[Endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract].

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) has replaced X-ray diagnosis as the standard method for assessment of the upper gastrointestinal tract. It also offers an array of minimally invasive treatment options. This contribution presents the requisite medical, technical, and human resources needed for EGD.

[Pyogenic liver abscess in chronic alcoholic pancreatitis].

History And Admission Findings: A 44-year-old patient was transferred for further treatment of pyogenic liver abscess and a severe attack of a chronic pancreatitis for strong upper right quadrant abdominal pain and recurring fever.

Investigations: Laboratory results revealed a significant inflammatory constellation. Abdominal ultrasound was performed which showed a big pyogenic abscess in the right lobe of the liver.

[Changes in incidence and prevalence of acute and chronic pancreatitis in Germany].

It is difficult to provide valid data with regard to changes in incidence and prevalence of acute pancreatitis in Germany. The lack of information is due to strict legal regulations to protect personal data, a certain lack of interest in epidemiological research and the lack of exact statistics of diseases treated in hospitals. The incidence of acute pancreatitis in other industrialized Western countries is about 10 new cases per year and 100,000 inhabitants.

Apolipoprotein A-I in bile inhibits cholesterol crystallization and modifies transcellular lipid transfer through cultured human gall-bladder epithelial cells.

Background: Apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), conventionally purified by several steps including organic solvent-delipidation from plasma, inhibits cholesterol crystallization in bile. To observe a significant effect in vitro, however, supraphysiological concentrations above 100 microg/mL are required. For this reason, this protein has not been considered to play a physiological role in vivo.