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The results reported in this paper clearly indicate the release of osteal antigens of articular connective tissue in response to inflammatory alterations and injuries to the region immediately adjacent to an articulation. Further studies will have to be performed in an effort to find out whether these antigens are of pathological importance and if there is a relationship between the liberation of antigens and the intensity of inflammatory alterations or if the different and often difficult-to-interpret results of the determination of antibodies in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be more easily explained by a simultaneous antigen analysis of the corresponding sera.

The results reported in this paper clearly indicate the release of osteal antigens of articular connective tissue in response to inflammatory alterations and injuries to the region immediately adjacent to an articulation. Further studies will have to be performed in an effort to find out whether these antigens are of pathological importance and if there is a relationship between the liberation of antigens and the intensity of inflammatory alterations or if the different and often difficult-to-interpret results of the determination of antibodies in the sera of patients with rheumatoid arthritis can be more easily explained by a simultaneous antigen analysis of the corresponding sera.

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents one of the most important tumor entities worldwide. The great majority of these cases in Germany can be attributed to chronic liver disease (alcohol, viral hepatitis among others), which lead to development of liver cirrhosis and ultimately to hepatocellular carcinoma. While our understanding of the pathophysiological principles underlying the origin of hepatocellular carcinoma has increased considerably in recent years, the prognosis of the majority of these patients remains poor. However, a combined interdisciplinary approach involving internists, surgeons, and radiologists can often achieve effective palliative treatment of the disease. This has recently been reinforced by applying systemic therapies which specifically influence the important biological processes of hepatocellular carcinoma. It can be assumed that by adhering to well-defined treatment algorithms and using improved drug therapy the prognosis of patients with this form of cancer will improve in the future.

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents one of the most important tumor entities worldwide. The great majority of these cases in Germany can be attributed to chronic liver disease (alcohol, viral hepatitis among others), which lead to development of liver cirrhosis and ultimately to hepatocellular carcinoma. While our understanding of the pathophysiological principles underlying the origin of hepatocellular carcinoma has increased considerably in recent years, the prognosis of the majority of these patients remains poor. However, a combined interdisciplinary approach involving internists, surgeons, and radiologists can often achieve effective palliative treatment of the disease. This has recently been reinforced by applying systemic therapies which specifically influence the important biological processes of hepatocellular carcinoma. It can be assumed that by adhering to well-defined treatment algorithms and using improved drug therapy the prognosis of patients with this form of cancer will improve in the future.

To study the effect of small amounts of ethanol 1 ml whisky (43 vol. %) per kg body weight was given to normal subjects (n = 11) and patients with coronary heart disease (n = 11) and the systolic time intervals (STI) PEP (preejection period), LVET (left ventricular ejection time), QS2 (total electromechanical systole) and PEP/LVET were measured. A control group consisted of five patients with coronary heart disease. The following results were obtained: Already at rest PEP/LVET was significantly higher in patients with coronary heart disease. After the ingestion of alcohol, significant changes of the STI were observed; mainly an increase of PEP and PEP-LVET was found. In patients with coronary heart disease the effect began earlier, was significantly higher and lasted significantly longer than in normal subjects. According to invasive correlation-studies of different authors, these results indicate an impairment of left ventricular function, especially of ejection fraction and contractility. These alterations seem to be more pronounced in patients with coronary heart disease. The results of this study should be considered in advising patients with coronary heart disease.

To study the effect of small amounts of ethanol 1 ml whisky (43 vol. %) per kg body weight was given to normal subjects (n = 11) and patients with coronary heart disease (n = 11) and the systolic time intervals (STI) PEP (preejection period), LVET (left ventricular ejection time), QS2 (total electromechanical systole) and PEP/LVET were measured. A control group consisted of five patients with coronary heart disease. The following results were obtained: Already at rest PEP/LVET was significantly higher in patients with coronary heart disease. After the ingestion of alcohol, significant changes of the STI were observed; mainly an increase of PEP and PEP-LVET was found. In patients with coronary heart disease the effect began earlier, was significantly higher and lasted significantly longer than in normal subjects. According to invasive correlation-studies of different authors, these results indicate an impairment of left ventricular function, especially of ejection fraction and contractility. These alterations seem to be more pronounced in patients with coronary heart disease. The results of this study should be considered in advising patients with coronary heart disease.

The influence of 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl 2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (oxazepam, Adumbran) (30 mg) on the effects produced by alcohol (0.75 g/kg) and vice versa was studied in 14 male test subjects using the following scheme: (A) alcohol; (B) placebo; (C) oxazepam; (D) oxazepam and alcohol combined; (E) alcohol given 30 min prior to oxazepam. Blood and serum levels were determined and excretion in the urine was tested during the 7-h duration of the experiment. The blood alcohol curves show a similar course, leading to the conclusion that oxazepam has no influence on the elimination of alcohol. Alcohol retrads the intestinal absorption of oxazepam but, on the other hand, does not show an effect on the specific metabolism of oxazepam.

The influence of 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-phenyl 2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one (oxazepam, Adumbran) (30 mg) on the effects produced by alcohol (0.75 g/kg) and vice versa was studied in 14 male test subjects using the following scheme: (A) alcohol; (B) placebo; (C) oxazepam; (D) oxazepam and alcohol combined; (E) alcohol given 30 min prior to oxazepam. Blood and serum levels were determined and excretion in the urine was tested during the 7-h duration of the experiment. The blood alcohol curves show a similar course, leading to the conclusion that oxazepam has no influence on the elimination of alcohol. Alcohol retrads the intestinal absorption of oxazepam but, on the other hand, does not show an effect on the specific metabolism of oxazepam.

50 patients, driving motor-cars, having increased blood alcohol levels, were registrated and prosecuted. They voluntary underwent catamnestic researches for early diagnosis of alcohol induced lesions of the pancreas. In relation to the habitual drinking systems the study concluded 28 (56 per cent) healthy persons, 13 (26 per cent) alcohol endangered cases, 9 (18 per cent) alcoholics. Various biochemical parameters were changed, liver histomorphology resulted in about 50 per cent of cases a fatty degeneration of the liver and hepatitis. Special diagnostic methods (CCK-test, ERCP, ultrasound echography, computer-tomography) submitted in 24 per cent of cases suspect of alcohol induced pancreatitis. Results, which promote alcoholic pancreatic damage, are being discussed.

50 patients, driving motor-cars, having increased blood alcohol levels, were registrated and prosecuted. They voluntary underwent catamnestic researches for early diagnosis of alcohol induced lesions of the pancreas. In relation to the habitual drinking systems the study concluded 28 (56 per cent) healthy persons, 13 (26 per cent) alcohol endangered cases, 9 (18 per cent) alcoholics. Various biochemical parameters were changed, liver histomorphology resulted in about 50 per cent of cases a fatty degeneration of the liver and hepatitis. Special diagnostic methods (CCK-test, ERCP, ultrasound echography, computer-tomography) submitted in 24 per cent of cases suspect of alcohol induced pancreatitis. Results, which promote alcoholic pancreatic damage, are being discussed.

Primary liver tumors are one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Surgical resection of the tumors is considered the only potentially curative therapy. It has been estimated that only 20%-30% of patients with HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) are surgical candidates. For this reason a number of alternative therapies have been used for the treatment of HCC. These include transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE), percutaneous alcohol instillation (PAI) and thermal ablative techniques. Thermal ablation for the treatment of HCC include both freezing (cryoablation) and heating (radiofrequency, microwave, laser and high-intensity focussed sonography) techniques. Of these techniques, percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) is increasingly used for the local tumor destruction. The low rate of complications and the technical development increasing the efficacy of PRFA have shown that this is a very promising and safe technique.