in hepatology (see 'To Herbert Falk on his Sixtieth Birthday' in this volume). Many of these congresses and symposia have been published in the 'Falk Symposia' series by MTP Press. We asked hepatologists who took part in former Falk liver meetings to contribute to a one day symposium to celebrate Dr. Falk's anniversary. We were greatly gladdened by the spontaneous and unrestrained acceptance that we received from all sides. We wish to express our deep appreciation to all the speakers and moderators who travelled, at their own expense, from all parts of the world to Freiburg and who with their presentations, made the meeting a stimulating and refreshing event. The editors' thanks are also addressed to Mr. D. G. T. Bloomer and Mr. P. M. Lister from MTP Press for their valuable cooperation in preparing this volume for publication. This book testifies to the worldwide appreciation and gratitude held for Dr. Falk by the community of hepatologists. The Editors ix List of Contributors P. BACK K. F. A."

The advent of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology has profoundly changed contemporary medicine. These new scientific tools have made it possible to identify and understand pathological mechanisms at cellular, subcellular and molecular levels which has added previously unimaginable novel dimensions to the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of a rapidly increasing number of diseases of the liver and biliary system. The title of this book - Acute and Chronic Liver Diseases: Molecular Biology and Clinics - expresses this epochal progress in hepatology. A series of acute or chronic diseases of the liver has been chosen whose modern clinical management most eloquently reflects the impact of the new scientific insight gained from molecular biology. The book, the proceedings of the 87th Falk Symposium (X International Congress of Liver Diseases: Part II of the Basel Liver Week 1995) held in Basel, Switzerland, October 19-21, 1995, first presents an overview of the molecular pathology of the chosen disease, followed by discussions of the clinical inference which this new scientific information entails for diagnosis, management and therapy. This approach is expected to ease the readers' endeavour to connect basic to clinical science and to facilitate appreciation of the enormous progress but also the inherent limitations and arising questions which modern molecular biology has brought to clinical medicine.

Cytokines are synthesized and secreted in the liver by Kupffer cells, and are important for inflammation processes, the non-specific immune response, and probably the destruction and removal of tumour cells. The production of signal substances such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin 1 and 6, and interferon alpha/beta is regulated by a complex set of pathways, which can also be modified by cellular mediators, e.g. prostaglandins, growth factors and cortico-steroids. Signal exchange between different cell types in the liver is important for the synthesis of acute phase proteins, liver fibrosis, permeability and liver regeneration. This has clinical implications for hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver transplantation. This book contains the proceedings of the 78th Falk Symposium (Part II of the Gastroenterology Week, Freiburg, 1994) held on 15--16 June and brings together clinicians and researchers worldwide to discuss the role of cytokines in hepatology.

The liver is of central importance to the entire organism due to its diverse functions in metabolism, its ability to detoxify and excrete, the hepatic formation and inactivation of mediators, and its involvement in non-specific defence mechanisms. Thus, extrahepatic manifestations of liver disease are often decisive for the disease course. In the last few years, knowledge about interaction between the liver and other organs or systems - e.g. kidneys, GI tract, skeleton, endocrine, haematopoietic and nervous sytems - has increased considerably. Thus many extrahepatic manifestations of liver disease can now be better understood and are more accessible to diagnosis and therapy. The IXth International Congress on Liver Diseases brought together experts from around the world to give information on new developments in this field which are important both for research and clinical work. These proceedings will therefore be required reading for all researchers and clinicians dealing with effectsof liver diseases on the entire organism.

Am 20. September 1986 fand in Miinchen anHiBlich des 65. Geburtstages von Herm Professor Dr. med. Eberhard Buchbom, Direktor der Medi- zinischen Klinik Innenstadt der Ludwig-Maximilians-UniversiHit, ein akademisches Symposium statt. Freunde und Fakultatskollegen spra- chen dabei iiber Probleme, die der Gesamtthematik "Innere Medizin- Entwicklung, Anspruch, Grenzen" aus der Sicht des jeweiligen Faches oder Aufgabenbereichs zugeordnet waren. Fiir die inhaltliche und organisatorische Gestaltung waren verantwort- lich: Renate Pickardt, Jochen Eigler, Eckhard Held, Klaus Hom, Hans Jahrmarker, Riidiger Landgraf, Klaus Loeschke, Otto-Albrecht Miiller, Klaus Jiirgen Pfeifer, Dieter-Erich Pongratz, Burkhard Scherer, Wolf- gang Schramm, Karl Theisen, Eckhard Thiel, Gunther H. Thoenes, Klaus von Werder (alle Medizinische Klinik Innenstadt der Universitat). Die Beitrage werden hiermit einer breiteren Offentlichkeit zuganglich gemacht; dennoch schien es uns richtig, auch im gedruckten Text das "Personliche" zu belassen - den Teilnehmem als Erinnerung, anderen Lesem vielleicht als Weg zu nachtraglicher Teilnahme. Miinchen, im November 1986 1m Namen des Vorbereitungskreises: J. Eigler Inhaltsverz eichnis BegriiBung und Einfiihrung J. EIGLER . . . - . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . . Von der Einheit ZUI Spezialisierung H. GOERKE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . . . Stellenwert der Physiologie heute K. THURAU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 14 . . . . Morphologie und klinische Diagnostik M. EDER . . . . . - . . . . - . . . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . .. . . 25 . . . . . Innere Medizin und Psychiatrie H. HIPPIUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 35 . . . . . Beziehungen zwischen Dermatologie und innerer Medizin O. BRAUN-FALCO. . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 47 . . . Die Versorgung des chronisch Kranken in unserer Gesellschaft E. RENNER . . . . . . - . . . . . . - . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 58 . . . . . "Gesichertes" Wissen - Probleme der Vermittlung H. GOTZE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 68 . . . . .

Since the last International Bile Acid Meeting in Freiburg in 1996, considerable progress has been made in several areas of bile acid research. The different pathways of bile acid synthesis and their regulation have been further characterized. The molecular mechanisms for biliary secretion of bile acids have been elucidated and genetic defects of bile acid transport have been defined. Injurious as well as protective effects of different bile acids on the liver have been further studied. Finally, the beneficial effects of ursodeoxycholic acid in cholestatic liver diseases have been substantiated and the potential mechanisms of action have been explored. This book, the proceedings of the Falk Symposium No. 108 (XV International Bile Acid Meeting), held in Titisee, Germany, October 12-13, 1998, is dedicated to both basic and clinical aspects of bile acid research with a focus on bile acids and cholestasis.