This symposium on cerebral and coronary vascular disorders and infarcts is probably the first attempt to hold a joint discussion in this field. Despite many difficulties we feel that it has been successful and we hope that it will stimulate further interest and investigations. To hold such a meeting with scientists from far away was possible only with the assistance of Bundesminister fUr Jugend, Familie und Gesundheit, Minister fUr Hissenschaft und Forschung des Lan des Nordrhein-Westfalen, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Wissenschaften e.V., Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, to whom we are very grateful. Moreover the pharmaceutical industry gave assistance in the organization and the transcript of the pro ceedings. Dr. G TZE of Springer-Verlag, was, as we will explain later, the original promotor of the idea for such a meeting. We should like to thank Springer-verlag for the excellent layout and quality of this book. Koln, Spring 1977 K.J. ZULCH, W. KAUFMANN K.-A. HOSSMANN, V. HOSSMANN Contents Welcome K.J. ZULCH xv Introduction W. KAUFMANN ............................................... XIX Coronary Circulation with Special Remarks on the Extra vascular Component of Resistance and on Collateral Flow W. LOCHNER, H. P. DIEMER, and J. WICHMANN. With 5 Figures .."

Dr. Kaufmann and I wish to welcome you here in Schloss Auel to this second symposium on brain and heart infarct. We have chosen this lovely castle because I am always dissatisfied with meetings in great hotels in cities, where we rush to and from the meeting rooms. I had such an experience overseas just 3 weeks ago from 8 o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock at night. We want you to feel some of the wonderful atmosphere of the Bergisches La d. Moreover, we wanted like you to enjoy a bit of the spirit of the Rhein valley and the 2000-year-old city of Cologne, even at the expense of losing a few hours of discus sion; though this may be a quantitative loss, we feel sure that the environment of this city will stimulate our discussions. Two years ago we gathered here in Schloss Auel for the first time, attempting to conduct a discussion between neurologists and cardiologists on the similarities and dissimilarities of circulatory disorders of the brain and heart. We are happy to continue this discussi?n in the days to come."

Starting with the morphology of the myoendocrine cell and the biochemistry and physiology of cardiac hor mones, the book describes pathophysiological findings and discuss their clinical relevance in congestive heart failure, arterial hypertension, renal insufficiency, and cirrhosis of the liver. Furthermore, evidence is presented for the role of the heart as a target organ for various endocrine factors such as thyroid hormones, catecholamines, renin-angiotensin, growth hormones and endogenous opioids.

On behalf of the organizing committee of this symposium, I would like to wel come you to Cologne and thank you very much for coming. We appreciate that some of the leading scientists in the field of hypertension have accepted our invi tation to participate actively at this conference. Our first symposium on renin-angiotensin, aldosterone, and hypertension took place at Titisee in the Black Forest in 1967. The second one, on the renin-angio tensin-aldosterone system under the influence of therapeutic procedures, was held at the same place in 1970. Five years later in 1975 at a third symposium in Cologne, we discussed the problems of central nervous control of sodium balance in relation to the renin-angiotensin system. The symposium about to begin is devoted to the significance of mineralocorti coids in developing and sustaining arterial hypertension. 1) In order to provide a physiologic background for the understanding of the mechanisms involved in this complicated process, new concepts on the regulation of mineralocorticoid secretion must be discussed in detail. As the most important mineralocorticoid, aldosterone is regulated by changes in sodium and potassium homeostasis and is also influenced by adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)."

Among the vast body of literature that has grown around Rett syndrome, this volume is the first to be aimed at both clinicians and researchers. It presents a comprehensive overview of the disorder and examines the areas where gaps in knowledge are most significant. Rett Syndrome is intended to be a guide for both initial examination and in-depth study of the disorder. It is a practical text for the physician approaching the disorder for the first time and a valuable reference resource for the specialist or researcher.

In the nearly two decades since the Nixon administration decided to withdraw U.S. armed forces from Vietnam and to end their dependence on conscription, America's military institution has undergone substantial changes. One of the most pronounced has been the increased reliance on Army reserve components, which today shoulder unprecedented responsibilities for protecting the nations security. Of special importance have been the growing expectations about the capabilities and readiness of the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve. Reserve components would now be among the first to be used in a range of possible conflicts--from limited contingencies involving rapid deployment forces to a major confrontation in Central Europe between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. This shift has been instituted with little public fanfare or debate yet the consequences could be dramatic and far-reaching. It raises the central question Binkin and Kaufmann address: How has greater reliance on Army reserves affected the nation's ability to protect its security?