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Courses: Gender Communication, Sexuality and Communication.Objectives: The goals of this unit activity are for students to (1) identify their emotions about transgender people’s lived experiences, ...

The Next Generation (TNG) is a nationally recognized group of kinky people who seek to educate and socialize members between the ages of 18-35 into the kink community. This chapter explores information provided by 20 TNG groups on Fetlife.com using thematic analysis. The major emergent themes are education with an emphasis on age, socialization, asking questions, and resources; common rules with an emphasis on personal ads, photography, alcohol, and consent; and the purpose, planning, and etiquette of Munches.

Die Echinokokkosen des Menschen sind Zoonosen als Folge einer Infektion mit den Larvenstadien der Gattung Echinococcus, bei denen der Mensch als Fehlzwischenwirt fungiert. Fur Mitteleuropa bzw. Deutschland humanmedizinisch relevant sind • die zystische Echinokokkose – Hundebandwurmerkrankung, verursacht durch Echinococcus granulosus – und • die alveolare Echinokokkose – Fuchsbandwurmerkrankung, verursacht durch Echinococcus multilocularis. Da das Wachstumsverhalten der beiden Spezies im Menschen sehr unterschiedlich ist, resultieren 2 in Diagnostik, Therapie und Prognose verschiedene Erkrankungen, weswegen die beiden Krankheitsbilder hier separat vorgestellt werden sollen.

Erstmals wurden gleichzeitig niedergelassene Zahnarzte und HIV-positive Patienten zur zahnarztlichen Behandlungssituation und Versorgungsqualitat in Baden-Wurttemberg anonym befragt. Die Rucklaufquote betrug bei den Zahnarzten 18,5 und 42,6% bei den HIV-positiven Patienten. Insgesamt ergab sich bei der Auswertung ein positives Resultat der zahnarztlichen Versorgung fur HIV-infizierte Patienten in Baden-Wurttemberg, sowohl aus Sicht der Patienten als auch aus Sicht der teilnehmenden Zahnarzte.

This study examined gender differences in college students’ open-ended descriptions of ideal and actual hookups. Themes for each of the open-ended response questions were coded by two coders. Results are from a sample of undergraduate students (N = 343) and indicate that 35.9 % (N = 61) of the female participants’ descriptions were coded as “very different” between actual and ideal hookups, whereas only 17.2 % (N = 29) of male participants’ descriptions were coded as “very different.” Conversely, 55.6 % (N = 94) of male participants exhibited “no difference” between their actual and ideal descriptions of their hookup experience, whereas 38.2 % (N = 65) of female participants’ descriptions were not discrepant. Both differences were statistically significant. Results for descriptions of ideal hookup partners and communication expectations did not differ by gender.

Hepatotoxicity related to antidepressive pharmacotherapy is a major safety concern, particularly considering that severe forms of hepatic failure with fatal outcome have been reported. Severe hepatotoxic adverse drug reactions were also reported for agomelatine (AGM), an antidepressive agent, which was approved for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) in adults by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in February 2009. Its general safety and tolerability profile appears to be favourable or similar in comparison to other antidepressants, particularly regarding metabolic aspects, sexual functioning, gastrointestinal side effects, and discontinuation phenomena. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of AGM-related hepatotoxicity are currently poorly understood. Pooled data from clinical trials indicate that patients treated with AGM demonstrate increased prevalence rates of elevated liver transaminases (> 3 x ULN; 1.34% on AGM 25 mg/day, 2.51% on AGM 50 mg/day) in comparison to placebo (0.5%). AGM-related hepatotoxic adverse drug reactions are unpredictable and usually occur as asymptomatic increases of liver enzymes, which develop during the first months of treatment and mostly recover after discontinuation of AGM-treatment or even on continued treatment. Liver injury due to AGM-related hepatotoxicity is mostly hepatocellular. The underlying mechanism appears to be idiosyncratic. Cholestatic or hypersensitivity reactions have not yet been reported. Some evidence suggests dose-dependence of AGM-related hepatotoxicity. In a recent post-authorisation opinion of the EMA, hepatotoxic reactions related to AGM were declared as an important identified risk and new contraindications for treatment with AGM were released (hypersensitivity to AGM, elevations of liver enzymes > 3 x ULN, hepatic impairment (not further specified), parallel use of potent CYP1A2 inhibitors). Considering these aspects, treatment with AGM must only be performed under strict accordance with the recently modified prescribing information. A final evaluation of AGM-related hepatotoxicity is currently not possible; further studies are necessary.

SummaryObjective of our study is qualitative and quantitative comparison of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and 18F-FDG PETCT in monitoring hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). Parasitic liver lesions were examined regarding number, size, morphology, vascularization and metabolic activity. Patients, methods: 36 patients with medicallytreated HAE were included in this prospective clinical study. Abdominal ultrasound and CEUS were carried out using ultrasound contrast amplifier SonoVue®. As part of monitoring, patients were examined by 18F-FDG-PET-CT. Quantitative analysis of CEUS was performed using the Software Vue- Box™ Quantification Toolbox. Maximum contrast enhancement in lesions peak enhancement (PE) was used as parameter. For quantification of 18F-FDG PET-CT, maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) of lesions was specified and statistically compared with PE. Results: 18F-FDG uptake in parasitic liver lesions was diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET-CT in 32 of 36 patients. Vascularization of liver lesions was detected by CEUS in 22 of 32 FDG-positive patients with sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 100%. Mean maximum diameter of lesions was 69.5mm in CEUS and 63.7mm in B-scan ultrasound (p < 0.0001). No significant correlation was found between SUVmax and PE (p = 0.8879). Conclusion: In comparison to FDG PET-CT, the gold standard for detecting viable lesions by depicting metabolism, CEUS detects viable lesions with high specificity and moderate sensitivity by showing vascularization. CEUS must be regarded as an important tool in monitoring HAE. Dimensions of parasitic lesions are displayed more precisely through CEUS than in B-scan. With currently available methods, CEUS quantification has no benefit in monitoring HAE lesions in daily clinical practice.

Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is a glycoprotein expressed predominantly in the hepatocytes. It regulates the transport of sex steroid hormones in the blood stream to their target tissues. The expression of the SHBG gene is subject to multifactorial regulation including hormonal, metabolic, and nutritional aspects. Against this background, we investigated the effect of fatty liver and metabolic syndrome, together with other parameters, on serum SHBG concentrations in a population-based cohort in Germany. This cross-sectional study included 870 women and 787 men (average age 42.3±12.8 years), who underwent ultrasound screening for fatty liver in addition to providing a complete medical history and undergoing physical and laboratory examination. Fatty liver was diagnosed on ultrasound criteria in 159 women (18.3%) and 287 men (36.5%). Fatty liver was shown to exert a significant influence on serum SHBG concentrations in men and in premenopausal women. Men with grade 1 fatty liver had a 1.96-fold increased risk (95%-confidence interval=1.28-3.02; p=0.0022) and postmenopausal women with grade 1 fatty liver a 2.4-fold risk (95%-confidence interval=1.11-5.27; p=0.0267) for low SHBG concentrations. Among metabolic parameters, HDL-C represented as affecting factor in men (p=0.0058) and premenopausal women (p=0.0002), while cholesterol only showed an association in premenopausal women (p=0.0439) and triglyceride in postmenopausal women (p=0.0436). No association of concentrations of SHBG and metabolic syndrome was observed. Age, BMI and waist-to-hip ratio also influence the SHBG concentration. Based on these findings, we conclude that fat accumulation in the liver influences SHBG concentrations in men and premenopausal women.

Background: Intra-abdominal fat (IAF) is a valuable predictor of cardiovascular morbidity. However, neither reference values nor determinants are known in children. Methods: IAF was assessed as sonographically measured intra-abdominal depth in 1,046 children [median age 7.6 years, interquartile range (IQR) 7.2–7.9; 54% boys] of the URMEL-ICE study. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient for intraobserver agreement was 0.93. The median IAF showed a significant gender difference (boys: 54.6 mm, IQR 50.1–59.3, vs. girls: 51.7 mm, IQR 46.3–56.4; p < 0.001). Age- and gender-specific centiles were generated. IAF showed a positive correlation to systolic blood pressure [regression coefficient (β) = 0.24 mm Hg/mm; p < 0.001] and a negative correlation to HDL cholesterol (β = –0.01 mmol/l/mm; p < 0.001). IAF showed a positive association with increased paternal and maternal BMI (β = 0.28 mm/kg/m2 and 0.27 mm/kg/m2; p < 0.001), increased weight gain in the first 2 years of life (β = 3.04 mm; p < 0.001), and maternal smoking during pregnancy (β = 2.4 mm; p = 0.001). Increased parental education was negatively associated with IAF (maternal: β = –0.65 mm/degree; p = 0.004, and paternal: β = –0.61 mm/degree; p = 0.002). Conclusion: Sonography was a reliable tool to estimate IAF. Factors influencing IAF included rapid infant weight gain, smoking during pregnancy, and parental BMI and education. Since IAF showed an association with cardiovascular risk factors even in prepubertal children, it might become a valuable predictor of cardiovascular vulnerability.

ZusammenfassungDie Coeruloplasmin-Serumkonzentration bezieht ihre Bedeutung für die Neuropsychiatrie aus der vermutlich ursächlichen Verknüpfung niedriger oder fehlender Werte mit Eisenstoffwechselstörungen und einer Neurodegeneration mit zerebraler Eisenakkumulation einerseits sowie aus dem Auftreten niedriger Werte bei Kupferstoffwechselstörungen mit Neurodegeneration, insbesondere M. Wilson, andererseits. Die vorliegende Untersuchung berichtet immunnephelometrische Messungen an einer randomisierten Bevölkerungsstichprobe, die im Einklang mit publizierten Werten stehen und eine Abhängigkeit der Coeruloplasmin-Serumkonzentration von Geschlecht, oraler Kontrazeption und parallel bestimmten Entzündungsparametern zeigen, darüber hinaus aber insbesondere von den Cholesterinfraktionen. Der Ausprägungsgrad dieser Abhängigkeit lässt es zweckmäßig erscheinen, diese individuellen Größen bei der Beurteilung des Serumcoeruloplasmins zu berücksichtigen.

The blue copper protein ceruloplasmin has been of interest to psychiatrists for decades following Heilmeyer's observation of elevated serum copper levels in schizophrenic patients. Immunoturbidimetry, however, does not yield elevated serum ceruloplasmin concentrations in schizophrenia while ceruloplasmin-related oxidase activity appears to be elevated in patients with schizophrenia and reduced in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Low serum concentrations of immuno-turbidimetrically measured ceruloplasmin, and of oxidase activity, are typical of Wilson's disease, Menkes' disease, and aceruloplasminemia, three familial neurodegenerative disorders of pronounced variability, with regard to both genotype and phenotype. Especially patients with Wilson's disease may exhibit behavioural symptoms only over a long period. Heterozygous carriers of Wilson's disease and aceruloplasminaemia may have low serum ceruloplasmin concentrations; they will not develop somatic symptoms, but the significance of these carrier states, or of "hypoceruloplasminaemia", with regard to mental disorders is unknown.

SUMMARYTularemia is a rare, notifiable zoonosis in Germany. Since November 2004, several lines of evidence including outbreaks in humans or animals and confirmed infections in indigenous hare and rodent populations have indicated a re-emergence of tularemia in different German federal states. Unfortunately, reliable basic information on the seroprevalence in different geographical regions, permitting the identification of risk factors, does not exist. Combining a sensitive screening assay with a highly specific confirmative immunoblot test, we performed a serological investigation on 2416 sera from a population-based, cross-sectional health survey of the city population of Leutkirch, Baden-Wuerttemberg. A total of 56 sera gave positive results indicating a seroprevalence of 2·32%. Thus, the seroprevalence is tenfold higher than that previously reported in a nationwide study in 2004. Francisella tularensis can cause a wide variety of clinical syndromes including severe, sometimes fatal disease. Missing epidemiological data on its spatial and temporal distribution in an endemic country complicate an appropriate risk assessment necessary for public health authorities to be prepared for an adequate outbreak management. This is of special concern regarding the extraordinary potential of F. tularensis as an agent of bioterrorism. Our investigation performed in a presumed low-risk area demonstrated that tularemia might be seriously underestimated in Germany and probably in other central European countries as well.

A 12.5-year-old male patient with a de novo derivative chromosome 22 is reported. A detailed description of the clinical features and comparison with the results of conventional cytogenetic banding methods indicated that the derivative chromosome might have been caused by a translocation between the short arms of chromosomes 12 and 22: der(22)t(12;22)(p12.1;p11.2). Fluorescence in situ hybridization with a chromosome 12-specific paint confirmed this supposition. The patient thus carries a pure duplication of 12pter-->p12.1. The phenotype of the patient described is compared to cases in the literature.

Shock-wave delivery and focal size of three different generators-electrohydraulic, electromagnetic and piezoelectric--were compared. Pressure measurements were uniformly made by needle hydrophone (piezoelectric transducer). The smallest focus, 17 x 3 x 3 mm, was achieved with the piezoelectric system (50% isobars), while the focus with the electromagnetic generator was much larger (50 x 7 x 4 mm). With the electrohydraulic generator the focal size of the 60% isobars was 20 mm in the longitudinal axis. The highest pressure, 1512 bar, was achieved with the piezoelectric lithotriptor (mean shock-wave pressure in focus: electrohydraulic 1000 + 100, electromagnetic 1000 + 25, piezoelectric 1400 + 27 bar). The rapid positive pressure rise was followed by a slower pressure fall and a small negative wave. In the focal region the negative pressure wave was between 112 and 200 bar with the electrohydraulic system, 100-146 bar with the electromagnetic one, and 134 bar with the piezoelectric one. The significance of the negative wave is not clear; perhaps it contributes to the development of the cavitation effect and facilitates stone fragmentation.

Summary Background Overt or subclinical hypothyroidism is a common finding in adult populations affected by non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Currently, there are only sparse data available on the association of thyroid dysfunction and NAFLD in obese children and adolescents. Objective The study aims to investigate the association of thyroid function test values with NAFLD and metabolic risk factors in a population of obese children and adolescents. Methods A total of 332 overweight and obese children and adolescents (170 girls) aged between 10 and 19 years were analysed. Subjects underwent ultrasound examination of the liver. Thyroid function was evaluated by laboratory determination of thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (T3) and total thyroxine levels. All included subjects were either euthyroid or had subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH > 4 μU mL−1, normal thyroxine). Further metabolic profiling included the determination of lipid status, insulin and liver function tests. Anthropometric parameters body mass index, waist and hip circumference were documented. Results The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 29.8%. Subjects with NAFLD had significantly higher TSH levels than those without (p = 0.0007). After dividing TSH values into quartiles, both univariate and multivariate analyses (adjusted for age, body mass index–standard deviation scores and stage of puberty) showed a significant association with hepatic steatosis (p

The inhibition of dansylsarcosine (DS) binding at the benzodiazepine binding site of human serum albumin has been studied in the presence of saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids (FFA) of various chain lengths (C6–C20, C18:1, C18:2). In order to determine the mechanism of displacement, velocity constants for association (k 2) and dissociation (k −2) and binding constants (K A and K A′) have been measured using the stopped-flow method. The inhibitory effect of FFA on DS binding kinetics at site II is dependent of their structure. With increasing amounts of FFA the association velocity constant of DS binding decreases from 520 s−1 (fatty acid free albumin) by a factor of 3–10 and affinity decreases according to FFA chain length. Inhibition is strongest in the presence of caprylic, capric and lauric acid (C8–C12) i.e. with more than one mole FFA per mole albumin, DS association could no longer be measured. Short chain caproic and the long chain FFA C14–C20 showed only a less inhibitory effect since in the presence of a twofold excess k 2 ranged between 100 and 200 s−1. Dissociation velocity of DS from the benzodiazepine binding site could be measured in relationship to FFA chain length using ibuprofene, another drug binding at site II. Dissociation velocity constants k −2 remained constant up to 2 moles FFA per mole albumin (k −2 = 16–18 s−1). A rise in k −2 to 70 s−1 was seen, however, when 2–4 moles capric, lauric, myristic and palmitic (C10–C16) acid were bound, whereas no change was observed when increasing concentrations of caproic, caprylic, stearic and arachic acid. The more compact unsaturated FFA oleic and linoleic acids did not inhibit DS binding to the same extent as their saturated homologue stearic acid. k 2 and k −2 values resembled those when comparable amounts of myristic acid were bound indicating that chain length is the relevant parameter. It can be concluded that two different types of FFA inhibition of binding at the benzodiazepine binding site exist. Short-chain FFA (C6–C8) may be specifically bound at binding site II thereby competitively displacing DS. Longchain FFA (C12–C20), however, occupy their binding sites far from the benzodiazepine binding site. Inhibition occurs via an allosteric mechanism. Capric acid is unique in showing as well as competitive as well as allosteric inhibition characteristics.

188 Elongation of the small intestine (without histological changes) in young pigs with experimentally induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) − used as a model for children with EPI A. Moseler1, T. Schwarzmaier1, P.C. Gregory2, J. Kamphues3. 1University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Institute for Animal Nutrition, Hannover, Germany; 2Abbott Laboratories (GmbH), Hannover, Germany; 3University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Hannover, Germany

The objective of the present study was to identify ultrasonographic and anthropometric parameters that are highly associated with the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in overweight children and adolescents.A total of 447 overweight children and adolescents (body mass index, 32.4 ± 5.2 kg m(-2) ; mean age, 14.2 ± 1.9 years; range 10.1-20.3 years) were analysed. Subjects underwent ultrasound examination of the liver as well as ultrasonographic measurement of the amount of adipose tissue overlying the biceps brachii and triceps brachii muscles, and of subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue and intra-abdominal depth. Anthropometric parameters such as body mass index, waist and hip circumference were documented.The prevalence of NAFLD was 27.1%; it was significantly associated with the above-cited anthropometric parameters (P 0.001). Ultrasonographic findings identified a significant association between NAFLD and the amount of subscapular, suprailiac and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (P 0.001) as well as between NAFLD and intra-abdominal depth (P 0.001). Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed only intra-abdominal depth for both gender and the deposit of subcutaneous suprailiac adipose tissue in females to be independent predictors of NAFLD.In overweight children and adolescents, we identified intra-abdominal depth for both gender and the ultrasonographically easily determined subcutaneous suprailiac adipose tissue in females as independent predictor of NAFLD.

contrast agent Levovist®. Purpose: Objective of the present study was the comparison of various administration forms of the ultrasound contrast medium Levovist® with regard to duration and intensity of contrast enhancement in patients with tumors of the liver or pancreas. Patients and Methods: Seven patients with tumors of the liver or pancreas were examined prospectively using power Doppler sonography. Ultrasound contrast enhancement was achieved using Levovist® (8 ml, 400 mg/ml) in three different administration forms: 1 st as a bolus injection through the main channel, 2 nd through the injection valve of an intravenous cannula, or 3 rd as a continuous infusion. Semiquantitative evaluation of the degree of contrast enhancement over the course of the examination was conducted by three independent examiners. Results: Levovist®, administered by continuous infusion, resulted in a significantly longer average period of contrast enhancement (9:43 min (extratumoral), 7:34min (intratumoral)) than did the same dosage administered as a bolus injection through the main channel (6:01 min (extratumoral), 4:54 min (intratumoral), p=0.0156 (extratumoral); p=0.0313 (intratumoral), but contrast intensity was decreased. Bolus injection through the injection valve of the i.v. cannula was associated with decreased duration and intensity of contrast enhancement compared with injection through the main channel. Conclusion: Compared with bolus injection, the continuous infusion of Levovist® resulted in a significant prolongation of the duration but in a decreased intensity of contrast enhancement. Administration of Levovist® through the injection valve does not result in optimal contrast enhancement and is therefore not recommended.

Information on parasite viability in alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cannot be obtained by conventional imaging techniques. We evaluated the glucose metabolism of AE lesions by use of [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in 12 inoperable patients. Eight patients showed either perilesional or focal enhancement ("hot spots"), whereas 4 patients had nonenhancing (metabolically inactive) lesions. With PET, necrotic parasitic lesions and areas of enhanced metabolic activity could be clearly discriminated. Most notably, 3 of 8 patients with metabolically active lesions who were reexamined after chemotherapy treatment clearly showed improvement: the initial surrounding hot spots had disappeared in 2 of them, and had significantly decreased in 1. PET may prove valuable in assessing the efficacy of chemotherapy by showing the disappearance of metabolic activity and may also be useful for timely detection of relapses and metastases. Although costly and not readily available, FDG-PET is a promising tool toward improved management of AE and may thus help lower costs of long-term chemotherapy.

Ultrasonographically guided adominal biopsies are a frequent daily procedure in German hospitals. There are, however, few guidelines or recommendations for these common procedures. The oive of the current study was to assess current practice with respect to ultrasonographically guided biopsy procedures in a survey of hospitals with established departments of gastroenterology or with over 500 beds.A questionnaire addressing the preparation for, procedure during, and post-interventional monitoring following ultrasonographically guided biopsies was mailed to 349 German hospitals. The response rate was 51 % (n = 177).Establishment of an intravenous access is standard in 51.2 % (88/172) of the hospitals. Sedation analgesia is standard in 19.1 % (33/173) of the hospitals and is an option in a further 60.1 % (104/173). Local anesthesia is performed in 84.8 % (145/171) of the hospitals. A dedicated transducer for targeted biopsy is used in 40.6 % (81/176) of the hospitals, while 29.5 % (52/176) use a separate biopsy bracket attached to the probe. In 80.6 % (141/175) of the hospitals, a minimum platelet count of 50,000/µL is required. A minimum of 50 % is used as limit for quick in 86.5 % (147/170) of the hospitals. A value of 1 - 1.5 for the international normalized ratio (INR) is most commonly used in the hospitals. A partial thromboplastin time (PTT) between 28 and 50 sec. is used as the upper limit. Interruption of anticoagulants is handled in a very heterogeneous manner. Postinterventional monitoring following biopsy in ambulatory patients ranges from two to 24 hours.Our survey shows relevant differences in preparation, execution and postinterventional monitoring in ultrasonographically guided biopsy procedures as routinely performed in German hospitals. There seems to be a need for a guideline standardising ultrasonographically guided biopsy procedures.

The aim of this study was to assess the current state of undergraduate and postgraduate education in abdominal ultrasonography at German university hospitals and to compare these findings with data from 1999.A survey, encompassing questions related to technical equipment, undergraduate education, graduate education and quality assurance, was conducted at all 36 gastroenterological departments of university hospitals in Germany. The response rate was 86 %.Currently, there is an average of four dedicated ultrasound units for abdominal ultrasonography per department. Two percent are basic units, 12 % are middle-class and 86 % are high-end units. Compared to 1999 there has been an improvement in the quality of ultrasound units but no increase in number; the percentage of high-end units has considerably increased. All departments offer undergraduate training in abdominal ultrasonography. On average, about 100 students per semester take part in training programmes. Ten years ago only 86 % of hospitals provided undergraduate training, for an average of 55 students per semester. Postgraduate training is offered full-time in 94 % of hospitals (1999: 77 %) over a mean time span of 6.1 months (1999: 4.3 months). In 2009a mean of 4.7 physicians per department underwent ultrasonography training, down from 5.6 physicians per department in 1999.Over the ten-year observation period, the quality of dedicated ultrasonography equipment for abdominal ultrasonography in the gastroenterological departments of German university hospitals has improved considerably, while the quality of postgraduate education has improved only slightly. In addition, there was improvement in undergraduate ultrasonography training.

The aim of this study was to generate an overview of the current research situation in abdominal ultrasonography conducted by gasteroenterology departments of German university hospitals and to compare this situation with data from 1999.A survey was sent to all 36 German university hospitals encompassing information on research topics, number of research projects and publications, grants, and support by manufacturers of ultrasonography units. The response rate was 86 %.74 % of gastroenterological departments had 113 ongoing research projects during the enquiry period - on average 3.6 projects per departement. Of these projects 43 % were clinical research, 11 % technical studies, 13 % various topics and 33 % studies with ultrasound contrast enhancers. Ten years ago 80 % of gastroenterological departments had research projects - on average 3.5 projects per department. There was no significant difference in the number of publications between the two enquiry periods. The percentage of publications in English had increased considerably from 57 % (1999) to 78 % (2009). Regarding scientific grants there was no relevant difference during the observed time spans. A total of 32 % (1999: 26 %) of departments receive external funding in addition to their regular budgets. Forty-five percent (1999: 31 %) receive support from manufacturers in the form of hard- and software for application studies.Regrettably the research situation in abdominal ultrasonography has not improved considerably during the observed time span. As already stated in 1999, the urgent need for improved research funding for what is the most widely applied image modality still remains an ongoing concern.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of gallbladder polyps and possible risk factors in a random population sample of an urban population.A total of 2099 subjects (1072 women, 1027 men; aged 19 - 65 years, mean age 42.1 (SD ± 12.8 years) were prospectively examined using ultrasound, a standardized questionnaire and laboratory studies.Gallbladder polyps were identified in 6.1 % (128 / 2099) of all subjects (women: 6.1 % [63 / 1027]); men: 6.1 % [65 / 1072]). Solitary polyps were found in 52.4 % (65 / 124), two polyps in 16.1 % (20 / 124), three polyps in 6.5 % (8 / 124), several polyps in 22.6 % (28 / 124) and multiple polyps in 2.4 % (3 / 124) of subjects. The mean polyp diameter was 4.7 mm (SD ± 2.2; range 2 - 20 mm). The polyp diameter was ≤ 7 mm in 94.5 % of subjects. The polyps were described as pedunculate in 82.3 % (102 / 124). The polyps were broad-based in 11.3 % of subjects (14 / 124; men: 18 % women: 4.8 %). The polyps were homogeneously echogenic in 100 % of cases and with irregular contours in only one male subject. Multiple logistic regression failed to demonstrate an influence on the increased occurrence of gallbladder polyps for the risk factors of male sex, age, body-mass index (BMI), alcohol, nicotine or caffeine consumption or diabetes mellitus.The prevalence of gallbladder polyps reported in the present study (6.1 %) is higher than figures previously published for populations in Germany or Europe. The majority of polyps were pedunculate and solitary. A typical risk factor profile for gallbladder polyps could not be identified in the present population sample.