Possible influences of demographic changes in the Federal Republic of Germany on future expenditures for medication have been investigated using population models from the Federal Statistical Office ...and data concerning the structure of current drug expenditures of the health insurance system. In addition the former contribution of demographic changes to the development of drug expenditures has been estimated using retrospective analysis. The study demonstrates that a constant supply with medicines would require an increase of expenses of 0.6% per year until 2,000 AD due to demographic changes, assuming other conditions remain constant. Development since 1957, however, shows that demographic influences are of relatively low importance for the development of total drug expenditures. During the last decade the total growth of costs for medicines was 6 times higher than that which would have been expected due to demographic changes alone. Further comparisons with the growth rate of the gross national product (GNP) demonstrate that since 1975 growth of drug expenditures parallels growth of GNP. The price indices for pharmaceutical products and for cost of living developed in a parallel way during the same period of time.
In 860 patients 980 bronchoalveolar lavages were performed. The repeated BAL allows conclusions of the effect of treatment and the prognosis of the disease. BAL is together with other clinical ...findings an important new method in pulmology. Its value in diagnosis of interstitial pulmonary diseases and other pulmonary diseases is described with special view to occupational expositions.
A case of lymphangioma of the 11th and 12th thoracic vertebral body with considerable diagnostic difficulties is reported. The course of the disease could be followed roentgenographically for six ...years backwards. The diagnosis is confirmed by lymphangiography: lymphographic contrast medium can be demonstrated within the vertebral spongiosa. In the last months, an osteolysis of the right 11th rib was observed, being in the immediate neighbourhood of the vertebral lesion. The probable pathogenesis, the clinical presentation, and the therapeutic possibilities are discussed.
Two giant neurons (diameter 130 micron) were identified immunocytochemically by means of the unlabeled antibody enzyme technique with anti-ACTH 1-39 and 1-24 in the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis. The ...cells are located in the visceral and the right parietal ganglion, respectively. They contain moderately electron dense elementary granules (diameter 150-160 nm). By means of the intracellular horseradish peroxidase injection technique it was shown that the cells send fibres into the neuropiles of various ganglia and into nerves. Synapses occur on the fine fibre branches in the neuropile. Synapse-like structures were found on the cell bodies and on the major fibres. The giant neurons are electrotonically coupled. With toluidine blue staining for small peptides it was demonstrated that in the central nervous system of the pond snail numerous peptidergic neurons occur in addition to those identified with the classical staining methods for neurosecretion.
Results of 92 xerotomographies of the upper air-ways are demonstrated on selected cases of benign and malignant neoplasms. In tomography of the throat we prefer the positive type of development. ...Xerography provides a good insight into site and size of tumors in larynx and pharynx.
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