Heidelberg, University, Diss., 2006.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies identified a link between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). GERD is a condition in which acid reflux from the stomach to the esophagus causes troublesome symptoms. On the other hand, OSA is defined as a sleep-related breathing disorder in which airflow significantly decreases or ceases due to upper airway obstruction, leading to arousal from sleep. OSA was found to be associated with GERD. In this study, we aim to study the characteristics and concurrent risk factors associated with GERD and OSA in a large population-based study. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of GERD were extracted from the National Inpatient Database (NIS) for the years 2016 to 2019. Patients' age, gender, race, and hospital information, including region and bed size, were extracted and considered as baseline characteristics. The comorbidities included are hypertension (HTN), atrial fibrillation (AFib), congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension (PHTN), obesity, and smoking. Patients younger than 18 years old were excluded from this study. Results: Out of 22,677,620 patients with the diagnosis of GERD, 12.21% had a concurrent diagnosis of OSA (compared to 4.79% in patients without GERD, p-value <0.001). The mean age of patients with GERD and OSA was 64.47 years vs 65.42 years in patients without OSA (p-value <0.001). The GERD and OSA group had almost identical gender distribution compared to the GERD only group, as it was predominantly female patients. The white and black races were slightly more prevalent in the GERD and OSA group compared to the GERD only group. Regarding comorbidities, the prevalence of obesity was more clear in the GERD and OSA group. It was noted that the group of patients who carry a diagnosis of GERD and OSA have more prevalence of diabetes (DM), hypertension (HTN), obesity, atrial fibrillation (Afib), congestive heart failure (CHF), and pulmonary hypertension (PHTN). Patients with GERD and OSA were 21% less likely to be older than 65 years rather than younger (95% CI: 0.79-0.8, p-value <0.001), 35% less likely to be females (95% CI: 0.65-0.65, p-value <0.001), and 22% less likely to be non-white (95% CI: 0.77-0.8, p-value <0.001). Obesity was found to be the strongest association with this population, followed by PHTN, CHF, DM, HTN, Afib, and lastly smoking. CONCLUSION: Patients with GERD and OSA were found more likely to be female, white, living in the southern part of the United States, obese, diabetes mellitus type 2, and being active smokers.

Das Ziel dieser experimentellen Studie war es die Techniken der konventionell laparo¬skopischen Fundoplikatio nach Nissen (CLNF) und der roboter-assistierten Fundoplikatio nach Nissen (RANF), wovon erstere derzeit als Standard der operativen Therapie der gastro¬ösophagealen Refluxkrankheit (GERD) im Kindesalter gilt, anhand workflow-analytischer Vergleichskriterien objektiv zu evaluieren. An jeweils zwölf weiblichen infantilen Schweinen (Rasse: Sus scrofa domestica, Gewicht: 7-10,8 kg, Alter: 6-8 Wochen) wurde respektive eine CLNF oder RANF durchgeführt, die postoperativ mittels Workflow-Analyse sowohl quantitativ als auch qualitativ in Hinsicht auf Geschwindigkeit, Sicherheit, Genauigkeit und Effizienz verglichen wurde. Dafür benutzten wir ein zuvor von uns entwickeltes Modul einer computer-assistierten Workflow-Erhebung, das speziell auf die Operationstechnik der Fundoplikatio nach Nissen ausgerichtet wurde. Nach Segmentierung des chirurgischen Workflows in spezielle Phasen konnten die zur Komplettierung vorab definierter Aktionen benötigten Zeiten mit Hilfe des Student’s t-Tests verglichen werden. Die Qualität des Knoten-Knüpfens wurde anhand eines speziellen Punktesystems beurteilt, die Effizienz der Fundoplikatio mittels Messung des Kardia-Öffnungsdruckes (Cardia yield pressure - CYP). Entgegen einer Zeitersparnis beim Knüpfen der Knoten in der RANF-Gruppe erwies sich die Qualität des Knüpfens in der CLNF-Gruppe als hochwertiger. In der durchschnittlichen Dauer der einzelnen Operationsphasen und dem Anstieg des CYP zeigte sich kein signifikanter Unterschied, wohingegen induzierte Pneumothoraces bei der CLNF verglichen mit der RANF öfter auftraten, allerdings Nähte in der RANF-Gruppe häufiger rissen. Trotz beschleunigtem Knoten-Knüpfens und reduzierter Inzidenz von Pneumothoraces, konnte die Technik der RANF in unserem experimentellen Tiermodell hinsichtlich der Effizienz der jeweiligen Operationstechnik nicht durch signifikante Vorteile überzeugen.

abstract: Drinking vinegar is a popularly discussed remedy for relieving heartburn symptom, as can be read on many websites; however, there has been no scientific research or theory to support its efficacy. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, cross-over research study tested the efficacy of the organic apple cider vinegar, with mother, on alleviation of the heartburn symptom related to Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). A minimum of one week separated the four trial arms: chili (placebo), antacid after chili meal (positive control), vinegar added to chili, and diluted vinegar after chili meal. Twenty grams of vinegar were used in both vinegar treatments, and 10 grams of liquid antacid were used in the antacid trial. A five-point Likert scale and a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to assess heartburn severity during a 120 minutes testing time. Seven of 15 recruited subjects' data was usable for statistical analysis (age: 39.6 ± 12.2 y, body mass index (BMI): 29.4 ± 4.2 kg/m2, waist circumference: 36.4 ± 4.1 inch). There was no statistically significant difference among the mean and incremental area-under-the-curve (iAUC) heartburn scores among different trials (Likert scale questionnaire p= .259, VAS questionnaire p= .659, iAUC Likert scale p= .184, iAUC VAS p= .326). Seven participants were further divided into antacid responder (n=4) and antacid non-responder groups (n=3). Likert scale mean heartburn score and iAUC data in antacid responder group had significant finding (p= .034 and p= .017 respectively). The significance lay between antacid and 'vinegar added to chili' trials. Effect size was also used to interpret data due to the small sample size: Likert scale: mean heartburn score= .444, iAUC= .425; VAS mean heartburn score= .232, iAUC .611. Effect size for antacid responder group was Likert scale: mean heartburn score= .967, iAUC= .936. Future research is needed to examine whether ingesting organic vinegar benefits alleviation of heartburn symptom related to GERD for people who do not respond well to antacid. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Nutrition 2016

Práce vymezuje problematiku strukturálních fondů, přičemž důraz je kladen na rozvoj vědy a výzkumu. Součástí práce je přehled a komparace unijních politik upravujících tuto oblast a analýza dopadů operačních programů na rozvoj vědy a výzkumu v Rakousku a v České republice za finanční rámec 2000 - 2006.

Syfte: Studiens syfte var att undersöka hur den orala hälsan påverkas hos patienter med gastroesofagael reflux sjukdom (GERD) med frågeställningarna: Förekommer orala sjukdomar och/eller kliniska tecken hos patienter med GERD? och Hur påverkas oral hälsorelaterad livskvalitet hos patienter med GERD? Metod: Sökningen av artiklar i denna litteraturstudie utfördes i tre databaser: Dentistry &amp; oral sciences source (DOSS), MEDLINE och CINAHL. Artiklarna vilka inkluderades i denna litteraturstudie var publicerade mellan åren 2011–2022 och besvarade studiens syfte samt frågeställningar. Totalt valdes 17 st relevanta artiklar till studiens resultat. Resultat:  Gastroesofagael reflux sjukdom (GERD) kan påverka den orala hälsan negativt samt minska individens livskvalitet på olika sätt, då den kan bidra till ökad risk för olika orala sjukdomar och tillstånd såsom karies, gingivit och parodontit. GERD kan även leda till tandsubstansförlust framför allt genom erosionsskador. Högre prevalens av munslemhinneförändringar, minskad salivsekretion, oral halitosis och ilningar kunde ses hos personer med GERD sjukdomen. Slutsats: Det finns ett samband mellan GERD och negativ påverkan på den orala hälsan, välbefinnandet samt oral livskvalitet. Mer forskning kring hur GERD påverkar den orala hälsan krävs, för att i framtiden kunna skapa hälsofrämjande och preventiva åtgärder som reducerar konsekvenserna av GERD på den orala hälsan. / Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how the oral health is affected regarding patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with the focus on the following questions: Does oral diseases and/or clinical signs occur in patients with GERD? and How is oral health related quality of life effected in patients with GERD? Method: In this literature study the searching of articles was performed in three databases: Dentistry &amp; Oral Sciences Source (DOSS), MEDLINE and CINAHL. The included articles were published between 2011–2022 and were relevant to the aim of the study. In total there were 17 relevant articles selected for the study’s results. Results: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can adversely affect the oral health and reduce the individual's quality of life in different ways, as it can lead to an increased risk of different oral diseases and conditions such as caries, gingivitis, and periodontitis. GERD can also lead to tooth surface loss, especially due to dental erosions. A higher prevalence of mouth mucosa changes, reduced saliva secretion, oral halitosis and tooth sensitivity were seen in people with GERD disease. Conclusion: There is a connection between GERD and a negative impact on the oral health, well-being, and oral quality of life. More research on how GERD affects oral health is required, in order to create health-promoting and preventive measures that reduce the consequences of GERD on oral health.

Liu Tsui-yuk. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-128). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / List of Abbreviations --- p.ix / Chapter / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / The Issue of Rom 11 :25-32 --- p.1 / Brief Survey on Scholarly Concerns --- p.4 / Theological Considerations --- p.4 / Text-Context-Semantic Considerations --- p.7 / Purpose and Methodology of the Present Study --- p.14 / The Nature of the Epistle of Romans --- p.15 / The Role of Paul to the Community --- p.17 / The Christian Community of Rome --- p.20 / The Audience of the Epistle of Romans --- p.24 / The Thesis of the Present Study --- p.24 / Chapter 2. --- THE SOCIAL SETTING OF ROMANS IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK --- p.25 / Building up Consensus --- p.25 / The Necessity of a Consensus --- p.25 / The Necessity of a Consensus for the Roman Christian Community --- p.25 / The Necessity of a Consensus for Paul --- p.27 / The Content of the Consensus --- p.29 / Defining Self-Identity Regarding the Religion of Origin --- p.30 / The Necessity of Defining Self-Identity Regarding the Religion of Origin --- p.31 / Defining Self-Identity --- p.32 / Freeing from Jewish Identity Markers --- p.33 / Setting up New Boundary --- p.33 / Resolving Conflicts --- p.35 / "Conflicts between the ""“Strong"" and ""Weak""" --- p.35 / Boasting of the Jewish Christians over the Gentile Christians --- p.36 / Boasting of the Gentile Christians over the Jewish Christians --- p.36 / Paul's Way to Resolve the Conflicts --- p.37 / Giving Direction Regarding the Surrounding World --- p.38 / "The ""“Chrestus"" Expulsion" --- p.38 / The Content of the Instruction Regarding the Surrounding World --- p.41 / Creating an Image of World --- p.41 / Offering Orientations --- p.43 / Establishing a Structure of Authority --- p.44 / Independence of the Influence of External Authority --- p.45 / Establishing Internal Authority --- p.46 / The Lordship of Jesus Christ --- p.47 / The Leadership of Paul --- p.48 / The Structure of Authority --- p.48 / Chapter 3. --- THE CONTEXT OF ROMANS IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK --- p.51 / ROM 1:1-17 introducrtion in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.52 / Rom 1:18-5 :21 The Core Values of the Gospel: Righteousness of God-To Man's Faith in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.60 / Rom 6:1 -8:39 The Outworking of the Gospel: In Relation to the Individual in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.66 / Rom 9:1-11:36 The Outworking of the Gospel: In Relation to Israel and Gentiles in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.68 / Rom 12:1-15:13 The Outworking of the Gospel: for the Redefined People of God In Everyday Terms in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.68 / Rom 15:14-16:27 Conclusion in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.70 / Chapter 4. --- THE IMMEDIATE CONTEXT OF ROMANS IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK --- p.72 / Paul's Concern for His Kinspeople (Rom 9:1-5) --- p.72 / The Election and Mercy of God (Rom 9:6-29) --- p.74 / God's Election (Rom 9:6-13) --- p.74 / God's Mercy (Rom 9:14-29) --- p.75 / The Word of Faith (Rom 9:30-10:21) --- p.77 / The Mystery of God's Faithfulness (Rom 11:1 -24) --- p.80 / A Concluding Hymn of Adoration (Rom 1 1:33-36) --- p.82 / Chapter 5. --- "PAUL'S MEANING AND RHETORICAL FORCE OF ""ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED"" (ROM 11:25-32) IN THE LIGHT OF KIRCHENPOLITIK" --- p.83 / Paul's Intended Audience --- p.84 / The Inaccurate Assumption: Gentile Christian Audience --- p.84 / True Audience: Gentile and Jewish Christians --- p.84 / Rom 11:25-32 in the Light of Kirchenpolitik --- p.87 / The Confession(Rom 11:25-27) --- p.87 / Prelude （(Rom 11:25a) --- p.88 / Mystery: Hardening of Israel and Fullness of Gentiles (Rom 11:25b) --- p.92 / Mystery: All Israel will be saved (Rom 11:26a) --- p.97 / The Biblical Basis (Rom 11:26b-27) --- p.102 / Concluding Remark (Rom 11:28-32) --- p.104 / Irrevocable Divine Gifts and Call (Rom 11:28-29) --- p.105 / Divine Disobedience and Mercy (Rom 11:30-32、) --- p.108 / Summary: The Rhetorical Force of All Israel Will Be Saved --- p.109 / Chapter 6. --- CONCLUSIONS --- p.115 / Bibliography --- p.119

Controversy in transboundary rivers usually arises due to a lack of inclusive agreement and cooperation between the basin countries. Originating from Ethiopia, the Blue Nile River contributes most of the Nile River water making it vital for water, energy, and food security at downstream Sudan and Egypt. In 2011, the Ethiopian government announced the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) along the Blue Nile 40 km away from the Sudanese borders. The dam will be the biggest in Africa and seventh-largest in the world producing 6,000 Megawatts of electricity with a reservoir volume of 74 billion cubic meters. Great concerns were raised on the impact of this megaproject for downstream countries due to the expected changes in water quantity and quality. Different studies were published regarding the potential impacts of this dam on the Eastern Nile countries. However, these studies have usually focused on one aspect of the impact (e.g. hydropower, agricultural projects, water use) despite the connection that exists between these sectors. This research aims to investigate the impact the GERD operation will have on Sudan in terms of WEF security and sustainability. The study uses the WEF security nexus framework that addresses the interconnectedness between these sectors instead of treating them in silos. A sustainability assessment is also carried out to analyze the impact of the dam operation on the environmental, social and economic areas in Sudan. The study first looked into the current state of Sudan’s WEF security nexus and highlighted the vulnerabilities that exist within these sectors. Then an analysis of the GERD operation was carried out and the results showed that water regulation and sediment reduction will reflect positively on Sudan as it will enable for expansion in agricultural projects, increase hydropower production, and provide flood control. Some negative impacts, however, are to be expected especially during the impounding phase from water level reduction and change in river characteristic which will greatly affect the environment and society downstream. The safety of the dam was found to be the biggest threat to Sudan’s security, as the case of dam failure will have catastrophic consequences for the country. The study concluded that an increase in cooperation between the Eastern Nile countries will decrease the downstream negative impacts of the GERD and increase its overall benefits ultimately leading to sustainability, peace, and welfare for these countries. Sudan also needs to take measures in accommodating the new flowing conditions including reoperation of the Sudanese dams and mitigation strategies for the potential negative impacts.

The essay has its beginning in the source material that deal with ancient Norse religion before the people in the Nordic countries became Christian. The fact that there are no contemporary written or authentic sources available that can tell us something about the Norse religion during the Viking age is problematic. Archeological source materials is available, but tend to talk more about power relationships and social status than the old Norse religion and the way people practiced their faith. Medieval Christian writers are a source of knowledge of the Norse religion; however, they can only highlight the Norse religion from a Christian point of view and ways of evaluating the pagan faith, making them less reliable. The written sources of this paper are based on the written by two medieval Christian writers, Saxo Grammaticus and Snorri Sturluson. These sources are among the first to treat the Norse religion process after the introduction of Christianity in Scandinavia. The survey is based on the Saxo Grammaticus history work "Gesta Danorum" as in the ninth book "Ragnar Lodbrok story" portrays the Amazon Ladgerd, the figure which the thesis directs its focus against, and Snorri Sturluson written collection of ”Heimskringla" which deals with Earl Haakon and his patron goddess Torgerd Holgabrud in battle of Hjoerungavaag year 986. The survey is also influenced by the Icelandic poetry from which Saxo Grammaticus' and Snorri Sturluson´s history writing originates. In this essay, I use source criticism and a comparative method to study the relationships between the two sources and the way they depict the Amazon Ladgerd and Torgerd Holgabrud in the historic context. The essay can help to give a better understanding of the Amazon and the role women warriors have had in the ancient Norse religion, which future research can benefit from. With the support from earlier research on the ancient Norse religion, I can show that there is a connection between the two sources Saxo Grammaticus' “Gesta Danorum” and Snorri Sturluson’s "Heimskringla ". Both sources depict the Amazon and women warriors’ role in the ancient Norse religion - based on a Christian world view and feminine ideal. The study shows several similarities between the Amazon Ladgerd and Torgerd Holgabrud, which can indicate that the two women warriors is the same History fairytale figure. The sources lead me on the track by another female, giantess Gerd, which proves Ladgerd´s and Torgerd Holgabrud's real character and origin. Saxo Grammaticus, Snorri Sturluson and the Icelandic poetry depictions of Ladgerd, Torgerd Holgabrud and Gerd is simultaneously a reflection of a pre-Norse ritual, the "blot", and a Norse royal ideology.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam built on the Nile has sparked conflicts for over twelve years now since it was first announced in 2009. But in 2020 when Ethiopia finally started to fill this behemoth of a dam hostilities ramped up between Egypt and Ethiopia. Because around 95% of Egypt's freshwater comes from the Nile and this dam is positioned upstreams of Egypt's vital water source. As such, Egypt did not take lightly to Ethiopia's challenge towards their historical water hegemony and responded with threats of violence and war. To further complicate this situation Egyp is facing an acute water shortage in 2025 and climate change will throw a wrench into the whole situation as droughts and floods will become more frequent as the world grows warmer. The empirical work of this thesis used a process-tracing approach to identify that realistic fears are driving Egypt to react with aggression and seek conflicts. However, Egypt's goal is to achieve cooperation and create a water-sharing agreement with Ethiopia. The problem is that Ethiopia does not want to give up their dam control and is satisfied with the status quo, while Egypt is striving to create a situation where they both have something to gain from cooperation. Be it through threatening to invade Ethiopia and blow the dam up or through their use of international institutions to force Ethiopia into cooperation. In the end, the conflict continues as no cooperation agreement has been signed.