It can be summarized that both NOTES TIF procedures are, after the initial learning curve, safe and effective methods for treatment of GERD, allowing substantial shortening of hospital stay. The effect of both procedures was sustained over 12 months. Longer follow-up is necessary to verify efficacy for more years.

ABSTRACT:This study was concerned with the development of induced septic shock in a laboratory rat using a series of measurements including body temperature, heart and respiratory rates, haematocrit value, red and white blood cell counts, differential leukocyte count, haemoglobin value, glycaemia, analysis of arterial blood gases, and serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) during the first five hours. A total of 12 specific pathogen free (SPF) laboratory rats were used for the study. Septic shock was induced under general anaesthesia by introducing live E. coli (O18) into the jugular vein in the dose of 1 × 10 9 per 100 g of body weight (group SESH). Clinical measurements and blood collection from a. carotis were performed just prior to, and then 1.5 and 5 h after the administration of E. coli. The control group (C) contained 9 SPF laboratory rats which received physiological saline only, at the same volume into the jugular vein, and blood collection followed according to the same scheme as above described for group SESH. The results of the experiment showed that changes in clinical, haematological and biochemical parameters could be detected as early as 1.5 hours after induction. These changes correspond with the activation of an inflammatory reaction and the development of metabolic acidosis. They are accompanied by a considerable rise in IL-6 already 1.5 h after the application of live E. coli and after 5 h the levels exceeded 2 000 pg/ml in all experimental animals. Our results clearly document the importance of IL-6 for the early detection of developing septic shock and of some less specific but routinely determined parameters such as white blood cell count and base excess.

Background: Trauma is the leading cause of death in humans from 5 to 45 years and one of the major causes of death and disability in all age groups. Medical care for trauma victims is burdensome and expensive. Aim of this study was to examine differences in trauma care and their effects on outcome in hospitals in England and South Moravia, Czech Republic. Patients and Methods: The data base of the Trauma Audit & Research Network was used to provide anonymous data of the process of trauma care in England and South Moravia. Admissions were analyzed over a 3-year period 1993-1995. In the study were included 1,853 patients directly admitted to Brno Traumatologic Hospital and 10,827 patients directly admitted to 15 hospitals in England. Patient characteristics were broadly similar (age 6-98, median 42 years, in Brno vs. 0-103, median 44 years, in England), and injury severity comparable in the two groups (Injury Severity Score [ISS] 1-75, median 9, in both Brno and England). Results: There were no differences in time to admission -in both groups was 62% of patients admitted to hospital within 60 min after injury. More senior doctors initially examined the patients in South Moravia than in England (92% vs. 32%). Transfer to the operating theater was more rapid in South Moravia (77% vs. 43% in < 2 h). The standardized W statistic (a measure of survival variation from the expected mean, per 100 patients) was +2.60 (95% confidence intervals [CI] +1.40 to +3.80) for the South Moravian patients and -0.61 (CI -1.04 to -0.18) for the English patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that the organization of medical care in the Brno Traumatologic Hospital in South Moravia is more effective in preventing death after trauma than that provided by a representative sample of 15 English hospitals.