W. Gerok – författare

The advent of molecular biology and recombinant DNA technology has changed contemporary medicine profoundly. 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 expresses this epochal progress in hepatology. A series of acute or chronic diseases of the liver has been chosen whose modern clinical management 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 of the inherent limitations and emerging questions which modern molecular biology has brought to clinical medicine.

Since the last International Bile Acid Meeting in San Diego in 1994, new advances have been made in the understanding of bile acid metabolism and transport. The cytotoxic as well as the therapeutic effects of specific bile acids have been further explored and the beneficial effects of ursodeoxycholic acid in various chronic cholestatic conditions have been substantiated. Much basic and clinical research has been conducted to unravel the underlying mechanisms of action. This volume, the proceedings of Falk Symposium No. 93 (XIV International Bile Acid Meeting), held in Freiburg-im-Breisgau, Germany, October 22-24, 1996, is dedicated to both basic and clinical aspects of bile acid research related to the role of bile acids in hepatobiliary diseases.

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 - eg kidneys, GI tract, skeleton, endocrine, haematopoietic and nervous systems - has increased considerably. Thus many extrahepatic manifestations of liver disease can now be better understood and are more accessible to diagnosis and therapy. The IX International Congress on Liver Diseases brought together experts from around the world to give information on developments in this field which are important both for research and clinical work. These proceedings should therefore be of interest to all researchers and clinicians dealing with effects of liver diseases on the entire organism.

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, such as 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.

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.