Postgraduate medical journal
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Comparative Study
TnI and IL-18 levels are associated with prognosis of sepsis.
To evaluate the diagnostic value of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and troponin (TnI) in sepsis. ⋯ Monitoring TnI and IL-18 levels can effectively evaluate the severity and recovery of patients with sepsis.
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Observational Study
New cost-effective pleural procedure training: manikin-based model to increase the confidence and competency in trainee medical officers.
Pleural diseases are common in clinical practice. Doctors in training often encounter these patients and are expected to perform diagnostic and therapeutic pleural procedures with confidence and safely. However, pleural procedures can be associated with significant complications, especially when performed by less experienced. Structured training such as use of training manikin and procedural skills workshop may help trainee doctors to achieve competence. However, high costs involved in acquiring simulation technology or attending a workshop may be a hurdle. We hereby describe a training model using a simple manikin developed in our institution and provide an effective way to document skill acquisition and assessment among trainee medical officers. ⋯ Our pleural procedure training manikin model is a reliable, novel and cost-effective method for acquiring competences in pleural procedures.
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To describe association between the genetic variation of inflammation-associated gene, P2X7R, and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) susceptibility. ⋯ The allelic variation of rs7958311 SNP in P2X7R gene may have a protective effect on AS susceptibility in females and is associated with disease activity in male patients.