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The article "Practical Creativity: Three Techniques for Direct Implementation" by J. Bode emphasizes the importance of practical curiosity, empathy for change, applied creativity, and transformational competence for companies. Creativity is the key to innovation and involves questioning and optimizing existing processes. The author presents three pragmatic creativity techniques suitable for different types of thinking. It is emphasized that companies must invest in creative talents and processes to be successful. The article describes various creative techniques for generating ideas and promoting innovation. The importance of individual creative talents is also emphasized, and their promotion is called for in schools, universities, and companies. [Extracted from the article]

The article describes eight trends in the wellbeing & wellness market for the year 2024. The market continues to grow every year as people seek balance and relaxation. The trends include, among others, increased investment in mental fitness, the use of nature as a place of relaxation, the application of cryotherapy to promote health, the experience of weightlessness during free floating, and the use of sound healing for relaxation. It is discussed whether these trends should be considered as wellness or "wellnepp". The wellness market is growing globally at a double-digit percentage and is becoming increasingly digital. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses various customer motives for the future and emphasizes that external influences change our values and needs. Ten customer motives are presented that companies should incorporate into their solutions in order to meet the needs of customers. The text also deals with trends and topics in the field of health, fitness, and well-being, emphasizing society's need for holistic well-being. It provides impulses for shaping the future, such as simplifying information and humanizing product experiences. The text concludes with a call to look optimistically towards the future and actively shape it. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Hello Future - Hello SOFW: Potential Futures, my hero 'Mr. Spock' & what does that actually have to do with innovation?" deals with the topic of innovation and the importance of trends and external influences for companies. The author refers to the character Commander Spock from the Star Trek series, who is known for his logical and composed approach. He emphasizes the necessity for companies to use trends and wildcards as a source of innovation and to prepare for external influences. The article calls for proactive thinking and action, as well as a healthy culture of innovation, in order to meet the challenges of the future. The author also emphasizes the importance of courage, curiosity, and collaboration in the development of new solutions. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "The Moral Customer - A Paradox?" deals with the phenomenon of paradox in consumer behavior. Examples are given of customers who want to behave morally and sustainably, but still have unresolved problems and therefore choose pragmatic solutions that do not always align with their own moral values. The article emphasizes the importance of creativity and willingness to implement in order to offer sustainable products that are affordable for everyone. It is also pointed out that companies should go beyond "common sense" to combine sustainability with other values such as ethics. The goal is to create a shared, livable world in which every customer, employee, and company can contribute. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "The Poly Crisis - the opportunity for truly meaningful innovations" deals with the current crises in various areas and how companies can respond to them. It emphasizes that companies have the opportunity to use the poly crisis as a chance by acting proactively and developing new solutions for their customers. The poly crisis is described as a historical period in which various crises reinforce each other. It is also pointed out that companies should develop empathy and understand the fears of their customers in order to offer meaningful solutions and products. Authenticity and transparency are mentioned as key factors in building trust. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Due to the lack of symptoms an enterothorax frequently remains undetected in adults. Most symptomatic patients complain about bowel obstruction and a surgical repair of the diaphragmatic defect, particularly with a mesh, is mandatory., Methods: This report presents the case of a 72-year-old female patient with a history of an upside-down stomach presenting with a painless jaundice and signs of liver cirrhosis., Clinical Course: The preoperative work-up revealed an enterothorax with compression of the main bile duct. Explorative laparotomy showed a liver cirrhosis with distinct intrahepatic cholestasis, a hydropic gallbladder and confirmed a right-sided diaphragmatic defect with an enterothorax. After reposition of the intestine, a cholecystectomy, bile duct revision and the closure of the diaphragmatic defect using a mesh were performed., Conclusion: Diaphragmatic defects are the basis for the formation of an enterothorax which may be associated with a complicated clinical course. Therefore, in cases of coincidental diagnosis, even in asymptomatic patients, surgical repair should be performed in order to prevent serious complications as presented in this case., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The intake of larger quantities of alcoholic beverages leads to manifold functional disturbances and organ injury in the upper gastrointestinal tract. These damaging effects of alcohol are frequently the cause of complaints, such as heart burn, symptoms of dyspepsia and diarrhoea. Examples of more pronounced organ injury which can occur even following a single episode of heavy drinking are tears in the mucosa at the junction of the esophagus and the stomach (Mallory-Weiss-lesion) and hemorrhagic erosions in the stomach and/or the duodenum which may lead to massive bleeding. In the small intestine alcohol abuse interferes with the absorption of glucose, amino acids, lipids, water, sodium and vitamins (especially thiamine and folic acid). This inhibition of absorption of nutrients may contribute to nutritional deficiencies frequently observed in alcoholics. Acute alcohol ingestion can also damage the mucosa in the upper region of the small intestine and may lead to the disruption of the tips of the villi. Chronic alcohol abuse increases markedly the prevalence of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine. The findings of human and animal studies suggest that the mucosal injury together with bacterial overgrowth favour the following sequence of events: Alcohol induced mucosal injury in the small intestine increases the permeability of the mucosa to macromolecules, such as endotoxin and/or other bacterial toxins, into the blood or lymph. This results in the release of potentially toxic cytokines and other mediators like Kupfer cells and other phagocytes. These cytokines and other mediators, in turn, exert multiple injurious effects on the microcirculation and membranes. The result is cell damage and even cell death (apoptosis, necrosis) in the liver and other organs. Chronic alcohol abuse is one of the most important risk factors for the development of cancers of the tongue, larynx, pharynx and esophagus. In many countries alcohol abuse is the most important cause for the development of chronic pancreatitis. In the initial phase the disease is frequently characterised by episodes of 'acute' pancreatitis. These episodes develop only on the basis of prolonged alcohol abuse leading to subclinical damage of the gland. The latter is found in about 20-50% of patients with chronic alcohol abuse while the clinically overt pancreatitis is observed in only 1%-3% of alcoholics. Despite numerous studies performed in animal experiments and man the pathogenesis of alcoholic pancreatitis until now has not been clarified.

Until April 1999, interferon alpha was the only licensed medication in Germany for chronic hepatitis C virus infection with proven effectiveness. In two large placebo-controlled studies the combination therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin confirmed a major improvement of the sustained response compared to the treatment with interferon alone. These results led to the approval in Germany of the combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C without prior interferon therapy and for patients who relapse after an initial response to therapy with interferon alone. The expenses for the two drugs of the combination therapy are, however, very high (about 40,000 DM for one year of treatment). Considering the large number of patients with chronic hepatitis C in Germany (about half a million), it is suggested that more detailed recommendations for the indication of the combination therapy should be elaborated by a group of experts. Using data from the published literature it is shown for two subgroups of patients with chronic hepatitis C that a more differentiated indication for the use of the combination therapy is possible and justified and might help to avoid a more dramatic increase of drug expenses without shortcomings for the patients.

Background: Since the beginning of the eighties systematic investigations broadened our knowledge about the clinical picture of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis very much. Important insights into epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis and therapy of this disease, which is a frequent complication in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and ascites, could be gained. Actual research work primarily deals with questions of therapy and prophylaxis., Aim: Aim of this review is a comprehensive presentation of the different aspects of this disease on the basis of the present literature., Conclusions: As on the one side the clinical symptoms may be very little and on the other side the prognosis is very bad, it is extremely important to take this entity into the differential considerations to make an early diagnosis and to start an adequate therapy early.

Following the introduction of sensitive and specific tests for the detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection studies could be performed to determine the risk to acquire a HCV infection in medical professions. The aim of this report is to summarize the knowledge in this field, especially regarding the risk of transmission of HC virus by injuries with infected material, such as needles. The risk to acquire a HCV infection following needlestick injuries was found to be markedly lower than the risk for transmission of hepatitis B virus infection. In 7 studies from different countries this risk has been found to be between zero to a maximum of 10% (average 2%). When the frequency of HCV infection was studied in occupational groups in hospital (nurses, technical assistants, doctors), it did not differ significantly compared to the prevalence in general population. These and other findings concerning the risk of transmission of HCV infections (between spouses, mother/newborns) clearly show that the risk of transmission of HCV infection is markedly lower than that of HBV infection. These facts should be considered in judging of applications for the recognition of HCV infection as occupational disease.

The percentage and spectrum of alcohol-induced diseases were determined in 200 male and female patients. In 28 percent of the men and 8 percent of the women, inpatient treatment had been necessitated in the first instance by alcohol-induced diseases. In both men and women abusing alcohol, the percentage of younger patients was appreciably higher than in patients who did not abuse alcohol. Among male drinkers, the most common pathologies diagnosed were diseases of the liver (78.6%), the upper gastrointestinal tract, the pancreas (51.7%) and the central nervous system (42%), as well as cardiovascular diseases (23.2%). The majority of male patients abusing alcohol had two or more organic diseases (80%). In 35.4%, three or more different diseases were diagnosed. Among female patients abusing alcohol, the pattern of the various diseases was largely identical with that seen among the male patients. The duration of hospitalisation was appreciably longer in male drinkers (mean +/- SD = 14.1 +/- 10.1 days). Among male drinkers 51.8%, and among female drinkers 68.7%, were also heavy smokers. Of the 144 men in whom alcohol abuse was not certain, 30 were heavy smokers and, in the main, were being treated for cardiac and/or bronchopulmonary diseases. It is highly probable that, owing to the nature of the evaluation employed, the percentages of patients abusing alcohol or nicotine were underestimated. The fact that a high 43% of mainly younger male patients presented with diseases that could be traced back mainly or solely to alcohol or tobacco consumption, together with the multimorbidity and chronicity of the diseases of these patients underscores the urgent need to attach more importance to promoting preventive measures.

Location, size and histological appearance of colorectal neoplasms were examined retrospectively. A total of 1,357 polyps (including small ones, diameter below 0.5 cm) were found in 1,022 of 3,057 coloscopies. The coloscopies were indicated by findings on preceding radiological or endoscopic examinations (48%), occult blood in stool (18%), during follow-up after polypectomy (21%), and after colorectal carcinoma (13%). A single polyp was found in 718 cases (70%), two to four in 221 (26%), more than five in 33 (4%), 1,106 polyps (61%) were found on high coloscopy; 380 of these (38%) were located proximal to the left flexure. Among the 1,230 polyps examined histologically 907 (74%) were adenomas (494 tubular [54%], 379 tubulovillous [42%], 34 villous [4%]). 251 (28%) of the adenomatous polyps and 49 (32%) of the 151 carcinomas were located proximal to the left flexure. The incidence of moderately severe to severe dysplasias increased with increasing diameter of the polyps: 55% of those smaller than 0.5 cm were adenomas. 70% of polyps with a diameter over 1.0 cm were tubulovillous or villous adenomas. The findings confirm that there is a high incidence of polyps proximal to the left flexure. A complete coloscopy should therefore be done as a matter of course.

A 45-year-old man had for the past four years complained of postprandial feeling of fullness and of left-thoracic pressure sensation. Endoscopy revealed a spherical subcardial tumour, about 3.5 cm diameter, a yellow raised flat 7 x 4 mm tumour in the oesophagus about 44 cm from the upper teeth, and 29 cm from the upper teeth a 4 mm bulge. Forceps biopsy of the subcardial tumour and fine-needle biopsy of the rather larger oesophageal tumour indicated a granular cell tumour. Because of the risk of malignancy the gastric tumour was resected (local excision and fundal plication). The patient has remained without symptoms for 28 months. Follow-up endoscopies have demonstrated that the oesophageal tumours had not grown any further.

A computerized documentation system for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is described. It is easy and convenient to use. Data are continuously monitored and endoscopy records automatically regenerated. Records of previous examinations are rapidly retrieved and printed. Basic statistics are integrated.

A 67-year old woman had noticed increasing growth of hair on the face and extremities for eight months. The testosterone level was raised at 2.6 micrograms/l and 24-hour urinary cortisol excretion was 160 micrograms. Ultrasound scanning showed a tumour measuring 14 x 10 x 10 cm in the left suprarenal, as well as several irregular space-occupying lesions in the liver, some of which were echo-rich. By computed tomography these structures were hypodense and did not concentrate any contrast medium. A provisional diagnosis of suprarenal carcinoma with hepatic metastases was accordingly made. After surgical removal of the suprarenal carcinoma the hormonal parameters unexpectedly returned to normal. Repetition of the computed tomography failed to elucidate the nature of the liver lesions. However, superselective hepatic angiography revealed the typical picture of haemangiomas of the liver. The existing computed tomograms were therefore reviewed. The diagnostic error was found to be due to incorrect timing of the interval between injection of contrast medium and performance of computed tomography.

In a prospective study 53 patients with alcohol-induced liver disease (fatty liver in 27, cirrhosis in 26) were studied clinically and with non-invasive techniques (electrocardiogram, systolic time intervals, M-mode echocardiography, upright bicycle stress test) to detect a possible cardiac involvement. Mean daily alcohol consumption was comparable in both groups (136 g/day over 16 years vs 124 g/day over 14 years). 15 to 41% of patients (more patients with fatty liver) complaint of angina pectoris and dyspnea at exercise or had palpitations. Echocardiography and systolic time intervals demonstrated in both groups (in patients with cirrhosis despite of a more intensive therapy with digitalis and diuretics) a marked enlargement of left ventricular dimensions with a significant (p less than 0.05) degree of dysfunction (PEP/LVET). Electrocardiography showed abnormalities in 26 to 44% of patients: signs of right ventricular enlargement in 26% of patients with fatty liver, and a prolongation of myocardial repolarisation (QTc) in 44% of patients with cirrhosis. Patients with alcohol-induced liver disease deserve more attention of their cardiac complaints, clinical and functional findings.

134 outpatients with acute benign gastric ulcer confirmed by endoscopic biopsy received either 1 g sucralfate suspension four times daily or one 150 mg ranitidine tablet twice daily for six to 12 weeks in a multicentre therapy study (double-blind study according to the double-dummy technique). After six to 12 weeks, respectively, 56% and 82% of the ulcers had healed in the sucralfate group. The rates of healing in the ranitidine group were 72% and 88%, respectively. The differences in the rates of healing between sucralfate and ranitidine were not statistically significant. Ranitidine was superior to the sucralfate suspension in corpus ulcer. In the distally located ulcers, the two kinds of treatment were equivalent. There were no appreciable differences between the medications with regard to antacid consumption and compliance. Gastric pain was influenced better by ranitidine than by sucralfate.