[Computer-assisted documentation in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: experiences with routine use at 3 clinics]. / Computerunterstützte Dokumentation bei der oberen gastrointestinalen Endoskopie: Erfahrungen bei der Routineanwendung in drei Kliniken.

The introduction of powerful and inexpensive personal computers (PC) enabled us to develop a documentation system for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The system was programmed using the database management system dBASE III. It works on-line, and no computer knowledge or additional staff is needed to run the system. It is now routinely used in the endoscopic units of three different hospitals. Features of performance are a menu-driven data input, automatic report generation and record retrieval, listing according to different criteria as well as other dBASE III facilities. This paper deals with the quality, time effort and user acceptance of the PC-aided system in clinical routine. The analysis showed a good data quality with respect to completeness and adequate use of terminology. Reliability and validity of the documentation were satisfactory considering the methodological problems encountered at their determination. The system was generally judged useful, but time effort was increased compared to conventional documentation.

Effect of caerulein on total and ionized calcium secretion in the duodenal juice of man.

Previous studies have demonstrated an increase of total calcium secretion in the duodenal juice of healthy subjects after cholecystokinin (CCK) administration superimposed on a continuous secretion infusion. In order to get more detailed information on the physiology of calcium secretion and its dependance on hormonal stimulation, ionized and total calcium were determined in the duodenal juice of 9 volunteers under constant stimulation with secretin and graded caerulein doses; bound calcium was calculated as the difference of total and ionized calcium. The results of total calcium were in good agreement with previously published data. We found that total calcium secretion is mainly determined by bound calcium and bound calcium is mainly secreted together with bile products. Since ionized calcium concentration was independent of caerulein administration it is suggested that its concentration in gallbladder bile must be in good accordance with that of hepatic bile and pancreatic juice together.

Agiolax bolus in the esophagus. Report of two cases.

Two cases of intermittent obstruction of the esophagus by the laxative Agiolax, proven by endoscopy and barium swallow, are described. The patients took an overdose of one and two tablespoons of Agiolax, respectively; they had no disorders of the esophagus. Symptoms of obstruction subsided spontaneously after 24 and 36 hours respectively.

[Effect of halofenate on triglyceride and uric acid levels, coagulation and platelet behaviour in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type IV and hyperuricemia (author's transl)]. / Wirkung von Halofenat auf Triglycerid- und Harnsäurespiegel sowie auf Gerinnungs- und Thrombozytenverhalten bei Patienten mit Hyperlipoproteinämie Typ IV und Hyperurikämie.

From experimental work, an influence of a drug with hypolipidemic and hypouricemic acition on blood coagulability and platelet function may be expected. Consequently, if these effects were demonstrable in man the drug could be assumed to reduce the tendency to develop thrombosis and atherosclerosis in patients with hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia. In the study reported, the effect of 2-acetamidoethyl-(p-chlorophenyl)-(m-trifluoro-methylphenoxy)-acetate (halofenate) was investigated in 14 patients suffering from hyperlipoproteinemia type IV and hyperuricemia. Platelet aggregation and adhesiveness, plasma levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, and clotting factors were regularly examined during a three-month double blind trial. While uric acid and triglyceride levels decreased, no influence of the drug treatment could be observed on platelet function and blood coagulability by the laboratory methods used.

The influences of propranolol on serum gastrin concentration and hydrochloric acid secretion in response to hypoglycemia in normal subjects.

In ten normal subjects the effect of propranolol on serum gastrin concentration and HC1 secretion during insulin hypoglycemia (0.2 U/kg) was studied. Under the influence of propranolol (50 mug/kg intravenously in 3 min) the gastrin response to insulin was abolished. The insulin-induced HC1 secretion was reduced by propranolol from 38 to 18 mEq/2h (p less than 0.01). These results are compatible with the hypothesis of beta-adrenergic stimulation on serum gastrin concentration and HC1 secretion during insulin hypoglycemia.