Volume 5 of Contemporary Nephrology summarizes major advances in 15 different areas of nephrology. As in previous volumes the different chapters constitute up- of the discipline contributed by individuals dates in both basic and clinical aspects with in-depth expertise in their respective areas. We are grateful to the authors for their outstanding contributions to this fifth volume. Drs. Reuss and Cotton review in Chapter 1 new advances in our understanding of water transport in epithelial tissues responsive to antidiuretic hormone. In Chap- ters 2 and 3 Dr. Knox and Dr. Schoolwerth and their associates summarize respec- tively new information in the areas of renal hemodynamics and electrolyte excre- tion, and renal metabolism. Chapter 4, written by Drs. Laski and Kurtzman, updates recent developments in the regulation of acid-base balance in health and disease. Chapter 5, contributed by Drs. Sutton and Cameron, provides the reader with a detailed account of progress in the area of mineral metabolism. In Chapter 6, Dr. Campese examines the contribution of sodium, calcium, and neurogenic factors in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.
The immunological aspects of renal disease are clearly discussed by Dr. Couser in Chapter 7. New developments in this field are emphasized and should provide the reader with a clear understanding of the direction in which this field is moving. Drs. Humes and Messana (Chapter 8) discuss selected areas in which new developments have occurred in our understand- ing of acute renal failure and toxic nephropathy.